- Thailand News
Residents challenge SRT’s ownership claims to Khao Kradong
A land dispute in Khao Kradong, Buriram, has sparked controversy, with Songsak Thongsri, Deputy Minister of Interior, stating that the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) seems to be at fault. The conflict involves over 400 residents who claim rightful ownership of the land, asserting their families have occupied it long before the railway’s construction. During a visit to the contested…
- Thailand News
Thai government to choose sites for casino complexes
The Thai government is set to centrally determine the locations for proposed casino-entertainment complexes, a move aimed at ensuring fair competition among prospective investors, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. The initiative hinges on the passage of a bill legalising gambling, which is currently under consideration. “If the locations are chosen by the government, this will allow investors to…
- Thailand News
Thai court orders DLT to issue vehicle tax sticker to driver
A driver has triumphed in a legal battle against the Department of Land Transport (DLT) over their refusal to issue a vehicle tax sticker due to unpaid traffic fines. The Central Administrative Court instructed the department to provide the sticker to the driver, who had filed a lawsuit against the DLT, its director-general, the Bangkok Land Transport office, and the…
- Thailand News
Thailand braces for cold spell with mountain lows of 5 degrees
Thailand is experiencing a cold spell today, with mountain peak temperatures dropping to a minimum of 5 degrees Celsius (°C). Fog blankets Bangkok this morning, while the south faces thunderstorms due to moderate monsoon winds. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts a chilling climate for the next 24 hours as a moderate cold air mass settles over northern and upper…
- Phuket News
Phuket to host Thailand’s first legal same-sex marriages
Phuket is set to make history on January 22 next year, as the island hosts a dazzling event to mark the first day of legal same-sex marriages in Thailand. Held at Jungceylon shopping mall in Patong, the celebration promises to be a landmark moment for equality and love in the country. Dubbed DOPA Day One: Equality Rings in 878 Districts,…
- Thailand News
PM Paetongtarn crowned Politician of the Year in Bangkok poll
Move over, rivals! Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has stormed ahead in the political popularity race, clinching the top spot in a nationwide survey that crowned her Politician of the Year 2024. The North Bangkok Poll, conducted by North Bangkok University between December 10 and 15, asked 1,500 respondents from across Thailand a simple but telling question: “Who do you think…
- Thailand News
Banana leaf caterpillars bring flavour to Phayao province
The rural community of Pa Fang, located in Huai Kaeo, Phu Kham Yao, Phayao province, has a unique culinary tradition involving banana leaf caterpillars. Residents often venture into the banana groves at the edge of the village to gather these caterpillars, known for their high protein content and distinctive taste. The caterpillars, which are the larvae of banana leaf-rolling moths,…
- Thailand News
Thailand secures South Korean investment in Smart Park project
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has successfully attracted an investment commitment of US$500 million (approximately 17 billion baht) from South Korean investors for the development of Smart Park. The initiative, part of the Now Thailand – The Golden Era campaign, aims to position Thailand as a prime destination for international business ventures. Yuthasak Supasorn, Chairperson of IEAT, welcomed…
- Thailand News
Sole searching: Locals sprint to grab second-hand shoes left in park
Thousands of second-hand running shoes were left in a public park, leading locals to flock and collect them eagerly. This surprising occurrence took place at the Thung Nong Naman public park in Ban Huakhu, Muang Phia subdistrict, Kut Chap district, Udon Thani province. The event was initially shared by a Facebook user, Charoon Boonjuang, who posted images of the shoes…
- Krabi News
Thailand rolls out the red carpet for Polish tourists
Thailand has turned on the charm for Polish holidaymakers, welcoming 294 tourists on a landmark charter flight from Warsaw to Krabi. LOT Polish Airlines‘ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner touched down at Krabi International Airport yesterday, December 19, marking a high-flying milestone in Thai-Polish tourism. This inaugural seasonal service, organised by leading tour operator ITAKA, is set to run until March 19,…
- Phuket News
Plane and simple: Phuket Airport gears up for holiday rush
Phuket International Airport is bracing for a surge of holiday travellers, with up to 60,000 passengers expected daily during the festive season. Officials promise streamlined services and enhanced security to handle the crowds. The Royal Thai Police (RTP)’s Immigration Bureau, led by acting commissioner Police Lieutenant General Panumas Bunyalak, joined forces with airport director Monchai Tanode to ensure the airport…
- Thailand News
Paws and reflect: Workers celebrate well-done Udon Thani dog rescue
Rescue workers in Udon Thani were filled with joy after successfully rescuing a stranded dog from a well near a fishpond on Tham Chedi Road in Mueang district. The heartwarming scene unfolded yesterday, December 19, when the team from Udon Thani’s Songserm Tham Foundation received a call for assistance from locals, who reported hearing a dog trapped in a well for…
- Thailand News
Newborn abandoned in Rayong market toilet sparks investigation
The body of a newborn was discovered wrapped in a red towel and abandoned in a women’s restroom at a local market in Pluak Daeng, Rayong. Police received the report at 9am today, December 20, and upon inspection, found no visible injuries on the infant, believed to have died approximately one day before. The unsettling discovery was made in the…
- Thailand News
Indian passengers turn Thai AirAsia plane into party zone (video)
A flight to Thailand turned into a scene of mid-air mayhem, sparking outrage online after a viral video showcased the unruly behaviour of Indian passengers. Shared by Ankit Kumar, a content creator aboard the Thai AirAsia flight, the footage reveals groups of Indian men standing in the aisle, chatting loudly, snacking, and blatantly ignoring air hostesses’ repeated requests to return…
- Phuket News
Extra road safety: Phuket’s ‘7 Dangerous Days’ extended to 10
In a bid to curb road carnage this new year, Phuket officials are going all out. The long-standing “7 Dangerous Days” campaign will stretch to a full 10 days this year, running from December 27 to January 5, marking the most extended safety crackdown yet. The decision was confirmed during a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Wednesday, December 18,…
- Thailand News
Thailand sees 87% surge in hotel bookings this December
Thailand is gaining recognition as a premier travel destination, particularly during December, as indicated by recent statistics from SiteMinder, a renowned global hotel revenue management platform. This December has witnessed an impressive 87% in hotel bookings made by international tourists, marking an increase from last year’s 84% during the same period. Deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachun highlighted the surge in…
- Thailand News
Thai ONCB busts drug trafficking network in Songkhla waters
A significant drug trafficking network operating via maritime routes has been dismantled by police in Songkhla, following an extensive investigation and operation Swooping the Pirates: Suppressing the Seas EP.3. Eighteen people connected to the network were arrested, and assets valued at over 170 million baht were seized. The operation was initiated after a major bust on December 4, when police…
- Thailand News
Jealousy-driven shooting leaves two dead in Prachuap Khiri Khan
A shooting incident occurred in Prachuap Khiri Khan, where an ex-husband allegedly ambushed and killed his ex-wife’s new partner and friend, leaving another injured. The attack was reportedly motivated by jealousy and unfolded on a rural road in Ao Noi, a subdistrict in the Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan district. Police were alerted to the scene at 12.30am today, December 19,…
- Pattaya News
Transwoman drama leaves Pattaya taxi driver with egg on his face
A confrontation unfolded on Pattaya Beach early yesterday between a motorcycle taxi driver and a transgender woman, resulting in injuries for the driver and egg on his face. Pattaya police received reports of a violent altercation at around 3.06am, yesterday, December 19, prompting immediate response to the scene. On arrival, they encountered Chayut, a 34 year old motorcycle taxi driver,…
- Thailand News
Flight fright: Passenger tries to open exit on THAI flight from Taiwan (video)
A tense incident unfolded on a Thai Airways flight when a Thai worker returning from Taiwan experienced hallucinations and attempted to open the emergency exit mid-flight. Quick-thinking passengers managed to subdue and restrain him, averting potential disaster. A TikTok user, @yao1926.new who was on the flight, shared a video capturing the dramatic event. The user recounted that on the flight…
- Thailand News
Drunken drama: Russian hospitalised after Bangla brawl
A night of partying on Bangla Road turned into chaos when a drunken Russian tourist was hospitalised after a violent altercation with security guards. The incident unfolded at Oscar Bar, Patong, late last night, December 18. Police were called to the scene at 11.50pm, where they found 31 year old Russian national Evgenii Kozlov seriously injured after a scuffle with…
- Pattaya News
Woman cheats death in Pattaya pole crash, credits spirit
A 21 year old woman miraculously walked away with minor injuries after her car was obliterated in a high-speed crash near Pattaya. The driver credited her survival to a guardian spirit she prays to before every journey. The accident occurred at 1.16am today, December 19. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre rushed to the scene on a motorway heading into…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok crowned Christmas travel top spot, beating Tokyo
Move over Tokyo, Bangkok is stealing the spotlight this festive season! Agoda’s latest insights reveal that Thailand’s bustling capital has clinched the title of the world’s top destination for international travellers this Christmas. With a 14% surge in accommodation searches compared to last year, Bangkok has overtaken Tokyo and is proving irresistible to holidaymakers. Bangkok also ranks as the second…
- Pattaya News
Thai woman accepts laced drink at Pattaya nightclub, hospitalised
A night out in Pattaya took a dangerous turn for a woman after accepting a drink from a Chinese tourist, leading to severe health issues. The incident occurred when the Thai woman was celebrating her sibling’s birthday at a club on Walking Street, Pattaya, Chon Buri. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, recounted her ordeal, which included passing out…
- Thailand News
Fraudsters target Thai schools with fake dining table sales
A new scam targeting schools by offering stainless steel dining tables has emerged, causing significant financial losses to unsuspecting victims. The scam involves setting up fake stores and using counterfeit documents to deceive businesses into transferring large sums of money, believing they are purchasing these tables for schools. Reports of the scam began surfacing when a Facebook user, Pupe Chiquita,…
- Phuket News
Lorry with missing wheel sparks safety fears on Phuket road (video)
A video clip sparking safety concerns has taken social media by storm, showing a lorry missing a wheel and with a bulging tyre, driving along Thep Kasattri Road, in Thalang, Phuket. Shared by a popular local social media page, the 27-second video amassed significant attention and stirred a variety of reactions online. The incident occurred on the outbound lane of…
- Thailand News
Thai farmers receive 20 billion baht in government aid
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has disbursed 20 billion baht over the past three days to 2.6 million farmers as part of a government initiative aimed at supporting rice producers. The goal is to benefit 4.6 million households with a total budget of 37.4 billion baht. Chatchai Sirilai, Manager of BAAC, announced the progress of the financial…
- Thailand News
Thailand health ministry warns of new year disease risks
The Ministry of Public Health issued a warning about diseases to watch out for during the new year, particularly influenza and sudden hearing loss. They urged travellers to monitor their health upon returning from trips abroad. With the weather cooling down and many people travelling internationally, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) has updated its list of diseases with potential…
- Thailand News
Meth-induced man defacates, wields knife in police standoff
Police officers in Samut Songkhram successfully subdued a 50 year old local man wielding a long knife in a pomelo orchard. The incident occurred yesterday, December 18, behind Wat Worapoom Health Promotion Hospital, with officers employing negotiation tactics to defuse the situation. The Samut Songkhram Police Station received reports of a man, identified only as Yod, brandishing a 2-foot-long sword…
- Thailand News
French Bulldog missing in Uthai Thani, reward offered (video)
A search is underway for a four year old male French Bulldog called Peter, who has been missing since yesterday. His owner, from Uthai Thani province, is offering a reward of 2 salungs (7.5 grammes) of gold for Peter’s safe return. Wachirawit shared that Peter went missing after an unexpected visit from a monk on a walking pilgrimage. It was an…