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 1, 2023

Model and Suspects Deny Involvement in Alleged Scam Network

On September 1, Jakkreena "Kiki Maxim" Chookhaowsri, a model, and eight other suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in a Chineseled scam network. The Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) took them to the Criminal Court to seek their detention. The suspects were apprehended during a police crackdown operation targeting illegal activities, including cryptocurrency investment fraud, romance fraud, and money laundering.

Aug 31, 2023

Mysterious Objects Found on Thai Beaches Spark Theories

On a seemingly normal day, locals and tourists were caught by surprise when they stumbled upon two mysterious objects washed ashore on the beaches of Phuket and Phangnga. These discoveries have fueled various theories about the origin of these objects, ranging from space debris to parts of an aircraft.

Aug 31, 2023

Woman Arrested at Border: Tragic Connection to Scam Gang

A young woman named Suchada Chabutsri, 19, was arrested in the arrivals area of the Sa Kaeo border checkpoint as she returned to Thailand from Cambodia through Poipet township. The arrest was made on Tuesday night by the immigration and local police. Suchada was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Samut Prakan Provincial Court on August 28 for collusion in fraud, inputting false information into a computer system causing damage to people, and opening a bank account for fraudulent purposes.

Aug 30, 2023

Chinese Couple Arrested in Thailand for Massive Fraud

A Chinese couple has been apprehended by the Immigration Bureau in Thailand for their alleged involvement in fraudulent investment schemes in China. These schemes reportedly caused damages amounting to over 1.5 billion baht. The arrest was made following a request from Chinese authorities who suspected the couple fled to Thailand after conning their compatriots out of this significant sum.

Aug 30, 2023

An Exciting Discovery: Rare Marine Life in the Gulf of Thailand

In an exceptional discovery, the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (Central Gulf of Thailand) recently conducted a nineday aerial survey, covering 169.7 square kilometers off the coast of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, and Chumphon. This survey led to the sighting of several rare aquatic animals, which has sparked calls for increased protection and conservation efforts in the region.

Aug 30, 2023

Tragic Family Incident Sheds Light on Scam Gang and Mule Accounts

In Samut Prakan, Thailand, authorities are piecing together a heartwrenching family tragedy that has connections to a scam gang operating through mule accounts. Sanit Dokmai, a 41yearold man, overwhelmed by debt, killed his wife and two young sons before attempting to take his own life. The incident has shed light on the intricate web of deceit spun by the scam gang and the devastating consequences that befell this family.

Aug 30, 2023

Retiree Falls Victim to Fake News Anchor Cryptocurrency Scam

A 66yearold government retiree recently lost a staggering 20 million baht (approximately 600,000 USD) to an online scammer pretending to be a news anchor. The scammer lured the victim into investing in cryptocurrencies within just two months. The retiree, along with the real TV news anchor, filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) on August 29, 2023.

Aug 29, 2023

Vietnamese Nationals Arrested for Operating Online Gambling Website in Pattaya

In the early hours of Tuesday, 13 Vietnamese nationals were arrested by investigators from the Metropolitan Police Division 5 and Pattaya police for operating an online gambling operation. The illegal activity took place in three hotel rooms located on Pattaya Sai 3 road in Bang Lamung district. The police raided these rooms shortly after midnight, leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Aug 29, 2023

Family Tragedy Linked to Crushing Debt and Call Scam

In a horrific turn of events, a 41yearold father in Samut Prakan, overwhelmed with mounting family debt, is suspected of killing his wife and two sons before attempting to take his own life. It is believed that a call scam, which cost the wife 1.7 million baht she had borrowed, pushed the man over the edge.

Aug 26, 2023

Managing Monkey Populations in Lop Buri

In Lop Buri, a province in the Central Plains of Thailand, authorities have launched a sterilization campaign to control the evergrowing monkey population. With numbers estimated to be above 2,000, the campaign targets the reduction of the monkey population and alleviating the negative impact of these animals on locals and tourists.

Aug 26, 2023

Request to Remove Controversial 'Demon' Statue from Bazaar Hotel Bangkok

A significant shareholder of the Bazaar Hotel Bangkok has filed a petition with the court, seeking the removal of the contentious Khru Kai Kaeo statue from the hotel premises located on Ratchadaphisek Road. Phairoj Thungthong, who owns an 80% share in Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchadapisek Co Ltd, registered in 2009 with a capital of 780 million baht, claims that the company is currently undergoing a rehabilitation process due to the impact of the Covid19 pandemic.

Aug 25, 2023

Nigerian Man and 13 Thais Arrested for Multi-Million Romance Scam

A Nigerian man and 13 Thais were arrested for their involvement in a romance scam gang that defrauded victims of approximately 800 million baht (around $24 million) over three years. The arrests took place after police conducted operations across seven provinces in Thailand.

Aug 25, 2023

Local Performance Assessment (LPA): A Comprehensive Overview

The Local Performance Assessment (LPA) is a crucial annual evaluation conducted by the Department of Local Administration to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of local government organizations across the country. This article delves into the LPA's objectives, assessment areas, and its impact on local government organizations.

Aug 25, 2023

Certificate Presentation Ceremony for Community Committees in Maret and Na Mueang

The Community Committee Training Project is an initiative designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of community administration and management. Recently, the community committees of Maret and Na Mueang subdistricts successfully completed the training for the year 2023. The Community Committee Training Project is an initiative designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of community administration and management. Recently, the community committees of Maret and Na Mueang subdistricts successfully completed the training for the year 2023.

Aug 24, 2023

Woman Arrested for Pyramid Scheme in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

A 34yearold woman, Kanittha Senkhoksung, has been arrested for operating a pyramid scheme that caused more than 9 million baht in damages. The scheme lured in over 100 investors, who were then victimized by the fraudulent operation. A 34yearold woman, Kanittha Senkhoksung, has been arrested for operating a pyramid scheme that caused more than 9 million baht in damages. The scheme lured in over 100 investors, who were then victimized by the fraudulent operation.

Aug 24, 2023

Thaksin Shinawatra: Medical Ward Residence in Bangkok Remand Prison

Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand, has been assigned a private room on the medical ward of Bangkok Remand Prison due to his underlying health conditions. At 74 years old, Thaksin has four known health issues, including heart and lung problems. The Department of Corrections has stated that Thaksin's health will be closely monitored to provide proper medical care and ensure his safety.

Aug 24, 2023

Koh Samui's Tourism Revival: Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Koh Samui, the beautiful resort island in the southern province of Surat Thani, is witnessing a significant revival in its tourism industry. In July, both the number of flights and tourist arrivals surged, indicating that the island's tourism has returned to its precoronavirus levels in 2019.

Aug 24, 2023

Introducing the English Traffy Fondue App for Foreigners in Phuket

Phuket provincial office has recently launched an English languagesupported version of the Traffy Fondue application, aiming to assist foreign visitors in reporting issues related to the local environment and public services. The app has received positive feedback from locals who hope for a quicker resolution to everyday problems.

Aug 22, 2023

Honest Taxi Driver Returns Wallet with Over 370,000 Baht

An exemplary act of honesty occurred last Saturday when taxi driver Pornsak Phunee returned a wallet containing a significant sum of money to a Bangladeshi tourist. The wallet, which was left in Pornsak's cab, contained over 370,000 baht in foreign currencies, photos, and a credit card belonging to Jahirul Islam Munshi.

Aug 22, 2023

Crackdown on Unlicensed Cannabis Dispensaries in Phuket

Phuket, a popular tourist destination in Thailand, is home to a growing number of cannabis dispensaries. As of now, there are 1,701 registered cannabisrelated businesses on the island, with 1,451 of them being dispensaries. These shops are spread across different districts: 502 in Kathu district, 222 in Thalang district, and the remainder in Muang Phuket district.