- Guides
Celebrating Songkran festival in Thailand 2025
As we edge closer to April, the cheers of Thailand’s beloved Songkran festival grow stronger by the day. In 2025, Songkran festivities have big shoes to fill after almost a month-long celebration period in 2024. The good news is this year is set to be bigger and bolder than ever. Songkran represents the Thai traditional new year. As the main…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok introduces congestion charge in six key intersections
Thailand is looking to introduce a congestion charge to alleviate traffic in key areas of Bangkok, known for its gridlock bumper-to-bumper congestion. Following the footsteps of other major cities such as London and Milan, the move is expected to yield positive results. The congestion charge, designed to alleviate traffic jams and curb environmental pollution, is set to initially cover six…
- Thailand News
Phatthalung man fires at ex-wife’s home, no injuries reported
Police in Phatthalung province yesterday responded to an incident involving a man who allegedly fired shots at his former wife’s residence, causing property damage but no injuries. The altercation took place in Mueang Phatthalung district, yesterday, February 9, with police actively pursuing legal action against the suspect. Upon arriving at the scene, police discovered shattered windows, doors, and damaged walls…
- Thailand News
Thai officials foil Myanmar solar panel, fuel smuggling attempts
Security personnel in the western province of Tak intercepted attempts to smuggle solar panels and fuel into Myanmar yesterday, February 9. This comes amid a Thai government directive to halt power and fuel exports to three Myanmar border towns, following a request from Chinese agencies concerned about scam operations targeting Chinese citizens. In the first incident, a patrol comprising soldiers,…
- Thailand News
Thaksin ready to tackle censure debate accusations
Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra expressed his intention to address any inquiries or accusations made against him during the upcoming censure debate, anticipated to take place at the end of this month or early next month. Although he will not be physically present in the chamber to provide an immediate response, Thaksin assured reporters of his readiness to reply…
- Thailand News
New Jurassic film set to boost Thai tourism and hotel bookings
Tourism operators are optimistic that the new Jurassic franchise film, highlighting the natural attractions of southern Thailand, will draw tourists year-round. This has led to calls for a management plan to accommodate the expected visitor influx. The trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth showcases destinations in Krabi and Trang, including Koh Kradan and Khao Phanom Bencha National Park. The film is…
- Chiang Mai News
Drug traffickers killed in Chiang Mai shootout, meth haul seized
Four members of a drug trafficking ring were killed in a shootout in a Chiang Mai forest, resulting in the seizure of over 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and one million methamphetamine pills. The incident occurred on Saturday, February 8, near Ban Pang Nok, Moo 1, Malika subdistrict, Mae Ai district, when personnel from the 3206th Ranger Company, under the…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok delays AI cameras for enforcing new speed limits
For over a month, a revised speed limit has been in place in Bangkok, yet traffic police are awaiting the installation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) security cameras by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to effectively enforce it. On December 23, the BMA implemented a new speed limit of 60 kilometres per hour (kph) on most city roads, with exceptions for…
- Thailand News
Thaksin travels to Malaysia for talks with PM
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia met with his informal advisory group yesterday, February 2, led by Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to discuss various regional matters. The meeting, which took place after Thaksin received court approval to travel internationally, covered significant topics including the ongoing situation in Myanmar and developments in cryptocurrency. Anwar shared details of the gathering…
- Thailand News
FDA raises kratom limit to boost farmers’ incomes
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has committed to promoting kratom-based products to enhance farmers’ incomes while adhering to safety standards. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently increased the daily consumption limit of mitragynine, a key alkaloid in kratom plants, from 1 milligramme to 3 milligrammes. This development is significant in advancing kratom-infused products. Mitragynine is known for its…
- Thailand News
E-cigarette crisis on national agenda over youth vaping surge
Civil networks have collectively decided to elevate the e-cigarette issue to a national agenda following a significant increase in young vapers over the past year. This topic was discussed during a seminar hosted by the Senate committee on Social Development, Children, Youth, Women, the Elderly, People with Disabilities, the Underprivileged, and Social Diversity. The event took place on January 30…
- Bangkok News
Thailand considers cutting free public lighting to lower power bills
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) stated that discussions among national state agencies are necessary regarding the Energy Ministry‘s proposal to reduce power bills by cutting the government’s free electricity supply to public lighting. Currently, local administrative bodies and departments responsible for highways and rural roads are exempt from paying for public lighting, a cost shouldered by the government amounting to…
- Bangkok News
PM Paetongtarn highlights policy successes in monthly address
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered her monthly television address yesterday, February 2, highlighting her administration’s efforts and accomplishments since the beginning of the year. The programme, titled Okat Thai Kap Nayok Paetongtarn (Opportunities for Thailand with Prime Minister Paetongtarn), is scheduled to air on the first Sunday of each month on the NBT HD2 channel, which is controlled by the…
- Thailand News
People’s Party wins key Lamphun election victory
The opposition People’s Party (PP) has achieved a significant milestone in local politics, as candidate Weeradej Pupisit won the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) presidential election in Lamphun. Unofficial results indicate that 39 year old Weeradej defeated Anusorn Wongwan, a four-time veteran from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, in the election held on February 1. The PP presented 17 candidates for…
- Thailand News
Thai police to establish centre to combat Myanmar scam gangs
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is establishing an international coordination centre to collaborate with foreign embassies in preventing foreign nationals from joining call centre scam gangs in Myanmar. The initiative, spearheaded by Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, aims to tackle call centre scams, particularly in the Mae Sot district of Tak, which serves as a significant transit point for individuals joining…
- Thailand News
Forest fire in Phetchabun destroys 180 rai, suspects arrested
National park officials worked overnight to extinguish a forest fire in Huai Rangka, which destroyed approximately 180 rai, yesterday, February 2, in Phetchabun province. The blaze is suspected to have been started by people hunting or foraging. On the same day, several sugarcane field fires were reported along roadsides, resulting in the arrest of two people. Ronnarat Sirimakorn, head of…
- Business News
New Hotel Act targets 500 unlicensed Thai hotels
The Tourism and Sports Ministry is set to propose a new Hotel Act specifically for small and medium-sized hotels, with the aim of registering over 500 unlicensed accommodations that currently cannot participate in the existing system. Tourism Vice-Minister Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham reported that more than 90,000 small and medium-sized accommodations in Thailand do not qualify as hotel businesses under the current…
- Phuket News
Man in Phuket arrested after attempted abduction of 14 year old girl
Police in Phuket arrested a man on January 24, after an attempted abduction of a 14 year old girl in Kamala. The incident unfolded early in the morning when the girl narrowly avoided harm with the intervention of a hotel security guard and nearby residents. The girl, referred to by the pseudonym Ploy, was waiting for her school bus near…
- Thailand News
PM2.5 pollution targetted with urgent health measures
Thailand is grappling with severe PM2.5 air pollution, prompting the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to issue an urgent directive to local administrative organisations and Bangkok. The directive encourages the use of local health security funds to combat the pollution, including purchasing masks for vulnerable groups. Yesterday, January 26, Doctor Jadej Thammatacharee, Secretary-General of the NHSO, highlighted the worsening PM2.5…
- Thailand News
Bangkok taxi driver flees after attempted assault on passenger
A woman found herself in an unknown room after taking a taxi ride home, where the driver allegedly attempted to assault her. The incident occurred on January 26, when the woman, who had been drinking with friends in the Ratchaprasong area, took a Toyota taxi to return to her condominium. Waking up in an unfamiliar room with the driver, the…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s game industry act set for Cabinet review in February
The draft of the Game Industry Act is scheduled for Cabinet review next month following the conclusion of public hearings. The legislation is anticipated to be implemented by the end of 2025. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President and Chief Executive of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), stated that the law aims to address the development of the computer game industry, valued…
- Thailand News
Teen arrested for opening fire in a motorcycle sale gone wrong
A teen was arrested for attempted murder and stealing a motorcycle after a sale gone wrong. The incident occurred on January 22 when the suspect, 19 year old Kittinan, and four accomplices orchestrated a motorcycle sale, which ended in violence. Yesterday, January 26, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and other senior officers ordered the arrest of Kittinan, wanted under a…
- Lifestyle
Did Apple predict the current air pollution crisis?
Since the dawn of the new year, many provinces across Thailand have been grappling with a severe level of air pollution. As of January 24, Bangkok has been rated the fourth most polluted city in the world in terms of poor air quality by IQAir. The capital is often blanketed by a thick layer of smog, which has reminded some…
- Thailand News
Gender recognition bill considered for identity self-determination
The recently implemented Marriage Equality Bill is a significant step towards equal marriage rights for all, but many who registered their marriages last week are concerned that their gender title does not align with their gender identity, and are now advocating for a Gender Recognition Bill. The bill, if passed, would allow individuals to select their gender title and offer…
- Lifestyle
Gordon Ramsay and his nemesis, the Pad Thai
Gordon Ramsay, a mainstream figure in countless TV shows over the past few decades, headlining popular shows such as Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, and MasterChef, among many others has made a return to Thailand to oversee the opening of his new restaurant, and to confront his arch nemesis, the Pad Thai, once more. With his ventures in the culinary world,…
- Health
Why you need to wear a mask in Bangkok right now
As anyone who has spent time in Thailand, or other Asian cultures for that matter, I’m sure you have seen people wearing masks while in public in Bangkok. But why? The scare of Covid-19 has now long lost its saliency and fears among the general public have been diminished to a level comparable to a bad cold. Yet we still…
- Thailand News
Thailand locks in on crop burning with strict new measures
Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives announced strict new measures on January 17 to combat the growing PM2.5 air pollution crisis, with a particular focus on penalising farmers for crop burning. Deputy Minister Itthi Sirilatthayakorn signed the announcement, highlighting how agricultural burning has become a major contributor to the country’s deteriorating air quality. The practice generates smoke and fine particulate…
- Thailand News
Thaksin’s power tariff cut plan sparks debate on electricity pricing
Thaksin Shinawatra‘s proposal to lower the power tariff from 4.15 to 3.70 baht per kilowatt-hour has ignited a discussion on the future of electricity pricing, which has remained elevated since 2022. The adjustment of tariff rates directly impacts electricity bills, with a reduced tariff leading to lower costs for businesses and households. The former prime minister introduced the tariff reduction…
- Thailand News
Pickup driver falls asleep, cause fatal crashes in Chon Buri
A pickup truck driver fell asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to veer into the opposite lane and crash into a motorcycle. This tragic accident resulted in the immediate deaths of two individuals and severe injuries to another. The incident occurred at 10.40pm yesterday, January 19 on the Phan Thong-Ban Bueng road, near a restaurant in Nong Hong, Phan…
- Environment News
Thailand plans five-year strategy to tackle PM2.5 pollution
Last week a workshop was held in Chiang Mai aimed at developing a five-year plan to combat PM2.5 pollution. The Office of the Science Promotion Commission, along with officials in Chiang Mai held the workshop on January 13 and 14, emphasising a change through research and innovation. Governor Nirat Phongsitthaworn of Chiang Mai highlighted the importance of utilising research to…
