- Thailand News
App chaos: Half-Half travel scheme stalls, millions left stranded
Thailand’s Half-Half travel scheme descended into chaos after a failed registration rollout left travellers locked out and scrambling for subsidies. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong faced the music today, July 4, admitting on the Inside Thailand programme that the Half-Half Thai Travel campaign was plagued with system failures from day one. “The problems began immediately,” Sorawong said. “Users couldn’t…
- Phuket News
Andaman manhunt: Bomb suspects vanish, truck seized
Thailand’s tourist heartlands are still reeling after last month’s coordinated bomb attacks in Krabi, Phang Nga and Phuket and the manhunt to catch the suspects is far from over. Police have now arrested five of the 20 suspects believed to be behind the shocking explosions that sent locals and holidaymakers scrambling for cover in the Andaman coastal provinces. Fifteen suspects…
- Thailand Weather Updates
River on the rampage: Chiang Rai braces for dangerous floods
Chiang Rai residents were jolted awake by urgent phone alerts today as local officials warned the Sai River was set to burst its banks, threatening to inundate homes and businesses across four communities. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) confirmed that water levels have been steadily climbing at monitoring stations in Myanmar’s Jotada and near Thailand’s 1st Friendship…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s billion-baht bet: New cruise port promises tourism boom
To prove that it’s more than just one of Thailand’s most popular holiday hotspots, Phuket is poised to become Southeast Asia’s cruise capital. The island has unveiled its gleaming new cruise terminal at Ao Makham Port, a project officials believe will supercharge tourism and catapult Phuket onto the itineraries of the world’s biggest cruise lines. The facility, which opened its…
- Thailand News
Coup freeze or countdown? Thailand’s military walks tightrope
Thailand’s military top brass says the era of tanks rolling through Bangkok is over, at least for now. But as political chaos looms, sceptics wonder if history could yet repeat itself. After nine months steering the Defence Ministry, Phumtham Wechayachai insists the armed forces are shedding their old ways. “The mindset of military leadership has evolved,” he said. “They want…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya’s purge: Homeless camps cleared in sweeping crackdown
Pattaya’s shiny tourist image is taking a battering and city leaders are scrambling to clean it up. In a dramatic crackdown this week, police swept through beaches, bridges and backstreets, clearing homeless encampments, beggars, and suspected human trafficking victims in an attempt to reclaim public spaces. The operation, ordered by Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, brought together municipal police, the Social Welfare…
- Thailand News
New marine protection zones established around Koh Phayam
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has introduced new marine and coastal protection zones around Koh Phayam in Ranong. The initiative aims to safeguard the area’s rich biodiversity from the growing environmental challenges posed by tourism, fishing, and coastal development. Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on declared the implementation of a fresh ministerial regulation for the region. Published in the Royal…
- Business News
Wage war: Hotels reel as 400-baht mandate hits hard
The government’s new minimum wage hike has sparked outrage among hoteliers already hanging by a thread. While Bangkok politicians celebrate, many in the provinces are calling it a death sentence for small businesses. On Tuesday, July 1, the Cabinet approved raising the daily minimum wage for hotel workers nationwide to 400 baht, with the decision fast-tracked into law via the…
- Phuket News
Busted: Phuket grocery shop doubled as Yaba drug den
A quiet neighbourhood grocery shop in Phuket has been exposed as a brazen front for drug dealing, after stunned officials swooped in on a sting operation that netted hundreds of methamphetamine (meth) pills. The arrest unfolded on Wednesday evening, July 2, at around 6.30pm, in Baan Phru Samphan, Thepkrasattri subdistrict. Phuket Provincial Defence Officer Akkara Suwatthikul led the raid, backed…
- Business News
Siam Piwat and Huawei join forces to woo Chinese tourists
Thailand’s tourism industry is pulling out all the stops to win over high-spending visitors in an increasingly fierce global travel market. Now, a blockbuster partnership between Siam Piwat Group and tech titan Huawei promises to transform the way Chinese tourists experience the Land of Smiles. Siam Piwat, the powerhouse behind retail icons like Siam Paragon and ICONSIAM, has teamed up…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok tailor arrested for stealing from unlocked cars
A tailor in Bangkok was arrested for allegedly stealing bags from unlocked cars to solve his debts, claiming unpaid tailoring jobs led to his actions. Three victims reported losses totalling over 130,000 baht. Yesterday, July 3, at 11pm, Police Major General Khomsit Rangsai of Bang Khun Thian Police Station led a press conference announcing the arrest of 48 year old…
- Business News
Red Bull tycoon tops Thailand rich list with US$44.5 billion fortune
Red Bull really does give you wings—especially if your name is Chalerm Yoovidhya. The co-owner of the world-famous energy drink has officially been crowned Thailand’s richest man this year, boasting a staggering net worth of US$44.5 billion (1.4 trillion baht), according to Forbes magazine. Chalerm’s jaw-dropping fortune saw an eye-watering leap of US$8.5 billion, marking a 24% surge from the previous year.…
- Thailand News
Norse Atlantic soars with new Thailand routes, slashes US services
Norse Atlantic Airways is ramping up its winter schedule, adding four exciting new routes connecting Europe with Thailand as part of its ongoing expansion into Southeast Asia. Set to launch in October and December, these new flights are designed to tap into the surging demand for travel to Thailand, one of the top destinations for European leisure travellers. The carrier…
- Phuket News
Phuket kicks off health expo to boost wellness tourism
Phuket is on a mission to become the world’s top wellness tourism hub, and the island is off to a strong start with the launch of the Phuket Health Expo 2025. Kicking off yesterday, July 2, the five-day event, held at Central Festival Phuket, aims to position the island as the ultimate destination for health, wellness, and lifestyle tourism. The…
- Thailand News
Skin scare: Thailand warns of itchy rash this rainy season
Thailand’s rainy season brings more than just wet weather—health officials are now alerting the public to a skin condition that commonly strikes during these damp months: Pityriasis Rosea. The Department of Medical Services has issued a health advisory urging citizens to be on the lookout for this uncomfortable rash that can affect thousands. Deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan revealed that…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya targets Japan: Roadshow in Osaka aims to boost tourism
Pattaya is setting its sights on Japan as a prime tourist market. The city recently hosted the Pattaya Variety Roadshow to Japan 2025 in Osaka, aiming to boost its appeal and showcase its attractions to Japanese travellers. Led by Thitiphan Petchtrakul, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, the event aimed to showcase the city’s tourism offerings and expand its appeal to the…
- Phuket News
Karon love triangle turns deadly: 2 men stabbed in brawl
A fatal knife fight between two Myanmar nationals has left both men dead after a violent confrontation over a suspected love affair in Karon. The brutal clash, which took place near the entrance of a hotel staff dormitory, shocked the local community. Police were called to the scene at approximately 10.45pm yesterday, July 2, where they found the two men,…
- Hua Hin News
Cha-am bypass opens key intersection as part of major expansion
The long-awaited opening of a new intersection on the Cha-am bypass is set to revolutionise travel between Cha-am and Hua Hin, with the newly launched overpass marking a significant step in the ongoing development of Highway 37. The overpass, located at the Huai Ta Paet intersection in Sampraya subdistrict, Cha-am district, opened to traffic at the end of last month,…
- Pattaya News
Sinkhole shocker: Road caves in on Jomtien road
A gaping hole on Phra Tamnak Road near Soi 5 in Pattaya has left locals stunned and worried after a section of road suddenly caved in, creating a dangerous hazard for drivers, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. When the Jomtien municipal enforcement team was alerted to the sinkhole, they sprang into action, promptly inspecting the scene and coordinating with other city departments…
- Chiang Mai News
Thai man rides naked with dildos strapped to bike in Chiang Mai
A man from Chiang Mai’s San Sai district has stunned villagers after riding naked on his motorbike with three giant dildos strapped to the side. The shocking incident, which was caught on camera, shows a 49 year old man from Lampang, later identified as Kluay, cruising through the village of Chedi Mae Krua while fully naked, with the phallic-shaped prop…
- Thailand News
Phang Nga James Bond museum shuts after one day, wastes 40m baht
A grand vision to lure tourists with the allure of James Bond has turned into a spectacular embarrassment, after a 40-million-baht museum in Phang Nga collapsed into decay barely 24 hours after opening. The so-called James Bond Museum, built to celebrate the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun, closed its doors on its very first day and has…
- Thailand News
Fast lane success: South Thailand road project ahead of schedule
Motorists and businesses in Nakhon Si Thammarat, South Thailand, can look forward to smoother journeys sooner than expected, as the Chalermphrakiat Road extension is speeding ahead of schedule. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has announced rapid progress on the massive infrastructure project, which promises to slash traffic congestion and supercharge the local economy. Montri Dechasakulsom, DRR Director General, revealed…
- Thailand News
Nonthaburi taxi driver dumps schoolgirls and grabs double fare
A group of terrified schoolgirls were left stranded in the rain after a furious taxi driver booted them out of his cab, demanded double payment, and then sped off without so much as an apology. The shocking incident unfolded on Tuesday, July 1, when six students from a well-known girls’ school in Nonthaburi climbed into a green taxi to celebrate…
- Phuket News
7 Phuket cannabis shops shut down in crackdown blitz
A major cannabis crackdown has rocked Phuket’s Cherng Talay area after officials swooped in and shut down seven shops caught flouting regulations in broad daylight. The Thalang District Office wasted no time ordering the immediate suspension of licences following a coordinated raid that exposed a litany of offences, ranging from illegal sales to on-site smoking. The operation unfolded yesterday, July…
- Thailand News
Jealous ex-soldier guns down love rival in Phitsanulok attack
A jealous ex-soldier turned a quiet evening into a scene of horror when he stormed into a Phitsanulok home and gunned down his ex-wife’s new husband in a fit of rage. The shocking incident unfolded at 8pm yesterday, July 2, in Ban Nakham, Mueang Ban Yang, Wat Bot district. Police are now on a manhunt for the armed fugitive who…
- Thailand News
Speeding rider dies in horror crash with parked van in Nonthaburi
A late-night ride ended in tragedy when a 33 year old man lost his life after slamming his speeding Vespa into the back of a parked van in Nonthaburi province. The horrific crash took place at 2.30am today, July 3, on the Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road, near the entrance to Lapawan Village 7 in Bang Rak Phatthana subdistrict, Bang Bua…
- Business News
Bangkok Bank backs Thai businesses entering Indonesia’s market
Bangkok Bank (BBL) is prepared to aid Thai medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to expand into Indonesia, where there is significant potential across various supply chain industries. During the 2025 Indonesia Investment and Trade Forum, hosted by Bangkok Bank and its Indonesian affiliate Permata Bank, BBL president Chartsiri Sophonpanich highlighted Indonesia’s promising economic and social prospects. The country’s GDP per capita…
- Bangkok News
Bhumjaithai considers no-confidence debate amid PM suspension
The Bhumjaithai Party stated that the no-confidence debate motion against the government remains under consideration following the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Ubon Ratchathani MP and party spokesperson Nan Boonthida Somchai reported on the party’s participation in the opposition whips meeting yesterday, July 2, after Bhumjaithai recently left the ruling coalition. Nan explained that six Bhumjaithai MPs attended the…
- Bangkok News
People’s Party backs new interim PM without joining coalition
The People’s Party (PP) expressed its willingness to support the election of a new prime minister without joining the governing coalition, provided that the succeeding administration serves solely as a temporary government. This interim government would be tasked with organising a General Election and conducting a public referendum to establish a Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) for rewriting the charter. The…
- Thailand News
Nonthaburi monk rescued after wheelchair falls into canal
A heroic rescue took place in Nonthaburi province after a one-legged monk was left stranded in a roadside canal when his electric wheelchair tipped over during his morning alms round. The incident, which occurred near Wat Masong school in Thaweewattana subdistrict, sparked widespread sympathy after it was revealed that the 57 year old, Phra Vichai Saetang, has been a dedicated…
