- Bangkok News
Last night’s Bangkok furniture factory fire rages on
A fire erupted at a furniture factory on Chalong Krung Road in Bangkok last night, May 11, raising concerns about the potential collapse of the building. The blaze originated in the basement before spreading to several nearby communities with intense heat and significant smoke. The incident occurred at a furniture factory located in a two-storey structure with a basement used…
- Thailand News
Thaksin Shinawatra’s Qatar travel request denied
The Appeal Court has confirmed the Criminal Court’s decision to deny former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra‘s request to travel to Qatar, as reported by former senator Somchai Swangkarn. Somchai, referencing a justice system source, shared on Facebook that Thaksin’s appeal was rejected for two reasons outlined by the lower court. Firstly, there was no confirmed meeting between Thaksin and US…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Summer storm warning for Thailand: 54 provinces on alert
Weather forecasts for today, May 12, indicate that Thailand will experience a summer storm across 54 provinces, with northern areas especially at risk. Bangkok will face strong winds today, according to the Meteorological Department’s 24-hour forecast, which also predicts thunderstorms, hail, and heavy rain in some areas. This weather condition brings southeast and south winds that carry moisture from the…
- Bangkok News
Search at collapsed audit office site nears completion, 14 still missing
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt provided an update today, May 5, on the ongoing search for missing persons at the collapsed State Audit Office building under construction in Chatuchak district. The building collapsed following the March 28 earthquake. Chadchart said rescue operations have made steady progress, with teams now reaching the basement level of Zone SC2, where no further victims are…
- Thailand News
Gunfire near Thai border kills 2 Lao soldiers, bullet hits Thai home
At least two Lao soldiers were killed in a clash with an armed group near the Thai border in Chiang Rai, with a stray bullet piercing the roof of a Thai home, officials confirmed. The gunfire erupted in Laos’ Paktha district, Bokeo province, opposite Wiang Kaen district in Chiang Rai. The incident, believed to be connected to a recent drug…
- Pattaya News
Belgian to be deported after drunken rampages in Pattaya
A Belgian man is set to be deported after repeated drunken outbursts in convenience stores in Pattaya, forcing Thai immigration to step in and revoke his visa. Mustafa Hakan Aslan, a Belgian passport holder, was detained by Chon Buri immigration officers yesterday, May 4, following two separate incidents at convenience stores in the space of a week. He will now…
- Thailand News
PM defends casino complex plan amid public outcry
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has criticised opponents of the planned casino entertainment complex, accusing political adversaries of creating confusion and fuelling opposition. During the NBT programme, Empowering Thais with PM Paetongtarn, she defended the project, asserting it could attract significant foreign investment and economic benefits without relying on taxpayer funds. Paetongtarn clarified that the investment would come from private and…
- Crime News
Bangkok woman assaulted by gang, mother seek justice (video)
A large group of friends gathered at a police station after their friend, a 27 year old woman, was assaulted by a gang in Bangkok. The incident, which was captured on video, set her mother on a path to seek justice. Today, May 5, a video of a violent incident outside an apartment in Ratchada Soi 13, Din Daeng district,…
- Pattaya News
German homeless after kicked out by Thai wife in Pattaya
A German man was found stranded and distressed in Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach area after being kicked out of his home by his Thai wife, local officials confirmed. The incident came to light during a routine patrol by the Jomtien enforcement unit under Pattaya City Hall, operating on a directive from Mayor Poramet Ngampichet to ensure visitor safety. Officers responded to…
- Thailand News
Police crackdown on major gambling network in Isaan
A significant crackdown on an online gambling network in southern Isaan resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals, including the website’s owner and his wife, today, May 5. The operation involved over 80 officers from Police Division 3, targeting 14 locations across Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram, Nakhon Nayok, and Chon Buri provinces. The operation led to the…
- Business News
Thailand to ease foreign business rules, boosting investment appeal
The Commerce Ministry intends to streamline business registration by excluding 10 service businesses from List 3 of the Foreign Business Act. This move aims to boost investment within the nation. Auramon Supthaweethum, the Director-General of the Department of Business Development (DBD), indicated that the ministry evaluated the service businesses on List 3 to adapt to evolving economic conditions. List 3…
- Bangkok News
Australian man arrested in Thailand over armed robbery charges
Thai immigration officers apprehended an Australian man linked to an armed robbery at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, according to official sources. The Aussie was detained on May 3 after arriving from Bali on Thai Airways flight TG432. He was intercepted while attempting to travel to Phuket on a connecting flight. The Immigration Bureau reported that biometric checks flagged him as banned…
- Thailand News
Thai parliament’s renovation plan criticised amid economic strain
Thai Parliament faces criticism after requesting an additional budget of hundreds of millions of baht for renovations amidst economic challenges for many Thais. The budget would fund a 4D cinema and refurbish the seldom-used Sala Kaeo pavilion, a proposal widely condemned as frivolous by critics, including MPs from the People’s Party. The plan allocates 113 million baht to refurbish Sala…
- Thailand News
Bangkok police seize 34,000 counterfeit perfumes worth 4.3m
The Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) carried out a recent operation in Bangkok, leading to the seizure of over 34,000 counterfeit branded perfumes smuggled from China, valued at 4.3 million baht. Commander Pattanasak Bupphasuwan of the CPPD announced that the May 3 raids focused on suspected storage hubs in Rat Burana and Bukkhalo districts. During these coordinated searches, 34,806 fake…
- South Thailand News
Bomb in Narathiwat kills police officer during murder investigation
A police officer tragically passed away following a bomb explosion at a lamppost in Narathiwat province. The explosion occurred as the police officer was retrieving evidence from a CCTV camera during an investigation into the fatal shooting of a blind elderly woman and her son on May 2. The explosion took place yesterday, May 4, at 1.30pm in the Chang…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Heavy rain and storms to affect 50 provinces across Thailand
Weather forecasts for today, May 5, indicate heavy rain affecting 50 provinces across Thailand, including Bangkok. The Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned that the southern region could see rainfall affecting 70% of the area, with risks of strong winds, flash floods, and forest runoff. The TMD advised people in the south to be cautious of heavy and persistent rain, which…
- Thailand News
Thai labour groups demand risk fund and overtime pay reform
Labour organisations in Thailand have presented nine demands on Labour Day, highlighting the necessity for increased overtime pay and the establishment of a risk insurance fund for workers. Panus Thailuan, President of the National Congress of Thai Labour, identified the creation of a risk insurance fund as the most critical demand. This fund aims to protect workers from unfair dismissals…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya urges public to avoid posting on public property
Pattaya City officials are urging residents and visitors to refrain from attaching signs or writing on public property, including electrical poles and other city infrastructure. The campaign is part of an effort to maintain the city’s cleanliness, order, and visual appeal. Authorities have made it clear that anyone found in violation of these rules will face legal consequences. The announcement…
- Thailand News
Tragic house fire claims homeowner’s life in Chon Buri
A house fire broke out in Chon Buri earlier today, May 1, at 4am, completely torching a two-storey wooden house and resulting in the death of the homeowner, whose charred body was found on the upper floor. The cause of the fire remains unknown, pending further investigations. Police Lieutenant Prasert Kulbutdee, an investigator with the Phan Thong Police Station, along…
- Thailand News
US lecturer wins appeal to remove EM bracelet
Yesterday, April 30, the Court of Appeal Region 6 granted permission for Doctor Paul Chambers to remove his electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet. This decision follows his appeal against a previous court order, though he must adhere to other bail conditions. Yesterday, the Human Rights Lawyers Centre announced on their social media page that Chambers is now allowed to remove his…
- Thailand News
People’s Party demands probe into student visa misuse by Chinese nationals
The People’s Party has urged the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to investigate international study programmes allegedly used by Chinese nationals to obtain student visas for illegal work in Thailand. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the party’s deputy leader, referenced the March 28 collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building as evidence of the detrimental impact of the zero-dollar…
- Phuket News
Chalong Police arrest youths after motorbike gang clash in Phuket
Chalong Police in Phuket have apprehended several youths following a gang-related incident involving rival members on motorbikes. The altercation, which occurred on Wiset Road in Rawai, included the use of multiple ping pong bombs. CCTV footage from Rawai Municipality captured the event at 12.20am on April 26, showing over 20 youths on at least 10 motorbikes. One group chased a…
- Thailand News
Thailand vows to tackle dual pricing after tourist complaints
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to addressing concerns voiced by foreign tourists, mainly regarding widespread dual pricing, following a surge of complaints on social media platforms. Sorawong Thienthong, the minister, made this commitment after a meeting held on April 26 with tourism industry executives and representatives from various agencies to discuss these issues. The meeting was spurred…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya officers puzzled by foreign tourist’s erratic behaviour
Jomtien municipal officers were called to investigate reports of a foreign man acting suspiciously along Jomtien Second Road, Pattaya, yesterday, April 30. Initially, the situation appeared to be under control, with the man engaging in conversations with officers and passersby. However, he suddenly fled the scene, sprinting down the road away from the officers, raising further concerns among residents and…
- Thailand News
Thai court probes Thaksin Shinawatra’s prison sentence validity
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Persons Holding Political Positions has launched an investigation into whether Thaksin Shinawatra has served his prison sentence. This decision followed the dismissal of a petition by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, who questioned whether Thaksin’s admission to Police General Hospital and subsequent stay until parole constituted serving his sentence in a real prison.…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Thailand braces for summer storms with severe weather warnings
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast rain across all regions of Thailand today, May 1, with the north and northeast especially facing increased risks of summer storms. Thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and lightning are expected in certain areas, potentially causing severe weather conditions. Residents are advised to be wary of potential flooding or flash floods. The weather conditions are…
- Guides
An overview of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card
Travelling to Thailand will soon be a much more streamlined experience with the introduction of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), set to replace the not so tried and true paper TM6 forms. Starting from May 1, 2025, all international visitors will need to complete this new online registration before entering the country. If this is your first time hearing…
- Pattaya News
Chinese man denied bail for transgender’s murder in Pattaya
The 42 year old Chinese national, arrested for the murder of a 25 year old transgender woman in Pattaya, was denied bail after a three-hour-long interrogation today, April 28. Officers cited the severity of the crime, along with concerns of his fleeing, as the reason. Following the investigation, Tongyuen Fu, a was escorted to the Pattaya Provincial Court, where police implemented…
- Bangkok News
Xin Ke Yuan Steel’s licences revoked after legal violations
Industry Minister Akanat Promphan announced today that Xin Ke Yuan Steel Co Ltd will have its operating licences permanently revoked, alongside a nationwide ban on its use of induction furnace (IF) technology, following multiple legal violations on the State Audit Office (SAO) building. Akanat explained that Xin Ke Yuan Steel had violated several legal regulations and would face an investigation…
- Northern Thailand News
PM visits Sakon Nakhon to address water quality, support tourism projects
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited Sakon Nakhon province today to review water management efforts and receive progress updates from Sakon Nakhon Governor Chusak Ruaying at Don Koen Public Park in Mueang district. The governor reported concerns about the deteriorating water quality and ecosystem of Nong Han Lake, which has become a major discharge point for untreated household wastewater. Rapid weed…
