- Tourism News
Thai tourism hit as gun violence prompts Chinese visitor cancellations
The Thai government has been urged to tighten gun control measures by Chiang Mai hoteliers and tourism entrepreneurs in the aftermath of the Siam Paragon shopping mall shooting on October 3. The incident, which resulted in the death of three people, including a Chinese tourist, and injured four others, has shaken the confidence of Chinese travellers in Thailand. The fallout…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s wildlife trafficking battle: A US$20 billion trade swinging into action
The fight against wildlife trafficking in Thailand, a trade valued at approximately US$20 billion, is in full swing. Police Colonel Wanpichit Wattanasakmonta, an officer dedicated to the wildlife trafficking cause, stresses the importance of not only preserving wildlife but also protecting the environment and natural resources for a sustainable world. Thailand, a country that houses 10% of the world’s animal…
- World News
Thai students return home amid escalating Israel-Hamas conflict
Thirty-three Thai students, who had been in Israel amidst the escalating conflict with Hamas, safely arrived back in Thailand yesterday. They were part of a larger contingent of 244 Thai nationals who flew back on a special charter flight from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The students, including 30 from the Princess of Naradhiwas University and the rest from…
- Economy News
Thai ‘super app’ set to launch with 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme
The completion of a multi-purpose mobile application, or super app, is on track for early next year, coinciding with the launch of the 10,000-baht digital wallet initiative, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. The mobile app is designed as a comprehensive solution, with developers assuring its readiness for the digital wallet scheme’s rollout, expected between February and March…
- Phuket News
Phuket Vegetarian Festival begins with traditional Go Teng pole raising
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival kicked off yesterday with the traditional ceremony of raising the Go Teng poles at each participating shrine. The act is a symbolic invitation to the Jade Emperor and the Nine Emperor Gods to descend from the heavens and spend the subsequent nine days on Earth. The golden Go Teng pole was hoisted at the Guan Yu…
- Thailand News
Woman struck and killed by train in South Thailand under investigation
A tragic incident unfolded in the Hat Yai district, Songkhla, when a 40 year old woman, was struck and killed by a local train near the Tha Sae railway bridge, about 2 kilometres from the Hat Yai railway junction. The incident occurred at around 8.25am. The Hat Yai police, led by Lieutenant Colonel Nimman Nikuno, reported that the woman was…
- Phuket News
Lost in Phuket: Stranded British man seeks help as wife takes passport and sails away
A stranded British man, faced with the loss of his passport and funds after a family disagreement, found himself stranded in Phuket. Assistance from the Tourist Police was sought after his wife, following the dispute, left with his travel documents and a portion of their belongings. The public became aware of the British man’s plight through a report by the…
- Phuket News
Phuket motorists urged to avoid roads for King Maha Vajiralongkorn tribute procession
Phuket City Municipality issued an appeal to motorists, asking them to steer clear of Phuket Road and its surrounding areas in Phuket Old Town next Monday. This comes in anticipation of a street procession set to pay tribute to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X). The street procession, honouring King Maha Vajiralongkorn, is not part of the traditional Iw…
- Thailand News
Thailand tightens ban on undeclared pork imports amid African Swine Fever fears
Thailand’s continual enforcement of the ban on unregulated pork imports, including for personal use, has been underscored by the detection and confiscation of illegal pork imports at major international airports. The canine unit, known as Inspector Beagle, plays a vital role in these inspections, seeking out any meat products potentially carrying viral strains of African Swine Fever (ASF). Friday, October…
- Crime News
Phuket police crackdown on crime boosts safety for visa-free tourists
In a span of seven days, Phuket police apprehended 64 individuals in an effort to bolster the safety measures for tourists from China and Kazakhstan who are visiting under a visa-free arrangement. The Phuket Provincial Police’s campaign is primarily aimed at curbing crime rates, particularly drug-related offences, to uphold Phuket’s reputation as a safe tourist destination. According to a report…
- Phuket News
Phuket car detailing centre manager’s suspected suicide under investigation
Phuket police are currently probing the apparent suicide of a 43 year old man who managed a car detailing centre in Phuket Town. Supachai Panya’s lifeless body was discovered on Saturday night at around 8.10pm on Viraponghongyok Road, north of the Nimit Circle, also known as the Seahorse Circle, on the east side of Phuket Town. Upon receiving the distress…
- World News
Thai worker abducted in Hamas raid on Israeli avocado farm
A Hmong woman from Chiang Rai made a desperate plea to the authorities, seeking assistance in the search for her husband who was taken captive during a Hamas raid in Israel. The 28 year old woman, Suntree Saelee, lost all communication with her 26 year old husband, Kong Saelao, amidst the chaos and violence which kicked off on October 7.…
- World News
Thai casualties rise in Israel-Hamas conflict: Urgent repatriation underway
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in the death of four additional Thai nationals, escalating the total number of Thai fatalities to 28. Furthermore, 16 individuals are injured, and 17 are reportedly held captive, as declared by the prime minister. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin shared these details following the Rapid Response Centre (RRC) meeting at the Foreign Ministry. The rapidly…
- Politics News
Thai democracy forum echoes concerns over capitalism in politics
The struggle for democracy in Thailand remains a long and arduous one, as highlighted by a recent public forum. Held in memory of the brave students and pro-democracy protesters who perished during the military dictatorship five decades ago, the forum emphasised how little progress has been achieved since the historic October 14, 1973 uprising. The commemorative event, organised by the…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s digital economy ministry sparks ‘byte’-sized revolution for national growth
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry, led by Prasert Chantararuangthong, is turning to digital technology in a bid to propel the nation’s development. As outlined in an interview with the Bangkok Post, Prasert revealed the DES Ministry has a policy to position digital technology as the fifth driver of the country’s growth. “I underlined ‘the Growth Engine of Thailand’…
- Thailand News
Terrorism threat: Thai embassies in France and Morocco warn citizens
The potential threat of terrorism linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict has prompted Thai embassies in France and Morocco to issue stark warnings to Thai citizens residing or travelling in these regions. They have been instructed to steer clear of densely populated public areas and unnecessary excursions to tourist zones, which are perceived as susceptible to such attacks. The Royal Thai…
- Thailand News
Thai flooding: Chao Phraya overflows, floods 200 homes in Ayutthaya
Bang Ban district in Ayutthaya suffered an overflow from the Chao Phraya River, resulting in the Thai flooding of approximately 200 residences, plantations, and rice fields yesterday. The district chief of tambon Bang Luang, Montri Samathi, contradicted previous claims by the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) that the river’s water level would not cause flooding in Bang Ban this year. Montri…
- World News
Thai embassy issues urgent advisory after knife attack in France
A knife attack at a public school in Arras, northern France, led the Thai embassy in Paris to issue an urgent advisory for Thai nationals in the country. The embassy urged individuals to avoid crowded areas and key tourist sites, following the elevation of the national threat alert to its peak by the French government. The advisory, published on the…
- Thailand News
Third group of Thai workers return from Israel, escaping Gaza conflict
A group of Thai workers, comprising 88 males and two females, arrived back home from Israel this morning, marking the third group to return. This repatriation was orchestrated by the Thai government. The workers’ journey home began in Israel yesterday, where they boarded Fly Dubai Flight FZ1550 at 11am local time and travelled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Their journey…
- Thailand News
Thai workers recount perilous experiences amid Gaza conflict
Recently returned Thai workers from conflict-hit Israel conveyed their harrowing experiences, raising questions about the government’s decision to send workers to the conflict-ridden zones, notably areas near the Gaza Strip. The first batch of 41 Thai workers landed in Thailand last Thursday on Israel Airlines flight LY 083, with 15 sponsored by the Thai government and the remaining 26 funding…
- Thailand News
Thai workers question Israel’s safety following fatal Hamas attack
The recent attack by Hamas in Israel, which caused the deaths of 24 Thai labourers, is leading to doubts about the suitability of Israel as a destination for workers seeking higher wages abroad. For over two decades, Israel has been a popular choice for Thai workers, particularly those in the agricultural sector. Currently, around 30,000 Thai workers are based in…
- Thailand News
Thai PM defends Corrections Department over ex-PM Shinawatra’s controversial hospital stay
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stood up for the Corrections Department amidst backlash over the alleged special treatment of Thaksin Shinawatra, the imprisoned ex-prime minister. PM Srettha confirmed that all inmates are treated equally, addressing a controversial photograph that surfaced on social media. The picture, which sparked the debate, featured a person resembling Thaksin on a gurney, donning a patient gown…
- Thailand News
Israel-Palestine conflict: Thai death toll rises, government hastens evacuation
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has claimed three more Thai lives, bringing the Thai death toll to 24, as reported by the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also reported on Saturday that 16 Thais have been injured and an equal number abducted in the escalating conflict. Addressing the press before his departure to Phitsanulok province,…
- Phuket News
Phuket family’s plea for justice after harrowing hit-and-run incident
A Phuket resident publicly shared the harrowing ordeal of a hit-and-run incident that took place last Sunday, October 8. The incident involved his family being struck by a pickup truck while they were on their Honda PCX motorbike. The 36 year old man, Wittaya, and his wife along with their young son were en route to Robinson shopping mall in…
- Politics News
Thailand and Malaysia plan to boost bilateral trade and border growth
Economic collaboration between Thailand and Malaysia is set to amplify, with plans to boost bilateral trade and foster growth along the Thai-Malaysian border. Chai Wacharonke, the government spokesman, revealed these plans following a meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Malaysian counterpart, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, held at the Malaysian PM’s office in Putrajaya. During the meeting, a broad…
- Thailand News
Thai labourer’s death in Israel sparks fears, call for government aid
The Thai labourer tragically killed in Israel during a mortar attack on Tuesday sparked pleas from his family for government aid in repatriating his remains back to his native Si Sa Ket province in Thailand. Phongphat Suchat and another Thai worker lost their lives when a mortar round detonated close to their location, according to the 29 year old’s brother,…
- Thailand News
Mane change: Thai police let their hair down with 5cm rule revision
Thailand’s national police chief has instituted a revision in police regulations, permitting male officers to sport hair up to 5 centimetres long. This move is a marked difference from the 2018 uniform practice code which mandated that male officers maintain a closely cropped hairstyle with the back and sides of their heads completely shaven. In the new 2023 uniform practice…
- Thailand News
Phuket’s vegetarian festival to boost Thai economy with 9 billion baht (video)
Anticipations are high as the annual 10-day vegetarian festival in Phuket is set to yield more than 9 billion baht in revenue, as estimated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Meanwhile, the Phuket Provincial Commercial Office reports a drop in vegetable prices compared to the corresponding period last year. Thanet Tantipiriyakit, who presides over the Phuket Tourist Association, noted…
- Thailand News
Thai government defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid economic criticism
Economic experts’ criticism of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme was rebuffed yesterday by its supporters, who asserted that the cash handout would alleviate disparity and provide a crucial financial boost to the disadvantaged. Jutipong Phummul headed the faction, which handed a plea to the government, encouraging the implementation of the digital wallet initiative. Presented in Parliament as an economic strategy…
- Thailand News
Two more Thai labourers die in Israel-Palestine conflict, death toll rises to 20
The ongoing conflict in Israel has claimed the lives of two more Thai labourers, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, bringing the total Thai death toll to 20. The Thai labourers lost their lives amid Hamas rocket attacks and aerial bombardments near the Gaza Strip. Kanchana Patarachoke, the ministry’s spokesperson and director-general of the Department of Information, shared this distressing…
