- Business News
Thailand banks on foreign investment to power economic surge
Bangkok Bank remains bullish on a surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) into Thailand, anticipating it will turbocharge the nation’s economy in the coming years despite global uncertainties. At the 2025 ASEAN Business Forum helmed by the bank last Thursday, Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonpanich unveiled striking figures: Thailand’s investment applications soared by 35% in 2024, hitting a decade peak…
- Thailand News
Power play: Thailand set to slash electricity bills with tariff tweak
In a shock move that could see electricity bills slashed, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is eyeing a reduction in the power tariff by 0.17 baht per kilowatt-hour. This welcome change hinges on the government trimming its budget for renewable energy promotion. At present, the power tariff stands at 4.15 baht per unit, with a chunk earmarked for renewable energy…
- Thailand News
Thai cop boyfriend charged over woman’s tragic death
Tragedy struck when 24 year old woman was found dead after allegedly jumping from a pickup truck, but mounting evidence points to a darker truth involving her Thai cop boyfriend. Police Lance Corporal Kittipoom now faces serious charges relating to murder and drug abuse. Grieving and searching for answers, the victim’s mother, 62 year old Eungporn, and her sister, 32…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Chill factor: Thailand braces for cold, frosty spell as mercury dips
Thailand is braced for a cold, frosty spell as temperatures plunge by an additional 1-2 degrees Celsius across the nation. Frost dusts the peaks of high mountains while strong winds batter the seas, turning up the tumultuous weather conditions. As winter tightens its grip, the South sees relentless rainfall, adding to the weather woes. Forecasts from the Meteorological Department of…
- Thailand News
Roti rebellion: Thai police rescue Burmese teenager from trafficking
In a harrowing tale of courage and justice, a Burmese teenager hailed the Government of Thailand for rescuing him from a nightmare of forced labour and trafficking. The 17 year old’s ordeal ended with the conviction of his captor in Bangkok last year, bringing a glimmer of hope to the youth as he waits to return home to Myanmar. The…
- Phuket News
Plane stupid! Australian man’s flight crash threat lands him in jail
A disgruntled Australian man found himself behind bars after making a chilling threat to kill everyone at 35,000 feet. His off-the-cuff remark about crashing a plane left airport officials with no choice but to take him seriously. Marli Curtis Philip Moncrieff embarked on what he thought would be a dream holiday from Perth to the sunny shores of Phuket with…
- Thailand News
Former English footballer caught in drug smuggling own goal
A former footballer from Liverpool confessed he deeply regrets smuggling drugs from Thailand after quitting the professional game to allegedly look after his cancer-stricken grandparents. The former Tranmere Rovers footballer was arrested by immigration police while transferring through customs at Manchester Airport. Jamie Kilcourse, returning from a holiday in Bangkok with friends, was stopped by Border Force officers upon arrival…
- Phuket News
Phuket under siege: Tidal wave of trash threatens tropical paradise
The once-idyllic waters and landscapes of Phuket is in danger of being flooded in a rising tidal wave of trash is threatening to overwhelm this renowned tourist haven. Plastic bottles and empty beer cans now clutter the ocean floor while the island itself groans under the weight of mounting rubbish, casting a shadow over its famed beaches. Behind the scenes,…
- Thailand News
Chinese national’s ‘border-line’ escape foils trafficking plot
Police in Sa Kaeo province today apprehended a Chinese national in a daring border sting. He claimed he was escaping being trafficked to Cambodia Ji Hongli was picked up today, January 16, in an operation led by Police Colonel Naphatphong Supaporn, Superintendent of the Immigration Bureau, alongside Pol. Col. Anothai Chindamani of Khlong Luek Police Station and Col. Methee Khamtem…
- Thailand News
Northern Irishman fights for life after Thailand holiday accident
Friends, family, and co-workers are rallying behind a Northern Irishman left fighting for his life following a shocking accident while on a dream holiday in Thailand. Ryan Daly, from Portadown, had set off on an ambitious round-the-world trip when tragedy struck, leaving him on life support and his loved ones in turmoil. The 27 year old care attendant, known for…
- Thailand News
Irish diver’s fate revealed on Thailand’s ‘Death Island’ (video)
In a heartbreaking twist that has sent shockwaves through a small Irish village, the tragic fate of a young Irish diver discovered lifeless on a Thai island has been made public. The body of Robert “Robby” Kinlan was found on January 9 in Koh Tao, ominously dubbed “Death Island” due to a chilling pattern of tourist fatalities. Initial post-mortem examinations…
- Thailand News
Breaking fast or breaking gut? Doctor slams 5 breakfast favourites
A top gastroenterologist has named and shamed five breakfast favourites, urging us to rethink our morning routines. Despite breakfast being labelled the “most important meal of the day,” some choices could be causing more harm than good, warns Dr Saurabh Sethi. With a whopping 476,000 followers on TikTok, his advice is creating ripples among breakfast enthusiasts. Although some people regularly…
- Business News
Trump card for bitcoin: 2025’s super cycle sparks crypto buzz
Crypto analysts are buzzing with excitement at the prospect of a bitcoin “super cycle” in 2025, as Donald Trump‘s return to the US Presidency brings a pro-crypto windfall. His administration’s staunch support for Bitcoin is injecting new life into the market, with enthusiasts riding high on optimism. Bitcoin recently dipped from its late-2024 peak amid profit-taking and cautious interest rate…
- Business News
Tax cuts with a twist: SEZ businesses get a decade of ten-percenters
The Revenue Department is slashing corporate income tax to just 10% for businesses nestled in Thailand’s special economic zones (SEZs) for the next ten years in a stunning financial manoeuvre. The move, designed to inject life into these strategically positioned areas, is set to give them a major boost. Director General Pinsai Suraswadi revealed that this game-changing tax cut received…
- Bangkok News
Barking bad: Bangkok dealer’s pitbulls mask meth smells with poop
In a barking mad drug bust, police uncovered a cunning scheme where a Bangkok dealer used his pitbulls to poop and pee to hide his methamphetamine operation. The dogs’ pee and poop were more than just a mess – they were meant to mask the whiff of a massive meth haul stashed right under their noses. Today, January 15, a…
- Business News
Retail therapy: Tops looks for Lunar New Year discounts, tourists
Central Food Retail Co., (CFR), the powerhouse behind Tops grocery stores, is banking on a flurry of government stimulus and a tourism boom to set tills ringing as the Lunar New Year approaches. Chakkit Chatupanyachotikul, the marketing maestro at CFR, is upbeat about the impact of the government’s Easy E-receipt tax deduction scheme, a nifty initiative running from January 16…
- Thailand News
Thai-ing up rates: BoT bosses feel heat over 2% cap warning
Bank of Thailand (BoT) bosses are under fire after warnings from the top brass at the National Economic and Social Development Council that their key policy rate should not breach the 2% mark. BoT chief advisor Supavud Saichuea insisted keeping the lid on interest rates is crucial, given the country’s inflation target and sluggish GDP growth. Speaking at a high-profile…
- Bangkok News
Bucket list gone wrong: Swansea gran’s naked Bangkok escapade
A 61 year old grandmother from Swansea found herself stark naked and wandering her hotel, allegedly after downing a tainted bucket of booze in bustling Bangkok. Janet West’s unnerving adventure adds a chilling chapter to the ongoing saga of suspected deadly drinks across Southeast Asia. West’s bizarre evening unfolded amid the wild festivities of the new year on Bangkok’s buzzing…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya panic: Turkish tourist tied, robbed in condo heist drama
A Turkish tourist was discovered bound and robbed in his Pattaya condo, sparking a major police investigation. In the early hours of today, January 14, the quiet corridors of the upscale condominium were disrupted as security staff stumbled upon 36 year old Masis Erkol, a Turkish national, in a dire state. Tethered with handcuffs and cable ties by a trio…
- Thailand News
Thailand tackles plastic waste imports crisis head-on (video)
In a decisive move to clean up its act, Thailand slammed the brakes on plastic waste imports, turning from a dumping ground into a leader in the global battle against pollution. From January 1, this year, the country has shut its doors to overseas plastic refuse, sending ripples through the world of waste. It’s a bold step forward for Thailand,…
- Thailand News
Thailand bets on man-made marvels for tourism cash boost
According to insiders at Krungthai Compass, man-made hotspots, from sports hubs to spectacular events, are set to propel Thailand to the brink of a tourism revolution thanks to a bold new strategy. Thailand is banking on an artificial allure to supercharge its tourism engine, with Krungthai Compass, a top research centre under Krungthai Bank, revealing that new, man-made tourist attractions…
- Thailand News
Tragedy on Death Island: Irish diver found dead in hotel room (video)
Royal Thai Police revealed more news on the death of Irishman Robert “Robby” Kinlan who was on a scuba diving holiday on Thailand’s infamous Death Island. An RTP spokesperson announced the 21 year old from Clare, Ireland, was found dead in a hotel room. Kinlan was discovered on January 9, lying lifeless on his bed in nothing but his boxer…
- Thailand News
Thailand greenlights legal casinos to boost tourism and economy
In a game-changing move, the Thai Cabinet has given the nod to a draft bill that would legalise gambling and casinos, aiming to turbocharge tourism, job creation, and investment. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the bold move today, January 13, heralding a new era for the country’s economy. Under the government’s ambitious plan, the legislation, soon to be debated in…
- Business News
Noodle no more: Ramen shops fold under rising costs (video)
In an unprecedented wave of financial distress, a record number of ramen noodle eateries in Japan went belly up in 2024, unable to stomach the soaring ingredient and utility costs without raising their own prices. Research firm Teikoku Databank Ltd has revealed that insolvencies with liabilities of at least 10 million yen (approximately 2.2 million baht) surged by more than…
- Thailand News
Golden opportunity: NHSO extends care to new Thai citizens
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to expand its groundbreaking universal healthcare initiative through its gold card scheme to at least 480,000 ethnic individuals poised to receive Thai citizenship from the government. NHSO Deputy Secretary Yuphadee Sirisinsuk revealed that the ambitious plan is designed to extend healthcare benefits to all Thai citizens, including those in the process of…
- Phuket News
Catamaran catastrophe avoided: Foreign tourists saved off Phuket
Disaster was narrowly averted today as a catamaran carrying 38 foreign tourists capsized off the coast of Phuket, prompting a panicked scramble before nearby speedboats rushed to the rescue. At around 1pm today, January 13, the catamaran Emiray 888 found itself in deep trouble. As it set sail from Chalong Pier in Phuket’s Mueang district for a day trip to…
- Thailand News
Belgian kite surfer’s final flight: Tragedy strikes in Khao Kalok
A Belgian kite surfer lost his life after being swept away by a massive wave and trapped headfirst in a rocky crevice at Khao Kalok near Pran Buri. Despite valiant rescue efforts, his life was tragically cut short as he remained pinned 4 metres deep amidst the unforgiving rocks. Pak Nam Pran Police Radio Centre today, January 13, received an…
- Phuket News
17 arrested: Phuket police roll the dice on illegal gambling
Phuket City police swooped down on an illegal gambling den in Phuket Town on 12 January, bagging 17 people in the process of a dramatic after-dark sting. The raid, executed with precision by officers in tandem with provincial police, caught the crooks red-handed at a residence on Soi Wichit Songkhram 4, just after 9pm. Upon arrival, officers immediately sensed something…
- Bangkok News
Clearing the air: Bangkok takes a breather with work-from-home push
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt today is rolling out a novel work-from-home initiative alongside a push to expand the clean air shelter project in more schools, all in a bid to tackle the city’s relentless PM2.5 pollution problem. The 58 year old city chief noted a breath of fresh air yesterday, January 12, with improved air quality in Bangkok, as PM2.5 levels…
- Thailand News
Heartbroken Irish mum honours ‘special son’ lost in Thailand
The mother of a young Irishman paid tribute to her “special son” who died last week while scuba diving in Thailand. The heartbroken mother is now trying to repatriate the body of her beloved 21 year old son from County Clare, whose life was tragically cut short in Koh Tao. Robert “Robby” Kinlan, died unexpectedly on January 9 while on…
