Hot News

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    Is Swedish snus a good alternative to smoking in Thailand?

    With approximately 106,000 people in Thailand succumbing to smoking-related illnesses annually, people are exploring alternatives in pursuit of a safer option. And for many, the answer is Swedish snus (pronounced snoose and rhymes with goose), a traditional Scandinavian tobacco product...

  • Six arrested in Phuket loan shark crackdown

    Officers have arrested six suspects in a loan shark crackdown in Chalong. At 6.30am yesterday morning, officers raided a house in Chalong after the the Phuket Provincial Court has issued 21 arrest warrants for six suspects over offences relating to the Excessive Interest Rate Prohibition Act. They were… 28 year old Somkiet Boonpeng from Chanthaburi in 5 arrest warrants. 23 year…

  • Big Bangkok Busts

    The Metropolitan Police Bureau are crowing about their ‘protection operations’ during the past two months have resulted in the arrest of many suspects and huge drug seizures. Pol Maj Gen Ruchakorn Jornjewut, deputy commissioner of the bureau, held a press conference on the “Protecting People” operations from July 1 to August 30. He said the operations saw 6,392 alleged drug…

  • Online shopping attracts attention from Customs Department

    We’re getting more used to online shopping. And the Thai Customs Department are getting better at tracking and taxing incoming goods. The Customs Department has stepped up its tax collection for online shopping and provided more convenient services for taxpayers, Kulit Sombatsiri, director general of the Customs Department, said on Thursday. E-shopping for overseas goods had led to tariff collection…

  • Bangkok drug party busted

    Bangkok police have called on the Office of the Narcotics Control Board to help find the source of the narcotics that the 28 suspects allegedly used at a party on Saturday, Wang Thong Lang deputy superintendent Pol Lt-Colonel Chaowarit Ngernchalard said on Sunday. The suspects are in police custody for further interrogation and will be escorted to Criminal Court on…

  • Police raid Thalang houses, seize 207 kilograms of drugs

    Police raided four target areas in Thalang over the past week in a continuation of their crackdown on drugs. They seized 207 kilograms of kratom, crystal methamphetamine and methamphetamine pills. A team of The Thalang Police arrested 19 year old Weerachai ‘Bub’ Jitjamnong from Phuket at a rented room in Thalang. Police seized a small quantity of crystal methamphetamine. He…

  • Two motorbike taxi drivers arrested in public transport drug crackdown

    A team of officials led by the Provincial Police Region 8 Police have conducted drug and alcohol tests in a campaign at the new Phuket Bus terminal in Rassada yesterday (June 21). The campaign ran from 3-5pm. Sarawut Pakdee, a law enforcement officer of the Provincial Police Region 8 says, “Phuket’s Governor Norraphat Plodthong is very concerned about public transport safety…

  • Kratom use on the rise in Phuket

    Drug arrest statistics have shown that the use kratom is on the rise in Phuket followed closely by methamphetamine pills and crystal methamphetamine. Phuket’s Vice Governor Snith says, “We have found that kratom is the number one drug seized in Phuket. Even though our officers are strictly enforcing the law, arresting suspects and seizing this drug in large quantities, kratom…

  • Controlled use of kratom and marijuana to be decriminalised

    By Pratch Rujivanarom There may be a time in the near future where local police aren’t required to chase around and arrest people using kratom and marijuana, in some situation and in small quantities. Decriminalisation has worked in some countries where it is followed by solid public education. How will Thailand handle decriminalisation of these drugs? New narcotics laws to…

  • Three arrested with drugs and firearms

    A team of Phuket Provincial Police this week arrested have two more drug suspects and another suspect over the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition in a separate incident. Police arrested 29 year old Chaiyachet ‘Chet’ Pollata. Police seized 1,970 methamphetamine pills, 2.8 kilograms of marijuana and eight bottles liquid kratom. Chaiyachet has been charged with possession of Category…

  • Six arrested in Phuket drug shakekdown

    Cherng Talay Police have arrested six suspects found with kratom and marijuana yesterday (June 12). • Police arrested 34 year old Ampohn Chitchonlatan from Phuket. She was found with 15 of kratom leaves, 0.45 litres of liquid kratom, a bottle of cough syrup and a bottle of Coca Cola drink. • Police arrested 29 year old Tippawan Chueasaman from Phuket.…

  • Police going to visit 3,900 members of ‘organic marijuana’ Facebook group

    Pol Maj-General Panumart Boonyalak, commander of the Patrol and Special Operation Division 191, has threatened a Facebook group promoting ‘organic marijuana’ during a press conference held at 8.30pm last night (Thursday). He also announced the arrest of three suspects. Police are vowing to trace and take legal action against over 3,900 members of a closed Facebook group that encourages members…

  • Four more drug suspects arrested in Phuket

    A team from Phuket’s Provincial Police have arrested four suspects. Police first arrested 27 year old Adisak ‘Kae’ Boonsawang at an apartment in Soi Luk Kaew in Rassada. Police seized 25 of methamphetamine pills. He was taken to the Phuket City Police Station to face charges with possession of Category 1 drug with intend to sell. Police then arrested 50…

  • Two arrested with drugs and guns

    Over the past few days a team of Sakoo Police led by Lt Col Urampohn Kundetsamrit have arrested 17 year old ‘Oat’ and 18 year old Permsak Somsakfrom, both from Phuket. Oat was found with 80 millilitres of liquid kratom inside a pot, one bottle of ‘Datissin’ cough syrup, a can of Pepsi, 50grams of kratom leaf and 400 millilitres of…

  • Huge narcotics haul seized from four major drug operations

    Police said four successful recent drug busts had led to the confiscation of a huge haul of narcotics, including more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, three kilograms of highly concentrated hashish oil, over 100,000 methamphetamine pills, some 5,300 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 850 grams of ketamine. Deputy police chief Pol General Chalermkiat Srivorakhan and Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) head…

  • Half a ton of marijuana seized in Mekong sting

    A total of 490 kilograms of dried marijuana worth 15 million baht in street value has been seized by Thai authorities in Bung Kan province in the far north-east of Thailand on the Mekong River, Saturday, but the suspected Laotian smugglers managed to flee. Bung Kan Customs checkpoint head Prasongsak Boonma said the four Laotian smugglers, who were bringing sacks…

  • Three Kathu men arrested with drugs

    Three local men have been arrested following the drug crackdown period between April 19-21 with a long list of drugs. The first two men, 42 year old Weerapan Intarakratok and 23 year old Thanapas Rakwet, were arrested after the police received a report from an undercover officer that Thanapas sold methamphetamine to juveniles in the Kathu area. Police lured him…

  • Big crime crackdown before Songkran

    Police Region 8 held a press conference yesterday (April 11) revealing a number of drugs and gun crackdowns during the lead up to this year’s Songkran. The targeted crimes including illegal ownership of guns, drugs, gambling, prostitution and the following up on the outstanding arrest warrant list. The Police region 8 revealed that among the police in provinces in region…

  • An addiction to the music beats

    The 19 year old Thai-French girl who was born on the island of Phuket, Sophie Marguerite Indracusin, is widely known as an actress working with Channel 7 and has been shining in through television shows and dramas as the main role for years. Now it’s time for her to introduce another perspective of herself, through her first single ‘Mary Jane’.…

  • THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, March 20

    MH370 has NOT been found | Bar owner in Pattaya bashed unconscious | 10 million baht worth of marijuana seized in Chumpon | Officials concerned over damage on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao | Nok Air being asked to ‘please explain’ over poor on-time record | 103 ‘practice bombs’ found near Vachira Hospital Bangkok.

  • Tourists arrested over alleged illicit drug use in Ranong

    Twenty-seven tourists have been arrested and charged with drug abuse on Koh Phayam in Ranong province (north of Phuket near the Myanmar border) after testing positive for substance abuse. Friday’s raid in the province’s Muang district was part of the authorities’ joint operation to search the island’s three night entertainment venues, Ranong Tourist Police inspector Pol Lt-Colonel Manaporn Likhitmanont told…

  • Baggage handlers arrested over thefts at Phuket airport

    Police arrested two worker at the Phuket International Airport and their alleged accomplice over the theft of passengers’ belongings, said Sakhu Police Station superintendent Pol Colonel Jirasak Siamsak on Sunday. 29 year old Nirut Saksri and 30 year old Manock Nakphojit, plus alleged accomplice 23 year old Chakrit Chanprasert, were arrested and some 100 stolen items recovered, including computer notebooks,…

  • Three foreigners, one Thai arrested for drug possession in Kamala

    Kamala police arrested 27 year old Viktor Dvinsky from Russia and 22 year old Berezina Vladystava with 14.44 grams of cocaine, 2 amphetamine pills, 17.66 grams of marijuana. Police also seized an iPhone and $2,400 and 11,000 Baht in cash. They were charged for possession and trading of illicit drugs. After the two were arrested, police extended the investigation and…

  • THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, January 17

    Second boat incident in three days | Prawit’s offering to resign if found guilty of ‘wrongdoing’ | Smart Visa details | Krabi and Thepa coal plants ‘still happening’ | PM puts hold on cannabis crops | Tax breaks for Thai families having babies.

  • SATURDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes

    Welcome to your weekend. Your Saturday ‘Boat Lagoon Weekend’ is on tonight from 6pm. Plenty of fun and food for all ages. For our weekend headlines, just click on the heading for the full story. Here are today’s main Phuket and Thai headlines… Two Thai men wed in Queensland Australia Two Thai men have been among the first same-sex couples…

  • 18 year old alleged killer arrested in Thalang crackdown

    An 18 year old, who allegedly shot a 17 year old couple on December 23, killing the girl, has been arrested along with 33 other people who illegally posses guns and bullets plus another 20 people involved in drug-related cases. This follows a police crime crackdown measures during Christmas and New Year period. The arrests were made between December 22…

  • TUESDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes

    Welcome to your Tuesday in Phuket. Another excellent day on the way with only a 10% chance of rain later on. The forecast says ‘Mostly sunny’. Back to work and school following your day off (if you were lucky enough to have a long weekend). Here’s today’s main headlines… Change.org calls for General Prawit to step down An online campaign…

  • Maya Bay is Number 9. What is the World’s Best Beach?

    And Maya Bay isn’t the only Tai beach included in the list. FlightNetwork.om rated the world’s best beaches. Thailand’s Maya Bay, on Koh Phi Phi Ley came in at #9. Maya Bay has been closed for rehabilitation since the middle of 2018 and is scheduled for limited re-opening some time in 2021. Tourists and boats will be limited to less…

  • Marijuana valued at 2 million Baht – crackdown in Phang Nga

    Phang Nga police have arrested 6 local fishermen with 456 kilograms of dry marijuana leaves. The 6 fishermen include 31 year old Boonkum Bohmuang, 27 year old Rachan Thong-Iad, 25 year old Sakrit Thong-Iad, 36 year old Thalerngsak Thanyupak and 37 year old Manoch Thintalay. After being informed about the drugs being transported by boat through the Andaman Sea, an…

  • 17 year old using BB gun to rob locals and tourists

    Last night (September 11), Phuket police arrested a 17 year old from Had Yai, Songkhla, in Soi Hongyok-Utit, Phuket Town. He’d already committed 4 or 5 robberies and claimed that he robbed people after taking drugs. At the scene police found a black BB gun, a red plate, green and grey Yamaha motorcycle, a helmet, two mobile phones, a shoulder…

  • Opinion: Need to revise drug laws

    PHUKET: The recent arrest by Region 8 Police of two men for posing as officers of the law and trying to extort money from the families of teenage boys found drinking krathom leaf extract is just the latest reminder of the need for Thailand to reconsider and revise its draconian drug control laws. It might strike some as futile to…