Mitch Connor
- Thailand News
Unprecedented alliance: Thailand and China team up against transnational cybercrime
In a move aimed at suffocating transnational crime, call centre scams and cybercrime, the governments of Thailand and China have come together in an unprecedented cooperative collaboration. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday played host to Xu Ganlu, the Vice Minister of Public Security and the hand at the helm of the National Immigration Administration of China. The primary…
- Transport News
Koh Samui anticipates 34 billion baht mainland bridge by 2028
Plans to establish a land link to the island of Koh Samui have been in the works for years but now the Express Authority of Thailand (EXAT) held their first public orientation hearing about the Samui Bridge. The blueprint for this project showcases a 20-kilometre bridge, slated for construction in 2028, to connect Koh Samui to the mainland. EXAT chief…
- Thailand News
Thai rains trigger landslides and floods disrupting northern tourism
A slew of torrential Thai rains has instigated landslides and flash floods causing demolition to the roads in the northern regions of Nan and Mae Hong Son, as well as the western regions of Tak and Kanchanaburi. The Thai rains, relentless in their downpour, have been hitting the regions of Pua and Bo Kluea which are situated in Nan province.…
- Thailand News
Bangkok waterways: 9.32 billion baht expansion plan unveiled
In a proactive move to alleviate traffic congestion in Bangkok, Thailand’s Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is set to submit plans for the development of existing and potential canal routes. Underpinning these Bangkok waterways plans is the promotion of passenger boat transportation as a practical solution to the city’s notorious traffic issues. On the specifics of…
- Thailand News
Prescription for trouble: Hospital director’s defamation verdict
In a recent ruling, the Criminal Court handed down a sentence to the director of Mongkutwattana Hospital, Major General Doctor Rianthong Nanna, convicting him of defamation offences against Sira Jenjaka, a former Bangkok MP for the Palang Pracharath Party. The judgement includes a prison sentence of five years and a penalty fine amounting to 100,000 baht. However, due to his…
- Phuket News
Cryptocurrency conundrum: Cyber sleuths collar 25 year old suspect in 1.4 million baht Phuket fraud
A burgeoning cryptocurrency fraud case took a significant turn as a 25 year old man was apprehended by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) in Phuket. Suspected of being a money mule within a criminal operation, authorities allege the man, named Toei, opened a bank account aiding a cryptocurrency fraud enterprise scamming over 1.4 million baht from unsuspecting individuals. The…
- Phuket News
Barber shop owner’s illegal tangle: Hot water over hiring allegations in Phuket
In a recent incident unfolding in the heart of Phuket, a 38 year old female business owner in Patong finds herself in hot water because of allegations of illegal employment practices at her barber shop. Known only as “Petladda,” the woman is facing potential charges for her suspected recruiting habits after a second incident of a foreigner found working illegally…
- World News
Sibling surprise: Thailand’s ex-PMs special guests at Cambodian PM’s birthday bash
Thailand’s ex-prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, and his younger sibling, Yingluck, were notable guests at Cambodian PM’s birthday bash in Phenom Penh at the weekend. Fresh News and The Phnom Penh Post reported yesterday that the 74 year old Thaksin, and his 56 year old sister Yingluck graced the 71st birthday festivities of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Ta Khmao,…
- Phuket News
Patong gunfire: Prime suspect in the incident nabbed after intense manhunt
In a recent development in the ongoing investigation into a street shooting that occurred on the morning of August 3 in Patong, Phuket, police arrested the prime suspect. Two men were injured during the gunfire incident and are currently receiving medical care at Patong Hospital. An arrest warrant was issued for 34 year old Nattapong Nachom on Friday, August 4…
- Thailand News
Explosion in Yala and Sungai Kolok districts results in two injuries
In an explosion that shook the districts of Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat and Mueang in Yala on Saturday night, Royal Thai Police (RTP) are currently on the hunt for the individuals behind the incident that left two innocent bystanders injured. The explosion in Sungai Kolok resulted in no causalities, whilst its counterpart in Yala left two innocent bystanders injured, reported…
- Crime News
Online scams: Thai restaurant reservation fraud nets 140 million baht in July, warns CCIB
Warnings of escalating online fraud rings capitalising on the growing demand for restaurant reservations have been issued by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). Based on emerging reports, a significant financial hit of over 140 million baht landed on consumers in July due to a proliferation of online scams. According to the latest information detailed by the CCIB spokesperson, Police…
- Thailand News
Hua Hin Airport upgrade to attract tourists and boost Thai economy
In a move poised to encourage tourism, Hua Hin Airport, operated by the Department of Airports (DoA), is set for a vast upgrade that will escalate it to international status, as confirmed by acting director Rattapol Charoenphon recently. The Hua Hin Airport has already made significant strides towards this goal, extending its runway to reach a length of 2.1 kilometres…
- Phuket News
Phuket Blood Bank appeals to foreigners for donations amid alarming demand
In a humanitarian call, the Phuket Blood Bank at the Vachira Phuket Hospital reached out to foreign residents and tourists in Phuket encouraging them to contribute to a blood donation drive on August 8 in Phuket Town, aimed at urgently replenishing the hospital’s blood reserves. The initiative comes with an alarming demand for blood from all groups seen at both…
- South Thailand News
Car bomb shock in Narathiwat: No casualties as police close district (video)
In Narathiwat, a car bomb detonation led to the temporary closure of a region surrounding the location of a police base situated in Sungai Kolok district. The blast last night fortunately did not result in any injuries or deaths. The incident took place close to Orakan intersection, in proximity to both a rail route and the ad hoc police stronghold…
- Politics News
Pheu Thai Party confides challenges in forming new Thai coalition government
In an evolving political landscape where the constitution, power structures and group conflicts have become major challenges, the Pheu Thai Party acknowledged that manoeuvring the formation of a new coalition government is far from simple. According to Pheu Thai’s Deputy Leader, Phumtham Wechayachai, the party has to remain committed and steadfast in its approach to lead the nation out of…
- Thailand News
Thai health ministry plans dental hospital in each province to boost care access
In a bid to tackle the absence of adequate oral health facilities, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has unveiled a plan to establish a dental hospital in each of the country’s 77 provinces. Dr Opas Kankawinpong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, underscored the urgent need for increased dental care coverage during a seminar, highlighting that with the current number of dentists,…
- Politics News
Thaksin Shinawatra delays Thailand return sourcing health check as deciding factor
Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand, announced yesterday that he would be delaying his return to his homeland from his current location of self-exile. Shinawatra, whose background lies in telecommunications, took to the popular social media platform Twitter to inform followers of his upcoming health checkup, which resulted in the need for him to reschedule his original plan to…
- Thailand News
Thai fireworks depot owners surrender following fatal explosion investigation
The owners of a recently annihilated fireworks depo in Narathiwat yesterday handed themselves over to the police. This revelation was announced by an on-scene informant who wished to remain unnamed. The owners, Sompong Napol and Piyanuch Puengwirawat, both 42, made their way back into Thai territory through the Sadao checkpoint connecting Thailand and Malaysia. This development came on the heels of…
- Thailand News
Chuvit Kamolvisit continues crusade despite liver cancer
Chuvit Kamolvisit has publicly disclosed the severity of his ongoing battle against stage 3 liver cancer. Despite the prognosis, he pledged to utilise his time remaining to illuminate wide-ranging societal quandaries courageously. Chuvit, a former magnate in the massage parlour industry, unveiled his grave health condition ahead of a press conference he hosted on Thursday. The conference was organised to…
- Thailand News
Pita highlights global democracy’s decline, urges youth involvement
Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Thailand’s Move Forward Party (MFP), highlighted the worrying decline in global democracy during a recent talk at a Thammasat University orientation event, encouraging young learners to take a hand in shaping their country’s fate. An influential figure at the frontline of political transformation, Pita confronted the issue of democratic regression emphatically. Pita was a keynote…
- Phuket News
Patong shooting stemmed from Facebook payment demand
In a recent act of violence in the Patong area of Phuket, two people were apprehended following a street shooting incident that happened early yesterday. The shooting led to two victims who have been hospitalised for treatment of gunshot wounds. The victims of this unfortunate incident were 20 year old Nuttawut Hemra a resident of Trang who sustained a gunshot…
- Thailand News
Thai universities investigated over alleged research plagiarism
Prompting concerns over the integrity of education, the Thai Bureau of Higher Learning, Scientific Enquiry, and Research Innovation (MHESI) have launched legal action against around five online portals that have been found dealing in academic plagiarism. The move comes following suspicions that close to 100 scholars linked to 33 universities may have obtained research papers from the Internet. The Deputy…
- Thailand Election News
Thai democracy at risk following Pheu Thai’s exclusion of MFP in coalition
A collective of democratic organisations has appealed to the Pheu Thai Party to reconsider its choice to exclude the Move Forward Party (MFP) from a coalition government, declaring the move as a setback for Thai democracy. Yesterday, a joint statement from 32 unit network cautioned that sidelining of MFP, the party with the most parliamentary seats following the May 14…
- World News
ASEAN immigration authorities to address transborder crimes at Phuket
In the coming week, ASEAN immigration authorities are preparing to convene in Phuket to tackle the ongoing issues of transborder crimes across the region. The assembly will see the participation of delegates from China, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. According to the commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Pakphumpipat Sajjaphan, the Immigration Bureau (IB) along with the Royal Thai Police (RTP), are…
- Crime News
Cyberattack: Thai cybercrime suspects arrested for 77 million baht luxury vintage car scam
The suspects thought to be behind the cyberattack on the Department of Land Transport (DLT) were yesterday taken into custody. The breach caused damages estimated at a colossal sum of 77.35 million baht. The two suspects, 38 year old Satian and 44 year old Sarisorn, are expected to face charges for introducing false information into the computer system and unlawfully…
- Thailand News
Thaksin Shinawatra’s return to Thailand delayed amid prime ministerial vote postponement
The return of Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand and reputed de facto head of the Pheu Thai Party, has been delayed. The strategy appears aimed at facilitating his smooth return, once a government led by his party comes into play, disclosed an unnamed source within Pheu Thai yesterday. The initial return plan for Thaksin was for Thursday, August…
- Thailand News
Fatal fireworks explosion in Narathiwat linked to local smuggling network
Narathiwat witnessed a tragic incident recently as a fireworks storehouse exploded. The owners of the premises, a couple, Sompong Nakul and Piyanuch Peungwirawat, both 42 years old, are believed to have fled to Malaysia, according to the local police following the unfortunate fireworks explosion. There are also reports that their trade has connections with significant figures in the southern Thai…
- Thailand News
Elephant-friendly future possible: Thailand shifts from exploitative tourism to conservation
Elephants: fading into history or stepping into a brighter future? In Thailand, these enormous and intelligent creatures have woven themselves into the very fabric of the country’s heritage and traditional beliefs. Over the centuries, they’ve become emblematic of Thailand thanks to their substantial contributions to warfare, transport, and heavy labour, all of which are largely credited to their immense strength…
- Phuket News
Wave-riding rebels: Phuket probe targets speedboat drivers who ignored safety notice
An investigation is currently underway concerning two speedboat drivers who allegedly flouted a safety notice issued by the Phuket Marine Office. This unfolded on Tuesday, August 1 when the captains reportedly displayed reckless behaviour by navigating their boats precariously in large waves and powerful winds whilst making their way back from Phi Phi Island. The probe into the conduct of these…
- Thailand News
New flower species discovered in Thai wildlife sanctuary by researchers
In the lush Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Betong district of Yala province, researchers have made a remarkable discovery, two new species of flowers, belonging to the Annonaceae family – which hosts the well-known custard apple – have been identified by a team from Prince of Songkla University (PSU). The finding was announced this week by Charan Leeratiwong,…
