Neill Fronde
- Hot News
Journalist groups decry new media ethics bill
The House and Senate have been debating a new bill that is supposed to promote media ethics and set media professionalism standards. Now, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association (TBJA) and the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) have both voiced their strong opposition to the bill. In a statement, the TBJA demanded that the bill be withdrawn, citing concerns that it would…
- Transport News
PLTO continues crackdown on illegal taxis
The Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) and Sakhu Police have apprehended four more drivers for illegally operating their vehicles as taxis in Phuket. The joint operation took place at a checkpoint set up at the Sakhu-Nai Yang intersection on Thepkrasattri Rd in Mai Khao and resulted in the stop of two taxis registered in Bangkok with green plates and two…
- Thailand News
M81 Nonthaburi-Kanchanaburi highway testing next year
The Nonthaburi-Kanchanaburi highway, also referred to as the Motorway 81 or M81, will undergo testing in 2024 and be fully operational by the start of 2025. The 96.4-kilometre motorway is part of Thailand’s public-private partnership (PPP) fast-track scheme. The program aims at accelerating the most important investment projects under the Ministry of Transport. So far, the government sank 61 billion…
- World News
NZ pilot taken hostage by Indonesian separatists in Papua
In the Indonesian region of Papua, separatist fighters took a New Zealand pilot hostage and set fire to a small commercial plane after it made a landing in a remote highland area. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and stated that the pilot would not be released until the Indonesian government acknowledged the independence…
- Thailand News
Turkey earthquake death toll rises to over 4,000
As of 9am this morning, the death toll from the massive earthquakes in Turkey surpassed 4,300, with Turkish authorities reporting 2,921 fatalities and Syria reporting 1,444. Yesterday, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck near the Turkey-Syria border in the province of Karamanmaras. The number of deaths is expected to keep rising significantly as search and rescue teams continue to examine collapsed buildings…
- World News
13 Thais skipped flights home from South Korea
The Korean Justice Ministry reported that 13 out of a group of 174 Thai tourists who arrived in South Korea have gone missing. The group arrived via a chartered flight at Muan Airport last Monday but 13 individuals did not show up to board their return flight on Sunday. Muan Airport is located in South Jeolla Province, on the southern…
- Crime News
Molestation charges for Indonesian woman luring boys with PlayStation
A disturbing arrest was made for molestation in Indonesia after a woman was accused of exchanging sexual favours with young boys in exchange for access to PlayStation games. The incident took place in Jambi, the largest city of the province of the same name, on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The woman was taken into custody by police on charges of…
- Transport News
Car fire stops traffic on central Bangkok motorway
A car on the Ploenchit exit ramp of the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway in Din Daeng, Bangkok, briefly caused traffic to come to a halt in the bustling central business district when it burst into flames. The Expressway Authority of Thailand Police and the rescue unit of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department were prompt in reaching…
- Tourism News
Biggest crowd yet for Full Moon Party
Full Moon Party has completely returned to pre-Covid numbers, as tourists from around the world flocked to Haad Rin, Koh Pha Ngan for the massive knees-up. News reports estimated the crowd size to be anywhere between 20,000 to 50,000, and accommodations including hotels and hostels were almost fully booked at 99% capacity. The pier and boats were overwhelmed with large…
- Tourism News
Russian plane engine catches fire on Phuket runway
A Russian tourist plane bound for Moscow faced a terrifying moment when its engine caught fire before takeoff at Phuket International Airport. The 309 passengers and 12 crew on board the 26 year old Boeing 767-306ER, operated by Azur Air, were forced to evacuate the aircraft. Footage from the scene shows flames bursting from the right engine of the Russian…
- Transport News
New twice daily bus links Pattaya and Hua Hin
Hua Hin and Pattaya have long been two popular destinations in Thailand for tourists and expats. Now a new service schedule will link the two cities with buses running twice a day between Pattaya and Hua Hin, beginning February 19. The two cities sit about 325 kilometres apart by road. Both cities are known for their stunning beaches, exciting nightlife, and…
- Crime News
More addictive meth a new drug danger
Love meth but are disappointed that it’s just not addicting enough? There may be a new solution for you. A doctor in Krabi warned about a dangerous new addictive substance found in meth pills. Dr Somkiat Kijthamachet, who runs the Dr Somkiat Clinic, has been providing free treatment to drug addicts for over 30 years. He recently uncovered a new…
- Koh Samui News
German tourist missing after jump from Pha Ngan ferry
Rescue workers continue to search for a German man who shocked onlookers last night by jumping from a large ferry as it departed Koh Pha Ngan. The man is currently lost at sea as worried friends and community members hope for a happy ending. Last night, the deputy director of Surat Thani province Region 2 Police, was informed by the…
- World News
Two years ago today: the Burmese military coup
Today marks a cruel and tragic anniversary. It was on this day two years ago that military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing marched his troops on the Burmese capital and overthrew Myanmar’s elected government. They immediately arrested the democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. The conflict between the Burmese military and anti-coup activists has escalated with widespread violence…
- World News
Singapore man charged with starving cat to death
A man in Singapore was sentenced to 20 days in jail after being fined SGD$10,000 (about 250,000 baht) for starving his pet cat, leading to its death. The 25 year old man was unable to pay the fine and was instead sentenced to serve time in jail. According to court records, The Singaporean man adopted the cat in February 2019…
- Thailand News
Corruption Index: world’s improvements flat, Thailand’s slight
In the Corruption Perceptions Index, Thailand is improving, having jumped nine places to the 101st position in 2022. The previous year, the kingdom was 110th according to Transparency International (TI), a German-based nonprofit that measures and fights corruption worldwide. The index works on a scale of 100, with 100 being completely free of corruption and zero being the most corrupt…
- Phuket News
Passport left in taxi return to tourist just hours before flight
In a heartwarming example of the power of kindness and the helpfulness that can occur in the Land of Smiles, a tourist who lost his passport was reunited with it on his way out of the country. On Sunday, American tourist Edward Freitas accidentally left his travel bag in a taxi in Phuket. The bag contained his passport and important…
- Thailand Election News
Election billboards for Anutin may be illegal
The Rural Doctor Society raised concerns over the possible violation of election laws by 11,000 roadside billboards featuring Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The society posted on its Facebook page calling on the Election Commission (EC) to investigate the matter. The billboards are located outside provincial, district, subdistrict and community-level hospitals under the care of the…
- Crime News
Drug law amendment makes 2 meth pills dealing
To effectively combat the illegal drug trade, a law is being amended in Thailand so that anyone caught in possession of more than one meth pill will now be considered a drug dealer. Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul announced this change yesterday, stating that the current regulation has been exploited by those who actually intend to sell the drugs.…
- Crime News
Suicide bombing in Pakistani mosque leaves 59 dead
Peshawar, Pakistan was the site of a devastating suicide bombing yesterday as a bomber detonated himself in a crowded mosque. The attacker targeted a mosque in a highly secure compound known as the “Red Zone,” which houses counter-terrorism and police offices. Some 400 worshippers were inside the mosque when the bomber detonated explosives, resulting in 59 deaths, with 27 of…
- Bangkok News
Human bones found in rural area of Bangkok
Police are baffled by the mysterious discovery of human bones along Kanchanaphisek Ring Road in a rural area of Bangkok. The bones were just found in the agricultural Khan Na Yao district of the capital city, but it is suspected that they may have been resting there for nearly a year. The discovery of mystery bones was made by the Ruam…
- Thailand News
Revenue Department warns of tax filing scams
The Thai government has taken steps to protect the public from potential scams during tax filing season. They warn that, during this time, scammers posing as Revenue Department officials may attempt to obtain sensitive personal information from taxpayers. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek warned that imposters claiming to be from the Revenue Department will contact potential victims and insist that…
- Crime News
Guards: it wasn’t us who attacked the Indian “tourist”
New information about an Indian tourist who was allegedly attacked by club guards on Pattaya Walking Street yesterday calls into question what really happened. The nightclub guards who were accused of the assault met with Pattaya Police to provide their side of the story. According to the guards, the victim was not a tourist, but an ex-pat and former club…
- Crime News
Police escort officers face criminal probe
After a social media post showing a Chinese woman getting a VIP police escort from Suvarnabhumi Airport caused an uproar, the officers involved are facing a criminal probe. Thai police have come under fire for alleged misconduct. A committee is being established to investigate and potentially take disciplinary or criminal action against four officers who are accused of providing illegal…
- Crime News
Gang of deaf suspects arrested in robberies
Authorities made an unusual arrest in Bangkok after a recent wave of robberies when they took four deaf suspects into custody. Police in Bangkok’s Sutthisan district arrested a gang of four deaf individuals for their involvement in a string of burglaries. According to Siam Rath, the police received a report of trespassing from a caretaker of a property in the…
- Pattaya News
Indian tourist beaten by Pattaya nightclub guards
In an incident sure to fluster the tourism industry’s push to welcome foreign travellers, a group of nightclub guards from an Indian bar were accused of attacking an Indian tourist. The attack went down on the bustling Walking Street in Pattaya in the wee hours of Sunday morning. The tourist reportedly sustained head injuries and was left bleeding on the…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok pub raid can’t find anything illegal to bust
Drug raids have become common around Thailand, but some are definitely less fruitful than others. Sometimes a club is open only during legal operating hours, following all the rules, and packed with law-abiding citizens. Despite receiving complaints from residents in the surrounding neighbourhood, police and army officers found nothing illegal in a recent raid in Bangkok. The raid on a…
- Northern Thailand News
2-year online romance ends when Swedish man dies in motorbike crash
A heart-wrenching tragedy played out when a Swedish man lost his life in a motorcycle crash in Roi Et province. The 50 year old had been in the country for just five days, visiting his Thai girlfriend whom he had met online two years prior. He arrived just a few days earlier to finally be with his Thai love. The…
- Crime News
Police doubt story of teen shot on his 18th birthday
Reports of teen gangs and violence are on the rise in Thailand, and one young man got a mournful birthday surprise, though police are sceptical of what transpired. An 18 year old teen was shot and killed in a tragic incident that occurred in the Greater Bangkok province of Pathum Thani. The incident was reported by Thai Rath, and according…
- Northern Thailand News
Dinosaur footprints found in Kalasin park
Phu Faek forest park, located in the northeastern province of Kalasin, is known for its rich history and geological significance. Recently, the park has made an exciting discovery of fossilized dinosaur footprints. The Department of Mineral Resources, along with park officials, were notified of the finding by a local villager from Ban Nam Kham, in Phu Laen Chang sub-district. Upon…
