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.
  • Thailand NewsThailand’s finance ministry closes 2 insurance firms due to Covid-19 claims

    Thailand’s finance ministry closes 2 insurance firms due to Covid-19 claims

    After an overwhelming number of Covid-19 claims caused 2 of Thailand’s insurance providers to owe billions of baht in compensation, Thailand’s finance minister has revoked the providers’ business licenses. The decision was made effective yesterday. One provider, Southeast Insurance, owes 13 billion baht in compensation, while the other, Thai Insurance, owes 4.6 billion baht. The Secretary-General of the Office of…

  • Thailand TravelThailand’s Public Health Ministry plans to request new entry rules

    Thailand’s Public Health Ministry plans to request new entry rules

    If the CCSA approves it, Thailand could have new entry rules starting on May 1. The new rules the Public Health Ministry plans to request are intended to revive the country’s crippled tourism economy,. The country’s Tourism and Sports Minister has also stated that his ministry will ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration to consider further easing entry rules,…

  • Bangkok NewsAmerican arrested in Bangkok for alleged 3 million baht fraud

    American arrested in Bangkok for alleged 3 million baht fraud

    Bangkok police arrested an American national in Klong Toey district of Bangkok yesterday (reported as Nana in some media). The man arrested allegedly lured investors into fraudulent contracts. Thailand’s Economic Crime Suppression Division says the victims lost over 3 million baht altogether. The man allegedly offered victims options in energy and precious metals as well as futures contracts through 60…

  • Eastern Thailand NewsThai swimmer recovering after being ‘speared’ by Needlefish in Trat

    Thai swimmer recovering after being ‘speared’ by Needlefish in Trat

    Spearfishing is still a thing, but usually by humans hunting fish, not the other way around. Thai national Noppadol Sringam is now in a stable condition recovering from a freak marine accident. The Thai tourist was left in serious condition after a needlefish skewered him in the neck while he was swimming on the Trat coastal beach of Ao Tan…

  • Bangkok News9 of Thailand’s restaurants ranked on “Asia’s 50 Best” list, all in Bangkok

    9 of Thailand’s restaurants ranked on “Asia’s 50 Best” list, all in Bangkok

    “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants” has included nine restaurants in Thailand on its 2022 list. The Thai restaurants featured on the list are located in Bangkok. While some of the restaurants serve traditional Thai cuisine, others serve international flavors, as well as fusion dishes. One restaurant, Le Du, serves Thai food with a French twist. Le Du ranks number 4 of…

  • World NewsIndonesia and Malaysia agree not to compete over palm oil prices

    Indonesia and Malaysia agree not to compete over palm oil prices

    After a meeting yesterday, Malaysian and Indonesian officials agreed that their countries would not compete over palm oil prices. Malaysia’s PM announced the agreement with Indonesia’s president after their meeting. He said that he and the Indonesian president will determine the price together. The two countries account for roughly 85% of the world’s palm oil production. Indonesia is struggling to…

  • Pattaya NewsFire destroys Chon Buri Restaurant

    Fire destroys Chon Buri Restaurant

    A fire destroyed a restaurant in Mueang district of Chon Buri province yesterday. The restaurant owner claimed he had closed his restaurant like usual and already unplugged everything except for his freezer. But when he was on his way home, the owner of a rice shop attached to the restaurant called him and told him there was a fire at…

  • World NewsThailand’s navy captures 3 Vietnamese fishing boats off Songkhla

    Thailand’s navy captures 3 Vietnamese fishing boats off Songkhla

    Thailand’s navy captured three Vietnamese fishing boats off Songkhla this morning. A commander admiral from the navy said a total of 15 people were arrested and charged for illegally fishing in Thai territorial waters without fishing licenses, using unregistered boats, and being immigrants working in Thailand without a work permit. The boat skippers were charged with directing fishing without skippers’…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket anti-corruption director says corruption due to “lack of knowledge”

    Phuket anti-corruption director says corruption due to “lack of knowledge”

    The director of the Phuket office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission reported yesterday that corruption in procurement from some local government organisations was caused by a lack of knowledge in supplies and procedures. He said this was based on 2020 survey results about corruption. The director said the most common complaints to the NACC were about corruption involving land. He…

  • World NewsAngry protestors try to storm Sri Lanka president’s house following blackout

    Angry protestors try to storm Sri Lanka president’s house following blackout

    Following Sri Lanka’s longest power blackout ever recorded, enraged protestors tried to storm the president’s house in Colombo yesterday. Unidentified activists had called for a rally against the president and his family on social media. One resident who lives nearby told AFP he cannot return home because his area is barricaded. The resident said the protestors are “shouting for the…

  • Thailand NewsExpected computer shortage in Thailand, world

    Expected computer shortage in Thailand, world

    IT workers expect a shortage of computers for sale in Thailand to start between May and June due to Covid-19 impacting producers in China. The chief of sales and marketing at Advice, an IT distributor, told the Bangkok Post that if China’s lockdown continues, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war, computer prices will likely rise. The chief of Advice said…