Bob Scott

Bob Scott is an experienced writer and editor with a passion for travel. Born and raised in Newcastle, England, he spent more than 10 years in Asia. He worked as a sports writer in the north of England and London before relocating to Asia. Now he resides in Bangkok, Thailand, where he is the Editor-in-Chief for The Thaiger English News. With a vast amount of experience from living and writing abroad, Bob Scott is an expert on all things related to Asian culture and lifestyle.
  • China NewsWhy would Hong Kong chief break electoral law?

    Why would Hong Kong chief break electoral law?

    The office of Hong Kong’s new chief executive, John Lee, failed to respond to revelations yesterday that he received about US$1.4 million in donations during his election campaign, and broke electoral law. The revelation he received donations is bizarre, to say the least, because he was the only candidate. He ran for the city’s top job against no one! Furthermore,…

  • Crime News2 Thai men face 20 years in jail for illegal felling of protected trees

    2 Thai men face 20 years in jail for illegal felling of protected trees

    Two men face up to 20 years in prison and a 2 billion baht fine after being arrested for the illegal felling of one of Thailand’s most protected trees in the Sangkha district. Acting on a tipoff, a police team swooped on a clearing in Huay Samran forest, south of Moo 10 village in tambon Thepraksa, to find the 2…

  • Covid-19 NewsRenowned economist says Covid-19 was born in US bio-lab

    Renowned economist says Covid-19 was born in US bio-lab

    A prominent American economist further fanned the flames of who is to blame for the Covid-19 outbreak by pointing the finger at US scientists, saying it came “out of a US lab biotechnology.” There have been a number of conspiracy theories about where the coronavirus outbreak originated and who should shoulder responsibility for the pandemic outbreak and this isn’t an…

  • Thailand NewsMan killed and 2 injured in Bangkok canal tragedy

    Man killed and 2 injured in Bangkok canal tragedy

    The captain of a canal boat was killed yesterday afternoon after his vessel collided with another boat on a canal in the Bang Bo district near Bangkok. The 32 year old man, Prasit Nadam, was navigating his long-tail boat when it collided with another similar vessel at 4.30pm in Khlong Kalaya canal at Moo 2 village in tambon Bang Bo.…

  • Crime NewsCyber police bust illegal gambling ring in Pattaya valued at 100 million baht

    Cyber police bust illegal gambling ring in Pattaya valued at 100 million baht

    Cyber police busted an illegal online gambling ring in Pattaya and arrested 11 suspects in connection with the illicit activity that pulled in over 100 million baht in revenue. Director of the Cybercrime Suppression Center Region 2, Surachit Chingnawan, yesterday announced the arrest of the 11 suspects accused of operating the illegal online gambling website in the Chon Buri area.…

  • China NewsChina and Taiwan offer conflicting views over Hong Kong rule

    China and Taiwan offer conflicting views over Hong Kong rule

    China President Xi Jingping, and Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang offered conflicting views on Hong Kong rule as the mainland celebrated the 25th anniversary of its handover from the United Kingdom. The Taiwan chief claims freedom and democracy have disappeared in Hong Kong as he witnessed scenes of today’s celebration in the city’s business hub from Taipei today. “One only has…

  • Crime NewsBangkok abbot says he didn’t embezzle 95 million baht

    Bangkok abbot says he didn’t embezzle 95 million baht

    The chief monk at Wat Sutthi Wararam Buddhist temple in Bangkok yesterday insisted he is innocent of any embezzlement charges after a renewed complaint was made against him. The temple’s former accountant, Channarong Phiandi, has made a fresh complaint against the abbot, Phra Sutheerattanabundit, maintaining he embezzled 95 million baht and disposed of a partially cremated corpse into the Chao…

  • Covid-19 NewsChina key to Thailand’s tourism industry recovery

    China key to Thailand’s tourism industry recovery

    The Tourism Council of Thailand yesterday confessed that building up tourism to pre-Covid-19 levels is going to be a challenge to the kingdom despite encouraging signs of recovery this year. And without Chinese tourists, the task remains even harder. The last of Thailand’s Covid-related restrictions were lifted today. Tourists no longer need a Thailand Pass or insurance, and you don’t…

  • ExpatsNorwegian man stabs himself in Pattaya hotel

    Norwegian man stabs himself in Pattaya hotel

    A Norwegian man allegedly stabbed himself in the stomach last night while alone in his hotel bedroom in Pattaya. Frank Gjesvold was rushed to hospital with a gaping wound to the abdomen after staff heard screams for help at 11.30pm from room 409 at a hotel in the South Pattaya area, Nong Prue subdistrict, in Chon Buri province. Staff banged…

  • Crime NewsThai Police ordered to pay 3.4 million baht for torturing teenager

    Thai Police ordered to pay 3.4 million baht for torturing teenager

    South Bangkok Civil Court yesterday ordered The Royal Thai Police to pay about 3.4 million baht in compensation for the false imprisonment and brutal torture of a teenager in 2009. Rittirong Chuenchit was arrested by Prachin Buri Police’s criminal investigation team on January 28, 2009, for suspected theft. During the investigation, police tried to extract a confession from the victim,…

  • Business NewsThai state bank offers loans to LGBTQ+ couples for first time

    Thai state bank offers loans to LGBTQ+ couples for first time

    Thailand’s state-run Government Housing Bank has taken a progressive step forward by offering mortgage loans to couples in the LGBTQ+ community. The move by the Bangkok-based financial institution could lead the way forward for more change, such as same-sex marriage in Thailand, after the bank’s pioneering move made it easier for the Thai Pride community to own their own home.…

  • Cannabis News3 year old one of several Thai children recovering from cannabis-related incidents

    3 year old one of several Thai children recovering from cannabis-related incidents

    The Royal College of Paediatricians of Thailand and the Paediatrics Society of Thailand has reported a spate of serious health-threatening, cannabis-related cases involving a 3 year old child and several other children. Only last week Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt revealed his fears for the health and safety of Thailand’s children after the decriminalisation of cannabis on June 9 while a…

  • Economy NewsChina calls for enhanced relations with Thailand

    China calls for enhanced relations with Thailand

    China called for enhanced relations with Thailand ahead of the National Assembly of Thailand’s 90th anniversary. Li Zhanshu, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, yesterday congratulated the Thai National Assembly for making positive contributions to maintaining social justice and promoting economic development in the kingdom. “The legislatures of China and Thailand have maintained friendly exchanges, and have played…

  • Politics NewsThai PM makes bizarre ‘go easy on me’ plea to media

    Thai PM makes bizarre ‘go easy on me’ plea to media

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday made a bizarre appeal to the nation’s press to “go easy” and give him a fair crack of the whip. The 68 year old prime minister made the plea after a recent poll put him in fourth position as potential picks to be Thailand’s next prime minister, a long way behind the daughter of former PM…

  • Crime NewsThai man jailed for rape in London massage parlour

    Thai man jailed for rape in London massage parlour

    London Metropolitan Police is appealing for more women to come forward after a Thai massage therapist was jailed for 11 years for the rape and sexual assault of two women. Kensington-based Mongkhon Thopwan was sentenced on Friday after being convicted on March 21 of 5 counts of assault by penetration, and one count of causing a person to engage in…

  • Crime NewsSongkhla teen arrested for possession of meth pills worth 3 million baht

    Songkhla teen arrested for possession of meth pills worth 3 million baht

    Police in Songkhla yesterday arrested a teenage boy for having methamphetamine pills with a street value of 3 million baht. The 16 year old boy, named Ken, was arrested, and 112,000 methamphetamine pills were seized, after being found in a cardboard box in a room on the second floor of his residence, after a house search in the Hat Yai…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok governor dragged into Benchatkitti Park cycling spat

    Bangkok governor dragged into Benchatkitti Park cycling spat

    Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has been dragged into a war of words between cyclists and parkgoers in a popular city park. Parkgoers and cyclists, who frequent Benchakitti Park, in the Klong Toey district, took to social media to voice their anger over speeding cyclists and the danger they pose by riding without due care and attention to others while speeding…

  • Thailand NewsBoost to tourism industry as China resumes flights to Thailand

    Boost to tourism industry as China resumes flights to Thailand

    Thailand received another boost to its tourism industry yesterday when China gave its blessing to resume flights between the two Asian nations. The gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, the scrapping of the Thailand Pass, and the relaxation of mask-wearing have all been much welcomed as the kingdom fights back against two tough pandemic years. And the welcoming of Chinese tourists…

  • Politics NewsThai government mocked over clay stove proposal

    Thai government mocked over clay stove proposal

    Deputy PM and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow yesterday defended comments the nation should switch to using clay stoves to combat the energy crisis after the government was mocked on social media The Energy Ministry’s official Facebook page on Tuesday uploaded a picture of a stove (Tao Maha Setthee), with a caption saying ‘a charcoal stove is durable, helps save money,…

  • Cannabis NewsChadchart’s fears for Thai kids after cannabis decriminalisation

    Chadchart’s fears for Thai kids after cannabis decriminalisation

    Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt admits he fears for the health and safety of Thailand’s children after the decriminalisation of cannabis on June 9. He fears the lack of guidelines and accompanying legislation has led to confusion and incorrect assumptions following the announcement. The 56 year old voiced his concerns at Wichutit School in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district while promoting a…

  • Tourism NewsThai AirAsia X confident of takeoff after bankruptcy setback

    Thai AirAsia X confident of takeoff after bankruptcy setback

  • Politics NewsDeputy PM’s confidence misplaced ahead of no-confidence vote

    Deputy PM’s confidence misplaced ahead of no-confidence vote

    Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon’s confidence that small political parties will support the government in the upcoming no-confidence debate appears to be misplaced. The 76 year old leader of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party believes the targeted cabinet misters have enough support from small political parties to see off the opposition at the debate planned on July 18 and predicted to…

  • World NewsThailand and UK sign ambitious bilateral trade deal

    Thailand and UK sign ambitious bilateral trade deal

    Thai Deputy PM and Minister of Commerce, Jurin Laksanawisit, met UK Minister of State for Trade Policy, Penny Mordaunt, in London yesterday to explore ways of increasing bilateral trade and committing to an ambitious trading relationship. The 2 politicians concluded business at the UK-Thailand Joint Economic and Trade Committee by signing a programme of work, including Government-to-Government and Government-to-Business activity,…

  • Thailand NewsThailand No.3 in the global electronic payment hit parade

    Thailand No.3 in the global electronic payment hit parade

    A new study by ACI Worldwide, Global Data, and the Centre for Economics and Business Research, revealed Thailand is in the world’s top 3 nations in terms of electronic payment transactions. Thailand last year recorded 9.7 billion real-time electronic payment transactions, putting it in 3rd position globally after India (48.6 billion times) and China (18.5 billion times). Deputy government spokesperson…

  • Economy NewsRussia-Ukraine conflict excuse for energy hike

    Russia-Ukraine conflict excuse for energy hike

    The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to be the excuse by utilities suppliers to raise energy prices. The Energy Regulatory Commission today announced the power tariff would increase to a record high of 4.4 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit) between September and December meaning Thai residents face higher bills. The ERC says the higher power tariff, which is made up…

  • Thailand NewsRabble-rouser to answer lese majeste charge today

    Rabble-rouser to answer lese majeste charge today

    Supporters of rabble-rouser Piyabutr Saengkanokkul are expected to be out in force today as the secretary-general of the Progressive Movement answers a charge of lese majeste at Dusit police station, in Bangkok. Deputy superintendent of Dusit police, Pol Lt Col Pichai Mee-atthiman, admitted he wasn’t sure how many people would turn out to support the controversial former MP but added…

  • Transport NewsCabinet to discuss cap on rising fuel costs

    Cabinet to discuss cap on rising fuel costs

    Energy Ministry permanent secretary Kulit Sombatsiri yesterday revealed the Energy Policy and Planning Office is going to support measures to buffer the rising cost of fuel resulting from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Kulit says the ministry will look for government help when the Cabinet reassembles for its weekly meeting on Tuesday. “The price of diesel oil will be maintained at…

  • Tourism NewsRetire to Thailand? Think again, unless you’ve got the dosh!

    Retire to Thailand? Think again, unless you’ve got the dosh!

    Retiring to Thailand is the dream of many foreigners. And why not? The Land of Smiles has it all: sun, sea, sand, sexy senoritas, and a cheap way of living so, let’s do it! But what about the red tape? Is there any? How does Johnny Foreigner retire to Thailand? Well, Thailand’s Board of Investment is set to make an…

  • Thai Law NewsNew draft law will allow ex-cons to expunge criminal records

    New draft law will allow ex-cons to expunge criminal records

    A new draft law will allow people who have been convicted of a crime and served their sentence to wipe the slate clean and start again. In the past ex-cons have found it difficult to find gainful employment after serving their sentence and as a consequence have gone on to reoffend. But if this new bill is passed it will…

  • Crime NewsDomestic violence victim allegedly confesses to conspiracy to murder

    Domestic violence victim allegedly confesses to conspiracy to murder

    A victim of domestic violence allegedly confessed to a conspiracy to murder charge on her arrest yesterday. The woman, Charoensri Thongkham, allegedly admitted to hiring a hitman to kill her husband because she couldn’t take any more of his violent abuse and long string of affairs. The 41 year old woman told police she had lived with her husband for…