Articles by: Joseph O' Connor

Record low inflation has a darker underside as the economy begins to show real deflationary signs

Record low inflation has a darker underside as the economy begins to show real deflationary signs

December 9, 2023

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

Government measures, particularly in energy, led to the -0.44% November inflation or deflation, the lowest in 33 months. The silent clash over economic policies deepens,… Read More ›

Chinese top visa holder summoned and fined over distorted claims about Bangkok’s notorious Nana 

Chinese top visa holder summoned and fined over distorted claims about Bangkok’s notorious Nana 

December 8, 2023

Crime, Culture, Living, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

Chinese social media influencer, Zi Yu Wang, who entered Thailand on an exclusive Thai Privilege visa, faced possible deportation after being summoned over a Tik… Read More ›

German who skipped bail on sexual assault of a minor charge in Pattaya named by top cop to the press

German who skipped bail on sexual assault of a minor charge in Pattaya named by top cop to the press

December 7, 2023

Crime, Economy, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Top Cop launches disciplinary action: General Surachate Hakparn, known as Big Joke, confirms disciplinary action and a criminal investigation against police officers in response to… Read More ›

Former Deputy PM warns Srettha that if he does not listen, he may spark a real economic crisis in Thailand

Former Deputy PM warns Srettha that if he does not listen, he may spark a real economic crisis in Thailand

December 4, 2023

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

Srettha’s policies under scrutiny as former Deputy Prime Minister Kobsak Sabhavasu questions the efficacy of the Digital Wallet scheme and warns against the proposed civil… Read More ›

Big Joke probes Pattaya sex scandal with high stakes not only for ‘Sin City’ but Thailand itself

Big Joke probes Pattaya sex scandal with high stakes not only for ‘Sin City’ but Thailand itself

December 4, 2023

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

High-stakes investigation into DW TV’s exposé sends shockwaves through Pattaya and Thailand. Deputy National Police Chief, ‘Big Joke,’ takes charge as the scandal unravels. Controversial… Read More ›

Appointment of ex-PM Prayut to the privy council welcomed as a sign of continuity and stability

Appointment of ex-PM Prayut to the privy council welcomed as a sign of continuity and stability

December 3, 2023

Living, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Prayut’s Privy Council role is a sign of stability and continuity. The appointment of former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to the Privy Council is celebrated… Read More ›

Senator meets officials in targeted assets seizure at home while he claims innocence and immunity

Senator meets officials in targeted assets seizure at home while he claims innocence and immunity

December 1, 2023

Crime, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

In an escalation of legal woes, Senator Upakit suffers a barrage of asset seizures, totalling ฿691 million. Amidst claims of innocence and legal immunity, officials… Read More ›

Srettha’s crisis is not just an economic one, it is a ‘3D debt crisis’ that is strangling GDP growth

Srettha’s crisis is not just an economic one, it is a ‘3D debt crisis’ that is strangling GDP growth

November 27, 2023

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

Thailand’s economy is caught in a trap where it cannot generate the level of income and profit margins to increase labour pay levels to make… Read More ›

Zombie Thai firms holding back economic growth as they struggle just to pay interest on bank debt

Zombie Thai firms holding back economic growth as they struggle just to pay interest on bank debt

November 23, 2023

Economy, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Another negative impact of government intervention in the free market caused by the disastrous pandemic shutdown in 2020 was identified this week. Zombie firms with… Read More ›

Move by Navy Chief puts Chinese sub back in the water as he seeks legal clarity on the contract

Move by Navy Chief puts Chinese sub back in the water as he seeks legal clarity on the contract

November 22, 2023

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

Coy Prime Minister Srettha, on Tuesday, made it clear the Chinese had not fully accepted his request in October to replace the submarine with a… Read More ›

PM ‘worried’ over shock GDP data showing the economy stalling with only 2.5% growth projected

PM ‘worried’ over shock GDP data showing the economy stalling with only 2.5% growth projected

November 20, 2023

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

Move Forward’s Sirikanya Tansakul points to a sharp rise in consumption even with lower economic growth. The key problem is not private consumption or a… Read More ›

90-day visa for European travellers to boost confidence and goodwill damaged by pandemic

90-day visa for European travellers to boost confidence and goodwill damaged by pandemic

November 20, 2023

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

Plan to boost long-haul tourist numbers from Europe as Thailand needs to woo back its former tourism market in Western countries, lost during the pandemic… Read More ›

Land Bridge to PM Srettha’s economic policy dreams on the agenda with a 2029 launch date

Land Bridge to PM Srettha’s economic policy dreams on the agenda with a 2029 launch date

November 17, 2023

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

Southern Land Bridge is an economic proposal with massive potential for the Thai economy and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. However, it must be commercially viable,… Read More ›

Chinese police patrols plan dumped by ministers quickly after public backlash threatened to erupt

Chinese police patrols plan dumped by ministers quickly after public backlash threatened to erupt

November 14, 2023

Crime, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Proposal for Chinese police in Thailand has raised extended questions about Chinese overseas police patrols, which are currently only sanctioned in Croatia and Serbia after… Read More ›

China’s Embassy calls on Thai media to censor its coverage of Taiwan to protect relationships

China’s Embassy calls on Thai media to censor its coverage of Taiwan to protect relationships

November 12, 2023

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

Shocking and peremptory statement from Chinese officials in Bangkok appears to order the Thai media into line over Taiwan. The trigger was a respectful interview… Read More ›

Srettha outlines Digital Wallet as his government begins to flounder with a faltering economy and confusion

Srettha outlines Digital Wallet as his government begins to flounder with a faltering economy and confusion

November 10, 2023

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

This week, an Investor Confidence Index (ICI) poll showed a massive fall in confidence in October, with capital flows accelerating out of the Kingdom and… Read More ›

Top Shia Muslim leader condemns Thai nationals fighting with Israel’s Army as a stab in the back

Top Shia Muslim leader condemns Thai nationals fighting with Israel’s Army as a stab in the back

November 8, 2023

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

Thai officials have been upbeat about the prospect of securing the release of a reported 24 Thai hostages being held by Hamas since they were… Read More ›

Change in the tax law does target expats living in Thailand and extends reporting obligations

Change in the tax law does target expats living in Thailand and extends reporting obligations

November 4, 2023

Economy, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Top lawyer and former member of the National Reform Council, along with others, calls for a new Revenue Code and for Thailand to compete with… Read More ›

Thailand faces an economic future of low growth despite Srettha’s plans because of a darker world

Thailand faces an economic future of low growth despite Srettha’s plans because of a darker world

October 29, 2023

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

Growth is likely to be similar to last year at 2.6% but only if the rebound in exports continues for the next few months, even… Read More ›

Deputy Interior Minister says cleaning house starts at home as he ordered son-in-law’s arrest

Deputy Interior Minister says cleaning house starts at home as he ordered son-in-law’s arrest

October 25, 2023

Crime, Living, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

The minister, despite an initial delay because of urgent commitments, did eventually address the Administration Committee of the House of Representatives on Wednesday as planned.… Read More ›