Month: August 2019

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesTyphoon Lekima leaves at least 30 people dead, 5 million more affected

    Typhoon Lekima leaves at least 30 people dead, 5 million more affected

    PHOTO: China Daily/ANN At least 30 people are reported dead from the deadly typhoon in East China’s Zhejiang province. Another 20 people are missing and the death toll is expected to rise. Most of the deaths occurred in Yongjia county where torrential downpours caused a landslide that blocked rivers. The barrier lake bursted and flooded people away. Twenty two people…

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  • ExpatsPopular Thai expat blogger shares problems renewing visa

    Popular Thai expat blogger shares problems renewing visa

    PHOTO: Facebook/richard.thailand Popular expat blogger and Samut Prakan school employee Richard Barrow has shared his difficulties in trying to renew his visa’s extension of stay. Richard returned to Samut Prakan immigration last Friday to collect his annual extension. But he was told that Bangkok hadn’t yet approved his application. Samut Prakan Immigration, the province which has also issued his work permit (presumably…

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  • Tourism NewsAir Asia welcomes new-age long-haul A330 neo to its fleet

    Air Asia welcomes new-age long-haul A330 neo to its fleet

    AirAsia has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330neo aircraft, to be operated by its long-haul affiliate, AirAsia X Thailand. The new aircraft, leased from Avolon, will be joined by a second of the type later this year, Airbus says. Air Asia says the A330neo brings a step-change in fuel efficiency for AirAsia’s long haul operations. The new generation A330neo (New…

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  • Transport News

    New transport minister backtracks on previous government’s van upgrade policy

    The previous government was hellbent on upgrading many of the country’s old vans to new buses and min-buses. The proposals, and the decline of August 13, was met with a lot of opposition with public transport operators who would have to take on the new investment in upgrading equipment. The previous government’s intentions were to improve the levels of safety…

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  • Business NewsThai Airways faces more bad news with bigger losses in Q2

    Thai Airways faces more bad news with bigger losses in Q2

    Thai Airways’ problems appear to be compounding with a perfect storm of an ageing fleet, a plateauing of tourist intake and increased competition from newer, more nimble budget airlines. The country’s national pride and joy had a poor Q2 this year, compounding years of declining profit results. The second quarter loss more than doubled losses for the same quarter last…

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  • Politics NewsGovernment faces no-confidence vote with loss of five independent MPs

    Government faces no-confidence vote with loss of five independent MPs

    The Government was sworn in less than a month ago on July 17, but already faces the prospect of a no confidence motion on its ability to control the lower house majority after five MPs pulled out of the 19-party coalition bloc. Last week the ruling Government lost a vote on the floor over the role of the House Speaker.…

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  • Phuket NewsAccused pedophile arrested in Phang Nga after 14 years on the run

    Accused pedophile arrested in Phang Nga after 14 years on the run

    PHOTO: Police questioning Honchao Sae Oun – Crime Suppression Division A man, wanted over the indecent assault of a five year old girl in Yala 14 years ago, has been arrested in Phang Nga. 62 year old Honchao Sae Oun was arrested at a house in Thai Muang district yesterday by the Crime Suppression Division. Officials say that Mr Honchao…

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  • PropertyAmnesty program for unlicensed Thai hotels finishes September 9

    Amnesty program for unlicensed Thai hotels finishes September 9

    PHOTO: We needed a photo of a small hotel. So this is The Small Hotel in Krabi (already licensed!!) The Thai government has issued guidelines for unlicensed hotels under their amnesty program. Hotels must submit applications and complete improvements before September 9, so time is of the essence. Baker McKenzie Thailand has outlined the process and guidelines which we are republishing…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s wake-up call. The hard work starts here.

    Phuket’s wake-up call. The hard work starts here.

    OPINION More hotels, a changing tourist mix, an exodus of expats and a decline in tourist numbers. Despite the new Tourism and Sports Minister pumping up the local tourism tyres during his visit last weekend, there’s a lot of hand-wringing and the sound of closing shop shutters around the tourist island of Phuket. To make things more complicated the situation…

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  • Transport NewsPolice had a laugh but urged students to wear helmets next time

    Police had a laugh but urged students to wear helmets next time

    PHOTO: Facebook/Thanit BunBong The photo has been a favourite floating around social media. Police called these three students to the side of the road on Thursday after the young driver decided to wear a cooking pot as a helmet on his head. The incident was shared online by a Thanit BunBong saying that the police were initially confused by the…

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  • Thailand NewsChewathai launches seven new property projects in Bangkok despite slowdown

    Chewathai launches seven new property projects in Bangkok despite slowdown

    Listed property firm Chewathai says they are revising down their revenue target for this year from 2.8 billion to 1.6 billion baht after demand for residential projects has shown a slowing down in the first half of 2019. The company’s managing director Boon Choon Kiet made the announcement yesterday. Boon says Chewathai’s total revenue of 618.65 million baht in the…

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  • Thai LifeThe Royal Thai Army is fighting a hybrid war – Gen Apirat

    The Royal Thai Army is fighting a hybrid war – Gen Apirat

    ORIGINAL PHOTO: Reuters “The threat now is fake news.” The Thai army chief General Apirat Kongsompong says that the army is now fighting a new hybrid war against enemies who are trying to turn young Thais against the military and the monarchy. He was speaking to Reuters in a follow up to the bomb attacks around Bangkok seven days before…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsFarmers fall for fake fertiliser in Kalasin

    Farmers fall for fake fertiliser in Kalasin

    PHOTOS: INN News A gang selling fake fertiliser had been travelling around Kalasin in Thailand’s north-east selling their products to unsuspecting farmers. Kalasin Police arrested 5 suspects that were selling the unregistered fertilisers to farmers in the area. All of the suspects are originally from Roi Et Province, also in the north-east. They were delivering large bags of fertilisers to…

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  • Politics NewsThai PM visits the South amid tight security

    Thai PM visits the South amid tight security

    The Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha visited the southern border province of Yala yesterday (Thursday). During the visit, he opened the Southern Border Provinces Government Complex and the One Start One Stop for Development Centre, and met with local people amid tight security. Soldiers were assigned to keep a close watch for suspicious objects as well as people acting suspiciously at…

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  • Technology NewsHuawei hedges its bets and unveils the Harmony phone operating system

    Huawei hedges its bets and unveils the Harmony phone operating system

    As a hedge against any further hostility from the US in its claims against the Chinese tech giant’s alleged involvement with the Chinese Government, Huawei has unveiled its own operating system for smartphones that it says can replace Android if US sanctions against them cut off access to the Google eco-system and software, and US-made technology products. Huawei Technologies, the…

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  • HealthThai anti-alcohol campaigners demand stricter controls on underage drinking

    Thai anti-alcohol campaigners demand stricter controls on underage drinking

    PHOTO: “Don’t allow the children in the pubs!” – The Nation Anti-alcohol campaigners and youth networks, are calling on Metropolitan Police to check on shops in Bang Sue district’s Soi Wongsawang 11 that are allegedly selling alcohol to youth under the age of 20 in a location adjacent to an educational institution. The group, led by Alcohol Watch coordinator Khamron…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsIllegal forest poachers resorting to landmines to scare off rangers in Thailand’s east

    Illegal forest poachers resorting to landmines to scare off rangers in Thailand’s east

    PHOTO: Thai PBS Illegal loggers in Si Sa Ket, in eastern Thailand on the Cambodian border, have resorted to planting landmines to kill or maim forest rangers who try to interfere with their pursuit of the highly-prized Payoong, or Siamese Redwood trees in Thailand’s forest reserves. Other ordnance was found when rangers went to investigate the area. According to the…

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  • Phuket NewsKamala development is positive – a personal view

    Kamala development is positive – a personal view

    This week The Thaiger posted a few photos and prediction that the vacant corner, as you drive into Kamala from Patong, was going to another backwards step to the sleepy seaside town. The post provoked a lot of comment, including this one. The author’s identity has been hidden. What do you think about his response? https://www.facebook.com/thethaigerphuket/posts/1636282186509280?comment_id=1636333889837443&reply_comment_id=1638894932914672&notif_id=1565318229144276&notif_t=feed_comment “The funny thing about…

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  • Tourism NewsThailand’s Ang Thong National Marine Park, the ‘new’ Maya Bay

    Thailand’s Ang Thong National Marine Park, the ‘new’ Maya Bay

    With Thailand’s Maya Bay in Koh Phi Phi Ley remains closed indefinitely to allow the tourist-magnet some much-needed time to recover, it’s time to look for another natural wonder. One of Thailand’s astonishing natural wonders, not as well known as Maya Bay, is the Ang Thong National Marine Park, located about 40 kilometres north west of the coast of Koh…

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  • Road deathsTruck runs over motorcyclist in Phuket Town – VIDEO

    Truck runs over motorcyclist in Phuket Town – VIDEO

    WARNING: Viewer discretion is advised. The content of the video could be distressing to some. Yesterday afternoon (Thursday) a 10 wheel truck ran over a motorcyclist at the intersection in front of the Thepnimit Temple – Soi Thep Anusorn on Chao Fah East Road. At the scene, police found a white 10 wheel truck parked next to the traffic light and…

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  • Crime News7-Eleven staff member gets shot tackling robber in Bangkok

    7-Eleven staff member gets shot tackling robber in Bangkok

    PHOTOS: ejan.co A staff member of a 7-Eleven store in Bangkok’s Phasi Charoen district was injured after being shot when he tried to snatch the gun from a robber. The robber eventually fled with 3,000 baht cash early today. Phasi Charoen police were alerted to the robbery at the convenience store in front of Phetkasem Soi 46 in Bang Wa subdistrict…

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  • Tourism NewsWreck of the Lady D could be a new recreational diving attraction off Koh Racha Yai, Phuket – PHOTOS

    Wreck of the Lady D could be a new recreational diving attraction off Koh Racha Yai, Phuket – PHOTOS

    by Guy (Charlie) Lidureau Officials, unable to get water to the ‘Lady D’ as it burnt out of control on Wednesday morning, were forced to tow it away from the Ao Po Grand Marina. The burning superyacht was cut adrift and towed offshore to Koh Thanan, near Ao Po. Unfortunately, the damage done by the fire on Wednesday morning, is completely…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsLovestruck 22 year old Thai has a ‘very bad day’

    Lovestruck 22 year old Thai has a ‘very bad day’

    PHOTOS and STORY: Sanook.com & WorpointNews.com Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but not a diamond thief’s. A man has stolen two diamond rings from a shopping mall in Nakhon Ratchasima. He told police he wanted the rings to show his girlfriend his ‘true love’. The two rings were valued at 84,000 baht. But true love would have to wait…

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  • Thailand NewsSerbian government grants citizenship to Thailand’s former PM Yingluck

    Serbian government grants citizenship to Thailand’s former PM Yingluck

    The Serbian government has granted citizenship to Thailand’s former PM Yingluck Shinawatra. Yingluck fled Thailand in 2017 just days before the Court handed down its findings on negligence charges against her and her government. 52 year old Yingluck, now a fugitive, fled to Dubai to join her brother Thaksin, another former Thai PM who fled in 2006 to avoid a…

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  • Thailand Weather UpdatesThai weather man issues rain warnings for south and east

    Thai weather man issues rain warnings for south and east

    The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a warning to residents of eastern and southern provinces to brace themselves for heavy rains until Sunday. In its warning, issued at 5am today, the department said the rains would be unleashed by influences of the southwest monsoon across the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, which is intensifying, and by a low-pressure…

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  • South Thailand NewsThai Police Chief admits difficulties in solving last Friday’s bombings

    Thai Police Chief admits difficulties in solving last Friday’s bombings

    “Suspects had provided some useful information but are still reluctant to disclose the rewards they were promised.” Thailand’s national police chief says that it has been difficult for investigators to track down the real masterminds behind the recent bombings and arson attacks in Bangkok and neighbouring Nonthaburi province. Police have arrested at least two people and held others in custody…

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  • World NewsMyanmar court jails Australian publisher for 13 years over drugs charges

    Myanmar court jails Australian publisher for 13 years over drugs charges

    PHOTO: Soe Zeya Tun A Myanmar court yesterday sentenced 60 year old Australian media publisher Ross Dunkley to 13 years in jail after a police raid uncovered a stash of drugs at his home in Yangon in 2018. Ross has extensive links with the media industry across Southeast Asia, co-founding the English language newspaper The Myanmar Times when Myanmar was…

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  • Environment NewsMaking pillows out of recycled plastic drinking straws

    Making pillows out of recycled plastic drinking straws

    PHOTOS: The Nation What to do with all those used plastic drinking straws. Here’s one local government’s attempt to re-use the plastic scourge of Thailand and put it to good use. The Nakhon Chiang Mai Municipality says they’ve been successful in turning used drinking straws into pillows. The ‘straw’ pillows will be distributed to the region’s bed-ridden patients and elderly to…

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  • Politics NewsThai Government suffers first defeat in lower house

    Thai Government suffers first defeat in lower house

    PHOTO: Thai PBS Highlighting the Government’s frail grip on power, the ruling Palang Pracharat government, together with its 19 coalition partners, suffered its first defeat in the lower house yesterday. The matter was over a parliamentary regulation that would specify the House speaker’s impartiality in the performance of their duties. Regulation Number 9 was debated at length in the Lower…

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  • Crime NewsLottery winner gets arrested for handing out free meth pills

    Lottery winner gets arrested for handing out free meth pills

    PHOTOS: Workpoint News Congratulations. You’ve just won two grand prize Thai lottery tickets – a total of 12 million baht. So what do you do with the winnings? You distribute methamphetamine pills to your friends for free, of course. The Ban Paew police arrested the vegetable seller-turned local millionaire after winning the lottery ticket last year and turning his kind generosity…

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  • Business NewsThai baht may need another ‘haircut’ by the Bank of Thailand before the end of 2019

    Thai baht may need another ‘haircut’ by the Bank of Thailand before the end of 2019

    Wednesday’s rate cut by the Bank of Thailand has not succeeded in reining in the surging baht, raising the prospect of another interest rate cut by 0.25 of a percentage point before the year-end. While the central bank’s statement on the policy rate reduction didn’t mention the strength of the baht, economists suspect the baht’s strength and its impact on…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsJapanese man arrested by Thai Immigration police for alleged sex with underage girls

    Japanese man arrested by Thai Immigration police for alleged sex with underage girls

    FILE PHOTO A 69 year old Japanese businessman has been arrested by police in Khon Kaen for allegedly having sex with at least three teenagers, multiple times. The teenagers were aged under 18 years of age. The Khon Kaen Immigration Bureau reported that that “Kazuo” (full name withheld) was arrested at a hotel in the province on Tuesday. The Nation…

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  • Phuket NewsChinese swimmer drowns at Nai Harn Beach, Phuket

    Chinese swimmer drowns at Nai Harn Beach, Phuket

    VIDEO: Cetin Demirci An un-named Chinese man has drowned today whilst swimming at Nai Harn Beach. He was dragged back onto the beach after being rescued by an on-duty guard with a surfboard around 4.30pm this afternoon. The beach had red and yellow flags along the shore where the man was swimming meaning that there were lifeguards on duty. The…

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  • ExpatsOrganisers meet with immigration over TM30 petition – full report

    Organisers meet with immigration over TM30 petition – full report

    (This post, re-published with permission, has been edited by The Thaiger to clear up the grammar and spelling without changing any of the intentions or meanings. Here it is, in full…) Yesterday, I met the Officer Longtor at Korat immigration. He was very nice, very polite and we had a conversation in Thai. I had with me a copy of…

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  • Transport NewsBangkok bus passenger blows a fuse and stabs another passenger

    Bangkok bus passenger blows a fuse and stabs another passenger

    PHOTO: khaosod.co.th A passenger has blown their fuse at a 25 year old busboy travelling near Khlong Toei in the capital. The passenger threw his ticket money away and started yelling at the busboy. Another passenger, witnessing the outburst, went to the aid of the busboy and was stabbed by the angry passenger before he fled the scene. The Tungmahamek…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsFishermen stranded at sea off Somalia returning to Thailand

    Fishermen stranded at sea off Somalia returning to Thailand

    PHOTO: mcot.com Some of the Thai fishermen, that have been stranded on two foreign fishing trawlers off the coast of Somalia over the past two weeks, have now returned to Thailand. The rest are expected arrive in the next few days, thanks to work by the Labour and Foreign Affairs ministries. Thai Labour Minister Chatumongol Sonakul and Chatree Athananan, director-general…

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  • Thailand Weather UpdatesFlood warnings for six southern provinces, and provinces east of Bangkok

    Flood warnings for six southern provinces, and provinces east of Bangkok

    Forecasts for Phuket and Bangkok below… People living in six southern provinces, and some provinces east of Bangkok, are being warned to brace for possible flooding and flash floods due to heavy rain forecast until Sunday. The warning is due to the strengthening of the southwestern monsoon, which is looming over the Andaman Sea, the Gulf and the southern region,…

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