Articles by: Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

Same-sex marriage law passed by lower house. Next comes a law to legalise prostitution in Thailand

Same-sex marriage law passed by lower house. Next comes a law to legalise prostitution in Thailand

March 28, 2024

Culture, Living, Politics, Thailand:

House of Representatives passes a Gay Marriage law. Legislators next will tackle legalising Prostitution. Historic strides in human rights anticipated as PM Srettha’s government leads… Read More ›

Phuket tourism boss concerned that the ‘feelings’ of locals on the island may be provoked by foreigners 

Phuket tourism boss concerned that the ‘feelings’ of locals on the island may be provoked by foreigners 

March 26, 2024

Crime, Economy, Living, Thailand:

Phuket tourism boss is concerned. Crackdown on foreigners nationwide launched by the Minister of Labour Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn as local outrage grows. Assaults and illegal businesses… Read More ›

Visa-free access to the UK in new roadmap pact signed in Bangkok on flying visit by Cameron

Visa-free access to the UK in new roadmap pact signed in Bangkok on flying visit by Cameron

March 21, 2024

Living, Thailand:

VISA WAIVER FOR THAIS GOING TO THE UK | One of the goals of the UK-Thai Strategic Partnership agreement signed with UK Foreign Secretary Lord… Read More ›

American 19-year-old to be interviewed by Phuket police over sexual abuse of horses at local stables

American 19-year-old to be interviewed by Phuket police over sexual abuse of horses at local stables

March 15, 2024

Crime, Living, Thailand:

American 19, caught abusing horses in Phuket. Thalang Police to grill suspect after disturbing allegations & CCTV evidence. Appointment made with father’s consent. Cruelty or… Read More ›

It’s all over for Move Forward, Thailand’s largest political party, after the Election Commission’s latest move

It’s all over for Move Forward, Thailand’s largest political party, after the Election Commission’s latest move

March 13, 2024

Living, Politics, Thailand:

Thailand’s Election Commission moves to dissolve the country’s largest political party, Move Forward, over lèse-majesté law advocacy. The party vows to fight back as it… Read More ›

Illegal American-run daycare centre for foreign children on Ko Phangan raided. 8 people arrested by Immigration Police 

Illegal American-run daycare centre for foreign children on Ko Phangan raided. 8 people arrested by Immigration Police 

March 10, 2024

Crime, Living, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

American woman arrested at illegal Ko Phangan daycare centre or crèche. 8 detained as latest Immigration Bureau crackdown targets foreign business violators across Thailand. An… Read More ›

Economic agency boss raises concern about runaway online media content in Thailand and fake news

Economic agency boss raises concern about runaway online media content in Thailand and fake news

March 8, 2024

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

Thai Economic Council raises the question of social media regulation amidst a fake news surge. In particular, online influencers face scrutiny as concern grows over… Read More ›

British Airways announces its return to Bangkok in a new thrice-week service from Gatwick London to Bangkok

British Airways announces its return to Bangkok in a new thrice-week service from Gatwick London to Bangkok

March 6, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

British Airways to resume Bangkok flights from late October. Gatwick to Suvarnabhumi Airport thrice weekly. A boost for Thai aviation hub plans. Flyers expect to… Read More ›

Surrogacy services to be opened up to foreigners in a volte-face on a 2015 junta law which outlawed it entirely

Surrogacy services to be opened up to foreigners in a volte-face on a 2015 junta law which outlawed it entirely

March 4, 2024

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

Surrogacy regime to be thawed in Thailand as the Pheu Thai-led government greenlights foreign couples to access surrogacy services in the kingdom. The shift from… Read More ›

Ex-officials and civilians face an array of serious criminal charges over Red Bull heir scandal says Attorney General

Ex-officials and civilians face an array of serious criminal charges over Red Bull heir scandal says Attorney General

February 27, 2024

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

Former and present officials as well as civilians face serious charges in the Vorayuth ‘Boss’ Yoovidhya scandal. Allegations of cover-up and corruption resurface after 7… Read More ›

Underworld surrogacy trade exposed, man arrested for smuggling semen from Thailand into Laos

Underworld surrogacy trade exposed, man arrested for smuggling semen from Thailand into Laos

February 24, 2024

Crime, Living, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

Thai surrogacy smuggling bust: Man nabbed for transporting frozen semen into Laos. Arrest shines a light on an underground surrogacy trade that is also linked… Read More ›

Full steam ahead on LGBTQ rights in Thailand, new gender identity law ordered by the PM at cabinet

Full steam ahead on LGBTQ rights in Thailand, new gender identity law ordered by the PM at cabinet

February 20, 2024

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

PM orders Gender recognition law. LGBTQ rights advancing rapidly in Thailand. The first Southeast Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage expected alongside recognition of alternative… Read More ›

Ice cream Spiderman flies the flag for Thailand online as video clip from Surat Thani goes viral abroad

Ice cream Spiderman flies the flag for Thailand online as video clip from Surat Thani goes viral abroad

February 17, 2024

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

Ice Cream Spiderman boosts Thailand’s soft power! Viral TikTok clip from Surat Thani goes global. It showcases Thai quirkiness and a love of culinary delights.… Read More ›

Thaksin on the verge of returning home to his family after early prison release has now been approved

Thaksin on the verge of returning home to his family after early prison release has now been approved

February 14, 2024

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

Thaksin’s homecoming is imminent amidst growing tumult over royal motorcades. Threats of further protests over his time in prison and early release also loom large.… Read More ›

63-year-old German died before his wife when blood erupted from his nose and mouth in mid-air on flight

63-year-old German died before his wife when blood erupted from his nose and mouth in mid-air on flight

February 11, 2024

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

Horrifying accounts emerge of a 63-year-old German man coughing up blood mid-flight from Bangkok to Munich. Despite efforts, he succumbed to the catastrophic loss of… Read More ›

Driver dies, three young Danish tourists seriously injured in van accident enroute to Pai Full Moon party

Driver dies, three young Danish tourists seriously injured in van accident enroute to Pai Full Moon party

February 10, 2024

Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Tragic accident in northern Thailand as van carrying Danish tourists crashes en route to Pai party. Driver killed, three seriously hurt. Concerns mount over road… Read More ›

Deadly danger of motorbikes in Thailand, 2 dead in 1 day while an Australian’s dreams are smashed

Deadly danger of motorbikes in Thailand, 2 dead in 1 day while an Australian’s dreams are smashed

February 8, 2024

Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

The danger posed by motorbikes in Thailand sees dreams crushed and lives lost every day. The situation is also an economic issue. Young Australian man… Read More ›

Prime Minister Srettha still doggedly pushing his less than popular and legally perilous Digital Wallet plan

Prime Minister Srettha still doggedly pushing his less than popular and legally perilous Digital Wallet plan

February 6, 2024

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

PM Srettha Thavisin presses on doggedly with his increasingly contentious Digital Wallet scheme. The plan faces public indifference, warnings of legal peril for ministers involved… Read More ›

Hard-boiled Russians arrested for violent extortion deny charges. Tell police they are just normal tourists

Hard-boiled Russians arrested for violent extortion deny charges. Tell police they are just normal tourists

February 3, 2024

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

Five Russian tourists arrested for allegedly abducting a Belarusian couple, extorting ฿31 million in cryptocurrency. The victims narrate a harrowing ordeal, recounting threats and violence.… Read More ›

Thailand and China work at closer quarters tackling illicit drugs. Justice Minister visits Beijing for talks

Thailand and China work at closer quarters tackling illicit drugs. Justice Minister visits Beijing for talks

February 2, 2024

Crime, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong led a delegation to Beijing, intensifying efforts against transnational crime. Thailand and China to work together to tackle the drug menace.… Read More ›