Author

Greg Jorgensen

Creator of the award-winning travel blog Siam Stories and host of Thai Tourism Board official podcast (2008-2024). Former Lonely Planet contributor and author of three bestselling guidebooks on Thailand. Relocated from Portland to Bangkok in 2003 and never looked back.

708 articles

Sep 26, 2023

DNA Test Results Linked to Baby Remains Found in Bang Sue District

Songsak Songsaeng, a 46yearold man, was recently arrested along with his current wife, Sunan Nahuanin, aged 40, for the alleged murder of their 2yearold daughter. During the interrogation, Songsak confessed to killing four sons, all born to one of his three former wives. The case caught the attention of the public and triggered a thorough investigation.

Sep 26, 2023

Ex-Wife Detained in Chilling Murder Case Involving Children

Jessada Meepian, the 33yearold exwife of Songsak Songsaeng, a man accused of killing five children born to two of his four spouses, has been detained by the Criminal Court. She was arrested in connection with the deaths of four sons and faces multiple charges. These include colluding in physical abuse causing serious injury, colluding in physical abuse causing death, and concealment or destroying bodies, among others.

Sep 26, 2023

Big Joke's House Search: A Question of Politics and Reputation

Deputy national police chief Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn has criticized the search of his home in Bangkok, claiming it was dishonest and politically motivated. The search was conducted by cyber crime police, who provided only the house number when obtaining a warrant. According to Pol Gen Surachate, many officers involved in the search were aware that it was his residence.

Sep 25, 2023

Phuket Hotels Join Forces to Save Water

Phuket, a popular resort island in Thailand, is facing increasing water shortage and treatment issues. As the number of tourists visiting the island continues to rise, the demand for water resources is becoming more acute. To mitigate this issue, a collaborative effort between the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) and local hotels has been initiated.

Sep 23, 2023

Tragic Incident at Phuket Airport: Swiss Man Falls to His Death

In a distressing incident, a 53yearold Swiss man fell to his death from a parking building at Phuket International Airport on Friday night. The authorities suspect it to be a case of deliberate suicide, as it is the second such event in the past month.

Sep 23, 2023

The Case of Songsak Songsaeng: A Disturbing Tale of Murder and Family Tragedy

In a shocking and gruesome series of events, Songsak Songsaeng, a 46yearold man, is accused of murdering five children born to two of his wives. Currently detained without bail, Songsak faces one murder charge, with four more expected pending the results of DNA testing.

Sep 22, 2023

Songkhla's Pursuit of UNESCO World Heritage Status for Its Old Town

The provincial administrative organization (PAO) of Songkhla, a southern province in Thailand, is working together with local civil society to include the old town of Songkhla in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. To achieve this goal, a consultant has been hired to draft a development and management plan that adheres to UNESCO's guidelines for world heritage sites. This collaborative effort aims to preserve the rich arts, culture, and history that has thrived in Songkhla for over two centuries.

Sep 22, 2023

Tackling Recreational Cannabis to Benefit Tourism

Tourism operators have expressed their support for the prime minister's promise to eradicate recreational cannabis usage within six months. They believe that the unregulated cannabis shops have caused more harm to tourism in the past year. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated in an interview with Bloomberg that the government plans to rectify the cannabis policy within six months to ensure its use is limited to medical purposes. He also mentioned his personal disagreement with the recreational use of the plant.

Sep 22, 2023

Asean's Bid to Co-Host the 2034 World Cup

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has confirmed that Thailand and the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) are prepared to compete for the right to cohost the 2034 World Cup. This announcement was made on the Prime Minister's X account (previously known as Twitter) after he met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New York to discuss the potential collaboration between Southeast Asian nations and FIFA, the world's football governing body.

Sep 22, 2023

Fugitive from Gold Shop Robbery Captured in South Korea

Sunthorn Pinnak, a 33yearold man connected to a gold shop robbery in Pattaya, was apprehended in South Korea after nearly a year on the run. Pinnak, who carried a bounty of 80,000 baht and was number 50 on a police blacklist, was also wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for robbery. The arrest took place in Taeangun of Chungcheongnamdo province on September 7. Subsequently, a team of Thai police flew to South Korea to extradite Pinnak back to Thailand on September 18, as reported by Pol Maj Gen Itthiporn Phorthong, deputy chief of Police Region 2.

Sep 22, 2023

Bang Phli Mayor Arrested for Bribery in LCD Screen Project

The mayor of Muang Bang Kaew municipality in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, Nathapong Taengsuwan, has been apprehended on charges of demanding and accepting a bribe. The arrest occurred during a sting operation at his office on Bua Nakarin Road in tambon Bang Kaew.

Sep 22, 2023

Groundbreaking Elephant Rescue: Unchained Elephants' Historic Effort

Unchained Elephants, a dedicated group led by Daniel Villota, has made history by rescuing an elderly bull elephant named Kanoon, who was suffering in captivity next to a garbage dump in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They achieved this through the world's firstever tokenized elephant rescue, using NonFungible Tokens (NFTs) and crowdfunding to raise the necessary funds.

Sep 21, 2023

InterContinental Chiang Mai: A Living Museum Hotel Experience

Discover InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, a luxurious 5star hotel that brings Thailand's Lanna heritage to life. ## A Collaboration between AWC and IHG Hotels & Resorts

Sep 21, 2023

Phuket Ready for Chinese and Kazakh Tourists

Phuket's tourism authorities are eagerly preparing to welcome an influx of tourists from China and Kazakhstan, thanks to a new visafree policy set to be implemented next week. This policy allows easier entry and 30day visafree stays for nationals of both countries and will be effective from Monday until February 29th.

Sep 21, 2023

'Killer dad' Admits to Murdering Five Children

A 46yearold man, Songsak Songsaeng, and his 40yearold wife, Sunan Nahuanin, were arrested in Pathum Thani, Thailand, on suspicion of murdering their 2yearold daughter. The couple, originally from Kamphaeng Phet, was taken back to their hometown for further investigation. Authorities found the 2yearold daughter buried under concrete at her mother's house.

Sep 21, 2023

Southern Land Bridge Megaproject: A Pathway to Prosperity

A coalition MP from the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party recently expressed the importance of continuing with the southern land bridge megaproject during a House meeting. Wichai Sudsawat, a UTN MP for Chumphon, highlighted his concerns about the project's future and the potential impact on the livelihoods of people in his constituency. He urged the prime minister and cabinet ministers to prioritize the megaproject, as it could bring economic prosperity to the entire region.

Sep 21, 2023

Si Thep Historical Park: A World Heritage Site Overwhelmed

Si Thep Historical Park, located in Phetchabun province, has recently been listed as a World Heritage Site (WHS) by UNESCO. This recognition has raised concerns about the park's preparedness to handle the anticipated increase in tourist numbers. The ancient city of Si Thep was proposed for inclusion in the world heritage list by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep) and the Fine Arts Department in 2019. With its recent listing as a cultural site during the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's extended 45th session in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Si Thep became Thailand's fourth cultural World Heritage Site, joining Sukhothai Historical Park, Ayutthaya Historical Park, and Ban Chiang Archaeological Site.

Sep 20, 2023

Koh Samui Expressway Connection Project: Invitation for Public Participation

The Expressway Authority of Thailand has announced an open invitation for those interested in participating in the first subcommittee meeting for the Koh Samui Expressway Connection Project. This meeting aims to jointly review and select the most suitable route alignment while considering engineering, economic, financial, and environmental impact aspects.

Sep 20, 2023

Thai Scammers Linked to Family Tragedy Deported from Cambodia

Four Thai individuals, members of a scam gang responsible for a tragic family incident in Samut Prakan, have been arrested in Poipet, Cambodia. The suspects were part of a joint operation between Cambodian and Thai authorities to crackdown on phone scammers based in Cambodia. The Cambodian immigration officers deported the four Thais, consisting of one man and three women, through the PoipetAranyaprathet checkpoint and notified Thai officials of the situation.

Sep 20, 2023

Introducing MQDC's Storied Place: Innovative Mixed-Use Destinations

Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC) is expanding its business with the introduction of "Storied Place," a venture aimed at developing and managing mixeduse lifestyle spaces in line with global trends. Led by the experienced Ms. Orada Kerdhong, the new team will focus on the concept of "Happiness for All" and aims to delight all generations with unique and sustainable experiences.