Neill Fronde

Neill Fronde

Neill is a journalist from the United States with 10+ years broadcasting experience and national news and magazine publications. He graduated with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of California and has been living in Thailand since 2014.
  • Road deaths

    Motorcycle crash on bridge claims life of 30 year old Rayong man

    A fatal motorcycle crash occurred on a bridge in Rattanathibet, Nonthaburi today when a 30 year old man from Rayong, lost control of his motorcycle, hit the bridge rail and fell onto the ground below. The man was identified as Kittiphong, originally from Klaeng, Rayong. A motorbike taxi driver who witnessed the incident reported that Kittiphong had been weaving erratically…

  • Thailand News

    Frustration mounts over costly and limited professional teacher exam registration in Thailand

    Social media was ablaze yesterday with complaints about the online application process for the professional teacher exam. Internet users were left frustrated by the high cost and limited availability of spaces. Some had to travel to different provinces for the exam and questioned whether a survey of potential applicants had been conducted before the opening. The Office of the Secretary…

  • World News

    Internet star apologises for staged kissing clip misinterpreted as sexual violation

    A famous Internet personality is offering clarification on a viral kissing video clip that caused an uproar, featuring a woman forcibly kissing a delivery worker. She stated that the incident was merely a staged scene for content creation and not an act of sexual violation. The kissing clip that sparked controversy among social media users shows a delivery worker being…

  • Road deaths

    Roadside accident sends baby flying from car, vendor turns hero

    A horrifying roadside accident involving an 18-wheel lorry, a 6-wheel truck, and a sedan caused tragedy in the Nong Khae district of Saraburi. A nine month old infant was flung through the car’s windscreen during the collision. The incident occurred on Phahon Yothin Road, under the Phra Chai overpass. Three people were injured in the chilling event. The victims included…

  • World News

    Lift plunge tragedy: Five employees killed at Bali’s Ayuterra Resort

    A tragic lift plunge on the popular Indonesian tourist island of Bali led to the death of five hotel employees. The small electric railcar used within the Ayuterra Resort in Ubud was reported to have suddenly fallen on September 1. The ongoing investigations by the local police are focusing on why the railcar’s cable snapped. The unfortunate lift plunge transpired at the…

  • Bangkok News

    Bangkok Governor Chadchart to attract growth from multinationals

    In a bid to stimulate economic growth, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt intends to transform the city into a base for multinational corporations. This initiative, according to Chadchart, should dovetail with the government’s strategies as it would bolster the city’s economy and generate employment opportunities. “Urban centres are essentially labour markets. The reason people reside in such areas is the availability of…

  • Crime News

    Teenager severely burnt in Molotov cocktail attack in Pattaya

    In a sudden and brutal attack, a 16 year old teenager in Pattaya was the victim of a Molotov cocktail assault. The incident occurred in the wee hours of today, resulting in severe burns for the young boy. The location of the attack was Soi Khao Noi, situated in the Nong Prue sub-district, Banglamung district, within the province of Chon…

  • Crime News

    Phuket tuk tuk driver shooting sparks alarm in bustling tourist hub

    A rivalry between two tuk tuk drivers escalated to violence today when one of the drivers was shot in the stomach and thigh near the entrance of Bangla Road in Phuket. The incident occurred in the vicinity of TaiPan Nightclub, situated on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road, about 700 metres from Patong Police Station. Shortly after midnight, Patong Police were informed…

  • Phuket News

    Kazakh tourist drowned on Phuket beach after ignoring weather warning

    The body of an 18 year old tourist from Kazakhstan, was discovered washed ashore drowned on Nai Yang Beach, Phuket. The man’s body was found two days after he was declared missing. He had reportedly gone for a swim amidst inclement weather on September 1 and failed to return, sparking a search operation. A lifeguard from Nai Yang Beach found…

  • China News

    Chinese developer Country Garden secures bond repayment delay amid liquidity crisis

    Chinese developer, Country Garden, has successfully secured creditor approval to postpone a critical bond repayment deadline, narrowly dodging a potential default. This agreement provides temporary relief amidst a liquidity crisis that has significantly impacted the nation’s financial markets. Country Garden gained enough support in a vote concluded yesterday to extend payments on the 3.9 billion yuan (18 billion baht) outstanding…

  • World News

    Human trafficking victim rescued from Myanmar ring by Thai officials

    Chiang Rai officials have successfully executed a rescue operation, saving a 29 year old Udon Thani woman, known as Nam, from a human trafficking ring in Myanmar. It was revealed that she had been coerced into providing sexual services to call centre employees in the Shan state by Chinese perpetrators. The incident was initially flagged by a citizen journalist from…

  • Business News

    15 years of escrow legislation: 867 billion baht in transactions

    Data released by the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has shed light on the impact of escrow legislation over a 15-year span. According to an anonymous FPO source, escrow service transactions during this period totalled a hefty 867 billion baht, the majority of which were linked to capital market transactions. The Escrow Account Act came into effect in 2008, and from…

  • Business News

    Bangchak acquires Esso Thailand bolstering network and refining capacity

    In a significant move in Thailand’s petroleum sector, Bangchak Corporation secured a resounding acquisition of Esso Thailand. ExxonMobil Asia Holdings’ relinquishing of a 65.99% majority stake to Bangchak marks the completion of this transaction. As a consequence of this development, around 700 Esso petrol stations throughout the country will commence operations under Bangchak’s brand, starting tomorrow. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, the Group…

  • Thailand News

    Blue Strike-2023: China and Thailand’s joint naval exercise

    The Gulf of Thailand and the Sattahip district of Chon Buri will serve as the training grounds for the Blue Strike-2023 joint naval exercise, involving China and Thailand. Participation from Chinese warships and submarines has been confirmed for this annual drill. The exercise, which will extend from tomorrow to September 10, will take place in the upper reaches of the Gulf…

  • Phuket News

    Phuket Blood Bank and Thai Red Cross launch donation drive for rare blood type

    The Phuket Regional Blood Bank (Phuket RBC) in partnership with the local chapter of the Thai Red Cross and 20 local businesses, have initiated a campaign in September to restock their depleting blood reserves. This campaign invites the local populace to provide their valuable donations at any of the 20 mobile blood donation stations scattered across Phuket, commencing from 2pm…

  • Northern Thailand News

    Loei’s PEA moves transformers underground to boost Chiang Khan tourism

    The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) in Loei has embarked on a mission to relocate electric transformers underground in the tourist-heavy Chiang Khan district. The initiative aims to prevent fire hazards in the district, which is known for its century-old wooden houses. Komkrit Siriyutthaseanyakorn, who heads the local office of the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, stated that…

  • Covid-19 News

    Thai GPO’s Covid-19 vaccine set for 2023 launch, targets 10 million doses annually

    Thailand’s National Vaccine Institute (NVI) is making significant strides with its first domestically produced Covid-19 vaccine, HXP-GPOVac. The vaccine, currently in its third stage of clinical trials, is on track to conclude this phase by the end of the month. This development represents a crucial step forward for Thailand’s efforts to continually combat the pandemic. The vaccine’s production is overseen…

  • Tourism News

    Thai government considers visa system revamp to boost tourism revenue

    A major revamp of the visa system is presently under deliberation by the Thai government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The amendments are anticipated to augment revenue generated from vital tourism markets like India and China. The call to review the visa system originated from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They acted in response to many complaints from…

  • Phuket News

    Chalong underpass closure in Phuket tonight for essential pump repairs

    Phuket’s Chalong Underpass will be inaccessible to all traffic tonight due to closure to perform critical repair works on the tunnel’s pump system. The Phuket Highways Office has issued a statement detailing the closure timings, which commence from 9pm today and extend until 5am tomorrow. This is not the first instance of such a closure; the region’s ongoing rainy season…

  • Thailand News

    Surrogacy ring arrest in Bangkok linked to missing toddler case

    A series of raids and an arrest have been carried out against an international surrogacy ring, suspected to be tied to last year’s missing toddler case in Bangkok. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) this week searched three clinics in Bangkok and a building in Nong Khai, with a man apprehended for suspected involvement as an agent in the operation.…

  • Crime News

    Teenager critically injured in shocking acid attack in Buriram

    A shocking acid attack has left an 18 year old girl critically injured in Buriram. The incident occurred while the victim, Natthikarn Khairum, known as Aum, was dining with her family members at a local eatery in Nang Rong district. The caustic acid resulted in skin burns for both her aunt, Wiwat Chaketram, and grandmother, Ta Bawornram, albeit less severe.…

  • Thailand Weather Updates

    Severe storms to hit Kanchanaburi: flash floods, forest runoff risks

    Kanchanaburi is on high alert for severe storms, with the local authorities warning of the risk of flash floods and forest runoff in two districts. The announcement, made by acting governor, Ronnapop Wiangsima, comes after the Thai Meteorological Department issued a strong storm warning. This warning is in effect from today until September 3, affecting Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhla…

  • Crime News

    Bangkok woman arrested for K-pop ticket scam, accused of defrauding 7,000-8,000 baht

    A 57 year old woman, known as Aunt Prayun, was arrested yesterday, for allegedly defrauding people by selling fake tickets and merchandise for popular K-pop bands. She was taken into custody from her rental home in the Phaya Thai district in Bangkok. Prayun was accused of claiming to pawn her bank account for 7,000-8,000 baht she was netting selling fraudulent…

  • Economy News

    Gold prices see slight lift, gold ornaments trading at 32,500 baht

    Gold prices surged today as the Gold Traders Association revised rates upwards. This comparison is made to the end prices of August 28, when gold ornaments were selling at 32,500 baht per baht weight. Today, the price was revised upwards by 100 baht, compared to the closing price of August 28. The price of gold ornaments moved to 32,500 baht…

  • Thailand Weather Updates

    Rain reign: TMD’s fifth warning signals monsoon mayhem

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its fifth warning due to a strong monsoon bringing heavy rain across various regions. Flash floods and forest runoffs are anticipated, especially in mountainous and low-lying areas. People are urged to be cautious, particularly in thunderstorm-prone zones. The warning comes as a robust monsoon trough is currently passing through northern, northeastern, and upper central…

  • Business News

    Siam Cement delays SCGC IPO citing adverse economic climate

    The initial public offering (IPO) of Siam Cement Group‘s subsidiary, SCG Chemicals Plc (SCGC), has been delayed. Citing the company’s large size and the current adverse economic and investment climate, the parent company, Siam Cement Group (SCG), did not provide a new timeline for the IPO. This announcement was made by Roongrote Rangsiyopash, the President and Chief Executive of SCG.…

  • China News

    Chinese breasts: Couple’s sexy subway ride, Idol’s nude mishap

    Things are getting spicy in China. A couple was spotted getting frisky on a subway train, while a Chinese social media influencer fell out of her bikini top, baring her breasts in a live broadcast. A daring couple recently put on a public display of affection on a subway train in Shenzen, undeterred by the presence of numerous fellow passengers.…

  • Road deaths

    Postal truck crash injures seven and causes traffic chaos

    A postal truck en route to deliver parcels crashed into five vehicles in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region province of Pathum Thani, injuring seven. The incident occurred today at 7am. Officer Jesada Sornmuang, an investigator at Khu Khot Police Station, was notified of the multi-vehicle collision on Phaholyothin Road near the Si-Rangsit underpass in Kukot subdistrict, Lam Luk Ka district. The…

  • Crime News

    Teen love triangle leads to shooting, father seriously injured

    A midnight teen brawl over a girl ended up in a violent shooting, leaving one seriously injured in Bang Khonthi district in Samut Songkhram province. Officers from Bang Khonthi Police Station were alerted to the incident, which took place at around 10.30pm yesterday. The violence unfolded near the popular local eatery, Pad Thai Jee Tan. At the scene, authorities found…

  • Thailand News

    Human trafficking: Thai “masseuses” escaped from Maldives

    A woman was arrested at Don Mueang airport on charges of human trafficking and exploiting two Thai women by promising them high-paying massage jobs in the Maldives. The women, however, were forced into prostitution upon arrival. The arrest took place yesterday, followed by a complaint by the victims who managed to escape and seek help from the Thai embassy in…