- Thailand News
Monkey mayhem: Lopburi runaways turns cop shop into a jungle
Following last week’s move to intensify the capture of monkeys in Lopburi, a troop of monkeys escaped from their enclosure, causing chaos in a local police station and residential areas, prompting authorities to take immediate action. The escape took place yesterday evening, and by 8am this morning, more than 30 monkeys were reported roaming freely on the streets and climbing…
- Thailand News
Severe drought in Nakhon Ratchasima threatens rice farmers
Nakhon Ratchasima faces a severe drought crisis, with newly sown rice fields wilting due to prolonged dry spells. The irrigation department is urgently pumping water to prevent damage to over 1,000 rai of rice seedlings. The significant drought is particularly felt in the Phimai district. The water allocation officials from the Thung Samrit Irrigation Project, Phimai district, have accelerated efforts…
- Business News
Political risks threaten foreign investment in Thailand
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) EIC Research Centre warns that heightened political risks are casting a shadow over foreign investment in Thailand’s financial, capital, and long-term direct investment markets EIC Chief Economist Somprawin Manprasert warned that various political risks and uncertainties could significantly impact foreign investor confidence and lead to substantial capital outflows from offshore investors in the Thai equity market.…
- Thailand News
Police arrest fuel theft suspect after dramatic high-speed chase
A dramatic police chase on foot culminated in the arrest of a suspect who had been on a spree of fuel thefts across three provinces, filling up massive containers with fuel before making a quick getaway in his modified pickup truck. The suspect, identified as 32 year old Natthawut, was finally apprehended in a rental room after a failed attempt…
- Tourism News
Climbing new heights: Chiang Mai tourism to scale rock enthusiasts
Chiang Mai tourism operators are eager to market the province’s mountainous allure to tap into the global rock climbing community of 44.5 million enthusiasts, while also advocating for government support to promote this sport across various provinces to boost the tourism sector. The acting president of the Tourism Council of Chiang Mai, Punlop Saejew, recently highlighted the rock climbing market’s…
- Tourism News
Tourism troubles: Zero-dollar tours rock Thai industry
Zero-dollar tours, notorious for their rock-bottom prices, are once again plaguing Thailand’s tourism sector and posing unfair competition for Thai operations, particularly targeting visitors from China, Russia, and India. The President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, claims that this resurgence is severely impacting the industry due to the substandard quality of tours, leaving legitimate Thai…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Thai-m to prepare: TMD predicts rain and thunderstorms
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning for 36 provinces to prepare for rain and thunderstorms. Bangkok and its vicinity can expect rain in 40% of their area, meanwhile, the southern coast will see thunderstorms in 60% of its areas. The TMD’s 24-hour weather forecast indicates that the southwest monsoon is covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the…
- Thailand News
Seafood restaurant owner’s son opens fire on employees, kills one
The son of a renowned seafood restaurant owner, angered by his employees drinking beer after work, grabbed a gun and opened fire, killing one employee and severely injuring the other. The son quickly fled the scene of the restaurant in Bangkok and currently remains at large. At 3.30am today, the Deputy Inspector at Thian Talay Police Station, Thassani Kudsub received…
- Thailand News
Tying the knot: Thailand Senate approves same-sex marriage bill
Thailand is set to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex marriage following the Senate’s approval of a marriage equality bill today. This monumental milestone was passed with an overwhelming majority, with 130 senators in favour and only four against. The bill now awaits the king’s endorsement before it can become law. Once approved, the law will…
- Thailand News
Faux paw: Cops seize over 84 million baht of fake animal meds
A recent police crackdown on counterfeit animal medication targeted two major Chinese gang networks in Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon, yielding over 84 million baht worth of fake drugs. According to the Vice-Minister for Public Health, Thanakit Jitareerat, officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized 222,360 illegal items from…
- Thailand News
Taxi driver caught in sting after hit-and-run on a Mercedes-Benz
A taxi driver involved in a hit-and-run incident was apprehended after police set up a sting operation with the victim posing as a passenger. After initially denying the allegations, CCTV footage of the incident proved monumental in his conviction. Police revealed that a taxi had collided with another vehicle and fled the scene in Mueang Thong Thani yesterday at around…
- Thailand News
Gauze gaffe: Thammasat Hospital apologises for surgical slip-up
Thammasat University Hospital issued an apology for leaving gauze in a patient’s vaginal cavity, explaining the cause and pledging full responsibility and support. The hospital revealed that the incident occurred after a patient, diagnosed with endometrial cancer, received radiotherapy and brachytherapy on June 4. During the procedure, the medical team inserted a brachytherapy device and gauze roll to ensure the…
- Thailand News
Pre-wedding shoot at Khao Yai ignites backlash for breaking rules
A pre-wedding photoshoot at Khao Yai National Park sparked widespread criticism after a couple and their photographer ignored warning signs and ventured into a restricted area. The incident occurred near the Nong Pak Chi Wildlife Watching Tower. Photographers and tourists, primarily Thai individuals aged between 20 and 35, were drawn to the blooming white grass fields, which provided a picturesque…
- Thailand News
Lawyer raises the bar after losing 1.1 million baht to scam
A well-known lawyer in Ratchaburi province staged another protest outside a local bank after losing over 1.1 million baht to a call centre scam. The lawyer, who had previously used extreme measures to protest, threatened to take drastic actions if the bank did not return his money. During his last protest, the lawyer had poured poo over himself in front…
- Business News
Inflate debate: BoT warns against raising inflation target
Bank of Thailand (BoT) cautioned against raising the inflation target to match the range established by the monetary authority, citing concerns that such a move may destabilise expectations and accelerate price increases. BoT Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput stated that the current range is appropriate. “The current inflation target range is appropriate for the circumstances and it has worked well in terms…
- Thailand News
Tesla repair quote shocks owner with 1.3 million baht estimate
A Tesla owner shared her frustration online after her car was involved in an accident and the repair costs were quoted at 1.3 million baht. She claimed that the insurance company reported 149 items needing repair, exceeding the coverage limit. The owner made a post in a Facebook group, detailing her experience with her damaged vehicle. The front and windshield…
- Business News
Thailand amps up EV efforts to recharge used battery market
Thailand is intensifying its efforts to boost the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain with new investment incentives targeted at the repair and refurbishment of used EV batteries, according to the Board of Investment (BoI). The BoI introduced a new investment promotion category for service centres specialising in the repair, repacking, and reuse of used EV batteries. This initiative is part…
- Thailand News
Thai condo market hit by economic woes and Myanmar restrictions
The Thai condo market is experiencing a downturn due to the current economic situation, with banks tightening lending and household debt remaining high. The recent stringent regulations by the Myanmar government have further impacted sales, as Myanmar buyers are significant customers second only to Chinese buyers. Thailand’s real estate market has been negatively affected by the Myanmar government’s restrictions on…
- Visa Information
Thailand unveils new visa measures to boost tourism and economy
Government spokesperson Chai Watcharong revealed new visa issuance measures aimed at boosting tourism and stimulating Thailand’s economy, following a Cabinet meeting. While many specific details of the visas and potential regulations remain under wraps, more information is expected to be released early next month. The Thai Cabinet approved a comprehensive tourism policy to counteract the nation’s prolonged economic stagnation and…
- Thailand News
Increased rainfall unlikely to cause 2011-like floods, says ONWR
Increased rainfall expected in the coming weeks due to the La Nina phenomenon is unlikely to lead to a repeat of the devastating 2011 floods, according to the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR). ONWR Chief Surasee Kittimonthon confirmed that weather reports predicting less frequent rain this year suggest a low likelihood of major flooding similar to the 2011…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s 44,410 trillion baht mineral reserves unveiled
Thailand harbours over 30 trillion tonnes of mineral reserves, with 40 types of minerals, estimated at a staggering value of 44,410 trillion baht, which could prove pivotal for securing the country’s raw material needs in the coming years, according to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR). In a recent press conference, the DMR Director-General, Phichit Sombatmak revealed that the National…
- Business News
More new businesses than closures in Thailand, employment stable
New business registrations in Thailand continue to outpace factory and business closures, with employment figures remaining stable, according to the Bank of Thailand. Assistant Governor for the Monetary Policy Group and Secretary of the Monetary Policy Committee, Piti Disyatat stated that the central bank is not alarmed by the current rate of factory and business closures, as they are fewer…
- Thailand News
Senator demands probe into Buriram election irregularities
The Election Commission (EC) was urged to fast-track an investigation into suspected irregularities in the provincial-level Senate elections held over the weekend, particularly in Buriram where certain candidates received an unexpectedly high number of votes from their peers. On Sunday, 23,645 candidates who had cleared the district-level selection on June 9 participated in the provincial-level vote across 77 provinces. Out…
- Thailand News
Political ally predicts court will dismiss Move Forward Party case
The Progressive Movement (PM), a key political ally of the Move Forward Party (MFP), outlined why it believes the Constitutional Court will dismiss the dissolution case against the MFP. PM’s Secretary-General, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul shared these reasons on his Facebook account. His message arrived just before the dissolution case against the party, which is set to begin today. Piyabutr accused the…
- Thailand News
Ministry seeks 1billion baht tourism budget for new routes
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans to request a 1 billion baht budget from the central emergency reserve fund to develop new tourism routes linking major cities to 55 notable destinations in a move to establish long-term tourism strategies. The proposed budget aims not only to organise events but to also develop new tourism routes and enhance infrastructure. Specifically,…
- Politics News
Ukraine peace summit show different priorities for Asian leaders
The Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Switzerland on June 15 to address the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, saw limited participation from Asian nations. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, one of the few Asian leaders in attendance, called for global collaboration to establish a “fair and lasting peace” in Ukraine. Despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s appeal for broader Asian leader…
- Thailand News
Wildfires in Thailand’s Western Forest Complex reduced by 40%
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has reported a significant reduction in wildfires within Thailand’s Western Forest Complex, attributing the success to integrated efforts from various sectors which reduced wildfires by over 40%. Director of Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression, Narupon Thipmonta revealed that the most affected area was the Srinakarin Dam National Park in Kanchanaburi Province.…
- Thailand News
Cancer patient narrowly avoids death after hospital’s negligence
A major Thailand hospital’s negligence nearly led to a patient’s death after some gauze was left inside her uterus during cancer treatment, causing severe infection. The patient’s son called for an explanation and accountability from the hospital. The incident came to light when the patient‘s son, revealed on Facebook that he had to urgently rush his mother back to the…
- Thailand News
Ambassadors from Islamic Cooperation visits South Thailand
A delegation of ambassadors from eight Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries recently visited Thailand’s southern border provinces, aiming to understand the region’s multicultural society and assess potential areas for trade, investment, tourism, and education. The delegation included ambassadors from Brunei, Egypt, and Iran, along with chargés d’affaires from Malaysia, Nigeria, and the Maldives. Deputy chiefs of mission from Indonesia…
- Thailand News
Contractor arrested in Rayong for series of theft and fraud
Following a warrant by the Rayong Provincial Court earlier this month, Bangkok police arrested a contractor in Ramkhamhaeng yesterday for a series of thefts and fraud extending to government contracts. Investigations revealed that the 50 year old construction company owner, Thanik, who had been operating in Rayong since 2018, reportedly had a history of abandoning projects. In 2019, he allegedly…
