- Phuket News
Phuket stunner snatches Miss Grand Thailand 2025 crown
It was a night of glitz, glamour, and grand victories as Phuket’s own Saranrat “Gotchabell” Pueakpipat dazzled her way to the Miss Grand Thailand 2025 crown. The 7pm showdown on March 29 saw the stunning beauty queen claim the title, marking Phuket’s third win and its first-ever back-to-back victory in the pageant’s history. Saranrat’s poise, elegance, and flawless performance in…
- Pattaya News
Scent of a scam: Pattaya cops sniff out fake perfume racket
Pattaya police have bottled up a counterfeit perfume operation, nabbing two women accused of flogging dodgy designer fragrances at a local shopping centre. Officers seized 226 bottles of fake branded scents that could pose serious health risks. The suspects, 38 year old Kanyapat and 37 year old Araya, were arrested and charged with “jointly offering for sale goods bearing counterfeit…
- Bangkok News
Crack scare sparks Bangkok evacuations but no quake recorded
Panic swept through parts of Bangkok this morning as multiple buildings were evacuated over reports of mysterious vibrations and cracks, despite the Government of Thailand insisting there was no earthquake. The drama unfolded around 10am, today, March 31, with affected locations including Building A of the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, the Ministry of Labour in Din Daeng, and…
- Phuket News
Quake rumbles Thailand but Phuket stands firm
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat reassured residents and tourists that the island remains untouched by the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked Myanmar and sent tremors through Bangkok. The quake, which struck Mandalay on Friday, March 28, was felt across northern Thailand, but Governor Sophon confirmed that Phuket, nearly 2,000 kilometres away, has seen no impact on its infrastructure or tourism industry.…
- Business News
Thai Board of Trade caught in tariff crossfire over Uyghur issue
Thailand’s business leaders are urging firms to stay agile amid fears that the ongoing Uyghur issue could disrupt trade talks. Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Board of Trade, warned it’s too early to predict the fallout but said businesses must adapt to survive. Companies are being urged to make the most of Thailand’s 16 free trade agreements (FTAs) with…
- Bangkok News
Thai minister demands building collapse answers from Chinese firm
Thailand’s interior minister has demanded answers within seven days after the shocking collapse of the State Audit Office building in Bangkok, constructed by a Chinese company, during last week’s earthquake. Rescuers are still working at the disaster site in Chatuchak district, with at least 12 confirmed dead, 33 injured, and 78 people still unaccounted for. Four Chinese workers have already…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok tower collapses in deadly quake: 40 trapped in rubble
Over 40 people remained trapped inside a building which collapsed near Chatuchak Park in Bangkok this afternoon after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today, Friday March 28. Police, government officials and emergency services, confirmed that 43 workers remain trapped inside the rubble. Seven workers managed to escape the disaster. Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the National…
- Thailand News
ATTA boss calls for boost to Chinese tourism market
The newly appointed president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) is urging the government to ramp up support for marketing initiatives and development to revive the lagging Chinese tourism market. Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, elected for a two-year term, welcomed the Cabinet’s approval of the draft entertainment complex bill but emphasised the need for strict casino regulations and meaningful employment…
- Phuket News
Phuket crackdown: Officials fish for illegal workers, net nothing
In a rigorous two-day operation, Phuket officials targeted communities and camps housing Myanmar workers, aiming to clamp down on illegal immigration and unlawful activities. Despite the intense scrutiny, not a single infraction was found. Phuket officials, including immigration personnel, focused their efforts on a community in front of the bustling Phuket Fishing Pier on Sri Suthat Road. Situated opposite the…
- Thailand News
British couple jailed for running drugs empire from Thailand villa
A British couple who orchestrated a massive drugs empire from their plush villa in Thailand have been banged up for 10 years. Brian Pitts and Katie Harlow masterminded the production and distribution of millions of fake Xanax pills, raking in a staggering £4 million (176 million baht) through the dark web. Operating from their luxurious Thai hideaway between 2018 and…
- Thailand News
British widow’s Thailand dream turns to heartbreak
A British woman paid tribute to her “kind, compassionate” husband, who died after suffering a heart attack on a flight home from their dream holiday in Thailand. The couple’s flight was diverted to India when he took ill and eventually died in a Delhi hospital. The dead man’s British wife, Gill Dunn, then had the ignominy of bringing her husband’s…
- Crime News
British boxing champ knocked down by law after Thailand drug bust
An ex-British boxing champion who ducked and weaved his way through three continents to avoid drug charges has been sentenced to six years behind bars. Lennox Clarke, from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, was caught red-handed supplying narcotics to a known dealer before skipping town in a desperate bid to avoid a legal knockout. The former British and Commonwealth super-middleweight…
- Thailand News
Thailand cracks down on e-cigarette sales with mass URL purge
Thailand’s war on illegal vapes has gone digital, with government officials shutting down over 9,500 online links linked to the sale and smuggling of e-cigarettes. Deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan revealed that between March 2024 and March 19, 2025, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry took down 9,515 URLs involved in the illicit vape trade. “We are using every tool…
- Thailand News
Fuelling the festivities: Petrol and diesel prices cut for Songkran
Motorists are getting a Songkran surprise as Thailand’s Oil Fund slashes petrol and diesel prices by 1 baht per litre—just in time for the holiday travel rush. Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, who also chairs the Oil Fuel Fund Management Committee, announced that the price cut will be rolled out in two phases. The first reduction of…
- Thailand News
Sour deal: China squeezes out 19 Thai products over safety fears
China has slammed the brakes on 19 Thai products, including sweetened condensed milk, citing safety concerns and labelling issues. The move, part of a broader crackdown that saw 357 shipments from 38 countries rejected in January this year, has sent shockwaves through Thailand’s export sector.​ According to the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok choking: PM2.5 toxic dust clouds capital in pollution panic
Bangkok and a staggering 57 out of 76 provinces across Thailand found themselves gasping for breath today, as hazardous PM2.5 dust levels enveloped the nation. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) sounded the alarm, highlighting the north, northeast, central plain, and east regions with red-level warnings, while the south enjoyed clearer skies. GISTDA deem PM2.5 levels below 37.5…
- Phuket News
Fake cash chaos: Phuket cops probe tourists over dodgy dollars
Phuket police are on high alert after two foreign women allegedly tried to exchange fake US dollars at a local currency exchange. Officers were called to the exchange near a major Cape Panwa hotel on Saturday, March 22, after staff became suspicious of six US$50 bills. The women, whose nationalities remain undisclosed, handed over the notes in exchange for 9,750…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya police beef up patrols to tackle crime surge
In response to a recent spike in criminal activities, Pattaya police rolled out a robust initiative to keep the city’s streets safe. Officers today, assembled at Pattaya City Police Station to deploy newly trained patrol units dedicated to maintaining order and preventing crime.​ This move comes after a series of unsettling incidents. Notably, a 71 year old British tourist was…
- Pattaya News
Two homes gutted, Pattaya residents burned in frantic fire escape
A raging fire tore through a residential area in Pattaya, leaving two homes in ruins and two people injured as they desperately tried to save their belongings. The blaze erupted at 1pm, yesterday, March 23, in Soi Thung Klom-Tanman 15, prompting a rapid response from Nongprue police, firefighters, and Sawang Boriboon rescue teams. Three fire engines rushed to the scene,…
- Pattaya News
Truck-stop terror: Motorcyclist smashes into lorry near Pattaya
A 21 year old Cambodian motorcyclist was left seriously injured after colliding with a parked 18-wheeler on Sukhumvit Road, Bang Lamung, near Pattaya. Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre was alerted to the crash at 2.06am, yesterday, March 23, near the Krating Lai Bridge, heading towards Bangkok in Chon Buri province. Rescue volunteers and medical teams rushed to the scene. A…
- Business News
Thaksin wades into Thailand debt storm with bold bailout plan
Former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has reignited debate over the country’s mounting debt crisis, urging the government to buy up bad loans to help struggling households. The 75 year old’s proposal? The state should step in, purchase non-performing loans (NPLs) from financial institutions, and wipe debt-ridden individuals off the National Credit Bureau’s blacklist. But not everyone is convinced by…
- Thailand News
Bear’ly survived: Thai fisherman’s face torn off in horror mauling
A Thai fisherman miraculously survived after a ferocious bear attack left him horrifically disfigured, ripping off most of his face, nose, and upper lip in a single devastating swipe. The 60 year old victim was also mauled on the neck and stomach by what experts believe was an Asiatic black bear, a species known to attack humans when threatened. It…
- Thailand News
Massage gets a rub down: Thailand cracks whip on shady parlours
The Thai government is cracking down on dodgy massage parlours that are tarnishing the reputation of nuad Thai, as the industry faces a shortage of 50,000 skilled practitioners. The Ministry of Public Health is stepping in to restore the craft’s credibility, amid concerns that inconsistent standards and seedy businesses have led to Thai massage being wrongly linked to brothels. Adviser…
- Hua Hin News
House of cards tumbles: Cops bust Hua Hin gambling ring
Six suspects have been rounded up in a dramatic police raid on an illegal online gambling empire operating out of Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) swooped in on LAVAMAX1688, a shadowy betting network that had raked in over 8 million baht in just eight months. With arrest warrants issued for seven people, officers stormed…
- Thailand News
Loco antics: Drugged-up drama as man halts Hat Yai express
Pandemonium erupted in Hat Yai when a Thai man under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs turned the railway tracks into his personal stage, causing a train to come to a screeching halt. The bizarre incident, captured on video, saw the man standing, lying, and even walking towards the moving train, sparking chaos at the station. It all unfolded yesterday, March…
- Thailand News
Rodent royalty: Korat Zoo’s new Patagonian attraction charms (video)
Korat Zoo has rolled out the red carpet for its latest superstar, a cute Patagonian mara, unveiled to eager visitors. While the newborn’s gender remains a mystery, its charm is undeniable, as the zoo’s director, Thanachon Khensing, proudly stated: “It’s capturing everyone’s attention.” Currently, Korat Zoo boasts a trio of these enchanting creatures: one male, one female, and the new…
- Thailand News
Overpass tragedy: Thai motorcyclist’s birthday ends in fatal fall
In a tragic twist of fate, a 42 year old man died on his birthday after his motorcycle veered off a 10-metre overpass in Nonthaburi, near Bangkok. The rider, Seksan (surname withheld), was reported to have overtaken a taxi at high speed before the catastrophe. At 2am, today, March 21, Chaiyapruek Police Station officers in Nonthaburi, alongside Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers,…
- Phuket News
Flight risk: Aussie in court for helping crime boss flee to Thailand
An Aussie man is scheduled to appear in court in Australia today, accused of aiding the escape of a notorious organised crime figure to Thailand. The unnamed 57 year old from Bargara, Bundaberg, Queensland, allegedly crewed a vessel alongside another man to pick up a fugitive at a clandestine sea rendezvous. After quietly setting sail from Thursday Island, north of…
- Pattaya News
Thai freelancer bottles Indian tourist after payment row
An Indian tourist fell victim to a brutal beer bottle assault in Pattaya by a freelance Thai woman after he allegedly refused to pay for her services. Consequently, the freelancer reportedly hit the Indian man in the head with a beer bottle and robbed him of 10,000 baht, according to the victim. The incident unfolded in the early hours this…
- Thailand News
Grand theft auto: Crooked car crew caught in claction
A notorious car theft gang has been brought to justice after raking in over 40 million baht by stealing and reselling at least 50 rental cars. The criminals used fake documents to register the vehicles before selling them online, leading to their eventual downfall. Police Major General Khongkrit Loetsitthikun, commander of the Highway Police Division, triumphantly announced yesterday, March 20,…
