Ryan Turner
- Thailand News
Man caught after 13 hour search near Thaphra MRT station
A man was apprehended after a 13-hour search in Bangkok, following an incident where he threatened to harm himself at the Thaphra MRT station. He was eventually found hiding near a drainage canal. Police from Thaphra station received a report of a man behaving erratically and threatening to jump from a height at the Thaphra Blue Line station on Charansanitwong…
- Thailand News
Van crash kills four officials returning to Bangkok from ceremony
A tragic accident involving a van carrying officials from the Department of Water Resources resulted in the deaths of four people after the vehicle crashed into a tree. The van was returning to Bangkok when the incident occurred. Yesterday, October 27, police from Kosamphi Nakhon Police Station in Kamphaeng Phet province responded to an accident involving a white Toyota van…
- Thailand News
Traffic officer accused of assaulting 13 year old boy in Sattahip
A traffic officer in Sattahip, Chon Buri, allegedly assaulted a 13 year old boy by punching the teenager in the face multiple times after accusing him of revving his motorcycle engine. The boy’s mother, 35 year old Pornlada, is determined to seek justice for her son and has filed a complaint with the officer’s superiors. The incident occurred yesterday, October 27,…
- Economy News
Thai public debt remains under 70% of GDP despite borrowing
Thailand’s public debt remains within manageable levels, according to the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), despite recent borrowing for fiscal 2024. Jindarat Viriyataveekul, a public debt advisor for the PDMO, confirmed that the debt level has not surpassed the critical threshold of 70% of GDP. “The level is still within this limit, even though the government borrowed an additional 145…
- Phuket News
Phuket expects Kazakhstani tourist surge from new direct flights
Phuket anticipates a surge in Kazakhstani tourists with the inauguration of direct flights from the Central Asian country’s remote capital, Astana. Air Astana is operating the service, and the maiden direct flight, KC163, departed from Kazakhstan and arrived in the southern island province yesterday, October 27. Suladda Sarutilavan, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Europe region, stated that the…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya Tourist Police prepares for upcoming high season
Pattaya Tourist Police are increasing safety measures for the upcoming high season, especially for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations heading into 2025. On October 24, Police Colonel Man Rotthong, Superintendent of Tourist Police Division 2, led a meeting to discuss preparations for the high season in Pattaya. Key points included reviewing the Strong Tourism Community (S.T.C.) project and…
- Thailand News
Thailand rejects lese majeste in new amnesty bill
The House of Representatives yesterday voted to reject the proposal to include lese majeste offences in the new political amnesty bill. The decision saw 270 MPs voting against the inclusion, with 152 in favour. The proposal, yesterday, October 24, was part of a special committee report that explored alternatives to the proposed amnesty bill for political offenders. Despite the rejection…
- Thailand News
Thailand pumps the brakes on private sector traffic perks
The Ministry of Transport firmly dismissed allegations from the opposition that its proposed traffic congestion fees will disproportionately benefit the private sector, asserting that the policy is designed with accountability in mind. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote addressed concerns raised by Suphanat Meenchainan, a Bangkok MP from the opposition People’s Party, during a House meeting yesterday, October 24. Transport Minister…
- Thailand News
Police seize over 1 billion meth pills, assets worth 12 billion baht
Thai police have successfully dismantled a major drug trafficking network, seizing over one billion meth pills and other narcotics throughout the year. Assets worth more than 12 billion baht have also been confiscated. Yesterday, October 24, Assistant Commissioner-General Nirandorn Lueamsri, and Somboon Thiankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), announced the arrest of key figures involved in the…
- Bangkok News
Thai taxi driver arrested for stabbing Australian tourist in Bangkok
Thai police arrested a taxi driver for the brutal stabbing of an Australian tourist with a box cutter, causing injuries. The driver confessed to the crime, stating that a quarrel led to the incident, which occurred after the tourist slammed the car door loudly and refused to pay for the damage. Yesterday, October 24, Police Major General Witthawat Chinnakam, Police…
- Thailand News
Thailand to build own trains, expand rail network to 7,500 km
Thailand is set to advance its railway technology with a government directive for the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the National Research and Development Institute of Rail Technology (NRDIT) to produce their locomotives and trains. This initiative aims to expand the country’s rail network from its current 4,044 kilometres to 7,500 kilometres in the future. Director of the NRDIT,…
- Thailand News
Buriram gears up for MotoGP 2024 with travel incentives
Buriram is set to host the prestigious MotoGP event, PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2024, from today, October 25 to 27, at Chang International Circuit. Atthawit Rakjamroon, acting managing director of Transport Company Limited (BorKorSor), announced initiatives to boost travel and attendance for the event. In conjunction with the MotoGP event, BorKorSor introduced a campaign titled Register for Souvenirs… Get…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s vehicle production hits the brakes in a sharp downturn
The automotive industry in Thailand has experienced a significant downturn in vehicle production, with September 2024 seeing a total of 122,277 units produced, marking a 25.48% decrease from the same period last year. This decline reflects a 15.78% reduction in vehicles manufactured for export, totalling 87,666 units, and a 42.31% drop in vehicles produced for domestic sales, amounting to 34,611…
- Thailand News
Chinese tourist dies in tragic shooting at Thai range
A tragic incident occurred at a shooting range in Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, where a 43 year old Chinese man committed suicide by shooting himself, shocking everyone present. Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. Yesterday evening, October 24 at around 5pm, Veerawat Boonpaeng, an investigating officer at Khlong Ha Police Station in Pathum Thani, received a report…
- Thailand News
Drunk motorcyclist crashes into Pattaya repair shop
An allegedly drunk motorcyclist lost control and crashed his motorcycle into a repair shop in Pattaya, resulting in serious injuries. This incident took place early today, October 24, on Pattaya Central Road near Soi 8/1. Pattaya police received reports of the accident at 1.30am. Following this, they coordinated with the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation and a medical team from Bangkok…
- Thailand News
Thai police arrest YouTuber for illegal firearm sales
Thai police arrested a young delivery rider who illegally manufactured and sold firearms through YouTube to earn extra income. Police detained 25 year old Wongsakorn in his fourth-floor apartment in Din Daeng, Bangkok, after discovering various homemade firearms and ammunition. The operation, led by Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem and his team, followed a tip-off from an informant about illegal gun…
- Economy News
Stuck in neutral: Loan rejections stall Thailand’s used car market
Thailand’s used car market is set to experience continued sluggish sales due to frequent loan rejections faced by prospective buyers, according to the Association of Used Cars. Earlier forecasts by the association anticipated an improvement in used car sales in the latter half of 2024, driven by expectations that financial service providers would relax their lending criteria. Nonetheless, financial institutions…
- Business News
Thailand casino draft law ready to hit the jackpot in Cabinet review
The draft law on entertainment complexes and casinos in Thailand is anticipated to reach the Cabinet for consideration later this year, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Upon receiving Cabinet approval, the administration plans to forward the draft law to Parliament for further deliberation. The House of Representatives is scheduled to reconvene for a regular session from mid-December…
- Business News
Thai deep tech startups generate over 965 million baht
The Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry’s Programme Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) has successfully fostered over 90 Thai deep tech startups, generating an economic value exceeding 965 million baht. PMUC Director Thongchai Suwansichon highlighted the unit’s role in leveraging university research to commercialise products that benefit the national economy. “The PMUC sees the potential of research work in…
- Business News
Transport, industrial stocks may gain if Trump wins US election
Transport and industrial estate stocks are poised for gains if Donald Trump secures victory in the US presidential election, according to Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). Conversely, manufacturers of petrochemicals, electrical equipment, steel products, and auto parts may face stiffer competition from Chinese exports. With the US presidential election just weeks away, the race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Trump…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya bike thief pedals away with a full plate, leaves sticky rice
A bicycle worth 15,000 baht was stolen from a Pattaya journalist, with the thief casually inflating the tyres before riding away, leaving a bag of sticky rice and pork behind. CCTV footage from an apartment in Soi Thetsaban 1, Moo 1, Huai Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, captured the thief in action. The individual, identified as a…
- Bangkok News
Police seize 68 motorcycles in Bangkok street racing crackdown
Police in Bangkok apprehended a large group of motorcycle riders racing on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, seizing 68 motorcycles and detaining both racers and their supporters. The operation followed reports on social media about the planned gathering. At 12.30am yesterday, October 23, Phuchong Mae-thung, a traffic control officer from the Vibhavadi Rangsit Traffic Control Centre, led over 60 traffic police officers in…
- Thailand News
Thailand braces for tropical storm and cool winds in 24 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning today, October 24, highlighting heavy rain in 24 provinces and urging vigilance regarding the powerful tropical storm Trami. Northern Thailand will experience cool weather and strong winds, while the southern seas will see high waves. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that upper Thailand will have minimal rainfall,…
- Thailand News
Thai cops race against crime to catch Chinese students kidnap gang
Thai police are urgently tracking a gang responsible for kidnapping three Chinese students from a renowned university in Thonburi, demanding a ransom of 1.5 million baht. The last known location of the students indicates they were taken across the border into Myanmar. On October 20 at 5am, a professor from the university reported the incident to the Thammasala Police Station…
- Thailand News
Three arrested in Bangkok for 28 million baht tax evasion
Three company directors were arrested for tax evasion by issuing fake invoices and evading VAT, causing over 28 million baht in damages to the Revenue Department. The arrests, which took place yesterday, October 21, were conducted by the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD). Police Major General Phutthidet Boonkrapue ordered the operation, with Police Colonel Chatchawan Chuchaiyarit, Police Lieutenant Colonel Watit…
- Business News
FTI calls for fair e-commerce platform playing field
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is urging the government to enforce stricter regulations on foreign e-commerce platforms and control the influx of low-cost products into Thailand. This call to action comes after a recent survey revealed that 35.1% of local entrepreneurs experienced a decline in sales due to inexpensive imports sold online. Vice-Chairman of the FTI, Peekthong Thongyai spoke…
- Business News
Thai Airways plans rehabilitation exit by mid-2025, banks to benefit
Creditors of Thai Airways International (THAI), particularly Bangkok Bank (BBL) and Krungthai Bank (KTB), are set to benefit from the airline’s planned exit from its rehabilitation scheme by mid-2025. The banks are being provided with several options for debt repayment, according to analysts. In recent reports submitted to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the Securities and Exchange Commission,…
- Business News
Thailand & Hong Kong aims for ASEAN financial hub status
Thailand is exploring a partnership with Hong Kong to establish a financial hub aimed at connecting ASEAN markets. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul announced the initiative after a meeting with Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting in Lima, Peru. The meeting highlighted Thailand’s ambition to become a global financial player, as…
- Thailand News
Senator urges probe into bus fire killing 23 in Sing Buri
Senator Alongkot Vorakee has called on the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) to investigate alleged misconduct by Sing Buri’s land transport officials concerning a bus blaze tragedy that resulted in the deaths of three teachers and 20 students on October 1. The tragedy involved victims from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in Lan Sak district of Uthai Thani, who were on a…
- Tourism News
Senate urges crackdown on foreign-run tourism businesses
The Senate called on the government to intensify efforts against tourism businesses managed by local proxies for foreign citizens, aiming to shield local enterprises from unfair competition. During a recent session, Senator Nantana Nantavaropas raised concerns about the difficulties Thai businesses face in competing with companies managed by nominees. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong responded, revealing that ministry representatives…
