Author

Jonathan Miller

Former BBC World Service correspondent and Southeast Asia bureau chief for The Guardian (2012-2023). Peabody Award recipient for his documentary series on democratic movements in Thailand. Author of "The Bangkok Dispatches" and regular contributor to Foreign Policy magazine.

341 articles

Jul 21, 2023

Electronic Document and Waste Management Workshop: A Collaborative Event at Koh Samui Municipality

On July 20, 2023, the Koh Samui Municipality organized a knowledgesharing and training workshop in the Phet Samui Room. The event was attended by 37 representatives from the BongO Tambon Administration Organization in Narathiwat province. The primary focus of the workshop was to enhance the skills of the participants in electronic document management and waste management. This training aimed to equip the staff with the necessary tools and knowhow to better serve the public in the future.

Jul 18, 2023

Pheu Thai Party's Impatience and Prime Ministerial Ambitions

As Thailand's political landscape continues to evolve, Pheu Thai, the primary opposition party, has grown impatient with the Move Forward Party (MFP) and its leader Pita Limjaroenrat's efforts to secure the prime minister position. Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai expressed his concerns about the economic problems facing the nation, which cannot wait for the MFP to keep nominating Pita. He highlighted that Pheu Thai has three prime ministerial candidates ready for the job.

Jul 17, 2023

Koh Samui Municipality's Call for Royal Emblem Decorations

Koh Samui Municipality has issued an invitation for local businesses, retailers, and residents to join together in a special celebration. The island community is coming together to honor His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajira Klao Chao Yu Hua with a series of decorative displays.

Jul 8, 2023

Rabies Prevention and Control Project in Koh Samui City Municipality

On July 6, 2023, the Koh Samui City Municipality held the opening ceremony for a new initiative aimed at preventing and controlling rabies in the region. The event took place in the Mook Samui meeting room and was presided over by Miss Supinya Sritongkul, the Deputy Mayor of Koh Samui City Municipality.

Jul 6, 2023

Koh Samui Municipality's Efforts in Waste Management and Public Health

The Public Health and Environment Department of Koh Samui Municipality is dedicated to preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the island. One of their responsibilities includes regular maintenance and cleaning of garbage trucks, as well as the areas where these vehicles are parked. By doing so, they aim to prevent any problems that may arise from unsorted waste, which can lead to waste water accumulation on roads and waste stations.

Jul 6, 2023

Koh Samui City's Annual Training Program for Municipal Officials

Koh Samui City Municipality held their annual Training Program for Municipal Officials on June 6, 2013. The event took place in the Petch Samui Conference Room, starting at 8:30 am. Deputy Mayor Mr. Sutham Samthong presided over the opening ceremony in place of the city mayor.

Jul 3, 2023

Chon Buri Serial Rapist Apprehended by Police

Authorities have recently arrested Wattana Srikhaney, also known as Tum Chonburi, a serial rapist with a lengthy criminal record in Chon Buri province. According to Pol Maj Gen Teeradej Thumsutee, chief of investigations at the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Wattana's criminal activities date back to 2009.

Jul 3, 2023

Meeting on Assistance Guidelines for People in Koh Samui Municipality Area: Tackling Drought Challenges

The Mook Samui meeting room in Koh Samui Municipality hosted a vital conference on July 3, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., chaired by Mr. Sutham Samthong. The focus of the meeting was on the assistance guidelines for the local residents, specifically addressing the ongoing drought situation. The event brought together a diverse group of attendees, including executives, heads of government agencies, managers of regional waterworks, media representatives from Koh Samui district, municipal employees, technical departments, and other related officers.

Jun 29, 2023

Election Inspectors Recruitment in Surat Thani Province

Amidst the preparations for upcoming elections, the Election Commission has announced the search for qualified individuals to serve as election inspectors in Surat Thani Province. These inspectors will play a vital role in upholding the integrity of the electoral process, in accordance with the Constitution on the Election Commission Act, B.E. 2560.

Jun 23, 2023

Arrest of Deputy Police Chief's Classmate in Online Gambling Case

A police major general, who was a classmate of deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn, has been arrested along with eight other suspects for operating three illegal online gambling websites. The websites, RRD789, BLUE789, and SEXY789, were targeted by authorities following a complaint from a 24yearold programmer who claimed to have been abducted and assaulted by the operators.

Jun 21, 2023

Investigation into Police Officers Accused of Extortion from Drug Dealer

Nakhon Si Thammarat's provincial police chief, Pol Maj Gen Somchai Suetortrakul, has ordered an investigation into four officers from the Bang Khan police station. The officers are accused of extorting 300,000 baht from a drug dealer, Chaiya, in exchange for his release last Thursday.

Jun 20, 2023

Hostage Rescued at Police Checkpoint in Bangkok

In a harrowing turn of events, a man being held hostage managed to call for help as the car he was in approached a police checkpoint in Bangkok's Min Buri district. The police officers, who were manning a drink driving test point on Rom Klao Road, heard the cry for help around 12:30 am and proceeded to pull over both the Chevrolet car with the hostage and the Toyota car following behind it.

Jun 6, 2023

Man Seeks Justice Over Unlawful Sale of Car by ONCB

Mai Wongwiangkham, a 55yearold Lao tour guide, found himself in a predicament after being charged by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) for possessing 14kg of heroin in 2016. The ONCB accused Mai of smuggling the drugs into the kingdom while driving to Nong Khai to pick up Thai tourists bound for Laos. As part of the prosecution efforts, the ONCB impounded Mai's Chery sedan, valued at approximately 350,000 baht.

Jun 5, 2023

Police Takedown of Chiang Rai Scam Ring

In a recent operation, officers from Provincial Police Region 5 and the Immigration Bureau arrested a Chinese national and 12 accomplices on charges of running an online scam. Pol Lt Gen Piya Tawichai, the Provincial Police Region 5 commissioner, reported that the arrest was made after receiving a tipoff about a group of scammers operating in Chiang Rai city.

May 31, 2023

Highway Police Division Commander Reassigned Amid Bribery Allegations

Pol Maj Gen Ekkaraj Limsangkat, the commander of the Highway Police Division, faced an unexpected transfer to an inactive post at the Operations Centre of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Tuesday. The reassignment comes after allegations surfaced of receiving kickbacks from overloaded lorries. The transfer order, effective immediately, was signed by CIB chief Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej. In the meantime, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, the commander of the AntiCorruption Division (ACD), has taken over Pol Maj Gen Ekkaraj's position until further notice.

May 30, 2023

Koh Samui Municipal Health Security Fund: Budget Allocation for Health Projects

The Koh Samui Municipality is dedicated to improving public health and wellbeing in the region. On May 29, 2023, at the Phet Samui Conference Room, a meeting was held to discuss the acceptance and allocation of the budget from the Koh Samui Municipal Health Security Fund. The purpose of the meeting was to allocate funds to 39 village health projects, which focus on four key areas of public health. These projects aim to screen, prevent, and control various diseases and health conditions. A total budget of 2,559,254 baht was approved for the implementation of 153 projects.

May 29, 2023

Cannabis Policy Shift: Entrepreneurs Fear Business Impact

The recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by eight parties to form a coalition government threatens the future of businesses thriving under the current freer cannabis policy. The Move Forward Partyled bloc has agreed to reinstate cannabis as a narcotic drug under the jurisdiction of Thailand's Ministry of Public Health and regulate its use, cultivation, import, and export according to specific laws.

May 27, 2023

Koh Samui Municipality and Bangkok Airways Collaborate on Mangrove Planting Initiative

Koh Samui Municipality, in collaboration with Bangkok Airways, organized an ecofriendly event called "Conserving the Earth, Planting Mangrove Forests with Bangkok Airways." This initiative took place on May 24, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in the Ban Bang Rak Community, Village No. 4, Bophut Subdistrict, Koh Samui District, Surat Thani Province. The event aimed to engage various stakeholders in efforts to preserve and restore mangrove forests and improve environmental awareness within the community.

May 27, 2023

Tightening Regulations on Cyanide Resale in Thailand

In light of the recent case involving alleged serial killer Sararat "Aem Cyanide" Rangsiwuthaporn, Thai authorities are taking a closer look into the resale of cyanide compounds in the country. Sararat is suspected of using cyanide acquired from a reseller to kill at least 13 people. As a result, police have decided to press charges against a company that imported cyanide compounds and sold them to other retailers.

May 17, 2023

Pita Limjaroenrat's Remarkable Quest to Become Thailand's 30th Prime Minister

The recent election saw the Move Forward Party secure the highest number of MP seats. However, the question of whether their leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, will become the next Prime Minister still remains uncertain. The political landscape is complex, and numerous factors will determine the outcome.