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.
  • Pattaya NewsCandidates for Pattaya mayor draw election numbers

    Candidates for Pattaya mayor draw election numbers

    Candidates for Pattaya mayor drew their election numbers today. A candidate with We Love Pattaya group is number 1, an independent candidate is number 2, a Move Forward Party candidate is number 3, and a Pattaya Ruam Jai group candidate is number 4. The election is scheduled for May 22, as are elections in Bangkok. The candidates drew their numbers…

  • World NewsDiesel no longer for sale across Sri Lanka, massive blackout

    Diesel no longer for sale across Sri Lanka, massive blackout

    Diesel was unavailable for sale at stations across Sri Lanka today. Petrol is on sale but in short supply, forcing drivers to abandon their cars in long queues. Private business owners say they have already run out of fuel, and even skeleton services may not be possible after Friday. Now, the country is grappling with a 13-hour power blackout, its…

  • World NewsSouthern Thailand officials allocate 252 baht for Sadao connection with Malaysia

    Southern Thailand officials allocate 252 baht for Sadao connection with Malaysia

    Now that Thailand’s Sadao border with Malaysia will finally reopen tomorrow, officials in southern Thailand have approved nearly 252 million baht to connect the two countries there. Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Interior announced today that the development committee of the southern border provinces approved construction of the road to connect the new Sadao Customs House and Bukit Kayu Hitam border…

  • Northern Thailand NewsPolice seize nearly 1.4 billion baht assets from alleged drug network in Chiang Rai

    Police seize nearly 1.4 billion baht assets from alleged drug network in Chiang Rai

    The Department of Special Investigations seized nearly 1.4 billion baht in assets after searching three houses in Chiang Rai province yesterday. The houses belong to suspected members of a drug network. The assets included 246 bank accounts, 155 cars and motorcycles worth about 130 million baht, and land title deeds for 232 blocks of land worth about 1.3 billion baht.…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket officer allegedly threatens woman with prostitution charges for money

    Phuket officer allegedly threatens woman with prostitution charges for money

    A woman in Phuket told the press yesterday that a police officer at Thalang Police Station threatened to charge her with prostitution if she didn’t pay 50,000 baht in monthly payments of 5,000 baht. The payment is allegedly for her car, which police threatened to seize as evidence of her committing prostitution. The woman claims the officer first contacted her…

  • World NewsThailand and Cambodia will sign MOU to crack down on call centre scams

    Thailand and Cambodia will sign MOU to crack down on call centre scams

    A Thai government spokesman has announced that Thailand and Cambodia plan to sign an MOU together soon to crack down on call centre scams. The spokesman said the Police Cyber Taskforce recently raided the operational base of a network of four gambling websites in Nonthaburi. He said the network had more than 200,000 clients with 200 million baht a month…

  • World NewsIran still bars women from football stadiums, officials express disagreement

    Iran still bars women from football stadiums, officials express disagreement

    Women in Iran still can’t enjoy watching football matches at the country’s stadiums. On Tuesday, about 2,000 women who bought tickets for the World Cup qualifier against Lebanon went to a stadium in Mashad, but couldn’t enter, according to Iranian media. The Islamic republic has banned women from sports stadiums since its government came to power in 1979. Since then,…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya fireworks festival named 1 of 3 top Asian marine festivals

    Pattaya fireworks festival named 1 of 3 top Asian marine festivals

    The International Festival and Event Association of Asia has named the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival one of three “major marine tourism festivals in Asia”. Pattaya’s city manager said yesterday that almost 20 countries participated in the international firework competition. The Pattaya festival was then selected for the final round. The festival is held every year in Pattaya, usually later in…

  • World NewsMore Karen flee Myanmar to Thai border, Myanmar arrests Karen journalist

    More Karen flee Myanmar to Thai border, Myanmar arrests Karen journalist

    Around 1,000 Karen hill tribe people crossed the border into Thailand on Saturday, only for Thai authorities to send them back, according to an official from a refugee camp. This month, over 10,000 Karen from Myanmar’s Kayin state have fled after clashes between Karen rebels and Myanmar’s military. Now, Burmese police have arrested a reporter for the Karen Information Centre.…

  • World NewsHalf of worldwide pregnancies unintended, Ukraine crisis could raise the rate

    Half of worldwide pregnancies unintended, Ukraine crisis could raise the rate

    In a new report, the United Nations Population Fund stated yesterday that almost half of the pregnancies across the globe are unintended, and the Ukraine crisis is expected to raise the rate. The UNFPA reported 121 million unintended pregnancies every year, with 331,000 every day. 60% of these unintended pregnancies end in abortion, and almost half of these abortions are…

  • Environment NewsPhuket deputy governor appoints committee to fight dust pollution

    Phuket deputy governor appoints committee to fight dust pollution

    Phuket deputy governor Anupap appointed a committee on Monday to fight the severe dust pollution gripping the island province. In a meeting at city hall that he lead that day, Anupap stressed that forest fires are common during Thailand’s dry season, and they create fine particulate dust matter, PM2.5, in dust, soot, smoke, and liquid. He said with bad ventilation…

  • Bangkok NewsCyber police raid Nonthaburi luxury house, 10 gambling suspects

    Cyber police raid Nonthaburi luxury house, 10 gambling suspects

    The Thai Police Cyber Taskforce raided a Nonthaburi luxury house yesterday, where they believe 10 suspects helped facilitate gambling activities. The suspects allegedly used the house as a base for four gambling websites, which made 20 million baht. The taskforce found that the house was connected to 16 other locations in Bangkok that police had raided earlier on the same…

  • World NewsBiden slams Russia’s Putin as a ‘butcher’, who “cannot remain in power”

    Biden slams Russia’s Putin as a ‘butcher’, who “cannot remain in power”

    While giving a speech in Warsaw, United States president Joe Biden slammed Russia’s president Putin as a ‘butcher’, stressing that he “cannot remain in power”. Biden added that he was not sure whether Russia had changed its objectives, which he said so far have led to “strategic failure”. The Whitehouse insisted Biden isn’t seeking regime change in Russia, and Biden…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket police find dead body floating, caught on mangrove trees

    Phuket police find dead body floating, caught on mangrove trees

    Local residents have found a man’s dead body floating in the waters off Phuket’s east coast, and caught in the mangroves off Koh Kaew. Phuket City Police, hospital staff, and a forensic expert rushed to the scene. After taking the body out of the water for examination, they identified the man as Sahat Bunchan. He was 59 years old, and…

  • Politics NewsIn Thailand, Move Forward candidate more popular than Prayut in PM poll

    In Thailand, Move Forward candidate more popular than Prayut in PM poll

    While the largest percentage of Thais, 27.6%, said they were “yet to see anybody suitable for the post of Thai PM, Move Forward Party candidate 41 year old Pita Limjaroenrat is slightly ahead of current PM Prayut. 13.4% of respondents prefer Pita, while 12.7% prefer Prayut. This means that Pita is now the country’s most preferred candidate, followed by Prayut, then…

  • World NewsOn anniversary of bloodshed, Myanmar army chief vows to “annihilate” opponents

    On anniversary of bloodshed, Myanmar army chief vows to “annihilate” opponents

    Days after human rights groups published an extensive report accusing Myanmar’s junta chief of targeting unarmed protestors, the Burmese chief vowed today to “annihilate” opponents of the junta. Today is the anniversary of Myanmar’s most violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests. The army chief, Min Aung Hlaing, said the military will “no longer negotiate… and annihilate until the end” groups fighting…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya police arrest ‘restaurant’ manager who allegedly violated Covid-19 rules

    Pattaya police arrest ‘restaurant’ manager who allegedly violated Covid-19 rules

    Pattaya City Police reported yesterday that they arrested a ‘restaurant’ manager in Pattaya for allegedly selling alcohol without a permit, opening a venue without a permit, and breaking the Chonburi Disease Control Orders. Only former bars and clubs that have been converted into ‘restaurants’, and have proper certification, are approved by authorities are allowed to operate. Alcohol can be served…

  • Eastern Thailand NewsGas pipe falls on Rayong construction worker, kills him

    Gas pipe falls on Rayong construction worker, kills him

    A gas pipe fell on a construction worker in Rayong yesterday, killing him. A backhoe that was supposed to lift the pipe couldn’t handle the pipe’s weight, and the pipe fell into a ditch where three workers were connecting gas pipes. Two workers managed to jump out and narrowly escape, while one did not. The pipe fell on him, and…

  • Thailand News2 people per hour were killed in road accidents in Thailand in 2020

    2 people per hour were killed in road accidents in Thailand in 2020

    A Thai health foundation has found that two people were killed in road accidents every hour in Thailand in 2020. The total number of people killed in road accidents throughout that year was 17,831. The foundation, Thai Health Promotion Foundation, said motorcycle drivers and riders made up the 74% of fatalities. The International Health Policy Program said in its report…

  • Crime NewsPunishment for ‘Joe Ferrari’ seven police will be decided June 8

    Punishment for ‘Joe Ferrari’ seven police will be decided June 8

    Thailand’s Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases will decide punishment for the seven so-called ‘Joe Ferrari’ police on June 8. The seven former police officers allegedly suffocated a drug suspect to death with a plastic bag. They face four charges: malfeasance, abuse of authority, torture causing death, and coercion. The victim’s parents have demanded 1.55 million baht from…

  • Phuket NewsWildlife officials uncover 5th turtle nest in Phang Nga

    Wildlife officials uncover 5th turtle nest in Phang Nga

    After finding four others earlier this month, officials at a national park in Phang Nga have discovered another turtles’ nest, complete with 73 fertilised eggs. The officials work for Khao Lampi Hat-Thai Muang National Park, and found the nest on Thai Muang Beach. Officials first saw the mother turtle’s on the beach early in the morning yesterday. They found the…

  • World NewsBritish and Thai armies train in jungle together

    British and Thai armies train in jungle together

    The UK announced in a press release yesterday that 120 of its military’s Grenadier Guards are training in the jungle with Thailand’s army. The UK Defence Minister visited Thailand this week and met with Thailand’s deputy defence minister. The Minister signed the first Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries, to continue building defence cooperation between the countries’ militaries. The…

  • Bangkok NewsBMA and CCSA will meet Monday, decide on Songkran water splashing in Bangkok

    BMA and CCSA will meet Monday, decide on Songkran water splashing in Bangkok

    Thailand’s CCSA and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will meet on Monday to decide (again) if Bangkokians can splash water during Songkran. This news comes after officials announced last week that Songkran will be dry, for both alcohol and water splashing, for the third year in a row. That week, Thai officials said only traditional Songkran activities would be allowed. This…

  • World NewsIran-backed Houthis attack Saudi petroleum storage facilities

    Iran-backed Houthis attack Saudi petroleum storage facilities

    Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi party says it struck Saudi petroleum facilities in Jeddah with missiles yesterday, just as Saudi Arabia prepares to hold a motor race on Sunday. The missiles caused fires in two storage tanks, however there were no casualties. A Houthi spokesman says they targeted ‘vital facilities’. Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter. Saudi’s energy ministry said…

  • Thailand NewsHealth officials warn about 100,000 daily Covid cases after Songkran

    Health officials warn about 100,000 daily Covid cases after Songkran

    As Songkran approaches, health officials are warning that daily Covid caseloads could reach over 100,000 after festivals “if Thais don’t take precautions”. Even before Songkran, the Department of Health predicted daily cases could rise to 50,000. But now they’ve doubled their prediction. PM Prayut is also urging Thais to “take precautions”, particularly before visiting elderly family members. A government spokesman…

  • Bangkok NewsTwo southern men accused of killing police officer arrested in Bangkok

    Two southern men accused of killing police officer arrested in Bangkok

    Police arrested two southern men in Bangkok today who are accused of killing a police officer. The two men are the prime suspects in the fatal shooting of a sergeant major in southern Phattalung province earlier this month. A police lieutenant general said the suspects were also linked to other cases involving drugs and attempted murder. The two men allegedly…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok man arrested for allegedly luring boys into porn, believed to be part of ring

    Bangkok man arrested for allegedly luring boys into porn, believed to be part of ring

    Today, police arrested a Bangkok man they believe is involved in a child pornography ring. The arrest was part of a raid in four spots today, which are Bangkok, Ang Thong, Chaiyaphum and Kanchanaburi. A police major general said police started investigating the ring when a child pornography suspect was arrested in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom in February.…

  • Pattaya NewsDrunk man stabs sister to death in argument over his drinking, Chon Buri

    Drunk man stabs sister to death in argument over his drinking, Chon Buri

    Sri Racha police report that a drunk man appeared completely remorseless after he stabbed his sister to death in their hotel room in Sri Racha in Chonburi province. The man stabbed his sister multiple times in the head. Sri Racha Police were notified about the stabbing on Wednesday. The man is now in custody at the Nong Kham Police Station,…

  • Chiang Mai NewsHuman rights official claims DNA tests infringe on Lahu hilltribe, Chiang Mai

    Human rights official claims DNA tests infringe on Lahu hilltribe, Chiang Mai

    In 2021, soldiers and police found large amounts of illegal drugs on the border in Fang district of Chiang Mai, according to a member of the National Human Rights Commission. The soldiers and police investigated nearby areas, which happened to be where 51 Lahu hilltribe members lived. The authorities then collected DNA samples from the 51 residents, suspecting they might…

  • Bangkok NewsCriminal Court acquits 6 over 2015 Bangkok terror plot, cites lack of evidence

    Criminal Court acquits 6 over 2015 Bangkok terror plot, cites lack of evidence

    Thailand’s Criminal Court acquitted six people yesterday over a Bangkok terrorism plot in 2015. The court cited a lack of evidence. The former suspects allegedly hired someone to bomb several spots including Lumpini Park, Chatuchak MRT station, and the Criminal Court. The person they allegedly hired didn’t go through with the attacks, according to prosecutors. The charges included running an…

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