Gulf of Thailand
- Thailand News
Court’s ruling: MoU-tain of evidence favours Thai-Cambodian deal
The Constitutional Court dismissed a petition challenging the legality of the 2001 Thai-Cambodian memorandum of understanding (MoU) on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand. The petition, submitted by Deputy Palang Pracharath Party leader Paiboon Nititawan, claimed that the MoU had not been approved by Parliament before its signing. Paiboon argued that the MoU, used by the Department of Treaties…
- Business News
Thailand faces investment challenge post-1997 financial crisis
Thailand faces investment challenges post-1997 financial crisis despite natural gas discovered in the Gulf of Thailand around 40 years ago sparked nationwide excitement, marking the beginning of a golden era. This period saw the launch of the Eastern Seaboard Development Project aimed at developing the eastern coastal region. Foreign investment surged, propelling the economy to expand at double-digit rates, and…
- Thailand News
Koh Phayam fears Land Bridge project will disrupt island’s harmony
Koh Phayam, located 17 kilometres off the Andaman Sea coast, is known for its unspoiled forests and pristine beaches, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking peaceful recreation and the charming lifestyle of local fishers. Covering a 35km² area, it stands as the second largest island in Ranong Province. In recent years, Koh Phayam has garnered attention as a…
- Pattaya News
Reel trouble: Thai CIB exposes Vietnamese in illegal gulf fishing probe
The Thai Central Investigative Bureau (CIB) yesterday unveiled details about a group of Vietnamese fishermen allegedly implicated in illegal fishing in the upper Gulf of Thailand. An anonymous Thai fisherman lodged a complaint with the Thai Marine Police about a cluster of boats, operated by unidentified individuals, trespassing in their lawful fishing territory within the upper reaches of the Thai…
- Koh Samui Travel
Island hopping in the Gulf of Thailand
Many individuals fantasize about going island hopping in Thailand’s Gulf of Thailand. Nothing compares to sitting on the sun-drenched deck of a boat, gazing out at the mesmerizing turquoise waters and dreaming of the adventure that lies on the next island. Scattered like pearls across the shallow inlet in the southwestern South China Sea, the islands in the Gulf of…
- Thailand News
Thai police seize 400,000 litres of smuggled oil in Gulf of Thailand
Coastal vessels carrying a whopping total of 400,000 litres of smuggled oil were apprehended in the Gulf of Thailand. The seizure took place off the coast of Sattahip district in the eastern province of Chon Buri. The interception, which occurred this morning, March 19, was a result of a joint patrol operation by the Marine and Crime Suppression Division police.…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Cambodia in talks over disputed Gulf area
Negotiations are underway between Thailand and Cambodia concerning overlapping border regions in the Gulf of Thailand, according to Sutin Klungsang, Thailand’s Defence Minister. He addressed public concerns and queries from the press about the possible implications of a meeting held in Bangkok on February 21 between Hun Sen, former Prime Minister of Cambodia, and Thaksin Shinawatra, ex-Thai Prime Minister. Sutin…
- Thailand News
Yearly rotational fishing ban begins in Gulf of Thailand
The Department of Fisheries initiated its yearly cycle of rotational fishing ban in the Gulf of Thailand, extending until September. The restriction starts at the Khao Mong Lai coast in Prachuab Khiri Khan, extending to the Don Sak district in Surat Thani, effective from today until May 15. Following this, the prohibition will shift to the stretch between Khao Ta…
- Thailand News
Sunken secrets unveiled: Thai-US Navy joint mission to salvage Sukhothai corvette
In a bid to lay to rest the haunting echoes of the past, Admiral Adung Phan-iam, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), declared today the impending joint operation with the US Navy to probe the depths where the Sukhothai corvette now rests. Sinking beneath the waves on that fateful December 19 night in 2022, the Sukhothai corvette became a…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Cambodia to discuss joint exploitation of hydrocarbon resources
Thailand and Cambodia consented to further dialogues concerning the mutual exploitation of the hydrocarbon resources in the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA), located in the Gulf of Thailand, a territory claimed by both nations. The matter was discussed during the recent meeting between Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Cambodian leader Hun Manet, as they aimed to enhance cooperation for the…
- Business News
Thailand urged to speed up joint gas project with Cambodia
Energy experts urged Thailand to accelerate discussions on a joint gas production endeavour with Cambodia in the overlapping claim area (OCA). The call comes in light of the global shift towards clean energy, which could pose challenges to new petroleum projects due to their contribution to carbon emissions. Despite its initiation in 2001, the OCA negotiations have yet to progress…
- Thailand News
Cambodian PM’s visit to Thailand aims to resolve maritime dispute
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to visit Thailand for a one-day official discussion on Wednesday, with a crucial focus on the protracted joint development of natural resources within the disputed maritime boundary shared by both nations. This was announced on Monday by both the Foreign Ministry and Government House. The visit, which is anticipated to include a meeting with…
- Thailand News
Eight year old wing-foiling prodigy aims for record-breaking 110-kilometre Gulf of Thailand journey
In a display of sheer talent and determination, an eight year old kid is set to embark on a groundbreaking journey across the Gulf of Thailand. Thailand’s wonder kid, Thanawat Promwaen, aka Shane from Pattaya, plans to cover an astonishing 110 kilometres, soaring from Pattaya to Pak Nam Pran near Hua Hin. If successful, Shane will etch his name in…
- Thailand News
Severe weather warning for 18 provinces in Thailand
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather warning today for 18 provinces spanning the north and south of the country. Heavy rains, strong winds, and hailstorms are expected, posing a potential danger to residents. The department advises people to avoid open areas and weakly constructed buildings. This weather forecast for the next 24 hours predicts another western…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Cambodia to resume talks over disputed Gulf region
February will see the reignition of talks between Thailand and Cambodia regarding a disputed region in the Gulf of Thailand, spanning 26,000 square kilometres. This area, rich in energy resources, is a matter of contention as both nations lay claim to it. Experts suggest that the discussions should primarily concentrate on the mutual development of energy resources in the Overlapping…
- Thailand News
Gulf of Thailand spill scare: 60,000 litres of crude oil, but Chon Buri coast unharmed
The upper Gulf of Thailand has experienced a crude oil spill of 60,000 litres, however, marine ecology along the coast of Chon Buri remains unscathed, as reported by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. Deputy Chief of the department, Apichai Ekvanakun, confirmed that the department’s teams had examined the coral reefs across five islands in the province. These islands…
- Business News
Chevron Thailand’s gas game-changer: Boosting domestic supply and breaking free from costly imports
Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production aims to boost domestic gas supply to reduce the Thai government’s reliance on costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, with plans to increase petroleum production in the Gulf of Thailand. The US-based company was granted a licence to explore and produce petroleum at Block G2/65, an area of 15,030 square kilometres in the gulf, under…
- Thailand News
New 135km canal to link Pasak River and Gulf, easing floods and droughts
The Royal Irrigation Department announced plans to construct a new canal that will connect the Pasak River to the Gulf of Thailand. The primary aim of this project is to alleviate flooding in the Central Plains basin during the rainy season and address water shortages during the dry season. Spanning 135 kilometres, the canal will originate in Tambon Roeng Rang, located…
- Thailand News
BJT’s ambitious plan to creating a ‘land bridge’ to boost economic growth in southern Thailand
The Bhumjaithai Party in Thailand vows to push forward with the development of a “land bridge” connecting the Andaman Sea with the Gulf of Thailand, which they believe will stimulate economic growth in the South. Itthidet Supong, spokesperson for Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, stated that Anutin is particularly keen on constructing an overland freight route, which is slated to link…
- Thailand News
Thailand set to cruise into marine tourism boom with revived project
Thailand’s Marine Department is set to revive the Cruise Terminal Development Project to cater for the growth in marine tourism. In 2018, Thailand ranked third globally for most cruise ship stopovers, with 581 ships stopping per year and 14% growth year on year. Despite this growth, the country lacks a legitimate standard cruise terminal. A department report showed that the…
- South Thailand News
Thailand boosts protection of dolphins in Songkhla Lake
There are as few as 14 Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake. The situation is so serious that the World Bank has become involved. Global dolphin experts recently met with local agencies at the World Bank office in Bangkok to come up with better ways to make sure the dolphins survive, and even flourish. The largest-ever convention of dolphin experts included…
- Things To Do
How to get around in Koh Samui
Getting around on the island of Koh Samui can be a bit different to other areas in Thailand. As the stunning island is full of idyllic beaches and nature, one of the most popular ways of touring the island is by motorbike. But, as Thailand’s roads are considered quite dangerous, it is perfectly fine to not want to get the…
- Environment News
Raise the Sukhothai – salvage companies to bid for 100-million-baht contract
Private salvage companies are being asked to bid to raise the Sukhothai, according to Royal Thai Navy (RTN) sources. HTMS Sukhothai, a corvette-class warship sank in the Gulf of Thailand about 20 nautical miles off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan province when it was capsized by 4-metre waves and strong winds. Officers are assessing the damage to the Sukhothai…
- Thailand News
Whale shark visits Thailand’s Koh Chang in rare sighting
A stunning four-metre-long whale shark visited a group of tourists on a snorkelling trip in the waters of Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand yesterday in an extremely rare sighting. Danai Unglo, the owner of Mister Khai Tour Company, said he was leading a group of 15 tourists to go snorkelling at Koh Klum island in Trat province’s Koh Chang…
- Thailand News
HTMS Sukhothai update: Thai navy confirms 22 dead, 7 missing
At 8.20am today, the body of a Thai navy sailor from the sunken HTMS Sukhothai was found on the coast of Koh Samet island, Chumphon province, southern Thailand. In a press release, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy Admiral Pokrong Monthatphalin said that 76 out of 105 crew members survived after the ship went down off the coast of Prachuap…
- Thailand News
Corpse wearing Royal Thai Navy shirt is a fisherman, not a HTMS Sukhothai sailor
The dead man wearing a Royal Thai Navy shirt found washed up on a beach in Songkhla province this morning was a fisherman and not a sailor from the HTMS Sukhothai, which sank in the Gulf of Thailand just over a week ago. Many thought the man may be one of the 11 HTMS Sukhothai sailors still missing. However, a…
- Thailand News
Body of tattooed man wearing Royal Thai Navy shirt washes up in southern Thailand
The body of an unidentified man wearing a Royal Thai Navy shirt washed up on a beach in Songkhla province in southern Thailand early this morning, reports KhaoSod. It is not yet confirmed whether the man is one of 11 sailors still missing from the HTMS Sukhothai, which sank off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan province just over one…
- Thailand News
Death toll of sunken Thai navy ship rises to 18, 11 sailors missing
The Royal Thai Navy recovered the bodies of three more missing HTMS Sukhothai sailors from the Gulf of Thailand yesterday, December 25, bringing the total death toll from the tragedy to 18, according to a navy spokesperson. Of the 105 crew members aboard the warship when it sank over a week ago, 76 have been rescued, 18 died and 11…
- Thailand News
Navy ship sinks in Thailand: ‘There weren’t enough life jackets on board’
In a race against time, the Royal Thai Navy continues their search today for missing crew members from the HTMS Sukhothai which sank off the coast of Thailand on Sunday night. So far, the navy’s HTMS Kraburi has brought ashore the bodies of six crew members found floating in the sea. The navy is still searching for 23 missing sailors.…
- Thailand News
Navy ship sinks in Gulf of Thailand: 77 rescued, 4 dead, 24 missing
UPDATE 4 In a press release this afternoon, the Royal Thai Navy reported the results of their continued search for missing sailors from the HTMS Sukhothai which sank in the Gulf of Thailand on Sunday. On Sunday night, 75 crew members were rescued from the sinking ship. Navy vessels have since found two more sailors alive in the Gulf of…
