Month: June 2018
- News
Premchai wants to move the case to another court. The Prosector’s not happy.
Haven’t heard much about the Premchai Karnasuta case in the past month? There have been moves behind the scenes to have the case moved to the Region 7 Criminal Court in Samut Songkhram province. Thai PBS is reporting that the public prosecutor in charge of the Thungyai illegal hunting case has objected to the request of Italian-Thai Development boss Premchai Karnasuta…
Read More » - News
2 million baht of counterfeit and prohibited imported goods destroyed
About 4,000 counterfeit items, valued at around 2 million baht, including prohibited imported goods were torched at the incinerator in Phuket Town today (June 7). The destruction of the fake goods was held this afternoon and led by Phuket Customs Office Chief Kanjana Suwachino. Ms Kanjana says, “This is the final step in cases involving counterfeit and imported prohibited products that have been…
Read More » - News
Ancient paintings found in Krabi cave
More than 60 ancient paintings, thought to aged around 3-5 thousand years, have been found at the Khao Pru Tee Mae cliff in Chong Lom Mountain, Ao Luek, Krabi. A team of archaeologists from the Fine Arts Department last month found more than 30 paintings of monkeys, humans, elephants and geometric forms along the 300 metres cliff. This week an…
Read More » - News
New ferry services proposed to connect Andaman ports
PHOTO: Pattaya Mail (The Pattaya/Hua Hin ferry that started last year. Similar to the new services being proposed for the Andaman region.) It’s being called the “Andaman Ring” – new proposed routes connecting Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi with a modern fleet of new ferries which authorities say will cut journey times and help cater for the expanding tourism in the…
Read More » - News
Krabi elephants reporting for treatment at animal hospital
Many elephants have been brought to receive medial treatment at the elephant hospital in Krabi province after they fell sick, Benjatham Thaitham, a veterinarian at the Krabi elephant hospital, says the arrival of the rainy season has caused many elephants to be brought to the hospital by their mahouts for treatment. She says she’s worried that the elephants may been…
Read More » - News
Darasamuth underpass closed today for maintenance
The Phuket PR Office says the Darasamuth Underpass (adjacent to Central Festival) is closed from 9am to 3pm today (Thursday, June 7) while workers repair light bulbs. This announcement from the Phuket Highways Chief Somwang Lohanut. Mr Somwang says, “both the northbound and southbound lanes through the underpass will be temporary closed. Workers will be carrying out repairs and replacing…
Read More » - News
NBTC been told to clean up the overhead cabling mess
PHOTO The Nation Last year PM Prayut Chan-o-cha declared war on Thailand’s overhead electric cabling signalling provincial governments to get their overhead house in order. The clean up has been complicated by the many services that run their systems overhead – cable TV, electricity suppliers, internet and telecom providers. Now the Nation Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has been tasked…
Read More » - News
Striped dolphin washed up on Kamala beach
A weak striped dolphin has been washed up on Kamala beach this morning. Rescue workers were notified that the dolphin was found on Kamala Beach near a public park early this morning (June 7). Rescue workers immediately informed officials at the Phuket Marine Endangered Species Unit. Kamala rescue worker Kriengsak Boonlang says, “Locals, tourists and rescue workers were helping to…
Read More » - News
Kamala flash flood “worst in 20 years”
The heavy rainfall this week (mostly Tuesday morning between 6-8am) caused severe flash flooding which Kamala locals say is the worst they’ve seen in 20 years. Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong says, “The rainfall on June 5 reached 147 millilitres, we think even more in Kamala. After the inspection, locals in Kamala all say that they have never seen flooding like this…
Read More » - News
Ban on political activity to stay, for now
Despite the roadway being cleared by the Constitutional Court on Monday, putting the February 2019 election back on track, the Thai PM is still being cagey about forthcoming meetings between the NCPO and political parties and scrapping of the ban on political gatherings. The PM said yesterday that bans on political activities will remain in place despite all the legislation…
Read More » - News
Police launch operation ‘Rooting Out Crime for a Livable City’ – Pattaya
Law enforcement officers have been deployed in Pattaya to launch an operation police claim will ‘make the city livable’. The operation will run until next Monday under the code name ‘Operation Rooting Out Crime for a Livable City’. In launching the operation at 6am yesterday (Wednesday), Pol Col Apichai Krobphet at Pattaya police station says they want foreign visitors to…
Read More » - News
Illegal hotels and land encroachment crackdown on Koh Phi Phi
Officials are investigating about 40 rai plot of land where 34 villas and a big swimming pool are being built on Koh Phi Phi Don. Officials have also been taking action regarding the implantation of the Immigration Act whilst checking hotels and hostels on the island. Today (June 6) a team of officials led by Krabi’s Vice Governor Apinan Pueakpong…
Read More » - News
Hmong workers victims of human trafficking – Intercepted in Prachuap Khiri Khan
27 Hmong workers have been intercepted who appear to have been smuggled over the border near the Singkhorn crossing (a pass across the Tenasserim Hills on the border between Thailand and Myanmar in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province). Ban Muang is reporting that police, military, immigration and Prachuap Khiri Khan authorities intercepted four pick up trucks yesterday. The workers had paid 700…
Read More » - News
Laotian woman arrested with drugs
Police have arrested a Laotian woman with methamphetamine pills and crystal methamphetamine. Yesterday (June 5) a team from the Thalang Police arrested the 38 year old woman Pu Saenudom at a house in Paklok. Police seized 263 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 11 methamphetamine pills. Pu failed to present her passport to police. Pu was taken to the Thalang Police Station…
Read More » - News
Billion baht expansion of the Phuket deep sea port
The one billion baht First Phase expansion at Phuket’s deep sea port will be done within 18 months. Yesterday (June 5) a meeting was held at the Cape Panwa Hotel led by the manager of Phuket Deep Sea Port Company Limited, Wanlop Pongluengtham. Mr Wanlop says, “The company has received a 30 years concession starting from May 1 this year…
Read More » - World News
24th anniversary of the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
Australia’s ambassadors to Thailand and Laos joined the Nong Khai Governor Ronachai Jitwiset on Wednesday in unveiling a sign commemorating the 24th anniversary of the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. Paul Robilliard, Australian Ambassador to Thailand, and Jean Bernard Carrasco, Australian Ambassador to Laos, presided at the 9am ceremony with Ronachai on the span linking Nong Khai to Laos. The deputy…
Read More » - News
Phuket Governor visits Kamala locals after torrential rains
Heavy rains across Phuket yesterday (June 5) caused peak hour road flooding, congestion, landslides and mayhem. Read more about yesterday morning’s downpour HERE. Officials led by Phuket’s Governor Norraphat Plodthong inspected flooded areas in Kamala. The Governor’s now declared some of these back streets in Kamala as a disaster area. Many houses were flooded with 30 cm to 50 cm of…
Read More » - News
Pineapple farmers to sell crops in PTT stations nationwide
PTT, the Government-owned petro-chemical giant that commands the largest share of Thai petrol sales, is getting behind the country’s pineapple farmers. Pineapples are one of Phuket’s main agricultural crops but has been hit with low prices for the past year. PTT petrol stations will allow pineapple growers to sell their crops in the compounds of PTT stations around the country…
Read More » - News
Police hunting for thief who snatched a restaurant TV
Thalang Police were notified of a thief who snatched a television from ‘Jae Jeab’ restaurant on Thepkrasattri Road, 300 metres from the Heroines Monument last night (June 5). Police arrived at the scene to find 49 year old Usa ‘Jae Jeab’ Silapa, the restaurant owner. Police checked CCTV footage of the restaurant (on another TV obviously). A man age between…
Read More » - News
Last hurdle to Thai election cleared
FILE PHOTO: The Nation Activists sceptical over a promise of a poll next February, say they’re still insisting on Thailand going to an election this year. After several postponements, the Thai PM has promised Thailand’s first election in five years is set to be held next February. All legal hurdles were finally cleared yesterday with the approval by the Constitutional…
Read More » - News
Thailand Event Round-Up – June 2018
by Paul Poole, PAUL POOLE (SOUTH EAST ASIA) June is the month for runners in Thailand. One of Thailand’s most hotly anticipated sporting events take place on June 9 & 10, the popular Laguna Phuket International Marathon. Now in its 13th year, the race is one of the most well-attended races in Asia with runners flying to Phuket from all…
Read More » - News
Thai industry declares war on plastic pollution
It seems the relentless media reporting, photo evidence, social media and horrendous stories about sea creatures being washed ashore consumed by plastics, has now forced Thai leaders to push the issue of plastic use to the top of their priority list. 20 ministries and the private sector have launched a campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags to mark…
Read More » - News
Paraquat and other farm pesticides to be phased out – PM assures protesters
The Thaig government is promising to phase out the use of Paraquat as an farm chemical. The PM was responding to a ramping up of protests outside Government house and in social media where opposition was growing following a decision not to ban the use of Paraquat and two other agri-chemicals. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says the government will now set 2019…
Read More » - News
Kids aged six and seven swamping tourist police emergency line with prank calls
Prank calls are a problem for emergency hotlines everywhere in the world. Even the demure, outwardly polite Thai kids are getting in on the act these days. Three children, aged just six and seven, were among eight callers that have made 644 calls in total to the tourist police’s emergency line, keeping the 1155 number needlessly occupied. This was announced…
Read More » - News
Kalasin pagoda collapse – Initial investigation points to three factors
The collapse of an ancient pagoda under restoration at Wat Kud Wa in Kalasin’s Kuchinarai district yesterday morning, resulting in the death of one worker and four others being injured, stemmed from three main causes. Authorities begun a probe into the Pagoda’s collapse almost immediately yesterday. Kalasin’s public works and city planning officer, Weerachai Kaewhawong, cites three factors: construction work…
Read More » - News
Two rangers injured in grenade attack – Yala
Two para-military rangers in Yala have been injured after two M79 grenades, launched by suspected militants, exploded in their barracks. The attack took place near a village in Bannang Sata District of Yala province last night (Monday). The two rangers, Cpl Thoranin Insuan and Witthaya Sriraksa, were on duty in the barracks when the two grenades were fired into…
Read More » - News
Two suspects arrested with 250,000 methamphetamine pills
Police have arrested 40 year old Manasae ‘Sae’ Toebu and 40 year old Hama ‘Ma’ Lasae, both from Yala. Police seized 250,000 methamphetamine pills as part of the raid. Police made the announcement today at a media conference at the Provincial Region 8 headquarters based in Mai Khao. The pair have been taken to Sai Khao Police Station in Krabi where…
Read More » - News
Governor warns of dengue fever this rainy season – Phuket
Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong is warning residents and tourists about the high potential for Dengue Fever this wet season. He says, “Phuket has the highest infection rate in the country. Two people have died from dengue fever this year – a 13 and 23 year old who were in Rassada and Mai Khao, respectively.” “The highest infection rate is found…
Read More » - News
Rabies confined to one puppy in Prachuap Khiri Khan
PHOTO: File Photo Authorities in Prachuap Khiri Khan are playing down a rabies threat after the death of an American bulldog puppy from the disease in Kui Buri district, south of Hua Hin, last month. The Prachuap Khiri Khan Livestock Development Office says that it has found no other infected animals in the area. It says its taken action to control…
Read More » - News
Now, THAT’S a mushroom!
Doi Tao, south of Chiang Mai, is where a five year old has found a giant mushroom, known locally as ‘hed jan’. Local villagers from the Ban Ko Luang, Pong Thung in Doi Tao were astonished when a five year old local, called Bell, turned up at home with an enormous mushroom on his shoulder that he says he collected…
Read More » - News
Protests planned outside Government House over ‘hazardous chemicals’ decision
Anti-paraquat protesters are going to rally out the front of Government House today. Around 300 rubber planters are set to join members of a network of organisations protesting against anti-hazardous substances being allowed in Thai agriculture. They say they are protesting against the continued use of the agro-chemicals paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate. President of the association of rubber planters, Sunthorn…
Read More » - News
Phuket thunderstorms bring floods and a landslide
Heavy rains across Phuket this morning (June 5) have caused peak hour road flooding, congestion and landslides. Just south of the Heroines Monument, Thepkrasattri Road was flooded in front of the Muslim Wittaya Phuket School in Koh Kaew. In Kathu there was flooding on a chaotic Phra Phuket Kaew Road. Adding to this morning’s traffic woes were the daily drop-offs…
Read More » - News
Tour bus collides with concrete truck in Khon Kaen
20 passengers on a Nakorn Panom-Bangkok bus are shaken but unharmed following a tour bus crash with a concrete truck. A report from MCOT shows CCTV footage from an intersection in Khon Kaen of the two vehicles colliding. The footage shows cars coming through the intersection then the cement mixer. The cement mixer didn’t appear to give way to the right…
Read More » - World News
Tropical depression over South China Sea
PHOTO: Rain sweeping across Da Nang, Vietnam Travellers planning to head to Vietnam and China’s Hainan Island during June 5-8 are being urged to check the weather before their departure. The Thai Meteorological Department says… “the tropical depression over the upper South China Sea was centered about 255 km. east of Da Nang, Vietnam, or latitude 16.5 degree North, longitude…
Read More » - World News
“I was just aiding the Thai Government”. Cambodian arrested over alleged cybercrime.
A Cambodia man, escorted to Thailand for questioning last week, denies he had been arrested saying he went voluntarily to assist in the cybercrime investigation relating to the Thai PM. Thai Tourist Police say that Heng Ratanak, thought to be the owner of the Thai-language click-bait website ratstas.com, had uploaded allegedly false information that “is likely to damage the country’s security…
Read More » - News
Phuket’s Ao Kung residents oppose marina project
Locals from the Ao Kung community, in the far north of the Phuket, along with environmentalists, are expressing serious concern about the building of a new marina. The 120 million baht marina project will have the capacity to accommodate up to 72 yachts. Locals say the proposed marina is very close to the Ao Kung bay and will threaten coral…
Read More » - News
Phuket film festival honours the late King Rama 9
Phuket is honouring the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej by presenting nine Thai movies made during his reign for an exhibition being held at SFX Cinema Central Festival Phuket from June 4-6. It’s part of a national film exhibition, selecting films produced during King Rama 9’s reign and showing them around the country. Yesterday (June 4) the opening ceremony was held…
Read More »
