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 NewsBangkok slum advocates unite: Demand for affordable housing echoes on World Habitat Day

    Bangkok slum advocates unite: Demand for affordable housing echoes on World Habitat Day

    Advocates from the Four Regions Slum Network approached Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, demanding immediate action to alleviate the city’s affordable housing crisis for its underprivileged citizens. The plea took place during a protest at Lan Khon Muang Plaza yesterday, October 2, coinciding with World Habitat Day, an annual event observed. The protesters submitted a list of requests to the 57…

  • Thailand NewsThai students shoot for the stars, clinch triple gold at Astronomy Olympiad in Greece

    Thai students shoot for the stars, clinch triple gold at Astronomy Olympiad in Greece

    Thai students shone brightly at the second International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics Juniors (IOAA-Jr) 2023, bringing home three coveted gold medals. The event, which ran from September 24 to 30, took place in Volos, Greece, and saw high school students from around the globe vie for honours in these challenging scientific disciplines. Apiwit Channarong and Chayapol Nontasut, both studying…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s ‘influential figures’ list: Shedding light on dark influence

    Thailand’s ‘influential figures’ list: Shedding light on dark influence

    The Deputy Interior Minister of Thailand confirmed the completion of a list containing 600-700 individuals deemed as “influential figures” known for their dark influence across the nation. This list is set to be discussed at a committee meeting on Tuesday. In this register, less than a hundred individuals are classified as hardcore, falling under the Red group. The remaining majority are…

  • Thailand NewsThailand and Italy cook up a delicious deal for gastronomy and tourism

    Thailand and Italy cook up a delicious deal for gastronomy and tourism

    A mutual agreement has been reached between Thailand and Italy to collaboratively promote the gastronomy and tourism sectors of both nations, according to Thai trade representative, Nalinee Taveesin. The Thai-Italian collaboration announcement was made on Sunday, with Italy expressing an increased interest in investing in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Such an understanding was gleaned from a recent meeting between…

  • Thailand NewsThai and Hong Kong police unite to dismantle human trafficking

    Thai and Hong Kong police unite to dismantle human trafficking

    The Thai Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) is intensifying its efforts to dismantle international human trafficking rings, particularly those involving Thai women being forced into prostitution in Hong Kong. The mission to reinforce collaborative measures with Hong Kong law enforcement was led by the ATPD’s deputy, Marut Kanchanakanthakul, who travelled to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for an anti-human…

  • Thailand NewsDiscovering the unknown card games in Thailand

    Discovering the unknown card games in Thailand

    Different cultures have taken to card games and ‘playing for money’ in various different ways, with poker being the primary card game to gamble at the world over. Thailand is no exception, but if you look beyond the more common games, there’s a rich history of ancient card games which originated here and it’s fascinating to see how they’ve stood the…

  • Thailand NewsDon Mueang to host first hospital in Thai 50-district healthcare roll-out

    Don Mueang to host first hospital in Thai 50-district healthcare roll-out

    Bangkok’s Don Mueang district is set to be the inaugural recipient of a new hospital as part of the 50 districts, 50 hospitals initiative, as revealed by Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew. The scheme is one of 13 programmes introduced by the Minister upon taking office. The project’s first phase entails the selection of an existing building within the district,…

  • Thailand NewsNew pit viper species discovered in Thailand’s Thale Ban National Park

    New pit viper species discovered in Thailand’s Thale Ban National Park

    A novel species of pit viper, the smallest in its venomous subfamily, has been discovered by personnel at Thale Ban National Park in Satun, a southern province of Thailand. Saengsuree Songthong, the national park’s chief, along with his assistant Nakhen Kaweethanatham and research official Bunyarit Dechochai, stumbled upon the hitherto unknown species of pit vipers during a short break under a…

  • Thailand NewsThai Lawyers for Human Rights honoured at Clooney’s Justice for Democracy Defenders gala

    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 NewsThai express train derails in Phrae due to flooding

    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 NewsThai universities shine in Times Higher Education World Rankings

    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 NewsUndercover operation hits Jackpot: 50 busted in illegal gambling den in northern Thailand

    Undercover operation hits Jackpot: 50 busted in illegal gambling den in northern Thailand

    A high-stakes illegal gambling den, operating for nearly two months in the heart of Rom Klao’s bustling Kriangkrai Market, was stormed by a special operation team from the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) yesterday. The crackdown at about 5pm yesterday, September 28, resulted in the arrest of 50 gamblers and 17 gambling organisers. The fallout from the illegal gambling den…

  • Thailand NewsThailand and Cambodia to boost bilateral trade

    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 NewsMastering patience: How Thai Buddhism and poker share wisdom

    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 NewsChinese suspect caught in Thailand armed robbery caper

    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…

  • Politics NewsTorsak Sukvimol approved as Thailand’s new national police chief

    Torsak Sukvimol approved as Thailand’s new national police chief

    The Police Commission officially approved the appointment of Deputy National Police Chief General Torsak Sukvimol to the position of national police chief. Torsak will take over from Police General Damrongsak Kittiprapas, who is set to retire on Saturday, September 30. The decision was made during a meeting of the Police Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, at the Royal…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman linked to fatal scam arrested at Cambodia border

    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 NewsCentral Thailand’s ‘high’ note: Historic drug bust lands four in cuffs

    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 NewsThailand skies set to THEOS-2: A space-age milestone on the horizon

    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…

  • Transport NewsBridging the gap: DRR lays tracks for Kui Buri railway safety and progress

    Bridging the gap: DRR lays tracks for Kui Buri railway safety and progress

    The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has completed two rail crossing bridges in the Kui Buri district, as part of safety measures to prevent road accidents. The bridges, located between the fourth intersection of Highway No 1003 and Baan Pho Riang, are expected to support the Transport Ministry’s future double-track railway projects. This initiative comes in response to the State…

  • Thailand NewsPermit panic: Thailand spots 3,000+ migrant workers in hot water

    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 NewsThailand’s education minister takes ‘no-conflict’ stance to school corruption

    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 NewsPhuket’s golden opportunity: Chinese tourists set to make waves this weekend

    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 NewsTourist surge at Si Thep sparks concerns over sacred site damage

    Tourist surge at Si Thep sparks concerns over sacred site damage

    An unexpected surge in tourists at Si Thep Historical Park, recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19, sparked concerns among locals in Phetchabun. The locals are worried about the increasing number of visitors scaling Khao Klang Nok, a historical site within the park. The site, considered sacred and located approximately 2 kilometres from the old city…

  • Thailand NewsTHAI’S high-flying ambition: Soaring to new heights in tourist traffic

    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 NewsClimbing restrictions loom for tourists at sacred Khao Klang Nok

    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 NewsRoyal rumble: Four years behind bars for outspoken lawyer and Thai activist

    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 NewsUNESCO’s recognition triggers visitor surge at Si Thep Historical Park in northern Thailand

    UNESCO’s recognition triggers visitor surge at Si Thep Historical Park in northern Thailand

    Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun experienced an unexpected surge in visitor numbers over the weekend, following its announcement as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19. The ensuing tourism influx prompted local agencies to call on the government for increased accommodation and facilities for the increasing number of tourists. Sittichai Poodee, the director of Si Thep Historical…

  • Crime NewsThailand’s DoPA cracks down on ‘influential figures’ in nationwide crime hunt

    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 NewsThailand’s State Railway seeks 50 billion baht for expansions

    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…