- 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
Stabbing attack at Pattaya’s Soi Night Market sparks investigation
Two individuals fell victim to a stabbing attack at Pattaya’s bustling Soi Night Market yesterday. The first casualty, identified as 43 year old Janyawat Homchan, bore the brunt of the attack, sustaining a harrowing stab wound to his left arm inflicted by an unidentified sharp object. Meanwhile, Thongbai Nadee, also 43 years old and employed at a local hotel, suffered…
- 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
Thailand’s bid to join OECD gains momentum
Thailand’s quest for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) membership gains momentum as insiders reveal surprising support from top diplomats. Thailand’s aspiration to kick-start the accession process for OECD membership has garnered significant backing from the organisation’s members, reports a diplomatic insider. The revelation came to light during the inaugural OECD Council meeting held in Paris on Tuesday,…
- 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
700+ illegal foreign workers exposed in Thailand’s reserved jobs
The Thai government has exposed a clandestine workforce of over 700 foreign workers engaged in professions reserved for locals over the past six months, officials declared today. Government spokesperson Kharom Polpornklang disclosed that a vigorous crackdown by the Employment Department had ensnared 721 foreigners, predominantly employed as street vendors, hairdressers, drivers, and masseurs, prompted by grievances from indigenous workers. The…
- 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
Former abbot gets 468-year sentence in 300 million baht embezzlement case
The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases sentenced a former abbot of Wat Pa Dhammakiri in Nakhon Ratchasima, to an overwhelming 468 years in prison. This decision was made yesterday, March 20, following lawsuits that accused Khom Kongkaeowas and eight others of being embroiled in an embezzlement case worth nearly 300 million baht (US$8.34 million). Among the eight…
- 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 cops raid gambling den, 4 Russians and Ukrainian arrested
A gambling den in Ratsada, north of Phuket Town, was raided by the Phuket Provincial Police and Phuket City Police in the early hours of today, resulting in the arrest of four Russian nationals and a Ukrainian. The operation, which was executed following an insider tip-off, occurred at a site on Thepkrasattri Road in Moo 6, Ratsada, in the vicinity…
- 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
Why Swedish tourists flock to Thailand
According to recent statistics from reputable sources, Thailand remains one of the top five travel destinations for Swedish tourists and the number-one destination for Swedish tourists outside of European destinations, but why? Let’s dive straight in to discover some of the main reasons why so many tourists from Sweden tend to flock to this exotic location in the heart 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…
- Thailand News
Thai police seize 400,000 litres of smuggled oil in Gulf of Thailand
Coastal vessels carrying a whopping total of 400,000 litres of smuggled oil were apprehended in the Gulf of Thailand. The seizure took place off the coast of Sattahip district in the eastern province of Chon Buri. The interception, which occurred this morning, March 19, was a result of a joint patrol operation by the Marine and Crime Suppression Division police.…
- Thailand News
Fatal bus crash in northern Thailand kills two drivers, injures 44
A fatal bus crash involving a long-haul vehicle claimed the lives of its two drivers and injured 44 passengers early today in the Mueang district of Nakhon Ratchasima. The double-decker bus, run by Lotusphibul Tours, was travelling from Bung Kan to Bangkok when it collided with a steel support for a road sign. The accident occurred around 2am, today, March…
- Thailand News
Forest fires in northern Thailand increase dangerous PM2.5 levels
Forest fires in the northern provinces of Thailand have sparked an increase in atmospheric PM2.5 levels, leading to a stern warning from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The department stated yesterday that severe legal consequences will be faced by those who illicitly ignite fires in forest lands. Department chief Athapol Charoenshunsa unveiled that they have recently…
- Thailand News
Thai govt resists declaring Chiang Mai a disaster zone despite pollution
The Government of Thailand has chosen not to declare Chiang Mai a disaster zone despite escalating air pollution, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The decision was largely influenced by concerns that such a declaration could negatively impact the province’s tourism industry. The Bangkok-born PM voiced his government’s stance on platform X, explaining that declaring the province a disaster zone…
- Thailand News
Thai consulate issues warning after measles outbreak in Osaka
The Thai consulate in Osaka has issued a health advisory for Thai nationals residing or travelling in Osaka, following the confirmation of measles cases in the Japanese city. This advice includes wearing masks when outdoors or using public transportation. The Osaka Prefecture has reported the discovery of two individuals infected with measles, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in…
