Ryan Turner

Ryan is a journalism student from Mahidol University with a passion for writing all kinds of content from news to lifestyle articles. Outside of work, Ryan loves everything to do with history, reading, and sports.
  • Thailand NewsThai teachers calls for safety amid rising southern violence

    Thai teachers calls for safety amid rising southern violence

    The Federation of Teachers Association of Thailand (FTT) has urged the government to enhance safety measures as violence intensifies in the southern regions, focusing on increased security for educators and students in high-risk areas. Prathum Ruangrit, President of the Southern Teachers’ Federation, highlighted the need for the government to accelerate safety measures for schools, teachers, and students in the southern…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya targets illegal tour guides in tourism crackdown

    Pattaya targets illegal tour guides in tourism crackdown

    Officials are cracking down on illegal tour operators and nominee-run tourism businesses in Pattaya and across the country, aiming to clean up the sector ahead of the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025” campaign. Between October 2024 and March 2025, officials inspected 940 tour operators and 338 guides nationwide, uncovering widespread violations. Many operators were found working without…

  • Thailand NewsThailand and Bangladesh to advance free trade agreement talks

    Thailand and Bangladesh to advance free trade agreement talks

    Previously, on May 8, Thai Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan met Bangladeshi Ambassador Fayaz Murshid Kazi to discuss advancing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the two nations. Following a joint declaration of intent, senior officials will engage in online discussions to outline expectations and scope, aiming to formally initiate negotiations this year. Thailand has expressed its support for Bangladesh, the…

  • Thailand NewsBhumjaithai Party backs 2026 budget amid coalition tensions

    Bhumjaithai Party backs 2026 budget amid coalition tensions

    Members of the Bhumjaithai Party have affirmed they will support the upcoming 2026 fiscal year budget bill, expected to be presented to the Cabinet and the House of Representatives later this month. Bhumjaithai, a government coalition member with significant ministry positions in the budget drafting process, sees no reason for its MPs to oppose the bill, according to party spokesperson…

  • Phuket NewsTwo men arrested in Phuket after high-speed meth pursuit

    Two men arrested in Phuket after high-speed meth pursuit

    Two men were apprehended in Phuket following a high-speed pursuit with police, resulting in the confiscation of 65 grammes of crystal meth. The incident occurred previously at approximately 2.15pm on May 10, when officers from Phuket City Police Station responded to a report of a suspicious grey Toyota parked on Sri Suthat Road, Ratsada. Upon approaching the vehicle, the driver…

  • Bangkok NewsLast night’s Bangkok furniture factory fire rages on

    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 NewsThaksin Shinawatra’s Qatar travel request denied

    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 UpdatesSummer storm warning for Thailand: 54 provinces on alert

    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…

  • Thailand NewsLightning strikes rocket festival in Prachinburi, injuring two women

    Lightning strikes rocket festival in Prachinburi, injuring two women

    Lightning struck during a rocket festival at Wat Rattanettaram today, May 5, in Nadi district, Prachinburi, injuring two women who collapsed unconscious. Strong winds and rain accompanied the incident, prompting quick action from emergency services to assist the injured. The public relations department of the Sajja Buddha Dharma Foundation of Thailand in Kabin Buri district reported receiving a notification about…

  • Thailand NewsGunfire near Thai border kills 2 Lao soldiers, bullet hits Thai home

    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 NewsBelgian to be deported after drunken rampages in Pattaya

    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 NewsPM defends casino complex plan amid public outcry

    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…

  • Thailand NewsRaw pork fever claims two lives in Thailand outbreak

    Raw pork fever claims two lives in Thailand outbreak

    Two fatalities were recorded due to a recent raw pork fever outbreak, prompting public health officials to caution against consuming raw meat. Symptoms include high fever and muscle aches, especially in those with a history of eating raw pork. Immediate medical consultation is advised. Today, May 5, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin reported that there are three confirmed cases of…

  • Pattaya NewsGerman homeless after kicked out by Thai wife in Pattaya

    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 NewsPolice crackdown on major gambling network in Isaan

    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 NewsThailand to ease foreign business rules, boosting investment appeal

    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…

  • Thailand NewsFormer village head arrested for fatal shooting in Samut Prakan

    Former village head arrested for fatal shooting in Samut Prakan

    A former village head in Samut Prakan was apprehended following an incident where he shot his nephew and niece-in-law. The shooting took place in Samut Prakan, and the gunman was detained in Chon Buri. The incident occurred at the couple’s residence on Soi Boonthanom, Samrong subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng district, where a dispute over a planned modification of a shared wall…

  • Thailand NewsThai parliament’s renovation plan criticised amid economic strain

    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 NewsBangkok police seize 34,000 counterfeit perfumes worth 4.3m

    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 NewsBomb in Narathiwat kills police officer during murder investigation

    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 NewsThailand’s ONCB busts major Thai-Malaysian drug network

    Thailand’s ONCB busts major Thai-Malaysian drug network

    Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has successfully dismantled a transnational drug trafficking operation involving Thai and Malaysian nationals. The operation, carried out in Songkhla, a southern province, led to the arrest of two Thai suspects and the seizure of 261 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (ice). Prin Mekanandha, the ONCB’s Director of Narcotics Law Enforcement, confirmed the operation…

  • Thailand NewsThai labour groups demand risk fund and overtime pay reform

    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 NewsPattaya urges public to avoid posting on public property

    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 NewsTragic house fire claims homeowner’s life in Chon Buri

    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 NewsDrunk hospital director crashes into photographers in Chaiyaphum

    Drunk hospital director crashes into photographers in Chaiyaphum

    Last night, April 30, at 10.16pm, a drunk driving hospital director crashed into two television photographers in Chaiyaphum province, resulting in severe injuries. The incident occurred as the pair were out for a late-night meal. Police Lieutenant Kanti Piansoongnern, Deputy Inspector at Mueang Chaiyaphum Police Station, received a report about a car crash at a restaurant in Nai Mueang subdistrict.…

  • Thailand NewsPeople’s Party demands probe into student visa misuse by Chinese nationals

    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 NewsChalong Police arrest youths after motorbike gang clash in Phuket

    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 NewsThailand vows to tackle dual pricing after tourist complaints

    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…

  • Thailand NewsSenator faces Supreme Court over misleading PhD claims

    Senator faces Supreme Court over misleading PhD claims

    The Election Commission (EC) intends to request the Supreme Court to revoke the voting rights of Senator Keskamol Pleansamai, who has been accused of misleading the public regarding her educational qualifications. In her Senate campaign in June 2024, Keskamol claimed to be a professor with a PhD from California University. She received the highest number of votes in the final…

  • Thailand NewsThai court probes Thaksin Shinawatra’s prison sentence validity

    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.…