A majestic ceremonial elephant gracefully leads the majestic royal ‘kathin’ procession to the hallowed grounds of Malwathu Maha Viharaya in Kandy, captivating all in honor of the ceremonial offering. (Photo by Chairith Yonpiam) As the calendar marks a momentous occasion next Thursday, Thailand and Sri Lanka jubilantly celebrate 70 splendid years of formal diplomatic ties. But what truly steals the spotlight is not just the modern camaraderie; it’s a timeless spiritual and cultural bond that stretches back over seven centuries, cemented by their deep-rooted Theravāda Buddhist traditions. Amidst this spirit of unity, however, a delicate diplomatic affair has surfaced. The Thai government stands firm on its decision to bring back two cherished elephants, gracious gifts to Sri Lanka nearly four decades ago as embodiments of goodwill. With this decision coinciding with the celebratory year, it has added a layer of complexity to the otherwise serene relationship between these two nations.…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a whirlwind of political maneuvering and backstage strategy, the Pheu Thai Party has unleashed a barrage of criticisms toward the much-debated “20-to-1” formula, a system devised for selecting the individuals who will helm the charter-drafting panel. Imagine the scenario as a game of political chess – and the Pheu Thai Party fears that the rules are tipped too heavily in favor of the player who knows how to dominate the board. Led by some of its more vocal representatives, the Pheu Thai Party has turned the spotlight on this contentious formula, which has found backing from both the People’s Party (PP) and Bhumjaithai (BJT). The primary concern? The method lacks adequate public involvement and transparency in selecting members of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), raising alarms about the potential for manipulation by powerful political interest groups. Now, in the opposing corner, we have the ruling BJT. They stand with…
In the serene paradise that is Phuket, a burgeoning issue looms that threatens to tarnish the island’s idyllic reputation: fake taxi registrations on ride-hailing apps. This modern conundrum has caught the attention of the provincial administration, helmed by Governor Saransak Srikruanet. He recently convened a spirited meeting to tackle the alarming incidences of fraudulent activities within the ride-hailing sector—like individuals submitting bogus IDs to slip through the cracks during the registration process. But wait, there’s more! The discussion also zeroed in on the pesky “black-plate” taxis, those crafty vehicles intended for personal use yet clandestinely moonlighting as commercial taxis, muscling in on the licensed taxi territory and creating chaos in tourist hotspots. It’s a veritable game of cat and mouse on the Thai island, famed for its sun-kissed beaches and vibrant nightlife. The stakes are high for these unauthorized drivers who, as of October 2nd, were being nabbed in droves.…
The vibrant and bustling streets of Thailand are soon to feel the winds of change as the Customs Department gears up for a major overhaul of the nation’s e-commerce landscape. From January 1st, the department plans to impose taxes on all imported e-commerce goods, a move hailed as a positive stride according to an economics lecturer from the prestigious Thammasat University. For years, Thailand has allowed imported items priced below 1,500 baht to enter the country duty-free, sparing them from import duty and the all-too-dreaded value-added tax (VAT). This policy, however, has been a double-edged sword. It has kept prices tantalizingly low for consumers but has simultaneously created a challenging environment for domestic small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they struggle to hold their ground against a tidal wave of competitively priced goods from neighboring countries. While the move is drawing applause, especially from Kiatanantha Lounkaew, an astute assistant professor…
In the vibrant heart of Phuket, a tale of deception unfolded that seemed straight out of a crime novel. Beneath the sunny skies and sandy beaches, a covert operation was underway, threatening the serenity of this island paradise. The scene opens on a bustling warehouse in the Muang district, where endless streams of parcels flowed like secrets in the moonlight. This unexpected warehouse hub, however, wasn’t what it seemed. The protagonist—or perhaps the antagonist?—of our story is a 30-year-old woman, now finding herself at the center of a police investigation. The clever enterprise she orchestrated was as ripe and baffling as a plot twist. Allegedly, she dispatched unsolicited, subpar goods to unsuspecting recipients who hadn’t ordered them, raking in an impressive 80,000 baht a day. Yes, you read that right—a day! Phuket’s chief of police, the vigilant Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, elaborated on the unfolding drama. For weeks, his…
In mid November 2025 the Immigration Bureau circulated an internal memo to officers around the country. The instruction is clear: raise the level of screening on foreigners who repeatedly enter and leave Thailand and stop people from using short stay visas and visa exemptions as a way to live in the country long term. If you have been relying on back to back visa exemptions, tourist visas and quick hops to neighboring countries, this directly affects you. What did Immigration actually say? The memo orders officers to: So what has really changed? Some of this has always been in the law, but in practice enforcement depended a lot on the individual officer and location. Many people could chain visa exemptions or tourist visas for years with only occasional questions. What changed now is: In short: the door has not been slammed shut, but it is no longer “business as usual”…
Agents Co., Ltd., a leading technology and service provider for expat services, has launched a new 90-Day Reporting Service that completely transforms how foreigners in Thailand manage their mandatory immigration reports. Making Immigration Reporting Simple and Reliable Under Thai immigration law, every foreign resident who stays in the country longer than 90 consecutive days must report their current address to the Immigration Bureau. This must be done every 90 days throughout their stay. Missing the report or submitting incorrect details can lead to fines, delays, or rejected applications. Many expats are familiar with the dreaded message: “Your application for STAYING LONGER THAN 90 DAYS has been rejected. Please contact the nearest Immigration Office in person immediately.” This is often caused by small errors, outdated documents, or incomplete submissions. Agents’ new platform at 90day.in.th was built to solve exactly these problems, offering a modern, automated solution that handles everything from submission…
What began as an ordinary night on Route 117 in Phichit province ended in a scene of shocking violence that left one dead and another fighting for life. Late on September 20, emergency crews found 31‑year‑old nurse assistant Pochana lifeless in the back of a Ford pickup truck, while 61‑year‑old construction contractor Sombat — her partner — lay gravely injured in the driver’s seat, clutching a kitchen knife. Police Lieutenant Sanan Butraya and rescue teams arrived at the roadside in Nong Lum subdistrict, Wachirabarami district, at around 10:30 p.m. The Ford, registered in Nakhon Sawan, had become the grim center of a relationship tragedy: Pochana had sustained multiple stab wounds to her chest, back and neck. Sombat, police say, had attempted to take his own life after the attack and was found unconscious and in severe pain. First responders transported Sombat to Wachirabarami Hospital for immediate care before he was…
In the kind of small-town drama that turns a quiet mountain village into yesterday’s headlines, police and local officials in Chiang Mai arrested a 27-year-old Myanmar national named Bounthong on September 20. Authorities say he shot and killed his 65-year-old father-in-law, Ta, after a heated family argument two nights earlier in Mueang Mae Chaem district. The suspect was found hiding in the forested slopes of Ban Pang Ung Kao, Mae Chaem, bringing a tragic episode to a close and setting the stage for legal proceedings. The timeline: from domestic dispute to manhunt According to reports, the fatal confrontation unfolded on the evening of September 18. A domestic dispute between Bounthong and his 25-year-old wife escalated inside their home. When Ta intervened to try to calm the situation, the argument turned violent. Investigators allege that Bounthong produced a firearm and shot the 65-year-old. He then fled into nearby mountains, initiating a…
Patong municipality has stepped in to tamp down a brewing controversy, denying that it approved a public Jewish New Year celebration on Patong Beach that had been reported to take place between September 22 and 23. In a clear and concise Saturday statement, officials said no authorization was granted for religious activities on public land—citing the sensitivity of the issue and the potential for community friction. The denial followed a formal complaint from the Thai Friends of Palestine Club, who penned a letter to the Phuket governor urging the event be blocked. The group warned that allowing an Israeli-linked celebration on the open sands of Patong could run counter to Thailand’s public posture on the Gaza conflict and risk stirring tensions in a largely Muslim area of the island. Local officials say the decision is rooted in keeping the peace and preserving Phuket’s reputation as a congenial destination for tourists…