Thailand
Stay updated with the latest news in Thailand, covering politics, economy, crime, and national developments.
- South Thailand News
Train hits car in Hat Yai
A driver has been injured after his car was hit by a train in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district yesterday morning (Wednesday). The Bangkok-Padang Bezar train hit the car at a rail crossing in Ban Lop Moom in Tambon Patong. The car driver, Aeb Meekaew, was critically injured and taken to the Hat Yai Hospital. The 58 year old train driver,…
- Thailand News
MP numbers being shuffled around in lead up to Thai election
Some of Thailand’s key political parties are set to see a significant reduction in MPs after new regulations were issued reducing the number of constituency candidates. For instance, Pheu Thai Party’s strongholds – the North and the Northeast – will lose 13 seats in Parliament, while the Democrat Party could lose six MPs, as the number of seats in the…
- Hua Hin News
Shark nets to be installed at Hua Hin beach tomorrow
Talk News is reporting that authorities in Hua Hin have finally decided who is responsible for installing a shark net at Sai Noi beach. This is the location where a Norweigan tourist was bitten in April this year. 54 year old Werner Danielsen (at the time of the attack) has since returned to Norway after amassing hundreds of thousands baht…
- Thailand News
Four year old mauled to death by escaped dogs
PHOTO MONTAGE: Thai Rath A four year old girl playing outside her house on a bicycle has been savagely mauled to death by three dogs that got out of a neighbour’s yard. The incident happened in Chaiyaphum province. But the dog owner could face only a small fine or a short jail term. Thai Rath report that when Chaiyaphum police arrived…
- Phuket News
Chinese tourists injured in Phuket minivan accident
PHOTOS: Sayan Thammaphan Three Chinese tourists have been injured after a minivan they were travelling in rear-ended an 18 wheeler truck in Chalong today (September 19). Rescue workers rushed to the scene of the accident on Chao Fa West Road near Nakok Intersection about noon. They arrived to find the minivan ploughed into the rear end of the 18 wheeler truck at the…
- Thailand News
Thai PM fires back at media over question of his political future
The Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha fired back at the media when pressed for an answer about his political future. The PM has said in recent months that he will make an announcement about his political future sometime “in September”. It is widely speculated that he will either join a supportive political party running in the election or make himself available…
- Health
Blood tests shows contamination with toxic farm chemicals
“Several farmers have visited Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital since late last month, seeking treatment for exposure to farm chemicals.” Traces of toxic chemicals have been detected in the blood of 1 in every 20 farmers in Nakhon Ratchasima. This is the result of tests across 132 villages in the Bua Yai district. The Bua Yai district’s public-health office arranged blood…
- Thailand News
Electric cars in Thailand move into the fast lane
by Jintana Panyaarvudh The Thai Government has a goal of getting 1.2 million electric vehicles on the road by 2036. The rising number of registered EVs, the development of a locally made EVs, as well as research and development of some EV parts are indications that it could have a major role in Thai society, said Amonrat Kaewpradap, a committee…
- South Thailand News
District in Thailand’s south declared Special Control Zones
Special report from Chularat Saengpassa – The Nation “We have no idea what will happen next. The soldiers have been keeping a close eye on people going in and out of the village.” Locals in parts of Pattani’s Nong Chik district now live in fear due to the strong military presence in their hometown. “We are scared and don’t want to…
- World News
Thai fined $6,000 for defaulting on Singapore national service obligations
by The Straits Times – Asia News Network PHOTO: Ong Wee Jin A Thai national, registered as a Singaporean when he was just a year old, but never lived in Singapore, has been fined S$6,000 for defaulting on his national service obligations in the Lion City. 24 year old Ekawit Tangtrakarn, an application engineer, committed the enlistment offence before he ceased…
- Chiang Mai News
Storms and strong winds hit Chiang Mai
A major road in Chiang Mai province has been blocked by fallen trees and power poles following strong winds and heavy rains today. Trees and power poles on the Chiang Mai-Fang road in Mae Taeng district were brought down at about 10am, officials said. Phairin Limcharoen, chief of the province’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, coordinated with the Provincial Electricity…
- Chiang Mai News
Tourists caught up in Chiang Mai karaoke bar overcharge ‘scam’
PHOTO: Daily News A Chinese tourist and three friends lodged an official complaint with the Chiang Mai police about the operators of a karaoke bar who allegedly overcharged them. They say they were ‘shocked’ after being presented with a bill for 14,000 baht. The incident on Monday night resulted in the men seeking police assistance after being handed the bill.…
- Northern Thailand News
Unsworth sues Musk over ‘pedo’ slur
The British cave expert who was part of the international rescue team helping to bring the 13 Mu Pa footballers out of the Tham Luang caves in July, has sued Tesla founder Elon Musk for calling him a “pedo guy” and a “child rapist”, amongst other insults in a series of Tweets.” The defamation suit has been filed in LA…
- Thai Life
70 per cent of Thais wear Buddhist amulets
There’s never been any evidence that they work as lucky charms but most Thais purchase and wear them, whether for faith, protection, luck or as gift, they’re ubiquitous in Thailand. More than 70 per cent of Thais wear Buddha amulets, according to a Suan Dusit Poll. The most popular amulets are those bearing the likeness of the monks Luang Pu…
- World News
Singapore #1, Thailand #6 – Asia’s most innovative nations
by DataLEADS/Asia News Network Singapore, South Korea and Japan are the most innovative countries in Asia whereas Pakistan and Bangladesh are the least innovative, according to the Global Innovation Index 2018 report. Thailand comes in number 6 out of the 17 ranked countries. The report analyses the energy innovation landscape of the next decade and identifies possible breakthroughs in fields…
- World News
More than 60 dead as Mangkhut continues into southern China
The world’s strongest tropical storm this year, Typhoon Mangkhut, continues its path of destruction across Southeast Asia, reaching mainland China yesterday (Sunday) after pummeling Hong Kong and killing dozens in the Philippines. The storm, originating in the Pacific Ocean and first hitting Guam and the Marshall Islands, has been deadly with its high power winds hitting rural communities in The…
- Thailand News
Elephant electrocuted in Samut Prakan
An elephant has been electrocuted while being led by its owner to beg on the streets of Samut Prakan after it accidentally fell into a road drain and broke a restaurant sign’s power cable. The Nation reports that the Bang Phli police were alerted at 9.50pm that an elephant had been shocked unconscious on Thepharak road in front of Wat…
- Thailand News
Another Army death raises questions over Military handling of hazing
PHOTO: Facebook/Boy Krungkao by Chularat Saengpassa – The Nation Weekend Hazing (US English) initiation ceremonies, (British English), bastardisation (Australian English), ragging (South Asia), or deposition, refers to the practice of rituals, challenges, and other activities involving, harassment, violence or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group including a new fraternity, sorority, team, or club. Another conscript…
- Thailand News
BREAKING: NCPO relaxes ban on political activities
The NCPO has announced that it will relax the political bans, restrictions and activities that had been issued since it took over the power four back in May 2014. The relaxation details that include allowing political parties to elect their executives have now been promulgated in the Royal Gazette. The junta, National Council for Peace and Order, used its absolute…
- Thailand News
Another beaten Thai Army private dies of injuries
PHOTO/VIDEO: Facebook/Rejecttime Yok Infantryman Khacha Pacha, hospitalised onAugust 21 after being beaten by three other soldiers at a Lop Buri Army camp, has died this morning. His pregnant wife confirmed the death on her Facebook page today (Friday). It included a photo of her hand grasping his as he lay in his hospital bed and the caption, “I know you are…
- Bangkok News
February 24 election date official – probably
PHOTO: A pro-election protest earlier this year. Looks like protesters’ demands are being answered – Kyodo News Put it in your calendar. As far as the Government’s main voices are concerned February 24 is THE date for the next Thai general election. Government leaders are reiterating that the national elections will be held on February 24, now that the last two…
- Bangkok News
Election between December 11 and May 9
The forecast for two typhoons is relatively easy and accurate to predict. Predicting the next Thai election, less so. Place your bets (except that gambling in Thailand is illegal). Thailand’s Election Commission has outlined a tentative time frame for the next election vote, starting from December 11, at the earliest, to May 9 next year, at the latest. The timeframe…
- World News
Mega storm bears down on Luzon Island, The Philippines
Two typhoons are barreling into several coastlines in the east and south-east Asia. There’s Typhoon Barijat, lying to the south of China and making its way past Hainan Island as we write this article. Around 12,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying parts of China’s Guangdong province and shipping halted ahead of it’s landfall tonight. But the main act is to follow…
- South Thailand News
Two rangers killed, four others injured in Pattani ambush
FILE PHOTO – The Nation Another attack in the deep south. Thai PBS reports that two para-military rangers have been killed and four others seriously wounded in an ambush by a group of armed men. The attack was followed by a gun fight in the Nong Chik district of Pattani late last night (Tuesday). Nong Chik police headed to the…
- Health
eSports – legitimate sport or teenage addiction problem?
PHOTO: China Daily The Thai Mental health department is urging the government to rethink any decision to recognise online gaming. Moves to officially recognise eSports (electronic gaming sports) could lead to children becoming addicted to online games, according to health experts. A Mental Health Department adviser Dr Yongyud Wongpiromsarn says the promotion of eSports would likely do more harm than good.…
- Thailand News
Record first seven months for tourist arrivals
by Thammarat Thadaphrom The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced visitor arrivals of about 22.65 million from January to July 2018, up by 11% compared to the same period of 2017. Estimated visitor expenditure rose by over 14% to 1.18 trillion baht. The top ten source markets of visitors to Thailand during the first seven months of 2018 were China,…
- Pattaya News
Drug and pool parties busted after residents complain about short-term villa rentals
PHOTOS: We Love Pattaya The Bang Lamung district chief has sent in police to check on complaints that pool villas in a Huay Yai estate were being rented on a daily basis for noisy parties. Ads for the properties owned by De Ville Group were on Facebook contravening hotel regulations. We Love Pattaya reports that a sting was conducted at one…
- Business News
Phuket has Golden future for its sister city
by Chongchit Buchanan Australia’s Gold Coast city and Phuket will sign a letter of intent to establish themselves as sister cities tomorrow (September 10). The intent of the agreement is to explore a stronger relationship between the two municipalities and create international business opportunities. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate will travel to Phuket to sign the agreement with his Phuket…
- Phuket News
Dams will cope with this weekend’s weather – Irrigation Department
The water regulation authorities say they’re ready for heavy rains forecast this weekend and the situation is under control. The National Water Resources Office and Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has confirmed that the authorities and the irrigation system were ready to receive large amounts of precipitation during the extraordinary wet period, which is affecting almost every part of the country.…
- Thailand News
Five Chinese ‘fraudsters’ arrested in scams valued around 17 billion baht
Special report by Khanathit Srihirundaj Five Chinese suspects in three separate fraud and loan shark cases, who obtained around 3.43 billion yuan (about 17.15 billion baht) from fellow Chinese victims and had fled to Thailand, have been arrested. Police say they will check ifthe suspects laundered money in Thailand before contacting the Chinese authorities about repatriation. In the first case,…
