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Thai economy threatened by migrant worker shortage amid rising costs
Thailand’s government faces growing pressure to tackle a migrant worker shortage that is compounding economic difficulties driven by high energy costs and threatening key industries, a business group warned on Friday. The Thai Chamber of Commerce called on the government to speed up work permit renewals, particularly for Cambodian workers, to prevent them losing their legal status. The move is…
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‘Oreo Gang’ member denies drunk driving after crash injures Bangkok cop
A 20 year old student has admitted to being a member of the ‘Oreo Gang’ after a white Mitsubishi Xpander struck a police officer at an alcohol checkpoint in Bangkok. He denies consuming alcohol before the crash on May 22. The incident took place at around 1.30am on Bang Na-Trat Road, where 59 year old Police Lieutenant Colonel Taran Piromjitjaroen…
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Makkasan crash lays bare decades of rail neglect
A train slammed into an air-conditioned bus at the Makkasan railway crossing on Asok-Din Daeng Road, killing eight people and injuring 32 others. The crash has raised serious questions about Thailand’s rail safety standards and the many level crossings that continue to pose risks nationwide. Police investigations point to several contributing factors. The train driver was found to be impaired…
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Thai weather warning: heavy rain and flash floods in 36 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a weather warning for 36 provinces today, cautioning residents of heavy rainfall affecting 60% of areas, including Bangkok and its vicinity. Flash floods and forest runoff are the main concerns. The warnings are driven by a moderate southwest monsoon covering the upper Andaman Sea and Thailand, combined with southern and southeastern winds drawing moisture…
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Phuket locals demand investigation into foreign woman in police uniform
Residents in Phuket are calling for an investigation after a foreign woman shared photos and videos online showing herself wearing clothing resembling a Thai police uniform. The Phuket Times Facebook page posted images of the woman yesterday, May 21. In the photos, she appeared wearing a black vest featuring a Thai flag and a Royal Thai Police patch. She was…
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Medical emergency officer killed in Uttaradit ambulance accident
An ambulance accident in Uttaradit has killed a medical emergency officer after the vehicle veered off the road while responding to a car accident yesterday, May 21. The officer was identified as June, an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEM) from Nam Pat Hospital in Uttaradit, who was working with the Nam Pat Rescue Association during the emergency response. Nam Pat…
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Thai student injured in attempted robbery at train station in Sydney
A Thai student suffered a head injury in an attack by a man who reportedly attempted to steal musical equipment at a train station in Sydney, Australia, on May 17. A Thai music teacher identified only as Luck shared details of the incident with a Facebook page operated by a Thai resident in Australia. The story was later reposted by…
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AirAsia CEO warns airport fee hike could be ‘disaster’ for Thai tourism
AirAsia founder and CEO Tony Fernandes has opposed Airports of Thailand’s (AOT) proposed increase to the international passenger service charge (PSC), warning that higher airport fees could damage Thailand’s tourism industry during a difficult period for global aviation. Fernandes, chief executive officer of Capital A, said the timing was inappropriate as airlines worldwide continue to face pressure from rising fuel…
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Thailand halts new Volvo EV registrations after battery defect
New registrations of the Volvo EX30 in Thailand have been suspended after the Department of Land Transport found that a recent fire involving the electric vehicle was linked to a defect in its high-voltage battery cells. The order was issued after Siripong Angkasakulkiat, deputy transport minister, instructed the Department of Land Transport to investigate the case. Thitiphat Thaijongrak, director of…
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Thai police criticised for seeking help from children during arrest
Two high-school students in Nakhon Si Thammarat helped police restrain a suspect on a public road, prompting a debate online about the safety and appropriateness of civilian involvement in police operations. Footage of the incident was shared by TikTok user @jxjxens before being reposted by several news outlets and Facebook pages. It showed two police officers struggling with a man…
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School van driver ignores barriers, stops on tracks as train approaches
A video shared on Facebook yesterday, May 21, shows a school van avoiding a collision with a train after the driver crossed while barriers were lowering, then stopped on the railway tracks. Facebook user สุรเสียง พลับพลาสวรรค์ posted a video of the incident showing a school van attempting to cross a railway crossing while warning alarms were sounding and barriers were…
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Thailand News | Pattaya hotel fire leaves guests trapped as rescue teams respond, Mentally unwell British tourist accidentally sets himself on fire while playing a children’s game
Today we’ll be talking about a hotel fire in Pattaya that left guests trapped as rescue teams responded, also, there’s been a royal update on the health condition of Princess Bajrakitiyabha, then we’ have our badly behaving foreigners in the form of Chinese brothel operators, British reckless drivers, and nightmare Swiss tenants, in ASEAN News, Philippines authorities have vowed to…
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May 22 weather forecast warns of heavy rain despite weaker monsoon
Thailand will see less rain over the next 24 hours, but heavy rain is still expected in some areas today, May 22, mainly in the west and the east, according to the weather forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The department said the southwest monsoon covering the upper Andaman Sea and Thailand has weakened, while a low-pressure cell remains…
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Questions raised over public viewing of Suvarnabhumi Airport checkpoint cameras
Concerns over passenger privacy emerged online after social media users questioned the public accessibility of CCTV footage at immigration checkpoints in Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The issue gained attention after a Thai X user criticised Airports of Thailand (AOT) when footage of a popular actor at the immigration checkpoint was circulated online. The user questioned whether sharing footage from security cameras violated…
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Four injured as fire spreads through fully booked Pattaya hotel
A fire broke out at a Pattaya hotel at about 9pm last night, May 21, injuring four people and forcing 240 guests to evacuate after flames broke out at a seventh-floor rooftop bar. The Facebook page Fire & Rescue Thailand first reported the incident, posting that a fire had broken out at a hotel. Video from the scene showed flames…
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Hua Hin landlord issues warning after property vandalism by Swiss man
A woman warned other property owners and local women after a Swiss tenant severely damaged her rental house in Hua Hin and continuing to invite women to the property after his contract ended. The homeowner shared photographs and details of the incident in a Facebook group for Hua Hin residents, where the post quickly gained attention online. According to the…
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3 Thai men arrested in Ecuador with 12 rare Galápagos iguanas
Three Thai nationals were arrested at an airport in Ecuador for wildlife smuggling after 12 rare marine iguanas were discovered hidden in their luggage. Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment and Energy said the animals were found during baggage inspections at José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil on Tuesday, May 19. Officials said specially trained K9 dogs used for wildlife…
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Australian tourist found dead with white powder nearby in Phuket condo
An Australian tourist was found dead inside a condominium in Phuket at around 7.30pm yesterday, May 20, with police finding white powder on a plate near his body. Officers at Karon Police Station received a report of a death at the condominium and went to inspect the scene. Inside, police found the body of a foreign man on the floor. He…
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Jealous Thai rescuer allegedly threatens to kill wife, steals valuables
A woman in Nonthaburi accused her husband, a volunteer rescuer, of physically assaulting and threatening to kill her during a fit of jealousy before stealing valuables worth more than 600,000 baht. The victim, 44 year old Promphit, sought help from the Nonthaburi Member of Parliament (MP) assistants to Kraithawat Thammatada and Saichon Nitkham, who accompanied her to file a complaint at…
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Princess Bajrakitiyabha health update reports worsening condition
Thailand’s Bureau of the Royal Household today, May 21, issued its seventh statement on Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s health, reporting that her condition has worsened after a severe infection linked to abdominal and intestinal inflammation. Princess Bajrakitiyabha has been receiving treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, since December 15, 2022. The bureau previously stated that she lost consciousness…
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Alcohol bottles found after Chinese tourist dies in Pattaya hotel fall
A Chinese tourist died after falling from the sixth floor of a Pattaya hotel early today, May 21, with police finding alcohol bottles in his room as they investigate what led to the fall. Pattaya City Police received the report at 3.36am and went to the scene with investigators and Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue volunteers. The 33 year old Chinese…
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Nigerian suspect arrested in Nonthaburi with 7 bank cards and 42 mobile phones
Police arrested a Nigerian man suspected of involvement in a romance scam network in Nonthaburi after discovering dozens of mobile phones and bank cards. Rattanathibet Police Station superintendent Prut Jamroonsarn announced details of the arrest at about 6pm yesterday, May 20. The suspect was identified as 24 year old Nigerian national Sinedu Heophilus Acege. Prut said officers had been conducting…
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Thailand News | Thailand watches Ebola Situation after Congo Outbreak, British traveller’s bag delayed after sex toy alert on Thai Flight
Today we’ll be talking about steps the Thai government is taking in monitoring the ebola outbreak in the Congo, of course we have some foreigners behaving badly but also – surprise, surprise – facing consequences for their actions, plus, we’ll give you a full breakdown of everything we know so far regarding the Singha family dispute, and a little later…
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May 21 forecast brings heavy rain, rough seas as monsoon grips Thailand
Thailand will continue to face heavy rain in several regions today, May 21, with the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warning of flash floods, forest runoff and rough seas in parts of the country, according to today’s weather forecast. The department said a moderately strong southwest monsoon covering the upper Andaman Sea and Thailand, combined with a low-pressure cell over the…
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Early morning fire damages Indian restaurant, suit shop in Pattaya
An early morning fire in Pattaya damaged an Indian restaurant and a neighbouring suit shop today, May 21. The initial report did not mention any injuries. Pattaya disaster prevention officials received the fire report at 4.56am. Firefighters, water trucks, and Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue volunteers were sent to the scene inside Soi Pattaya Beach Road 13. The fire broke out…
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4 travel agencies on Koh Samui found operating through Thai nominees
Southern Tourism Business and Tour Guide Registration Office revoked the licences of four illegal travel agencies on Koh Samui for operating through Thai nominees. The revocation followed an expanded crackdown on nominee-run businesses across Thailand. Koh Samui Tourist Police and the Surat Thani Tourism and Sports Office inspected 12 suspicious travel agencies on the island and found four operating illegally. Under…
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Railway drug test finds two SRT workers positive for drugs
Two railway workers tested positive for drugs during random drug tests at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal conducted by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). The inspections were conducted on May 19 and yesterday, May 20, among railway operations staff and mechanical division employees, including train drivers, station staff, rail crossing…
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Foreigner criticised for paying Phuket man to pass police checkpoint
A foreign tourist was caught on video paying a Thai food delivery rider to ride a rental motorcycle through a police checkpoint in Phuket, prompting speculation online about his motives. The incident was first shared by the food delivery rider on his social media account before being reposted by the Shadow Phuket Facebook page, where it attracted widespread attention. The…
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Swede surrenders after attacking Indian hotel owner in Phuket
A Swedish man surrendered to Phuket police yesterday, May 19, after assaulting an Indian man outside a hotel in Patong following a dispute over missing money. Footage of the incident was shared by the Newshawk Phuket Facebook page yesterday, but the incident reportedly took place on Monday, May 18, outside the Patong Platinum Hotel. The suspect was identified as a…
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Homesick conscripts flee camp, steal motorcycle, fail drug test
Two reportedly homesick conscripts who had been in training for just 18 days were arrested yesterday, May 19, after allegedly fleeing a military camp in Udon Thani and stealing a woman’s motorcycle. The theft happened at about 6.10pm on May 17 in Non Sung subdistrict, Mueang district. The 22 year old woman had parked the motorcycle with the key left…
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