Mitch Connor
- 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…
- Economy News
ERC’s tariff cut to benefit households
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is anticipated to reveal a decrease in fuel tariffs (Ft) from May to August today, resulting in a drop in power tariff rates for households to 4.70 baht per kilowatt-hour unit from the current 4.77 baht per unit. This decision comes in response to public outcry over surges in electricity bills during the summer months,…
- 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…
- World News
Breaking free: Young gay man flees Saudi Arabia for acceptance and safety
A young gay man bravely came out last year, but when his family could not accept him, the 20 year old had no choice but to leave Saudi Arabia, a deeply conservative country, to find freedom and safety. Turki (name changed for security reasons) recalls the harsh treatment he faced from his family after coming out as gay in Saudi…
- World News
Mother buries husband and toddler after devastating Russian attack
Heartbroken Anastasia Komarista buried her two-year-old son and husband on Wednesday, victims of the devastating Russian attack that obliterated their home in eastern Ukraine last week. In a rain-soaked cemetery, she was inconsolable, weeping over their coffins and asking for their forgiveness for being alive. Anastasia cried… “Forgive me! Forgive me! I don’t want to be here. I want to…
- World News
Observers marvel at stunning solar eclipse in Australia
Blokes and Sheilas from all walks of life, including professional astronomers and hobbyist star buffs, made their way to a remote part of Western Australia today to get front-row seats to a gripping celestial event – a total solar eclipse lasting a full 58 seconds. Exmouth, located on the country’s northwest edge, saw caravans lined up, telescopes out in force…
- World News
Tragic stampede at charity event in Yemen leaves over 80 dead, hundreds injured
Over 80 people have tragically lost their lives, and hundreds more were injured in a stampede that took place at a charity distribution event in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. This devastating mishap occurred just before the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a festival observed by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the end of Ramadan. The impoverished citizens of war-torn Yemen had converged at…
- Thailand News
Migrant workers fill gap in Thailand’s tourism and service sectors due to labour shortage
Migrant workers are increasingly filling roles in Thailand‘s tourism and service sectors, due to a chronic manpower shortage, according to Tanit Sorat, deputy chairman of the Employers’ Confederation of Thailand (ECOT). The labour shortage is the result of new Thai graduates choosing freelance jobs and the country’s ageing population. Sorat explained that with many graduates preferring a slower lifestyle over…
- Thailand News
Temporary Covid-19 surge may result in 10,000 daily cases
A new wave of Covid-19 infections is expected to bring daily cases to 5,000-10,000, but a swift decline in numbers is predicted thereafter, according to Dr Nitipatana Chierakul, Head of the Respiratory Disease and Tuberculosis Division at the Faculty of Medicine in Siriraj Hospital. In a statement on his Facebook page, Dr Nitipatana noted a rise in infections caused by…
- Environment News
Thailand’s northern regions to experience decrease in air pollution due to rainfall
Air pollution in Thailand’s northern regions is expected to decrease between tomorrow and Monday due to rainfall, bringing relief to an area where over 2.4 million people have experienced health problems connected to smog, according to the Public Health Ministry. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the public health permanent secretary, reported yesterday that the PM2.5 levels detected in the north ranged from…
- World News
Touchdown in Asia: football’s growth in an unexpected place
The hint is in the name – American Football. It is a sport deeply rooted in American culture and for decades its popularity has been predominantly confined to the United States, parts of Canada and to a lesser extent, parts of Mexico. Over the course of the past two decades, however, the people in charge of the NFL have been…
- Politics News
Thavisin’s strategy: Replace conscription for economic growth
Conscription should be replaced with voluntary enlistment to provide economic benefits, according to Srettha Thavisin, prime ministerial candidate for the Pheu Thai Party. Thavisin expressed his disappointment with a particular politician’s staunch support for maintaining conscription in the name of national defence and patriotism. He asserted that compulsory military service is harmful to the economy, as it diverts skilled professionals…
- Politics News
Prayut: Conscripted soldiers can benefit from opportunities
Caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also holds the position of defence minister, has emphasised his commitment to offering army conscripts chances for educational, occupational, and character development, in order to become contributing members of society. Sharing his thoughts with the press following a Cabinet gathering yesterday, PM Prayut expressed satisfaction upon discovering that certain areas of the military had…
- Thailand Election News
Pheu Thai Party candidate rejects collaboration with coup leaders
Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, a Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate, stated that the party has no intention of collaborating with those involved in the two previous coups. Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, outlined the party’s election campaign strategy along with other key members during a press conference. When questioned about her dip in…
- World News
Beijing hospital fire claims 21 lives
A devastating fire at the Beijing Changfeng Hospital has tragically claimed the lives of 21 people, according to reports on Tuesday. The blaze reportedly began just before 1pm local time at the private hospital, located in the Fengtai district of the Chinese capital. It took emergency crews about half an hour to put out the inferno, with frantic rescue efforts…
- Thailand Election News
Thai EC members travel to Africa for May 14 election prep
The Election Commission (EC) stated that it was essential for all of its members to travel overseas during the Songkran holiday period in order to organise advance voting for the May 14 election, particularly in the three African countries where a significant number of Thai residents now live. Following his return from visits to South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco, EC…
- World News
Record high Netflix subscriptions, imminent password crackdown
Netflix Smashes Records with 232.5 Million Subscribers, and Ad-Supported Tier Going Brilliant Ace stuff from Netflix as they revealed that the number of subscribers reached a staggering 232.5 million in the first quarter, setting some serious records. Not only that, their swanky new ad-supported tier is getting a thumbs up from tv lovers. The streaming titan flexed those financial muscles…
- World News
Musk’s Twitter activities contribute to spreading misinformation
Elon Musk vowed to make Twitter the “most accurate source of information about the world,” yet he has repeatedly used his own account to amplify false claims from some of the internet’s most notorious disinformers, as demonstrated by an AFP analysis of his online activity. Musk’s posts display a penchant for drawing attention to misinformation on topics ranging from the…
- Health
Preventing overdoses in Southeast Asia: Can Australia’s CanTEST model be the answer?
Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand where drug use remains a significant issue, should consider adopting the model of Australia’s first permanent health and drug checking service, CanTEST, which was launched in Canberra around nine months ago. Operating on a harm-reduction basis, CanTEST aims to ensure the safety of drug users by preventing adverse reactions. The service is entirely confidential, with…
- Crime News
Tensions rise in Pattani province following defence volunteer’s murder
A local defence volunteer faced a tragic end in a cold-blooded ambush at a village in the Panare district on Tuesday night. Authorities reported that the unfortunate attack happened around 7.30pm when Ahamad Teh was making his way to the mosque at Ban Surao in tambon Tha Nam to attend prayers. The unsuspecting victim was shot in the head by…
- Covid-19 News
Thailand faces rising Covid cases post-Songkran, new Omicron subvariant emerges
Health authorities have expressed concern over the increasing number of Covid-19 cases following the Songkran Festival, but they maintain that the situation is manageable. The Department of Medical Sciences (DoMS) has identified 27 instances of a new Omicron subvariant, known as XBB.1.16, with one associated fatality. Virologists predict that this new subvariant will spread during the rainy season. Prime Minister…
- Economy News
PM Prayut vows to unearth new sources of alternative energy, lower summer bills
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced that the government is intensifying its efforts to discover new sources of alternative energy in response to complaints about rising electricity bills during the summer months. His statement comes in reaction to social media outrage and calls for the government to take further steps to reduce people’s energy expenses. He said… “It is crucial…
- World News
Fox news settles defamation case, avoids free speech trial
Fox News has gone and landed themselves a last-minute settlement in a massive defamation case, side-stepping an attention-grabbing trial that could’ve put America‘s free speech rights for the media to the ultimate test. Judge Eric Davis shared the belting news that the bigwigs had reached a deal after the 12 jurors had already been picked, and the court was prepping…
- World News
G7 ministers issue urgent warning of ‘severe costs’ for supporting Russia
In a recent meeting at Karuizawa, Japan, G7 foreign ministers warned of “severe costs” for those aiding Russia in its war with Ukraine. The discussions primarily focused on China, with a united front addressing its increasing military and economic power. Although the G7 did not announce any new sanctions against Moscow over its invasion, they promised to crack down on…
- World News
China’s economy reaches new highs after zero-Covid restrictions
Official data released today revealed that China’s economy grew by 4.5% year-on-year in the first quarter, recovering after the conclusion of zero-Covid restrictions in late 2021. This is the first indication since 2019 of the world’s second-largest economy making progress without the strict health measures that effectively controlled the coronavirus but heavily impacted businesses and supply chains. Retail figures, which…
- World News
BTS’ J-Hope answers call of duty, enlists in South Korean military amid fanfare
BTS sensation J-Hope is set to commence his obligatory South Korean military service today, according to local media, becoming the second member of the immensely popular K-pop group to enlist, leading to an overwhelming show of support from fans. The spectacularly successful septet has generated a global cultural impact, selling out stadiums internationally and topping major US charts while contributing…
- World News
Musk challenges Microsoft and Google with ‘Truth-Seeking AI’ to counter politically correct AI
Tech tycoon Elon Musk recently disclosed plans to develop a “truth-seeking AI” that will counter politically correct artificial intelligence (AI) efforts from competitors such as Microsoft and Google, during a televised interview. The founder of Tesla and Twitter reiterated his concerns about the potential threat AI poses, suggesting it could lead to “civilisational destruction.” Musk also expressed his apprehension that…
- Thailand News
Daring heist as Thai man steals four necklaces from gold shop
Local police reported that a man, posing as a customer, entered a gold shop located in a department store in the Bang Sao Thong district. The man showed interest in multiple necklaces before stealing four of them in a daring heist. The stolen necklaces have an estimated value of around 230,000 baht. Security camera footage revealed a man aged between…
- Thailand News
Chartpattanakla Party reveals bold economic development plan for northeast Thailand
The Chartpattanakla Party recently unveiled an economic development policy aimed at boosting the economy and fostering growth in Nakhon Ratchasima and the northeastern region of Thailand. Tewan Liptapanlop, the party’s secretary-general and an MP candidate for Nakhon Ratchasima’s Constituency 1, stated that the policy, dubbed “Korat-nomics,” would assist in transforming the region into a new economic corridor. Liptapanlop emphasised that…
