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 10, 2023

Man Apprehended for Alleged Sexual Abuse of Schoolgirls

A 35yearold man, Jirayut Phomhom, also known as Jack, was arrested in connection with the allegations of sexually molesting seven schoolgirls in various areas of Bangkok last month. The arrest took place in front of a house in Tambon Nong Din Daeng, Muang district of Nakhon Pathom.

Aug 10, 2023

Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair: 68th Edition and Ruby Jubilee

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT) have proudly announced the 68th edition of the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair. This highly anticipated event, which is Thailand's largest and Asia's longestcelebrated gem and jewelry trade show, will mark its ruby jubilee this year. Scheduled between September 6th and 10th, 2023, the fair will be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok.

Aug 9, 2023

Protecting Bang Khanun Forest: Activists Intensify Efforts

A coalition of environmental organizations has submitted a petition to the Thalang district office and the 3rd Naval Area Command, urging them to bolster protection measures for the 3,700 rai Bang Khanun reserve forest. The move comes amidst concerns of widespread deforestation in the area. Chamrun Koetdam, president of the Network of Gulf of ThailandAndaman Conservation Areas, led the effort in presenting the petition to Bancha Thanuin, chief of the Thalang district office.

Aug 9, 2023

Teenage Girl Arrested for Human Trafficking and Luring Minors into Prostitution

In a recent event, a 16yearold girl was arrested on Tuesday in Kamphaeng Phet province for accusations of human trafficking and luring minors into prostitution. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) made the arrest at a hotel in Tambon Nakhon Chum of Muang Kamphaeng Phet district after receiving a report from Alliance AntiTraffic Thailand.

Aug 9, 2023

Embracing the Challenge: Cleaning Up the Oil Spill

At least three tonnes of oil, suspected to have originated from a ship, have been removed from Sirinan National Park and Koh Racha Yai after washing ashore. The oil spill is believed to have started in neighboring Phangnga province last Wednesday before reaching Koh Racha Yai in Phuket on Sunday.

Aug 8, 2023

Remembering Nidhi Eoseewong: A Tribute to the Historian and Writer

Nidhi Eoseewong, a renowned historian, writer, and political commentator, passed away at the age of 83. His family revealed that he succumbed to lung cancer. Nidhi's life was characterized by his dedication to academics, his passion for Thai history, and his contributions to the world of political commentary.

Aug 8, 2023

Hua Hin Airport Expansion: Boosting Tourism and the Local Economy

The Department of Airports (DoA) has announced plans to transform Hua Hin Airport into an international airport in an effort to promote tourism in the region. Rattapol Charoenphon, the acting director of Hua Hin Airport, stated that the airport's runway has already been extended to 2.1 kilometers in length and 60 meters in width, allowing it to accommodate Airbus A320 aircraft. Moreover, the airport now has parking bays for three of these planes.

Aug 8, 2023

Combating Illegal Street Racing Among Tourists in Pattaya

In response to complaints from residents and visitors about illegal street racing by a group of Arab tourists on motorbikes, Pattaya police have stepped up their efforts to curb the disruptive activity. The chief of Pattaya City police station, Pol Col Thanapong Photi, held a meeting with local authorities and motorbike rental business operators to discuss ways to address the problem. These tourists have been known to turn certain streets into race tracks at night, causing disturbances and posing threats to public safety.

Aug 8, 2023

Oil Slick in Koh Racha Yai Island Prompts Beach Clean-up Efforts

On August 8th, 2023, local authorities in Phuket mobilized quickly to address an oil slick that washed up on the shores of Koh Racha Yai, a popular tourist destination in Muang district. The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre's Region 3 was alerted to the presence of oil slicks on Patok and Siam beaches, prompting immediate action.

Aug 8, 2023

Malfunctioning Tsunami-Warning Buoy Recovered

Tsunamiwarning buoy 23461, which stopped transmitting data on July 31, has been recovered by a navy vessel after drifting away from its original station about 340 kilometers northwest of Phuket in the Andaman Sea, reported the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

Aug 7, 2023

Thailand Experiences Remarkable Tourism Growth in First Seven Months of 2023

Thailand witnessed an impressive growth in tourist arrivals in the first seven months of 2023, with more than 15 million tourists visiting the country from January to July. This figure represents a staggering 384% increase compared to the same period last year. The country's revenue from both domestic and international tourists amounted to 1.08 trillion baht, with 638.16 million baht attributed to international visitors.

Aug 7, 2023

Annual Inter-School Sports Competition: Fostering Sportsmanship and Skills in Thai Youth

The importance of sports in shaping young minds and promoting a healthy lifestyle cannot be overstated. It is with this spirit that the Thai Government, through the Department of Physical Education, organized an annual interschool sports competition for students under the Koh Samui Municipality in 2013. The event, held at the prestigious Suphachalasai National Stadium, aimed to encourage students to participate in sports, learn the values of sportsmanship, and acquire essential skills in their chosen disciplines.

Aug 7, 2023

Investigation Underway for Phuket Oil Slicks

In recent news, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpaarcha has ordered the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) to locate the culprits responsible for the oil slicks and tar balls discovered on various beaches in Phuket last Friday.

Aug 7, 2023

Support for Narathiwat Explosion Victims

Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha, along with Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, visited the survivors of the firework warehouse explosion in Narathiwat on Friday. They reassured the victims that financial support would be provided through a combination of government funds and private donations.

Aug 7, 2023

Car Bomb Incident in Narathiwat

On Saturday night, authorities closed off an area surrounding a car bomb explosion near a police base in Sungai Kolok district, Narathiwat. The incident occurred at the Orakan intersection, close to a railway track and the 9313 ad hoc police base. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

Aug 7, 2023

Introducing the Halal Economic Corridor

The Thai government is working to establish the Halal Economic Corridor (HEC) in the southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Satun, as well as four districts in Songkhla. The HEC aims to improve the livelihoods of local residents, revive the economy, and make Thailand a global hub for halal goods.

Aug 6, 2023

Phuket Authorities Increase Safety Measures Following Recent Drownings

Phuket officials are on high alert following five tragic drownings, including four foreign tourists, in the past week. The drownings occurred at Freedom beach, Karon beach, and Surin beach. With a total of 12 drownings since the beginning of the year, authorities are taking action to ensure visitor safety.

Aug 6, 2023

Phuket Rids Beaches of Oil Slicks

Local authorities and residents have been working tirelessly to remove oil slicks and tar balls from four beaches in Sirinat National Park in Thalang district. The park's chief, Sorasak Rananan, was alerted about the issue on Friday, and the cleanup process has continued since then.

Aug 6, 2023

Firework Warehouse Explosion: Owners Arrested

The owners of a fireworks warehouse in Narathiwat that exploded last weekend, killing 12 people and injuring 121, turned themselves in to police, according to a local source. The couple, identified as Sompong Napol, 42, and Piyanuch Puengwirawat, 42, crossed the border from Malaysia via the Sadao checkpoint after police issued warrants for their arrest in connection with the July 29 explosion in Tambon Muno, Sungai Kolok district.

Aug 5, 2023

A Divisive Divorce in Thai Politics

The recent split between Thailand's two largest parties, Pheu Thai and the Move Forward Party (MFP), may be irreparable, potentially turning the two former allies against each other. According to a political expert, their attempt to forge a coalition was illadvised from the start, as housing the two nearly equalsized parties together was neither realistic nor wise.