- 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 activist Niwat Roykaew wins Asia Foundation’s frontline leader award
Niwat Roykaew, also known as Kru Thi, has been acknowledged as the first Thai recipient of the Leader on the Frontlines Award by the Asia Foundation, a San Francisco-based international development organisation. Niwat, the 64 year old chairperson of the Chiang Khong Conservation Group and the director of Mekong School’s Institute of Local Knowledge has been recognised for his community…
- 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…
- Thailand News
Thai worker death toll in Israel hits 21, PM Srettha exploring evacuation
The death toll of Thai workers in Israel has risen to 21 following another reported death, announced Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The news came out early on this morning, October 12, detailing the ongoing violence since Hamas initiated an offensive over the weekend. Sharing this development at 9.10am Malaysian time, PM Sretta did not elaborate on the factors leading to…
- 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
Influenza cases rise fivefold in Thailand amid illegal antiviral drug concerns
A startling surge in influenza cases has been observed in Thailand this year, with a fivefold increase compared to last year’s monthly averages. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to the public about illegal antiviral medications labelled as oseltamivir being smuggled into the country. Doctor Thira Woratanarat from the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University revealed, on…
- 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…
- Crime News
Phuket stabbing: Restaurant worker claims self-defence in fatal incident
A fatal stabbing incident unfolded in Phuket yesterday morning, resulting in the death of a 33 year old man. The 28 year old man, Arnon Thepsong, a restaurant staffer, has been arrested under charges of assault causing death and carrying a weapon in a public place without reasonable cause. However, he asserts that the act was committed in self-defence. The…
- Thailand News
Reservoir overflow in Thailand: Alert for potential downstream flooding
A recent alert has been issued by the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) on the sudden rise of water levels in nine significant reservoirs. The ONWR revealed that these reservoirs are brimming with excess water that needs to be discharged swiftly. The reservoir overflow could potentially impact downstream areas in the coming days. The ONWR has been vigilantly…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Brunei forge deeper ties to boost bilateral trade
Thailand and Brunei have embraced greater bilateral cooperation, expanding into new sectors of trade and investment. The move comes as part of their collective commitment towards achieving economic integration within the ASEAN region. While on an official visit to Brunei, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, ASEAN’s most senior leader. The two…
- Thailand News
Thailand celebrates successful launch of advanced earth observation satellite Theos-2
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) of Thailand yesterday proudly announced the successful launch of the Thailand Earth Observation Satellite 2 (Theos-2). This marked a significant achievement after initial delays due to a technical fault during the scheduled launch on Saturday. The momentous occasion was broadcast live on Gistda’s Facebook page at 8.36am local time. The launch took…
- Thailand News
Rain reigns havoc: Deluge drenches Chon Buri, Pattaya beach erosion
Torrential rain wreaked havoc in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri in the early hours of this morning, causing extensive flooding on roads and in various communities. The deluge, which started approximately at 12.20am and lasted for over an hour, also led to significant erosion of Pattaya beach. The floodwater reached depths of between 50 and 80 centimetres in certain areas,…
- Thailand News
Police hunt ex-ambassador’s murderer, Myanmar teen suspected
An arrest warrant is out for a 19 year old Burmese man, in relation to the murder of Wichit Chitwiman, a former Thai ambassador to Denmark. The 63 year old diplomat was brutally stabbed to death at his residence in Chatuchak over the last weekend. Police Major General Noppasilp Poonsawat, the Deputy Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner, named Sai Myat Moi…
- Thailand News
Fishy business: RTN reels in Indonesian vessels straying into Thai waters
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) stopped three Indonesian fishing vessels after they strayed into Thai waters after a recent maritime operation near Phuket. This unfolding event kicked off yesterday when Thai authorities apprehended these vessels within Thai territorial waters. What added to the significance of this operation was the detention of all 40 crew members aboard the ships. The operation…
- Thailand News
Mongolia opens honorary consulate in Phuket, boosting ties
Phuket marked a significant milestone as Mongolia inaugurated its honorary consulate on the island, coinciding with the 49th anniversary of its diplomatic ties with Thailand last week. The consulate’s office is located at the Gig Hotel on Soi Bangla in the Patong district. The opening ceremony saw the attendance of key figures including Tumur Amarsanaa, Mongolia’s ambassador to Thailand, Nutthaphong…
- Thailand News
Thai family identifies son among captives in Hamas-Israel conflict
A couple from Pla Pak district, in the northeastern border province of Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, have positively identified their son as one of the workers reportedly captured by Hamas militants during a large-scale assault on Israel. The news of the abduction, which occurred yesterday, spread rapidly through social media, featuring a distressing image of six captive men with their hands…
- Thailand News
Thai national killed, 11 detained in Israel amid evacuation challenges
A Thai national lost his life and approximately 11 others were taken into custody during a Hamas assault on Israel, disclosed Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, early today. He also highlighted the ongoing air travel restrictions that are hindering evacuation efforts. Ahead of his international journey from Sunday to Thursday, PM Srettha shared at Wing 6 in Don Muang that…
- Business News
Thai CEOs discuss sustainability’s key role in supply chain survival at SX2023
The Sustainability Expo 2023 (SX2023) has illuminated the essential role of sustainability in successful supply chain networks. The Thailand Supply Chain Network (TSCN) Business Partners Conference, also known as the TSCN CEO Panel, took place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center as part of the ongoing expo. The key topic of discussion was the self-application of sustainable practices for…
- Thailand News
Bangkok workers rally for better employment conditions and against privatisation
World Day for Decent Work was marked by a significant rally in Bangkok, where approximately 600 workers rallied for their cause. The protestors demanded the government address unjust employment conditions and enhance employment security. The rally, which took place along Ratchadamnoen Avenue, saw the participation of members from the Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation (TLSC), the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation…
- Politics News
Democrat demands probe into Thaksin’s hospital stay amid preferential treatment claims
Watchara Phetthong, a veteran Democrat and former Member of Parliament, urged the House panel overseeing police affairs to investigate the circumstances surrounding the hospitalisation of the ex-prime minister, 74 years old Thaksin Shinawatra. Accusations of preferential treatment have been fuelled by an undisclosed photograph of Thaksin seen enjoying pool time with his grandchild. At a press conference to highlight his…
- Politics News
Thai Cabinet approves assembly for constitutional referendum, amid MFP exit
The assembly to draft a referendum on revising the constitution is set to convene on Tuesday, following the Cabinet’s recent approval of its 35 members, reveals Chusak Sirinil, a member of the assembly. The assembly, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai, will deliberate on modifications to the committee after the exit of the…
- Thailand News
Thai government boosts safety measures after Siam Paragon shooting incident
Heightened safety measures are set to be implemented by the Thai government in a bid to restore the confidence of foreign tourists, following the recent shooting incident at Siam Paragon. Two foreigners, one from China and the other from Myanmar, lost their lives in the incident which also left five others injured, including another Chinese national, a person from Laos,…
- Thailand News
Thailand tackles delivery rider accidents with defensive driving training
Last year, 81 delivery riders suffered road accidents in Thailand, leading to 28 fatalities and 36 severe injuries. Speeding, lane violations, using mobile phones while driving, and time pressures for delivery were identified as the primary causes. Kongkarn Takhiranrit, the acting director of the Social Risk Control Office at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), revealed that delivery riders and…
- Thailand News
Bluffing in Bangkok: How ‘lying’ is perceived in Thailand
Playing poker in Thailand? Is it right to bluff or tell lies in general conversation? Thai culture can be different from its Western counterparts, so how does it affect the game of poker when playing it in Thailand? And is it even allowed there? Dispelling Historical Myths For many years there was an unfair rumour among expats living in Thailand…
