Year: 2020
- Environment News
PM orders government agencies to get tough on air pollution
As the air quality in Bangkok and surrounding provinces continues to deteriorate, the PM is ordering all relevant agencies to get tough on combatting the problem. Yesterday, Bangkok recorded the highest level of PM2.5 matter in the Din Daeng district of the capital, at 118mcg/cm. The level considered safe in Thailand is 50 mcg/cm, which is still higher than most…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand News Today | Herbal Covid vaccine, HM answers questions, Thailand goes to moon | Dec 15
Thai Covid-19 experimental vaccine to proceed to human testing from April 2021 A Thai start-up developing a herbal Covid-19 vaccine has reported that they’re making good progress, with the candidate passing the first phase of testing. ใบยาไฟโตฟาร์ม, a Thai firm developing a vaccine from plant leaves, is to sign an agreement to begin production for use in human trials. The…
Read More » - Phuket News
Foreign flagged yacht docks and completes quarantine in Phuket
The following is a statement from Asia Pacific Superyachts. The new Special Tourist Visa scheme allows tourists and crew members on foreign yachts to dock in Thailand and depart after an onboard quarantine. “The first Asia Pacific Superyachts (APS) Phuket foreign-flagged superyacht client has now completed quarantining aboard in Phuket”, reports APS co-founder, Jojo Tanyuta Singmanee (Jojo), adding: “All aboard…
Read More » - South Thailand News
Foreign diver deported following eco-vandalism arrest off Koh Pha Ngan
Thai Immigration deported a foreign diver who was arrested in September for disturbing marine wildlife off Koh Pha Ngan. Photos and videos of himself and another diver holding, poking and tickling sea creatures were posted on Facebook, leading to their arrest. Attila Ott, a Hungarian national and owner of the island’s Pink Panther Scuba Dive Club, was deported after his…
Read More » - Crime News
Police say they found a gram of ketamine in failed drug bust
After a failed drug bust, mistaking around 12 tonnes of the cleaning agent and food additive trisodium phosphate for the drug ketamine, police are now saying that they did find a little ketamine. Just 1.2 grams. In November, police announced “Thailand’s largest ketamine drug bust,” saying they busted a major multinational drug network and seized $1 billion USD worth of…
Read More » - Thailand News
Looking for love? Tourism Authority partners with Tinder to host dating trips
Single and looking for love? Oddly enough, the Tourism Authority of Thailand can help. They’ve partnered with the dating app Tinder to launch “Single Journey” tours… which could end up being a romantic getaway, or a really awkward date you can’t get out of. TAT says the dating trips are only for Thais. The first trip will be on Sunday.…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket sets goal for New Years: Zero road deaths during “7 dangerous days”
Zero road deaths during the “7 dangerous days.” That’s the goal Phuket officials set for the New Year’s holiday week from December 29 to January 4. They’ve launched a road safety campaign to prevent fatal traffic incidents, Phuket vice governor Vikrom Jakthee announced yesterday. “During the New Year holidays, many people like to travel to other provinces, bringing greater risk…
Read More » - Covid-19 News
9 new Covid-19 cases detected in quarantine
9 new Covid-19 cases were detected in quarantine including a 6 month old boy, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Thailand’s total number of confirmed cases is raised to 4,246 with 3,949 recoveries and 60 deaths. 237 people are currently receiving medical treatment for the coronavirus. A 6 month old British boy travelling from the United Kingdom tested…
Read More » - Crime News
Chiang Mai man arrested for allegedly stealing women’s underwear
A 25 year old man in Chiang Mai was arrested for allegedly stealing women’s underwear. Apparently, the man, identified as Fang, has been stealing the women’s bras and panties for the past 2 years, police say. Police opened an investigation after a 29 year old woman staying at a Chiang Mai hotel reported that her suitcase was stolen. Officers reviewed…
Read More » - Economy News
Ministry investigating multiple cases of corruption in government’s co-payment scheme
The government’s “Let’s Go Halves” (Khon La Khrueng) co-payment stimulus campaign has fallen foul of 100s of incidents of fraud, according to the Finance Ministry. Under the scheme, the government subsidises 50% of the cost of food, drink, and other products, up to a maximum of 150 baht per person per day, capped at 3,000 baht per person for the…
Read More » - Thailand News
Minister says Thailand plans to build spacecraft to orbit the moon within 7 years
Government minister Anek Laothamatas says that within 7 years, Thailand will have built and launched a spacecraft that will orbit and explore the moon. The Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation was speaking at a press conference at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, where an update on Covid-19 vaccines was being provided to the media. He says that, in addition to…
Read More » - Bangkok News
HM the King says “I’m just like other human beings”
“I’m just like other human beings. On some days I feel despondent. On some days I feel sad.” In a rare occurrence, His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn sat down and spoke with a group of student volunteers at the 11th Infantry Regiment, the King’s Guard. He explained, candidly, to the 200 high school students “I am just like other…
Read More » - Covid-19 News
Thai Covid-19 experimental vaccine to proceed to human testing from April 2021
A Thai start-up developing an experimental Covid-19 vaccine is said to be making good progress, with the candidate passing testing on laboratory animals. Baiya Phytopharm, a Thai firm developing a vaccine from plant leaves, is to sign an agreement to begin production for use in human trials. Thewin Wongwanich, from the State Enterprise Development Planning Subcommittee, says the firm is…
Read More » - Northern Thailand News
Festival-goers claim event shut down over pro-democracy content, not Covid-19
Social media users are accusing officials of shutting down a music festival in the north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima due to its pro-democracy content. The claims follow a statement from governor Wichian Chantaranothai, who says the festival was terminated early due to Covid-19 risks. He accuses organisers of failing to implement adequate preventative measures, saying there was no limit on…
Read More » - Thailand News
No “drink voting” – Alcohol ban on Saturday and Sunday during elections
CORRECTION: Dates for the alcohol ban were incorrect in an earlier report. The correct dates are Saturday, December 19 to Sunday, December, 20. Possibly in an effort to make sure no one stumbles to the voting polls and casts their ballots drunk, alcohol will be banned from 6pm Saturday until 6pm Sunday during Thailand’s municipal council elections across the country.…
Read More » - World News
Chiang Rai officials insist province is now safe to visit
Officials in the northern province of Chiang Rai are assuring potential tourists from the rest of the Kingdom that it is safe to visit, saying the Covid-19 situation is under control. Chiang Rai hit the headlines in recent weeks, when a number of Thai nationals entered the province illegally from Myanmar. After bypassing health checks and quarantine, several subsequently tested…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand News Today | Bangkok air pollution, 28 Covid cases, Lao dam protest | December 14
Bangkok starts the new week with ‘unhealthy’ air quality Waking up in Bangkok today you would have been surprised that the sun had disappeared to be replaced by a grey sky and views across the city limited to less than a kilometre. Across the city the air quality readings for most of the day have been aver the 150 mark…
Read More » - Visa Information
Want to come to Thailand? Special Tourist Visa open to visitors “around the world”
Visitors around the world can now apply for the new Special Tourist Visa. The visa was initially only open to people from countries considered at “low” and “medium risk” of spreading Covid-19. The visa allows a 90 day stay which can be extended twice, adding up to around 9 months. The visa costs 2,000 baht and 2,000 baht per extension.…
Read More » - Economy News
Covid-19 cases could lead to a drop in revenue for New Years, economist says
A rise in local Covid-19 infections could discourage many people from travelling and going out for New Years celebrations, costing Thailand’s tourism industry 14 billion baht to more than 16 billion baht, according to economist Anusorn Tamajai. Recently, 17 Thais tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from the Myanmar border town Tachileik, crossing the border illegally and dodging the mandatory…
Read More » - Road deaths
Holiday weekend road death toll: 67
67 people were killed in road accidents during the long holiday weekend while another 388 people were injured, according to the Transport Ministry. Most of the fatalities were motorcycle riders. Thursday and Friday were public holidays for Constitution Day and Father’s Day which commemorates King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday. Many people were off work and travelled. The ministry estimates more than…
Read More » - South Thailand News
Thai man could get $4.2 million USD for whale vomit known as “floating gold”
NOTE: Readers with a sensitive stomach are advised not to eat while reading this article. Floating gold… sounds mystical. Actually, it’s just hardened whale vomit known as the more elegant name “ambergris.” It’s a rare find that can cost thousands of US dollars. Recently, a man in the southern province Nakhon Si Thammarat found what might be the world’s largest…
Read More » - Covid-19 News
27 new Covid-19 cases in quarantine, 1 health worker infected by patient
1 local Covid-19 transmission was reported today and 27 new Covid-19 cases were detected in quarantine, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. It’s the largest daily rise in cases since April. The total number of Covid-19 cases in Thailand is raised to 4,237 with 3,940 recoveries and 60 deaths. 237 people are currently receiving medical treatment for the…
Read More » - South Thailand News
Narathiwat villager shot and killed, suspected insurgent camp found nearby
After a villager was shot and killed while he was hunting wild pigs, a military and police task force searched the area in the Southern province Narathiwat’s Si Sakhon district and found a deserted camp on Bilo mountain that they suspect was used by insurgents. 55 year old Sophon Thasuk went up to the mountain to go hunting with a…
Read More » - Phuket News
Cheaper flights to Phuket a possibility to help revive the tourism industry
Some say cheaper flights to Phuket will entice people to visit the island and get the once booming tourist destination back on its feet. Along with talk of lowering the price of tickets, those at a stakeholder meeting at the Thai Airways International headquarters in Bangkok say more direct international flights to the island also need to be reinstated. The…
Read More » - World News
Malaysia coast guard busts record methamphetamine shipment, possibly smuggled from Golden Triangle
Malaysia’s coast guard made its largest bust, seizing more than 2 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine that was hidden in packets of Chinese tea. The shipment of illegal drugs, worth 105.9 million ringgit, or 789 million baht, is part of a large-scale drug trade across Southeast Asia, China and Australia. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency director general, Mohamad Zubil Mat Som,…
Read More » - World News
25 Burmese arrested for allegedly crossing the Thai-Myanmar border illegally
Military and police patrol arrested 25 Burmese people for allegedly crossing the Thai-Myanmar border illegally to Kanchanaburi’s Muang district. With Covid-19 cases rising by more than 1,000 each day in the neighbouring country, some Thais fear that migrants crossing the border illegally, avoiding the mandatory 14 day quarantine, could potentially spread the virus to people in Thailand. Covid-19 fears were…
Read More » - Environment News
The smog returns to Bangkok
The air pollutant PM2.5 is at unhealthy levels in and around Bangkok. 34 areas in the city and in surrounding provinces have levels of PM2.5 exceeding the safety standard, according to an air quality report by the Department of Pollution Control. The air pollutant PM2.5 is fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. At high levels, the pollutant…
Read More » - World News
Foreign media express anxiety over Thailand’s press freedoms
Foreign journalists in Thailand are expressing concern about what they are calling restrictions on press freedom. Speaking at a recent Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand forum, speakers said that the current laws are “proving to be an obstacle to reporting of the anti-government protests”, despite government assurances there have been no curbs on freedom of expression. The “Journalism Without Fear…
Read More » - Health
Promoting Wellness and Health in Full-Time Working Students
Online education has become increasingly popular in 2020, especially for those who need to continue to work either in an essential position or to provide for themselves and their families. Far too often, even in a country such as Thailand, which is renowned for its wellness retreats, and is very commonly referred to as “The Land of Smiles”, working students…
Read More » - Covid-19 News
US launches most complex vaccine distribution today as Covid soars
Today, the US is launching its largest and most complicated vaccine distribution process in its history after Covid has continued to wreak havoc on its citizens for months. The site of the distribution, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is filled with tractor trailers loaded with suitcase-sized containers of Pfizer’s Covid vaccine. US regulators authorised the vaccine from Pfizer and its partner BioNTech…
Read More » - Covid-19 News
Covid overshadows New Year’s plans for many – Dusit poll
As if 2020 wasn’t bad enough, many Thais say ringing in the New Year will be overshadowed by Covid-19 concerns, followed by financial woes and the overall world economy. The Suan Dusit Rajabhat University Poll, asked for opinions on the matter from 1,277 people nationwide on December 4 through December 10, to gauge their New Year’s travel plans. Each respondent…
Read More » - Thailand News
Geminids meteor shower visible tonight from 8pm
Tonight you may want to step outside from 8pm onwards as one of the most abundant meteor showers will grace the sky. The Geminids can be viewed nationwide tonight starting at 8 and will last until the early hours of tomorrow. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand says about 120 bright meteor showers per hour will be visible with…
Read More » - Northern Thailand News
Returnees from Myanmar account for 9 of 17 new Covid infections today
Today, Thailand has reported 17 new cases of the novel coronavirus found in people entering Thailand from other countries, with 9 infected returnees coming from Myanmar through the Mae Sai district in northern Chiang Rai. All 9 were women who had worked at nightspots in Tachilek, the Burmese border town, featuring the now infamous 1G1-7 Hotel, which was the site…
Read More » - Thailand News
Majority says school uniforms should remain mandatory – NIDA Poll
According to a new poll, a majority of Thai people think the student uniforms should remain mandatory in Thai schools, while others say casual outfits should also be allowed some days of the week. The latter opinion, which was part of the recently conducted National Institute of Development Administration Poll, was reportedly due to keeping the peace and easing tensions…
Read More » - Northern Thailand News
Man dies searching for shells while another dies in marathon
A man has died while searching for shells off Jomtien Beach, just south of Pattaya, after running out of oxygen. The man reportedly ran out of oxygen 9 metres underwater, when using scuba diving gear in deep waters. Rescue divers arrived at the scene and found 10 fishing boats about 1 kilometre away from the beach where local fishermen were…
Read More » - Bangkok News
PM Prayut set to ride Bangkok’s first driverless skytrain
Thailand’s PM Prayut is set to ride Bangkok’s first driverless Skytrain as he will preside over the opening ceremony of the Green Line extension and the Gold Line monorail on Wednesday, December 16. The Skytrain extension will travel from Mo Chit station through Saphan Mai station and ends at Khu Kot. The Gold Line monorail, which features the driverless train,…
Read More » - Northern Thailand News
Authorities say “no quarantine” for tourists returning from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai
Despite a recent spike in Covid-19 local infections in northern Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, authorities are axing the requirement for a 14 day quarantine for tourists who have returned from those areas back to other parts of Thailand. Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, scotched the rumours of some businesses claiming that such…
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