- Thailand News
Snake scare: 3-metre snake found in Samut Songkhram toilet
A large, 3-metre-long snake was discovered in a toilet at a residence in Samut Songkhram, prompting emergency services to intervene. The snake, identified as a large fish-eating snake, was stuck in the toilet due to its size. Fire department personnel from Samut Songkhram Municipality were alerted to the situation at house number 11/1, Village 6, and took prompt action. Upon…
- Thailand News
Taiwanese man offers 100 pig heads at Bangkok temple
A Taiwanese man made a significant offering at Wat Ko Suwannaram in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district after winning millions in the lottery. Yesterday, February 5, the lucky man, along with friends and devotees, presented 100 pig heads, 3,000 candles, and various food items as a gesture of gratitude. The offerings were made to the Great Brahma Emperor, a large statue…
- Thailand News
Thai media regulator jailed for abusing power in TrueID scandal
A high-ranking member of Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has been sentenced to two years in prison for abusing her position in a controversial case involving the OTT media platform TrueID. The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases ruled today that Professor Pirongrong Ramasoota was guilty of malfeasance in office, having unfairly targeted TrueID and causing…
- Pattaya News
South Korean arrested for illegal tour guide work in Chon Buri
A South Korean man’s dream job in Thailand turned into a nightmare when he was arrested in Chon Buri for allegedly working illegally as a tour guide while leading a group of tourists on a luxury boat tour. Tourist Police swooped yesterday, February 5, catching the man in the act as he escorted a group of South Korean tourists aboard…
- Thailand News
Thai court rules traffic fines unlawful since 2020
Thailand’s top court has dropped a legal bombshell, ruling that traffic fines issued by the Royal Thai Police (RTP) since July 2020 were unlawful—potentially affecting millions of motorists. The Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) yesterday, February 5, partly overturned a ruling by the Central Administrative Court (CAC), which had previously found that two RTP announcements on traffic fines, issued in July…
- Thailand News
Thailand approves US$9.8 billion high-speed rail expansion
Thailand is racing ahead with its high-speed rail ambitions as the Cabinet greenlights the second phase of the Thailand-China High-Speed Rail Project, extending the line from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai. The colossal 341.35 billion baht (US$9.8 billion) project will span 357 kilometres and take eight years to complete, from 2025 to 2032. Once operational, it will provide a direct link between Bangkok and Nong…
- Thailand News
Thai royal command appoints four military officers as bodyguards
A royal command has been issued, appointing four military officers as royal bodyguards. Yesterday, February 5, the Royal Gazette published the royal command detailing the appointments. These appointments are made under the authority of Section 7 of the Royal Security Act of 2017, in conjunction with Sections 6, 8, and 10 of the Royal Bodyguard Act of 1937, and Section…
- Thailand News
Thai mother fears son lured into Cambodian scam gang
A Thai mother has approached the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to report her 21 year old son’s disappearance, fearing he might have been enticed to join a call scam gang in Poipet, Cambodia, by a woman he met online. The woman, 48 year old Khajorn Somjai, accompanied by her eldest son, 27 year old Boonlong U-Nak, reported the missing person…
- Phuket News
Clean hotels with ‘3C’ initiative launches in Phuket
To ensure a safer travel experience, the Department of Medical Sciences is rolling out its ambitious Clean Hotels with 3C initiative across Thailand’s prime tourist spots. Deputy Director General Dr Ballang Uppong launched a crucial training session at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, aiding hotel operators in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga. With over 250 participants, including public health officials,…
- Thailand News
Close call: Thai ex-adviser’s wife nearly scammed of 14 million baht
The wife of a former adviser to the minister of commerce was nearly duped into transferring 14 million baht by a call centre scam. The incident occurred yesterday, February 5, when police from Mueang Chai Nat Police Station investigated a local resort following a report from 56 year old Dr Natjarat Klumtawee, a former adviser to the minister of commerce.…
- Thailand News
VFS Global warns Thai travellers of rising visa scam threats
VFS Global cautioned Thai travellers about visa scams, urging early applications due to increasing outbound travel. The organisation, a leader in visa outsourcing and technology services, hosted an awareness event in Bangkok. Diplomats from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Norway, and Switzerland attended to address the growing threat of visa fraud. As visa applications surge to record levels, scammers…
- Thailand News
NACC to decide on charges for 44 former MPs over lese-majeste
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is expected to decide in the next two months regarding potential charges against 44 former MPs of the defunct Move Forward Party, who supported a proposal to amend the lese-majeste law. Currently, 39 of the accused serve as MPs for the People’s Party, established in August last year after the Constitutional Court dissolved Move Forward…
- Bangkok News
Illegal gambling ring in Bangkok busted, Taiwanese nabbed
Thai cybercrime police conducted a major raid on an illegal online gambling network in Bangkok, apprehending a Taiwanese leader and detaining more than 20 administrators. The network, which posed as an NFT trading website, was secretly providing online gambling services, including slots, live casinos, sports betting, and poker. Officials estimate the network’s annual cash flow exceeded 500 million baht. This…
- Thailand News
PPRP opposes casino legalisation, fears national harm
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) announced its opposition to the government’s proposed bill on entertainment complexes, which aims to legalise casino gambling. The party argues that the legalisation of casinos could negatively impact Thailand and its citizens, while the bill disproportionately empowers the prime minister. The party plans to address the casino issue during the no-confidence debate it intends to…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya shooting leads to surrender of two suspects
A violent incident in Pattaya involving a shooting has led to the surrender of two people, including the father of a 14 year old girl involved in a dispute with another teenager. The shooting resulted in injuries to three people. Two men, 36 year old Kittisak and 30 year old Ekachai, turned themselves in to the Pattaya police on Tuesday,…
- Thailand News
Prisoners in Thailand may earn early release by reading books
The Department of Corrections (DoC) is considering the implementation of reading as a criterion for prisoners’ early release, as announced by Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong. The proposal involves a project where inmates could earn one day of parole for each book they read while incarcerated. The initiative is designed to encourage learning and ensure prisoners receive basic education…
- Thailand News
Phatthalung woman detains parents over 30 million baht
A 46 year old Thai woman accused her 50 year old sister of detaining their parents in a rented house for over three months. The woman, Kulisara, claims her sister, Kirati administered psychiatric medication without a doctor’s prescription, allegedly to seize a 30 million baht inheritance. Kulisara reported the incident to the police in Mueang district, Phatthalung province, seeking to…
- Thailand News
Anutin: Thaksin still has political power despite election results
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul countered assertions that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has lost his political influence. Anutin maintains that Thaksin continues to wield significant political power. “Warriors are warriors. To underestimate Thaksin or say he is losing his magic can bring [the big mouth] an unprecedented disaster.” The statement follows analyses from political commentators questioning Thaksin’s influence after…
- Thailand News
IMPACT invests 5 billion baht to expand MICE hub
IMPACT Exhibition Management Co Ltd is making a bold move to dominate Thailand’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions tourism (MICE) industry, investing 5 billion baht in two new hotels to transform Mueang Thong Thani into a world-class event and entertainment hub. The investment, part of a long-term expansion strategy, will position IMPACT as a key player in the government’s proposed…
- Thailand News
Bank of Thailand targets illegal loan apps for removal
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has identified 10 mobile applications offering personal loans illegally and is taking steps to have them removed from the App Store and Google Play Store. Pirajit Padmasuta, the central bank’s senior director for financial consumer protection and supervision of financial service providers, stated that the regulator initially reported the 10 verified illegal apps, including Fineasy…
- Thailand News
Nonthaburi: Retired teacher loses 2 million baht in call centre scam
A retired teacher fell victim to a call centre scam, losing 2 million baht after being convinced by fraudsters. The incident took place on February 3, when scammers contacted the elderly woman via a messaging app, impersonating officials from the Ministry of Finance. The scammers persuaded the woman that her bank account should not hold more than 2 million baht,…
- Thailand News
Thai FDA assures public on Coca-Cola recall safety
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clarified concerns regarding Coca-Cola’s recall of soft drinks in Europe due to excessive chlorate levels. The FDA assured that the affected batches from Belgium have not been imported into Thailand, with most imported soft drinks originating from ASEAN countries like Laos and Singapore, which are not involved in the recall. Deputy Secretary-General of…
- Phuket News
Tunisian tourist tries to outrun Karon cops, chase ends in arrest
A reckless Tunisian tourist led Karon Police on a dramatic chase after blowing through a checkpoint along Karon Beach Road last night. At 8.08pm yesterday, February 4, officers stationed on Patak Road, near the southern end of Karon Beach, signalled for a red Honda Scoopy motorcycle to stop. However, the rider, identified as 23 year old Samir Brki, ignored their…
- Thailand News
Over 27 tonnes of illegal drugs to be destroyed in ONCB crackdown
Over 27 tonnes of illegal drugs are set to be destroyed tomorrow as part of drug eradication efforts by the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). Apikit Chrojprasert, Deputy Secretary General of the ONCB, attended an event yesterday, February 4, alongside police and other officials to prepare for the large-scale incineration of illegal drugs. The total weight of drugs confiscated…
- Phuket News
Uzbek tourist robbed at Patong Beach, thieves arrested
A gang of thieves who stole an Uzbek tourist’s bag at Patong Beach in the early hours of this morning didn’t get far, as police tracked them down and arrested them within just over an hour. The victim, 21 year old Xhayrdonion Zafarugu Khanotion, reported the theft to Patong Police at 3am today, February 5, stating that his waist bag,…
- Thailand News
Bus crash in Tak leaves driver, attendant dead, 35 tourists hurt
A bus driver and attendant died when a bus collided with a tree in the Wang Chao district of Tak province. The incident also left 35 foreign tourists injured. Police Colonel Wasan Sirikanjakom, head of Wang Chao Police Station, today, February 5, at 1.20am received a report from the Tak Provincial Police emergency centre about the accident on National Highway…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s new digital entry rule sparks panic: TM6 form
Thailand’s latest travel rule is set to shake up the entry process for all foreign visitors but with just a few months to go, crucial details remain missing. From May 1, all non-Thai passport holders must complete the Thai Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before travelling, replacing the outdated TM6 paper form. The online submission will require personal details, travel plans,…
- Pattaya News
Police raid Pattaya nightclubs in surprise crackdown
Pattaya’s nightlife came under the spotlight as Tourist Police and Chon Buri Immigration officers launched surprise raids on entertainment venues on February 3. The operation, conducted under the 5 Safe policy, aimed to crack down on drugs, weapons, human trafficking, and illegal foreign workers while ensuring overall safety. Police targeted popular nightlife hotspots along Pattaya Third Road, where foreign tourists…
- Bangkok News
AirAsia expands Thai network with new routes from Suvarnabhumi
AirAsia is ramping up its domestic game with the launch of two brand-new routes from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, offering twice-daily flights to Udon Thani and a daily service to Khon Kaen. The budget airline is doubling down on Suvarnabhumi as a major hub, adding to its existing domestic connections, which include six daily flights to Chiang Mai, four to Phuket,…
- Thailand News
Village headman shot by friend who mistook him for a chicken
A tragic incident unfolded in the forested area behind a village in the Mueang district of Chiang Mai province, where a 40 year old village headman, Somsak (surname withheld), was shot dead by a friend. The friend, 35 year old Wiraphon (surname withheld), mistook him for a wild chicken and fired a shotgun, hitting him in the head. The police…
