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 16, 2023

Former Monk and Eight Others Deny Embezzlement Allegations

Former renowned monk Phra Ajarn Khom and eight other individuals have refuted the charges of embezzling 182 million baht (approximately 5.4 million USD) from Wat Pha Dhammakiri, a temple located in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. These individuals, including the former meditation expert, are facing trials for their alleged involvement in the corruption scandal.

Aug 15, 2023

Thai Nationals Arrested for Trafficking Myanmar Refugees

Three Thai men were apprehended for allegedly smuggling Myanmar refugees, including children, out of a temporary shelter. The arrest took place after a tipoff led to a checkpoint on Highway 1337, where two suspicious pickup trucks were stopped and searched.

Aug 15, 2023

Racing Car Mechanic's Arrest Leads to Discovery of Massive Meth Stash

A racing car mechanic, Jirasak "Kan" Boonchai, 42, was recently arrested at a petrol station in Muang district, Sing Buri province, with 1.18 million methamphetamine pills in his possession. The Bangkok Metropolitan Police conducted the arrest, and Jirasak's assets, worth about 10 million baht, were impounded for further examination.

Aug 15, 2023

Koh Samui Bridge Project: Public Hearing for the Initial Project Orientation

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) conducted a public hearing on August 10, 2013, to discuss the feasibility study of the Koh Samui Bridge Project. ## Project Background and Objectives

Aug 15, 2023

Koh Samui Bridge Project: Public Hearings Begin

The Express Authority of Thailand (Exat) has commenced public hearings for its ambitious plan to construct a 20kilometer bridge that will connect the mainland to Koh Samui. Expected to start in 2028, this project aims to provide an overland transportation option to the popular island, which is currently accessible only through air and ferry links.

Aug 15, 2023

Exciting Times at Khao Laem National Park: Entry Fees Waived for Mother's Day

Khao Laem National Park in Sangkhla Buri district prepares to welcome an influx of tourists during the upcoming threeday holiday, as entry fees for national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across Thailand will be waived for Thai citizens on Mother's Day, August 12th. This special occasion also celebrates the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother.

Aug 14, 2023

Scammers Increase Ransom Tactics with Fake Abduction Videos

In a new and troubling twist on ransom scams, gangsters have begun forcing university students to film fake abduction videos. The criminals intended to send these fabricated videos to the victims' parents in an attempt to extort ransom money. This tactic came to light after a university student in Lat Krabang district fell victim to the same trick and was subsequently rescued.

Aug 14, 2023

Homeless at Risk Due to Ban on Ratchadamnoen Avenue

Ratchadamnoen Avenue, a refuge for the homeless in Bangkok, will no longer be an available haven starting September. ## A Glimpse Into the Lives of the Homeless

Aug 14, 2023

Drug Party Raid in Bangkok Leads to Arrest of Foreign Nationals

On a recent Friday afternoon, a group of nine foreign nationals was arrested in a raid conducted by the Bang Chan police at a luxury house located in Saphan Sung district of Bangkok. The raid was led by Pol Col Siwat Sriwichai, the chief of Bang Chan police, and was carried out in response to complaints from residents living in the Life Bangkok Boulevard housing estate in the Thab Chang area.

Aug 14, 2023

Revitalizing Pattaya's Tourism and Economy through Strategic Budget Allocation

Pattaya City officials have decided to focus next year's budget on boosting the local economy and revitalizing the tourism sector, according to Mayor Paramet Ngampichet. With a total approved budget of 1.9 billion baht, city executives, councillors, and local government agencies have recently convened to establish spending priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, starting on October 1.

Aug 14, 2023

Mobile Dental Unit Project: A Royal Initiative for Better Oral Health

The Koh Samui Teqball Tour Mobile Dental Unit Project, initiated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, aims to improve oral health among the elderly population. Scheduled for the fiscal year 2023, the project focuses on providing accessible dental care services and promoting proper oral hygiene habits.

Aug 13, 2023

Insurance Fraud: Ex-Agent Arrested for Selling Fake Policies Worth 22 Million Baht

A former insurance agent, known only as Setthawut, has been arrested in Chon Buri, Thailand, for allegedly selling fake insurance policies worth over 22 million baht. The 45yearold man was apprehended by the Economic Crime Suppression Division at a petrol station, with three outstanding warrants to his name. Setthawut faces charges of falsifying documents, defrauding individuals, and inputting false information into a computer system.

Aug 13, 2023

Waterspout Sinks Tour Boat: Two Tourists Missing

A tour boat, carrying seven passengers, was struck by a waterspout and subsequently sank in the middle of Bang Ta Boon bay off Ban Laem district on Saturday afternoon. The sudden event resulted in two tourists going missing, as the boat was on a sightseeing excursion of the Ban Ta Boon bay. The incident was reported to the 191 police emergency center at around 5 pm.

Aug 13, 2023

Escalating Phone Scam Warnings

### Phone Scams on the Rise ### Phone Scams on the Rise

Aug 13, 2023

Fake Royal Projects Scam: Seven Arrested

A group of fraudsters has been apprehended by the police for allegedly scamming people into investing in fake development projects in the Northeast since 2021. The suspects used the name of the Chaipattana Foundation, a royally established organization, to deceive their victims.

Aug 12, 2023

Mouse Loves Mom: A Celebration of National Mother's Day 2023

On August 11, 2023, the Prapathom Tham Early Childhood Development Center, Municipality 4 Wat Sawang Arom, hosted a special event called "Mouse Loves Mom" to celebrate National Mother's Day. The event was held in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand's birthday on August 12, 2023. The Deputy Mayor of Koh Samui, Pakorn Kanchanophas, presided over the opening ceremony, which was attended by various stakeholders, including the mayor's secretary, center committee members, teachers, education personnel, parents, students, and honored guests.

Aug 12, 2023

Beware of the Latest Scam Targeting University Students

Police have recently issued a warning about an emerging scam targeting university students. In this insidious scheme, fraudsters manipulate students into creating fake abduction videos of themselves, which are then used to extort money from their parents. Police have recently issued a warning about an emerging scam targeting university students. In this insidious scheme, fraudsters manipulate students into creating fake abduction videos of themselves, which are then used to extort money from their parents.

Aug 12, 2023

A Royal Tribute: Discovering Miliusa Majestatis

Researchers from Chiang Mai University have discovered a new species of plant belonging to the Annonaceae family. In celebration of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother's 91st birthday, they decided to name this new species "Majestatis". This beautiful plant pays tribute to Queen Sirikit, a wellknown protector of biodiversity.

Aug 11, 2023

Fraudulent Gang Impersonates Royal Foundation for Fake Projects

A group of criminals has been deceiving people into investing in fictitious development projects in the Northeastern region of Thailand since 2021. The fraudsters have been using the prestigious and royally established Chaipattana Foundation's name to attract innocent victims. A group of criminals has been deceiving people into investing in fictitious development projects in the Northeastern region of Thailand since 2021. The fraudsters have been using the prestigious and royally established Chaipattana Foundation's name to attract innocent victims.

Aug 10, 2023

Breast Cancer Screening Project

The breast cancer screening project was launched on August 8, 2023, with the primary goal of identifying atrisk individuals in the Na Mueang Subdistrict area. Targeting women aged 30 to 70, the project aims to provide knowledge and skills for selfassessment of breast cancer risk. Furthermore, it seeks to identify earlystage breast cancer patients and ensure they receive proper followup care, referral, and treatment according to medical standards.