Gulf of Thailand

  • Thailand NewsNavy ship sinks in Gulf of Thailand: 77 rescued, 4 dead, 24 missing

    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…

  • Thailand NewsNavy rescues 1 sailor from Gulf of Thailand, 30 still missing

    Navy rescues 1 sailor from Gulf of Thailand, 30 still missing

    UPDATE 3 Last night, the Royal Thai Navy rescued one missing sailor – Chief Petty Officer Natee Timdee – found floating in the Gulf of Thailand. Natee was unconscious when he was found but his condition is now “safe.” The navy reports that 30 sailors are still missing. At 8:45pm, the HTMS Kraburi docked at Prachuap Pier after patrolling the…

  • Thailand NewsBody and 9 sailors found alive by oil tanker are not from HTMS Sukhothai, says navy

    Body and 9 sailors found alive by oil tanker are not from HTMS Sukhothai, says navy

    UPDATE 2 The Royal Thai Navy says the nine sailors found alive and one dead body discovered by an oil tanker in the Gulf of Thailand are not crew members from the HTMS Sukhothai which sank off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan province last night as widely reported in Thai media. At least four boats sank in Thailand’s waters…

  • Thailand NewsNavy ship sinks in the Gulf of Thailand, 84 rescued, 1 dead, 21 missing

    Navy ship sinks in the Gulf of Thailand, 84 rescued, 1 dead, 21 missing

    False information in this story has been updated. In total, 84 members of the Royal Thai Navy have been rescued from the Gulf of Thailand after the HTMS Sukhothai navy vessel sank to the bottom of the sea last night amid rough conditions. One body has been recovered and 21 crew members are still missing. As of noon today, the…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesHeavy rains close Gulf ferries, Surin Islands for 2 days

    Heavy rains close Gulf ferries, Surin Islands for 2 days

    Heavy rains, high winds and thunderstorms have ferries cancelled and areas closing down for the next few days in the south of Thailand. In the Gulf of Thailand, all ferry services between the mainland and Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao have been suspended for two days. On the Andaman Sea, the national park on the Surin Islands has…

  • Environment NewsThree rare cetaceans sighted in Gulf of Thailand

    Three rare cetaceans sighted in Gulf of Thailand

    Three rare species of cetacean (whales and dolphins) have been sighted by members of the Marine and Coastal Resources Department trawling the Gulf of Thailand. Scientists were surveying waters along Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, and Phetchaburi last week when they observed an Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) at the mouth of Tha Chin River in Samut Sakhon and near the coast…

  • Environment NewsTerraCycle crusade to rid Bangkok canals of plastic goes on

    TerraCycle crusade to rid Bangkok canals of plastic goes on

    The TerraCycle Global Foundation’s crusade to rid Bangkok canals of waste goes on. The US New Jersey-based non-profit organization believes it is winning the battle to remove toxic waste and plastic from the Thai capital’s polluted canals but admits the fight continues. Thailand has been identified as one of the top contributors to plastic pollution in the oceans. The kingdom’s…

  • Hot NewsMore heavy rain to continue today in 62 of Thailand’s provinces

    More heavy rain to continue today in 62 of Thailand’s provinces

    More heavy rain is in today’s forecast for 62 of the 72 Thai provinces. The Meteorological Department warned civilians in these provinces, which include Bangkok, to brace for torrential rain. According to the forecast, a monsoon trough is moving its way down the lower northern region of the country and the upper Central Plains over the next day. A moderate southwesterly…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesPrepare for rain and floods in Thailand (again)

    Prepare for rain and floods in Thailand (again)

    Thailand’s wet season is still alive and well. From tomorrow, May 27, until May 31 (Tuesday), expect heavy to very heavy rains in the country’s northeast, central, east, and southern regions. The current Monsoon in Thailand’s southwest is expected to get stronger. As has been the case in Thailand for the past month, expect strong winds and high waves in…

  • Pattaya NewsPolice arrest alleged Sri Racha drug dealer with gun, Chon Buri

    Police arrest alleged Sri Racha drug dealer with gun, Chon Buri

    Yesterday, police arrested an alleged drug dealer in Sri Racha, Chon Buri. According to reporters at The Pattaya News, the alleged dealer had 92 amphetamine pills and 10.8 grams of crystal meth, along with a gun and six bullets. The alleged dealer reportedly confessed that all the illegal substances and weapons belonged to him. Two suspected female addicts were with…

  • Eastern Thailand NewsGas pipe falls on Rayong construction worker, kills him

    Gas pipe falls on Rayong construction worker, kills him

    A gas pipe fell on a construction worker in Rayong yesterday, killing him. A backhoe that was supposed to lift the pipe couldn’t handle the pipe’s weight, and the pipe fell into a ditch where three workers were connecting gas pipes. Two workers managed to jump out and narrowly escape, while one did not. The pipe fell on him, and…

  • Environment NewsAfter pipeline spills, Rayong officials say beach is “still unsafe”

    After pipeline spills, Rayong officials say beach is “still unsafe”

    After 3 separate oil spills from the same company within a month, Rayong officials say the Mae Ramphueng beach is still unsafe. Health officials tested urine samples of officials who had to collect the oil. Out of 534 officials, 3 showed unsafe levels of volatile compounds. 18 other officials still await their results. The Rayong Pollution Control Centre also said…

  • Environment NewsOil-affected Rayong beach will host Valentine’s Day event to celebrate reopening

    Oil-affected Rayong beach will host Valentine’s Day event to celebrate reopening

    Love will conquer all, including an oil spill off the Thai coastline. The Rayong beach where oil reached its shores last month will host a Valentine’s Day event called “Rayong in Love” to celebrate the beach’s reopening. The event at Mae Ram Phueng Beach will start on Saturday, February 12, and end on Monday, February 14. The Rayong governor said…

  • Covid-19 NewsKoh Chang national park closed due to Covid-19, but island remains open

    Koh Chang national park closed due to Covid-19, but island remains open

    The popular tourist destination of Mu Koh Chang, on the Gulf of Thailand’s eastern seaboard, has been partially-closed, as a result of Covid-19. Officials have decided to close camp sites and other tourism facilities in the national park. However, the remainder of the island remains open to visitors. According to a Thai PBS World report, there had been some initial…

  • Transport NewsTransport Ministry says Thai land bridge will become transit port to rival Hong Kong

    Transport Ministry says Thai land bridge will become transit port to rival Hong Kong

    The transport minister is feeling optimistic about a new land bridge development which will connect the southern provinces of Ranong and Chumphon. The Bangkok Post reports that the project will link Chumphon, on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, to Ranong, on the Andaman Sea. Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob says the result will be a transit port with…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesFlooding rains hamper Koh Samui for 2 days

    Flooding rains hamper Koh Samui for 2 days

    The rain has stopped in Koh Samui… For a few minutes. On the island, there has been at least a drizzle nonstop for the past 2 days, with fits of torrential downpour pelting anyone who braves the weather.A popular Facebook group, Thunder Road Reporters, is a community group that members snap photos and post live updates of road conditions they…

  • Pattaya News18 arrested at Bang Lamung birthday party, ecstasy seized

    18 arrested at Bang Lamung birthday party, ecstasy seized

    Police in Bang Lamung, a district in Chon Buri, have arrested 18 people yesterday at a birthday party. The raid, which made it a surprise birthday party in a way, happened at 11 pm at a home in the Nong Pla Yen sub-district. Police were alerted to the birthday party from a concerned citizen who was reportedly afraid the party…

  • Thailand NewsForeigner killed in Chon Buri car accident, other driver skedaddles

    Foreigner killed in Chon Buri car accident, other driver skedaddles

    Last night, an unnamed foreign driver died after his sedan hit what officials believe was a trailer truck in Chon Buri, which sits on the Gulf of Thailand. When police arrived, the other vehicle was no longer present at the scene. Police and emergency responders were alerted to the accident at 10:30 pm at Motorway 7 in Nongprue. When they…

  • Koh Samui NewsSlow start for “Samui Plus” reopening, only 33 seats booked for this month

    Slow start for “Samui Plus” reopening, only 33 seats booked for this month

    While the “Samui Plus” reopening plan is set to start tomorrow, it might be more of a “soft” reopening. Only 33 airline seats are booked for this month and tourism officials say it will be a few months before the islands see an influx of international arrivals. Similar to the “Phuket Sandbox,” the scheme allows the trio of islands in…

  • Covid-19 NewsKoh Samet marks 100% success rate in vaccinating target group

    Koh Samet marks 100% success rate in vaccinating target group

    Koh Samet, in the eastern province of Rayong, has been hailed by the Public Health Ministry after achieving a 100% success rate in vaccinating the target group on the island. Everyone living on the island, including locals, foreign workers, and officials working in the national park, have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine – 1,800 people in total.…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesThai Meteorological Dept. warns northern Thailand of severe storms through May 7

    Thai Meteorological Dept. warns northern Thailand of severe storms through May 7

    The Thailand Meteorological Department says severe storms, especially in the north, will be present through May 7. The announcement detailed the forecast with gusty winds and hail being included in the conditions due to a high pressure system from China. It also warned residents to stay away from big trees, unsecured buildings, large billboards, and outdoor places in general. Farmers…

  • Tourism NewsHas the full moon set on Koh Pha Ngan’s Full Moon Party?

    Has the full moon set on Koh Pha Ngan’s Full Moon Party?

    A full moon used to mean a full beach of party-goers along the Haad Rin strip on Thailand’s Koh Pha Ngan. But it hasn’t been like that for a year now as the Gulf of Thailand island waits out the restrictions and border closures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The crowds of backpackers and revellers aren’t flocking to the monthly…

  • Environment News2 more Bryde’s whales seen off Koh Samui in marine park

    2 more Bryde’s whales seen off Koh Samui in marine park

    2 more Bryde’s whales are gracing the waters off Koh Samui, after tourists spotted the marine mammals in Ang Thong National Marine Park. Wichwut Jinto, the provincial governor says park officials heard about the sightings and went out to confirm them. The whales were swimming near the islands of Hanuman, Thai Plao, Hin Dap, Wua Kantang and Sam Sao. Wichawut…

  • Transport NewsTransport Ministry to decide location of new southern land bridge by June

    Transport Ministry to decide location of new southern land bridge by June

    Thailand’s Transport Minister says the location of the much-discussed southern land bridge will be confirmed by June. Saksayam Chidchob says the bridge will provide a more convenient option for shipping goods between the Middle East and the Pacific region. According to a Bangkok Post report, the government is reviewing various locations in the province of Chumphon on the Gulf of…

  • Koh Samui NewsBlackout on Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan after navy ship anchor damages underwater cable

    Blackout on Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan after navy ship anchor damages underwater cable

    A widespread blackout swept over Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan after a Thai navy ship anchor dropped on an underwater cable which supplies power to the islands in the Gulf of Thailand off the Surat Thani coast. The 115kv cable runs from Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Khanom district to Koh Samui. The anchor damaged the cable about 2 kilometres out…

  • Koh Samui NewsKoh Samui to start Covid-19 vaccinations early next month

    Koh Samui to start Covid-19 vaccinations early next month

    Covid-19 vaccinations on Koh Samui will start early next month with 2,500 doses planned to be given to 1,250 people on the island, according to Surat Thani governor Wichawut Jinto. Island authorities are also proposing that foreign visitors be allowed to quarantine on their yacht, at a villa hotel or at a wellness centre. The tourist island off the coast…

  • Visa InformationThe Koh Pha Ngan party kept rolling at the local police station

    The Koh Pha Ngan party kept rolling at the local police station

    Police have arrested 89 foreigners on the Gulf island of Koh Pha Ngan, breaking any number of laws related to the emergency decree about crowds, mask wearing and current restrictions. They raided a party at the ThreeSixtyBar. 22 Thais were also detained in the raid on Tuesday night after the well-publicised event attracted plenty of local party-goers. Koh Pha Ngan is…

  • Thai LifeTracking down “The Beach” – the inspiration for the 2000 Hollywood movie

    Tracking down “The Beach” – the inspiration for the 2000 Hollywood movie

    Tourists flocked to Maya Bay, you know ‘The Beach’ featured in the 2000 movie starring Leonardo de Caprio and directed by Danny Boyle. Since 2000, the tourist magnet on Koh Phi Phi Ley became a Mecca for the back-packer crowd followed by a mass tourist flock, bringing some 5,000+ tourists to the small bay every day at its peak. In…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesIsolated heavy showers forecast, but rainfall set to ease overall

    Isolated heavy showers forecast, but rainfall set to ease overall

    Heavy wet season rainfall is taking its toll on 25 provinces around the country, with flash flooding and landslides affecting over 25,000 homes. 11 provinces are thought to be the worst-affected, as they continue to battle heavy flooding. They are Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Ratchasima, in the north-east of the country, Sa Kaeo in the east, the central provinces of…

  • Thailand NewsThe Pattaya to Hua Hin bridge. Government discusses 900 billion baht investment.

    The Pattaya to Hua Hin bridge. Government discusses 900 billion baht investment.

    The government is looking into a so-called “Thai Bridge” that would connect Pattaya to Hua Hin, an estimated 900 billion baht investment. The project would be part of the Eastern Economic Corridor development plan aimed at improving the transportation and infrastructure in Thailand. The 900 billion baht investment is expected to take 10 years to financially implement, according to chairperson…