- Phuket News
Phuket gears up for Discover Phuket Pride 2024 to boost tourism
Phuket City Municipality, in its drive to bolster tourism and uphold inclusivity, is preparing for the forthcoming Discover Phuket Pride 2024 @ Old Town festival. Set to take place on Saturday, June 29, the event is designed to commemorate the LGBTQ+ community and contribute to the urban area’s economic expansion. The announcement of the event by Saroj Angkhanapilas, the Mayor…
- Thailand News
Thai labour minister embroiled in minimum wage dispute
The labour minister found himself in the midst of a heated debate today as employee and employer representatives presented their contrasting views on a proposed minimum wage increase. The conflicting opinions were expressed ahead of a crucial tripartite committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow, May 14. The Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation and the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation were the first…
- Phuket News
Thailand enhances protection for dugongs following tragic deaths
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, directed officials of national parks and other marine wildlife officers to enhance the protective measures for dugongs. This decision comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of two female dugongs, presumably a mother and her calf, that were discovered washed ashore on Koh…
- Thailand News
Thailand murder suspect arrested in South Korea
A man in his 20s, one of the trio suspected of a gruesome murder, has been apprehended in South Korea. The victim’s body had been discovered encased in concrete within a large plastic container, submerged in the Map Prachan reservoir in Chon Buri, Thailand. The arrest took place yesterday, May 12, at the suspect’s residence in Gyeongnam province, according to…
- Tourism News
Phuket targets Middle Eastern market to counter seasonal tourism slump
Phuket’s tourism industry has set its sights on the affluent Middle Eastern market to counterbalance the seasonal slump in arrivals from Russia and Europe. Over 30 Phuket hospitality businesses presented their offerings at the Arabian Travel Market 2024 (ATM 2024) held in Dubai, aiming to attract high-spending tourists from the region. The ATM 2024, conducted from May 6 to May…
- Thailand News
Thai govt’s plan for minimum wage increase gains public support
The Thai government’s initiative to increase the daily minimum wage has received widespread approval, with a large section of the populace expressing their support for the plan, a recent poll revealed. The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) conducted the survey, which witnessed the participation of 1,310 individuals, all aged 18 or above, between May 3 and May 7. An…
- Crime News
Suspected remains of missing Korean found in Chon Buri reservoir
A grisly discovery was made in Chon Buri, where police unearthed a human body encased in concrete within a 200-litre barrel. The barrel was located at the bottom of the Map Prachan reservoir in Bang Laung district. The find was made last night and is suspected to be the remains of a missing 34 year old Korean man. Roh Eui…
- Politics News
Nearly 2,000 acquire Senate election application forms on first day
The Election Commission (EC) reported yesterday that nearly 2,000 individuals acquired application forms for the Senate election on the first day of distribution, which was on May 10. The documents and forms can be collected daily from district offices and provincial registration centres nationwide, between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm. Completed forms and necessary documents can be submitted at…
- Thailand News
Social security board to ease access to cancer treatment resources
The Social Security Board (SSB) has greenlit a plan to enhance the ease of access to treatment resources for cancer patients within the Social Security system, according to an announcement from the Social Security Office (SSO) yesterday. The resolution was made in a meeting that took place earlier this week. According to Dr Thana Turajane, the chair of the board’s…
- Cannabis News
High times: Thai cannabis use soars, sparking reclassification talks
The use of cannabis among young adults in Thailand has escalated tenfold in the past two years, drawing attention to the government’s plan to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, according to the public health minister. The reclassification proposal is expected to be rooted in scientific evidence. Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin yesterday highlighted the significance of empirical data in addressing the…
- Thailand News
Over 30,000 Thai workers want to work in Israel despite unrest
The Department of Employment (DoE) announced that over 30,000 Thai workers have shown an interest in seeking employment in Israel, despite the recent upheavals in the region. This follows the news that Thailand has been granted a quota of 5,000 positions in Israel’s agricultural sector for the latter half of this year. Director-General of the DoE, Somchai Morakotsriwan, highlighted that Israel…
- Thailand News
Rayong warehouse disaster: Government ramps up aid
A fiery inferno engulfed Rayong’s Map Ta Phut Industrial Park, leaving death and devastation in its wake. The government springs into action, accelerating aid to affected victims and locals. The catastrophic blaze ignited around 10.30am when a colossal pyrolysis gasoline (pygas) storage tank exploded at Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal. SCG Chemicals Plc, a vital petrochemical subsidiary of Siam Cement…
- Thailand News
Hit-and-run: Tourist bus driver abandons injured cyclist in Pattaya
A tourist bus driver callously struck a foreign cyclist on Pattaya Second Road, near Pattaya 8 School. Caught on camera, the driver heartlessly fled the scene, leaving the injured victim behind. The disturbing footage reveals the unidentified cyclist being knocked off his bike as the blue and white tourist bus veered into his path without warning. Ignoring the injured party,…
- Thailand News
Thailand to revise Child Protection Act
The Social Development and Human Security Ministry, under the leadership of Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, is set to propose an amendment to Thailand’s Child Protection Act within the month for Cabinet approval. The updated act will emphasise the significant role of families and local communities in ensuring the safety of children. Following the National Child Protection Committee meeting yesterday, Varawut unveiled…
- Thailand News
Massive drug bust: Heroin seized in river smuggling operation
Local officers from Na Ngiew Police Station and border patrol police swooped down on Phukhao Thong village in Ban Mueang subdistrict, uncovering a labyrinthine web of drug smuggling. Nestled in the Sangkhom district of Nong Khai province, this clandestine operation bordered Laos. Upon arrival, the officers stumbled upon four shadowy figures ferrying cardboard boxes into a nondescript house. Police Lieutenant…
- Thailand News
Shocking stats: Thailand’s hidden population crisis exposed
Thailand’s population secrets are out in the open, and the numbers are staggering. According to National Statistical Office (NSO) Deputy Director Suwannee Wangkan, a whopping 9.25 million people unofficially inhabit the Land of Smiles, with the vast majority flocking to Bangkok for work and study, shining a harsh spotlight on the nation’s deepening wealth gap. This clandestine population, constituting 13.2%…
- Thailand News
Thailand aims to host 2025 InterPride World Conference
Thailand is setting its sights on becoming the inaugural Asian host of the InterPride World Conference in 2025. This intention was announced by the Director of the Mega Events and Festival Department under the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Harisuda Boonyawat. The InterPride World Conference is a yearly congregation of Pride organisers worldwide. It serves as a platform for…
- Phuket News
Phuket authorities to tackle pollution for tourism and ecosystem
In a bid to protect the local environment and maintain the tourist appeal of Phuket, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan urged local authorities to take firm action against pollution. The concern comes amid an increasing accumulation of fishing net waste and monsoon debris in Phuket and its adjacent marine areas,…
- Thailand News
Smoke chaos engulfs Hua Hin: Landfill fire threatens public health
A noxious haze descended upon Hua Hin for days, emanating from a blaze at an old landfill between Soi 102 and Soi 112 in Thap Thai. Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday, May 8, marshalled resources to combat the enduring landfill inferno, which has stubbornly smouldered for five relentless days. Initially subdued by recent rains, the inferno reignited yesterday morning,…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s seaplane tourism venture set for December
Deputy Minister of Transport Manaporn Charoensri paved the way for Thailand’s first seaplane tourism venture yesterday in Phuket, by inaugurating a three-day workshop titled First Seaplane Operations Toward Thailand’s Aviation Hub. Manaporn asserted that the initiative was in line with Prime Minister Settha Thavisin’s policies focused on revitalising the national economy, enhancing air transportation efficiency, and positioning Thailand as a…
- Phuket News
Phuket governor and British ambassador discuss tourist safety
Sophon Suwannarat, the Governor of Phuket, hosted Mark Gooding, the British Ambassador to Thailand, in a meeting on May 7, focusing on the safety of tourists. The meeting, which took place at the Phuket Provincial Hall, aimed to foster relations between Phuket and the British Government. Governor Sophon emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of tourists, particularly by reducing…
- Thailand News
Thai man’s antics turn Pattaya porridge shop into rice riot
Chaos erupted at the Prachanban Rice Porridge Shop on Central Pattaya Road when a 30 year old Thai man sent Thai and foreign customers into a frenzy. Police rushed to the scene on Sunday, May 5, following reports of a man exhibiting erratic behaviour in the middle of the road. Upon arrival, the Thai man, identified as Ton, fled from officers,…
- Thailand News
Deputy PM to discuss government strategies with military chiefs
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced plans to engage in discussions with the heads of the armed forces in Thailand. These meetings, scheduled to take place at the military chiefs’ workplaces, aim to brief them about the government’s strategies and protocols. Following his recent appointment to oversee the Ministry of Defence, Phumtham expressed his intent to maintain…
- Thailand News
Thai deputy finance minister’s shock resignation
Thailand Deputy Minister of Finance Kritsada Jinavijarana sent shockwaves through the political corridors with his offer of resignation. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin intervened, urging Kritsada to reconsider his decision. Expressing discontent with task allocation, Kritsada tendered his resignation from the Cabinet. But the 62 year old Thai prime minister, not ready to lose a key figure, stepped in swiftly to…
- Thailand News
Thailand and China to continue submarine purchase negotiations
Negotiations are set to resume next Wednesday between Thailand and China, as they seek to resolve the protracted issue surrounding a submarine purchase agreement. A 13-person delegation from China, encompassing military officials and representatives of the S26T Yuan-class submarine manufacturers, is due to meet their Thai counterparts. The submarine was part of a procurement deal agreed upon by the Royal…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s health minister proposes change to amphetamine law
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has announced a significant shift in Thailand’s drug policy. He expressed his intention to reduce the minimum amount of amphetamine tablets that would classify possession as a criminal act. Currently, the law considers possession of five or more tablets as a crime, a reduction from the previous threshold of 15, implemented last year. Speaking to…
- Thailand News
Concerns rise over Thai ministry’s plan to sell decade-old rice
Concerns are escalating over the Thai Commerce Ministry’s plan to sell decade-old rice from the former government’s rice-pledging scheme. Consumer safety watchdogs, including the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have been urged to investigate potential aflatoxin and chemical contamination in the grain. This appeal comes in the wake of Commerce Minister…
- Business News
How Cryptocurrency is changing consumer behaviour in Thailand
Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin or similar have played a significant role in the global economy in recent times, and Thailand is just one of the countries where these changes are taking place. Since the country has a young population, and this population is actually tech-savvy, it didn’t take long for cryptocurrencies to be adopted. While the popularisation of cryptocurrencies in Thailand…
- Thailand News
Microsoft’s digital dynamo: Thailand tech scene ignited by AI blitz
Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, unveiled ambitious plans to supercharge Thailand’s digital landscape with a surge in Data and AI initiatives. The tech giant’s commitment extends to fostering a robust AI ecosystem, offering over 100,000 individuals the chance to upskill and dive into the world of artificial intelligence. “This marks a pivotal moment for Thailand, propelling us into…
- Road deaths
British expat killed in Phuket traffic accident
A tragic traffic incident claimed the life of a 65 year old British woman in Kamala, Phuket. A white passenger van, careening through a red light at the main intersection, struck the long-term British resident on Sunday, May 5, ending her life abruptly on the spot. The brutal force of collision hurled her body over 20 metres down the road…
