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.
  • Northern Thailand News3 police in northeast Thailand arrested for taking bribe to free drug suspect

    3 police in northeast Thailand arrested for taking bribe to free drug suspect

    Three police officers in Thailand‘s northeast Kalasin province were arrested on charges of soliciting a bribe to free a drug suspect. The crooked cops were officers at Mueang Kalasin Police Station. Police launched a sting operation to bust the crooked cops after ‘A,’ the sister of the drug suspect, reported that the crooked cops had contacted her and demanded 500,000…

  • Crime NewsPhuket scumbag allegedly rapes teenage girl he contacted online

    Phuket scumbag allegedly rapes teenage girl he contacted online

    A Phuket scumbag allegedly raped a teenage girl he contacted online. The victim’s parents told Thalang Police that the suspect, 24 year old Sumet, raped their 17 year old daughter, The Phuket Express reported yesterday. The parents said that Sumet contacted their daughter on Facebook and flirted with her. Sumet then came to their house when he knew that they…

  • Crime NewsFollowing Chinese ransom case, Big Joke says Pattaya expats will be closely scrutinised

    Following Chinese ransom case, Big Joke says Pattaya expats will be closely scrutinised

    Assistant Commissioner of Police Surachate Hakparn, also known as “Big Joke,” says that expats in Pattaya will be scrutinised closely as part of Operation X-Ray. This news follows the recent case in which a Chinese woman was abducted in Pattaya as she went to get her child from school, and gangsters demanded 1 million yuan (4.7 million baht) in ransom.…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesThailand expected to have a hotter summer this year

    Thailand expected to have a hotter summer this year

    Thailand is bracing for a hotter summer this year, with the Meteorological Department forecasting an average temperature increase of one degree Celsius from last year. The hottest weather this week has been recorded in the North of the country, with temperatures peaking at 41.5°C in Phetchabun’s Mueang district on Thursday. Closer to Bangkok, the highest temperature was recorded at 38.5°C…

  • Crime NewsPhuket officials seize baraku from restaurant

    Phuket officials seize baraku from restaurant

    There’s been another bust on a venue in Phuket. Officials in Phuket’s Thalang district seized baraku, also known as shisha, from a restaurant near a hotel in the town of Sakhu. The seizure followed anonymous complaints via social media. Thalang Distric Chief Bancha Tanuin said officials inspected a Sakhu hotel on Thursday. They found two sets of baraku being used…

  • Hua Hin NewsAuthorities warn of huge fines or jail for smoking on Hua Hin Beach

    Authorities warn of huge fines or jail for smoking on Hua Hin Beach

    Hua Hin authorities aren’t playing around about keeping Hua Hin Beach clean. Authorities have launched a new campaign to discourage smoking on the beach, warning that anyone caught lighting up could face a fine of up to 100,000 baht (roughly £2,200) or up to one year in jail. On Thursday, officials visited the beach and walked around with warning signs…

  • Crime NewsForeign man caught stealing from exchange booth in Pattaya

    Foreign man caught stealing from exchange booth in Pattaya

    A foreign man was caught on surveillance footage stealing a coin box from a money exchange booth in Pattaya. The theft occurred at 7am yesterday Naewna reported. A 36 year old man named Kiattisak reported the incident to the Pattaya City Police Station at 3.30pm. Kiattisak said that the coin box was missing when he came to work at 8am.…

  • Crime NewsDanish thug in Pattaya allegedly attacks woman and refuses to pay for food

    Danish thug in Pattaya allegedly attacks woman and refuses to pay for food

    Yet another foreign troublemaker has made a scene at a Pattaya restaurant. A Danish thug in Pattaya allegedly attacked a woman and refused to pay for his food. The man was reportedly heavily intoxicated. The incident happened at a kebab shop near the Flipper House Hotel at around 2am yesterday, The Pattaya News reported. The victim, 44 year old Thanita Panwai, who…

  • Northern Thailand NewsThai police bust suspects over Ponzi scheme of over 1 billion baht

    Thai police bust suspects over Ponzi scheme of over 1 billion baht

    Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) Pol. Col. Krisana Pattanacharoen reported a group of suspects involved in a Ponzi scheme was busted by Thai police. He added that over 1,000 individuals had invested more than 1 billion baht in the scheme. The CCIB arrested seven people and seized several assets from two companies that allegedly operated a Ponzi scheme luring people…

  • Environment NewsPhuket beach cleanup removes 100 kilograms of garbage

    Phuket beach cleanup removes 100 kilograms of garbage

    Thailand is facing a pollution crisis but many people in the kingdom are pitching in to fight the problem. Officials and volunteers cleaned up 100 kilograms of garbage from beaches in Phuket last week, The Phuket News reported yesterday. The cleanup at Mai Khao and Sai Kaew beaches was organised by the Sustainable Mai Khao foundation from March 15 to…

  • Tourism NewsChinese KOLs livestream their adventures in Thailand’s tropical paradises

    Chinese KOLs livestream their adventures in Thailand’s tropical paradises

    Chinese Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) have been livestreaming their adventures in Thailand’s tropical paradises. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently collaborated with Kuaishou Technology, a Chinese short video-sharing mobile app, to bring Chinese KOLs to Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga for a “Travel Adventures Thailand Episode” livestream series. The series began on Wednesday, March 15, and ends today (March…

  • Pattaya NewsMotorcyclist crashes into religious vendor stall in Pattaya, gets seriously injured

    Motorcyclist crashes into religious vendor stall in Pattaya, gets seriously injured

    A motorcyclist was seriously injured after crashing into a religious vendor stall in Pattaya. The incident happened at 2.40am yesterday on Soi Pornprapanimit in Bang Lamung district. Rescuers rushed to the scene to find the motorcyclist, 49 year old Sakhon Nakhon native Phothong Chaitamat, lying unconscious beside his motorcycle. He was bleeding heavily, so the rescuers provided him with first…

  • Phuket NewsMan brought to psychiatric hospital after disturbing neighbours in Patong

    Man brought to psychiatric hospital after disturbing neighbours in Patong

    A man in Patong was brought to a psychiatric hospital after he disturbed his neighbours with his erratic behaviour. Patong Police said they were alerted of the incident at around 9.45am yesterday. The man was reportedly acting crazy in his apartment on Ratchapathanusorn Road and possibly presented a danger to himself and others. The police arrived at the apartment to…

  • Phuket NewsPatong minivan crash injures four tourists and a driver

    Patong minivan crash injures four tourists and a driver

    A Patong minivan crash injured four tourists and a driver. The crash happened when one minivan transporting foreign tourists crashed into another one on the road connecting Patong Beach and Kamala in Phuket. The accident occurred on Phra Baramee Road yesterday, at 11.35am. According to MGR Online, the accident occurred when one minivan drove out of its lane and collided with…

  • Tourism NewsBangkok ranks 5th on Airbnb’s top trending global travel spots in 2023

    Bangkok ranks 5th on Airbnb’s top trending global travel spots in 2023

    Airbnb‘s latest data shows that Bangkok has emerged as one of the top global travel spots for 2023, coming in fifth on its list of top trending destinations. The Thai capital is No.5 on Airbnb’s list of top trending global travel spots in 2023, however, this is a slight drop since it was No.1 in the third quarter of last year.…

  • Pattaya NewsBeachgoers find giant sea turtle carcass in Pattaya

    Beachgoers find giant sea turtle carcass in Pattaya

    While there’s been a lot of happy news about turtles in Phang Nga recently, there’s unfortunately been some sad turtle news in Pattaya. A giant sea turtle carcass washed up on Pattaya Beach on Tuesday. Beachgoers noticed the carcass and detected a foul odour in the early hours of the morning. They promptly informed the authorities of the discovery. Officials…

  • Phuket NewsTour bus crash on Patong Hill seriously injures driver

    Tour bus crash on Patong Hill seriously injures driver

    A tour bus crashed into a power pole on Patong Hill early this morning, with the driver suffering serious injuries to his leg. The bus slammed into a power pole on the final curve heading into Patong on Phra Baramee Road at around 5am, The Phuket News reported. Police and rescuers arrived on the scene to find the red Phiphairat…

  • Crime NewsPattaya ping pong bomb hooligans injure 2 women

    Pattaya ping pong bomb hooligans injure 2 women

    A group of teenage hooligans in Pattaya threw ping pong bombs at two women in the early hours of this morning, leaving them with injuries. The victims, 30 year old Nantawan Kosakun and 20 year old Saowalak Kanpratuyod, were riding their motorcycles home on Sukhumvit Road in North Pattaya. At around 1am, a group of approximately 10 teenagers on five…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya Zumba lovers raise 100,000 baht for disabled boy

    Pattaya Zumba lovers raise 100,000 baht for disabled boy

    Zumba is a fun activity to stay in shape, but this week, Zumba lovers in Pattaya also used the activity to raise money for a good cause. The street food market The Smile Land Pattaya, located on Phettrakul Road in Bang Lamung District, hosted an event, ‘Zumba Charity Party,’ on Monday. The Muscle Factory Pattaya gym sponsored the event, Pattaya…

  • Crime NewsAfter Patong bar bust, police on the prowl for human trafficking in Pattaya (video)

    After Patong bar bust, police on the prowl for human trafficking in Pattaya (video)

    After the Patong bar bust that made headlines last week, police are on the prowl for human trafficking in Pattaya. Police on Tuesday night carried out a joint operation in a bid to prevent human trafficking, illegal drugs, minors, and the carrying of weapons in nightspots in the area. The operation involved a police team comprised of officers from Pattaya…

  • Phuket NewsAfter a walk on the beach, Russian tourists get lost in Phuket jungle

    After a walk on the beach, Russian tourists get lost in Phuket jungle

    A walk on the beach turned into a disaster for two Russian tourists who ended up getting lost in a Phuket jungle on Tuesday night. The head of Sirinat National Park, Sorasak Rananan, said the park received a notification from the Phuket Tourist Police at 10pm that two tourists were lost near the Sai Koo Mountain in the area of…

  • Road deathsPhuket motorbike accident kills woman, seriously injures man

    Phuket motorbike accident kills woman, seriously injures man

    Another tragic motorbike accident has claimed a life in Phuket. A motorbike accident killed a woman and seriously injured a man on Phuket’s Patong-Kamala road last night. Police were notified of the accident at 9.50pm, The Phuket News reported. Police and emergency responders arrived on the scene about 100 metres away from Panya restaurant. There, they found a blue and…

  • Tourism NewsChinese tourists walk around Chiang Mai in traditional Thai clothes

    Chinese tourists walk around Chiang Mai in traditional Thai clothes

    Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai are walking around in traditional Thai clothes during their sightseeing tours. After three years of travel restrictions due to Covid-19, Chinese tourists have returned to Thailand with a thirst for authentic experiences. This has created a trend in which Chinese tourists stand out in their finery at historical temples and other attractions in the northern…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket is the backdrop of new season of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip

    Phuket is the backdrop of new season of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip

    The famous island paradise of Phuket is the stunning backdrop for the third season of the popular US reality TV series, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. Premiering exclusively on Peacock streaming service tomorrow, March 23, the show will feature a new group of eight fan-favourite housewives from various cities, who will come together for an unforgettable trip to Thailand.…

  • Thailand NewsPassport rip leaves TikTok creator unable to fly to Thailand

    Passport rip leaves TikTok creator unable to fly to Thailand

    A passport rip left a TikTok creator unable to fly to Thailand. Arabella Leat’s holiday plans to Thailand with her mum were ruined due to the small rip on her passport, the UK tabloid Daily Star reported. The young woman was left disappointed and unable to board her flight after airport staff deemed her passport unfit for travel. Arabella posted a TikTok…

  • Tourism NewsFirst charter flight from Mahan, Iran makes its way to Phuket

    First charter flight from Mahan, Iran makes its way to Phuket

    The first charter flight from Mahan, Iran, made its way to Phuket on Monday. Mahan Air flight W557/IRM057 landed at Phuket International Airport at 2.30pm. As tourism from the Middle East continues to be a major target market for Thailand, the new charter flight network was warmly welcomed. Officials and staff were on hand to greet passengers as they walked…

  • Crime NewsPhuket Marine Police bust jet ski operators over licenses

    Phuket Marine Police bust jet ski operators over licenses

    Jet skiing is a popular activity for tourists in Phuket, but not all operators seem to be following the rules. The Phuket Marine Police last week busted jet ski operators for crimes involving improper licenses. This news comes as the police have been ramping up jet ski inspections at popular tourist beaches. The six operators on Bang Tao Beach were…

  • Crime NewsThai and Indian couple allegedly scammed Americans of over 3 billion baht (video)

    Thai and Indian couple allegedly scammed Americans of over 3 billion baht (video)

    A Thai and Indian couple allegedly scammed Americans of over 3 billion baht. Police arrested the couple after raiding a house in Bang Lamung district in Pattaya yesterday at around 10am. Officers raided that house following a notification from the US Embassy stating that the house was being used as a hideout by scammers. The raid was conducted by a…

  • Phuket NewsSea turtle eggs continue to pop up across Phang Nga

    Sea turtle eggs continue to pop up across Phang Nga

    Nature and animal lovers will delight at the news that sea turtle eggs are continuing to pop up across Thailand’s Phang Nga province. On Friday, locals came across sea turtle eggs on Das Beach on the island of Koh Ra. The island is located in the Koh Phra-Thong sub-district of the Khura Buri district. Officials from the Department of Marine…

  • Crime News2 severely burned by Pattaya Molotov coctail thugs

    2 severely burned by Pattaya Molotov coctail thugs

    A group of thugs in Pattaya severely burned two people by throwing a Molotov cocktail at them early yesterday morning. The attack occurred in front of a convenience store at the entrance of Soi Phothisan on Sukhumvit Road in the Na Klua sub-district of Bang Lamung district. Police received reports of the attack at about 2.30am. Police and rescuers arrived…

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