- Pattaya News
High crimes: Pattaya police arrest drug-dealing monk
In the latest news of monks behaving badly, another member of the Buddhist faith has been arrested by local police in Pattaya on allegations of selling illegal drugs. This arrest also led to the capture of his supplier. The operation took place yesterday under the direction of Police Colonel Nawin Sinthurat, Chief of the Bang Lamung Police Station. Acting on…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya restaurant owner urges police to catch serial thief
A restaurant owner in Pattaya is urging the police to apprehend a thief who has repeatedly targeted her business. Boonyarat, the 40 year old owner of Chill Out 84 restaurant in Soi 5, Nongprue sub-district, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, reported the incidents to the local police. The restaurant has been hit three times within this month alone. On…
- Thailand News
Thailand to ASEAN: Let’s get digital for ‘byte-sized’ unity
Thailand urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to enhance integration by adopting a unified digital economy system, supporting sustainable development, and ensuring regional security through existing mechanisms. Speaking at the 57th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Vientiane yesterday, July 28, Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa emphasised the growing interest of many countries and international organisations in engaging with ASEAN.…
- Thailand News
Thailand PM faces ousting over controversial appointment
Debate is intensifying over whether Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin should be ousted from office following his controversial decision to appoint Pichit Chuenban, a former convict, as a PM’s Office Minister in the latest Cabinet reshuffle. Former senator Wanchai Sornsiri expressed confidence that the Constitutional Court will likely dismiss the case against PM Srettha, pointing out that no court ruling has…
- Thailand News
Bhumjaithai Party allies dominate new Thai Senate
The new Senate is poised to play a crucial role in the forthcoming political power dynamics and efforts to amend the Thai constitution. Observers note that the Upper House is now heavily influenced by senators with connections to the Bhumjaithai Party, the third-largest political faction in Thailand. The newly elected Senate Speaker and one of his deputies are perceived to…
- Thailand News
CPF no show slammed as blackchin tilapia talk goes fishy
Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) faced criticism from a House committee for failing to attend a meeting to address questions regarding the importation of blackchin tilapia for research purposes back in 2010. The Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, who also serves as the deputy chairman of the subcommittee investigating the spread of the invasive species, stated that CPF…
- Thailand News
Strategist shares HIV journey from Thailand at AIDS 2024
A 39 year old strategist working with Hiv-Sverige/HIV-Sweden, a national organisation dedicated to the welfare of people living with HIV, revealed he contracted the virus in Thailand in 2012. Emanuel Karlstrom expressed gratitude to the Thai Red Cross Society’s Anonymous Clinic for providing him with HIV medication and essential guidance on maintaining a healthy life while living with the virus.…
- Thailand News
High hopes: Anutin’s green light for cannabis bill in Thailand
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed confidence yesterday that the cannabis control bill will be enacted within the tenure of the current coalition government. Meanwhile, a health advocacy group has pushed for a complete ban on recreational cannabis use. The Bhumjaithai Party submitted an initial version of the bill to the House last September. The Ministry of…
- Business News
SCG Décor forecasts 10% rise to 30 billion baht in ASEAN market
SCG Décor (SCGD), a key player in the decor surface and bathroom business, projects a 10% year-on-year revenue increase to 30 billion baht, largely fuelled by heightened sales in the ASEAN market, including a significant push for green products. The company anticipates its revenue will double by 2030. Numpol Malichai, Chief Executive and Managing Director of SCGD, revealed the company’s intention…
- Business News
Thailand’s SME D Bank offers interest-free loans to entrepreneurs
Thailand’s Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank (SME D Bank) has partnered with the National Innovation Agency (NIA) to offer interest-free loans for up to three years to entrepreneurs developing innovative products and services. Phichit Mitrawong, Managing Director of SME D Bank, announced this initiative following the signing of a cooperation agreement with the NIA yesterday. The agreement aims to…
- Business News
Thailand car production hits brakes amid finance woes
Thailand’s car production has skidded to a 20.11% drop in June compared to last year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). This decline accelerates from May’s 16.19% downturn, driven by stricter financing rules and soaring consumer debt levels. In the first half of this year, car production tumbled by 17.39%, totalling 761,240 units. The FTI attributes this slump…
- Tourism News
Indonesia launches golden visa with 10-year residency for investors
Indonesia has introduced a long-term visa scheme aimed at attracting rich, “good-quality” foreign investors, President Joko Widodo announced. The new Golden Visa offers a 10-year residency permit to those rich enough to invest up to US$10 million in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The scheme includes a five-year visa option, requiring an individual to set up a company worth US$2.5 million,…
- Thailand News
Thailand praised for Aids response at UNAIDS conference
Thailand’s approach to community sustainability in its Aids response has earned high praise from Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. Byanyima commended Thailand’s success and urged other nations to adopt similar strategies to combat HIV. During an exclusive interview at the 25th UNAIDS 2024 conference, which runs until Friday, July 26, Byanyima highlighted the…
- Thailand News
Politics in play: Golf outing sparks denials of secret deals by Thai parties
Pheu Thai Party and coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party have refuted claims of any secret agreements after former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul were seen playing golf together at a resort in Nakhon Ratchasima over the weekend. Anutin, who holds the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, clarified that Thaksin and his family stayed at…
- Pattaya News
Vespa desperado: Owner on a ‘scoot’ to find stolen bike in Pattaya
A Vespa motorbike owner in Pattaya is urgently seeking public assistance after her stolen vehicle was spotted near Pattaya Beach yesterday. The owner, a 34 year old woman named A, said she reported that her motorbike was taken from a parking lot on Soi 18 in the Naklua area on Saturday, July 20. CCTV footage reveals that the suspect is…
- Economy News
Thailand’s national holidays set to generate 18.3 billion baht
National holidays in Thailand this month are expected to boost tourism revenue significantly, with projections indicating 18.3 billion baht from five million domestic trips, as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The momentum in domestic tourism showed strong performance during the recent Buddhist holidays, Asarnha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent), and is anticipated to continue through…
- Thailand News
Stripes unplugged: Failed attempts to domesticate zebras
Once upon a time, there were attempts to domesticate zebras, without much success. Zebras, members of the Equus genus and the subgenus Hippotigris, are hoofed mammals primarily found in the open plains of Africa, particularly south of the Sahara Desert. Currently, their population ranges from approximately 660,000 to 1 million. During the late 19th century, there was an attempt by humans…
- Thailand News
Tilapia surprise: Sun-soaked eggs hatch, calls for fishy rethink
Eggs of the blackchin tilapia, left in the sun for two months, have surprisingly hatched, according to a local farmer in Samut Songkhram. The farmer urges the Department of Fisheries to reconsider the effectiveness of using seabass to control the invasive species. The spread of the blackchin tilapia across 17 provinces in Thailand prompted the Department of Fisheries to deploy…
- Thailand News
Royal roots: Bangkok blooms in anticipation for king-inspired park
Bangkok eagerly anticipates the completion of a new public park, dedicated to the memory of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, which promises to become a significant new landmark in the city. Situated on 279 rai in the Dusit district, the park will be designed as a forest park with thousands of new trees, adding a much-needed green space…
- Phuket News
Motorbike rider dies in car collision on Thepkrasattri Road, Phuket
A motorbike rider died following a collision with a car on Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew, Phuket, on Sunday night. A Phuket City Police Station spokesperson confirmed the death yesterday, July 22, after the rider succumbed to his injuries at Mission Hospital Phuket. The rider, Khajon Patiphatpitak, was pronounced dead at the hospital, having been involved in the accident around…
- Thailand News
Thailand braces for heavy rain amid monsoon and storm warnings
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warned residents and holidaymakers to brace themselves for heavy rain over the next ten days, highlighting periods of reduced rainfall and times when heavy downpours are expected. A strong monsoon and a tropical storm on the horizon necessitate vigilance and monitoring. The TMD updated its daily cumulative rainfall forecast (every 24 hours: from 7am to…
- Thailand News
Thai singer Cherreen files police report against ex-husband
Singer Cherreen “The Star” Nutjaree, alongside her lawyer, plans to file a police report today against her ex-husband for physical assault and ongoing harassment. Today, July 23, Cherreen and lawyer Kaew Monchai are set to visit Thonglor Police Station at 10am. Cherreen, whose full name is Nutjaree Horvejkul, has been facing threats and harassment from her ex-husband following their separation.…
- Thailand News
Mysterious footprints in Rayong spark ghostly speculation
Mysterious ghostly footprints believed to belong to a dead neighbour have caused a stir in Rayong, with residents convinced he returned to say goodbye. Despite attempts to clean them, the footprints remain, adding to the eerie mystery. At 6pm yesterday, July 22, in Rayong, reporters investigated an unusual belief among locals that mysterious footprints found in the area belonged to…
- Business News
Shocking slump: Thailand’s premium EV sales plunge 35%
Thailand has experienced a significant decline in the sales of premium electric vehicles (EVs), dropping 35% year-on-year in the first half of the year. Despite this downturn, BMW remains optimistic about its EV sales, banking on the appeal of its newly launched models in the Mini family in Bangkok. Sales of premium EVs fell to 3,844 units between January and…
- Crime News
Bangkok hostage crisis ends with two dead, four injured
A tragic incident unfolded in Bangkok yesterday when Tha Kham Police Station received a report at 9.45pm about an armed man holding his family hostage at a residence in Rama 2, Bang Khun Thian. The man, identified as Bunma, a 49 year old printing shop owner, had a domestic dispute that escalated into violence. Bunma fatally shot Police Lieutenant Colonel…
- Business News
Ana maintains pre-pandemic load on Thailand-Japan flights
Japanese carrier ANA has successfully maintained the load factor on Thailand-Japan routes at the same robust level as in 2019, despite the challenges posed by a weak yen. Notably, the majority of its passengers are now Thai tourists and long-haul travellers transiting through Japan. Thailand has emerged as one of ANA’s strongest routes in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia post-pandemic, alongside…
- Thailand News
Tak Bai tragedy court case to be decided next month
A lawsuit against nine former top officials implicated in the Tak Bai tragedy is set for consideration by the Narathiwat Provincial Court next month. The lawsuit, filed on April 26 by a group of 48 plaintiffs, seeks justice for the victims and their families who have seen no action taken by police or prosecutors beyond financial compensation. The plaintiffs, consisting…
- Thailand News
Thai proposal to legalise adult entertainment industry sparks debate
The Move Forward Party (MFP) is advocating for a significant change to Thailand’s Criminal Code to legalise the adult entertainment industry, including pornographic materials and sex toys. This initiative aims to dismantle the existing taboos and establish better regulation. MFP MP for Bangkok, Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, submitted the proposal to Parliament last week, with discussions expected to commence within the next…
- Thailand News
Wildlife tragedy: Thailand mourns as serow and tiger bite the dust
A serow was discovered shot dead in Phetchabun province, while an injured tiger succumbed to its wounds in Buriram, according to reports from Thai officials yesterday. Chanyaphak Thanachatakkarakun, the chief of Phupha Daeng Wildlife Sanctuary, revealed yesterday, July 21, that a worker from the Silarat Lom Sak stone crushing plant heard gunshots emanating from a mountaintop and subsequently witnessed a…
- Thailand News
Berry misleading: Thailand picks apart fake Finland job offers
Thailand is actively pursuing local agents who deceived Thai citizens into believing they had secured berry picker jobs in Finland. This action follows the interception of 43 individuals at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday, July 20, just before they were set to board a flight to the Nordic country. The Department of Employment initiated the investigation after receiving a tip-off about…
