Year: 2020

  • Tourism NewsTourism authority says Thailand must prepare for virus cases as part of re-opening

    Tourism authority says Thailand must prepare for virus cases as part of re-opening

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand says the country must re-open its borders by the last quarter of the year and prepare to manage new Covid-19 cases as a result. TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn says the impact of new cases can be contained with careful risk management. The reality of the situation is now sinking in as Thai officials are now…

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  • Economy NewsSource says 3,000 baht handout coming soon, PM says it’s a rumour

    Source says 3,000 baht handout coming soon, PM says it’s a rumour

    Thais are getting some extra cash … Well, maybe. Reports say a 3,000 baht cash handout scheme is in the works to help revive the economy after the pandemic, but PM Prayut Chan-o-cha told the press it’s just a rumour, saying the Thai government “does not plan cash handouts of another 3,000 baht to Thais.” An anonymous source from the…

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  • Politics NewsRumours of a new coup “were pure nonsense” – Thai PM

    Rumours of a new coup “were pure nonsense” – Thai PM

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has scoffed at a range of rumours circulating in Thai media. Firstly he laughed off the reports of another military coup, telling a packed media conference yesterday that the rumours “were pure nonsense”. The ‘theory’ behind the rumour is that a staged coup d’état could help quash the rising tide of student and opposition protests. Thailand’s quasi…

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  • Pattaya NewsAmerican and Thai in critical condition after motorbike incident in Pattaya

    American and Thai in critical condition after motorbike incident in Pattaya

    A US citizen has been hit by a motorbike around 1am on Pattaya’s Beach Road. The driver of the motorbike was also seriously injured in the incident. The American’s name has not been released by Police at this stage. When Sawang Boriboon Rescue responders arrived they found the American in shock with severe head injuries. But he was conscious at…

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  • Covid-19 NewsTrials and tribulations 2. Returning to Thailand in the Covid era – a personal view

    Trials and tribulations 2. Returning to Thailand in the Covid era – a personal view

    by guest writer David Jackson Part II in the series of articles from David who has been writing from his quarantine room. David waxes lyrical as even the tiniest moments seem larger than life in his 25 square metre cocoon… I begin writing this second article on Day 7 of my quarantine in a Bangkok hotel, so the sentence of…

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  • Crime NewsUPDATE: Win motorbike shooter turns himself in

    UPDATE: Win motorbike shooter turns himself in

    A 55 year old motorbike taxi driver turned himself in after an alleged shootout in front of a Samut Prakan Big C. Witnesses say 2 groups of motorbike taxi drivers, known as win, allegedly fired shots at each other in a so-called turf war, according to Thai media. Somjet Pojaroen, a former assistant village headman who runs a motorbike taxi…

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  • Business NewsBangkok airport security staff file lawsuit over pay cuts

    Bangkok airport security staff file lawsuit over pay cuts

    “They saw us as security guards and looked down on us since we had little education, they thought they could trick us into signing those papers.” Some security staff at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport say they were tricked into pay cuts claiming they were told to sign new contract or they could lose their jobs. 10 staff members filed a lawsuit against ASM…

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  • Tourism NewsThailand is the fourth most searched-for destination for your next holiday

    Thailand is the fourth most searched-for destination for your next holiday

    Since early 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has stopped us from taking our holidays, or doing much travelling at all. But as travel restrictions ease, which destinations are coming out on top for our post-lockdown holidays? Official-esta.com has dusted off the calculator and checked the Google Search Volume data for the search terms “Flights to X” and “Holidays in X” to…

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  • Visa InformationPlan for long-term visitors set for October

    Plan for long-term visitors set for October

    After months of discussing plan after plan, Thailand will have a solid plan for long-term foreign visitors by the end of October. At least that’s what a senior officer says. (We realise you’re sick of hearing about ‘plans’ but whilst the officials keep rolling them out, we’ll keep reporting them) Long-term travellers would need to do a 14 day quarantine,…

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  • Covid-19 NewsOne new Covid-19 case for Thailand today, a returnee from Japan

    One new Covid-19 case for Thailand today, a returnee from Japan

    According to the CCSA, there is one new Covid-19 case in Thailand today. The man, currently in state quarantine, is a 38 year old Japanese film producer who travelled to Thailand from Japan on September 4. He has been serving his quarantine in an alternative state quarantine hotel in Bangkok. He tested positive for the novel coronavirus on September 7, but…

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  • Phuket NewsNot so fast! Phuket’s plans to reopen slow down

    Not so fast! Phuket’s plans to reopen slow down

    “We have to rely on domestic tourism demand for now because we can’t reopen our borders yet. Some people in the area still haven’t accepted the idea… It doesn’t mean that we’re pulling the plug on the plan though.” Phuket is not going to be back up and running as soon as expected. Plans to let international tourists back in…

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  • Covid-19 NewsTrials of Oxford Covid-19 vaccine paused after participant falls ill

    Trials of Oxford Covid-19 vaccine paused after participant falls ill

    Late-stage trials of a promising-sounding Covid-19 vaccine have been put on hold while researchers check out the exact cause of illness in one participant. The vaccine, being developed by Oxford University in the UK, in partnership with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, was in phase 3 trials, involving 30,000 participants. Volunteers were drawn primarily from countries with high numbers of virus cases,…

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  • Tourism NewsA new flaw detected on Boeing’s 787 as company’s problems mount

    A new flaw detected on Boeing’s 787 as company’s problems mount

    The problems at Boeing are starting to stack up, at a time when few airlines are ordering new planes and going through their current orders to see which order they can cancel. Boeing has now disclosed another problem with the construction of its 787 Dreamliner aircraft that could cause further delays on aircraft deliveries, and provide another headache for the…

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  • Crime NewsLeaked transcript allegedly shows attempt to get Red Bull heir off the hook

    Leaked transcript allegedly shows attempt to get Red Bull heir off the hook

    A report published by Thai-language outlet, Isra News, allegedly contains a leaked transcript of 2 police officers and a public prosecutor discussing how to change the recorded driving speed of Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya. The Red Bull heir was accused of killing Bangkok police officer, 47 year old Wichian Klanprasert, in 2012, by crashing his Ferrari into the officer’s motorbike, dragging…

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  • Politics NewsRumours of another coup are false, PM says

    Rumours of another coup are false, PM says

    Coup? What coup? Rumours have been floating around about an impending coup d’etat by the army. When asked about a possible coup, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha dismissed it, calling the rumour nonsense and groundless. He then abruptly called the press meeting to an end. Some have been saying the army is preparing for the coup by moving its forces and equipment.…

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  • Central Thailand NewsSnake bites teenager using the toilet

    Snake bites teenager using the toilet

    An 18 year old university student in Nonthaburi, just west of Bangkok, was bitten by a python while using the toilet. The 1 metre long python was in the toilet bowl when it bit the student’s penis, splattering blood all over the wall and toilet seat. Luckily the student is okay and only needed 3 stitches (which begs the question,…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket airport sees increase in domestic arrivals over long weekend

    Phuket airport sees increase in domestic arrivals over long weekend

    The general manager of Phuket airport, Thanee Chuangchoo, says domestic arrivals were on the up over the course of the recent 4 day holiday. The long weekend, from September 4 to 7, was brought in to replace the annual Songkran holiday in April, cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 lockdown. The jump in domestic arrivals will have provided some…

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  • Thailand NewsNo more beer and wine delivery, Thailand to ban online alcohol sales

    No more beer and wine delivery, Thailand to ban online alcohol sales

    There’s going to be a new ban on alcohol sales, but apparently just on so-called “electronic channels.” (We think this means purchasing through social media outlets and websites) For those who order craft beer that can’t be found at local stores, you might be out of luck. An announcement on the Royal Gazette says no more online alcohol sales. The…

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  • Pattaya NewsInvestigation ongoing following armed robbery of Chinese tourists in Pattaya

    Investigation ongoing following armed robbery of Chinese tourists in Pattaya

    Police are continuing their investigation after a gang broke into a luxury property in Pattaya and robbed the Chinese residents at gunpoint. The original report said the thieves stole around 10 million baht worth of cash and valuables. This amount has now been revised by officials, who estimate it at around 3 million baht. The incident took place in the…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Airport prepares for eventual launch of tourist pilot project

    Phuket Airport prepares for eventual launch of tourist pilot project

    Phuket Airport carried out a trial run yesterday, going over all the steps necessary to admit tourists under the much-discussed, not-yet-happening, off-and-on “Phuket Model”. The plan to use Phuket as a pilot, to test a limited return of international tourists, was set to launch in October but has now been postponed. The brakes were applied when Thailand recorded its first…

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  • Crime NewsUPDATE: Motorbike taxi drivers have an alleged turf-war shootout

    UPDATE: Motorbike taxi drivers have an alleged turf-war shootout

    Motorbike taxi drivers allegedly had a turf-war shootout in front of a shopping centre in Samut Prakan, just southeast of Bangkok. The motorbike taxi drivers, known as “win” drivers, were allegedly fighting over a location for a win base outside the mall. No one was injured and the drivers took off shortly after shots were fired. The Big C shopping…

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  • Politics NewsBangkok police prepare for mass university protest on September 19

    Bangkok police prepare for mass university protest on September 19

    Police in Bangkok say they’re gearing up for a large-scale student protest, set to take place at the Tha Prachan campus of Thammasat University on September 19. Pakkapong Pongpetra, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, says officials are not sure how many days the rally will go on for, or if those taking part plan to move from the campus to other parts…

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  • Politics NewsDeputy Finance Minister dismisses doubts over his educational qualifications

    Deputy Finance Minister dismisses doubts over his educational qualifications

    The President of the Engineering Association of Thailand has called on Kim Chaisaensook, Associate Professor of Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng University, to respond to allegations that Deputy Finance Minister Santi Prompat was dismissed from the faculty for cheating. Tortrakul Bunnag made the call in a Facebook post, after a suggestion from Santi that he is qualified to replace former Finance Minister Pridi…

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  • World NewsA Land Bridge or the Kra Canal for Thailand?

    A Land Bridge or the Kra Canal for Thailand?

    OPINION by guest writer Tony P Restall Why the land bridge idea will never work Much has been written about the long-proposed Thai or Kra Canal and the on and off decision to proceed, or not. Over the recent years several high-level committees have examined the economic benefits to establish a water connection by means of a canal linking the East…

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  • Bangkok NewsHundreds of taxi drivers gather at Government House to present demands

    Hundreds of taxi drivers gather at Government House to present demands

    Hundreds of taxi drivers have held a rally outside Government House in Bangkok, calling for 6 key demands to be met. Around 500 drivers attended the rally yesterday, submitting a petition addressed to the Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha. It’s not the first time the strong taxi ‘union’ has banded together to push demands to improve their pay and conditions. The…

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  • Road deathsHoliday weekend road death toll: 59

    Holiday weekend road death toll: 59

    Road deaths surged during the holiday weekend. 59 people were killed in road incidents and 365 people were injured, according to the Transport Ministry. From last Thursday to Monday, a total of 405 road incidents were reported across Thailand. 116 of the incidents involved motorcycles and 31 out of the 59 deaths involved motorcycles. Many of the crashes and collisions were…

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  • Thailand NewsBoy dies after 100 squat punishment, school apologises to the family

    Boy dies after 100 squat punishment, school apologises to the family

    A student died sometime after being forced to do jump squats as punishment for not doing his homework. The school has ‘apologised’ to the family and said they take responsibility for the death. The 13 year old boy was sick for about a week and was even checked in to the hospital before going back to school last Thursday, according…

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  • Crime NewsBangkok taxi driver stabbed, crashes into other cars

    Bangkok taxi driver stabbed, crashes into other cars

    A Bangkok man has allegedly jumped into the backseat of a taxi and , once the taxi got going, started stabbing the driver early this morning, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a motorbike and other cars. A man in the Thonburi district ran into heavy traffic on Charunsanitwong road. He tried opening the…

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  • Pattaya NewsThailand’s oldest hippo turns 55 – VIDEO

    Thailand’s oldest hippo turns 55 – VIDEO

    Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday Mae Mali, Happy Birthday to you. Thailand’s oldest hippopotamus turned 55 today and celebrated with a party at a Chon Buri zoo. She even munched on a special “birthday cake.” Watermelons, carrots, bananas, pumpkin, dragon fruit and berries were placed in a design over a mound of grass. In the middle,…

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  • Business NewsA new CEO for Phuket’s Thanyapura Sports & Health Resort

    A new CEO for Phuket’s Thanyapura Sports & Health Resort

    Thanyapura Sports & Health Resort in Thalang, Phuket, has named Edgar Toral Hernandez as its new CEO, effective from last week. He joined the company back in 2017 as an executive vice president. Before joining Thanyapura he worked in various senior operational roles in the hospitality and healthcare industries across Latin America, Europe and Asia. The appointment was announced by Thanyapura’s…

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  • Visa InformationThai Airways offers special international flights this month

    Thai Airways offers special international flights this month

    Need to leave the country? Just as that visa amnesty is coming to an end (September 26 if you forgot), Thai Airways is offering 1-way flights to 7 international destinations this month. The flights leave from Bangkok and are destined for Munich, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Copenhagen, Taipei and Hong Kong. The special flights are for foreigners needing to go back home…

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  • World NewsMyanmar Covid-19 outbreak could reach Thai border in 2 weeks, health offical says

    Myanmar Covid-19 outbreak could reach Thai border in 2 weeks, health offical says

    A health official predicts the coronavirus will reach the Thai-Myanmar border in the next 2 weeks. Border security has already tightened up after Myanmar reported a surge of Covid-19 cases. While the Thai government is making sure the virus isn’t coming in from other countries, the Ministry of Public Health is also investigating potential local transmissions. The coronavirus situation in the…

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  • Tourism NewsHoliday weekend boosts tourism, brings in 8.8 billion baht

    Holiday weekend boosts tourism, brings in 8.8 billion baht

    The extended 4 day holiday weekend circulated 8.8 billion baht in revenue after months of limited travel due to the coronavirus pandemic… the upbeat report from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The drop in international tourism has crippled local economies dependent on the industry. The holiday weekend was a major boost. The Friday and Monday public holidays were announced as…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsFamily say car crash monk is battling mental health issues

    Family say car crash monk is battling mental health issues

    Relatives of the monk behind a car crash that killed 1 person in the north-eastern province of Roi Et say he has been suffering with mental health problems. The monk crashed his car into a power pole at the weekend, killing his male passenger, 82 year old Noi Chuenchom, and causing serious injury to a 36 year old female passenger,…

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  • Crime NewsArmed robbers in Pattaya target Chinese tourists in 10 million baht break-in

    Armed robbers in Pattaya target Chinese tourists in 10 million baht break-in

    An armed gang of 5 men have broken into a luxury property in Pattaya, making off with around 10 million baht worth of cash and valuables. A group of Chinese tourists were staying in the property at the time, which is part of the Siam Royal View development, in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya. A report in the Bangkok…

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  • Central Thailand NewsWoman held on suspicion of murdering disabled father

    Woman held on suspicion of murdering disabled father

    Police in the central province of Lopburi have apprehended a woman they suspect is responsible for murdering her disabled father. The arrest comes after the 63 year old man’s body was found by the side of the road, not far from his home. Officers believe his daughter had help from a friend and speculated that substance abuse may have led…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsUbon Ratchathani teacher charged with sexual abuse

    Ubon Ratchathani teacher charged with sexual abuse

    An Isaan teacher is facing sexual harassment and abuse charges after he allegedly paid young students in exchange for sexual acts. The practice is being frequently reported in Thai media these days as the taboo of reporting these cases is slowly raised. The Ubon Ratchathani teacher allegedly sexually abused 5 boys, ages 11 to 12, on numerous occasions, paying them…

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