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

Jul 11, 2023

Bus Accident Claims Four Lives and Injures Many

A bus accident in Si Sa Ket, Thailand, took the lives of four individuals and left 34 others injured when it veered off a mountain road and overturned in Phu Sing district. The accident occurred on July 10th, 2023, during the Suranaree Trail Running competition. According to the police, the bus was carrying participants back to the starting point after finishing the race when it lost its balance on a trip down Phanom Dongrak mountain.

Jul 8, 2023

Online Gambling and Passport Counterfeiting Ring Busted in Samut Prakan

In a recent crackdown on illegal activities, 17 Vietnamese citizens were arrested for their alleged involvement in an online gambling site and a passport counterfeiting gang. The group operated from three houses in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan, which were raided by Bang Phli Police and Immigration Bureau officers.

Jul 6, 2023

Four Thai Hotels Rank Among World's Top 10: A Testament to Thailand's Thriving Tourism Industry

Four hotels in Thailand have been recognized as some of the world's best by La Liste, a reputable French hotel and restaurant rating guide. The hotels that have made it into the top 10 include Capella Bangkok, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Amanpuri in Phuket, and Six Senses Yao Noi in Phangnga. This achievement has been hailed by Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha as a sign of a strong tourism sector in the country.

Jul 6, 2023

E-Bike UP: Revolutionizing Green Tourism in Koh Samui

On July 3, 2023, a remarkable event occurred at Central Samui, Koh Samui District, Surat Thani Province. The Deputy Mayor of Koh Samui Municipality, Ms. Suphinya Sritongkul, attended the opening ceremony of EBike UP, the firstever electric vehicle (EV) bike rental service on the island.

Jul 3, 2023

Free Rabies Vaccination for Pets: A Comprehensive Guide

The Rabies Prevention and Control Project is launching a campaign to offer free rabies vaccinations for pets in the fiscal year 2023. The campaign aims to promote awareness and protect the health of both animals and humans. ## The Importance of Rabies Vaccination

Jun 30, 2023

Youth Smoking and the Rise of Illegal Vaping in Thailand

A recent survey conducted by the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) has uncovered that an estimated 9.1% of young people in Thailand are using ecigarettes. The study, which surveyed 61,688 people nationwide, showed that 14.6% of young people in Bangkok use vapes, making the capital the highest among the 13 areas studied.

Jun 30, 2023

Thailand's First Dedicated Cruise Port in Pattaya

The Marine Department of Thailand has proposed a plan to construct a 7.4billionbaht cruise port in Pattaya, which would be the first dedicated cruise port in the nation. The project is intended to accommodate two largesized cruise liners simultaneously. The new cabinet will need to approve this plan for it to proceed.

Jun 30, 2023

Pattaya Cruise Port: A New Era of Thai Cruise Tourism

The Marine Department of Thailand plans to seek cabinet approval for constructing a port specifically designed for largesized cruise liners near the Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. This 7.4billionbaht project, if approved, will begin construction in 2026 and be completed by 2029. Wanchai Butthongdi, the director of the department's engineering division, stated that this port will be the first of its kind in Thailand dedicated to serving large cruise ships.

Jun 29, 2023

Couple Arrested in Chiang Rai for B24m Forex Trading Scam

A couple in Chiang Rai was recently apprehended for their involvement in a fraudulent Forex investment scheme, which reportedly deceived people into investing a total of around 24 million baht. Kanok, 36, and his wife Thanyachanok, 37, were arrested by a joint team of officers from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMP) and the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT) in front of their residence in tambon Tha Sai, Muang district.

Jun 29, 2023

Strengthening Ties between Ko Samui and Tujiajin

On June 28, 2023, a delegation from Ko Samui, Thailand, led by Mr. Wichawut Jinto, Governor of Surat Thani Province, embarked on a visit to Tujiajin in Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. The visit aimed at bolstering the relationship between the two cities after the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) on March 24, 2023, focusing on tourism development, cultural exchange, and promoting tourism between both cities and countries.

Jun 29, 2023

The Arrest of a Ponzi Scheme Mastermind

The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) recently announced the arrest of an alleged Ponzi scheme operator who is accused of running over 600 mule accounts to deceive his victims. The suspect, known only as Palakorn, was arrested at Songkhla prison, where he was already incarcerated for another crime. He now faces additional charges of fraud and computerrelated offenses.

Jun 29, 2023

Deputy Chief of Narcotics Division Found Dead

On June 9th, 2023, Pramote Thampanichawat, the 60yearold deputy chief of the Court of Justice's narcotics division, was found dead in his Chatuchak residence in Bangkok. His secretary discovered his lifeless body with a bullet wound to his head, and a 9mm handgun lay next to his right hand.

Jun 28, 2023

Thai Tour Guide Tragically Falls from Hotel in Pattaya

A 48yearold Thai tour guide working with Chinese tourists met with an unfortunate accident on Wednesday morning, when he fell from the fourth floor of a local hotel in Pattaya. The incident occurred at the Malibu City Place hotel around 6:30 AM. The victim, identified as Puwasit Chailangka, was found lifeless in the parking area adjacent to the hotel building.

Jun 26, 2023

Surat Thani Provincial Administration Secures Contract with Samui Logistics

The Surat Thani Provincial Administration Organization has entered into a collaboration with Samui Logistics Limited Partnership for a development project that aims to improve the accessibility to a key tourist attraction in the area. ## Reinforced Concrete Road Construction

Jun 26, 2023

Myanmar Refugees Seek Shelter in Thailand Amid Ongoing Conflict

As the conflict between the military and ethnic groups in Myanmar rages on, nearly 4,800 Myanmar nationals have sought refuge in the Mae Hong Son border districts in Thailand. The fighting has been particularly intense along the ThaiMyanmar border opposite tambon Sao Hin of Mae Sariang district and tambon Mae Ngao of Khun Yuam district.

Jun 26, 2023

Municipal Council Joint Meeting: Period 2 - Annual Year 2022

On June 29, 2022, at 13:30, the Municipal Council held its first session for the annual year 2022 as part of Period 2 of their joint meetings. This article provides a detailed summary of the event and discusses the key topics that were addressed during the session.

Jun 26, 2023

Demolition of Illegally Constructed Beach Villa on Koh Tao

A beach villa on Koh Tao in Koh Phangan district, owned by Cape Shark Villas, has been deemed illegal and is set to be demolished. The villa's construction was brought to light after it was featured on the provincial anticorruption Facebook page "STRONG." An inspection revealed that the villa was built without proper permissions and could potentially harm the environment.

Jun 26, 2023

Koh Samui's Plans for Developing its Marine Tourism Infrastructure

On June 23, 2023, notable figures from different sectors gathered at Samui Marine Station Command, Sattahip Naval Base, Royal Thai Navy Region 2 in Surat Thani Province. The attendees included Mr. Pakorn Ganjan Ophas, Deputy Mayor of Koh Samui Municipality, and Ms. Toranat Inthasombat, District Secretary, Head of Administration Group. Other participants were representatives from the Port Authority of Thailand Koh Samui Branch, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Koh Samui Office, and various local officials.

Jun 26, 2023

Harley Riders Salute the King

On June 26, 2023, around a thousand HarleyDavidson owners came together in Bangkok to display their loyalty to His Majesty the King in anticipation of his upcoming birthday on July 28. ## Gathering of the Immortals Thailand Club

Jun 24, 2023

Thai Nationals Arrested for Transporting Illegal Bangladeshi Migrants

On June 23rd, immigration police in Songkhla province arrested four Thai nationals who were involved in transporting 19 illegal Bangladeshi migrants. The group was intercepted while traveling in five cars in Bang Klam district, following a tipoff from informants. ## Immigration Police Chase and Arrest