Year: 2019

  • Thailand Election NewsGeneral Prayut Chan-o-cha is Thailand’s 29th Prime Minister

    General Prayut Chan-o-cha is Thailand’s 29th Prime Minister

    General Prayut Chan-o-cha was elected as Thailand’s next prime minister in a joint upper and lower house Parliamentary vote around 9pm last night following a day of intense debate. Prayut beat his opponent Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit from Future Forward Party with 500 to 244 votes. Three MPs abstained from voting and one was on a sick leave. 250 of the votes came from…

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  • Thailand Election NewsThanathorn says he will be Thailand’s Prime Minister of change

    Thanathorn says he will be Thailand’s Prime Minister of change

    Future Forward’s 40 year old leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has called for change this afternoon. He made his speech outside of the temporary parliament as he’s been barred as an MP pending legal cases yet to be heard by the Constitutional Court over alleged media share holdings. The speech was made as the parliament hears from MPs about why they support…

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  • South Thailand News17 survive as minivan flips over in Phattalung, southern Thailand

    17 survive as minivan flips over in Phattalung, southern Thailand

    PHOTOS: Pattaung Rescue 17 people have survived after a minivan flipped over in Phattalung in Thailand’s south. Phattalung rescue workers were notified of the incident on the Phattalung –Trang Road in Phattalung province this afternoon. The minivan was travelling from Songkhla to Trang at the time. Emergency responders arrived to find the overturned minivan in the middle of the road.…

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  • Bangkok News1,495 kilograms of ice seized in Pathum Thani, Thailand

    1,495 kilograms of ice seized in Pathum Thani, Thailand

    Police and officials from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board have arrested 26 year old Suwit Promon from Bangkok’s Ratburana district and seized 1,495 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 91 kilograms of ketamine at a warehouse in Pathum Thani, just north of Bangkok. Police say the arrest was made after the ONCB received tip-offs that a gang had smuggled the…

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  • Pattaya NewsLadyboy arrested over stealing from British tourist in Pattaya, Thailand

    Ladyboy arrested over stealing from British tourist in Pattaya, Thailand

    PHOTOS: Pattaya Message Pattaya police have arrested a ladyboy who stole money from a British tourist’s pocket. Pattaya police were hunting for the ladyboy who allegedly stole money from the pockets of the British man in Pattaya City along Walking Street this week. Read more about the story HERE. Police continued their investigation to track down the suspect after the British man…

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  • South Thailand NewsBaby dugong ‘Marium’ being cared for in Trang

    Baby dugong ‘Marium’ being cared for in Trang

    PHOTOS: DMCR A baby dugong, which was found lost in Krabi two months ago, has been given the name ‘Marium’ and continues to be cared for at a dugong nursery in Trang. The baby dugong, found on a Krabi beach, was taken back to its home area in Trang, southern Thailand, on April 30. Read more about the wayward baby…

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  • Tourism NewsWhere are Thai’s heading for this summer holidays?

    Where are Thai’s heading for this summer holidays?

    Thai travellers who are booking through Airbnb are discovering new ‘off the beaten track’ destinations. Globally, Airbnb identifies some of the top trending destinations based on percentage growth in bookings during the same time last year *. And when we say growth, we mean mega growth! The top choices are: • Valenciennes, France (704%) • Changsha, China (695%) • Matsudo, Japan…

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  • Environment NewsGrab electric tuk tuks launch in Chiang Mai

    Grab electric tuk tuks launch in Chiang Mai

    Grab, the nemesis of the old taxi and red bus network in Chiang Mai, has signed an agreement with government and private sector partners to establish the Chiang Mai Smart Mobility Alliance Network. It is the first such partnership in South East Asia. Thai aim is to reduce Chiang Mai’s public transport footprint by 35% within the next five years. The…

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  • Thailand Election NewsThanathorn and Prayut officially nominated as Thai PM candidates

    Thanathorn and Prayut officially nominated as Thai PM candidates

    “The current PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha did not attend today’s proceedings.” The Future Forward leader, 40 year old Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, and NCPO chief and current PM Prayut Chan-o-cha have been formally named as candidates for the position of Prime Minister by their parties in Parliament this morning. They were the only two names put forward after the new House Speaker (and…

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  • Hot NewsFormer Democrat Party leader and Thai PM resigns

    Former Democrat Party leader and Thai PM resigns

    Former Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has announced his resignation as a parliamentary MP, saying he could not break his word and follow his Democrat Party’s resolution to support Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as the next PM. He announced his resignation in the lead up to today’s vote for a new PM, now a cakewalk for the existing PM Prayut after…

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  • Business NewsAnd then there were three. Bidding for Airport duty free concession.

    And then there were three. Bidding for Airport duty free concession.

    Only three Thai bidders – King Power Duty Free, a consortium led by Bangkok Airways, and a bid by Royal Orchid Hotel – remain in play as the companies attempt to win the licence to run duty-free shops at the Phuket, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai international airports. The Central Department Store bid has formerly dropped out of the bidding…

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  • Thailand Election NewsDemocrats side with Palang Pracharat before today’s PM vote

    Democrats side with Palang Pracharat before today’s PM vote

    PHOTO: Thai PBS The Democrat party has decided, following a fierce debate late yesterday, to join the Palang Pracharat-led coalition government. They cite ‘ending political uncertainty’ and ‘switching off’ the power of the junta, according to new party leader Jurin Laksanavisit. As the new parliament sits and votes on a new Thai PM today, the NCPO automatically dissolves once the…

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  • Phuket NewsOne injured in Patong Hill collision between two minivans & two sedans

    One injured in Patong Hill collision between two minivans & two sedans

    PHOTOS: Newshawk Phuket A minivan driver has sustained injuries in a collision on Patong Hill this morning. The incident was between two minivans and two sedans. Newshawk Phuket reports that they were notified of the crash in front of Suwankiriwong Temple at 5.02am this morning. The temple is at the bottom of Patong Hill, coming from Kathu. Emergency responders arrived…

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  • Phuket NewsFour suspects arrested after body found in Wichit forest, Phuket

    Four suspects arrested after body found in Wichit forest, Phuket

    Four men have been arrested after the body of 24 year old man was found in Wichit in a central Phuket forest last weekend. Wichit Police note that 24 year old Sataphon Yindee was reported missing since April 12. The body was found on Sunday. His family identified Mr Sataphon’s body as they recalled the ring on his finger and…

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  • Thailand Election NewsLast minute deal secures Prayut’s PM vote in today’s Thai parliamentary sitting

    Last minute deal secures Prayut’s PM vote in today’s Thai parliamentary sitting

    Leaving it to the last moment, the Democrats dramatically capitulated and decided to join the pro-junta Palang Pracharat coalition. The move gives the current PM, Palang Pracharat’s sole prime ministerial candidate, an easy walk into the PM job during today’s parliamentary vote. General Prayut Chan-o-cha and Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit will face off in the 11am vote. Until yesterday’s…

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  • Thailand Election NewsFuture Forward candidates say they’ve been offered up to 120M baht to vote for Prayut as PM

    Future Forward candidates say they’ve been offered up to 120M baht to vote for Prayut as PM

    The big vote for Thailand’s next PM starts tomorrow at 11am. The lead up to the vote, a flurry of desperate offers and deals, has seen the Pro-Junta Palang Pracharat party fall short of a majority, fall WELL short of a majority. Meanwhile, Future Forward party members claimed today that some of their MPs have been offered between 30 million and…

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  • Hot NewsMan falls to his death inside CentralWorld, Bangkok

    Man falls to his death inside CentralWorld, Bangkok

    A 55 year old man has fallen four floors to his death at Central World shopping centre near the Ratchaprasong intersection on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district. The incident happened today just after midday. Pathumwan Police were informed of the incident at about 12.30pm. A video clip that’s been posted shows staff setting up a black tent to cover…

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  • South Thailand NewsSecurity stepped up for the end of Ramadan in Songkhla, Thailand

    Security stepped up for the end of Ramadan in Songkhla, Thailand

    FILE PHOTO Police and troops are stepping up security in Songkhla and the southern province, especially the town of Hat Yai, ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival – the end of the annual Ramadan – tomorrow (Wednesday). Today is the last day of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. A security source said intelligence agencies believed Muslim insurgents would…

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  • Hot NewsPhalang Pracharat unable to form Thai coalition – Democrats and Bhumjaithai sitting it out, for now

    Phalang Pracharat unable to form Thai coalition – Democrats and Bhumjaithai sitting it out, for now

    Close. But no majority. The black suits seemed appropriate for the dismal situation Thai politics faces. Phalang Pracharat, after more than two months of wrangling and negotiations, have been forced to concede that they don’t have the numbers to form a coalition as of this afternoon, repeating that their aim was to set up a stable government. As of this…

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  • Koh Samui NewsBlacklisted Russian gets fake passport, returns to Thailand as Romanian, caught again

    Blacklisted Russian gets fake passport, returns to Thailand as Romanian, caught again

    The case of the Russian who was blacklisted, deported from Thailand, then flies back to Thailand as a Romanian and moves to Koh Pha Ngan. It all seemed so clever, but was easily detected. The new chief of the Immigration Bureau, Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang, announced the arrest of the man yesterday. Sergey Milentiy was previously based on the southern Gulf of…

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  • Pattaya NewsBritish man loses 20K baht to an alleged ladyboy pickpocket in Pattaya – VIDEO

    British man loses 20K baht to an alleged ladyboy pickpocket in Pattaya – VIDEO

    PHOTOS/VIDEO: Pattaya Message Pattaya police are hunting for a ladyboy who allegedly stole money from the pockets of a British man in Pattaya City this week. Pattaya Message reports that 49 year old Anthony O’Malley, a British national, yesterday presented a video clip from a CCTV camera to the Pattaya Police. He told police he had 20,000 baht in his…

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  • Phuket NewsMan found hanged in Karon house, Phuket

    Man found hanged in Karon house, Phuket

    The body of a man has been found hanged inside a house in Karon this morning. Karon Police were notified of the incident at the house in Soi Patak 9. Police and emergency responders arrived to find the body of a man who was later identified as 40 year old Sanit Janthorn, found hanged inside the house. Police believe that the…

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  • Technology NewsTwitter’s Thailand Top Ten – Q1 2019

    Twitter’s Thailand Top Ten – Q1 2019

    Twitter continues to grow as a popular social App in Thailand. Now Twitter have announced their first ever brand index for Thailand – Top 10 Brands on Twitter in Thailand. Measured by engagement over the first quarter of the year (January 1 – March 31, 2019), here are the Top 10 Brands on Twitter in Thailand… 1. AIS (@AIS_Thailand) 2.…

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  • Bangkok NewsBangkok’s Governor says Chatuchak is safe and repairs underway

    Bangkok’s Governor says Chatuchak is safe and repairs underway

    PHOTO: TNA MCOT Bangkok’s governor says Chatuchak Weekend Market is safe and that there will be no damage to tourism at the Bangkok icon. Chatuchak, aka ‘JJ Market’, has more than 15,000 stalls and 11,500 vendors, divided up into 27 sections. It is the world’s largest and most diverse weekend market, with over 200,000+ visitors every weekend. A fire on Sunday…

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  • Technology NewsGoodbye iTunes, hello new dedicated Apps

    Goodbye iTunes, hello new dedicated Apps

    In January 2001 Apple announced iTunes. It changed everything in the music industry and has gone on to spawn other more modern forms of music purchases and sharing. It was a true ‘disrupter’ for the time. Then, just eight months later would come the iPod which fundamentally changed the way we listen to music as well. Now Apple is introducing…

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  • Pattaya NewsOne dead, seven injured as car collides with bus in Chon Buri

    One dead, seven injured as car collides with bus in Chon Buri

    PHOTOS: Pattaya Message A female driver has died and seven others sustained injuries after a sedan collided with a shuttle bus in Chon Buri last night. A snake was also a victim of the incident. Banglamung Police were notified of the incident on Rong Poa Road in Banglamung, Chon Buri last night. Police and emergency responders arrived to find a damaged…

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  • Tourism NewsPhuket’s new town planning code will radically change island

    Phuket’s new town planning code will radically change island

    Thailand’s Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning is finalising sweeping new development regulations for Phuket. The island’s MICE industry is expected to be a big winner from the proposed changes (more below). In April the draft regulations were issued for public comment and it is expected the new set of rules will come into effect over the next…

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  • Business NewsAirports of Thailand open bidding for new duty free contracts at three airports

    Airports of Thailand open bidding for new duty free contracts at three airports

    Airports of Thailand (AoT) says they will finalise the bidding process to announce who will manage the commercial areas at three provincial airports – Phuket, Had Yai and Chiang Mai – on June 10. King Power Duty Free has had a stranglehold on the duty free concession areas of the country’s four main airports but are having to bid for…

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  • Environment NewsThailand’s Maya Bay settles into an extended period of rest – VIDEO

    Thailand’s Maya Bay settles into an extended period of rest – VIDEO

    You can look but you can’t touch. Maya Bay’s beach, closed last year to allow coral restoration and beach recovery, is likely to remain closed to visitors for many years, even up to five. The famous Koh Phi Phi Ley beach and bay, made famous in the 2000 movie The Beach, needs time for its ecology to fully recover years…

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  • South Thailand NewsGunman shoots and kills village head in Narathiwat mosque

    Gunman shoots and kills village head in Narathiwat mosque

    PHOTO: Nation Channel A gunman walked into the Ban Arware Mosque and shot dead the village head in Narathiwat’s Ra Ngae district last night, in southern Thailand. Stray bullets also injured a man praying next to the man at the mosque. Police report that 48 year old Pakruding Tohdeng, the village head of Ban Arwar in Tambon Mareubotok, was killed inside…

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  • HealthThe rise of the Incels and plastic surgery for men

    The rise of the Incels and plastic surgery for men

    by Cita Catellya It is undeniable that looks and appearance are often seen as a determinant of self-confidence. It’s one of the reasons why skincare products or even plastic surgery is popular among so many people. Women tend to pay more attention to their appearance and a growing number of them are going under the knife to alter their looks.…

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  • Krabi NewsTruck collides with power pole in Krabi, driver injured

    Truck collides with power pole in Krabi, driver injured

    A truck has collided with a power pole after the driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel in Krabi today. The truck, carrying palm tree trunks, collided with a power pole on Phetkasem Road in Krabi city. The power pole was broken and cables had been pulled down. The truck driver also sustained injuries and was taken to Klongtom Hospital.…

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  • Thailand NewsMore educated Thais earn more – SCB study

    More educated Thais earn more – SCB study

    More education = higher salary. Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Unit has released a report that shows the more education you have, the more salary you will earn. The SCB think tank’s research paper indicates that the relationship between education and salary is clear and simple; education counts when you apply for a job. Also, don’t underestimate the GPA (Grade Point…

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  • South Thailand News30 False killer whales sighted of Koh Tao – VIDEO

    30 False killer whales sighted of Koh Tao – VIDEO

    PHOTO: DMCR VIDEO: Ban’s Diving Resort (Official Fan Page) About 30 of false killer whales sighted off Koh Tao, Surat Thani over the weekend. The Department of Marine and Coast Resources reported that they were notified from Ban’s Diving tours operator on Koh Tao that that they were on a speedboat with tourists just off the coast of Koh Tao.…

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  • Bangkok NewsUPDATE: Chatuchak Weekend Market fire, Bangkok

    UPDATE: Chatuchak Weekend Market fire, Bangkok

    Bangkok’s governo, along with forensic officers, visited the world- famous Chatuchak market this morning to inspect damage caused by last night’s huge blaze that destroyed a total of 120 shops and damaged lots of others (revised up from 30 shops as reported earlier by The Thaiger). Meanwhile witnesses report that an explosion in an electrical transformer could have caused the…

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  • EntertainmentThailand Events – June 2019

    Thailand Events – June 2019

    with The Sponsorship Experts – Paul Poole (South East Asia) There are no shortage of food related events in Bangkok in June but if you’re only going to go to one, the third installation of Taan Bangkok’s Chef Table series will see Khun Kanaporn “Aum” Chancherdsak, the owner of Trang’s renowned restaurant Trang Ko’e, showcase her meticulous cooking on June…

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  • Pattaya NewsRunners run into a herd of Thai wild elephants, two injured

    Runners run into a herd of Thai wild elephants, two injured

    Runners in a Chon Buri trail running event over the weekend ran into a herd of wild elephants. One of the runners was injured during yesterday’s encounter. Volunteers revealed that the injured runner was among those participating in the 25 kilometre run along the Ploung Thong Trail in Chon Buri’s Bo Thong district. A volunteer told national park officials that…

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