Mitch Connor
- Thailand News
Promotion dinner ends in tragedy: Local chief’s link to gunman sparks deadly clash
A gunman, allegedly linked to a local chief, killed one highway police officer and critically wounded another on Wednesday night in the Mueang district of Nakhon Pathom province after a heated discussion about a promotion at a dinner meeting. The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) commander, Montree Theskhan, confirmed that CSD police, led by deputy Pornsak Laolujiralai, are actively searching for…
- Phuket News
Draining dilemma: ONWR chief dives into Phuket’s watery challenge
The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) Secretary-General visited Phuket to see if he could manage to solve the popular Thai island’s daily wastewater conundrum. Phuket has to deal with about 55,000 cubic metres of wastewater daily. ONWR Secretary-General Surasee Kittimonthon visited Phuket to address the resort’s water management issues, including flooding and potential droughts. Surasee inspected the Patong Municipality…
- Thailand News
Cash crackdown: Thai government’s e-payment pledge to curb corruption
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed yesterday that the Thai government is set to implement e-payments across the state sector as a pivotal strategy to tackle the rampant issue of corruption. The announcement was made at an Anti-Corruption Day event organised by the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), which the prime minister chaired. This event marked Srettha’s first public forum since…
- Thailand News
Cocaine surprise: Kenyan women’s shocking 3-kilo stash at Phuket Airport
Phuket International Airport officials recently detained three Kenyan women, who were found carrying nearly 3 kilogrammes of cocaine. The narcotics, estimated to be worth approximately 10 million baht, were concealed within their bodies. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board had earlier tipped off local police and customs officials about foreign nationals smuggling cocaine into the country through Phuket Airport.…
- Thailand News
Red Bull heir’s hit-and-run case mishandled by 15 top Thai officials, says NACC
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) declared 15 high-ranking police officials and prosecutors culpable for mismanaging the infamous 2012 hit-and-run case connected to the Red Bull heir. Among the implicated are prominent figures including Somyot Poompanmoung, the former national police chief, and Nate Naksuk, the previous deputy attorney-general who had dismissed the residual charges against him, according to NACC spokesperson Niwatchai…
- Politics News
Thailand’s ruling party seeks consensus amid dispute over House committee leadership
A dispute over who should preside over various House committees in Thailand prompted an invitation for a meeting this week, issued by the whip of the ruling Pheu Thai Party. The aim is to reconcile the differing views. Wisut Chainarun, a Pheu Thai list-MP and party whip, revealed that out of the 35 House committees, multiple parties are vying for…
- Thailand News
Ex-Pattaya mayor faces arrest over decade-old condo scandal
The former Pattaya mayor and culture minister faces an arrest warrant after failing to appear for his arraignment over charges from a decade-old condo development scandal in Pattaya. Itthiphol Kunplome’s current location remains undisclosed. Neither his house nor his political faction’s office in the Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri saw any sign of him yesterday. The properties were markedly…
- 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
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
Informant fears for life after exposing drug cartel and corrupt officers
A police informant, known by the alias Jang Talat Phlu, has taken to the Sai Mai Tong Rod (Sai Mai Must Survive) Facebook page, renowned for its help during Covid-19 lockdowns, fearing for his life. He alleges threats from both a police gang and a drug cartel he exposed. Jang claims that a deputy chief inspector and four junior inspectors,…
- 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
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…
- Phuket News
Visa overstay charge lands international visitor in trouble at Phuket Airport
An international visitor was apprehended at Phuket International Airport this week, facing charges of overstaying his visa, according to the Phuket Immigration Checkpoint’s Facebook page managed by the airport division of Phuket Immigration. The arrest occurred on August 30, with the individual now at risk of being blacklisted under the Good Guys In, Bad Guys Out regulation. The man, whose…
- 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
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
South Korea aims to boost Thai tourism with new campaign
South Korea, marking its 65th year of diplomatic relations with Thailand, is all set to attract more Thai tourists. This comes as part of a bilateral effort to revive the tourism industry in both countries, which shares a robust relationship economically, socially, and culturally. Covid-19 restrictions saw a decline in international tourism, with South Korea welcoming about 570,000 Thai tourists…
- 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
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
Perverted Chiang Mai teacher arrested for producing highly explicit pornographic content featuring students
A perverted high school physical education teacher in the northern province of Chiang Mai stands accused of producing highly explicit pornographic content featuring his male students. The perverted teacher, known only as Yos, was detained today in the vicinity of a school located in the tambon Tha Sala of Muang district. Upon arrest, the police confiscated a hard drive that…
- 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
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…
- Thailand News
Thai government grins and bears it: New dental health department to tackle nation’s oral health
The Thai government is set to establish a dedicated dental health department, a move aimed at promoting oral healthcare across the nation, the Public Health Ministry announced. Permanent Secretary for Public Health, Opas Karnkawinpong, revealed to the press that the government had acknowledged the Senate Public Health Committee’s proposal to form the new department, though the plan is yet to…
- 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…
- 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…
