richard, Author at Ko Samui & Ko Phangan

Bangkok’s New Chinatown: A Mixed Blessing for Huai Khwang District

richard1 year ago5 mins

The Huai Khwang district in Bangkok has witnessed a growing parallel Chinese society, as more Chinese expats have settled in the area. Dubbed the second Yaowarat or Bangkok’s new Chinatown, Huai Khwang saw a temporary exodus of Chinese vendors during the pandemic. However, with the Chinese government reopening its borders in January, investors have returned to the district, bringing life back to Pracharat Bamphen Road and the surrounding area.

Thai Restaurateur Tragically Murdered in Germany

richard1 year ago2 mins

A Thai woman, who was a restaurant owner, has reportedly been murdered in Germany. Local news outlet berlin.de revealed that the victim was discovered with her throat slit in the courtyard of her residence on Fuggerstrasse, a neighborhood in the German capital of Berlin.

Taiwanese Drug Smuggling Ring Busted in Thailand

richard1 year ago4 mins

In a major crackdown, Thai police arrested seven suspects, comprising six Taiwanese men and a Thai woman, for allegedly smuggling cannabis and crystal methamphetamine concealed within truck drive shafts. The successful operation took place in Bangkok and Samut Prakan, following a threemonthlong investigation into the “Khai Huang” drug trafficking network.

Australian Fugitive Apprehended in Phuket for Drug Charges

richard1 year ago3 mins

Thai police have captured an Australian man, Robert Wainwright, who is sought after in Australia for drug and weapon offenses. He was found living in Phuket on a student visa with his Australian girlfriend. Pol Lt Gen Pakphumpipat Sajjapan, Immigration Bureau (IB) commissioner, announced the arrest during a press briefing and mentioned that Wainwright’s girlfriend had been handling his affairs to avoid drawing attention.

Koh Sichang: Development and Challenges

richard1 year ago3 mins

Koh Sichang, a popular island in Chon Buri, has been experiencing ongoing development in various sectors. Recently, the director of the Crown Property Bureau, ACM Satitpong Sukvimol, visited the island alongside other senior officials to follow up on the progress of several projects. Among these are a 3.1hectare solar farm and additional groundwater facilities.

Koh Samui Municipal Council Meeting: Key Highlights

richard1 year ago4 mins

Koh Samui Municipality convened for an Ordinary Council Meeting on Friday, August 18, 2017. This article aims to provide an overview of the key points discussed and the decisions made during this meeting, broken down into subheadings for easier navigation.

Taiwanese Money Laundering Suspect Extradited

richard1 year ago3 mins

A Taiwanese man, Kuo Chemin, suspected of laundering around 3 billion baht (approximately NT$2.7 billion) for phone scammers and online gambling gangs, was arrested in Bangkok on July 27th. He has been extradited to Taipei, where he was handed over to prosecutors on August 10th. The Thai Immigration Bureau police confirmed the news during a briefing on August 18th.

Attracting Muslim Visitors: Thailand’s Ambitious Tourism Plan

richard1 year ago3 mins

Thailand has set its sights on becoming a premier destination for Muslim tourists from around the world by 2027. This ambitious goal has been announced by deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek. The focus on Muslim tourists is due to their increasing numbers and high purchasing power. In 2022 alone, over 3 million Muslim tourists visited Thailand, a significant increase from the 875,043 visitors in 2017.

Faster Train Travel Coming to Northeast Thailand

richard1 year ago3 mins

The Thai government has announced plans to partially open the Map KabaoJira Junction doubletrack railway line in 2024, which will significantly increase train travel speeds in the region. Currently, passenger trains on the existing singletrack lines can only reach speeds of 50km/h. However, with the completion of the doubletrack upgrade, train speeds will increase to 120km/h for passenger services and 60km/h for freight trains.

Cyber Scam Crackdown in Thailand Leads to Seizure of Assets

richard1 year ago3 mins

On August 17, 2023, a Myanmar woman named Moe Moe Aye was arrested in Bangkok during a crackdown on online scams and cryptocurrency fraud by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). The 24yearold was charged with colluding in fraud, inputting false information into a computer system, laundering money, and related offenses.