Year: 2019
- Bangkok News
Apple’s Tim Cook drops into Bangkok during Asia tour
PHOTO: Apple’s Tim Cook Visits Bangkok to meet with photographers, Students and WWDC (Apple Web Developers) scholarship winners Apple’s CEO Tim Cook was in and around Bangkok yesterday. Apple’s boss has been documenting the journey on his Twitter account. Tim kicked things off with a visit to the Wat Arun Buddhist temple on the Thonburi west bank of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya…
Read More » - Northern Thailand News
Thai Immigration Chief softens stance on tourist and expat visas
#shutdoorafterhorsehasbolted The head of Thai Immigration has told his department not to be too strict on tourists and scare them away from returning to Thailand. According to PattayaOne, the Chief has asked for his staff to “show some humanity”. Lt-Gen Sompong – also known as Big Oud, after his predecessor was nicknamed Big Joke – was doing a presentation during a…
Read More » - Tourism News
Tourist numbers down 40% compared to last year, and last year was bad – Pattaya
PHOTO: pinterest.com “Tourists are down 40% for Pattaya’s high season.” This from the Pattaya Entertainment and Tourism Industrial Association when speaking to Sophon Cable TV today. And last year wasn’t good either. Damrongkiet Pinitkarn, secretary of the association says that this high season before the New Year, the number of tourists at night clubs and bars has significantly decreased compared…
Read More » - Economy News
The fourth Chim Shop Chai stimulus rolls out for New Year
PHOTO: Thai PBS World The state-run Krung Thai Bank is rolling out another economic stimulus program for New Year. It will include an 800,000 baht Toyota sedan and gold necklaces for subscribers to the latest Chip Shop Chai (Eat-Spend-Shop) scheme who Thais spend through their g-wallet accounts. Lawan Saengsanit, the Fiscal Policy Office director and spokesman for the Finance Ministry,…
Read More » - Economy News
Forecasts are in negative territory for south east and wider Asia
PHOTO: asiahouse.org The Asian Development Bank has trimmed its forecasts for economic growth in developing Asia this year and next as growth in the People’s Republic of China and India are weighed down by both external and domestic factors. Closer to home, south east Asia’s growth projections have also been revised down slightly to 4.4% for 2019. Economic woes of…
Read More » - Crime News
Foreigners and Thais conned out of 45 million baht in Pattaya property scam
Police in Pattaya are hunting for a 49 year old real estate agent, Jidapha Sirikhong, who is alleged to have scammed both Thai and foreigner residents in a 45 million baht property scam. The Pattaya News reports that Jidapha is the owner of Som Property, with an office in an unnamed condominium building near Jomtien beach, where she took deposits for…
Read More » - Bangkok News
Shoppers flee smoke-filled mall after overloaded power strip catches fire in central Thailand
PHOTO: sanook.com Customers in a shopping mall in Samut Prakan province, south of Bangkok, raced for the exits as smoke coming from a toy store began to fill the building. The incident, which happened in the Bang Phli district, home to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, is believed to have been sparked by a poor-quality power strip that appears to have shorted and…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand’s health chief issues hydrogen balloon warning
PHOTO: City Pass Guide The chief of the Department of Health says people must exercise caution around hydrogen balloons, warning that they can be dangerous, even fatal. The warning comes from Dr Panpimol Wipulakorn after a balloon exploded in Kanchanaburi province, western Thailand, earlier this month. “Explosion of balloons are reported frequently, since most of balloons contain hydrogen, which is inflammable,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Illegal Thai workers in South Korea get offer of amnesty
PHOTO: tacticalinvestor.com The Office of Thai Labour in Seoul, South Korea, says Thai citizens who are working illegally in the country, can apply for an amnesty scheme launched this week. It will run until June 30, 2020. It is estimated that there are between 120,000 and 140,000 illegal Thai workers in South Korea. The Nation reports that the scheme will…
Read More » - Bangkok News
Three year old daughter of migrant workers killed at construction site
PHOTO: The Nation A three year old Cambodian girl has died after being crushed by a truck at the construction site where her parents were working. The Nation reports that the incident took place yesterday, at a construction site in Samut Prakan province, south of Bangkok. It’s understood the nature of the parents’ work patterns meant they were unable to…
Read More » - Things To Do
Top 10 benefits of living at a beach house
Living in a beach house is an ambition for many people, but the price is often too high in some counties. But in Thailand this dream remains affordable. Instead of 10 million Baht for a beach house in France or 7.6 million Baht for one in Spain, you can get a larger beach house on a tropical island for as…
Read More » - Environment News
Pattaya officials warn residents about outbreak of Chikungunya virus
Health officials in the Bang Lamung area of Pattaya say that many cases of the Chikungunya virus have been reported this year. Most commonly, the infected mosquitoes involved are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two species which can also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue. From January to the end of October there were 90 cases in Bang Lamung. The virus,…
Read More » - Events
Chao Phraya welcomes the Royal Barge Procession in perfect Bangkok weather
PHOTOS: The Nation Perfect weather greeted the royal barge procession for HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn for the celebration of his coronation yesterday. Thousands gathered along the shores in sic specially constructed grandstands to view the rare spectacle of the Royal Barges, crewed by Thais in full regalia, plying the waters of the Chao Phraya. Millions more watched the live coverage.…
Read More » - World News
Aung San Suu Kyi shows contempt for case against Myanmar army in international court
PHOTO: LA Times Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has shown contempt for UN judges investigating the genocide case relating to the Myanmar army’s attacks on the Rohingya in 2017. In her speeches she defended the generals she once defied, for their genocide against the muslim minority living in the Rhakine state, west of the country. Her supporters gathered…
Read More » - World News
So you want to move to Vietnam?
“Whilst Thailand is often nicknamed the ‘land of a thousand 7-elevens’, with a convenience store on just about every corner, there are very few of these in Vietnam, for now.” With the Thai Baht on a high at the moment, along with stricter enforcement of visa rules, some expats say they’ve had enough and are heading to Vietnam, or some…
Read More » - Transport News
Phuket Light Rail project hits a few speed bumps
The Phuket Light Rail (Phuket Tram) project has hit a few hurdles and has been shelved, apparently temporarily, whilst some further studies are conducted into the ambitious public transport project. The proposed tram route was proposed to start at Phuket Airport and finish at the Chalong Intersection, with a total of 21 stations along the way. As president of the…
Read More » - Economy News
Thai economy not desperate, just a bit slow – Finance Minister
PHOTO: The Nation Thailand’s Finance Minister says the economy is not in a critical situation, it’s just on a bit of a “go-slow” right now. Uttama Savanayana adds that he’s hopeful the situation will improve next year with the go-ahead on a number of large national infrastructure projects. Thai PBS World reports that the minister references the Government’s stimulus efforts…
Read More » - Bangkok News
Foreign and Thai business partners cleared of human trafficking charges in Bangkok
PHOTO: Daily News “At the appeal hearing yesterday, the defendants had their convictions quashed after the court doubted testimony from one of the victims.” A foreign man employed as a nightclub manager in Bangkok’s notorious party zone at Nana has been acquitted of charges of human trafficking and acquiring women for prostitution. ThaiVisa reports that Michael Pearl, a 47 year old…
Read More » - Events
Live links to streaming coverage of the Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok
Here’s a link to the official Facebook page including a livestream… https://www.facebook.com/พระราชพิธีบรมราชาภิเษก-พุทธศักราช๒๕๖๒-536077073542486/ And a link to the official YouTube livestream as well…
Read More » - Tourism News
Chiang Mai mountains introduce two new camping facilities
PHOTOS: asia.one.com Two new camping grounds are now open and ready to receive visitors in the mountains around Chiang Mai. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation says the Sui Tang and Doi Lang camping grounds are now open and ready for customers. The Nation reports that Sui Tang is located in the district of Chai Prakan, at…
Read More » - Crime News
Mother cat and 4 kittens poisoned at Sai Kaew Beach, Phuket
On December 11, a report was made following a post from the Facebook page ‘Rain Forest’ about 5 cats that were dumped and poisoned at Sai Kaew Beach, at the far north end of Mai Khao Beach in Phuket. The post shows pictures of a cat and her four kittens that had been poisoned with water and food, probably laced…
Read More » - Thailand News
Academic calls on Thai government to help migrant children
PHOTO: South China Morning Post “Premjai says many migrant children face daily health and safety risks as they are forced to work in jobs they’re too young for.” A researcher from Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University is calling on the government to provide assistance for vulnerable migrant children, many of whom are falling through the cracks in the welfare system. Premjai Vungsiripisal, from…
Read More » - Tourism News
Government plans to lure Chinese tourists back by easing visa procedures
PHOTO: India Post “The scheme is due to run from New Year until Chinese New Year on January 25, into early February.” The Thai Sports and Tourism Minister says the government is planning a range of stimulus measures to increase Chinese visitor numbers and boost Thailand’s currently sluggish tourism sector. Though there hasn’t been any radical drop in numbers, the…
Read More » - Health
Kratom leaves to be declassified as a narcotic
PHOTO: Kraken Kratom Kratom, the controversial leaf used both medicinally and recreationally in Thailand, is to be declassified as a narcotic. Justice Minister Somsak Thapsutin says his ministry will propose new narcotics laws that will exclude kratom leaves from illegal drugs lists. Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. It’s common in Thailand,…
Read More » - Events
Transport and viewing locations for today’s Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok
This morning we wake to a perfect Bangkok day for today’s final act in the Royal Coronation – the Royal Barge Procession. Here’s some travel tips, free transport options and places to watch the procession. The processions starts at 3.30pm. Travel will be free on all mass transit rail services and selected BMTA bus routes today (December 12), for the…
Read More » - Phuket News
Search still on for missing Phuket kayakers
The search for a Polish tourist and his Thai female off Phuket continues after five days by police, volunteers and the navy. Rescuers are still focusing around the coastlines after scouring the Andaman Sea up to 20 nautical miles offshore earlier in the week. They admit they now have grave fears for the safety of the pair. 27 year old…
Read More » - Health
Thailand introduces “plain” tobacco packaging
Thailand has earned praise from The World Health Organisation over its latest efforts to make smoking less enticing. They commended the roll-out of “plain” cigarette packaging this week. Cigarette packets are now much less attractive under the new regulations approved by the National Tobacco Products Control Committee. But the new “plain’ packaging is anything but plain, including graphic images of…
Read More » - Politics News
Will the Constitutional Court dissolve Future Forward Party?
“The party’s 80 elected MPs would be then be free to join other parties.” The Election Commission is poised to approach the Constitutional Court to disband the Future Forward Party, saying party executives accepted donations from an illegitimate source. It’s the latest move to officially discredit the party that made surprise inroads in its first outing at last March’s election.…
Read More » - Crime News
Teacher arrested for death of twins who stole his limes in Phattalung
PHOTO: Assawin Pakkawan A 55 year old teacher has been arrested for the murder of twin brothers who, according to the police report, stole limes (lemons) from his farm in Phatthalung Province, southern Thailand. Police announced the arrest of Madyusup Chaisukkho, an English teacher at a public school in Pak Phayun district, for the deaths of 31 year old Manop Khongchan…
Read More » - Crime News
Thai police seize another 743 million in Ponzi scheme assets
PHOTO: newtv.co.th “About 3000 victims have reported losses to the DSI, which expects to wrap up its investigation by the end of the year.” Police have seized assets valued around 743 million baht from suspects in the Forex-3D Ponzi scheme. Confiscated were a Maserati SUV, a Porsche Boxster, a Ferrari Spider, three Ford Mustangs and a Toyota Vellfire passenger van, with…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Canadian senior seriously injured after fall in Pattaya
PHOTO: View over Pattaya from the Pratunmak Hill area A Canadian museum owner has been injured after a fall in the upscale Pratumnak Hill area in Pattaya. Rescue workers were notified of the incident at 4pm yesterday (Tuesday) and rushed to the scene to find the 86 year old man with a broken leg. He was rushed to hospital. According to…
Read More » - Health
What colour is your local hospital? Medical facilities to be colour-coded based on cost
PHOTO: Are they going to paint the hospitals in the coded colour? Three hundred Thai hospitals are being labelled green, yellow, or red, based on how much they charge patients for drugs and services. The Deputy of Internal Trade, Prayoth Benyasut, confirmed the move, with medical facilities labelled “green” having the lowest impact on your wallet. “We have listed 164 hospitals…
Read More » - Expats
Bangkok less popular, Taipei heads the list – World’s favourite city for expats
PHOTO: This year’s #1 city for expats – Taipei, Taiwan – Time Out Bangkok has dropped from #5 (in 2018) to #20 this year in the annual Expat City Ranking – a big drop from its former position as a darling of the world expat community. But Asian cities continue to dominate the annual global Top 5 in the Expat City…
Read More » - Hua Hin News
Four family members killed, 8 injured, after van driver falls asleep at the wheel in Prachuap Khiri Khan
PHOTO: sanook.com A horrific road accident has claimed the lives of four family members, and left eight other passengers with serious injuries after the van they were travelling in hit a tree in Prachuap Khiri Khan, central-southern Thailand. The incident happened as the van headed south on the Phetkasem Highway. The family were travelling from Ratchaburi in central Thailand to…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Pattaya Police up their game in knee-jerk reaction to German TV report
PHOTOS: The Pattaya News If you want to get things moving in Thailand, make a documentary saying how bad things are and show it on international TV. A German documentary slamming Pattaya has so far had more success than a hundred directives from head office. The documentary was titled Achtung Abzocke. The documentary portrayed Pattaya in a less-than-flattering light, so…
Read More » - Thailand News
Army chief slams reports Thanathorn avoided conscription as “fake news”
PHOTO: Thai Army Chief General Apirat Kongsompong – Eleven Media Group In rare support for the man who has been campaigning against the Thai Army’s grip on the Nation’s affairs, the Thai Army Commander-in-Chief has come out in defence of Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, following false allegations that he used a fake document to avoid military conscription. Thai PBS…
Read More » - Health
Thai massage could get UNESCO heritage status
PHOTO: The Culture Trip The body-bending, bone-crunching, sharp-elbows and karate-chopping of Thai massage could soon be added to UNESCO’s prestigious heritage list. If you’ve ever walked a street in the kingdom, you’ll have been greeted with invitations for “massaaaaarge!” From upscale Bangkok spas to streetside shophouses in Pattaya and Koh Samui, “nuad Thai,” or Thai massage, is everywhere. An hour of…
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