Month: March 2019

  • Thailand Election NewsBan on alcohol for 24 hours, starts today at 6pm

    Ban on alcohol for 24 hours, starts today at 6pm

    Thais go to the polls tomorrow (Sunday) for the first time since 2011, which also means there will be a 24 hour alcohol ban this weekend, starting this evening. Alcohol sales and distribution will be forbidden from 6pm on Saturday to 6pm on Sunday. Officials say weddings, parties and other celebrations can still be organised for these dates but there…

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  • Bangkok News94 motorcycles seized, 88 arrested – BKK road racing clampdown

    94 motorcycles seized, 88 arrested – BKK road racing clampdown

    Police have arrested 88 motorcyclists and seized 94 motorcycles last night for illegally modifying their bikes for road racing. Pol Maj Gen Nithithorn Jintakanon, traffic police chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, called a late night media pack at the Metropolitan Police Division 3 at 11.30pm to announce the arrests. Police set up road checkpoints in Metropolitan Division 3 last…

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  • Thailand Election NewsEverything you need to know about tomorrow’s vote

    Everything you need to know about tomorrow’s vote

    by Kanjana Lao, Nation Graphics Seven million new eligible voters will impact the outcome of tomorrow’s election, the first since 2011. The many new young voters, and the new election system, means that an outcome is very difficult to predict. But here’s Thai Election 2019 1.01 for newbies, thanks to The Nation.

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  • Bangkok News“X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner” arrest numbers hit 8,400

    “X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner” arrest numbers hit 8,400

    by Kittipong Maneerit More foreigners detained and likely to be deported. Seems to be a never-ending supply of illegal foreigners hiding in Thailand. X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner has been an almost weekly campaign to round up and deport overstaying and illegal foreigners over the past two years. Another 490 foreigners were caught this week in the latest Immigration Police dragnet involving…

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  • Phuket NewsMotorbike driver smashes through glass window after accelerator malfunctions

    Motorbike driver smashes through glass window after accelerator malfunctions

    A female motorbike driver has sustained injuries after her motorbike’s hand grip malfunctioned and she collided with a glass wall. Chalong Police were notified of the incident at an air conditioning shop at 6pm yesterday on Chao Fa West Road in Chalong. Police and emergency responders arrived and found the shattered glass wall and a damaged motorbike. The injured 40…

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  • Thailand Election NewsDeputy PM promises ‘no coup’ after the election

    Deputy PM promises ‘no coup’ after the election

    Thailand’s Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan is hosing down speculation that there could be another coup after the March 24 general election if the votes don’t support the pro-military parties. Responding to questions about his role in maintaining peace and order around this Sunday’s election, General Prawit says there is “nothing to worry about”, including the situation in the three southernmost provinces of Yala,…

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  • TravelFly on the ‘Honu’, snazzy new Airbus jumbo design

    Fly on the ‘Honu’, snazzy new Airbus jumbo design

    PHOTOS: Airbus Industrie Japanese airline All Nippon Airways has just taken delivery of the first of three ‘sea turtle’ editions of the superjumbo A380 aircraft. In May, the airline will add the “Flying Honu” to its fleet. The first of the new super jumbo double-decker jets is painted bright sky-blue and displaying a sea turtle design as a ‘honu’. Honu…

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  • Chiang Mai NewsAmerican drug suspect impersonated ‘Mr Thomas’ for 25 years, arrested in Chiang Mai

    American drug suspect impersonated ‘Mr Thomas’ for 25 years, arrested in Chiang Mai

    PHOTOS: Surachate Hakparn, Immigration Bureau A 67 year old American man, wanted as a drug suspect, has been arrested in Chiang Mai this week. He had been living under the identity of another person with whom he shared a similar face, for more than 25 years. The Thai Immigration Bureau reports that they have arrested a 67 year old American…

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  • Phuket NewsPolice hunting for driver who threatened others with a gun on Phuket road – VIDEO

    Police hunting for driver who threatened others with a gun on Phuket road – VIDEO

    PHOTO: Tiw Tiw The Thalang Police are hunting for the driver who was threatening other motorists on Thepkrasattri Road by waving a gun around out of the driver’s window of his red sedan in Thalang this morning. A Facebook user ‘Tiw Tiw’ has posted the video with a message reading “where are the police, please follow him. The incident happened…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsKing awards rescuers of Mu Pa football team

    King awards rescuers of Mu Pa football team

    His Majesty the King has awarded 187 people, including 115 foreigners, with The Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn for the rescue of the Mu Pa football team last July. The announcement in the Royal Gazette reads the government recognises that those people who helped those in peril performed good deeds and deserved to be honored. They will be granted the…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsMu Pa football team helps recover equipment from Tham Luang Caves

    Mu Pa football team helps recover equipment from Tham Luang Caves

    PHOTOS: The Chiang Rai PR Office The 27 year old Coach Aek (left), and other members from the Mu Pa (Wild Boar) football squad, were on hand to help recover equipment from the Tham Luang Caves this week. Chiang Rai’s Tham Luang caves, the scene of the international cave rescue last July, remains closed to all visitors since February 19 to…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s hotel and property players look north

    Phuket’s hotel and property players look north

    by Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com One of Greater Phuket’s real estate and hotel market’s that has a decided buzz of late is the area north of Phuket over the Sarasin bridge in Phang Nga. In Natai Beach, the entry of the Baba Beach Club and nearby Akyra has created renewed visibility for the broad West Coast stretch of white sand beach,…

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  • Thailand Election NewsAlcohol ban again this weekend around Thailand

    Alcohol ban again this weekend around Thailand

    The election is two days away. That means Thais go to the polls for the first time since 2011. It also means there will be another 24 hour alcohol ban on this weekend. Alcohol sales and distribution will be forbidden again from 6pm on Saturday, March 23 until 6pm on Sunday, March 24. Officials say weddings, parties and other celebrations…

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  • Chiang Mai NewsChiang Mai hit-and-barge-through pickup driver sought by police

    Chiang Mai hit-and-barge-through pickup driver sought by police

    SCREENSHOT: Facebook/เพจคลิปดังเฟซบุ๊ก Can you help? Video footage from a car dash cam on the San Dek intersection in Chiang Mai shows a white Mazda pick-up barging its way through some waiting motorcycles sitting in the traffic. The rear motorcycle rider gets thrown off his bike, his bike is damaged but the surprised rider gets up after the pick-up just keeps…

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  • Bangkok NewsEarth Hour next week, everyone invited to join Bangkok by switching off lights

    Earth Hour next week, everyone invited to join Bangkok by switching off lights

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is inviting Bangkokians to join in “60+ Earth Hour 2019”, by turning off electrical appliances and lights for one hour from 8.30-9.30pm on Saturday, March 30. The rest of Thailand is also invited to join in the annual environmental initiative. The BMA has participated in Earth Hour since 2008 by encouraging Thais to switch off lights to…

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  • EntertainmentK-Pop star arrested over sex tape scandal

    K-Pop star arrested over sex tape scandal

    K-pop star Jung Joon-young has been arrested over allegations he shared sexually explicit videos of women filmed without their consent. He appeared at a court hearing yesterday where he apologised to the victims for his actions. An arrest warrant was issued a few hours later. 30 year old Jung, who was first questioned by police last week, spoke to the…

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  • Phuket NewsMotorbike rider dies after colliding with ten wheeler truck in Thalang

    Motorbike rider dies after colliding with ten wheeler truck in Thalang

    A male motorbike rider has died after colliding into the back of a ten wheeler truck in Thalang early this morning. Thalang Police were notified of the accident along Thepkrasattri Road in the southbound lane through Thalang at 2am this morning. The conditions were dry and road was clear of traffic. Emergency responders arrived to find the ten wheelers truck…

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  • Phuket NewsBoating no-go zone set for HRH Princess Sirivannavari visiting Phuket

    Boating no-go zone set for HRH Princess Sirivannavari visiting Phuket

    Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana is visiting Phuket today to inaugurate a new marine research vessel. A boats no-go zone has been set. The Phuket Marine Office has announced “Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana is visiting Phuket today to inaugurate the new marine vessel at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC)” “The official ceremonies is from midday to…

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  • Bangkok NewsSummer storm cell hits Bangkok

    Summer storm cell hits Bangkok

    PHOTO: @fm91trafficpro A sudden and brief summer storm swiftly passed through Bangkok’s Lak Si and Don Mueang areas yesterday afternoon. The storm left some damage in its trail, including toppled small trees on Soi Vibhavadi 60, clogged drains and an under-construction Vibhavadi-Rangsit pedestrian bridge’s metal scaffold falling onto a car at Lak Si Intersection. The stormy weather took place around…

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  • Thai LifeHeavier traffic violation penalties being discussed by police

    Heavier traffic violation penalties being discussed by police

    Heavier penalties for drink-drivers and repeat offenders on Thai roads are under scission between traffic police and other agencies. Maj-General Ekkarak Limsangkatt, a member of the committee reviewing of traffic-law enforcement, is calling for harsher punishments in line with the Japanese model that penalises both the drink-driver and any passenger who “abetted the wrongdoing.” Ekkarak was speaking after a meeting…

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  • Thailand Election NewsSome election results out by 8pm Sunday night

    Some election results out by 8pm Sunday night

    More than 92,000 polling stations will be operating this Sunday for the national poll to elect a new Government. Seven million new voters, eligible since the last poll in 2011, will make a new impact on the election results making predictions more complex than in the past. Election results will start dribbling out of smaller polling booths just an hour…

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  • Pattaya NewsPattaya officials help a Finnish tourist sort out a lost passport and luggage

    Pattaya officials help a Finnish tourist sort out a lost passport and luggage

    PHOTOS: Tourist Police Bureau Pattaya Tourist Police have coordinated with local agencies to help a 53 year old Finnish tourist Jussi Harri Tuokkola. He’d lost his passport, luggage, cash and other valuable items on Tuesday. The manager of the Grand Palazzo Hotel alerted Pattaya Tourist Police that Mr Tuokkola had sought help from the hotel as his luggage and passport…

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  • Thailand News800 million baht of drugs seized in three recent busts

    800 million baht of drugs seized in three recent busts

    by Jessada Chantharak Police have seized a total of eight million methamphetamine pills, 2,070 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 1,546 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of 800 million baht from three recent drug busts. Four suspects were arrested and a fifth was killed during arrest. The report from the national police deputy commissioner Pol General Chalermkiat Srivorakan.…

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  • Thailand Election NewsForeign Affairs denies attempts to extradite Thaksin from Hong Kong

    Foreign Affairs denies attempts to extradite Thaksin from Hong Kong

    PHOTO: The happy couple and ‘dad’, in HK for tomorrow’s wedding The director of the foreign affairs department of the public prosecutor’s office in Thailand says media reports that the Thai officials are trying to extradite former PM and fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong, are wrong. Daily News reports that Chatchachom Akkhapin says there was no truth in stories…

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  • Phuket NewsUPDATE: Water truck driver presents himself to police after motorcycle death on Kata hill

    UPDATE: Water truck driver presents himself to police after motorcycle death on Kata hill

    A water truck driver has presented himself to Karon Police after yesterday’s road accident on Kata Hill that killed a female motorcycle rider. She died after skidding on oil spilled on the road, falling off the motorbike and being crushed by a water truck in Kata last night. Two others motorists following being also crashed and sustained injuries. Read more…

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  • Bangkok NewsTwo Suvarnabhumi crimes solved by Surachate

    Two Suvarnabhumi crimes solved by Surachate

    PHOTOS: Thai Rath Lt-Gen Surachate Hakparn, the high-profile immigration chief, has announced the solving of two cases at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. One involved a Thai woman using a passport illegally by adding extra pages. The other was the arrest of members of a Mongolian pickpocketing gang who had been preying on tourists at the airport and on the city’s…

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  • Phuket News68 Ridley’s sea turtles hatched on Phang Nga beach – VIDEO

    68 Ridley’s sea turtles hatched on Phang Nga beach – VIDEO

    PHOTOS/VIDEO: The Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand 68 Ridley’s baby sea turtles have hatched on Tha Sai Beach in Thai Muang, Phang Nga and made their way to the sea last night. Ridley’s sea turtles, a protected species in Thailand, have returned recently to Phang Nga beaches to breed over the past few months following a 23 year absence.…

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  • Phuket NewsMotorbike driver dies, another person injured after car driver slams into them

    Motorbike driver dies, another person injured after car driver slams into them

    A female motorbike driver has died while a male car driver has sustained injuries after a second car driver fell asleep at the wheel in Thalang crashing into them. The incident happened on Srisoonthorn Road in Thalang at 2pm yesterday (Wednesday). Police and emergency responders arrived to find a damaged motorbike and two damaged cars. Police report that the car…

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  • Bangkok NewsGrab rider attacked by local motorcycle taxi driver – police admit the law is not clear

    Grab rider attacked by local motorcycle taxi driver – police admit the law is not clear

    MONTAGE: Facebook/Patiharn Sarikapun Police near Khao San Road admit the law regarding the use of Grab Bike and similar ‘disrupting’ public transport services, is still unclear. They are calling on motorcycle taxis drivers, Grab riders, taxi drivers and Uber to keep calm and contact police if there are any disputes rather than taking matters into their own hands. Daily News…

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  • Phuket NewsBaby flying lemur and injured slow loris rescued in Phuket

    Baby flying lemur and injured slow loris rescued in Phuket

    PHOTOS: Pongchart Chueahom/DNP The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation reports that the head of Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area, Pongchart Chueahom, has checked in to see the progress of a baby flying lemur and injured slow loris which are being treated at the Department’s wildlife facility. “They are both healthy and the Loris is recovering well. They…

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  • Phuket NewsWoman crushed under a truck, two others injured, truck speeds away, Kata Hill

    Woman crushed under a truck, two others injured, truck speeds away, Kata Hill

    A motorbike driver has died after slipping on oil spilled on the road. The woman fell off the motorbike and was crushed by a water truck in Kata last night. Two others motorists also sustained injuries. Police are searching for the truck driver. The incident happened on Patak Road on Kata Hill at 6.50pm last night (Wednesday). Police and emergency…

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  • Thailand NewsThungyai wildlife chief could appeal for a heavier penalty for Premchai

    Thungyai wildlife chief could appeal for a heavier penalty for Premchai

    Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary chief Wichien Chinnawong, hailed as a hero for standing up to Premchai and taking his case to court, says, while he respects the verdict of the Thong Pha Phume provincial court on Italian-Thai Development boss Premchai Karnasuta, he believes the billionaire deserved a heavier penalty. A panel discussion organised by the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation and environment reporters’ club yesterday heard from the Wildlife Sanctuary chief in…

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  • Northern Thailand News100 houses damaged after storm hits Nakhon Ratchasima districts

    100 houses damaged after storm hits Nakhon Ratchasima districts

    by Prasit Tangprasert A tropical storm has left more than 100 houses damaged after it hit Nakhon Ratchasima province, north-east of Bangkok, yesterday. Nakhon Ratchasima’s Governor Wichian Chantanothai says… “We are in the process of surveying damages.” He made the comment as he was handing out relief items to storm victims in Sikhiu district. He said authorities planned to ask soldiers…

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  • Thailand Election NewsFuture Forward’s Thanathorn demands an apology from conservative Nation TV

    Future Forward’s Thanathorn demands an apology from conservative Nation TV

    The Future Forward Party leader is demanding an apology from Nation TV for broadcasting an edited voice clip that makes it appear like a conversation between him and former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra. “I am demanding Nation apologise to me and the people who heard this content,” he said when given a chance to respond on Nation TV yesterday. Nation…

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  • EntertainmentSold over 2.6 million copies and it’s not even released. Map of the Soul, BTS.

    Sold over 2.6 million copies and it’s not even released. Map of the Soul, BTS.

    The new album Map of the Soul: Persona has already sold 2,685,030 copies. That was in just four days up to March 17. And it’s not even being released until April 12. It also came to light that the same band had the second and third best selling albums in the world for 2018, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsCabinet waives tolls for 8 days over Songkran break

    Cabinet waives tolls for 8 days over Songkran break

    Thailand’s cabinet has decided to waive tolls on the Bangkok-Pattaya and Bangkok-Bang Pa-in-Bang Phli motorways starting April 10 until midnight on April 18. This takes in the main Songkran break between April 12 – 14 and the annual ‘seven days of danger’. A Cabinet spokesperson say that a large number of people are expected to leave Bangkok for the provinces…

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  • Thailand NewsThaksin is in Hong Kong. Thailand wants to extradite him.

    Thaksin is in Hong Kong. Thailand wants to extradite him.

    The exiled former Thai PM, Thaksin Shinawatra, is in Hong Kong to be part of the wedding party in the marriage of his youngest daughter Paetongtarn ‘Ing’ Shinawatra to a commercial pilot, Pidok Sooksawas. Thai authorities are seeking the extradition of the exiled former PM from Hong Kong, according to local HK media. Many of the powerful Shinawatra clan are…

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