Police on Thursday at the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) headquarters in Bangkok revealed that huge amounts of drug money from Chinese criminal cartels linked with the Golden triangle are being funnelled in to buy up properties in Thailand including whole phases of new developments by using forged Thai identity documents based on real people.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/03/police-see-new-threat-from-chinese-kingpins/

Carla Boonkong reports from Bangkok and Nonthaburi.

An Immigration Bureau spokesman on Wednesday warned of longer waiting periods at arrivals with large numbers and tighter screening in advance of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit on the 18th and 19th of November. It comes with rising foreign tourist numbers despite the kingdom being held back by lower flight connectivity at about 50% of pre-pandemic levels meaning more short-haul, lower-spending visitors.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/02/flight-connectivity-dogs-tourism-recovery/

James Morris reports from Bangkok.

Land purchase programme under the new long-term visa is now being backpedalled by the government with Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, on Tuesday, saying it had yet to go before the Council of State and that it could be made more conditional. He said the government was listening and weighing the concerns being raised very carefully.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/01/anger-grows-over-land-for-foreigners-plan/

Carla Boonkong reports from Bangkok.

Political expert says Prayut should have resigned as Prime Minister on August 24th and bowed out with dignity as his future path to power in 2023 is highly uncertain. It comes as the country faces into a period of political uncertainty with the dissolution of the house on the cards and, as yet, no confirmation of what will be the basis for the next General Election.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/10/31/pm-prayut-planning-to-dissolve-the-house/

Joseph O' Connor reports from Bangkok.

Organisers of the Khao San Road Halloween Party are still going ahead on Monday night with the annual spectacular which in the past year has been a huge draw for foreign tourists and revellers, many wearing outlandishly scary costumes which added to the real horror in Seoul on Saturday night.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/10/30/pm-prayut-expresses-sadness-at-seoul-halloween-horror/

News Desk report from Bangkok and Seoul.

Chiang Mai-based doctor, in July, lost ฿6.9 million after speaking with what she thought was a senior officer with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) while later being told she faced imminent arrest after her accounts were forensically analysed.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/10/30/ministry-probes-collusion-with-scam-gangs/

James Morris reports from Prachuap Khiri Khan and Bangkok.

The government has been left reeling as opposition to its property for wealthy foreigners regulation rises with fears of abuses by wealthy Chinese investors as is the case in Laos and Cambodia. Employer group boss Tanit Sorat leads the charge and was supported, on Saturday, by the Pheu Thai Party which accused the government of undermining Thai core interests and future generations through the use of regulatory measures.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/10/29/pheu-thai-opposes-land-plots-for-foreigners/

Carla Boonkong reports from Bangkok.

Police enquiries into the financing of the highly unusual and illegal nightclub that began on Wednesday had been focusing on the owner and financial backer behind the venture which sources describe as a Chinese drug kingpin who may have links also to illegal activities in Pattaya. If the donation accepted by the Palang Pracharat Party can be shown to be linked to illegal or dirty money, then it is just another one of the legal perils it is now facing after the donation of ฿3 million was confirmed by Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin on Friday.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/10/28/political-quake-brews-over-chinese-drug-nightclub-chaiyanat-kornchayanan/

James Morris reports from Bangkok.

The prospects for growth in 2023 will be driven primarily by foreign tourism with over 21 million tourists expected to arrive. The real problem that the kingdom faces next year is a labour shortage in the sector.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/10/28/full-steam-ahead-for-thai-economy-in-2023/

Joseph O' Connor reports from Bangkok.

52-year-old Ms Elena Rusradchenko had been missing for 6 days. Officials earlier this week declared her lost at sea after an exhaustive search off Naithon Beach and onshore failed to find her. Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha thanked all those involved and noted the sad ending.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/10/27/minister-phiphat-received-body-of-russian-tourist-elena-rusradchenko/

James Morris reports from Phuket.