- Thailand News
Moonlit tragedy: British tourist found dead after Full Moon Party
A British tourist’s dream holiday turned into a nightmare after a wild night at Thailand’s infamous Full Moon Party ended in tragedy. Christopher Stephen Boucher was discovered dead outside a 7-Eleven store on the island of Koh Pha Ngan, after attending the notorious beach bash. The 37 year old from Gillingham in Kent, had reportedly been trying to find his…
- Thailand News
Hooked: Thai sailors jailed by Myanmar court for illegal fishing
In a legal ruling that’s sent shockwaves throughout the fishing community in Thailand, a Myanmar court has thrown the book at four Thai sailors, sentencing them to between four and six years in prison for fishing offences and illegal entry into the country. Sources from Kawthaung district broke the news today, December 16, revealing the fate of the Thai crew…
- Tourism News
Living the Thai life: Kingdom rolls out red carpet for big spenders
Thailand is upping the ante in its tourism game, spotlighting the allure of luxury and high-spending travellers to power up the economy post-pandemic. Known for its warm hospitality, stunning landscapes, and world-class attractions, the nation is seeing a surge in plush hotels and branded properties to cater to this elite crowd. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set its sights…
- Thailand News
Gold rush: Prices dip, enthusiasts dig in for a buying spree
Gold enthusiasts are on high alert as the Gold Traders Association (GTA) announced a dip in prices, sparking a potential buying frenzy. Today, December 16, the price of gold jewellery has slipped to 43,400 baht per baht-weight, a 50 baht drop from yesterday’s closing. At 9.03am, the GTA updated their website, revealing the domestic buying price for gold bullion at…
- Business News
Thailand unveils tax reform: Corporate tax cut, VAT hike rejected
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira unveiled a bold tax reform plan to supercharge state revenue, drive national development, and level the economic playing field in Thailand. The announcement was made at the Sustainability Forum 2025, an event championing sustainable economic growth. Central to the plan is slashing the corporate income tax rate to 15%, aligning with OECD guidelines to keep Thailand…
- Pattaya News
Grilling the corrupt: Pattaya vows to clean up squid scandal
In a sizzling showdown, the Pattaya deputy mayor has sworn to weed out corruption among city officials extorting grilled squid vendors, promising severe consequences for those found guilty. At the crack of dawn today, December 16, Pattaya City Special Affairs officers swooped in on a group of street vendors illegally peddling their goods on Soi Pattaya Tai 15, right by…
- Thailand News
Thai hospital checks out of universal healthcare gold card scheme
Mongkutwattana Hospital slammed the brakes on accepting outpatients under Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme, famously dubbed the gold card, as financial woes grip the facility. The shock move, spearheaded by director Riengthong Nanna, took effect on Friday, December 13 with the hospital shutting its doors to gold card outpatients. The heart of the matter? Alleged unpaid dues by the National Health…
- Pattaya News
Swiss man’s peaceful Pattaya night shattered by youth attack
A peaceful evening in Pattaya turned into a night of chaos for a 66 year old Swiss man as he faced a brutal assault by local youths, leaving him injured and his car in tatters. Manoutcher Kamel Kamai, a Swiss national, yesterday, December 15, stumbled into the Pattaya City Police Station, visibly shaken and wounded, seeking justice for the unprovoked…
- Thailand News
Crane calamity wreaks havoc on Rama IV Road, Bangkok chief probes
Panic struck Bangkok’s bustling Rama IV Road as a concrete beam came crashing down from a crane, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and prompting an immediate suspension of demolition work at the Srifuengfung Building. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt swiftly halted all demolition activities at the site to prioritise public safety. Alongside Bangkok Deputy Governor Wissanu Sabsomphon and…
- Thailand News
Rama II Road reopens after crane accident caused fatalities (video)
Commuters can breathe a sigh of relief as traffic resumes on Rama II Road following a harrowing crane accident that claimed six lives and injured nine, leaving a trail of disruption in its wake. The nightmare began in the small hours of November 29 when a crane buckled under the weight of a concrete beam at the Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo Intercity…
- Thailand News
Thai-ing luck: Lottery punters chase numbers for year-end jackpot
With jackpot dreams dancing in their heads, Thailand’s hopeful punters are in a tizzy, hunting for the mystical numbers set to bring them a windfall in the year’s final lottery draw today, December 16. As the Government Lottery Office gets ready to reveal the magic numbers, excitement is at an all-time high and the air is charged with predictions and…
- Tourism News
Thai and mighty: Tourism takes off with a Bangkok load of visitors
Thailand’s back on the world’s travel map with a record-breaking wave of tourists flooding its shores, boosting the nation’s coffers and setting sights on even sunnier outcomes. In a spectacular show of popularity, more than 37.72 million globe-trotters have flocked to the Land of Smiles between January 1 and December 8 this year, according to Government Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap. This…
- Thailand News
British swap gloom of Blighty for tropical Land of Smiles (video)
A recent survey has uncovered that thousands of British have swapped the cold, gloomy shores of Blighty in their thousands for the warm, welcoming, tropical beaches of Thailand. Financial technology company Wise reported that more than 40,000 British citizens have already set up camp and relocated to the exotic Land of Smiles. The Daily Mirror reported that British removal firm…
- Thailand News
Thai masseuse pleads for justice amid singer’s tragic death
The seasoned Thai masseuse entangled in a whirlpool of controversy following the untimely death of luk thung singer Chayada “Phing” Praohom in the heart of Udon Thani, appealed for justice. The 20 year old Thai singer tragically succumbed two months after a controversial neck-twisting procedure. While an autopsy has cleared the massage of blame, questions and suspicions still linger. Chayada,…
- Bangkok News
Cupid stunt: Matchmaking service finds heart of Bangkok economy
Bangkok’s leading matchmaking service is tuning its heartstrings to the economic beat as whispers of a slowdown loom large on the horizon. With the tourism season in full swing, Bangkok Matching is rolling out a suite of strategies to woo foreign travellers hoping to find love while enjoying their Thai escapades. At the helm is the dynamic Kulchulee Subsinudom Nylander,…
- Pattaya News
Lost world found: Centara’s splash-tacular revamp makes waves in Pattaya (video)
Centara Hotels & Resorts is pulling out all the stops with a sensational upgrade to its famed Lost World-themed haven, Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya. This month sees a dazzling debut of new attractions designed to captivate guests of all ages, promising a holiday like no other. Making a splash are four newly unveiled water park zones. Get ready…
- Thailand News
British man’s flight home to recovery after horror crash in Thailand
A British man who suffered life-changing injuries while working in Thailand has returned home after an appeal raised nearly £20,000 (880,000 baht) for a medical repatriation flight. Andy Davis from Stone, Staffordshire, had his left leg amputated and was hospitalised with a shattered pelvis and torn bladder, following a car crash on an island off Krabi last month. The 33 year…
- Bangkok News
Busted in Bangkok: Undie-cover cops quash gay shindig rumours
In an eyebrow-raising update from Bangkok’s bustling Sukhumvit 31 stretch, police quashed rumours of a cover-up in an outrageous gay underwear bash that involved drugs but no glittering celebrity attendees. Police Major General Wittawat Chinkam, Metropolitan Police Bureau 5 chief, yesterday, December 10, convened a nearly two-hour session to dissect the scandal involving a group of gay men who threw…
- Pattaya News
Actions speak louder: Police save mute woman from suicide near Pattaya
In the early hours of yesterday, quick-thinking police officers near Pattaya turned silent gestures into a powerful rescue mission to save a mute woman from committing suicide, proving actions truly speak louder than words. At 4.30am, yesterday, December 10, a critical call came in about a potential suicide near the busy Sukhumvit Road in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri.…
- Business News
Thailand throws ‘baht’ at impact study of 10,000-baht handouts
In a bid to decipher the ripple effects of Thailand’s 10,000-baht cash handout scheme, the Finance Ministry launched an exhaustive survey. This deep dive, spanning 40,000 participants, aims to unravel the true impact of this financial initiative on the economy and society as a whole. Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit promises findings by the month’s end. “This survey uses a…
- Thailand News
Bangkok braces for current affairs as power outages hit home
In a move that’s set to ignite frustration, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) announced a slew of planned power outages sweeping across Bangkok and its neighbouring areas over the next two days. These interruptions, part of an essential maintenance blitz, are designed to bolster the city’s electricity network with greater efficiency and reliability. The disruptive energy cuts crackled into action…
- Thailand News
Gold fever: Price ‘baht-tles’ higher with investors eyeing gains
In a move that’s caught the attention of savers and spenders alike, gold prices have shot up, with the Gold Traders Association (GTA) reporting a 100 baht rise overnight. Today, December 9, those looking to splash out on gold jewellery will find it priced at a sparkling 43,100 baht per baht weight, thanks to the latest updates confirmed by the…
- Business News
Thailand’s business community urges govt for festive financial jolt
As the new year approaches, Thailand’s business community is pulling no punches in calling for urgent government intervention to jump-start the economy. With suggestions ranging from tax breaks to debt relief, industry leaders are clamouring for robust stimulus measures to invigorate growth. Nath Vongphanich, President of the Thai Retailers Association, is at the forefront of this push, advocating for a…
- Business News
Hong Kong hotel bills pile up: Tourism takes a hit amid dollar drama
As Hong Kong’s hospitality sector braces for the new year, a perfect storm of challenges threatens to sour the city’s tourist appeal. With a new lodging tax set to dent visitors’ wallets and geopolitical tensions on the rise, thanks to Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency, the city’s once-thriving tourist industry could face an uphill battle. From January, a 3% hotel guest…
- Business News
Crypto hits new heights: Bitcoin Trumps US$100k amid election buzz
In a staggering leap that has set the crypto world ablaze, bitcoin shattered the US$100,000 mark for the first time, skyrocketing from around US$69,000 just a month ago. This meteoric rise comes hot on the heels of the US presidential elections, fuelling frenzied speculation among crypto investors about the impact of Donald Trump’s return to prominence. With crypto enthusiasts on…
- Thailand News
British man’s Thai-high trip goes up in smoke at Manchester customs
Another British man has been nabbed in a high-stakes arrest after being caught returning through Manchester Airport customs with two suitcases full of cannabis from Thailand. The alleged British drug mule, Ahmed Sohail, who claimed he went to Thailand to lose some weight, ended up losing much more than he bargained for. Stopped by eagle-eyed Border Force officials, the 26…
- Thailand News
Political scandal: Former Bhumjaithai Party trio out on parole
Three former Bhumjaithai Party members, once sentenced to nine months behind bars for ethical breaches, yesterday strolled out of prison on parole. Having served part of their time, the trio is now back in the spotlight as they re-enter the world beyond bars. Among them, Natee Ratchakitprakarn, once a list MP and the wife of Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, emerged…
- Thailand News
Stigma strikes: HIV shatters career dreams of two young Thai men
In a heart-wrenching tale from Thailand, two young men, driven by noble pursuits, have seen their career dreams dashed due to the crushing stigma surrounding HIV. One man hoped to step into his late father’s shoes as a police officer in the troubled southern regions while the other longed for the skies as a 27 year old flight attendant. Both…
- Pattaya News
Naked Russian man rescued by speedboat hero near Pattaya
A naked and exhausted Russian man was dramatically rescued by a heroic speedboat driver headed to Koh Lan off the coast of Pattaya. The incident, which unfolded about six kilometres from Pattaya, grabbed headlines due to the man’s dire predicament. Pracharat Satsuk, a 34 year old speedboat operator, revealed how he stumbled upon the struggling swimmer during his regular route,…
- Thailand News
Taxing times: Thai PM backtracks on VAT hike after public outcry
In a dramatic U-turn, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pulled the plug on a proposal to crank up the value-added tax (VAT) following a storm of public outrage. The PM took to X (formerly Twitter) today, December 6, decisively posting: “No VAT adjustment to 15%.” This swift decision emerged from a huddle at Government House with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira and…
