Year: 2019

  • Tourism News

    Cabinet announces 13.2 billion baht handouts, also property and tourism stimulus

    The Thai Cabinet has given the go ahead to 13.2 billion baht in social welfare spending to low income-earners. The payments would go to parents with children still in school, disabled people and farmers. The same meeting also announced tax packages to boost the real estate and tourism sectors. A spokesperson for the PM’s Office says that under the welfare card…

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  • Events

    His Majesty marries Suthida and names her Queen, days before coronation

    FILE PHOTO: Queen Suthida with His Majesty the King and Prince Dipangkorn Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn announced earlier this evening that he has married his bodyguard, Gen. Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhya, and named her Queen Suthida, just days before the Royal Coronation this weekend. The announcement was made tonight in the Royal Gazette. In 2014 HM appointed Suthida Tidjai, a…

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  • Events

    A new Queen for Thailand

    His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun has issued a Royal Command declaring General Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhya to be Queen of Thailand, effective as of May 1st. According to the Royal Gazette, HM the King has married General Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhya “legally and in accordance with Royal tradition.” The new Queen is regarded as a member of the Royal…

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  • Phuket News

    Fishing crew release Manta rays after getting snared in their nets

    A fishing boat has released two giant Manta rays, tangled in its nets, back to the Andaman Sea off Phang Nga’s Kura Buri. The crew have won wide praise for releasing the snared rays. Thana Ketsa-ard, owner of the Thanakorn 99 fishing boat, posted a video on Facebook at 12.30am on Tuesday night showing his workers rescuing the two Manta…

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  • Bangkok News

    Seven tonnes of durian handed out for Labour Day in Samut Sakhon

    by Natthanan Sirisantiworakul Thousands attended Wat Thamai in Samut Sakhon, west of Bangkok, to eat seven tonnes of free durian that the temple had prepared as treats for workers on Labour Day. A 3km traffic jam formed outside the temple, while a ceremony was organised at 9am to make merit for His Majesty the late King Rama IX and for…

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  • South Thailand News

    Ranger killed in Pattani roadside bomb ambush

    One ranger has been killed after southern insurgents detonated a roadside homemade bomb to ambush his patrol unit in Pattani’s Panare district this morning. Police say the attack happened at 10.20am on the main road in Ban Rawor village in Tambon Krawa. 34 year old Ranger Damrong Thong-u was killed by the blast. Police say the explosion occurred when Damrong…

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  • Thailand News

    Thailand’s first Rabies death for the year

    PHOTOS: PR Office The first death from rabies this year was in Surin, north of Thailand. The Public Relation Department today reported that Dr. Suwannachai Wattanaying- Charoenchai, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control says, “We were notified that a 32 year old man in Surin has died from rabies.” “Before he died he was being treated for fever and was…

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  • Events

    Public transport arrangements for people attending royal coronation

    PHOTO: NNT For people attending the royal coronation ceremony, especially on May 5, 2019, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will provide air-conditioned shuttle buses for 11 routes while the Purple and Blue Line MRT and Airport Link will provide free service throughout the day. Pol. Lt. Gen. Kraibun Suadsong, the Commissioner of the Police Strategy Office, announced that the…

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  • Technology News

    Facebook revamp. Less about business, more about people and relationships.

    Facebook is aiming to foster real-world relationships and make the platform a more intimate place for groups of friends. Facebook’s shift comes response to criticism over failing to curb misinformation and manipulation of the platform used by 2.3 billion people, and missteps on its handling of private user data. The new strategy will emphasise private communications and small groups according to…

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  • Thailand Weather Updates

    Phuket’s recent rains allow PWA to restore mains pressure around the island

    The Chief of Phuket’s Provincial Waterworks Authority says that water pressure to most areas across the island has been restored (but The Thaiger is still getting reports from residents in Kamala and parts of Kathu about low flow or still no water mains pressure). Phuket Town recorded nearly 80mm of rainfall on Saturday night when heavy rains, the first for…

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  • Phuket News

    Aussie lifeguards and Navy conduct local lifesaver program

    PHOTO: The HMAS Canberra and HMAS Newcastle sit off Patong Bay as Navy officers conduct the beach activities yesterday. Surf Life Saving Australia and the Australian Navy have joined with Phuket’s lifeguards for some marine safety training at Patong Beach. About 100 young people and teenagers from around the island joined in the training as part of the project ‘Australia…

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  • Thailand Election News

    Future Forward’s Thanathorn says he’s confident he will be endorsed as an MP

    Thanathorn had prepared some 27 items of evidence to prove to the poll authority that he had divested his media shares on January 8, well before he registered to run in the election that took place a month later. A defiant Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit emerged from yesterday’s marathon ‘chat’ with the Election Commission over charges he still owned…

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  • Hot News

    Boeing 737 Max ‘sensor’ issues flagged 216 times to the US FAA

    A small sensor, sitting just outside the cockpit of the Boeing 737 Max jets, was previously flagged in more than 200 incident reports submitted to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). But Boeing admits it did not flight-test the scenario which may have caused the crashes of two of its brand new jets – one in Ethiopia and one in…

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  • Thailand News

    Thai business sector drops 2019 export projections by 1%

    The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade are revising down Thailand’s 2019 export growth projections from 3.1% to 2.1%. They say several unfavorable external factors are contributing to the revised outlook. Thai PBS reports that Mr. Sanan Aung-ubonkul, vice president of TCC and BoT, says that, in order to maintain the 3.1% growth projection, the value of monthly…

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  • Events

    Royal Coronation ceremonies in the inner sanctum of the Grand Palace

    The historic Coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn this weekend will be based on long held traditions that were included in coronations of the preceding nine Kings of the Chakri Dynasty since 1782. Three halls in the Phra Maha Monthira section of the Grand Palace will be used for the royal coronation. Off limits to the public, the Phra Maha Monthira…

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  • Thailand Election News

    Thanathorn says other MPs now in the firing line, including from Phalang Pracharat

    PHOTO: Future Forward’s Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit emerges defiant after spending six hours with the EC yesterday – The Nation by Kas Chanwanpen The political tactics of going after Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and other party members for alleged shareholdings in media companies, could come back to haunt the pro-junta camp after a similar allegation was made against one of its…

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  • Northern Thailand News

    Netflix and ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ production team announce cave rescue project

    PHOTO: Yahoo.com Netflix, the most popular TV streaming service in Thailand, are teaming up with the producers of the hit film “Crazy Rich Asians” for a production about the rescue of the MuPa (Wild Boar) football team from Chiang Rai’s Tham Luang caves last July. The 12 young men and their coach were trapped in a flooded cave after going…

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  • Pattaya News

    25 year old arrested over theft of gold jewellery valued over 2 million baht in Pattaya

    PHOTOS: The Nation An employee of a hotel in Pattaya has been arrested over the alleged robbery of a gold shop in Pattaya. He netted 1.65 kilograms of gold jewellery with a value of 2.18 million baht at the weekend. 35 year old Sornchai Nilsonthi is accused of robbing the Suppatra Yaowaraj gold shop at the Big C shopping mall…

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  • Pattaya News

    Indian man cut up after walking into glass door

    PHOTOS: Pattaya Update News An Indian tourist has walked into a glass door at his Pattaya accommodation earlier today, ending up with lots of cuts. Pattaya Update News reports that Sawang Boriboon Foundation rescue arrived at the property in Soi 6 on Pratumnak Hill at 4 am. There they found 28 year old Vishesh Goyal and broken glass scattered inside and outside…

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  • Krabi News

    Woman dies, girl injured in Krabi collision – VIDEO

    VIDEO: Tankhao Krabi A female motorbike driver has died while the young girl passenger sustained serious injury after the motorbike tried a risky crossing on the road when it collided with a pickup in Krabi. Krabi City Police and Krabi Pitak rescue workers arrived to find the body of a woman who was later identified as 23 year old Wilaiwan…

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  • Bangkok News

    Fake drugs, Bangkok raid

    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning people about the use of unlicensed or fake treatments that could lead to serious or even fatal side effects. This follows the seizure of 2 million unlicensed pills worth 5 million baht from a Bangkok medication manufacturer. A police source says the confiscated medicines likely comprised corticosteroids, erectile dysfunction-treating medicine and sleeping…

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  • Bangkok News

    49 passengers on Bangkok-Phuket bus as it skids off road in Surat Thani

    PHOTOS: Newshawk Phuket An express bus which was traveling from Bangkok to Phuket has skidded off the road in Surat Thani. 49 passengers escaped injury following the wayward bus careering off the main road into roadside gravel and bushes. Newshawk Phuket reports that, at 7.47am this morning, a bus travelling from Bangkok heading to Phuket skidded off the road in…

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  • South Thailand News

    12 women rescued from human trafficking ring at Malaysia border

    Officials have raided a karaoke bar in Narathiwat’s Sungai Kolok district, on the Malaysian border, rescuing 12 Lao women from prostitution. The raid against the Relax Pub in the border town was carried out at 8.30pm last night by officials from the Provincial Administration Department and DSI (Department of Special Investigation), as well as staff of an international non-governmental organisation.…

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  • Krabi News

    Baby dugong rescued in Krabi, taken back to its Trang home – VIDEO

    PHOTOS/VIDEO: DMCR A baby dugong, found on a Krabi beach, has been taken back to its home. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources is reporting that yesterday the dugong was taken back to its home in Trang. “The dugong is aged around two to three years old. It is 120 centimetres long. No wounds were found on the dugong.…

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  • Events

    Beware: Fake coronation brooches being sold

    PHOTO: NNT The Office of the Permanent Secretary, under the PM’s Office, is warning manufacturers and sellers of fake coronation brooches that they could be jailed for up to 20 years and fined up to 400,000 baht. Sompas Nilphan, says the government has assigned his agency to produce and sell the coronation brooches to the general public. “All proceeds from…

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  • Bangkok News

    Police continue investigation into French diplomat’s plunge from BTS station

    Police say the investigation into the death of a French diplomat, believed to have deliberately jumped off a BTS train platform at the Saphan Taksin station yesterday, will continue. 56 year old Arnaud Jean-Claude Dubus died from head injuries after plunging from a platform at the elevated BTS station in the Sathon district at about 4pm. He was the deputy information chief…

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  • Tourism News

    Phuket Airport passenger arrivals dip

    by Bill Barnett, c9Hotelworks.com To date, 2019 is shaping up to be a slightly volatile year for tourism to the island. Passenger arrivals at Phuket International Airport rose 1% year-on-year in January, but took a step backwards in February with a substantial 6% decline. While we are still early in the year, overall visitor arrivals to Thailand on a country-wide…

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  • Health

    Could cannabis cigarettes be available in your local convenience store?

    Thailand’s Tobacco Authority is continuing to lobby for a license for the production of cannabis-based cigarettes but has a few legal, and moral, hoops to climb through before anything happens. Using the ‘health benefits’ argument, the Thai tobacco industry is hoping it can get the go ahead to manufacture cannabis-based cigarettes which could, if given permission, be as available in…

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  • World News

    New Japanese Emperor to ascend throne at 5pm today

    Thailand’s not the only country with special royal occasions this week. For the first time in more than 200 years, Japan’s emperor will abdicate today. His son will ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne which ushers in a new era for the world’s oldest monarchy. The historic abdication has resulted in an unprecedented 10 day holiday for Japan marked as special days to celebrate…

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  • Bangkok News

    Three men shot dead in Nakorn Pathom

    PHOTO: Daily News Three men are dead following a party in Nakorn Pathom, west of Bangkok. Police suspect it may have been over a disagreement between local gangs. Police arrive at the bloody scene outside a rented house, one of 24 terrace houses in Tha Talat. There were shell casings and five bullets at the scene of the shooting. Daily News…

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  • Phuket News

    Drunk man arrested after collecting parking fees in Phuket Town

    PHOTOS: The Phuket City Police Police have arrested an intoxicated man who was collecting parking fees around a department store in Phuket Town. The Phuket City Police arrested the man, Adisak Rueathong, who had been collecting parking fees around Robinson Ocean Department Store in Talad Yai, Phuket Town. The arrest follows police receiving complaints last week that there was a…

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  • Bangkok News

    Nakorn Pathom woman dies after centipede bite

    PHOTO MONTAGE: Thai Rath A 54 year old Thai woman, Chutikarn Worachote, from Nakorn Pathom, just west of Bangkok, has died after being bitten by a centipede, or “takhap” in Thai. She was bitten in the right foot on Saturday and taken to hospital. She was administered an injection and given medication to take home to her accommodation in Samphran district.…

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  • World News

    Kata Rocks launches new partnership with Singapore Yacht Show

    The Singapore Yacht Show 2019, was held between April 11 to 14 2019 for its 9th year, at the prestigious ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove. This year, the Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous (KRSR) launched a marketing partnership with the SYS2019 giving the KRSR team a great opportunity to meet a full range of people. From existing partners to new ones, by…

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  • Events

    This weekend’s Royal Coronation

    The tradition to formally complete the accession to the throne of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn will take place this weekend and into Monday, a public holiday, in a series of intricate and complicated ceremonies and mini-ceremonies, full of symbolic meaning and steeped in Hindu and Buddhist tradition. The elaborate and historic events will be televised – The Thaiger will…

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  • Thailand Election News

    EC dogged by new controversy after poll re-run in Nakhon Pathom

    Five times they counted and five times they got different results. The re-run of the election and the counting of votes in Nakhon Pathom, west of Bangkok, couldn’t have gone worse for the Election Commission, coming under fire from all directions over irregularities, forced recounts and hundreds of small errors in the counting process. The credibility has come under renewed…

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  • Thailand News

    Thai Cabinet extends waiver of Visa On Arrival fees

    Thailand’s Cabinet has extended the waiver of the fees for ‘visa on arrival’ for some foreign tourists to Thailand. The waiver of the 2,000 baht VOA fee will be extended to at least October 31. The fee had previously been waived until January 14 this year in a bid to boost tourism. It was then extended until April 30 and has…

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  • Hot News

    BTS match long-standing Beatles’ record and reach the Top 6 in 26 countries with new album

    South Korean band BTS is making waves across music charts around the world. Their new album ‘Map of the Soul – Persona’ has matched a long-standing Beatles record of having three number one albums on the US Billboard chart in one year. The all-male band comprises RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, all aged between 22 and 27…

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