Month: July 2022

  • Entertainment

    Lalisa causes a rush on roti sai mai after Instagram post

    Lalisa Lisa Manoban of K-Pop supergroup Blackpink has been a trendsetter lately after her debut solo video broke YouTube records gathering 50 million views in 12 hours. She has been named one of the top 20 most admired women in the world and caused a snack shopping frenzy when she mentioned in an interview that she loved the meatball vendors…

    Read More »
  • Pattaya News

    Pattaya train crashes into truck, 3 survive with minor injuries

    Three people in a pickup truck survived with only minor injuries after a train crashed into the truck in Pattaya yesterday. The truck driver, 54 year old Prasert, said that he was in a hurry, and the railway crossing time and warnings were too short. He said he felt the train had come too fast. The incident happened at the…

    Read More »
  • Thailand News

    Full Moon Party draws 20,000 & Robin Hood in Underpants

    Owning land as a foreigner in Thailand. Robin Hood in underpants, more details of the man handing out phones to the poor. Full moon party and drowning incidents in Phuket has got people on alert. All this and more of your questions answered on todays weekend update.

    Read More »
  • Tourism News

    Russian billionaire’s superyacht Samui visit spurs hope of wealthy tourists

    The arrival of a few mega billionaires to the tourist island of Koh Samui and surrounding islands has sparked hope that Thailand will begin to see a rise in wealthy travellers again. Perhaps now that Covid-19 restrictions are finally mostly lifted, several luxury superyacht vessels have been spotted arriving on the shores of Samui. Most notably, Alexander Alexandrovich Svetakov, a…

    Read More »
  • World News

    Japan hits record high in Covid-19 cases

    Japan’s number of Covid-19 infections climbed to a new record yesterday. While Japan’s previous peak was 104,169 cases in February, yesterday, there were 110,600 cases. In Tokyo, 18,919 new cases were confirmed. The city’s metropolitan government raised its Covid alert to the highest of four levels. Most cases are mild and don’t require hospital treatment. As the country moves on…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok News

    Bangkok doctor warns of lung infections from new Covid-19 sub-variant

    One Bangkok doctor is warning the public of lung infections associated with the new sub-variant of Covid-19. The doctor, Nithipat Jearakul, is the head of Siriraj Hospital’s Department of Respiratory Disease and Tuberculosis. Nithipat says that the BA.5 subvariant of Omicron is as harmful to the lungs as the previous Delta variant. However, most people with lung infections are part…

    Read More »
  • Tourism News

    Thailand isn’t the only place in the world that applies tourist taxes

    Thailand is about to add an arrival ‘tourist’ tax of 300 baht. But it’s not really a tourist tax because it will apply to ALL foreigners entering Thailand, including YOU. No exemptions, not even your work permit or diplomatic status will help. The proposal, set to come into force in Q4, 2022, will be in the form of a 300…

    Read More »
  • Phuket News

    Public grieves loss of doctor who drowned trying to save tourist in Phuket

    Many are grieving the loss of a doctor who drowned while trying to save a tourist from drowning in Phuket. The doctor, 55 year old Surasit Pongaohapan, had rushed to rescue a British tourist from drowning on his honeymoon at Phuket’s Kata Beach. Witnesses say Surasit had been sitting on the beach before he rushed into the water to help.…

    Read More »
  • Road deaths

    Sleeping driver unharmed after seemingly deadly crash

    Yesterday morning saw what looked to be a grizzly car crash in Nakhon Si Thammarat but, surprisingly, the driver walked away unharmed. A pickup truck brimming with durian fruit smashed into a power pole on the highway yesterday morning after the driver fell asleep at the wheel. A man from Phang Nga had been driving down Highway 41 in Thung…

    Read More »
  • World News

    Thailand says no to North Korean martial art at SEA Games

    Thailand is saying no to a North Korean martial art that will be included at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia. Cambodia has said that North Korean-style taekwondo is one of the 39 sports that will be featured at the Games. The vice president of the Olympic Committee of Thailand has said that Thailand will not send any athletes…

    Read More »
  • Phuket News

    After drownings, Phuket governor calls to step up safety

    In the aftermath of a drowning incident this week, Phuket’s Governor Narong is pushing to increase safety measures. Narong visited Patong Beach for an inspection yesterday (Friday), saying he wished to support the lifeguards working there. Red flags have been posted at the beach, and lifeguards are stationed to closely monitor tourists’ safety, according to the National News Bureau of…

    Read More »
  • Northern Thailand News

    Girl in northeast Thailand rides elephant to save fuel costs, goes viral

    Elephant crossing! An 11 year old girl in northeast Thailand’s Buriram province has become a TikTok sensation from riding an elephant to school to help her family save cash on fuel. The girl’s father, Wisanchol, told reporters that he works with elephants and that his family owns four of the gentle giants. The elephant that his daughter, Pupae, was filmed…

    Read More »
  • Thai Life

    Will Thailand become the first SE Asian country to have same sex marriage?

    Liberalisation of cannabis laws (although we’re not sure of the final details at this stage), decriminalisation of Kratom, Pride marches held all over Thailand this year, and protesters daring to mention changes to the constitution, including the “K” word… what’s next for the country ruled by a conservative military-linked government? It could be full legal recognition of same-sex relationships. Or…

    Read More »
  • Covid-19 News

    Thailand’s Public Health Ministry urges 10 day quarantine

    Thailand’s public health authorities are pushing people to follow the 10-day quarantine period if they test positive for Covid-19. A spokesman for the Public Health Ministry, Dr Rungrueng Kitphati, said that if people have to leave their homes, such as for hospital trips, they must wear masks. Rungrueng added that outpatients should also stay in well-ventilated rooms, away from others,…

    Read More »
  • World News

    Thousands evacuated as wildfires blaze across Europe

    Thousands of Europeans from several countries have been evacuated as wildfires are burning down homes. The fires spread through Portugal, Spain, France, and Croatia earlier this week. Now, helicopters are being deployed to help put out the fires. About 10,000 people were evacuated from campsites around the town of Landiras in southwestern France. Fires have now burnt about 5,300 hectares…

    Read More »
  • Economy News

    PTT top revenue-earning company in Thailand in 2021

    In news that is likely not surprising but probably very frustrating, amid soaring fuel prices, petrol company PTT has topped the list as the highest revenue corporation in Thailand for 2021. The national oil and gas conglomerate breakdancing 1 trillion baht over the last year no doubt thanks in part to huge inflation in the price of oil that has…

    Read More »
  • South Thailand News

    Train service resumed from Hat Yai to border town Padang Besar

    With borders finally reopened, the train between Southern Thailand town of Hat Yai and the Malaysian border town of Padang Besar has resumed service. The train had ceased operation more than two years ago when international borders closed during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, passengers can once again take rail service to the border between Malaysia and Thailand…

    Read More »
  • Pattaya News

    Chon Buri man dies of heart attack in market restroom

    A man has died of a heart attack in a market restroom yesterday in the Sri Racha district of Chon Buri province. A cleaner who found the body said she had gone to check on the man in the restroom after he had been in there for a strangely long time. She then found him dead on the toilet. Sri…

    Read More »
  • Thailand News

    High rankings for Thailand in tourism, food, economy and health

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently announced a variety of awards and high rankings number bestowed upon Thailand over the past year. They proudly proclaimed the kingdom’s favourable ratings in over 14 different categories and surveys on Thursday. The country itself won nods over the past year in tourism, livability, happiness, Covid-19 response, safety, and more. Bangkok received accolades for…

    Read More »
  • Pattaya News

    Hotel cleaner finds Canadian man’s body in Pattaya field

    A hotel maid discovered a Canadian man’s body in a grass field in Pattaya yesterday. The cleaner, 54 year old Da, said she had gone to the field behind the Leelawadee Hotel to pick plants. She then noticed a bad smell and followed the odour until she saw a body. At first, she thought the body might have been a…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok News

    130 statues unearthed on display at Emerald Buddha temple

    While digging to build a water drainage system just outside the Emerald Buddha temple in Bangkok, workers uncovered about 130 statues made out of stone that are over 100 years old. The sculptures were stumbled upon and the area was excavated by the Fine Arts Department with the treasure trove of lost art recovered and put on display nearby the…

    Read More »
  • Pattaya News

    Chon Buri man allegedly sexually abused his daughter for 9 years

    A Chon Buri man allegedly sexually abused his daughter for 9 years and stopped her stop going to school because he was afraid she would get a boyfriend. A neighbour found out about the abuse when he saw the 16 year old girl sitting on the side of the road and crying earlier this week. The neighbour then began to…

    Read More »
  • Thailand News

    Foreign ownership of Thai land, but with lots of conditions

    One rai of land in Thailand is all yours to own, if you’re a foreigner, have plenty of money, or are going to stay in Thailand for a long time. The plan to sell freehold land to foreigners is gaining traction and is likely to become law by the end of this year. It’s part of the Thai government’s intention…

    Read More »
  • Thailand video news

    Thailand News Today | Thai Airways gets its act together

      Whilst postponed for a few months, the proposed 300 baht “tourism fee” is back in the news with the Tourism and Sports Ministry providing more details about how it will be collected and what it will be used for. Originally planned for implementation at the start of this year, the proposal was shelved because of the onset of the…

    Read More »
  • Thailand News

    Three Uyghurs escape from detention centre in Thailand

    Thai police are still searching for three Uyghur men who escaped from an immigration detention centre in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, 200 miles south of Bangkok, on Monday. The trio – 25 year old Ali, 30 year old Abdulla and 29 year old Abdullah – broke out of their cell on Monday morning by using a sharp tool to cut…

    Read More »
  • Thailand News

    Thai Cabinet to introduce rape and sexual harassment prevention plan

    Following the recent spate of sex scandals involving Thai politicians, the Cabinet announced it intends to introduce measures to cut out sexual harassment in the workplace. The former deputy leader of the Democratic Party, Prinn Panitchpakdi, was accused of rape and sexual abuse by more than 10 victims in April, with the case still ongoing. More recently, this week Move…

    Read More »
  • Environment News

    Phuket mayor asks public to stop throwing rubbish in canals

    Phuket’s city mayor has asked residents in three target areas of the island province’s main city district to stop throwing rubbish in canals. The mayor, Saroj Angkanapilas, said that city officials have been working to solve flooding problems in the areas. He said… “We ask all residents to use the bins that the municipality has available to reduce the amount…

    Read More »
  • Phuket News

    Phuket lifeguards save 2 tourists at same beach where another 2 drowned

    Lifeguards at Phuket’s Kata Beach saved two foreign tourists from drowning yesterday, the same day that another two people drowned there. The lifeguards rescued a man and a woman around 35 years old. They were choking on water before being taken to the Chalong Hospital in Phuket’s main city district. The tourists have both reportedly recovered in the hospital. They…

    Read More »
  • Thailand News

    Army helicopter crashes in southern Thailand

    At around 9am this morning, a Blackhawk army helicopter crashed in a rubber plantation in Songkhla province with seven military personnel inside. The commander of the 4th Army Region sustained serious injuries and six others suffered minor injuries in the crash. No casualties were reported. The Blackhawk took off from Sena Narong Military Camp in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province,…

    Read More »
  • Covid-19 News

    Bangkok to open 500 more field hospitals after Covid-19 spike

    Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said more field hospitals and isolation centres would be reopened to curb the recent spike in Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 if it is necessary. The 56 year old told media today that the Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 have increased recently since the relaxation of mask-wearing raising the number of Covid-19 infected patients in Bangkok.…

    Read More »
  • Visa Information

    TAT and Airbnb are working together for digital nomads

    To attract remote workers or digital nomads, Airbnb is collaborating with the Tourism Authority of Thailand on a number of projects, including the creation of a special Thailand hub that will feature the best long-term rental properties in the country as well as important details about entry requirements and current visa regulations. Airbnb will also collaborate with TAT on educational…

    Read More »
  • South Thailand News

    Full Moon Party in South Thailand Tonight, Bangkok Airways flights full

    Another Full Moon Party in South Thailand’s island of Koh Pha Ngan is happening tonight (Friday) amidst the country’s five-day holiday. Thai news outlet Naewna reported that all Bangkok Airways flights to Koh Samui Airport were filled to capacity today. Many tourists fly there before making their way to Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province. The tourists are mainly…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok News

    VIDEO: Bangkok taxi driver pulls out knife on Singaporean tourists

    Video evidence reveals a Bangkok taxi driver pulling a knife out from the pocket of the driver’s seat door to intimidate two Singaporean tourists, who had accused him of not giving them enough change. Although Bangkok taxis are supposed to be metered, the tourists said they had agreed a price of 400 baht for their journey to Suvarnabhumi airport. However,…

    Read More »
  • Northern Thailand News

    Police keep open mind on Thai man found dead in water tank with cut throat

    Police reported they were keeping an open mind to whether a local man was murdered or committed suicide after a body with a cut throat was found floating in a water tank at a house in the Isaan province of Roi Et. The body of the dead man, believed to be 51 year old Chaiyut Pakakatet, was fished out of…

    Read More »
  • World News

    Citizens party after Sri Lanka president resigns

    Sri Lanka’s president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has now officially resigned, following mass protests against him. The now former president fled the country to Maldives on Wednesday, and flew from there to Singapore yesterday, an unnamed security source told CNN. After Gotabaya arrived in Singapore, parliament speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced that Gotabaya had tendered his resignation. Mahinda said the country’s PM Ranil…

    Read More »
  • Thailand Protest News

    Former MP faces sedition charge against Thai government

    A former Pheu Thai Party MP faces criminal charges of sedition after a complaint was made to police saying he is whipping up hate against the PM Prayut Chan-o-cha government for suggesting the political climate in Thailand is similar to that of Sri Lanka and the UK. In a highly-charged week in global politics, anarchy broke out on the streets…

    Read More »
  • Pattaya News

    Tree falls on couple in Chon Buri, killing 1

    This week, Chon Buri province was reminded that Thailand’s monsoon weather can be fatal. On Wednesday, in the province’s main city district, raging wind sent a tree plunging on top of two men on a motorcycle, killing one of them. The other man, his boyfriend, was seriously injured. The tree fell on the couple at Bangsaen Sai 4 Road when…

    Read More »