Month: January 2020

  • Chiang Mai NewsChinese tourist in Chiang Mai dead after whiskey binge

    Chinese tourist in Chiang Mai dead after whiskey binge

    Police in Chiang Mai Province were notified Wednesday of a Chinese tourist who had passed away from unknown causes at a resort in Mae Rim. Fearing the spread of the Wuhan Coronavirus which has gripped Asia, officials went to retrieve the body wearing precautionary medical protective suits. Dr Chatuchai Maneerat of the Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office reported later…

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  • Covid-19 NewsFirst human-to-human case of Coronavirus confirmed in Thailand

    First human-to-human case of Coronavirus confirmed in Thailand

    Thailand health officials have confirmed the first case of human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus. The confirmed case hasn’t travelled outside of Thailand. Reuters report that the case is a Thai taxi driver, according to the deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, Tanarak Pipat. “The Thai person who got infected does not have the record of traveling to…

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  • FoodChicken feet skin extracted by mouth, factory explains

    Chicken feet skin extracted by mouth, factory explains

    A factory in the northeastern Nong Khai province had some explaining to do after a video went viral showing employees using their mouths to extract the skin from chicken feet. The skin of chicken feet, (called leb mue nang in Thai), is a delicacy for many Thais that’s often used in spicy salad dishes. Netizens were shocked to see employees picking…

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  • Technology NewsGrab plans to be in 30 Thai provinces this year

    Grab plans to be in 30 Thai provinces this year

    Grab, the everyday-everything-travel-food-delivery-super-app, has kicked off 2020 by announcing its expansion plan to second-tier cities and provinces across Thailand through a new, innovative business model using Mini-Grab Centres (Mini-GCs). The move will see it extend its presence to 30 of Thailand’s 76 provinces before the end of 2020 and help increase the benefits of Thailand 4.0 and the digital economy…

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  • Tourism NewsPattaya tour group businesses shutting up shop for a month

    Pattaya tour group businesses shutting up shop for a month

    Tourism businesses in Pattaya, that cater specifically to the Chinese market and tour groups, are preparing to shut down for a full month. Despite technically being the high season for tourism, and the middle of the Chinese New Year annual holidays, the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak has already had a profound impact. The Chinese tourists who managed to get…

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  • Covid-19 NewsThe Coronavirus Effect – Phuket by numbers

    The Coronavirus Effect – Phuket by numbers

    by Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com The impact of the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China, and a limited spread to 18 other countries, will be felt in the months ahead. Whilst the headlines loom large at the moment with statistics and stories of the spread, the downstream effects on Thai tourism, and particularly the areas favoured by Chinese…

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  • Covid-19 NewsNo confirmed cases in Phuket, 10 remain in hospital awaiting tests

    No confirmed cases in Phuket, 10 remain in hospital awaiting tests

    Ten patients in Phuket were still waiting for test results confirming if they had the coronavirus or not yesterday. Up to yesterday afternoon there have been no confirmed cases detected on the island in southern Thailand. The director of Vachiraphuket Hospital in Phuket Town, Dr Chalermpong Sukhonthapol, confirmed that since January 5 health officials had identified 23 people with “suspicious…

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  • Events2nd annual Thailand Game Expo opens at BITEC in Bangkok

    2nd annual Thailand Game Expo opens at BITEC in Bangkok

    AIS and M Vision have kicked off the 2nd Thailand Game Expo at the BITEC centre (Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre) in Bangna. 700,000+ visitors are expected to attend the Expo this year, which runs through to this Sunday (February 2) and product sales tipped to top 2 billion baht. The event is organised by AIS eSports. Alistair Johnston, the…

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  • Road deathsSouth Korean cycling prospect killed in Chiang Mai crash

    South Korean cycling prospect killed in Chiang Mai crash

    A cyclist from the Korea Cycling Federation has died after being struck by a pickup truck during a training exercise in Chiang Mai. 18 year old Eom Se-beom was pronounced dead in an ambulance on his way to a hospital. It’s believed the truck crossed the centre line and crashed into Eom as he headed down a slope. Eom was…

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  • Covid-19 NewsTwo Thais arrested for spreading fake coronavirus news

    Two Thais arrested for spreading fake coronavirus news

    The Thai government says that two people have been arrested for posting fake news about the outbreak of the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus. Buddhipongse Punnakanta, the minister of the digital economy, says his ministry’s “Anti-Fake News Centre” collaborated with the police to arrest Thitima Kongthon at her Bangkok house after she posted on Facebook that a patient infected with the virus died…

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  • Covid-19 NewsThailand considers suspending visa-on-arrival for Chinese

    Thailand considers suspending visa-on-arrival for Chinese

    The Cabinet committee responsible for “preventing emerging diseases” will meet today to roll out various measures in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak affecting the region, according to Thai Public Health Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul. One proposed measure is the temporary suspension of visa-on-arrival for Chinese nationals, in line with the Chinese ban on outbound group tours. Anuthin stressed that the…

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  • World NewsIndonesian authorities offer reward for getting tyre off crocodile

    Indonesian authorities offer reward for getting tyre off crocodile

    Any croc-whisperers out there? Authorities in Indonesia are offering a reward to anyone who can rescue a saltwater crocodile with a motorbike tyre stuck around its neck. The huge crocodile has had the tyre around its neck for several years. One brave croc wrangler will land an unspecified amount of cash, but it will mean coming face to face with the…

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  • Covid-19 NewsSixth virus patient in Thailand discharged, 8 remain in hospital

    Sixth virus patient in Thailand discharged, 8 remain in hospital

    A sixth coronavirus patient in Thailand has been cleared, discharged and sent home. Sophon Iamsirithavorn, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, say the count of 14 detected cases remains the same in Thailand as of noon yesterday. All 14, believed to have contracted the disease in China, were treated at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute in Nonthaburi. Six of the 14…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – confirmed cases exceed SARS outbreak, death toll reaches 213

    Coronavirus UPDATE – confirmed cases exceed SARS outbreak, death toll reaches 213

    The last day of January and the number of coronavirus cases now heads towards 10,000, confirmed cases in China, as of Friday morning, is 9,692. Confirmed deaths, all in China, are now 213. The number of confirmed cases now exceeds the total number of SARS cases during the outbreak in 2002/2003. 42 of the new deaths occurred in Hubei province,…

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  • World NewsDoctors advise good hygiene as the best protection against coronavirus

    Doctors advise good hygiene as the best protection against coronavirus

    “China’s healthcare system and disease outbreak control capabilities have improved dramatically since 2003 and I believe they will contain the outbreak.” As the coronavirus outbreak in Hubei, central China evolves, and as it continues to spread outside China’s borders, health practitioners and medical authorities are advising people to protect themselves by maintaining simple, practical hygiene practices such as washing your…

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  • Road deaths1 killed in 8 vehicle pileup in Prachin Buri

    1 killed in 8 vehicle pileup in Prachin Buri

    One man is dead and another seriously injured after an eight vehicle pileup last night at a traffic light on a major highway in central Thailand. The crash involved four transfer trucks, two pickups and two cars in Prachin Buri City. One victim said she was slowing down to stop at a red light when an 18 wheel trailer truck…

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  • Bangkok NewsEscaped giraffe found dead in Chachoengsao

    Escaped giraffe found dead in Chachoengsao

    A 7 metre giraffe which escaped from a private zoo’s transport on Tuesday was found dead in a ditch today in the central province of Chachoengsao, about 50 kilometres east from Bangkok. Animal control officials discovered the giraffe drowned in a lotus pond by Highway 304 this afternoon, ending a two day search. The animal, along with a smaller giraffe,…

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  • Chiang Mai NewsChinese tourist found dead in Chiang Mai, body sent for autopsy

    Chinese tourist found dead in Chiang Mai, body sent for autopsy

    A Chinese woman on holiday at an unnamed resort in Mae Rim, just north of Chiang Mai city, was found dead in her room yesterday morning. The cause was not apparent and authorities, fearing the spread of Wuhan Coronavirus, took all possible precautions in removing her body and belongings, according to the local police. According to her four fellow travellers…

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  • Crime News‘Blind’ beggar found driving SUV, fined

    ‘Blind’ beggar found driving SUV, fined

    Further to a story already reported by The Thaiger, a gambler, pretending to be a blind beggar to pay his debts, is blaming his daughter’s refusal to send him money. Somporn Kueyen’s ruse was exposed after a video on social media went viral, showing him parking a Toyota Fortuner outside a temple in Nonthaburi, near Bangkok. He was wearing ragged…

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  • Central Thailand NewsGiraffe on the run after escaping from truck

    Giraffe on the run after escaping from truck

    If you spot a giraffe, don’t panic. Two giraffes escaped from a truck this week and only one has been caught. The pair were being transported from Bangkok to a new zoo. A convoy of 24 trucks with animals in containers left Suvarnabhumi airport about 4pm, heading for an animal breeding facility in the central province of Prachin Buri, east of…

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  • Covid-19 NewsAirlines temporarily suspend flights to China

    Airlines temporarily suspend flights to China

    British Airways is suspending all direct flights to and from mainland China due to the Wuhan Coronavirus, making it one of the biggest international carriers to do so so far. The suspension comes after Britain warned against all but essential travel to the China on Tuesday. BA.com, the airline’s website, shows no direct flights to China are available through February.…

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  • Environment News2015 plan dusted off as North suffers severe pollution levels

    2015 plan dusted off as North suffers severe pollution levels

    All 77 of Thailand’s provinces have been told to adopt the 2015 disaster prevention and mitigation master plan to address the current PM2.5 air pollution crisis. The decision was approved by the cabinet this week after it was proposed by Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda. He says the 133 page plan contains guidelines for action on risk reduction, emergency response, international cooperation…

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  • World News“Surgical masks no guarantee against coronavirus” – medical experts

    “Surgical masks no guarantee against coronavirus” – medical experts

    The Wuhan Coronavirus is making news around the world and the sight of people wearing face-masks is now becoming common – whether they’re in a high-risk area or not. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has upgraded the global threat level to “high.” Many countries have banned or reduced flights from China and are stepping up screening efforts at their airports.…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – Total virus cases surpass 7,000

    Coronavirus UPDATE – Total virus cases surpass 7,000

    The statistics keep rising, a mathematical tally of a human dimension. The world is trying to come to grips with a new, largely unknown, viral strain with flu-like symptoms that attacks the respiratory system. The good news, if any, from the latest outbreak is that most people are either ending up with “mild symptoms” and most recovering. 20% of current…

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  • Covid-19 News4 year old Wuhan girl cleared of coronavirus in Phuket

    4 year old Wuhan girl cleared of coronavirus in Phuket

    A 4 year old girl from Wuhan, who was not allowed to board her flight home on Friday, has tested negative for the Wuhan Coronavirus and been discharged from hospital. “A fluid sample from the girl’s nose was sent to the Health Control Division in Bangkok to test for the virus,” local health authorities told The Phuket News. “The test…

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  • Transport NewsU-Tapao, AIS collaborate on smart terminal

    U-Tapao, AIS collaborate on smart terminal

    U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport and AIS, Thailand’s largest GSM mobile phone operator, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to turn the airport’s Passenger Terminal 2 into a “smart terminal.” U-Tapao, a joint civil/military public airport serving Rayong and Pattaya City, has been working on developing digital solutions with AIS in its second passenger terminal since 2018. Now it is…

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  • Crime NewsThai police scrutinised over record number of dismissed human trafficking cases

    Thai police scrutinised over record number of dismissed human trafficking cases

    Thailand is home to about 610,000 modern-day slaves, or about one in 113 of its population of 69 million, according to the Global Slavery Index by the Walk Free Foundation. Yet Thai prosecutors turned down nearly a fifth of human trafficking cases sent to them by police last year. This has raised concerns that police were on a drive to…

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  • Tourism NewsThe rise of the e-bicycle in Thailand, a bit of motorised assistance

    The rise of the e-bicycle in Thailand, a bit of motorised assistance

    by Nicole Kash Cycling tours offer a unique way to explore Thailand. Faster than walking but slower than driving, cycling tours cover plenty of ground while allowing cyclists to immerse themselves in the sights, smells, and culture of Thailand without the boundary of a car window. Cycling tours can cover up to a heart-pumping 150 kilometre a day. Though exciting…

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  • Transport NewsDeputy transport minister says Thai Airways must increase revenue, cut costs

    Deputy transport minister says Thai Airways must increase revenue, cut costs

    Thai Airways International is in the process of slashing costs and restructuring. Deputy Transport Minister Thaworn Senneam discussed Thailand’s open sky policy and stressed the importance of increasing revenue and reducing expenditure to turn the airline around and make it sustainable. Thaworn, along with the assistant secretary at the Ministry of Transport and other officials visited Thai Airways’ HQ to…

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  • Covid-19 NewsTop 6 fake coronavirus news stories

    Top 6 fake coronavirus news stories

    The deadly Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak, which has infected thousands and spread to 15 countries since it emerged in China, has also spawned many false claims on social media. Here’s a selection of false stories debunked by AFP’s Fact Check service… 1. Sydney food is not contaminated In Australia, multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim to show a list of…

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  • Environment News7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Caribbean, sparked tsunami fears

    7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Caribbean, sparked tsunami fears

    An earthquake, followed by a series of strong aftershocks, struck yesterday in the Caribbean Sea, shaking the area from Florida to Mexico. The tremor had a magnitude of 7.7 but apparently caused no casualties or major damage. The initial tremor struck at 2:10 pm Eastern Time and was centered 86 miles northwest of Montego Bay, Jamaica and 87 miles west-southwest…

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  • Environment NewsHaze and coronavirus killing tourism in northern Thailand

    Haze and coronavirus killing tourism in northern Thailand

    It’s the smoke and Wuhan effect. Haze and the Novel Coronavirus are having a brutal effect on northern Thailand tourism. With numbers already low, China’s recent outward travel ban on tour groups coupled with dangerous haze levels are likely to hit tourism hard. Northern Thailand has a high proportion of Chinese tourists. Residents of Nan province are concerned over the…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – 6,057 confirmed cases, 132 dead, Wednesday 11.30am

    Coronavirus UPDATE – 6,057 confirmed cases, 132 dead, Wednesday 11.30am

    The Coronavirus has now infected a confirmed 6,057 people who are undergoing treatment, and the death toll has reached 132. 125 of those deaths are isolated to Hubei Province in central China. The largest city of Hubei is Wuhan, the epicentre of the current outbreak which first came to light in mid-December last year at a fresh meat market. Germany…

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  • South Thailand NewsStudent stabbed at college in Songkhla

    Student stabbed at college in Songkhla

    A student is recovering in hospital after being stabbed in a fight in Thailand’s southern Songkhla province Tuesday following an exchange of harsh words on social media. Police say the incident occurred at the Luang Prathan Ratnikorn Industrial and Community College. Police and a rescue unit were called to the scene and found 21 year old Prinya Chanpoon, a second year…

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  • Crime NewsNonthaburi beggar exposed, drives a big SUV

    Nonthaburi beggar exposed, drives a big SUV

    Beggars and the homeless remain a major issue in Thailand, especially in larger cities and tourist areas, and many choose to help, but their kindness is sometimes exploited. Facebook user “Chaluta Joy” posted photos on Monday of a beggar, who’s been seen asking for money in different villages and markets in the central province of Nonthaburi, stepping out of a…

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  • Covid-19 NewsThailand to screen all airline passengers from China for coronavirus

    Thailand to screen all airline passengers from China for coronavirus

    Beginning yesterday, all airline passenger arrivals from China, regardless of their point of origin, are being screened for the Wuhan Coronavirus when entering Thailand. Health officials announced the measure after six more Chinese visitors were diagnosed with the virus, bringing the total in Thailand to 14 cases. The death toll from the outbreak now stands at 131 (as of Wednesday morning),…

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  • Thailand NewsSchool of weed: Ministries preparing course on medical marijuana

    School of weed: Ministries preparing course on medical marijuana

    The government wants people to have the facts as the medicinal effects, and possible risks, of ‘ganja’ emerge. UPDATE: The Cabinet today gave the greenlight for kanchong (cannabis) cultivation to make this type of hemp a cash crop, according to Thai News Agency’s English news. As earlier reported by The Thaiger, two Thai government agencies have agreed to cooperate to…

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