- Business News
Thailand’s trade deficit with China rises 15.7% to US$20 billion
Thailand’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) raised alarms about the expanding trade deficit with China. Imports from China surged by 7.12% year-on-year in the first half of 2024, reaching US$37.6 billion (approximately 1.33 trillion baht). This spike resulted in a trade deficit of US$20 billion (around 720 billion baht), marking a 15.7% increase compared to the previous year. Smartphones,…
- Tourism News
Suvarnabhumi Airport to handle 80 million passengers yearly by 2031
Airports of Thailand (AoT) announced ambitious plans to upgrade Suvarnabhumi International Airport in a bid to accommodate 80 million passengers annually by 2031. AoT President Kerati Kijmanawat stated yesterday, August 28, that the agency is revising its master plan to expand the airport’s capacity over the next decade. This move aligns with the government’s goal to see Suvarnabhumi Airport rank…
- Crime News
Teenager killed by youths while helping girl after local event
A 17 year old boy known for his devotion to his grandfather was tragically killed by a group of teenagers from another village. The incident occurred while he was riding his motorcycle to drop off a girl he had met at a local event. Rattanapol, affectionately known as Mark, died from a brain haemorrhage after being assaulted by three teenagers.…
- Road deaths
Elderly Thai man killed in roadside collision with pickup truck
A tragic accident occurred involving an 82 year old man who was parked on the side of the road with his motorcycle when a pickup truck crashed into him, resulting in his death. The collision happened when the truck driver momentarily glanced at his side mirror. At 4pm yesterday, August 28, Nonthiwakorn Sangkaew, a deputy inspector at Mueang Chanthaburi Police…
- Business News
SET unveils sustainable growth strategies amid global challenges
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has unveiled three core strategies to foster sustainable growth within the Thai capital market amid challenging global financial conditions and political uncertainties. This initiative aims to enhance inclusivity within the market. SET chairman Kitipong Urapeepatanapong, addressing the Thailand Focus 2024: Adapting to a Changing World seminar, highlighted the strategic pillars: bolstering reliability and trust,…
- Tourism News
Thailand anticipates 2 million Korean tourists amid Chuseok holiday
Thailand is gearing up for a significant influx of South Korean tourists during the upcoming six-day Chuseok holiday, aiming to maintain a strong momentum as the country anticipates a record high of 2 million Korean visitors by the end of the year. Tourism operators in Thailand remain confident despite fierce competition from Vietnam and Japan in attracting Korean tourists. Chuwit…
- Crime News
Police raid drug gang near Chanthaburi provincial hall
Police apprehended over 100 people connected to the drug gang operating in the Nern FM community, just 1 kilometre from the Chanthaburi provincial hall. Police launched a dawn raid, targeting the gang known for its blatant drug trafficking. Yesterday, August 28, the Chanthaburi Provincial Police, in collaboration with the Chanthaburi City Police, special operations units, immigration officers, and administrative officials,…
- Crime News
Scammer cons elderly in Udon Thani with free groceries ruse
Residents of a village in Udon Thani were left shaken after a man posing as a district officer tricked elderly locals into scanning their faces in exchange for free eggs, instant noodles, and cooking oil. Believing he was a legitimate official, the villagers complied, only to later suspect he was a fraud. Yesterday, August 28, villagers from Ban Nong Keb…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Thai-ing down the hatches: Prepare for a flood of trouble
Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued across various regions in Thailand, with the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) advising residents to prepare for potential flash floods and landslides. The alert, announced today, August 29, remains in effect until tomorrow. TMD has released its seventh announcement regarding heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of the country and strong winds in…
- Thailand News
Calls to extend digital TV licences beyond 2029 to support industry
The Association of Digital Television Broadcasting (ADTEB) called on the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to extend existing digital TV licenses beyond their 2029 expiry to navigate the evolving challenges in the local digital TV market. The association further urged the NBTC to reconsider its plan to auction the 3500-3800 megahertz spectrum for telecom services, highlighting that this frequency…
- Crime News
Police offer 100,000 baht reward in Thung Song gold heist case
Royal Thai Police are intensifying their efforts to capture the suspect involved in a gold heist at a Thung Song shopping mall. Police gathered around 70% of evidence pointing to the suspect’s identity and announced a 100,000 baht reward for information leading to his arrest. The incident occurred recently when a man, disguised in clothing that completely concealed his face,…
- Thailand News
Rescue team saves men trapped in flooded pigsty in Lampang
Rescuers navigated a motorised flat-bottomed boat through strong currents to save two middle-aged men trapped in a pigsty in a flooded field. Rising waters from a rapidly flowing stream left the men stranded and unable to escape. At 2.30pm yesterday, August 28, Katha Leelayut, leader of the Wang Nuea Rescue Association in Lampang province, and his team set out to…
- Thailand News
Sukhothai flood: 20-metre barrier breach impacts over 100 homes
Sukhothai’s Sawankhalok district faces a severe crisis as a water barrier has broken, creating a 20-metre gap, causing massive flooding. Over 100 households have been affected. Yesterday, August 27, reports indicated that the water level in the Yom River, Sawankhalok district, Sukhothai province, continued to rise. Water has seeped under the riverbank barrier at Village No. 6, Tha Thong subdistrict,…
- Crime News
Photographer arrested in Bangkok for selling explicit images online
Thai police arrested a 46 year old prominent photographer for selling explicit images of models on VK and OnlyFans, earning him hundreds of thousands of baht monthly. He was previously arrested in 2020 for lewd acts involving victims. Police officials, led by Major General Athip Phongsiwapai, orchestrated the arrest of Thanakrit “Ohm” Weerapakdee at his residence in Bangkok. The operation was…
- Crime News
Thief in Songkhla returns stolen manhole cover within 48 hours
A mysterious incident in Songkhla saw a stolen manhole cover returned just a day later, sparking widespread speculation online. Yesterday, August 27, CCTV footage captured a thief stealing the metal cover, only to bring it back within 48 hours. The CCTV footage showed a middle-aged man, wearing a cap and dark glasses, driving a pickup truck to a house in…
- Thailand News
Purr-fectly terrifying: Python eats pussy in cat’s cage
A heartbroken pet owner discovered a massive python inside the cat’s cage, having devoured his beloved pussy. The 3-metre-long snake was found in Chon Buri, prompting a warning to cat owners about the potential dangers even for caged pets. At 5pm yesterday, August 27, rescue officials from Trai Kunnatham Foundation, Chon Buri, were alerted to an incident involving a python…
- Business News
Thai central bank may cut rates if digital wallet delayed
The Bank of Thailand might be compelled to reduce the policy rate earlier than anticipated if the new government opts to postpone the digital wallet policy slated for the fourth quarter. Analysts warn this delay could significantly impact the Thai economy. Despite the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintaining the rate at 2.5% last week, BofA Securities highlighted that…
- World News
Dolphins harass tourists in Japan, 48 attacked in Fukui Prefecture
Japan was left stunned as reports surfaced of dolphins sexually harassing humans. At least 48 people have been sexually assaulted by dolphins, with the incidents taking place at a beach in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, last week. Reports from NHK Japan and the British tabloid Daily Star indicate that several tourists were violently attacked by dolphins while swimming. Among the victims…
- Thailand News
Heavy rain triggers flash floods in Phayao’s Phu Sang district
Heavy overnight rain in Phayao triggered flash floods in Phu Sang district in northern Thailand, causing significant damage across five sub-districts and forcing residents to flee their homes. The district chief has ordered an urgent assessment of the damage. Around midnight, relentless heavy rain battered Phayao province, continuing through the early hours. By 4am, today, August 28, accumulated forest runoff…
- Thailand News
Thai man hospitalised after toxic plant drink to quit alcohol
A man in Maha Sarakham was hospitalised after consuming a concoction made from a toxic plant, intended by his wife to help him quit drinking. He experienced severe symptoms, including confusion and stiffness, prompting immediate medical attention. The incident occurred yesterday, August 27, at noon when emergency services were called to a home in Nong Kha village, Tha Tum subdistrict,…
- Crime News
Thai police seize massive drug haul after high-speed chase
Thai police successfully arrested members of a drug trafficking gang, seizing a massive haul of narcotics, after a high-speed chase involving gunfire. The gang attempted to flee but their vehicle was eventually disabled, leading to their capture. Chada Thaiset, Deputy Minister of Interior, along with Uthai Thani Governor, Kittirat Phanphet, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, and regional officials,…
- Thailand News
Weeded out: Stranded fisherman rescued by helicopter after two days
A fisherman stranded on his boat amidst aquatic weeds for two days and nights was eventually rescued by a helicopter. The incident occurred in the Huai Luang Reservoir, Nong Bua Ban subdistrict, Udon Thani province. Heavy storms trapped Tan Sihararat, a 53 year old resident of Nam Phon Nuea, Nong Wua So district, in a dense mass of water hyacinths…
- Thailand News
Whisky business: Methanol madness in khlong sam wa, Bangkok
A rise in methanol poisoning cases linked to illegal herbal whisky in Khlong Sam Wa has led to increased concern. Four deaths have been reported, with two more individuals falling seriously ill, bringing the total number of affected patients to 35. The Department of Disease Control and the Department of Medical Services, under the Ministry of Public Health, reported today…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Heavy rain and flash flood warning for 51 Thailand provinces
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning for 51 provinces in Thailand, advising residents to prepare for heavy to very heavy rainfall, flash floods, and forest runoffs. The announcement comes as a strong monsoon is expected to impact the region starting today. Thailand is expected to experience increased rainfall, with some areas facing heavy to very heavy downpours.…
- Road deaths
Pickup truck runs red light, kills motorcyclist in Buriram
A pickup truck ran a red light and struck a motorcyclist, resulting in the rider’s immediate death. Despite efforts by a nurse and a postman to revive him, the man succumbed to his injuries on the spot. Around 3.30pm yesterday, August 21, Police Lieutenant Prachat Raksawang, Deputy Inspector of Mueang Buriram Police Station, was alerted to an accident involving a…
- Crime News
Teenager critically injured in brutal knife attack in Nonthaburi
A first-year vocational student was brutally attacked in broad daylight, leaving him in critical condition. The incident took place in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, when a group of teenagers wielding knives clashed violently. Yesterday, August 21, at 5pm, officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthaburi received reports of a stabbing incident involving teenagers. The event occurred in Soi…
- Crime News
Teenage girl assaulted in Nonthaburi as punishment, captured on video
A group of teenagers in Nonthaburi brutally assaulted a 16 year old girl on the street, claiming it was a form of punishment. Police are investigating the incident, which was caught on video and widely shared on social media. Kan Jompalang, along with the victim and her guardians, visited Rattanathibet Police Station in Nonthaburi to meet with Police Colonel Pisut…
- Business News
Gold prices hit record US$2,531 amid interest rate cut speculation
Gold prices continue their upward trajectory, reaching a new record high of US$2,531 per ounce yesterday. Investors are closely monitoring signals from the Federal Reserve regarding potential interest rate cuts at its September meeting. Gold brokers attribute the increase to the asset’s status as a safe haven amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Tanarat Pasawongse,…
- Crime News
Thai police seize 110kg of drugs in major bust in Songkhla
Thai police intercepted a major drug trafficking operation yesterday, seizing 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and 10 kilogrammes of ketamine hidden in a vehicle bearing deceptive Attorney General’s Office stickers. The bust occurred in Songkhla province and involved both Thai and Malaysian nationals. The Region 9 Police Investigation Unit, led by Thanawat Saengsui, executed the operation on a bridge over…
- Crime News
Woman’s body found near pond in Khon Kaen, police investigating
A woman’s body with painted red nails was discovered near a pond, her neck showing signs of strangulation. The police are investigating whether it was a concealed murder. The body has been sent for an autopsy, and efforts are underway to locate her relatives. Police in Khon Kaen province are investigating the death of a woman found near a pond…
