- Transport News
Throttle trouble: Thai motorists hit the brakes on new car buys
Thai motorists are hitting the brakes on new car purchases due to economic jitters, revealed in a new report by Differential (Thailand) Co Ltd, a data analytics, technology, and research firm. The 2024 Customer Experience Report, which polled over 2,500 Thai car buyers from November 2020 to December 2022, found that a whopping 70% of respondents intend to buy a…
- Thailand News
Armed chaos: Gunmen turn Hala Bala into a fiery hostage jungle
In a chilling turn of events, police are on an urgent manhunt for approximately 20 armed men who took four officers hostage and torched four buildings in the Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, Waeng district. The harrowing incident, which unfolded yesterday, September 22, marks the first terror attack on the sanctuary in three decades, as confirmed by the Department of National…
- Phuket News
Washed up: Risso’s dolphin meets tragic end on Kata Noi Beach
Tragedy struck the shores of Thailand as officials confirmed yesterday the discovery of a rare Risso’s dolphin carcass, tragically entangled in a pile of rubbish on Kata Noi Beach in Phuket. Residents and lifeguards sounded the alarm around 7am, yesterday, September 22, alerting the Rare and Endangered Marine Animals Group, part of the Upper Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research…
- Road deaths
Teacher dies in motorcycle crash after party in East Thailand
In a heartbreaking turn of events, a much-loved teacher from Laem Chabang Municipal School 1 lost his life in a devastating motorcycle crash in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. The tragic accident happened in the early hours of yesterday, September 22, at 1.29am, sparking an immediate response from Bang Lamung police and the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rescue team.…
- Thailand News
Smoke gets in your eyes: Rayong residents warned of toxic blaze
Residents near the Thai Plastic and Chemicals Plc plant in Rayong’s Mueang district have been urged to steer clear of toxic smoke following a fire sparked by a gas leak. The drama unfolded at the company’s facility within the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate. The firm has issued a warning, advising locals to either stay indoors or don face masks…
- Thailand News
Pheu Thai Party defends ethics in political face-off
The Pheu Thai Party has firmly denied accusations of undermining ethical standards for political figures as outlined in the constitution. They claim they aim to clarify what constitutes grounds for prosecuting those in public office. Critics are raising alarms that the party’s push for a constitutional amendment to relax ethical conduct standards could pave the way for a power grab.…
- Thailand News
Crash course in chaos: 22-wheeled truck causes traffic jam
A 22-wheeled truck collided with 16 other vehicles yesterday, causing mayhem and gridlock on Kanchanaphisek Road in Samut Prakan’s Phra Pradaeng district. The chaos unfolded around 5pm, yesterday, September 22, on the Bang Phli-Suksawat stretch of the southern ring road, with rescue teams rushing to the scene after receiving frantic reports. The crash forced a complete closure of the road…
- Economy News
Baht-boom: Thailand’s currency surge leaves tourism, exports short
Thailand’s baht is rocketing towards its biggest quarterly rise since the Asian financial crisis, a development that has key tourism and export industries clutching their pearls. Since the end of June, the baht has surged 10% against the dollar, its most significant gain since early 1998. This sudden leap has prompted frantic appeals from the tourism, hotel sectors, and business…
- Thailand News
Biggus dickus: Rogue penis enlargement doc gets shafted by cops
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the National Health Security Office (NHSO) busted a rogue operator offering dubious penis enlargement procedures to men looking for a bigger package. Unfortunately, one victim, seeking a bit of extra length, has been left with painful infections rather than a bigger pecker. Heading the charge, Police Lieutenant General Jiraphop Phuridet and Police Major General…
- Crime News
Temple turmoil: Abbot arrested over sexual assault of minor
Police detained the abbot of a temple in Kui Buri district for questioning over allegations of sexually assaulting a minor. Villagers believe the abbot, known for accurate lottery predictions, is being falsely accused. The abbot denies the charges, while police reveal seven individuals have surrendered in connection with the case. Yesterday, September 19, at the office of the Kui Buri…
- Thailand News
Fire at Sisaket electric bike shop causes million-baht damage
A fire broke out at an electric motorcycle shop, quickly spreading to a nearby mobile phone store and a bank, resulting in millions of baht in damages. Police are investigating the cause of the blaze that occurred yesterday, September 19, at 5.30pm. The incident took place in a two-storey building in the town of Rasisalai, Sisaket province. The fire reportedly…
- Thailand News
Virtual bank brawl: Thailand’s money movers make their pitch
Competition for virtual bank licences in Thailand is reaching fever pitch, with five heavyweight business groups stepping forward just before the application deadline. The Bank of Thailand and the Ministry of Finance are set to issue an undisclosed number of licences, with the winners announced in the first half of next year. Successful applicants will have a year to kick-start…
- Thailand News
All that glitters: Thai gold prices steady, not budging an ounce
Gold prices in Thailand are holding their ground today, with rates remaining flat compared to yesterday’s close. Jewellery gold is trading at 41,050 baht per baht-weight, according to an early morning update from the Gold Traders Association (GTA) at 9.04am. The price of gold bars stands firm at 40,450 baht for buying and 40,550 baht for selling, mirroring yesterday’s figures.…
- Thailand News
High stakes: British soccer star’s £600k cannabis own goal
Professional footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged in a sensational attempt to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through Stansted Airport. The 33 year old striker, currently playing for Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton, was nabbed by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers at dawn yesterday, September 18, in Gourock, Inverclyde. The ex-Livingston, Aberdeen, and Arsenal academy star, who resides on Cardwell…
- Bangkok News
Brakes off: Bangkok’s car free day lets tourists cruise sans traffic
Bangkok is revving up for Car Free Day this weekend on Banthat Thong Road, offering a vehicle-free zone for tourists to cruise around and soak up various activities. The event, dubbed Bangkok Car Free 2024: Connecting for Life, aligns with the annual World Car Free Day on September 22, according to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala. In a…
- Thailand News
Tak Bai tragedy: Thai officials to face music over deadly crackdown
The Government of Thailand is set to prosecute eight former security personnel for their alleged roles in the notorious Tak Bai crackdown nearly 20 years ago, where 78 protesters met a grim fate, suffocating or being crushed in overloaded army trucks, according to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Among those facing serious charges are six soldiers and two…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s golden rice grain faces storm from strong baht and India
Thailand’s rice exports are teetering on the edge of crisis with looming threats from a strong baht and potential policy changes in India. The Thai Rice Exporters Association has cast a shadow over next year’s outlook, predicting exports might flop below the eight million tonnes mark. Chookiat Ophaswongse, the association’s honorary president, revealed the unsettling news despite unabated flooding wreaking…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok Bank gives a healthy boost to Siriraj with 70 million baht
Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (PCL) made a healthy contribution of more than 70 million baht to Siriraj Hospital through its Bangkok Bank-Siriraj Card Project, reinforcing the bank’s dedication to social responsibility and community support. On Mahidol Day, Pochanee Kongkalai, Executive Vice President and Assistant VP of Customer Banking, proudly presented the cheque for 70,315,053.39 baht to Professor Dr Apichat Asavamongkolkul,…
- Thailand News
MP urges central bank governor to resign over call centre scams
People’s Party list MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn launched a blistering attack on the governor of the Bank of Thailand, urging him to resign if he can’t protect the public from the alarming rise in call centre scams. He slammed the central bank for reaching a “lowest point,” with scammers boldly impersonating officials to trick unsuspecting Thais into transferring their cash. Wiroj…
- Business News
Entry Thailand: The portal to paradise
The Tourism and Sports Ministry has rolled out a brand new web portal designed to revolutionise the way foreign tourists access essential services in Thailand. Dubbed “Entry Thailand,” this innovative platform not only features an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system but also prepares for a future 300-baht fee for incoming visitors. Mongkon Wimonrat, the Tourism and Sports Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary,…
- Thailand News
Knockout blow: Thai boxing star floored in gambling promo ring
Police officers went toe-to-toe with a famed Thai boxer, known only as “Sutthiwat,” who flaunts a staggering 440,000 followers on Facebook, for promoting gambling websites at 1,500 baht a post. The dramatic bust came yesterday, September 17, spearheaded by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) under Police Lieutenant General Jiraphob Bhuridej and the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) led by Police…
- Thailand News
Cigarette rites spark fiery debate among netizens in Thailand
A Thai man’s online query about the unusual practice of lighting cigarettes instead of incense sticks at funerals ignited a spirited discussion among netizens. On Monday, September 16, an anonymous user on the Facebook page Knowledge Around posed the question: “What does lighting cigarettes instead of incense at a funeral signify?” The post quickly went viral, attracting a flurry of…
- Thailand News
Pattaya Beach set to rock: Chon Buri music fest waves in the tunes
Pattaya Beach is about to be transformed into a musical paradise as the Chon Buri International Music Festival kicks off this weekend and continues the next. From 5pm to 11pm, Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22, music lovers can revel in a beachfront bonanza of sound and spectacle. And the best part? It’s absolutely free! Expect a star-studded lineup…
- Business News
Finance Ministry set to cash in: £400bn portfolio gets a stock-over
In a bold new move, the Finance Ministry is gearing up to overhaul its colossal 400 billion baht stock portfolio, hinting at potential sell-offs. This announcement comes straight from Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit, who let the cat out of the bag. Lavaron, a key player in the State Securities Management and Development Committee within the State Enterprise Policy Office…
- Thailand News
Whoscares? Scam alert app is here to call out the cons in Thailand
Gogolook, the brains behind the wildly popular Whoscall app, have unleashed a game-changer: Scam Alert, and it’s rocking the scene thanks to a team-up with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). A whopping 11 heavy-hitter organisations are on board this powerhouse initiative, including telecom giants, police forces, top banks, the National Cyber Security Agency, the Central Investigation Bureau, and…
- Covid-19 News
Covid-19 now just flu-ing under the radar, says Thai virologist
Covid-19 is officially being treated like any run-of-the-mill respiratory illness, claims Dr Yong Poovorawan, a leading virologist from Chulalongkorn University. This dramatic shift comes as case numbers tumble and symptoms become milder. In a Facebook post yesterday, Dr Yong revealed that this year’s Covid-19 cases are on a clear downward trajectory. At the start of the rainy season, Covid-19 made…
- Phuket News
Phuket Airport skips memorial for One-Two-Go crash victims again
The Airports of Thailand (AoT) once again dodged the chance to hold an official memorial service in Phuket for the 90 victims of the One-Two-Go Flight OG269 disaster. This marks the 17th consecutive year that local officials have avoided organising any remembrance ceremonies for one of Thailand’s deadliest air crashes. On the anniversary of the tragedy, Monchai Tanode, General Manager…
- Thailand News
Education director reassigned amid Sa Kaeo exam scandal
In a dramatic twist, Prayong Saraphum, the Director of Sa Kaeo’s Secondary Education Service Area Office, has been yanked from his post and reassigned to the Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC) headquarters while an investigation heats up. The probe centres on Prayong’s alleged involvement in the shocking removal of a woman from the list of top candidates for a…
- Thailand News
Borderline chaos: Malaysian tourists banned from entering Thailand
Border drama unfolded yesterday when 39 Malaysian tourists found themselves banned from entering Thailand, thanks to unresolved passport issues, outstanding tax debts, and past criminal records. Kedah Immigration Director Mohd Ridzzuan Mohd Zain spilled the details yesterday, September 16, revealing an array of reasons for the entry denials. “We had 10 cases of damaged passports, torn, waterlogged, missing pages, and…
- Thailand News
Thai couple could face firing squad for Indonesia drug bust
Two Thai nationals face execution for drug trafficking charges in Indonesia. Rachanon Jongseeha and his girlfriend Woranawan Wongsuwan were among six people arrested in Bali last week on drug charges by Indonesian police. Four could face execution under the country’s strict drug laws. The 33 year old Rachanon and his 31 year old girlfriend were arrested upon arrival at Bali’s…
