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Latest news and updates about Koh Samui and Koh Phangan islands

2062 articles

Local News•Aug 9, 2023

Koh Samui: A Paradise in the Gulf of Thailand

Koh Samui, a stunning island located in the Gulf of Thailand, was first mentioned in the Chiweewan book penned by Prince Krom Phrayanuphan Wongworadet in 1932. This historical document provides evidence of people settling on the island during the late Ayutthaya period and speaks of three pagodas constructed during the Thonburi era. The origin of the name "Samui" remains unclear; however, several theories suggest connections to the Hainan Chinese word "Shao Muay" (first defense), the Tamil word "Soi" (wind wave), or the southern Thai tree "Ton Mui."

Local News•Aug 9, 2023

Koh Samui Municipality Welcomes Inspection Committee and Provincial Governance Committee

Koh Samui, a beautiful island located in the Gulf of Thailand, recently played host to an essential government event. On August 8, 2023, key stakeholders gathered at the Phet Samui meeting room within the Koh Samui Municipality Office to discuss pressing matters and further collaboration.

Thailand News•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.

Thailand News•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.

Local News•Aug 9, 2023

Ongoing Search for Missing Body Parts of Murdered Surgeon

The search continues for the remaining body parts of a Colombian plastic surgeon who was brutally murdered and dismembered by his former boyfriend on the island of Koh Phangan last week. The suspect, Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, confessed to dismembering the body of 44yearold Edwin Arrieta Arteaga into 14 parts before disposing of them around the island.

Thailand News•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.

Thailand News•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.

Thailand News•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.

Thailand News•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.

Thailand News•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).

Events•Aug 8, 2023

Sounds of Earth Artistic Heart: An Unforgettable Experience at Fisherman's Village

Discover a unique and immersive event that brings together the best of Koh Samui's community, music, art, and cuisine. ## Live Music by John Nouvo and Local Artists

Local News•Aug 8, 2023

Monitoring and Evaluation Committee Meeting for Koh Samui Municipality Development Plan

This article provides an indepth report on the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Committee meeting for the Koh Samui Municipality Development Plan. The meeting took place on August 3, 2013, at the Mook Samui Meeting Room in the Koh Samui Municipality Office. The primary focus of this gathering was to review the performance results of the 2013 fiscal year and discuss guidelines for future monitoring and evaluation.

Thailand News•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.

Thailand News•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.

Thailand News•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.

Thailand News•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.

Thailand News•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.

Local News•Aug 7, 2023

Kayak Found: Key Evidence in Koh Phangan Murder Case

A shocking murder on the popular Thai island of Koh Phangan has made headlines as police find the kayak believed to have been used by the alleged killer, Spanish chef Daniel Sancho Bronchalo. The 29yearold is accused of murdering his Colombian lover, Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, 44, and dismembering his body.

Thailand News•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.

Local News•Aug 6, 2023

Investigation of Spaniard in Connection to Body Parts Found on Koh Phangan

On the popular southern island of Koh Phangan, known for its Full Moon parties, a Spanish man has been taken in for questioning in connection with the discovery of human body parts at a landfill site. Police, forensic officers, and medical staff from Koh Phangan Hospital responded to the scene on Friday after finding more body parts inside a black plastic bag at the dump site in Moo 4, Surat Thani province.