- Road deaths
Tragic motorbike collision in Phuket leaves three dead, one injured
A devastating motorbike collision on Wiset Road, Rawai, in Phuket, resulted in the death of two foreign men and a Thai woman earlier today. An 18 year old Thai woman, another victim of the incident, was left injured and was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital. The tragic accident, which occurred at approximately 2.48am, was captured on CCTV footage. The…
- Thailand News
Thailand aims to reduce tuberculosis rate by 5% annually
The Public Health Ministry of Thailand has set a goal to decrease the annual rate of tuberculosis (TB) cases by 5%. Dr Cherdchai Tontisirin, Dr Niti Haetanurak, and Dr Jos Vandelaer announced this target during a press conference on Friday, marking World Tuberculosis Day. The trio emphasised that, despite being globally recognised as the deadliest disease, tuberculosis’s prevalence is still…
- Thailand News
Undernourished dugong spotted in Trang raises alarm for marine life
A dugong, appearing undernourished and weak, was spotted in Trang’s Koh Libong area, a well-known sanctuary for these marine creatures. The animal’s condition has generated alarm among the public and researchers, considering the diminishing seagrass around the island due to human activities and climate change. Santi Nirawat, director of the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (Lower Andaman Sea) at…
- South Thailand News
Thai government promises aid following 44 insurgent fires in South
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared on Saturday that the government is stepping in to offer aid and reparation to the victims of the 44 incendiary incidents that swept through Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla the previous day. In the quest for justice, Srettha has assigned the task of investigating this string of fires to the acting national police chief, Kittirat…
- Thailand News
Alarming rise in Thailand’s air pollution prompts call for dedicated committee
Air pollution in Thailand has escalated to an alarming level, prompting the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) to call for the formation of a dedicated national committee to tackle the PM2.5 problem and a separate agency to manage smog. These proposals were presented in an academic paper published on the TDRI’s website yesterday. This comprehensive study was conducted by esteemed…
- Thailand News
Junk food marketing – how it affects children
Today’s youth in Thailand face a startling reality. Their life expectancy may be shorter than their parents, largely due to health issues stemming from excessive junk food consumption. Over 39 million children under 5 are overweight, fueling a rapid obesity epidemic. A significant contributor is junk food marketing, targeting children who lack the cognitive skills to discern advertising intent. Marketers…
- Thailand News
Egyptian man damages Phuket taxi in violent outburst
An Egyptian traveller was taken into protective custody at a hospital following a violent outburst which caused significant damage to a taxi in Bang Tao, Phuket, yesterday. The taxi driver, 53 year old Suriya Plodmai reported to the police that he had picked up the 31 year old Egyptian national, Basem Aly Ismail, from the Patong area and was ferrying him…
- Thailand News
Thai police arrest man for selling protected langurs on Facebook
Thai authorities apprehended a 31 year old man in Narathiwat for illegal wildlife trade involving two protected langurs. Basam Saleh, who was caught following an online sting operation, confessed to purchasing the animals from a local and attempting to sell them through a Facebook group. In a significant crackdown on wildlife trafficking, Thai police successfully nabbed Saleh for the possession…
- Thailand News
Songkran festival in Chiang Mai to draw in millions of tourists
Anticipation builds as the Songkran festival in Chiang Mai, set to span 10 days, is projected to pull in millions of tourists, raking in an estimated 20 billion baht in revenue. This year’s observance of the festival, scheduled from April 7 to 17, is particularly special as it not only seeks to uphold the local Lanna culture but also marks…
- Thailand News
Teenagers’ pellet gun rampage ends in arrests in East Pattaya
A quiet neighbourhood in East Pattaya erupted into chaos as a gang of 10 teenagers unleashed a pellet gun frenzy, with one resident narrowly escaping serious injury. A group of ten teenagers stormed a residence nestled in Soi S.R., Nong Pla Lai Sub-district, east Pattaya, on March 17, firing a pellet gun indiscriminately. The 22 year old Anuchit Chaijarung had…
- Thailand News
Suspected insurgents ignite fires in southern Thailand
Suspected insurgents ignited fires overnight at various locations in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat in southern Thailand, according to police reports. In Pattani, four separate convenience stores located in Mueang, Yaring, Yarang, and Khok Pho districts experienced arson. Additionally, car tyres were set on fire at three sites, two in Khok Pho and another in Panare. Pattani’s Mueang district police chief, Police…
- Phuket News
Phuket gears up for alcohol-free Songkran at Limelight mall
The bustling town of Phuket is gearing up to host its annual Songkran celebration at the Limelight shopping mall, with officials confirming this year’s event will once again be alcohol-free. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat formally announced the official plans during a recent press conference. Scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 13, between 4pm to 10pm, the celebration will unfold…
- Thailand News
Sutin: PM2.5 pollution focus of high stakes meeting with Cambodia
In a high-profile diplomatic move, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has declared war on PM2.5 pollution, setting the stage for a showdown with Cambodia. Sutin is gearing up for a fierce clash during the 16th General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Phnom Penh. He pointed fingers at Cambodian farm practices exacerbating pollution woes across borders. “I will confront Tea Seiha on…
- Thailand News
Toll-free motorway unveiled for Songkran holidays
Motorists are set to enjoy a toll-free journey on the newly announced Intercity Highway Number 81 (M81), disclosed Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachot yesterday. With 97.5% completion, the highway promises to revolutionise travel during the long Songkran break. Surapong highlighted its pivotal role in easing travel woes for residents of Kanchanaburi and neighbouring provinces. “The M81 Highway will be a…
- Thailand News
Thai defence ministry to downsize military
The Thai Ministry of Defence outlined a comprehensive plan to downsize service personnel by approximately 700 individuals within the next three years. This strategic move aims to restructure the military and is expected to result in savings of up to 34 million baht. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang confirmed these details after a Defence Council meeting last Thursday. The initial phase…
- Thailand News
Royal Thai Police internal conflict prompts public investigation
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is currently embroiled in an internal conflict that has drawn substantial public interest. A committee headed by the former Deputy Police Chief, Police General Winai Thongsong, has been tasked with investigating the matter and has been given a timeframe of 60 days to unearth the truth. According to Pol. Gen. Winai, this investigation is not…
- Thailand News
Deputy foreign minister backs Mekong region trade
To revitalise cross-border commerce, the Thailand deputy foreign minister made a pivotal visit to Chiang Saen Port on Monday, accentuating its pivotal role in the lower Mekong region. With cross-border trade in Chiang Rai soaring to an estimated 100 billion baht last year, according to the Foreign Ministry, the port’s strategic location where the Kok and Mekong Rivers converge offers…
- Thailand News
Hong Kong man arrested in Phuket for illegal tour operations
A 31 year old man from Hong Kong has been apprehended in the tourist hotspot of Phuket. The arrest occurred in a car park close to the iconic Phuket Big Buddha, officially known as Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakakiri, on Nakkerd Hill in the Mueang district’s Karon Subdistrict, yesterday around 5pm. The local tourist police disclosed that Wong Tsz Kin has…
- Thailand News
Phayao to become Thailand’s next eco-tourism hotspot
In a move set to transform Phayao into Thailand’s next eco-tourism hotspot, the Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, unleashed a whopping 300 million baht across 13 projects. This ambitious blueprint not only aims to catapult Phayao onto the global sustainable travel map but also promises a future where rubber farmers rejoice over record-breaking profits. PM Srettha, who also…
- Thailand News
PM Srettha pledges two-month Thailand stay amid travel criticism
In the face of mounting public criticism over his frequent overseas travels, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vocally committed to staying put in Thailand for the next two months. The announcement was made via his Twitter account, highlighting that he had taken on board the citizens’ concerns and was grateful for their feedback. “I will not be travelling abroad from…
- Thailand News
Thai health ministry assures data security amid breach rumours
The Public Health Ministry of Thailand, under the leadership of Cholnan Srikaew, assured the public of the safety and security of patient data in their system. This response was prompted by a rumour suggesting a breach that exposed the personal information of more than 2.2 million Thai citizens. The rumour originated from the Rural Doctors Society (RDS), which alleged that…
- Thailand News
Legal team denies Big Joke’s involvement with BNK Master
The legal team of Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn aka Big Joke divulged that nearly 30 police officers are being implicated in a corruption scandal linked to an illicitly operated online gambling network known as BNK Master. The officers under scrutiny are thought to have been involved in receiving underhand payments from the network, which has also implicated Big Joke.…
- Phuket News
House Committee gets down to earth on Phuket land disputes
The Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment from the House of Representatives yesterday landed in Phuket to conduct a study tour and resolve land disputes. The visit, led by the committee chairman, Apichart Sirisunthon, who also holds the position of Secretary-General of the Move Forward Party (MFP), sought to address the local land disputes and wastewater issues. Numerous complaints…
- Thailand News
Thai teacher gets two years for false lottery ticket theft claim
A sensational lottery scandal in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province ended yesterday with the sentencing of Preecha Kraikruan, a 56 year old local Buddhist teacher. The Kanchanaburi Provincial Court handed down a two-year incarceration sentence for falsely accusing a 68 year old retired law enforcement officer, Police Lieutenant Jaroon Wimool, of the theft of lottery tickets that won a 30 million baht…
- Phuket News
Phuket gardener sought for murder after drunken dispute
Phuket law enforcement officers are on a manhunt for a 55 year old gardener who is suspected of murdering his 48 year old colleague from Sisaket following a drunken disagreement in Wichit yesterday evening. The incident took place in a makeshift dwelling on Soi Thep Anusorn 4, in Moo 2, Wichit, with police alerted to the scene around 11.15pm. Upon arrival,…
- Thailand News
Thaksin Shinawatra meets probation officials ahead of schedule
Thaksin Shinawatra reported to the Department of Probation officials in Bangkok Noi district at the Bangkok Probation Office 1 on Monday, one day ahead of his scheduled visit. This step is a part of 74 year old’s parole conditions, having been convicted and now serving his sentence in a more lenient form. During his visit, the area around Bangkok Probation…
- Phuket News
Phuket police crack down on foreign-run businesses
A crackdown on foreign-operated car and bike rental businesses suspected of using nominee shareholders has been initiated by police in Phuket. The campaign was inaugurated with a raid on a rental enterprise in Moo 7, Srisoonthorn, yesterday, March 19. This operation, led by Region 8 Police Commander, Surapong Thanomjit, saw more than 100 vehicles confiscated. Surapong Thanomjit revealed that five…
- Thailand News
Thai Cabinet grants 300 million baht for northern provinces
A significant financial boost of 300 million baht (US$8.3 million) has been granted by the Thai Cabinet for the development of 13 projects aimed at tourism growth across four northern provinces; Phayao, Chiang Rai, Phrae, and Nan. The decision was made during a mobile meeting in Phayao, overseen by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his two-day visit to the region.…
- Thailand News
Thai-Belgian singer fights illegal deepfake pornographic content
A renowned Thai-Belgian singer lodged a formal complaint yesterday at the Technology Crime Suppression Division of the police over deepfake pornographic content. Violette Wautier alleged her likeness was illicitly appropriated for the creation of deepfake pornographic content, which was subsequently circulated online. Accompanied by her legal representative, the 30 year old singer expressed her deep concern over the misuse of…
- Thailand News
Thai airlines gear up for Songkran splashdown with extra flights
Thai Airways International, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet are gearing up for the Songkran festival, a major annual event in Thailand. With an expectation of a surge in travel demand, these airlines have announced the addition of extra flights and ticket discounts to accommodate this rise. Thai Airways International yesterday announced that it would supplement…
