Mitch Connor
- Thailand News
Thailand responds to surge in flesh-eating disease cases in Japan
A surge in the number of flesh-eating disease cases, officially known as necrotising fasciitis, in Japan, has prompted a response from Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC). The DDC gave reassurances yesterday that no instances of the rare but deadly bacterial infection have been reported in Thailand this year. The DDC is keeping a close eye on the developments in…
- Thailand News
Workers get million-baht compensation for Rayong crane accident
Following a harrowing crane collapse tragedy in Rayong’s Pluak Daeng district where seven lives were lost, negotiations between workers and authorities have culminated in a million-baht compensation deal. The predominantly Myanmar workforce reluctantly reopened the site this morning only after the construction firm, under pressure, agreed to a compensation package amounting to 1.6 million baht for each fatality. The turmoil…
- Thailand News
Thailand and UK forge economic alliance
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston CBE, along with British Ambassador Mark Gooding, engaged in a diplomatic meeting to discuss economic collaboration between the UK and Thailand. The crux of Thursday’s discussions revolved around fortifying economic ties, amplifying trade relations, and fostering investment opportunities. This pivotal dialogue laid the groundwork for signing a Memorandum of…
- Thailand News
Thailand, China, and Laos forge new routes
Thailand is in talks with China and Laos to revolutionise their airspace, with Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Co Ltd (Aerothai) president Nopasit Chakpitak revealing plans to accommodate a staggering 100,000 more flights. The proposed parallel routes aim to alleviate congestion in the current flight path, labelled a bottleneck in northwestern Laos by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Once the…
- Thailand News
Bangkok’s MRT Yellow Line resumes limited service after disruption
The Metropolitan Rapid Transit’s (MRT) Yellow Line in Bangkok recommenced limited operations following a disruption caused by loose parts falling from the track. From today, March 29, the service will operate with a temporary 20% fare discount until full service resumes. The incident yesterday prompted a collaborative investigation involving representatives from the Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co. Ltd. (EBM), the Transport…
- Thailand News
Russian tourist arrested for violent conduct in Phuket hotel
A Russian man was apprehended at a hotel in Karon, Phuket, for causing a public disturbance and engaging in violent behaviour. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, prompted Karon Police to issue a stern warning to all foreigners against unruly, alcohol-fuelled conduct. The alert came in response to a Tuesday night altercation that resulted in a police officer resorting…
- Thailand News
Suvarnabhumi Airport rolls out Grab taxi services
To enhance passenger convenience and elevate service standards, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) unveiled the latest addition to Suvarnabhumi Airport: Grab taxi services. Positioned at Gate 4 on the first floor of the terminal, the newly inaugurated Grab service centre stands ready to cater to passengers around the clock, announced AoT Director Kirati Kitmanawat. Echoing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s vision…
- Thailand News
Thai products flood Vietnam: Mini Thailand Week 2024
Hundreds of Thailand’s finest commodities are set to make waves in Vietnam as the third Mini Thailand Week 2024 kicks off in the seaside city of Ha Long. The event, part of Thailand’s strategic push to integrate its businesses into Vietnam’s booming economy, kicked off yesterday, March 28, at the Centre of Planning Fair and Exhibition in Ha Long, Quang…
- Thailand News
Cabinet green lights bills to modify alcohol control law
The Cabinet has given initial approval to five proposed bills aiming to modify the current alcohol control law, a move that could potentially lead to extended selling hours and more relaxed advertising rules. This decision has, however, sparked controversy among anti-alcohol advocates. The legislation was introduced for its first reading in the House on Wednesday, March 27, and received a…
- Thailand News
Taiwanese and Thai nationals charged for heroin smuggling
Taiwanese aviation police have cracked down on an international drug cartel smuggling heroin which involved one Taiwanese and four Thai nationals. The cunning scheme involved smuggling a whopping 36.644 kilogrammes of heroin into Taiwan, with an eye-watering value of over US$3.1 million (approximately 113 million baht), as disclosed in a press release by the Aviation Police Bureau (APB) yesterday. According…
- Thailand News
Malaysian tourists inquire Thai immigration arrival card exemption
Inquiries from Malaysian tourists have flooded hotel operators, eager for the inside scoop on Thailand’s immigration policy regarding the exemption of arrival cards for travellers from Malaysia. Songchai Mungprasitthichai, chairman of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, revealed that Malaysians are particularly curious about potential extensions beyond the current expiry date of April 30. Travellers from all corners of the globe…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s international art festival showcases Thailand talent
A significant contemporary art festival is currently taking place in Phuket, displaying pieces from artists located in Thailand’s southern provinces. The Phuket International Contemporary Art Festival, coordinated by the Phuket Arts Association, kicked off yesterday at the Phuket Merlin Hotel in Talat Yai and will continue until Saturday. The festival showcases the work of 78 artists. Among these, 43 are…
- Phuket News
Phuket teenager triggers trouble with museum shooting
The Phuket authorities apprehended a 17 year old boy yesterday after he allegedly shot a 16-year-old boy near the Phuket Mining Museum. The incident was reported to the police around 1.35am, when the young victim was targeted whilst riding his motorcycle. An unidentified man in a white pickup truck approached him and fired a shot, hitting the teenager in his…
- Thailand News
Two dead in Baltimore bridge collision
The bodies of two construction workers were discovered submerged in the frigid depths of Baltimore harbour, trapped in their pickup truck after a cargo vessel careened into the bridge they were repairing. Maryland authorities, grappling with the grim revelation, revealed at a press briefing that sonar imaging suggests additional vehicles lie entombed amidst the rubble of the Francis Scott Key…
- Phuket News
Chalong police bust major drug operation in Rawai, Phuket
A swift operation by Chalong police in the sea gypsy village of Rawai, Phuket, led to the apprehension of three individuals and the confiscation of a significant quantity of drugs. The stash included over 1,700 methamphetamine tablets, colloquially known as Yaba, and more than 600 grams of crystal meth, or ya ice. The central figure in this Tuesday night raid…
- Thailand News
Exiled former celebrity minister Jakrapob returns to Thailand
A former television celebrity and one-time Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office has set tongues wagging with his unexpected announcement of returning to Thailand. This marks his comeback after a self-imposed exile lasting 15 years, undertaken to avoid lese majeste charges. Jakrapob Penkair posted on Facebook yesterday: “At 7.35 am on March 28, I will return to serve Thailand.” The…
- Thailand News
Rising risk of influenza and dengue amid Covid-19 warns DDC
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued an alert about the escalating risk of influenza and dengue fever this year, amidst the persisting threat of Covid-19. The department’s recent communicable diseases report highlights the significance of these health risks. The department’s spokesperson, Dr Jurai Wongsawat, disclosed that the beginning of the year saw substantial clusters of influenza in schools, prisons,…
- Thailand News
Thai police forms special unit to tackle aggressive monkey menace
In the central plains province of Lop Buri, Thailand, a special police unit has been established to apprehend aggressive macaque monkeys causing havoc for the local populace. The head of the Lop Buri Provincial Police, 45 year old Apirak Vetkanchana, gave orders to 38 year old Kantaphon Wanna, the superintendent of Tha Hin Police, to organise a monkey suppression unit.…
- Thailand News
Thai government explores funding for digital wallet giveaway
The Thai government is currently exploring funding avenues for its digital wallet giveaway initiative, with final decisions on the funding source set to be determined next month. Lawaron Saengsanit, the permanent secretary for the Finance Ministry, revealed that the ministry and the Budget Bureau have been assigned by the digital wallet policy committee to assess possible funding sources for the…
- Thailand News
Fraudulent calls and messages surge by 18% in Thailand in 2023
Whoscall, the caller identification application, reported that fraudulent calls and messages plagued Thailand’s communication channels in 2023, with Thai citizens receiving an alarming 79 million dishonest messages and calls. This figure presents a notable 18% rise from the 66.7 million deceptive calls and messages recorded in 2022. The 2023 statistics were broken down into 20.8 million dubious calls and 58.3…
- Thailand News
Viral photo: Power pole piercing through sewer in Sisaket
A snapshot showing a power pole piercing a drainage pipe beside Highway 226 in Sisaket’s Uthumphon Phisai district has taken social media by storm. Within a day, the post, shared by the Watchdog.Act Facebook page, amassed a staggering 28,000 likes, accompanied by over 3,200 comments, and shared a whopping 2,400 times. Critics lambasted the contracted builders for their apparent oversight, failing…
- Thailand News
Thai state personnel to receive Chinese language training
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI), the Thai-Chinese Cultural Relationship Council (TCCRC), and the Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College (BLCC). The agreement, centred on Thai-Sino cooperation, aims to provide Chinese language training for Thai state personnel. The signing ceremony took place at the King Prajadhipok Museum on Lan Luang Road in…
- Thailand News
Major drug network busted 5.6 million meth pills seized
A significant drug patrolling operation, conducted in Pathum Thani’s Lat Lum Kaeo district, resulted in the apprehension of six individuals linked to a major drug network. The operation also led to the confiscation of 5.6 million methamphetamine pills and 200 kilogrammes of ketamine. The individuals were arrested from a property within the Nattanun Home housing estate in Tambon Khu Kwang,…
- Thailand News
Monkey mayhem: Lopburi locals go bananas over macaque move
Khao Phra subdistrict residents and community leaders in Nakhon Nayok province protest a scheme to temporarily accommodate a group of 50 macaques from Lopburi province. Fearing potential attacks and chaos, locals stand firm against the plan proposed by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The DNP’s strategy aims to address the escalating aggression of Lopburi monkeys,…
- Thailand News
Northern Thailand’s persistent wildfires exacerbate air pollution
Wildfires persist in northern Thailand, contributing to a surge in air pollution despite recent downpours. As of Monday, Mae Hong Son recorded 6,646 wildfires this year, predominantly in the districts of Mueang Mae Hong Son, Pai, and Mae Sariang. This has led to Mae Hong Son exceeding safe levels of airborne particulates for 38 consecutive days. Mae Sariang district reported…
- Thailand News
Thai lawyer uncovers police-linked bribery network
A recent revelation has shaken the Thai law enforcement scene as a lawyer uncovered a gang, allegedly linked to the police, involved in an extensive bribery racket. The racket reportedly amasses over 100 million baht each month through illicit kickbacks. Sittra Biabungkerd, serving as secretary to the People’s Lawyers Foundation, brought this issue to light in a press conference held…
- Thailand News
Former prosecutor files lawsuit in Red Bull hit-and-run case
A former senior prosecutor from the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) filed a lawsuit against Police Colonel Thanasit Taengchan, a former forensic officer for the infamous 2012 hit-and-run incident involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya, also known as Boss. Chainarong, accompanied by his lawyer Paisan Chuarphon, lodged the lawsuit at Bangkok South Criminal Court yesterday. The case accuses Pol. Col.…
- Thailand News
Pork-smuggling mafia’s son arrested at Don Mueang Airport
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) at Don Mueang International Airport yesterday apprehended Karin Piyapornpaiboon, the adopted son of a notorious Chinese pork-smuggling mafia figure, Li Sheng Jiao, known as Hia Kao (Brother Kao). The arrest took place at 7.40am as Karin’s plane from China touched down, with him being transported to the DSI headquarters by 9am, as disclosed by…
- Thailand News
Thai govt assures no loss of Koh Kood sovereignty in future talks
A reassurance has been issued by the Thai government, stating that the country will not surrender sovereignty over Koh Kood, located in Trat province, to Cambodia during future negotiations concerning the partitioning of marine resources in their shared Overlapping Claims Area (OCA). In a statement during the Senate’s general debate on Monday night, Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara referred to…
- Phuket News
Shooting and Molotov cocktails attack rocks Phuket Town
Phuket City police are currently investigating a violent incident on the outskirts of Phuket Town which resulted in a young man being shot in the foot, with accompanying reports of Molotov cocktails being hurled. The authorities were alerted to the event by the staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital, who reported a patient admitted with a bullet wound in his left…
