- Phuket News
Phuket’s tumultuous news: Raids, accidents, policy changes, and Family Mart’s exit
A series of surprising incidents and noteworthy news have emerged from the island of Phuket. From ongoing raids in the massage parlours of Patong, a perilous vehicular mishap involving a tourist, a tragic road accident, progressive governmental decisions and a significant retail change, the week has been eventful. Unrelenting illicit operations have been underway in Patong’s massage industry where illegal…
- Thailand News
Elderly allowance scheme raises financial accessibility concerns in Thailand
In a bid to ease the strain on government finances, a transition from universal welfare payments to a stringent elderly allowance scheme has been initiated. This shift has been met with substantiated criticism, although the authorities maintain the necessity of the move, justifying it as a responsive adaptation to cope with Thailand’s rapidly ageing populace. In yesterday’s internal meeting of…
- Thailand News
El Nino lowers Chao Phraya levels, predicted rain in 16 Thai provinces
Thailand’s National Water Command Centre (NWCC) issued warnings regarding severe rainfalls predicted in 16 provinces, even as water levels around the Chao Phraya River are seen to decrease due to the El Nino weather conditions. Surasri Kidtimonton, the deputy of the NWCC and the Secretary-General of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), warned of the heavy showers expected…
- Crime News
Thai crackdown on fake pharmacists reveals illicit cough syrup sales
In an effort to curb drug abuse in the nation, Thai authorities have apprehended 13 individuals posing as pharmacists during a series of synchronised raids across Bangkok. The arrests were made in connection with the illicit sale of cough syrup, a crucial component in the well-known and highly addictive cocktail drug 4×100. These operations were ordered by the Food and…
- Phuket News
Massage parlour raid reveals galaxy of illegal operations in Phuket (video)
A spate of illegal operations was brought into sharp focus, after a massage parlour known as Universe Massage in Phuket was raided and its owner nabbed due to operating without requisite permissions. The drive to crack down on such infringing operations headlined by the Patong Police continues in earnest, with this instance being the third in just over a week.…
- Thailand News
Trunk of sorrow: Thailand’s orphaned elephant Tula crosses the rainbow bridge (video)
In heart-wrenching wildlife news from Thailand, Tula, a 10 month old orphaned elephant succumbed to illness despite diligent care from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The devastating news came to light after the department released a statement via its official Facebook page this Sunday evening. Tula had been under the radar of public attention since…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s first Monkeypox-related death highlights rising infectious disease threat
A severe case of Monkeypox in Thailand, infecting a 34 year old man with HIV and syphilis, culminated in the country’s first fatal mishap related to this viral scourge. The unfortunate news dropped yesterday, courtesy of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC). Explicating the unfolding of events, the DDC’s Director-General Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong took note of the initial discomforts plaguing…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s railway safety upgrade: 693 unauthorised crossings to be rerouted
In the aftermath of a tragic accident last week in Chachoengsao, where a freight train collided with a pickup truck at an unrecognised railway crossing, taking eight lives and injuring three, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) resolved to close 693 unauthorised railway crossings across Thailand. The accident took place on an unauthorised crossing, lacking official signalling mechanisms. Of the…
- Phuket News
Patong police clamp down on tuk tuk misuse of public parking spaces
In a stringent move, Patong Police issued a stringent directive for all tuk tuk drivers to cease occupancy of public parking spaces, with a particular focus on the area alongside Patong Beach Road. The authorities swung into this action following an incident involving a tuk tuk driver who unlawfully utilised a public parking spot on the Beach Road, also known…
- Phuket News
Phuket downpours wreak havoc, TMD issues repeat weather advisory
Rolling thunder and consecutive downpours continued to wreak havoc in Phuket as the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted heavy rain and strong wind waves in the Andaman Sea through until at least tomorrow. The Phuket downpours announcement came this morning, marking the fifth consecutive wet weather advisory. This series of soaking weather is blamed on the “quite strong” southwest monsoon…
- Crime News
Fake abduction ransom scams target Thailand university students
University students in Thailand have been coerced into participating in an intricate scam operation, revolving around filming fake abduction videos. The intention was for these videos to be sent to the student’s parents as a means to extort ransom money. The case emerged when a student from the Lat Krabang district was entrapped in the same scheme, resulting in a…
- Thailand News
Waterspout disaster: One dead, one missing as Thai tour boat sinks in Bang Ta Boon Bay
In a tragic waterspout disaster off Ban Laem district, one holidaymaker perished, while another remains unaccounted for following the fateful sinking of a tour boat amid Bang Ta Boon Bay. The calamity took place on Saturday afternoon when a waterspout, an atmospheric oddity resembling a miniature tornado, assailed their vessel. The rather unusual maritime waterspout disaster, highlighted due to its…
- Thailand News
Pink Line monorail set for trials, free rides for two months
A significant advancement in Thailand’s transportation network is poised to launch its trial operations tomorrow, adding to the city’s mass transit system. The Pink Line, under the control of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), is expected to begin trial runs following the completion of the systems test by the Northern Bangkok Monorail (NBM), the entity bestowed with…
- Thailand News
Russian woman falls to death from seventh floor in Thai condominium
A shocking incident unfolded in Sattahip district, Chon Buri, yesterday, when a 32 year old Russian woman reportedly plunged to her death from a seventh floor condominium, as informed by the local law enforcement agencies. The distressing discovery was made at around 7am at a condo situated on Soi Na Jomtien 4 Road in the Na Jomtien subdistrict. The lifeless…
- Thailand News
Two tourists missing as waterspout capsizes boat in Phetchaburi province
In an unfortunate incident in Phetchaburi province, two tourists have gone missing when their tourist boat was capsized by a waterspout while sailing across Bang Ta Boon Bay near the Ban Laem district. The dreadful event occurred on a Saturday afternoon, around 5pm and was reported to the police on emergency number 191. The boat, carrying seven tourists, was in…
- Crime News
Online fraudsters prompt Thailand’s DES Minister to call for halt on unauthorised bank transactions
Thailand’s Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) strongly urged banks to halt unauthorised transactions following a request by their customers. This suggests an effort to mitigate the financial damages inflicted by online fraudsters on unsuspecting victims. The directive comes in light of the recent enactment of the Royal Decree on Cyber Crime Prevention and Suppression, which came into effect…
- 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
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
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,…
