Year: 2019

  • World NewsTrump’s appointed Ambassador to Cambodia misses shutdown deadline: Thaiger Bite

    Trump’s appointed Ambassador to Cambodia misses shutdown deadline: Thaiger Bite

    by The Phnom Penh Post The US Senate has returned the nomination of Patrick Murphy as Ambassador to Cambodia to US President Donald Trump as the American government shutdown enters its third week. The US Senate website announcement said it returned Murphy’s nomination as ambassador as his appointment was not approved by the close of the 115th US Congress period…

    Read More »
  • Koh Samui NewsFrench woman found floating off Koh Samui beach

    French woman found floating off Koh Samui beach

    Samui police report that the body the body of 42 year old Maud Isabeile Bailley was found floating at sea off Ao Thongket beach around 2.30 pm yesterday (Tuesday). The body was first seen floating by hotel staff who called police and rescue workers. Responders then brought the body back to shore. A friend of the deceased has identified the…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsHimalayan griffon vulture found in a Krabi rubber plantation after storm

    Himalayan griffon vulture found in a Krabi rubber plantation after storm

    PHOTOS: DNP A large but weak Himalayan griffon vulture has been found in a Krabi rubber plantation after poor weather on Monday. It’s believed to have come from Tibet. The head of Phang Nga Breeding Centre, Teetat Damudom says, “The Himalayan griffon vulture was brought to us on Monday. The vulture was been found by locals at a rubber plantation…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsThai prison staff sacked for collusion to murder, drugs and smuggling

    Thai prison staff sacked for collusion to murder, drugs and smuggling

    PHOTO: Getty Images Six prison officers have been dismissed by the Department of Corrections (DOC) following involvement in a varied and disturbing range of transgressions. Out of the six officers, one was arrested for charges of collusion to commit murder and has been sentenced to life in prison by the Supreme Court. Another was found connected to the smuggling of…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsUPDATE: Saudi embassy in Bangkok distances itself from al-Qunun story

    UPDATE: Saudi embassy in Bangkok distances itself from al-Qunun story

    “Al-Qunun says she doesn’t want to meet with her father or brother.” The Thai immigration police chief yesterday met with Saudi Embassy officials in Bangkok as Saudi Arabia tried to distance itself from accusations that it tried to block a young woman trying to flee her family and seek asylum in Australia. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport from…

    Read More »
  • Krabi NewsKrabi taxi driver fined after not using taxi meter

    Krabi taxi driver fined after not using taxi meter

    PHOTOS: The Krabi PR Office A taxi driver has been charged after he was found not using his taxi meter at Krabi International Airport yesterday (Tuesday). The Chief of the Krabi Land Transport Office was notified by officers at the Krabi International Airport that a the taxi driver was found not to start his taxi meter and had the meter…

    Read More »
  • World NewsJobless rate rises – December figures in South Korea *Thaiger Bite

    Jobless rate rises – December figures in South Korea *Thaiger Bite

    PHOTO: Yonhap South Korea’s jobless rate rose slightly in December from a year earlier, government data showed Wednesday, as the finance minister vowed to create 150,000 jobs this year. The unemployment rate stood at 3.4 percent last month, up 0.1 percentage point from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea. The number of employed people reached…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsChinese tourist drowns at Koh Racha

    Chinese tourist drowns at Koh Racha

    A 31 year old Chinese man has drowned at Koh Racha yesterday. The Phuket Tourist Police were notified of the incident at 3.30pm yesterday (Tuesday). The man was later identified by tourist police as Zhu Kai from Tianjin, China. Mr Zhu was travelling alone. He bought a one day trip to Racha Yai Island. A tour guide told police that after…

    Read More »
  • Chiang Mai NewsPhuket tram project seeks private sector investment

    Phuket tram project seeks private sector investment

    (The term ‘tram’ and ‘light rail’ are variously used to describe the new public transport project for Phuket.) The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is now inviting the private sector and local administrative bodies to get behind and invest in a mass-transit project in Phuket. The project is valued around 35 billion baht. The next rounds of talks…

    Read More »
  • South Thailand NewsInsurgents murder teacher and use his vehicle as a car bomb

    Insurgents murder teacher and use his vehicle as a car bomb

    by Somchai Samart & Supitcha Rattana A car bomb explosion in Songkhla’s Thepa district yesterday has shocked locals after insurgents are suspected of killing a 62 year old school teacher and stealing his pickup to be used in the the attack. Security officials collecting evidence at the scene of the explosion checked the totally destroyed vehicle and found that it…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsMan shot dead by colleague in front of daughter

    Man shot dead by colleague in front of daughter

    PHOTO: Amarin TV A man has been killed by his colleague in front his young daughter after he refused to conspire with him to cheat their boss out of money in Kanchanaburi, in western Thailand. Amarin TV reports that on Sunday 25 year old salesman Pongsin Pinkate, was shot dead by 35 year old colleague Pakkapon Kaewprink. Pongsin was killed…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsMan shoots self at Bangkok bus stop. Sends message to friend and daughter.

    Man shoots self at Bangkok bus stop. Sends message to friend and daughter.

    PHOTO: The Nation The Min Buri police station was alerted to an apparent suicide at 3am today at a bus stop in Bangkok’s Bang Chan district. A man had shot himself at the Bangkok bus stop after sending Line messages to his friend and daughter. Police say 50 year old Pramote Iam-aram, a local factory worker, died inside the bus…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsUPDATE: Father and brother traveling to Thailand to speak to Saudi 18 year old

    UPDATE: Father and brother traveling to Thailand to speak to Saudi 18 year old

    The father and brother of a the Saudi 18 year old, whose plea for asylum is making international headlines, are travelling to Thailand later today to give their accounts to the UN refugee agency, the Thai Immigration police chief said on Tuesday. But Immigration Chief, Surachet Hakparn says, if they wished to speak to Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, who ran away…

    Read More »
  • South Thailand News28 year old ranger injured in Pattani bomb attack outside school

    28 year old ranger injured in Pattani bomb attack outside school

    After a spate of unrest leading up to New Year, another random bombing in the South. A ranger guarding a school in Pattani’s Yarang district has been injured after insurgents detonated a homemade bomb this morning. 28 year old Private First Class Sarawut Ahmamool, from the 22nd Ranger Regiment was severely injured in the 8am explosion about 100 metres from…

    Read More »
  • Pattaya News100% occupancy in Sin City over new year

    100% occupancy in Sin City over new year

    PHOTO: บริษัท โสภณ เคเบิ้ล ที.วี.และสื่อสาร พัทยา จำกัด Sophon Cable has quoted a leading business and tourism official who said that Pattaya was booming and only good times are ahead for the resort. They trumpeted that New Year was a fantastic success with all the shows and giveaways, and the upcoming events meant that “family friendly” Pattaya was “all systems go” and…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsMore sea turtle eggs found on Phang Nga Beach

    More sea turtle eggs found on Phang Nga Beach

    PHOTO: DMCR In another really positive sign for the future of the leatherback sea turtle population in the region, 112 sea turtle eggs were found at Kuek Kak Beach in Khao Lak, Phang Nga this morning. 64 of the eggs have now been carefully moved to a safe area at the same beach whilst 48 eggs had already broken. 64…

    Read More »
  • Northern Thailand NewsVIDEO: Thai firefighters and rescuers cross border to help Cambodian firefighters

    VIDEO: Thai firefighters and rescuers cross border to help Cambodian firefighters

    PHOTO: The Mirror A fire which broke out in an building in Poipet, Cambodia on Monday night, saw Thai fire trucks and rescue workers from the bordering town of Aranyaprathet, cross the border to help put out the fire. Poipet is a Cambodian town well known for its various casinos, which caters to Chinese and Thai gamblers. Poipet is located…

    Read More »
  • World NewsMalaysian rulers to choose new monarch by the end of the month

    Malaysian rulers to choose new monarch by the end of the month

    PHOTO: The Straits Times Malaysia’s Conference of Rulers will meet in about two weeks’ time to elect the country’s new constitutional monarch, as well as a deputy after the ruling monarch, Sultan Muhammad V, stepped down on Sunday in an unprecedented move. The 16th King, or Supreme Ruler, and a deputy will be sworn in at the end of the…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsBackgrounds checks incoming for novice monks

    Backgrounds checks incoming for novice monks

    PHOTO: The Japan Times The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) is going to get the Royal Thai Police (RTP) run background checks on applicants seeking to join the monkhood. The NOB has requested police to run the checks in a move to create a stronger screening system for all those joining the monkhood. The NOB has been advised to send…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPolice chasing people taking pot shots at road signs in Rawai

    Police chasing people taking pot shots at road signs in Rawai

    Rawai’s Mayor is considering further legal action after many road signs around Rawai have been damaged by gunfire. Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos headed to an area near Naiharn lake in Rawai, about 500 metres from Promthep Cape, after being informed that road signs had been damaged by gunshots. “About 10 road signs have been damaged by bullets. Photos have been…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsSaudi woman remains under UN care in Thailand

    Saudi woman remains under UN care in Thailand

    From VOA News reporters Thai authorities say a young Saudi woman, stopped in Thailand as she tried to flee to Australia to seek asylum, has now left the Suvarnabhumi Airport and is under the care of the local UN refugee agency. “She is under the care of the UNHCR now but we also sent Thai security to help take care…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsSuperheroes and mega malls – The Thailand Tourism Forum 2019

    Superheroes and mega malls – The Thailand Tourism Forum 2019

    Record attendance at Thailand’s largest annual hospitality event discovering how the tourism and transport sector is getting a massive makeover. The Thailand Tourism Forum (TTF) returns for its eighth edition on January 21, 2019, with an agenda focusing on the mega-projects that are currently transforming the tourism landscape in Bangkok and beyond. Running under the theme “Managing Tourism – Ensuring…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsUPDATE: Leopard Cat recovering after car accident with Soi Dog Foundation vets

    UPDATE: Leopard Cat recovering after car accident with Soi Dog Foundation vets

    PHOTO: ‘Happy Tiger’ – Recovering at Soi Dog Foundation, Mai Khao The condition of the Leopard Cat remains much the same – there has been no real improvement. The leopard cat is still under the care of Soi Dog Foundation vets. The vets have reported that his left eye doesn’t respond to light or anything and is probably blind. The…

    Read More »
  • OpinionOpinion: Sovereignty, rights ignored in airport debacle – The Nation

    Opinion: Sovereignty, rights ignored in airport debacle – The Nation

    Thailand could have blood on its hands if it fails to protect a Saudi traveller on her journey to freedom. The fate of a Saudi woman on her way to Australia, where she has a visa and seeks to obtain asylum, teetered in the balance in Bangkok at press time yesterday. Amid Thailand’s apparent willingness to deport her back to…

    Read More »
  • South Thailand NewsBottlenose dolphin found dead on Nakhon Si Thammarat beach

    Bottlenose dolphin found dead on Nakhon Si Thammarat beach

    PHOTO: DMCR Following Sunday’s discovery of a dead porpoise on Sunday, a bottlenose dolphin has been found dead on a beach in Nakhon Si Thammarat as well following last Friday’s storm. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) reports that they were informed yesterday by Vachirapong Sakunrat who found the dead dolphin at Nadan Beach in Khanom, Nakhon Si…

    Read More »
  • Thai LifeCivil Partnership Bill open for comment before heading to NLA

    Civil Partnership Bill open for comment before heading to NLA

    Members of the public are now being invited to comment on the Civil Partnership Bill on the Council of State’s website until January 23. The comments will be reviewed for consideration before the Council submits the bill to the National Legislative Assembly. If passed by the legislators, the law will make Thailand the first country in Asia to recognise same-sex…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsAllegedly negligent bus driver fined 5,000 baht, six dead get 30K compensation

    Allegedly negligent bus driver fined 5,000 baht, six dead get 30K compensation

    Daily news has reported on the aftermath of a tour bus that crashed in Pathum Thani over the weekend. Pathum Thani is the province neighboring Bangkok to the west. As relatives of the six dead came to collect the bodies of their loved ones at Thammasat Chalermprakiat Hospital news arrived that the Department of Land Transport was likely to fine…

    Read More »
  • South Thailand NewsPabuk: PM visits Nakhon Si Thammarat to survey damage

    Pabuk: PM visits Nakhon Si Thammarat to survey damage

    Between January 3-6, Pabuk was responsible for the death of four people and has affected the lives of more than 720,000 in 23 southern provinces. The death toll from the storm has now risen to four while three southern provinces are still reeling from its impact yesterday. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chayapol Thitisak said that his department…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsSaudi teenager allowed to stay in Thailand, for now

    Saudi teenager allowed to stay in Thailand, for now

    A Saudi teenager who flew to Thailand to escape her family in Kuwait will be allowed to stay in the country for now. Thai officials ended up in diplomatic hot water yesterday after government officials initially said they planned to deport a Saudi teenager who was stopped in Bangkok, en route to Australia to seek asylum, drawing objections from the…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsUPDATE: Standoff at Suvarnabhumi – Thai Immigration reverse decision

    UPDATE: Standoff at Suvarnabhumi – Thai Immigration reverse decision

    Speaking at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport where Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun is refusing to board a flight back to her family that she fled in Saudi Arabi, Lt. Gen. Surachate Hakparn says now that Thailand has reversed it’s thinking on the matter and will not deport her against her will. “If deporting would result in her death we definitely won’t do…

    Read More »
  • South Thailand NewsSouthern rail services back to normal

    Southern rail services back to normal

    Rail services suspended in the South following after recent flooding in Nakhon Si Thammarat are back in full service again. The good news from the State Railway of Thailand acting governor Worwaut Mala. The rail line to the South was partially flooded and damaged after storm Pabuk unleashed heavy rains in the area last Friday afternoon and evening. Workers had…

    Read More »
  • Krabi NewsTourists back on Ao Nang Beach

    Tourists back on Ao Nang Beach

    PHOTOS: Krabi PR Office The popular tourist magnet, Ao Nang Beach in Krabi, is back to normal following the warnings and boat bans because of the storm. The director of Tourism Authority of Thailand Krabi Office says, “After the storm passed all boats are allowed to head back to the sea. Tourists are back on our beaches.” “We allowed the…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsUPDATE: Saudi teen barricades herself in Bangkok airport room to avoid deportation

    UPDATE: Saudi teen barricades herself in Bangkok airport room to avoid deportation

    PHOTO: Sophie McNeill A detained Saudi 18 year old Rahaf Mohhammed al-Qunun remains barricaded in her room at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. She has locked herself in her room to avoid being deported, as earlier today as she was supposed to leave on a 11.15 am flight back to Kuwait this morning. Now she refuses to leave her room until…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsDog stuck in mud, rescued after storm in Phang Nga

    Dog stuck in mud, rescued after storm in Phang Nga

    A dog in Phang Nga has been pulled out from mud near a canal yesterday following rain on the weekend. It has been named ‘Pabuk’. Paweena Thongsap, a nurse, has reported to rescue workers that she found a weak dog in mud near a canal in Phang Nga city. Officers from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phang Nga…

    Read More »
  • Northern Thailand NewsChee River claims lives of three children, one girl rescued

    Chee River claims lives of three children, one girl rescued

    PHOTO: Nila Singkhiree Three children drowned last night (Sunday) and a fourth was rescued from the Chee River, Ubon Ratchathani, in the northeast of Thailand. The four had been playing on the bank of the river when one of them slipped and fell into the water. The other three jumped in to help their friend. They were then followed by a…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsWarnings issued after hydrogen-filled balloon explodes in car

    Warnings issued after hydrogen-filled balloon explodes in car

    A six year old boy has been engulfed in flames and seriously injured in a hydrogen balloon accident in Nakhon Pathom, west of Bangkok. Three people were injured on January 2 when a single hydrogen-filled party balloon exploded inside a car. The incident has prompted the Disease Control Department (DCD) to issue a warning and guidelines for reducing the risk.…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsLeather back turtle egg nest on Phang Nga beach safe after Pabuk

    Leather back turtle egg nest on Phang Nga beach safe after Pabuk

    PHOTOS: DMCR The leather back sea turtle eggs found on a Phang Nga Beach in Tai Mueang a few weeks ago have been checked and they are safe after last Friday and Saturday’s bad weather. About 80-100 eggs were found after a leather back sea turtle laid eggs on the beach in Tai Mueang, Phang Nga last month. Read more about…

    Read More »