bangkok chinese expats

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

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.

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drug trafficking taiwan

Taiwanese Drug Smuggling Ring Busted in Thailand

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.

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drug charges thailand

Australian Fugitive Apprehended in Phuket for Drug Charges

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.

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infrastructure renewable energy

Koh Sichang: Development and Challenges

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.

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money laundering phone scam

Taiwanese Money Laundering Suspect Extradited

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.

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muslim tourism thailand tourism

Attracting Muslim Visitors: Thailand’s Ambitious Tourism Plan

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.

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transportation infrastructure

Faster Train Travel Coming to Northeast Thailand

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.

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