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

Jun 23, 2023

Thailand's Top 20 Wellness Itineraries

Thailand has long been a paradise for wellness enthusiasts worldwide. But now, with the recent launch of 20 exquisite wellness itineraries, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is positioning the country as a premier destination for global wellness travelers. ## Thailand Wellness Business Seminar

Jun 23, 2023

CEA Collaborates with Partners to Strengthen Thailand's Creative Economy

The Creative Economy Agency (CEA) has joined forces with 15 public and private partners to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for creative business cooperation. The aim of this collaboration is to boost Thailand's creative economy, expand business opportunities, improve Thai Soft Power, increase economic value, and establish a comprehensive strategic direction for the nation's creative industries in the future.

Jun 23, 2023

World Hindu Congress 2023: A Global Gathering in Bangkok

The World Hindu Congress (WHC) 2023 is gearing up to welcome approximately 3,000 Hindus from 60 countries, making it a significant gathering of Hindu communities and organizations. Scheduled for November 2426, this landmark event will take place in Bangkok, marking the first time it's hosted in the vibrant Thai capital.

Jun 20, 2023

Chinese Tourists Dominate Phuket's Low Season

Phuket has seen a surge in Chinese tourists during the start of the low season, with the majority of international visitors hailing from China. Russia and Australia follow as the next top sources of tourists, as reported by the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA).

Jun 18, 2023

Russian Tourist Injured in Altercation with Pattaya Go-Go Bar Guards

A Russian tourist, identified as 33yearold Oleg Rusovsiannikov, was injured during an altercation with a group of guards at a gogo bar on Pattaya's Walking Street. The incident occurred early on a Sunday in the Bang Lamung district's tambon Nong Prue, and was reported to the Pattaya police at around 3:30 am.

Jun 18, 2023

Krabi: Aiming for Carbon Neutrality by 2040

The Thai government has set an ambitious goal to transform Krabi, an Andaman province, into a carbonneutral tourism destination by 2040. Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri revealed the plan, stating that Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha has expressed gratitude to all participants who have cooperated in striving to achieve netzero carbon emissions in the sector by 2040. This initiative is part of a broader plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and netzero emissions at the national level by 2065.

Jun 17, 2023

Online Scammers Posing as TikTok Employees Lure Victim into Fraudulent Investment Scheme

Police are currently investigating a scam in which a group of con artists posed as employees of the popular social media platform, TikTok, to deceive a victim into investing more than 3.5 million baht in a fake stock trading scheme. The victim, known only as Joke, is an active user of the platform and was targeted due to his large following.

Jun 17, 2023

Tangmo's Mother Seeks Murder Charge in Speedboat Accident

On the night of February 24, 2023, Thai actress Nida "Tangmo" Patcharaveerapong fell into the Chao Phraya River from a speedboat near the Pibul 1 pier in Muang district of Nonthaburi. Her body was found two days later, and the incident received widespread coverage in local media.

Jun 15, 2023

Myanmar Refugees Find Shelter in Mae Hong Son

The ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Kayah State has led to the displacement of thousands of civilians. According to Mae Hong Son's provincial governor, Chettha Mosikkharat, Thai authorities have provided assistance to 3,342 refugees who fled the border war in Kayah State.

Jun 15, 2023

School Clarifies Situation Regarding Alleged Expulsion of Teen Accused of Lese Majeste

Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong clarified on Wednesday that a 15yearold girl, who was released on May 18 after being detained for 51 days on a charge of royal defamation, had not been expelled from school. This clarification came in response to the girl's Facebook post, in which she claimed that she had been expelled and was now "an outsider".

Jun 15, 2023

Illegal Sale of Seized Frozen Fish Leads to Arrests

A recent case of illegal sale of frozen fish has led to the arrest of five state officials and two civilians in Thailand. The individuals were allegedly involved in the sale of frozen fish confiscated from an illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU) vessel. The suspects include a former director of the Bangkok Port Customs Office and senior customs officials.

Jun 15, 2023

Fishermen Protest the Seizure of Boats in Satun, Thailand

In Satun, Thailand, local fishermen have staged a protest by blocking the entry to the Pak Bara canal in Langu district with their boats. This demonstration was initiated in response to the confiscation of three fishing boats and the detention of 12 crew members on Sunday.

Jun 15, 2023

Rescued Macaques: A Glimpse of Hope Amidst Cruelty

On June 14, 2023, twelve captured wild macaques were discovered inside a bag at a mango plantation in Doem Bang Nang Buat district. Tragically, three of the apes had already died. Kalayakorn Titwattana, chief of Moo 11 village in tambon Khao Din, reported the find to Anan Sriphudpong, chief of the Bung Chawak Wildlife Reserve Office.

Jun 14, 2023

Tragic Incident at a Phuket Shooting Range

A heartbreaking incident unfolded at the Sai Yuan shooting range in Muang district, Phuket, on a recent Tuesday afternoon. A Belgian tourist, later identified as 52yearold Christian Richard Cerfontaine, reportedly took his own life at the shooting facility. A heartbreaking incident unfolded at the Sai Yuan shooting range in Muang district, Phuket, on a recent Tuesday afternoon. A Belgian tourist, later identified as 52yearold Christian Richard Cerfontaine, reportedly took his own life at the shooting facility.

Jun 14, 2023

Taxi Driver Arrested for Robbing Sleeping Passenger in Bangkok

A 45yearold taxi driver, identified as Sirichai, was recently arrested in connection with the theft of valuables worth 1.2 million baht from a Japanese businessman in Bangkok. The businessman, identified as Nammo, had fallen asleep in the taxi after a night out in the city. Sirichai was taken into custody from his room on Ekachai 40 Road in Bang Bon district.

Jun 14, 2023

Exploring Gemstone Mining Activities at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

Seven individuals were apprehended in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, located in Prachuap Khiri Khan, due to allegations of illegal gemstone mining at Tham Mung Korn. This activity is considered a breach of the National Parks Act. The park's chief, Pongsathorn Promkhuntod, stated that the arrests were made after the park's SMART Patrol system detected rockcutting activities within its boundaries.

Jun 14, 2023

Welcome Ceremony for Songkhla Municipality Study Group at Koh Samui Municipality Office

The article discusses a study visit by the Songkhla Municipality delegation to Koh Samui Municipality Office. The purpose of the visit was to learn from the management and administrative practices at Koh Samui Municipality to enhance the performance of Songkhla City Municipality officials.

Jun 13, 2023

MFP Contemplates Legal Action Over 'Modified' iTV Meeting Minutes

The Move Forward Party (MFP) is currently exploring legal action against individuals involved in purported attempts to resuscitate the defunct media company iTV. The objective of these attempts is to use the company to bar party leader Pita Limjaroenrat from becoming prime minister. MFP secretarygeneral Chaithawat Tulathon claims that a video taken during iTV's online shareholders' meeting in April contradicts the official minutes, revealing crucial information about efforts to revive the delisted company and portray it as an active media organization.

Jun 9, 2023

B1.2m Healthcare Fraud: Man Arrested After Hundreds of Hospital Visits

A 58yearold man, identified as Sukho, was arrested by police on suspicion of healthcare fraud, causing damages of over 1.2 million baht to the National Health Security Office (NHSO). The suspect was apprehended at a hospital in Ratchathewi district of Bangkok after Crime Suppression Division (CSD) investigators received a tipoff about his upcoming visit.

Jun 9, 2023

Thai Driver and 13 Illegal Migrants Detained in Songkhla

In a recent incident, a Thai driver and 13 illegal migrants from Myanmar were detained in the Rattaphum district of Songkhla, a southern province in Thailand. Immigration police followed and intercepted a sport utility vehicle on a highway at Khuha intersection in Rattaphum district on Thursday evening.