Mitch Connor
- Thailand News
Thai Airways tests sustainable aviation fuel on Phuket-Bangkok flight
Thai Airways International and PTT Oil and Retail Business PLC piloted a flight employing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Phuket to Bangkok yesterday, December 13. The initiative, which signals a significant stride towards an environmentally friendly aviation industry, was revealed during a media briefing at Phuket International Airport. Disathat Panyarachun, the head of PTT Oil and Retail Business PLC, explained…
- Thailand News
NEPC plans to cap power tariff for Thai households at current rate
The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC), in its recent meeting, moved to limit the power tariff for households consuming not more than 300 units a month at the existing rate of 3.99 baht per unit, an insider familiar with the meeting discussions revealed. In the NEPC meeting, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, two main points were reviewed, both related…
- Phuket News
Distressing discovery of abandoned fetus stuns Phuket neighbourhood
In a quiet corner of Karon, Phuket, a distressing discovery was made yesterday. A five month old fetus was found abandoned on a vacant lot near Soi Green Drinking Water. The alarm was raised around 10.45am, with Karon Police receiving the unsettling news from the 191 Provincial Police call centre. Due to the grave nature of the situation, the Deputy…
- Thailand News
Thai rice purity at risk due to popularity of foreign strains
Thai rice finds itself in a perilous position as the purity of its strains is at risk due to the rising popularity of foreign rice strains smuggled from neighbouring countries, warns the nation’s agriculture minister, Thammanat Prompow. Speaking at the annual Thai rice conference organised by the Thai Rice Foundation Under Royal Patronage, Thammanat expressed his worries about the future…
- Thailand News
Young motorcyclist emerges as hero in Phuket traffic jam
During the evening rush hour chaos at the Koh Kaew intersection in Phuket last night, December 12, an unassuming young motorcyclist helped clear the way for an ambulance carrying a patient through heavy traffic. The motorcyclist rode a Honda Click. The incident was captured on video by Wisarut Saman, a rescue worker with Kusoldharm. He took to TikTok to share…
- Phuket News
Taiwanese tourist’s stolen motorbike recovered in Phuket within three days
An unsuspecting blue Honda Scoopy motorbike was whisked away from its temporary parking spot on Wiset Road, Rawai, in Phuket leaving its rider, Taiwanese tourist Chen Hong Xi, and owner, Narongchai Wangboonkong, in a state of distress. The theft of the rented motorbike was promptly reported to the Chalong Police on December 2 by Narongchai. The officers of Chalong Police…
- Thailand News
Thai football revolution: Japan’s ace coach secures secret deal
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) pulled off a clandestine coup, securing the services of Japanese maestro Masatada Ishii to lead the national team. The deal, cloaked in secrecy, sent shockwaves through the football world, leaving fans buzzing with anticipation. FAT sealed a hush-hush pact with Japanese tactician Masatada Ishii yesterday, December 12, to helm the national squad – the…
- Thailand News
Thailand sees improvement in air quality despite high PM2.5 levels
A sharp decline in air quality was observed across 33 provinces of Thailand this morning as dangerously high levels of ultrafine dust posed health risks. This, however, was an improvement from yesterday morning, when air pollution blanketed 47 provinces. The peak pollution level also saw a drop. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTADA) revealed this morning that five…
- Thailand News
Thai government sanctions 750 million baht for workers affected by Israel-Hamas conflict
The Thai government sanctioned a 750 million baht fund to compensate Thai workers impacted by the Israel-Hamas conflict. This decision was announced by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Giving the go-ahead to utilise the emergency central budget of the current fiscal year, the Cabinet has approved this proposal from the Labour Ministry. This move is designed to aid Thai workers…
- Thailand News
DOC denies policy to detain prisoners outside prison favours ex-PM Thaksin
The Department of Corrections (DOC) refuted allegations that its latest policy, permitting the detention of prisoners outside of prison, is designed to favour Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister. The 74 year old former PM was recently sentenced to eight years for three separate cases and was immediately moved to a police hospital. The newly introduced regulation, announced on Thursday…
- Thailand News
Thailand DSI files charges in major pork smuggling case
Charges have been filed against 22 suspects, inclusive of 12 individuals and 10 legal entities, by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Thailand, following their involvement in a significant pork smuggling operation. Their assets, worth approximately 90 million baht (US$2,516,567), have been confiscated as part of the ongoing investigation. The head investigator of the smuggling case, Police Major Nathapol…
- Thailand News
Thailand extends visa-free entry for Japanese business visitors
Thailand’s Cabinet has given the green light to extend the 30-day visa-free entry privilege for Japanese visitors. The update, effective from January 1 next year, now includes Japanese business travellers. The Cabinet, convening today, December 12, waved the magic wand on a proposal brought forth by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Deputy government spokesman Kharom Polpornklang spilt the beans, sharing that…
- Thailand News
Myanmar overtakes Afghanistan as world’s opium giant
Myanmar surpassed Afghanistan to become the globe’s leading opium producer, leaving the world stunned. The United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) dropped a bombshell report today, December 12, disclosing alarming figures that signal a seismic shift in the illicit drug trade landscape. Myanmar, the new opium powerhouse, produced a staggering 1,080 metric tonnes of opium this year, eclipsing…
- Phuket News
Tourists evicted from Phuket resort due to property dispute
A sunny vacation turned sour for several tourists who were holidaying at a resort in Kamala, Phuket when they unexpectedly found themselves embroiled in a property dispute that led to them having to seek alternative accommodation. The hotel operator was evicted from the property, leaving approximately 20 rooms of guests stranded and forced to fend for themselves. The eviction process…
- Thailand News
Russian man’s erratic behaviour causes stir at Phuket Airport
A peculiar scene unfolded in Phuket‘s bustling airport yesterday as bystanders observed a Russian man, scantily clad in denim shorts and sans shirt or shoes, meandering aimlessly through the terminal. The spectacle escalated as the man clambered onto a balcony of the terminal, his behaviour becoming increasingly erratic and alarming. Local authorities, including members of the Tourist Police and representatives…
- Phuket News
Tourists evicted from makeshift camp on Patong Beach, Phuket
An unexpected event unfolded on the sandy shores of Patong Beach when a group of international tourists found themselves in a bit of a pickle with the local authorities. Having set up a makeshift camp, complete with a tent on the beach, they were informed by the Phuket Tourist Police that such arrangements were simply not allowed. The incident came…
- Thailand News
Thai labour minister takes wages for a spin: Cabinet gears up for minimum wage review
Thai Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that the Cabinet will be looking into a review of the new daily minimum wage rates. This comes after several business organisations urged the government to uphold the decision made by a tripartite wage committee regarding the increase in wages. Phiphat disclosed that he has no authority to review the rates approved by the…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s Democrat Party in crisis following mass leadership change
The Democrat Party in Thailand teeters on the brink of a crisis, following an overwhelming loss of members due to a recent change in leadership, according to the party’s former leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Chalermchai Sri-on, the ninth elected leader of the Democrats, took over the reins amidst internal turmoil. Abhisit, in his first public comment since the leadership election on December 9,…
- Thailand News
Ultrafine dust blankets 50 Thai provinces posing serious health risks
Hazardous levels of ultrafine dust engulfed 50 Thai provinces today, as reported by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The Central Plains and the Mortheast were the hardest hit regions. GISTDA’s 7am update on its website PM25.gistda.or.th today, December 11, highlighted that mostly central plains and northeastern provinces were among the 50 out of 77 provinces cloaked in…
- Tourism News
China positions Guangxi as Southeast Asia’s primary gateway
Guanxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, bordering Vietnam, is being positioned by China as the primary gateway for businesses and tourists from the ASEAN region. Its southern China location and connectivity to Vietnam through land, sea, and air routes make it a strategic point for Southeast Asia. The region is equipped with three international airports and three deep-sea ports which collectively host…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s minimum wage increase sparks controversy and calls for revision
The contentious decision to marginally increase the daily minimum wage in Thailand spurred the Ministry of Labour into seeking discussions with the tripartite committee, which approved the hike. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin critiqued the decision as insignificant, stating that the 2 to 16 baht rise approved last Friday was insufficient. The tripartite committee, also referred to as the wage board,…
- Crime News
Escaped prisoner recaptured in Thailand following penis enlargement surgery
The Department of Corrections in Thailand recently recaptured an 37 year old escaped prisoner, who had fled from the surgical ward of Bang Lamung Hospital. He was discovered today at approximately 7am, hiding on the rooftop of a one-storey psychiatry ward building, a mere 20 metres from the surgical ward he had escaped from. Thanaphat Mayod, who was serving a…
- Thailand News
Thai pubs and restaurants to extend hours and implement sobering-up areas
The National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee recently decreed that pubs and restaurants, which will extend their operating hours until 4am starting from December 15, must establish sobering-up areas and take measures to prevent intoxicated customers from driving. This announcement was made by Santi Promphat, the Deputy Minister of Public Health. The committee’s meeting, led by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai,…
- South Thailand News
Thailand pushes for violence reduction and public involvement in southern peace talks
Two urgent matters were put forward by Thailand for discussion in endeavours to resolve the southern conflict, as revealed by a source close to the Peace Dialogue Panel. These topics include the reduction of violence and public involvement in the peace negotiation process. Chatchai Bangchuad, the head of the government’s peace panel, is set to advocate for these issues once…
- Thailand News
Toddler mistakenly given wart treatment instead of sleeping aid in Samut Prakan
A toddler of one year and four months old was mistakenly given trichloroacetic acid, a medication typically used for wart treatment, instead of a prescribed sleeping aid at Bangchak Hospital in Samut Prakan. The erroneous administration occurred on November 8 when the toddler’s mother had brought him to the hospital following a fall that resulted in a head injury. The…
- Thailand News
South Thailand: Fatal crash in Chumphon kills two Indian tourists
A collision in Tha Sae district of Chumphon led to the deaths of two Indian tourists and severe injuries to five others, including four Indian nationals and a Thai driver, today, December 9. The ill-fated van they were travelling in crashed into the back of a truck, leading to this catastrophic event. The crash took place near the kilometre marker…
- Thailand News
Private hospitals under fire as government cracks down on skyrocketing costs
The Internal Trade Department tightens control on private hospitals, urging them to play ball in the battle against soaring medical expenses. The government demands transparency and cooperation from over 300 private medical institutions. Wattanasak Sur-iam, the director-general of the Internal Trade Department, has thrown down the gauntlet in a bid to bring down the cost of living for citizens. In a…
- Thailand News
Thai PM blames past governments for Thai students’ poor PISA test results
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin places blame on previous governments for the lacklustre performance of Thai students in recent international assessments. PM Srettha, whose government assumed power a mere three months ago, pledged to tackle the issue head-on and place a renewed focus on enhancing the country’s educational standards. The Thai PM’s comments were motivated by the latest results from the…
- Thailand News
China slashes visa fees: Tourists to travel to the PRC for less
China has thrown open its doors, slashing visa fees by a whopping 25% with the offer extending to a range of countries including Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Vietnam, and the Philippines. China, in its latest move to boost tourism and business, has made it more affordable for millions to obtain visas. The unprecedented 25% cut applies to travellers from over a dozen…
- Thailand News
Thai government launches aggressive campaign against illegal lending
The Thai government has prioritised an aggressive campaign against illegal lending and loan sharks, in an attempt to curb what Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin refers to as modern-day slavery. The move emphasises the urgency to dismantle such activities to restore social stability and security. The 61 year old Thai PM stated the issue of illegal loans has escalated to a…
