- Phuket News
Freedom Beach reclassified for business and ecotourism operations
Businesses and small vendors have been granted permission to operate on over 41 rai of Freedom Beach, following its reclassification by the Royal Forest Department as Recreational Forest. Deputy Director-General Bannarak Sermthong confirmed that the reclassification was publicly announced on January 31 and took effect upon publication in the Royal Gazette on February 19. Bannarak explained that the new designation…
- Pattaya News
Man sets motorcycle on fire near Pattaya station, investigation underway
Witnesses reported an unusual incident near Pattaya Railway Station where a man allegedly set his motorcycle ablaze before walking away. At 8pm on February 20, Bang Lamung Police Station received reports of a motorcycle fire in the vicinity of Pattaya Railway Station. On being informed, police coordinated with Pattaya’s fire department, which dispatched a fire truck to the location. Upon…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s biometric data lapse leaves borders vulnerable
The Immigration Bureau did not collect biometric data from approximately 17 million travellers entering and leaving Thailand last year due to the system reaching its capacity, as stated by People’s Party deputy leader Rangsiman Rome. Rangsiman highlighted on his Facebook page yesterday, February 21, that Thailand’s current lack of biometric data collection for border security presents a significant risk, as…
- Tourism News
White Lotus season 3 boosts Koh Samui tourism by 88%
The third season of the HBO series The White Lotus has led to an 88% increase in Internet searches for Koh Samui and a 44% rise in hotel bookings on the island, according to tourism executives. The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) predicts that Koh Samui may not experience a low season this year due to the popularity of the…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Thailand braces for thunderstorms and high waves in 37 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning about unstable weather conditions affecting 37 provinces in Thailand, with thunderstorms expected. Bangkok is also forecasted to experience the same conditions, while waves exceeding 3 metres are predicted in the sea. Today, February 22, the TMD provided a 24-hour weather forecast. Easterly and southeasterly winds are bringing moisture from the South…
- Thailand News
Buriram students hospitalised after using kratom water, e-cigarettes
Emergency services in Buriram province transported three students, two from primary school and one from secondary school, to the hospital. They experienced chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and low oxygen levels after using e-cigarettes and consuming kratom water for a year. On February 18, Facebook user Paphawarin Simlakorn from the Don Mon Subdistrict Municipality’s emergency unit shared a post warning parents…
- Crime News
Man arrested for selling account used in 2.2 million baht scam
The Anti-Human Trafficking Division has apprehended a 28 year old man suspected of being a mule account holder for a scam call centre gang. The suspect, Somprasong, allegedly sold his bank account for 300 baht, which was then used to defraud victims of 2.2 million baht. His criminal history includes charges of drug use, theft, and gambling. Police Major General Songklot…
- Crime News
Chiang Rai man arrested for illegal firearm collection
Police arrested a 44 year old man in the Mueang district, Chiang Rai, after he posted images of illegal firearms on his Facebook account. Upon searching his home, Police discovered a substantial collection of firearms, reportedly purchased from acquaintances. Some weapons were sent by customers for repainting. Yesterday, February 19, Police Lieutenant General Tairong Phiwphan, alongside high-ranking officers, ordered a…
- Tourism News
Thailand’s tourist influx generates over 270 billion baht revenue
Thailand has experienced a significant influx of over 5.5 million international tourists between January 1 and February 16, as reported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports under the leadership of Sorawong Thienthong. This surge in visitors has resulted in the generation of more than 270 billion baht (US$8 billion) in revenue, playing a crucial role in the country’s ongoing…
- Crime News
Tragic shooting in Buriram: Wife critical, husband dead
A tragic incident unfolded in Buriram yesterday where a 46 year old street vendor named Somsak allegedly shot his 51 year old wife, Nahathai, a school director, before turning the gun on himself. Nahathai remains in critical condition at Buriram Hospital. The incident took place around 9.30am, yesterday, February 19, in the Mueang district of Buriram province. Nahathai was reportedly…
- Bangkok News
Green gone wrong: Police raid illegal cannabis factory in Bangkok
Police raided a cannabis factory in a well-known market in the Don Mueang districk of Bangkok, arresting three foreign nationals overseeing operations. Legal proceedings are underway for the building owner and employer. Yesterday, February 19 at 2pm, Police Colonel Sukrit Mankalasawat from Don Mueang Police Station directed efforts to investigate the site. Armed with a search warrant from the Criminal…
- Crime News
Man shot by police after machete attack in Nakhon Si Thammarat
A 57 year old man wielding a machete was fatally shot after attacking police and residents in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Thung Song district. The incident occurred yesterday, February 19, when police attempted to subdue him following reports of his violent behaviour. At the scene in Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat, officers discovered the body of the victim, Adisak, with a bullet wound to…
- Bangkok News
Police raid in Bangkok uncovers 100 million baht in fake drugs
Police officers, including Police Major General Noppasilp Poonsawat, yesterday conducted a raid on three houses in Bangkok. The properties had been rented by Chinese nationals to store unregistered drugs and counterfeit medicines, valued over 100 million baht (US$2.97 million). Officials warned of significant dangers if these products entered the market. The raid took place yesterday, February 19 at 2pm, at…
- Crime News
Immigration Bureau arrests two foreigners for sexual offences
The Immigration Bureau 3 apprehended two foreign nationals involved in sexual offences. The first suspect, 68 year old Rudolf, was arrested for indecent acts with a minor, while the second suspect, 41 year old Oliver, was charged with abducting and sexually abusing a minor. Police Lieutenant General Phanumart Boonyaluck, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, ordered a crackdown on crimes related…
- Crime News
Thai man kills ex-wife in Udon Thani after separation dispute
A Thai man attacked and killed his ex-wife at their home in the Mueang district, Udon Thani province, yesterday, February 19, following a dispute over their separation and his struggles with drug addiction and gambling. The incident, which occurred around 12.30pm, was reported to the local police by concerned relatives who had previously been threatened by the assailant. Police Colonel…
- Thailand News
Phayao abbot leaves monkhood after photos with partner emerge
A well-known abbot and subdistrict head monk in Mueang district, Phayao province, has left the monkhood following the circulation of photos showing him dining with his male partner. The incident, which took place in Phetchabun province, led to significant public attention. Yesterday morning, February 19, the abbot completed the formal process of leaving the monkhood and departed from the temple,…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Bangkok braces for a thunderstorm as heavy rains roll in
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast thunderstorms in 39 provinces tomorrow, with Bangkok expected to experience the heaviest rainfall. Strong gusts of wind and high waves in the Gulf of Thailand are anticipated, prompting cautious navigation advice for sailors. Yesterday, February 19, the TMD issued a 24-hour weather forecast. Thunderstorms are expected in parts of northern Thailand, the western…
- Road deaths
Fatal collision claims young man’s life in Chachoengsao province
A tragic accident occurred when a young man, on his way home after work, collided with a parked truck and was subsequently run over by a pickup truck, leading to his death. The incident took place at 6pm yesterday, February 18, on Suwinthawong Road, heading towards Mueang Chachoengsao, in Sala Daeng subdistrict, Bang Nam Priao district, Chachoengsao province. Police Lieutenant…
- Crime News
Customs seizes over 46 million baht in counterfeit goods
The Department of Customs, led by Theerach Atthanavanich, has successfully seized 602,600 items in violation of customs, intellectual property, and related laws. The confiscated goods, which include cigarettes, e-cigarettes, counterfeit branded products, and other illicit items, are valued at over 46 million baht. The legal processes have concluded, and these items are now the property of the state. The Ministry…
- Crime News
Sisaket woman takes child hostage after mental health meltdown
A 28 year old woman with a history of psychiatric issues held her three year old daughter hostage and attacked her mother in Sisaket’s Mueang district. Emergency services responded promptly, securing the woman and taking her to a hospital for treatment. Upon arriving at the residence in Ban Chan, Sam subdistrict, police from Mueang Sisaket Provincial Police Station, along with…
- Crime News
Border patrol seizes 700kg of crystal meth after smugglers flee
Border patrol officers seized over 700 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine following a clash with a smuggling gang, who abandoned their vehicle and fled. The increased drug flow has prompted heightened police vigilance as the price of crystal meth dropped significantly to 10,000 baht per kilogramme. At 4.30pm, yesterday, February 18, Police Colonel Worapat Boonma, commander of the Border Patrol Police…
- Thailand News
Hiss-teria: Family of pythons slithers into Kamphaeng Phet home
Residents of a Kamphaeng Phet house were startled when a family of pythons was discovered in their home. Yesterday, February 18, rescue workers from the Sawang Kamphaeng Phet Unit in Khlong Lan were called to assist 62 year old Tui Suwanbang. He reported numerous snakes at his residence, located at house number 20, Moo 6, Ban Pang Nuea, Pang Tawai…
- Thailand News
Elderly woman found dead in Nakhon Si Thammarat canal
A 66 year old woman was found dead in a rubber plantation canal in Mueang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, after being missing from home for several hours. Initial autopsy results indicated she had been dead for at least six hours before her body was discovered yesterday, February 18. Police Colonel Kittichai Kairnara, along with investigators, a doctor from Maharaj Nakhon…
- Crime News
Tragic hunting accident in Doi Phu Kha National Park Nan
Two men were involved in a tragic hunting incident in Doi Phu Kha National Park, Nan province, resulting in a fatality. Mistaking his companion for a wild boar, one man accidentally shot and killed him. The incident was reported by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on Facebook. The shooting occurred on February 17 at 11.38am in the…
- Thailand News
Thai entertainment complex bill targets tourists, limits local gambling
Council of State Secretary General Pakorn Nilprapunt stated that the controversial Entertainment Complex Bill is primarily aimed at foreign tourism, with stringent measures proposed to minimise the involvement of most Thai citizens due to concerns about gambling. Pakorn recently shared an update on the amendments to the draft bill, noting that it is currently under its second review. The draft…
- Thailand News
Cobra Gold 2025: US-Thailand military exercise set for February
The Cobra Gold joint military exercise is set to take place in Thailand from February 25 to March 7, featuring the participation of 3,200 US personnel. The opening ceremony is scheduled at 9am on February 25 at Suranaree Camp in Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The event stands as the largest joint and combined exercise in the Indo-Pacific, symbolising the robust…
- Crime News
Illegal bitcoin mining operation busted in Pathum Thani housing project
Police in Pathum Thani dismantled an illegal bitcoin mining operation set up in a housing project, seizing 18 mining devices. The operation had reportedly been using electricity illicitly with an annual cost exceeding 3 million baht. Yesterday, February 18, Sutthiporn Siwawetphikun, district chief of Nong Suea, Police Colonel Teerayut Sereinonchai, and Yutthana Srisombat, a deputy district official for security, along…
- Crime News
Thai nationals arrested for trafficking methamphetamine worth 3 million baht
Two Thai nationals were apprehended in Amnat Charoen province for their involvement in trafficking methamphetamine, known as frung fring pills, mixed with crystal meth. Police Colonel Nipon Boonkert and the relevant officials arrested 39 year old Suriyan Wongchaiya and 21 year old Akkaraphon Saengphet as they attempted to deliver the drugs at designated locations. Police confiscated 106,000 pills, valued at…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Heavy rainfall to hit Bangkok and 41 provinces tomorrow
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts significant rainfall across 42 provinces tomorrow, with Bangkok experiencing the highest impact at 60%. Some areas may also face strong winds and thunderstorms, with temperatures expected to drop on February 18. The TMD 24-hour weather prediction highlights thunderstorms and gusty winds in the lower northern, northeastern, central regions, including Bangkok and its surrounding areas,…
- Bangkok News
Condo thieves caught after gunpoint dispute over stolen goods
Two thieves were caught after stealing packages from residents of a condominium. A disagreement over the division of stolen goods escalated to one of them pointing a gun at the other’s head. Police arrested one suspect, who claimed the argument was about money. Yesterday, February 17, CCTV footage from a condominium captured two young men arguing about dividing stolen packages.…
