Month: July 2019

  • Phuket NewsUdon Thani woman still missing in Phuket

    Udon Thani woman still missing in Phuket

    An Udon Thani woman has gone missing in Phuket since April. Today (July 31), Phuket People’s Voice reported that they are seeking any information that could lead to the missing woman. She is 27 year old Umarin Butwang from Udon Thani province in north-east Thailand. Her nickname is ‘Auy’. The woman was living in Phuket until she went missing in…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsChachoengsao woman sets herself on fire after divorce

    Chachoengsao woman sets herself on fire after divorce

    PHOTO: INN News A 32 year old woman set herself on fire in Chachoengsao, east of Bangkok, yesterday (Tuesday). Doctors say she only has a 10% chance of survival and 60% of her skin has been badly burned. She poured benzil oil over herself outside her house and then set herself on fire. At this stage police speculate that the…

    Read More »
  • HealthThailand’s job market – popular job sectors

    Thailand’s job market – popular job sectors

    by Cita Catellya A new report on the most popular job in Thailand shows how the country’s job market is evolving. In this digital age, it may come as no surprise that IT roles are now one of the most popular job areas. Everyone is moving to a digital outlet, and companies continue to implement technology in the workplace to be able to…

    Read More »
  • Crime NewsPattaya tourists take a quick swim, return to find their belongings gone

    Pattaya tourists take a quick swim, return to find their belongings gone

    Am Iranian man and his Russian wife were tourists in Pattaya doing all the usual things when they had a sudden urge to go for a swim. They were swimming at Dongtan Beach, Jomtien. They left all their belongings on the beach – phones, cash, hotel keys – but when they returned everything was gone. The Pattaya Police were notified…

    Read More »
  • Transport NewsProposal being prepared to raise the speed limit on Thai motorways up to 120 kph

    Proposal being prepared to raise the speed limit on Thai motorways up to 120 kph

    Saksayam Chidchob, Thailand’s new transport minister, wants to raise the speed limit on main roads in Thailand to 120 kilometres per hour The proposal, just an idea at the moment, would mean four lane motorways and expressways would have an upper speed limit of 120 kilometres an hour, according to an article in Manager Online. Saksayam says he believes the…

    Read More »
  • EventsMake it a date – Thai public holidays in 2020

    Make it a date – Thai public holidays in 2020

    Public holiday dates are out for 2020 with a few waiting to be announced. But it might be the start of you working out your holidays to Tahiti and Acapulco for the next year. The new holidays commemorate Coronation Day (held in May this year), and the birthdays of the King and the new Queen. The birthdays for King Bhumibol…

    Read More »
  • Transport NewsTwo years of construction hell – residents on Rama II Road, Bangkok

    Two years of construction hell – residents on Rama II Road, Bangkok

    Local residents living along the road upgrades to Rama II Road (Highway 35) are having to cope with worsening traffic congestion and air pollution. The construction works started in June and are expected to be completed by the end of next year. Piyaphong Jiwattanakulphisal of the Bureau of Planning, Department of Highways, said that the 11 kilometre Rama II Road upgrade…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsBritish Pound was close to the worst performing currency in the world

    British Pound was close to the worst performing currency in the world

    Nigel Green, the founder and CEO of the deVere Group, a leading independent international financial consultancy, says the GBP (Pound) is going to continue to be battered and bruised in the short-to-medium term, no matter who is leading the political fray. He spoke out after the Sterling dropped more than 4% yesterday in its worst performance since October 2016, based on…

    Read More »
  • EventsThailand’s biggest ballroom dancesport championship ‘Royal Siam Cup’ in Pattaya

    Thailand’s biggest ballroom dancesport championship ‘Royal Siam Cup’ in Pattaya

    They pouted, they cha cha’d, they chasséd and rhumbaed. Often backwards in high heels and sequins. Over 400 professional and amateur dancers of all levels from 23 countries around the world took part in the exciting 2 day event where they experienced a world class dancesport competition at the newly revamped Royal Summit Chamber of the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel.…

    Read More »
  • EventsTAT’s #WeDareYouThailand online video campaign wraps up today

    TAT’s #WeDareYouThailand online video campaign wraps up today

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) WeDareYouThailand online video sharing campaign that ‘dared’ foreign tourists and expats in Thailand to accept four challenges by creating videos to post on social media, finishes today. The campaign has been running since June 3. Each of the four activities allowed participants to discover more about Thai culture through four different types of challenges…

    Read More »
  • Business NewsMoody’s upgrades most Thai banks’ credit ratings from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’

    Moody’s upgrades most Thai banks’ credit ratings from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’

    Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the Baseline Credit Assessments of eleven Thai banks (1) Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (BBL) (2) Bank of Ayudhya (BAY) (3) CIMB Thai Bank Public Company Limited (CIMBT) (4) Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIMT) (5) Government Housing Bank of Thailand (GHB) (6) KASIKORNBANK Public Company Limited (KBank) (7) Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited (KTB) (8)…

    Read More »
  • World NewsStormy weather for the Thai north and northeast later this week

    Stormy weather for the Thai north and northeast later this week

    The Thai Meteorological Department has issued warnings about possible impacts from a tropical storm expected to reach Vietnam tomorrow and Friday, August 1 and 2. The area of low pressure which formed west of the Philippines reaches southeast China from today. Should this system strengthen into a tropical storm, it will be given the name ‘Wipha’. The TMD reports that the…

    Read More »
  • ExpatsThai Department of Land Transport brings better tech into the classroom

    Thai Department of Land Transport brings better tech into the classroom

    The Department of Land Transport is going to use fingerprint scanners, e-classrooms and CCTV as it aims to improve standards in the country’s driving schools. There are 275 DLT certified driving schools in 66 provinces across Thailand. Privately operated, they are given DLT quality guidelines which they must follow to maintain the level of their training and testing procedures. DLT…

    Read More »
  • Northern Thailand NewsSi Sa Ket province declares dengue emergency

    Si Sa Ket province declares dengue emergency

    The northeastern province of Si Sa Ket, on the Cambodian border, has declared that the prevention and control of dengue fever required urgent attention throughout its area. Local health officials say they are now especially concerned about what will happen during the last three months of the annual wet season. Governor Weerasak Wichitsaengsi signed a Memorandum of Understanding for dengue…

    Read More »
  • World NewsSouthern rebel remains unresponsive in hospital following alleged torture

    Southern rebel remains unresponsive in hospital following alleged torture

    Thai security officials have confirmed that four more people were killed in a late-night attack on July 24 by Muslim insurgents on a military outpost in the southern province of Pattani. Militants struck the remote base throwing grenades and laying down nearly an hour of automatic fire. The attack is considered “payback’ for the alleged torture of Abdulloh Esormusor. Human Rights…

    Read More »
  • Northern Thailand NewsFour teenagers arrested for attacking police

    Four teenagers arrested for attacking police

    4 teenagers were arrested and charged on Sunday with attacking 2 policemen in front of a nightclub in the north-east province of Nakhon Phanom, near the banks of the Mekong River. Sanook reports that the incident occurred happened around midnight on July 28 after an argument broke out between the teenagers and police. After the argument started to get physical,…

    Read More »
  • Transport NewsState offices and public spaces need to provide better access for the vision impaired

    State offices and public spaces need to provide better access for the vision impaired

    PHOTO: PPTV HD 36 Bangkok’s Governor Aswin Kwanmuang says he will coordinate with related agencies and public parks about making access for the disabled better around the city. He made the announcement after meeting with a visually-impaired person complaining about her guide dog not being allowed into state offices and other public sites. Sight impaired Kirin “Sai” Techawongtham, who created…

    Read More »
  • World NewsHuman traffickers leave 6 Rohingya starving in abandoned building in Hat Yai

    Human traffickers leave 6 Rohingya starving in abandoned building in Hat Yai

    PHOTOS: Workpoint News Six Rohingya were left to die in an abandoned building located in Hat Yai, Songkhla. Members of the group eventaully left the building in search of food and officials are now searching for more hiding in the area. They had been waiting there for 5 days. Thai Police were notified by nearby villagers yesterday trying to assist…

    Read More »
  • World NewsLeonardo DiCaprio praises Thailand for efforts to increase the population of wild tigers

    Leonardo DiCaprio praises Thailand for efforts to increase the population of wild tigers

    American actor, film producer, and environmentalist, Leonardo DiCaprio, has praised Thailand for its efforts to increase the population of wild tigers in the Huai Kha Kheng wildlife sanctuary in Thailand’s western forests. On Global Tiger Day (July 29), DiCaprio shared his enthusiasm for south east asian tigers. “In Thailand’s Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary, tigers are roaring back thanks to a…

    Read More »
  • EventsToon is on the run again for hospitals in the Andaman region

    Toon is on the run again for hospitals in the Andaman region

    Yesterday (July 30), Atiwara Kongmalai, aka Toon Bodyslam, met with Dr. Supot Pukaoluan, The Director of Krabi Hospital, to discuss about his marathon-running-charity project, Kao Khon La Kao. Toon will be running in parts of the Andaman region in October to raise funds for five hospitals The five government hospitals which will be recipients of funds raised from the running…

    Read More »
  • ExpatsBritish and Australian expats and tourists ponder the Thai baht

    British and Australian expats and tourists ponder the Thai baht

    The British pound continues to sag against the strong Thai Baht. And things are predicted to worsen for British tourists and local expats relying on funds out of the UK, as analysts predict the GBP to drop further as the date approaches for a ‘no deal’ Brexit and the Thai Baht continues to surge. As of 11.30am Thai time, the…

    Read More »
  • World NewsMyanmar Jade mine landslide kills at least 19

    Myanmar Jade mine landslide kills at least 19

    At least 19 jade mine workers along with mine security guards were killed in a landslide on Sunday. Rescuers have been searching for survivors. The incident is reported to have happened early Sunday morning in the remote Hpakant township in the north of Myanmar. Two police officers were also injured but were rescued and sent to hospital. Authorities also reported…

    Read More »
  • World NewsThai police in the Laos capital searching for gold thieves

    Thai police in the Laos capital searching for gold thieves

    Khon Kaen provincial police headed over the Laotian border to the Laos capital Vientiane after learning that a pair of Thai gold shop robbers had fled over the border, according to sanook.com. The robbers fled to Vientiane with gold ornaments and jewellery valued around 10 million baht they stole from the Khon Kaen gold shop on July 27. Police say that…

    Read More »
  • Hua Hin NewsPoliceman recovering after parachute jump lands him in overhead electrical wires

    Policeman recovering after parachute jump lands him in overhead electrical wires

    PHOTO: Thai Rath A policeman, doing parachute training in Cha-Am, remains in serious condition after a parachute jump last Friday went bad during the landing. This incident was a training exercise. A video clip shows ten trainees at the end of their jump when a slight gust threw the man off course landing him in electric cabling. He had to…

    Read More »
  • South Thailand NewsYoung Thai caught between a rock and a hard place in Satun

    Young Thai caught between a rock and a hard place in Satun

    A 20 year old Thai has been rescued from getting stuck in a rock crevice for nine hours. Sanook reported that the man was out looking for wild orchids with a friend on Saturday. He fell down into a rock crevice before being found and rescued by local foundation rescue volunteers. The incident happened at the Phu Pa Phet Cave…

    Read More »
  • PropertyBangkok’s expat rental trends changing

    Bangkok’s expat rental trends changing

    The number of Japanese expats in Thailand dropped to lower than 20% of the total expats in Thailand for the first time, dropping to 34,133 as of April 2019, a 4% decline year on year, according to CBRE. CBRE are reporting a change in demand and an impact on the rental apartment sector in Bangkok, despite a healthy performance. Typically, they…

    Read More »
  • Politics NewsThai Navy pushing Cabinet for a second Chinese submarine

    Thai Navy pushing Cabinet for a second Chinese submarine

    The Royal Thai Navy say they want to purchase a second submarine valued at 12 billion baht from China. Under the NCPO military government the cabinet agreed with the navy’s plan in 2016 to buy three submarines from China valued at 36 billion baht. The purchases would be spread over 11 years. The navy says they’re now waiting for the…

    Read More »
  • World NewsCambodian petrol station attendant shot in Nakhon Ratchasima

    Cambodian petrol station attendant shot in Nakhon Ratchasima

    A Cambodian working at a Thai petrol station has been shot in Nakhon Ratchasima. He was resting, sitting at a table at the time of the incident. The shooting took place on July 27 around midnight in the Pak Thong Chai district. The 30 year old Cambodian worker was shot in the head from behind by a young Thai man,…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsGrand Palace motorbike racers being sought by police

    Grand Palace motorbike racers being sought by police

    SCREENSHOT: Nation TV If there’s one location in Bangkok you just DON’T organise an illegal motorbike race… Bangkok police are looking for the teenage motorcyclists who organised a race outside the Grand Palace on Saturday night. The racing had wrapped by the time police arrived, but surveillance cameras and videos posted on social media have provided enough clues for police…

    Read More »
  • Chiang Mai NewsUPDATE: ‘Flight of the Gibbon’ ride in Chiang Mai open again

    UPDATE: ‘Flight of the Gibbon’ ride in Chiang Mai open again

    UPDATE: We have been contacted by the Flight of the Gibbon management and assured that the popular zipline attraction is open again and sorted out from its previous problems. They have been open again since June 2019. PHOTOS: Guruchiangmai The ‘Flight of the Gibbon’ zipline ride in Chiang Mai has been ordered to temporarily shut down while an investigation continues…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsTop 5 things Phuket hotel developers should know

    Top 5 things Phuket hotel developers should know

    by Bill Barnett from c9hotelworks.com Taking a 2020 view of Phuket’s hotel development pipeline that has now surpassed 15,000 new keys it’s hard not to be apprehensive. From a macro standpoint, the destination’s airlift and location are key success factors. But for the myriad cast of new and inexperienced hotel developers out there, perhaps a visit down Alice’s rabbit hole…

    Read More »
  • Crime News11 Bangkok students arrested over fatal knife attack

    11 Bangkok students arrested over fatal knife attack

    11 students have been arrested after Saturday’s fatal stabbing of a 21 year old student from the College of Industrial Technology at King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok. Four teenage girls are being held as witnesses during the investigation. The 11 male students are to be charged with murder and assault. The four girls, ages 16 and 17, are friends with…

    Read More »
  • Environment News5 metre King Cobra interrupted lunching on a monitor lizard in Krabi

    5 metre King Cobra interrupted lunching on a monitor lizard in Krabi

    Volunteer snake catchers from the Phitak Pracha rescue foundation were called to a house in Krabi. The owner of the Krabi house arrived home and heard her dogs barking. She went to investigate and found a five metre King Cobra making a meal out of a water monitor lizard. Anantaya Phonbamrungwong told Thai Rath that the tail of the water…

    Read More »
  • HealthTobacco giant lobbies Thai government to reverse vaping laws

    Tobacco giant lobbies Thai government to reverse vaping laws

    PHOTO: Sampan.org Leading Thai cigarette importer Philip Morris Trading wants the new government and policymakers to start talking with the tobacco industry to find constructive solutions to reducing harm caused by smoking. The tobacco giant is hoping the new government will consider innovative “smoke-free products” (vaping) for smokers, who would otherwise continue smoking. Cut to the chase – Philip Morris,…

    Read More »
  • Tourism NewsTAT governor predicts Thailand tourism will bounce back in second half of 2019

    TAT governor predicts Thailand tourism will bounce back in second half of 2019

    Yuthasak Suphasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand says all is good for tourist arrivals in Thailand. He predicted that 9.7 million foreigners were expected to visit in Q3 (July to September), up 7% year-on-year. He reported that trends show that domestic and foreign tourists will be spending 820 billion baht. That would be 9% up on the same…

    Read More »
  • Tourism News13 Bangkok passengers refused entry into Thailand by immigration police

    13 Bangkok passengers refused entry into Thailand by immigration police

    PHOTO: Naew Na Region 2 immigration police at Suvarnabhumi airport report that they denied entry to 13 foreigners who weren’t able to provide proof of funds to support their travelling whilst visiting Thailand. Immigration officials claim the ‘tourists’ were not visiting Thailand for tourism. Apart from not being able to provide evidence of sufficient funds, the arriving passengers didn’t have…

    Read More »
  • World News“The Great Hack” makes you think twice about how you use social media

    “The Great Hack” makes you think twice about how you use social media

    It’s a documentary about Cambridge Analytica. You know, that dodgy company you’d never heard of until The Guardian and New York Times did some real reporting and dug into the deep, deep hole we’ve dug for ourselves by leaping into social media without reading the fine print. It’s a Netflix production as the online streamer continues to become a mainstream…

    Read More »