Tara Abhasakun

A Thai-American dual citizen, Tara has reported news and spoken on a number of human rights and cultural news issues in Thailand. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in history from The College of Wooster. She interned at Southeast Asia Globe, and has written for a number of outlets. Tara reports on a range of Thailand news issues.
  • World NewsAustralia flip-flops on past decision around Israel’s capital

    Australia flip-flops on past decision around Israel’s capital

    Australia today flip-flopped on a past decision it made around the capital of Israel, an infamously hot-button issue, several news outlets reported. While Australia recognised West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2018, the Australian government has now reversed this decision. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that Australia is committed to peace between Israel and Palestine and that the country would…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesAlmost 20,000 households in central Thai province impacted by floods

    Almost 20,000 households in central Thai province impacted by floods

    Almost 20,000 households in one province in Central Thailand were impacted by floods this morning, The Pattaya News reported. Some 17,825 households, 10 communities, and 22 sub-districts in six districts were reportedly impacted by the floods in Sing Buri province. The floods were caused by the Chao Phraya River overflowing. Some villagers set up a temporary shelter by the roadside,…

  • World NewsDouble bombing near Thailand-Myanmar border

    Double bombing near Thailand-Myanmar border

    A double bombing hit the Thailand-Myanmar border area on Saturday night. It has not yet been confirmed who was responsible for the two bombs, however, Thai officials said they were likely planted by a group opposing the Burmese military regime. Luckily, no casualties have been reported. The bombs detonated near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship bridge, over the border from Thailand’s Mae…

  • World NewsDeath toll rises after Russia’s “kamikaze drones” hit Ukraine capital

    Death toll rises after Russia’s “kamikaze drones” hit Ukraine capital

    UPDATE The death toll following Russia’s “kamikaze drone” strikes on Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv has risen. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said shortly after the attacks that at least one person, a woman, had been killed. The number of people killed has risen to four, according to Reuters. The victims include a woman who was six months pregnant and her…

  • Thailand NewsArrest warrant for Thai activist who missed court hearing over lese majeste

    Arrest warrant for Thai activist who missed court hearing over lese majeste

    Bangkok’s Southern Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for a young Thai activist and dance teacher after she failed to attend a court meeting over lese majeste charges. The woman, 29 year old Kanlaymon “Mint” was scheduled to appear in court on October 4, but failed to show up. She had been granted bail, and the person who bailed…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya thief nabs pricy gold jewellery in broad daylight

    Pattaya thief nabs pricy gold jewellery in broad daylight

    There’s been another gold jewellery theft in Pattaya, but this time, a few things are different from the usual stories. No ladyboys or tourists were involved, and the theft happened in broad daylight. The thief yesterday managed to steal a gold necklace and ring worth 46,000 baht from 54 year old Kulab Tansanthiayu, The Pattaya News reported. Kulab said the…

  • World NewsRussia launches “kamikaze drones” into Ukraine capital

    Russia launches “kamikaze drones” into Ukraine capital

    Russia launched “kamikaze drones” into Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv this morning. This news comes just after Russia’s President Vladimir Putin claimed on Friday that there was no need for massive strikes on Ukraine. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that at least one person, a woman, has been killed in the attacks, Al Jazeera reported. Klitschko said another person remains under…

  • World NewsPrisoners killed in fire at Iran’s most notorious prison

    Prisoners killed in fire at Iran’s most notorious prison

    Prisoners have been killed in a fire that broke out at Iran’s most notorious prison on Saturday. Four prisoners were killed by the fire that started at Evin Prison in Tehran on Saturday, state media reported. Another 61 prisoners have been injured, according to state media. State media reported that four of the injured prisoners were in critical condition. The…

  • Phuket NewsStrong winds interrupt island tourism in Phang Nga

    Strong winds interrupt island tourism in Phang Nga

    Strong winds are interrupting travel to the Similan and Surin islands off Thailand’s southern Phang Nga province. The Similan Islands National Park chief announced on Saturday that the winds were making boat trips dangerous. Day trips to the islands have been halted from October 16-18, forcing several operators to cancel trips this weekend, Amarin TV reported. This news came on…

  • Environment NewsPhuket officials say contaminated seawater found last week not a hazard

    Phuket officials say contaminated seawater found last week not a hazard

    Phuket officials insist that the contaminated seawater found last week in the south of the island has not caused environmental damage. The contaminated water was reportedly spotted near the Chalong Pier on October 13. It was spotted south of the pier leading to the Phi Phi Islands. After the contaminated water was reported, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya woman allegedly assaults Indian landlord over keycard fine

    Pattaya woman allegedly assaults Indian landlord over keycard fine

    A woman staying at a hotel in Pattaya has allegedly assaulted her Indian landlord over a fine for losing her keycard, The Pattaya News reported on Saturday. The incident reportedly happened at the Honest Room Hotel in the Bang Lamung district. The woman allegedly hit the landlord, 53 year old Hitesh Shan, in the face with a metal hand sanitiser…

  • Crime NewsPattaya police find gun and drugs at nightclub, 33 arrested

    Pattaya police find gun and drugs at nightclub, 33 arrested

    Pattaya Police found a gun and illegal drugs in a nightclub they raided in the early hours of this morning. Police said they seized three illegal objects including two small bags of undisclosed illegal substances, electronic cigarettes, and a pistol with six bullets. The nightclub is called “DIRTY” and it is located on Soi Ko Phai in Nong Prue. The bags…

  • Crime NewsDrug test results announced for Phuket’s defense volunteers

    Drug test results announced for Phuket’s defense volunteers

    There’s been a drug testing campaign for defense volunteers in Phuket this week. The police chief of Phuket’s main city district led the campaign. The chief, Suwit Suriyawong, said that all the defense volunteers tested negative for drugs. He told The Phuket Express… “The campaign is to ensure that these defense volunteers who are working with us are not involved…

  • World NewsVietnam’s breathtaking views, cliffs, rock formations

    Vietnam’s breathtaking views, cliffs, rock formations

    Five cliffs and rock formations offer breathtaking views for outdoor adventurers headed to Vietnam. The cliffs are located in the northeastern Quang Ninh province, the northern Yen Bai province, the northwest Lao Cai province, the northern Hà Giang province, and the northwest Son La province. Located in Quang Ninh province is a rock formation on Da Chong Mountain. It is…

  • Tourism NewsAirline flight capacity is up, Thai tourism officials hopeful

    Airline flight capacity is up, Thai tourism officials hopeful

    Airline flight capacity has shot up, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. The aviation authority said that seat capacity from October to March next year went up by 74.2%, to 573,538 seats per week from the summer schedule. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is aiming to achieve the government’s goal of 1.5 trillion baht in revenue from…

  • World NewsOver 1,000 Thais repatriated from trafficking in Cambodia

    Over 1,000 Thais repatriated from trafficking in Cambodia

    Scam gangs have made big headlines this year for trafficking Thais and other Southeast Asians to Cambodia. Traffickers often make adverts promising easy work and cushy benefits, drawing in thousands of young, educated victims. When the victims arrive at their destinations they are held captive and forced to work in online scam centres known as “fraud factories.” These include love…

  • Crime NewsThree separate incidents involving men with or on drugs reported in Phuket

    Three separate incidents involving men with or on drugs reported in Phuket

    Three separate incidents involving men with or on drugs have been reported in Phuket in the past few days. The first incident occurred in the main city district over the weekend, the second incident happened in the Thalang district early yesterday morning, and the third incident occurred in Kathu yesterday morning. Phuket City District A man who reportedly tried to…

  • World NewsSingapore Air announces new policy for pregnant stewardesses

    Singapore Air announces new policy for pregnant stewardesses

    Singapore Air announced a new policy for pregnant stewardesses. Stewardesses who become pregnant will now be able to keep their jobs at Singapore Air, the airline said in a statement. The statement said that pregnant cabin crew members can now choose to work in “a temporary ground attachment.” The statement said crew members can resume flying duties after maternity leave. Singapore…

  • Northern Thailand NewsMissing boat racers found dead in northeast Thailand

    Missing boat racers found dead in northeast Thailand

    UPDATE The three boat racers who went missing in northeast Thailand after their boat capsized on Sunday have been found dead. Two bodies were found at the foot of the Tum Lam Chi bridge in Maha Sarakham’s main city district. They were about 4 kilometres away from where the boat crashed into a pillar of the bridge. A fisherman found…

  • Eastern Thailand NewsBaby elephant found hungry and lost in eastern Thailand

    Baby elephant found hungry and lost in eastern Thailand

    A baby elephant has been found hungry and lost at a wildlife sanctuary in eastern Thailand on Sunday. Officials found the poor little elephant lost from its mother in the early hours of the morning at the Khao Soi Dao wildlife sanctuary in Chanthaburi province. From an examination, the elephant was found to be about one week old, Matichon reported.…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesWorshippers wade through floods to get to temple in central Thailand

    Worshippers wade through floods to get to temple in central Thailand

    Buddhist worshipers in central Thailand are journeying through massive floods to get to their temple. The water level around the Wat Ban Phat temple in Ayutthaya province’s Bang Pa-in district is up to 1.5 metres. Worshippers are taking boats to get to the temple. Photos by Nation Thailand show temple-goers crossing a rather rickety-looking wooden walkway. The water level in…

  • World NewsFlights from Myanmar arrive in Phuket

    Flights from Myanmar arrive in Phuket

    A Burmese airline launched a new flight from Yangon to Phuket International Airport. The flight will run on Thursdays and Sundays. Myanmar Airways International introduced the flight at a press briefing, the Bangkok Post reported yesterday. The new flight aims to help migrant workers and long-stay tourists. Migrant workers in Phuket who wish to return home can purchase a one-way ticket…

  • Northern Thailand News5 survivors of northeast Thailand massacre on road to recovery

    5 survivors of northeast Thailand massacre on road to recovery

    Five survivors of the horrific daycare centre massacre in northeast Thailand last week are on the road to recovery. These include three children and two adults. Four of the survivors are in intensive care units at Nong Bua Lam Phu Hospital, while one is at Udon Thani Hospital. One boy, Kanpong Suana, or Nong Kan, is moving after he underwent…

  • Tourism NewsIsland in eastern Thailand listed in ‘Top 100 Green Destination Stories’

    Island in eastern Thailand listed in ‘Top 100 Green Destination Stories’

    A small island in eastern Thailand has been listed in the Green Destination Foundation’s Top 100 Green Destination 2022 Stories. The island of Koh Mak is located off Trat province. The Green Destinations Foundation is based in the Netherlands, and is dedicated to sustainable tourism. Koh Mak’s story is titled, “Koh Mak, the journey to becoming the first low carbon…

  • Pattaya NewsIndian tourist in Pattaya reportedly missing over US,000

    Indian tourist in Pattaya reportedly missing over US$6,000

    An Indian tourist in Pattaya is reportedly missing over US$6,000 after staying at a hotel in the city for just two days, The Pattaya News reported yesterday. The man, 45 year old Vivek Singhal, told Pattaya officials that he had arrived at his hotel on October 5. Two days later he realised that the US$6,600 he had left in the…

  • Bangkok News“Black Sunday” flash mob protest on Bangkok BTS

    “Black Sunday” flash mob protest on Bangkok BTS

    Protesters staged a flash mob against PM Prayut Chan-o-cha on a Bangkok BTS train yesterday, The Standard reported. The demonstrators held placards with messages including “Prayut may be some people’s hope but he is the despair of the nation.” The protesters were dressed in black, and some also wore black sunglasses. The flash mob’s leader, Sombat Boonngamanong, said the “Black…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok taxi driver miraculously unharmed after tree falls on his car

    Bangkok taxi driver miraculously unharmed after tree falls on his car

    A Bangkok taxi driver miraculously escaped unharmed after a tree came crashing down on his taxi during a storm, Sanook reported on Friday. The driver parked his car along the gate at Chulalongkorn University, as he waited for his girlfriend who worked there. The driver was in his car during the heavy rainstorm when suddenly, he heard the loud sound…

  • Northern Thailand NewsMan shot dead near airport in northeast Thailand

    Man shot dead near airport in northeast Thailand

    A man was shot dead yesterday near an airport in northeast Thailand. The man, 40 year old Phanom Thipratanamongkol, had worked as a mobile phone businessman. He was shot on the road leading to the entrance of Khon Kaen Airport. Police found Phanom with a gold chain in one hand, and a pendant in the other. He had two bullets…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya dwellers want public restrooms built faster at pier

    Pattaya dwellers want public restrooms built faster at pier

    Pattaya dwellers want public restrooms at one pier to be built faster. Construction on the restrooms at the Bali Hai Pier has reportedly stalled. The restrooms were supposed to be built on June 14, 2021, after the construction began in December 2020. The budget for the project had been 3.88 million baht, according to local media. But the 32 restrooms…

  • Phuket NewsAI upgrade planned for pier in Phuket

    AI upgrade planned for pier in Phuket

    A new renovation is being planned for a pier in Phuket, complete with an AI system. The Deputy Chief of the Phuket Provincial Administration (OrBorJor) said they aim to improve service and safety for tourists. The chief, Thiwat Sridokbua, said… “One of the plans is to include an AI System and add more CCTV cameras with security control rooms. Long…