- Bangkok News
Bangkok train ridership surges 60% amid free transport initiative
Train ridership across Greater Bangkok experienced a significant 60% rise on January 26, marking the second day of the government’s week-long initiative of free public transport aimed at combating air pollution, as reported by the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) today, January 28. DRT director-general Pichet Kunathammarak noted that the city’s electric train network saw a 60.90% increase in ridership…
- Thailand News
Thailand plans integrated casino complexes to boost economy
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced yesterday, January 27, that discussions had taken place with the Council of State regarding a draft bill proposed by the Finance Ministry. This bill concerns the establishment of integrated entertainment complexes, which would include a casino. He anticipates that the draft bill will be presented to the House for consideration during the current session.…
- Crime News
Major drug bust: 10,000 meth tablets found in fuel tank
A significant drug bust occurred when law enforcement intercepted a vehicle carrying 10,000 methamphetamine tablets hidden in the fuel tank. The vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint in Kanchanaburi province yesterday, January 27. The drugs were reportedly being transported from Sangkhla Buri to a dealer in Kanchanaburi city. General Atsadawut Punyarachun, commander of the 9th Infantry Division and head of…
- Tourism News
South Korean tourists outnumber Chinese in Chiang Mai amid direct flights boost
The South Korean market may surpass the Chinese in terms of tourist arrivals in Chiang Mai this year, attributed to the increase in direct flights and favourable winter weather, as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Patsalin Swetarat, director of TAT’s Chiang Mai office, noted that a decline in safety confidence among Chinese travellers has somewhat affected tourism…
- Crime News
Fatal shooting at Nan land reform office leaves two dead
In the office of the Nan Provincial Land Reform, a shooting incident resulted in one fatality and one critical injury. The event unfolded yesterday, January 27, when a disagreement escalated. Police Lieutenant Colonel Wanatpong Santiphongsathorn and Police Major Danuwat Kittiyos led a team to the scene after being notified. The tragedy occurred on the second floor of the Nan Provincial…
- Phuket News
Tourist brawl in Phuket sparks debate on visa policy (video)
A video depicting an altercation between Italian and Indian tourists in Phuket’s Patong area has sparked significant social media discussion. The incident, captured in a 1.04-minute clip shared by the Facebook page Speednews Phuket, occurred yesterday, January 27, at the end of Bangla Road, Kathu district, Phuket. The video shows the tourists engaged in a fierce brawl, surrounded by onlookers…
- Thailand News
Sukhothai faces hazardous PM2.5 levels for seven days
The Ministry of Public Health’s Health Information Centre revealed that Sukhothai province has recorded hazardous PM2.5 levels for seven consecutive days. Residents have been advised to prepare by cleaning their homes and equipping themselves with protective gear. Doctor Warat Chotipitayasunon, the Government spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health on PM2.5 issues, reported yesterday, January 27, that there has been…
- Crime News
Khon Kaen fish dispute leads to fatal shooting
A dispute over a fish led to a tragic incident in Khon Kaen, where a 63 year old man fatally shot his 41 year old nephew, following a disagreement about the fish being cooked without permission. The police have charged Sangha with intentional manslaughter. Yesterday, January 27, reports emerged of a shooting incident that occurred the day before at a residence…
- Crime News
Fifteen arrested in Nakhon Ratchasima for land burning amid forest fire
A total of 15 people have been apprehended in Nakhon Ratchasima for burning agricultural land, contributing to a forest fire that destroyed 6,016 rai. This has led to PM2.5 dust levels exceeding safety standards. Yesterday, January 27, a meeting at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Hall was chaired by Suraphan Silpasuwan, the province’s deputy governor. The discussion focused on tackling forest…
- Crime News
Thai singer arrested for promoting online gambling
Yesterday, January 27, cyber police apprehended a well-known singer with 200 million YouTube views for promoting online gambling. The 27 year old singer admitted to enticing others to engage in online gambling for monetary gain. The cyber police, led by Police Colonel Apirak Champarsi, contacted Chatatorn, who is known by his stage name Oil Saengsarn, following an investigation. The police…
- Road deaths
Truck collision in Chachoengsao leaves driver severely injured
In Chachoengsao province, a collision involving a 10-wheel truck and an 18-wheel trailer resulted in significant injuries for a 56 year old driver. Emergency services used extraction equipment to free him from the wreckage, amidst claims from locals that accidents are frequent in the area. Police Lieutenant Rewat Abdin of Bang Nam Priao district received an emergency call about a…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Cold weather and strong winds hit northern Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has reported colder weather with strong winds across northern Thailand, forecasting a temperature drop of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, a monsoon is causing thunderstorms and high waves of 2 to 3 metres in the Gulf of Thailand and the south, advising small boats to remain ashore. The weather forecast, announced today, January 28,…
- Thailand News
Thai Air Force chooses Swedish Gripen jets over US F-16s
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has opted for Swedish Gripen jets over the US-made F-16 aircraft, citing greater benefits to the government. This decision was announced by Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul amid ongoing discussions about the rationale behind this choice. The Gripen jets are set to replace the ageing F-16 jets currently stationed in Wing 1, located in…
- South Thailand News
Three suspects killed in Krong Pinang security operation
Today, January 27, a confrontation in Krong Pinang resulted in the deaths of three suspects following a security operation. At 4am, security personnel, in collaboration with the Yala provincial police, surrounded a house in the village of Jarae Kadong, Huai Krathing subdistrict, where three men were hiding. The suspects attempted to flee, opening fire on the officers, which led to…
- Phuket News
Cement truck crash causes power outage in Cherng Talay
A cement truck en route to The Aqua project in Cherng Talay collided with a power pole early on January 25, causing a power and internet outage for residents. Cherng Talay Police responded to the incident near the Samnak Pathipatham Luang Pho Sompharong temple on Cherng Talay-Baan Don Road at approximately 6.15am. The driver, 31 year old Chanchai Daengphrom from…
- Road deaths
Pickup truck crash in Ayutthaya leaves driver dead in canal
A pickup truck lost control on a curve, crossing lanes and colliding with a trailer truck before plunging into an irrigation canal, resulting in the driver’s death. The incident occurred today, January 27, on Highway 3043 in Uthai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. Police Lieutenant Colonel Somchit Sirisawang from Uthai Police Station received the report and coordinated with the…
- Thailand News
Thailand allocates 145.63 million baht for transgender hormone therapy
The Public Health Ministry has allocated 145.63 million baht to the National Health Security Office to supply hormone medication to 200,000 transgender citizens. According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak, the ministry’s support aligns with the government’s marriage equality policy, focusing on both physical and mental health for sexually diverse people. He noted the increasing acceptance of various gender identities…
- Tourism News
Thailand braces for 770,000 Chinese tourists this Lunar New Year
The Thai government anticipates 770,000 Chinese nationals to visit Thailand during Chinese New Year, from January 24 to February 2, marking a 22.6% increase compared to the same period last year. Sasikarn Watthanachan, deputy spokeswoman for the government, stated that various agencies, including the Department of Airports and Airports of Thailand (AoT), have been instructed to prepare for the influx…
- Crime News
Fatal shooting in Samut Prakan after ex-partner confrontation
A confrontation between a former husband and his ex-wife’s new partner resulted in a fatal shooting incident in Samut Prakan yesterday, January 26. According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Wut Puttiphanon, the altercation occurred at 10.30pm in front of a house in Phraeksa Mai subdistrict, Mueang district, after the former husband attempted to shoot his ex-wife’s new partner but was shot…
- Thailand News
Woman’s repeated lottery luck linked to Buddha statue offerings
A woman from Uttaradit visited Wat Mai Samakkhi in Mueang district, Phetchabun province, to offer 99 trays of eggs and 99 bunches of bananas to the sacred Buddha statue, Luang Pho Ham Chon. This gesture of gratitude follows her good fortune derived from the statue over three consecutive lottery draws. Yesterday, January 26, numerous residents gathered at the temple to…
- Road deaths
Tourist bus accident in Laos injures 25 foreigners, no Thais involved
Yesterday, January 26, a tourist bus accident in Salavan province, Laos, left 25 foreign tourists injured. The governor of Ubon Ratchathani assured that no Thai nationals were involved, and emergency services were dispatched to the Chong Mek border to assist the injured. Adisak Noisuwan, the governor of Ubon Ratchathani, along with more than 20 volunteers, donated blood at Sappasitthiprasong Hospital…
- Crime News
Man denies identity after alleged misconduct in Nonthaburi shop
A man accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a 12 year old girl and her friend in a convenience store in Nonthaburi has refused to provide personal details or fingerprints. The incident occurred on January 25 on Chaeng Watthana Road in Pak Kret district, leading to police intervention after good samaritans detained the suspect. Yesterday, January 26, the mothers of the…
- Thailand News
Chon Buri teen saved by rescue team after distress incident
In Chon Buri, a tense situation unfolded when a 14 year old boy, distressed after being rebuked by his parents for being a troublemaker, was saved just in time by municipal disaster prevention and rescue personnel. The incident occurred yesterday, January 26, at a dormitory in Nong Mai Daeng subdistrict, Mueang district. The young boy was taken from the third…
- Thailand News
Forest fire devastates over 2,000 rai on Phu Lam Yai Mountain
Aerial footage reveals extensive damage from a forest fire on Phu Lam Yai Mountain, with over 2,000 rai of land affected. The fire left trees charred across the region. Officials are clearing the area and monitoring to prevent any resurgence of the fire. Yesterday, January 26, Vichit Kitwirat, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, who also serves as the commander of…
- South Thailand News
Thai police arrest migrants en route to Malaysia in smuggling bust
In Songkhla, police in Chana district apprehended 10 illegal migrants from Myanmar and two Thai drivers as they attempted to travel to Malaysia in search of employment. The arrests were made yesterday evening, January 25, by a team comprising immigration and highway police, who intercepted a Honda sedan and a Mitsubishi Pajero on a local road in tambon Taling Chan.…
- Thailand News
Toxic ultrafine dust reaches hazardous levels in Thailand’s Central Plain
Unsafe concentrations of toxic ultrafine dust were identified in 58 out of 77 provinces across Thailand, with the most severe air pollution detected in the Central Plain this morning. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) reported at 10am that particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5) had reached hazardous-to-health levels in 20 provinces. Sing Buri…
- Crime News
Thai police officers held for extorting 2 million baht from Chinese
Eight people, comprising four police officers and a ranger, have been detained for allegedly abducting and extorting 2 million baht from seven Chinese men. Reports from the area indicate that the Chinese men managed to alert their relatives by sending the location of a resort in Ubon Ratchathani’s Phibun Mangsahan district, where they were being held, using a mobile phone.…
- Thailand News
Majority oppose casino-entertainment complex and online gambling legalisation
A significant majority of people have expressed opposition to the government’s proposal for a casino-entertainment complex and the legalisation of online gambling, as revealed by a survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration. The Nida Poll gathered responses through telephone interviews from January 20 to January 21 from 1,310 individuals over the age of 18, representing diverse educational…
- Crime News
Woman charged for illegal sugarcane burning in Nong Bua Lamphu
A 59 year old woman from Nong Bua Lamphu province has been charged after a widely shared selfie showed her burning sugarcane leaves on January 23 at around 6.30pm. The woman, Phut, admitted to the act and apologised to the community, claiming ignorance of the law. Following the incident, Governor Surasak Aksornkul instructed district and local officials, along with police…
- Crime News
Teacher’s aide arrested for abducting boy in Phetchaburi
A 19 year old female teacher’s aide has been apprehended for allegedly abducting a 10 year old boy in Phetchaburi province. Owen’s relatives reported him missing after he left home to dispose of rubbish and failed to return. The incident took place yesterday, January 25, when Owen, wearing a white and yellow sports shirt with the number 7, disappeared from…