Mitch Connor
- Thailand News
Ex-national parks chief’s complaint rejected in bribery scandal case
A bribery scandal involving a former director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation in Thailand took a new turn as the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases dismissed the complaint filed by the accused against the arresting police officers. Rutchada Suriyakul Na Ayutya accused members of the police Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) of malfeasance, fabricating…
- Thailand News
Student denied college interview over methamphetamine vindicated by second test
The 19 year old student from Khon Kaen who was initially deemed ineligible for a college interview test due to a positive methamphetamine test has now been cleared after a second test came back negative. The family plans to submit the blood test results to Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Pharmacy to confirm her eligibility for the interview test. Last week, Anama…
- Phuket News
Alcohol ban in Thailand on June 3 for Visakha Bucha and royal visit
A nationwide alcohol ban will be enforced in Thailand this Saturday, June 3, in observance of the Buddhist holiday Visakha Bucha. The ban coincides with a royal visit to Phuket by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, celebrating Her Majesty’s birthday. Visakha Bucha commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Prince Siddhartha, which all occurred on the same date,…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network warns parties against reinstating plant as narcotic
The Cannabis Future Network in Thailand has called upon three alliance parties not to reinstate cannabis as a narcotic drug, referring to the decision as “getting the first shirt button wrong” and potentially leading to further issues. The network leader, Prasitchai Nunual, expressed his concerns on their Facebook fan page, stating that the ad-hoc committee responsible for discussing the removal…
- Phuket News
Car slams into streetlamp, driver faces reckless driving charge
A car accident occurred on a bypass road in Phuket, resulting in a streetlamp being knocked down. The incident took place today in the early hours of the morning, near a PTT petrol station on the southbound lanes of the road. The vehicle involved was a white MG sedan with red license plates from Samut Sakhon. The car sustained significant…
- Crime News
Update: Canadian hitman extradited to Thailand over Indian gangster’s murder in Phuket
Matthew Dupre, an alleged contract killer implicated in the murder of Canadian-Indian gangster Jimi Sandhu, back in February 2022, has been discreetly extradited to Thailand to face charges. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) announced that the Alberta Court in Canada agreed to send Dupre back to Thailand to face legal proceedings. Royal Thai Airforce Officers travelled to Vancouver to escort the…
- Thailand News
Pheu Thai supporters urge split from MFP amid House speaker rift
A faction of Pheu Thai supporters is urging the party to distance itself from the Move Forward Party (MFP) due to an internal disagreement over the House speaker position. Despite this, the majority of the group continues to back Pheu Thai’s commitment to vote for MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat as the next prime minister and permit the MFP to spearhead…
- Thailand News
Fraudster nabbed after swindling millions in Bangkok investment scheme
A woman sought for her alleged involvement in a fraudulent investment scheme was apprehended yesterday after evading capture for nine months. The 55 year old suspect, Pimpicha Suthornsupisal, stands accused of deceiving numerous individuals, resulting in millions of baht in losses. The arrest took place in a car park within a dormitory complex located in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district. Pimpicha,…
- Central Thailand News
Tour boat ablaze in central Thailand
A tour boat, which was a modified cargo barge made of teak wood, caught fire while docked at a pier in the main city district of Thailand’s central Ayutthaya province early this morning. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, Bangkok Post reported. The incident occurred around 1am at a boat pier near Wat Phanan Choeng in tambon Khlong Suan Phlu. Upon…
- Crime News
Journalist arrested for allegedly demanding millions in bribe to drop charges in Thailand
There’s been another bribery scandal in Thailand. A journalist has been arrested in Thailand for allegedly using her connections with a senior police officer to demand 14 million baht from a Chinese suspect in return for having charges against her dropped. National deputy police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn revealed the arrest on Saturday, stating that Guo Rui, also known…
- Phuket News
Russian man tragically drowns off Patong Beach
A tragic incident occurred yesterday off the coast of Patong Beach when a Russian man drowned while swimming in the sea. The drowning was reported to the Patong Police Station at 7.55am, Bangkok Post reported. Rescue workers, lifeguards, and Patong Hospital personnel attempted to save the man. Despite their best efforts to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the man could not be saved.…
- Crime News
Lawyer denies aiding Thai cyanide serial killer in evidence concealment
Thannicha Aeksuwannawat, the lawyer of Thai cyanide serial killer Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn denied charges of assisting her client in destroying or concealing evidence. Thannicha reported to the Crime Suppression Division’s head office yesterday to face charges of aiding another person in evading punishment or receiving a reduced penalty by destroying or concealing evidence of crimes, in violation of Section 184. After two…
- Environment News
THAI collaborating with Bangchak on sustainable fuel initiative
Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) has recently partnered with Bangchak Corporation Plc to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focusing on technical and professional knowledge sharing in the field of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) utilisation. The chief of corporate strategy at THAI, Taviroj Songkumpol, stated that the national carrier has been striving for over 63 years to maintain a balance…
- Environment News
Bangkok seeks 90 billion baht budget approval for green spaces and pollution projects
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to request a 90 billion baht budget for 2024, with plans to revise policies in line with global trends and the new cabinet’s direction. This decision follows a recent meeting of the Bangkok Executive Board, chaired by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Chadchart revealed that the budget management format would adopt a zero-based budgeting approach.…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Malaysia collaborate on new transborder road to boost ties
A new road connecting Thailand’s Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla to Malaysia’s Bukit Kayu Hitam town in Kedah state is set to be built, following an agreement between the two countries aimed at strengthening their ties. Chonthun Sangpoom, the deputy secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), said yesterday that the SBPAC and state agencies participated in the…
- Thailand News
MFP reassures cannabis businesses amid plans to re-list as narcotic
The Move Forward Party (MFP) reassured registered marijuana growers and cannabis business operators that their interests will be safeguarded in the future, even if the drug is reclassified as a narcotic. Deputy MFP leader Sirikanya Tansakun explained that the party’s primary objective in re-listing cannabis as a narcotic is to enable state officials, including the police and the Office of Narcotics…
- Thailand News
Thai King to cover medical costs for victims of Phichit school roof collapse
His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has pledged to cover the medical expenses of those injured in a tragic roof collapse at a school in Phichit during a storm on Monday evening. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced this decision during a visit to the affected Ban Noen Po School and the local community in Sam Ngam district, following…
- Phuket News
Phuket police arrest man with over 5,000 methamphetamine pills
Phuket police have apprehended a man in Ratsada who was found to be in possession of over 5,000 methamphetamine pills, also known as ya bah. The arrest occurred yesterday afternoon as part of an ongoing campaign targeting drug users and dealers, led by Phuket Provincial Police Chief Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong and other senior officers on the island. The suspect,…
- Thailand News
Bangkok to expand Google Classroom project to all 437 schools by 2026
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has unveiled its plans to implement the Google Classroom project across all 437 schools under its jurisdiction within the next three years. The announcement follows a successful pilot project in collaboration with Google at Thainiyomsongkroa School in the Bang Khen district. The Google Classroom project emphasises “learning connectivity and data accessibility,” providing each student with…
- Thailand News
Cannabis shop near top school suspended amid licence scrutiny
A cannabis shop near the prestigious St Joseph Convent School on Silom Road has had its licence suspended for one month by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM). The dispensary had been operating for six months before receiving criticism due to its proximity to the all-girls school. DTAM’s director-general, Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, revealed that the suspension was a…
- Thailand News
Key Chinese Ponzi scheme member arrested in Bangkok over cybercrime
A key member of a Chinese Ponzi scheme network wanted in China for cybercrime, fraud, and investment scams, has been apprehended by immigration police. The 35 year old individual, known only as Zhao, was arrested following coordination between the Chinese embassy in Bangkok and the Immigration Bureau (IB). Zhao and his associates operated an investment firm that lured people into a…
- Thailand News
US declines Thai F-35 bid, offers F-16 and F-15 jets instead
The United States Department of Defense has informally declined Thailand’s request to buy F-35 fighter jets, according to a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) source. Instead, the US has offered F-16 Block 70 and F-15 E Strike Eagle fighter jets as alternatives. The Pentagon’s decision was announced by Robert F Gordec, the US ambassador to Thailand, during a meeting with…
- Thailand News
Seven arrested for smuggling Chinese nationals into Thailand for potential call centre scams
Seven Thai individuals have been detained for their alleged involvement in smuggling Chinese nationals from Laos into Thailand. Authorities are investigating whether these cases have any connection to call centre gangs. The series of arrests were disclosed in a press briefing held yesterday by Provincial Police Region 3 Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Somprasong Yenthuan, which involved Highway Police, Immigration Police,…
- Thailand News
Democrats to elect new leader amid Abhisit and Watanya speculation
The Democrat Party is set to meet and establish guidelines for selecting a new leader, with Abhisit Vejjajiva and Watanya Bunnag, head of the party’s political innovations working group, being the potential candidates. Yesterday, party spokesperson Ramet Rattanachaweng announced that the caretaker executive panel would convene tomorrow to outline the process for choosing a new leader and appointing a new…
- Thailand News
Bangkok Pride parade aims to boost Thailand’s 2028 World Pride bid
Bangkok is set to host a Pride parade on June 4, with the theme “Door to Equal Asia,” as the city prepares to bid for World Pride 2028. Waaddao Chumaporn, the founder of Bangkok Pride, informed the Bangkok Post that this year’s event will be larger than the previous year, highlighting Thailand’s preparedness to host the global celebration in 2028.…
- Thailand News
Pro-democracy group pressures senators to back MFP leader as prime minister
The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) announced plans to stage a rally in front of the Parliament building tomorrow at 5pm, urging senators to support Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat for the position of prime minister. The rally is scheduled on the same day the Senate will convene an extraordinary session at 9am to discuss a…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Cambodia consider reopening Preah Vihear temple to boost tourism
Anticipation is growing among Thais for the reopening of the Preah Vihear temple ruins in Si Sa Ket after a 15-year suspension to boost tourism and promote peace dialogue with Cambodia. The temple has been inaccessible from Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district since 2008 due to border disputes between the two countries. Soldiers from both Thailand and Cambodia remain stationed…
- Economy News
Thai rice exports valued at 23% more than same period last year
From January to April, Thailand’s rice exports reached 2.79 million tonnes, with an estimated total for the year surpassing 8 million tonnes, according to the government. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, expressed optimism regarding the exports being valued at US$1.5 billion (51.2 billion baht) revenue, a 23% increase compared to the same period last year, as reported by government spokesperson Anucha…
- Tourism News
Thailand’s Tham Luang Cave reopens for tourists in July
Safety measures are being implemented ahead of the Tham Luang Cave site’s reopening in July, as announced by Thailand‘s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok Post reported. The cave gained international attention in 2018 when 12 young Wild Boars football players and their coach were trapped inside for 18 days due to flooding before being successfully rescued.…
- Transport News
Thailand’s Pink Line monorail project faces third extension, delays completion to 2024
The completion date for Thailand‘s Pink Line monorail project has been pushed back by 345 days, marking the third extension granted by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). The new estimated finish date is now set for August 2024, as opposed to the previously anticipated July this year, Bangkok Post reported. Sarawut Songsivilai, Highways Department director-general and MRTA…
