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 NewsThai worker pleads for government help to retrieve twin brother’s body from Israel | Thaiger

    Thai worker pleads for government help to retrieve twin brother’s body from Israel

    A 36 year old Thai worker is urging the Thai government to assist in locating the body of his twin brother, who was fatally attacked during a Hamas-led assault on the Gaza Strip. His twin brother, whose body is undergoing identification in Israel, joined him in Israel six months after he began working there in 2019. While he was employed…

  • Thailand NewsThailand refines 10,000-baht digital handout eligibility amid wealth exclusion fears | Thaiger

    Thailand refines 10,000-baht digital handout eligibility amid wealth exclusion fears

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that the government is developing criteria to determine eligibility for a 10,000-baht digital money handout amid speculation that affluent individuals might be exempted from the scheme. The prime minister, also serving as finance minister, stated that the government is refining the scheme following recommendations from diverse sectors. “I am listening to opinions. There will be…

  • Thailand NewsThai workers may be released in next Hamas prisoner batch, says PM | Thaiger

    Thai workers may be released in next Hamas prisoner batch, says PM

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday hinted at possible positive developments regarding the Thai workers held hostage by Hamas. Expectations are high that they may be part of the next release batch, following negotiations facilitated by Qatar. However, the Thai prime minister has not yet had an in-depth discussion with Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara on the matter. Out of the 50…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s spirit sobered: 24-hour alcohol ban for Wan Org Pansa holiday | Thaiger

    Phuket’s spirit sobered: 24-hour alcohol ban for Wan Org Pansa holiday

    Popular Thai tourist destination Phuket will observe a strict 24-hour ban on alcohol sales starting from midnight on Saturday, as part of the country’s observance of the Buddhist religious holiday, Wan Org Pansa. This event, which takes place on Sunday, October 29, marks the culmination of the three-month season known as the Rains Retreat, often referred to as Buddhist Lent.…

  • Thailand NewsFrigate negotiations: RTN discusses submarine switch controversy | Thaiger

    Frigate negotiations: RTN discusses submarine switch controversy

    Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang announced plans to assign the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) to enter into negotiations with China to reduce the cost of a frigate. This decision comes in the wake of the Thai government’s resolution to acquire such a vessel as a substitute for a submarine. Anticipated to depart for China next week, an RTN delegation will conduct…

  • Phuket NewsThailand and Australia unite in fight against child sexual exploitation | Thaiger

    Thailand and Australia unite in fight against child sexual exploitation

    Angela Macdonald, the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, and Deputy Chief of the Royal Thai Police Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn joined forces in Phuket yesterday to participate in the Countering Child Sexual Exploitation Regional Dialogue Thailand 2023. The dialogue, taking place at the SAii Laguna Phuket resort in Cherng Talay, brings together law enforcement officials and NGO representatives from nine nations,…

  • Thailand NewsThai PM accuses Israeli employers of exploiting Thai workers amidst crisis | Thaiger

    Thai PM accuses Israeli employers of exploiting Thai workers amidst crisis

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called on Israeli employers to stop exploiting their Thai workers during this perilous period. He alleges that salary payments are being deliberately postponed as a means to retain Thai workers in Israel amidst growing safety concerns. In a press interaction preceding the weekly Cabinet meeting, the 61 year old prime minister revealed he had contacted…

  • Thailand NewsWinter festival in Thailand to boost tourism through creative events | Thaiger

    Winter festival in Thailand to boost tourism through creative events

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared plans to extend the country’s annual winter festival nationwide, renaming it the Thailand Winter Festivals. This announcement followed a strategic meeting with key figures including Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The primary focus of their discussion was the forthcoming “Colourful Bangkok Winter Festival” scheduled…

  • Thailand NewsThai Cabinet wraps up 2023 with a four-day new year surprise | Thaiger

    Thai Cabinet wraps up 2023 with a four-day new year surprise

    In a recent development, the Thai Cabinet has approved a four-day public holiday to usher in the new year. As confirmed by the secretary-general of the prime minister, Prommin Lertsuridej, this extended break will begin on Friday, December 29, and last until Monday, January 1. The decision comes as part of an effort to allow citizens ample time to celebrate…

  • Tourism News5 good reasons to visit Koh Samui in 2023 | Thaiger

    5 good reasons to visit Koh Samui in 2023

    Thailand’s “coconut island” has come a long way since its hippy heyday in the 1970s. Today, jet-set travellers rub shoulders with the tabloids’ favourite celebrities, while major golf events and regattas have become annual pilgrimages. So, now you’re thinking about a lazy leisurely holiday on this tantalisingly tropical island? The only question is … when to go? January – BBQ Season…

  • Phuket NewsPatong Baywatch resumes night patrols, enhancing safety at popular Thai beach | Thaiger

    Patong Baywatch resumes night patrols, enhancing safety at popular Thai beach

    Patong Surf Life Saving has re-initiated the nighttime beach patrols to boost the safety measures at Patong Beach. Despite the details of the resumption of nighttime patrols still being under wraps by Patong Municipality and the Patong Development Fund, the initiative named Patong Baywatch has been put back into action. The precise number of night watchmen designated for the beach…

  • Thailand NewsKrabi’s national park sees revenue surge to 270 million baht | Thaiger

    Krabi’s national park sees revenue surge to 270 million baht

    Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi witnessed an impressive surge in its yearly revenue, exceeding 270 million baht (US$7.47 million). This financial leap has resulted in the park becoming Thailand’s highest-grossing national park. As Thailand prepares for the influx of tourists during the high season in the following month, Ratchanok Paenoi, the park’s chief, has reported…

  • Thailand NewsAmerican teen’s Instagram challenge triggers record-breaking response and Thai adventure | Thaiger

    American teen’s Instagram challenge triggers record-breaking response and Thai adventure

    The Instagram challenge launched by a 13 year old American boy has taken social media by storm and set a new record for ‘most likes’ on a comment on the platform. The challenge promised the boy would follow the advice from the most popular suggestion on his video post, detailing the information, Korn Chatikavanij, a former finance minister reported. The…

  • Thailand NewsThai worker survives Gaza conflict, returns home after delayed salary payment | Thaiger

    Thai worker survives Gaza conflict, returns home after delayed salary payment

    Thai worker Charnchai Chidkhoksung, who was based just 7 kilometres from the Gaza Strip, recently experienced the peril of war first-hand. The 31 year old was reunited with his family on Sunday night after enduring three months of conflict while working as a tomato collector in the embattled region. Charnchai and his colleagues were witnesses to the Hamas attacks, which…

  • Politics NewsCharter amendment: Thailand’s Move Forward Party seeks controversial rewrite | Thaiger

    Charter amendment: Thailand’s Move Forward Party seeks controversial rewrite

    The Move Forward Party (MFP), Thailand’s principal opposition, is determined to push for a renewed charter amendment through a motion in Parliament on Wednesday. The motion, which is the first item on the debate agenda and is supported by the MFP and its spokesperson, Parit Wacharasindhu, has sparked concern among lawmakers due to the potential broad changes it could bring…

  • Thailand NewsThai village chief killed in wild elephant attack at Surat Thani plantation | Thaiger

    Thai village chief killed in wild elephant attack at Surat Thani plantation

    A wild elephant, part of a herd that had wandered into an oil palm plantation, fatally attacked a village chief in Tha Chana district, Surat Thani province, Thailand. The village chief, Samnao Kraiket, suffered severe injuries including a crushed rib cage, broken hip, and head injuries during an attempt to drive the elephants back into the forest. Despite the efforts…

  • Thailand NewsThai agencies to strategise release of hostages amid Israel-Hamas war | Thaiger

    Thai agencies to strategise release of hostages amid Israel-Hamas war

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand announced a meeting with various agencies scheduled for today, aiming to discuss potential strategies for securing the release of Thai hostages caught in the crossfire of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The 61 year old prime minister acknowledged the delicate nature of the situation, given the ongoing negotiations for the release of the hostages and…

  • Thailand NewsKnight’s Ring tradition reinstated by Thai Police to honour commendable officers | Thaiger

    Knight’s Ring tradition reinstated by Thai Police to honour commendable officers

    The tradition of awarding the “Knight’s Ring” to commendable officers has been reinstated by the new chief of national police, Police General Torsak Sukvimol. The ceremony, which took place at the Royal Police Cadet Academy in Sam Phran district, Nakhon Pathom, on October 17, saw Police Captain Thanamorn Nunat of Pathumwan station being honoured with the first Knight’s Ring under…

  • Tourism NewsKoh Chang sees tourist surge over long weekend, boosting park earnings | Thaiger

    Koh Chang sees tourist surge over long weekend, boosting park earnings

    Koh Chang, an island off the coast of Trat, was a magnet for tourists over the three-day holiday this weekend. The influx coincided with today’s King Chulalongkorn Day and the tail end of the school break. The chief of Mu Koh Chang National Park, Polwaree Buchakiat, noted that Koh Chang was bustling with visitors this month, contributing to the park’s…

  • Thailand NewsNIDA Poll reveals Thai public disapproval to extended bar hours plan | Thaiger

    NIDA Poll reveals Thai public disapproval to extended bar hours plan

    A recent poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) revealed significant public opposition to the Thai government’s initiative to extend operating hours in bars and nightclubs from 2am to 4am. The survey was conducted between October 17 and 19, engaging 1,310 participants above 20 years old from diverse backgrounds. The initiative, proposed by the Interior Ministry of Thailand,…

  • Thailand NewsThai and Myanmar authorities collaborate to repatriate deceived Thai workers | Thaiger

    Thai and Myanmar authorities collaborate to repatriate deceived Thai workers

    A collaborative effort between Thai and Myanmar authorities is in progress to return 120 Thai nationals to their homeland, according to Kanchana Patarachok, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry. This group, consisting of 90 men and 30 women, was reportedly deceived into employment in Laukkaing, located in the northern sector of Myanmar’s Shan State, on the Chinese border, by an…

  • Politics NewsMove Forward Party probes MP over Bangkok sexual harassment claims | Thaiger

    Move Forward Party probes MP over Bangkok sexual harassment claims

    A sexual harassment allegation against a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP is set to undergo investigation, according to Parit Wacharasindhu, a party list MP and spokesperson. The case involves three women accusing an MP from a district within the Thon Buri region of Bangkok and follows closely on the heels of a similar incident reported on October 12 involving a different…

  • Thailand NewsMelioidosis outbreak in Thailand claims ten lives, farmers urged caution | Thaiger

    Melioidosis outbreak in Thailand claims ten lives, farmers urged caution

    An alarming outbreak of melioidosis, also known as Whitmore’s disease, has emerged in Thailand, claiming the lives of approximately 10 farmers in Buriram, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Songkhla. Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) is warning farmers about the disease, triggered by the fungus Burkholderia pseudomallei, typically found in contaminated soil, water, rice paddies, and cropping farms. The spring outbreak has…

  • Thailand NewsFDA enforces recall of hypertension drugs over cancer-causing impurities | Thaiger

    FDA enforces recall of hypertension drugs over cancer-causing impurities

    A recall of 42 batches of hypertension drugs has been enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from five pharmaceutical manufacturers following the discovery of potentially carcinogenic impurities. The decision came after the detection of azidomethyl biphenyl tetrazole (AZBT) impurities in some models of irbesartan, a drug used to control high blood pressure. Acting secretary-general of the FDA, Narong…

  • Thailand NewsThailand prepares to send workers back to Israel post-conflict | Thaiger

    Thailand prepares to send workers back to Israel post-conflict

    Thailand’s Labour Ministry has expressed readiness to send its workers back to Israel once the tensions between Israel and Hamas ease. The statement came from Pairote Chotikasathien, the permanent secretary of the ministry. This came after Kittana Srisuriya, a minister counsellor at the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, held discussions with Eyal Sisu, the director-general of the Population and Immigration…

  • Thailand NewsThai workers in debt eager to return to Israel after conflict cessation | Thaiger

    Thai workers in debt eager to return to Israel after conflict cessation

    The cessation of conflict in Israel is eagerly awaited by Thai workers who have returned home, as they are burdened by significant debts that require their return to work. Among them is 38 year old Thaworn Aksornsue, a recent returnee from Israel where he spent seven months labouring on a farm, earning approximately 55,000 baht (US$ 1,507) monthly. A substantial…

  • Thailand NewsCourt rejects anti-corruption agency’s review bid in Prawit’s wristwatch probe | Thaiger

    Court rejects anti-corruption agency’s review bid in Prawit’s wristwatch probe

    The Supreme Administrative Court yesterday upheld a prior court’s decision against the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) request for a case review involving luxury wristwatches linked to former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. The court found no basis for the review, which would require the NACC to disclose details of their investigation into the wristwatch controversy to political activist Veera Somkhwamkid.…

  • Thailand NewsThai hostages safe in Gaza, release hinged on Israeli military ceasefire | Thaiger

    Thai hostages safe in Gaza, release hinged on Israeli military ceasefire

    Seyed Reza Nobakhti, the Iranian ambassador to Thailand, confirmed that the Thai hostages currently held in Palestinian territories remain safe. He mentioned that the hostages, along with others, will only be released once the Israeli military halts its attack on the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian militant group, Hamas, had captured about 200 hostages, including 19 Thai workers, during an unexpected…

  • Thailand NewsCompensation for Thai families with members killed in Israel conflict | Thaiger

    Compensation for Thai families with members killed in Israel conflict

    Eight deceased Thai workers, who were victims of the attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7, were brought back home this morning, aboard a commercial flight. Upon landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan province, their bodies were transported to their respective hometowns. The commercial flight, El Al Flight LY083, carried the eight verified Thai males from Israel,…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Airport’s future takes flight: Environmental impact on the agenda | Thaiger

    Phuket Airport’s future takes flight: Environmental impact on the agenda

    A meeting took place this morning to discuss the potential environmental and community impact of the proposed development plans for Phuket International Airport. The meeting, organised by the Phuket office of the Airports of Thailand (AOT), was held at the Proud Phuket Hotel near Naiyang Beach. The Chief Administrative Officer of the Phuket Provincial Office, Somprat Prabsongkhram, led the assembly.…