Mitch Connor
- Thailand News
Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Muang park kicks off nesting season with 118 turtle eggs
The latest nesting season in Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park, Thai Mueang district, kicked off with the discovery of 118 leatherback turtle eggs. The eggs were spotted yesterday, December 8, by park officials during their patrol on the beach for signs of a leatherback turtle, locally known as Tao Mafueng, breeding site. Prarop Plaengngan, the park’s chief, recounted the…
- Thailand News
Thai farmers warned against smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains
Thailand‘s Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Captain Thamanat Prompow, cautioned local farmers against cultivating or smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains. The warning, issued yesterday, December 8, comes in light of potential complaints from Vietnam, which could negatively impact Thailand’s reputation and bilateral relations. Despite the higher yield per area of Vietnamese rice strains providing increased income for farmers, the minister emphasised the…
- Thailand News
Thai national thought held hostage in Gaza found safe in Israel
A Thai national believed to be among the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza has been found safe in Israel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) reveals this miraculous twist as talks for the release of remaining Thai hostages continue. The Thai embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed that a missing Thai national, initially feared to be among the hostages, recently…
- Thailand News
Cable cash approved: Thai Cabinet greenlights 28 million baht for sky-high project in Phu Kradueng
The Thai Cabinet recently approved a 28 million baht budget to design a contentious cable car project at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei, according to Lertsak Watthanachaikul, a Pheu Thai Party MP for Loei. This was further confirmed by PM’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad, a former Loei MP, who stated the design fund was presented to the cabinet at…
- Thailand News
Homeowners confidence hits rock bottom- is your dream home still a dream?
The 2023 Homebuyer Confidence Index has taken a nosedive, leaving prospective homeowners questioning their property dreams. Recent research unveils the shocking truth behind this unexpected slump in optimism. Despite a generally content outlook on the Thai economy, the Consumer Confidence Index for 2023 has fallen to 76, a noticeable dip from the previous year’s score of 80. Sumitra Wongpakdee, managing…
- Thailand News
Trunk trouble: Wild elephant herd creates chaos in Prachin Buri farmlands
In the heart of Prachin Buri, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict located in the Kabin Buri district, a herd of over 100 wild elephants emerged from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, wreaking havoc on local farming land. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) swiftly took action, initiating an operation to usher the elephants back into their natural…
- Thailand News
Thailand seeks visa exemptions for its tourists travelling to China
Thailand’s government is seeking visa exemptions for Thai tourists travelling to China, with an official delegation planned to negotiate the details by the end of this month. Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara revealed this yesterday, December 7, following a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The discussion took place on the fringes of the 8th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’…
- Thailand News
Democrat party power struggle emerges ahead of leadership election
A power struggle has emerged within the Democrat Party as a group of Members of Parliament (MPs), headed by Dech-it Khaothong, the Democrat MP for Songkhla, made moves to oppose the leadership bid of acting Deputy Leader Narapat Kaewthong. This event, which unfolded on Wednesday, saw a significant number of MPs express their reluctance to endorse Kaewthong. The faction is…
- Pattaya News
Slovenian national found dead in Pattaya condo, suspected suicide
The lifeless body of a 47 year old man from Slovenia was discovered in a Pattaya condominium yesterday. The preliminary investigations suggest that the cause of death was likely suicide. The scene was inspected by a team led by Pattaya police chief investigator, Police Lieutenant Colonel Thananon Athipansee, alongside medics from Bang Lamung Hospital and rescue workers. The team was…
- Thailand News
Thailand probes incident of Chinese tourist wearing Thai police uniform for fun
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin verified yesterday that the Royal Thai Police (RTP) is probing a social media incident involving a Chinese tourist seen donning the Thai police uniform, complete with a nameplate, rank insignia, and decorations. The uniform was worn for amusement, an act which the Thai PM condemned. PM Srettha expressed his disapproval. “That isn’t right, and [the…
- Thailand News
UNESCO recognises Songkran festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage
Thursday witnessed a series of events commemorating the Songkran Festival’s recent recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The official declaration was made yesterday during UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee meeting for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Botswana. The Culture Ministry’s application for the inclusion of the Songkran Festival was approved by…
- Thailand News
Phuket extends pub and bar hours to boost tourism and employment
Phuket is set to extend the operating hours of its pubs and bars till 4am, with the new timing being tentatively scheduled to start on December 15. This decision was reached following a public hearing conducted by the Phuket Provincial Administration Office. The new operating hours are to be implemented in six zones on Bangla Road in the Patong area…
- Thailand News
Thai provincial governors gain CEO-like powers under new decentralisation policy
Thai provincial governors have been granted the authority akin to a company’s CEO, following a Cabinet agreement. This move forms part of the government’s decentralisation policy. However, the main opposition party, the Move Forward Party (MFP), and various critics question if this action truly aligns with accepted international standards of decentralisation. The Cabinet-approved proposal, submitted by the National Economic and…
- Thailand News
Phuket: 16 year old boy found dead in Thalang pond
A 16 year old boy who vanished while enjoying a swim was found dead in Baan Maruan Pond. Warut Butleb, a bright third-year high school student at Rajaprajanugroh School 36 in Kamala, yesterday, December 5, disappeared while swimming with his friend Ngae, a 10 year old from Myanmar. A seven-hour search for the teenage boy ended in a devastating discovery. The…
- Thailand News
Thai students’ performance dips in PISA rankings, calls for educational reform
Fifteen year old Thai students faced a significant setback in their performance in maths, science, and reading, according to the recent rankings by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which conducted the assessment, revealed that these students scored 394 in maths, a sharp fall from 419 in the previous year. A similar…
- Thailand News
Chaowalit Thongduang: Thailand asserts active extradition treaty with Indonesia
Thailand‘s Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) asserted yesterday, December 5, that the country has an active extradition treaty with Indonesia. This announcement arrived in light of an unverified report suggesting that notorious fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, might have escaped to the Southeast Asian country. Prayuth Phetkhun, the OAG spokesperson, clarified that the attorney-general possesses the authority…
- Thailand News
Thai prime minister: Army anti-drug efforts on Myanmar border
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the army to intensify its efforts to curb illicit drug smuggling along the Myanmar frontier. The directive was issued yesterday, December 5, during a meeting with the army chief, General Songwit Noonpackdee. The prime minister specifically emphasised the importance of the military’s collaboration with the police in executing this task. PM Srettha also stressed the…
- Thailand News
Thailand commits to release of Thai captives held by Hamas
Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, recently reaffirmed the government’s commitment to secure the release of all remaining Thai captives held hostage in Palestine. The 61 year old Thai PM dispelled circulating rumours concerning the government’s intention to abandon the remaining captives, asserting that their liberation would have to wait until the next ceasefire. Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara…
- Thailand News
Thai road safety groups challenge extended bar hours over drink-driving fears
Alcohol temperance and road safety groups are challenging the new government decision to allow late-night bars and clubs in major Thai cities to extend opening hours until 4am. The critics argue that the authorities failed to make necessary arrangements to avert potential alcohol-related mishaps. This protest follows an announcement made by the Interior Ministry nearly a week ago, permitting bars…
- Thailand News
Easy e-receipt programme set to kick off next year in Thailand
A newly approved tax refund scheme, aimed at stimulating domestic spending and promoting the use of electronic invoices, is set to kick off early next year, the Finance Ministry confirmed on Monday. The so-called Easy E-Receipt programme allows individuals to claim a tax deduction of up to 50,000 baht on goods and services purchases from businesses backed by the e-tax…
- Thailand News
Major drug bust in Thailand seizes 2 tonnes of meth bound for Philippines and Australia
In a major drug bust, authorities last night apprehended 13 suspects and confiscated 2 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine from a large tugboat in Chachoengsao’s Bang Pakong district. The narcotics, believed to be headed for the Philippines and Australia, were discovered during a late-night search operation by marine and narcotics suppression police. As law enforcement officers arrived, several individuals attempted to…
- Thailand News
Amnesty angst: Deputy PM dishes on MFP’s controversial bill, lese majeste sparks political fireworks
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai reported that the proposed amnesty bill by the Move Forward Party (MFP), the main opposition, sparked controversy among various political parties due to its provision for lese majeste offences. Phumtham, also the Commerce Minister and a senior member of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, indicated that while many parties agree with the amnesty bill’s objectives,…
- Thailand News
Funding halt stalls Phu Kradueng cable car project over environmental concerns
The Phu Kradueng cable car project, a long-anticipated tourist attraction in Thailand’s Loei province, is currently stalled as concerns over the environmental impact have led to a halt in funding approval by the Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Patcharawat Wongsuwan. Following a mobile Cabinet gathering in Nong Bua Lamphu, Patcharawat revealed that the Cabinet refrained from greenlighting the necessary budget…
- Thailand News
Drunk police officer kills motorcyclist in Kanchanaburi
A fatal drink driving accident unfolded in Kanchanaburi, when an inebriated police officer struck a motorcycle, instantly killing the rider. The officer, who was behind the wheel of his pick-up truck, was found with a blood alcohol level of 300 milligrammes per decilitre (mg/dL), six times over the legal limit of 50 mg/dL. Tha Muang police were alerted to the…
- Thailand News
Thai PM plans revision of 5.1 billion baht for national art and culture
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday announced plans to revise the substantial sum of 5.1 billion baht (US$145 million), originally designated for the promotion initiatives of national art and culture by the National Soft Power Development Committee (NSPDC). The Thai prime minister expressed the need for judicious use of the funds to maximise efficacy. PM Srettha’s statements followed the NSPDC’s second…
- Thailand News
University sues former lecturer for 16 million baht over scholarship dispute
The case involving a former lecturer with mental health issues, being sued for a whopping 16 million baht by the university that granted her a Ph.D. scholarship, has drawn the attention of the Higher Education Ministry and a House committee. Both bodies have declared their intent to investigate the matter thoroughly. Takorn Tantasith, the chair of the House Committee on…
- Crime News
Beefy business gone bad: Police probe 75 tonnes of rotten meat at local markets
An investigation into the sale of approximately 75 tonnes of rotting beef at local markets has been requested of the police. This action has been prompted by Atchariya Ruangratanapong, a crime probe activist, who has called on the Central Investigation Bureau to take legal steps against two shipping firms and five senior officials from the Livestock Development Department. It is…
- Thailand News
Phu Kradueng cable car project set for debate at mobile Cabinet meeting
The mobile Cabinet meeting in Nong Bua Lamphu province today is set to deliberate on the long-awaited cable car project at the Phu Kradueng mountain resort in Loei province, according to Phuangphet Chunla-iad, the Prime Minister’s Office Minister. The local authorities of Loei province are requesting a 28 million baht budget to carry out a survey and draft the design…
- Politics News
Veterinary scientist turned political spokesperson finds success in new role
A 64 year old veterinary scientist turned political spokesperson is thriving in his new role leveraging his years of experience in sales and marketing to effectively communicate the government’s message. Having transitioned from working in pet companies to politics, Chai Wacharonke’s ability to simplify complex issues has proven to be a critical asset. “When they wanted to convey important messages…
- Crime News
German national alleges bribe for release on pedophilia charge in Thailand
Provincial Police Region 2 launched investigations into allegations against a 55-year-old German national accused of paying a bribe of 1 million baht to secure his release on charges related to pedophilia. The police announcement follows a documentary by Deutsche Welle titled Sex Tourists in Thailand, which highlighted the account of the accused, Jens Kirch. It is worth noting that the…
