Year: 2017

  • NewsKrabi Massacre – Alleged murderers prosecution progress

    Krabi Massacre – Alleged murderers prosecution progress

    Krabi prosecutor, Pichet Chaokijka, said yesterday (September 19) that Surifat Bannobwongsakul alongside his 8 companions, who are allegedly responsible for the massacre of Khao Ngam’s village chief, Worayuth Sanglang and his family members including his two young daughters and totaling 8 casualties, are being prosecuted as his accusation draft has been filed (see our earlier story HERE). There are two…

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  • NewsTHAIGER TODAY Wednesday, September 20

    THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, September 20

    Flame jellyfish stinging a few swimmers at Nai Harn | Ministry of Labour poised to review Thai-only jobs | Royal Thai Navy on alert for Rohingya boat-people | 40 women from Baan Koh Raed complaining about media ‘image’ | 19 year old and his mother been fined for potty-mouth spray at police.

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  • NewsUPDATE Jellyfish at Nai Harn

    UPDATE Jellyfish at Nai Harn

    Marine experts and lifeguards are keeping an eye on Phuket’s beaches for any more of the pink/purple jellyfish that stung a number of tourists at Nai Harn yesterday. After getting a report from Nai Harn lifeguards that about 6 tourists were stung by anonymous jellyfish, Rawai Mayor, Aroon Solos, headed down to the beach to discuss with the local lifeguards…

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  • NewsMystery jellyfish stinging tourists

    Mystery jellyfish stinging tourists

    Rawai’s Mayor visited Nai Harn beach this afternoon after a number of tourists were stung by jellyfish After getting a report from Nai Harn’s lifeguards that about 6 tourists were stung by anonymous jellyfish, Rawai Mayor, Aroon Solos, headed down to the beach with officials in tow. “There are a lot of them floating along the shore as the waves…

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  • NewsReview of ‘Thai-only’ jobs being proposed

    Review of ‘Thai-only’ jobs being proposed

    The Ministry of Labour will hold a public hearing on a proposal to review the rules and regulations on 39 jobs currently reserved for Thai nationals. The meeting would discuss jobs, currently reserved for Thai’s only, to be made available for foreigners. Waranont Pitiwan, director of the Department of Employment, said most Thais are now not interested in many of…

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  • NewsUPDATE “Suspects haven’t confessed to charges” – Phang Nga rape case

    UPDATE “Suspects haven’t confessed to charges” – Phang Nga rape case

    Today (September 19), 40 women from Baan Koh Raed village, led by the lawyer, Sanpetch Thipmontien, gathered in front of Phang Nga Provincial Hall calling for justice for the 11 men accused of gang rape, stating the suspects have not confessed to any charges. The group filed their complaints to the Phang Nga Vice Governor, Ekkarat Leesen, while holding signs…

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  • NewsA Chinese tourist injured after fall from parasail ride on Patong Beach

    A Chinese tourist injured after fall from parasail ride on Patong Beach

    Parasail landing on Patong Beach (file photo) Late morning today (September 19), 62 year old Zhao Jianying fell from a parasailing ride on Patong Beach’s sandy ground. He injured his left hip. A team of Patong Lifeguard applied first aid before rushing him to Patong Hospital. After the X-ray, doctors revealed that he only ended up with a bruise from…

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  • NewsEx-Miss Teen Thailand caught with drugs in home raid

    Ex-Miss Teen Thailand caught with drugs in home raid

    Actress and former Miss Teen Thailand Amelia “Amy” Jacobs and her boyfriend were arrested early on Tuesday morning in Bangkok on drug charges, police announced at a press conference. 28 year old Amelia and 40 year old Poonyawat Hirantecha were arrested at a house in Sai Mai district at about 12.30am. Police seized 70 grams of crystal meth amphetamine, or…

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  • NewsPhuket prepares 450,000 funeral wood flowers for HM Rama 9 cremation

    Phuket prepares 450,000 funeral wood flowers for HM Rama 9 cremation

    Today (September 18), Phuket’s Governor, alongside the Phuket provincial Abbot monk, chaired a local Buddhism ceremony in order to respectfully receive the 450,000 funeral wood flowers that will be sent to Bangkok for the forthcoming cremation of the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. A number of flowers made by locals reached more than the expected 438,000 and people can still participate to…

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  • NewsTHAIGER TODAY Tuesday, September 19

    THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, September 19

    Two men arrested in Buri Ram over molestation of 9 year old girl | Some of Phuket’s troublesome monkeys on the move | Thai PM visiting central Thailand for talks with locals | Mega drug crackdown has netted astonishing amounts of drugs in 2017 | Big win for the Big Mango in the Business Traveller Awards 2017.

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  • NewsAung San Suu Kyi urged to take action ahead of UN speech

    Aung San Suu Kyi urged to take action ahead of UN speech

    From Thaiger affiliate, Voice of America On the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Monday, diplomats from the United States, Britain and other countries concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine called for an end to the violence and for measures to relieve Rohingya refugees’ suffering. U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said it was a “productive meeting…

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  • NewsPhuket’s monkeys being moved to their own island

    Phuket’s monkeys being moved to their own island

    A meeting yesterday (September 18) between Phuket’s Governor and wildlife officials discussed the management of Phuket’s monkeys. Following many reports from locals and tourists about problems caused by Phuket’s monkeys, the meeting agreed on a possible sustainable solution. “There are 7 spots where monkeys live in Phuket including Rang Hill, To Sae Hill, Soi Thanun, Soi Ginggaew 9 in Koh…

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  • NewsTwo suspects in their 50s arrested over sexual molestation of a 9 year old

    Two suspects in their 50s arrested over sexual molestation of a 9 year old

    From The Nation A nine year old Buri Ram schoolgirl, who allegedly was sexually molested for nearly two years by two motorcycle taxi drivers, was admitted to a rehabilitation program yesterday. The two suspects, both in their 50s, had been reportedly hired by the grandmother, with whom the girl was staying, to take her to and from school. The enrolment…

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  • NewsTrang drug network infiltrated – dealers arrested

    Trang drug network infiltrated – dealers arrested

    Police announced today (September 18) that they’ve arrested Sakorn “Mam” Soithong, a drug dealer from a Trang network, with 36,400 amphetamine pills worth 910,000 Baht. Police initially arrested a first drug dealer, 36 year old Aekkachai Suanya, in Kathu with about 70 grams of meth amphetamine on September 12. Aekkachai implicated Somying “Ja-Ying” Poo-Ngern, who is the wife of a…

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  • NewsShooting ‘no accident’ – Kathu Police

    Shooting ‘no accident’ – Kathu Police

    Police believe a fatal shooting in Kathu was not an accident A woman was shot dead early today (September 18) in Kathu, allegedly by her friend. Piamsiri Tharadonpipat, the girlfriend of 30 year old Kanchalee Sriwirot, the gunshot victim, says that they were in the room with a friend, Boonsoong “Doi” Rakchat who brought out a revolver and ‘accidentally’ shot…

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  • NewsTHAIGER TODAY Monday, September 18

    THAIGER TODAY Monday, September 18

    Two more arrested over Phang Nga rape case | Australian woman dies after ignoring red flags on Kamala Beach | Border controls on the look out for cigarette/alcohol smuggling after excise increases | 1,100 lone children cross the border into Bangladesh | Lonely Planet report pilot ‘Upcycling’ program on Koh Samet.

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  • NewsAussie woman dies after swimming at red-flagged Kamala Beach

    Aussie woman dies after swimming at red-flagged Kamala Beach

    Yesterday afternoon (September 17), Kamala Beach lifeguards rescued 65 year old Barbara Fistrovic from the sea after she went swimming in the red flagged zone part of the beach. She was swept by a big wave and disappeared before her husband, 75 year old Ivan Fistrovic, rushed to call for help. The lifeguards provided CPR and first aid and send…

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  • NewsUpcycling the Oceans – sustainable solutions for Thailand’s ocean plastic

    Upcycling the Oceans – sustainable solutions for Thailand’s ocean plastic

    Photo from Marca España Thailand says it will be the first Asian country to join a global initiative to clean up its oceans and waterways around Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Phuket. Lonely Planet reports that Upcycling the Oceans is an effort spearheaded by the Ecoalf Foundation. The projects gets local fishermen removing plastic from the waters. Once collected,…

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  • NewsUPDATE – Phang Nga gang rape case

    UPDATE – Phang Nga gang rape case

    Two more men have been arrested yesterday (September 16) after Phang Nga Provincial Court issued 3 additional arrest warrants after 8 of them were issued earlier over the Phang Nga rape case. The village has also been found to play an important part in transporting various drugs to Phuket, according to police. Phang Nga police, led by Pol Maj Gen…

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  • NewsDoksuri dumping on north-east Thailand

    Doksuri dumping on north-east Thailand

    From The Nation Tropical storm Doksuri has weakened into a depression and unleashed heavy downpours in several North-eastern and Northern provinces on Friday night, resulting in floods in many provinces yesterday morning. Other provinces were making preparations yesterday in expectation of more rain. The Thai Meteorological Depart-ment reported that Doksuri was downgraded from a typhoon to a tropical storm when…

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  • Thai LifeLaos – the ‘battery’ of South East Asia

    Laos – the ‘battery’ of South East Asia

    LAOS POWER FACTS: Number of power plants soon to be completed by 2020: 53 hydropower plants under construction or in the planning stage, including those set to be completed this year; there will be more than 90 hydropower plants in Laos with a combined installed capacity of almost 14,000MW by 2020. Transmission lines that connect with neighbouring countries: 14 carry power to Thailand,…

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  • PropertySell now or sell later?

    Sell now or sell later?

    Property insights from Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com One of the most common mistakes by property developers in hot markets or with premium properties is the misconception that a fast sell-out is good. It’s often hard for real estate sales people whose mantra follow’s the ABC’s (always be closing) to understand the big picture, or more importantly the bottom line. Property…

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  • NewsThe Thai Canal – cutting through the project’s hype

    The Thai Canal – cutting through the project’s hype

    (Photo from mothership.sg) September 11, 2017 was the latest gathering of minds related to the challenges in establishing the much-discussed Kra Canal (now referred to as the Thai Canal) in Bangkok. The canal, if it happens, would slice a new shipping canal through the the slimmest section of the Malay Peninsula, anywhere from Chumpon to south of Phuket. The Thai…

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  • NewsUPDATE – What the new tax increases mean for you

    UPDATE – What the new tax increases mean for you

    Update from The Nation New excise taxes have affected prices across industries ranging from beverages to cars, with the new tax regime causing higher prices for some items but lower prices for others. The Excise Department expects to collect additional tax revenue of 12 billion Bt from the changes. New excise taxes will cause “moderate” rises in the prices of…

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  • NewsUPDATE – Landslides, potholes and budgets. Aftermath from Phuket’s floods.

    UPDATE – Landslides, potholes and budgets. Aftermath from Phuket’s floods.

    Today (September 16) a team from Phuket Provincial Highway Office has closed and is fixing Bangpae Bridge, which is on Tharua road, on the way towards Baan Para in Thalang, after the bridge collapsed due to the flood. The bridge is expected to be finished by 8pm. Another team led by Vice Governor, Siriporn Chuasawad, also visited and helped the…

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  • NewsMajor tax hike for alcohol and cigarettes

    Major tax hike for alcohol and cigarettes

    A new excise tax rates effective starting Saturday, September 16, hits alcoholic beverages hard. The rates, published in the Royal Gazette, adjust the tax rate for beer to 22 per cent of retail price and 430 Bt per litre of alcoholic content For wine made from grapes, the tax rate is 1,500 Bt per litre of alcoholic content for a…

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  • NewsIntrepid beach cleaners head out into the storm

    Intrepid beach cleaners head out into the storm

    Gloves on and umbrella up, Phuket’s Governor Noraphat Plodthong does his bit to help clean Karon Beach Despite the postponement of the mega Phuket Hotels Association organised beach clean today, due to the inclement weather, many Phuketians still rolled up their sleeves to make a difference on Phuket’s beaches. The Governor and representatives from local municipalities, police and the US…

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  • NewsSeptember 30 – Final day to pay respects

    September 30 – Final day to pay respects

    The Royal Household Bureau is allowing people to pay their respects to HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej before his Royal Urn inside the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall only until the end of this month. The bureau announced the decision yesterday, citing the need to prepare for the Royal Cremation Ceremonies that will be held next month. Reigning over…

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  • Thailand NewsThe mopping up starts in the wake of ‘Doksuri’ in Vietnam

    The mopping up starts in the wake of ‘Doksuri’ in Vietnam

    Typhoon Doksuri battered the central coastal areas of Vietnam with strong winds and heavy rains today, causing electrical blackouts, damage to houses and trees being uprooted and thrown around like toothpicks. The high winds prompted mass evacuations after officials had predicted it could be the ‘most powerful storm in a decade’ to hit Vietnam. The typhoon made landfall on the…

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  • NewsRelease of 1.5 million marine creatures in Krabi

    Release of 1.5 million marine creatures in Krabi

    Today (September 15), Krabi locals across the province released 1.5 million sea creatures as a pre-National Fisheries Day activity. National Fisheries Day is coming up on September 21. The animals released consist of many different types, such as freshwater fish and giant freshwater prawns. Krabi Fisheries Office also announced September 21, the National Fisheries Day, to be a non-fishing day…

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  • NewsTHAIGER TODAY Friday, September 15

    THAIGER TODAY Friday, September 15

    Flooding around Phuket whilst Typhoon ‘Doksuri’ slams into Vietnam | Patong Tunnel underway next year – maybe | Bomb attacks in Yala kill two | And Thais welcome the ‘departure’ of the TM6 Immigration Form.

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  • NewsUPDATE – Phuket town and Karon Beach also flooded

    UPDATE – Phuket town and Karon Beach also flooded

    In Phuket town, areas along the Bypass Road (in front of Vinich House), in front of the Super Cheap store on the lane towards Koh Kaew, in front of the Muslim Wittaya School in Koh Kaew on the lane towards Phuket Town, Yaowarat Road in Soi Paniang and Dibuk Road, Old Phuket Town – at the beginning of Soi Rommanee…

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  • NewsWet feet at Patong Police Station again – Photo essay

    Wet feet at Patong Police Station again – Photo essay

    Patong traffic police are warning people to avoid traveling on Patong’s roads following the floods and small landslide across the road to Kalim after a sustained downpour. The Patong Police station has been inundated by 60 cm of water. The roads affected include Phra Metta Road in front of Patong Hospital up to Banzan Market, Rat Uthit 200 Pee Road…

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  • News4 year old Chinese boy drowned in Patong Beach

    4 year old Chinese boy drowned in Patong Beach

    Family and friends assist The Rawai Municipality Rescue Team at Nai Harn in another near-miss yesterday One drowning and two other ‘near misses’ in the past 24 hours. A 4 year old Chinese boy, Wu Muyang, was taken to hospital from Patong beach last night (September 14) after he was washed into the rough seas by a big wave near…

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  • NewsLandslide in Kamala destroys new villa construction

    Landslide in Kamala destroys new villa construction

    Landslide at a construction of a planned 9 villa complex in Kamala after heavy rains overnight and this morning. The landslide appears to have happened near Baan Hua Kuan, Kamala. The building was planned to be a complex of 9 pool villas but only the foundations and one floor were completed when it collapsed with the land slide. No injuries reported…

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  • NewsUPDATE – Typhoon ‘Doksuri’ about to hit Vietnam’s coast

    UPDATE – Typhoon ‘Doksuri’ about to hit Vietnam’s coast

    DATELINE: 8.50am Thai Time • Typhoon Doksuri reaching the coast of Vietnam around midday today. Gusts up to 125 kph. • At least 100,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate in Vietnam as Typhoon Doksuri approaches. • A quarter-million soldiers are on standby for what may be Vietnam’s worst storm in a decade. • Doksuri killed four and left six…

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  • NewsThais – goodbye TM6 Immigration Form. Foreigners – new form on the way.

    Thais – goodbye TM6 Immigration Form. Foreigners – new form on the way.

    From The Nation Good news for travellers: starting Saturday, September 16 Thai nationals do not need to fill out the TM6 immigration form when leaving or returning to Thailand, said Government Spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd on Thursday. Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, as head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) used Article 44 to order the policy…

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