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.
  • Pattaya NewsSuspect surrenders in Pattaya Bolt rider murder case | Thaiger

    Suspect surrenders in Pattaya Bolt rider murder case

    Pattaya experienced a shocking turn of events when a man suspected of a brutal murder yesterday voluntarily handed himself over to the police. Piriyapong Nampetcharoenphon, known locally as U, presented himself at the Nongprue Police Station at 12.30pm on Monday, March 4, following an arrest warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. The warrant was connected to the fatal shooting…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya introduces safe swimming zones at popular Tawaen beach | Thaiger

    Pattaya introduces safe swimming zones at popular Tawaen beach

    The thriving beachfront city of Pattaya, known for its bustling tourism scene, has recently taken a significant step towards ensuring the safety of beachgoers. The authorities of Pattaya City have put measures in place to establish dedicated swimming zones at Tawaen Beach, an immensely popular spot located on the island of Koh Larn. These zones are expected to cater to…

  • Pattaya NewsThai man shoots wrong car in road rage incident | Thaiger

    Thai man shoots wrong car in road rage incident

    A startling incident unfolded in Pattaya over the weekend when a local man turned himself in at the Nongprue Police Station. Supakrit Wannajinda confessed to discharging a firearm at a vehicle, only to realise later that he had targeted the wrong car. The event occurred on March 2 and has since sent ripples to the local community. The 33 year…

  • Thailand NewsSecurity guard shot at Nakhon Ratchasima’s Center Point Hotel | Thaiger

    Security guard shot at Nakhon Ratchasima’s Center Point Hotel

    A chilling shooting incident transpired in Nakhon Ratchasima at 7.15pm on March 2, when a security guard at the Center Point Hotel, situated at Terminal 21 Korat, was shot six times by a fellow hotel employee, causing pandemonium amongst the shoppers present at the time. The incident instantly brought back dreadful memories of the February 8, 2020, mass shooting at…

  • Thailand NewsThai Cabinet tackles smog problem with 272 million baht project | Thaiger

    Thai Cabinet tackles smog problem with 272 million baht project

    The annual 2024 fiscal budget saw the Thai Cabinet allotting 272 million baht (US$7.59 million) towards a strategic project, intent on confronting wildfire and smog problems, and reducing PM2.5 dust. The announcement came from the Thai deputy government spokeswoman, Kanika Aunjit, during a press conference held on March 3. The alarming rise of PM2.5 problems accelerated this decision witnessed in…

  • Phuket NewsForeign mafia concerns raised in Phuket by UTN deputy | Thaiger

    Foreign mafia concerns raised in Phuket by UTN deputy

    In the stunning tourist hotspot of Phuket, a concerning situation has surfaced. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the Deputy leader of the United Thai Nation, has brought to light allegations of foreign mafia gangs operating within the area. This revelation comes after a recent visit to Phuket, during which Thanakorn conducted an inspection and collected information about the matter. Phuket, known for its…

  • Thailand NewsTourist’s near-death ordeal at Pattaya Beach, rescued from waters | Thaiger

    Tourist’s near-death ordeal at Pattaya Beach, rescued from waters

    Pattaya Rescue Radio Centre received a report of a foreign tourist drowning at Pattaya Beach, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri yesterday afternoon at 4.20pm. Emergency services rushed to the scene with urgency, locating an unconscious tourist, aged between 50 and 60, who had been brought ashore. Pattaya Beach lifeguards and rescue teams swiftly administered vital first aid before transporting the stricken…

  • Thailand NewsPattaya’s water safety initiative makes a splash on Koh Larn | Thaiger

    Pattaya’s water safety initiative makes a splash on Koh Larn

    In a bid to stem the tide of tragic accidents, the Pattaya Tourist Police have joined forces with multiple agencies to spearhead a campaign aimed at curbing tourist fatalities during water activities in Koh Larn. The curtain rose on this vital initiative on the shores of Tawaen Beach, Koh Larn, with Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, Manot Nongyai taking the helm…

  • Thailand NewsPM Srettha’s surprise visit to Yala province sparks tourist frenzy | Thaiger

    PM Srettha’s surprise visit to Yala province sparks tourist frenzy

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, flanked by a cadre of ministers, paid a surprise visit to Yala Province yesterday, igniting a blaze of excitement aimed at boosting the region’s tourism. This high-stakes visit, part of an expansive tour spanning Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, aims to catapult Yala’s tourism sector into the stratosphere, setting a bold target of 2 million visitors, both…

  • Transport NewsThai minister vows to improve Rama 2 Road traffic ahead of Songkran | Thaiger

    Thai minister vows to improve Rama 2 Road traffic ahead of Songkran

    The quality of traffic on Rama 2 Road in Thailand is set to improve ahead of the Songkran Festival, as promised by the Thai Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, on February 27. The vow comes in the wake of a delay in the road’s construction, a setback attributed to the impact of Covid-19 on the contractors in charge of the…

  • Thailand NewsMassive amphetamine haul seized in northeast Thailand | Thaiger

    Massive amphetamine haul seized in northeast Thailand

    Minister of Defence Sutin Klungsang convened a press briefing to unveil a significant crackdown resulting in the confiscation of 6 million amphetamine pills, valued at over 180 million baht, in Bung Khla, Bueng Kan on Monday. According to police sources, the operation unfolded on February 25 at 7pm when Surasakmontri rangers and Bung Khla police officers received a tip-off regarding…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya tourism bosses lobby for fixed visa-free policy with India | Thaiger

    Pattaya tourism bosses lobby for fixed visa-free policy with India

    Pattaya tourism chiefs are lobbying for a permanent visa-free travel agreement with India in a move driven by the Asian giant’s projected ascension to the world’s third-largest economy by 2027. The conviction behind this push lies in the promising impacts of a temporary visa exemption for Indian tourists, which is due to conclude on May 10 but is proposed for…

  • Thailand NewsFender bender escalates into Pattaya Police showdown (video) | Thaiger

    Fender bender escalates into Pattaya Police showdown (video)

    A minor traffic mishap in Pattaya spiralled into a full-blown confrontation outside a local police station yesterday, with tempers flaring and fists flying. A BMW driver, 36 year old Watcharaphon Phonpakdee allegedly collided with the back of Theerapong Manisri’s Toyota Yaris near a gas station on Soi Phothisan in Pattaya. As the two parties failed to reach an agreement at…

  • Thailand NewsChiang Mai charm reigns: Panida crowned Miss Thailand 2024 | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai charm reigns: Panida crowned Miss Thailand 2024

    The latest holder of the illustrious Miss Thailand title is Panida Khueanjinda, a proud native of Chiang Mai. She outshone 34 other participants in the contest that took place at The Mall Ngamwongwan’s MCC Hall. Panida is not a stranger to such accolades, having previously won the Miss Grand Nakhon Phanom 2022 title. A graduate of the Faculty of Fine…

  • Environment NewsSweeping fires devastate 30,000 rai of forest in Chiang Mai | Thaiger

    Sweeping fires devastate 30,000 rai of forest in Chiang Mai

    Sweeping fires engulfed an estimated 30,000 rai (approximately 4,800 hectares) of forest across three districts in the province of Chiang Mai, reported local authorities. The flames, which sparked roughly a week ago, primarily ravaged the Ob Luang National Park. The districts of Hot, Chomg Thong, and Mae Cham are the most severely impacted, with the fires still ablaze and uncontained.…

  • Environment NewsBangkok’s air quality improves as PM2.5 levels drop | Thaiger

    Bangkok’s air quality improves as PM2.5 levels drop

    Bangkok’s populace can anticipate a breath of fresh air in the forthcoming week as the levels of PM2.5 pollutants are projected to undergo a downswing. AirBKK, the Air Quality Monitoring Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), confirmed on a Sunday morning that the PM2.5 concentrations in the capital city were well below the 24-hour safe exposure threshold, which is…

  • Thailand NewsThai man arrested for selling drugs to teens with illegal firearms | Thaiger

    Thai man arrested for selling drugs to teens with illegal firearms

    In an undercover operation, police arrested a 55 year old Thai man on February 22 for allegedly peddling drugs to teenagers and harbouring illegal firearms in Naklua, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. The suspect, identified only as Gomol, fell into the police net following an extensive covert probe. Seizing the moment, authorities swooped in and confiscated two bags containing a staggering…

  • Thailand NewsNBTC urges responsible broadcasting amid violent content | Thaiger

    NBTC urges responsible broadcasting amid violent content

    A plea for responsible broadcasting has been made by General Sittichai Makkunchorn, the spokesperson for the Chairperson of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). This appeal comes following public outcry over media exposure of violent content, the most recent instance being the wide circulation of a domestic violence case where a man took his wife’s life. This controversy has…

  • Thailand NewsVisa-free travel to Thailand for more international tourists | Thaiger

    Visa-free travel to Thailand for more international tourists

    In a bid to revitalise its tourism sector, the Thai government has significantly eased visa restrictions for millions more international tourists. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared that Thai tourism has entered a new era of inclusivity, outlining the remarkable transformations underway. Previously confined to conventional markets like the European Union, the UK, the US, and Australia, visa-exempt travel has now expanded…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s potash push: Prosperity or peril? | Thaiger

    Thailand’s potash push: Prosperity or peril?

    As Thailand eyes a leap into the lucrative potash market, concerns loom large over the potential environmental havoc it may unleash. Residents in the vicinity of Thailand’s solitary commercial potash mine have raised a chorus of apprehension, cautioning against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s grand vision to catapult the nation into a leading potash producer. Their concerns centred around the likely…

  • Tourism NewsThailand extends visa exemption for Kazakhstani tourists | Thaiger

    Thailand extends visa exemption for Kazakhstani tourists

    The Thai Cabinet recently extended the visa exemption for Kazakhstani tourists by another six months. The exemption, which is now valid until August 31, is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to stimulate Thailand’s tourism sector. This move comes in the wake of an impressive surge in the number of Kazakhstani visitors, a trend that began after the government waived…

  • Thailand NewsEx-Man United and Liverpool stars swap stadiums for fairways | Thaiger

    Ex-Man United and Liverpool stars swap stadiums for fairways

    Former Manchester United and Liverpool football icons traded their legendary kits for golfing attire, hitting the lush greens of the prestigious Royal Hua Hin Golf Course in a star-studded get-together. The illustrious gathering, uniting luminaries from two of England’s footballing powerhouses, marked a delightful sojourn for the retired sports heroes, who basked not only in the challenges of Thailand’s oldest…

  • Pattaya NewsDSI offer 2 million baht reward for info on historic murder case | Thaiger

    DSI offer 2 million baht reward for info on historic murder case

    Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is offering a reward of 2 million baht in a bid to encourage anyone with any potentially helpful information to aid in the resolution of a long-standing murder case. The murder victim, Tomoko Kawashita from Japan, was only 27 years old when her life was tragically cut short in Sukhothai Thain 17 years ago.…

  • Thailand NewsMan nabbed for illegal otter trade in wildlife bust in Chachoengsao | Thaiger

    Man nabbed for illegal otter trade in wildlife bust in Chachoengsao

    Authorities in Chachoengsao province apprehended a 26 year old suspect for harbouring protected wildlife, including otters, in his possession. During the raid in Plaeng Yao district, law enforcement officers seized not only the carcasses of three soft-shelled turtles but also those of two pangolins from the suspect’s residence. The identity of the individual, however, remains undisclosed. The suspect is set…

  • Thailand NewsMyanmar nationals flee to Thailand to evade military conscription | Thaiger

    Myanmar nationals flee to Thailand to evade military conscription

    In Thailand’s border province of Tak, young Myanmar nationals, now including women, attempt to evade compulsory military conscription. Soldiers from the Ratchamanu Taskforce, stationed in Tak’s Mae Sot district, made a startling discovery on Friday, apprehending 27 youths comprising 13 men and 14 women near a stream in Phop Phra district. These young individuals revealed they had embarked on their…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya preps to tee off with Honda LPGA Thailand 2024 tourney | Thaiger

    Pattaya preps to tee off with Honda LPGA Thailand 2024 tourney

    Pattaya, Chon Buri is set to host the world-renowned Honda LPGA Thailand 2024 tournament. Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the event will feature 72 of the globe’s top female golfers, all vying for a total prize of US$1.7 million (62 million baht) from February 22-25. Honda has also promised a brand-new Honda Accord e:HEV, e:HEV RS variant,…

  • Pattaya NewsMuscle madness: Strongman showdown set for Pattaya, Thailand | Thaiger

    Muscle madness: Strongman showdown set for Pattaya, Thailand

    Prepare to witness the power and prowess of Thailand’s strongest individuals. An exciting strongman competition, hosted by Bench Fitness Equipment and Thai Strength Club, is set to take place tomorrow, February 17, by the picturesque Mapprachan Lake in Pattaya. This thrilling event will showcase the strength and endurance of 55 robust competitors hailing from 14 different countries, all vying for…

  • Thailand NewsHua Hin Hospital issues urgent warning as air quality worsens | Thaiger

    Hua Hin Hospital issues urgent warning as air quality worsens

    Hua Hin Hospital issued a warning over the deteriorating air quality gripping the district. Hua Hin Hospital’s Facebook announcement revealed alarming statistics regarding the current air pollution levels plaguing the area. The Air Quality Index (AQI) skyrocketed to a staggering 196 by 8am, nearly doubling the safety threshold. Health experts stress that AQI values above 100 pose severe health risks.…

  • Thailand NewsThaksin’s parole won’t alter Thailand’s politics, says Pheu Thai | Thaiger

    Thaksin’s parole won’t alter Thailand’s politics, says Pheu Thai

    Pheu Thai Party Deputy Leader Chusak Sirinil recently threw light on the potential impact of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra‘s impending parole, stating that it won’t significantly alter the political landscape of the nation. He expressed confidence in the current government’s performance and the prime minister’s full functionality, dismissing the speculations of major changes anticipated by many political observers. Chusak…

  • Thailand NewsIllicit soda syndicate: Kratom-infused beverages seized in Thai factory raid | Thaiger

    Illicit soda syndicate: Kratom-infused beverages seized in Thai factory raid

    Thai officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), orchestrated a search operation yesterday, honing in on a factory in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, amidst suspicions of illicit soda production laced with kratom. Reports from the police unveiled the factory’s alleged involvement in the clandestine distribution of kratom-infused soda under a covert brand across Bangkok. Acting swiftly, the police launched a meticulous…