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 NewsThailand’s DDC warns of monkeypox in LGBTQ community | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket sees Covid-19 surge, lax prevention and booster shot issues | Thaiger

    Phuket sees Covid-19 surge, lax prevention and booster shot issues

    Thailand’s island province of Phuket has experienced a concerning surge in Covid-19 infections over the past month, according to the Provincial Public Health Office. Deputy Chief Dr Muanprae Boonlorm highlighted that Vachira Phuket Hospital has seen a rise in Covid-19 patients since the Songkran holiday in mid-April. The number of hospitalisations due to pneumonia and Covid-19 related fatalities have also…

  • Thailand NewsCabinet approves extension for over 200,000 migrant workers amid government limbo | Thaiger

    Cabinet approves extension for over 200,000 migrant workers amid government limbo

    The Thai Cabinet approved an extension for over 200,000 migrant workers’ employment contracts, allowing them to retain their jobs until the new government assumes office, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. The decision impacts workers from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, and comes after an initial rejection of the Labour Ministry’s request for an extension. The change of heart was…

  • Crime NewsTwo arrested in Phuket for selling guns online via Facebook | Thaiger

    Two arrested in Phuket for selling guns online via Facebook

    Two men have been arrested by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) Region 5 branch for allegedly selling firearms online via Facebook from their homes in Kathu, Phuket. The arrests were announced late on Sunday, though the specific dates were not disclosed. In the first raid, at a house in Moo 1, Kathu, officers arrested Kriangkrai, a 31 year old…

  • Thailand NewsEx-national parks chief’s complaint rejected in bribery scandal case | Thaiger

    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 NewsStudent denied college interview over methamphetamine vindicated by second test | Thaiger

    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 NewsAlcohol ban in Thailand on June 3 for Visakha Bucha and royal visit | Thaiger

    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,…

  • Tourism NewsSurat Thani sees 155% increase in international visitors, boosting revenue | Thaiger

    Surat Thani sees 155% increase in international visitors, boosting revenue

    Surat Thani sees a significant increase in international tourists, with over 1.5 million visitors arriving in the province so far this year, a 155% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the provincial governor. Governor Witchawut Jinto announced that since January, the province has welcomed a total of 2.05 million visitors, with 1.5 million being international tourists.…

  • Phuket NewsCar slams into streetlamp, driver faces reckless driving charge | Thaiger

    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 NewsUpdate: Canadian hitman extradited to Thailand over Indian gangster’s murder in Phuket | Thaiger

    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 NewsPheu Thai supporters urge split from MFP amid House speaker rift | Thaiger

    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 NewsUS to import Thai pomelos, Australia greenlights cooked duck imports | Thaiger

    US to import Thai pomelos, Australia greenlights cooked duck imports

    The United States is set to import Thai pomelos next month, while Australia has granted permission to import cooked duck from Thailand after years of negotiation, as announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Rapeepat Chantarasriwong, the director-general of the Department of Agriculture, revealed that the US approved the import of irradiated fresh pomelos from Thailand without any strain…

  • Central Thailand NewsTour boat ablaze in central Thailand | Thaiger

    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 NewsJournalist arrested for allegedly demanding millions in bribe to drop charges in Thailand | Thaiger

    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 NewsRussian man tragically drowns off Patong Beach | Thaiger

    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 NewsPhuket launches inspections to curb foreigner crime, boost reputation | Thaiger

    Phuket launches inspections to curb foreigner crime, boost reputation

    Phuket authorities launched a comprehensive inspection campaign targeting crimes by foreigners to boost the island’s reputation among potential visitors. The ‘white accommodation scheme for foreigners’ was announced by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew. The scheme is being overseen by Pol. Col. Thanet Sukchai, Superintendent of Phuket Immigration, The Phuket News reported. The scheme aims to work with landlords who have foreigners residing…

  • Environment NewsTHAI collaborating with Bangchak on sustainable fuel initiative | Thaiger

    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 NewsBangkok seeks 90 billion baht budget approval for green spaces and pollution projects | Thaiger

    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 NewsThailand and Malaysia collaborate on new transborder road to boost ties | Thaiger

    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…

  • Phuket News24-hour alcohol ban in key Patong areas during councillor election | Thaiger

    24-hour alcohol ban in key Patong areas during councillor election

    A 24-hour alcohol ban is set to take place in key areas of Patong, Phuket, as local residents prepare to vote in a councillor election on June 11. Patong Municipality Election Director Wipa Chanthong confirmed the ban, which will be in effect throughout Patong Municipality Constituency 3 from 6pm on June 10 to 6pm on June 11. Constituency 3 is…

  • Thailand NewsThai King to cover medical costs for victims of Phichit school roof collapse | Thaiger

    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 NewsPhuket police arrest man with over 5,000 methamphetamine pills | Thaiger

    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 NewsBangkok to expand Google Classroom project to all 437 schools by 2026 | Thaiger

    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 NewsThai MP-elect aims to break £11bn alcohol duopoly with progressive bill | Thaiger

    Thai MP-elect aims to break £11bn alcohol duopoly with progressive bill

    A member of parliament-elect with a passion for beer is seeking to challenge the 470-billion-baht alcohol duopoly held by two of Thailand’s wealthiest families, following the Move Forward Party’s recent election victory. Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a 34 year old brewer turned politician, has long fought against stringent regulations that benefit Boon Rawd Brewery and ThaiBev, the two companies dominating the country’s…

  • Thailand NewsKey Chinese Ponzi scheme member arrested in Bangkok over cybercrime | Thaiger

    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…