Month: May 2019

  • World NewsBali’s Mount Agung erupts again

    Bali’s Mount Agung erupts again

    PHOTO: Twitter/Phoebs A week after flights were cancelled in and out of Bali’s airport, Mount Agung has burst into life again today at 11:42am sending plumes of ash into the Balinese sky. Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center said the eruption lasted for 8 minutes Despite the renewed activity, Mount Agung remains on level alert level three, or “standby”…

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  • Phuket NewsSix vehicles damaged, one person injured, as truck swipes parked cars in Phuket

    Six vehicles damaged, one person injured, as truck swipes parked cars in Phuket

    PHOTOS: เป็นปาก เป็นเสียง Six vehicles parked on Yaowarat Road, Old Phuket Town, have been damaged after a truck has swiped them as it was driving down the road. A pedestrian on the footpath was also injured in the incident. Phuket City Police report that they were notified of the incident at about noon today on Yaowarat Road in the island’s…

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  • Hot NewsKing Power wins duty free and shopping management contract for Suvarnabhumi

    King Power wins duty free and shopping management contract for Suvarnabhumi

    In Friday’s biggest surprise (please say in sarcastic tone whilst rolling eyes) King Power Suvarnabhumi has won the bidding to manage the commercial area at Suvarnabhumi International Airport with the highest offer, AOT senior executive vice president Vichai Bunyu said this morning. The winner will be approved on June 12, he said. Earlier this year the AoT (Airports of Thailand)…

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  • Environment NewsHarsher penalties for encroachers and illegal loggers in Thai forestry areas

    Harsher penalties for encroachers and illegal loggers in Thai forestry areas

    Yesterday four marine species were added to the ‘reserved’ list, providing addition legal protections for the animals. Read that story HERE. Now it’s been announced that forest encroachers caught clearing land or burning trees, in any of Thailand’s national parks or gardens, in order to occupy the land, will soon face jail terms of up to 20 years and/or a…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket light rail project blows out another two billion baht

    Phuket light rail project blows out another two billion baht

    PHOTOS: Post Today Changes have been made to the original light rail project design which will add two billion baht to the projected budget. The budget is now projected to be almost 40 billion baht. Post Today reports that the director of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand Phakkaphong Sirikantaramart says “the Phuket light rail design has been adapted.…

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  • Thailand Election NewsAnother week of negotiations and still no clear coalition emerges

    Another week of negotiations and still no clear coalition emerges

    PHOTO: The Nation – Palang Pracharat pose for a show of unity amongst complete turmoil Democrats walking out of meetings, deals made then broken days later, pending court cases over MPs’ eligibility – it’s never a dull day in Thai politics as we stumble towards a new parliament. Here are the current important milestones you need to know about… •…

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  • Krabi NewsCoral bleaching off Koh Phi Phi

    Coral bleaching off Koh Phi Phi

    Corals at Koh Phi Phi near a famous driving point has started to bleach. Paranya Pantajit, a scuba expert in Krabi says, “Corals near a famous diving point at Koh Phi Phi is beaching. There are many marine lives living around this coral.” “The temperature at 8 metres deep in the sea is about 31 degree Celsius. Corals in in…

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  • Bangkok NewsFive taken to hospital after tour bus air-con unit explodes in repair shop

    Five taken to hospital after tour bus air-con unit explodes in repair shop

    PHOTOS: Daily News Five people are now recovering in hospital after a tour bus air-conditioning compressor exploded at a repair shop in Pathum Thani, north of Bangkok. A woman walking by was injured along with four workers at the yard. The explosion happened at the Rattanakosin 200 Years housing estate in Thanyaburi. They were all hit by shrapnel as the unit…

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  • Bangkok News40 year old HongKong citizen falls to his death from Bangkok condo

    40 year old HongKong citizen falls to his death from Bangkok condo

    A Hong Kong citizen has died after falling from the fourth floor of the IVY Ratchada Condominium in Huai Kwang district, northern Bangkok. The 40 year old, Jefryanto Bin, cracked his skull after he fell from the condo and landed in the building’s parking lot on Ratchadaphisek Soi 20, according to Sutthisan Police Station police. His body was sent for…

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  • Hua Hin NewsNecklace and bag snatcher arrested in Hua Hin after train theft

    Necklace and bag snatcher arrested in Hua Hin after train theft

    PHOTO: Talk News Online A 66 year old is in custody, again, after being arrested for stealing a gold necklace and handbag from a female traveller on a train. ThaiVisa reports that the victim was heading southbound on a train coming from Bangkok. Police say Thadet Samran, from Phetchaburi, boarded the train and snatched the gold necklace and bag from the…

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  • Technology NewsPhuket’s media shuffles – the news leaders

    Phuket’s media shuffles – the news leaders

    Phuket’s media is going through a minor revolution. A lot of work is going into spreading local news for an island of some 450,000 locals and 12 million annual tourists (who are unlikely to read any local news media anyway). Roll back 20 years and the local leader in the media was the Phuket Gazette which lasted as an English-speaking…

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  • Bangkok NewsBangkok tuk-tuk driver is caught after over-charging three American tourists

    Bangkok tuk-tuk driver is caught after over-charging three American tourists

    PHOTOS: Tourist Police A tuk-tuk driver, who charged three American tourists 1,500 baht for a trip in Bangkok, has apologised for his actions and admitted to over-charging them. He also faces a hefty fine. Lt Gen Terapon Kuptanond, commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau says, “tourist police had tracked down the accused driver after the JS100 Facebook page posted a…

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  • Thailand NewsThai PM takes flack from social media over his Animal Farm recommendation

    Thai PM takes flack from social media over his Animal Farm recommendation

    PHOTO: The Thai PM has never been comfortable around farm animals PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is taking a lot of flack after suggesting Thais read George Orwell’s dystopian novel, “Animal Farm”. And a government spokesperson’s explanation has dug the hole even deeper. Read The Thaiger story HERE. “The man who has run the country undemocratically for the past five years has…

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  • Phuket NewsTwo Chinese motorcyclists injured after they collided with power pole in Rawai

    Two Chinese motorcyclists injured after they collided with power pole in Rawai

    Two Chinese tourists riding on a motorbike in Rawai have sustained injuries after colliding with a power pole. One of them is in serious condition. The Chalong Police were notified of the incident last night on Wiset Road. Police and emergency responders arrived to find a damaged motorbike laying next to a power pole. A helmet was found nearby. Blood…

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  • Bangkok NewsOfficials demolish 38 year old Kieat Tong Chai market in Bangkok

    Officials demolish 38 year old Kieat Tong Chai market in Bangkok

    PHOTOS: Daily News Bangkok officials (BMA) have demolished a market built to occupy the middle of a road in Din Daeng district following 38 years of disputes. The Nation reports that Din Daeng district office director Panchapat Lakdee says they’ve demolished the Kieat Tong Chai market to make more space for motorists in the middle of Soi Pracha Songkroah 38…

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  • Thailand Election NewsThai PM’s book recommendation backfires

    Thai PM’s book recommendation backfires

    Literature 1.01. Most people have read George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’. It’s the tale of a ‘democratic’ and utopian farmyard until the pigs get hungry for power and end up running the place as a dictatorship, dressed up as a democracy. The book resonated the fears of a post-WWII Britain and the rise of Stalinism. “All animals are equal, but some…

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  • Technology NewsFrom October you’ll have to pay your traffic fines before you can re-register your vehicle

    From October you’ll have to pay your traffic fines before you can re-register your vehicle

    PHOTOS: The Nation It’s official, sort of. From October 1, police have advised that car owners must pay all traffic fines or will be unable to re-register their vehicles and get a new annual registration sticker for their windscreen. Without these window stickers, they will have problems with traffic police while on the roads. Car licence registrations must be renewed…

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  • Phuket NewsWanted Phuket man arrested over human trafficking charges in Krabi

    Wanted Phuket man arrested over human trafficking charges in Krabi

    A wanted Phuket suspect, in relation to alleged human trafficking charges, has been arrested in Krabi. Officers arrested 47 year old Suppachart Jirawattanakun, originally from Lampang, yesterday. He was arrested following the issuing of an arrest warrant from the Phuket Provincial Court on January 13, 2018 over human trafficking charges. In 2017 officers discovered that at ‘The Rich Massage’ shop…

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  • Krabi NewsFamous Krabi elephant dies near elephant camp

    Famous Krabi elephant dies near elephant camp

    A 48 year old male elephant has died near an elephant camp in Krabi yesterday. The elephant had become a favourite and was popular in the area among locals and tourists who visited the camp. The elephant’s name was Kamtan. The Krabi Noi village headman was notified yesterday that the male elephant had died in a forest near a local…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsWeather warnings issued for Thailand’s north, central, east and upper south

    Weather warnings issued for Thailand’s north, central, east and upper south

    Residents from the upper south to the north of the country are being warned to brace themselves for heavy monsoonal rains over the next couple of days. The Thai Meteorological Department announced in an alert this morning that there is a monsoon trough across the North and the upper Northeast for Thursday and Friday. “The confluence of the southeasterly wind…

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  • Hot NewsBurmese man arrested for doing stunts on his Honda around Chiang Mai roads – VIDEO

    Burmese man arrested for doing stunts on his Honda around Chiang Mai roads – VIDEO

    PHOTOS: Daily News | VIDEO: Jeep Jenjira Pansena A video posted by Jeep Jenjira Pansena has prompted the Chiang Mai police to arrest a Burmese man caught doing stunts on the city’s roads. 21 year old “Mai”, who lives in San Sai and works as a masseur, was standing up on his Honda Click, amongst other ‘moves’ while hurtling around the…

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  • Hot News30 new cameras ready to catch traffic running red lights in Bangkok

    30 new cameras ready to catch traffic running red lights in Bangkok

    PHOTO: Daily News 30 major intersections will be fitted with red-light cameras to fine people going through intersections and ignoring red traffic lights. Testing will take place during June and the cameras likely to be operational in July. The cameras will detect the registration plate number and send you an automatic fine through the post. Police say that despite rumours of…

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  • Environment NewsShip owner fined 50,000 baht for chemical fire at Laem Chabang port

    Ship owner fined 50,000 baht for chemical fire at Laem Chabang port

    The Port Authority of Thailand has slapped a 50,000 baht fine on the South Korean owner of a container ship which caught fire at the Laem Chabang deep-sea port on Saturday morning, causing a chemical fire and smoke blanketing surrounding communities. Laem Chabang is just north of Pattaya fronting the Gulf of Thailand. Meanwhile, Thai PBS reports that about 1,000…

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  • Thailand NewsFour Thai marine species announced as ‘reserved animals’

    Four Thai marine species announced as ‘reserved animals’

    PHOTOS: DMCR / Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat Bryde’s whale, Omura’s whale, whale sharks and leather back turtles have been added to the list of ‘reserved wild animals’. The new Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act was announced yesterday. Animal species which included Bryde’s whale, Omura’s whale, whale shark and leather back turtle are now a registered ‘reserved animal’, before they are…

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  • Thailand Election NewsDemocrats walk away from coalition as bickering continues over ministerial portfolios

    Democrats walk away from coalition as bickering continues over ministerial portfolios

    It was off, then on again. Now it appears that it’s off, but that could change as today continues. The Pro-army Palang Pracharat’s efforts to build a coalition to form a majority government in the new Thai lower house have reached a new stumbling block amid bickering over ministerial portfolios,. Just two days ago the Bhumjaithai and Democrat parties seemed…

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  • PropertyRisland plans new developments in Bangkok and Phuket

    Risland plans new developments in Bangkok and Phuket

    PHOTO: Artist impression of the new Cloud Thonglor-Phetchaburi Hong Kong-based property developers Risland Thailand say they will spend 8 billion baht launching five residential projects in Bangkok and Phuket. The investment budget of 8 billion baht is an increase from 5 billion in 2018 and 3 billion in 2017, the first year Risland operated in the country. From June to…

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  • Tourism NewsChiang Mai and Hua Hin in Top 10 Asian retirement locations

    Chiang Mai and Hua Hin in Top 10 Asian retirement locations

    Hua Hin and Chiang Mai are two of the best retirement destinations in Asia, according to the US News and World Report. Phuket and Bangkok, usually included in lists of Asian retirement locations, didn’t make it onto this list. ThaiVisa reports that they were included in the site’s 10 best places to retire in Asia. The report considers the cost of…

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  • Koh Samui NewsDay 3 of 2019 Samui Regatta, Thailand

    Day 3 of 2019 Samui Regatta, Thailand

    Back racing! After a brief delay with the AP raised onshore, at 09:05 it was lowered and the sailors headed out to the startline where breeze awaited on the Nora Buri & Nora Beach Race Day. Looking to get as many races on the scorecard as possible and make up for yesterday’s wind no-show, Ross Chisholm and team got three…

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  • Hot NewsRoll the drums Phuket. Prepare the balloons. Chalong Underpass opens Friday.

    Roll the drums Phuket. Prepare the balloons. Chalong Underpass opens Friday.

    But it’s not Friday yet and there have been plenty of other delays. Chalong Circle’s 350 metre underpass should be open on Friday according to local highway officials. The roadworks have profoundly changed business and movement of locals in the southern part of the island for nearly four years. Many businesses were forced to move, others went broke, some residents…

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  • Tourism NewsSuvarnabhumi’s third runway closer to reality

    Suvarnabhumi’s third runway closer to reality

    The contracts for the construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s third runway are ready to be signed. But it isn’t likely to happen until later this year according to Airports of Thailand (AoT). The AoT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn says the new 21.7 billion baht third runway, which is included in the airport’s second-phase development plan, was already approved by the cabinet. “It…

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  • Thailand NewsBryde’s whale found dead off Petchaburi coast

    Bryde’s whale found dead off Petchaburi coast

    PHOTOS: Troy Beer/Thai Whales An autopsy is being conducted on a dead Bryde’s whales found off the Petchaburi coast in the Gulf of Thailand. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) report that they were notified of the dead Bryde’s whale being found off the Petchaburi coast yesterday. The female Bryde’s whale is about 10 metres long. It had…

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  • Tourism NewsThailand travel tax. Good idea but…

    Thailand travel tax. Good idea but…

    by Don Ross – ttrweekly.com “The changes to the law came into effect on May 20. Now, the panic button has been pressed. A workable package and collection process needs to be hammered out and fast.” Thailand is looking to introduce a tourist tax, either on arrival or departure, that will be, according to officials, used to fund accident insurance and…

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  • Pattaya NewsMotorbike driver survives being caught under Chinese tour bus in Pattaya

    Motorbike driver survives being caught under Chinese tour bus in Pattaya

    PHOTOS: Pattaya News Archive A motorbike driver has survived being partly run over by a tour bus in Pattaya last night. Rescue workers heard about the incident at 9pm last night near an intersection in South Pattaya. They arrived at the scene to find the red tour bus which was full of Chinese tourists. Under the bus found the damaged motorbike.…

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  • Hot News120 party-goers arrested in drugs raid on illegal pub

    120 party-goers arrested in drugs raid on illegal pub

    PHOTOS: The Nation A Bangkok pub has been raided early this morning. Police and drug suppression officials found that alcohol wasn’t the only thing being offered to the crowd. Customers were mostly dressed in school uniform for the themed party at the Space Pub. Patrons panicked as the drugs squad entered the premises on Pradit Manutham Road in Bang Khen…

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  • Phuket NewsSuspect who killed ex-wife’s new husband in Phattalung, arrested at Phuket checkpoint

    Suspect who killed ex-wife’s new husband in Phattalung, arrested at Phuket checkpoint

    A suspect who killed his ex-wife’s new husband in Phattalung last Sunday has now been arrested at the Phuket checkpoint at the top of the island. 32 year old Ms Rattana Nookong, Kringkrai Kotchapan’s ex-wife, sustained injuries from Kringkrai’s gun shots. Kriengkrai also shot and killed 40 years old Mr Sarawut Srinoon, Ms Rattana’s new husband in Phattalung on May…

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  • Tourism NewsTravel’s dynamic changes – A personal perspective

    Travel’s dynamic changes – A personal perspective

    by Andrew J Wood – President SKÅL International Bangkok With the dramatic announcement of the sale of retail travel giant Thomas Cook following the loss of £1.5 billion brings the blight of the travel agent community into the news once more. Last week Wall Street bank Citigroup advised investors to sell shares in the travel company. Confidence that travel agents…

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  • HealthThailand’s sex crime laws toughened

    Thailand’s sex crime laws toughened

    GRAPHICS: Nation Graphics Thailand is toughening its sex crime laws related to rape in a bid to better curb sexual assault crimes. For example, sexual attacks against children below the age of 13 will result in life imprisonment under the tougher law, while penalties will double for rapists who share recordings of the assault. The new law also recognises sexual…

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