- 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…
- 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…
- Phuket News
Unsafe Karon stadium in Thailand dismantled for community redevelopment
The demolition of the Karon Stadium, a prominent structure at the southern end of Karon Beach for the past 28 years, is currently in progress. The Phuket Provincial Public Works Department declared the arena, officially known as the Thet Phra Kiat Nawamin Sports Stadium, unsafe to use, prompting this move, according to Karon’s Mayor, Jadet Wicharasorn. The stadium had been…
- 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
Bangkok shooting survivor recounts horrific encounter with Siam Paragon gunman
A survivor of the recent shooting at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok recounted her terrifying encounter with the 14 year old gunman. Anyapat Thipjirasakul, while fleeing the scene, came face to face with the teen gunman on an escalator. His immediate reaction was to fire, hitting her in the shoulder. Despite the pain, she continued running, scared he…
- 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…
- Thailand News
Thai PM’s diplomatic tour to boost ties, revive tourism hit by mall shooting
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin embarks on a five-day tour to Hong Kong and three ASEAN nations, beginning Sunday. The journey commences from the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) terminal at Don Mueang Airport, with the Airbus 320 aircraft setting course for Hong Kong. Post the Hong Kong visit, the premier’s itinerary includes Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia, with his return scheduled…
- 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…
- Economy News
Thai government to give 10,000-baht digital wallet to citizens despite criticism
Despite facing staunch criticism from experts, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed on Friday that the Thai government will proceed with its plan to distribute a 10,000-baht digital wallet to every Thai citizen over the age of 16. This announcement comes in response to comments from Bank of Thailand (BoT) governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, who criticised the economic stimulus policy. PM Srettha…
- 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…
- Thailand News
Decomposing whale carcass found in Phetchaburi, Thailand
A distressing discovery greeted the crew members of a fishing boat off the coast of Cha-am Beach in the Cha-am district of Phetchaburi. While navigating the waters, they happened upon the lifeless body of a Bryde’s whale, a sombre encounter that prompted immediate action. Responding to the call, a team comprising marine experts, and disaster prevention and mitigation officials, led…
- Crime News
Online fraud cases in Thailand soar to 365,000 with 45 billion baht loss
Over the past one and a half years, a staggering 365,000 online fraud cases have been reported, inflicting a massive loss of 45 billion baht, revealed Deputy Government Spokesperson, Karom Phonphonklang. This was in reference to the cumulative data gathered from the thaipoliceonline.com website, available from March 1 of last year until September 30 this year, provided by the Royal…
- Thailand News
Thailand speeds up warning system after Siam Paragon shooting
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister confirmed the development of a cell broadcast (CB) emergency warning system. Set to be ready for deployment within the next six months to a year, the system is a collaborative project coordinated by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), in liaison with mobile service providers. The decision to develop this CB system…
