News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
-
Sponsored Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
-
‘Big Joke’ stops to help Phuket hit and run victim
PHOTOS: Deputy Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn Deputy Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau based in Bangkok, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn, ordered his team to stop they convey of official vehicles to help a student who had been hit in Phuket Town this afternoon (Aug 3). Maj Gen Surachete reported that he saw the accident while he and…
-
Bangkok cat owner faces cruelty charges
WARNING: This story may be stressful for some readers The animal rights group Watchdog Thailand has filed a complaint with the police against a cat adopter for allegedly repeatedly abusing his pet by hanging it and beating it until it became “depressed”. Watchdog Thailand posted on Facebook that it has filed a complaint with Bueng Koom police, who had allowed…
-
Indian man assaulted and killed in Krabi
An Indian man was killed by another Indian citizen after he was assaulted by his co-worker’s wife while she was taking a bath yesterday (Aug 2) in Krabi. The reenactment held this morning was led by Khao Panom Police Chief Col Kajit Kongprab. The attacker was 25 year old Indian, Prakart Natarang, who is a staff member of a biomass…
-
The dog’s got to go! Mammoth vs Jao Bo.
PHOTO: Manager Online “Get the hell out of here! You accursed mutt!” A Chiang Mai estate resident has ramped up neighbourhood disputes to the next level. They’ve erected a huge vinyl sign to demand that the neighbour remove his dog that he says attacked his pet poodle. The dispute, besides the one between the neighbours, is between a poodle named…
-
Russia set to establish Consulate-General in Phuket
The Russian Federation is poised to open a Consulate-General in Phuket in response to the growing Russian expat community and consistent stream in Russian tourists coming to the island. Russian PM Dmitriy Medvedev signed the order last Saturday ratifying the new diplomatic mission on the island. There are no details in the letter about when the Consulate-General will open its doors…
-
200 members of Line app under investigation for procuring U18 boys for sex
More details have emerged about the identities and activities of members of a Line App group who have been allegedly preying on underage boys for sex. The commander of the anti human trafficking police says the tourist police are also involved in the investigations. Daily News is reporting that on Wednesday a Thai university lecturer and “hi-so man” were among several arrests…
-
Yingluck flies to Dubai – “Dubai flight was pre-planned”
“Yingluck reportedly flew from London on Wednesday, just a day after the media reported the Thai government’s extradition request to the UK government.” Former PM minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s flight from London to Dubai on Wednesday had nothing to do with the Thai government’s extradition request to the UK. This explanation from a Pheu Thai Party member yesterday. The flight was…
-
Couples posting obscene photos in Old Phuket Town to meet with police
Pictures of a couple in allegedly obscene photos taken in Old Phuket Town are to meet with police after their photos went viral in social media yesterday (Aug 2). A Thai facebook page which is translated as ‘Want to be famous; here we go’ yesterday shared photos of a Facebook user with message read ‘here we come, school cosplay. what…
-
Suspect in Sattahip double murder surrenders to Patong Police
One of the suspects in Sunday’s Sattahip double murder case has surrendered himself to Patong Police yesterday (Aug 2). Chonburi police have already taken the man back to Chonburi province for further questioning. Read more about the double execution-style murders in the car park of Buddha Mountain in Sattahip HERE. The Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen says, “At about…
-
7,000 pirated items seized in Samui sting
Thailand’s favourite neighbourhood crime buster, Big Joke and his tourist police taskforce, have been working the markets of Koh Samui – the distribution network selling pirated goods on the island. Pol Maj Gen Surachet Hakpal says he was following orders from PM Prayut Chan-ocha to stamp out piracy. The deputy head of the tourist police was pictured on the Tourist Police…
-
Tuk Tuk rally on August 18-19 with an Ayutthaya period costume twist
The Ayutthaya provincial administration is holding a tuk tuk rally on August 18 and 19 to promote tourism to the historical site. Ayutthaya governor Sujin Chaiyachumsak said up to 250 teams of contestants can take part in the rally, for which the application fee is 1,000 baht. At least one member of the team must be dressed in an Ayutthaya…
-
Human trafficking, especially prostitution, still rife in Thailand – New report
The Nation is reporting that human trafficking remains a serious issue in Thailand despite years of efforts to tackle the problem by the military government. A report released yesterday by rights groups. The report by Human Rights and Development Foundation (HRDF) and Anti-Labour Trafficking Project (ALT), focusing on the situation in 2016 and 2017, says that cases of labour trafficking…
-
Mekong breaks its banks flooding seven Thai provinces
Persistent heavy rain and the overflow of water from the Mekong River and its tributaries has caused severe flooding in seven provinces in the north-east, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chayapol Thitisak said this morning (Thursday). The seven provinces are Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Bung Kan, Sakon Nakhon and Roi-et are all under flood-alert after the…
-
Korat dog gets shot with an arrow
A poor dog in Korat had a bad day earlier but it ended up a better day thanks to some good Samaritans. The stray dog in Nakhon Ratchasima underwent emergency treatment this morning (Thursday) after it was found crying in agony with a fish-hunting arrow embedded in its side. 51 year old Natthawut Chuckling heard the dog in distress and…
-
Man arrested after picking up drugs at Phuket Bus Terminal
The Phuket City Police have arrested a man who was picking up drugs delivered to the old bus terminal in Phuket Town yesterday (Aug 1). A team of the Phuket City Police led by Capt Teerasak Narasri arrested 25 year old Kanokpon ‘Pop’ Sripiboon from Songkhla at the bus terminal (Bus Terminal 1) on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town. Police seized 4.36 grams of crystal methamphetamine.…
-
VIDEO: Four escape serious injury in dramatic Phuket three vehicle collision
Four men have been injured after three vehicles were involved in a collision on Thepkrasattri Road in Rassada his morning (Aug 2). Kusoldarm rescue workers were notified of the incident at 6.28am today on Thepkrasattri Road, northbound lane, near the SuperCheap main store in Rassada. The four people injured include the driver of the white pick-up, 28 year old Kittithorn…
-
Australian travel media coming to BKK for annual conference
Thailand is hosting the AGM of the Australian Society of Travel Writers From August 16-19 , 2018. The ASTW has already held its AGM twice in Thailand (1999 and 2009). A total of 113 ASTW members have registered, to date, including writers, photographers, editors, bloggers, influencers, public relations officers, and representatives of various hotel groups and national tourism boards. The…
-
The Thai internal security command steps in to take over marine safety in Phuket
PHOTOS: Government Public Relations Department, Phuket Branch. The Thai military’s Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), is now taking over the overhaul of boat safety for Phuket in the wake of the July 6 tragedy when 47 Chinese tourists died after their tour boat sank off Phuket. The Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the political attaché of the…
-
Up to 1000 foreign volunteers affected by Chiang Mai immigration work permit stand-off
The head of two foundations in Chiang Mai has revealed to ThaiVisa that a stand-off between the new head of the Chiang Mai labor office and the city’s immigration department is causing trouble for up to a thousand foreigners who are volunteering at charities around the province. Our source – who has asked not to be named – said that…
-
“If you resist arrest, you will be shot” – Chonburi police chief
PHOTOS: THAI Rath When we find you, and if you resist arrest, you will be shot.” Thai Rath is reporting that the head of the Chonburi police force has some strong words for the alleged Phuket-based mastermind behind the slaying of the the Buddha Mountain couple over the weekend. Speaking after a re-enactment of the movement of the couple before…
-
Officials file report about land encroachment on Naka Noi Island
Forest Department officers and soldiers yesterday (Aug 1) filed a report to police about alleged land encroachment on Naka Noi Island which is located next to Thai actor Puri Hiranpruk’s land plot. Yesterday, officers investigated the land plot on Naka Noi Island. The investigation came after they were notified about 10 men carrying construction equipment to the land area. They…
-
Khao San Road vendors defy BMA’s ban on sidewalk trading
By Kornwaree Panyasuppakun “We will open and close our footpath stalls at the regular time.” Bangkok’s Khao San Road street vendors are defying the BMA’s ban on footpath stalls. City Hall has decided that the footpaths must be ‘returned to the people’ and that market traders are going to have to restrict their sales from 6pm – midnight, instead of…
-
Villager headman dies in Krabi road accident, six injured
A Nakhon Si Thammarat village headman has died in a road accident in Krabi after heading from Phuket to Nakhon Si Thammarat. Krabi City Police were notified of the accident on Phet Kasem Road near the Macro store in Sai Thai at 7.30pm on Monday night. Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a damaged pickup truck…
-
Khao San Road vendors openly defy the new pavement ban
PHOTOS: The Nation Vendors on Khao San road, Bangkok’s popular back-packer magnet and tourist trap, are openly defying the BMA ban on sidewalk vendors and markets. Officials of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said they wanted to impose order in the area which for years has been occupied by vendors who ply their trade on both side of the roads, blocking…
-
The Miss Universe pageant returns to Thailand this December
PHOTO: Tanachai Pramarnpanich Dust off the tiaras and sashes and try and contain your excitement! Miss Universe 2018 will be held in Thailand in December. This is the third time that Thailand will host the beauty contest. The Miss Universe Organisation president Paula Shugart and Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters were present at a media conference in Bangkok yesterday. Former…
-
49 offenders escape electronic monitoring devices since March 1
By Kesinee Tangkhieo Electronic monitoring devices are another way to keep people out of jail but still limited in their freedoms. But they’re not 100% effective as a survey of the Thai Court of Justice found. The electronic monitoring (EM) devices on 49 of the 1,800 offenders ordered to wear them while freed on bail were found to have been…
-
Deadly link: Puppy factories and rabies
(12 minute read) A media release from soidog.org The panic over rabies that erupted at the beginning of this year seems to have died down. Fourteen people have died; dozens of dogs were poisoned and thousands more died after being incarcerated in government pounds as officials across the country stumbled to stamp out the spread of the disease. Yet absolutely nothing…
-
Event Round-Up with The Sponsorship Experts – August 2018
by Paul Poole The running craze continues in August with races held throughout the country. The month starts off with Bangkok Airways Phuket Marathon 2018 on August 5 where runners can choose between three distances, 21, 10 and five kilometres, and CIMB Thai Triathlon for ASEAN Day 2018, also on August 5. Perfect for beginners, the event allows participants to…
-
Enthusiastic Pattaya media claim “Happy tourists visited in droves over the long weekend.”
But where were they? Manager Online appears to have been ‘encouraged’ to write a nice puff piece about the return of the tourists to the sands of Pattaya. “Happy tourists visited in droves over the long weekend.” But evidence was thin on the ground. The Manager photographer seemed to have arrived a day late. There appeared to be one foreigner sunbathing…
-
Greedy Nakhon Ratchasima Facebookers get scammed out of 1 million baht
Beware the scammers who are now diversifying onto social media in order to con their prey. Same old tricks just new platforms. This time ten Facebook users in Nakhon Ratchasima. The ten have filed a complaint with police this morning (Wednesday), claiming they had handed over about one million baht to a woman who had promised high yields (of course)…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.