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Feast on the freshest Thai fruit at 'Siam Paragon Tropical Fruit Parade 2024'
The much-anticipated fruit festival of the year “Siam Paragon Tropical Fruit Parade 2024” and its popular all-you-can-eat durian buffet is returning from 6-15 May 2024 at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon, where the best and freshest Thai fruits are meticulously sourced...
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Norwegian and British nationals arrested for illegal employment
A Norwegian woman and a British man have been apprehended in Thailand for alleged illegal employment. The arrests occurred on Koh Pha Ngan and Phuket island respectively, as part of a police operation targeting foreign nationals working unlawfully in the country. The Norwegian woman, 56 year old Unni Sekkesaeter was taken into custody at Tha Sala pier in the district…
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Mid-air tyre fiasco: United Airlines jet loses wheel (video)
In a heart-stopping incident, a tyre from a United Airlines plane departing from San Francisco International Airport went rogue mid-air, hurtling down onto a parking lot nearby. SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel confirmed the tyre, dislodged from Japan-bound United Flight 35, crash-landed in an airport employee parking zone, wreaking havoc on multiple vehicles. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the alarming…
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Vietnam’s rice exports projected to decline amid quality shift
A downward shift is projected for Vietnam’s rice exports in the current year, with estimates ranging between 6.5 and 7.0 million metric tonnes. This is a noticeable drop from the previous year’s record high of 8.1 million tonnes, as reported by the Vietnam Food Association. Vietnam, ranking third globally in rice exports after Thailand and India, indicated a strategic shift…
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Thai cop’s ‘exhausting’ excuse fails to sway assault claims (video)
A Thai officer from Tarnsum Police Station in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani claimed that a congenital disease and exhaustion led him to assault a man seeking assistance at the cop shop. He denied drinking alcohol on duty. Thai man Prayoon Duangnate is seeking justice by exposing the officer’s behaviour to several media outlets. He was later identified as Tarnsum…
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Phuket governor calls for probe into Laem Nga beach blockade
Phuket Vice Governor Sattha Thongkham demanded a probe into the barricading of privately owned land at Lemg Nga, located at the northern edge of Koh Siray, which has obstructed public access to Laem Nga Beach. This directive came on the heels of a protest by local villagers on-site on March 7. The locals voiced their demand for the restoration of…
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Chiang Mai faces world’s second-worst air quality amid pollution crisis
Northern Thailand is currently grappling with severe air pollution, with Chiang Mai experiencing the second-worst air quality globally. As of today, March 8, air quality monitoring has revealed that particulate matter PM2.5 levels have exceeded the standard in 46 provinces, prompting health warnings and advisories for residents to limit outdoor activities. PM2.5 concentrations surpassed Thailand’s safety standards in various regions,…
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Thai woman arrested for trafficking protected rat snakes
In a covert operation, police apprehended a 45 year old Thai woman at her residence in Phichit, where a trove of Indo-Chinese Rat Snakes was stashed away. Seven sacks brimming with the slithery reptiles, weighing 34.26 kilogrammes, were confiscated alongside four sacks containing snake carcasses, tallying 5 kilogrammes, concealed in a freezer. Two mobile phones linked to the clandestine snake…
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Thailand central bank anticipates lower rates due to virtual banking
The Bank of Thailand anticipates that the advent of virtual banks will usher in lower interest rates and fees due to the decreased operating costs associated with digital banking services, which do not require physical branches or large numbers of staff. The granting of virtual bank licences is expected to bring more competitors into the market, thereby stimulating competition within…
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Ashton Asoke condo in Bangkok faces legal issues
The Ashton Asoke condominium project, worth 6 billion baht (US$168 million), in Bangkok’s Watthana district is facing a serious threat of legal action if a solution isn’t reached within the next three months, a court official has stated. The dispute stems from a Supreme Administrative Court ruling last July that cancelled the building permit for the property due to the…
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European travellers send southern Thailand’s hotel rates soaring
Southern Thailand’s tourism industry is experiencing a seismic shift as European travellers drive hotel performance to unprecedented heights. A recent report by the Bangkok Post reveals that tourists hailing from Russia, Scandinavia, and Germany are flocking to the region, enticed by its breathtaking natural landscapes, and significantly boosting occupancy rates to a staggering 90% or higher. Pongsakorn Ketprapakorn, former president…
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Double trouble: British lookalikes forge unlikely friendship on flight to Thailand
An airport mix-up led a pair of British lookalikes to discover they not only shared the same flight but also the same name, sparking an unlikely friendship. The lookalikes, Mark Garland, a 58 year old bus driver from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, and another Mark Garland, a 62 year old builder from Warmley, Bristol, were inadvertently seated next to each other on an…
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Alarming statistics: Thailand women in domestic violence crisis
The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) delivered a stark wake-up call as alarming statistics reveal a grim reality: seven women become victims of sexual assault and abuse daily in Thailand. Pornprapai Ganjanarintr, chairperson of the NHRC, issued a resounding plea for gender equality across all sectors. In a society riddled with patriarchal structures, Ganjanarintr highlighted the harrowing repercussions,…
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Declining conditions of Bangkok’s Klong Ong Ang raise concerns
A United Thai Nation Party‘s (UTN) Parliament member voiced concerns yesterday about the neglected state of Klong Ong Ang, a once thriving tourist attraction in the heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown. Kriangyot Sudlapha, a UTN list-MP, raised the issue in the House of Representatives, urging the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to step in and rejuvenate the area. Located in the Phra…
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Grab Thailand empowers female drivers with campaign
To champion gender equality, Grab Thailand is rolling out its #WomenWelcome campaign on International Women’s Day 2024, promising equal earning opportunities and empowerment for women across the country. Amidst the celebrations of International Women’s Day 2024, Grab Thailand takes a bold step forward with the launch of its #WomenWelcome campaign. This initiative not only underscores the company’s commitment to fostering…
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Thailand braces for temperatures above 40°C, TMD warns
A weather warning has been issued by Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) that temperatures across the country are expected to rise above 40°C this month and in April. Kornravee Sitthichitvapak, the director-general of the weather agency, has stated that this summer, temperatures will be 1-2°C higher than the average. Regions facing extremely hot conditions could see the mercury rising above 40°C.…
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Scent-sational arrest: Thai man nabbed in karaoke perfume heist in Pattaya
Bang Lamung Police apprehended a suspect in connection with a perfume theft from a karaoke venue worker yesterday. The suspect, identified as 33 year old Jakkrapan (surname withheld), was arrested at his residence in the Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri province. The arrest follows a theft incident on February 29 in South Na Kluea. CCTV footage depicted…
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Swiss scandal sparks crackdown on unruly farangs in Thailand
The scandal involving a Swiss man assaulting a Thai doctor in Phuket prompted authorities to initiate a massive crackdown on illegal foreigners and farangs behaving badly in Thailand. In total, nearly 30 foreigners were arrested during the past weeks. Following the physical assault on a Thai doctor outside the luxury villa of a Swiss man, locals in Phuket demanded that…
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Thailand Video News | Swiss man’s visa revoked in assault aftermath, Thai reporter acquitted of defamation charges in win for free speech
In this video, Alex and Jay dive into the latest headlines from across Thailand, offering insightful commentary and analysis on a range of pressing issues. Tune in as they discuss Swiss Man’s Visa Revoked Following Assault, Crackdown on E-cigarette and Vape Sales, Investigation Unveils Fake Diamond Scheme, and Thai Reporter Acquitted in Defamation Case. A Thai reporter has been acquitted in…
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Swiss national opts for jail after assaulting Thai woman in mall
A 62 year old Swiss national who physically assaulted a local Thai woman in a mall, chose to remain in custody despite an offer of bail from his former Thai spouse. The Trang Provincial Court had set his bail at 50,000 baht (US$1,406), which his ex-wife was willing to pay. However, the Swiss man, Dieter Matthias Straumann, rejected her assistance and…
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Chiang Mai flower festival blooms success with record visitors
Chiang Mai is basking in the success of its 47th Flower Festival, which attracted a staggering 668,000 visitors, both Thai and international, generating over 80 million baht (US$2.25 million) in revenue. As a result, the province is preparing to enhance the event’s float parade, focusing on innovation and interest for future festivals. On March 8, the deputy governor of Chiang…
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True Corporation unveils 2024 strategy with AI, digital growth focus
True Corporation, the Thai telecommunications conglomerate, disclosed its tripartite strategic model for 2024. This strategy encompasses modernising its digital infrastructure, offering distinctive services to its customer base and redefining the company through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge technologies. The company’s CEO, Manat Manavutiveth, has identified five disruptive elements for the current year, namely, global economic uncertainty, generative…
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Teenager fatally shot in Hua Hin after Facebook feud turns deadly
A teenager was fatally shot in Hua Hin following an altercation through Facebook that escalated into a deadly confrontation. Another individual sustained severe injuries in the incident that unfolded on Naresdamri Road in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The shooting occurred yesterday evening when an argument over social media between the 16 year old boy, identified as Din, and…
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Thai man flees after assaulting girlfriend and killing her lover
A Thai man remains at large after brutally assaulting his girlfriend and killing her lover outside a rented room in the Doi Saket district of the northern province of Chiang Mai. Officers from the Doi Saket Police Station and rescuers from the Sawang Samret Chiang Mai Foundation investigated the physical assaults that took place around midnight on March 5. Officers…
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Thai EV sales surge by 603% amid government incentives
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) sales in Thailand surged by 603% year-on-year to 73,568 units last year, with the upward trend expected to continue throughout this year, as per the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). This growth is expected to outstrip that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which witnessed a 13.7% year-on-year sales decline to 238,570 units in 2023, capturing…
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Thai-Cambodian joint operation successfully combats PM 2.5 crisis
A collaborative operation between the Thai and Cambodian governments was launched on March 6, to combat the PM 2.5 problem. This joint initiative was in line with the Thai government’s policy to proactively deal with PM 2.5 dust and hotspots in both nations. The Thai government has recognised the issue of PM 2.5 as a national crisis that requires immediate…
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Thaksin’s parole travel requires probation officer approval
The Thai Department of Probation’s Deputy Director-General, Montree Bunyayothin, addressed the matter of Thaksin Shinawatra’s recent release on parole on March 6. Montree confirmed that Thaksin, a former Thai Prime Minister, could potentially travel to Chiang Mai to visit family and pay respects to his ancestors. However, this would require prior approval from probation officers. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter and…
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Bangkok launches Vape Operation crackdown on e-cigarette sales
A comprehensive Vape Operation was launched at 2.30pm on Wednesday, March 6, resulting in a crackdown on major e-cigarette sales sources in various areas of Bangkok. The operation was coordinated by Dr Puangpetch Chunlaid, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, alongside relevant agencies. The targeted e-cigarette sales were estimated to be worth over 3 million baht. Following a detailed…
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Thai government questions credibility of UK’s airport ranking
Thailand’s government spokesperson recently took to social media to question the legitimacy of a ranking released by Business Financing, a UK publisher. The ranking, published in 2023, listed Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports as among the worst in Asia, placing them at the seventh and tenth positions respectively. The ranking also hailed Noi Bai International Airport in Vietnam as the…
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Tech synergy: Arip’s Commart Comtech event unites Thais
The recent Commart Comtech IT event, organised by Arip, has brought together AI-equipped computers from leading brands, such as Asus, Acer, MSi, Lenovo and HP, for the first time in Thailand. The event, which started yesterday, March 7, and continues through Sunday at Bitec Bangna, is expected to upturn the downturn in consumer spending witnessed in the initial two months…
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Wheelchair-bound British beautician launches accessible salon
In a remarkable display of resilience, the British beautician, who was paralysed following a balcony fall in Thailand, has launched a pioneering new salon where accessibility is not merely a feature but a guiding principle. Struggling to access conventional beauty treatments after her life-altering accident, Maddi Neale-Shankster envisioned a haven where wheelchair users and the able-bodied could share the same space…
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