Month: November 2019

  • Environment NewsFrom January 1, 46 shopping centres and convenience chains stop giving out single-use plastic bags

    From January 1, 46 shopping centres and convenience chains stop giving out single-use plastic bags

    It’s slowly happening, but the out-cry over single-use plastics is gathering pace and some of the ‘big names’ are now changing their policies. Yesterday’s announcements are certainly a step in the right direction. From January 1, 2020, major shopping malls and convenience chain stores will discontinue providing single-use plastic bags to customers. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment…

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  • Economy NewsThailand’s ‘economic condition index’ expected to decline in Q3

    Thailand’s ‘economic condition index’ expected to decline in Q3

    PHOTO: Culture Trip Thailand’s household economic condition index is likely to drop further due to the ongoing global economic slowdown. Another drop would make it the third this year, measured in quarters. The slowdown is impacting the domestic economy and employment, according to the Kasikorn Thai research centre. Thai PBS reports that the latest ECI report indicates that a survey…

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  • EventsHow to celebrate Loy Krathong or Yi Peng in Chaing Mai

    How to celebrate Loy Krathong or Yi Peng in Chaing Mai

    PHOTO: yipengchiangmailanternfestival.com The Loy Krathong festival, known in Chiang Mai as Yi Peng, runs from today until Tuesday, November 12 It started last night at Three Kings Monument around 6pm, where 500 dancers perform terra cotta candle worship dances. People also started lighting candles around the moat and old city, a focus for the events each year. Today, November 10, it’s the…

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  • EventsThai deputy PM puts security agencies on alert for Loy Krathong

    Thai deputy PM puts security agencies on alert for Loy Krathong

    PHOTO: english-room.com The Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan is instructing administrative state agencies, including police and Army, to work closely and provide security to people during Loy Krathong celebrations tomorrow, November 11, according to Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt-General Kongcheep Tantravanich. Prawit is telling them to be well prepared to handle all possible exigencies due to accidents in water or criminal acts…

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  • Business NewsSE Asian banks slowly giving way to e-payments and payment apps

    SE Asian banks slowly giving way to e-payments and payment apps

    PHOTO: starbucks.com That cold, hard cash in your pocket, and the traditional shop-front banks that give it to you, are slowly being phased out and replaced with e-payments. It’s now expected that traditional banks in South east Asia will miss out on as much as US$5 billion, or 14.3% of their payments revenue by 2025. A report says they are…

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  • OpinionPhuket’s water supply running on empty

    Phuket’s water supply running on empty

    PHOTO: No, it’s not the moon, it’s Bang Neow Dam this week Phuket shuffles into the high season with meagre water reserves and no concrete, sustainable plans to meet the upcoming seasonal water demands. In April this year the local water authority shuffled uncomfortably about the crisis at the end of the 2018/2019 dry season, denying there was a problem…

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  • Thailand Weather UpdatesMore rain for the south, cooler in the north

    More rain for the south, cooler in the north

    PHOTO: TripSavvy The Thailand Meteorological Department says the north of the country is experiencing fog and scattered showers as a result of a high pressure system over the region. Temperatures are expected to drop by 1 – 3 degrees Celsius, leading to cooler mornings, especially in mountainous areas. Meanwhile, the south of the country can expect more rain, with heavy…

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  • Bangkok NewsChinese and Indian nationals arrested for fake visas, entry stamps

    Chinese and Indian nationals arrested for fake visas, entry stamps

    PHOTO: Immigration.go.th Two Chinese nationals and an Indian couple have been detained by Thai Immigration police in two separate arrests at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai Residents reports that the Chinese nationals were attempting to check in for a Cathay Pacific flight from Bangkok to Canada using fake Canadian visas. When airline staff got suspicious over the visas’ appearance and contacted Immigration…

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  • Economy NewsGovernment’s economic stimulus package generates over 10 billion baht so far

    Government’s economic stimulus package generates over 10 billion baht so far

    PHOTO: Fodors Travel Guide The Thai government’s campaign to stimulate domestic tourism – the Chim Shop Chai campaign – has generated over 10 billion baht so far. The Nation reports that transactions carried out through the g-Wallet app have generated 225 million baht in the Yala province alone. The southern province now ranks 10th highest for spending during the campaign.…

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  • Transport NewsTransport Ministry succumbs to increase in luggage charges for airport taxis

    Transport Ministry succumbs to increase in luggage charges for airport taxis

    Items of luggage that measure 26 inches (66 centimetres) or more in length will now incur a taxi ‘handling fee’ of an additional 20 baht in an agreement reached between airport taxi drivers and the Transport Ministry. It’s understood the Ministry approved the increase after caving in to a protest by taxi drivers on Thursday. Over 100 members of the…

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  • ExpatsSwiss man nabbed on Koh Phangan, overstayed visa by more than four years

    Swiss man nabbed on Koh Phangan, overstayed visa by more than four years

    PHOTO: Naew Na A 52 year old Swiss expat has been arrested on Koh Phangan in violation of his visa conditions. Naew Na reports that the man had overstayed his entry visa into Thailand by over four years. Police tracked him down at a rented house on Koh Phangan, a small Gulf of Thailand island near Koh Samui. He had overstayed…

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  • South Thailand NewsThailand’s south has partial curfew imposed from December 1

    Thailand’s south has partial curfew imposed from December 1

    PHOTO: Sumeth Panpetch, Associated Press The government has confirmed that a partial curfew will be put in place for Thailand’s Deep South for one year from December 1. The announcement follows Tuesday night’s deadly attack by insurgents on a checkpoint in Yala when 15 people were killed. The three southern Thai provinces that border Malaysia remain a hotbed of Islamic militant…

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  • Koh Samui NewsNew Zealander and his partner found hanged at Koh Samui house

    New Zealander and his partner found hanged at Koh Samui house

    A 70 year old New Zealander and his Thai partner were found dead this week after an apparent suicide pact. Samui Police were called to the rented house in the Mae Nam area after a foreign man and a Thai man were found hanged. The foreigner was a 70 year old New Zealander, the Thai man was a 45 year…

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  • Crime NewsPattaya police clarify the details of the ‘escape’ story

    Pattaya police clarify the details of the ‘escape’ story

    Pattaya Police have tried to wrestle back the ongoing media speculation over the case of the American and two Thai escapees, who escaped from the Pattaya Court last Monday at 3pm. At a media briefing yesterday they said the escape, hunt and capture had been reported poorly, was full of speculation and factual errors. They pointed out that the wife…

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  • World NewsBangkok bombing suspects make their first appearance in court

    Bangkok bombing suspects make their first appearance in court

    Three suspects are now in custody after being arraigned in the Bangkok Criminal Court yesterday. They had 11 charges read relating to the explosions around Bangkok in early August when the city was hosting an ASEAN Summit. The three men – 27 year old Widan Maha, 22 year old Lu-ai Sae-ngae, and 27 year old Muhammad Ilham Sa-i – were…

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  • Crime NewsGerman retiree bundled up and robbed in his Phuket house

    German retiree bundled up and robbed in his Phuket house

    PHOTO: Achadtaya Chueniran “The men ran off with two ATM cards and were able to convince the couple to tell them their PIN codes.” A 70 year old German expat has been tied up and his arm slashed during a robbery at his Rassada residence last night. Two men attacked the man, accosted his Thai wife when she arrived home, and…

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  • South Thailand NewsRanger stabbed by attacker linked to southern Thailand insurgents

    Ranger stabbed by attacker linked to southern Thailand insurgents

    PHOTO: Thai PBS World A paramilitary ranger remains in a critical condition in hospital after he was stabbed by a man who tried, unsuccessfully, to steal his service rifle. The man was quickly subdued by another ranger. The attacker reportedly died following the incident. The scuffle took place yesterday near Ban Suwo defence outpost in Narathiwat. It was reported that…

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  • Chiang Mai NewsMan opens emergency exit on Chiang Mai to Bangkok flight

    Man opens emergency exit on Chiang Mai to Bangkok flight

    PHOTOS: Sanook.com A Thai Smile flight, due to leave Chiang Mai airport for Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, had to be delayed for hours after a foreigner opened one of the emergency exits as the flight was about to take off. Thai Smile are the low-cost subsidiary of Thai Airways. Thai Residents reports that the incident took place on board flight Thai…

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  • Environment NewsSamui Elephant Sanctuary wins ‘Responsible Thailand’ award in London

    Samui Elephant Sanctuary wins ‘Responsible Thailand’ award in London

    The Samui Elephant Sanctuary is this year’s winner of the ‘Responsible Thailand’ award in the category of Animal Welfare for its work rescuing and rehabilitating elephants in Thailand. The award was presented by His Excellency Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakan, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports at the World Travel Market in London. The same award was won by Elephant Nature Park…

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  • World NewsSlow-moving tropical storm Nakri heads towards Vietnam coast

    Slow-moving tropical storm Nakri heads towards Vietnam coast

    PHOTO: NOAA Tropical storm Nakri (you know it’s serious when they give it a name), packing wind speeds up to 95 kph, is marching slowly towards Vietnam’s eastern coast. Currently it’s heading westwards between The Philippines and Vietnam. The storm is forecast to make landfall along the central Vietnamese coast this weekend. The storm is not likely to affect weather…

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  • EventsThai Airways moves flights around for Loy Krathong and New Year’s Eve

    Thai Airways moves flights around for Loy Krathong and New Year’s Eve

    PHOTO: Chiang Mai Citylife In view of the fact that residents in northern Thailand traditionally release paper sky lanterns (khom loi) during celebrations such as the upcoming Loy Krathong festival and New Year’s Eve, Thai Airways says it will be making some changes to its schedule for safety reasons. The airlines’ Vice President of Aviation Security and Standards, Pratana Patanasiri,…

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  • South Thailand NewsThai military says martial law in south will not be lifted

    Thai military says martial law in south will not be lifted

    PHOTO: Sumeth Panpetch, Associated Press Following the insurgent attack that killed 15 volunteers at a security checkpoint earlier this week, the Army says it’s not planning to lift the emergency laws currently in place in the south of the country. The attack is believed to have been carried out by a militant group identified as the BRN or National Revolution…

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  • South Thailand NewsThailand’s south in mourning after insurgent attack killed 15 in Yala

    Thailand’s south in mourning after insurgent attack killed 15 in Yala

    Thailand’s south is grappling with grief after 15 people died in an insurgent attack in the southern province of Yala on Tuesday night. Those who died were mostly defence volunteers, manning a security checkpoint in Yala – sitting ducks for the much-better organised and resourced southern insurgents. The south, accustomed to attacks from militant groups for nearly two decades, has been…

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  • Economy NewsThai baht dips after rate cut

    Thai baht dips after rate cut

    The baht continued losses yesterday after the Thai central bank cut interest rates. Other Asian currencies dipped as markets assess the latest details of the US-China tariff talks. The Bank of Thailand cut rates for the second time this year, with the benchmark one day repurchase rate now at a record low, as the bank tries to manage inflation and…

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  • Environment NewsEuropean level 4 motorbike exhaust standards coming

    European level 4 motorbike exhaust standards coming

    A new law says that motorcycles manufactured in Thailand must meet the ‘Euro 4’ level of exhaust emissions standards, according to the Office of the Prime Minister. The Cabinet approved a draft of the law yesterday. “This draft makes clear the government’s determination to solve pollution caused by motorcycles,” a spokesman said. “Thailand’s emission standard is currently only at Euro…

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  • Pattaya NewsAmerican fugitive remains on life support

    American fugitive remains on life support

    PHOTO: MONTAGE: 77kaoded The American man who escaped from a Pattaya court has not died, according to the director of a hospital in southeastern Sa Kaeo province. Now Thai media are using the word “Coma!!” in their latest headlines. A doctor says 39 year old Bart Allen Helmus is in critical condition and remains on a respirator. ER staff confirmed to the…

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  • Crime NewsPhuket police arrest man for attempted rape in Krabi

    Phuket police arrest man for attempted rape in Krabi

    PHOTOS: Phuket Hot News Phuket police have arrested a man who attempted to rape a woman in Krabi. Phuket police held a press conference to announce the arrest of 29 year old Nantachai ‘Loob’ Boonrak, who was earlier reported trying to rape a woman harvesting mushroom in a forest in Ao Luek district, in Krabi. The man was arrested at…

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  • Economy NewsEase on foreign investments and cut on official interest rate

    Ease on foreign investments and cut on official interest rate

    The Bank of Thailand will now allow Thai residents to send money overseas to invest directly and the domestic trading in gold in foreign currencies. The Central bank governor Veerathai Santiprabhob says the move should help slow the baht’s worryingly rapid appreciation. The new measures will come into effect tomorrow. Exporters will be allowed to invest their earnings abroad, up to…

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  • Bangkok NewsCabinet go-ahead for 3.6 billion baht spend to put electrical cabling underground

    Cabinet go-ahead for 3.6 billion baht spend to put electrical cabling underground

    The Cabinet has approved expenditure of 3.6 billion baht to help the Metropolitan Electricity Authority speed up the moving of power lines underground in areas along MRT lines – the announcement from deputy government spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul. “The project length is a total of 215.6 kilometres and the MEA has finished just 46.6 kilometres, leaving another 169 km to complete.…

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  • South Thailand NewsVolunteer village guard system in Thailand’s south up for review after Tuesday’s deadly attack

    Volunteer village guard system in Thailand’s south up for review after Tuesday’s deadly attack

    PHOTO: Facebook/Yala ToDay The village guard system, used as part of the local volunteer security in the Deep South of Thailand, is set to be completely reviewed, or replaced by a more mobile system where village defence volunteer units will be on regular patrol to seek insurgents, instead of being a “sitting duck”. 15 volunteers and villages were killed after…

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  • Business NewsAlibaba promoting Thai products to Chinese buyers

    Alibaba promoting Thai products to Chinese buyers

    PHOTO: Jingsourcing Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, is hosting a special section on its website dedicated to Thai products. The move has now confirmed by Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit following a meeting with the Alibaba group at the recent Shanghai Trade Exhibition. “It will be a portal for Thai makers of quality products to access the online markets…

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  • Phuket NewsForeign woman saved from drowning at Patong Beach, Phuket

    Foreign woman saved from drowning at Patong Beach, Phuket

    PHOTO: Achadtaya Chuenniran A foreigner, either Swiss or Russian, has been plucked out of the water at Patong Beach, early this morning morning, before sunrise. The incident occurred opposite the beach road post office, according to tourist police. An Ethiopian, named as ‘Ephrem’, told police that he found the woman lying face down and unconscious in the shallows just metres from…

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  • Crime NewsTwo convicts recaptured after escaping Rayong police station

    Two convicts recaptured after escaping Rayong police station

    PHOTO: The Pattaya News In the wake of the daring escape from a Pattaya courtroom by three prisoners on Monday, The Pattaya News reports that another two convicts have managed to escape from a police station in Rayong, southern Thailand. It’s understood they have now been recaptured. The two prisoners are believed to have made their escape from the Nikom…

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  • Crime NewsUPDATE: The latest FACTS we have about American and Thai wife in Sa Kaew

    UPDATE: The latest FACTS we have about American and Thai wife in Sa Kaew

    COMPILATION: The Pattaya News As one commenter rightfully said today, “more twists than the road to Pai”. Information, and plenty of rumours, have been fast and furious in recent days in regards to the story of the American and two Thais who escaped from the Pattaya Court holding cells on Monday after stabbing a man and threatening staff with a…

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  • World NewsLeave something behind? Man forgets finger in Chinese taxi after dash to hospital

    Leave something behind? Man forgets finger in Chinese taxi after dash to hospital

    A man in China has been reunited with the severed finger he left in the back of a taxi after a mad dash to hospital in Wuhan. Thai Residents reports that the man, named only as Xu, is a construction worker who lost his finger in an accident at the site where he was working. After a local doctor told…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand drops to #74 out of 100 countries rated for English language skills

    Thailand drops to #74 out of 100 countries rated for English language skills

    PHOTO: Study International For the third year in a row, Thailand’s ranking on the English Proficiency Index has dropped and the country now ranks 74th out of a total of 100 countries. Thai PBS World reports that the index was prepared by Education First (EF), a Swiss organisation specialising in language training and educational travel. The company reports that in…

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  • Road deathsThai road death toll tops 12,000 in 2019

    Thai road death toll tops 12,000 in 2019

    PHOTO: Motorcyclist skittled by pick-up and killed in Ranong this week – Daily News Thai media report 12,304 people have been registered as dying at accident scenes in Thailand so far this year. Academics caution that this figure only relates to those who die at the scene, and the actual death toll is far higher when when all all data…

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