Month: May 2018

  • Phuket News70 kilogram marbled whipray found in Krabi

    70 kilogram marbled whipray found in Krabi

    A marbled whipray was found in Klongtom by a local fisherman 67 year old Mardya Tamsuan. Mr Mardya caught the whipray while he was fishing this early morning (May 7). The red big whipray is 1.5 metres diameter and two metre from head to tail. The whipray weighs about 70 kilograms. Mr Mardya says, “I took off from the shore…

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  • Thailand NewsPhnom Penh Post sold to Malaysian media investor

    Phnom Penh Post sold to Malaysian media investor

    The Phnom Penh Post has been sold to Sivakumar Ganapathy, a Malaysian investor and executive at a public relations firm that has previously done work for Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government. Sivakumar, who is the executive director of Malaysia-based Asia PR, said in a press release distributed to staff on Saturday that he intends to maintain the newspaper’s editorial independence.…

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  • NewsTwo arrested with drugs and guns

    Two arrested with drugs and guns

    Over the past few days a team of Sakoo Police led by Lt Col Urampohn Kundetsamrit have arrested 17 year old ‘Oat’ and 18 year old Permsak Somsakfrom, both from Phuket. Oat was found with 80 millilitres of liquid kratom inside a pot, one bottle of ‘Datissin’ cough syrup, a can of Pepsi, 50grams of kratom leaf and 400 millilitres of…

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  • News22 year old killed after female driver speeds through red light in Chumpon

    22 year old killed after female driver speeds through red light in Chumpon

    PHOTO: Daily News Police were called to the scene of an accident on the Asia Highway in Lang Suan, Chumpon on Saturday night. They found 22 year old Kampanat Pin-Ek dead in the central reservation. Nearby was his Honda Click motorcycle. He had been dragged 50 meters under the front wheel of a Bangkok registered Vigo pick up driven by…

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  • NewsActivists challenge the Thai PM with three demands

    Activists challenge the Thai PM with three demands

    Pro-election activists threatened to march to Government House on the fourth anniversary of the 2014 coup if the ruling junta fails to respond to their call for an election in November. The NCPO seized power on May 22, 2014 in a bloodless coup on the premise that it needed to stop Thai’s protesting violently in the streets of Bangkok. The…

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  • NewsThai Kane Shepherd heads to F3 Asian Championship 2018

    Thai Kane Shepherd heads to F3 Asian Championship 2018

    Kane Shepherd, Thailand’s young motorsports star, is racing in the inaugural Formula 3 Asian Championships, certified by the governing body Fédération International de l’Automobile (FIA). Asian motorsports hit another milestone this year with the introduction of the Formula 3 Asian Championships, certified by the governing body Fédération International de l’Automobile (FIA). The championship, which adopts the federation’s new single chassis,…

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  • Thai LifeTOONS TUNES – Zayn “Let Me”

    TOONS TUNES – Zayn “Let Me”

    Checking new and amazing music for The Thaiger everyday with Donna Toon Toons Tunes for today features English singer and songwriter ZAYN and the latest release as the second single from his upcoming second studio album, the track is called “Let Me”. The song itself was dropped on April 12, and Zayn describes it as a very personal and emotional…

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  • NewsPhuket Harmony World Puppet Festival 2018 – Sponsorship available now

    Phuket Harmony World Puppet Festival 2018 – Sponsorship available now

    Puppeteers from around the world are expected to descend on Phuket in early November for the Phuket Harmony World Puppet Festival 2018. Launched in 2013 by the Semathai Marionette Arts for Social Foundation, the Harmony World Puppet Festival is aimed at promoting puppeteering and helping people to express themselves while preserving their culture through marionette art. The five-day festival regularly…

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  • Thailand NewsMalaysian PM in a fight for his political life

    Malaysian PM in a fight for his political life

    Just south of Thailand there is a looming political showdown that is likely to reshape Malaysian politics, no matter what happens at Wednesday’s polls. It’s the country’s 14 election since independence. On one side a politically-stained, long-sitting incumbent trying to cling onto power. On the other side an opposition led my the incumbent’s former mentor – the 92 year old Mahathir…

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  • NewsWipawee wins in Krabi – fifth win of the year

    Wipawee wins in Krabi – fifth win of the year

    Wipawee Pratumsuwan after winning in Krabi Race favourite Wipawee Pratumsuwan racked up yet another title, clocking 1:36.34 hours to win the women’s 21km race at the Bangkok Airways Krabi Half Marathon yesterday (Sunday). The 27 year old assistant teacher, who spends most of her weekends competing, clocked eight minutes faster than runner-up Siriphat Bootjen, who crossed the finish line in…

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  • NewsThailand’s drowning in a sea of plastic

    Thailand’s drowning in a sea of plastic

    By Piyaporn Wongruang In February last year, a patch of plastic trash almost 10 kilometres long was seen floating off the coast of the Gulf of Thailand in Chumpon province, prompting a wake-up call about the plastic pollution problem which has become increasingly serious in recent years. Tara Buakamsri, Thailand country director for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, which campaigns against pollution,…

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  • NewsKanchanaburi seeks recognition of the Death Railway as a World Heritage Site

    Kanchanaburi seeks recognition of the Death Railway as a World Heritage Site

    Kanchanaburi is pushing for its historically significant Death Railway to become a World Heritage Site. A public hearing was held yesterday at the River Kwai Hotel in the western border province to hear the views of local residents. The event was presided over by Kanchanaburi Governor Jirakiat Poomsawat. Almost 52 per cent of local residents backed a proposal by a…

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  • NewsTwo arrested with drugs bought from social media sent via parcel post

    Two arrested with drugs bought from social media sent via parcel post

    The Phuket Provincial Police led by Lt Col Pongpan Siripattaranukul have arrested two suspects this week, buying their drugs through social media. On Friday (May 3) at 8:30pm police arrested 33 year old Jennarong ‘A’ Nareewan at D Condo Kathu condominium. He was found with 50.87grams of crystal meth (ya ice), 15 of methamphatamine (ya bah) and nine bullets. He…

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  • NewsNational parks drawing up plans for clean, cheaper energy

    National parks drawing up plans for clean, cheaper energy

    An action plan to develop cheaper and environmentally friendly power supply for national parks nationwide is being drafted in a joint venture involving the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. Officers from all national parks in the southern region attended a three-day workshop in Krabi arranged by the KMUTT and the…

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  • NewsPhuket Airport’s arrival growth soars

    Phuket Airport’s arrival growth soars

    By Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com. Looking at the numbers alone, the new upgrade and expansion of Phuket International Airport has been a roaring success (although the renovations are ongoing and, especially the domestic terminal, are an unfinished mess right now). January through March, 2018 passenger arrivals at Phuket International Airport surged by 19.3% compared to the same period last year, totalling…

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  • NewsOne night in Bangkok – 45 arrested for drugs and 91 for street racing

    One night in Bangkok – 45 arrested for drugs and 91 for street racing

    It’s been a busy night in Bangkok with nearly 140 people detained or arrested over street racing and others testing positive for illicit drugs at just one late night venue. Ninety-one motorcyclists and pillion riders were arrested las night (Friday) in an ongoing crackdown on street racing in the capital. Pol Maj-General Surachet Hakpal, the deputy commissioner of the Tourist…

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  • NewsHad any problems registering your drone in Thailand?

    Had any problems registering your drone in Thailand?

    Over the past few years the sight, and sound, of Chinese-made drones flying overhead has become commonplace, if not sometime annoying. Several times I’ve been struggling to hear the wedding vows, or even the celebrant, at marriage ceremonies with the high-pitched buzz of the wedding videographer’s drone whizzing overhead. They do provide astonishing shots for a cheap price. But I…

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  • NewsPhuket street art group calls for justice over Premchai black panther case

    Phuket street art group calls for justice over Premchai black panther case

    Graffiti in Thailand has so far been an instrument to denounce social injustice following the murder of the protected black panther, and Phuket is another location where this street art is being expressed. A local Phuket group has painted their thoughts on the walls in the heart of old Phuket Town. On February 4, a black panther was killed in…

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  • NewsCo-ordinated attacks across the South today

    Co-ordinated attacks across the South today

    Suspected ethnic Malay insurgents bombed power poles and burned tyres on the roads of five districts of Narathiwat early on Friday, police said. This follows a similar attack this morning in Yala where mobile phone towers were torched along with the same burning of tyres on main roads. The perpetrators also hung cloth banners criticising the Thai government. Police say…

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  • Thai LifeWhich Asian country is doing all the flying in the Asia-Pacific?

    Which Asian country is doing all the flying in the Asia-Pacific?

    Now everyone can fly, or so we’re told by one of the region’s leading budget airlines. So who’s doing all the flying in Asia? Thai flyers, with an average of more than 10 flights EACH per year. Thais are making more flights per year ahead of second and third placed Japan and India, according to the Expedia’s 2018 Global Flight…

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  • NewsCap seals being phased out

    Cap seals being phased out

    PHOTO: Thai Travel News The Pollution Control Department has sought cooperation from 7,000 water bottle manufacturers to stop using plastic cap seals within a year, in order to reduce plastic waste. The department has also sent letters to 19 ministries, the Food and Drug Administration and the Federation of the Thai Industries to seek their cooperation in promoting water bottles…

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  • NewsSimilan National Park to close for five months

    Similan National Park to close for five months

    The Department of National Parks (DNP) has announced that the Similan Islands in Phang Nga will be temporary closed from May 16 for five months. Today (May 4) there are still many tourists, both Thai and foreigners especially Chinese, at the Similan Islands. Most tourists want to enjoy the beach before the island will be closed in a few weeks.…

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  • NewsSix metre python released back to the Krabi forest

    Six metre python released back to the Krabi forest

    Officials of a local foundation in Krabi have released a 6 metre long python back into a forest this morning (Friday) after they captured it at a house in the Muang district the previous evening. The snake, which weighs about 50 kilograms, was captured from a pile of wooden planks near the duck pen of a house in Tambon Tapprik.…

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  • NewsFive people in custody after bomb-making equipment and chemicals discovered

    Five people in custody after bomb-making equipment and chemicals discovered

    Five people have been handed over to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) this morning (Friday) linked to the discovery of 1800 bars of ‘Powergel’ in Pathum Thani last month. Powergel is routinely used as a mining explosive and comes in the form of bars. Two of the suspects are 46 year old Yutthana Chidchol, a police officer from Sakoo station in Phuket,…

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  • NewsPhuket Court denies bail in alleged property fraud case

    Phuket Court denies bail in alleged property fraud case

    PHOTO: Emerald Development Group Facebook page Bail has been denied at a hearing in the Phuket Provincial Court earlier today in the case of Sawit ‘Mai’ Ketroj who was arrested at Phuket International Airport on May 1 over a case involving alleged fraud related to the Emerald Development Group. Khun Mai’s lawyers say they will appeal the decision of the Court…

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  • News10th ‘X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ sting – another 63 foreigners arrested

    10th ‘X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ sting – another 63 foreigners arrested

    In what’s becoming a regular weekly announcement, Pol Maj-General Surachet Hakpa from the national tourist police says another 63 foreigners have been arrested last night in the latest ’10th X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ sting. As before, the searches have focussed on international schools and language schools. General Surachet says five were arrested for overstaying their visa – one Lao, one Indian, one…

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  • NewsCouple arrested over Facebook luxury goods scam

    Couple arrested over Facebook luxury goods scam

    A couple has been arrested for allegedly stealing an ID card which they used to set up a fake retail business selling luxury goods through a Facebook page without delivering the goods. The arrest of 34 year old Napat Jun-anporn and 24 year old Suthiwat Mansathit was announced yesterday (Thursday) after they were apprehended at their home in Pathum Thani’s…

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  • Phuket NewsOnly one Patong bar staff failed the ‘purple pee test’

    Only one Patong bar staff failed the ‘purple pee test’

    Only one out of 47 bar staff tested in Patong was found with purple urine (when added to a reagent) in drugs tests conducted in a raid of the party zone last night (Thursday). Officials from Kathu District Office led by Kathu District Chief Somprach Prabsongkram along with Patong Police and medical staff from Patong Hospital were randomly selecting Patong…

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  • NewsJournalists urge NCPO to revoke orders that curb press freedom

    Journalists urge NCPO to revoke orders that curb press freedom

    The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) is calling on the ruling NCPO to revoke at least three of their absolute orders which have hindered freedom of the press and people’s liberties for almost four years since it came to power. The TJA demand came as it commemorated World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated worldwide on May 3, to reiterate the…

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  • NewsTen illegal hotels found in Krabi

    Ten illegal hotels found in Krabi

    Yesterday (May 3) more than 50 officers led by the Krabi Vice governor Apinan Pueakpong, along with soldiers from the Royal Thai Army Region 4, inspected the popular Ao Nang tourism area. Officers found 10 illegal hotels. Some of illegal hotels had never sought permission to renovate the buildings or permission to conduct and host tour guide businesses. Some of them…

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  • Thai LifeTOONS TUNES – 5 Seconds of Summer “Want You Back”

    TOONS TUNES – 5 Seconds of Summer “Want You Back”

    Checking new and amazing music for The Thaiger everyday with Donna Toon Toons Tunes for today features Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer and the latest release as the lead single from their upcoming third studio album “Youngblood” the track is called “Want You Back”. The band’s debut single in 2014 “She Looks So Perfect” topped the charts…

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  • NewsCrackdown on illegal hotels

    Crackdown on illegal hotels

    Tourist Police have announced a continuation of the crackdown on illegal hotels in Phuket. Tourist Police are also continuing to locate and get rid of tour operators’ nominees – using Thai people as a ‘front’ for foreign tour companies. The owner of a condominium project development company has been arrested after the condos were sold but the construction had never…

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  • NewsAKSARA Collection appoints new Director of Hotels and Resorts

    AKSARA Collection appoints new Director of Hotels and Resorts

    The Pattaravornee Family of Phuket are very proud to announce that Mr. Matthew C Hindmarch, who joined the company as General Manager for Kata Sea Breeze Resort and part of the development team of The SIS Kata Phuket four years ago, has been promoted to position of Director of Hotels and Resorts. In this role, Khun Matthew who has been…

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  • NewsFrench man killed trying to stop a fight in Bangkok

    French man killed trying to stop a fight in Bangkok

    PHOTO: Thai Visa Sanook website is reporting today (May 3) that police were notified that a foreign man had been stabbed to death at a bar in a guesthouse in Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. See story here Sanook Witness at the scene told police that a Thai man named only as ‘Pae’ was drinking alcohol with his girlfriend last evening until…

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  • Thai LifeMay Event Round-Up

    May Event Round-Up

    with Paul Poole (South East Asia) May is typically the month of the popular Hua Hin International Jazz Festival and this year is no different. For two days from 18-19 May, the seaside resort transforms into a mecca for jazz lovers with performers and fans arriving from all over the world. This year’s highlights include Austrian-born Simone Kopmajer and New…

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  • NewsHomesick Chaiyaphum worker (and his dog) bikes 500 kilometres

    Homesick Chaiyaphum worker (and his dog) bikes 500 kilometres

    A homesick Chaiyaphum man was spotted cycling home from Sattahip in Chon Buri with his pet dog. In a viral video clip and Facebook post by a reporter in Prachin Buri, 39 year old Kaen Homsanthia, is seen riding his bicycle on the Kabin Buri-Pak Thong Chai road in Prachin Buri, just to the north-east of Bangkok, yesterday (Wednesday) with…

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  • NewsMore than 50 Patong operators releasing untreated wastewater

    More than 50 Patong operators releasing untreated wastewater

    Patong Municipality is preparing to dredge the Pakbang Canal at the southern end of Patong Beach this week before more heavy rain. Operators who are releasing untreated wastewater into drains are being asked to urgently to solve the problem before legal action will be taken and enforced. Patong’s Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup says, “We are solving the problem of black and…

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