- Thailand News
Update: Russian band Bi-2 leaves Thailand for Israel escaping potential Moscow punishment
The Russian rock band Bi-2, known for their criticism of the nation’s conflict with Ukraine, last night departed Thailand for Israel. This decision came after Thai authorities threatened to deport them to Moscow due to their work for working on the island of Phuket without a valid permit, according to both the band and the Royal Thai Police. Human rights…
- Thailand News
Samui Airport sees remarkable surge in tourist arrivals in 2023
The year 2023 witnessed an outstanding surge in tourist arrivals at Samui Airport, in Thailand, with 2.2 million holidaymakers marking their footprints on the east coast island. The figure indicates a significant 66.65% increase compared to the previous year’s numbers. Located in the Surat Thani province, the Koh Samui district is home to Samui Airport. The district’s director, Jirawat Wutthiwatworakun,…
- Phuket News
Welsh tourist dies of heart failure on first day of Phuket holiday
A 60 year old Welsh holidaymaker tragically passed away from heart failure on the first day of his vacation in Phuket, Thailand, reported by Patong Police. The lamentable event was confirmed to Police Lieutenant Colonel Pacharathorn Chan-iad of Patong Police by Patong Hospital at around 12.30pm yesterday, January 31. The man, accompanied by his family of three, had embarked on…
- Thailand News
Teenager detained for premeditated murder in Suan Luang school
A 14 year old schoolboy, recently detained at a juvenile detention centre, stands accused of premeditated murder and public possession of a weapon. This follows a tragic incident that occurred on Monday at a school in the Suan Luang district, where he allegedly stabbed and killed another student. Awaiting judgment, the teenager remains under the jurisdiction of the Central Juvenile…
- Thailand News
Potential rise in minimum wage to 400 baht in select provinces
The anticipated increase in the daily minimum wage to 400 baht in select provinces is set for review by the tripartite wage committee in April, according to Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. The committee’s chairman, Pairoj Chotikasathien, assigned a subcommittee to reassess the wage calculation formula and explore the potential for wage hikes in certain provinces and professions. The findings from…
- Thailand News
Marine animal fossils from Permian period discovered near ancient Si Thep town
Unearthed in the vicinity of Si Thep ancient town, Phetchabun, a trove of marine animal fossils dating back over 250 million years have been uncovered, shedding light on the region’s ancient history. Apsorn Sardsud, leading the Geology Division Department of Mineral Resources Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, shared that the archaeological team discovered fossil remains in tambon Ban Phot,…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s tourism sector remains stable despite court ruling, says TCT president
The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) president, Chamnan Srisawat, has reassured that the Constitutional Court ruling will not destabilise the government or the country’s tourism sector. He confidently stated that international tourism demand would remain unaffected unless there was severe violence. Chamnan credited Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s government with beneficial tourism-driving initiatives, such as visa-free travel for high-potential markets. Despite…
- Thailand News
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…
- Thailand News
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 News
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…
- Phuket News
Phuket police warn against tampering with immobilisation devices
The Phuket City Police issued a stern warning against tampering with the immobilisation devices placed on illegally parked vehicles. The caution came into effect yesterday, January 30, after an incident in Phuket City made the rounds on local social media platforms. A video circulating online showed a foreign tourist using a brick to unlock a chain fastened to the wheel…
- Thailand News
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 News
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 News
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 News
Drastic fivefold rise in e-cigarette use among Thai schoolchildren
E-cigarette usage amongst Thai schoolchildren has witnessed a drastic fivefold rise over the last seven years, with the majority of users starting their vaping journey during their primary school years, reveals a newly conducted study. The study was carried out amongst 6,700 students and the findings were shared at a seminar, the collective effort of the Centre for Tobacco Control…
- Thailand News
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…
- Phuket News
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 News
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 News
Swiss man confesses to strangling wife during argument in Thailand
A 53 year old Swiss national confessed to Thai police that he inadvertently strangled his wife, Orathai Posee-ngarm, during a heated argument. The confession came during a five-hour interrogation at the Khon Buri Police Station, where the Swiss man, known only as Roland, had initially gone to retrieve his previously seized passport. Roland’s confession also revealed that he had transported…
- Thailand News
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 News
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 News
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 News
Extortion racket tied to anti-corruption advocate Srisuwan Janya more structured than thought
The extortion racket, previously linked to the anti-corruption advocate Srisuwan Janya, is more extensive and well-structured than initially suspected, according to reports from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). The organised group, which is believed to have a mastermind, has targeted numerous individuals. CIB’s deputy commissioner, Charoonkiat Pankaeo, stated that the police investigation into the alleged 3 million baht extortion from…
- Thailand News
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 News
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 News
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 News
Great Muay Thai fighters in the UFC history
In combat sports, Muay Thai ranks as one of the most challenging and fierce sports. If you are a fan of watching people fight, the UFC is one of the places you can reap the thrill of watching Thai boxing. Muay Thai is one of several forms of kickboxing that involves using eight limbs to strike down your opponent. Like…
- Thailand News
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…
- Thailand News
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 News
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…
