- Thailand News
Manhole mayhem: Thefts lead to deadly consequences in Bangkok
The theft of manhole covers in Bangkok has resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to convene a meeting yesterday with all related agencies. The meeting aimed to devise strategies to prevent future thefts and enhance pedestrian safety on city pavements. The meeting led by BMA Deputy Permanent Secretary Narong Ruangsri included representatives…
- Thailand News
Thai government sets plans for King Rama X’s upcoming birthday
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin issued a directive to all government departments to come up with proposals for events to mark the forthcoming sixth-cycle birthday of His Majesty King Rama X, scheduled for July 28. The announcement came in the wake of a Cabinet meeting yesterday. The 62 year old Thai prime minister requested that the plans be presented to the…
- Thailand News
Grain gamble: Decade-old rice from Surin warehouses still fresh
Stored for over a decade, rice from the warehouses in Surin, dating back to Yingluck Shinawatra‘s term in office, has been confirmed to be in good condition. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, gave an assurance of the rice’s quality and announced that a bidding process for it is scheduled for next week. Phumtham, along with representatives from the private and public…
- Phuket News
Man’s body discovered in Phuket jungle: No signs of foul play
The body of 40 year old man was discovered at the base of a hill by the coastline near Karon View Point, Phuket on the evening of May 5. The authorities were notified of the discovery of the man, Haschai Khaokhem, at approximately 11.30pm. Upon arrival at the location, which was in the jungle behind the Sabai Corner Restaurant, police…
- Thailand News
Medical department pushes for regular cervical cancer screening
The Department of Medical Sciences in Thailand is spearheading a campaign to encourage women aged between 30 and 60 years old to undergo regular cervical cancer screening. The initiative follows a recent revelation that approximately 10 million sexually active Thai women have never undergone a human papillomavirus (HPV) test. The department’s director-general, Yongyot Thammawut, highlighted the severity of the issue,…
- Thailand News
Thai chamber opposes proposed minimum wage increase
The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) is in dispute with the government over its proposal to increase the minimum daily wage to 400 baht for workers all over the country. The proposed wage increment is expected to take effect in October. Speaking on the issue, Poj Aramwattananont, Vice-President of the TCC and the Board of Trade of Thailand, painted the…
- Thailand News
Thai PM denies plans to limit Bank of Thailand governor’s powers
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin dismissed any intention of modifying the law to restrict the authority of the Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) governor amidst a disagreement over the central bank’s interest rate policy. Responding to queries about potential amendments to the Bank of Thailand Act to limit the governor’s powers, the 62 year old Thai prime minister assured that such…
- Thailand News
Severe water shortage threatens Phi Phi Island businesses in Krabi
For more than two months residents of Phi Phi Island have been grappling with an intense water shortage, which has brought some business operations on the brink of temporary closure if the situation persists. Although Phi Phi Island is no stranger to water shortages, having experienced similar situations during peak tourist seasons in the past years, this occasion may affect…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s small road expansion might ease the traffic congestion
Phuket’s traffic congestion crisis might be getting some relief with the expansion of a small road that connects Wat Tha Reua, south of the Heroines Monument, to Baan Manik in Cherng Talay. The road has been broadened in hopes of reducing the heavy traffic load on Thepkrasattri Road. and Srisoonthorn Road. Previously, this small section of Route 3030, which merges…
- Thailand News
Chiang Mai ranks fourth in global air pollution as PM2.5 soars
Chiang Mai, along with several northern provinces of Thailand, today woke up to alarmingly high levels of PM2.5, ranking fourth in global air pollution. This report, provided by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), highlighted that 11 provinces were exposed to seriously harmful red-coded levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5). The measured pollution…
- Thailand News
Chinese tourists roll with the non-ed visa punches in Phuket
A group of Chinese tourists swept into Phuket this weekend, kickstarting Thailand’s tourism revival under the Non-Immigrant ED Visa, playfully dubbed the Non-Ed Visa. This special pass unlocks the punchline: tourists can now spar in Muay Thai classes, stretching their stay to a whopping 90 days, delivering a knockout blow to the former 60-day limit. The welcoming party at Phuket…
- Thailand News
Thailand schools advised to halt in-person teaching during extreme heat
The Basic Education Commission’s secretary-general issued guidance to all school administrations to halt in-person teachings during periods of extreme heat. Thanu Wongchinda’s announcement, made yesterday, aims to safeguard the health of both students and teachers, considering the potential risk of heat stroke. The first half of April is predicted to bring intense heat, particularly affecting regions such as the northeast,…
- Thailand News
Thailand imposes hefty fines on e-cigarette importers to curb sales
The Customs Department of Thailand imposed a hefty fine on e-cigarette importers, now demanding double the item’s value plus tax in an attempt to curb the increasing sales among the public, particularly the youth. Panthong Loykulnan, the spokesperson for the department, announced yesterday that importers of e-cigarettes, barakus, shishas, and e-barakus will be mandated to pay a fine equivalent to…
- Thailand News
Severe storms hammer Uttaradit and Phrae medical facilities
Unexpected severe storms hammered medical facilities in Uttaradit and neighbouring Phrae on May 3, signalling the imminent arrival of the rainy season, according to the Public Health Ministry. Uttaradit Hospital, located in Mueang district’s city centre, bore the brunt of the storm, with intense wind gusts causing extensive damage, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin reported yesterday. Four surgery and internal…
- Crime News
Chinese interpreter linked to notorious gang arrested in Thailand
A 36 year old Chinese-language interpreter was apprehended on May 3 due to his ties with a criminal gang notorious for kidnapping Chinese nationals. The arrest took place in the Din Daeng district following an abduction incident on April 25, as reported by Deputy Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Noppasin Poonsawat. Theerachai Chaloemwanpen was apprehended by the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) alongside…
- Phuket News
French tourists arrested in Phuket for damaging police chain
Phuket police recently apprehended two French tourists in Patong, Loma Circle, who were caught damaging a police chain used to secure their illegally parked motorbike. The arrest took place on May 2 and was publicised by Patong Police Station only two days after the launch of the You Cut, I Catch campaign by Phuket City Police Chief, Pratuang Pholmana. The…
- Phuket News
Phuket man narrowly escapes as electric motorcycle bursts into flames
A 28 year old man, Wichuthat Chotchuang, narrowly avoided harm when his electric motorcycle ignited into flames mid-ride on Thepkrasattri Road, Phuket, yesterday afternoon, May 3. Wichuthat, a resident of Moo 1, Thepkrasattri, was headed north on Thepkrasattri Road at around 5.20pm when he observed smoke emanating from his motorcycle. Acting quickly, he managed to pull over near the entrance…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s dominance in durian exports to China under threat
Thailand‘s reign as the leading exporter of fresh durians to China is teetering, as reported by an industry insider to Xinhua News Agency. The news has emerged in the wake of a report that China’s major land border checkpoint, Youyiguan, has received 48,000 tonnes of durian shipments in this year’s first quarter. The shipment detailed 35,000 tonnes of durians from…
- Thailand News
Thai government’s digital wallet scheme under scrutiny
The Thai government’s digital wallet policy, specifically the planned usage of funds from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to support the initiative, will continue to be scrutinised by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The agency has previously raised concerns about potential corruption and legal risks linked to the 10,000 baht distribution scheme and will observe the government’s…
- Phuket News
Woman jumps off bridge in Phuket due to chronic depression
A 32 year old woman contending with chronic depression jumped off the Thepsrisin Bridge in Phuket early this morning. The bridge, a link between Saphan Hin and Sakdidet Road, was the location of this distressing event. The woman, who resides on Montri Road in Phuket Town, was swiftly transported to Vachira Phuket Hospital for her sustained injuries. The police were…
- Thailand News
Thai scientists find fossil-fuel pollution in Antarctica’s soil
Thai scientists have uncovered evidence of fossil-fuel pollution in the soil of Antarctica, prompting calls for stricter measures to protect the world’s most pristine environment. A research team, utilising the cutting-edge SR-FTIR microspectroscopy technique at the Thai Synchrotron National Lab in Nakhon Ratchasima, made the discovery in sediment samples collected from five sites across King George Island. Siwatt Pongpiachan, who…
- Phuket News
Tourist allegedly assaulted by group of ladyboys in Phuket
A tourist became the centre of an unpleasant incident on Bangla Road, Phuket, when he was allegedly assaulted by a group of transgender women, widely referred to as ladyboys in Thailand, in the early hours of yesterday morning. The event is currently under investigation by the Patong Police. Patong Police reported yesterday that they had called in multiple witnesses to…
- Thailand News
Freelance-focused online job platform launched
The Department of Employment (DoE) in Thailand recently unveiled an online job platform named Khon Tham Ngan, specifically tailored for freelancers and recruiters. This platform, overseen by DoE head, Somchai Morakotsriwan, aims to enhance work-life balance by offering a free and user-friendly interface for job seekers and employers alike. Khon Tham Ngan, which translates to workers, is open to anyone…
- Politics News
Thailand’s Move Forward Party faces possible dissolution
The Move Forward Party (MFP), one of Thailand’s major opposition parties, is currently battling a case against its dissolution in court. The case was triggered by the Election Commission’s (EC) proposal, based on Section 92 of the Political Parties Act, after the MFP was found to be advocating for amendments to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese…
- Phuket News
Fatal motorbike crash in Phuket raises road safety concerns
A fatal accident occurred in Phuket early today when a Honda Wave 110 motorbike crashed into a roadside concrete table, claiming the life of a 45 year old passenger. The 44 year old motorbike driver, Nikorn Srirod, reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, leading to the unfortunate event. Emergency responders arrived on the scene, in front of Mueang Mai City…
- Thailand News
Thai authorities seize over 1000 endangered tortoises
In the latest crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade, six individuals were apprehended in the southern province of Chumphon, Thailand, for possession and transportation of a significant number of endangered species. The suspects were found with over 1,000 radiated tortoises and dozens of lemurs in their possession, intended for sale in Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan, according to the…
- Phuket News
Growing drug problem grips Phuket as arrests increase by 6.21%
Phuket, an island mainly known for its tourism, is grappling with an escalating drug problem, according to the Phuket Provincial Narcotics Prevention and Suppression Centre committee. The drug issue has seen a 6.21% increase between October last year and March this year, with 1,335 arrests made in 78 drug-related cases, excluding kratom and marijuana. The report, presented during a recent…
- Thailand News
Health concerns rise with high mitragynine kratom drinks
Public health officials issued a stern warning regarding the rising trend of kratom-infused drinks, highlighting that these beverages may contain dangerously high levels of mitragynine, a compound found in the kratom plant. The Department of Medical Sciences, after conducting safety tests across various regions in March, revealed that all 52 samples of kratom-mixed beverages contained mitragynine levels ranging from 22…
- Thailand News
South Africa and Thailand boosts agricultural ties
The agricultural sector has become a significant beneficiary of the thriving bilateral relationship between Thailand and South Africa, revealed South Africa’s Ambassador to Thailand, Darkey Africa in a recent interview. This conversation was held to commemorate three decades of South African democracy and the bilateral relationship between the two nations including a strengthening of agricultural ties. Africa underscored the positive…
- Technology News
Thailand’s govt backs AI industry and boosts digital infrastructure
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that the government is ready to support the AI industry and enhance the country’s digital infrastructure. The statement was made at the Microsoft Build: AI Day Event at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where he welcomed around 2,000 developers and business and technology leaders. “AI has changed many aspects of our lives, workplaces, and business…
