Articles by: Joseph O' Connor and Son Nguyen

Cambodian opposition leader arrested in Bangkok as Hun Sen’s long reign of coercion continues

Cambodian opposition leader arrested in Bangkok as Hun Sen’s long reign of coercion continues

July 9, 2023

Foreigners, Media, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

With two weeks to go before another phoney election in Cambodia to preserve the illusion of democracy which has already seen the main opposition party… Read More ›

3rd virus wave now spells not just economic loss but financial danger as kingdom’s debt level rises

3rd virus wave now spells not just economic loss but financial danger as kingdom’s debt level rises

April 17, 2021

Economy, Living, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

Fears are rising that the government may not have the resources to cushion the effects of the third wave of the virus, currently spreading within… Read More ›

Economic plan to put the smile back in Thailand’s appeal to western foreigners to live and work

Economic plan to put the smile back in Thailand’s appeal to western foreigners to live and work

April 12, 2021

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

New initiative is the brainchild of Mr Chayotid Kridakon, former managing director of J.P. Morgan Thailand. It follows a decision taken late last month by… Read More ›

World Bank downgrades growth prospects as Thai economic recovery in 2021 looks still uncertain

World Bank downgrades growth prospects as Thai economic recovery in 2021 looks still uncertain

March 26, 2021

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Thailand’s economic problems are coming into clear focus as projected growth rates for 2021 are already beginning to slide as in 2019 and 2020 despite… Read More ›

Drinks giant Thai Beverage to resume expansion with Singapore IPO for Asean regional beer operation

Drinks giant Thai Beverage to resume expansion with Singapore IPO for Asean regional beer operation

February 7, 2021

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Latest move sees the huge Thai drinks conglomerate move to power faster and deeper expansion in ASEAN and Southeast Asia to tap into a growing… Read More ›

Thai Airways seeks a second and last extension to file its survival plan with the Bankruptcy Court on March 3rd

Thai Airways seeks a second and last extension to file its survival plan with the Bankruptcy Court on March 3rd

January 28, 2021

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Rejection of the plan either by the court or creditors could see Thai Airways lose its court protected status. This would leave it at the… Read More ›

Ministers hoping the kingdom can come through 2nd virus wave with minimal economic damage

Ministers hoping the kingdom can come through 2nd virus wave with minimal economic damage

December 31, 2020

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Latest figures from the Fiscal Policy Office at the Ministry of Finance show consumer confidence buoyed to its highest point since March this year in… Read More ›

Government expands social welfare for the poor during the Covid emergency benefiting 14 million

Government expands social welfare for the poor during the Covid emergency benefiting 14 million

December 7, 2020

Economy, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

Key economics unit, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha, gave the green light on Wednesday for additional funding to run expanded social welfare schemes… Read More ›

Central Bank intervenes to stem the baht for now as the country’s foreign reserves keep growing with inflows

Central Bank intervenes to stem the baht for now as the country’s foreign reserves keep growing with inflows

November 20, 2020

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

On November 6th, Thailand’s foreign reserves stood at ฿7.7 trillion, an increase of 1.2% in 7 days since October 30th. The currency, despite Thailand’s lopsided… Read More ›

Covid 19 electricity price reductions overshadowed by reports of skyrocketing energy bills nationwide

Covid 19 electricity price reductions overshadowed by reports of skyrocketing energy bills nationwide

April 21, 2020

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

Hard-pressed households looking forward to electricity price reductions instead this week were confronted with startling increases in bills well beyond the seasonal rise in demand… Read More ›

Court upholds the conviction of Dutchman Johan Van Laarhoven on drug money laundering 

Court upholds the conviction of Dutchman Johan Van Laarhoven on drug money laundering 

August 27, 2019

Crime, Foreigners, Thai World, Thailand:

Court held that ฿300 million was far too enormous a sum to have been made retailing coffee or from the disposal of his 4 shop… Read More ›

Red Shirt leaders say they will pay ฿30 million judgment handed down last Thursday with respect

Red Shirt leaders say they will pay ฿30 million judgment handed down last Thursday with respect

August 26, 2019

Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Case taken by the owners of three concerns that were destroyed by a fire that was set off during the 2010 street protests near the… Read More ›

Trump causes jitters in Bangkok as he signals a further deepening of the trade war with China at G7 meeting

Trump causes jitters in Bangkok as he signals a further deepening of the trade war with China at G7 meeting

August 26, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Thai World, Thailand:

On Friday the President of the United States raised the possibility of ordering US firms and companies out of China. It has been confirmed that… Read More ›

Dutch Justice Minister flies to Bangkok to discuss the case of Dutchman jailed for 75 yrs

Dutch Justice Minister flies to Bangkok to discuss the case of Dutchman jailed for 75 yrs

August 25, 2019

Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

It is reported that Dutch prosecutors have already agreed to pay €20 million to the Dutch national whose arrest and imprisonment were sparked by a… Read More ›

US Senator is a woman who speaks Thai – Tammy Duckworth visits Thailand to foster American ties

US Senator is a woman who speaks Thai – Tammy Duckworth visits Thailand to foster American ties

August 24, 2019

Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

High profile visit by the first Thai born person to sit in the US Congress comes in the same month as US Secretary of State… Read More ›

Economy to decide the fate of Prayut’s government as opposition begins charter push

Economy to decide the fate of Prayut’s government as opposition begins charter push

August 23, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Economic observers suggest that the export contraction has been filtering into the Thai domestic economy as one Bangkok Bank report this week suggests that small… Read More ›

It’s a hard station for Thai police and foreigners should understand better the job they do to keep order

It’s a hard station for Thai police and foreigners should understand better the job they do to keep order

August 22, 2019

Crime, Foreigners, Living, Thai World, Thailand:

The role and value of Thailand’s Royal Thai Police is an immense and valuable one that foreigners should recognise and understand as it underpins everything… Read More ›

Tourism Minister’s plans for later nightlife hours receive a tepid response from Interior colleague

Tourism Minister’s plans for later nightlife hours receive a tepid response from Interior colleague

August 20, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Tourism minister has promised to discuss his plans with cabinet colleagues including the PM and says such a move would boost expenditure by up to… Read More ›

Thai Economic team fights back with ฿370 billion stimulus aimed at achieving 3% growth this year

Thai Economic team fights back with ฿370 billion stimulus aimed at achieving 3% growth this year

August 19, 2019

Economy, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

As some economists talk of recession, the new government economic cabinet is hoping to launch a counter-attack on the prevailing trend in the economy this… Read More ›

Foreign Minister comes out strongly against visa waiver proposals for China and India at cabinet

Foreign Minister comes out strongly against visa waiver proposals for China and India at cabinet

August 19, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Proposals to be considered by the Thai cabinet on Tuesday. Minister draws attention to the problems of the Thai Embassy in New Delhi dealing with… Read More ›