- Thailand News
Time’s up: House Speaker warns of ticking tensions in Tak Bai turmoil
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha sounded the alarm over the simmering unrest in Thailand’s volatile Deep South. With the clock ticking down to the looming deadline for the 2004 Tak Bai massacre case, police are under pressure to seize suspects or risk letting them slip away forever. Wan Muhamad has thrown down the gauntlet, insisting security forces must snag…
- Thailand News
Royal Forest Department investigates land nibbling in Chiang Rai
The Royal Forest Department zeroed in on the Cherntawan International Meditation Centre, amidst claims that they’ve illegally nibbled away at prime forest land in Chiang Rai’s Mueang district. The centre, helmed by the famed Phra Maha Vudhijaya Vajiramedhi, is under scrutiny for reportedly occupying more land than legally allowed. The Royal Forest boss, Surachai Achalaboon, stormed into action, directing the…
- Thailand News
Scam cable: Mukdahan officials cut off illegal Internet link to Laos
Mukdahan officials have blown the lid off a daring cross-border scam operation, dismantling illegal Internet cables stretching from Thailand into Laos across the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. In a move straight out of a thriller, these covert cables, buried around 5 kilometres deep into Laos, were reportedly fuelling deceitful scam rings, making Thai victims believe they were dealing with local…
- Thailand News
Labour of love: Thailand scrambles to clean up its fishy business
The Labour Ministry of Thailand is racing against the clock to scrub fishmeal, fish oil, and animal feed off the notorious US 2024 List of Goods Produced by Child Labour or Forced Labour. The urgency comes straight from the top, with Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn cracking the whip for swift action to safeguard Thailand’s international reputation. As Labour Ministry spokesperson…
- Business News
Economic waters rise: Thai business sector flooded with challenges
The business sector is facing a stormy crisis this monsoon season as severe flooding batters key economic regions across Thailand. Provinces like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have been hit hard, with water levels reaching devastating heights—marking the first time in decades that such catastrophic flooding has occurred. Officials are closely monitoring the Chao Phraya River, issuing early warnings in…
- Politics News
Phew! Thai party faces petition peril over Thaksin ties
A dramatic political twist erupted as a petition emerged demanding the dissolution of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, with claims of undue influence from former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The party itself has made the explosive allegations. The Election Commission (EC) confirmed it is merging four petitions against Pheu Thai, alleging that the party is under Thaksin’s sway, despite him not…
- Pattaya News
Norwegian tragedy: Expat’s final Fjorday in Pattaya ends in horror
A Norwegian expatriate was discovered dead in harrowing circumstances in the early hours of yesterday morning in his Pattaya hotel room after allegedly inflicting horrific injuries upon himself. Shortly after 4am, yesterday, October 20, the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received a frantic alert about a foreigner’s disturbing behaviour and self-harm in a second-floor room on Soi 14. Upon arrival, local…
- Business News
Brick by brick: ONEAM builds investor excitement with TIREIT launch
ONE Asset Management (ONEAM) is digging foundations in the investment world, launching the Thai Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust (TIREIT) for investors seeking fresh opportunities amidst a shifting financial landscape. With high interest rates finally shifting into the rear-view mirror, savvy investors are turning to alternative assets like TIREIT to spread their risk. Chief executive Pote Harinasuta has revealed that…
- Politics News
Charting new waters: Pheu Thai seeks to ‘amend’ fences with coalition partners
In a political drama unfolding at the heart of Thailand, the ruling Pheu Thai Party admitted it must mend fences with coalition allies to forge ahead with its ambitious blueprint for rewriting the nation’s charter. This revelation came courtesy of PM’s right-hand man, Somkid Chueakong, during the poignant commemoration of the October 14, 1973, uprising on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue. Somkid,…
- Thailand News
Amnesty or agony: Lese majeste debate set to spark fireworks in Parliament
In a political powder keg ready to ignite, the long-awaited report on offering amnesty for those charged under the contentious lese majeste law is finally set to hit the parliamentary floor this Thursday, after being kicked down the road twice. It’s all eyes on the House panel bringing the heat, with Sasinan Thammanithinan, the outspoken People’s Party MP and committee…
- Business News
Kao Thailand celebrates 60 years of clean streaks, happy households
Kao Industrial (Thailand) Co., Ltd., is rolling out the red carpet for its 60th anniversary, celebrating six decades of serving Thai households with beloved brands like Attack, Magiclean, Haiter, Curel, and Laurier. As the first overseas arm of Japan’s iconic Kao Corporation, established in 1964, Kao Thailand has been banging the drum for hygiene & protection while upping the ante…
- Business News
Fuel’s gold: Bangchak to fry high with sustainable jet fuel from cooking oil
Bangchak Corporation, one of the big dogs on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), is turbocharging its efforts to collect used cooking oil, aiming to transform it into sustainable jet fuel (SAF) by next year—a first-class upgrade for greener skies. BSGF, Bangchak’s SAF-producing brainchild, has penned a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with New Biodiesel to scoop up used cooking oil…
- Thailand News
Croc-and-awe: Residents splash over Ping River crocodile sighting
Residents of Chom Thong, Chiang Mai, are in a right flap after a suspected crocodile was spotted having a lazy float in the Ping River. The provincial fisheries department quickly jumped into action, sending out snaps of mysterious footprints to the experts for a gander. Jesada Thangmanee, the district’s top fish wrangler, jumped on the croco-drama tipped off by buzzing…
- Thailand News
ID check-mate: DLT gears up for tight security drive with ThaID app
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is cracking down on security, rolling out mandatory identity checks with the ThaID app from November 1 for anyone booking driving license and vehicle registration slots. That’s right, no more easy rides—it’s high-tech all the way via the DLT Smart Queue app and website! Today, October 15, Seksom Akkharaphan, the no-nonsense Deputy Director-General and…
- Business News
Thai execs ‘gen’-erate buzz, placing big bets on AI for success
In a bold business move, executives in Thailand are betting big on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), catapulting it to the top of their corporate agendas, reveals a sizzling study by global CRM giant Salesforce. Amidst economic turbulence, Siddharth Rastogi, Salesforce’s vice-president for the ASEAN, insists it will work. “We’ve got the magic mix for AI adoption, thanks to the nation’s…
- Thailand News
Blast from the past: Home rebuilds reignited after firework disaster
After more than a year of frustrating delays, construction has finally kicked off again on new homes for victims of last year’s catastrophic firework warehouse explosion near Muno Market. On July 29, 2023, the town was rocked by the devastating blast, which tragically claimed 11 lives, left 389 injured, and wreaked havoc on 649 houses as well as three schools,…
- Thailand News
Paws and effect: RTA to unleash 64 ‘unfit’ service dogs in auction
The Royal Thai Army’s Veterinary & Remount Department is rolling out the red carpet for an unusual auction tomorrow in the heart of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district. Some 64 furry recruits are up for grabs, having failed to cut elite service dogs. On the auction block are two prestigious breeds: German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois. Prospective parents can choose…
- Thailand News
German tourist nabbed for drugs and overstaying in Phuket
Patong police yesterday dramatically swooped on a 29 year old German tourist, arresting him on charges of drug use and overstaying his visa in Thailand. The bust went down at 2.30pm, yesterday, October 13, right in the comfort of his hotel room on Prachanukroh Road. According to insider info from the boys in blue, the unnamed German traveller was whisked…
- Thailand News
Dancing with danger: Burlesque star’s dengue drama in Thailand
In a terrifying testimony, a US burlesque dancer backpacking with her husband revealed her horrifying brush with death after contracting dengue fever while exploring Thailand. Paisley Peach, a globetrotter from Boulder, Colorado, alongside 31 year old husband Julian De Prince, faced their worst fears when a ferocious swarm of mosquitoes struck during their dream adventure in Southeast Asia. The couple’s…
- Phuket News
Phuket couple face charges after daughter suffers fractured skull
A couple in Phuket is facing serious charges after their two year old daughter was discovered unconscious with a fractured skull, the result of a horrific beating. Investigating officers revealed that both parents tested positive for drugs, adding to the grim nature of this tragic case. A concerned neighbour, alarmed by the ongoing abuse, called emergency services to the family’s…
- Thailand News
Thai-ed and tested: Thai women rescued from sex racket in India
In a gripping undercover operation in India, Thane police dramatically dismantled a notorious underground sex racket, rescuing nine women, including two Thai nationals. This high-stakes raid just outside of Mumbai unfolded in two separate swoops, throwing a glaring spotlight on the murky world of human trafficking plaguing the region. The Thane police force, tipped off by reliable sources, acted decisively…
- Thailand News
Down under or Thai? Aussie mum trades Oz for Land of Smiles
What would you do if the dream of owning your home seemed to be slipping away? For one Aussie mum, the solution was packing up her family and heading for exotic shores, trading Oz for the Land of Smiles. Natalie Coulson, a 45 year old mother of one, had enough of Sydney’s spiralling property market. The fear of a lifetime…
- Thailand News
Making waves: Boxwall Flood Barrier leaves sandbags high and dry
Say farewell to drudgery with sandbags, there’s a new player in town, and it’s making quite the splash. The innovative Boxwall Flood Barrier is swiftly outshining traditional sandbags as the ultimate flood defence, particularly highlighted during the recent northern deluge. In a shining example of preparedness, the Shangri-La Hotel in Chiang Mai flaunted its forward-thinking approach by lining up these…
- Business News
Crypto mania: Bitcoin set to skyrocket as interest rates plummet
Merkle Capital is forecasting a surge in Bitcoin prices and a flurry of cryptocurrency investments this month, thanks to the global trend of dropping interest rates. Investment wizard Woramet Chansen from Merkle Capital spilled the beans, noting that Bitcoin’s price rocketed over 25% in September. This came hot on the heels of the US Federal Reserve’s first rate cut in…
- Thailand News
Phuket cries out for fireboats as cruise ship inferno threat looms
A former top naval commander sounded the alarm over the desperate need for fireboats in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi, as the spectre of cruise ship fires haunts these popular holiday hotspots. Rear Admiral Amornchote Sujirat has drawn attention to the glaring absence of firefighting vessels in these bustling maritime provinces, which welcome hordes of marine traffic each year. Fires…
- Phuket News
Jet-ski joyrider in deep water after Patong Beach hit-and-run injures Israeli
Police are in hot pursuit of a reckless jet-ski rider responsible for a shocking hit-and-run incident at Patong Beach that left an Israeli tourist battered and bruised. The drama unfolded around 6.21pm yesterday, October 6, when the unidentified foreigner, piloting a white-and-blue jet-ski, smashed into swimmer Nimrod Filip Solomon before vanishing into the sunset. Reports say the jet-ski collided with…
- Thailand News
Revved up: Phuket police crackdown on illegal street racing
Phuket City police swooped on illegal street racers in the early hours of this morning, targeting the notorious Saphan Hin area and seizing five motorcycles in a swift crackdown. The high-octane drama unfolded at 12.45am, today, October 7, after eagle-eyed officers spotted online chatter about the underground racing scene on local social media channels. Their prompt action led to the…
- Visa Information
Thai visa shake-up: Southeast Asia consulates switch to e-visa only
Getting a Thai visa in Southeast Asia is about to become a high-tech affair. Starting next week, several Thai consulates across the region will be switching entirely to online e-visa applications, leaving traditional walk-ins a thing of the past. In a surprise move, consulates in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Bharu), and Cambodia…
- Krabi News
Charred body found in Krabi palm plantation after gunshots heard
Krabi is reeling from a chilling discovery after a man’s charred body was found in a burnt-out vehicle amid an abandoned palm plantation. This grisly find came hot on the heels of locals in the area reporting gunshots echoing through the night in the Ao Luek district. Early yesterday, October 6, police were called to the Southern Seaboard Road, where…
- Thailand News
Downpours make waves in Chao Phraya River Basin, locals braced
Residents across Thailand are bracing for potential chaos as heavy downpours drench the upper Chao Phraya River Basin. With torrents hitting the Yom and Nan Rivers, water levels are rising fast, threatening to inundate areas downstream. The Royal Irrigation Department’s Smart Water Operation Centre (SWOC) today, October 7, revealed it’s all hands on deck, striving to control the escalating situation.…
