Articles by: Joseph O' Connor

Illicit funds channelled to Thailand through digital assets cause the baht to rise and tourism to fall 

Illicit funds channelled to Thailand through digital assets cause the baht to rise and tourism to fall 

November 19, 2025

Crime, Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Politics, Thailand:

Illicit funds are flowing into Thailand through cryptocurrencies, gold, and other assets, driving the baht higher, hitting tourism as visitor numbers fall, forcing suspended trade… Read More ›

Thaksin may still be eligible for release sometime in March 2026 says top official amid election talk

Thaksin may still be eligible for release sometime in March 2026 says top official amid election talk

November 18, 2025

Culture, Living, Media, Politics, Thailand:

Thaksin Shinawatra may be eligible for parole or a suspended sentence by March 2026, says top official, despite the Attorney-General’s lèse-majesté appeal and ฿17.6 billion… Read More ›

Rising alarm Thailand may lose its US trade deal unless the government acts fast to restore Peace Pact

Rising alarm Thailand may lose its US trade deal unless the government acts fast to restore Peace Pact

November 18, 2025

Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Politics, Thailand:

Thailand’s trade talks with the United States are suspended, leaving businesses alarmed, exports at risk, U.S. investment threatened and the country facing increased dependence on… Read More ›

Attorney General’s move to appeal Thaksin acquittal on lèse-majesté charge to impact 2026 election

Attorney General’s move to appeal Thaksin acquittal on lèse-majesté charge to impact 2026 election

November 17, 2025

Crime, Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Politics, Thailand:

Attorney-General Ittiporn Kaewthip orders appeal of Thaksin Shinawatra’s lèse-majesté acquittal, blocking early release in January 2026 and threatening Pheu Thai’s campaign momentum ahead of the… Read More ›

Cambodia factor which came from nowhere in June suddenly threatens both Thai politics and its economy

Cambodia factor which came from nowhere in June suddenly threatens both Thai politics and its economy

November 17, 2025

Crime, Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Politics, Thailand:

Cambodia factor erupts, driving Thai politics and economy toward crisis. Border tensions, scam networks and stalled US trade talks push early 2026 election, heightening instability,… Read More ›

End of era ordering cheap stuff online from China as Thailand imposes a 10% duty on low cost imports

End of era ordering cheap stuff online from China as Thailand imposes a 10% duty on low cost imports

November 17, 2025

Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Politics, Thailand:

Thailand ends the era of cheap Chinese imports as a 10% duty hits parcels under ฿1,500, raising costs, slowing online orders, forcing firms to adapt… Read More ›

Digital Minister rejects Starlink’s plans to set up in the Kingdom. Decision contrasts with Vietnam’s stance

Digital Minister rejects Starlink’s plans to set up in the Kingdom. Decision contrasts with Vietnam’s stance

November 16, 2025

Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Politics, Thailand:

Thailand blocks Starlink from entering its internet market over legal and security concerns, sharply contrasting Vietnam, potentially affecting US firms, while critics say the kingdom’s… Read More ›

Prime Minister savaged for damaging Thai US links by former Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vice Minister

Prime Minister savaged for damaging Thai US links by former Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vice Minister

November 16, 2025

Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Politics, Thailand:

Former Vice Minister Rasme Chalichan criticises PM Anutin for reckless actions that halted US trade talks, repudiated Cambodia peace pact, dismissed tariffs and damaged Thailand’s… Read More ›

Thailand shocked as United States shelves trade talks after Prime Minister’s call with Trump on Friday

Thailand shocked as United States shelves trade talks after Prime Minister’s call with Trump on Friday

November 15, 2025

Culture, Economy, Foreigners, Living, Media, Politics, Thailand:

Thailand in shock as United States abruptly halts trade talks after Prime Minister Anutin declares Cambodia peace deal dead following landmine blast that injured Thai… Read More ›

Immigration Bureau tightens rules for foreign tourist visas as the country feels the heat on scammers

Immigration Bureau tightens rules for foreign tourist visas as the country feels the heat on scammers

November 15, 2025

Crime, Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Thailand:

Thailand tightens foreign tourist visa rules as authorities crack down on scams and illegal stays. Visa extensions are now limited, border runs targeted, repeat offenders… Read More ›

Malaysian PM trying to hold together Thai Cambodian peace pact repudiated this week by Anutin in Sisaket

Malaysian PM trying to hold together Thai Cambodian peace pact repudiated this week by Anutin in Sisaket

November 15, 2025

Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Politics, Thailand:

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim works through the weekend to salvage the Thailand-Cambodia peace pact, scrapped by Thai PM Anutin after border blast, soldiers’ injuries and… Read More ›

Some relief for foreign tourists and hospitality sector but Thai nightlife to remain stunted by new law

Some relief for foreign tourists and hospitality sector but Thai nightlife to remain stunted by new law

November 14, 2025

Culture, Economy, Foreigners, Living, Media, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Thailand lifts 2 pm–5 pm alcohol ban, giving relief to tourists and hospitality, but nightlife remains stunted as late-night drinking and early-hour openings are still prohibited, with… Read More ›

PM promises clarity on alcohol law but business sector says it’s not enough after this latest debacle

PM promises clarity on alcohol law but business sector says it’s not enough after this latest debacle

November 12, 2025

Crime, Culture, Economy, Foreigners, Living, Media, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

PM promises clarity on alcohol law as Thailand’s tourism and hospitality sectors reel in chaos. Businesses demand repeal or non-enforcement after new rules spark confusion,… Read More ›

Fear of renewed hostilities. Thailand scraps Trump’s peace deal with Cambodia. ‘Peace is over’ says PM

Fear of renewed hostilities. Thailand scraps Trump’s peace deal with Cambodia. ‘Peace is over’ says PM

November 12, 2025

Culture, Foreigners, Living, Media, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Thailand has scrapped the Trump-brokered peace deal with Cambodia after a landmine maimed a soldier. PM Anutin declared “peace is over” atop Phu Makhuea as… Read More ›

Ex Finance Minister castigates Thai governance over the last 20 years. Praises Malaysia and British law

Ex Finance Minister castigates Thai governance over the last 20 years. Praises Malaysia and British law

November 11, 2025

Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Ex-Finance Minister Sommai Phasee blasts 20 years of Thai governance, citing corruption and grey capital, while praising Malaysia’s rapid economic growth, British-style legal system, efficient… Read More ›

Alcohol law debacle continues to decimate not only tourism industry but also wider grassroots economy

Alcohol law debacle continues to decimate not only tourism industry but also wider grassroots economy

November 11, 2025

Crime, Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Thailand’s alcohol law backfires, emptying bars and restaurants, confusing tourists and slashing revenue nationwide as hefty fines, unclear enforcement rules, and missing provincial committees cripple… Read More ›

Trump brokered peace pact between Thailand and Cambodia suspended after landmine attack this week

Trump brokered peace pact between Thailand and Cambodia suspended after landmine attack this week

November 11, 2025

Culture, Living, Media, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

A landmine blast injures four Thai soldiers, costing one his leg, forcing Prime Minister Anutin to suspend the Trump-brokered Thailand-Cambodia peace deal signed in Kuala… Read More ›

Alcohol law shoots foreign tourism in foot for High Season with stiff fines for visitors drinking up at watering holes

Alcohol law shoots foreign tourism in foot for High Season with stiff fines for visitors drinking up at watering holes

November 10, 2025

Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Thailand’s new alcohol law backfires during high season as steep fines, unclear enforcement and embassy warnings scare foreign tourists, leaving hotels, bars, and restaurants struggling… Read More ›

British Chamber of Commerce calls for more urgency on free trade talks to boost trade and investment

British Chamber of Commerce calls for more urgency on free trade talks to boost trade and investment

November 9, 2025

Culture, Economy, Living, Media, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

British Chamber urges Thailand to fast-track a UK free trade deal as EU and US agreements advance, warning delays could disadvantage exporters and investors and… Read More ›

PM Anutin, Bhumjaithai Party and MotoGP event savaged in attack by former Justice Minister Thawee

PM Anutin, Bhumjaithai Party and MotoGP event savaged in attack by former Justice Minister Thawee

November 9, 2025

Culture, Living, Media, More News from Thailand, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Ex Justice Minister Thawee attacks PM Anutin, the Bhumjaithai Party, and Chidchob-linked MotoGP deal, citing ฿4 billion in state funding, rising costs, Buriram poverty, contested… Read More ›

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