Ryan Turner
- Thailand News
Thai air force transceiver deal raises concerns over inflated costs
A lawmaker from the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party (TST) raised the alarm over a plan to procure digital transceivers by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), alleging that the proposed price significantly exceeds the market value. An MP for Roi Et with TST, Chatchawan Paettayathai revealed that the RTAF‘s Directorate of Communications and Electronics plans to purchase 40 Jotron…
- Thailand News
Pheu Thai denies plans to scrap party-list electoral system
The Pheu Thai Party firmly refuted circulating rumours suggesting the party plans to abolish the party-list electoral system to outmanoeuvre the rising Move Forward Party (MFP) in the upcoming election. Pheu Thai list MP Noppadon Pattama stated that he has never encountered such a strategy in the party’s discussions. This response came after Thai Sang Thai Party Leader, Sudarat Keyuraphan…
- Thailand News
Senate election to proceed despite 333 complaints, fraud concerns
Despite the Election Commission (EC) fielding over 300 complaints, including 39 cases related to potential fraud, the Senate election results will proceed as scheduled. EC Secretary-General Sawang Boonmee revealed that a total of 333 complaints have been lodged, with 90 involving accusations of corruption. Investigations into these complaints are expected to take significant time. A large portion of the complaints…
- Thailand News
Heavy rainfall and flash flood warnings across Thailand
Heavy rainfall is expected across Thailand today, with over 60% coverage in all regions, including Bangkok. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warned of potential flash floods and forest runoff due to the intense weather conditions. The TMD forecasted that the southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand is relatively strong. This, combined with a…
- Thailand News
Thai hotels oppose plan for 75% foreign condo ownership
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) expressed strong opposition to the government’s plan to allow foreigners to own up to 75% of condominium units, warning that it could lead to intense price competition and market disruption. Concerns were raised during a meeting where members discussed significant issues impacting the hospitality industry. During the meeting, Tourism and Sports Minister, Sermsak Pongpanich delivered…
- Thailand News
Older diesel cars said to face stricter inspections to curb pollution
The Pollution Control Department is set to introduce new regulations requiring diesel vehicles over 20 years old to undergo bi-annual inspections to tackle PM2.5 pollution. Pollution Control Department Director-General, Preeyaporn Suwannakes revealed that PM2.5 particulate matter arises from various sources and differs depending on activities in each area. Bangkok and its surrounding metropolitan area, plagued by heavy traffic congestion, are…
- Thailand News
Man’s desperate plea for debt repayment of nearly 1 million baht
At the Mahachakrapad intersection in Chachoengsao yesterday, a man driven by desperation stood on a bridge with a sign pleading for the repayment of nearly one million baht, borrowed by a friend. This friend not only refuses to repay the debt but has also threatened legal action against him. The man displayed two handwritten signs addressed to the woman. “Dear…
- Thailand News
Brothers arrested for Facebook scam soliciting hospital donations
Police arrested two brothers for a Facebook scam operation, with fake profiles of local celebrities to fraudulently solicit donations, claiming that an 8,999 baht donation was essential for the purchase of hospital equipment. At a press conference held yesterday at the Provincial Police Region Office in Udon Thani, Senior Police Officer Chakat Tiamwong, alongside other high-ranking officers, announced the arrest…
- Thailand News
Mobile tower battery gang charged with theft
The Thai police dismantled a gang stealing backup batteries from mobile phone signal towers, resulting in over 10 million baht in damages from over 100 batteries stolen. The Police Region 2 Commissioner Songprasong Yentoem, along with Investigation Commander Teerachai Chamnanmor, and Somchai Nakrat from Advanced Info Service (AIS), yesterday, June 23, held a press conference to announce the capture of…
- Thailand News
Cat-astrophe at cat cafe: Woman claws for 25,000 baht after bite
A female customer is suing a Japanese cat cafe for 25,000 baht after being bitten by a cat, claiming negligence from the establishment despite the immediate care provided by staff. The cafe has since provided a detailed timeline and response to the incident, which has sparked widespread debate on social media. The incident occurred on February 11, when the customer…
- Thailand News
Oink oink: Man offers 99 pig heads to fulfil vow at Nakhon Pathom temple
A young employee visited a renowned temple in Nakhon Pathom with his wife and child to fulfil a vow made to a revered Buddhist statue, bringing offerings of 99 pig heads, 100 boiled eggs, and nine types of fruits. At 9am yesterday at Klang Bang Phra temple in Nakhon Pathom, worshippers gathered to pay respects to the revered Luang Por…
- Thailand News
Female dugong found dead from illegal fishing nets in Krabi
In a tragic event marking the fourth dugong death caused by fishing equipment this year, a female dugong was discovered dead this morning, entangled in a crab fishing net off Ao Nang Beach, in Krabi Province. The incident was reported by a local tour boat operator who spotted the floating carcass approximately 600 metres from the shore. Staff from the…
- Thailand News
Thai police squash pumpkin smuggling ring from Laos to Mukdahan
The Thai police and related services intercepted an illegal shipment of 1,170 kilogrammes of pumpkins being smuggled from Laos into Mukdahan, Thailand. The suspects fled upon seeing officials, leaving behind the contraband valued at 35,000 baht. A coordinated operation involving the Surasak Montri Army, Phayanakrit Special Task Force, Mukdahan Plant Quarantine Station, Mukdahan Animal Quarantine Station, and Wan Yai Police…
- Thailand News
Civil group to submit climate bill targeting 2035 carbon neutrality
A civil society group is preparing to present a bill to Parliament, aiming to accelerate climate goals while safeguarding local communities’ rights to their natural resources. Coordinator of Thai Climate Justice for All, Kritsada Boonchai, announced that the draft law, the group’s first, intends to support the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Currently, tackling climate change is a…
- Thailand News
Impending impacts of upcoming court rulings on Srettha and MFP
Thailand’s political landscape is set for a significant shift as the upcoming Constitutional Court ruling on the cases of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) leader next month. The outcomes, scheduled for July 3 for the MFP and July 10 for PM Srettha, have the business community on edge, worried about potential disruptions to the…
- Business News
AI to impact less than 4% of Thailand’s service sector jobs
Artificial intelligence (AI) is projected to have a limited impact on employment in Thailand, with fewer than 4% of service sector workers at high risk of being replaced by the technology, according to Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research). A study conducted by Microsoft and LinkedIn revealed that 74% of Thai business leaders, compared to 66% globally, stated they would not hire…
- Thailand News
Suspect in Sattahip vanishes from police station after alcohol theft
A daring escape took place yesterday at Sattahip Police Station when a suspect was whisked away by an accomplice, leaving police scrambling for clues. The suspect, who had been apprehended for stealing alcohol from a local mall, managed to flee the scene with the help of a man on a motorcycle. At 1.52pm, the Chief of Sattahip Police Station in…
- Thailand News
Tour bus U-turn results in fatal collision with motorbike in Chon Buri
A tragic accident occurred yesterday at 10.36pm on Highway 36 in Chon Buri when a tour bus made a U-turn and collided with a motorcycle, resulting in a fatality. Rescue units and local police were promptly dispatched to the scene. The tour bus showed damage on the storage compartment door near the rear wheels. Nearby, a Yamaha sports bike was…
- Transport News
Chinese EV makers dominate Southeast Asia, ICE cars decline
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) sales are rapidly increasing in Southeast Asia, with China’s BYD (Build Your Dreams) and Vietnam’s VinFast spearheading the charge. Counterpoint Research reported that EV sales in the region more than doubled from January to March compared to the same period last year, while sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars decreased by 7%. The previous year…
- Thailand News
Car wash owner’s grim task: Tackling a ‘grave’ cleaning challenge
A car wash owner faced an extraordinary challenge when tasked with cleaning a vehicle that housed a decomposing body for over two weeks. The vehicle was brought to the shop filled with blood and bodily fluids, producing a pervasive odour. A car wash owner, Teerasak revealed to the media that a customer visited the establishment for a deep cleaning of…
- Thailand News
Bringing home the bacon: Pork owner donates 3 tonnes to temple
A pork factory owner donated three tonnes of pork to a renowned temple in Nakhon Pathom, attributing their business success to the blessings of a revered sage. Devotees flocked to the event, hoping to gain lucky numbers from a ritual. At 11am yesterday, at Wat Sawang Arom in Nakhon Pathom, a pork distribution company owner, 52 year old Phawat, and…
- Thailand News
Teens arrested with guns after Bangkok motorcycle chase
Police arrested four teenagers carrying weapons after a motorcycle chase in Bangkok. The teens confessed to buying guns online for self-defence against rivals. The incident occurred today, June 21, at 8.30am when police received a report of armed teenagers riding motorcycles. The suspects were identified as 16 year old Phai, 17 year old Ek, 17 year old Pheem, and 17…
- Thailand News
Police rev up crackdown on illegal exhausts to silence street racers
Police in Thailand conducted a nationwide crackdown on the illegal sale of modified motorcycle exhausts, seizing nearly 1,000 items to curb street racing gangs in an operation targeting manufacturers, storage facilities, and retailers across several provinces. Officers led by the Commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), Police Major General Wichaya Sriprasertphap launched raids in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut…
- Thailand News
Neighbour arrested for molestation of mentally impaired woman
A 65 year old man was arrested for the molestation of a mentally impaired woman, he denied any wrongdoing, claiming he didn’t know about her condition despite living nearby. However, the suspect admitted to inappropriate contact. The police have been on high alert following directives from Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Thiti Saengsawang, to investigate cases causing public distress. This led to…
- Thailand News
Chiang Mai monk illegally drives a car, causes intersection turmoil
A monk from a renowned Chiang Mai temple was involved in a car accident yesterday when his Honda Civic collided with a van at a three-way intersection, resulting in injuries to two people. The incident raised questions and sparked discussions among locals about the appropriateness of monks driving cars, especially with the difficulties that arise if an accident occurs. At…
- Thailand News
Buffalo’s great escape ends in udder disaster on the road
A buffalo escaped and ran onto a road where it was fatally struck by a car, causing significant damage to the vehicle. Following the initial collision, two motorcycles trailing behind failed to brake in time and also collided with the buffalo, resulting in four injuries. The incident took place yesterday in San Sai District, Chiang Mai. Emergency responders from the…
- Crime News
Thai farmer’s life savings harvested by call centre scam
An elderly Thai farmer has fallen victim to a call centre scam, being coerced into losing his entire life’s savings of over 3.2 million baht. The farmer, 74 year old Thongchai Boonko filed a complaint at Nongprue Police Station in Chon Buri today. He reported receiving a phone call from a man claiming to be a government officer from the…
- Thailand News
Alcohol dispute in Sisaket led to arson attack and fatal house fire
A manhunt is underway for a suspect who allegedly doused three people with gasoline before setting fire to a house, killing a bedridden individual and severely injuring two others. This heinous act follows a denied request for alcohol. Police are hunting for Khamphan Wannathong, following a fatal arson attack at a house in Khun Han District, Sisaket. The tragic incident…
- Business News
Food delivery market grows as economy threatens restaurants
The online food delivery market in Thailand is experiencing growth but the challenging economy might force closures of between 50,000 and 100,000 small restaurants. Thailand has approximately 700,000 restaurants, including mobile street vendors, with the total business valued at 800 billion baht. Online food delivery services contribute 15% to this total. Chief Executive of Line Man Wongnai, Yod Chinsupakul, reports…
- Thailand News
EC clarifies Senate election vote exchange, downplays complaints
After questions arose regarding candidate vote exchange in the Senate elections, the Election Commission (EC) no longer deems wooing or exchanging votes in the Senate election as a breach. A petition challenging the initial restrictions on candidates’ election campaigning led the Administrative Court to rule against these restrictions on May 24, resulting in their repeal. EC Secretary-General Sawang Boonme addressed…
