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 NewsPhang Nga’s lithium deposits eyed for Thailand’s EV ambitions | Thaiger

    Phang Nga’s lithium deposits eyed for Thailand’s EV ambitions

    Phang Nga’s rich lithium deposits were the focal point of a House Committee on Industry visit yesterday, as the government looks to establish the area as a global lithium source. The move aligns with the government’s strategy to make Thailand an electronic vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub. Akkaradech Wongpitakroj, chairman of the House Committee and United Thai Nations MP for Ratchaburi,…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok’s Klong Ong Ang Canal neglected despite tourism appeal | Thaiger

    Bangkok’s Klong Ong Ang Canal neglected despite tourism appeal

    The controversy around the neglected state of the Klong Ong Ang Canal area, once touted as a tourist hotspot by the previous government, has prompted officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to come forward in defence. Images revealing the dilapidated condition of the area, including parked vehicles on a freshly paved footpath, abandoned artistic graffiti installations, and homeless individuals…

  • Thailand NewsThai navy’s frigate procurement plan gets House Committee’s nod | Thaiger

    Thai navy’s frigate procurement plan gets House Committee’s nod

    The Royal Thai Navy‘s (RTN) plans for procuring a new frigate received an endorsement from the House of Representatives Committee on the Armed Forces. This move is expected to pave the way for more job opportunities for local labour. The RTN’s frigate procurement strategy recently encountered a setback when its budget request of 17 billion baht (US$480 million) for the…

  • Aviation NewsThailand and France collaborate to upgrade Thai aviation industry | Thaiger

    Thailand and France collaborate to upgrade Thai aviation industry

    Thailand’s aviation industry is set to undergo a significant upgrade, in collaboration with France, as announced by Thai Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. The partnership, conceived during a recent official visit to France, is intended to ready Thailand for future aviation demands. The minister held discussions with Damien Caze, the head of France’s Directorate-General for Civil Aviation, in the French capital.…

  • Thailand NewsChulalongkorn Uni pressured to reveal fraudulent thesis results | Thaiger

    Chulalongkorn Uni pressured to reveal fraudulent thesis results

    Chulalongkorn University is currently under pressure from an alumni group, Network of Universities Reform, to reveal the findings of an investigation into an alleged fraudulent doctoral research paper. The contentious thesis, penned by Nattapon Jaijin, has been under scrutiny for three years, a fact that has sparked frustration within the group. The group’s leader, Wirangrong Dabbaransi, has taken to Facebook…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket authorities given 3-day deadline to investigate beach access blockage | Thaiger

    Phuket authorities given 3-day deadline to investigate beach access blockage

    The Phuket authorities face a three-day deadline to probe the ownership of a land plot belonging to a private company in Phuket that obstructs public access to Laem Nga Beach. This directive was given by Vice Governor Sattha Thongkham on Friday following a demonstration by approximately 500 individuals at the blocked beachfront property the previous day. The protesters demanded that…

  • Thailand NewsThai govt enhances medical accessibility for HIV/Aids patients | Thaiger

    Thai govt enhances medical accessibility for HIV/Aids patients

    The Thai government, represented by the Public Health Ministry, has green-lit a plan to enhance medical accessibility for individuals living with HIV/Aids. This decision follows a multi-agency meeting headed by Minister Cholnan Srikaew. The dialogue, held on Friday, included representation from the Thai Network of People Living with HIV/Aids (TNP+), the Aids Access Foundation, the Institute of HIV Research and…

  • Thailand NewsAnthrax outbreak in Laos prompts raw meat warning in Thailand | Thaiger

    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 NewsThai Health Ministry under scrutiny for drug user-dealer regulation | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsThailand to host prestigious Formula E electric-car championship | Thaiger

    Thailand to host prestigious Formula E electric-car championship

    The Government of Thailand is set to welcome the prestigious Formula E electric-car racing championship in the coming year. This revelation was made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on his X account yesterday, following an engaging conversation with a senior executive of Formula E. Formula E, also known as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, has earned global recognition…

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

    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 NewsMyanmar exchange student falls to death from Thailand dormitory | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsBangkok’s street stall showdown: Pedestrians vs Vendors | Thaiger

    Bangkok’s street stall showdown: Pedestrians vs Vendors

    The age-old saga of Bangkok’s bustling streets versus its iconic street stalls continues, with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) at the forefront of a new regulation to solve the decade-long issue of street stalls encroaching on pedestrian paths. A resident of Bangkok’s Udom Suk area lamented her daily struggle as a pedestrian, echoing the frustrations of many. “Footpath warfare is…

  • Thailand NewsNorwegian and British nationals arrested for illegal employment | Thaiger

    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…

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

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsEuropean travellers send southern Thailand’s hotel rates soaring | Thaiger

    European travellers send southern Thailand’s hotel rates soaring

    Southern Thailand’s tourism industry is experiencing a seismic shift as European travellers drive hotel performance to unprecedented heights. A recent report by the Bangkok Post reveals that tourists hailing from Russia, Scandinavia, and Germany are flocking to the region, enticed by its breathtaking natural landscapes, and significantly boosting occupancy rates to a staggering 90% or higher. Pongsakorn Ketprapakorn, former president…

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

    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 NewsPhetchabun residents petition over Khao Kho land dispute | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsThai House rejects labour bill fearing 30% cost surge | Thaiger

    Thai House rejects labour bill fearing 30% cost surge

    A labour welfare bill proposed by the Move Forward Party (MFP) has been rejected by the House of Representatives, sparking concerns about a potential 30% increase in labour costs across Thailand. Despite this setback, the MFP had some success as the House consented to two additional draft bills, one from the Bhumjaithai Party and another from the MFP. List-MP Sia…

  • Thailand NewsAustralian fugitive nabbed in Phuket for visa overstay | Thaiger

    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 NewsThailand’s revamped tax system promises economic boost | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsThailand to build local pharmaceutical facilities to reduce import reliance | Thaiger

    Thailand to build local pharmaceutical facilities to reduce import reliance

    The National Committee on Drug System Development has greenlit the construction of local pharmaceutical production facilities, a notable stride towards decreasing the nation’s dependence on foreign-made medicines. This ambitious initiative comes with a budget exceeding 10 billion baht (US$280 million), as revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, who presided over the recent committee meeting. Beyond the borders, another significant…

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

    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 NewsThailand proposes four Songkhla town clusters for UNESCO list | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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…