Year: 2023
- World News
Hiroshima’s burnt origami cranes transform into peace-promoting pottery
In a hillside temple on Miyajima island, facing Hiroshima, a monk in saffron robes blows a conch and begins chanting prayers as thousands of origami cranes donated to Hiroshima are burned. For the past decade, the Daisho-in Buddhist temple has held ritual burnings of the millions of origami cranes sent to Hiroshima each year, honouring the sentiments folded into each…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Motorcycle thief killed in car accident in Chon Buri
A thief died on the Sukhumvit Road in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri last night after he stole a motorcycle and crashed into a car while making an escape. The dead thief was identified as 42 year old Chalermpon Pairin. The stolen motorcycle, a red Yamaha Filano, was left in pieces following the collision with a white Toyota Yaris…
Read More » - Business News
China’s new home prices rise for 4th month, but pace slows
China‘s housing market experienced a fourth consecutive month of growth in April, albeit at a slightly reduced pace, as the government‘s efforts to stabilise the sector continue to boost sentiment following the country’s rapid recovery from Covid-19 restrictions. New home prices in April increased by 0.4% month-on-month, compared to a 0.5% rise in March, based on Reuters calculations using data…
Read More » - Tourism News
TAT aims to reel in foodie tourists with new sustainable culinary programme (video)
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set its sights on further enhancing Thailand’s reputation as a culinary destination while promoting sustainability. The TAT is now aiming to reel in foodie tourists with the new Amazing Thailand Culinary City programme, aimed at promoting gastronomy tourism. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, stated that the Amazing Thailand Culinary…
Read More » - World News
Singapore, China reaffirm partnership, explore digitalisation and sustainability cooperation
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong recently met with China’s Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, further strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two nations. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) noted that their partnership has been upgraded to an “All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership.” The leaders discussed the growth of bilateral cooperation, including the three government-to-government projects in Suzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing,…
Read More » - Crime News
Mayor sentenced to death over land activist’s murder in Thailand
The Lower Court sentenced the former Mayor of Wang Wiset district to the death penalty today over the murder of a lawyer and land rights activist in Trang province, southern Thailand, two years ago. The hitman and another man were sentenced to life imprisonment. Today, Trang Provincial Court sentenced 52 year old Charinrat “Chuan” Kruthirat to death after he and…
Read More » - Business News
Singapore’s key exports drop for seventh month amid electronics slump
Singapore‘s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) suffered a decline for the seventh consecutive month, with a 9.8% drop in April compared to the same month last year. This is according to data from Enterprise Singapore, which also revealed an 8.3% contraction in March. The decline in April was worse than the 9.4% drop predicted by a Reuters poll. The slump in…
Read More » - Business News
FTI urges swift Thai coalition to back high-tech hub and green growth
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is preparing a position paper outlining the economic policies favoured by businesses, with plans to submit it to the newly formed government once it takes office. Montri Mahaplerkpong, the FTI vice-chairman, stated that the paper is in its final stages and should be approved by the end of the month. The document will highlight…
Read More » - Thailand News
Man mysteriously jumps off bridge after crashing car into truck
A Thai man mysteriously jumped off a bridge after he crashed his car into a 10-wheel truck on the New Ratchaphruek bridge in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. It is believed that the man committed suicide because he was suffering from overwhelming stress. According to the police, a 26 year old man named Chayanin Sipho, crashed his white Honda City…
Read More » - Crime News
Suspect says he stabbed Chinese businessman to death in South Thailand
UPDATE In the latest development on the killing of a Chinese businessman in South Thailand‘s Trang province, police have caught three suspects believed to be involved. One of the suspects says he stabbed the victim to death. Colonel Sakda Jaroenkun, Deputy Commander of the Region 9 Police, told The Phuket Express that police in Satun successfully arrested three suspects identified…
Read More » - World News
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un approves military spy satellite plan
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly inspected the nation’s first military spy satellite and given the go-ahead for its future action plan, according to state media. Kim met with the Non-permanent Satellite Launch Preparatory Committee and viewed the satellite, following his announcement a month ago that the satellite’s construction was completed and ready for launch. The development of the military…
Read More » - World News
Brigitte Macron relative attacked near family’s chocolate shop
In an apparent politically motivated attack, a family member of French first lady Brigitte Macron was assaulted outside the family’s chocolate shop in Amiens, northern France. Jean-Baptiste Trogneux was returning to his apartment above the renowned Trogneux chocolate shop when he was surrounded by anti-government protesters who insulted the president, his wife, and their family before physically attacking him. Jean-Alexandre…
Read More » - Business News
Tesla to test traditional advertising, Elon Musk reveals irony
In a surprising move, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced today that the electric vehicle manufacturer would experiment with advertising to evaluate its effectiveness. This decision comes as a notable shift for Musk, who has previously shunned traditional advertising methods for Tesla. Interestingly, Musk’s recent acquisition of Twitter, a platform heavily reliant on advertising, may have influenced his change of heart.…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand’s economy defies global recession fears with post-election boost
Thailand’s economy is predicted to gain momentum during the last three quarters of this year, despite the looming threat of a global recession, partly due to the boost from the May 14 General Election, according to analysts. The country’s GDP growth for the first quarter was 2.7% year-on-year, surpassing the expected 2.3% and marking an improvement from the 1.4% growth…
Read More » - World News
Huge brawl erupts at Thailand v Indonesia SEA Games football final (video)
The SouthEast Asia (SEA) Games football final between Indonesia and Thailand turned into a Muay Thai match yesterday when Thailand netted an equalising goal in injury time, sparking a dramatic brawl. But Indonesia ran out victors scoring three more goals in extra-time to win their first SEA Games men’s football medal in 32 years with a 5-2 victory. After a…
Read More » - Thailand News
Groups urge Senate to back Thai majority’s choice for PM, Pita Limjaroenrat
Two prominent civil society groups urged the Senate to honour the majority’s decision in favour of Pita Limjaroenrat, the Move Forward Party’s (MFP) candidate for prime minister. The Rural Doctors Society (RDS) and the Law CU Student Committee, Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University (CU), expressed their support for the MFP to lead a coalition government with Pita at the helm.…
Read More » - Thailand News
MP candidate loses election but wins 24 million baht lottery
He may have lost out trying to be a Member of Parliament (MP) in Sunday’s General Election but Pheu Thai Party MP Udom Kanmuang was a lucky winner in yesterday’s Thai lottery, scooping an incredible 24 million baht. Udom represented the Pheu Thai Party in the 1st constituency of the Mueang district of Samut Sakhon. The former village chief of…
Read More » - World News
Council of Europe gathers to discuss future prosecution of Russian leaders
A year after Russia’s expulsion from the Council of Europe (CoE) due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the leaders of the 46-nation human rights body convened in Iceland to take preliminary steps toward the potential prosecution of Russian leaders. The summit’s main focus was the creation of a “register of damages” to document evidence for use in a special…
Read More » - Pattaya News
MFP candidate demands General Election in Sattahip to be void
A Member of Parliament (MP) from the Move Forward Party (MFP), Nitchanan Wangkahart, demanded the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) invalidate the General Election results in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province after corruption allegations emerged. On Monday, May 15, a Thai voter, Wiranda Pandee, and others spotted that votes in the 10th constituency of the Sattahip district exceeded…
Read More » - Thai Life
Buddhist monk wins lottery in Thailand
A Buddhist monk won the 6 million baht jackpot in Thailand‘s national lottery draw yesterday. He says he will spend the money on making repairs at his temple in Nakhon Ratchasima province. Phra Ajahn Praphas, a 63 year old monk residing at Wat Nong Bua in Ban Pho subdistrict of Korat’s Mueang district, won the lottery’s first prize of 6…
Read More » - World News
American drunk driver tried to switch seats with dog to dodge arrest
In some rather embarrassing news, an American drunk driver in Colorado tried to switch seats with his dog who was in the passenger seat, to dodge arrest as police approached his car. Springfield Police wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday, the man had been driving 52 miles per hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone near 7th and Main Street. The…
Read More » - Pattaya News
American tourist rescued from 4-hour nightmare in Pattaya sewers
An American tourist was rescued from the sewers beneath Pattaya, eastern Thailand, yesterday after getting trapped in the murky, pungent pipe system for more than four hours. A security guard was bewildered when he heard a voice coming from beneath a covered drain at the entrance of Soi 8 Thep Prasit, Moo 11, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district. He…
Read More » - Thailand News
Beijing woman catches subway harasser, awaits police while holding him
A woman in Beijing bravely stood up against a man who sexually harassed her on a subway train, grabbing his collar and taking him to the police herself. The South China Morning Post reported that the incident took place on May 9 at the East Sihui subway station in the Chinese capital. Initially, the woman tried to evade the man,…
Read More » - Crime News
Cleaners find Chinese businessman’s body with stab wounds at South Thailand resort
Cleaners at a resort in South Thailand‘s Trang province found a Chinese businessman‘s body with stab and slash wounds yesterday. Police were alerted of the incident in the Tub Tieng sub-district of Trang’s main city district in the afternoon. The victim was 43 year old Zhiru Li, The Phuket Express reported. According to resort staff, a room cleaner attempted to…
Read More » - Thailand News
Interfering mother-in-law’s secret affair exposed after accusing daughter-in-law of cheating
An interfering mother-in-law’s secret affair was exposed after she accused her daughter-in-law of cheating. The meddlesome mum-in-law’s remarks on how different her new granddaughter looked compared to other members of the family forced the new mother to insist on DNA tests for all of the family. The woman had given birth to a beautiful daughter with mesmerising green eyes that,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Over 1,000 Care Bears toys seized for failing to meet TIS
The Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) confiscated more than 1,000 Care Bears toys worth 900,000 baht after a raid at a shop in the Sampeng Market in Bangkok. The CPPD conducted the raid after they stumbled upon a TikTok advertisement inviting netizens to buy Care Bears toys. They found that the toys did not comply with the Thai Industrial Standard…
Read More » - Thailand News
Police help 9 foreign tourists stranded at the border of Thailand
The Royal Thai Police helped nine foreign tourists who were stranded near the Cambodian border in Sa Keao province, eastern Thailand, to find a place to rest their heads last night. The tourists, including six Spanish nationals, one Ukrainian national, and two Indian nationals, were “very impressed” with the work of Sa Keao Tourist Police, soldiers of the 13th Ranger…
Read More » - World News
Malaysia braced for heatwave until September, no emergency declared yet
Despite the sweltering weather in Malaysia, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the government has no immediate plans to declare the heatwave an emergency. However, he added that the government is prepared to do so if necessary. This decision was made after a National Disaster Management Committee meeting, which Ahmad Zahid chaired. “For now, we don’t think there…
Read More » - Politics News
Prayut’s political career uncertain as United Thai Nation suffers election losses
Bangkok’s Deputy leader of the United Thai Nation, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, expressed doubt yesterday over whether Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will continue his political career after their party’s losses in the General Election. Wangboonkongchana mentioned that 69 year old Prayut has not discussed his future plans, but he may have to step down from politics. The preliminary results from Thailand’s Election…
Read More » - Thailand Election News
Thailand opposition faces hurdles despite election win
The formation of a new government in Thailand faces significant challenges following the opposition’s victory in the May 14 General Election. The 500 newly-elected Members of Parliament (MPs) are required to vote for a new prime minister alongside 250 senators appointed by military generals who staged the coup, according to Professor Duncan McCargo, director of the Nordic Institute of Asian…
Read More » - Crime News
Polish killer asks Bangkok taxi driver to help cut up Ukrainian woman’s body via Google Translate
UPDATE In an interview with Thai news platform CH3, a taxi driver revealed that the Polish man, who was arrested for allegedly murdering his Ukrainian girlfriend, “Alona,” and attempting to dismember her in a Bangkok condo room, asked him to help get rid of her body via Google Translate. The taxi driver said that he picked up the suspect, Lagoda…
Read More » - World News
Burmese people celebrate MFP General Election victory
In astonishing scenes, thousands of Burmese people gathered in Myanmar to celebrate the 2023 General Election victory of the Move Forward Party (MFP). Burmese netizens made known that the MFP triumph will have a positive effect on the rights and well-being of Burmese workers in Thailand. Local media agencies in Myanmar reported yesterday, May 15, that thousands of Burmese took…
Read More » - Road deaths
Thai motorcyclist dies in high-speed Chon Buri sign post collision
A tragic accident occurred today in Chon Buri, as a 34 year old Thai motorcyclist lost his life after crashing into a signpost. The motorcyclist, Eknakakorn Krasaechan from Sisaket province, was found dead near the 132+800 kilometre marker in the Thung Krat sub-district of Banglamung district, Chon Buri. He had sustained severe lacerations on his forehead and head and was…
Read More » - Business News
China’s April economic data falls short amid low demand, high youth unemployment
Official figures have revealed that China’s economic data for April failed to meet expectations, with low demand and high youth unemployment contributing to an uneven recovery after the easing of strict Covid-19 regulations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), retail sales, a crucial gauge of domestic consumer activity, grew by 18.4% year-on-year. However, this fell short of the…
Read More » - World News
CIA seeks Russian whistleblowers with emotional Telegram video
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ramped up its efforts to encourage Russians to disclose their country’s secrets, releasing a poignant video on Telegram targeting individuals dissatisfied with President Vladimir Putin‘s regime. The brief video portrays a Russian bureaucrat and a woman at home with a child, both seemingly discontent with their lives, and asks if this is what they had…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Som Tam served at 31 baht in Chon Buri to celebrate MFP’s victory
A restaurant in Chon Buri province is celebrating the General Election victory of the Move Forward Party (MFP) by serving discounted som tam (also known as papaya salad). The restaurant, Loei Ma Tam Na Nar Pa (เลยมาตำ ณ. นาป่า), usually serves som tam for 50 baht but reduced it to a mere 31 baht, mirroring MFP leader Pita “Tim” Limcharoenrat’s…
Read More » - World News
Taiwan permits joint adoption for same-sex couples in marriage equality milestone
Taiwan‘s parliament approved an amendment permitting same-sex couples to adopt children jointly, a significant milestone for marriage equality in the country. Taiwan has been a leader in Asia’s growing LGBTQ+ rights movement since becoming the first nation in the region to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019. However, same-sex couples still faced limitations, such as being unable to adopt children together.…
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