Mitch Connor

Mitch is a Bangkok resident, having relocated from Southern California, via Florida in 2022. He studied journalism before dropping out of college to teach English in South America. After returning to the US, he spent 4 years working for various online publishers before moving to Thailand.
  • Thailand NewsAnthrax outbreak in Laos prompts raw meat warning in Thailand

    Anthrax outbreak in Laos prompts raw meat warning in Thailand

    Kenika Ounjit, a deputy government spokesperson, yesterday revealed a public health warning from the Department of Livestock Development. The warning urged the public to refrain from consuming raw meat. This follows a report of an anthrax outbreak in Laos, published on the World Forum Facebook page on Wednesday. According to the report, three cases of anthrax were identified on March…

  • Thailand NewsPM Srettha may meet paroled Thaksin during Chiang Mai visit

    PM Srettha may meet paroled Thaksin during Chiang Mai visit

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has suggested a potential meeting with the recently paroled former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra. This event could take place during PM Srettha’s upcoming visit to Chiang Mai, which coincides with Thaksin’s planned trip to his hometown. The Thai prime minister is scheduled to inspect haze pollution, drug-related issues, and the progress of royally initiated development projects in…

  • Thailand NewsThai Health Ministry under scrutiny for drug user-dealer regulation

    Thai Health Ministry under scrutiny for drug user-dealer regulation

    The Public Health Ministry faces a 30-day deadline to substantiate its regulation that categorises individuals holding five methamphetamine pills or 10mg of crystal meth or less as mere drug users, not dealers. This demand comes from the Office of the Ombudsman, which is considering cancelling the ministry regulation. The secretary-general of the Office of the Ombudsman, Police Lieutenant Colonel Keirov…

  • Thailand NewsAI-driven project launched to tackle Bangkok’s traffic congestion

    AI-driven project launched to tackle Bangkok’s traffic congestion

    An artificial intelligence (AI) technology-driven project, the Ratchaprasong Model, has been launched by the government to combat excessive traffic congestion in the bustling business district of Ratchaprasong. This area is also recognised as a tourist hotspot in the capital. The inauguration of the project was presided over by the Prime Minister’s Office Minister, Puangpet Chunlaiad, and vice minister Warawut Yanjareon,…

  • Thailand NewsDesperate Thai fruit seller offers eye for sale to clear debt

    Desperate Thai fruit seller offers eye for sale to clear debt

    A poignant image of a 57 year old Thai fruit seller in Bangkok has stirred waves across the Internet after he pledged to donate one of his eyes to resolve his financial woes. The heartrending scene, initially shared by the Facebook Page Panda Lab Doctor, depicts the man selling fruits with a placard bearing the urgent message: “Eye for Sale.”…

  • Thailand NewsPM Srettha strikes deals in Parisian power play

    PM Srettha strikes deals in Parisian power play

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made waves in Paris as he orchestrated a series of high-stakes meetings with France’s business elite. From fashion to automotive technology, the 62 year old Thai PM’s mission was clear: to solidify Thailand’s status as a regional powerhouse for trade and innovation. Kicking off his jam-packed schedule yesterday morning, PM Srettha delved into talks with Sébastien…

  • Thailand NewsMyanmar exchange student falls to death from Thailand dormitory

    Myanmar exchange student falls to death from Thailand dormitory

    A tragic incident unfolded when a 26 year old Myanmar exchange student fatally fell from the sixth floor of a dormitory building in Pathum Thani province. The incident, which took place around 12.30am today, has left authorities and acquaintances searching for answers. Officials from Pak Klong Rangsit Police Station, led by investigation officer Suwat Phothiree, were notified of the fatal…

  • Thailand NewsSouthern Thailand protests against newly proposed national park

    Southern Thailand protests against newly proposed national park

    Protests have sparked among the residents of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani over the proposed creation of Hat Khanom-Mu Koh Thale Tai National Park. Approximately 500 locals from these regions argue that the establishment of the park would directly impede their livelihoods, utilising the land they rely on for subsistence. The public outcry was voiced during a meeting held…

  • Thailand NewsNorwegian and British nationals arrested for illegal employment

    Norwegian and British nationals arrested for illegal employment

    A Norwegian woman and a British man have been apprehended in Thailand for alleged illegal employment. The arrests occurred on Koh Pha Ngan and Phuket island respectively, as part of a police operation targeting foreign nationals working unlawfully in the country. The Norwegian woman, 56 year old Unni Sekkesaeter was taken into custody at Tha Sala pier in the district…

  • Thailand NewsUpdate: Filipina transgender beauty contestant speaks out after Bangkok brawl

    Update: Filipina transgender beauty contestant speaks out after Bangkok brawl

    A Filipina transgender beauty contestant stepped into the spotlight following a viral Bangkok street brawl, seeking to soothe tensions and advocate for respect from the hosts. Two Filipina nationals faced charges for assaulting six Thai transgender individuals outside the Citin Hotel on Soi Sukhumvit 11 on Monday, March 4. The altercation erupted among a group of over 20 tourists, leading…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket governor calls for probe into Laem Nga beach blockade

    Phuket governor calls for probe into Laem Nga beach blockade

    Phuket Vice Governor Sattha Thongkham demanded a probe into the barricading of privately owned land at Lemg Nga, located at the northern edge of Koh Siray, which has obstructed public access to Laem Nga Beach. This directive came on the heels of a protest by local villagers on-site on March 7. The locals voiced their demand for the restoration of…

  • Thailand NewsAshton Asoke condo in Bangkok faces legal issues

    Ashton Asoke condo in Bangkok faces legal issues

    The Ashton Asoke condominium project, worth 6 billion baht (US$168 million), in Bangkok’s Watthana district is facing a serious threat of legal action if a solution isn’t reached within the next three months, a court official has stated. The dispute stems from a Supreme Administrative Court ruling last July that cancelled the building permit for the property due to the…

  • Thailand NewsDeclining conditions of Bangkok’s Klong Ong Ang raise concerns

    Declining conditions of Bangkok’s Klong Ong Ang raise concerns

    A United Thai Nation Party‘s (UTN) Parliament member voiced concerns yesterday about the neglected state of Klong Ong Ang, a once thriving tourist attraction in the heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown. Kriangyot Sudlapha, a UTN list-MP, raised the issue in the House of Representatives, urging the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to step in and rejuvenate the area. Located in the Phra…

  • Thailand NewsThailand braces for temperatures above 40°C, TMD warns

    Thailand braces for temperatures above 40°C, TMD warns

    A weather warning has been issued by Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) that temperatures across the country are expected to rise above 40°C this month and in April. Kornravee Sitthichitvapak, the director-general of the weather agency, has stated that this summer, temperatures will be 1-2°C higher than the average. Regions facing extremely hot conditions could see the mercury rising above 40°C.…

  • Thailand NewsPhetchabun residents petition over Khao Kho land dispute

    Phetchabun residents petition over Khao Kho land dispute

    A heated land dispute in Phetchabun’s Khao Kho district led residents of 35 local communities to petition two House committees for intervention. Opposition leader and member of the House of Representatives committees on the military and natural resources and environmental affairs, Chaithawat Tulathon, received the petition yesterday. Buppha Chanpheng, representing the locals living within the Khao Kho forest complex, submitted…

  • Thailand NewsSwiss national opts for jail after assaulting Thai woman in mall

    Swiss national opts for jail after assaulting Thai woman in mall

    A 62 year old Swiss national who physically assaulted a local Thai woman in a mall, chose to remain in custody despite an offer of bail from his former Thai spouse. The Trang Provincial Court had set his bail at 50,000 baht (US$1,406), which his ex-wife was willing to pay. However, the Swiss man, Dieter Matthias Straumann, rejected her assistance and…

  • Thailand NewsAustralian fugitive nabbed in Phuket for visa overstay

    Australian fugitive nabbed in Phuket for visa overstay

    Phuket Provincial Police apprehended a 26 year old Australian fugitive who had been lurking in a hotel near the Sri Kor Intersection in Kathu, Phuket. The Australian man, whose identity remains undisclosed by authorities, committed a double crime of visa overstay and bill evasion, spiralling from a tangled web of incidents dating back to January 31. The tale began with…

  • Thailand NewsScoot to fly to Krabi and Hat Yai with new state-of-the-art jets

    Scoot to fly to Krabi and Hat Yai with new state-of-the-art jets

    Scoot, the budget carrier under Singapore Airlines, is about to revolutionise travel with its cutting-edge E190-E2 jets, set to take flight in May. With the delivery of the first and second of nine E2s scheduled for April, Scoot has unleashed its grand plan, unveiling the initial destinations for these state-of-the-art aircraft. The E2s will pave the way for Scoot to…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s revamped tax system promises economic boost

    Thailand’s revamped tax system promises economic boost

    In a bid to shield the public from economic turmoil, Thailand’s Finance and Interior Ministries have unleashed a slew of reforms, spearheaded by Paopoom Rojanasakul, secretary to the finance minister. Addressing a high-profile property seminar, Paopoom asserted that the proposed alterations to the land and building tax are geared towards bolstering collection efficiency and ensuring a fair tax rate. “We…

  • Thailand NewsDrug mule busted with 30 kg of cannabis at Manchester Airport

    Drug mule busted with 30 kg of cannabis at Manchester Airport

    Manchester Crown Court witnessed a case where a 27 year old man was exposed as a drug mule caught with a staggering 30 kilogrammes of cannabis at Manchester Airport. Mohammad Arif’s involvement in the smuggling saga began when a dispute emerged following a charity boxing event. In a bid to settle the feud, Arif embarked on a trip to Thailand…

  • Thailand NewsThai opposition parties call for debate over govt’s slow policy fulfilment

    Thai opposition parties call for debate over govt’s slow policy fulfilment

    The six opposition parties in Thailand have decided to demand a general debate, alleging that the government has been slow to fulfil its core policies declared when it assumed office six months ago. The decision, reached in a meeting yesterday, involves the Move Forward Party (MFP), Democrat Party, Thai Sang Thai Party (TSTP), Fair Party, Thai Teachers for People Party…

  • Thailand NewsConservation factions call for review into Land Bridge initiative

    Conservation factions call for review into Land Bridge initiative

    A call for a thorough investigation of the government’s Land Bridge initiative has been made by Chumphon and Ranong conservation factions, citing concerns about potential corruption and negative societal impacts. This large-scale project, which has already encountered significant opposition, could lead to locals losing their homes and livelihoods, according to the conservationists. Yesterday, representatives from the Rak Phato Network and…

  • Thailand NewsThailand proposes four Songkhla town clusters for UNESCO list

    Thailand proposes four Songkhla town clusters for UNESCO list

    A proposal for the inclusion of four historic town clusters located in the southern province of Songkhla in UNESCO’s tentative list of potential new world heritage sites has been forwarded by Thailand’s national committee on the World Heritage Convention. The recommendation was made yesterday, with the old town clusters representing communities and sites linked to Songkhla Lake. The committee meeting,…

  • Thailand NewsKoh Taen locals oppose inclusion in new national park plan

    Koh Taen locals oppose inclusion in new national park plan

    Koh Taen island locals, situated in the Koh Samui district, handed in a petition yesterday in opposition to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation’s (DNP) plan. The proposal is to include the island, along with its neighbouring area, in the soon-to-be-established Hat Khanom-Mu Koh Thale Tai National Park. This has sparked controversy among the locals, who point…

  • Thailand NewsThai PM to visit Europe, aiming to bolster trade and investment

    Thai PM to visit Europe, aiming to bolster trade and investment

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand is set to travel to Germany and France in an official capacity. The visit, scheduled for March 7 to March 14, aims to bolster trade and investment between Thailand and these European nations. Accelerating the completion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and advocating for visa exemptions for Thai passport holders are top priorities.…

  • Business NewsThe rise of Digital Nomadism: A guide for Thailand’s wanderers

    The rise of Digital Nomadism: A guide for Thailand’s wanderers

    These days, work is no longer defined by being locked within four office walls from 9 to 5. The world is going through a transformation and that includes the way we work. The nomadism trend is just an example of how the borders between the types of lifestyle disappear and people become able to combine different elements of travel, adventures,…

  • Thailand NewsRestaurant encroachment threatens Hua Hin’s sandy shores

    Restaurant encroachment threatens Hua Hin’s sandy shores

    Yamu Beach in Phuket may have just played second fiddle to an encroachment crisis engulfing the pristine sands of Hua Hin. Evidence surfaced on the Prachuap News Facebook page, showcasing a long line of eateries and guesthouses that have sunk their claws deep into Hua Hin’s main beach. Witnesses describe a scene akin to invasion, with some structures extending a…

  • Thailand NewsAustralian child sex offender’s attempt to flee to Papua New Guinea foiled

    Australian child sex offender’s attempt to flee to Papua New Guinea foiled

    An Australian child sex offender tried to evade the law by embarking on a risky voyage to Papua New Guinea. The 53 year old Queensland man, registered as a sex offender in Australia, attempted a daring escape by sailing from Australia to Papua New Guinea. His audacious plan hit rough waters when he was intercepted by PNG customs officers upon…

  • Thailand NewsWill Thaksin return to Chiang Mai home?

    Will Thaksin return to Chiang Mai home?

    In an exclusive statement, Thaksin Shinawatra’s youngest daughter debunked rumours, stating that while her father expressed a desire to visit Chiang Mai, there are no concrete travel arrangements yet. Thaksin’s youngest daughter, Paetongtarn, made known that nothing had been planned. “As of now, no specific itinerary has been planned. He said he’d like to visit his ancestors’ graves. And his elder…

  • Thailand NewsFormer health official faces summons over molestation allegations

    Former health official faces summons over molestation allegations

    A former public health official, who still practises as a doctor in Udon Thani, is set to be summoned by the police over allegations of molesting an 18 year old Lao housekeeper. Identified as Praewa, the young woman was employed by the doctor to provide care for his 80 year old mother at his residence in Soi Phon Phisai 2,…