Mitch Connor

Mitch is a Bangkok resident, having relocated from Southern California, via Florida in 2022. He studied journalism before dropping out of college to teach English in South America. After returning to the US, he spent 4 years working for various online publishers before moving to Thailand.
  • Thailand NewsTwo hunters injured in shootout with rangers and arrested for possession of dead langur monkeys

    Two hunters injured in shootout with rangers and arrested for possession of dead langur monkeys

    Two hunters in Phetchaburi have been left with injuries following a clash with forest rangers, leading to their arrests. They were found to have six dead grey langurs, local authorities reported today. Forest rangers had been conducting a patrol in Huay Kum forest, close to Phu Sai in the Moo 3 village, situated in tambon Huay Mae Phriang of the…

  • Pattaya News3 million baht fire devastates east Pattaya wood shop industry

    3 million baht fire devastates east Pattaya wood shop industry

    A recent fire in east Pattaya has left a significant impact on the local wood shop industry, as a blaze at a Nong Plalai wood shop resulted in an estimated 3 million baht in damages. Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries caused by the fire. The rapid response from local fire crews from Nong Plalai, Takhiantia, and Nongprue prevented…

  • Thailand NewsThree Chinese nationals fined for missing 90-day immigration check-in in Thailand

    Three Chinese nationals fined for missing 90-day immigration check-in in Thailand

    Three Chinese nationals have recently been fined as part of an ongoing crackdown on immigration violations in Thailand. Acting under the instructions of national deputy police chief Pol. Gen. Surachet “Big Joke” Hakparn, officers in Banglamung and Sattahip have been carrying out weekly checks on Chinese nationals and other foreigners who may be involved in illegal activities or overstaying their…

  • Pattaya NewsNorth Pattaya warzone: One injured in teenage gang clash involving rocks, knives, homemade grenades

    North Pattaya warzone: One injured in teenage gang clash involving rocks, knives, homemade grenades

    A recent clash between rival teenage gangs in north Pattaya has left one person injured after the gangs used rocks, knives, and homemade grenades as weapons. The violent incident took place at 5am on Saturday, April 22 at the Photisan Fresh Market, where a 17 year old employee of the Jay Nooch fruit shop suffered a blow to the head…

  • Thailand NewsChinese ambassador expresses confidence in Belt and Road Initiative benefiting Thailand and China

    Chinese ambassador expresses confidence in Belt and Road Initiative benefiting Thailand and China

    Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang expressed his confidence yesterday that China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would foster mutual growth and provide numerous benefits to both Thailand and China. Speaking at a seminar titled “Contemporary China with the World: An Exchange of a New Generation between Thailand and China,” the ambassador highlighted the BRI’s role in guiding and advancing bilateral relations…

  • Thailand Election NewsOverseas voting dates set for Thai election: Apr 25-May 5

    Overseas voting dates set for Thai election: Apr 25-May 5

    Ahead of the Thai General Election set for May 14, eligible Thai voters who reside overseas will have the opportunity to cast their votes between April 25 and May 5. The specific date within this period on which Thais can vote will be determined by the Thai embassy and consulate in each respective country, according to Sawaeng Boonmee, secretary-general for…

  • Pattaya NewsScam alert: fake Facebook page swindles Thai tourists out of thousands of baht for Pattaya pool villas

    Scam alert: fake Facebook page swindles Thai tourists out of thousands of baht for Pattaya pool villas

    A group of Thai tourists were allegedly tricked out of tens of thousands of baht by a fake Pattaya pool villa Facebook page. Achiraya Malarat, a 27 year old Thai tourist from Khon Kaen province, got in touch with The Pattaya News to expose a scammer who was pretending to be a genuine pool villa operator on Facebook. On April…

  • Covid-19 NewsFestival turns fatal: Covid surges post-Songkran

    Festival turns fatal: Covid surges post-Songkran

    A sharp increase in Covid inpatients and related fatalities was reported in the week following the Songkran Festival, with numbers soaring by 150% compared to the previous week, according to the Department of Disease Control. Between April 16 and 22, the number of Covid inpatients surged to 1,088, a stark increase from the 435 patients in the preceding week of…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya Police raid nightclub in late night crackdown on illegal activities

    Pattaya Police raid nightclub in late night crackdown on illegal activities

    Late last night, at around 10.30pm, a nightclub in Pattaya was raided by local police in search of overstayers and those partaking in illegal activities. The venue, known as “Hollywood,” is located on Petchtrakul Road and was filled with approximately 300 patrons, both Thai and foreign, when the police arrived. This raid comes as part of an ongoing campaign spearheaded…

  • Covid-19 NewsXBB Omicron variant rising in Thailand: New strategies deployed

    XBB Omicron variant rising in Thailand: New strategies deployed

    Approximately 52% of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand have been attributed to the XBB sub-strain of the Omicron variant, according to the Centre for Medical Genomics. As a result, a prominent doctor has urged the public to obtain booster shots before the onset of the rainy season. The XBB variant and its sub-strains have been responsible for recent surges in…

  • Thailand NewsBJT’s ambitious plan to creating a ‘land bridge’ to boost economic growth in southern Thailand

    BJT’s ambitious plan to creating a ‘land bridge’ to boost economic growth in southern Thailand

    The Bhumjaithai Party in Thailand vows to push forward with the development of a “land bridge” connecting the Andaman Sea with the Gulf of Thailand, which they believe will stimulate economic growth in the South. Itthidet Supong, spokesperson for Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, stated that Anutin is particularly keen on constructing an overland freight route, which is slated to link…

  • Environment NewsChiang Mai’s haze crisis: Health and tourism at risk

    Chiang Mai’s haze crisis: Health and tourism at risk

    The ongoing severe haze pollution in Chiang Mai has not only increased health risks for the inhabitants but has also negatively impacted its tourism industry. Affected parties are urging the government to implement long-term measures to address the issue, including the passage of a ‘clean air’ bill currently awaiting deliberation in parliament. The PM2.5 pollution affecting the upper northern provinces…

  • Thailand NewsThai government acts fast to evacuate nationals from Sudan

    Thai government acts fast to evacuate nationals from Sudan

    The government of Thailand is making arrangements to evacuate Thai citizens from Sudan as swiftly as possible, utilising nearby airports such as Cairo Airport in Egypt and the American Air Force Base in Djibouti. This decision follows increasing concerns over the security situation in Sudan, with fears growing for the safety of the estimated 300 Thai nationals residing in the…

  • Thailand Election NewsVote wisely: PM Chan-o-cha’s election appeal

    Vote wisely: PM Chan-o-cha’s election appeal

    Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party’s candidate for prime minister, has called on voters to think carefully before casting their ballots, cautioning that electing the wrong politicians could have disastrous consequences for the country. As part of his election campaign, Prime Minister Chan-o-cha visited Tha Pla district to drum up support for the UTN candidates running…

  • Environment NewsChiang Mai breathes easier: Summer storms bring air quality relief

    Chiang Mai breathes easier: Summer storms bring air quality relief

    The air quality in Chiang Mai has significantly improved due to a series of summer storms, causing hazardous haze pollution and ultra-fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5 levels to drop after months of concern. This is welcome news for residents and tourists alike, as the region has been grappling with poor air quality and the impact it has had on both…

  • Thailand NewsTrunk-ated Stay: Thailand’s push to bring home abused elephant from Sri Lanka continues

    Trunk-ated Stay: Thailand’s push to bring home abused elephant from Sri Lanka continues

    The Thai government continues to explore ways to repatriate Sak Surin, one of three elephants gifted to Sri Lanka by Thailand back in 2001. This follows reports last year by an animal rights organisation that the elephant had been subjected to mistreatment by its handlers. While the government is aware of Sak Surin’s situation, transporting the elephant back to Thailand…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s fruit exports to China keep on peel-ing with a juicy growth

    Thailand’s fruit exports to China keep on peel-ing with a juicy growth

    Thailand, already a dominant fruit exporter to China, witnessed a remarkable growth of 3.72% in 2022, generating more than 168 billion baht in revenue. The country’s thriving fruit industry found an avid market in China, which imported over 2.17 million tonnes of Thai fruit last year, according to a recent report from the Commerce Ministry. A diverse assortment of Thai…

  • Northern Thailand NewsSummer storm wreaks havoc on 2 districts of northeast Thailand province

    Summer storm wreaks havoc on 2 districts of northeast Thailand province

    A summer storm wreaked havoc on two districts of Thailand’s northeast Nakhon Phanom province. Around 70 houses in That Phanom and Renu Nakhon districts were damaged yesterday afternoon, according to authorities. In That Phanom district, both Moo 3 and Moo 8 villages of Tambon Phon Phaeng faced heavy showers, strong gusts of wind, and thunderstorms for approximately an hour. As…

  • Crime NewsKhao San cannabis vendors face charges for operating without licenses

    Khao San cannabis vendors face charges for operating without licenses

    A joint operation involving the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTTAM), Metropolitan Police Bureau, Chana Songkhram police, and City Hall staff has led to the pressing of charges against five unauthorised cannabis shops located on Khao San Road. The crackdown took place on April 20, following the postponement of ‘420’ weed parties that were intended to take place…

  • Covid-19 NewsDaily Covid-19 cases in Bangkok spike

    Daily Covid-19 cases in Bangkok spike

    Bangkok‘s daily number of Covid-19 cases has experienced a significant spike, nearly doubling from 400 to 700 in the wake of the city’s recent Songkran festival. This has led to growing concerns among local authorities, who fear that the true extent of the situation might not yet be fully understood. The deputy City Clerk at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA),…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesSummer storms to hit upper Thailand

    Summer storms to hit upper Thailand

    The Thai Meteorological Department expects summer storms to hit upper Thailand from Sunday to Wednesday. The department is forecasting summer storms, thunderstorms, gusty winds, isolated hail and lightning in upper Thailand from today (Sunday) to Wednesday. A moderate high-pressure system from China is expected to affect the northeastern region of the country and the South China Sea from Monday to…

  • Crime NewsTurkish man assaults older Thai man in Pattaya, resulting in serious head injury (video)

    Turkish man assaults older Thai man in Pattaya, resulting in serious head injury (video)

    A Turkish man assaulted an older Thai man in Pattaya, resulting in a serious head injury. The incident occurred on Pattaya‘s Walking Street on April 18, known as ‘Wan Lai‘ or ‘Flowing Day,’ at around 3am. The Turkish man, 28 year old Mustafa, appeared in video footage to head-butt and shove 61 year old Chadayut, who poured on him during…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesHeat and drought expected to impact Thailand

    Heat and drought expected to impact Thailand

    Heat and drought are expected to impact Thailand soon. The end of the summer season is predicted to arrive by the middle of month, but Thailand is expected to face the harsh impact of the El Niño phenomenon around the middle of June. This will lead to severe drought conditions, according to the Meteorological Department (MD), Bangkok Post reports. The…

  • Economy NewsThai activists say new electricity rates won’t solve root causes of high prices

    Thai activists say new electricity rates won’t solve root causes of high prices

    A decision by an Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) subcommittee to reduce electricity rates from May to August has been met with reservations from Thai energy activists and politicians, who argue that the move does not address the root cause of expensive power bills. Yesterday, the subcommittee approved the fuel tariff (Ft) rate adjustment, which considers changes in fuel costs and…

  • Politics NewsThailand’s PM visits Chiang Mai, a Pheu Thai stronghold

    Thailand’s PM visits Chiang Mai, a Pheu Thai stronghold

    Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is hoping to win over supporters in Chiang Mai, a province historically known as a stronghold of support his rival Pheu Thai Party. The No.1 prime ministerial candidate for the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party visited Chiang Mai yesterday in an attempt to sway voters, Bangkok Post reported. Prayut, joined by key UTN Party members including…

  • Thailand NewsAmerican YouTuber popular with Thais to compete in influencer boxing event

    American YouTuber popular with Thais to compete in influencer boxing event

    An American Youtuber who is popular among Thais is gearing up to compete in the “Influencer Boxing” contest in England today (Saturday). With over 13 million subscribers on YouTube, 30 year old Nathan Bartling has become a household name in Thailand and is proud to represent the country he now calls home. Bartling said on social media… “I never thought…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya mayor takes part in rice festival

    Pattaya mayor takes part in rice festival

    On Thursday, Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches took part in the traditional Kong Khao (rice) festival in the local town of Naklua. This fascinating ceremony is an integral part of Chonburi province culture, attracting hundreds every year to honour and seek the blessings of the sacred guardian spirits, deities and other protective entities known to protect the local population. The Kong…

  • Crime NewsThai police arrest members of syndicate smuggling petrol from Malaysia

    Thai police arrest members of syndicate smuggling petrol from Malaysia

    The Royal Thai Police‘s (RTP) Fuel Crime Suppression Centre recently announced the arrest of two suspected members of a criminal syndicate known as “Jae Fang” in Hat Yai, Thailand. The group has allegedly been smuggling petrol from Malaysia and reselling it in the southern provinces of Songkhla, Satun, and Narathiwat. The suspects, Nee Usman and Eeb Madyusoh, were apprehended while…

  • Crime NewsPublic hospital director in Thailand caught in underage sex scandal

    Public hospital director in Thailand caught in underage sex scandal

    The director of a public hospital in Leoi province in northeast Thailand and two accomplices were arrested yesterday by Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) officers for buying sex from underage girls. Three men were apprehended by ATPD officers in the Kudpong area of Mueang district. The suspects are Phasakorn Surachaipanya, a 54 year old director of a public hospital in…

  • Crime NewsProsecutors requested to charge Kong Salak Plus CEO by DSI

    Prosecutors requested to charge Kong Salak Plus CEO by DSI

    Thailand‘s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has requested that prosecutors bring charges against Panthawat “Nott” Nakwisut, the beleaguered proprietor of the now-defunct Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform, and 16 others for money laundering and gambling offences. On Friday, DSI detectives submitted their findings to the public prosecutors at the Attorney-General’s Office in Bangkok, situated on Ratchadapisek Road. Pongsathon Inamnuay,…