- Thailand News
Indian coffee trader busted with 10 anacondas on Bangkok flight
Customs officials intercepted a 56 year old coffee trader from Sakleshpur, India with a suitcase filled with 10 baby yellow anacondas, on a flight from Bangkok to Bengaluru. At Kempegowda International Airport, the trader, arriving on Thai Air Asia Flight No. FD-137, was swiftly apprehended on Saturday night, sparking a high-stakes investigation into the illicit trafficking of exotic reptiles. The…
- Thailand News
Former officials to face charges for 2004 Tak Bai massacre
Criminal charges are set to be filed against nine former security officials involved in the 2004 Tak Bai massacre. Lawyers representing the victims’ families are spearheading this legal action. This move comes months before the expiration of the 20-year statute of limitations on the case, which is due to conclude in October this year. The charges will be filed at…
- Thailand News
Boxing camp owner murdered in Buriram
A boxing camp owner known by many as Sia Dam was brutally murdered at a religious celebration in Buriram. Sia Dam, whose real name is being withheld, was a 56 year old boxing camp owner from Surin Province. The incident occurred yesterday when an unknown assailant shot him in the head and neck, leading to his death in his Hyundai…
- Thailand News
Minister warns against fake Labubu doll scam
Reports of a sinister scam preying on Labubu doll enthusiasts have flooded in, warned Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad. Puangpet delivered a stern warning to the public, her handbag adorned with a green Labubu doll and a pink one grasped firmly in her hand. “Prices of these coveted dolls, often reaching thousands of baht, have soared since Thai K-pop…
- Thailand News
British couple stranded in Dubai returns home to Manchester
Battling storm-struck Dubai chaos, a British couple turned their 12-day flight wait into a three-day journey, involving three flights and seven taxis, to make it back home to Manchester. The couple, 60 year old Alison Shah and her 52 year old partner, Richard Kay, faced a nightmare scenario as they attempted to return from Shah’s birthday trip to Bangkok, only…
- Thailand News
Royal Thai dish that beats the heat
In scorching Thailand, with temperatures soaring to a sizzling 40 degrees Celsius during the summer, one Thai dish has proved effective for our ancestors to keep cool in the absence of modern refrigeration. During the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868), culinary wizards at the royal court concocted a dish boasting an unparalleled cooling effect on the body. Khao Chae…
- Thailand News
Debt woes: Woman found dead in pond in Nong Bua Lamphu
A 57 year old woman was found dead in a pond in Nong Bua Lamphu province, following a period of severe stress due to her tenants failing to pay three months’ worth of rent. Children playing nearby initially spotted the body floating in the water and alerted adults yesterday. The deceased, later identified as Sumalee, had expressed to her mother…
- Thailand News
Thailand government plans to raise minimum wage to 400 baht
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn unveiled yesterday that the Government of Thailand has assembled a series of fresh employment benefits set to be introduced on May 1, International Workers’ Day. The most notable of these is a proposal to elevate the minimum wage to 400 baht across the nation. The new minimum wage rate of 400 baht has already received the…
- Thailand News
Krabi smoothie shop owner accused of investment fraud
Approximately 10 victims have reported a local smoothie shop owner in Krabi for investment fraud involving over 3 million baht. The suspect, using her acquaintance with a well-known lawyer as leverage, challenged the victims to take legal action against her. Police are now gathering evidence to pursue the suspect legally. A group of around 10 individuals filed complaints yesterday at…
- Thailand News
Teen motorcyclists die in horrific crash in Prachuap Khiri Khan
Tragedy struck yesterday when a 15 year old boy riding a motorcycle collided with another, sending both riders onto the path of an oncoming truck on Petchkasem Road, southbound lane, near Ban Nawalapriang in Sam Krathai district, Kui Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The impact was so severe that both teenagers died at the scene around 1am. Police Lieutenant Nonnaphan…
- Thailand News
Government launches utility cost subsidy for welfare cardholders
A new government initiative has been launched to alleviate the burden of utility costs for households in Thailand. The programme, aimed at state welfare cardholders, offers a single electricity and water subsidy per household, linked to one household registration code. Eligible participants must confirm their identity and register for the subsidy, which applies to either electricity or water services, not…
- Thailand News
PM Srettha visits Phuket Airport
PM Srettha paid a visit to Phuket International Airport, spearheading a mission to revolutionise the region’s infrastructure. The Thai premier inspected the second phase of the airport’s expansion and a novel solution to traffic woes. Srettha pledged prosperity without the pain for locals. A meticulous strategy, executed with precision by all agencies, has already yielded impressive results in just six…
- Thailand News
Thai tourist struck on the head at Sattahip temple
A Thai tourist hailing from Chiang Mai was assaulted at the Nong Chap Tao Temple in Sattahip, Chon Buri. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, saw the man being struck on the head with the handle of a pistol. The victim, identified as Nakorn, was rushed to Wat Yan Hospital following the incident on April 18. He was reported…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s tumble: Is the British love affair fading?
In 2011, Thailand witnessed the zenith of British affection, with nearly 900,000 entries logged by British passport holders, as per Thai immigration data. Yet, this figure might have swelled by accounting re-entries, diluting the actual count. Sadly, the Thai immigration bureau has ceased its detailed country-specific data release, leaving a void. Meanwhile, the UK government’s once sensational annual report, British…
- Thailand News
Thai woman finds brother-in-law dead in Pathum Thani home
A tragic discovery occurred yesterday evening at a residence in Pathum Thani when a woman, returning from the market, found her brother-in-law lifeless on the floor, his body surrounded by a pool of blood, with a notable amount having come out of his ears. Police Lieutenant Colonel Surachai Pothiphanrach, an investigative officer from the Klong 5 Police Station, was alerted…
- Thailand News
Shaping traditions: Sand sculptors carve out cultural magic in Pattaya
In celebration of Thai cultural heritage, Wat Prachum Khongkha in Bang Lamung District held a sand sculpture competition, showcasing creativity and craftsmanship. Organised into two categories, beauty and creativity, the grand sand pagoda construction competition aimed to honour the time-honoured tradition synonymous with the festive spirit of the Songkran Festival. Under the Beauty Category, participants showcased their prowess in sand…
- Thailand News
Thai-Chinese high-speed railway agreements near completion
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) anticipates the closure of the final chapters in the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway’s first phase, reveals Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote. Spanning 251 kilometres and boasting a staggering budget of 179.4 billion baht, the ambitious project links the bustling heart of Bangkok to the vibrant cityscape of Nakhon Ratchasima. Divided into 14 meticulously crafted contracts,…
- Thailand News
Yala police officer critically wounded in midnight ambush
A police officer was critically injured in a late-night ambush while on patrol in Banang Sata, Yala province. The incident occurred around midnight close to a 7-Eleven store adjacent to Krung Thai Bank in Banang Sata sub-district. The officer, identified as Wacharaphong Chaiyaphan from the Banang Sata Police Station, was shot by an unidentified gunman and suffered a gunshot wound…
- Thailand News
French national apprehended in Bangkok on kidnap charge
Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Bureau apprehended a 45 year old French national at a hotel in the Silom area of Bang Rak district. The arrest, which took place around 10pm yesterday concerned allegations of a planned kidnapping of the young daughter of a renowned businesswoman, with a demand for a 200 million baht ransom. The arrest warrant for Sandra Christina Marie Diersten,…
- Thailand News
Deputy minister’s son crashes BMW into police checkpoint
Traffic Police Division 5 officials in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district found themselves in a high-speed chase with the son of a deputy minister. The 46 year old man in question was behind the wheel of his sleek BMW sports car when the vehicle careened into steel barricades at a police checkpoint near Soi Ratchadaphisek 31. The driver declined an alcohol test,…
- Thailand News
Food for thought: Thai restaurant operators adopt new strategies
The increasingly competitive nature of Thailand’s food industry has spurred restaurant operators to adopt inventive strategies. They are now focusing on adapting to shifts in consumer preferences and lifestyle changes, ensuring their businesses remain competitive and continue to grow, as noted by the leader of a prominent conglomerate. Nath Vongphanich, who heads Central Restaurants Group, estimated the restaurant market in…
- Thailand News
Klook and TAT join forces to revolutionise Thailand tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Klook, Asia’s premier platform for travel experiences, have inked a deal to supercharge the kingdom’s allure. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool expressed the perfect timing for this collaboration, highlighting their shared goals of promoting Thailand as a top tourist destination. “We have set our goals to collaborate and create comprehensive joint marketing with Klook…
- Thailand News
Spain’s plastic law impacts Thai beverage exports
The Ministry of Commerce’s latest directive has set Thai entrepreneurs on a mission to crack the cap code in light of Spain’s latest law on plastic waste. To tackle plastic waste, Spain’s new law insists bottle caps remain steadfastly attached, impacting global trade. Aligning with the EU’s green agenda, this move aims to slash plastic pollution and set a new…
- Thailand News
Thai PM’s power play: Srettha hints at defence portfolio addition
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin drops hints of an unprecedented power move, hinting at the possibility of adding the defence portfolio to his already hefty workload. This bombshell revelation comes amidst swirling speculations about an imminent Cabinet reshuffle that could reshape Thailand’s political landscape. Addressing a curious press pool after the delayed Cabinet meeting, the 62 year old PM, wearing a…
- Thailand News
Pheu Thai Party eyes House Speaker position
The Pheu Thai Party is reportedly planning to reclaim the House Speaker position from the Prachachat Party, according to a source yesterday. This move is part of the ruling party’s strategy to restructure its parliamentary operations, and it is predicted that the position might be given to a prominent member of the party, possibly a minister who may be removed…
- Thailand News
Thai and Taiwanese firms join to build medical products plant
Aiming to capitalise on the government’s initiative to make Thailand a medical hub in Southeast Asia, Thai firm Namwiwat Medical Corporation (Nam) and Taiwanese company Somnics Inc have joined forces to construct a new manufacturing plant. The facility, intended to serve as an export base, will produce a wide range of medical products, including sleep-enhancing devices. Nam, a local sterilised…
- Thailand News
Can a radical proposal save Phuket’s tourism crisis?
In a bid for autonomy, Phuket Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas is leading a daring move to transform the city into a special administrative organisation to save it from a tourism crisis. The current system, he claims, is holding back progress, leaving the island paradise struggling to keep pace with global rivals. “Tourist cities in many countries are far ahead in their…
- Thailand News
Phuket officials explore technology collaboration on Chengdu visit
Phuket officials recently concluded a three-day visit to Chengdu, in China, focusing on potential collaborative ventures in trade, investment, and tourism. One of the key discussions centred on the application of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, to tackle various challenges in Phuket, including traffic management and tourist assistance. The delegation, led by the President of the Phuket Chamber…
- Thailand News
Bangkok commuters to ride electric trains for just 20 baht
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit pledged that by September 2025, electric train rides throughout the metropolitan area will cost a mere 20 baht, fulfilling a longstanding promise of the ruling Pheu Thai Party. This initiative, initially implemented on select lines last year, faced scepticism from opposition figures like Surachet Pravinvongvuth of the Move Forward Party. Yet, Suriya remains steadfast, asserting that…
- Thailand News
Police officer receives brain surgery after Songkran accident
A police officer was transferred to the Police Hospital in Bangkok following a severe traffic collision that left him critically injured. The incident occurred during the mid-Songkran festival traffic duties in Lopburi province when a female driver struck the officer, 39 year old Police Lance Corporal Piyaphan Seesuay, also known as Dab Tao. The medical team, after an immediate CT…
