Thailand’s tourism industry is navigating choppy waters yet again as a fresh wave of geopolitical unrest rattles its international clientele. With Israel’s sudden strike on Iran, markets that once promised an influx of sun-seekers and sand-lovers now contemplate whether they might have to shelve their plans. The anticipation of bustling walks through Thailand’s scenic vistas or cultural monuments is threatened with potential dips from key regions like the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. What was once coined as “hope markets” for 2023 may now see a significant retreat in visitor numbers. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, the no-nonsense President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), paints a stark picture: tourist numbers from these regions could falter by as much as 10%. In a more pessimistic turn, we could witness plunges nearing 20%, with the Middle Eastern jet-setters being most affected if the political climate worsens. The High Season, stretching from June…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In recent times, Krabi Airport has been turning heads, not just in Thailand but across the globe. This tropical airport is fast becoming a beacon for international aviation, with no less than five international airlines itching to secure their landing slots. The sheer magnitude of this interest paints a picture of growing confidence. Krabi is poised to become the port of call for those looking to explore the fascinating Andaman region. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri recently unveiled that the Department of Airports (DoA) was the belle of the ball at the 156th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Slot Conference in Vancouver. They took this opportunity to roll out a detailed showcase of future plans for airports like Krabi and Surat Thani, and the world took notice. By the end of the conference, a whopping eight airlines had expressed serious interest in touchdown plans for Krabi. But it didn’t just…
In the bustling heart of Chon Buri, Thailand, a road dispute escalated to alarming heights, climaxing in a dramatic confrontation that had onlookers and online spectators buzzing. Meet Withit, a 31-year-old resident who found himself and his family enveloped in an unforeseen tempest of aggression on what seemed to be an ordinary trip to his son’s school. The timing, however, suggests it was bound to be anything but ordinary—the morning of June 17 at exactly 7:58 a.m. Withit was in the midst of driving his wife and their five-year-old son along Route 344. As they approached the red lights at the Nong Chark Intersection, Withit hit the brakes. Yet, when the light flashed green, he hesitated. This brief pause ignited another motorist’s frustration—a man driving a sleek black sedan. In what seemed like seconds, the disgruntled driver floored the pedal, overtaking Withit’s car with an air of righteous urgency and…
In a dramatic shift that’s making waves across Thailand, the Minister of Public Health, Somsak Thepsuthin, announced a drastic reevaluation of the nation’s cannabis policy. With shops popping up faster than street food vendors and an ever-growing culture of cannabis integrated into daily Thai life, Somsak’s decision is stirring the proverbial pot. Having rubber-stamped a new set of rules today, on June 24, 2025, he’s effectively bringing an end to the free-for-all era of recreational cannabis. However, as the aroma of freshly rolled joints lingers in the air, critics argue that his war on weed is more likely to go up in smoke than catch fire. Under these new regulations, cannabis use is to be strictly medical. Access to this now elusive green cure-all will require not one, but two magical scrolls: a prescription and a medical certificate. This spellbinding decree comes despite the mushrooming of around 20,000 cannabis shops…
In the picturesque town of Mueang Surat Thani, a dramatic turn of events unfolded that catapulted this serene district into the spotlight. The date was June 23, 2025, when local police apprehended a Norwegian, known simply as Elmer, charging him with the grim accusation of attempted murder. An eerie series of events that could rival any crime movie transpired under the azure skies of Surat Thani, laying bare the raw emotions of a tale steeped in tension and high drama. The story began a few days prior, on June 19, amidst the lush, tropical vistas of Koh Samui. Pia, a Norwegian woman of soft-spoken grace, found her peaceful day disrupted. She was enjoying a tranquil moment with Simon, a friend whose presence was as comforting as the gentle sea breeze, while they indulged in a film within the cozy confines of her home’s living room. Meanwhile, in the recesses of…
Tucked away within Thailand’s pristine island of Phuket lies a hidden world that is anything but a tropical paradise. While this destination is famed for serene beaches and vivid nightlife, its shadowy underbelly reveals a different story. In an alarming development, Phuket’s authorities are intensifying their efforts to curb a surge in drug-related crimes that has cast a long shadow over its renowned allure. Recent statistics shed light on the gravity of the issue, with a staggering 1,899 drug cases recorded between October 2024 and May 2025. This figure marks an unsavory rise of over 10% compared to the same period the previous year. These unsettling numbers led the top brass of law enforcement and health departments to congregate for the seventh Phuket Provincial Narcotics Control Centre meeting, which was held at the iconic Provincial Hall on a steamy Sunday, June 22. Here, amid the clinking of iced water glasses,…
As we approach the impending expiration of the Green Line’s concession in 2029, an interesting narrative unfolds in the bustling city of Bangkok. The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) is gearing up to release a groundbreaking study, which promises to be as intriguing as a whodunit mystery. The study delves into four potential operational models that may keep the ever-popular 20-baht flat fare policy alive. Picture this: Bangkok’s beloved Green Line riding into a more affordable future! This fascinating development follows a bold proposal by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to transfer the entire Green Line project to the Ministry of Transport. Governor Sittipunt argues that centralizing management under one umbrella could streamline operations and ensure consistent pricing across all electric train lines – a captivating proposition indeed! Kongsak Chuenkrailat, the assistant secretary of the TCC’s subcommittee on transport and vehicles, has unveiled that the council is working hand-in-hand with Sripatum University’s…
As the world keeps spinning chaotically, today’s roster of stories captures a plethora of emotions—from political uproar on the sun-drenched streets of Thailand to spine-chilling rescues halfway across the world in Indonesia. So, buckle up as we dive deep into the nexus of courtroom dramas, peace-seeking protests, and more! Protest Parade at Victory Monument: A Political Showdown Imagine this—a sea of over 150,000 passionate voices congregating at the iconic Victory Monument! Their united cry seeks nothing less than the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a move spearheaded by the assertive “Ruam Palang Paendin” group. The rally, scheduled for June 28, promises to be a peaceful plea for national sovereignty, mostly centripetal around the controversial Thai-Cambodian border debacle. Not to mention, protest leaders Jatuporn Promphan and Panthep Puapongpan have pledged to keep the clamor away from hospitals, urging all eyes to pivot towards the contentious leaked conversation with Hun…
In the picturesque yet sometimes perilous waters off the coast of Phuket, a dramatic incident unfolded as a local fishing boat succumbed to the unruly seas. Amidst the turbulent backdrop of crashing waves and daunting winds, a tale of survival, bravery, and relentless search efforts has captured the community’s attention. At precisely 4:10 PM yesterday, June 23, urgent alerts from the Andaman Narenthorn Centre stirred the Third Naval Area Command into immediate action. The once serene waters near Thasak Pier in Pa Khlok subdistrict, Thalang district, turned treacherous, forcing a small fishing vessel carrying two aboard to capsize roughly one kilometre out at sea. Fate was kind to one of the crew members, allowing him to swim courageously back to shore. His counterpart, however, was left at the mercy of the ruthless sea, clinging desperately to the overturned craft until it finally claimed him from view after twenty gruelling minutes.…
In an alarming and tense incident, an evening in Bang Saray, located within Sattahip district of Chon Buri, took a shocking turn when a 19-year-old man brandished a gun against his girlfriend during a heated argument. An ordinary Thursday night, June 23, transformed into a night of dread around 10.30 pm, when a mother’s instincts kicked in and she alerted the authorities to her daughter’s peril. The drama unfolded when Police Colonel Komsan Kamtoonkaew, head of the vigilant Sattahip Police Station, received a distress call. The report was about a young man menacingly wielding a weapon to threaten his girlfriend. Wasting no time, the local law enforcement, led by the proactive Police Major Sila Sajai, rushed to the scene. The officers swiftly identified the suspect as Napath (surname prudently withheld for confidentiality), who seemed to have a penchant for danger, as evidenced by the homemade firearm and the 12-gauge shotgun…