- Business News
Thailand fast-tracks factory rooftop solar panel revolution
Thailand’s solar industry is set to shine brighter as the government launches a one-stop service centre aimed at slashing red tape and supercharging solar panel sales, according to suppliers. With the Cabinet greenlighting the initiative on March 27, the Energy, Interior, and Industry ministries will team up to streamline the approval process for factory rooftop solar installations, eliminating the frustrating…
- Business News
On-job connection: Thai telecom firm cut off in fraud scandal
Thailand’s telecom watchdog has reportedly pulled the plug on K4 Communication Company Ltd, revoking its licence over a multi-million-baht fraud scandal that allegedly left investors high and dry. K4, which operated as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) using National Telecom’s (NT) network, was shut down after its executives were hit with arrest warrants for joint fraud, Bangkok Post reported.…
- Visa Information
Thai me down: Bangkok opens new visa expat and investor hub
Thailand is making moves to woo foreign investors and expats, rolling out a brand-new one-stop shop for investment and visa services in the heart of Bangkok. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra cut the ribbon on Monday at the grand opening of the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Centre (TIESC), housed in the sleek One Bangkok building in Pathum Wan. Located on…
- Phuket News
Phuket eyes jackpot as entertainment complex bill hits Parliament
Thailand’s long-debated entertainment complex bill is finally on the table, with Parliament expected to deliberate the high-stakes proposal by April 9, according to chief government whip Wisut Chainarun. The bill, greenlit by the Cabinet on March 27, is awaiting a confirmed submission date. If not ready for April 3, it will almost certainly be up for debate on April 9.…
- Pattaya News
Scent of a scam: Pattaya cops sniff out fake perfume racket
Pattaya police have bottled up a counterfeit perfume operation, nabbing two women accused of flogging dodgy designer fragrances at a local shopping centre. Officers seized 226 bottles of fake branded scents that could pose serious health risks. The suspects, 38 year old Kanyapat and 37 year old Araya, were arrested and charged with “jointly offering for sale goods bearing counterfeit…
- Bangkok News
Crack scare sparks Bangkok evacuations but no quake recorded
Panic swept through parts of Bangkok this morning as multiple buildings were evacuated over reports of mysterious vibrations and cracks, despite the Government of Thailand insisting there was no earthquake. The drama unfolded around 10am, today, March 31, with affected locations including Building A of the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, the Ministry of Labour in Din Daeng, and…
- Phuket News
Quake rumbles Thailand but Phuket stands firm
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat reassured residents and tourists that the island remains untouched by the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked Myanmar and sent tremors through Bangkok. The quake, which struck Mandalay on Friday, March 28, was felt across northern Thailand, but Governor Sophon confirmed that Phuket, nearly 2,000 kilometres away, has seen no impact on its infrastructure or tourism industry.…
- Thailand News
No ruff times for rescue dogs: Thailand muzzles donation rumours
The Government of Thailand has slammed false claims circulating online that donations are needed to support military working dogs (K-9s) involved in earthquake rescue efforts. Government officials have made it clear, these highly trained dogs are well cared for, and no public funding is required. Karom Phonphlang, deputy government spokesperson, set the record straight on yesterday, March 30, urging the…
- Bangkok News
Thai minister demands building collapse answers from Chinese firm
Thailand’s interior minister has demanded answers within seven days after the shocking collapse of the State Audit Office building in Bangkok, constructed by a Chinese company, during last week’s earthquake. Rescuers are still working at the disaster site in Chatuchak district, with at least 12 confirmed dead, 33 injured, and 78 people still unaccounted for. Four Chinese workers have already…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok tower collapses in deadly quake: 40 trapped in rubble
Over 40 people remained trapped inside a building which collapsed near Chatuchak Park in Bangkok this afternoon after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today, Friday March 28. Police, government officials and emergency services, confirmed that 43 workers remain trapped inside the rubble. Seven workers managed to escape the disaster. Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the National…
- Thailand News
ATTA boss calls for boost to Chinese tourism market
The newly appointed president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) is urging the government to ramp up support for marketing initiatives and development to revive the lagging Chinese tourism market. Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, elected for a two-year term, welcomed the Cabinet’s approval of the draft entertainment complex bill but emphasised the need for strict casino regulations and meaningful employment…
- Thailand News
Trade storm brewing: Uyghur deportations threaten EU deal
Thailand’s potential deportation of Uyghurs could throw a spanner into delicate free trade talks with the European Union (EU), sparking fears of an international trade storm. Concerns are mounting over how these actions might jeopardise Thailand’s economic relationships and its bid to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). A high-stakes meeting convened by the Committee on Economic…
- Thailand News
British couple jailed for running drugs empire from Thailand villa
A British couple who orchestrated a massive drugs empire from their plush villa in Thailand have been banged up for 10 years. Brian Pitts and Katie Harlow masterminded the production and distribution of millions of fake Xanax pills, raking in a staggering £4 million (176 million baht) through the dark web. Operating from their luxurious Thai hideaway between 2018 and…
- Thailand News
British widow’s Thailand dream turns to heartbreak
A British woman paid tribute to her “kind, compassionate” husband, who died after suffering a heart attack on a flight home from their dream holiday in Thailand. The couple’s flight was diverted to India when he took ill and eventually died in a Delhi hospital. The dead man’s British wife, Gill Dunn, then had the ignominy of bringing her husband’s…
- Crime News
British boxing champ knocked down by law after Thailand drug bust
An ex-British boxing champion who ducked and weaved his way through three continents to avoid drug charges has been sentenced to six years behind bars. Lennox Clarke, from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, was caught red-handed supplying narcotics to a known dealer before skipping town in a desperate bid to avoid a legal knockout. The former British and Commonwealth super-middleweight…
- Business News
Trump’s tariff threat stalls Thai car exports
Thailand’s car manufacturers are hitting the brakes on production as US President Donald Trump’s looming auto tariffs send shockwaves through global trade. On March 24, Trump signalled his intent to slap fresh levies on imported vehicles, set to kick in from April 2, leaving Thailand’s key trading partners hesitant to place orders—especially for petrol-powered cars, said Surapong Paisitpatanapong, Vice-Chairman of…
- Thailand News
Fuelling the festivities: Petrol and diesel prices cut for Songkran
Motorists are getting a Songkran surprise as Thailand’s Oil Fund slashes petrol and diesel prices by 1 baht per litre—just in time for the holiday travel rush. Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, who also chairs the Oil Fuel Fund Management Committee, announced that the price cut will be rolled out in two phases. The first reduction of…
- Thailand News
Sour deal: China squeezes out 19 Thai products over safety fears
China has slammed the brakes on 19 Thai products, including sweetened condensed milk, citing safety concerns and labelling issues. The move, part of a broader crackdown that saw 357 shipments from 38 countries rejected in January this year, has sent shockwaves through Thailand’s export sector. According to the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok choking: PM2.5 toxic dust clouds capital in pollution panic
Bangkok and a staggering 57 out of 76 provinces across Thailand found themselves gasping for breath today, as hazardous PM2.5 dust levels enveloped the nation. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) sounded the alarm, highlighting the north, northeast, central plain, and east regions with red-level warnings, while the south enjoyed clearer skies. GISTDA deem PM2.5 levels below 37.5…
- Phuket News
Phuket cops bag major methamphetamine suspect in Thalang bust
Phuket police collared a major drug suspect in Thalang, seizing a staggering stash of methamphetamine. The dramatic operation, spearheaded by Thalang Police Chief, Police Colonel Nikorn Chuathong, unfolded on Friday, March 21. Leading the charge was Police Lieutenant Colonel Suchart Luecha and his team of investigators from Thalang Police Station. Their target? Prasan “Him” Nopparat, a 45 year old alleged…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya police beef up patrols to tackle crime surge
In response to a recent spike in criminal activities, Pattaya police rolled out a robust initiative to keep the city’s streets safe. Officers today, assembled at Pattaya City Police Station to deploy newly trained patrol units dedicated to maintaining order and preventing crime. This move comes after a series of unsettling incidents. Notably, a 71 year old British tourist was…
- Pattaya News
Two homes gutted, Pattaya residents burned in frantic fire escape
A raging fire tore through a residential area in Pattaya, leaving two homes in ruins and two people injured as they desperately tried to save their belongings. The blaze erupted at 1pm, yesterday, March 23, in Soi Thung Klom-Tanman 15, prompting a rapid response from Nongprue police, firefighters, and Sawang Boriboon rescue teams. Three fire engines rushed to the scene,…
- Pattaya News
Truck-stop terror: Motorcyclist smashes into lorry near Pattaya
A 21 year old Cambodian motorcyclist was left seriously injured after colliding with a parked 18-wheeler on Sukhumvit Road, Bang Lamung, near Pattaya. Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre was alerted to the crash at 2.06am, yesterday, March 23, near the Krating Lai Bridge, heading towards Bangkok in Chon Buri province. Rescue volunteers and medical teams rushed to the scene. A…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya motorbike thief crashes student’s birthday bash
A Pattaya motorbike thief become a party pooper in the early hours of this morning, ruining a student’s birthday party celebrations, as revealed by a social media post that’s gone viral. CCTV footage from yesterday, March 23, at 8pm revealed a daring theft unfolding in Soi Buakhao. The clip captured a thief effortlessly making off with a black Honda PCX—license plate…
- Thailand News
Bear’ly survived: Thai fisherman’s face torn off in horror mauling
A Thai fisherman miraculously survived after a ferocious bear attack left him horrifically disfigured, ripping off most of his face, nose, and upper lip in a single devastating swipe. The 60 year old victim was also mauled on the neck and stomach by what experts believe was an Asiatic black bear, a species known to attack humans when threatened. It…
- Thailand News
Massage gets a rub down: Thailand cracks whip on shady parlours
The Thai government is cracking down on dodgy massage parlours that are tarnishing the reputation of nuad Thai, as the industry faces a shortage of 50,000 skilled practitioners. The Ministry of Public Health is stepping in to restore the craft’s credibility, amid concerns that inconsistent standards and seedy businesses have led to Thai massage being wrongly linked to brothels. Adviser…
- Hua Hin News
House of cards tumbles: Cops bust Hua Hin gambling ring
Six suspects have been rounded up in a dramatic police raid on an illegal online gambling empire operating out of Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) swooped in on LAVAMAX1688, a shadowy betting network that had raked in over 8 million baht in just eight months. With arrest warrants issued for seven people, officers stormed…
- Thailand News
Tragic murder-suicide leaves child orphaned in Surat Thani
A seven year old boy has been orphaned after his father shot his mother in a heart-wrenching murder-suicide today in Surat Thani’s Ban Na Doem district. The 47 year old gunman, Anu, reportedly shot his wife, 42 year old Sasithorn, before turning the gun on himself, leaving their child orphaned. The grim discovery was reported to Police Sub-Lieutenant Krisada Thongsakul,…
- Thailand News
Rodent royalty: Korat Zoo’s new Patagonian attraction charms (video)
Korat Zoo has rolled out the red carpet for its latest superstar, a cute Patagonian mara, unveiled to eager visitors. While the newborn’s gender remains a mystery, its charm is undeniable, as the zoo’s director, Thanachon Khensing, proudly stated: “It’s capturing everyone’s attention.” Currently, Korat Zoo boasts a trio of these enchanting creatures: one male, one female, and the new…
- Thailand News
Overpass tragedy: Thai motorcyclist’s birthday ends in fatal fall
In a tragic twist of fate, a 42 year old man died on his birthday after his motorcycle veered off a 10-metre overpass in Nonthaburi, near Bangkok. The rider, Seksan (surname withheld), was reported to have overtaken a taxi at high speed before the catastrophe. At 2am, today, March 21, Chaiyapruek Police Station officers in Nonthaburi, alongside Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers,…
