Thailand
- Thailand News
BREAKING NEWS: Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra granted royal pardon, sentence reduced to 1 year
Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted a royal pardon, effectively reducing his punishment to a one-year sentence. According to the announcement published in the Royal Gazette this afternoon, King Rama X extended royal clemency to the 74 year old Thaksin, slashing his previous sentence of seven years, eleven months, and 20 days down to one year. The royal…
- Thailand News
karma: Jealous husband’s fiery act backfires, leaving him scorched
If karma indeed exists, it enacted a merciless retribution upon a Thai man who, consumed by jealousy over his ex-wife’s new romance, set fire to her and her mother. The Thai man ended up suffering severe burns all over his body during the arson attack on his former spouse. This harrowing incident unfolded in the early hours of yesterday when…
- Thailand News
A woman looking for calm on meditation retreat finds chaos after abbot sexually harassed her
A 20 year old Thai woman announced yesterday that an abbot sexually harassed her at a temple in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat while on a meditation retreat. The abbot denied the allegations and accused the woman of blackmailing him for money. The woman recounted the incident with Channel 7 yesterday. She asserted that the abbot subjected her…
- Thailand News
Woman with Alzheimer’s lives with husband’s dead body for 4 days
A 76 year old woman with Alzheimer’s was found in the company of her 86 year old husband who had been lying dead for four days at their house in the northeastern province of Bueng Kan. The old woman was unaware he was dead. It wasn’t until a friend took food to the couple’s house yesterday that they discovered the…
- Thailand News
Durian drama: Police officer pays price for nose-y altercation with vendor
A police officer agreed to pay 140,000 baht in compensation to a female durian vendor after the two engaged in a physical altercation where the cop broke the vendor’s plastic nose. The dispute was ignited by an outstanding debt of 350 baht for the durian. The durian vendor, 27 year old Tittaya Boonpamee, shared footage of the altercation from a…
- Thailand News
Beach warning: Venomous blue dragon sea slug spotted in Phuket
A marine scientist issued a warning to bathers to be aware of a venomous blue dragon sea slug that washed up on Karon Beach in Phuket this week due to the recent strong winds and sea weave. The Monsoongabage Thailand Facebook page shared pictures and videos of the blue dragon sea slug today and urged a marine scientist and lecturer…
- Thailand News
4 Thai men remain at large after raping 16 year old girl in northern Thailand
A 14 year old girl and her mother are seeking justice after four men involved in the rape of the teenager remain at large despite the brutal incident taking place in April in northern Thailand. Huay Talang Police Station officers have been accused of ignoring the case, while the girl’s school has been charged with hiding the truth from the…
- Thailand News
Teen’s high-speed trade: Wheels and pills confiscated as young drug dealer arrested
Police arrested a 16 year old drug dealer in the central province of Ratchaburi on Tuesday, seizing a pickup, four motorcycles, and a cache of drugs, including heroin, ecstasy, ketamine, amphetamine, and crystal meth. Baan Pong Police Station organised a press conference to report the successful arrest of the teenage drug dealer, Jor, at his house in the Nong Pla…
- Thailand News
Architect’s ‘dirty’ pledge: Faeces target as Pheu Thai Party’s political coalition stirs surprise
Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag has turned an unusual promise into a reality, offering himself as a target for faeces-throwing after the Pheu Thai Party forged an unexpected coalition with the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Duangrit is a member of Creative Action for Revival & People Empowerment (CARE), a group associated with the Pheu Thai Party led by Deputy Leader Phumtham…
- Thailand News
Son of former soldier arrested for alleged murder of his friend
The son of a former soldier was arrested yesterday after he allegedly murdered his friend and hid the corpse in a forest near some soldier’s premises in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The suspect was previously arrested and jailed in 2016 for murdering a security guard at an entertainment venue. The victim, identified as 32 year old Ratchapon Chaincharn, had…
- Thailand News
First cases of Omicron sub-variant HK.3 discovered in Thailand
Thailand has reported its first instances of the Omicron sub-variant HK.3, as disclosed by the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS). The new strain of Covid-19 has been detected in two family members, whose health conditions remain unconfirmed by the DMS in terms of transmission speed and severity compared to previous strains. The DMS head, Dr Supakit Sirilak, illuminated the situation,…
- Thailand News
Earthworm spa trend raises health concerns: Expert digs into risks
A health expert raised concerns regarding the growing popularity of an earthworm spa, citing potential risks of contamination within the body’s system. The earthworm spa went viral on a Thai social media platform recently. It was said that placing the earthworms on different parts of the skin provided several health benefits, such as making the body relax and increasing the…
- Thailand News
American-Filipino man murdered for drawing swastika on friend’s forehead
A half Thai half Filipino man murdered his half American half Filipino friend after he allegedly drew a Nazi Party swastika sign on his forehead in Bangkok. The incident occurred on Monday, August 28 in front of No. 70 in Soi Lat Phrao 122 in the Wang Thong Lang district of Bangkok. Officers from Wang Thong Lang Police Station were…
- Thailand News
13 Vietnamese men arrested in Pattaya for operating gambling website
The Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) arrested 13 Vietnamese suspects operating a gambling website based in Pattaya. The gang was circulating 300,000 baht daily within their illicit operations. This arrest came in the wake of a theft incident involving a Vietnamese victim on August 21. IDMB officers diligently traced the Vietnamese suspects, ultimately revealing their involvement in…
- Thailand News
Thai woman finds lifeless body of South Korean boyfriend at condo in Pattaya
A Thai woman made the distressing discovery of her South Korean boyfriend hanging from an air conditioner in their shared condominium in Pattaya after he committed suicide. The woman, 25 year old Nattamon Sarabut, reported the harrowing incident to Meaung Pattaya Police Station at 4am today that her 37 year old South Korean boyfriend, Daesik Kim, took his own life. Upon…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s expressway authority digs into land values with market survey
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) initiated a market survey concerning its plots of land located under and close to its elevated expressways. These 17 regions, which include prime business districts in Bangkok such as Silom, Phloenchit, Wacharaphon, and Asok, show significant potential for commercial EXAT land development. The survey aims to gather the perspectives of potential private investors, which…
- Thailand News
Fishy business busted: Thai woman nabbed selling sanctuary-seized aquatic treasures
A 49 year old woman was caught red–handed selling aquatic animals captured from a sanctuary area in Rayong province. The incident took place at around 3pm yesterday at Wat Khod Thim Tharam, in the city of Rayong. The woman, named Aun, was spotted by Suwat, a local temple boy, while she was capturing aquatic animals from the sanctuary. Despite being…
- Pattaya News
Thailand’s September sizzle: Festivals, art, sports, and much more
A vibrant array of festivals and events await visitors in Thailand this September. The calendar is packed with religious festivities, art and craft exhibitions, and a variety of sports events. Among these, the Tenth Lunar Month Festival, Ko Lae Boat Racing, Long-boat Racing, Cross-Region Travel Fair, and several marathons and half marathons stand out as key events, promising an exciting…
- Business News
Sand and smiles: Nearly 18 million tourists make waves in Thailand this year
With the close of this year on the horizon, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry reported that almost 18 million overseas tourists have laid a beach towel in the Land of Smiles. Thailand, which heavily leans on tourism as a significant economic pillar, is setting its sights on welcoming around 28 million visitors by the end of the year. The statistics…
- Thailand News
Shaken, not stirred: Thai elephant Play Pepsi survives brutal training with no serious injuries
A Thai elephant named Play Pepsi, which was recently subjected to brutal training methods is not seriously injured said examining veterinarians. The owner, who paid 1.5 million baht for the elephant, is willing to sell it to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for a fair price. The case came to light when the Watchdog Thailand Foundation…
- Business News
Thailand’s Q2 economic recovery slows, full-year 2023 growth forecast revised
Thailand’s second quarter of 2023 saw a slowdown in economic recovery, with GDP growth falling from 2.6% year-on-year in the first quarter to 1.8%, as reported by the National Economic and Social Development Council on August 21. The figures fell significantly short of consensus estimates of 3.1% and growth projections of 2.9%. The economy’s quarter-on-quarter growth was a mere 0.2%,…
- Business News
Thailand’s household debt soars as auto loans and cooperative debts spike
The secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) issued a warning over the steady increase in Thailand‘s household debt. The critical areas requiring stringent monitoring were identified as auto loans and debt originating from savings cooperatives. During a press conference outlining the nation’s social outlook for the second quarter of 2023, Danucha Pichayanan revealed that household debt…
- Thailand News
Junkie escapes arrest after filming neighbour take a shower, also confesses to selling porn videos of wife
A junkie with a porn habit managed to escape arrest after secretly filming a neighbour in her bathroom. It was later discovered that the sex and drug addict secretly sold pornographic videos of his wife on social media for only 20 baht per video. A 52 year old woman named Sumalee filed a complaint at Kabin Buri Police Station in…
- Thailand News
Mysterious Mother Wrapped in Fig statue draws lottery hopefuls to Kamphaeng Phet
A century-old fig tree has become a sensation as villagers discovered a female statue, referred to as Mother Wrapped in Fig, entwined in its roots in Wat Charoen Suk, Klong Lan District, Kamphaeng Phet. The statue, which appears to be dressed in silk-like clothing and adorned with a crown, attracted over 60 villagers, who arrive daily to pay respects and…
- Thailand News
Zika outbreak: Warning for pregnant women as cases spike and concerns grow in Thailand
A surge in Zika virus cases sparked a warning from the Department of Disease Control (DDC). In the last month, 266 cases were reported. Pregnant women are at risk, as the virus can cause babies to be born with microcephaly, a result of underdeveloped brains. The DDC made the announcement yesterday, August 27. The monsoon season, with its frequent rain,…
- Thailand News
Ring of legends: Buakaw and Saenchai to face off in unique BKFC Thai boxing match
Legendary Thai boxers and best friends Sombat “Buakaw” Banchamek and Supachai “Saenchai” Saepong are set to step into the ring under a special rule for the 5th Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) Thailand – Legend of Siam. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 4, at Royal Cliff Hotel Group in Pattaya. BKFC ASIA officially announced that…
- Thailand News
VAT’s next? Thailand mulls talks amid dismissals over potential increase
The Thai administration yesterday dismissed the possibility of increasing the value–added tax (VAT) from 7% to 10%. Despite this official stance, talks have been initiated around this proposal, attributing the potential increment to the requirement for additional funding to cater to the escalating needs of the country’s ageing populace. From the Office of Fiscal Economy, Pornchai Thiravej, the director, shed…
- Thailand News
Gun-grab getaway: Daring Thai man captured after snatching police officer’s gun
Provincial Police Region 6 officers finally arrested a Thai man yesterday after he snatched a gun from a police officer in the northern province of Uttaradit and escaped on a stolen motorcycle. Traffic police officer Chitipun Kunnarmang was on duty Friday, August 25 on the Boroma-as Road when he spotted a Thai man, later identified as 40 year old Pitsanupanya…
- Cannabis News
Thai network petitions for home-grown cannabis and 5-year import ban
The Cannabis Future Network in Thailand is gathering signatures for a petition, aiming to accumulate 10,000 names to urge parliament to continue its reading of the Cannabis-Hemp Act. This legislation, if passed, would permit citizens to cultivate marijuana at home and prohibit the importation of cannabis products for half a decade. Prasitchai Nunual, the head of the network, yesterday stated…
- Business News
Siriraj Hospital partners with Cariva to bolster Thailand’s medical AI ecosystem
Siriraj Hospital‘s Faculty of Medicine, under Mahidol University, is partnering with local artificial intelligence (AI) start-up, Cariva (Thailand), to utilise AI technology in enhancing medical treatment and developing innovative medical products and services. This collaboration is aimed at solidifying Thailand’s reputation as a medical hub and facilitating the export of AI-driven healthcare innovations to the Asia-Pacific region. Dr Apichat Asavamongkolkul,…