Latest News in Thailand

Abhisit Voices Willingness to Listen to Protesters
Thailand’s government says it is willing to listen to views and suggestions of the red-shirt people group, but they must not be the hostile demands, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told journalists at the 11th Infantry Regiment on Tuesday morning.
“Mr Veera (Musikhapong, a UDD core leader), is a reasonable person [...]

Criminal Activity in Thailand Faces the Law
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has initiated an operation to drive out hundreds of alien criminals that are currently living in Thailand.
Bureau administrator Wuthi Liptapallop said Thailand was known internationally as a safe place for criminals because of its relatively easy-going visa policies.
”I don’t want Thailand to be known as a [...]

U.N. Representative Arrives in Burma
A UN human rights representative landed in Burma Monday for a five-day stopover ahead of the country’s ballot vote, an official said.
Tomas Ojea Quintana arrived via commercial flight at Rangoon airport and was whisked to his hotel prior to meeting with UN staff, the official spoke on condition of anonymity.
“He arrived [...]

Former Thai Governor of Tourism Indicted in U.S.
US prosecutors have issued an indictment for a former governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and her daughter on charges that they received kickbacks from a Los Angeles filmmaking couple to run Bangkok International Film Festival and other schemes between 2002 and 2007.
US prosecutors say that prior [...]

Two Seizures of Amphetamine Shipments in Bangkok
Bangkok police have arrested two men and seized 100,000 methamphetamine tablets a Bangkok police announced on Wednesday.
Phum Kaewsongpetch and Niwat Inthukate, both 28 years old, were taken into custody on the Suphan Buri-Taling Chan road at a PTT gasoline station in Nonthaburi’s Bang Buathong area Tuesday night.
The illegal drugs [...]

Thai Political Veteran Sick and Tired of the Whole Mess
Thailand’s Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong said on Sunday that he is weary of political affairs and is in preparation to leave the political stage, claiming to be sickened by the entire mess.
While speaking about former Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh’s return to politics by joining [...]

Lethal Injection for Drug Dealers
Thailand has executed two convicted drug traffickers at Bang Khwang prison by lethal injection.
Bundit Jaroenwanit, 45, and Jirawat Poompreuk, 52, became the country’s fifth and sixth persons to be killed by lethal injection, which replaced death by firing squad in 2003.
The mood at the prison in Nonthaburi was quiet yesterday when [...]

“Merchant of Death” May be Set Free
A court in Bangkok has rebuffed a U.S. call for extradition of a suspected Russian arm smuggler sometimes called the “Merchant of Death,” setting back American efforts to charge him with plotting to provide arms to Colombian rebels.
Arrested in March 2008 at a luxury hotel in Bangkok, Viktor Bout, [...]

Duty Free Scam Warning
Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum made an assessment trip to Suvarnabhumi airport and ordered Airports of Thailand, (AoT) take steps to prevent extortion gangs preying on foreign air passengers.
News reports on the BBC claim that gangs operating in complicity with Duty Free shop employees and rogue policemen extort money from accused foreign shoplifters [...]