- Thailand News
Sky’s the limit: Suvarnabhumi Bangkok aims for a million flights in a year
An ambitious target set by Thailand’s government aims to handle one million flights nationwide next year, following the recent opening of Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s third runway. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced the objective, emphasising the move as part of Thailand’s strategy to become the region’s aviation hub and to stimulate tourism and economic growth. After the official opening of…
- Thailand News
Khao Yai park clarifies contractor resigned amid elephant concerns
Khao Yai National Park has clarified that Sutthiporn Sinka, known as “Phlai Su” resigned from his duties of pushing back wild elephants rather than being transferred. He faced numerous complaints for using inappropriate methods that posed risks to tourists. Sutthiporn, a contractor at Khao Yai National Park, was responsible for managing wild elephants that ventured onto visitor paths. As of…
- Thailand News
Fatal shooting in Songkhla after heated altercation
A heated altercation led to a fatal shooting in Songkhla when an ice delivery man was shot dead by a rival. The confrontation occurred yesterday, October 27, in Singhanakhon district, Songkhla province, at around 7.30pm. CCTV footage revealed the confrontation between the victim, 23 year old Thanakorn and his assailant, 33 year old Kritnai. Thanakorn, riding a sidecar motorcycle, encountered Kritnai,…
- Thailand News
Snake snack attack: Python’s kitten meal causes a hissy fit in grocery
A massive python was discovered after devouring two adorable kittens in a grocery store near the mountains in Phatthalung. It was too full to move, prompting rescue officials to capture and release it back into nature. Rescue officials in Phatthalung’s Srinakarin district received a call for help from locals reporting a large python that had swallowed a male and a…
- Business News
Thailand leads Southeast Asia in agricultural exports, 8th globally
Thailand emerged as the largest exporter of agricultural products in Southeast Asia and the eighth-largest globally, thanks to its free trade agreements (FTAs). The Trade Negotiations Department highlighted this achievement, with the Director-General, Chotima Iemsawasdikul, attributing the success to these agreements despite growing foreign competition and global economic uncertainties. Thailand’s agricultural export value reached US$19.8 billion (638 billion baht) in…
- Business News
EGAT to add 110 EV charging outlets in Thailand this year
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is intensifying its electric vehicle (EV) solution services, notably by expanding charging outlets, to capitalise on the burgeoning EV market and support Thailand’s carbon reduction goals. EGAT’s expansion follows its pilot-scale operations in collaboration with state agencies and building owners. With 50 years of expertise in electricity supply and transmission system development, EGAT…
- Thailand News
Man caught after 13 hour search near Thaphra MRT station
A man was apprehended after a 13-hour search in Bangkok, following an incident where he threatened to harm himself at the Thaphra MRT station. He was eventually found hiding near a drainage canal. Police from Thaphra station received a report of a man behaving erratically and threatening to jump from a height at the Thaphra Blue Line station on Charansanitwong…
- Thailand News
Van crash kills four officials returning to Bangkok from ceremony
A tragic accident involving a van carrying officials from the Department of Water Resources resulted in the deaths of four people after the vehicle crashed into a tree. The van was returning to Bangkok when the incident occurred. Yesterday, October 27, police from Kosamphi Nakhon Police Station in Kamphaeng Phet province responded to an accident involving a white Toyota van…
- Economy News
Thai public debt remains under 70% of GDP despite borrowing
Thailand’s public debt remains within manageable levels, according to the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), despite recent borrowing for fiscal 2024. Jindarat Viriyataveekul, a public debt advisor for the PDMO, confirmed that the debt level has not surpassed the critical threshold of 70% of GDP. “The level is still within this limit, even though the government borrowed an additional 145…
- Thailand News
Thai cake shop in controversy for gecko surprise
A Facebook user recently shared a dramatic post, showing a chocolate cake with a gecko inside. The post, which quickly went viral, included a caption expressing disgust and confusion about how the gecko ended up in the cake. The user mentioned feeling nauseous after eating half the cake and only discovering the gecko when using a spoon to inspect the…
- Phuket News
Phuket expects Kazakhstani tourist surge from new direct flights
Phuket anticipates a surge in Kazakhstani tourists with the inauguration of direct flights from the Central Asian country’s remote capital, Astana. Air Astana is operating the service, and the maiden direct flight, KC163, departed from Kazakhstan and arrived in the southern island province yesterday, October 27. Suladda Sarutilavan, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Europe region, stated that the…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya Tourist Police prepares for upcoming high season
Pattaya Tourist Police are increasing safety measures for the upcoming high season, especially for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations heading into 2025. On October 24, Police Colonel Man Rotthong, Superintendent of Tourist Police Division 2, led a meeting to discuss preparations for the high season in Pattaya. Key points included reviewing the Strong Tourism Community (S.T.C.) project and…
- Thailand News
Thailand pumps the brakes on private sector traffic perks
The Ministry of Transport firmly dismissed allegations from the opposition that its proposed traffic congestion fees will disproportionately benefit the private sector, asserting that the policy is designed with accountability in mind. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote addressed concerns raised by Suphanat Meenchainan, a Bangkok MP from the opposition People’s Party, during a House meeting yesterday, October 24. Transport Minister…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s fruit season ends with prices going bananas
Thailand’s fruit season is wrapping up this year with a notable surge in prices for durian, mangosteen, rambutan, longkong, and mango. The successes of this year’s fruit season are attributed to the preparations made in advance. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan announced that the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has closely monitored fruit production and pricing for 2024. The season’s end…
- Thailand News
Police seize over 1 billion meth pills, assets worth 12 billion baht
Thai police have successfully dismantled a major drug trafficking network, seizing over one billion meth pills and other narcotics throughout the year. Assets worth more than 12 billion baht have also been confiscated. Yesterday, October 24, Assistant Commissioner-General Nirandorn Lueamsri, and Somboon Thiankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), announced the arrest of key figures involved in the…
- Bangkok News
Thai taxi driver arrested for stabbing Australian tourist in Bangkok
Thai police arrested a taxi driver for the brutal stabbing of an Australian tourist with a box cutter, causing injuries. The driver confessed to the crime, stating that a quarrel led to the incident, which occurred after the tourist slammed the car door loudly and refused to pay for the damage. Yesterday, October 24, Police Major General Witthawat Chinnakam, Police…
- Thailand News
Buriram gears up for MotoGP 2024 with travel incentives
Buriram is set to host the prestigious MotoGP event, PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2024, from today, October 25 to 27, at Chang International Circuit. Atthawit Rakjamroon, acting managing director of Transport Company Limited (BorKorSor), announced initiatives to boost travel and attendance for the event. In conjunction with the MotoGP event, BorKorSor introduced a campaign titled Register for Souvenirs… Get…
- Thailand News
Thailand outlines new measures to support Thai farmers
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripatapan, announced that the House of Representatives’ Agriculture and Cooperatives Committee met with the Ministry of Commerce to discuss policies and measures to assist Thai farmers both domestically and internationally. The focus was on key agricultural products such as rice, cassava, animal feed corn, and fruits, as well as the compilation of agricultural product data. The meeting…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s vehicle production hits the brakes in a sharp downturn
The automotive industry in Thailand has experienced a significant downturn in vehicle production, with September 2024 seeing a total of 122,277 units produced, marking a 25.48% decrease from the same period last year. This decline reflects a 15.78% reduction in vehicles manufactured for export, totalling 87,666 units, and a 42.31% drop in vehicles produced for domestic sales, amounting to 34,611…
- Thailand News
Chinese tourist dies in tragic shooting at Thai range
A tragic incident occurred at a shooting range in Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, where a 43 year old Chinese man committed suicide by shooting himself, shocking everyone present. Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. Yesterday evening, October 24 at around 5pm, Veerawat Boonpaeng, an investigating officer at Khlong Ha Police Station in Pathum Thani, received a report…
- Thailand News
Thai police arrest YouTuber for illegal firearm sales
Thai police arrested a young delivery rider who illegally manufactured and sold firearms through YouTube to earn extra income. Police detained 25 year old Wongsakorn in his fourth-floor apartment in Din Daeng, Bangkok, after discovering various homemade firearms and ammunition. The operation, led by Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem and his team, followed a tip-off from an informant about illegal gun…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s 300-baht travel tax takes off with air passengers first
Collection of the 300-baht travel tax could initially target air passengers, with the system needing at least six months to become operational, as stated by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced that the ministry is currently revising the details of the programme and plans to submit it for Cabinet approval in January. Despite the…
- Economy News
Stuck in neutral: Loan rejections stall Thailand’s used car market
Thailand’s used car market is set to experience continued sluggish sales due to frequent loan rejections faced by prospective buyers, according to the Association of Used Cars. Earlier forecasts by the association anticipated an improvement in used car sales in the latter half of 2024, driven by expectations that financial service providers would relax their lending criteria. Nonetheless, financial institutions…
- Business News
Thailand casino draft law ready to hit the jackpot in Cabinet review
The draft law on entertainment complexes and casinos in Thailand is anticipated to reach the Cabinet for consideration later this year, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Upon receiving Cabinet approval, the administration plans to forward the draft law to Parliament for further deliberation. The House of Representatives is scheduled to reconvene for a regular session from mid-December…
- Business News
Transport, industrial stocks may gain if Trump wins US election
Transport and industrial estate stocks are poised for gains if Donald Trump secures victory in the US presidential election, according to Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). Conversely, manufacturers of petrochemicals, electrical equipment, steel products, and auto parts may face stiffer competition from Chinese exports. With the US presidential election just weeks away, the race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Trump…
- Thailand News
Ex-boxer arrested for fatal punch of colleague while drinking
A former boxer has been arrested for fatally punching his colleague during a drinking session due to a long-standing grudge. The ex-boxer confessed to the crime while reconstructing the event with the police. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sirichai Jaroensiri from Prakhon Chai Police Station in Buriram province, along with the investigation team, escorted 32 year old Krittana for a reenactment of…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya bike thief pedals away with a full plate, leaves sticky rice
A bicycle worth 15,000 baht was stolen from a Pattaya journalist, with the thief casually inflating the tyres before riding away, leaving a bag of sticky rice and pork behind. CCTV footage from an apartment in Soi Thetsaban 1, Moo 1, Huai Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, captured the thief in action. The individual, identified as a…
- Bangkok News
Police seize 68 motorcycles in Bangkok street racing crackdown
Police in Bangkok apprehended a large group of motorcycle riders racing on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, seizing 68 motorcycles and detaining both racers and their supporters. The operation followed reports on social media about the planned gathering. At 12.30am yesterday, October 23, Phuchong Mae-thung, a traffic control officer from the Vibhavadi Rangsit Traffic Control Centre, led over 60 traffic police officers in…
- Thailand News
Thai cops race against crime to catch Chinese students kidnap gang
Thai police are urgently tracking a gang responsible for kidnapping three Chinese students from a renowned university in Thonburi, demanding a ransom of 1.5 million baht. The last known location of the students indicates they were taken across the border into Myanmar. On October 20 at 5am, a professor from the university reported the incident to the Thammasala Police Station…
- Bangkok News
Iranian man caught impersonating police to rob tourists in Bangkok
Officers in Bang Rak apprehended an Iranian man impersonating a police officer to search tourists’ bags and steal cash. The suspect was finally caught at the Sadao checkpoint while attempting to flee to Malaysia. Police Major General Samart Phromchat, with local officers and immigration police, arrested 53 year old Ghiasi Arefhossein on charges of theft by impersonation. The arrest was…