Bob Scott
- Bangkok News
Billion baht boatloads: Bangkok’s big splash in water transport
Thailand’s Office of Transport and Traffic Policy Planning (OTP) announced an ambitious plan to invest 8.87 billion baht to enhance water transport networks in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. This comprehensive development plan aims to bolster public transport by boat, spanning from 2024 to 2032. Panya Chupanich, Director-General of the OTP, confirmed that the Transport Ministry approved the project, which…
- Phuket News
Phuket your plans: Steer clear of roadwork zones at night
Motorists are being urged to steer clear of Thepkrasattri Road, Dibuk Road, and Phuket Road in Phuket Town during nighttime due to ongoing construction work aimed at installing power cables underground. Phuket Town Mayor Saroj Angkhanapilas announced that this project, which started on November 14 last year and is set to conclude by November 7 this year, aims to enhance…
- Thailand News
MPs demand answers from PM over delayed financial bills
The House Committee on Political Development, Mass Communications, and Public Participation is seeking answers from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin after his delayed endorsement of 16 financial legislation bills. The committee, led by People’s Party (PP) list-MP Parit Wacharasindhu, has called on the Thai premier, his Secretary-General Prommin Lertsuridej, and Acting Pol. Sub. Lt. Arphat Sukanan, the House of Representatives Secretary-General,…
- Bangkok News
Student activists campaign against judges at Thai universities
Student activists at Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities launched campaigns targeting two Constitutional Court judges who also serve as guest lecturers at their institutions. This action follows the court’s recent ruling that led to the disbandment of the Move Forward Party (MFP). Thammasat University Student Council Rangsit Campus and the committee of students from the Faculty of Law posted an open…
- Phuket News
Thai PM calls for tourist safety in Phuket ahead of high season
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin insists tourist safety in Phuket must be prioritised ahead of the upcoming high season. The Thai premier made these remarks during a meeting with tourism-related agencies in Phuket yesterday, August 12, to prepare for the high tourist season from September to February. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Royal Thai Police, Provincial Police Region…
- Tourism News
British tourists breathe easy: Bangkok slips off the scam radar
Good news for British tourists heading to Bangkok for a holiday: the Big Mango has dropped five places from No.1 to No.6 as the globe’s most likely destinations to get scammed or robbed. Antivirus company McAfee compiled a new list highlighting cities where tourists are often robbed of their hard-earned cash, with a popular Spanish resort now claiming the top…
- Thailand News
Thailand lawyers to sue over invasive blackchin tilapia damage
The Lawyers Council of Thailand is gearing up to file a lawsuit against private companies and state agencies responsible for the proliferation of blackchin tilapia, an invasive fish species from West Africa that is rapidly overtaking the country’s waterways. A council team yesterday, August 10, established a booth at Wat Khao Yi San in Samut Songkhram’s Amphawa district. This initiative…
- Phuket News
Self-harming woman hospitalised after rent dispute in Phuket
A 35 year old woman has been hospitalised after being found with self-inflicted knife wounds at a small guest accommodation in Patong, Phuket. Police responded to the incident at a hotel on Phra Mettha Road at 6.56am yesterday, August 11. Upon arrival, officers and rescue workers discovered the woman on a bed with stab wounds to her abdomen and a…
- Thailand News
Thailand on alert as WHO considers mpox emergency declaration
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is on high alert as the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers declaring a monkeypox (mpox) outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Permanent Secretary Dr Opas Karnkawinpong of the Ministry of Public Health revealed that the WHO’s recent report highlighted an increase in mpox cases in Africa. This year, 15 countries have reported…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok residents urge SRT to allocate Makkasan land for housing
Residents near the railway in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district are calling on the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to allocate 10% of its 500-rai Makkasan land to them before commencing a high-speed rail project connecting three airports. The high-speed rail will link Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan, and U-Tapao Airport in Rayong. Last March, the…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s cross-border trade hits 912 billion baht, up 3.6%
Thailand’s cross-border and transit trade reached a significant milestone, totalling over 912 billion baht in the first half of the year, marking a 3.6% increase compared to the same period last year. The government attributed this growth to enhanced promotion of cross-border trade in recent months. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke referencing data from the Department of Foreign Trade, noted that…
- Thailand News
Housekeeper finds dead newborn in Chatuchak hotel locker
A housekeeper at a prominent hotel in Chatuchak was shocked to discover the body of a newborn baby girl inside a locker. The discovery was made after a foul smell had been noticed emanating from the locker for about a week. The baby’s mother, a 21 year old woman, was found nearby in a weakened state. At 12.15am yesterday, August…
- Transport News
Hyundai’s 1-billion-baht ‘charge’ lights up Thailand’s electric future
Hyundai Mobility Manufacturing (Thailand) is set to produce battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and batteries in Thailand by 2026, following the approval of its 1-billion-baht project by the Board of Investment (BoI). The announcement came after the project received approval under the second-phase electric vehicle (EV) incentive package, known as EV3.5, which was confirmed yesterday, August 8. The Thai government offers…
- Thailand News
Golden eel ‘hooks’ Prachinburi locals with luck-boosting hopes
A golden eel caught the attention of locals in Prachinburi, leading them to believe it would bring good luck and prompting them to keep it. Residents are now flocking to see the eel and hoping to get lucky numbers from it. Residents reported capturing a gleaming golden eel yesterday, August 8, in the village of Moo 6, Hua Wa Subdistrict,…
- Thailand News
Car crash in Ratchaburi after women swerve to avoid dog
A shocking car crash occurred in Ratchaburi when two young women swerved to avoid a dog, causing their vehicle to crash into a tree and burst into flames. The incident, today, August 9, left the car destroyed. At 3am, Pak Tho Police Station in Ratchaburi received a report about a car fire on Phetkasem Road, heading southward in Moo 5, Pa…
- Thailand News
Fungi frenzy: Termite mound sprouts local ‘mushroom’ for interest
A large number of mushrooms sprouting from a termite mound behind a monk’s quarters today attracted a significant amount of local interest. Two elderly women plan to cook the mushrooms and offer them to the monks as alms. Termite mushrooms, known locally as “hed plouk,” were discovered sprouting on a termite mound behind the quarters of a monk named Sumet…
- South Thailand News
Teen shot dead in Yala amid rising gang violence
Yala witnessed a tragic incident when two teenagers on a motorcycle shot at another group of youths, resulting in one fatality and one severe injury. The police have been struggling to control frequent gang-related violence in the area. Yala City Police Station yesterday, August 8, received a report of a shooting at the entrance of Banogo Tuen Ngor Alley in…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s online fraud hits a new ‘baht’-tering high
Thailand last month witnessed a dramatic surge in online fraud, with a staggering 34,989 cases reported and total losses hitting a whopping 3.47 billion baht. That’s an eye-watering average daily loss of 111.98 million baht. Meanwhile, requests to freeze suspicious accounts topped 13.54 billion baht, with police managing to lock down 1.49 billion baht. Deputy Government spokesperson Karom Phonphonklang highlighted…
- Pattaya News
Motorcyclist critically injured by drink driver in Pattaya car collision
A motorcyclist suffered critical injuries in Pattaya following a collision with a car. The incident occurred at 1am yesterday, August 8, on Sukhumvit Road near the Chaiyaphruek intersection, heading towards Sattahip, in the Nongprue sub-district of the Bang Llamung district, Chon Buri province. Rescue volunteers swiftly responded to the scene. Police discovered a grey Honda Jazz with severe front-end damage…
- Thailand News
Bang Lamung makes aquatic splash for Queen Sirikit’s birthday
Bang Lamung saw a wave of environmental activity yesterday as a joint venture spearheaded a significant release of aquatic animals into the sea. This initiative was organised in honour of Her Royal Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother’s soon-to-be 92nd birthday on Monday, August 12. The event unfolded at the Banglamung Municipal Fisheries Group Office, with District Chief Porachai Sang-iet…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya vendors fined for causing a ‘jam’ on Pattaya-Naklua road
Vendors operating along Pattaya-Naklua Road have come under scrutiny for causing traffic congestion with their sidecars while selling goods and food. This issue prompted numerous complaints from both residents and tourists, urging the city to take action. In response, Pattaya municipal officers inspected the area. During their visit, officials informed the vendors about their violations, highlighting how their roadside stalls…
- Business News
Bank of Thailand to hold rate at 2.5% amid rising inflation
The Bank of Thailand is expected to maintain the policy rate at 2.5% during its upcoming meeting, influenced by the gradual rise in inflation back to the target range. Economists are advocating for additional government stimulus measures, alongside the digital wallet scheme, to boost the sluggish economy. Headline inflation increased to 0.8% last month, surpassing the consensus forecast of 0.7%…
- Technology News
AI and supply chain attacks top cyber threats, warns Kaspersky
Supply chain attacks, vulnerabilities in artificial intelligence (AI), and the infiltration of trusted communities are emerging as significant cyber threat trends, according to Russian security firm Kaspersky. Ransomware remains the most prevalent form of cybercrime globally, with perpetrators operating it as a business model known as ransomware as a service. Igor Kuznetsov, Director of Kaspersky’s Global Research & Analysis Team,…
- Thailand News
Rayong governor assesses delayed U-Tapao Airport progress
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, along with Vice Minister for the Office of the Prime Minister Nahathai Tiwphaingam and Rayong Governor Traipob Wongtrairat, visited the delayed U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development project sites yesterday to assess ongoing progress. Tharit Issarayangyun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), provided a comprehensive progress update on the project, which is…
- Business News
Thai gear shift: BOI revs up JV incentives for global auto partners
Thailand announced incentives to encourage joint ventures (JV) between Thai and foreign companies to produce automotive parts for various propulsion systems, the Board of Investment (BOI) revealed yesterday. Recognised as Southeast Asia’s leading automotive production hub, Thailand also serves as a significant export base for prominent global car manufacturers. The government is keenly promoting investments in electric vehicles (EVs), offering…
- Thailand News
Thai-ing up: China’s industrial trade reshapes Southeast Asia
Chinese industrial products are increasingly penetrating the Southeast Asian market, significantly impacting Thailand’s trade dynamics. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) reports that this influx has diminished Thailand’s market share and contributed to a trade deficit with China amounting to nearly US$20 billion. Chinese online retailer Temu’s recent entry into Thailand is poised to exacerbate this…
- Thailand News
Agriculture Ministry seeks Cabinet approval for state land use
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives plans to request Cabinet approval to utilise lands from state agencies for royally initiated projects. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow announced the proposed resolution during a meeting at the Office of Agricultural Economics focused on assessing these projects. Royally initiated projects have been prioritised by the ministry as they aim to eradicate poverty…
- Phuket News
Phuket Vegetarian Festival to sprout excitement and turnip the fun
The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival is set to “sprout” with residents ready to “turnip” the excitement from October 3 to October 11, confirmed by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat. In a meeting jam-packed with officials and local figures at Phuket Provincial Hall, Governor Sophon, Vice Governor Norasak Suksomboon, and Phuket Culture Office chief Pichaiyut Singhasami finalised the festival dates. The focus…
- Thailand News
Thai ministry steps in as mothers’ vape video sparks concern
The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) intervened to assist two children after a video surfaced showing their young mothers vaping next to them. The video, which gained widespread attention about a week ago, featured two young mothers, 22 year old Por, and 19 year old Nut, vaping while their children—an eight-month-old infant and a two-year-old toddler—were nearby.…
- Crime News
Inmate charged with sexual assault in Bang Kwang Central Prison
A prisoner in Bang Kwang Central Prison has been charged with drugging and sexually assaulting a fellow inmate. Despite reporting the incident to prison staff, no action was initially taken, leading to further harassment and severe emotional distress for the victim. The incident occurred in a cell at Bang Kwang Central Prison on January 7. The victim decided to seek…
