Mitch Connor
- Thailand News
Chinese ambassador backs visa perks to boost tourism
Han Zhiqiang, the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, expressed support for the impending visa privileges aimed towards Chinese tourists. These measures are being considered by both governments, to bolster Chinese tourism and investment in their respective countries ahead of the approaching peak season. Han voiced his endorsement during an orientation for the 18th Mandarin for Government Officers Workshop. This event was…
- Thailand News
Phuket water management: ONWR takes action on shortages, flooding, and wastewater
Phuket’s enduring issues of water shortages, flooding and inadequate wastewater management are set to be addressed by the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR). Surasri Kidtimonton, the secretary-general of ONWR, recently visited the province to track the progress of the water management plan and forest preservation initiatives around Kathu district’s natural water resources. Although Phuket stands as a crucial…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s first expressway tunnel proposed through 36 billion baht investment
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) has put forth a proposal for an underground expressway, aiming to replace a contentious section of the N1 Expressway development. The proposal came after an extensive 17-month initial feasibility study. EXAT Governor Surachet Laophulsuk revealed this plan during the project’s second hearing, stating that multiple factors such as engineering, investment costs, and environmental impact,…
- Thailand News
Illegal Thai resort dismantled for violating National Forest Act
Phetchabun witnessed a significant operation yesterday as over a hundred officials systematically dismantled parts of a resort found to be unlawfully constructed on national forest grounds within the Khao Kho district. The collaborative force, comprising soldiers, local administrative officials, and police officers, effectively removed five bungalows that formed part of the Khaokho Freeday resort. The decision to dismantle came following…
- Thailand News
Free visa for Chinese tourists stirs Thai transnational crime fears
The newly proposed travel policy by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, which includes free visa privileges for Chinese tourists, could potentially escalate transnational crime rates, as per the Immigration Bureau (IB) of Thailand. The program, which is set to kick off on October 1, is designed to stimulate the influx of Chinese tourists, who once dominated the tourist arrivals. However, despite…
- Thailand News
Bangkok’s multinational ambitions drive forward: BMA seeks government support
The drive to establish Bangkok as a multinational hub has gained momentum, with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) expressing intent to garner government backing for the initiative. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, yesterday, announced the intent to align the BMA’s policy with that of the government to stimulate the city’s economy and job creation. In a press briefing, Chadchart illustrated the…
- Thailand News
Thailand eyes growth in pink economy by attracting international LGBTQ+ retirees
Thailand’s potential to expand its pink economy through the attraction of international LGBTQ+ retirees was the highlight of a recent conference held in Bangkok. Dr Chaiwat Songsiriphan, who is the founder and medical director of the Safe Clinic, emphasised that Thailand’s high tolerance for gender diversity could make it an ideal retirement destination for the LGBTQ+ community. He further noted that…
- Northern Thailand News
Severe drought in Uthai Thani prompts wildlife migration, risks for locals
Uthai Thani’s Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is grappling with a severe drought attributed to the El Nino phenomenon, prompting elephants and various other species to migrate into nearby regions in search of food, according to an official announcement. The sanctuary’s wildlife breeding station chief, Tonsak Nipanan, stated that wildlife has encroached upon the station’s area and beyond. The breeding…
- Politics News
Thai PM’s new weapons procurement plan to boost national economy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is moving forward with plans to overhaul Thailand’s armed forces, beginning with a significant shift in weapons procurement procedures, a military source has confirmed. The new leader had a meeting with the heads of the armed forces last week, where they discussed the new government’s intended course of action concerning military and security matters. During this…
- Thailand News
Thai government pledges better conditions for motorcycle taxi drivers
The Thai government has recently taken into account a series of grievances from motorcycle taxi drivers, tasking the Transport Ministry with the job of enhancing their working conditions. The decision was made yesterday, following a meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and representatives from the drivers’ community. The gathering took place at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok, marking…
- Thailand News
Chiang Mai University launches Builds platform to boost student entrepreneurship
Chiang Mai University (CMU), in collaboration with the Stock Exchange of Thailand, has unveiled an entrepreneurial platform named “Builds”. This initiative is designed to assist students in transforming their research projects into profitable enterprises. Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, a CMU rector, expressed the institution’s ambitions to become an entrepreneurial hub, aiming to bolster its economic contribution to 60 billion baht within the…
- Thailand News
Siriraj hospital offers free joint replacement surgeries to Nepal’s underprivileged
Free joint replacement surgeries will be offered to the underprivileged population of Lumbini, Nepal, courtesy of Siriraj Hospital. The groundbreaking initiative, dubbed ‘The Buddha’s First Step’, is a collaborative effort between the hospital and Love for Humanity, a corporate social responsibility project. Apichart Asavamongkolkul, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, revealed that the project…
- Thailand News
Thai Prime Minister pledges to tackle fisheries industry woes
Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, promised to address the issues plaguing the fisheries industry in his visit to Samut Songkhram yesterday. This move came after representatives from the industry called upon the newly formed government to revise laws to mitigate the effects of restrictions put in place to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Srettha stated that the…
- Thailand News
Bangkok’s ‘Beautiful Roads’ project aims to enhance cityscape
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) initiated a new endeavour to enhance the city’s traffic islands, lands under expressways, and public pavements. The project, dubbed Beautiful Roads, aims to augment the overall landscape of roads, including road surfaces, traffic lights, light poles, on-road utilities, and the reorganisation of street food vendors, and roadside surroundings. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt revealed that the…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s best-kept secret: Unraveling the online wonderland!
Nestled amidst the shimmering lights and pulsating rhythms of the Asian gaming panorama, fun88 emerges as a beacon for avid gamers and enthusiasts. More than just a platform, it serves as a testament to the evolution of digital entertainment, seamlessly blending tradition with technology. With every click and every play, fun88 doesn’t just offer a game; it extends an invitation…
- Crime News
Passport pretender: Chinese woman’s Phuket Airport arrest sparks legal turbulence
A Chinese woman was arrested last night for passport fraud at Phuket International Airport. The woman, identified as a 44 year old Chinese national, Jian Qi, attempted to bypass immigration control using a passport that did not belong to her, a crime that could lead to a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 baht…
- Thailand News
Pardon the uproar: Thaksin’s plea adds a royal twist to political drama
A royal pardon application for Thaksin Shinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, has been received, as confirmed by the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. Acting as the justice minister, Wissanu announced a press event at the Government House, though he refrained from disclosing whether the appeal was penned by Thaksin or his relatives. He clarified that the request was…
- Thailand News
Bangkok encourages disabled citizens to join ‘Bangkok For All’ initiative
Disabled people in Bangkok are being urged to sign up for the Bangkok For All initiative via the Line app, an effort by City Hall to streamline access to social benefits. The push was highlighted by Phanumas Sukamporn, an advisor to the Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, at the Disabled Social Wellness Expo held at the Youth Centre. Bangkok For All…
- Thailand News
Smooth takeoff: Phuket Airport partners with Grab for app-solute taxi convenience
Phuket International Airport is leaping into the digital age, enabling passengers to hail Grab taxis directly via their mobile apps from today. This initiative is aimed at providing passengers with more transportation options. The airport’s director, Monchai Tanode, shared that four ride-hailing app developers, including Grab, Asia Cab, Hello Phuket, and Air Asia, applied for the license to operate at…
- Thailand News
High hopes: Public Health Minister plants seeds for ongoing medical cannabis policy success
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul strongly advocates for the continuation of the current medical cannabis policy under the incoming health ministership. He asserts that, if used correctly, cannabis provides immense benefits to users. This discussion took place at the Public Health Ministry, where he expressed confidence that the new government would not terminate the ‘cannabis for medical treatments’ policy. He…
- Phuket News
Phuket Por Tor Festival sees surge in demand, no evidence of price gouging
The Por Tor Festival, an influential cultural event among the ethnic Chinese throughout Phuket Island, sparked a surge in product demand and suggestions of price gouging. In response, officers from the Phuket Provincial Commerce Office initiated checks among retailers to detect any signs of price gouging during the event being held from August 28 to September 14. Two of the…
- Road deaths
Nakhon Ratchasima school bus crash injures 16 students in rush hour chaos
A school bus carrying 40 students lost control, flipped and crashed into a traffic light pole in Kaeng Sanam Nang district, Nakhon Ratchasima, resulting in 16 students aged between 10 and 17 sustaining injuries. The incident unfolded on Niwetrat Road, as confirmed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Paphon Chaisaksri, investigation chief at Kaeng Sanam Nang Police Station, who was notified about the…
- Thailand News
Strings of fate: Priceless 200 year old violin finds way back to maestro in Bangkok
A 200 year old violin valued at 18 million baht (US$ 514,580) has been returned to its esteemed owner, a celebrated Chinese violinist after he accidentally left it behind in a Bangkok taxi. A coordinated effort from Thong Lor police and JS100 traffic radio was indispensable in locating the taxi driver who had ferried the Chinese passenger from a restaurant…
- Thailand News
Moving ahead: MFP urges new PM to keep charter referendum promise
The Move Forward Party (MFP) called on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to address a charter to hold a referendum in his initial Cabinet meeting, as previously promised. This follows the House of Representatives rejecting MFP’s push to expedite a full constitution rewrite, currently the 33rd item on the House’s agenda. Highlighting the urgency, list-MP Parit Wacharasindhu acknowledged the House’s decision…
- Thailand News
First detection of flualprazolam in Thailand raises concerns in southern provinces
The tranquilliser flualprazolam is seeing rampant use in Thailand’s southernmost provinces, according to officials. This follows the detection of the substance in nimetazepam pills by the Regional Medical Sciences Centre 12 in Songkhla. The discovery marks the first occurrence of flualprazolam in Thailand. The Department of Medical Sciences‘ director-general, Supakit Sirilak, made it known yesterday that the Centre was tasked…
- Thailand News
Deliveroo dilemma: Thai delivery riders seek Labour Ministry aid after road woes
Thai delivery riders seek the Ministry of Labour‘s aid for legal and financial assistance post-road accidents. Spokesperson Supaporn Phanprasit underlined the daily hazards of handling apps, and e-commerce. Rushing for deadlines leads to accidents, injuries, and worse. The group laments the lack of financial assistance or compensation from either the parties involved in the accident or the platform operators. The…
- Thailand News
Royal defamation convict’s hunger-strike protest results in hospitalisation
A woman from Phitsanulok convicted of royal defamation is protesting against the decision to deny her bail by staging a hunger strike while she appeals. Exhaustion has driven the 30 year old woman, named Warunee, sentenced for royal defamation, to the Correctional Hospital. The cause of her condition is a hunger strike that she instigated ten days prior as a…
- Thailand News
First cases of Omicron sub-variant HK.3 discovered in Thailand
Thailand has reported its first instances of the Omicron sub-variant HK.3, as disclosed by the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS). The new strain of Covid-19 has been detected in two family members, whose health conditions remain unconfirmed by the DMS in terms of transmission speed and severity compared to previous strains. The DMS head, Dr Supakit Sirilak, illuminated the situation,…
- Thailand News
Search intensifies for culprits in deadly Pattani ambush as police take action
Royal Thai Police are on a manhunt for assailants responsible for a deadly ambush in Yarang district, Pattani, that resulted in three fatalities and five injuries. The ambush, which took place in front of the Yarang municipal office on the Yarang-Mayo Road, occurred at approximately 10.50pm yesterday. The attackers, armed with assault rifles and grenades, left a chilling scene. Over 100…
- Crime News
Teenage scam suspect arrested in Thailand after family tragedy unfolds
A 19 year old woman accused of being involved in a scam operation tied to a tragic family incident in Samut Prakan, was apprehended as she reentered Thailand from Cambodia via a Sa Kaeo province border checkpoint. Police, including immigration and local police, made the arrest in the arrivals area shortly after Suchada Chabutsri entered Poipet township in Cambodia. The…
