Month: September 2023
- Business News
Indonesia mulls banning social media merchandise sales, TikTok expresses concern
Indonesia is contemplating prohibitive measures against merchandise transactions conducted via social media platforms such as TikTok as stated by the deputy trade minister during a parliamentary hearing recently. The move is aimed at e-commerce vendors who employ predatory pricing strategies on social platforms, thereby jeopardising traditional marketplaces in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Social media and social commerce cannot be combined, declared…
Read More » - Crime News
Rangers seize riverine treasure trove: Meth stash dumped in daring escape
A considerable haul of over 250,000 methamphetamine pills was seized by army rangers on the Mekong River’s shoreline in the district of Ban Phaeng, Nakhon Phanom province, as three smugglers made a hasty escape. The drugs were found stashed in sacks which were callously abandoned by the fleeing perpetrators. Acting on a tip-off about an impending drug transaction, the paramilitary…
Read More » - Thailand News
Dolphin tragedy: Tangled in net, washed ashore in Chon Buri
A dolphin carcass was discovered today washed up on the shores of Bangsaen beach, near Laem Thaen roundabout, in Chon Buri. The 2 metre long, 50 kilogramme animal had a fishing net entangled around its tail, suggesting it had been dead for approximately two to four days. Amornsak Saksaensilp, a 33 year old member of the Sea Patrol Volunteers, relayed…
Read More » - Thailand News
Health supplement scams sizzle online as FDA flags revoked claims
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified three health supplement products advertising overblown claims on e-marketplaces despite their licences being revoked. The products, found in advertising online, claim to control sugar levels, burn fat and decrease hunger. The FDA today disclosed the results of their surveillance of health product advertisements on e-marketplaces. They identified three products: 1. Mix Oil…
Read More » - Business News
Pattaya’s sunny side: Hotel industry shines amid European gloom
Despite Europe’s deteriorating economic forecast, Pattaya’s hotel industry remains robust, backed primarily by Asian and domestic tourists, says the Managing Director of LH Mall and Hotel (LHMH). Pattaya, traditionally known for its nightlife, has successfully rebranded itself as a family and business-friendly destination. As the European Commission revises the Eurozone’s growth outlook and Germany faces a potential recession this year,…
Read More » - Thailand Weather Updates
El Niño’s unexpected twist: Industries in hot water as mining and livestock hit hard
El Niño’s weather anomaly is triggering a ripple effect on industries beyond just agriculture with mining and livestock sectors also feeling the pinch. This is according to a new study by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, which warns that the phenomenon may lead to a surge in prices for consumer goods, energy, and inflation, compounded by an increase in…
Read More » - Thailand News
Fake love, real trouble: Thai man’s romance scam unravels
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers arrested a Thai man for operating a romance scam by using a fake social media profile of an attractive foreign man to deceive a Thai woman. A Thai woman filed a complaint to the police at the end of last year. The victim reported that the scammer, called Roland, contacted her via Instagram before…
Read More » - Tourism News
PM takes fast lane: Thailand’s visa-free travel plans speed up tourism revival
In a recent meeting with key stakeholders in the tourism industry, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his unwavering commitment to expedite the implementation of visa-free travel. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to boost the tourism sector and, by extension, the nation’s economy. PM Srettha has tasked relevant officials with the development of various tourism stimulus measures, both…
Read More » - Thailand News
Supernatural near-drowning ordeal: Ghost tells Thai woman to commit suicide
A Thai woman in the central province of Samut Sakhon survived a near-drowning incident in the Sanamchai Canal and alleged afterwards that a ghost had compelled her to attempt suicide by leaping off a bridge. Footage captured by a security camera at a restaurant along the canal revealed the incident at 11am yesterday. The woman was seen struggling to swim…
Read More » - Business News
Thai businesses ride China’s e-commerce wave, reveals ministry study
The rapid expansion of the e-commerce sector in China offers substantial benefits for Thai businesses, as revealed in a recent study by Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce. The study, released yesterday, highlights the potential gains from the surge in China’s cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) trade. In a bid to streamline the cross-border sale of goods, the Chinese government has established 165 pilot…
Read More » - Business News
Oil price surge stokes investor fears of further US interest rate hikes
Equity markets demonstrated uncertainty as investors awaited a critical United States inflation report. Their apprehension stemmed from the fear that the recent oil price surge might push consumer prices upward, pressuring the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates once more. The Federal Reserve asserted that its monetary policy decisions will be driven by data, considering a variety of figures. Throughout 2023,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Man accused by Chinese government of 5.6 billion baht fraud arrested in Phuket
A 55 year old Chinese man was apprehended in a villa in Rawai, Phuket, following an arrest warrant issued by the Chinese government. The man is accused of fabricating documents to secure an illicit loan, causing the Chinese government to suffer losses of around 1.133 billion yuan (approximately 5.6 billion baht). This news was revealed during a press conference at…
Read More » - World News
Man spends 200k baht to investigate girlfriend’s online sex video with shocking results
Imagine sitting down for your daily dose of internet porn only to stumble upon an explicit video of your girlfriend and another man. One Chinese man was shocked when he encountered just that. Seeing her appearing intoxicated and unconscious during the sex video, he spent over 40,000 yuan (almost 200,000 baht) to investigate the situation. Believing she had been sexually…
Read More » - Thailand News
Call for help: Mobile phone shields Thai woman from ex-boyfriend’s bullet
A mobile phone became an unexpected life-saving shield for a Thai woman when her ex-boyfriend shot her in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum. Thanks to the phone shield the woman only suffered a mild injury near her waist. The victim, 24 year old Ratda, who remains at Khon Sawan Hospital, recounted the shooting to police and reporters. According to Ratda,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Bangkok bids farewell to Police Major Siwakorn Saibua in moving temple service
In Nakhon Pathom, a police funeral service took place yesterday at the Wat Phra Si Mahathat temple in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district, marking the solemn farewell of Police Major Siwakorn Saibua. The fallen highway police officer was tragically gunned down after declining a corrupt promotion proposal from a local village official. The sorrowful event was attended by immediate family, close…
Read More » - Thailand News
Ex-PM Thaksin’s special treatment risks unrest, warns senator
A cautionary note has been sounded by a senator who has advised the government to exercise equal treatment for all prisoners. The senator has expressed concerns that the special treatment accorded to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who has been convicted, could potentially invite future complications for the government. The warning was issued on Tuesday during the second day…
Read More » - Crime News
Cyber police apprehend furniture company owner for 100 million baht online fraud
A massive online fraud was thwarted by cyber police in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region province of Nakhon Pathom, as they shut down a furniture manufacturing company that took over 100 million baht in orders but never delivered any products. Poonnaporn, a 32 year old woman was arrested, determined to be the proprietor of the furniture manufacturing company. The company accepted orders…
Read More » - Crime News
65 executives summoned as DSI investigates bid-rigging ties to construction tycoon ‘Nok’
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has summoned executives from 65 companies following concerns over their potential involvement in bid-rigging with construction businesses owned by Praween Chanklai, also known as Nok. Nok was recently arrested in the Muang district of Nakhon Pathom, following the murder of Police Major Sivakorn Saibua, an officer of Highway Police Division 2. Nok’s close aide,…
Read More » - World News
Vietnamese man lives with ex-mother-in-law who arranges remarriage
A 33 year old Vietnamese man remained in the same household as his former mother-in-law even after divorcing his wife. Surprisingly, not only did the mother-in-law permit him to continue residing with her following his divorce from her daughter, but she also facilitated his marriage to another woman. Consequently, her daughter decided to move out instead. The story began over…
Read More » - Crime News
Land Department scam dupes dentist out of 300,000 baht
A renowned dentist in Ubon Ratchathani was targeted by a fraudulent group claiming to be from the Land Department. The fraudsters duped him into confirming land ownership through the LINE application, leading to a loss of over 300,000 baht. The dentist revealed this incident today while issuing a musical warning about such scams. While working with a patient, Mohal Sakbhuakeaw…
Read More » - Phuket News
Close call at Patong Beach: Tourist’s life saved by vigilant lifeguards
A hazardous rip current at Patong Beach, Phuket, nearly claimed the life of a foreign tourist on Monday. Thanks to the swift and skilled response from Patong Beach’s lifeguards, the individual was safely brought back to shore and revived. The beach was already under lifeguard surveillance due to the rip current threat when the victim was found unconscious in the…
Read More » - Thailand News
Phony police husband: Imposter arrested, wife in the dark for two years
Police officers arrested a fake cop in the central province of Lop Buri yesterday. The fake cop’s wife had been completely unaware of his deceit throughout their two-year marriage. Locals in the Pattana Nikhom district of Lop Buri reported their suspicions about the true identity of Rachata Jadejiranit to Manao Whan Police Station. The locals stated that Rachata was always…
Read More » - Economy News
Thailand’s government proposes swift minimum wage increase to 400 baht
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that the government will be pushing for a swift increase in the minimum daily wage to 400 baht, in a bid to assist workers grappling with rising living costs. The decision will be reached through negotiations between the government, employers, and workers to agree upon a reasonable amount. The prime minister shared the plans during…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Japanese fugitive Yagi arrested in Pattaya after embezzlement, dramatic escape
Pattaya was the scene of a dramatic arrest yesterday, as its police apprehended a 35 year old Japanese tourist. Yuki Yagi was not only wanted back home in Japan for an embezzlement case involving over 20 million yen (4.8 million baht), but he was also on the run after escaping the custody of Bangkok police by stealing a police car…
Read More » - Thailand News
Power play exposed: Thai electricity sold to Myanmar drug lord in shocking corruption scandal
Move Forward Party spokesperson Rangsiman Rome slammed corruption within the Thai government system. after he discovered the selling of Thai electricity to a Myanmar drug lord. Rangsiman exposed a super deal has been struck involving two former police chiefs and a police aviation unit. The 31 year old politician also questioned whether Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin would dare to take…
Read More » - Transport News
Buriram police seize counterfeit number plate bought on Facebook for 2500 baht
A 32 year old man has been apprehended by Buriram Highway Police after he was found driving a modified racing pick-up truck with a suspiciously attractive red number plate, bearing the number 9999. He confessed he had purchased the counterfeit plates and registration book on Facebook for 2,500 baht. He attached it to his vehicle in hopes of increasing wealth…
Read More » - Thailand News
Trust No One: Thai cyber squad nabs seven Chinese crypto culprits in Bangkok
Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) carried out a “Trust No One” operation in pursuit of crypto scammers and managed to arrest seven Chinese nationals operating crypto fraud and money laundering. In the first episode of the operation, the CCIB conducted raids at six suspicious locations in the Sri Nakarin neighbourhood of Bangkok and arrested two Chinese nationals including a…
Read More » - Crime News
Motorcycle taxi driver stole from senior passenger to fund gambling habit
A motorcycle taxi driver who allegedly stole a senior female passenger’s belongings was arrested in Bangkok. The stolen items, which included coins, a mobile phone, and 1,700 baht in cash, were sold off by the suspect to fund his gambling habit. The case began when a 70 year old woman reported that she had left her bag containing valuables on…
Read More » - Northern Thailand News
Chaiyaphum auto shop suffers 10m baht fire damage, electrical fault suspected
A devastating fire engulfed an auto accessories store in the heart of the northeastern Isaan province of Chaiyaphum, causing over 10 million baht in damages. The inferno is believed to have been sparked by an electrical short circuit. The inferno destroyed a shop that had been in operation for over 50 years. Deputy Investigator Watcharin Huchaiyaphum from the Chaiyaphum City…
Read More » - Central Thailand News
Grim discovery in the woods: Unidentified foreigner found dead and burned in Lop Buri forest
A local man discovered the dead body of an unidentified foreign man in a forest in the central province of Lop Buri. Police believe the man was murdered before being burned at the scene. A Thai man, 55 year old Somboon Onjaeng, reported the shocking discovery to Chai Badan Police Station at 10am yesterday, September 12. The Somboon informed officers…
Read More » - Road deaths
Motorcyclist fatality in Chon Buri prompts lorry’s unusual protective measure
A motorcyclist met his end after he lost control and hit an electricity pole in a tragic fatal accident. What made this accident unusual was that a lorry driver then parked his vehicle over the motorcyclist’s body to prevent further damage. The incident took place around 4am today, on the Chon Buri-Ban Bueng Economic Road, Nong Ree Subdistrict, Chon Buri Province.…
Read More » - Thailand News
Popstar Sam Smith’s Teletubby style TikTok sparks social media storm (video)
British pop sensation Sam Smith faced backlash yesterday after taking a break from his global Gloria tour to showcase a quirky Teletubbies fashion statement on TikTok. The 31 year old singer-songwriter shared a video on the popular social media platform, donning an eccentric ensemble featuring tight denim shorts, a form-fitting hooped t-shirt adorned with a young boy munching on an…
Read More » - Education
Brighton College Bangkok celebrates outstanding results
Pupils at Brighton College Bangkok were delighted to receive excellent A Levels examination results last week, looking set to make the school one of the best performing in the whole of Asia. Almost half the grades that the pupils received were awarded at A* level, and 80% of all grades were A*-A. Brighton College Bangkok’s Year 13 pupils are now…
Read More » - Business News
Koh Samui tourism seeks extended stays for European travellers amidst water crisis
Koh Samui’s tourism sector called for the government to extend stays for European travellers, arguing that the proposed visa-free travel for Chinese tourists will not significantly benefit the island. This comes from Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, the president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, who noted that Chinese nationals only make up a small percentage (10%) of the island’s foreign tourist…
Read More » - Thailand News
Multilingual airport security officer provides vital passenger assistance at Suvarnabhumi Airport
An airport security officer at Suvarnabhumi Airport, who has the impressive ability to speak five languages, has come to the public’s attention. The officer, Yanaphop Boonthem, speaks Thai, Japanese, Chinese, English, and Korean. Despite his primary role being airport security, the 55 year old’s multilingual skills have proven to be extremely valuable in guiding and assisting passengers with airport services.…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai transport minister proposes 20-baht flat fare for MRT and SRT lines
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced a pilot for a 20-baht flat fare on the MRT Purple Line and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Red Line. The pilot, expected to roll out within the next three months, is described as a “New Year’s present” for the public. Suriya clarified this initiative in Parliament, affirming its practicality, after it was queried…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand amplifies universal healthcare scheme to aid impoverished urbanites
Faced with the challenge of access to healthcare for underprivileged urban dwellers, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health announced its commitment to augment the universal healthcare scheme. The initiative, discussed at an academic conference in Udon Thani yesterday, aims to improve access and services for all, with particular attention to the impoverished populace in major cities. Dr Opas Kankawinpong, the ministry’s…
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