Mitch Connor
- Tourism News
Thai visa-free scheme boosts Chinese tourism, domestic travel surges
The Thai government’s visa-free scheme for Chinese and Kazakh tourists is proving to be a success, according to the country’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Srettha Thavisin. Running from September 25 to February 29, the scheme coincides with several significant Chinese holidays and forms part of the government’s Quick Win strategy to stimulate the economy. PM Srettha, who shared his…
- Thailand News
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights honoured at Clooney’s Justice for Democracy Defenders gala
The Clooney Foundation for Justice recognised the efforts of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) at The Albies, a gala held in New York City. The TLHR was among six honorees from around the globe, celebrated for their work towards defending democracy activists and others who have been the target of legal harassment and persecution. The award ceremony was named…
- Thailand News
Thai express train derails in Phrae due to flooding
Water runoffs between Phrae‘s Kaeng Luang and Ban Pin stations triggered the derailment of Special Express Train 13 early this morning. The train, which was travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, came off the tracks at 5.48am as a result of the runoff. The locomotive, a baggage car, and a sleeper car were the three carriages that succumbed to the…
- Thailand News
Thai universities shine in Times Higher Education World Rankings
Nineteen universities in Thailand have made their mark on the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024, drawing commendations from Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation, Supamas Isarabhakdi. This year’s list included 1,904 universities from 108 countries and regions, with THE evaluating more than 134 million citations from over 16.5 million research publications and survey responses…
- Thailand News
Phuket set for 148 billion baht infrastructure boost to uplift tourism
The renowned resort island of Phuket is set to undergo a significant infrastructural facelift, courtesy of a proposed budget of 148 billion baht by the Transport Ministry. The ambitious Phuket infrastructure upgrade plan includes the addition of a second airport on the island, a move aimed at transforming Phuket into a prime regional tourism hub. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit disclosed the…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Cambodia to boost bilateral trade
Thailand’s commitment to deepen ties with Cambodia has been firmly established, with both nations aiming to boost bilateral trade volume to US$15 billion (551 billion baht) by 2025. This was confirmed by government spokesman, Chai Wacharonke, following a significant meeting between Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet. The meeting, which took place in Phnom Penh,…
- Thailand News
Mastering patience: How Thai Buddhism and poker share wisdom
Poker can be a ritualistic practice for its most dedicated players. The very best to step up to the poker table will have set rules, practices, and traditions on how to approach the game. As such, their actions can resemble the deeply religious. So what elements can Thai Buddhism teach us poker site players? What is Thai Buddhism, Again? The…
- Crime News
Chinese suspect caught in Thailand armed robbery caper
A suspected participant in a recent armed robbery, originally from China, was yesterday apprehended in the Sri Racha district of Chon Buri, as confirmed by the police. The arrest of the Chinese man, Lui Jian, was backed by a warrant issued by the Criminal Court, charging him with armed robbery and the illicit possession of a knife and a firearm…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Dams draining, Ubon drowning: PM voices dual flooding woes in Thailand
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin voiced concerns regarding the diminishing water levels in major reservoirs and dams across the nation, even as the province of Ubon Ratchathani endures severe flooding. The prime minister, accompanied by the agriculture minister, Captain Thammanat Prompow, was apprised of the situation at the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) on Wednesday. In the briefing, the 61 year old…
- Thailand News
Thai woman linked to fatal scam arrested at Cambodia border
A 22 year old woman was apprehended at the Aranyaprathet immigration checkpoint in Sa Kaeo while returning from Cambodia for her involvement in a fatal scam. The arrest was made yesterday, September 27, shortly after the woman, Jirapinya Naeyued, crossed the border through the Ban Khlong Luk checkpoint from Poipet town in Cambodia. The woman was arrested on charges of…
- Crime News
Central Thailand’s ‘high’ note: Historic drug bust lands four in cuffs
A significant drug bust occurred in Nakhon Pathom province late last night, resulting in the arrest of four suspects and the seizure of the largest amount of narcotics ever recorded in a single operation in Thailand. The operation, part of an ongoing drug suppression mission, took place at a house in the Mueang district of Nakhon Pathom, where yesterday, September…
- Technology News
Thailand skies set to THEOS-2: A space-age milestone on the horizon
The forthcoming launch of Thailand’s second earth observation satellite, THEOS-2, on October 7, was announced by Supamas Isarabhakdi, the Minister of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation. At a recent press conference, Supamas shared that the low-earth orbit satellite’s launch will be a significant milestone for the country’s expertise in space technology and expressed plans for the THEOS-3 project. Supamas…
- Politics News
Border Banter: Thai and Cambodian PMs tackle disputes and scams in talks
The discussion between Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, will primarily revolve around the issues of Thai-Cambodia border disputes and call centre scams. The meeting is regarded as a significant move towards strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations, as this is the Thai PM’s first visit to an Association of Southeast…
- Thailand News
Permit panic: Thailand spots 3,000+ migrant workers in hot water
The Department of Employment in Thailand identified over 3,000 migrant workers operating without required permits. This discovery was part of an ongoing clampdown on migrants engaged in jobs deemed off-limits for foreign workers. Between October of the previous year and yesterday, the department conducted random checks on 53,732 workplaces across the country that employ migrant labourers. These investigations revealed that…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s education minister takes ‘no-conflict’ stance to school corruption
In a bold move against corruption, Police General Permpoon Chidchob, Thailand’s Education Minister, issued directives to all education officials, mandating the avoidance of potential conflicts of interest. This action aims to eradicate graft, corruption, and fraud which can stem from such conflicts. Concerning this, Pol. Gen. Permpoon stated that all agencies must strive for total transparency and accountability. He believes,…
- Tourism News
Phuket’s golden opportunity: Chinese tourists set to make waves this weekend
The renowned resort island of Phuket is preparing for an influx of Chinese tourists as China gears up for Golden Week starting this weekend and the continuation of the visa-free scheme for Chinese nationals. The surge in tourists is expected to start towards the end of the week. The anticipation also extends to the forthcoming Chinese New Year, which will…
- Thailand News
Srettha Thavisin to bolster ASEAN ties, attract Saudi investment
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is preparing to bolster Thailand and Cambodia’s relationship with his upcoming visit tomorrow, as announced by Panpree Bahiddha-Nukara, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister. This visit marks PM Srettha’s first trip to an ASEAN country since his initiation as prime minister, with Cambodia being one of Thailand’s nearest neighbours to strengthen ASEAN ties. Panpree…
- Thailand News
THAI’S high-flying ambition: Soaring to new heights in tourist traffic
Thai Airways International (THAI) unveiled an ambitious plan to expand its international flight offerings in the forthcoming high season. The airline’s primary focus is to draw in a higher number of tourists. A notable feature of this expansion is the airline’s decision to recommence flights to Istanbul, Turkey, which is a significant aviation hub for Asia, Europe, and Africa. This…
- Tourism News
Climbing restrictions loom for tourists at sacred Khao Klang Nok
Phetchabun’s Si Thep Historical Park may soon restrict tourists from climbing Khao Klang Nok, a ruin considered sacred by locals. The move comes in response to the increasing number of visitors following the park’s declaration as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19. Locals expressed concerns about the influx of tourists, many of whom have been climbing Khao…
- Thailand News
Royal rumble: Four years behind bars for outspoken lawyer and Thai activist
A prominent Thai activist and lawyer, known for his brazen calls for reforms in Thailand’s monarchy, received a four-year prison sentence today over charges of royal insults, a verdict confirmed by both the judge and his legal counsel. Arnon Nampa emerged as a notable figure during the pro-democracy demonstrations in 2020, where the Thai activist publicly advocated for a discourse…
- Thailand News
FDA confirms Japanese seafood imports safe from Fukushima radioactivity
Seafood imported from Japan is free of harmful radioactivity levels, as confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This comes in response to global worries about the potential contamination of marine life following the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant that was devastated by a tsunami. Lertchai Lertvut, the FDA’s deputy secretary-general, detailed yesterday that rigorous…
- Crime News
Thailand’s DoPA cracks down on ‘influential figures’ in nationwide crime hunt
The Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA) in Thailand is vigorously working to identify individuals linked to criminal activities across the nation, revealed Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiset. These individuals, referred to as “influential figures,” are purportedly involved in 16 distinct criminal offences. These include predatory lending, bid collusion, bribery from public transport vehicles, smuggling of untaxed goods, both online and…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s State Railway seeks 50 billion baht for expansions
Thailand’s State Railway (SRT) is planning to request Cabinet approval for a funding amount exceeding 50 billion baht. This hefty sum is aimed at financing the construction of a double-track railway stretch from Khon Kaen to Nong Khai and the expansion of Red Line electric train routes. The announcement follows a directive from Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who instructed the…
- Thailand News
Navigating online gaming regulations in Thailand
Online gaming in the Land of Smiles is a complex landscape, marked by stringent regulations stemming from laws that have been in place for nearly a century. As the country grapples with a robust underground gambling ecosystem, legal adjustments are anticipated, potentially signaling a shift toward legalisation and regulation. In this intricate legal landscape, platforms like Captain Rizk find ways…
- Thailand News
Thai health minister backs cannabis ban, citing surge in teen usage
Cannabis and its high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) variants should be entirely prohibited for leisure use and return to the narcotics list, says Dr Rasmon Kalayasiri, the Centre of Addiction Studies director. This statement was a show of support for Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew’s proposed changes to the Cannabis and Hemp bill, initially proposed by former minister Anutin Charnvirakul and rejected…
- Thailand News
Army investigates mysterious disappearance of 200,000 litres of diesel in Saraburi
An ongoing probe is being conducted by the army headquarters into the mysterious disappearance of over 200,000 litres of diesel from the Ordnance Materiel Rebuild Center situated in Saraburi province last year, as disclosed by a representative of the army. Deputy spokesperson of the army, Major General Sirichan Ngathong, stated that an internal army audit team noted potential irregularities in…
- Road deaths
Three killed in Nang Rong district motorcycle accident, including child
A tragic accident in Nang Rong district, Buriram, claimed the lives of three individuals, including a four year old girl, her mother and stepfather, when the family was travelling by motorcycle and it collided with a pickup truck leading to an immediate fire. The unfortunate event unfolded on the Sa Pradu-Thung Saeng Thong rural road in Tambon Thung Saeng Thong,…
- Thailand News
Thai government employees struggle with debt, support higher graduate pay
A recent survey by the National Institute for Development Administration (NIDA) revealed that a significant number of government officials and state enterprise employees are burdened with debt. Moreover, the same group of respondents expressed their support for the government’s policy to set the starting monthly salary for bachelor’s degree graduates at 25,000 baht. The NIDA Poll, carried out from September…
- Thailand News
Thailand signals reopening for foreign investment at UNGA78, says PM Srettha
Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, declared his attendance at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) session in New York a triumph, as it signalled that Thailand is reopening its doors to foreign investment. PM Srettha, who also holds the position of finance minister, shared this positive outlook with the press following his address at the UNGA78 general…
- Thailand News
Thailand joins Cambodia and Vietnam to combat call centre scams, fake news
Thailand is set to collaborate with Cambodia and Vietnam in a bid to curb the menace of call centre scams and fake news, as part of a recent regional initiative. This development was made known by Puangpet Chunlaiad, a minister linked to the prime minister’s office, following discussions with her Cambodian and Vietnamese counterparts. On her recent visit to Vietnam,…
