Month: September 2021

  • Thailand NewsNakhon Si Thammarat doctor says teenager suffered from cyst, not black magic

    Nakhon Si Thammarat doctor says teenager suffered from cyst, not black magic

    Doctors at a southern Thai hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat operated on a teenager to remove a cyst from her ovary. They want to reassure the public that the cyst just contained hair, bone, teeth, fingernails and an oily material, and the woman did not suffer from black magic, as some residents suspected. Sichon Hospital director, Dr Arak Wongworachat, posted…

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  • Northern Thailand News3 northeastern dams set to reach full capacity by November

    3 northeastern dams set to reach full capacity by November

    3 major dams in the northeastern Thai province Nakhon Ratchasima will likely be completely full by November, as heavy rain is forecasted from late this month into October, says National Water Resources secretary general Somkiat Prajamwong, today. Somkiat adds that NWR is closely monitoring the situation. Today, the Lam Takong Dam holds 214 million cubic metres of water or about…

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  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: Provincial totals; Thailand ‘passed its peak’

    Monday Covid Update: Provincial totals; Thailand ‘passed its peak’

    Thailand has passed its Covid-19 peak, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The number of active coronavirus cases has been on a downward trend over the past several weeks. There are now 148,622 people receiving treatment for Covid-19. The CCSA reported 187 coronavirus-related deaths today, a decline over the past month after the daily fatality count was in the…

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  • Thailand video newsThaiger Bites | Your comments and Feedback | September 6

    Thaiger Bites | Your comments and Feedback | September 6

    Curitaba, British bands, Zebra crossings, Abba and the No-confidence vote. Jay and Mike go through your viewer comments and feedback from GMT, TNT and the Thaiger Talk forum on our website…

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  • Thailand NewsPathum Thani shopping centre apologises after overcrowded vaccination event goes viral

    Pathum Thani shopping centre apologises after overcrowded vaccination event goes viral

    A shopping centre in Pathum Thani, a central Thai province, has apologised for a vaccination event that went awry after large crowds packed into the shopping centre in anticipation of receiving a vaccine. The large crowds resulted in people standing right next to each other with no social distancing being observed. The vaccination event happened over the weekend at Future…

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  • Thailand NewsCouple shot to death in Nakhon Si Thammarat

    Couple shot to death in Nakhon Si Thammarat

    A couple has been shot to death in their house in the southern province Nakhon Si Thammarat. The police found the couple’s bodies last night. The duty officer from the Chulabhorn police station says they received a call about the shooting at around 9:30pm. When police and a doctor rushed to the house, they discovered 48 year old Boontham Panarat…

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  • Thailand News3 hunters arrested for allegedly possessing endangered species

    3 hunters arrested for allegedly possessing endangered species

    National park officials in the western province Kanchanaburi arrested three hunters who were allegedly caught with bags containing wild animal carcasses, including black hornbills and monkeys. The arrests happened yesterday in the Khao Laem National Park. Khao Laem National Park chief Thewin Meesap says officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation were patrolling the forest when…

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  • Thailand video newsVaccination passport required in Thailand? Phuket Freedom Day | GMT | September 6

    Vaccination passport required in Thailand? Phuket Freedom Day | GMT | September 6

    On today’s show Jay and Mike talk about Thailand’s top stories regarding new restrictions for dining in dark red provinces and the Dec 1 Phuket freedom day plan. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha won his vote of confidence after a 4-day censure debate. A former deputy attorney general is facing disciplinary action for his decision not to indict the Red Bull…

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  • Thailand News25 arrested at Chiang Mai rooftop bar

    25 arrested at Chiang Mai rooftop bar

    A rooftop bar in Chiang Mai, a northern Thai province, was raided yesterday and 24 customers, plus the bar owner were arrested for allegedly gathering to drink alcoholic beverages, a violation of the emergency decree. Police say the 25 suspects were seen drinking alcohol and dancing to a band that was playing at the bar. The police add the suspects…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCovid patients must receive a vaccine dose within 3 months of infection

    Covid patients must receive a vaccine dose within 3 months of infection

    The Department of Disease Control says Covid-19 patients who’ve never been vaccinated must receive 1 dose within 3 months of contracting the virus. Nation Thailand reports government spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul as saying people who have recovered from Covid-19 remain at risk of contracting the highly-contagious Delta variant. Traisulee says the guidelines from health officials are that recovered patients who’ve never…

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  • Covid-19 NewsProof of vaccination to be required for dine-in service in “dark red” provinces

    Proof of vaccination to be required for dine-in service in “dark red” provinces

    Proof of vaccination, or a negative antigen test result, will be required to eat in at restaurants in the “dark red” zones from October 1. The Bangkok Post reports that the negative test result must be no more than a week old, while people who’ve had Covid-19 must show health records that prove they’ve recovered from the virus. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai…

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  • Tourism NewsTourism ministry wants Thailand fully re-opened, without quarantine, by January

    Tourism ministry wants Thailand fully re-opened, without quarantine, by January

    Thailand’s Tourism Minister wants the country to re-open fully, without quarantine, by January, but says this will depend on vaccination efforts. According to a Bangkok Post report, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is citing herd immunity as a condition for the re-opening, pointing out that Bangkok’s re-opening has been delayed from October to November, as most residents are still waiting for their second…

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  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: 187 deaths and 13,988 new cases

    Monday Covid Update: 187 deaths and 13,988 new cases

    187 coronavirus-related deaths and 13,988 new Covid-19 infections were reported today by Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 17,284 recoveries. There are now 148,622 patients being treated for Covid-19. The number of active cases has been on a downward slope over the past several weeks. In the latest…

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  • Thailand Protest NewsMore protests planned for Bangkok today as activists continue fight to remove PM

    More protests planned for Bangkok today as activists continue fight to remove PM

    Anti-government protesters are planning another “car mob” rally in Bangkok today, as they continue their bid to remove the Thai PM from office. The Bangkok Post reports that yesterday, Red Shirt activist Nattawut Saikuar addressed a rally at the Asoke intersection in the capital, vowing to lead a bigger protest from the Ratchaprasong intersection to Asoke today. According to the…

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  • Phuket NewsNo more sandbox: Phuket private sector calls for full re-opening by December 1

    No more sandbox: Phuket private sector calls for full re-opening by December 1

    The vice-president of the Phuket Tourism Association says businesses on the island need it to fully re-open by December 1 if they are to survive. According to a Bangkok Post report, Nanthida Atiset says fully re-opening the island could generate over 210 billion baht in revenue, adding that the sandbox scheme is simply not enough. “Only over 20,000 tourists have…

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  • Technology NewsApple delays privacy-invading child abuse detection software

    Apple delays privacy-invading child abuse detection software

    After huge backlash over their seemingly well-intentioned plan to fight child pornography and child sexual abuse, Apple has backed down and delayed the release of a software update that would include protection tools that many believe would invade privacy and open the door for other infringement in the future. The Silicon Valley tech giant had introduced a plan to release…

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  • Pattaya NewsNaked woman stops Chon Buri traffic after fender bender

    Naked woman stops Chon Buri traffic after fender bender

    Traffic on Sukhumvit in Chon Buri this morning was interrupted in a bizarre commotion involving an erratic naked woman running around the road. At around 7:00 am officers from the Saensuk Police Station and rescue workers arrived at the scene after the incident was called in. The naked woman yelled at people to stay away, claiming she was infected with…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Sandbox draws 28,000 travellers, 1.634 billion baht

    Phuket Sandbox draws 28,000 travellers, 1.634 billion baht

    The Phuket Sandbox has been lauded as a success and derided as a failure, but officials have released some raw data over the past few days that indicates the programme falls somewhere in between. Immigration and the Tourism Authority of Thailand have reported on total incoming travellers and their opinions, and the Economics Tourism and Sports Division of the Tourism and…

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  • Phuket NewsJetstar launches weekly flights between Phuket and Singapore

    Jetstar launches weekly flights between Phuket and Singapore

    Now that flight restrictions are finally easing, Jetstar Asia Airways has launched a weekly flight between Singapore and Phuket. The first flight departed Singapore Friday evening and arrived at Phuket International Airport an hour and 40 minutes later. The inaugural Jetstar flight was greeted with fanfare by various airport staff including the Deputy Director of Phuket Airport Operations and Maintenance. The…

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  • Thailand News17 protest leaders named in complaint with Lumpini police

    17 protest leaders named in complaint with Lumpini police

    Legal action is being pursued by a legal activist against 17 leaders of pro-democracy protests that took place on September 3 and 4. The complaint was filed with the Lumpini police, today. The protests in question took place at the Ratchaprasong intersection and were set up by the United Front of Thammasat, the Thalu Fa group, and the Re-Dem group.…

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  • Thailand NewsGPO plans quality testing on arriving Chinese Lepu antigen kits

    GPO plans quality testing on arriving Chinese Lepu antigen kits

    After a rollercoaster ride of okays, protests, pauses, confirmation, cancellation, and reinstatement, 8.5 million controversial Chinese-made Covid-19 antigen test kits are set to arrive in Thailand early next week. The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation now plans on conducting quality testing on the kits made by Lepu Medical Technology with the help of Ramathibodi Hospital to reassure people of their accuracy. The…

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  • Thailand News8.5 million antigen test kits to be distributed through 2 channels next week

    8.5 million antigen test kits to be distributed through 2 channels next week

    The free distribution of 8.5 million rapid antigen tests kits for home use for target groups should start on September 15. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered the Ministry of Public Health and the National Health Security office to be ready for the distribution The NHSO, via Vajira Hospital and the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, funded the obtainment of the ATKs, valued at…

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  • Thailand NewsFormer Deputy Attorney General faces mild disciplinary violation for role in Red Bull heir case

    Former Deputy Attorney General faces mild disciplinary violation for role in Red Bull heir case

    A former deputy attorney general is facing disciplinary action for his decision not to indict the Red Bull hier, Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, over the fatal hit-and-run incident in 2012 where the Boss sped his Ferrari through Bangkok’s Thong Lor district and struck a police officer, killing him. Boss managed to evade justice and fled the country. The deputy attorney general’s…

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  • Bangkok NewsDepartment stores follow strict Covid-19 safety to remain open

    Department stores follow strict Covid-19 safety to remain open

    In Bangkok and other dark red provinces across Thailand, department stores have finally been allowed to reopen and it seems that many are bending over backwards to follow Covid-19 safety measures in an attempt to assure they remain open. Department stores have been closed or severely restricted for months due to the Emergency decree and protective measures the government has…

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  • Covid-19 NewsSunday afternoon Update: Provincial Covid-19 totals

    Sunday afternoon Update: Provincial Covid-19 totals

    224 Coronavirus-related deaths and 15,452 new Covid-19 infections were reported today by Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The infection trend has declined over the past week, but the daily fatality count remains high. 4,682 patients remain in a serious condition and 1,008 are on artificial respiration as of last night. Nearly 187,000 people received their first vaccine yesterday and…

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  • Phuket NewsOnly 20% of hospital beds unoccupied in Phuket

    Only 20% of hospital beds unoccupied in Phuket

    The Phuket Sandbox is in trouble as Phuket’s governor and other officials say the Covid situation on the island is reaching a critical level now that there is now only 20% of hospital beds still available. These remaining beds are expected to fill up soon as new infections average more than 200 a day. Governor Narong Woonsiew chaired a meeting…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Covid-19: 3 Sandbox infections, no deaths, 3,000+ recovered

    Phuket Covid-19: 3 Sandbox infections, no deaths, 3,000+ recovered

    Today marked 3 new Covid-19 infections identified in international travellers who arrived via the Phuket Sandbox programme but saw no new Covid-19 deaths on the island and 240 new infections, down 2 from yesterday’s daily total. Another milestone was hit, this time more positive than yesterday’s surpassing of 5,000 infections in Phuket, as today saw the number of people recovered…

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  • Central Thailand NewsPolice investigate 27 year old woman’s death in Samut Prakan

    Police investigate 27 year old woman’s death in Samut Prakan

    A 27 year old woman was found dead in an apartment yesterday in Samut Prakan, just southeast of Bangkok. The woman was naked, lying on a bed. Dried blood was on her face and on the pillow. And around her neck were marks, which appeared to be bruises. Police suspect she had been dead for around 48 hours. The cause…

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  • Koh Samui NewsSamui Plus programme rakes in nearly 40 million baht

    Samui Plus programme rakes in nearly 40 million baht

    The Samui Plus Programme has raked in nearly 40 million baht in revenue following its launch in July, according to the governor of Surat Thani, Witchawut Jinto. Witchawut says the plan, which includes Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, has brought in 918 visitors, 347 of which came through Phuket Sandbox. Despite the governor’s enthusiastic review, the programme has…

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  • Thailand NewsOver 7,000 travellers fly following easing of restrictions

    Over 7,000 travellers fly following easing of restrictions

    The Transport Ministry says thousands of travellers took to the nation’s airports to fly since the government eased lockdown measures. The ministry says that more than 7,000 flyers travelled using 14 reopened airports across 130 flights throughout the nation following the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s easing of the national lockdown that took place last week. The ministry went on…

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  • Thailand NewsSunday Covid update: 224 deaths, 15,452 new infections

    Sunday Covid update: 224 deaths, 15,452 new infections

    224 coronavirus-related deaths and 15,452 new Covid-19 infections were reported today by Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The infection trend has declined over the past week, but the daily fatality count remains high. 4,682 patients remain in a serious condition and 1,008 are on artificial respiration as of last night. In the past 24 hours, the CCSA recorded 18,257…

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  • Things To DoThe Breathtaking Architecture of Phuket

    The Breathtaking Architecture of Phuket

    In the last two years, the pulsing and colourful life in Phuket came almost to a total standstill. The worldwide pandemic has also reached the beautiful island in South-East-Asia and the lockdowns and global travel restrictions have left their mark on the touristic places of the world. Now though, as the vaccines are rolling out and more and more people…

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  • Covid-19 NewsChinese Embassy condemns bad-mouthing of Sinovac vaccine

    Chinese Embassy condemns bad-mouthing of Sinovac vaccine

    The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok has lashed out at those bad-mouthing the Sinovac vaccine and Chinese goodwill towards Thailand. In a post on Facebook yesterday, a spokesman for the embassy said that organisations and individuals in Thailand trying to discredit the vaccine are doing so without a scientific basis. The post implied that these detractors should feel some gratitude that…

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  • Tourism NewsTourists flood Khao Yai Park after viral video of curious bear

    Tourists flood Khao Yai Park after viral video of curious bear

    Attendance at Khao Yai National Park has boomed so much thanks to a viral video that they are now having to limit the number of people who can visit. People were drawn to the park after a video was posted to Facebook showing an Asian black bear visiting a food stall in the park attempting to eat an omelette and…

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  • Crime NewsThitisan refutes murder, argues for assault charges instead

    Thitisan refutes murder, argues for assault charges instead

    Thitisan “Jo Ferrari” Utthanaphon, along with the other 6 police in custody now for the fatal torture of a 25 year old drug suspect, denies the charges against him and is now claiming he merely assaulted the man which led to his death. Thitisan’s lawyer met with him at Phitsanulok prison last week and dispelled rumours that his client suffered…

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  • ExpatsAnother missing expat man found safe after being lost in forest

    Another missing expat man found safe after being lost in forest

    For the second time in as many days, an older expat man has been found after being lost in a forest for a few days. Yesterday a British man in Khon Kaen was found after being lost 3 days in a forest when he wandered off his motorbike for a stroll and couldn’t find his way back. Now today in…

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  • Technology NewsFacebook video recommendations disabled after labelling black men Primates

    Facebook video recommendations disabled after labelling black men Primates

    Facebook has disabled their topic recommendation features on videos today after the AI software appears to have mistaken black men in a video for monkeys. The video in question was from the British tabloid The Daily Mail and was title “White man calls cops on black men at marina.” But under the video where auto-generated suggestions are made to encourage…

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