- World News
Pad Thai sales break world record at LA Songkran event
A Guinness World Record was set during the Songkran Festival in Los Angeles on April 26 after more than 1,300 Pad Thai dishes were sold within one hour. The “2026 Thai New Year: Songkran Festival” took place along a three-kilometre stretch of Hollywood Boulevard, which was closed to host the event. The organisers described it as the largest Thai festival…
- World News
Cambodia pushes back against ‘Scambodia’ label in US media
Cambodia protested against the use of the term “Scambodia” in a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article published on April 19, demanding its removal, which WSJ refused. The article, titled “How Cybercrime became a leading industry in ‘Scambodia’,” stated that Cambodia is a major global hub for scam operations, with compounds described as being the size of small towns. It also claimed…
- Pattaya News
Thai man abandons girl after alleged sex abuse, leaving her clinging to his pickup
A 17 year old girl was rescued after clinging to a moving pickup truck and falling onto a road in Pattaya on Sunday, April 26, following an alleged sexual abuse by the driver. The incident occurred at around 8.45pm on a road along Mab Prachan Reservoir in Bang Lamung district. A 23 year old motorcyclist, identified only as Mix, witnessed…
- Phuket News
Unlicensed BMW driver kills Phuket transwoman while retrieving dropped phone
A BMW driver crashed into and killed a Thai transwoman on April 25 while the victim was retrieving a dropped mobile phone on a road in Phuket. The incident occurred at around 2.30am on Pathak Road outside an entertainment venue in Chalong subdistrict, according to Khao Phuket. The victim, Auttachai Deeprom, sustained serious injuries and later died in hospital. CCTV…
- Phuket News
Foreign tourists take turn showing their private parts on Phuket tuk tuk
A group of foreign tourists were criticised after exposing themselves to motorists while travelling in a tuk tuk in Patong, Phuket. Images posted by the Phuket Times Facebook page yesterday, April 27, showed several foreigners standing in the vehicle, turning towards traffic behind them and pulling down their trousers. The page stated in the caption… “Bottoms show in Patong. Foreign…
- Thai Law News
Thai govt plans to collect 1,000 baht exit fee from Thai people travelling abroad
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans to collect an exit fee of 1,000 baht for Thai citizens travelling abroad to fund domestic tourism. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworrakun said he would consult the Ministry of Finance on reinstating the Departure Tax Act. The law was previously enforced with a 500 baht fee charged to outbound Thai travellers. Under…
- Thailand News
Chinese gold robbery suspects tracked by cigarette butts
Police arrested two Chinese nationals after tracking them through cigarette butts left at the scene of a gold robbery in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday, April 27. Officers from Chok Chai Police Station and Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police investigated the robbery at a gold shop in Dan Kwian subdistrict, Chok Chai district, which took place at around 10.10am. CCTV footage showed two…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok rolls out new bus stops with clearer route and digital displays
A Bangkok bus stop upgrade project aims to modernise more than 1,100 locations across the city this year, with nearly half set to feature digital displays providing real-time bus arrival information. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson Ekwaranyu Amrapal announced on April 21 that the initiative is a collaboration between the BMA, Mayday, Grab, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, which…
- Thailand News
Nakhon Ratchasima government officials investigated for alleged citizenship fraud
A citizenship fraud investigation was launched in Nakhon Ratchasima after a mayor filed a complaint against municipal officers accused of issuing illegal citizenship and birth certificates to foreigners, many reportedly linked to Chinese criminal activity. The Department of Provincial Administration coordinated with Pho Klang Subdistrict Municipality to examine suspicious documents. Investigators identified at least 27 questionable birth certificates, most involving…
- Central Thailand News
Teenage gunman kills Thai man in Phra Pradaeng Songkran celebrations
A teenage gunman surrendered to police today, April 27, after a shooting in Songkran celebrations in Samut Prakan killed one man and injured his wife. The incident occurred on Sunday, April 26, during extended Songkran festivities in Soi Suksawat 72, Phra Pradaeng district. The victims were identified as 34 year old Nopparat Chimwaree and his 33 year old wife, Sunanta…
- Central Thailand News
Thai prison denies mistreatment and corruption allegations from inmate’s leaked audio
Bang Kwang Central Prison in Nonthaburi denied allegations of mistreatment and corruption raised by an inmate, Chaowalit “Sia Paeng” Thongduang, following leaked audio recordings released last week. The recordings accused officials at Bang Kwang Central Prison in Nonthaburi of unfair treatment, granting privileges to certain inmates, and engaging in corrupt practices. Paeng claimed prison officials deliberately blocked documents he submitted…
- World News
Suspect in murder of Thai woman in London appears in UK court after two years of investigations
A suspect in the murder of a Thai woman in London was extradited from Dubai to the UK after more than two years of investigation, with court proceedings now underway. The 27 year old Thai national, Kamonnan “Angela” Thiamphanit, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in a luxury residence near Hyde Park, London, on April 8, 2024. According to…
- Aviation News
Krabi flight evacuated after passenger tells attendant ‘beware of bomb’
A Chon Buri man made a fake bomb threat during the Thai AirAsia flight from Krabi to Bangkok yesterday, April 26, causing a four-hour delay. Police at Nuea Khlong Police Station were alerted to the incident at around 5.20pm. The situation occurred on an Airbus A320 operating Thai AirAsia flight AIQ 4401 from Krabi International Airport to Suvarnabhumi International Airport,…
- Phuket News
Foreign men caught on CCTV footage stealing guitar in Phuket
A Thai man is seeking help online after two foreign men stole his guitar from a motorcycle in Karon, Phuket, at around 2.30am yesterday, April 23. The 19 year old victim, Kasidit, shared details with the Phuket Times Facebook page and Khao Phuket in the hopes of identifying the two men and recovering his guitar. The theft was captured on…
- Thailand News
SRT shortens train booking period to 90 days to reduce unused seats
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reduced the advance ticket sales period from 180 days to 90 days today, April 24, to improve seat management and reduce unused bookings. The SRT announced the adjustment on its official Facebook page today, April 24, saying the revised booking period is intended to make seat reservations more efficient and better reflect current passenger…
- Bangkok News
Schoolgirl jumps from moving motorcycle in Bangkok after Bolt rider refuses to stop
A 17 year old schoolgirl jumped from a moving motorcycle in Bangkok after a Bolt rider drove past her destination and refused to stop. Witnesses and motorists helped the female student after she fell at an intersection on Phet Kasem 81 Road in Nong Khaem district at around 1am yesterday, April 23. Dashcam footage from a motorcyclist who stopped to help…
- Thailand News
Bang Kwang Prison escapee alleges corruption, phone access for inmates in leaked recording
A Thai inmate, who previously made headlines for a prison break in 2023, accused prison officers at Bang Kwang Central Prison of corruption and giving special privileges to some prisoners, including access to computers and mobile phones. The corruption allegations levied against Bang Kwang Prison were made by Chaowalit “Paeng” Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, in leaked voice recordings released…
- Thailand News
Information from over 300,000 accounts leaked as Engineers Council system hacked
A senior engineer warned that the Council of Engineers Thailand’s system has been hacked, potentially placing personal information of more than 300,000 members at risk. It was alleged that the data leak may have allowed criminals to access member details that could be used by call centre scam gangs. A senior professional engineer and high-profile council member, Chulert Jitjuejun, posted…
- Thailand News
30,000 baht reward offered in search for missing Ayutthaya abbot, last seen in Tak
A missing abbot from Ayutthaya has been traced to Tak and was last seen travelling to Phitsanulok yesterday, April 23, as police continue efforts to locate him. The missing Ayutthaya abbot case centres on 58 year old Sombat Sirisuwanno, abbot of Sanam Chai Temple, who was reported missing after leaving the temple on the night of March 16. Temple staff…
- Thailand News
Thai woman forced to pay 100,000 baht to retrieve her dog from caretaker
A Thai woman today, April 23, reunited with her pet dog after a dispute with a caretaker who allegedly refused to return the animal and demanded 100,000 baht. The 35 year old woman, Pare, sought help from a social media influencer and posted her case on TikTok, explaining that she wanted her white Pomeranian, Kati, returned. The dog had been…
- Pattaya News
BMW reverses into crowd injuring 5 foreigners in Pattaya
A Thai woman injured five foreigners, including a two year old Australian boy, after her BMW reversed into a crowd outside a massage shop in Pattaya yesterday, April 22. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were alerted to the crash outside a massage shop near Made in Thailand Market at about 7.50pm and attended the scene with rescuers from the…
- Aviation News
Rising fuel costs force Lufthansa to suspend 20,000 flights
Lufthansa Group suspended more than 20,000 short-haul flights until October in response to rising fuel prices and the risk of fuel shortages in Europe linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Lufthansa short flight suspension affects services across six major European hubs, while long-haul operations continue as normal. The airline group announced on Tuesday, April 21, that…
- Pattaya News
Turkish engineer arrested in Pattaya over fatal building collapse
A Turkish engineer wanted under an Interpol Red Notice was arrested in Pattaya on Wednesday, April 22, after allegedly fleeing legal action linked to a fatal building collapse in Turkey. Officers from Chon Buri Immigration identified the suspect as 76 year old Abdullah Ayababa, who had been living in Thailand after working as an engineer in Turkey. Turkish authorities sought…
- Visa Information
Thailand could scrap visa-free entry for 36 countries to target ‘higher-quality visitors’
Thailand is considering limiting its visa-free policy as the Ministry of Tourism and Sports looks to attract more long-stay and higher-quality visitors while introducing measures to support domestic tourism. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworrakun said yesterday, April 22, that the government is currently reviewing Thailand’s visa-free scheme after criticism over its impact. In July last year, Thailand expanded its…
- Phuket News
Foreign tourists slammed for abandoning rental motorcycles at Phuket airport
Two foreign men were seen abandoning rental motorcycles outside the passenger terminal at Phuket International Airport despite signs banning motorcycles and parking, drawing criticism online. The Phuket Times Facebook page shared photos of the men and the two rental motorcycles today, April 22, with the caption, “Foreign tourists rode rental motorcycles to the second-floor of Phuket airport despite no entry…
- Phuket News
Parasailing accident in Phuket caused by boat propeller, investigators say
A Phuket parasailing accident off Kamala Beach in Phuket, on Monday, April 20, was revealed to have been caused by a boat propeller cutting a rope, leading a tourist and an assistant to fall into the sea. The incident gained attention after a foreign witness shared video footage on TikTok, showing the rope connecting the parachute to the speedboat snapping…
- Central Thailand News
Boxing team member allegedly offers spiked drink to Thai boxer before bout
A Thai boxer poisoning case is under investigation after CCTV footage at a boxing stadium allegedly showed a member of a boxing team handing a drink to a fighter before a bout on March 28. Avatar PK Saenchai Muay Thai gym shared on its official Facebook page last month that one of its boxers, Supachai Sakunwong, also known as Pharuehatnoi…
- Pattaya News
Chinese man injured after groping Thai woman outside Pattaya nightclub
A Pattaya sexual assault case is under investigation after a Thai woman accused a Chinese man of groping her outside a nightclub earlier today, April 22. Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers responded to a report of an altercation at a nightclub on Southern Pattaya Road at around 1am. At the scene, officers found two Thai women standing near a Chinese man…
- Chiang Mai News
Thai man confesses to fatal assault on pregnant wife in Chiang Mai home
A Thai man fatally assaulted his pregnant wife at their shared home in Chiang Mai on Monday, April 20, and initially attempted to cover the murder with an accident claim. Mae Ping Police Station officers were called to the house on Monday afternoon to investigate the death of 33 year old Yardrung. Officers found her body inside the accommodation. She was…
- Phuket News
Frenchman files counter complaint after his arrest for assaulting Phuket man during Songkran
A Frenchman filed a counter-complaint after he was arrested yesterday, April 21, for assaulting a Thai man during Songkran celebrations in Phuket on April 12. He claimed the Thai man had started the altercation. The incident came to light after the wife of 38 year old Weerasak Madlee contacted the Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต, alleging that police had not acted on…
