Month: June 2022

  • Covid-19 News

    Thailand to be “post pandemic” this week, not endemic

    Post-pandemic or endemic? As Covid-19 is now projected to affect only small to medium sized slices of the population going forward, the Public Health Ministry will declare Thailand to be in post-pandemic mode from this Friday, according to health permanent secretary Kiattiphum Wongrajit. July 1 coincides with the abolition of the Thailand Pass pre-travel digital gateway for overseas visitors, along…

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  • Crime News

    Songkhla teen arrested for possession of meth pills worth 3 million baht

    Police in Songkhla yesterday arrested a teenage boy for having methamphetamine pills with a street value of 3 million baht. The 16 year old boy, named Ken, was arrested, and 112,000 methamphetamine pills were seized, after being found in a cardboard box in a room on the second floor of his residence, after a house search in the Hat Yai…

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  • Politics News

    NIDA poll puts Thailand’s opposition parties way ahead of the government

    Thais have placed a candidate for the next Thai PM at the top of a recent poll. And that person hasn’t even declared they will run for the top job at this stage. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra, has scored the top position in the latest popularity poll conducted by the NIDA poll. Paetongtarn…

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  • Technology News

    Khon Kaen, Thailand’s smart city torchbearer

    Khon Kaen has been held up as a shining example to the rest of Thailand on how to develop as a smart city. One of the four major cities of Isan in northern Thailand, Khon Kaen, was showered with praise at the 4th Apec Media Focus Group last week, hosted jointly by The Foreign Ministry, and Khon Kaen University International…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket’s Central Patong shopping mall plans reopening and recruitment drive

    Central Patong shopping mall in Phuket is launching a large-scale recruitment drive on the back of plans to reopen after a year of closure due to the pandemic. Central Department Store, the managers of the shopping centre, informed stores in the Central Patong shopping mall of the temporary closure on February 1 last year. But on Saturday, the Thai department…

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  • Sponsored

    A look at Thailand’s award-winning social media agency

    Press Release Meet Primal, Southeast Asia’s Social Media Marketing Powerhouse. With more than 80% of Thailand’s population using social media in 2022, social media marketing is more important than ever for developing your business’s online presence. Meeting customers on the platforms they frequently use is a great way to get exposure for your business and boost conversions. And one of…

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  • Thailand News

    Pop star demands to know why her pet dog died on Thai flight

    Thai pop star Prompwilai “Mimi” Leesiriroj has demanded an explanation from Thai Airways, and China Eastern, as to why her pet dog, Melody, died while travelling on a flight from Thailand to China on Friday. The 22 year old singer, also known as Mimi Lee, found stardom in China after she won a reality TV show called Produce 101 China,…

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  • Transport News

    Bus shortages in Bangkok causing longer waits for commuters

    The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority has confirmed that there are severe bus shortages on roughly 27 routes around the city and that nearly 90% of commuters have experienced delays. After receiving a number of complaints from the public, the BMTA found issues with fare collection, driver shortages, maintenance on buses, and the poor management of the schedule. There are 2,885…

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  • Bangkok News

    UPDATE: Owner of fire building in Bangkok Chinatown to sue electric authority

    UPDATE Stall sellers and the owners of the Ratchawong Rungrueng packaging shop building, which caught fire in Bangkok’s Chinatown on Saturday, say they are going to sue the Metropolitan Electricity Authority for negligence after a broken transformer caused the blaze that killed 2 people. The faulty transformer caught fire and quickly ripped through the 3-story building on Ratchawong Road in…

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  • World News

    Thais taking Cannabis to Japan will face punishment

    Thai nationals heading to Japan should avoid taking cannabis, hemp, and cannabis-related products into the country because they could face being arrested under Japanese laws, according to the Thai embassy in Japan. “The Thai embassy in Tokyo would like to warn Thai people not to bring in cannabis, hemp, or products containing these plants into Japan. Violators could face punishment…

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  • Bangkok News

    Bangkok governor dragged into Benchatkitti Park cycling spat

    Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has been dragged into a war of words between cyclists and parkgoers in a popular city park. Parkgoers and cyclists, who frequent Benchakitti Park, in the Klong Toey district, took to social media to voice their anger over speeding cyclists and the danger they pose by riding without due care and attention to others while speeding…

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  • Thailand video news

    How are people in Thailand dealing with the rise in prices | GMT

    Bangkok governor to assess designated rally grounds after 1 month. Bangkok Chinatown fire kills 1, terrified shoppers run for their lives. Commuters turning to trains, 30% increase in passengers. Is curry the solution for rising prices? The Pattaya Pride Parade and cactus Thieves. All this and more on todays Good Morning Thailand.

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  • Thailand News

    Boost to tourism industry as China resumes flights to Thailand

    Thailand received another boost to its tourism industry yesterday when China gave its blessing to resume flights between the two Asian nations. The gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, the scrapping of the Thailand Pass, and the relaxation of mask-wearing have all been much welcomed as the kingdom fights back against two tough pandemic years. And the welcoming of Chinese tourists…

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  • Travel

    5 best family-friendly hotels in Koh Samui for 2022

    From white sand beaches with calm waters to adventure-packed experiences in tropical rainforests, Koh Samui is one of the most family-friendly destinations in Thailand. But even the most perfect holiday destination can become tainted if you don’t have a fantastic place to stay. Fortunately, Koh Samui has amazing family-friendly hotels and resorts that go above and beyond to ensure your…

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  • Thailand News

    Thai health officials ‘concerned’ about the international rise of Omicron BA4 and BA5 variants

    Thailand health officials are expected to gather more data in the coming weeks as the highly transmissible BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of Omicron spread in Thailand. There is a new wave of BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variant infections hitting a number of countries that had, until recently, seen a large drop in their Covid case loads. Germany, Italy, Australia, Taiwan,…

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  • Bangkok News

    To cushion price hikes, Bangkok PT stations will serve 25 baht curry

    Price hikes are no fun for anyone, but in the Bangkok area, some groups are trying to cushion the blow of the world’s economic crisis. The Thai Restaurant Association announced today that it will launch a project tomorrow (Monday) to serve curry for 25 baht at PT filling stations across Bangkok and the surrounding area. TRA president Thaniwan Kulmongkol said…

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  • Bangkok News

    UPDATE: Bangkok Chinatown fire death toll jumps to 2

    UPDATE The death toll has risen after the fire in Bangkok’s Chinatown this morning. While 1 person was reported dead at the Sampeng market earlier today, that number has now jumped to 2. The bodies of the man and woman killed by the blaze were reportedly burnt beyond recognition. The man is identified as 34 year old Phetduang, and the…

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  • Economy News

    Thailand plans to negotiate with Saudi Arabia over fertiliser

    Thailand is suffering a fertiliser shortage, with the country’s farmers bearing the high costs of imported fertilisers. Now, the Chamber of Commerce plans to negotiate with Saudi suppliers. Saudi Arabia recently allowed 2 of its suppliers to sell fertiliser to Thailand, according to Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit. The International Trade Promotion Department is scheduled to hold a business matching…

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  • Northern Thailand News

    Chiang Rai police arrested for taking huge bribe from Chinese porn gang

    Another day, another story involving Thai police taking bribes, this time in Chiang Rai. According to deputy police commissioner Surachate Hakpan, a.k.a ‘Big Joke,’ 4 officers in the northern province took a 1 million baht bribe from a Chinese gang filming live pornography at 2 resorts. One of the officers had searched the gang’s filming spot on March 31. He…

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  • Thailand News

    Cannabis for the confused, stoned or curious in Thailand I Lawyers, Guns and Money

      Speaking to lawyer Dr. Paul Crozier from Silk Legal in Bangkok. Thailand’s new laws regarding the decriminalisation and legalising of cannabis and marijuana products is not clear, despite some people believing it is. The Thai government has not enacted laws and guidelines about the use of cannabis or marijuana, medicinally or recreationally. Dr. Paul Crozier discusses some of the…

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  • Bangkok News

    Bangkok Chinatown fire kills 1, terrified shoppers run for their lives

    One person died in a fire in Bangkok’s Chinatown today. The blaze broke out in the historic Sampeng market in Samphanthawong district, located beside the Chao Phraya River. Details of the victim’s identity haven’t been released yet. Terrified shoppers ran for their lives as the blaze gutted 5 houses before firefighters arrived on the scene to put out the flames.…

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  • World News

    Filipino transgender woman takes the crown at Pattaya pageant

    A Filipino transgender woman claimed the crown at a world-renowned beauty pageant in Pattaya yesterday. Contestants from Columbia and France finished in the runners up places. Altogether, 23 transgender women competed for the title. The newly crowned Miss International Queen, 27 year old Fuschia Anne Ravena, dazzled the crowd in her glittery silver dress, which the bejewelled silver crown matched…

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  • Thailand News

    Embracing No Mask Requirement In Thailand | Weekend Update

    Bangkok is celebrating the country’s removal of mask requirements in open spaces. Thai PM bans ‘The green and hemp use on military premises. The Bus issue in Thailand and Storm rip apart villages in the Northeast. All this and your questions are answered on today’s Weekend Update.

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  • Crime News

    Cannabis vendor in central Thailand is making bank

    One vendor in central Thailand is pretty happy about Thailand’s new cannabis laws. The vendor, 53 year old Khamphai, is bringing good vibes to local stoners in Ang Thong province, and over 1,000 baht a day to herself. Despite the announcement to decriminalise aspects of cannabis and marijuana use, specific laws and guidelines are yet to be presented to the…

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  • Pattaya News

    Chon Buri cactus thieves on the loose, plants reportedly worth 80,000 baht

    Forget underwear thieves, 2 new crooks are on the loose in Chon Buri- cactus thieves. But why would anyone steal the prickly plants? Because these are reportedly worth 80,000 baht. CCTV footage from last week shows that 2 men in masks cut through the net of a greenhouse in the Sri Racha district, and stole 200 cactuses before they dashed…

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  • South Thailand News

    South Thailand’s Muslim leaders reject weed, liquor and same-sex partnerships

    South Thailand’s Muslim leaders are rejecting the kingdom’s growing liberalism on 3 issues. On Thursday (June 23), Muslim representatives from Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla, Satun and Pattani provinces, read a statement against 3 draft bills that are currently being debated or yet to be presented to the Thai parliament Those bills were the Cannabis and Hemp Bill, the Progressive Liquor Act,…

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  • Tourism News

    Back to the future – the resistance to taking off masks in Thailand | OPINION

    Walking along the streets of Bangkok this morning I may as well be in a time loop. There was only one person not wearing a mask as I walked to breakfast. Me. Everyone else, everyone, was wearing a face mask, just like over the past 2 years and 2 months. It was 7.30am, it’s not as if it was busy.…

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  • Bangkok News

    Bangkok’s new governor posts video of his maskless jog

    While Thailand has earned a rap for its enthusiasm over face masks, one politician in Bangkok is celebrating the country’s removal of mask requirements in open spaces. Bangkok’s new Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has posted a video of himself on a daily jog through the city- with his face uncovered. In the video, Chadchart and a bunch of friends or colleagues…

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  • Pattaya News

    Sewage nightmare continues for Pattaya village after years

    A village in East Pattaya has suffered from horrendous sewage problems for more than 7 years, and things aren’t getting any better. Wastewater regularly flows into Daraphan Village 5 from the neighbouring Eakmongkol Village 8, and officials’ minimal efforts have not brought about change. In 2015, officials had agreed to install suitable pipework to carry the wastewater into Pattaya city…

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  • Crime News

    Thai PM bans cannabis and hemp use on military premises

    Thai officials are continuing to clamp down on the ‘happy plant’ in various institutions across the country. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has now ordered a ban against all uses of cannabis and hemp on military premises. So if any soldiers out there were hoping for any chance of bonding with their pals over a joint, those dreams have now been dashed.…

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  • Crime News

    From Pattaya with Love, or How To Win Friends and Taser People!

    A training session held last week on Wednesday, June 22, on Jomtien Beach has convinced anyone that public relations are not a strong characteristic in the ranks of the Pattaya Police. Thanks to Adam and The Pattaya News for the video and pics. The display was an apparent demonstration of the skills of Pattaya police to be able to handle…

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  • Thailand News

    Largest instant noodle convenience store

    This shop that opened in October last year has drawn thousands of teenagers since its opening. Not only does this shop have Thai instant noodles, it also has noodles coming from different countries that include Indonesia, South Korea, China, Japan,malaysia, and more. The cost ranges from 6 baht to 250 Baht

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  • Thailand News

    Thai singer eats protected lizard, faces backlash

    A famous Thai country singer has come under fire over her daring culinary tastes. The singer, Kratai Phannipha, filmed her husband cooking a spicy Thai dish containing one unusual type of meat- a monitor lizard, which is a protected species in Thailand. A photo shows the couple later chowing down on the, erm, ‘exotic’ meal. One angry tweeter who went…

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  • Northern Thailand News

    Storm rips apart villages in Northeast Thailand

    Communities in Northeast Thailand are the latest to bear the brunt of the country’s monsoon season. Rain plundered 3 villages in Nakhon Ratchasima province last night, damaging 48 houses and several crops. Non Sung district officials have now warned villagers to make sure that their houses’ roofs and structures can endure rough weather. Northeast Thailand is the country’s poorest region.…

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  • Pattaya News

    Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach vendors are putting up a fight over new rules

    Vendors on Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach aren’t having it with the beach’s new rules for them. Local authorities plan to ban vendors from operating at the beach after the vendors used a new stretch of the beach to sell their products. The new space was created for tourists to enjoy but merchants, local businesses, and hawkers quickly moved onto the area…

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  • Phuket News

    Motorbike engulfed in flames on Patong Hill, driver left uninjured

    A motorbike driving down Patong Hill on Phuket’s west coast was engulfed in flames last night, as shown in a photo of the incident. Not only did the driver survive, but he was left without any injuries. The man, 54 year old food seller Niphon Mengeaid, told The Phuket Express about his close call… “I was driving down Patong hill…

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  • Thailand News

    Police raid Kanchanaburi resorts for land encroachment

    There’s been a new incident of Thailand’s tourism industry disturbing the country’s nature, this time in Kanchanaburi. Police in the western province have raided 4 resorts yesterday that encroached on forest land, as well as land belonging to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. The police busted resorts around a dam in the Sri Sawat district. The first resort had…

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