- Thailand News
Chiang Mai faces world’s second-worst air quality amid pollution crisis
Northern Thailand is currently grappling with severe air pollution, with Chiang Mai experiencing the second-worst air quality globally. As of today, March 8, air quality monitoring has revealed that particulate matter PM2.5 levels have exceeded the standard in 46 provinces, prompting health warnings and advisories for residents to limit outdoor activities. PM2.5 concentrations surpassed Thailand’s safety standards in various regions,…
- Northern Thailand News
Chiang Mai flower festival blooms success with record visitors
Chiang Mai is basking in the success of its 47th Flower Festival, which attracted a staggering 668,000 visitors, both Thai and international, generating over 80 million baht (US$2.25 million) in revenue. As a result, the province is preparing to enhance the event’s float parade, focusing on innovation and interest for future festivals. On March 8, the deputy governor of Chiang…
- Thailand News
Teenager fatally shot in Hua Hin after Facebook feud turns deadly
A teenager was fatally shot in Hua Hin following an altercation through Facebook that escalated into a deadly confrontation. Another individual sustained severe injuries in the incident that unfolded on Naresdamri Road in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The shooting occurred yesterday evening when an argument over social media between the 16 year old boy, identified as Din, and…
- Thailand News
Royal return: King’s son makes emotional homecoming
In a recent social media post, His Majesty the King’s second-eldest son, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, stirred emotions as he shared a photo from Suvarnabhumi Airport, declaring, “I have returned home, as promised.” The post, which garnered over 25,000 likes and a flood of welcoming comments from netizens, marks Vacharaesorn’s third journey to his homeland in less than a year. Having spent…
- Thailand News
Investigations reveal fake diamonds and counterfeit jewellery
Authorities in Bangkok have launched a crackdown on jewellery businesses, manufacturers, and distributors following a surge in complaints from unsuspecting tourists. The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), alongside key agencies including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Tourist Police, took decisive action to address concerns raised by visitors who felt deceived into purchasing fake diamonds and counterfeit jewellery.…
- Road deaths
Motorcycle repairman fatally crashes into parked truck in Samut Prakan
A tragic road accident claimed the life of a motorcycle repairman as he collided with a parked 18-wheeler truck in the early hours on Samut Prakan province’s Suk Sawat Road. The accident occurred near the Prasamut Chedi Police Station, around 100 metres away from the scene. Police Officer Worachet Dechadesho responded to the incident, which took place at 3.30am today,…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Summer storm alert for 38 Thai provinces including Bangkok
A summer storm warning has been issued for 38 provinces across northern, northeastern, and central Thailand, and Bangkok, as the country braces for possible severe weather conditions expected to hit from March 8 to March 10. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), in conjunction with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, has been closely monitoring atmospheric conditions and has advised…
- Thailand News
Thai government urged to prepare for Myanmar refugee influx
In anticipation of a potential surge in refugees from Myanmar, a security expert called on the Thai government to take immediate action by establishing a safety zone or humanitarian corridor near the Thai-Myanmar border. Associate Professor Panitan Wattanayagorn, speaking to Thai PBS, warned of intensified fighting between government troops and rebel forces during the upcoming dry season, fuelled by Myanmar’s…
- Thailand News
Chiang Mai now world’s third most polluted city
Chiang Mai ranks as the third most polluted city globally amid a severe air quality crisis in northern Thailand, with particulate matter (PM)2.5 levels surging due to widespread forest fires. The situation, which peaked today, March 7, has triggered health concerns and advisories. Northern Thailand is grappling with a significant air pollution crisis. Today, the Air Pollution Crisis Resolution Centre…
- Thailand News
Trang locals vexed by PEA’s abrupt power cuts over minimal dues
Residents in Trang province are experiencing a wave of frustration following a stringent new policy by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) that has led to the abrupt disconnection of electricity services and the removal of metres for overdue payments as low as 100 baht. Without warning, many are caught off guard by the aggressive enforcement that has seen meters removed…
- Thailand News
Raids in Sam Phran uncover non-certified diesel engines
Police raided a warehouse in Sam Phran, Nakhon Pathom, and seized many non-standard industrial products yesterday, March 6. The operation was led by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in collaboration with the Thai Industrial Standards Institute and local law enforcement. Yesterday, a coordinated force spearheaded by Yuthana Praedam, the acting director-general of the DSI, along with Theva Jularee, director…
- Thailand News
Thai man found asleep in police van outside Nong Prue station
Nong Prue Police officers were taken aback last Friday, March 1 when they stumbled upon a Thai man sleeping inside a police van parked right in front of the local station. The bizarre incident left the officers bewildered and concerned for the man’s welfare. Initially appearing innocuous with the van’s engine off and windows tightly shut, the situation took a puzzling…
- Thailand News
Thai police seize 10 million meth pills, arrest major dealer
A major drug bust led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Anutin Charnvirakul resulted in the seizure of 10 million methamphetamine pills and the arrest of a key suspect in Pathum Thani province. In a significant clampdown on drug trafficking, Thai police apprehended a major drug dealer and seized a colossal haul of 10 million methamphetamine pills.…
- Thailand News
Surging gold prices trigger counterfeit boom in Thailand
Police have issued a stark warning about a surge in counterfeit gold following a significant increase in its price. The warning comes after a prominent store suffered a loss of over 8 million baht (US$ 224,000) due to the undetectable blending of gold with other metals using sophisticated techniques. The Royal Thai Police’s Central Forensic Science Division, in a joint…
- Thailand News
Man killed, woman hurt in Chiang Mai domestic clash
A brutal domestic incident left one man dead and a woman severely injured in a Chiang Mai rental room. The confrontation unfolded when a man returned from work and discovered his girlfriend with another man, which led to a violent attack involving a stabbing that resulted in one fatality and one serious injury. Police Lieutenant Colonel Kewaleesiri Psukthanapaisarn, an investigator…
- Thailand News
Indian tourist survives 6th floor plunge onto floating deck
In North Pattaya, a 43 year old Indian tourist defied the odds as he miraculously survived a terrifying fall from a condominium building’s 6th floor, only to land on a floating deck one floor below. Responding to a frantic distress call at approximately 4.36am today, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation’s rescue volunteers arrived on the scene to find the tourist,…
- Thailand News
Japan’s banana boost leaves Thai growers going ape
Thai banana growers are going ape over the news that Japan is considering increasing the import quota of Thai bananas, potentially adding a bunch of up to 100,000 tonnes. This announcement came after a fruitful meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Tokyo, Japan, where the Thai Trade Representative, Naruemon Phinyosinwat, alongside the Thailand team, held discussions…
- Thailand News
Thai abbot found burnt in forest shocks local community
A revered abbot’s tragic demise has sent shockwaves through a Thai community after his body was found burned to the extent that only his upper torso remained identifiable. The abbot, Luang Pu Poon Thitapunyo, of Wat Pa Kesem Suk in Phetchabun Province, was discovered in a forested area behind the temple. The police have been meticulously piecing together evidence ever…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Thailand braces for intense heatwave and summer storms
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for sweltering to intense heat this weekend across upper Thailand, with the risk of summer storms causing heavy rainfall, potential hail, and strong winds. Bangkok is among the areas to be affected. The forecast for the coming week, from March 5 to March 11, indicates that a low-pressure system caused by intense…
- Thailand News
Swiss retiree’s brutal attack on Thai woman sparks outcry in Trang
A shocking incident at a shopping mall in the city of Trang Yesterday left a 58-year-old Thai woman with severe injuries after a violent altercation with a 60 year old Swiss national, Dieter Matthias Straumann. The 25 year old victim’s son, Kritpong Kikkham, is resolute in seeking justice for his mother, who is now hospitalised with a prognosis of at…
- Thailand News
US Army captain defying tradition with a Buddhist twist
In a bustling Southwestern bar at a Royal Thai Navy (RTN) base, a US Army captain stood out, not just for his uniform but for the emblem adorning his cap, the Buddhist wheel of dharma, a rare sight in military circles. Chaplain (Captain) Songkran Waiyaka, one of only 10 Buddhists among over 3,000 religious leaders in the Army, often finds…
- Thailand News
Shooting spree at Terminal 21 Korat unveils workplace vendetta
Nakhon Ratchasima police raced to Terminal 21 Korat following a shooting report at 7.15pm on Saturday, March 2. Amidst bustling shoppers, panic gripped the air as echoes of a previous massacre resurfaced, casting a shadow of fear over the scene. Arriving swiftly, emergency responders discovered Natdanai Leklak, a 30 year old security guard at the hotel, bearing six gunshot wounds…
- Thailand News
Driver’s loss of control ends in fatal crash in northern Thailand
Tragedy struck in the early hours today when a young man driving a sedan lost control of his vehicle, resulting in a fatal crash that left him dead and another person injured. The accident occurred at 12.07am on the Uthai Thani-Manorom road in Tha Sung subdistrict, Uthai Thani province. Police Lieutenant Sakda Sirisophan, the duty officer at Uthai Thani Police…
- Thailand News
Long-fugitive rape suspect caught after 19 years in Thailand
A 52 year old man was arrested yesterday for a 19 year old case involving the rape of a nurse’s aide, a crime he says was motivated by love and financial incapacity. The Central Investigation Bureau’s (CIB) long arm of the law finally closed in on the suspect, known only as Got, who had successfully eluded capture for nearly two…
- Thailand News
Missing Buriram woman found after mysterious journey
After an agonising three-month disappearance, a 22 year old woman from Buriram province was found and reunited with her overjoyed family. The woman, who had been missing since the Loy Krathong festival in November last year, was discovered near a hospital in the Pakham district. Her return was facilitated by a network of community leaders and law enforcement officials. The…
- Thailand News
Burmese woman stabbed in Nakhon Pathom domestic row
A domestic dispute in Nakhon Pathom province escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in a Burmese woman being critically injured after being stabbed. The incident, which occurred in the early morning hours yesterday, has led to the apprehension and confession of the assailant, who claimed the stabbing was unintentional. In the workers’ quarters of a company in Bang Len district,…
- Thailand News
Buddhist temple’s blessing: 3000 eggs donated to firefighters
In a heartwarming gesture of support, the abbot of Wat Lok Moli in Chiang Mai, Phrakhru Paibul Jetiyanurak has rallied behind firefighters battling relentless forest fires for over a month. The revered abbot donated a staggering 3,000 eggs to aid park officials and volunteers in their valiant efforts to quell the flames ravaging the province. In a solemn ceremony, the…
- Thailand News
Loan rejections soar for Thai homes under 3 million baht
The Thai housing market is facing a significant challenge as a growing number of loan applications for homes priced below 3 million baht are being rejected. According to the Housing Finance Association, the rejection rate has spiked to 50%, highlighting the vulnerability of this segment despite its substantial market size. The association’s secretary-general and chairman of the executive board, Alangkot…
- World News
British man dies from vitamin D overdose, spurs health warning
An 89 year old British man tragically passed away after nine months of consuming excessive amounts of vitamin D supplements, leading to a fatal case of hypervitaminosis D. This is characterised by elevated blood calcium levels, which ultimately caused heart failure. The incident has sparked medical professionals to raise alarms over the potential dangers of overconsumption of dietary supplements. David…
- Thailand News
Beauty pageant entrance stirs debate with dramatic emergency
The recent staging of a dramatic entrance by Kanyaphatsaphon Rungrueang Misgrand Pathum Thani at a beauty pageant sparked a mix of criticism and concern across social media platforms. Kanyaphatsaphon, representing Pathum Thani in the Miss Grand Thailand 2024 competition, made her debut with the sound of emergency sirens blaring, as she was laid on a stretcher, ostensibly receiving CPR, before emerging…
