Posts published in “Thailand”

As predicted, tourism revenue for the promising year of 2023 is on its way to hitting an impressive 2.38 trillion baht (approx. 80% of the 3 trillion baht garnered in 2019). This resurgence comes after the Covid-19 pandemic took a severe toll on the industry, stagnating it for almost three years. By June this year, Thailand had already seen a whopping 360 billion baht generated by domestic tourists through nearly 100 million trips. On the international front, 10.56 million trips brought in an additional 599 million baht, according to the TAT governor, Yuthasak Supasorn. A surge in foreign visitors emerged in May with 1.97 million tourists entering Thailand. The majority of these visitors hailed from Malaysia, followed by China, India, South Korea, and Laos. National hotel occupancy between January and May registered an impressive 70%. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, TAT’s deputy governor for the domestic market, has set her hopes on achieving…

In light of the recent change in government, a shift in budget priorities comes as no surprise, according to Wissanu. The differing policies between the previous and current administrations are responsible for this adjustment in resource allocation. The Budget Bureau, under the management of the departing Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, has crafted the fiscal 2024 budget bill, which must be approved by Parliament before the end of September, as the fiscal year commences in October. Wissanu emphasized that the caretaker administration needed to prepare a budget bill as a contingency in the event that the formation of the incoming government faces delays. Earlier, he had projected that the new government would be in place by mid-August. “The new government can modify [the bill],” Wissanu stated, emphasizing that the Move Forward Party, victorious in the May 14 election with 151 MPs, possesses a distinct budgeting strategy compared to the incumbent…

Dmitry Aleynikov, a 44-year-old man, faced a horrifying attack while parked in his car outside a restaurant on Boat Avenue, a bustling outdoor shopping complex. Unexpectedly, four gunshots struck him—landing once in his chest, twice in his left arm, and the fourth bullet grazed his wedding-ring finger. The brazen lunchtime shooting caused panic and fear amongst the island’s Russian community. Authorities quickly apprehended the alleged gunman, Artur Legay, as reported by local news sources. He was taken in for questioning at the Phuket Police headquarters. Security camera footage was crucial in tracking down the suspect. The disturbing footage showed the gunman arriving at the crime scene on a motorcycle at the shopping complex in Thalang district’s Choeng Thalay tambon. After dismounting from his motorcycle, the gunman was seen pacing back and forth, as if waiting for Aleynikov’s arrival. As soon as the unsuspecting victim pulled up to the scene, the…

The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has officially announced the completion of the Na Klang-Ao Jik road, a critical route that connects Phuket and Phangnga, offering a significant boost to local tourism and facilitating inter-provincial transport. With an investment of approximately 282.8 million baht, this 4.2km stretch of road is part of a broader city expansion strategy for Phangnga’s Thai Muang district, as stated by DRR Director-General Apirat Chaiwongnoi. Constructed with a robust concrete surface, the road consists of four expansive driving lanes, each 3.5 meters wide, and a 2.5-meter wide hard shoulder on both sides, ensuring a safe and smooth driving experience for motorists. The modernized roadway also boasts a well-designed drainage system, illuminated lamp posts, and clear traffic signs, while its spacious footpaths cater to pedestrian traffic with their 3.5-meter width. Connecting Phangnga to Phuket, the Na Klang-Ao Jik (1042 rural road) offers a vital new route between…

As anticipation builds, citizens of Thailand are keeping their hopes high that Phuket will be chosen as the host destination for the Specialised Expo 2028. The final presentation and vote are looming, with a Thai delegation scheduled to make their pitch to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on June 21. During their presentation, the delegation will underscore why Phuket, a southern resort island province, is the ideal location for the expo. They will also learn when the voting process will take place to determine the winner, according to Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). Thailand’s proposed theme for the expo is “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity,” which comes with an estimated budget of around 4.18 billion baht. The event is planned to run from March 21 to June 20, 2028. Chiruit predicts that the expo will attract approximately 7…

Authorities and rescue workers in Phuket have been investigating a chilling incident involving a Russian man who was shot and injured inside his car in Thalang district by an armed man from Kazakhstan, stirring up a sense of unease in the popular beach town. The scene unfolded near a bustling café in the Laguna Phuket business area on Wednesday, just a short distance from the Choeng Thale police station. An air of urgency ensued on Thursday morning when the Kazakh suspect, identified as Artur Legay, was detained by immigration police at Phuket International Airport. Reports indicate that Legay had checked in and stayed at a hotel in tambon Choeng Thale. Details of the case are still emerging, with further investigation in progress to establish motives and connection between the two men. It was around 11:45 am on Wednesday when the Phuket 191 emergency response center received word of a gravely…

Atchariya Ruangratanapong, a well-known crime activist, arrived at the Anti-Corruption Division in Bangkok to file a complaint regarding alleged oil smuggling. The Excise Department is currently investigating an accusation that one of its high-ranking officials tried to persuade police to release a truck carrying 15,000 liters of smuggled oil. Upon his arrival at the division, Atchariya urged the agency to widen the scope of the investigation. Kriangkrai Pattanaporn, the deputy director-general of the Excise Department, announced that a probe committee had been established to investigate the arrest of a 47-year-old truck driver in Muang district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province. During the initial investigation, it was discovered that the truck was transporting 15,000 liters of smuggled oil and the driver was only identified as “Sombat.” Kriangkrai Pattanaporn responded to reports stating that anti-corruption police and excise officials intercepted the truck on Phetkasem Highway in tambon Koh Lak, Prachuap Khiri Khan,…

Recent clarifications from the Department of Corrections in Bangkok have indicated that a new regulation is not designed to offer former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra the option to serve his sentence outside of prison, should he return to Thailand. Thaksin, who has been living in self-imposed exile in Dubai since 2008, has repeatedly stated his intentions to return to Thailand and enter the legal process. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, the government’s legal expert, confirmed on Thursday that the regulation in question does not give authority to the director-general of the Department of Corrections to transfer convicts out of prisons to other detention facilities. In response to his comments, Thaksin, who has been sentenced in absentia to a total of 12 years in jail for four corruption cases by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, has suggested he may return to Thailand as early as next…

In Ang Thong, the Ministry of Education has launched an investigation into allegations that 130 ethnic children were forcibly relocated from a Thai-Myanmar border town to Thairath Wittaya 6 School in Pa Mok district. The school, which only has two teachers, one director, and one administrative staff member, has sparked concerns as it seems to be ill-equipped to handle such a large group of students. It has been suggested that the children may have been lured to the school in order for it to receive financial support from the government and private sector. The investigative committee will delve into the intentions of the school director, who has thus far refused to speak with the media. In the meantime, the authorities have questioned the administrative staff member and the two teachers involved. The local police have discovered that none of the 137 students enrolled in the institution are Thai nationals. While…

The Shinawatra family has reportedly urged former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, currently a fugitive, to postpone his return from exile to Thailand. In the days leading up to the May 14 general election, Thaksin expressed his desire to return home before July 26, his 74th birthday, in order to care for his grandchildren. The subject of his return was discussed during a recent family gathering in Bangkok, which included Thaksin’s ex-wife, Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra, and his daughters, Pintongta and Paetongtarn. According to an insider, Thaksin is eager to come home, but the family prefers that he delay his plans until the formation of the coalition government. The family is also concerned that it is too early for Paetongtarn to pursue the role of prime minister, suggesting that she should wait five years. The insider shared that the family believes Paetongtarn, currently 37 years old, lacks the political experience to…