- Thailand News
Fire at Mae Sot customs warehouse destroys over 50 vehicles
A raging fire has torn through a customs warehouse in Mae Sot, Tak province, destroying more than 50 confiscated vehicles. The fire, which broke out yesterday, March 18, around 8pm, remains uncontrollable despite the tireless efforts of local fire services. The blaze started behind the new customs checkpoint, near the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Tha Sai Luat subdistrict, Mae…
- Thailand News
Thai-speed ahead: PM revs up talks for F1 grand prix in Thailand
Could Thailand be the next country to host a glamorous Formula One (F1) Grand Prix? Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has opened the door to this exciting possibility, holding high-level talks with Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of the Formula One Group, about bringing the iconic motorsport event to the kingdom. Yesterday, March 18, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsab confirmed that the…
- Phuket News
Charged & brewed: Phuket thief busted for beer & batteries theft
A 39 year old man has been arrested after he was caught stealing beer and batteries from a 7-Eleven store in Patong, Phuket, with the police tracking him down using CCTV footage and his distinctive clothes. Officers from Patong Police Station, led by Police Colonel Chalermchai Hirasawat, apprehended the suspect on Sunday, March 16, following a theft reported on March…
- Bangkok News
Rama II expressway lane reopens after fatal bridge collapse
The inbound lane to the expressway on Rama II Road, affected by the bridge project collapse last Saturday, will reopen by tomorrow. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) stated that demolition work on the collapsed bridge is 90% complete, with the contractor, Italian-Thai Development (ITD), pledging compensation for victims. The collapse on Saturday, March 15, involved a concrete beam under…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya takraw players forced to practice in darkness
Residents and athletes are in the dark, literally, at a local sports facility in Chon Buri, where the lack of lighting has left players stranded in the shadows. The Nong Pla Lai Takraw Group is urgently calling on Thai officials to fix the issue, which has made night-time training impossible and raised safety concerns. In a recent complaint, 31 year…
- Bangkok News
Thailand uncertain on US visa ban after Uyghur deportation
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed uncertainty regarding her inclusion on a list of Thai officials recently barred from obtaining US visas following the deportation of 40 Uyghur detainees to China. Addressing the media yesterday, March 18, she said, “There’s no confirmation yet. I still don’t know.” The 38 year old PM explained that the Foreign Affairs Ministry would further clarify…
- Bangkok News
Former Thai rock star arrested for alleged drug peddling and abuse
Former Thai rockband I-Zax frontman Patcharapol “Zax” Parnpoom has been arrested in Bangkok for allegedly abusing and trafficking drugs, marking a dramatic fall from his former music fame. The arrest follows an investigation tied to a major drug network, with police linking the 47 year old former rock star to multiple illegal activities. Patcharapol, once the lead singer of the…
- Thailand News
Irishman killed in high-speed crash in Phang Nga’s Khao Lak
A tragic accident claimed the life of a 54 year old Irishman when he was struck by a speeding car in Khao Lak last night. The victim, identified as Neil Christopher More Oferrall, was killed instantly when a black Ford Everest hit him on Phetkasem Road, in front of the Sangsawan Resort, around 9pm yesterday, March 17. Police quickly arrived…
- Pattaya News
Off-duty nurses try to save crash victim in fatal Pattaya accident
A tragic accident on Highway 36 in East Pattaya left a 63 year old motorcyclist dead after he crashed into the back of a 10-wheel trailer. Despite the heroic efforts of three off-duty nurses who happened to be passing by, the man could not be revived. Emergency responders were alerted to the crash in the Pong area of Bang Lamung…
- Thailand News
Mae Hong Son strengthens cross-border efforts on forest fires
Mae Hong Son province is stepping up its efforts to combat cross-border forest fires by ramping up cooperation with its neighbouring states. Deputy Governor Boonlue Thammathranurak highlighted the ongoing problem of illegal burning along the border between Mae Hong Son and countries such as Shan State, Karen State, and Kayah State. These areas have long faced the threat of uncontrolled…
- Thailand News
Illegal Thai workers send billions home despite crackdowns
Thailand’s workforce abroad is pumping an astonishing 400 billion baht into the economy each year—much of it from illegal workers, according to Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn. Despite government crackdowns, the number of undocumented Thai workers overseas remains high, with 382,699 working illegally last year alone. While Thailand sent 92,392 legal workers abroad in 2024, a drop of 11% from 2023…
- Pattaya News
Tourists fume over persistent foreign beggars in Pattaya
Tourists flocking to Pattaya, particularly around the notorious Walking Street area, are growing increasingly frustrated with the ongoing issue of foreign beggars harassing visitors. Many of these beggars, often accompanied by young children ranging from infants to seven to 10 years old, can be seen wandering the streets selling goods or soliciting money. When tourists refuse to buy, some beggars…
- Thailand News
Suicidal Thai woman thanks public donations relieving hardship
A suicidal Thai woman expressed gratitude for the support she received, alleviating her financial burdens. Her husband previously resorted to eating dog food due to hunger. The situation came to light when Police Lieutenant Pornsak Saneha received a report of a potential suicide attempt near a pier along the Bang Pakong River in Mueang Chachoengsao district. Rescue workers found the…
- Thailand News
Neighbour attacks Buriram couple with machete over noise
A 37 year old woman reported to Mueang Buriram Police Station after a neighbour allegedly assaulted her husband with a machete. The incident took place on March 15, resulting in injuries to both the woman’s husband and herself. Following the attack, the husband was hospitalised at Buriram Hospital. The incident occurred while the couple was playing online slots at their…
- Phuket News
School rejects ‘slum’ label for Phuket Myanmar community (video)
The director of a Catholic-operated school in Phuket has contested the description of a Myanmar community in the province as a “slum” by a foreign YouTuber. A video on the YouTube channel Ride with Gabi, which claims to document a “Myanmar slum in Phuket,” has ignited debate, showing a significant Myanmar migrant community in the southern province. The footage depicts…
- Thailand News
Thailand urges Singapore to boost rice and egg imports
Thai Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has urged Singapore to increase its imports of Thai rice and free-range eggs following the seventh Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER) meeting. Held on March 14 in Singapore, the meeting was co-chaired by Doctor Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry. The discussions aimed at boosting trade and…
- Thailand News
Thai call scam losses fall by 200 million baht after power cuts
The Thai government’s controversial decision to cut power, oil, and Internet services to border areas near Myanmar has reportedly paid off, with losses from call scams plummeting by at least 200 million baht. Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong revealed that since the power cut-off on February 5, there has been a significant drop in cybercrime activity, with call…
- Phuket News
YouTuber exposes Phuket’s shocking slum conditions (video)
A YouTuber has caused a storm online with his latest video, The Other Side of Phuket, which takes viewers behind the glossy tourist façade to one of the island’s largest slums. In the video, popular YouTuber Ride with Gabi contrasts Phuket’s global fame for its stunning beaches and lively nightlife with the stark reality of its poverty-stricken communities. The video…
- Pattaya News
Vape and escape: Pattaya police snuff out illicit puff trade
In a bold move to clamp down on the illegal vape trade, Pattaya City Police arrested three in a late-night sting operation. The raid resulted in the confiscation of seven fruit-flavoured vapes and the arrest of the suspects for illegally selling electronic cigarettes. At around 11.36pm, yesterday, March 17, the police launched the operation after gathering intelligence about a group…
- Bangkok News
Assumption University addresses Myanmar student’s death
Assumption University in Bangkok is facing fierce criticism following the tragic death of a Myanmar student in a motorbike accident. The accident, which took place on November 18 last year, sparked accusations of negligence from both the university and emergency responders. The victim, along with his 17 year old cousin, was en route to the university when disaster struck. A…
- Thailand News
Thailand halves visa-free stay to curb illegal business activities
Thailand plans to shorten the visa-free stay period from 60 to 30 days to mitigate the misuse of the visa exemption programme by illegal businesses. This decision follows a principle agreement among relevant government officials, as reported by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong indicated that the Foreign Ministry has acknowledged the issue, which has…
- Phuket News
Thailand tourism surges with visa-free policy, Phuket leads
Following the easing of Covid-19, global tourism has experienced a resurgence, bolstered by the Thai government’s visa-free policy. This has led to a continuous increase in tourists visiting Thailand. Recent data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports revealed that between January and March, the number of tourists reached 7,021,344, marking a 5.91% increase compared to the same period last…
- Thailand News
Rubber plantation worker shot dead in Nakhon Si Thammarat
A 52 year old rubber plantation worker was fatally shot while riding his motorcycle to work in Nakhon Si Thammarat province yesterday, March 14. Police are actively investigating the case to determine the motive and apprehend the gunman. Police Lieutenant Hassan Wongmathong, Deputy Inspector at Chulabhorn Police Station, received a report of the shooting incident near a rubber plantation entrance…
- Thailand News
Uthai Thani locals flock to ancient tree for lottery luck
As the lottery draw approaches, residents in Uthai Thani’s Mueang district have flocked to seek lucky numbers from a century-old Takian tree. It is believed that 12 spirit guardians, known as Mae Takian, reside within the tree, offering fortune to visitors. Located in Ban Huai Rang, Village 2, Rabam subdistrict, the revered Takian tree stands by a busy road, drawing…
- Thailand News
Thai man drowns on shellfish trip in Samut Songkhram canal
A Thai man searching for shellfish in a canal in Mueang district, Samut Songkhram with a group of friends drowned yesterday, March 14. Deputy Inspector Chanathip Ongkhleuab from Mueang Samut Songkhram Police Station received a report of a man, Supachip, who had drowned and disappeared in Khlong Si Suk. Rescue divers from the Sawang Benjatham Foundation were called in to assist…
- Thailand News
Ayutthaya hermitage draws crowds for blessings, lucky numbers
The Ruesi Cherne Thatu Phutthakhun hermitage in Ayutthaya is buzzing with visitors seeking spiritual blessings and lucky numbers ahead of the next lottery draw. This sacred site in Bang Sai district has become a magnet for those looking to boost their fortune, drawing tourists and devoted believers alike. Among the hermitage’s revered figures is the nine-faced Thao Wessuwan statue, standing…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya shooting range noise reduced, but residents uneasy
Residents expressed relief as Pattaya officials inspected a shooting range adjacent to their village, which has caused persistent noise disturbance. Yesterday, Krisana Boonsawat, Pattaya’s Deputy Mayor, along with officials from the engineering and public health and environment departments, visited the Guns Shooting and Battle range, now renamed 556 Shooting Club, following complaints from residents of Jomtien Park Villa 2 in…
- Phuket News
Ex-finance minister exposes Phuket police extortion
A former finance minister has blown the lid off corrupt police practices in Phuket, exposing a rampant extortion racket targeting tourists. Sommai Phasee took to Facebook to reveal how officers are demanding bribes of 10,000 to 20,000 baht from foreign visitors to avoid being dragged to the police station. “I can’t stand it anymore. Corruption is everywhere in Thailand—it’s a…
- Thailand News
Songkran to boost Thailand’s tourism by 26.5 billion baht
The Songkran festival is anticipated to generate 26.5 billion baht, attracting 476,000 international tourists and facilitating 4.4 million domestic trips, as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool stated that revenue from international markets between April 12 and 16 is projected to rise by 7% year-on-year, reaching 7.3 billion baht. Meanwhile, domestic revenue is expected…
- Phuket News
Phuket leads Thailand’s push for sustainable tourism
Thailand is going green in a big way, with Phuket at the forefront of a bold push to revolutionise sustainable tourism. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has launched the Green Hotel Plus Phuket Sandbox project, a key initiative to raise hotel sustainability standards to global levels. Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, who chaired the event on Thursday, March 13,…
