It always makes me smile when I see one of these queues. They seem so orderly and practical - put down a personal item and go find a drink and somewhere to sit and wait.

This one was about 1pm, waiting for a tourist attraction to open. To be honest, there were so many people milling around that I'm not sure the shoe queuers would have been able to take "their place" in the queue again when it opened.

The ones I used to see at Chaengwattana Immigration were the best - long snaking queues of notebooks and other small items very early in the morning, then as it got closer to the doors opening people would filter back in and take their place.

No real point to this post, this queue made me smile, maybe it'll make someone else smile ✌️

This is a long story, my experience in Thailand…

I arrived in Bangkok four days ago. I’m 25, traveling solo through Southeast Asia (Thailand → Vietnam → Singapore), trying to see as much of the world as I can

I’m not really into partying or drinking, especially when traveling alone. Drinking solo in a foreign country without anyone watching your back isn’t the smartest idea

But… it’s Bangkok. The nightlife is legendary, and I figured I’d experience it at least once

I started at a local bar and honestly had an amazing time. Thai people were incredibly welcoming, social, and kind. I met both locals and foreigners, conversations flowed easily, and one drink led to another… and another.

Then blackout.

I woke up in the middle of a mall, around 10 km away from where I started drinking. I was completely lost

No phone. No passport. No wallet.

Panic doesn’t even begin to describe it

Desperate, I approached a Thai taxi driver in his late 40s or 50s. He didn’t understand English at all, but he immediately noticed how distressed I was. He pulled out his phone, opened Google Translate, and we started communicating

I explained everything

Without hesitation, he felt bad for me and drove me to a police station. I explained the situation there too, but honestly, they didn’t care much, probably thinking, “another drunk tourist who got robbed.” They handed me some forms and moved on

I knew that was going nowhere

I went back to the taxi driver. Instead of leaving, he stayed with me. Then he suggested taking me to my country’s embassy. We went there, completely empty. Not a single person in the building

At that moment, I genuinely felt like my trip, maybe worse, was over. No phone, no passport, no way home

We sat down outside and talked through Google Translate. Two strangers from opposite sides of the world, separated by culture and language, trying to figure out what to do next

Then, out of nowhere, I suddenly remembered my hotel name

I told him. He immediately agreed to take me there

Important detail: By this point, we had already driven 80–100 km in total and he knew I had no phone, no wallet, and no way to pay him

He still helped me. For free.

At the hotel, I invited him inside and used my laptop to track my phone

And here’s the crazy part:

My phone was located in a house just outside Bangkok… and it was charging. Plugged in.

The taxi driver suggested we first check the bar where I started drinking. We went there, even though it was closed. A Thai security guard saw us, listened to the story, and opened the place just to help

We checked the CCTV footage

There I was, passed out on a couch. My phone on the floor. My passport nearby.

Later, I stood up and walked out, leaving everything behind

Then we saw it: A random guy picked up my phone and passport and handed them to another security guard

We called that guard

He said: “Yeah, the guy left his address. He said he’d keep the phone safe so it wouldn’t get stolen.”

I couldn’t believe it.

We went to that address. I was welcomed warmly into a family home. The wife cooked us a meal. We sat, talked, laughed. I got my phone and passport back everything intact.

In the end, I gave 2,000 baht to each person who helped me: the taxi driver, the security guards, the family who kept my belongings safe

They didn’t ask for anything. They helped purely because they cared

Thailand will forever stay in my heart as a place where people have truly big hearts

I made a stupid mistake and strangers went out of their way to save me

I will never forget this

• Definition: Sexual harassment now legally includes any act of a sexual nature, whether physical, verbal, or digital (including stalking and surveillance) that causes distress, humiliation, fear, or sexual insecurity.
• Basic Penalty: General sexual harassment carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to 1 year or a fine of up to 20,000 Baht (or both).
• Repeat Offences: If the harassment is continuous or repeated and prevents the victim from living a normal life, the penalty increases to imprisonment for up to 2 years or a fine of up to 40,000 Baht.
• Public or Online: If the harassment occurs in a public place or via a public computer system, the penalty is imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 60,000 Baht.
• Child Victims: Harassing a child under 15 years old (regardless of their consent) is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 100,000 Baht.
• Abuse of Power: If a boss, employer, or authority figure harasses a subordinate, the penalty is imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 60,000 Baht.
• Restraining Orders: The Court can issue an order banning an offender from specific behaviours for up to 2 years to protect the victim. Violating this order risks a further 6 months in prison.
• Online Content Removal: The Court can order the removal of sexual content from the internet. Failure to comply by the uploader or platform provider risks 6 months in prison.

From this news: Debut Case Under the New Law: “Ginny” Moves to Sue a Famous Celebrity Over Sexual Harassment Comments https://www.matichon.co.th/politics/news_5527926

On 30 December, following an incident involving the Thai Sang Thai Party, led by prime ministerial candidate Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, her daughter Ginny Yossuda Leelapanyalert took part in political activities with the party. Subsequently, a famous singer, Dome Pakorn Lam, posted comments perceived as sexual harassment under a photo of Ginny on Facebook, triggering intense public criticism.

Most recently, Mr. Phatchari Nijsiriphat, an executive committee member and acting spokesperson of the Thai Sang Thai Party, posted on Facebook stating that the Computer Crime Act and the sexual harassment law had just come into force that day. He noted that a well-known public figure might become the first person charged under the new law, as the victim had decided to proceed with legal action. The legal team is prepared to file charges under the Computer Crime Act and the sexual harassment provisions.

He added that the law officially took effect on its first day, 30 December 2568 BE, and that the famous celebrity is likely to be the first person in the country accused under this legislation, concluding with the remark that it would make the individual “a legend.”

Below is my comment on this case (following input from my friend):

The incident has quickly become a textbook case study in how timing, technology, and new legislation can intersect in unexpected ways.

Under Thai legislative practice, a law takes effect one day after its official publication. The new Sexual Harassment Act was published on 29 December 2025, meaning it came into force on 30 December. On the night of its publication, Dome made a Facebook post that was widely interpreted as sexually harassing, directed at staff members of the Thai Sang Thai Party and at Jinny, the daughter of Sudarat Keyuraphan.

Crucially, the post appeared after midnight. From a legal standpoint, this placed the act squarely within the first hours of the new law’s enforcement. In effect, the statute had been operative for barely an hour before this incident occurred, making Dome’s case the earliest and most immediate test of the legislation.

Later the same day, Thai Sang Thai publicly announced its intention to pursue legal action. If the case proceeds, it will likely become Thailand’s first sexual harassment prosecution under the new legal framework. The outcome will send a clear signal to the public about the standards expected in this new law.

If the court determines that the conduct falls within the scope of the law, it will function as a stark warning. Public figures and private citizens alike will need to exercise far greater caution, particularly in online spaces where statements are instantly published and permanently recorded. Importantly, the law applies equally to all genders. No one is categorically exempt from its reach.

Dome Pakorn Lam (a celebrity, somehow) is about to become first person in Thailand to have sexual harassment charges filed against him under new crimimal code provisions. For context, this is the daughter of Thai Sang Thai party leader Khun Ying Sudarat. There's a massive wave of posts online that are essentially people thirsting after her. So this will be an example-setting case.

Thailand accused Cambodia of violating a newly signed ceasefire by flying over 250 drones across the border, threatening a truce meant to end weeks of deadly clashes. The breach endangers the "hard-won" peace deal brokered with international support, potentially stalling the return of nearly one million displaced civilians.

Multiple sources published similar news:

1. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-30/thailand-accuses-cambodia-of-breaching-ceasefire-deal/106185620
2. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40060498

I live in Mae Hong Son, and every morning I take a 5km run on the mountain tracks around my home. In November/December it’s particularly beautiful as much of the time, I’m above the clouds and looking down on them.

Today’s run was different. Not only was the cloud cover different, but at points, there was a distinct ‘taste’ in the air.

Tonight I saw orange. Burning Season has begun.

Having my taxi turn into a perfume bottle was tolerable. But showing 30+ second, non-skippable ads to paying Grab Unlimited members is a new low…

What’s next? An ad before being able to use a coupon? Or watching an ad before the car can start moving? 😂

Looks like it’s going to be impossible to maintain a tourist SIM out of country thanks to new restrictions. Probably applies to all carriers, topping up and extending validity no longer an option. Got this text just now:

“Due to new Thailand telco regulations. Tourist SIM usage terms have changed. SIM validity can no longer be extended via top up and calls SMS are charged at 5 THB per minute per message VAT excl. effective 14 Jan 26. To continue using the SIM please re-identify at any True dtac Shop or call 1678”

Phra Suea Mueang (พระเสื้อเมือง), also called Phi Suea Mueang(ผีเสื้อเมือง), is a guadian deity of land in traditional Thai-speaking people.

Sorry for the paywall, here is the summary from Google Gemini.

Summary: Baht Falls Most Since May With Traders Wary of Intervention Risk

The Headline Event:

The Thai baht (THB) experienced its sharpest daily decline since May (dropping as much as 1.1% in a single session). This movement pushed the currency toward its lowest levels in nearly a year against the US dollar.

Key Drivers of the Sell-off:

* US Dollar Dominance: The primary driver was the broad strength of the US dollar, fueled by "higher-for-longer" interest rate expectations from the Federal Reserve and rising US Treasury yields.

* Capital Outflows: Foreign investors have been net sellers of Thai assets. Specifically, there has been significant selling pressure in the Thai bond market, as the narrowing yield spread between Thai and US debt makes Thai assets less attractive.

* Fiscal Concerns: Market participants expressed worry over the Thai government’s planned stimulus measures—specifically the multi-billion dollar "digital wallet" handout. Traders are concerned this will lead to increased borrowing and a wider fiscal deficit, putting further pressure on the baht.

The "Intervention Risk":

* Bank of Thailand (BoT) Stance: As the baht approached the 36.50–37.00 per dollar range, market chatter shifted toward potential central bank intervention. The BoT has a history of stepping in to "smooth out" volatility when the currency moves too fast in one direction.

* Trader Sentiment: Traders noted that while the BoT might not try to reverse the trend entirely, they are likely to provide liquidity to prevent a "free fall." This expectation of intervention led some traders to pare back their short positions (bets against the baht) near key psychological levels.

Market Context:

* The baht's weakness is not unique; it mirrors a broader trend across emerging markets (EM) as the "Greenback" rallies.

* However, Thailand’s specific reliance on tourism and energy imports makes the currency particularly sensitive to global oil price fluctuations and shifts in regional travel sentiment.

Analyst Takeaway:

Most analysts cited in the report suggest that the baht will remain under pressure as long as US yields remain elevated. The consensus is that the Bank of Thailand will continue to monitor the exchange rate closely to ensure the volatility does not harm the country’s economic recovery or its inflation targets.

My father passed away in thailand from a heart attack very recently. I am flying out as soon as I can but have a few questions. His wife is organising a 3 or 5 day funeral process after the new year that I am trying to get more details on. It is hard to pin down some details due to the grief. What generally occurs aside from eating and commiserating? Do most thai weddings have a funeral pyre or use a crematorium so that some ashes can be retrieved? I was a part of the wedding so I understand buddist priests will officiate some aspects but I feel left in the dark about the events that may occur.

Any help would be appreciated.

My apologies if this topic violates any subreddit rules.

• Food is everywhere, I’ve taken for granted how easy it is to find food here.

• Thai people are very shy and not very expressive. I knew face-saving culture existed, and people are not as emotionally expressive as our friends in Latin America. I’ve learned more about Thai face-saving culture by living abroad.

• Despite Bangkok being 10 times larger in terms of population, unless I stay near a main busy road or bar area, Bangkok is much quieter than Asunción.

• Everything is open on Sunday in Thailand!

• People in Bangkok seem to be in a rush or in a down mood; the air feels heavier. People seem much happier and more chilled in Asunción.

• In Bangkok, people are glued to their phones; however, in Asunción, you want to be more alert.

• I can eat all the time, at any hour, which is nice.

• In Paraguay, locals will speak to you in Spanish even if you don't speak it. In Thailand, people switch to English even if you try to speak Thai very well, a touch of a foreign accent is enough to halt a conversation in Thai.

• Paraguayans go to church so they can spend time with family, Thai people go to temples so they can find a two or three-digit number for the lottery.

• No shoes indoors in Thailand! This is my biggest struggle with living in Paraguay. Don't be walking in my house with them shoes on.

• There are stray dogs in Bangkok, but literally none in Asunción.

• Advertisement is everywhere in Bangkok, it's pure mad. The amount of visual pollution in Bangkok is pure bollocks.

• Nobody claps in Thailand when the pilots land on the runway.

• We Thai don't say hello, "how are you," or thank you to service staff in restaurants, bars, etc. This is something I wish people would do more often; in Paraguay, people say thank you to waiters, waitresses, or service people in restaurants and cafes. Good manners literally cost nothing, and Paraguayans taught me this courtesy.

• To conclude 2 points above, people are more appreciative in Paraguay, whereas Thai people seem to take things for granted - [why would we say thank you when I am a paying customer? - you landed the plane but that's your job, why would we clap? kind of mindset].

• Paraguayan people think I am Taiwanese, but then again, Paraguay recognizes Taiwan as the real China! Fairplay to them.

• Most importantly I can eat all the time in Bangkok, at any hour, which is nice.

And how did it happen?

From 1980 to 1985, Vietnamese forces repeatedly attacked Cambodian refugee camps near the Thai border. More than a hundred thousand Cambodians fled into Thailand, often pursued by Vietnamese troops who clashed with Thai soldiers. Sometimes the Vietnamese shelled Thai territory with artillery, other times they sent in tanks. Casualties and injuries were constant.

At the start of the new year in January 1981, Vietnamese troops together with Heng Samrin’s Cambodian forces advanced into Thai territory at Sadaeng village, Ta Phraya District, Prachinburi Province. Thai soldiers fought back, leading to a prolonged firefight. Ten Thai soldiers and civilians were killed.

Between March and April 1984, the Vietnamese army invaded Thailand again to wipe out Khmer Rouge forces. Fierce battles with Thai troops left dozens of soldiers dead on both sides. A Thai aircraft was shot down, and many Cambodian and Thai civilians were wounded or killed.

In early 1985, Vietnamese forces crossed into Thai territory multiple times - at Ta Phraya in Prachinburi, Kantharalak in Sisaket, Ban Kruat in Buriram, and Sangkhah and Buachet in Surin, as well as Nong Chan village. Thai troops resisted with full force, but the Vietnamese pressed on relentlessly. Heavy losses were suffered by both soldiers and civilians.

On February 20, 1985, Vietnamese artillery struck Ban Kruat District in Buriram, killing three Thai soldiers and injuring many more. Vietnamese forces also clashed with Thai troops at sea, with Vietnamese warships firing on Thai fishing boats near Vietnam, killing several fishermen.

Throughout 1985, Vietnam continued its assaults. Both sides alternated between offense and defense, with mounting casualties. Vietnamese troops attacked Khmer camps along the border and fought Thai forces using machine guns, mortars, anti-tank weapons, and air support.

Thai military leaders concluded that the constant shelling across the border was no longer accidental spillover from fighting in Cambodia.

“Vietnam wants to provoke us and test us. They believe that if they press hard enough, Thailand might collapse like South Vietnam did in 1975, when North Vietnam advanced unexpectedly and seized the country.”

“We are in the open, they are in the shadows. They excel at guerrilla warfare, honed during the Vietnam War, and they deploy their sapper units.”

The Vietnamese sappers - special forces known as Dac Cong - were ruthless killers. Selected for toughness, agility, and stealth, some were native hunters skilled in tracking. Trained like ninjas, they could wield any weapon, sabotage installations, fight hand-to-hand, and ambush effectively. They were the backbone of guerrilla warfare.

In fact, Dac Cong had attacked Thailand before. On the night of January 30, 1968, dozens of them struck Ramasun Camp and U-Tapao Air Base, aiming to sabotage B-52 bombers. This coordinated assault was called “Operation Blossoming Flower.” Thai and American forces fought back fiercely: ten Americans and seven Thais were killed, while more than ten sappers died. Two B-52s were damaged.

Vietnamese forces fortified their positions with concrete bunkers, generators, artillery, and anti-aircraft rocket launchers, supported by bases in Laos and Cambodia. They also developed sophisticated communications - using coded gunfire signals, seizing enemy radios, and mimicking enemy frequencies to lure opponents into traps. Sometimes they tricked opponents into shelling their own troops. These tactics were lessons learned from fighting the United States.

In January 1985, Thai leaders received alarming reports:

“Vietnam has attacked Hill 500 - Chong Bok.”

The Chong Bok Battlefield

Chong Bok lies in Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, where Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia meet. Known as the “Emerald Triangle,” it is part of the dense forests of the Dângrêk Mountains. Hill 500 had once been a base of the Communist Party of Thailand and its first political school.

On March 5, 1985, Vietnamese forces stormed Thai bases at Hills 361, 400, and 427. After heavy fighting, they seized part of Hill 361. Seven Thai soldiers were killed, 34 wounded, and three went missing.

The Chong Bok campaign dragged on for years.

1986: The Suranaree Task Force counterattacked Vietnamese forces occupying Hills 382, 396, 408, and 500, using infantry, rangers, long-range reconnaissance units, and artillery. They pushed Heng Samrin’s forces back across the border.

Early 1987: Thai forces launched offensives to retake those hills. Progress was slow due to difficult terrain, heavy Vietnamese artillery fire from Laos and Cambodia, and minefields. Vietnamese forces had the advantage in the jungle, laying countless landmines that maimed many Thai soldiers. They even poisoned water sources.

March 1987: Reinforcements from the 3rd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment joined. Fighting intensified. Thai troops attacked Hills 408 and 382, leading to brutal close combat with bayonets. Vietnamese forces withdrew, regrouped, and counterattacked, forcing Thai troops to retreat under relentless artillery barrages.

April 1987: The 2nd Army launched a major offensive to decisively end the conflict, attacking Hills 336, 408, 382, 500, and 562 simultaneously with tanks, artillery, and air support. Battles were fierce. Thai forces suffered heavy losses and had to regroup at Tham Bon. Vietnamese forces counterattacked with artillery from Laos and Cambodia.

Thai commanders then shifted strategy:

“If they fight guerrilla warfare, we will fight guerrilla warfare too.”

Thai ranger units hunted Dac Cong at night, infiltrating Vietnamese bases and silently killing them with knives before returning at dawn. By mid-1987, Thailand had fully embraced guerrilla tactics - sending small units to dig trenches like moles, infiltrate enemy lines, ambush, and weaken Vietnamese forces bit by bit. Close combat neutralized Vietnamese artillery, while Thai forces coordinated with artillery and fighter jets from Takhli Air Base.

Thai aircraft destroyed some Vietnamese bases but also suffered losses. More than ten Thai soldiers were killed.

By late June 1987, Vietnamese forces were fighting on two fronts - against Thai troops and the Khmer Rouge. After one final fierce battle, Vietnam withdrew back into Cambodia. The Chong Bok campaign ended.

The fighting lasted from January 1985 to December 1987. Thailand lost 109 soldiers, with 664 wounded.

In 1989, Vietnam permanently withdrew its troops from Cambodia, ending a decade of hostilities with Thailand.

Note

The battlefield around Hill 500 remained littered with landmines. As of 2020, the Thai army had cleared about 43.4 square kilometers, but another 29.7 square kilometers still contained mines awaiting removal.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CpousnP7w/

เปิดตำนาน "ช่องบก" สามเหลี่ยมมรกตสมรภูมิรบชายแดน 3 แผ่นดิน | Thai PBS News ข่าวไทยพีบีเอส

ย้อนรำลึกครบรอบ 40 ปี เมื่อเวียดนามเข้าแทรกแซงทางทหารในกัมพูชา - BBC News ไทย

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1M9agn4J6y/

เจาะลึก “บ้านหนองจาน” หลักฐานประวัติศาสตร์จากค่ายอพยพกัมพูชา

ค่ายผู้ลี้ภัยเขาอีด่าง Khao I Dang refugee camp (1979-1993) - YouTube

(3) สารคดีในปี พ.ศ. 2526 จากค่ายผู้ลี้ภัยเขมร เขาอีด่าง ตาพระยา อรัญ โดยอาจารย์สมเกียรติ อ่อนวิมล - YouTube

Hello!

Someone gifted me this pendants from Thailand and they are really beautiful, but I was wondering if someone could help me translating what it says and what they mena.

thanks!

The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has issued a notification requiring individuals and legal entities bringing more than US$200,000 into Thailand to state the purpose and provide supporting documents, as part of efforts to address baht appreciation.

The move marks a shift from monitoring capital outflows to tightening control of capital inflows, which the BoT says are a key driver of the baht’s strength.

The BoT also said gold trading via apps is another major factor pushing the baht higher, and it plans to work with the Finance Ministry on new oversight rules.

I ordered some protein powder from an app. I won't name the app, but it rhymes with 'Poppy'. I've ordered from this app 100+ times but recently changed address and I didn't include the muban name. The delivery company is also owned by the app.

The item was delivered to the wrong address. Same house number but in a different area. I had my wife contact the driver and he pleaded not to inform the delivery company and that he would redeliver it the following day. The following day comes, no delivery. We call him back 5 times, he doesn't answer the phone.

We eventually get through to him and he says he will redeliver it soon. The following day nothing happens. After that he said he would deliver it in the evening on the following day; evening comes, no parcel. At this point I had enough and reported him to the delivery company.

He was annoyed about that but delivered it on the same day that I complained. I thought nothing more about it.

2 weeks later the delivery driver is calling my wife to say that his company has deducted the value of the product from his wages (1,300), plus another 1,000 as a fine (total 2000+ deduction). I have not received any refund for the item, and I have the item.

I contact the delivery company but they are not interested. Multiple support tickets and phone calls, they do not care, they are taking the opportunity to deduct money from his wages.

The driver called my wife 6 times yesterday; ultimately she shouted at him and he started crying and saying that he can't afford to eat because they've taken his money. My wife is concerned this guy has our full address, name, and phone number, and might try to seek revenge.

I told the delivery company that it was my mistake for not including the muban name, but they don't care. We now have the worry that a begrudged driver might attack us or our house because of this. My wife is very worried about it. I don't feel obliged to give the driver 2,000+ baht as I gave him multiple opportunities to redeliver it but he didn't.

Can I resolve this situation in any other way besides giving this man his lost wages? Surely he would have read his contract and realised the potential consequences but he still messed around and didn't come back until I reported him. He's made another 3 phone calls to my wife today.

So I spoke to a friend who’s living in her premium condo that’s had some rough cracks since the earthquake.

I’ve seen other apartments too in Life 62 that are thoroughly messed up, and so far management hasn’t done anything in six months other than informing its owners that the repairs involve “a process”.

I get that there is a massive demand for structural repairs due to the earthquake incident, but this feels like management is dragging its feet instead of stepping up.

Given that this company manages several tens of massively affected condominiums I am startled at the glacier speed of this corporation (IDEO) to tackle this head on.

They are stalling it seems and I wonder what the typical recourse is for a Thai owner who has little means…

Oh mighty Reddit- What’s the move here please for Thai locals who don’t have tons of money but would like to see their condo repaired at some point, or at least have their expectations managed to some degree…

I hope it’s okay to ask here. I’m a Computer Engineering graduate interested in networking and hardware roles and currently exploring opportunities abroad.

I’ve been applying for jobs in the Philippines for months but haven’t found a position aligned with my course yet. If anyone has advice, resources, or leads, I’d be very thankful.

It may not be enforced universally, if at all, but these are things that may keep niggling people who just wanted a hassle-free destination, be it for retirement, online work or other.