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 NewsLending company manager arrested for siphoning 200,000 baht from clients’ accounts

    Lending company manager arrested for siphoning 200,000 baht from clients’ accounts

    A lending company manager in Buriram has been apprehended following accusations of syphoning approximately 200,000 baht from clients’ accounts. The suspect reportedly manipulated the personal details of three clients, thereby gaining access to cash cards used to withdraw funds from the victims’ loan accounts. Anurak, the 32 year old manager of the lending establishment in Mueang district, was taken into…

  • Phuket NewsAlleged encroachment in Bang Khanun protected forest sparks controversy

    Alleged encroachment in Bang Khanun protected forest sparks controversy

    The Gulf of Thailand Coastal Area Conservation Network – Andaman (branch) raised concerns over alleged encroachment in the Bang Khanun protected forest reserve, calling for an investigation. Led by the chairman, Chamroon Kerddam, the group complained to the Phuket branch of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), implicating government officials in facilitating unlawful activities in the protected area. The complaint, submitted…

  • Thailand NewsEngineering student arrested for stealing iPhones and iPads in Nakhon Phanom

    Engineering student arrested for stealing iPhones and iPads in Nakhon Phanom

    A 21 year old engineering student was apprehended in Mueang district, Nakhon Phanom, last night, following accusations of stealing iPhone smartphones and iPad tablet computers. The stolen goods, reportedly worth around 200,000 baht (US$5,640), were lifted from a branch of the Big C store. The incident occurred at the Nakhon Phanom branch of Big C around 3am yesterday, January 30.…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket secondhand warehouse fire causes 10 million baht in damages

    Phuket secondhand warehouse fire causes 10 million baht in damages

    A secondhand goods warehouse located near Thepkrasattri Road, Phuket, was engulfed in flames yesterday, January 30, causing traffic congestion and an estimated 10 million baht (US$282,298) in damages. The fire reportedly began with a small flame used to smoke out beehives, which unexpectedly spread to the warehouse. The blaze was reported to the Thalang Police around 2.30pm. Fire trucks initially…

  • Thailand NewsRoyal Thai Air Force plans 19 billion baht for new fighter jets acquisition

    Royal Thai Air Force plans 19 billion baht for new fighter jets acquisition

    The commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), Punpakdee Pattanakul, announced a budget request for the upcoming fiscal year totalling 19 billion baht (US$537 million), intended for the acquisition of new fighter jets. These could potentially be the US F-35 or Sweden’s Gripen E/F. Despite the recently instated government offset policy, Punpakdee’s comments suggest the RTAF’s determination to secure…

  • Thailand News14 year old student stabs peer to death in Bangkok school tragedy

    14 year old student stabs peer to death in Bangkok school tragedy

    The tragic event of a 14 year old student allegedly stabbing his peer to death at Matthayom Naknawa- upatham School in Suan Luang district unfolded on Monday. The incident has prompted the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to step in, minister Varawut Silpa-Archa yesterday, January 30 confirmed. The accused student reportedly attacked his classmate after the school assembly,…

  • Thailand NewsThai workers overseas contribute 60 billion baht in Q1

    Thai workers overseas contribute 60 billion baht in Q1

    Over 21,000 Thai workers were dispatched overseas in the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year, generating nearly 60 billion baht (US$1.69 billion) in remittances, as disclosed by a leading labour representative. The period of October to December saw 21,281 Thais heading overseas for work, half of whom, numbering 10,024, were recruited by the private sector, according to Pairoj Chotikasathien,…

  • Thailand NewsRoyal project scam exposed with six arrests and 270 million baht loss

    Royal project scam exposed with six arrests and 270 million baht loss

    An illicit operation, exploiting the name of royal projects to defraud unsuspecting investors, has been exposed. Six individuals implicated in the scheme have been apprehended, with damages resulting from the con estimated at a staggering 270 million baht (US$7.6 million). The arrests followed a comprehensive search operation spanning Bangkok, Lop Buri, Chachoengsao, Songkhla, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, confirmed Police Major…

  • Thailand NewsUthenthawai campus halts admissions amid escalating student gang violence

    Uthenthawai campus halts admissions amid escalating student gang violence

    The Uthenthawai Campus of the Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-Ok has been directed by Supamas Isarabhakdi, the Minister of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation, to halt admitting new students and expedite its relocation. This decision aims to curb the escalating violence resulting from clashes between student gangs from the Uthenthawai Campus and the nearby Pathumwan Institute of Technology. During…

  • Thailand NewsStray bullet injures man in Bangkok car park incident

    Stray bullet injures man in Bangkok car park incident

    A stray bullet hit a man in the leg as he sat in his car in a Bangkok car park last night. The incident was reported to the Thonglor police around 8.50pm by the victim, Voraset Klueniam, a 53 year old man. Voraset was in his vehicle, stationed in a parking area on Rama 4 Road, when a bullet, originating…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s Chalong hospital officially opens, boosting local healthcare

    Phuket’s Chalong hospital officially opens, boosting local healthcare

    The long-awaited opening of Chalong Hospital in Phuket was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Public Health, Dr Cholnan Srikaew. The hospital, which had its soft opening back in November 2019, had its grand opening postponed due to the global pandemic. The opening ceremony was marked with a nod to the generous benefactors whose contributions enabled the establishment of the…

  • Phuket NewsAustralian tourist dies in tragic motorbike crash in Phuket

    Australian tourist dies in tragic motorbike crash in Phuket

    Tragedy struck in Rawai, Phuket, when an Australian tourist lost his life in a fatal motorbike crash. The man, who had recently arrived on the island from Samui, met with the accident on Friday morning. Local authorities were alerted of the mishap, which occurred across from the Bangchak petrol station on Wiset Road’s southbound lane. Upon arriving at the scene,…

  • Thailand NewsMFP confident on Constitutional Court ruling on lese majeste law amendment

    MFP confident on Constitutional Court ruling on lese majeste law amendment

    The Constitutional Court’s impending verdict on the main opposition Move Forward Party‘s (MFP) bid to amend the lese majeste law is anticipated with confidence by the party. The MFP’s list MP and spokesperson, Parit Wacharasindhu, stated yesterday, January 29, that an internal discussion would take place before the court’s ruling. The Constitutional Court was petitioned by Theerayut Suwannakasorn to determine…

  • Thailand NewsThailand pledges support to Laos in handling ASEAN issues

    Thailand pledges support to Laos in handling ASEAN issues

    Thailand is prepared to back Laos in addressing the Myanmar crisis and other significant issues within the ASEAN region, according to Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. During a press conference yesterday, January 29, he explained that this support would bolster Laos’s success as the ASEAN chair this year. Parnpree held discussions with his Lao equivalent, Saleumxay Kommasith, on Sunday to…

  • Thailand NewsThai PM invites Xi Jinping to mark 50 years of Thai-Sino relations

    Thai PM invites Xi Jinping to mark 50 years of Thai-Sino relations

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has invited China President Xi Jinping to visit the Land of Smiles in the upcoming year, a move set to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Thai-Sino relations. This invitation was extended following a meeting with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who just concluded a four-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation. The meeting between the…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok’s Chinatown gears up for Lunar New Year celebrations

    Bangkok’s Chinatown gears up for Lunar New Year celebrations

    This year’s Lunar New Year festivities in Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowarat Road, will officially kick off on February 10 under the auspices of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Tavida Kamolvej, confirmed her Royal Highness’s arrival at the Odeon Circle’s gate at 5pm to formally inaugurate the two-day celebrations. The announcement was made at a…

  • Thailand NewsThailand prime minister requests another giant panda from China

    Thailand prime minister requests another giant panda from China

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently voiced his desire for China to send another giant panda to Thailand. This request follows the death of Lin Hui, a beloved panda who had been a significant attraction in the country. The prime minister’s request received support from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, highlighting the close diplomatic relations between the two nations that span…

  • Thailand NewsThai agencies promote youth political participation amid rising issues

    Thai agencies promote youth political participation amid rising issues

    A rise in youth problems related to drugs, violence, mental health deterioration, and financial woes has spurred Thai government agencies to promote greater youth political participation and heed the voices of the young. An event titled Learn Len Hen Local, showcasing the initiatives of the Children and Youth Council of Thailand (CYCT), was recently conducted by the Department of Local…

  • Thailand NewsItalian scientist receives Thai honour, boosting Thailand-Italy relations

    Italian scientist receives Thai honour, boosting Thailand-Italy relations

    The Prince Mahidol Award 2023, a distinguished Thai honour in the medical field, has been conferred upon Prof Dr Napoleone Ferrara, an Italian medical scientist. The award’s presentation underscores the over 156 year old bond between Thailand and Italy. The Italian Embassy in Thailand celebrated this honour, hosting a ceremony for Professor Dr Ferrara. Distinguished Thai figures with notable Italian…

  • Thailand NewsThai films to debut at Osaka Asian Film Festival in government initiative

    Thai films to debut at Osaka Asian Film Festival in government initiative

    The Thai government announced plans to showcase a series of Thai films at various international film festivals, commencing with six films at the Osaka Asian Film Festival in March. This was revealed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party and Chairwoman of the National Committee on Soft Power Development. Paetongtarn used her Facebook platform on Sunday to applaud…

  • Thailand NewsHazardous haze engulfs Thailand provinces with dangerous PM2.5 levels

    Hazardous haze engulfs Thailand provinces with dangerous PM2.5 levels

    A hazardous haze of ultra-fine dust engulfed 35 out of Thailand’s 77 provinces this morning, January 28, predominantly affecting the central plains. This information was revealed in a recent report by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, which was released at 8am. The report classified nine provinces as suffering from red-level air pollution, indicating serious harm due to the…

  • South Thailand NewsThai police apprehend call centre scam gang in Sungai Kolok district

    Thai police apprehend call centre scam gang in Sungai Kolok district

    A call centre scam gang was apprehended by the police in the district of Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat province yesterday, January 27. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) Chief, Jirabhop Bhuridej, disclosed that the operation was executed in collaboration with the Crime Suppression Division Subdivision 6 and local police. They raided a house located in the border district with Malaysia. The arrested…

  • Thailand NewsGerman national detained by Patong police for stealing 80K from hotel

    German national detained by Patong police for stealing 80K from hotel

    A 22 year old German national made off with 86,000 baht from a hotel counter in Patong, Phuket. The brazen thief couldn’t resist flashing a cheeky grin at the security camera before vanishing into the night. Police apprehended the mischievous thief, identified as Mohamed Yassine Zariouh, at Patong yesterday evening. The Phuket Provincial Court had issued a warrant for his…

  • Thailand NewsAIS introduces new points scheme

    AIS introduces new points scheme

    Advanced Info Service (AIS) plans to transform its AIS Points programme into a cutting-edge platform with tailor-made privileges through a collaboration with partners across diverse industries. AIS customer and service management chief Jaiporn Srisakul explained that the revamped platform will cater to the individual lifestyles of its 49.1 million customers, employing data analytics to craft personalised privileges using the innovative…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket to address traffic woes with AI control systems

    Phuket to address traffic woes with AI control systems

    Phuket is gearing up to address its ongoing traffic congestion through the implementation of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) traffic control systems. The announcement came from Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, who is hopeful that technological advancements can bring about a noticeable change in the island’s traffic flow. Patong Police, in their ongoing effort to regulate traffic, continue to enforce stringent measures…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s fertile future: Urban agriculture sprouts to secure sustenance and resilience

    Phuket’s fertile future: Urban agriculture sprouts to secure sustenance and resilience

    The bustling tourist hub of Phuket in Thailand is witnessing a significant shift towards urban agriculture. The Phuket Provincial Agriculture Office embarked on a mission to reinforce food security and boost community resilience amid times of crisis. The call to action was delivered at a gathering graced by Phuket Governor, Sophon Suwannarat. Phuket Agriculture Chief Charatsri Khamphirasingh underscored the urgent…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket aims to slash greenhouse emissions by 440,000 tons by 2030

    Phuket aims to slash greenhouse emissions by 440,000 tons by 2030

    Phuket officials assembled on Wednesday for an in-depth training workshop on the Low Emission Support Scheme (LESS). The mission: to slash the island’s greenhouse gas emissions by a hefty 440,000 tons – that’s 9.6% of the island’s total emissions – by the year 2030. The workshop was masterminded by Watthanaphong Suksai, the director of Phuket’s Natural Resources and Environment office.…

  • Phuket NewsTransparent Phuket: new anti-corruption initiative launched in Phuket

    Transparent Phuket: new anti-corruption initiative launched in Phuket

    Phuket, known for its stunning beaches and bustling tourism, is the setting of a fresh anti-corruption initiative. The campaign, aptly titled Transparent Phuket, was unleashed yesterday, January 25, by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO). Chaired by PPAO President Rewat Areerob, a meeting was held at the Phuket Merlin Hotel to delineate the campaign’s strategy for the fiscal year of…

  • Thailand NewsDSI probes Aranyaprathet police for alleged torture and false confession

    DSI probes Aranyaprathet police for alleged torture and false confession

    The 56 year old man, who was allegedly tortured into a false confession by Aranyaprathet police, is now under the spotlight of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). The contentious case revolves around the murder of Panya Khongsaenkham’s mentally unstable wife, 47 year old Buaphan Tansu, where he was initially made a scapegoat. Aranyaprathet police have been accused of coercing Panya…

  • Thailand NewsGermany backs Thailand’s pursuit of becoming regional EV hub

    Germany backs Thailand’s pursuit of becoming regional EV hub

    Germany pledged to increase its stake in the electric vehicle (EV) sector in Thailand, paving the way for the nation to emerge as a regional EV hub, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This announcement was made during a press briefing on Thursday, following a discussion with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany, who is on a three-day official visit to…