Top

Top is a multifaceted news writer with a keen interest in real estate and travel. Top currently covers local Thai news at Thaiger. As a travel buff, Top blogs about his travels- around the world and Thailand- during his free time.
  • Thailand NewsGerman tourist’s night out in Pattaya turns into nightmare

    German tourist’s night out in Pattaya turns into nightmare

    In the dim-lit streets of Soi Buakhao, Pattaya, chaos erupted as a German national found himself entangled in a brutal altercation with Go-Go bar thugs in the early hours of yesterday, leaving him nursing injuries to his left ear. The 46 year old German tourist, Mike Groebiinghoff, accompanied by his Thai girlfriend, innocently sought a parking spot in front of…

  • Thailand NewsLightning strikes three farmers in eastern Thailand

    Lightning strikes three farmers in eastern Thailand

    Three farmers were struck by lightning while toiling on a farm in Huay Yai Phrom Community in Sri Racha district last Friday, February 9. According to the Sri Racha Police Station, the calamity unfolded around 5pm as an unexpected thunderstorm engulfed the area. The victims, identified as 45 year old Somchai, 40 year old Nongnuch and 18 year old Nattapong…

  • Thailand NewsSecret cockfighting ring busted in Pattaya

    Secret cockfighting ring busted in Pattaya

    Bang Lamung police led a crackdown on an illicit cockfighting gambling den nestled in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, resulting in the arrest of 45 individuals. Responding promptly to public grievances, Bang Lamung District Chief Veekit Manarotkit swiftly orchestrated a law enforcement sweep on Sunday, February 11, targeting the covert den ensconced within Soi Baan Kreak, Nong Pla Lai. Covert operatives…

  • Pattaya NewsChon Buri construction site in chaos as 80-tonne crane overturns

    Chon Buri construction site in chaos as 80-tonne crane overturns

    The site of the Chon Buri Provincial Administration Organisation was the scene of a construction mishap yesterday, as an 80-tonne crane dramatically overturned, causing severe damage to a parked pickup truck. The unfortunate incident occurred within the confines of an ongoing five-storey office building project, marking yesterday as a day of unexpected peril. The initial sequence of events points towards…

  • Pattaya NewsTaiwanese fraud suspect nabbed in Pattaya after overstaying visa

    Taiwanese fraud suspect nabbed in Pattaya after overstaying visa

    A recent collaboration between the Tourist Police Division 2 and Pattaya Police led to the apprehension of a Taiwanese national, accused of fraud in Taiwan. The 22 year old individual in question, Hsues Hua Liu, was taken into custody yesterday, February 10, following suspicions of his association with a call centre gang back in his homeland. It is believed that…

  • Thailand NewsPheu Thai’s Paetongtarn hopeful for Thaksin’s release on parole

    Pheu Thai’s Paetongtarn hopeful for Thaksin’s release on parole

    Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, expressed wishes for the release of her father, convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, on parole. With the possibility of his release looming, Paetongtarn remains uncertain if her father’s name will be included in the Department of Corrections’ (DoC) list of eligible inmates for parole and special parole. Special parole is typically…

  • Thailand News45 year old man arrested in Pattaya for alleged sexual abuse of seven year old girl

    45 year old man arrested in Pattaya for alleged sexual abuse of seven year old girl

    A 45 year old beach umbrella and chair rental provider in Pattaya was apprehended on February 8 following allegations of child sexual abuse. The suspect, known only by his nickname Tum, was taken into custody by Pattaya police following a warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. The arrest came after grave allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced against him. The…

  • Pattaya NewsMinivan collides with parked truck on Highway 36 in Chon Buri

    Minivan collides with parked truck on Highway 36 in Chon Buri

    A tragedy was narrowly averted when a minivan carrying 19 passengers collided with a parked timber truck on Highway 36 in Chon Buri. The unfortunate incident, which occurred on Wednesday, February 7, resulted in injuries to two passengers, while the remaining 17 escaped unscathed. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue unit was called to the scene of the accident at 7.16pm.…

  • Tourism NewsTrip.com foresees significant rise in Thailand tourism expenditure

    Trip.com foresees significant rise in Thailand tourism expenditure

    On February 8, Bangkok bore witness to a revelation from Trip.com Group, a leading global travel service provider. The data released by the company predicts a notable increase in total trip expenditure for inbound bookings in Thailand. A substantial uptick of 44.3% has been projected for this year’s Chinese New Year (CNY) festive period compared to the CNY period in…

  • Thailand NewsThai govt announces largest ever Songkran festival

    Thai govt announces largest ever Songkran festival

    The Thai government recently sent waves of panic through Thai expats with an announcement that this year’s Songkran, the Thai New Year, would be the largest ever, celebrated from April 1 to April 21. The terror stemmed from the misconception that this would mean 21 days of water-throwing, a popular but divisive feature of Songkran, which is also known as…

  • Thailand NewsThai govt urges electric incense use during Chinese New Year

    Thai govt urges electric incense use during Chinese New Year

    Deputy Government Spokesperson Karom Phonphonklang yesterday shared a statement concerning the upcoming Chinese New Year Celebration, which is to be held from February 8 to 10. The focus of his statement was on the need to monitor the lighting of incense, candles, firecrackers, and the burning of paper money. Karom Phonphonklang expressed the Thai government’s concern over the potential health…

  • Thailand NewsThai Tourist Police enhance Grand Palace facilities ahead of Chinese New Year

    Thai Tourist Police enhance Grand Palace facilities ahead of Chinese New Year

    In a recent endeavour to uplift the image of Thailand’s tourism, the Thai Tourist Police and associated agencies carried out an intensive inspection at the iconic Grand Palace in Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, at 10am on February 7. The operation was part of an initiative to gear up for the arrival of tourists, especially considering the upcoming Chinese New Year. In…

  • Pattaya NewsTrunk trouble: Illegal elephant pants imports surge sparks probe

    Trunk trouble: Illegal elephant pants imports surge sparks probe

    A surge of illegal imports of Thai elephant pants from China and neighbouring countries led to an official investigation on February 5. Phumtham Wechayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, directed the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) to look into this matter. These infringing items were spotted at various tourist hotspots, being sold at prices significantly lower than…

  • Pattaya NewsRoyal rumble: Thaksin Shinawatra faces charges under section 112

    Royal rumble: Thaksin Shinawatra faces charges under section 112

    A significant legal case involving Thaksin Shinawatra, concerning Section 112 of the Criminal Code for alleged offences against the monarchy, came into the public eye on February 6. Prayut Phetkhun, spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, shared the details of the case, which originated from an event that took place in Seoul, South Korea, on May 21, 2015.…

  • Pattaya NewsThailand’s ONCB hosts dialogue following decriminalisation of cannabis and kratom

    Thailand’s ONCB hosts dialogue following decriminalisation of cannabis and kratom

    Hot on the trail of the decriminalisation of cannabis and kratom, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) hosted a dialogue dubbed Perspectives and Feedbacks After Cannabis and Kratom Left the Narcotics Act. The main aim of the discourse was to amass opinions from various stakeholders, focusing on methods to protect the youth and children from potential abuse of…

  • Road deathsPattaya’s high-speed car crash triggers explosion and blackout

    Pattaya’s high-speed car crash triggers explosion and blackout

    Pattaya witnessed a catastrophic event last night at the entrance of Soi Chaiphonwithi 15, as a high-speed car crash triggered an explosion. This near-fatal incident took place around 11pm when a bronze Toyota pickup truck, bearing Bangkok number plates, slammed into a high-voltage electric pole. The impact ignited a fire, posing a severe threat to the surrounding area. Responding to…

  • Thailand NewsThree injured in motorcycle accident on Pattaya Central Road

    Three injured in motorcycle accident on Pattaya Central Road

    A motorcycle accident in front of McDonald’s on Pattaya Central Road left two Thai teens and a foreigner with injuries on the night of January 25. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation dispatched a response team to the scene upon receiving report of the accident. An unconscious 14 year old Thai girl, sprawled on the road, was found at the site.…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya authorities bust illegal marijuana operation, four arrested

    Pattaya authorities bust illegal marijuana operation, four arrested

    The tranquil coastal city of Pattaya was the scene of a significant law enforcement operation yesterday when Banglamung district officials, public health experts, and local police descended on an unauthorised marijuana operation. The collaboration resulted in the apprehension of four individuals and the confiscation of numerous cannabis products. The identities of these individuals remain undisclosed. The accused, now under arrest,…

  • Pattaya NewsThai naval forces intercept tax-evading oil vessel near Ta Lu Island

    Thai naval forces intercept tax-evading oil vessel near Ta Lu Island

    An oil-carrying vessel, illegally modified and suspected of tax evasion, was intercepted and detained by the Royal Thai Fleet near Ta Lu Island in Rayong province, in the Gulf of Thailand on Monday, January 22. The incident took place in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri, following a tip-off that led to the naval forces taking swift action. Originally registered…

  • Pattaya NewsDomestic dispute escalates to stabbing in Sri Racha worker’s camp

    Domestic dispute escalates to stabbing in Sri Racha worker’s camp

    A chilling incident unfolded in Sri Racha, a city in the province of Chon Buri, Thailand, when a domestic squabble escalated into violence yesterday, January 23. The event took place at a workers’ camp and involved a vicious stabbing of a woman, allegedly by her partner. The woman who was unfortunately at the receiving end of the violence is Aye,…

  • Thailand NewsLazada Thailand’s CEO shake-up

    Lazada Thailand’s CEO shake-up

    Lazada Thailand is poised for a major shake-up as insiders reveal plans to oust current CEO Werapong Goo in favour of COO Varitha Kiatpinyochai. The anonymous source suggests Goo’s departure is driven by a pursuit of new horizons, leaving the company at a critical crossroads. Varitha, who has spent eight years at Lazada Thailand, emerges as the frontrunner for the…

  • Pattaya NewsLarge-scale operation targets drug abuse in Pattaya’s entertainment venues

    Large-scale operation targets drug abuse in Pattaya’s entertainment venues

    A large-scale operation to tackle drug abuse in Pattaya’s entertainment venues was conducted in the early hours of today. The operation was a joint effort between over 100 officers from the Provincial Police Region 2, the Chon Buri Provincial Police, and Pattaya Police. Officials from the Office of Narcotics Control and Prevention Region 2 also contributed to the undertaking. The…

  • Road deathsChildren’s Day ceremony in Satun turns tragic with rescue vehicle malfunction

    Children’s Day ceremony in Satun turns tragic with rescue vehicle malfunction

    Satun witnessed an unfortunate turn of events yesterday, as a Children’s Day ceremony in the Kuan Don Subdistrict took a tragic turn. A rescue vehicle, intended to demonstrate natural disaster operations, malfunctioned during the show, resulting in injuries to 44 children. Local media outlets reported that the incident occurred when a steel sling on the bridge vehicle, used for natural…

  • Road deathsDrunk driving incident leads to major car pileup in Pattaya

    Drunk driving incident leads to major car pileup in Pattaya

    Early this morning, a serious car pileup occurred on Jomtien Beach Road in Pattaya, instigated by a Thai woman who, according to police, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The chaotic scene unfolded in front of Soi 8 around 2.30am today, with seven cars severely damaged and blocking traffic. The emergency services and local police were promptly dispatched…

  • Pattaya NewsMental health incident in Chon Buri leads to swift police intervention

    Mental health incident in Chon Buri leads to swift police intervention

    An incident of public disturbance in Ban Bueng municipality, in Chon Buri, led to the swift intervention of local law enforcement on Wednesday. A Thai man, whose identity is being kept confidential due to his mental health condition, was apprehended after causing a series of disturbances, including car vandalism near a local school. Ban Bueng police, in collaboration with the…

  • Pattaya NewsThai national arrested for Pattaya street gold robbery

    Thai national arrested for Pattaya street gold robbery

    Pattaya police last night apprehended a 19 year old Thai national, Wutthikrai Poonsang, following a robbery incident that occurred on Pattaya Walking Street on January 10. Wutthikrai is accused of snatching a gold necklace from a Thai woman named Amarin Kokaew. On the previous day, Wutthikrai allegedly stole a 1 baht weight gold necklace, valued at 32,000 baht, from Amarin.…

  • Environment NewsThai PM approves Clean Air bill: A milestone for environmental protection

    Thai PM approves Clean Air bill: A milestone for environmental protection

    Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday penned his approval of the Clean Air bill. The signing ceremony took place at 9.30am on January 11 in Chiang Mai during the PM’s scheduled visit to review the city’s public transportation systems and ongoing air pollution issues. This move was a significant stride towards addressing Thailand’s air pollution predicament, a subject that has…

  • Pattaya NewsThai MP proposes revision of strict alcohol control bill

    Thai MP proposes revision of strict alcohol control bill

    Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Thaophiphob Limchitrakorn proposed a revision of a stringent Alcohol Control bill concerning alcohol product advertising during a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday, January 10. Three versions of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act were under scrutiny, including two public sector drafts and Thaophiphob’s draft. The first draft, supported by numerous anti-alcohol groups and labelled as Article 32…

  • Thailand NewsThaksin’s extended hospital stay approved by Thailand’s Corrections Department

    Thaksin’s extended hospital stay approved by Thailand’s Corrections Department

    Thailand’s Department of Corrections released an official statement today, January 11, concerning the prolonged medical treatment of Thaksin Shinawatra at Police General Hospital, which has exceeded the standard 120-day limit. Thaksin has been receiving medical attention at an external hospital since August 23 last year, as he was diagnosed with several pre-existing health conditions that required specialised care. The medical…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya City courts elderly Chinese tourists with square dance champions

    Pattaya City courts elderly Chinese tourists with square dance champions

    Pattaya City officials extended a warm welcome to the Chinese square dance champions on Tuesday, January 9, marking a strategic move to boost tourism and instil assurance for elderly Chinese tourists. It was Siwat Boongerd, Pattaya’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, who greeted the Chinese victors of the square dance contest during a ceremony at Pattaya Beach. This welcoming event was not…