Month: January 2019

  • Thailand NewsThailand pledges to soften harsh refugee policies

    Thailand pledges to soften harsh refugee policies

    PHOTO: Toronto Star Thailand’s immigration chief is pledging an upgrade of the country’s draconian treatment of refugees following the intense international media coverage of the young Saudi woman’s attempt to seek asylum. Rahaf Mohammed became the biggest international story across the world for a week after being intercepted during a transit stopover in Bangkok, on her way to Australia, and…

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  • South Thailand NewsTwo monks killed in temple shooting at Narathiwat

    Two monks killed in temple shooting at Narathiwat

    PHOTO: The Nation “We believe that at least six assailants were involved in the shooting and are at large,” – police spokesman in the Su-ngai Padi district. Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has condemned the latest violence in southern province Narathiwat where two monks were gunned down and others injured last night (Friday). Narathiwat is Thailand’s southern-most province. Government spokesman Puttipong Bunnakun…

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  • Phuket NewsAustralian woman deported for overstaying visa by over 100 days

    Australian woman deported for overstaying visa by over 100 days

    PHOTOS: Facebook/Claire Johnson An Australian woman, who was caught overstaying her visa by 111 days, will be released from detention and deported by Thai authorities tonight. She came to the media’s attention on Monday after sending urgent messages to a friend saying that she was being taken to a detention centre and that “they are taking my phone”. 46 year…

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  • FoodPhuket’s Top 10 Brunches

    Phuket’s Top 10 Brunches

    Brunch has become a weekend staple on the island and its seems everyone has their own take on this beloved mix of two meals… a chance to slow down, enjoy some amazing food and try a little bit of everything. Whether you want something casual or prefer taking a boat to a private island, Phuket gives you the options to…

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  • Cannabis NewsBritish man pioneers cannabis tom yum, police are not happy

    British man pioneers cannabis tom yum, police are not happy

    PHOTO: Khaosodenglish A 58 year old real estate developer, living in Koh Samui for 22 years, is facing some trouble with the police for his ‘medicinal’ innovations in the kitchen. Police have arrested and charged Gary Coughlan with drug offenses after they noticed he was acting a little ‘unusual and erratic’ this morning (Wednesday). He later tested positive for drug…

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  • South Thailand NewsStudents huddle under desks in Narathiwat as insurgents fight with soldiers

    Students huddle under desks in Narathiwat as insurgents fight with soldiers

    by Narong Nuansakul, Nakarin Chinworakamon Students huddled under desks and screamed in fear as they could hear guns being fired near their school in Narathiwat province, bordering the Malaysian border, yesterday. The gunfight erupted after rangers and police confronted a group of suspected insurgents in a rubber plantation nearby. One suspect was killed in the clash, and authorities believe other…

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  • Pattaya NewsDeported Belarusian model, and seven others, detained in Moscow

    Deported Belarusian model, and seven others, detained in Moscow

    PHOTO: Instagram/nastya_rybka.ru A woman who had claimed to have ‘dirt’ on Russian attempts to meddle with the US Presidential elections in 2016, is now in detention in Moscow. Anastasia Vashukevich, aka. Nastya Rybka on social media, was deported from Thailand on Thursday after pleading guilty to charges including soliciting prostitution in a court case last Tuesday in Bangkok. She, and…

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  • Chiang Mai NewsEight year wait for Chiang Mai’s proposed Light Rail

    Eight year wait for Chiang Mai’s proposed Light Rail

    Whilst Phuket has got a tentative go ahead for its Light Rail system (for a start of contraction in 2020), people in Chiang Mai will have to wait eight years for their local version of a modern public transport system. The Chiang Mai News reports that a ministerial level government meeting in Lampang this week reported on the latest developments.…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsSwiss man accused of overstaying visa and theft charges

    Swiss man accused of overstaying visa and theft charges

    by Kamthon Kongsombat PHOTO: Security footage from the Phuket jewelry store in December 2018 – Facebook The Immigration Bureau says they’re going to blacklist and deport a Swiss man who overstayed his visa and is also accused of series of thefts in Nongkhai and Phuket. The Nongkhai deputy immigration police chief Colonel Prasit Somjaiprasong says that Julien Andre Junior Cotting,…

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  • Bangkok NewsExperience the creative vibe during Bangkok Design Week with Airbnb

    Experience the creative vibe during Bangkok Design Week with Airbnb

    Thailand is a hub of creativity; a country filled with artisanal culinary gems and art galleries that boasts creativity and innovation allowing cultural tradition to sit comfortably alongside the embrace of new ideas. Thailand never tires, and Bangkok remains popular, with Airbnb seeing an influx of guests during festivals and events such as Bangkok Design Week, which returns for its…

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  • Phuket NewsWhat to do if a pet tests positive for Rabies

    What to do if a pet tests positive for Rabies

    PHOTO: PR Department An announcement about animals in a Rabies Outbreak Zone. These are things that pet owners must do when it has tested positive for rabies. • Pet owners must follow Animal Epidemics Act 2015. • No person may move an infected animal or carcass specified in such announcement into, out of, through or within such zone unless they…

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  • Phuket NewsSoi Dog Foundation responds to Rabies outbreak zone in Chalong

    Soi Dog Foundation responds to Rabies outbreak zone in Chalong

    Following the announcement form the Phuket Livestock Development Office that a rabies outbreak zone was set in Chalong area yesterday (January 17), Soi Dog Foundation Co-Founder, John Dalley, explained about the incident as the dog, which was indeed infected with rabies, was sent to Soi Dog Foundation for treatment after it was found very sick. It is the first dog…

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  • Phuket NewsAustralian man found hanged outside home in Thalang

    Australian man found hanged outside home in Thalang

    An Australian man has been found hanged outside his house in Thalang. The family of the victim told police that the man had been suffering from extreme stress brought on by financial concerns. He was worried that he might not be able to afford their school tuition and was further affected by his children’s lack of attention and time spent…

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  • Thailand NewsVIDEO: Thai netizens outraged as school makes student cut hair

    VIDEO: Thai netizens outraged as school makes student cut hair

    A student at a school in Kanchanaburi, western Thailand, has uploaded a video to social media sparking a meltdown on Thai social media. In the video, the student films a school teacher measuring her friend’s hair, while another teacher cuts it to follow the rules which state students cannot grown hair more than 9 inches from the top of the ears.…

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  • EntertainmentInternational Hip Hop sensation at Sugar Club Phuket

    International Hip Hop sensation at Sugar Club Phuket

    Sugar Club Phuket is hyped to host the Thailand premier of US Hip Hop sensation Rae Sremmurd, live on Tuesday, January 22. Ever since Rae Sremmurd exploded onto the scene with SremmLife bangers “No Flex Zone”, “Unlock the Swag” & “No Type”, Hip Hop parties just haven’t been the same. Brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi may be relative new-kids…

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  • Thailand NewsJapanese family asks Thai authorities to raise reward for murder of daughter in 2007

    Japanese family asks Thai authorities to raise reward for murder of daughter in 2007

    PHOTO: SBS News Eleven years have passed since the murder of a Japanese woman in Sukhothai province (central Thailand) in 2007 and, with no developments, an existing cash reward for any information leading to an arrest is expected to be raised from 1.6 million to 2 million baht. In 2007, 27 year old Tomoko Kawashita arrived in Thailand alone and headed to…

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  • Thailand NewsPick a date, any date – Thai election

    Pick a date, any date – Thai election

    February 24, then March 10, then ‘sometime before May 7’, now March 24. The only thing we can be reasonably sure about is that it will be on a Sunday (Thai elections are always held on Sundays). Yesterday, Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam hinted that the election could now be held on March 24. He painted March 24 as the “most…

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  • Bangkok NewsBangkok’s weather is not helping the smog problem

    Bangkok’s weather is not helping the smog problem

    PHOTO: Thai PBS The Thai capital’s air pollution is expected to remain bad, and maybe even get worse, over the seven days. The TMD (Thai Meteorological Department) has forecast the onset of low pressure from China which will keep the city’s PM2.5 dust particles hovering in the area and not dispersing, or being blown or washed away. But the Deputy…

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  • Thailand NewsNew Thai E-Driving licences are 95% complete

    New Thai E-Driving licences are 95% complete

    Thailand law makers are looking to amend the 1979 Land Transport act to bring together databases from the Road Transport and policing departments as registrations and enforcement combine to make a digital traffic violation ticketing system. The National Legislative Assembly held a reading of the new bill yesterday (Thursday), which requires the Royal Thai Police and the Land Transport Department…

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  • Thailand NewsAir quality for Thailand – January 18

    Air quality for Thailand – January 18

    Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Southern Thailand Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution…

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  • Thailand NewsWeather for January 18

    Weather for January 18

    Bangkok Mostly cloudy. High 30ºC. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Partly cloudy, with a possible thunderstorm. High 32ºC. Winds E at 15 to 30 km/h. Chance of rain 30%. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 29ºC. Winds SSE and variable. Pattaya Morning clouds followed by afternoon sun. High 31ºC. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Ko Samui…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket declares rabies outbreak zone in Chalong

    Phuket declares rabies outbreak zone in Chalong

    A district livestock development office in Phuket province has announced a Rabies outbreak zone in the Chalong area yesterday. Sutat Niyomthai, Chief of livestock development officer of Mueang Phuket District, has announced that the Baan Na Yai, Moo 4 village in Tambon Chalong is a designated outbreak zone after a dog tested positive for Rabies. A rabies temporary control zone will…

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  • Phuket NewsChumphon woman, working in Phuket, wins first prize in lottery

    Chumphon woman, working in Phuket, wins first prize in lottery

    A woman from Chumphon, who helps out her sister in Phuket, returned to her hometown last week where she bought a lottery ticket. The ticket won her the first prize in the lottery. 38 year old Thai woman Chonrada Laimer from Chumphon went to Chalong Police Station yesterday with the first prize lottery ticket number 197079. The weekly lottery numbers…

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  • Bangkok NewsBangkok smog: Predicted to worsen over weekend

    Bangkok smog: Predicted to worsen over weekend

    Bangkok’s air pollution is expected to worsen today following slight improvements in weather conditions and some rain last Tuesday and Wednesday. Fewer locations reported fine particle dust beyond safe levels yesterday, while the Meteorological Department is issuing warnings about a high-pressure area hovering over Laos and the Northeast that will bring temperatures down by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius in…

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  • South Thailand NewsMore dead whales along the southern Gulf coast

    More dead whales along the southern Gulf coast

    Two young Omura whales have been separately found on Songkhla’s beaches. They were probably from the same herd. The bodies had already started decomposing when they were found. Pak Tae Ra villagers in Ranote district alerted a regional maritime research centre that a big whale was found on the beach. The centre’s chief Suthep Juela-ong found the remains of an Omura…

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  • Thailand NewsThai monk caught 11 years later for sex with a minor

    Thai monk caught 11 years later for sex with a minor

    A monk accused of sexually abusing a 14 year old girl eleven years ago has finally been apprehended by the Crime Suppression Division police. He was arrested in his living quarters in Wat Srang Mai in the centre of Thailand. The 61 year old monk, Sorasak Siripattho, was wanted on an arrest warrant issued on February 11, 2008 on charges…

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  • Northern Thailand News19 year old caught transporting drugs to Korat in a hired taxi

    19 year old caught transporting drugs to Korat in a hired taxi

    PHOTOS: The Nation A young man has been arrested after being allegedly found with methamphetamine pills, marijuana and a gun in a taxi at a checkpoint in Nakhon Ratchasima. Police say he had hired a Bangkok taxi to take him, along with the drugs, to a client in Buri Ram. Pol Lt Col Ronnarong Surathot, deputy commander of Chokchai police…

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  • Thailand NewsExemption of visa on arrival fees to boost Chinese New Year

    Exemption of visa on arrival fees to boost Chinese New Year

    The exemption of fees for visa on arrival is expected is expected to boost Chinese arrivals during the Chinese New Year festival. The National News Bureau of Thailand is reporting that visitors from 21 countries are getting their visa on arrival fee waived until April 30, 2019. Those 21 countries are Andora, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan,…

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  • South Thailand NewsBurmese human-trafficking suspect escapes from Songkhla police cell

    Burmese human-trafficking suspect escapes from Songkhla police cell

    PHOTOS: The Nation A Burmese suspect has broken free from a detention room at a police station in Songkhla today where he was detained pending a human trafficking investigation. Police say 27 year old Zaw Win somehow unlocked the padlock on the detention cell at the Bang Klam police station in Bang Klam district at about 7am this morning. A…

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  • Bangkok NewsBelarusian ‘sex trainer’ deported from Thailand

    Belarusian ‘sex trainer’ deported from Thailand

    Anastasia Vashukevich, aka. Nastya Rybka, the Belarusian model who claimed she had ‘dirt’ on Donald Trump and Russian efforts to help win the US Presidency, has been shipped off to the airport and deported from Thailand. She was convicted of participating in a “sex training course”. “I want to get a bed. I want to get a bed so much! I have been sleeping…

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  • Chiang Mai NewsChiang Mai man arrested after raping his own mother

    Chiang Mai man arrested after raping his own mother

    A Chiang Mai man has been arrested after just being released from jail for killing his step father only to rape his own mother. 31 year old Chaiya Tanaa from Chiang Mai had caused distress to locals after he fled the area following the rape last month. Police discovered that he was hiding out in the forest and moved to…

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  • Chiang Mai NewsChiang Mai: The good, bad and ugly

    Chiang Mai: The good, bad and ugly

    PHOTO: TakeMeTour Post Magazine has published it’s ‘review’ of Chiang Mai, with the “good, bad and ugly sides to Thailand’s second city”. Here are some of their main points… The good There are more than 300 temples in Chiang Mai; they outnumber 7/11 stores, which takes some doing in Thailand. Situated in the heart of the old city, Wat Phra…

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  • Thailand NewsUp to 10K baht paid to Thai women for marriage license

    Up to 10K baht paid to Thai women for marriage license

    PHOTO: Immigration Bureau Indian men have been paying up to 10,000 Baht to Thai women for a marriage license. Thairath is reporting that Immigration chief Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn says, “Many Thai women have been paid to get married with Indian men without any intention of a physical relationship.” “Indian men are using the marriage license as a means to apply…

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  • Thailand NewsBurmese man shot after allegedly attacking policeman with knife

    Burmese man shot after allegedly attacking policeman with knife

    A Burmese man has been shot and injured after allegedly attacking a policeman with a knife yesterday afternoon. Police claim 45 year old Saw Luimia attacked a policeman at a road checkpoint in Tambon Mae Ngow of Mae Hong Son’s Khun Yuam district at about 2.20pm. Mae Hong Son is in the far north west of Thailand on the Myanmar border.…

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  • Thailand NewsForeign teacher to be deported after his arrest over rape in Pathum Thani

    Foreign teacher to be deported after his arrest over rape in Pathum Thani

    PHOTOS: Immigration Bureau / Lamlukka Police Station The male Pakistani teacher, who was charged with rape this week in Pathum Thani, is to be deported. The Immigration Bureau Office reports that Immigration chief Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn headed to Lamlukka Police Station in Pathum Thani where the Pakistani man, a teacher and psychologist, had been arrested. Read more about the case HERE.…

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  • Phuket NewsGo-Air seeks more flight slots into Thailand amid increasing demand

    Go-Air seeks more flight slots into Thailand amid increasing demand

    PHOTO: Indian weddings are on the rise along with a big leap in new Indian tourism traffic to Phuket Indian-based budget carrier GoAir is looking for additional flying slots into Thailand airports amid growing air passenger traffic. The GoAir Vice-President Arjun Dasgupta says the airline wants to launch flights from seven more Indian cities, including Chandigarh and Lucknow, to Phuket.…

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  • Thailand NewsAir quality for Thailand – January 17

    Air quality for Thailand – January 17

    Northern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Central Thailand Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects Southern Thailand Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution…

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