Mitch Connor

Mitch is a Bangkok resident, having relocated from Southern California, via Florida in 2022. He studied journalism before dropping out of college to teach English in South America. After returning to the US, he spent 4 years working for various online publishers before moving to Thailand.
  • Thailand NewsBangkok governor’s approval dips but majority satisfied, NIDA Poll reveals

    Bangkok governor’s approval dips but majority satisfied, NIDA Poll reveals

    A recent poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) reveals that most residents are content with the performance of Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt after his first year in office. However, the 57 year old’s approval rating experienced a decline compared to a similar survey conducted after his first six months. The poll involved a sample of 2,000 eligible…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket immigration issues yellow cards to Thai landlords and foreigner

    Phuket immigration issues yellow cards to Thai landlords and foreigner

    Last month, Phuket Immigration Bureau reported that five Thai landlords received yellow cards while only one foreigner was given a warning. Twenty-three foreigners were arrested during the same month for various violations classified under Group 4, which pertain to offences against the state. Additionally, nine landlords or property managers were arrested for failing to register their foreign tenants, as required…

  • Phuket NewsTaxi-ous times in Phuket: Crackdown leads to double ‘fare-ests’ in Kathu

    Taxi-ous times in Phuket: Crackdown leads to double ‘fare-ests’ in Kathu

    Phuket‘s crackdown on illegal taxi drivers continues, with two arrests made in Kathu last week. At Si Kor Intersection, Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) officials and Kathu Police officers set up a checkpoint to identify and apprehend drivers using their private vehicles for commercial transportation services. The operation took place on the main road to and from Patong, the island’s…

  • Thailand NewsSpice of success: Thai chef ‘thais’ the knot as first-ever MasterChef UK winner

    Spice of success: Thai chef ‘thais’ the knot as first-ever MasterChef UK winner

    Chariya Khattiyot made history last week by becoming the first Thai chef to win the prestigious MasterChef UK competition. Her innovative northern Thai dishes wowed the judges throughout the eight-week BBC One contest, ultimately triumphing over 44 other contestants. The 40 year old Thai chef entered the competition to showcase the diverse flavours of northern Thai cuisine, which she is…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Woman injured by falling tree amid severe weather warnings

    Phuket Woman injured by falling tree amid severe weather warnings

    A 44 year old Phuket woman was left unconscious after a tree fell on her motorcycle during heavy rain and strong winds in Phuket yesterday. Police were notified of the incident at around 10.30am. The incident took place on a small road leading to the sea gypsy village on Koh Siray, The Phuket News reported. The woman, identified as Duendem…

  • Phuket NewsForeign man hospitalised due to Phuket boat propeller injury

    Foreign man hospitalised due to Phuket boat propeller injury

    A foreign man injured by a boat propeller was hospitalised in Phuket on Thursday. The incident was reported on Friday, but no details have been released regarding the circumstances that led to the injury, according to The Phuket News. Emergency medical workers were alerted to the incident at around 4.45pm, according to a report by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation…

  • Crime NewsForeign man severely injured in Pattaya knife attack

    Foreign man severely injured in Pattaya knife attack

    Another late-night violent incident kicked off in the seaside island resort of Pattaya. A foreign man was brutally attacked with a knife and left with severe injuries in the city late last night, according to local authorities. An investigator with Pattaya Police, Police Lieutenant Colonel Thatsak Jiratikulchai, stated that the attack took place in Soi Jomtien 13 in tambon Nong…

  • Phuket NewsRussian tourist drowns in Phuket after ignoring beach red flags

    Russian tourist drowns in Phuket after ignoring beach red flags

    A Russian tourist tragically drowned at Naithon Beach in Phuket, despite lifeguards’ warnings and red flags prohibiting swimming in the area. The incident occurred yesterday, marking the fourth drowning in Phuket within the past week and the second involving a Russian national, The Phuket News reported. The man entered the water around 4pm, ignoring the red flags signalling dangerous conditions.…

  • GuidesThailand’s most exotic places

    Thailand’s most exotic places

    Thailand, adoringly known as the Land of Smiles, has been a popular tourist destination for the past few decades. The site where a number of popular movies have been shot, as well as a truly amazing cultural experience. With some of the most unique, stunning scenery and the friendliest people, this country is sure to steal your heart away. From…

  • Transport NewsDRT urges partial Pink Line monorail launch to ease Bangkok traffic

    DRT urges partial Pink Line monorail launch to ease Bangkok traffic

    The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) has called on the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to partially open the main routes of the Pink Line monorail to alleviate traffic congestion in the area. The 34.5-kilometre MRT Pink Line is set to connect Khae Rai in Nonthaburi with Min Buri district in east Bangkok via Ram Inthra Road, with…

  • Thailand NewsThailand trials medical drone deliveries across sea to remote island

    Thailand trials medical drone deliveries across sea to remote island

    A groundbreaking trial in South Thailand‘s Satun province saw a drone successfully deliver medicine across a 12-kilometre sea route to a hospital on the island of Koh Puyu. The Public Health Ministry’s research committee conducted the trial in collaboration with a team of developers from Singapore, Skyports, and Gp Capt Anukoon Onchan-om, a student from the National Defence College. During…

  • South Thailand NewsRoadside bomb injures monks and rangers in South Thailand

    Roadside bomb injures monks and rangers in South Thailand

    A roadside bomb blast in the Rueso district of South Thailand‘s Narathiwat province injured three monks and two volunteer rangers yesterday morning. The explosion took place near an agricultural equipment shop in tambon Rueso Ok at around 6.25am, as a white van carrying the monks from Wat Phairot Pracharam passed by. The monks were in the area to collect alms,…

  • Crime NewsNational Park predator arrested for attempted rape of Lithuanian tourist

    National Park predator arrested for attempted rape of Lithuanian tourist

    Police arrested an Erawan National Park employee in the central province of Kanchanaburi after he attacked a Lithuanian tourist and attempted to rape her on Wednesday, May 31. The Lithuanian victim, 27 year old Evilija Grabauskaitem, filed a complaint at Si Sawat Police Station at 4.40pm after the Thai man attacked and tried to sexually assault her near a garbage…

  • Phuket NewsThai Navy plants trees in Phuket to honour Queen’s birthday

    Thai Navy plants trees in Phuket to honour Queen’s birthday

    In honour of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana’s upcoming birthday, officials from the Royal Thai Navy organised a tree-planting event in Phuket yesterday. The ceremony took place at Muang Thalang School, followed by the planting drive at nearby Bang Khanun Forest Park. Vice Admiral Apakorn Youkongkaew, Commander of the 3rd Naval Region, presided over the event. Representatives from the Naval…

  • Thailand NewsThais urged to register for free flu vaccines amid low uptake

    Thais urged to register for free flu vaccines amid low uptake

    A new initiative by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the Ministry of Public Health is encouraging Thai citizens to register for a flu vaccine, which will be available for free until the end of August. The programme aims to curb the spread of influenza and other respiratory diseases. NHSO secretary-general Jadet Thamatthat-aree announced that free flu shots will…

  • Thailand NewsMFP aims to break Thailand’s alcohol monopoly

    MFP aims to break Thailand’s alcohol monopoly

    Hopes are high among small breweries and local distilleries in Thailand as the Move Forward Party (MFP) seeks to liberalise the alcohol industry. The current heavily monopolised industry has made it challenging for small businesses to thrive due to strict laws and regulations controlling production and retailing. Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, the MFP MP in Bangkok’s Constituency 22 and a leading liquor…

  • Crime NewsFugitive in Phuket tourist murder returns to Norway

    Fugitive in Phuket tourist murder returns to Norway

    There’s been a new development on an international fugitive wanted on an Interpol Red Notice for the murder in Phuket. The fugitive, Roger Bullman, is wanted for the murder of British tourist Amiptal Bajaj at a Phuket resort in 2019. Bullman has returned to his home country of Norway, The Phuket News reported this morning. Bullman had been on the…

  • Thailand NewsRooting for innovation: Thai researchers unveil PRK, the tooth-ally awesome breakthrough

    Rooting for innovation: Thai researchers unveil PRK, the tooth-ally awesome breakthrough

    In a significant advancement for dental healthcare in Thailand, local researchers successfully developed an artificial tooth root named PRK, which stands for Phraramkao in Thai or Rama IX in English. This innovation is expected to make dental implant services more accessible to the public by reducing the cost of implants by a factor of ten compared to similar quality imported…

  • Transport NewsAirport Rail Link suffers 70 million baht monthly loss amid 25% commuter drop

    Airport Rail Link suffers 70 million baht monthly loss amid 25% commuter drop

    The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reports that the Airport Rail Link (ARL) service has been losing 70 million baht per month, as it continues to carry fewer passengers than before the pandemic in 2019. To address long-standing operational issues, the SRT chose to involve a private company, Asia Era One, in managing rail operations during the pandemic. An agreement…

  • Politics NewsIllegal truck bribe stickers prompt Thai police chief to launch investigation

    Illegal truck bribe stickers prompt Thai police chief to launch investigation

    The existence of covert stickers indicating that trucks operating illegally on Thailand’s roads have paid bribes to police and other officials to avoid arrest has been confirmed by national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas. This revelation comes after the issue was raised by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a Move Forward Party list MP-elect. As a result, Pol Maj Gen Ekkaraj Limsangkat,…

  • Thailand NewsMyanmar migrant killed, 10 arrested after pickup truck overturns in Kanchanaburi

    Myanmar migrant killed, 10 arrested after pickup truck overturns in Kanchanaburi

    A tragic incident occurred in Kanchanaburi’s Sangkhla Buri district when a pickup truck smuggling illegal migrants from Myanmar overturned, resulting in one fatality and ten arrests. A police officer was also injured during the operation as he was struck by one of the three pickup trucks involved in the smuggling. Late Wednesday night, a joint team of soldiers, police, and…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket nightclubs raided for late trading, serving alcohol to minors

    Phuket nightclubs raided for late trading, serving alcohol to minors

    Two Phuket nightclubs in the Kathu district have been raided by officials from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) and the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor). The clubs, the Ratree Club and Mahanakorn Phuket were accused of late trading, public disturbance, serving alcohol to minors, and operating without proper permits. The raids were carried out early this morning after a plain-clothes officer confirmed…

  • Thailand NewsThai armed forces plan to halve generals, save billions by 2027

    Thai armed forces plan to halve generals, save billions by 2027

    Thailand‘s Defence Council has recently given the green light to a reform plan that aims to reduce the number of generals in the armed forces by 50% by 2027, as stated yesterday by Deputy Defence Ministry Spokesperson, Colonel Jittanat Punnotok. Currently, there are approximately 1,200 generals in the military, a military source told Bangkok Post. Between 2017 and 2021, the…

  • Thailand NewsVisa crackdown in Phuket: Over 1,000 foreigners nabbed for overstaying

    Visa crackdown in Phuket: Over 1,000 foreigners nabbed for overstaying

    A crime-free initiative in Phuket has seen significant success, with over 1,000 foreigners caught for overstaying their visas. This achievement is credited to the collaboration between the Phuket Immigration Office and 800 accommodation providers on the island, who have adopted crime-free measures that enable them to report any suspicious activities involving their foreign guests. Phuket’s immigration chief, Thanet Sukchai, revealed…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s DDC warns of monkeypox in LGBTQ community

    Thailand’s DDC warns of monkeypox in LGBTQ community

    News about monkeypox is circling in Thailand once more. Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued a warning regarding the potential rise in monkeypox cases, particularly within the LGBTQ community. The DDC has advised reducing close skin contact and limiting the number of sexual partners to prevent the disease from spreading, Bangkok Post reported. Jakkarat Pittayawong-anont, the director of…

  • Politics NewsDemocrat secretary-general to step down amid party leadership change

    Democrat secretary-general to step down amid party leadership change

    In a new development in Thai politics, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on revealed his intention to resign as the Democrat secretary-general when the party selects its new leader and executives on July 13. The decision on whether a younger individual will be chosen as the new leader will be left to a party committee during the planned general assembly.…

  • Phuket NewsAustralian man arrested in Phuket for damaging van mirror in road rage incident

    Australian man arrested in Phuket for damaging van mirror in road rage incident

    Phuket police apprehended an Australian man for causing damage to a passenger van in a road rage incident, specifically targeting the vehicle’s rear-view mirrors. The man, identified only as Navale, was taken into custody following a complaint received by Wichit Police yesterday morning, The Phuket News reported. According to the police report, Navale and an individual named Haider from Dubai…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket MP warns teachers of jail time for hitting students

    Phuket MP warns teachers of jail time for hitting students

    Phuket‘s Move Forward MP-elect for Constituency 1, Somchart Techathavorncharoen, has issued a warning to teachers that hitting students is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of up to 40,000 baht or up to two years in prison, or both. Somchart made the announcement on his official Facebook page, reminding the public that the Ministry of Education had abolished corporal…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok commuters demand missing link between Green and Yellow lines

    Bangkok commuters demand missing link between Green and Yellow lines

    The operators of Bangkok’s Green and Yellow lines are facing increasing pressure to construct a 2.6-kilometre connection between the two electric train systems. This would enable Bangkok commuters to conveniently switch lines at Ratchayothin and Lat Phrao stations. The Yellow Line monorail, set to begin operations later this year, will serve as a mass-transit link for commuters in Bangkok’s north…

  • Thailand NewsThai police and Interpol unite to combat human trafficking in Southeast Asia

    Thai police and Interpol unite to combat human trafficking in Southeast Asia

    The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is set to collaborate with Interpol in establishing a coordinating centre to combat human trafficking gangs operating in Southeast Asia. A meeting between Thai police officials and the FBI took place at the Interpol Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore to discuss human trafficking prevention strategies. The centre aims to tackle online crimes involving the…