Mitch Connor
- Crime News
Armed men spark terror in Yala, two officers seriously wounded (video)
A group of armed men sparked terror in Yala‘s Bannang Sata district when they targeted a pickup truck carrying border patrol police officers. The terrifying incident, which occurred yesterday afternoon, resulted in two officers being seriously wounded and caused locals to flee the scene in panic. The assault took place in broad daylight outside a local grocery store in Buesu…
- Phuket News
Phuket tackles drink driving, illegal tourism and migrant issues
Law enforcement officers in Phuket were suddenly prompted to hasten their efforts in combating a spate of drink driving cases, following a series of unfortunate incidents that have rocked the popular Thai island. A tragic road accident, one of many in the recent past, left the driver of an MG motor vehicle dead. The car, in a devastating crash, rammed…
- Phuket News
Local dispute turns violent with gunshot in Phuket neighbourhood
A local dispute turned violent in Pa Khlok, Phuket, when a man allegedly fired a gun after threatening his neighbour. The incident unfolded in the early hours of today, January 11. Upon receiving a report of gunfire at a residence in Moo 2, Pa Khlok, local authorities quickly arrived on the scene. Thalang Police were accompanied by village headman Chokchai…
- Thailand News
Thai energy regulatory commission sets firm power tariff cap
The Thai Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) established a firm power tariff cap of 4.18 baht (US$ 0.12) per unit from January to April this year. This move comes despite the ongoing increase in gas prices. The rate for consumers using minimal power is fixed at 3.99 baht, as stated by the government. Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed…
- Thailand News
Underage pregnancies require community support, says Thai academic
Focusing on the issue of underage pregnancies, Sumate Noklang, a PhD Development Education Programme lecturer at the Graduate School of Srinakharinwirot University, insists that the government must prioritise the quality of life for children yet to be born. This comes as part of national initiatives aimed at tackling the country’s decreasing fertility rates. During 2021-2022, Sumate led a comprehensive research…
- Thailand News
Pa Narae removed from emergency list, southern emergency decree to extend
A recent meeting of the Emergency Situation Management Committee at the National Security Council unveiled that one southern district has been struck off the severe emergency area list, while the emergency decree is predicted to prolong for an additional three months. The district in question, Pa Narae, located in Pattani province, was removed due to improvements in the local situation…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s government initiates inclusivity in education to curb student dropouts
Thailand’s government is planning on launching an inclusivity in education initiative. The aim is to provide equitable access to quality education and decrease student dropouts. This announcement aligns with Children’s Day, celebrated this coming Saturday, January 13. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin voiced his advocacy for children’s rights to education in a recent social media post. His dedication to promoting educational…
- Thailand News
Thai Cabinet reviews submarine procurement contract extension
A submarine procurement contract extension is under review by the Thai Cabinet, following advice from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). This came as a response to the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) inquiries concerning the programme. The OAG highlighted the requirement for a 1,217-day contract extension to undergo a Cabinet review due to the government-to-government nature of the deal.…
- Thailand News
Gold shop in Tha Sala district falls victim to armed robbery
An armed robbery occurred at a gold shop in the Tha Sala district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, where necklaces worth 500,000 baht were stolen. A 54 year old man, Chaiwut Wethayawong, has been identified as the prime suspect in the case, and the police have applied for a court arrest warrant. The robbery took place yesterday and the investigation…
- Thailand News
Russian tourists survive as tour boat sinks off Coral Island
A tour boat named Martini carrying six Russian tourists, sank off Koh Hey, also known as Coral Island, yesterday, January 9. Thankfully, no injuries were reported from the incident, according to the Phuket Marine Office. The tour boat named Martini met its unfortunate fate near Nam Bo Bay, on the west side of Koh Hey around 3.50pm. The vessel had embarked…
- Phuket News
Fatal multi-vehicle collision disrupts morning traffic in Phuket
A chaotic accident unfolded as dawn broke over Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket, when an MG sedan fatally crashed into a power pole, following a series of collisions that began around 6.50am today (January 10). The string of events took place just 50 metres away from the Bang Chak petrol station at Baan Lipon, Srisoonthorn, within the vicinity of Moo 5.…
- Thailand News
Thailand to boost trade with India
The Commerce Ministry is joining forces with the government’s Team Thailand to boost economic growth by tapping into the vast potential of India. The aim is to boost exports to India by an impressive 4% this year. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang highlighted the allure of the Indian market, citing its robust economic growth, resilient domestic consumption, and active industrial activity.…
- Phuket News
Kindee Phuket fair to spotlight local cuisine and music
The culinary and musical delights of Phuket are set to take centre stage at the upcoming Kindee Phuket fair, scheduled from January 19-21 at Sapan Hin. This exciting event, organised by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), comes hot on the heels of the successful Red Cross’s Dee Phuket fair that concluded just a fortnight ago. The spotlight of the…
- Thailand News
Fire engulfs paper factory in Pathum Thani, Thailand, no casualties
Firefighters in Pathum Thani, Thailand, this morning tirelessly battled a blaze that engulfed a substantial paper factory warehouse in the Muang district. The fire, which started in the early hours of today, did not result in any casualties. The Mawanpathum Paper Co factory, located in Tambon Bang Kradee, was the site of the inferno. According to Suwat Phoree, investigation chief…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s escalating smog crisis: 48 provinces engulfed by unsafe air quality
Heavy smog has engulfed 48 out of Thailand’s 77 provinces, rendering the air quality unsafe due to high levels of ultra-fine dust. As of this morning, Tuesday, January 9, 21 provinces reported red-level air pollution, a serious health threat. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported that the particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5) levels…
- Thailand News
Thai health minister faces backlash over new cannabis control bill
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew’s recent approval of a fresh draft of the cannabis and hemp control bill sparked a wave of criticism from pro-legalisation activists in Thailand, who called the move a betrayal of his commitment to public consultation. Prasitchai Nunual, who serves as the secretary-general for Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network, shared his disappointment on Facebook, accusing the minister…
- Thailand News
Election disinformation: Threat on integrity and democracy
A staggering 87% of 8,000 respondents across 16 countries, bracing for elections in 2024, are deeply concerned about the impact of disinformation on the integrity of their democratic process. A shocking 47% are very concerned, unveiling a digital battlefield that poses a grave threat to the core of democracy. According to UNESCO-IPSOS, their Global Survey of Online Disinformation and Hate…
- Thailand News
Pattaya: Intoxicated man attacks female rescue volunteer
An intoxicated Thai man in his fifties launched a violent assault on a rescue volunteer in Pattaya on Saturday night. Rescue volunteers dashed to the scene on January 6 near a 7-Eleven convenience store close to the railway, responding to reports of a shooting. Little did they know, they were about to be entangled in a bizarre late-night brawl. Upon reaching…
- South Thailand News
Faulty tsunami buoy off Phuket’s coast doesn’t affect Thailand’s early warning system
Phuket’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation assured that despite a malfunction in one of the tsunami buoys deployed in the Andaman Sea, the country’s tsunami early warning system remains fully operational. The faulty buoy, identified as No.23461, is 340 kilometres off Phuket’s coast and ceased transmitting signals last Wednesday, as the Foundation of National Disaster Warning Council reported. The…
- Northern Thailand News
Deputy Transport Minister strategises to enhance Chiang Mai’s transport systems
Surapong Piyachote, the Deputy Transport Minister, made a strategic visit to Chiang Mai yesterday to deliberate on the ministry’s endeavour to enhance the efficiency of the province’s transport systems. The meeting included Nirat Pongsitthaworn, the Chiang Mai Governor, along with representatives from corresponding sectors. Surapong emphasised the importance of optimising the province’s transportation system for the city’s economy, particularly in…
- Phuket News
Phuket governor proposes 191 million baht infrastructure and digital modernisation plan
It was a bustling day at Phuket Provincial Hall last Friday as local government office chiefs and private sector representatives gathered to confirm a series of new infrastructure developments to be proposed at the upcoming mobile Cabinet meeting in Ranong on January 22-23. At the helm of this ambitious endeavour is Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, who intends to seek approval…
- Thailand News
Thai man linked to major fraud case arrested in Bangkok
Bangkok police apprehended a 57 year old Thai man linked to a sizeable fraud case going back almost ten years. Raveeroj Rithchoteanan, had been previously incarcerated in Angola for his involvement in a significant fraud scheme. The arrest took place on Sunday at a hotel in Wang Thonglang district, with Raveeroj accused of swindling a businessman out of 22 million…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s air quality under threat as haze season approaches
Grey skies are looming over Thailand’s popular tourist destination of Phuket despite the air quality remaining at a moderate level during the first week of January. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has already flagged concerns as predictions suggest the annual haze might arrive earlier than expected this year. According to the World Air Quality Index project (AQICN), the concentration of hazardous PM2.5…
- Phuket News
Chinese tourist drowns in tragic incident at Similan Islands
A calamitous event unfolded on the serene Similan Islands last Friday morning, January 5, when a Chinese tourist was abruptly swept away in a drowning incident. The incident was later relayed to the public by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) 3rd Area Command. As of yet, the current state of the victim remains unknown. The incident occurred within the confines…
- Phuket News
Spaniard arrested for stealing handbag at Patong nightclub
A Spaniard found himself in hot water as he was arrested on the night of January 6, in Patong for allegedly pilfering a handbag from a Mongolian woman at the Illuzion nightclub, a popular hotspot on Bangla Road. The incident unfolded when Patong Police Station officers were alerted to a theft complaint from a Mongolian woman. The crime was reported…
- Thailand News
Pedestrian bridge collapses onto dump truck on Northbound Highway 32
A pedestrian bridge in Ang Thong‘s Mueang district came crashing down onto a dump truck, causing a significant obstruction on the main northbound highway, Highway 32. The incident unfolded around 7am today when the dump truck, with its body unintentionally raised, collided with the footbridge. The Department of Highways reported that the truck was en route north on Highway 32,…
- Thailand News
German President Steinmeier’s visit to Thailand to boost bilateral ties
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of Germany, is set to embark on a three-day visit to Thailand, starting on January 24. The visit is at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin. This announcement marks the first international state leader visit since PM Srettha’s government came into power and the first by a German President since Johannes Rau’s visit in…
- Thailand News
Online scams surge in Thailand warns Central Investigation Bureau
A surge in online scams, driven by the significant increase in internet-based activities, is anticipated to continue throughout this year, warned Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) commissioner Jirabhop Bhuridej. The CIB’s analysis of cybercrime, as reported by the Royal Thai Police (RTP), indicated that over 400,000 cases were logged between March 1 and November 30 of last year. Misleading operations involving…
- Thailand News
Thai army chief refutes claims of cultural persecution in southern provinces
The Chief of the Fourth Army Region, Santi Sakuntanak, refuted accusations that the Thai army has been legally pursuing youths from the provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat for merely donning traditional Malay attire at a fair celebrating Malay culture. The 54 year old clarified that those summoned to court were implicated in separatist activities and prominently exhibited the emblem…
- Thailand News
Thailand tightens cannabis regulation for medical use only
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew enacted a proposed bill concerning the use of cannabis, underlining its restriction to medical applications only. After signing the bill, Cholnan clarified the bill on Saturday. “The newly proposed law will explicitly outline that cannabis can only be utilised for medical reasons. It will further promote the health benefits that cannabis can provide.” Addressing the…
