Month: April 2023
- Business News
A closer look at the crypto industry in Thailand
Thailand’s crypto industry has been steadily growing in recent years. This success is partially thanks to the government’s increased support for the sector. In 2018, the Thai government legalized cryptocurrencies and introduced a regulatory framework to oversee crypto-related activities in the country. Since then, Thailand has become a popular destination for crypto startups like Bitcoin casinos, trading exchanges, and payment…
Read More » - Visa Information
How can I be eligible for the Retirement Visa in Thailand?
Thailand is a popular destination for expats, digital nomads, and retirees looking for a new adventure. To stay in Thailand for an extended period, a non-immigrant visa is required, with several categories to choose from. One of these categories is the O visa, which is specifically designed for foreigners who wish to retire in Thailand. The O visa is also…
Read More » - Environment News
Smoke haze blurs vision in southern Thailand’s Betong district
Southern Thailand’s Betong district, situated in Yala province, is experiencing smoke haze typical at this time of the year, primarily originating from Indonesia, according to local officials. This morning, Betong’s PM10 level, referring to particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less, was recorded at 54 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m3), which is not currently a level hazardous to…
Read More » - Visa Information
Long Term Visa: Importance of Thailand’s 90-Day Reporting
The 90-day reporting is a requirement for foreigners staying in Thailand for an extended period of time. It is a process where non-Thai nationals need to report their current residential address and other personal information to the immigration authorities every 90 days. The 90-day reporting is mandatory for anyone who holds a long-term visa, such as a non-immigrant visa, retirement…
Read More » - Retire in Thailand
Top 10 reasons to retire in Thailand in 2024
Known for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, and affordable cost of living, people are now considering the benefit to retire in Thailand. According to a survey by International Living, Thailand ranks as the 9th best country to retire in 2021, based on factors such as cost of living, healthcare, climate, and lifestyle. In addition, a survey by HSBC found…
Read More » - Thailand News
10 fishing vessels sink in violent storms off southern Thailand coast
Violent storms in the coastal region led to the sinking of 10 out of 60 fishing vessels that embarked from ports in five coastal districts in the southern province of Thailand yesterday morning. Tragically, three crew members have been confirmed dead. Out of the 60 boats that set sail, 48 were from the Pak Phanang district, with 121 crew members…
Read More » - Thailand News
Endangered bright orange langur monkey rescued in Thailand
A baby bright orange langur monkey is now safe at a Thai wildlife rescue centre after being found abandoned by his family in the wild in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, southern Thailand. Estimated to be less than one month old, the infant was found lost and all alone in a rubber plantation. He was abandoned after his family were scared…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai man loses 10,000 baht in lottery after being conned into buying old tickets
A Thai man filed a complaint with the police after he was conned into buying old lottery tickets by a vendor in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok and lost a 10,000 baht lottery prize. The 66 year old lottery winner, or loser, Thanapon Thongchaiya, filed a complaint at Phra Pradaeng Police Station yesterday. Thanapon told police that he bought seven…
Read More » - World News
Cambodia bestows citizenship to Brazilian boxer and Polish wife
The King of Cambodia bestowed citizenship to Brazilian kickboxer Thiago Teixeira for sticking up for the Khmers in the recent origins of Muay Thai dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. His Polish wife was also granted citizenship. The royal ceremony follows the World Muaythai Organisation’s (WMO) decision to ban the 30 year old mixed martiaul arts fighter Thiago Teixeira from competing.…
Read More » - Northern Thailand News
Doi Pui mountain’s TV Tower in Chiang Rai rescued from forest fires
The Channel 9 TV transmitter tower atop Doi Pui mountain in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Rai had a close shave with destruction as forest fires inched dangerously close last night. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the firefighting volunteers who rushed to save the day! A motley crew of officials from Mae Puem National Park and local volunteers joined…
Read More » - Visa Information
Thailand visa types and requirements guide
If you’re planning to travel to Thailand for any reason, whether for tourism, business, or visiting friends and family, you must obtain a Thai visa. A visa is a legal document that allows you to enter and stay in Thailand for a specific period. The Thai government offers several types of visas to foreign nationals, depending on the purpose of…
Read More » - Travel
Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort wins MICE Friendly Design Award
Press Release Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort is delighted to announce that the resort has been awarded the MICE Friendly Design Award by the Foundation of Civilization during the Thailand Friendly Design Expo 2022, which was held at Bitec Bangna from 18-22 December 2022. The MICE Friendly Design Award is an award rooted in equal access for…
Read More » - Thailand News
Over 25,000 Thai men from diverse backgrounds volunteer for RTA enlistment
A total of 25,100 Thai men, from diverse backgrounds such as monks and those holding Master’s degrees, applied for voluntary enlistment in the Royal Thai Army yesterday, according to deputy army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Sirichan Ngathong. The annual military conscription took a short break during the Songkran Festival and resumed yesterday. The draft is set to continue until Thursday in…
Read More » - Thailand News
Bangkok taxi driver condemned for ripping off foreign tourists
Thai netizens condemned a Bangkok taxi driver for ripping off two foreign tourists. The driver was caught on a viral video charging the tourists 700 baht for about a 7 kilometre trip which was considered almost seven times more expensive than the standard fare. On Saturday, April 15, the Facebook page called Let Me Know If You Wanna Be Famous…
Read More » - Thailand News
Myanmar releases 3000 prisoners including 98 foreigners
The military junta of Myanmar released 3,113 prisoners – including 98 foreigners – from prison today to mark the country’s traditional new year, according to a statement released on a pro-junta Telegram channel. Secretary-general of the junta Min Aung Hlaing said the amnesty is a “celebration of Myanmar’s New Year to bring joy for the people and address humanitarian concerns.”…
Read More » - Thailand News
Songkran traffic accidents spike in Thailand’s first six days, with 2,008 reported incidents
During the first six days of Thailand‘s Songkran festival, there were 2,008 traffic accidents reported, marking an increase from last year’s more subdued celebrations. Although the festivities resulted in a higher number of casualties this year, the overall number of road deaths has decreased, according to recent data from the Interior Ministry. Chotenarin Kerdsom, permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Beach vendor with disability stabbed to death in Pattaya
Police arrested a man fleeing from the scene of a crime yesterday after he allegedly stabbed to death a vendor with a disability on Pattaya Beach. A witness believed the murder was motivated by an illegal business operation. Officers from Mueng Pattaya Police Station received a notification that a 38 year old man named Thotsapon had been stabbed to death…
Read More » - Tourism News
Thailand’s Similan Islands to close next month
Thailand’s Similan Islands were bustling with tourists during the Songkran holidays but will soon be much quieter when the archipelago closes for a period of environmental restoration on May 19. The marine park will be closed off to tourists during the monsoon season and will reopen again on October 15, 2023, after nature has had a chance to recover from…
Read More » - Thailand News
Health crisis looms as Songkran ends: Expert warns of potential Covid-19 spread
As the Songkran Festival wraps up, public health expert Dr Thira Woratanarat expressed concerns about the potential spread of the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16. The subvariant is thought to be responsible for a recent increase in Covid-19 cases in India. Dr Thira, a lecturer at the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, referred to the…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand’s national lottery: How many years does it take to win the two-digit prize?
A Thammasat University statistics expert revealed that an individual would need to purchase the national lottery consecutively for approximately four years and two months just to win the two-digit prize, raising questions about the promotion of the lottery in Thailand. Assoc. Prof. Wararit Panichkitkosolkul highlighted a recent study conducted by the university’s Faculty of Science and Technology, demonstrating the minimal…
Read More » - Northern Thailand News
Mad Buddhist monks brawl at funeral in northeast Thailand
Tensions were high at a funeral in Surin province in northeast Thailand on Friday when a brawl broke out between two saffron-robed Buddhist monks, allegedly over a plastic chair. Yesterday, the acting abbot of Wat Pho Sri Sawang Arom, Phra Toi Kan, told reporters what happened at the temple on Friday. In Thailand, Buddhist funeral rites include a distinctive ritual…
Read More » - Thailand News
Tom Kha Gai ranked 9th in TasteAtlas’s Best Rated Soups in the World
Food guide website TasteAtlas ranked the traditional Thai dish Tom Kha Gai, or coconut chicken soup with galangal, ninth in the 100 Best Rated Soups in the World. The well-known Tom Yum soup came in at 16th. The list was compiled based on votes from foodies around the world and published on the TasteAtlas website on March 30. Tom Kha…
Read More » - Thailand News
Adapting DDC’s vaccination strategy to address increasing Covid-19 cases
Amidst concerns over a sudden surge in Covid-19 infections, the Ministry of Public Health is altering its vaccination strategy, aiming to handle the increasing numbers connected to the Songkran festivities. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) unveiled the alteration yesterday in response to the spiking rate of new Covid-19 cases experienced last week. According to DDC Director-General Dr Thares Krassanairawiwong,…
Read More » - Northern Thailand News
Summer storms cause chaos in coastal regions as boats overturn
A severe summer storm has struck the south and northeast of Thailand, resulting in one fatality and causing the sinking of numerous fishing boats, according to reports. A mini-tornado briefly formed during the peak of the storm, with strong winds generating large waves along the coastlines of Pak Phanang, Muang, and Tha Sala districts of Nakhon Si Thammarat around 8am…
Read More » - Thailand Travel
How can Thailand’s super-aged solve the hotel staff crisis?
While Thailand’s hotel and tourism recovery is moving forward at a faster-than-expected pace, the country’s acute hospitality staff shortage continues to worsen by the day. In what can best be termed a ‘people business’, hotel owners and operators and wondering where have all the people gone. It’s a worrisome trend and is only going to get worse as mass tourism…
Read More » - Thai Life
Thailand lottery player bags 114 million baht with 19 winning tickets
“Lucky” is an understatement for the anonymous Thai national who bought 19 winning tickets for Thailand’s national lottery draw yesterday. The newfound millionaire won 114 million baht (US$3.3 million) in total. Yesterday afternoon, the winning numbers 984906 were drawn in Thailand’s national lottery draw. Anyone with a digital or printed lottery ticket dated April 16 with the said numbers wins…
Read More » - Thailand News
Injuries increased by 81% during Songkran, road fatalities decreased
Hospital admissions during the Songkran Festival spiked by 81% due to road accidents A significant 81% rise in hospital admissions has been reported due to an alarming 19% increase in the number of people injured in road accidents during the Songkran Festival, as stated by the Ministry of Public Health. The ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr Opas Kankawinpong, expressed his concern…
Read More » - Thailand News
Foreign army veteran rescued after Songkran water gun exacerbates PTSD
A Thai rescuer took to Facebook to share knowledge about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms after he helped a foreign veteran suffering from the condition after a water gun attack in the Patong sub-district of Phuket. The Thai rescuer, Nicola Vincenzo Biccai, posted the story on Friday, April 14 that he received a notification from witnesses that a foreign man…
Read More » - Environment News
Online app helps monitor health of residents from air pollution
The Ministry of Public Health is launching an application to track the health of citizens in the Na Phra Lan tambon, located in the Chalerm Prakiat district of Saraburi, in response to rising concerns about air pollution and contamination caused by nearby limestone mines and cement manufacturing plants. Rungruang Kitpati, the chairman of the ministry’s Intelligence Unit, acknowledged the impact…
Read More » - Crime News
Quackdown: Rubber duck escorted to police station in Thailand
An inflatable rubber duck waddled down to the police station in Kanchanaburi, western Thailand, during the Songkran holidays after guests at a pool villa were accused of fowl play. In a TikTok clip filmed on Saturday morning, the displeased customers carry the duck down to Ladya Police Station, explaining… “Today we came to visit a pool villa, don’t ask me…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand set to cruise into marine tourism boom with revived project
Thailand’s Marine Department is set to revive the Cruise Terminal Development Project to cater for the growth in marine tourism. In 2018, Thailand ranked third globally for most cruise ship stopovers, with 581 ships stopping per year and 14% growth year on year. Despite this growth, the country lacks a legitimate standard cruise terminal. A department report showed that the…
Read More » - Thailand News
8 victims injured during RCA Songkran party shooting in Bangkok
Police arrested a gunman in connection with a shooting at a Songkran party in front of Onyx bar at the popular entertainment venue Royal City Avenue (RCA) in Bangkok in the early hours of this morning. Four victims were injured by gunfire, while four others were hurt while trying to flee the scene. Officers from Makkasan Police Station were notified…
Read More » - Thailand News
Life-changing silicone prosthetics: The SNMRI is transforming lives
The Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute (SNMRI) is dedicated to achieving organisational excellence at its silicone clinic, focusing on the evaluation and fabrication of silicone prosthetics to improve the lives of those who have undergone post-traumatic amputation. The SNMRI recognises that patients who have lost all or part of an organ due to an accident may face difficulties when it…
Read More » - Guides
Neverland cannabis shop sets the bar high with its game-changing service
Bangkok’s love affair with cannabis is in full swing, and the city’s latest addition to the cannabis scene is making a splash. Neverland Weed Shop, located in the bustling neighbourhood of Chatuchak, is quickly becoming a top destination for those seeking high-quality cannabis in Bangkok. Emphasis on quality and an extensive selection of cannabis in Bangkok One of Neverland Weed…
Read More » - Tourism News
Miracle in the Gulf of Thailand: No casualties reported after ferry sinks
Interior Ministry permanent secretary Sutthipong Julcharoen reported no casualties on the ferry that sank en route between Koh Samui and mainland Surat Thani yesterday. The ferry sank at Don Sak pier after passengers and vehicles had left the vessel. No one was injured, according to the Interior Ministry. Sutthipong revealed that the R10 ferry of Raja Ferry Co sank at…
Read More » - Songkran News
Thai official says 91% of serious injuries during Songkran due to not wearing seat belts
The Songkran festival, which is celebrated annually in Thailand, is known for its festive water fights and partying. However, it has also gained a reputation for being one of the deadliest times on the roads due to increased traffic and road accidents. According to the Secretary General of the Thai Public Health Ministry, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, there was an uptick…
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