- 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…
- Thailand News
DSI hunts 23 suspects after cyberattack on government websites
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday announced an intensification of its investigation into a major cyberattack that crippled 16 Thai government websites, disrupting online services across Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Chon Buri. The operation, dubbed Operation Shutdown Backlink, originally kicked off on October 29, 2024, when a group of hackers breached government websites. The hackers redirected traffic to illegal…
- Thailand News
Drunk driver in Lamphun mows down mechanic in pre-dawn smash
A Phayao mechanic lost his life in a fatal collision in Lamphun province early this morning after a pickup truck, driven by an individual with a blood alcohol level of 240 milligrammes, veered off the road and struck his motorbike. Police from Ban Hong district in Chiang Mai today, April 28, received reports of a vehicle collision on the Li-Lamphun…
- Thailand News
Three Uyghurs relocated to Canada after decade-long detention in Thailand
Three Uyghurs, formerly held at Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre, have been relocated to a third country, finally putting an end to an extended diplomatic situation lasting over ten years. As confirmed by government and diplomatic sources, the Uyghurs have been transferred to Canada, following an agreement between Thai and Canadian officials. These individuals had been detained since 2014. This…
- Thailand News
Jailhouse rocks: Thai police go viral for cheeky prison check-in
Wang Noi Provincial Police Station’s Facebook page today shared a humorous post showcasing their prison cell facilities. The post featured two police officers standing inside a jail cell and playfully described the cell’s features and conditions for a check-in. The post invited readers to consider a stay in a loft-style bare concrete room, measuring 31 square metres, complete with a…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya sees drop in Chinese tourists, welcomed by Europeans
Pattaya is seeing a noticeable decline in Chinese tourist arrivals, a shift met with mixed feelings by locals and long-term visitors. Business owners reliant on mass tourism have voiced concern, while many European tourists and residents are quietly welcoming the change. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that daily Chinese arrivals in Pattaya have fallen to around 5,000, compared…
- Thailand News
PP urges govt to drop charges against US academic for tariff talks
The People’s Party (PP), currently in opposition, is advocating for the government to drop charges against American academic Paul Chambers, highlighting its potential impact on tariff negotiations with the United States. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has associated the delay in tariff discussions with US national security concerns. He also referred to legal cases involving Americans, possibly alluding to the…
- Thailand News
PPRP vows not to rejoin Thai government coalition
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader General Prawit Wongsuwon affirmed that the PPRP will not re-enter the government coalition. He dispelled rumours suggesting that its MPs had defected to the coalition Kla Dharma Party. Yesterday, April 27, the same day PPRP unveiled a new party logo, Prawit denied any intentions among the party’s MPs to defect, noting that all members were present…
- Northern Thailand News
Thailand plans new economic zones up north
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is anticipated to consider a proposal to establish new economic zones in the north and northeast of Thailand, aiming to bolster regional economies distant from the heavily promoted Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The initiative was proposed by a House of Representatives extraordinary committee following a study of special economic development zones in these regions. Tachaphol Kanjanakul,…
- Business News
US targets Thai exports for strict origin checks amid trade concerns
The United States has identified 50 to 60 Thai products for stringent origin verification to prevent circumvention of trade regulations through false origin claims for exports to the US, as stated by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. He noted that the US is focusing on the issuance of certificates of origin (C/O) to prevent misuse of trade privileges granted to Thailand,…
- Phuket News
Phuket seeks special local government organisation status
Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, who leads the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, has submitted a proposal urging for Phuket to be designated as a special local government organisation. This occurred during a visit from a Senate subcommittee. The Senate Subcommittee on Decentralisation, Transfer of Missions and Governance for Local Administrative Organisations and Special Forms of Local Administration visited Phuket on April 23 to…
- Thailand News
Thailand launches digital arrival card to replace paper system
Thailand is set to introduce its Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) on May 1, replacing the previous paper-based system for international arrivals. This initiative aims to streamline the arrival process and enhance the screening of transnational criminals, according to immigration officials. The TDAC will be implemented for all international entries via sea, air, or land, as stated by Police Major General…
- Thailand News
Road rage shooting leaves man injured in Prachuap Khiri Khan
A recent road rage incident on Phetkasem Road in Prachuap Khiri Khan province resulted in a 29 year old man being seriously injured after an altercation between two drivers led to gunshots being fired. Police Lieutenant Panom Hongthong from the Khlong Wan Police Station was notified of the shooting at approximately 3am, today, April 27. The incident took place in…
