Month: August 2019

  • Thailand News170 billion baht stimulus to focus on tourism as economy plateaus

    170 billion baht stimulus to focus on tourism as economy plateaus

    Inbound tourism to Thailand is about to get a boost with a proposed 170 billion baht government stimulus package . The Finance Ministry will submit the full plan to Cabinet on August 19. Lavaron Sangsnit, the director general for the fiscal policy office, says the package aims to boost inbound tourism, and promote travel within the country by Thai and…

    Read More »
  • Business NewsCurrencies and stock exchanges flutter as the dust settles on the latest threats in the US-China trade spat

    Currencies and stock exchanges flutter as the dust settles on the latest threats in the US-China trade spat

    Central banks in India, Thailand and New Zealand cut interest rates this week in an attempt to fend off any harm from the spiralling US-China trade war. The escalation of the trade war, sparked by fresh US tariff threats by US President Trump over the weekend, is seen as the reason for the policy shift. On Monday, the People’s Bank…

    Read More »
  • Transport NewsThai transport minister agrees to taxi fare hikes in Bangkok

    Thai transport minister agrees to taxi fare hikes in Bangkok

    The Ministry of Transport has given approval for taxi fares in Bangkok to go up within a month. Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob met with representatives of four Bangkok taxi groups and officials of the Land Transport Department to discuss demand by taxi drivers to hike taxi fares. Taxi drivers have been pleading for an increase for years and have staged…

    Read More »
  • Chiang Mai NewsWoman leaves behind 10 kilos of gold at Chiang Mai Airport

    Woman leaves behind 10 kilos of gold at Chiang Mai Airport

    PHOTOS: sanook.com A mysterious backpack was left laying around the Chiang Mai International Airport on Monday this week at 8.30am. It turned out that a passenger travelling with NokAir, heading to Don Muang Airport in Bangkok, had left the black backpack at a security checkpoint on the way to her flight. Police have reported the story now that the owner…

    Read More »
  • Environment NewsYoung elephant injured by trap in Rayong

    Young elephant injured by trap in Rayong

    PHOTO: Nation TV Wildlife officials are tracking a young wild elephant whose front left leg has become infected after being caught in a snare. They want to capture it and treat its injury. The assistant chief of Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Tantikorn Puangsakul, says officials of the Khao Noi wildlife protection unit spotted the small elephant staggering in…

    Read More »
  • Tourism NewsCabinet to consider visa-free travel for Chinese and Indian tourists

    Cabinet to consider visa-free travel for Chinese and Indian tourists

    The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, says he intends to introduce visa-free travel for Chinese and Indian tourists later this year. He wants to put the proposal to Cabinet as soon as possible. Chins and India are targets for Thailand’s latest tourism promotions, so visa-free-travel is back on the table for urgent consideration. Currently, citizens of both countries have…

    Read More »
  • Business NewsBank of Thailand cuts policy rate, to 1.5%

    Bank of Thailand cuts policy rate, to 1.5%

    The Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee has made a surprise decision today to cut the policy interest rate amid pressure to avert an economic slowdown and hedge the heightened trade war between the US and China. The MPC cut the interest rate by only 25 basis points to 1.5 %. But the cut is significant. Of the seven-member committee,…

    Read More »
  • World NewsTop six tips when visiting Royal Thai Consulate General in Penang

    Top six tips when visiting Royal Thai Consulate General in Penang

    PHOTO: New Royal Thai Consular General in Penang An FOT (Friend of Thaiger) has returned from applying for a visa with the Royal Thai Consulate General in Penang, a popular port to the south of Thailand for ‘southern’ expats and tourists seeking visa upgrades, renewals or even for their first run. Thanks to Daren Jenner for the following tips if…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsUPDATE: Electricity off in parts of Kamala, Phuket TOMORROW (Thursday)

    UPDATE: Electricity off in parts of Kamala, Phuket TOMORROW (Thursday)

    After checking with the PEA we’ve discovered that the outage around Kamala will be tomorrow (Thursday), not Friday as originally published. Electricity will be out around large chunks of Kamala tomorrow (Thursday, August 9). The power outage will be from 9am-5pm, according to the Phuket Electrical Authority. Refer to the map below for details. Areas affected include from the Khao Loob…

    Read More »
  • Phuket News‘Lady D’ super yacht set adrift after firefighters fail to reach the burning yacht in Phuket

    ‘Lady D’ super yacht set adrift after firefighters fail to reach the burning yacht in Phuket

    Local Marine officials in Phuket were notified at 8.30am this morning of a fire aboard a luxury yacht parked at the Ao Po Grand Marina. Responding to calls from Ao Po Grand Marina staff, firefighters discovered the ‘Lady D’ was out of reach, as it had parked 500 metres beyond the furthest extremity of the port. Officers had to order…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhoenix still up for grabs in Phuket – AMLO still seeking a buyer

    Phoenix still up for grabs in Phuket – AMLO still seeking a buyer

    The Thai Anti Money Laundering Office is still trying to auction off the Phoenix, the 30 metre tour boat that sank in July 2018, causing the drowning of 47 Chinese tourists off Phuket’s south east coast. A meeting was held by AMLO officials at the Phuket Provincial Hall this morning to discuss the auction of the boat. Starting bid is 900,000…

    Read More »
  • World NewsMyanmar’s army controls vast business empire to fuel atrocities – UN report

    Myanmar’s army controls vast business empire to fuel atrocities – UN report

    PHOTO: Front of the Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited building UN investigators have slammed the Myanmar Government saying that tougher sanctions are needed against the country’s wealthy and powerful military officials as their web of economic interests has generated a fortune that helps fund atrocities. The report follows a US travel ban on Myanmar’s army chief last month, the strongest censure yet…

    Read More »
  • Northern Thailand NewsThree Thai airports being renovated to double passenger volumes

    Three Thai airports being renovated to double passenger volumes

    PHOTO: Surat Thani Airport will be doubled in capacity Krabi, Buriram and Surat Thani provincial airports are getting a makeover to double their capacities in 2020, with a combined budget of 11.3 billion baht. Krabi airport will be renovated and expanded to handle double its capacity. The new terminal will be able to handle 8 million passengers a year. A…

    Read More »
  • World NewsThe Philippines declares national dengue epidemic

    The Philippines declares national dengue epidemic

    PHOTO: Philippine Star The Philippines has now declared a national dengue epidemic reporting that the mosquito-borne disease has now killed at least 622 people in the country in 2018. More than 146,000 dengue cases have now been reported in the first seven months of the year, a number almost double last year, according to the The Philippines’ health department. Officials…

    Read More »
  • Road deathsKoh Samui taxi driver killed, two tourists taken to hospital

    Koh Samui taxi driver killed, two tourists taken to hospital

    PHOTO: Sanook.com Police have now filed a full report on an an incident back on July 19 when a taxi driver was killed and two tourists critically injured driving on the Khao Laem Yai Hill, Koh Samui. Sanook.com reports that a taxi, a yellow and brown Toyota Fortuner SUV, hit the footpath on the Khao Laem Yai hill in the northwest…

    Read More »
  • Crime NewsSwedish man and Thai wife robbed in broad daylight riding motorcycle in Pattaya

    Swedish man and Thai wife robbed in broad daylight riding motorcycle in Pattaya

    PHOTOS: Stefan and Tippawan report the robbery to Pattaya police – 77kaoded.com A Swedish man and Thai partner were robbed whilst riding their motorbike in broad daylight in Pattaya. 52 year old Stefan Hujanen from Sweden and his 32 year old wife Tippawan were riding a motorcycle between North Pattaya and Pratumnak Hill last Saturday around 11am. Outside the Muang Pattaya Hospital…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsSuperyacht ablaze at the Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket

    Superyacht ablaze at the Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket

    PHOTO: Newshawk Phuket A yacht, the ‘Lady D’ caught fire this morning at the Ao Po Grand Marina in the north of Phuket. Marina staff were notified of the fire at 8.25am this morning and called the local fire department. Marina staff called the Marine Police for assistance as well. One fire truck arrived to fight the fire which has…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsShortcuts on the way for motorists to bypass Lam Salee intersection in Bangkok

    Shortcuts on the way for motorists to bypass Lam Salee intersection in Bangkok

    PHOTO: The Nation The BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) is looking for help from the Metropolitan Police Division 4 to find suitable shortcuts so motorists could avoid the notorious Lam Salee intersection. The Nation reports that BMA deputy governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul says the intersection has long been notorious for traffic snarls and the situation has just become worse with delays caused…

    Read More »
  • Crime NewsMinistry probes rented electronic monitoring ankle bracelets from China

    Ministry probes rented electronic monitoring ankle bracelets from China

    The Thai Justice Ministry is investigating the electronic monitoring ankle bracelets rented by the Department of Probation from a Chinese company. A Thai company has complained that the device can be removed by the offenders wearing them without the department being alerted. Thai PBS reports that the complaint was filed by Aekkaphol Kongphutorn, representative of Fort Corporation, one of the…

    Read More »
  • Business NewsBoard of Trade want Bank of Thailand to urgently address the baht

    Board of Trade want Bank of Thailand to urgently address the baht

    PHOTOS & GRAPHIC: The Nation The Board of Trade are meeting with the Bank of Thailand tomorrow (August 8) to discuss the value of the Thai baht, its appreciation against the US dollar and Chinese yuan, and the impact on the country’s exports. Sanan Angubolkul, the Board of Trade’s vice chairman, speaking to The Nation, says the baht has appreciated around…

    Read More »
  • Crime NewsNine Bangkok bombing suspects in custody – Thai PM

    Nine Bangkok bombing suspects in custody – Thai PM

    PHOTO: Police cordoned off the area around two small explosions at the Chong Nonsi BTS and Mahanakorn Building The PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced that police now have nine suspects in custody in connection with the bombings around Bangkok last Friday. Speaking after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Prayut, also the Defence Minister, said there had been significant progress in the…

    Read More »
  • Road deaths17 year old killed after school bus careers off road in Chumpon, 18 injured

    17 year old killed after school bus careers off road in Chumpon, 18 injured

    PHOTO: Facebook/Tongsiasiangtueng Rescue A bus crew has been killed after a tour bus travelling from Hat Yai to Bangkok for a mathematics competition ran off the road and hit a tree. The driver and 18 student were all injured. The bus ran off the main road in Chumpon, about half-way through the journey north. Police and foundation rescue workers headed…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPower off in Kamala, Phuket this Friday. Check if you’re affected.

    Power off in Kamala, Phuket this Friday. Check if you’re affected.

    Electricity will be out around large chunks of Kamala this Friday (August 9). The power outage will be from 9am-5pm, according to the Phuket Electrical Authority. Most of the town’s main businesses, restaurants and bars will be without power, unless they’re at the northern end of the town. Phuket Fantasea will not be affected. Areas affected include from the Khao Loob…

    Read More »
  • Phuket News3 boat crew found alive after boat sinks near Koh Naka Noi, one still missing

    3 boat crew found alive after boat sinks near Koh Naka Noi, one still missing

    PHOTOS: Manager Online Following the sinking of a crab fishing boat yesterday (August 5), south east of Koh Naka Noi, four persons were filed as missing. Later today (August 6), the Royal Thai Navy officials report that they had have found three survivors. The three survivors include a 27 year old Thai man, Boonrit Khaojui, a 23 year old Burmese…

    Read More »
  • Technology NewsTop 10 things the internet is changing forever

    Top 10 things the internet is changing forever

    The internet continues to change everything. Whilst it’s creating entire new industries and jobs it’s also putting a lot of people out of work and killing older business models. Accelerating the changes is the rise and rise of smartphones as a source of just about everything. It’s an evolutionary digital disruption, as profound as the Industrial Revolution. The genie is…

    Read More »
  • Northern Thailand NewsTwo Burmese migrants killed in Lampang van crash, 7 others injured

    Two Burmese migrants killed in Lampang van crash, 7 others injured

    PHOTOS: Lampang13.com Two Burmese migrants have been killed and seven others injured when a passenger van crashed on the road from Tak to Chiang Rai. The van transporting them from Tak to Chiang Rai hit a tree on a Lampang road early today (Tuesday) around 3.40am in Lampang province. The van fell into the ditch in the middle of the divided…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsFriday’s homegrown terror attacks in Bangkok – what we know

    Friday’s homegrown terror attacks in Bangkok – what we know

    Police continue their investigations to unravel the people behind last Friday morning’s bomb blasts around Bangkok and the likely related case of two unexploded devices found outside Royal Thai Police HQ the night before. At this stage police acknowledge that the attacks were most likely more about gaining attention rather than hurting citizens or tourists although four people were slightly…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsNew tourism minister says tourist numbers in Phuket “not as bad as media say”

    New tourism minister says tourist numbers in Phuket “not as bad as media say”

    PHOTO: Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Thai Sports and Tourism minister, on his weekend fact-finding mission – Manager Online Thailand’s new Sports and Tourism minister says that the drop in tourism in Thailand has been greatly exaggerated in the media. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, for whom it is very difficult to find any information online about his past posts or qualifications, told reporters in Phuket at…

    Read More »
  • EventsBangkok crews practice for the Royal Barge Procession in October, a rare event

    Bangkok crews practice for the Royal Barge Procession in October, a rare event

    The Royal Thai Navy has just finished rehearsing the royal barge procession, which is the final part of the Coronation of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua (Rama X) this year. Whilst His Majesty’s coronation was held in and around the Grand Palace between May 2-4 this year, the royal barge procession caps off the celebrations. The royal barge…

    Read More »
  • PropertyLower demand but Thailand is still China’s favourite international property market

    Lower demand but Thailand is still China’s favourite international property market

    The Yuan has dropped in value against the Thai baht and China remains in the midst of a long-running trade spat with the US. But, still, the Chinese investors are still buying up Thailand property although not at the same rate as they did last year. But juwai.com, specialising in Chinese real estate, predicts further growth of Chinese buyers Thai…

    Read More »
  • Koh Samui NewsMonk builds Buddhist pagoda on Koh Pha Ngan out of beer bottles

    Monk builds Buddhist pagoda on Koh Pha Ngan out of beer bottles

    PHOTO: kohphangannews.com When Buddhist monks have to figure out the gritty engineering problems to construct a pagoda for their spiritual enlightenment, they have to consider using bricks, timber, concrete, or maybe even beer bottles. When you’re building a pagoda on Koh Pha Ngan you have a ready supply of beer bottles from the monthly influx of tourists for the Full…

    Read More »
  • TravelAirbus starts manufacturing new A220 in Alabama, US

    Airbus starts manufacturing new A220 in Alabama, US

    The new Airbus A220 aircraft was touring south east asian countries, including a visit to Bangkok on Friday, last week. Today the aircraft manufacturers officially began manufacturing the A220 in the US. The first team of A220 production workers began work at Airbus’ Mobile, Alabama-based production facility. Some Thai-based airlines, including Thai Airways, are reported to be interested in the…

    Read More »
  • HealthHealth Minister pushes the availability of cannabinoid oils to Thai hospitals

    Health Minister pushes the availability of cannabinoid oils to Thai hospitals

    The new Thai Public Health Minister, and deputy PM, Anutin Charnvirakul will allow hospitals to prescribe marijuana to some patients in a move to make the alternative medicine more publicly available. “This week I will sign an order to allow ministry-run hospitals to prescribe the cannabis oil extracts,” he told the Bangkok Post. The minister says he vows to push…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsPolice seeking arrest warrants for more suspects in Friday’s Bangkok explosions

    Police seeking arrest warrants for more suspects in Friday’s Bangkok explosions

    PHOTO: New Straits Times Police will seek warrants for the arrest of two additional suspects believed to be involved in the planting and detonating of four explosive devices at the government complex and in front of the Thai Armed Forces headquarters in Chaeng Wattana on Friday. Investigating police say they’ve now gathered all available footage from CCTV systems in the…

    Read More »
  • Thailand Weather UpdatesTropical storm Wipha causes landslides in Tak

    Tropical storm Wipha causes landslides in Tak

    A heavy rainstorm passing through the north has triggered landslides that closed down a two kilometre long stretch of the Mae Sot-Mae Sariang highway in Tak yesterday, according to Khao Sod. Tak is west of Chiang Mai on the border with Myanmar. Five houses and one car were severely damaged but luckily nobody was hurt. Tha Songyang District Officer Prateep…

    Read More »
  • Hua Hin NewsWhere are the CCTV cameras? Hua Hin locals

    Where are the CCTV cameras? Hua Hin locals

    A motorcycle-bombs scare on Sunday has put the spotlight back on the planned CCTV cameras that were promised after a series of bombings in Hua Hin back in 2016. Officials at the Hua Hin provincial hall Hua are now being pushed to speed up the planned installation of hundreds of public-area security cameras in the wake of the weekend’s bombs…

    Read More »
  • Business NewsSoftening Chinese yuan no threat to Thai baht

    Softening Chinese yuan no threat to Thai baht

    The Chinese yuan dropped sharply to its weakest level against the US dollar in more than a decade, raising fears of further dangerous escalation in the US-China trade war. Yesterday, the Chinese yuan dropped below the 7 yuan to the US dollar threshold, marking the first time the renminbi has depreciated against the dollar since May 2008. The depreciation of…

    Read More »