Year: 2023
- World News
Russian trains hit by explosives near Ukraine
An unidentified explosive device has derailed a Russian freight train near the border with Ukraine, marking the second such incident in two consecutive days. This comes amid a series of attacks in Russia and Crimea, including a drone strike on an oil depot and power lines being blown up near Saint Petersburg. The explosions and strikes come as Russia prepares…
Read More » - Thailand News
Taiwanese model’s embarrassing airport experience: Items that vibrate in the night
Renowned Taiwanese model Xin Yu Li, known for being a top-tier talent in the industry, recently shared her embarrassing yet amusing experience at an airport after returning from an international work assignment. While preparing to return, Yu Li encountered a situation that left her red-faced and others nearby witnessing the ordeal. In her recount, Yu Li mentioned that she had…
Read More » - Travel
The best local seafood restaurants in Phuket you need to try
The ocean surrounding Phuket is a rich source of fresh and delicious seafood. And with fishers bringing in local catches daily, trying seafood in Phuket is something you shouldn’t miss! From beachfront restaurants to hidden venues on the edge of mangrove swamps, we’ve compiled a list of the best seafood restaurants in Phuket you have to try today. Thinking about…
Read More » - World News
Islamic Jihad announces truce around Gaza after death of hunger striker in Israeli custody
A truce has been announced by the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad in Gaza following conflict with Israel, which had escalated after the death of a hunger striker from its ranks while in Israeli custody. Sources from both Islamic Jihad and fellow militant group Hamas have revealed that mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations intervened to broker a…
Read More » - World News
World’s tallest hempcrete building set to open in Cape Town
The world’s tallest building constructed with industrial hemp, a 12-storey establishment boasting a stunning view of Table Mountain, is nearing completion in Cape Town, South Africa. Workers are currently adding the final touches to the 54-room Hemp Hotel, which is set to be completed in June. Constructed primarily with Hempcrete blocks made from the cannabis plant, the building is supported…
Read More » - Things To Do
Things to do in Pattaya for a fantastic long weekend vacation
Unsure how to make the most of your time in Pattaya this long weekend? Worry not; we’ve compiled a pick of fantastic things to do in Pattaya. This famous beach resort is a destination that appeals to party-goers as much as it does to families and culture vultures. Whether you want a nature escape, a sun-soaked beach getaway, an intimate…
Read More » - Thailand News
Gas cylinder explosion wreaks havoc, damages 8 houses, a car and injures teenage boy
A gas cylinder explosion damaged eight houses and a car in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok while a 15 year old boy living in the incident house suffered serious burn wounds all over his body. The incident occurred yesterday in a three-storey townhouse owned by a 39 year old man named Weeraphat Chuensomsong. He was not home during the explosion. Unfortunately,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Former Yala governor sentenced to 8 years for malfeasance in GT200 bomb detector case
Former Yala governor, Teera Mintrasak, aged 59, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for malfeasance in connection with the purchase of fraudulent GT200 bomb detectors from 2007-2009. The sentence was delivered by the Region 9 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. Teera was among 12 defendants involved in the case, with the other 11, all of whom…
Read More » - World News
Israeli military air strikes and Gaza militants clash after Palestinian prisoner dies in custody
In response to the death of a Palestinian prisoner in Israeli custody, tensions have escalated as the Israeli military conducted air strikes, and both Israel and Gaza militants traded fire. 45-year-old prisoner Khader Adnan died after being detained in the occupied West Bank for nearly three months due to his links with the Islamic Jihad militant group. Palestinian Prime Minister…
Read More » - Crime News
King of Thailand strips Premchai of insignia over outcome of ‘black panther’ case
The King of Thailand has called back Premchai Karnasuta’s royal decorations and insignia due to the final verdict of the famous ‘black panther’ poaching case which resulted in the former construction tycoon’s imprisonment. In December 2021, the Supreme Court sentenced Premchai – the former president of the construction conglomerate Italian-Thai – to more than three years in jail after finding…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Pattaya gears up for 600,000 Indian tourists this Year
At least 600,000 Indian tourists are anticipated to visit Pattaya this year, returning the visitor numbers to levels similar to those prior to the pandemic, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Anoma Vongyai, director of TAT’s Pattaya office, revealed that over 900,000 Indian tourists travelled to Thailand in the year preceding the pandemic, with approximately 600,000 of them…
Read More » - Thailand Election News
Thai youth vote for reform despite political hurdles
Three years ago, 24 year old Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul was at the forefront of a democracy movement in Thailand as thousands of young protesters clashed with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets on the streets of Bangkok. The movement shook the kingdom with its calls for reform and unprecedented demands to curb the power of King Maha Vajiralongkorn but gradually…
Read More » - World News
Press freedom under attack globally, warns UN officials and media outlets
Press freedom is facing challenges in various parts of the world, with harassment, imprisonment, and killings of journalists on the rise, according to warnings issued by United Nations (UN) officials and media organisations. The concerns were raised ahead of World Press Freedom Day, which aims to uphold the importance of a free press in sustaining democracy and human rights. UN…
Read More » - World News
Myanmar junta pardons over 2,000 prisoners jailed under dissent crackdown law
Myanmar’s military government announced today that over 2,000 prisoners detained under a law frequently employed in its crackdown on dissent have been pardoned. This move comes two years after the junta seized power, leading the country into a state of chaos. Since the coup in February 2021, thousands of activists and protesters have been arrested by the military. Pardons were…
Read More » - Thailand News
Woman commits suicide in car with 11 pet dogs
A Thai woman in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok allegedly committed suicide in her car by using a charcoal stove to kill herself with her 11 Poodle dogs. A rescue team, Ruamkatanyu Volunteer Association, was alerted to the death of the Thai woman and her 11 pet dogs and reported the news on its official Facebook page today. According to…
Read More » - World News
Drunk driver kills newlywed bride shortly after wedding
A wedding turned into a tragedy for one American couple. A drunk driver killed a newlywed bride shortly after her wedding in the US state of South Carolina last week on Friday, April 28. The drunk driver crashed into the back of a golf cart that the bride and groom were riding in on a beach road. The bride, 34…
Read More » - World News
India struggles with urban sewage treatment as population surges
According to the United Nations, India is set to overtake China as the world’s most populous country, housing almost 1.43 billion people. The urban population is set to increase by 270 million people by 2040. However, of the 72 billion litres of daily sewage currently created in the country’s urban centres, a massive 45 billion litres which is enough to…
Read More » - Cannabis
Thailand’s tourism sector grapples with cannabis legalisation
A year after Thailand legalised cannabis by removing the plant from the list of prohibited narcotics, the tourism sector has experienced both positive and negative repercussions. While it was anticipated that medical cannabis tourism would thrive, increasing concerns about the relaxed regulations have led the Tourism Authority of Thailand to reconsider its promotional strategy. Initially, there was a surge in…
Read More » - Guides
What you need to know before buying an EV Car in Thailand
Looking to make the transition from a traditionally powered car to a full eclectic vehicle (EV)? The EV market in Thailand is only getting started, and more people are becoming interested in driving EV cars. Given the skyrocketing price of oil, it seems inevitable that EV cars will soon replace fossil fuel vehicles. Plus, EV cars offer a smooth driving…
Read More » - Thailand News
Bizarre wedding prank goes wrong as groom left in torn clothes
Most weddings in the West are generally sedate, uneventful affairs, with toasts to the bride and groom while there are others which push the boundaries of tradition like one ceremony in China which resulted in torn trousers for the groom and revealing underwear that shocked guests outraged by tradition. In rural parts of China, certain long-standing wedding traditions continue to…
Read More » - World News
China increasingly barring people from leaving the country amid claims of openness
China is increasingly preventing individuals, including foreign executives, from leaving the country, sending a conflicting message as authorities claim the nation is open for business following three years of stringent COVID-19 restrictions. According to a recent report by the rights group Safeguard Defenders, numerous Chinese and foreigners have been caught up in exit bans, while Reuters analysis indicates a significant…
Read More » - Phuket News
No foreigners receive yellow or red cards in April, reports Phuket Immigration
Foreigners were on their best behaviour in Phuket, southern Thailand, last month with 0 foreign tourists receiving yellow or red cards, reports Phuket Immigration. Phuket Immigration launched the yellow and red card scheme in March to combat the problem of wayward foreigners on the island. The system sees law-breaking foreign tourists deported from the kingdom after two offences. Any tourist…
Read More » - Business News
TNSC lowers Thailand’s export growth forecast due to global economic challenges
The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) has revised its export growth forecast for Thailand, predicting a 0-1% increase due to negative factors and uncertainty in the US and Chinese economies, as well as ongoing geopolitical conflicts. Despite the downward revision, the group remains confident that Thailand’s exports will not contract this year. Chaichan Chareonsuk, chairman of the TNSC, stated that…
Read More » - Thailand News
Police ex-husband charged for supporting cyanide serial killer’s reign of terror
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) confirmed that the cyanide serial killer’s police officer ex-husband aided and abetted his former wife during her psychotic reign of terror. Although the specifics of his involvement have not been disclosed, he is currently facing three criminal charges. The cyanide serial killer, Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, is facing charges for the murder of 10 victims in…
Read More » - Krabi News
Krabi tour bus crash injures driver, 42 passengers survive
A tour bus crash in Thailand’s Krabi province left the bus driver with moderate injuries, however, the bus’s 42 passengers fortunately survived. The bus crashed into a power pole on Petch Kasem Road in the South Klong Tom district on Monday. Witnesses said that a pickup truck cut in front of the bus, and the driver avoided the collision before…
Read More » - Environment News
Phuket government promotes solar energy with low-interest loans
In an effort to encourage more renewable energy use and lessen environmental impact, the Government Savings Bank of Thailand has unveiled the GSB Go Green loan. By providing financing for the installation and purchase of solar panels and other energy-efficient equipment, the bank aims to ease household energy costs in the country while helping to reduce global warming. Withai Rattanakorn,…
Read More » - Business News
Biodiesel and used cooking oil set to fuel sustainable aviation industry
Biodiesel, which is a combination of diesel and palm oil-derived methyl ester, as well as previously discarded used cooking oil, is now competing to revolutionise the aviation industry. These two oils can be processed to create sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), an eco-friendly biofuel for aircraft. Many companies are keen to produce SAF as airlines become increasingly aware of its potential…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket prison inmates to train as boatbuilders in rehabilitation project
In a bid to provide vocational training and equip prisoners with valuable skills for their post-release lives, ten inmates from Phuket Prison are set to begin training as boatbuilders on May 8. The project comes after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Phuket Provincial Prison and Roeng Varee boatbuilders, based in Chalong. The signing took place at Phuket Provincial…
Read More » - Events
Coronation Day holiday and early voting brings booze ban in Thailand
A four-day weekend is set to begin for much of Thailand due to the Coronation Day holiday and early voting taking place for Thai elections, and with it comes a booze ban. The weekend also brings a 24 hour booze ban, which will be effective from 6pm on Saturday, May 6, to 6pm on Sunday, May 7, as mandated by…
Read More » - Crime News
Young woman attacked with razors over 250 baht in southern Thailand
A loan shark chased a debtor for 750 baht debt yesterday in Phattalung province, southern Thailand. When the debtor coughed up only 500 baht, she was attacked by around 20 people over the remaining 250 baht. The gang slashed her with razors all over her body causing serious injury. At 2am today, officers at Mueang Phatthalung Police Station were called to…
Read More » - Business News
Thai gems and jewellery exports set to grow 10% despite global challenges
Exports of gems and jewellery (excluding gold) from Thailand are forecasted to grow by 10% this year, despite concerns of economic slowdown and ongoing geopolitical conflicts. This optimistic projection comes from increased demand for high-end luxury jewellery, particularly gemstone jewellery, according to Sumed Prasongphongchai, director of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand. In the first quarter of this year,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Unique ordination parade sees men tossed in air in Chaiyaphum village
Eight men embarking on a spiritual journey into the Buddhist monkhood experienced a thrilling ordination parade in Ban Non-Salao, a village in the Phu Khieo district. In the morning, the provincial governor of Chaiyaphum, Sopon Suwanrat, attended religious ceremonies at a village shrine honouring the 8 men being ordained, collectively referred to as ‘nagas.’ The day’s main attraction was a…
Read More » - Business News
White House to discuss AI’s promise and risks with tech giants
The White House is set to host discussions with leading executives from Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic, aimed at tackling the potential risks and benefits of artificial intelligence(AI). The agenda includes Vice President Kamala Harris and other US administration officials exploring methods to ensure consumers reap the advantages of AI while remaining safeguarded from its potential dangers, as stated in…
Read More » - Business News
US Federal Reserve considers final interest rate hike to tackle inflation
The US Federal Reserve has commenced a two-day meeting to determine if it will raise its benchmark lending rate for possibly the last time in this campaign, in an effort to tackle persistent inflation. Since March of last year, the Fed has embarked on a bold series of interest-rate hikes to address inflation, which currently stands at 5%, significantly higher…
Read More » - Pattaya News
South Pattaya residents launch innovative rehab program to combat drug addiction
Residents of a South Pattaya community have initiated a rehabilitation programme as a substitute for incarcerating drug addicts. Chon Buri Police Commander Kumpol Leelapraphaporn, Pattaya Police Chief Tanapong Photi, and Mayor Porame Ngampichet took part in the opening event of the Community Based Treatment and Rehabilitation initiative for the Thappraya Community on May 1. This innovative approach diverges from the…
Read More » - Crime News
Cops finally catch Songkran stabbing suspect in Phuket after 6 years
Cops finally caught a suspect in a Songkran stabbing attack in Phuket, six years after he allegedly committed his crime. The suspect, 33 year old Jirapong, allegedly stabbed and seriously injured another man during Songkran in 2017, in the central Prachin Buri province. Jirapong had reportedly been celebrating and drinking alcohol with his friends before he and a teenager got…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Pyjama drama: Woman caught stealing a motorbike in her PJs in Pattaya”
A security camera captured a woman, dressed in pyjamas, stealing a motorbike from a Pattaya home. The incident gained attention due to the peculiar choice of attire by the thief. A CCTV camera at a house in Pattaya recorded a tall and plump woman strolling in front of the property around 10pm yesterday. The woman then snuck into the house…
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