Year: 2021

  • Covid-19 NewsNext CCSA meeting will discuss opening nightlife businesses sooner

    Next CCSA meeting will discuss opening nightlife businesses sooner

    Facing enormous pressure from entertainment and nightlife workers and businesses, the National Security Council Secretary-General hinted that lifting the ban on nightlife will be up for discussion at the next CCSA meeting. He said PM Prayut Chan-o-cha understands and sympathises with those in the industry but also worries about the Covid-19 situation as infections are still high and the country…

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  • Technology NewsFree NFTs! Art project website releases thousands of NFTs

    Free NFTs! Art project website releases thousands of NFTs

    In what he described as an art project that was designed to show how ridiculous the new fad is, an Australian man has made thousands of NFTs free on a website. Non-fungible tokens are unique digital units that use blockchain technology to give proof of ownership to digital assets, including easily copyable things like photos and videos. Enthusiasts view NFTs…

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  • World NewsYemen: Journalists fear for their lives

    Yemen: Journalists fear for their lives

    It happened on Tuesday morning, two weeks ago. The journalists Rasha Abdullah al-Hazari and her husband Mahmud al-Utmi were about to drive to a hospital in Aden for a check-up on Rasha’s pregnancy. But when the couple got into their car, a car bomb exploded. Rasha died on the spot, along with her unborn baby. Her heavily injured husband was…

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  • Economy NewsChamber of Commerce proposes familiar plans for the economy

    Chamber of Commerce proposes familiar plans for the economy

    Ahead of a meeting with PM Prayut Chan-o-cha tomorrow, the Thai Chamber of Commerce has compiled a list of measures to boost Thailand’s struggling economy. The proposal was sourced from 5 regional chambers of commerce and will be submitted to the prime minister tomorrow as part of his meetings with private sector representatives. The proposed measures aren’t particularly groundbreaking, mostly…

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  • Crime NewsThai man arrested for alleged rape, drowning, burning Burmese woman

    Thai man arrested for alleged rape, drowning, burning Burmese woman

    A 21 year old Burmese woman died after Thai man allegedly abducted, raped, accidentally drowned her, then set her body on fire. The incident took place in Prachin Buri and police have now arrested a 27 year old man who is alleged to have confessed to his crime, saying he was haunted by her spirit. Boonlai Buaman is working for…

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  • Bangkok NewsWat Arsasongkhram used flood waters to celebrate Loy Krathong

    Wat Arsasongkhram used flood waters to celebrate Loy Krathong

    For Wat Arsasongkhram in Samut Prakan, flooding seemed like the appropriate way to celebrate Loy Krathong, the festival offering worship to the water goddess Ganga. For a holiday that sees millions of Thai people floating krathong boats in bodies of water across Thailand, the temple took advantage of recent flooding to offer a unique venue for the boats to float.…

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  • Thailand NewsCOVID-19 SATURDAY UPDATE: 53 deaths, vaccinations, provincial totals

    COVID-19 SATURDAY UPDATE: 53 deaths, vaccinations, provincial totals

    Today, the CCSA reported 6,595 new Covid-19 infections, down 260 since yesterday, and 53 Coronavirus-related deaths, up 2 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 2,028,702 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 8,478 recoveries, up 823 from…

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  • Transport NewsRacing in Thailand: all about Pattaya’s Bira Circuit

    Racing in Thailand: all about Pattaya’s Bira Circuit

    Car lovers and racing enthusiasts in Thailand have flocked towards Thailand’s orginal racing venue since its inception in 1985. The Bira Circuit was created after the country’s only Formula 1 competitor, Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh, or Prince Bira of Siam. The Prince was also only part of a select few in Thailand that has competed in the Olympic games for…

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  • Covid-19 News3 Cathay Pacific pilots broke Covid-19 rules, got fired and infected

    3 Cathay Pacific pilots broke Covid-19 rules, got fired and infected

    After what Cathay Pacific described as a serious breach of pandemic regulations, 3 cargo pilots were fired after becoming infected with Covid-19 and putting many others at risk. An internal investigation found the pilots for Hong Kong’s flagship airline broke Covid-19 safety rules while abroad in Frankfurt, Germany. The airline is known for being very proactive about Covid-19 safety and…

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  • Covid-19 NewsAustria to enter lockdown Monday, Germany may follow

    Austria to enter lockdown Monday, Germany may follow

    As Europe is increasingly engulfed in another wave of Covid-19 infections, Austria announced it will go into a full lockdown on Monday, and Germany in a national emergency is considering following with a lockdown of its own. The announcement makes Austria the first country in Western Europe to go back into a lockdown in the face of a worsening Covid-19…

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  • Tourism NewsTAT: 400,000 tourist in 2021, 18 million in 2022 worth 1 trillion

    TAT: 400,000 tourist in 2021, 18 million in 2022 worth 1 trillion

    The November 1 reopening of Thailand has received mixed results, with Pattaya reportedly seeing the vast majority of arrivals being expats coming home, and Hua Hin welcoming less than 100 of the 100,000 predicted tourists. But, as always, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has nothing but rosy predictions for the boom that will start any minute, with TAT Governor Yuthasak…

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  • Tourism NewsTAT touts another rosy outlook for 2022 arrivals into Thailand – VIDEOS

    TAT touts another rosy outlook for 2022 arrivals into Thailand – VIDEOS

    Whilst the Ministry of Tourism and Sports approve marketing spending for 2022, their tourism promotion arm, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, have been throwing around more highly optimistic arrival figures for next year. “TAT set the revenue target from tourism in 2022 at 1.5 trillion baht, or about 50% of tourism revenue in 2019 (before the Covid-19 situation)”, according to…

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  • World NewsBelarus crisis: Airlines threatened with sanctions

    Belarus crisis: Airlines threatened with sanctions

    Once things started to move, they did so very quickly. On Wednesday evening, just 48 hours after the EU introduced new sanctions in response to crisis at the border between Poland and Belarus, the Lebanese Transport Ministry announced that it, too, would allow only Belarusians, Lebanese citizens with valid visas and foreign citizens with permanent residence permits to fly to…

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  • World NewsSudan’s protest movement: ‘Now we are driven by anger’

    Sudan’s protest movement: ‘Now we are driven by anger’

    The messages came in without prior warning. On Thursday evening, millions of texts, photos and videos about the protests and the violent clampdown finally reached cell phones in Sudan. “The footage is horrific,” Rania Aziz, a 36-year-old activist in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, told DW in a video call. Then she started crying. “We are experiencing a national shock now,” she…

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  • World NewsWest Bank: Harvesting olives under rabbis’ protection

    West Bank: Harvesting olives under rabbis’ protection

    On a sunny autumn day, Palestinian Bashar Sharab is busy pouring freshly brewed coffee in small paper cups for Israeli and Palestinian volunteers who are helping him pick olives near the village of Awarta, near the West Bank town of Nablus. Pickers are perched on ladders to reach the small fruits, while others lay plastic sheets underneath the trees to…

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  • EducationHow China’s private tutoring regulations are affecting online teachers

    How China’s private tutoring regulations are affecting online teachers

    Online teachers in Thailand, and elsewhere, are struggling to grapple with China’s changes to its private tutoring regulations. And, the outcome is not good, as thousands of digital nomad educators are finding themselves jobless. In the past few months, big name tutoring companies, that employ thousands of English teachers, have announced that their main clientele of chinese students, are leaving.…

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  • Thailand NewsPM Prayut holds unscheduled meeting with US CIA head

    PM Prayut holds unscheduled meeting with US CIA head

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha had an officially unscheduled meeting this morning with David Cohen, the deputy director of the US Central Intelligence Agency. The unannounced meeting took place this morning when the deputy director of the CIA dropped in on the prime minister at Government House. The unscheduled meeting between the Thai prime minister and the American intelligence official was held…

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  • Crime NewsPolice “Joe Ferrari” torture case in court today, main charges denied

    Police “Joe Ferrari” torture case in court today, main charges denied

    Today the 7 police officers accused of the suffocation death caught on video of a suspect in custody at the Nakhon Sawan police station had their day in court. Pol Col Thitisan “Jo Ferrari” Utthanaphon admitted that he assaulted the suspect, but claimed his death was an accident and denied the strongest charges of murder and torture against him. In…

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  • Covid-19 NewsMcDonald’s Covid-19 alert: Pattaya area residents cautioned

    McDonald’s Covid-19 alert: Pattaya area residents cautioned

    Following a similar announcement a few days, the Chon Buri Public Health Office issued a new warning today for anyone who attended an area McDonald’s to get tested for Covid-19. The statement released today advised anyone who had eaten at or been inside the Pattaya area McDonald’s located at Mini Siam Pattaya should use an antigen test kit to check…

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  • Crime NewsNarcotics police detail November busts and shootout case

    Narcotics police detail November busts and shootout case

    The month of November has been a fruitful one for narcotics police, with 7 cases netting 12 arrests, 200 kilogrammes of marijuana, 300 kilogrammes of crystal meth, and 6.4 million meth pills. Narcotics suppression officials announced the totals today and gave new details of the most prolific case which ended in a shootout but confiscated 6 million meth pills last…

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  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Aid for Myanmar, Thais rescued from forced labor, prison break | Nov 19

    Thailand News Today | Aid for Myanmar, Thais rescued from forced labor, prison break | Nov 19

    Jett goes through all the main headlines in Thailand that include: Thailand to send aid to neighboring Myanmar, police rescue more Thais from forced labor, and a prison break in central Thailand. Details on these headlines and many more coming right up.

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  • World NewsSea gypsies hope better livelihood ahead upcoming local elections

    Sea gypsies hope better livelihood ahead upcoming local elections

    Local elections are coming up and it will be the first time many of Thailand’s Moken tribes, or also known as sea gypsies, will be voting in the Tambon Administration Organisation elections. The indigenous Moken tribes are known for their lifestyle of semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers for centuries in the Andaman Sea. They are known to be able to hold their breath…

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  • Pattaya NewsTruck veers off road and smashes through Chon Buri grocery store

    Truck veers off road and smashes through Chon Buri grocery store

    A local grocer met with a rude awakening as he slept in a bedroom in the back of his grocery store in Chon Buri. At 2 am, the owner of a grocery store in Bor Thong was woken by a pickup truck smashing through the front of his shop, nearly into his bedroom behind the store. Bor Thong Police responded…

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  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid Update: 6,855 new cases; provincial totals

    Friday Covid Update: 6,855 new cases; provincial totals

    51 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 20,305 with 20,211 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 6,855 new Covid-19 cases and 7,655 recoveries. There are now 89,821 people in Thailand being…

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  • Crime NewsPattaya mayor calls for more security on Bali Hai pier

    Pattaya mayor calls for more security on Bali Hai pier

    After a number of incidents went viral on social media, the mayor of Pattaya ordered officials to crack down on issues at the Bali Hai pier. Crimes like price gouging and tour boats operating without licenses have been frequently reported, so as of yesterday there will be a significant increase in police and security on the pier. Bali Hai pier…

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  • Thailand NewsGovernment to expedite the revision of the civil partnership bill for same-sex couples

    Government to expedite the revision of the civil partnership bill for same-sex couples

    Following a court ruling on marriage that was seen as a setback for same-sex couples, the Thai government is now expediting the revision of draft law on civil partnerships. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krae-ngam says the law will protect the rights of all genders, according to the Bangkok Post. Wednesday the Constitutional Court upheld the language in Section 1448 of…

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  • EventsTAT highlights November and December events in Blue Zones

    TAT highlights November and December events in Blue Zones

    Throughout the Blue Zone, designated as tourist provinces that are welcoming tourists in a 7-day Sandbox scheme, events and celebrations are taking place to welcome people back to Thailand. The Tourism Authority of Thailand compiled a list of activities and highlights in November and December from these 17 zones where fully vaccinated travellers can arrive from around the world with…

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  • World NewsMali’s dancing plastic monster | Thaiger

    Mali’s dancing plastic monster

    Bamako, Mali, has an environmental star. Contemporary dancer Zol uses his constume and dancing skills to highlight plastic pollution. SOURCE: DW News

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  • World NewsSingapore-Malaysia Vaccinated Travel Lane starts Monday, 6 airlines offer flights

    Singapore-Malaysia Vaccinated Travel Lane starts Monday, 6 airlines offer flights

    With Singapore and Malaysia’s so-called “Vaccinated Travel Lane” launching Monday, allowing quarantine-free travel for those going to and from the two countries, six airlines will offer flights under the scheme. AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Scoot, and Singapore Airlines are set to fly between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur under VTL programme, starting Monday, according to the Civil Aviation…

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  • World NewsChina’s lobbying for Myanmar junta to join Xi Summit met with opposition

    China’s lobbying for Myanmar junta to join Xi Summit met with opposition

    China’s Special Envoy of Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang has pressed Southeast Asian governments to allow Myanmar’s military ruler to attend a regional meeting hosted by China’s President next week, but has faced heavy opposition, diplomatic sources told Reuters reporters. He visited Singapore and Brunei last week, but was told that Myanmar military junta chief Ming Aung Hlaing would be unable…

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  • Thailand TravelCountries that have reopened for medical tourism 2021 – 2022

    Countries that have reopened for medical tourism 2021 – 2022

    As a sector that’s heavily reliant on international travel, medical tourism was badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with countries finally reopening, the medical tourism market is now slowly recovering. Medical tourism companies and medical centres catering to international patients are resuming their operations and adapting to the new normal. As a result, the number of people seeking treatment…

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  • Transport NewsPublic transport drivers subject to safety points system from December

    Public transport drivers subject to safety points system from December

    The Department of Land Transport is implementing a points-based system to punish public transport drivers for bad behaviours starting December 1. The system will give drivers 100 points to begin with and demerit points for every violation of traffic laws or safety, resulting in a temporary suspension of their license. The Director-General of the department explained the system that will…

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  • Crime News11 inmates climb through hole in ceiling, escape from prison cell in Nakhon Sawan

    11 inmates climb through hole in ceiling, escape from prison cell in Nakhon Sawan

    Nearly a dozen inmates climbed through a hole in a holding cell and escape from the Khlong Pho Temporary Prison in the central province Nakhon Sawan where they were held as a isolation period before being sent to Nakhon Sawan Central Prison. Officers say the inmates have been found. Police Major-General Raphiphong Sukphaiboon from Nakhon Sawan police station said the…

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  • PropertyHow the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the face of properties in demand

    How the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the face of properties in demand

    The Covid-19 pandemic has definitely changed the face of many things, including that of Thailand’s properties in demand. According to CBRE, a leading international property consultant, the resumption of real estate activities is in the near future. As Thailand is currently easing entry restrictions, the consultant says it is only a matter of time when the property market will pick…

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  • PropertySenior citizen properties could be Thailand’s untapped market

    Senior citizen properties could be Thailand’s untapped market

    Senior citizen properties could be Thailand’s untapped market, and it seems, one real estate company is catching on to the trend. According to Bangkok Post, Nye Estate Co, a subsidiary of property developer Narai Property Co, is renovating a suspended riverside condo building in Nonthaburi in order to develop independent living unit rentals for senior citizens. Chief executive Ornruedi Na-Ranong…

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  • Tourism NewsPattaya tourism quiet until entry and booze rules are eased

    Pattaya tourism quiet until entry and booze rules are eased

    According to the acting president of the Chon Buri Tourism Council, Pattaya is still quiet, and 95% of tourists there are Thai since the reopening to international tourists on November 1. Of the 200 to 300 people per day who do come, the majority are not tourists but businesspeople and expats. And many of the tourists who do come end…

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  • Thailand NewsAPEC summit in Thailand to focus on regional economy

    APEC summit in Thailand to focus on regional economy

    Next year Thailand will be hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The Foreign Ministry explains that this year the meeting will be focused on economic recovery and growth in the region following the global Covid-19 pandemic. Promoting cooperation between member nations is the emphasis of this event, reports Thai PBS. The theme of the summit is said to…

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