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

Aug 21, 2023

Damages Sought by Locals in Muno Village After Fireworks Explosion

On July 29th, a devastating explosion occurred at a fireworks warehouse in Sungai Kolok district's tambon Muno, Narathiwat province. The blast tragically claimed 12 lives and left 389 people injured. In addition to the human toll, the explosion destroyed three schools and caused significant damage to 682 homes in Muno village.

Aug 21, 2023

Elderly Scottish Kayaker's Daring Rescue from Udon Thani Stream

A 77yearold man from Scotland found himself in a precarious situation when his kayak sank in the Lam Huai Luang stream, Udon Thani, late on Saturday night. The man, identified only as Martin, was swept away by strong currents and ended up stranded on a muddy islet in Muang district.

Aug 21, 2023

A Gathering of 10,000 Buddhist Monks in Hat Yai for Annual Mass Alms Offerings

In a spectacular display of unity and devotion, 10,000 Buddhist monks from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia gathered in the heart of Hat Yai city for the annual tradition of receiving alms from Buddhists. This year's event marked the 20th anniversary of the mass alms offering ceremony, which resumed after a threeyear hiatus due to the COVID19 pandemic.

Aug 20, 2023

Bangkok's New Chinatown: A Mixed Blessing for Huai Khwang District

The Huai Khwang district in Bangkok has witnessed a growing parallel Chinese society, as more Chinese expats have settled in the area. Dubbed the second Yaowarat or Bangkok's new Chinatown, Huai Khwang saw a temporary exodus of Chinese vendors during the pandemic. However, with the Chinese government reopening its borders in January, investors have returned to the district, bringing life back to Pracharat Bamphen Road and the surrounding area.

Aug 20, 2023

Taiwanese Drug Smuggling Ring Busted in Thailand

In a major crackdown, Thai police arrested seven suspects, comprising six Taiwanese men and a Thai woman, for allegedly smuggling cannabis and crystal methamphetamine concealed within truck drive shafts. The successful operation took place in Bangkok and Samut Prakan, following a threemonthlong investigation into the "Khai Huang" drug trafficking network.

Aug 19, 2023

Koh Sichang: Development and Challenges

Koh Sichang, a popular island in Chon Buri, has been experiencing ongoing development in various sectors. Recently, the director of the Crown Property Bureau, ACM Satitpong Sukvimol, visited the island alongside other senior officials to follow up on the progress of several projects. Among these are a 3.1hectare solar farm and additional groundwater facilities.

Aug 19, 2023

Taiwanese Money Laundering Suspect Extradited

A Taiwanese man, Kuo Chemin, suspected of laundering around 3 billion baht (approximately NT$2.7 billion) for phone scammers and online gambling gangs, was arrested in Bangkok on July 27th. He has been extradited to Taipei, where he was handed over to prosecutors on August 10th. The Thai Immigration Bureau police confirmed the news during a briefing on August 18th.

Aug 19, 2023

Attracting Muslim Visitors: Thailand's Ambitious Tourism Plan

Thailand has set its sights on becoming a premier destination for Muslim tourists from around the world by 2027. This ambitious goal has been announced by deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek. The focus on Muslim tourists is due to their increasing numbers and high purchasing power. In 2022 alone, over 3 million Muslim tourists visited Thailand, a significant increase from the 875,043 visitors in 2017.

Aug 19, 2023

Faster Train Travel Coming to Northeast Thailand

The Thai government has announced plans to partially open the Map KabaoJira Junction doubletrack railway line in 2024, which will significantly increase train travel speeds in the region. Currently, passenger trains on the existing singletrack lines can only reach speeds of 50km/h. However, with the completion of the doubletrack upgrade, train speeds will increase to 120km/h for passenger services and 60km/h for freight trains.

Aug 19, 2023

Cyber Scam Crackdown in Thailand Leads to Seizure of Assets

On August 17, 2023, a Myanmar woman named Moe Moe Aye was arrested in Bangkok during a crackdown on online scams and cryptocurrency fraud by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). The 24yearold was charged with colluding in fraud, inputting false information into a computer system, laundering money, and related offenses.

Aug 19, 2023

Firefighting Training Project: Modern Firefighting Techniques for 2023

**Table of Contents** Introduction

Aug 18, 2023

Cyanide Misuse: An Unsettling Investigation into 36 Cases

In a shocking turn of events, the Department of Industrial Works has requested legal action against 36 individuals, including the notorious serial killer, Sararat "Aem Cyanide" Rangsiwuthaporn, who has brought attention to the misuse of cyanide. The department filed the request with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to look into these breaches of laws regulating the poisonous chemical.

Aug 18, 2023

Thai Trade Exhibition Saudi Arabia 2023: A Platform for SMEs

The Thai government is set to host a trade exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from August 27 - 30, 2023. The event, named Thai Trade Exhibition Saudi Arabia 2023, aims to promote Thai small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) by providing them with opportunities to expand their trading markets and investment options.

Aug 18, 2023

Relocation Demands for Controversial Khru Kai Kaeo Statue

The installation of a giant Khru Kai Kaeo statue at a hotel near the RatchadaLat Phrao intersection in Bangkok has sparked controversy and demands for relocation from two Thai civic groups. The deity, represented by a gargoylelike sculpture, has reportedly been causing fear among some people and eliciting concern from various sectors about the effects it has on the surrounding community.

Aug 18, 2023

TOA Paint (Thailand) Reports Stellar Second Quarter Performance in 2023

TOA Paint (Thailand) Public Company Limited, a trailblazer in paint and coating production and a comprehensive construction solutions provider in the country, has disclosed a remarkable second quarter performance for 2023. The company saw total revenue grow by 5% to 5,508 million baht and a substantial 103% increase in quarterly net profit, reaching 741 million baht. This exceptional performance is mainly attributed to the resurgence of tourism and reduced raw material prices.

Aug 18, 2023

Phuket's Pursuit of a Low-Carbon Island Reputation

Phuket, a popular island province in Thailand, is striving to become a lowcarbon destination in order to encourage ecotourism. The local government has been coordinating with state agencies and a sustainable development foundation to focus on managing food waste, which has detrimental effects on the environment.

Aug 17, 2023

Fighting Financial Fraud: SCB's "Fraud Fighter" Campaign

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has launched the "Fraud Fighter" campaign to address the growing issue of financial frauds and scams in Thailand. This initiative aims to provide the public with essential knowledge and tools to protect themselves against these malicious activities. This move comes as the Royal Thai Police reports significant losses due to online scams, with an average daily loss of 74 million baht.

Aug 17, 2023

Exploring the Andaman Coastal Road Project

An impact study is set to be carried out for the proposed Andaman Coastal Road project that aims to link the Ranong and Satun provinces. This initiative is led by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP). The intention behind this ambitious project is to provide improved access to tourist attractions across six provinces Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun.

Aug 17, 2023

Streamlining Filming Permits in Bangkok

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has instructed all district offices in the city and the City Law Enforcement Department to expedite the processing of foreign film shoot applications. He has specified that applications for shoots in public spaces should be processed within three days, while those for public parks should be processed in seven days.

Aug 17, 2023

Tragic Accident in Kanchanaburi Claims a Life and Injures Five

A devastating accident occurred in Kanchanaburi's Muang district early Wednesday morning, resulting in the tragic death of a woman and injuries to five other Myanmar nationals, including a 6yearold boy. The incident took place on Highway 323 in front of the provincial transport office in tambon Kaeng Sian.