Year: 2019

  • Thailand News

    Thai driver qualifies for Australian F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne

    PHOTO: Fox Sports Thai driver Alex Albon is brushing aside a crash during Friday’s practice to outpace his teammate in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix today, earning him a place on the starting grid tomorrow. Sunday’s race will see a Thai flag flying over the grid for the first time in the modern F1 era. Albon, born to a…

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  • Thailand Election News

    Don’t drink and vote – 24 hour alcohol ban starts at 6pm

    Police are out and about in Thailand’s popular tourist zones warning people that there will be an election alcohol ban starting at 6 tonight, for 24 hours. There will also be a ban next weekend as well. Nobody appears to have told the police and officials that international tourists don’t vote. “No selling of alcohol will be allowed from 6…

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  • Bangkok News

    Porsche/motorcycle crash – one dead, another woman loses baby

    PHOTOS: Thai Rath | Sanook A Porsche Cayman S has been involved in a collision with two women on a motorcycle at 3am this morning (Saturday). The incident happened in Putthamonthon Sai 3 Soi 5. Thai Rath reports that the carnage happened as the vehicles collided outside a car repair yard. A friend of the women says that 24 year…

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  • Thailand Election News

    24 hour alcohol ban starts tonight, another one next week – Election

    Alcohol is officially banned from sale or distribution from 6pm tonight. It’s all part of the pre-voting for next week’s Thai national election, the first since 2011. Sales and the distribution of alcoholic drinks are banned from 6pm tonight (Saturday) for 24 hours. Police say violations of the ban are punishable by imprisonment of up to six months or a…

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  • Phuket News

    Alleged Patong taxi driver killer surrenders to police

    The taxi driver who allegedly shot dead a fellow driver in Patong last week has surrendered himself to Patong police. Read more about the the shooting of the Patong taxi driver HERE and HERE. An arrest warrant was issued for the 48 year old suspect Paradorn Puchaiyan last Friday, March 8. Read more the issuing of the arrest warrant HERE. Yesterday…

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  • World News

    Accused Australian killer appears in Christchurch court charged with murder

    A 28 year old Australian man smirked as he walked into the Christchurch District Court in New Zealand’s South Island this morning, charged with murder after a carefully planned mass shooting at lunchtime prayers at two mosques. The public was banned from the courtroom for the proceedings, but an angry crowd waited outside the court building. Brenton Tarrant was brought…

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  • Best of

    Top 10 restaurants in Phuket (2020)

    There are many excellent restaurant experiences in Phuket in 2020. Now Phuket has a broad and sophisticated range of restaurants that befit a Michelin guide dedicated to the region’s best. From floating restaurants to fine-dining, southern-style Thai cuisine to European fusion, Phuket’s got some of the best these days. Here, in no particular order, is the list of the Top 10 restaurant…

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  • South Thailand News

    3 wounded in explosion at Narathiwat border defence unit

    Three security officials have been injured in the latest bout of southern violence when armed militants attacked a border defence unit’s base near the Kolok River in the Tak Bai district in the southern province of Narathiwat on the Thai/Malaysian border. Several houses and cars nearby were also damaged by the powerful IED (improvised explosive device). Initial reports have revealed that a group of about 6 militants opened fire at the base with automatic weapons, followed by…

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  • Thai Life

    Deputy PM orders review of intercity and rural road speeds

    Deputy PM, Defence Minister and also in charge of police affairs, General Prawit Wongsuwan has instructed police and related agencies to review and set appropriate speed limits for various vehicle types on intercity motorways and rural roads in order to boost road safety and reduce accidents. He has instructed the Royal Thai Police to coordinate with Interior and Transport ministries…

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  • Bangkok News

    Former army captain gets death sentence over Si Sa Ket murder

    by Pongpat Traipipat After nearly a year in court, the former army captain Supachai Paso has been sentenced to death over the abduction and murder of Si Sa Ket-based administration organisation official Juthaporn Oun-on. Si Sa Ket is north east of Bangkok on the northern Cambodian border. He was also ordered to pay 2.37 million baht in compensation, plus 7.5%…

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  • World News

    UPDATE: Christchurch massacre – The mind of an alleged mass murderer

    The gunman who Facebook live-streamed himself shooting his way into the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch also posted a political manifesto addressing his reasons for the attack. In his manifesto he described himself as “just a regular White man”. At this stage 49 people have died after a gunman opened fire at two mosques in the South Island city of Christchurch.…

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  • South Thailand News

    Boy killed by train while playing on his mobile phone in Songkhla

    PHOTOS: Phatong Tredtam Rescue Foundation A 12 year old boy has died on a railway track near a school in Hat Yai, Songkhla after being crushed by a train while he was playing on his mobile phone on local railway tracks. The Phatong Tredtam Rescue Foundation report that Thunglung Police in Hat Yai, Songkhla were notified of the incident at…

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  • World News

    49 dead as New Zealand reels to shock mass murder in Christchurch mosques

    The death toll from todays massacre at two mosques in Christchurch in New Zealand’s South Island, is now 49 with 20+ injured, some critically. The gunman in the Christchurch mosque shooting livestreamed the incident for 17 minutes on Facebook. The shooter identified himself as “Brenton Tarrant”, a caucasian, 28 year old Australias, the NZ Herald reported. The livestream began as…

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  • Environment News

    Thailand’s north continues to choke under record smoke levels

    PHOTO: Burn-off of plantation land and forest fires continue to blanket the north in smoke – Thailand Discovery For the fourth consecutive day Chiang Mai ranks as the world’s most air-polluted city, with an air quality index (AQI) score of 282 this morning on airvisual.com. Mae Hong Son meanwhile continued to battle multiple forest fires, and Lampang saw it Thammasat University…

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  • Hot News

    40 killed in two mosques. “One of New Zealand’s darkest days,” NZ PM

    At least 40 people have been killed and more than 20 seriously injured after gunmen opened fire in two mosques in Christchurch around lunchtime today. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the incident as a terrorist attack saying the suspects held “extremist views” that have no place in New Zealand. She confirmed that thirty people were killed when gunmen stormed…

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  • World News

    Christchurch mosque massacre: 40 killed in mass shootings

    Forty people have now been confirmed dead with dozens more wounded after two mass shootings at mosques in New Zealand’s south island city of Christchurch. One of the attacks live-streamed on Facebook. At least one gunman opened fire on Muslim worshippers at a mosque. The city centre was placed on lockdown following the massacre around lunchtime, NZ time. Officials also urged all mosques…

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  • Pattaya News

    Wife claims husband died after being beaten up in police custody

    A woman has made an official complaint after her husband died after being in police custody. The distraught wife went to Panat Nikom police in Chon Buri to complain yesterday after police called her to say that her husband had died whilst in detention. 31 year old Naruephon had earlier been arrested at his house on charges of smoking marijuana. He…

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  • Phuket News

    Last day: Phuket Heroines Festival

    PHOTOS: The Phuket PR office Today is the last day of the annual Phuket Heroines Festival at Thalang Historical Park. The Phuket Governor Phakkapong Tavipatana presided over the opening night on Wednesday where the historical show of light and sound was held. There are many activities showing the Thalang way of life, local markets, demonstrations of ancient desserts, traditional plays,…

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  • Thailand Election News

    Prayut and Thanathorn cleared to proceed with election

    Future Forward’s Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and PM Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha have been cleared to proceed with the election. Future Forward’s young leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has now been cleared by the Thai Election Commission of any wrongdoing over an alleged posting of misleading information in his biography on the party’s website. EC secretary-general Jarungvidh Phumma says that a complaint filed by Srisuwan…

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  • Chiang Mai News

    Chiang Mai panty sniffer nabbed

    PHOTO: Manager Online Police in Chiang Mai have arrested a ‘panty thief’ who had gone to a coin-operated laundery to steal ladies’ underwear. One woman reported ten items had gone missing from the Tha Phae branch of “Hot Wash & Dry”. She claimed the items were valued at 6,000 baht (obviously womens’ underwear costs a lot more than mens!). Police checked…

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  • Pattaya News

    Pattanakarn footpath project completion six weeks away

    The Pattaya Mail is reporting that the first phase of construction of footpaths along Naklua’s Pattanakarn Road should be completed in about six weeks. Engineering chief Thongchai Kamlangthai reported that the project started on September 28 and was now partially finished with a large section of footpath for pedestrians and joggers already to use. Reinforced concrete pavements are being laid…

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  • World News

    Christchurch mosque shootings – nine dead, many more injured

    Here is the latest we know about the Friday afternoon attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand on two mosques. The number of dead is expected to escalate during the afternoon. Two mosques have been attacked by at least one gunman. The shooting began around 1.40pm local time with multiple fatalities. Police say they now have a man in custody but speculate…

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  • Bangkok News

    Ten-wheeler blacks out Bangkok neighbourhood

    by Kornkamon Aksorndech Businesses and homes in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang area, east of the city centre, have been without electricity this morning after a 10-wheel truck got tangled in power lines on Ramkhamhaeng Soi 129 shortly after 9am. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority officials had the downed lines reconnected within three or four hours and replaced a utility pole that was…

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  • Thailand News

    Driver loses head, 34 injured after bus smashes into truck in Saraburi

    PHOTOS: Sawang Buri Phra Chaai rescue workers A tour bus from Bangkok, traveling to Ubon Ratchathani in the north east, has collided into the rear end of a ten-wheel truck in Saraburi around midnight last night. The tour bus driver was beheaded from the impact of the collision while 34 of the passengers were injured. Khaosod reports that the incident…

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  • Phuket News

    Construction of luxury condo in Kata Noi ‘slowed’

    Officers from Internal Security Operations Command have now inspected the development of a luxury condominium development in Kata Noi as further construction has been ordered ‘slowed down’ whilst the investigation continues. Business operators and locals in Kata Noi marched to protest the luxury condo construction last month. Read more about that protest HERE. Meanwhile, the owners of the luxury development in…

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  • Northern Thailand News

    Plastic waste fire smothers village in acrid smoke

    by Prasit Tangprasert Firefighters are struggling to control a major fire at a plastic waste-separating factory in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Noen Sung district which began on Wednesday afternoon and is still not completely completely extinguished. Nakhon Ratchasima is the gateway to the north-east, heading out of Bangkok.Villagers in Ban Don Ree and Ban Som say they are worried about the health…

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  • Northern Thailand News

    Northern haze to go onto ‘national agenda’

    by Chularat Saengpassa – PHOTOS: The Nation Flights cancelled, schools closed, locals visiting hospitals in record numbers and the visual proof is overwhelming. Some of Thailand’s most beautiful areas and popular locations are shrouded in a dense smog and an equally hazy list of solutions. Calls for the government to tackle the problem of serious air pollution as a vital part…

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  • Bangkok News

    Man attacks waitress in BKK bar after complaining about loud music

    A western man has attacked a female receptionist in a Bangkok bar. The incident occurred last Monday in a bar located on Sukhumvit Soi 1. Thaivisa reports that the man, allegedly living in a condo nearby, strolled into the bar to complain about the loud music. When staff informed him that no music had been playing as the bar was empty…

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  • Things To Do

    The 48 best cities in the world in 2019, have your say.

    PHOTO: LA, one of the top five cities in the world What do New York, Melbourne and Chicago have in common? They’re listed as the top 3 cities in the world for 2019 in the latest Time Out Index survey. London, LA and Montreal fill up the next three places. So what’s the greatest city in the world? It’s not…

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  • Hot News

    WARNING: Dengue cases four times worse than last year

    A nationwide alert has gone up about a big rise in Dengue cases across the country. Hospitals nationwide are being ordered to set up emergency facilities to deal with the worrying rise in cases of dengue fever since the start of 2019. Workpoint News reports that, in January alone, there were four times as many cases of the disease compared…

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  • Northern Thailand News

    PM concerned over public safety in northern areas because of tropical storm warnings

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says he’s concerned over public safety in risk areas of tropical storms that have been forecast for the northern regions up until next Tuesday. He’s instructed all authorities to promptly take preventive and relief measures against potential damage. Deputy government spokesman Lt. Gen. Werachon Sukondhapatipak says the PM is concerned over the welfare and safety of…

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  • Environment News

    Haze and poor visibility grounds morning flights into Mae Hong Son

    Poor visibility from local smoke haze and smog has forced Bangkok Airways to cancel flights between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son until at least this Saturday. Mae Hong Son in the far north-west of Thailand, on the Myanmar border. The airline says poor visibility is a result of forest fires. It has cancelled at least 10 flights because of…

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  • Phuket News

    Court rules that National Park can limit numbers to Similan Islands

    The Similan Islands national park will now be able to limit the number of visitors as a means to prevent ongoing environmental damage. This decision from the Supreme Administrative Court this week, overturning an earlier ruling from the Phuket Administrative Court. The Similan Islands are a popular diving spot in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Khao Lak. The…

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  • Northern Thailand News

    Two men, 14 buffaloes killed in Phayao truck crash

    Two men and 14 water buffaloes have been killed when a truck transporting 20 buffaloes lost control and overturned in Phayao’s Muang district, east of Chiang Mai.Police say the incident happened at 4.48am on the Ban San Khajao-Huay Nam Khao road in Tambon Tha Wang Thong, Phayao. The truck driver, Kitisak Phanphon and his passenger Kamphol Srikham, both 30 years…

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  • Hua Hin News

    Man charged over shooting death in Prachuap Khiri Khan, claims it was an accident

    A 38 year old Thai man has been arrested and charged over the alleged shooting death of a 9 year old boy and then burying his body in a forest area in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district. Third grader Chalermchai Jopratha from Ban Phraek Takhro was reported missing on March 10. He was found yesterday morning in a shallow…

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  • Hot News

    Another Yong bites the dust – K-Pop in crisis

    Another K-pop star has been forced to quit their band after admitting he watched sex videos received from another idol. 29 year old Yong Jun-hyung is the third singer to be engulfed in the scandal sweeping South Korea’s squeaky clean music industry. The member of boy band Highlight, formerly known as B2ST, admitted that he watched a video of singer…

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  • Pattaya News

    Four South Koreans arrested over illegal online gambling business in Pattaya

    PHOTOS: MGR Online Four South Koreans have been arrested for operating an illegal online gambling website from a condo in Pattaya. Manager Online reports that Pattaya Immigration officers and Pattaya Tourist Police raided a condominium in south Pattaya. The raid follows police receiving a tip-off that the four men were operating an illegal online gambling website in the premises. Officers…

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