Mitch Connor
- Crime News
Thai tycoon Prayudh Mahagitsiri sentenced in 400 million baht land scandal
In a recent surge against corruption, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) confirmed the sentencing of Prayudh Mahagitsiri, a well-known tycoon, to two years and eight months imprisonment with the charge linked to an infamous land encroachment scandal. The judgement was passed by the Region 8, Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, who serves as the secretary-general of…
- Thailand News
Beach regulations: Pattaya considers time limits due to litter and noise surge
Escalating noise levels and litter are being reported on the popular beaches of Pattaya City. As a result, the city council is contemplating the introduction of strict timings for public access to these beaches, in line with the proposed beach regulations. Reports include disturbances from visitors who choose to extend their beach parties into the early hours of the morning.…
- Thailand News
Green airport: Suvarnabhumi’s sustainable future fueled by solar panel installation
In a decisive move towards clean energy, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) are looking to harness the sun’s power, with the installation of solar rooftop panels on the passenger terminal of Suvarnabhumi Airport. The green airport project is part of a larger crusade intending to derive 20% of the airport’s electricity from renewable sources in the coming two years. Announced…
- Crime News
Chaipattana fraud: Thai police nab 7 in 1.5 million baht foundation scam
Ten people suspected of running a sham investment scheme, donning the name of the distinguished Chaipattana Foundation, have been apprehended by the Thai police. The Chaipattana fraud team have caused havoc since 2021, deceiving their victims into believing they were investing in development projects in the Northeast region. The Chaipattana fraud revelation came from the police’s top boss, the Crime…
- Thailand News
Prescription for progress: Thai institute’s medical faculty initiative tackles healthcare challenge
To address a national healthcare predicament, the Praboromarajchanok Institute (PI), a constituent of the Thailand Ministry of Public Health, laid out a blueprint to inaugurate its faculty of medicine. This move is expected to significantly contribute to the current deficit of medical professionals around the country. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Minister of Public Health, held a meeting with operative officials of…
- Thailand News
Thailand on alert: PM’s rain mandate amid flood concerns
As Thailand braces for a spate of heavy rain and potential flash floods between August 10 to 15, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha initiated a stern mandate to the authorities. PM Prayut is urging the authorities to devise and implement necessary precautions in the wake of the forecasted weather scenario. The PM’s call to action comes amid an alert sounded by…
- Thailand News
Building dreams: Concrete ideas flow at Pattaya villa meet for Zenith Residences
In a groundbreaking development, a meeting was held yesterday morning to discuss innovative concrete solutions for the construction of the new Zenith Residences Pattaya, a luxury housing project comprising seven large residences. This project is set to introduce construction materials and technical solutions that have never been used before in Thailand’s residential construction sector. The meeting’s focal point was the…
- 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…
- 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
Phuket oil spill threatens ecosystem, 4 sea turtles found dead already
An oil spill originating from an unverified source, suspected to be a ship, contaminated the shores of Sirinat National Park and Koh Racha Yai. Authorities have already managed to clear up around 3 tonnes of oil. The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Pornsri Suthanaruk, met yesterday with experts in maritime and coastal ecosystems, the director…
- 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
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
Car accident pins Phuket man’s legs in crushed car
An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding a car accident, as a local man from Chalong, Phuket lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree. The car crash took place in Mai Khao when the man was entering the island late afternoon. The report of the car accident reached the Tha Chatchai Police at 4.55pm. The…
- 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…
- 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…
- Sports News
Manchester United, Buriram United top football favourites in Thai pre-season survey
As the fervent anticipation for the 2023-24 football season begins to resonate amongst fans in Thailand, a recent survey divulges that Manchester United from the English Premier League, and Buriram United from Thai League 1, are the crowd favourites. This comes from a research study conducted by the renowned National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). The study, which ran between…
- 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…
- 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,…
- Thailand News
Climate change threatens Thailand’s tiger conservation efforts, reveals study
The future conservation of tigers within Thailand’s natural habitats confronts a formidable adversary in the form of climate change, according to Jatuporn Buruspat, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Something that is significantly augmenting his concern is the forest fires that relentlessly gnaw away at the territory of these apex predators. In his remarks offered…
- 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
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…
- Thailand News
Prime minister fast-tracks aid for firework warehouse blast victims
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, along with Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, toured the site of a devastating fireworks warehouse explosion in Narathiwat yesterday. The visit aimed to expedite the rehabilitation process for victims and address housing issues caused by the unfortunate incident. Chan-o-cha journeyed to Muno, a village in Sungai Kolok district, to evaluate first-hand the circumstances of those affected by…
- 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 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…