It is a rare rainy day in Bangkok's dry season. The wet smell of petrichor rises off the asphalt as I stride down an alley off Sukhumvit from Nana station. In that moment, it feels like a place locals would rarely desire to patron.

Today is different. I am here to visit an esteemed Eastern Thai restaurant that I have read much about, but have yet to try: Burapa. I have come to sample its new lunch menu at the invitation of a friend.

'My Journey Has Just Begun' above the coordinates of Ack's hometown are subtly printed into the concrete below the sign.

Unlike many of the businesses along this alley which seem to cater more to one-time tourists than repeat visitors, Burapa stands out as an inspired icon amid a slurry of forgettable fluff. The restaurant, like much of Eastern Thai cuisine, is tucked away in an area that I would not normally visit without good reason. Located on the corner of Soi 11 in the heart of Bangkok, it could easily be missed amongst the hustle and bustle—but today I approach with anticipation.

A restaurant greets you before you walk in the door. This time it is not staff, but a friend that waves me in. As soon as I enter, I feel the warmth of Burapa. A reprieve from a rainy day, the foyer feels lived-in, and the naturally bright lunchroom immediately shines. Before I sit down it already feels like an excellent place for lunch.

The bottom floor of Burapa offers a sharp bright mood for lunchtime diners.

Like most visitors to Thailand, I do not know what to expect from Eastern Thai cuisine, but I am curious. I have tasted the strong fermented flavours of the northeast, experienced the sugar-laden dishes of Bangkok, and been overwhelmed by the intense spices of the south. Eastern Thai, as I am told, balances in-between all of those, forming something distinct.

Before I eat, I am introduced to the long teak bar, where house-made fruit syrups in glass vessels line the counter. Without saying anything, I watch the staff work. It is immediately clear that they are well-trained, attentive, and experienced. If not for the menu ahead, I could have spent the hour here simply appreciating their focused process.

My drink, like the staff and décor, did not disappoint. It is a balanced, slightly sweet cocktail made with Bussaba, a beer from Full Moon Brewworks. It is garnished with an orange slice, which I happily indulge in. It is fruity, aromatic, and effortlessly enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone except those who prefer only the most bitter beverages. The snack pairing was equally well executed: elegant in texture and light. Some restaurants treat bar snacks as afterthoughts, but at Burapa even these elements are carefully considered.

A cocktail and snack pairing, priced at 380 baht, has been introduced alongside Burapa's new lunch menu.

A whole table of options are brought before me, some new and some familiar. I try everything I can while maintaining my manners. Unlike western restaurants, where dishes are typically prepared fo

The Immigration Bureau announced on May 6, 2025, the arrest of suspects in two major cases: an illegal nitrous oxide (laughing gas) distribution network and a South Korean call center fraud gang.

Chinese suspects arrested for nitrous oxide trafficking in Thailand

Following a request from Chinese security officials coordinated through the Royal Thai Police, authorities arrested three Chinese nationals wanted on warrants for illegal nitrous oxide distribution. Officers from the Special Operations Division successfully apprehended all three suspects and seized evidence including long and short BB guns, 20 boxes of nitrous oxide, and balloons. The suspects had their visas revoked and were detained pending extradition to China.

Expanded investigation revealed another key suspect: Mr. Shan, 33 years old, a major nitrous oxide supplier to networks in China who was evading multiple warrants. He fled into Thailand but was arrested at the Royal Government Center while attempting to apply for a visa extension. He was transferred for extradition proceedings.

South Korean call center gang dismantled in Pattaya

Coordinating with South Korean police, Immigration Bureau officials tracked a fraud group to an apartment building in Pattaya, Chon Buri. With a court-issued search warrant, authorities searched five rooms and arrested nine South Korean nationals, recovering significant evidence: 62 mobile phones, 8 laptop computers, 6 tablets, 480,000 baht in cash, Korean-language scripts, and victim databases containing hundreds of names.

The group operated by impersonating lottery company officials, contacting victims to claim prize money refunds and compensation. They instructed victims to open new bank accounts and provide OTP codes to access and drain the accounts, leaving victims with debt burdens. Three of the arrested suspects have South Korean arrest warrants for fraud and embezzlement. Their residency permits were revoked, and authorities coordinated with Interpol for international prosecution.

Reminder for accommodation providers

The Immigration Bureau emphasizes that hotel operators, property owners, and landlords must comply with the Immigration Act B.E. 2522, Section 38, requiring notification of foreign residents within 24 hours. Violations carry legal penalties. The bureau reaffirmed its commitment to continued enforcement and requested public cooperation in reporting suspicious activities.

Lucky and Unlucky Days Thursday, May 7, 2025 Astrologer Bussapan

Aries Today you will work with firm determination, placing honor, dignity, and integrity above all else. You will not blame your staff but hold them accountable. Your spouse or partner will bring profit and help increase gains, becoming your perfect financial partner.

Taurus Today you won't benefit from favorable business conditions, especially in retail. Monitor your staff carefully and keep them away from vices. Ensure no illegal activities occur at your workplace or home. Romantic relationships feel rather distant.

Gemini Avoid being outdoors during heavy rain and storms. Your spirit feels weak from the beginning of the month. Be careful not to let your bad mood affect your staff, employees, or dependents. Government work brings good benefits, but relatives become distant or you're too busy to see them.

Cancer You have urgent tasks requiring strict impartiality regardless of who is involved. Don't get involved in adults' long-standing problems. Close ones or family members may cause minor emotional disturbance, but profits still flow to you.

Leo Traveling, whether near or far, brings inconvenience, especially long journeys or cave visits. Money given to relatives with hopes of repayment will be lost entirely. Public relations work brings decent returns.

Virgo Your business or work with help succeeds unexpectedly well. Your health is strong; even colds recover quickly. However, beware of old debts resurfacing for collection. Business dealings remain unsatisfactory.

Libra You should keep dependents in peace; their misbehavior damages your reputation and creates problems. Illness may strike regardless of health. Joining associations with questionable motives harms your reputation.

Scorpio You meet an old colleague with whom you worked closely. He brings new projects or good opportunities worth pursuing long-term with fair returns. Don't buy things by others' tastes; do things your own way.

Sagittarius You receive old money, jewelry, or valuable amulets and lucky items without jealousy or slander. Staff may become exhausted and fall short of targets. Your partner may be unpredictable or two-faced; stay alert.

Capricorn You may lose money without realizing it. If you can't control excitement, losses increase. New friends with suspicious backgrounds bring trouble and may sabotage your work.

Don Kamyan snakehead fish has enjoyed a stellar reputation for over 80 years. Historical records from 1923-1935 documented that snakehead from the Don Kamyan Canal possessed superior flavor to fish from other sources. In 1980, the Department of Fisheries officially recognized it as the most renowned snakehead source in Central Thailand.

When crayfish farmers encountered disease outbreaks in 2002-2003, the Fisheries Office actively promoted switching to Don Kamyan snakehead farming, given the species' remarkable hardiness and disease resistance. A fisheries director so admired the fish's exquisite taste that he introduced the breed to Bang Bo District in Samut Prakan Province, establishing the foundation for commercial snakehead farming operations.

The name "Don Kamyan snakehead" derives from the Don Kamyan Canal, which winds through eight districts in Suphan Buri Province: Muang, Sri Prachan, Sam Chuk, Dem Bang Nang Buach, Don Chedi, Bang Pla Ma, Song Phi Nong, and U Thong. The fish flourish abundantly in this region due to its low-lying topography, which frequently experiences prolonged flooding. This causes kamyan plants (Sida acuta) to decompose in the water. When snakehead feed on the fragrant kamyan roots, they develop their distinctive aromatic, delicious flavor—a unique characteristic. This earned Don Kamyan snakehead registration as the province's second Geographical Indication (GI) product, following Suphan silk.

Historically, kamyan plants grew abundantly near Don Kamyan Subdistrict in Muang District, Suphan Buri Province, hence the name "Don Kamyan." Naturally, kamyan is a small climbing plant with single leaves, white fragrant flowers, and aromatic roots with distinctive properties. The roots are traditionally used to create incense sticks, scented candles, scented water, and natural insect repellents.

Today, wild kamyan plants are scarce. The Suphan Buri Provincial Agricultural Office has tasked the Bung Chawa Commemorative Local Vegetable Park in Dem Bang Nang Buach District with propagating and distributing kamyan plants to local snakehead farmers and residents, who plant them along waterways to sustain the fish's signature flavor.

Don Kamyan snakehead is an indigenous breed of Suphan Buri with a leaf-like, flat, elongated body marked with black stripes. The flesh is white with a pinkish hue and minimal belly fat, delivering excellent taste. Products are marketed in diverse forms: fresh, trimmed, sun-dried, and crispy fried. Harvested fish typically weigh 5-12 per kilogram.

"We use 'Don Kamyan' as our gimmick," explained Arisaa Yeuk Yen, leader of the Ban Du Tham Local Fishing Community. "It's the origin of Don Kamyan snakehead. We cultivate and conserve kamyan and Sida acuta plants—what we call 'the fragrant root spirit'—which possess remarkable medicinal and nutritional value. They support circulatory health, particularly for men, boosting male vitality and virility, the Thai way."

Today, the Ban Du Tham Local Fishing Community in Suphan Buri serves as a learning hub for complete-cycle Don Kamyan snakehead processing, holding certification from the Department of Fisheries. The community emphasizes semi-natural farming: regular pond cleaning, sludge removal, pH balancing, and planting lotus and morning glory as fish shelter. Fish consume aquatic plants naturally in the water column.

The operation prioritizes low-cost farming using primarily natural feed—what's called "natural agricultural principles" or "fish sandwich" methods and fermented rice straw feeding (fish forage). Following Department of Fisheries guidance, this approach significantly reduces farming costs by minimizing commercial feed consumption.

The beloved on-screen duo returns in the WeTV Original series "Love of Silom." Stars Up Bhoomipat Eamsumang and Poom Puriphan Sapsawat have shared details about their roles in the production.

What is "Love of Silom" about? Up explains: "It's a story about an impossible love between a police officer and a bar host. It unfolds in an unexpected setting, and you'll have to watch to see how such a connection becomes possible." Poom adds: "Its charm lies in how something that seems impossible actually becomes possible."

Regarding their characters: Up: "I play Krit, a young police officer who grew up in a strict family framework. My father was a police officer who established the foundation for everything." Poom: "I play Vayu, who grew up in a less warm household without a father. My character had to sacrifice his dreams to provide for his family, including caring for a nephew."

Is this Up's first police role? Up: "Yes. I did research on police procedures and developed the necessary skills. The production provided workshops, and I trained additionally myself. For example, I took jujutsu classes to enhance the action scenes. I've done action scenes before, but never at this scale. I suffered some injuries during rehearsals—once falling from a height and couldn't walk for two weeks. I went to the hospital daily for shock wave therapy and physical rehabilitation to recover in time. I gave it my all."

For Poom playing a bar host: Poom: "The biggest challenge was dancing, as I had no experience. But everyone was supportive and helped. When I learned there would be many performance scenes, I took additional dance classes to ensure the best outcome." Up: "Beyond developing our characters and scripts, we each trained in separate skills, then reunited for later workshops. Watching each other improve and seeing the bar scenes develop was rewarding."

Poom: "I committed fully to the performances, wanting them to be captivating to viewers. Beyond the intense storyline and dancing, I had to understand the character's relationships, profession, and mindset deeply, since bar work involves psychological interaction. I researched actual bars and spoke with people in the industry to avoid stereotyping."

What other themes does the series explore? Up: "The series has multiple storylines—investigation elements, thriller aspects, family dynamics, and the loves of those close to the main characters." Poom: "Beyond romance, there's a legal case that entangles both characters and serves as a pivotal turning point. My character's family storyline, particularly caring for a nephew with speech difficulties, adds emotional depth to their relationship."

Final message: Poom: "Watch 'Love of Silom.' Three episodes have already aired, with 12 total. Stream on WeTV every Friday at 2 PM." Up: "We also have our channel 'Up & Poom Official' where we're very much ourselves. We'd love for everyone to join our family. Please subscribe!" —Jiranart Jongprasop Mongkol

Sakamoto Math, a Japanese supplementary mathematics institute, officially launched in Thailand at the Sakamoto Math Grand Opening Thailand event recently held at Little Walk Ramkhamhaeng in Bangkok. The event invited parents and children to experience the systematic mathematics learning approach through the Sakamoto Method, under the concept "Smart Summer Kick-Off: Every Problem Has a Solution," aimed at helping children think analytically, analyze problems, and solve them with confidence.

Sakamoto Math was founded by Dr. Hideo Sakamoto in Osaka, Japan in 1975 and developed the Sakamoto Method, a learning approach that helps children understand problems through key steps: understanding the problem's relationships, drawing diagrams to aid thinking, writing logical sequences, and finding accurate answers. It also enhances logical thinking skills, analysis, and visual perception naturally.

Dr. Hideo Sakamoto stated that learning mathematics is not just about finding the correct answer or relying on calculators, but the core is "organizing one's thinking system." This method will help Thai children overcome mathematics anxiety, understand logical thinking processes, and enjoy solving problems with real-world applications.

Currently, Sakamoto Math operates learning networks in multiple countries including Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar, before officially entering Thailand. The curriculum is accredited in Singapore and actively used in Southeast Asia with over 20,000 students. Research published in ASM Science Journal (2020) found that elementary students using this method showed improved mathematical problem-solving skills, with average scores increasing from 67.94 to 82.86, and demonstrated more positive attitudes toward learning compared to traditional teaching methods. Internationally, Sakamoto hosts the World Math Competition and graduation activities in various countries.

Cheroen Pengsat-porn, the primary franchise administrator in Thailand, stated that Thai children have high potential when given proper foundational thinking methods. The expectation is that this learning approach will provide tools to help children not only improve their mathematics performance in the classroom but also gain analytical thinking skills that will benefit them throughout their lives, confidently facing future challenges.

Sakamoto Math Thailand's course format offers a one-year curriculum per grade level, from Grade 1-6, in small groups of 5-6 students per class for close teacher supervision. Classes meet twice weekly for one hour each.

At the institute's opening event, prominent parents brought their math-loving children, including Thitinan Kiarti-paibuul and his daughter Vorwalai Boonsong, Visarut Chunhawat and son Nobvor Patmasat-yasandhi, Chantharoda Yukhol Uboldech-pracharak, Naphalaksa Srisoom, Orchuma Durongdech with her son Puritch Predanont, Rawiwal Tanaka and her son Akila Tanaka, and Ajcharaa Ratnathanasart with her three children Kanjon, Korn, and Prim Porwatpattana.

Children participated in three interactive activity rooms designed for hands-on thinking, guided closely by Dr. Hideo Sakamoto and Mr. Jeff Lefkee, founder of Sakamoto Worldwide, along with experts in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Parents had the opportunity to learn about the curriculum in detail. Interested parents can find more information on Facebook at SakamotoMathThailand or contact the center directly.