Year: 2024
- Economy News
Thailand-China visa-free deal to boost Chinese tourist influx by 57%
The visa-free arrangement between Thailand and China, effective from March 1, is predicted to cause a 57% surge in Chinese visitors this year, boosting the total foreign arrivals to 33 million. Analysts suggest this development offers an opportunity for investors to gradually accumulate travel stocks. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the reciprocal visa-free scheme on Tuesday, January 2, following…
Read More » - Thailand News
Pub-goers sound off: Uproar over 4am curfew storms Thai nightlife in major hotspots
A storm of complaints has erupted following the controversial 4am curfew for pubs, bars, and entertainment hubs kicked in across Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui in Surat Thani province. Some 5,785 grievances have been filed since December 15. Amidst the cacophony, a Government House insider revealed that the Cabinet has urgently directed the Interior Ministry to…
Read More » - Thailand News
Former RTA sergeant found dead in Nakhon Phanom home
A 52 year old former Royal Thai Army (RTA) Sergeant was found deceased at his home in Nakhon Phanom’s Kuruku district today. The discovery of RTA Sergeant Apichai was made by his elder brother, Som, who had not heard from him since New Year’s Eve. Apichai’s house is located in front of the Phra Yot Muang Khwang Camp in Kuruku.…
Read More » - Thailand News
Kanchai admits to DMing Beer The Voice: He insists conversations were professional
Channel 3 News reporter Kanchai Kamnerdploy admitted to previously direct messaging Thai singer Beer, from the TV talent show The Voice, but insists their conversations were strictly professional. This comes after Beer sparked widespread interest by revealing on a livestream that she had been contacted by several famous personalities, some already in relationships or married. During her live stream, Beer…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Pattaya targets 27 million tourists in 2024 with robust strategies
Thai government officials have set their sights on ambitious targets and goals to bounce back from the economic fallout caused by the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in 2024. Pattaya, whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism, amounting to about 90%, was majorly impacted as it has not yet fully recovered to the 2019 levels, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai woman shot with crossbow after saving neighbour from rape attempt
A Thai woman is seeking help and justice after a man shot her with a crossbow for saving her neighbour from his rape attempt in the central province of Sing Buri. The shooting victim, Nittaya Thongpradit, travelled from Sing Buri to Bangkok yesterday, January 4, to seek assistance from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after the Kai Bangrachan Police Station delayed the…
Read More » - Thailand News
Irish firm takes flight: Thai Airways to receive new Airbus airliner from CDB
Irish aircraft leasing company CDB Aviation is unleashing the power of two A330-300 aircraft into the hands of Thai Airways. Scheduled for delivery in September and October this year, these A330-300 aircraft boast an impressive long-distance range of 6,350 nautical miles, positioning Thai Airways for unrivalled success, says the company. Jie Chen, the mastermind behind the leasing deal and CEO…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai man accidentally kills wife’s alleged lover during heated confrontation
A jealous husband in Thailand arranged a confrontation with his wife’s alleged lover, which resulted in a violent encounter and death. The incident unfolded around 12.30am yesterday, January 4 when a 39 year old man Anurak allegedly shot and killed Nathaphon 38 year old in front of a fish restaurant called Rak Pla. The Lopburi City Police Station was alerted…
Read More » - Thailand News
Bangkok woman’s unexpected fall in lift shaft sparks high-rise rescue
A Facebook user named NAKON45, also known as Anyawut Po-ampai, reported an alarming incident today. A woman had unexpectedly fallen into a lift shaft within a building located in the Bang Na district of Bangkok. Officials were quickly alerted to assist, with the Ruamkatanyu Foundation dispatching a high-rise rescue team equipped with the necessary tools to help the woman who…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai Health: Free telemedicine for citizens abroad
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to roll out a revolutionary Telemedicine service catering to Thai citizens across the globe through the widely acclaimed gold card scheme. Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke revealed the details of this game-changing initiative aimed at providing quality medical and public health services at zero cost. “Our goal is simple: seamless healthcare access for…
Read More » - Thailand News
Commerce Ministry’s plan to catapult SMEs to 40% GDP by 2027
The Commerce Ministry unleashed an ambitious plan to elevate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to new heights, targeting a staggering 40% contribution to the GDP by 2027. A comprehensive strategy is set to turbocharge consumption, investment, government spending, and international trade, propelling SMEs into the forefront of economic prowess. Acknowledging the pivotal role SMEs play in Thailand’s economic fabric, Commerce…
Read More » - Thailand News
Foreign man arrested for sexually harassing teenage Thai girl
Police today arrested a foreign man for the sexual harassment and attempted rape of a 16 year old Thai girl at a hotel in the Asoke neighbourhood of Bangkok. The victim’s mother filed a complaint against her foreign boyfriend accusing him of sexually harassing her daughter in the early hours of this morning, January 4. The woman told police that…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai driver’s vehicle carrying hazardous chemical catches fire
A Thai driver transporting a dangerous chemical called aluminium phosphate, commonly used to eliminate agricultural pests, last night found himself in a precarious situation when his vehicle caught fire. The incident unfolded in Soi Porn Sawang 7, Samrong Nua Subdistrict, Samut Prakan. A rapid response by local fire crews and the Ruamkatanyu Foundation contained the situation, preventing a potential disaster.…
Read More » - Thailand News
PM launches ’30 baht plus’ health scheme in Roi-Et
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to kickstart a revolutionary healthcare initiative dubbed the 30-baht Plus universal health scheme. The grand launch is scheduled for this Sunday, January 7, in the northeastern province of Roi-Et. This innovative trial, to be initially rolled out in Roi-Et, Phrae, Phetchaburi, and Narathiwat, promises free medical services at state and private hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.…
Read More » - Business News
Bolt boosts safety in Thailand with new app features
European mobility company Bolt strengthened its safety protocols in Thailand by introducing new measures designed to support both drivers and riders. A new feature, driver selfie verification, has been added to the ride-hailing application to minimise instances of driver impersonation and bolster safety for all users. In addition, Bolt launched an innovative trip safety monitoring feature. This facility allows the company…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai spiritual medium arrested for raping woman with autism
Police arrested a Thai spiritual medium for raping a woman with autism at a hotel in the central province of Nakhon Sawan. The rapist then allegedly repeated the appalling crime, sexually assaulting a six year old girl, after being released on bail. The 21 year old mother of the child filed a complaint against the spiritual medium, 55 year old…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai department seeks funds for human-elephant conflict resolution
The Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is seeking a 50 million baht (US$1.4 million) budget from the government to assist individuals whose lives have been disrupted by encounters with wild elephants. The initiative is part of an effort to mitigate the increasing conflicts between humans and the growing population of wild elephants in the nation.…
Read More » - Thailand News
Drug-fuelled party raided in Sattahip, teens arrested
Sattahip Police Station orchestrated a shutdown of a raucous drug party at an undisclosed pool villa in the Bang Sare subdistrict of Chon Buri province yesterday, January 4. The villa’s name remains under wraps as authorities delve into the aftermath of the wild revelry. Over 20 officers stormed the villa, responding to numerous grievances from bleary-eyed locals disturbed by the…
Read More » - Environment News
Rare cinereous vulture found in Kamphaeng Phet now under specialised care
A juvenile cinereous vulture, discovered on a road in the Lan Krabue district of Kamphaeng Phet last Sunday, is currently under the care of a team of veterinarians from the neighbouring Nakhon Sawan. The bird, weak from its long winter migration, is being prepared for future release. Veterinarian Pimchanok Songmongkol from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation’s…
Read More » - World News
London man dies from brain tumour after initial misdiagnosis costs nearly 900,000 baht
A 25 year old London resident, Joshua Warner, tragically lost his life to a brain tumour after doctors initially misdiagnosed him with appendicitis and dismissed abnormal brain scan results as a mere computer error. Warner first sought medical help at the end of June for a persistent two-week headache at the Darent Valley Hospital. After a CT scan, he was…
Read More » - Thailand News
Burmese boxing coach killed in Tak, murderers remain at large
Police are searching for the murderers of a Burmese boxing coach in the Mae Sot district in the northern province of Tak. The lifeless body of an 18 year old Burmese man, identified as Ko, was found on the side of the Mae Sot-Umphang Road in the Mae Sot district of Tak on January 3. Ko was in black boxer…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand’s 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject receives robust defence
The Land Bridge megaproject, a 1-trillion-baht initiative in Thailand, received robust defence from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Pheu Thai MPs on Thursday. They stated that the project, designed to boost the country’s economy and development, could significantly improve the national economy if successful. PM Srettha, during the House debate on the 2024 fiscal budget, argued that the Land Bridge…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai film censorship guidelines revamped for creative freedom
The National Soft Power Strategy Committee unveiled modifications to the Thai film censorship guidelines, acknowledging that the existing restrictions are hindering creativity and no longer reflect the social landscape of Thailand. This shift in policy now allows private sector input in the film and video consideration committee, as revealed by the National Committee on Soft Power Development’s chairwoman, Paetongtarn Shinawatra,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Teenagers arrested in Phitsanulok for gunfight over love dispute
Two 18 year old male teenagers were apprehended by the Phitsanulok City Police yesterday along with a six-chambered firearm and a quantity of ammunition. The arrest took place at a residence in Ban Pa Subdistrict, Phitsanulok City. The arrest follows an incident on January 2, when a gunfight broke out near a water canal adjacent to Wat Tan Suwan in…
Read More » - Politics News
Thailand’s opposition questions rising military budget amid promised reforms
Opposition parties in Thailand expressed concern over the budget allocations for the country’s military, arguing that these contradict the Pheu Thai Party’s commitment to reform and downsize the armed forces. The concerns were voiced during a debate on the 2024 budget bill, with Aekkarat Udomamnuay, an MP with the Move Forward Party (MFP), questioning the Defence Ministry’s request for 198…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai celebrity Beer stirs controversy with mysterious direct message reveal
The Voice’s Beer has stirred up a controversy by sharing a mysterious direct message (DM) that pointed towards a celebrity and a well-known host. The message was shared yesterday, January 4, during a live session, sparking a series of varied reactions from netizens. During the live session, Beer mentioned that a famous person who already had a partner and a…
Read More » - Thailand News
Heroic nurses perform CPR at fatal accident scene on New Year’s Eve
Two nurses were honoured for their quick thinking and brave actions when they found themselves at the scene of a fatal road accident on New Year’s Eve. The incident occurred at Samprao intersection in Udon Thani, where a 62 year old woman, Jeerapha (surname withheld), suffering from Alzheimer’s, was hit by a van and left in the middle of the…
Read More » - Tourism News
Thailand’s tourism operators question 40 million visitors target
The government’s ambitious target of attracting 40 million foreign visitors is viewed as daunting by Thailand tourism operators, considering factors such as high travel costs, diminished demand in big markets such as China and Russia, and competition from surrounding nations. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, who heads the Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation, pinpointed the stagnant Chinese market as a significant issue,…
Read More » - Automotive
The 5 best EV cars to buy in Thailand right now
More and more people in the world are ditching their fossil-fuelled cars and choosing to drive electric cars, also known as electric vehicles (EV), instead. And Thailand is no exception, with a growing market for EV cars in the country. The shift towards EV cars is an essential component of Thailand’s efforts to promote sustainable transportation and reduce greenhouse gas…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai man nabbed for illegal soil excavation worth thousands of baht
Today, in Phichit province, local authorities apprehended a man who had been excavating soil from his land for commercial purposes. This operation, led by Natkrit Noykampun, Director of the 4 Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, along with his team, was launched following suspicions raised by two trucks heavily laden with wet, sticky soil on a main road. The…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand’s deputy police chief set for National Security Council role
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin approved the appointment of Deputy National Police Chief Police General Roy Inkhapairote as the Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC). The appointment, which has received unanimous agreement from all relevant parties, now awaits the royal seal of approval. The role of NSC secretary-general has been left unclaimed following the retirement of Gen. Supot Malaniyom on September…
Read More » - Thailand News
Starbucks steams up with price hike, now costlier than Thailand’s minimum wage
Starbucks, one of Thailand’s most popular coffee chains, announced that the prices of its beverages will be increased by 5 baht at all of its stores across the country from today. One cup of coffee from Starbucks is now more expensive than Thailand’s national minimum wage. The corporation says the reason for the price hike is due to the current…
Read More » - Thailand News
British tourist’s lost wallet returned by Thai hotel worker
A British holidaymaker on Koh Samui Island in Thailand is set to return home with a pleasant memory following a hotel worker’s return of his lost wallet during the new year celebrations. The wallet was found on Bophut Beach by Pakdee Trirat, an employee at the Holiday Inn Samui, amidst the festivities on the night of December 31. Surat Thani…
Read More » - Thailand News
Transport minister: Feeder buses to save Red and Purple Lines
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit slammed naysayers in Parliament, asserting confidence that the state-owned Purple and Red Lines train services are on the brink of turning a profit within the next six months, all thanks to a game-changing feeder bus system. Addressing critics of the government’s daring move to cap maximum fares at 20 baht for electric train services in Bangkok,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Power play: Energy minister’s plan sparks potential for across-the-board cost cuts
Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga unveiled a plan that could slash energy costs across the board. Pirapan declared yesterday, January 3, that a paradigm shift is imminent in the gas supply sector, aiming to empower power producers and significantly cut down on electricity expenses. The key? A strategic merger of gas pools to unleash a domino effect that could alter the…
Read More » - Thailand News
Vietnam fines TikTok influencer for Angkor Wat mix-up
In a 90-second TikTok clip that shook the social media scene, Vietnamese influencer Hua Quoc Anh found himself in hot waters after overlaying the Thai flag on an image of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. The influencer faced a hefty US$300 fine (approximately 10,000 baht) and a stern meeting with the authorities. Vietnam, known for its tight grip on social media in…
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