Mitch Connor
- Pattaya News
Royal Thai Navy releases artificial coral reefs to boost eco-tourism and marine conservation
The Royal Thai Navy, along with various partners, has celebrated Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s birthday by releasing 69 units of artificial coral reefs on the seabed of Koh Samae San in Sattahip district, Chon Buri province. The occasion was graced by the presence of Gen Surayud Chulanont, President of the Privy Council and Chairman of the Khao Yai Protection Foundation.…
- Thailand News
Chinese ambassador expresses confidence in Belt and Road Initiative benefiting Thailand and China
Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang expressed his confidence yesterday that China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would foster mutual growth and provide numerous benefits to both Thailand and China. Speaking at a seminar titled “Contemporary China with the World: An Exchange of a New Generation between Thailand and China,” the ambassador highlighted the BRI’s role in guiding and advancing bilateral relations…
- Thailand Election News
Overseas voting dates set for Thai election: Apr 25-May 5
Ahead of the Thai General Election set for May 14, eligible Thai voters who reside overseas will have the opportunity to cast their votes between April 25 and May 5. The specific date within this period on which Thais can vote will be determined by the Thai embassy and consulate in each respective country, according to Sawaeng Boonmee, secretary-general for…
- Pattaya News
Scam alert: fake Facebook page swindles Thai tourists out of thousands of baht for Pattaya pool villas
A group of Thai tourists were allegedly tricked out of tens of thousands of baht by a fake Pattaya pool villa Facebook page. Achiraya Malarat, a 27 year old Thai tourist from Khon Kaen province, got in touch with The Pattaya News to expose a scammer who was pretending to be a genuine pool villa operator on Facebook. On April…
- Crime News
Delivery rider finds ketamine in phone box, alerts police
This morning, a motorcycle delivery rider in Samut Prakan, made a surprising discovery when he opened a package that was meant to be an empty mobile phone box, only to find it contained a sachet of the illegal drug ketamine. The delivery driver received a call through his employer’s service system, requesting the pick up of a package from a…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya Police raid nightclub in late night crackdown on illegal activities
Late last night, at around 10.30pm, a nightclub in Pattaya was raided by local police in search of overstayers and those partaking in illegal activities. The venue, known as “Hollywood,” is located on Petchtrakul Road and was filled with approximately 300 patrons, both Thai and foreign, when the police arrived. This raid comes as part of an ongoing campaign spearheaded…
- Covid-19 News
XBB Omicron variant rising in Thailand: New strategies deployed
Approximately 52% of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand have been attributed to the XBB sub-strain of the Omicron variant, according to the Centre for Medical Genomics. As a result, a prominent doctor has urged the public to obtain booster shots before the onset of the rainy season. The XBB variant and its sub-strains have been responsible for recent surges in…
- Thailand News
BJT’s ambitious plan to creating a ‘land bridge’ to boost economic growth in southern Thailand
The Bhumjaithai Party in Thailand vows to push forward with the development of a “land bridge” connecting the Andaman Sea with the Gulf of Thailand, which they believe will stimulate economic growth in the South. Itthidet Supong, spokesperson for Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, stated that Anutin is particularly keen on constructing an overland freight route, which is slated to link…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s Grade 5 textbook sparks outcry over alleged malnutrition endorsement
Critics have misinterpreted the content of a Thai-language textbook for Grade 5 pupils, following allegations that it appeared to condone malnutrition among young children, according to the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC). OBEC’s secretary-general, Amporn Pinasa, asserted that the criticised chapter, found in the Pasa Patee textbook used by fifth-graders, is actually a story about appreciating the value…
- Thailand News
Thai government acts fast to evacuate nationals from Sudan
The government of Thailand is making arrangements to evacuate Thai citizens from Sudan as swiftly as possible, utilising nearby airports such as Cairo Airport in Egypt and the American Air Force Base in Djibouti. This decision follows increasing concerns over the security situation in Sudan, with fears growing for the safety of the estimated 300 Thai nationals residing in the…
- Thailand Election News
Vote wisely: PM Chan-o-cha’s election appeal
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party’s candidate for prime minister, has called on voters to think carefully before casting their ballots, cautioning that electing the wrong politicians could have disastrous consequences for the country. As part of his election campaign, Prime Minister Chan-o-cha visited Tha Pla district to drum up support for the UTN candidates running…
- Environment News
Chiang Mai breathes easier: Summer storms bring air quality relief
The air quality in Chiang Mai has significantly improved due to a series of summer storms, causing hazardous haze pollution and ultra-fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5 levels to drop after months of concern. This is welcome news for residents and tourists alike, as the region has been grappling with poor air quality and the impact it has had on both…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Thailand’s heatwave nears end, rainy season looms
Thailand’s hot season approaches its conclusion as the rainy season is set to begin in mid-May, according to the country’s Meteorological Department. The hot season peaked on April 15, when the temperature reached a record high of 44.6°C in Tak. Deputy director-general Thanasit Iam-ananchai has stated that throughout the weekend, daily heat indices or apparent temperatures are anticipated to surge…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s fruit exports to China keep on peel-ing with a juicy growth
Thailand, already a dominant fruit exporter to China, witnessed a remarkable growth of 3.72% in 2022, generating more than 168 billion baht in revenue. The country’s thriving fruit industry found an avid market in China, which imported over 2.17 million tonnes of Thai fruit last year, according to a recent report from the Commerce Ministry. A diverse assortment of Thai…
- Northern Thailand News
Summer storm wreaks havoc on 2 districts of northeast Thailand province
A summer storm wreaked havoc on two districts of Thailand’s northeast Nakhon Phanom province. Around 70 houses in That Phanom and Renu Nakhon districts were damaged yesterday afternoon, according to authorities. In That Phanom district, both Moo 3 and Moo 8 villages of Tambon Phon Phaeng faced heavy showers, strong gusts of wind, and thunderstorms for approximately an hour. As…
- Crime News
Khao San cannabis vendors face charges for operating without licenses
A joint operation involving the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTTAM), Metropolitan Police Bureau, Chana Songkhram police, and City Hall staff has led to the pressing of charges against five unauthorised cannabis shops located on Khao San Road. The crackdown took place on April 20, following the postponement of ‘420’ weed parties that were intended to take place…
- Thailand News
Thai airforce gets ready to rescue Thais in Sudan
Amidst the ongoing violent conflict in Sudan, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is getting ready to rescue Thai nationals currently stuck in the country. The RTAF has readied an Airbus A340-500 and a C-130 aircraft for the operation. Spokesperson AVM Prapas Sornchaidee said that RTAF commander ACM Alongkorn Wannarot has expressed deep concern for the Thai citizens in Sudan.…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Summer storms to hit upper Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department expects summer storms to hit upper Thailand from Sunday to Wednesday. The department is forecasting summer storms, thunderstorms, gusty winds, isolated hail and lightning in upper Thailand from today (Sunday) to Wednesday. A moderate high-pressure system from China is expected to affect the northeastern region of the country and the South China Sea from Monday to…
- Crime News
Turkish man assaults older Thai man in Pattaya, resulting in serious head injury (video)
A Turkish man assaulted an older Thai man in Pattaya, resulting in a serious head injury. The incident occurred on Pattaya‘s Walking Street on April 18, known as ‘Wan Lai‘ or ‘Flowing Day,’ at around 3am. The Turkish man, 28 year old Mustafa, appeared in video footage to head-butt and shove 61 year old Chadayut, who poured on him during…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Heat and drought expected to impact Thailand
Heat and drought are expected to impact Thailand soon. The end of the summer season is predicted to arrive by the middle of month, but Thailand is expected to face the harsh impact of the El Niño phenomenon around the middle of June. This will lead to severe drought conditions, according to the Meteorological Department (MD), Bangkok Post reports. The…
- Thailand News
Officials establish help centre for Thais in Sudan
Following the outbreak of violent clashes in Sudan, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) has established a help centre for Thais who are currently in Sudan. The SBPAC set up the centre to aid 210 Thai students who are currently facing difficulties in Sudan, as fighting continues to escalate in the nation’s capital, Khartoum. The centre is located at…
- Politics News
Thailand’s PM visits Chiang Mai, a Pheu Thai stronghold
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is hoping to win over supporters in Chiang Mai, a province historically known as a stronghold of support his rival Pheu Thai Party. The No.1 prime ministerial candidate for the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party visited Chiang Mai yesterday in an attempt to sway voters, Bangkok Post reported. Prayut, joined by key UTN Party members including…
- Thailand News
American YouTuber popular with Thais to compete in influencer boxing event
An American Youtuber who is popular among Thais is gearing up to compete in the “Influencer Boxing” contest in England today (Saturday). With over 13 million subscribers on YouTube, 30 year old Nathan Bartling has become a household name in Thailand and is proud to represent the country he now calls home. Bartling said on social media… “I never thought…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya mayor takes part in rice festival
On Thursday, Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches took part in the traditional Kong Khao (rice) festival in the local town of Naklua. This fascinating ceremony is an integral part of Chonburi province culture, attracting hundreds every year to honour and seek the blessings of the sacred guardian spirits, deities and other protective entities known to protect the local population. The Kong…
- Thailand News
Thailand considers providing free e-cigarettes following England’s strategy
Thailand‘s End Cigarette Smoke Thailand (ECST) Group has praised the UK‘s efforts to provide free vaping kits and its focus on preventing minors from accessing e-cigarettes. This positive response follows England’s recent announcement of a £45 million budget for the distribution of vaping kits to reduce smoking rates. The campaign includes a further £3 million budget dedicated to monitoring and…
- Crime News
Public hospital director in Thailand caught in underage sex scandal
The director of a public hospital in Leoi province in northeast Thailand and two accomplices were arrested yesterday by Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) officers for buying sex from underage girls. Three men were apprehended by ATPD officers in the Kudpong area of Mueang district. The suspects are Phasakorn Surachaipanya, a 54 year old director of a public hospital in…
- Crime News
Prosecutors requested to charge Kong Salak Plus CEO by DSI
Thailand‘s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has requested that prosecutors bring charges against Panthawat “Nott” Nakwisut, the beleaguered proprietor of the now-defunct Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform, and 16 others for money laundering and gambling offences. On Friday, DSI detectives submitted their findings to the public prosecutors at the Attorney-General’s Office in Bangkok, situated on Ratchadapisek Road. Pongsathon Inamnuay,…
- Covid-19 News
Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16: What you need to know
Thailand has recently reported 27 cases of the new Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16, leading authorities to closely monitor its transmission speed and the ease with which it can escape people’s ability to handle the virus following months, if not years, of vaccinations and herd immunity development. The Ministry of Public Health is recommending that individuals, particularly senior citizens and those with…
- Cannabis News
Khao San’s ‘420’ celebrations cancelled
The 420 cannabis celebrations planned for Khao San Road were cancelled following criticism that the event would breach Thailand’s laws that prohibit smoking cannabis in public places. A local group of vendors intended to organise the Cannabis Day Showcase event with a parade along the street, as cannabis has been removed from the narcotics list. However, the event was met…
- Business News
MGM Resorts set sights on Thailand that could help attract more tourists
Thailand, which has notoriously steered away from gambling, has started to make moves towards legalising casinos – with the hope that it could put them up there with other famous gambling destinations and attract more tourists to the country. In the past few months, lawmakers in the country have approved a report, meaning that there is a very real possibility…
