Year: 2019

  • Bangkok NewsOfficials demolish 38 year old Kieat Tong Chai market in Bangkok

    Officials demolish 38 year old Kieat Tong Chai market in Bangkok

    PHOTOS: Daily News Bangkok officials (BMA) have demolished a market built to occupy the middle of a road in Din Daeng district following 38 years of disputes. The Nation reports that Din Daeng district office director Panchapat Lakdee says they’ve demolished the Kieat Tong Chai market to make more space for motorists in the middle of Soi Pracha Songkroah 38…

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  • Thailand Election NewsThai PM’s book recommendation backfires

    Thai PM’s book recommendation backfires

    Literature 1.01. Most people have read George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’. It’s the tale of a ‘democratic’ and utopian farmyard until the pigs get hungry for power and end up running the place as a dictatorship, dressed up as a democracy. The book resonated the fears of a post-WWII Britain and the rise of Stalinism. “All animals are equal, but some…

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  • Technology NewsFrom October you’ll have to pay your traffic fines before you can re-register your vehicle

    From October you’ll have to pay your traffic fines before you can re-register your vehicle

    PHOTOS: The Nation It’s official, sort of. From October 1, police have advised that car owners must pay all traffic fines or will be unable to re-register their vehicles and get a new annual registration sticker for their windscreen. Without these window stickers, they will have problems with traffic police while on the roads. Car licence registrations must be renewed…

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  • Phuket NewsWanted Phuket man arrested over human trafficking charges in Krabi

    Wanted Phuket man arrested over human trafficking charges in Krabi

    A wanted Phuket suspect, in relation to alleged human trafficking charges, has been arrested in Krabi. Officers arrested 47 year old Suppachart Jirawattanakun, originally from Lampang, yesterday. He was arrested following the issuing of an arrest warrant from the Phuket Provincial Court on January 13, 2018 over human trafficking charges. In 2017 officers discovered that at ‘The Rich Massage’ shop…

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  • Krabi NewsFamous Krabi elephant dies near elephant camp

    Famous Krabi elephant dies near elephant camp

    A 48 year old male elephant has died near an elephant camp in Krabi yesterday. The elephant had become a favourite and was popular in the area among locals and tourists who visited the camp. The elephant’s name was Kamtan. The Krabi Noi village headman was notified yesterday that the male elephant had died in a forest near a local…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsWeather warnings issued for Thailand’s north, central, east and upper south

    Weather warnings issued for Thailand’s north, central, east and upper south

    Residents from the upper south to the north of the country are being warned to brace themselves for heavy monsoonal rains over the next couple of days. The Thai Meteorological Department announced in an alert this morning that there is a monsoon trough across the North and the upper Northeast for Thursday and Friday. “The confluence of the southeasterly wind…

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  • Hot NewsBurmese man arrested for doing stunts on his Honda around Chiang Mai roads – VIDEO

    Burmese man arrested for doing stunts on his Honda around Chiang Mai roads – VIDEO

    PHOTOS: Daily News | VIDEO: Jeep Jenjira Pansena A video posted by Jeep Jenjira Pansena has prompted the Chiang Mai police to arrest a Burmese man caught doing stunts on the city’s roads. 21 year old “Mai”, who lives in San Sai and works as a masseur, was standing up on his Honda Click, amongst other ‘moves’ while hurtling around the…

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  • Hot News30 new cameras ready to catch traffic running red lights in Bangkok

    30 new cameras ready to catch traffic running red lights in Bangkok

    PHOTO: Daily News 30 major intersections will be fitted with red-light cameras to fine people going through intersections and ignoring red traffic lights. Testing will take place during June and the cameras likely to be operational in July. The cameras will detect the registration plate number and send you an automatic fine through the post. Police say that despite rumours of…

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  • Environment NewsShip owner fined 50,000 baht for chemical fire at Laem Chabang port

    Ship owner fined 50,000 baht for chemical fire at Laem Chabang port

    The Port Authority of Thailand has slapped a 50,000 baht fine on the South Korean owner of a container ship which caught fire at the Laem Chabang deep-sea port on Saturday morning, causing a chemical fire and smoke blanketing surrounding communities. Laem Chabang is just north of Pattaya fronting the Gulf of Thailand. Meanwhile, Thai PBS reports that about 1,000…

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  • Thailand NewsFour Thai marine species announced as ‘reserved animals’

    Four Thai marine species announced as ‘reserved animals’

    PHOTOS: DMCR / Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat Bryde’s whale, Omura’s whale, whale sharks and leather back turtles have been added to the list of ‘reserved wild animals’. The new Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act was announced yesterday. Animal species which included Bryde’s whale, Omura’s whale, whale shark and leather back turtle are now a registered ‘reserved animal’, before they are…

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  • Thailand Election NewsDemocrats walk away from coalition as bickering continues over ministerial portfolios

    Democrats walk away from coalition as bickering continues over ministerial portfolios

    It was off, then on again. Now it appears that it’s off, but that could change as today continues. The Pro-army Palang Pracharat’s efforts to build a coalition to form a majority government in the new Thai lower house have reached a new stumbling block amid bickering over ministerial portfolios,. Just two days ago the Bhumjaithai and Democrat parties seemed…

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  • PropertyRisland plans new developments in Bangkok and Phuket

    Risland plans new developments in Bangkok and Phuket

    PHOTO: Artist impression of the new Cloud Thonglor-Phetchaburi Hong Kong-based property developers Risland Thailand say they will spend 8 billion baht launching five residential projects in Bangkok and Phuket. The investment budget of 8 billion baht is an increase from 5 billion in 2018 and 3 billion in 2017, the first year Risland operated in the country. From June to…

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  • Tourism NewsChiang Mai and Hua Hin in Top 10 Asian retirement locations

    Chiang Mai and Hua Hin in Top 10 Asian retirement locations

    Hua Hin and Chiang Mai are two of the best retirement destinations in Asia, according to the US News and World Report. Phuket and Bangkok, usually included in lists of Asian retirement locations, didn’t make it onto this list. ThaiVisa reports that they were included in the site’s 10 best places to retire in Asia. The report considers the cost of…

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  • Koh Samui NewsDay 3 of 2019 Samui Regatta, Thailand

    Day 3 of 2019 Samui Regatta, Thailand

    Back racing! After a brief delay with the AP raised onshore, at 09:05 it was lowered and the sailors headed out to the startline where breeze awaited on the Nora Buri & Nora Beach Race Day. Looking to get as many races on the scorecard as possible and make up for yesterday’s wind no-show, Ross Chisholm and team got three…

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  • Hot NewsRoll the drums Phuket. Prepare the balloons. Chalong Underpass opens Friday.

    Roll the drums Phuket. Prepare the balloons. Chalong Underpass opens Friday.

    But it’s not Friday yet and there have been plenty of other delays. Chalong Circle’s 350 metre underpass should be open on Friday according to local highway officials. The roadworks have profoundly changed business and movement of locals in the southern part of the island for nearly four years. Many businesses were forced to move, others went broke, some residents…

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  • Tourism NewsSuvarnabhumi’s third runway closer to reality

    Suvarnabhumi’s third runway closer to reality

    The contracts for the construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s third runway are ready to be signed. But it isn’t likely to happen until later this year according to Airports of Thailand (AoT). The AoT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn says the new 21.7 billion baht third runway, which is included in the airport’s second-phase development plan, was already approved by the cabinet. “It…

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  • Thailand NewsBryde’s whale found dead off Petchaburi coast

    Bryde’s whale found dead off Petchaburi coast

    PHOTOS: Troy Beer/Thai Whales An autopsy is being conducted on a dead Bryde’s whales found off the Petchaburi coast in the Gulf of Thailand. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) report that they were notified of the dead Bryde’s whale being found off the Petchaburi coast yesterday. The female Bryde’s whale is about 10 metres long. It had…

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  • Tourism NewsThailand travel tax. Good idea but…

    Thailand travel tax. Good idea but…

    by Don Ross – ttrweekly.com “The changes to the law came into effect on May 20. Now, the panic button has been pressed. A workable package and collection process needs to be hammered out and fast.” Thailand is looking to introduce a tourist tax, either on arrival or departure, that will be, according to officials, used to fund accident insurance and…

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  • Pattaya NewsMotorbike driver survives being caught under Chinese tour bus in Pattaya

    Motorbike driver survives being caught under Chinese tour bus in Pattaya

    PHOTOS: Pattaya News Archive A motorbike driver has survived being partly run over by a tour bus in Pattaya last night. Rescue workers heard about the incident at 9pm last night near an intersection in South Pattaya. They arrived at the scene to find the red tour bus which was full of Chinese tourists. Under the bus found the damaged motorbike.…

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  • Hot News120 party-goers arrested in drugs raid on illegal pub

    120 party-goers arrested in drugs raid on illegal pub

    PHOTOS: The Nation A Bangkok pub has been raided early this morning. Police and drug suppression officials found that alcohol wasn’t the only thing being offered to the crowd. Customers were mostly dressed in school uniform for the themed party at the Space Pub. Patrons panicked as the drugs squad entered the premises on Pradit Manutham Road in Bang Khen…

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  • Phuket NewsSuspect who killed ex-wife’s new husband in Phattalung, arrested at Phuket checkpoint

    Suspect who killed ex-wife’s new husband in Phattalung, arrested at Phuket checkpoint

    A suspect who killed his ex-wife’s new husband in Phattalung last Sunday has now been arrested at the Phuket checkpoint at the top of the island. 32 year old Ms Rattana Nookong, Kringkrai Kotchapan’s ex-wife, sustained injuries from Kringkrai’s gun shots. Kriengkrai also shot and killed 40 years old Mr Sarawut Srinoon, Ms Rattana’s new husband in Phattalung on May…

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  • Tourism NewsTravel’s dynamic changes – A personal perspective

    Travel’s dynamic changes – A personal perspective

    by Andrew J Wood – President SKÅL International Bangkok With the dramatic announcement of the sale of retail travel giant Thomas Cook following the loss of £1.5 billion brings the blight of the travel agent community into the news once more. Last week Wall Street bank Citigroup advised investors to sell shares in the travel company. Confidence that travel agents…

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  • HealthThailand’s sex crime laws toughened

    Thailand’s sex crime laws toughened

    GRAPHICS: Nation Graphics Thailand is toughening its sex crime laws related to rape in a bid to better curb sexual assault crimes. For example, sexual attacks against children below the age of 13 will result in life imprisonment under the tougher law, while penalties will double for rapists who share recordings of the assault. The new law also recognises sexual…

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  • Phuket NewsTwo Thais charged over Chinese bag snatch in Rawai, Phuket

    Two Thais charged over Chinese bag snatch in Rawai, Phuket

    Two suspects who snatched a bag from a Chinese tourist in Rawai, pulling her to the ground. have been charged. The female Chinese tourist was walking along the roadside in Rawai, in southern Phuket, last week. Two suspects on a motorbike snatched her bag as they drove past. The Chinese tourist was injured in the fracas being dragged to the…

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  • HealthThailand’s ‘smoking toll’ is three times the annual road toll

    Thailand’s ‘smoking toll’ is three times the annual road toll

    Smoking kills more than 72,000 people a year in Thailand, three times the number of people that die on the local roads. Dr Roengrudee Patanavanich, from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, speaking at a media conference yesterday, says… “Diseases associated with smoking such as lung cancer, emphysema, lung inflammation and tuberculosis are the main killers.” “Thailand had 10.7 million…

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  • Business NewsThailand’s aviation industry passes international inspections

    Thailand’s aviation industry passes international inspections

    A pass mark, maybe a C+. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) told Thai aviation officials have scored 65.07%, exceeding the minimum pass mark of 60%. Thailand only scored 34.2% when it received a ‘red flag’ four years ago. The score has been awarded after ICAO officials carried out a full inspection of Thailand’s civil aviation standards The inspections were…

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  • Thailand Election NewsDemocrats cancel meeting to decide if they will join coalition

    Democrats cancel meeting to decide if they will join coalition

    The posturing between Democrats and Palang Pracharat continues as a call for key ministerial positions by the Democrats is being met with resistance. The Democrats are threatening to pull out of a potential coalition with Palang Pracharat after cancelling a meeting yesterday where members were to decide if they’d join the pro-army alliance. A Democrat source says that there is still…

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  • South Thailand NewsVillagers taken in under martial law for questioning over Yala shoot-out, Southern Thailand

    Villagers taken in under martial law for questioning over Yala shoot-out, Southern Thailand

    PHOTO: Charoon Thongnual Security officials have interrogated 18 people living near the site of this week’s clash between soldiers and suspected insurgents in Yala’s Yaha district. “They were brought in for questioning under martial law as authorities intend to go after the unidentified gunmen in Monday’s clash,” a source said yesterday. The Nation reports that the gunfight lasted several hours…

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  • Chiang Mai NewsAmerican Alzheimer’s patient, living in Thailand, heads to The Philippines

    American Alzheimer’s patient, living in Thailand, heads to The Philippines

    PHOTOS: Thaivisa “Mum is doing OK. She keeps forgetting who I am. But we must live completely in the moment with Alzheimer’s, and stay happy.” In an exclusive interview with Thaivisa, the daughter of the Alzheimer’s patient who claimed that her 77 year old mother was forced out of Thailand by new immigration rules, sent Thaivisa photos of their departure.…

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  • Tourism NewsTourism body confident that tourist number will reach 40 million in 2019

    Tourism body confident that tourist number will reach 40 million in 2019

    Predictions are, despite a few bumps along the way, that the number of tourists coming to Thailand in 2019 will still reach 40 million. The University of the Thai Chambers of Commerce’s Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting is still positives following campaigns promoting tourism in local cities and the extension of the waiver of the visa-on-arrival fee. The Director…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsBuri Ram villagers urged not to harm wild elephants

    Buri Ram villagers urged not to harm wild elephants

    FILE PHOTO Buri Ram provincial officials are asking villagers living near a Thai national reserve forest not to harm wild animals, including elephants, that may wander out of the forest. Officials say they’ve spotted a large herd of 32 wild elephants in the Krapod mountain, part of the restricted area. Sa Saengsawang, the director of the province’s national resources and…

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  • Koh Samui NewsDay 2 of Samui Regatta 2019. A beautiful day, unless you’re a sailor.

    Day 2 of Samui Regatta 2019. A beautiful day, unless you’re a sailor.

    The best laid plans… The breeze was on early this morning as the race management left the beach. The plan: head straight out off Chaweng Beach and lay a startline. Leaving the “shelter” of the bay, the wind died off the further they went out. A few nautical miles off shore and everyone joined in the waiting game. Meanwhile close…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsTwo arrested in Nakhon Sawan attempting to smuggle over 4 million meth pills

    Two arrested in Nakhon Sawan attempting to smuggle over 4 million meth pills

    PHOTO: The Nation Two Kanchanaburi men have been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 4,459,000 methamphetamine pills from the North to central regions. The Narcotics Suppression Bureau chief held a press conference to announce the arrest of 32 year old Weerachon Inpiam and 23 year old Thanapol Jaihor. Chinnaphat said police have seized 4,459,000 methamphetamine pills and frozen the two…

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  • Phuket NewsChinese tourist injured as suspects snatch bag in Rawai, Phuket – VIDEO

    Chinese tourist injured as suspects snatch bag in Rawai, Phuket – VIDEO

    Suspects have now been rounded up and are in custody after allegedly snatching a bag from a Chinese tourist who was walking in Rawai, south of Phuket, last week. The Chinese tourist was injured in the fracas. The Chalong Police were notified of the incident on a road near Rawai beach last week. As the tourist was walking along the…

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  • Phuket NewsNetizens say the policeman’s drunk. Police chief says he ‘is sick’. VIDEO

    Netizens say the policeman’s drunk. Police chief says he ‘is sick’. VIDEO

    A video clip of a policeman falling off a motorcycle onto the footpath on the roadside has gone viral in Thai social media. Netizens say the Phuket policeman was clearly drunk but the local police chief maintains ‘he was just sick’. The video clip of the policeman shows he was on a motorbike and was losing his balance. The incident…

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  • Thai LifeAnti-Junta Thai rappers receive international human rights award

    Anti-Junta Thai rappers receive international human rights award

    …but don’t expect to be getting a letter of congratulations from the Thai PM. The anti Junta rapper group ‘Rap Against Dictatorship’ has won the 2019 Vaclav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent, awarded by the New York-based Human Rights Foundation, the band has announced on its website. Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent is an award established in 2012 by…

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  • World NewsASEAN group calls for end of judicial ‘harassment’ of Thai MPs

    ASEAN group calls for end of judicial ‘harassment’ of Thai MPs

    The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, based in Jakarta, is calling on Thai authorities to end what they describe as harassment of the Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. They’ve also asked the ruling Junta to stop their efforts to undermine anti-military parties in the new Thai parliament. Charles Santiago, Chair of APHR and a Member of Parliament in Malaysia…

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