- Business News
Gogolook ‘whoscalls’ the shots: Thai HQ set to scamper into anti-scam market
In a move set to shake up Southeast Asia, Gogolook, the brains behind the Whoscall app, unveiled a brand-new headquarters in Thailand. This bold step is part of the tech giant’s grand plan to dominate the burgeoning global anti-scam arena, expected to skyrocket to a whopping US$129 billion by 2029. Jeff Kuo, Gogolook’s co-founder and CEO, spilt the beans on…
- Business News
BoT inflates hopes: Targets snug 1-3% to turbo-charge economy
In a bold move to turbo-charge Thailand’s economic engine, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) pegged its hopes on keeping inflation between a snug 1% and 3%. The aim is to shift the economy into top gear, with deputy governor Piti Disyatat revealing at the Monetary Policy Forum that they’re targeting headline inflation of 1.2% by 2025. That’s a noticeable bump…
- Business News
HSBC Thailand is the big cheese, claims No.1 bank title again
HSBC Thailand once again has proven itself the big cheese of banking, clinching the Best International Bank in Thailand award for the fourth year running from both Euromoney and FinanceAsia. This coveted accolade reflects the bank’s top-notch financial prowess and its solid standing in the Thai market. The accolades don’t stop at Thailand’s borders! HSBC’s domination extends throughout the ASEAN…
- Bangkok News
Thai-phoon trouble: Flights grounded as Kong-rey storms Taiwan (video)
Chaos reigned in the skies as Thai Airways International grounded several flights with typhoon Kong-rey barrelling towards Taiwan. The airline pulled the plug on three Bangkok-Taipei routes yesterday, October 30 (TG634, TG636, and TG635) and grounded TG637 today, leaving travellers in a tailspin. Announcing the shutdown on Facebook, the national carrier urged affected passengers to dial their hotline at 662-356-1111…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s courtroom prescription: Legal drama escalates in Swiss assault dismissal
A gripping legal battle is heating up in Phuket as the lawyer representing a woman doctor challenges the court’s shocking decision to dismiss her assault case against a Swiss man. Dr Thandao Chandam claims she was kicked in the back by 45 year old Urs Fehr, also known as David, while she sat outside his villa on Yamu Beach in…
- Pattaya News
Dead body found on beach sends shockwaves through Pattaya
A shocking discovery has sent shockwaves through the Pattaya community after a body was washed up on Dongtan Beach in Jomtien. At precisely 9.46am yesterday, October 30, police received a distress call that would lead to a grim scene. Pattaya police wasted no time responding, and they were joined by rescue teams from the Sawang Boriboon Thamasathan Foundation. Upon arrival,…
- Business News
Central Pattana unwraps festive cheer with finn-tastic partnership
Central Pattana Plc (CPN), Thailand’s retail powerhouse, is teaming up with a host of partners including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Embassy of Finland, Sculptra by Galderma, and Finnair to launch the extravagant The World’s Great Celebration 2025. With a whopping 700 million baht investment, this initiative aims to give Thailand’s economy a festive boost and reinforce its…
- Business News
Crime coins: SEC cracks down on crypto laundering in Thailand
In a bold move, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has thrown down the gauntlet, demanding digital asset operators report suspicious transactions as part of a crackdown on crypto money-laundering scams. This action follows hot on the heels of accusations against iCon Group, a direct sales outfit allegedly involved in laundering dirty money through the stablecoin USDT. The Department of…
- Thailand News
Thailand cash splash: Foreign tourists send Visa spending soaring
Thailand is basking in a financial boom, with foreign tourists spending a staggering 90% more on Visa credit cards this year compared to the pre-pandemic high of 2019. While Thai travellers are tightening their purse strings amid a sluggish economy, foreigners can’t seem to get enough of the Land of Smiles. Visa Thailand’s country manager, Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa, revealed that Thailand…
- Business News
Cloud nine: Equinix boost set to reign over Thailand’s data skies
American tech giant and cloud extraordinaire Equinix is making waves in Thailand with a colossal 16 billion baht investment. This financial injection over the next decade is set to supercharge Thailand’s data centre infrastructure, targeting the surging demand from the bustling CLMVT region, according to Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI). For those not in the know, the CLMVT region comprises…
- Business News
Starbucks stirs up Thai market with a ‘latte’ new stores brewing
Hold onto your coffee cups, folks! Starbucks Thailand is brewing up a storm with plans to roll out 30 new stores annually, even as the country’s coffee market bubbles with fierce competition. This caffeine-fuelled expansion underscores the coffee giant’s faith in Thailand’s untapped potential in Southeast Asia. Spearheading this bold venture is Starbucks Thailand’s Managing Director, Nednapa Srisamai, who’s unfazed…
- Thailand News
Thailand, Laos, Myanmar launch Clear Sky to combat pollution
In a bid to blow away the blanket of smog smothering Southeast Asia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar joined forces with a sparkling new initiative: the Clear Sky Strategy 2024-2030. The grand unveiling took place at Bangkok’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday, with VIPs Maris Sangiampongsa, Thailand’s top minister, and Chalermchai Sri-on, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, leading the…
- Thailand News
British Airways spreads its wings: Gatwick-Bangkok flights back on
In a move that’s set to soar to new heights, British Airways relaunched its direct flights from London Gatwick to the bustling city of Bangkok. The inaugural flight, BA 2231, took to the skies from Gatwick, yesterday, October 29, making a graceful touchdown at Suvarnabhumi Internationa Airport this afternoon, marking a triumphant return to the Land of Smiles. Tourism Authority…
- Thailand News
Phuket’s fundraising campaign hits full beam for cancer care centre
Phuket is pulling out all the stops in a monumental bid to raise a whopping 290 million baht. The cause? Building a cutting-edge cancer care centre at Vachira Phuket Hospital. This essential government-run institution is on a mission to boost cancer treatment services for Phuket’s residents and those from neighbouring provinces. Phuket’s top brass, Governor Sophon Suwannarat, announced a traditional…
- Thailand News
Nine injured in van and truck collision in Phuket
A dramatic head-on collision rocked Ao Po Pier Road in Pa Khlok, Phuket as a van and a small truck collided with a bang, leaving nine people nursing injuries. The crash unfolded around 5.30pm, yesterday, October 29, near Moo 9, prompting an immediate and swift reaction from local police and emergency crews. On the scene, rescue teams found two Thai…
- Visa Information
Thai visa woes: From easy as pie to digital fly, book before you buy
Once upon a time, jetting off for a Thai visa was as easy as pie. A quick border dash to a nearby country, pop into a consulate in Laos, Malaysia, or Vietnam, and voilà ! You’d be done and dusted, ready for an evening drink by the Mekong River. Ah, the good old days! But hold onto your hats, because the…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya shooting: Gunman opens fire on revellers
A terrifying shooting incident early this morning has left both locals and tourists reeling in Pattaya City. The drama unfolded at 4.06am, today, October 30, on Petchtrakul Road, right outside the Moo Krata Baek Kap Din Sam restaurant in the Nongprue subdistrict. Panic set in as police received urgent calls about the shocking event, prompting the deputy chief of Pattaya…
- Business News
Thai export extravaganza: Gold rush as figures set at US$290bn
In a dazzling economic twist, Thai exports are on track to shatter the 2% growth target, soaring to an unprecedented US$290 billion this year. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) chief, credits the surge to booming demand for all things agricultural, food-related, and electronic, thanks to the economic bounce-back in powerhouses like the United States and European…
- Bangkok News
Ex-Russian mercenary hits a wall of ammunition trouble in Bangkok
An ex-Russian war dog found himself in the clutches of Bangkok police after a stash of ammunition was discovered in his swanky condo, along with explosive threats to take out rivals. Immigration police officers swooped on 25 year old Russian national, Milo Yanovich, at his Makkasan-area pad in the Ratchathewi district yesterday, October 28. Police Major General Phanthana Nuchanart, deputy…
- Business News
Golden opportunity: Prices to sparkle amid global turmoil, US policy
Gold prices are primed for a glittering rise this week, says the Gold Research Centre (GRC). Driven by a trio of global factors, the Middle East turmoil, cues from the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) policy moves, and faltering US economic signals—this precious metal is sparking keen market interest. While most experts brace for stable or dipping gold rates, the GRC…
- Business News
Bangkok Bank’s virtual gamble: A licence to thrill in digital banking
In a bold move set to shake up the banking scene, Bangkok Bank (BBL) is betting big on bagging a coveted virtual bank licence, boasting the might of its powerhouse partners as a strategic edge. The bank is convinced that its dream team will help it emerge victorious in the bustling virtual banking battleground. Kobsak Pootrakool, BBL’s senior executive vice-president,…
- Phuket News
Mystery unbedded: Thai police dig into Canadian man’s death
Thai police are digging deep into the puzzling death of a 46 year old Canadian man discovered by a group of his friends after five days of silence. The alarm was raised in a quiet corner of Moo 8, Srisoontorn, alerting Thalang police officers to the scene at around 12.35pm, yesterday, October 28. The man’s body was found peacefully in…
- Phuket News
Bangkok cops reel in cunning Phuket light rail project con artist
The Metropolitan Police Investigation Bureau cops in Bangkok reeled in a cunning fraudster who duped victims into a sham Phuket light rail project investment scheme. The lady in question, only identified as 44 year old Ms Wongduean, was apprehended on Nawamin 70 Road in the bustling Bueng Kum district on Sunday, October 27. Ms Wongduean is accused of swindling over…
- Thailand News
Thai-panic: AirAsia flight defies disaster over denied landing in India
A Thai AirAsia flight found itself in a death-defying situation straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster when it was denied permission to land at an airport in India. Passengers were left fearing for their lives as the aircraft was forced to circle for a staggering 45 minutes with only 30 minutes of fuel remaining in the tank. The drama unfolded…
- Thailand News
Golden opportunity: Thai investors ‘mint’ to act as prices hold steady
In an unexpected twist for the Thai economy, the Gold Traders Association (GTA) announced a welcome bout of stability in today’s gold prices, prompting savvy investors to make their move. As of today, October 28, the glint of gold remains constant—keeping the market at a tantalising standstill. The GTA’s latest update, released at 9am, confirmed the price for gold ornaments…
- Thailand News
Revved-up reckoning: Bangkok teen bike bandits get comeuppance
In a dramatic takedown that reads like a crime thriller, a gang of young motorcycle thieves has been nabbed in Bangkok—shockingly, with a 14 year old among the culprits. This motley crew, responsible for filching over ten bikes across the capital, were flogging their ill-gotten wheels for a measly 1,000-1,500 baht apiece, spotlighting a worrying trend of young hooligans descending…
- Thailand News
DJ’s dental dilemma: Online shop ‘bites back’ leaving him toothless
In a saga that had more ups and downs than a DJ’s mixing session, Buriram’s own DJ Odd Inter, real name Rewat Wongkamchan, found himself toothless after he took a costly bite out of online shopping. Seeking a snazzy set of dentures to fix his show-stopping smile, Rewat ended up with a child’s plaything instead, paying 699 baht for the…
- Business News
AI storm: Brands brew up digital ‘spell-utions’ for savvy shoppers
In the world of marketing, there’s a storm brewing with artificial intelligence (AI) at its eye. Brands are diving into digital wizardry to craft campaigns that click with today’s choosy consumers, according to digital agencies and tech analysts. The challenge? Reaching and resonating with audiences when marketing budgets are tighter than ever amid economic uncertainty. Leading the charge is marketing…
- Thailand News
Thailand to set to ‘whip’ up new parenting rules with no-cane bill
In a groundbreaking move that could change the way Thai parents discipline their children, a committee is poised to introduce a “no-cane” bill to the House. If given the green light, Thailand will become only the second nation in the ASEAN region to outlaw corporal punishment, potentially marking the end of an era for its 89 year old disciplinary law.…
- Thailand News
Phuket magic spells its way into Asia’s ‘Top 10’ destinations
Phuket’s tropical charm has once again worked its magic, landing it among Asia’s Top 10 island destinations, as revealed by the esteemed Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. UK tabloid Daily Express also got into the act, gushing over Phuket’s recognition by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. “A stunning island in Asia has been crowned one of the best…
