Year: 2023
- Thailand News
RTA soldiers and Muay Thai champion unite to set new world record
Renowned Muay Thai fighter Sombat “Buakhao” Banchamek teamed up with 3,650 soldiers to break a Guinness world record by performing the traditional Thai dance, Wai Kru, at the Amazing Muaythai Festival 2023 on February 4 in Hua Hin. February 6 of every year is marked as Muay Thai Day to preserve and promote Thailand’s soft power Thai boxing. Commander of…
Read More » - World News
Indian transgender couple cause a stir with pregnancy photoshoot
Ziya Paval and Zahad, a transgender couple from the southern state of Kerala, India, are making headlines and history with their pregnancy photoshoot. The couple, who were in the midst of a gender transition, decided to have a baby one-and-a-half years ago, pausing their hormone therapy on the advice of their doctors. “Trans people deserve family,” said transgender actress S…
Read More » - Thailand News
Rescuers race to save 1 year old trapped in 15-metre-deep hole in Thailand
Rescuers have been working for over 16 hours to attempt to rescue a one year old girl trapped in a narrow, 15-metre-deep hole in Tak province in northern Thailand. At 9.30am, rescuers made a breakthrough and managed to reach the toddler. They are now in the process of bringing her up out of the hole. Yesterday, a Burmese couple left…
Read More » - Covid-19 News
Ready-to-move-in condos in Thailand attracting Chinese buyers
The Covid-19 pandemic has driven many Chinese nationals to speed up their relocation to Thailand, with the majority looking to buy ready-to-move-in condos. Kashif Ansari, the CEO of Juwai IQI Group, a real estate marketing firm in China, reckons that Chinese buyers are in a rush to make their move to Thailand right away, instead of waiting for two years.…
Read More » - Phuket News
Foreigners, particularly Russians, accused of working illegally in Phuket
The Phuket Information Centre (ศูนย์ข้อมูลภูเก็ต) Facebook page accused foreigners, particularly Russians, of operating illegal businesses and working illegally in Phuket. Phuket Information Centre Facebook page shared with its followers last Sunday, February 5, that… “A lot of foreigners stay and work in Phuket, both legally and illegally. Recently, a group of foreigners started a car rental business. They offered both…
Read More » - Thailand video news
Man fakes wife’s death for 10 million Baht | GMT
In today’s episode, Man accused of faking wife’s death for 10 million baht, Biggest crowd yet for Full Moon Party, 100 cops to be charged over illegal visas, and Turkey earthquake.
Read More » - World News
Bangkok Airways suspends Hat Yai and Da Nang routes until further notice
Regional airline Bangkok Airways based in Thailand announced the temporary suspension of two of its routes “until further notice.” Bangkok Airways will suspend all flights on the domestic Bangkok – Hat Yai route on March 1, 2023. International route Bangkok – Da Nang, in Vietnam, will be suspended from May 1, 2023. The airline did not reveal the reason for…
Read More » - Environment News
Death toll rising on 7.8 earthquake in Turkey
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck southeastern Turkey in the early hours of this morning has caused catastrophic destruction across both countries, leaving hundreds dead and many more injured. Some 650 people have been reported dead but the death toll is rising, with experts warning that aftershocks could continue for days or weeks. Tremors were also felt in Cyprus, Egypt,…
Read More » - Thailand News
‘Tame’ whale shark swims with tourists for 5 hours in eastern Thailand
A “tame” whale shark swam with tourists for five hours off the coast of Rayong province in eastern Thailand yesterday. Diving instructor Kru Off, from the Toy Boat Tour group, revealed that he took tourists out to Hin Pleng, a popular dive site about 13 nautical miles off the coast. As the tourists were swimming and looking at the coral,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Bangkok road provides dangerous bed for sleepy motorcyclist
A Bangkok traffic cop posted a TikTok video of a man who dozed off on his motorcycle in the middle of a dangerous road. The officer emphasized that the man was not under the influence of alcohol, just very, very sleepy. The video on the cop’s TikTok account, Nui Seeaun, shows a man in an olive green coat slumped over…
Read More » - Tourism News
Biggest crowd yet for Full Moon Party
Full Moon Party has completely returned to pre-Covid numbers, as tourists from around the world flocked to Haad Rin, Koh Pha Ngan for the massive knees-up. News reports estimated the crowd size to be anywhere between 20,000 to 50,000, and accommodations including hotels and hostels were almost fully booked at 99% capacity. The pier and boats were overwhelmed with large…
Read More » - Thailand video news
Foreigner Owned Luxury Pattaya Villa Gutted by Fire | Thailand News Today
———————————— Canadian man’s luxury Pattaya villa gutted by fire A fire gutted a Canadian man’s 20 million baht luxury villa in Pattaya, eastern Thailand, yesterday. The fire occurred at a pool villa in Phu Thara village in Pattaya’s Bang Lamung District, to where the Nong Prue Municipality deployed three fire engines and quickly got the flames under control. The fire started on the ground floor which damaged the…
Read More » - Thailand News
Man accused of faking wife’s death for 10 million baht
A man has been arrested for fraud after allegedly faking the death of his wife to claim 10 million baht from life insurance companies. The man denied the charge and blamed his wife and brother-in-law instead. He did insist on paying back the insurance companies that were scammed. The Central Investigations Bureau (CIB) was notified about the fraud and after…
Read More » - Hot News
Prayut goes right to Top News birthday party
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha typically runs from the media spotlight, so it came as quite a surprise when he popped up at the Top News birthday party to celebrate the far-right outlet‘s anniversary last week. Inviting viewers to watch Top News – Thailand’s answer to the Breitbart News Network – PM Gen Prayut said that the channel “presents the news…
Read More » - World News
Cambodia claims Louis Vuitton logo inspired by ancient Khmer art
A media outlet in Cambodia claims that the symbol on the famous Louis Vuitton logo is inspired by ancient Khmer art. Facebook page ‘Ebook Cambodia’ posted a photo of a classic Louis Vuitton handbag against an ancient Cambodian stone carving of an Apsara, a type of historical divine dancer known for exquisite costumes and captivating hand movements. The Apsara’s sarong…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai customs end intrusive frisking of designer-brand wearers at airports
The Thai Customs Department has officially put an end to the embarrassing and intrusive practice of frisking travellers passing through border control with designer-brand items at airports. The department said the searches were a burden for travellers. According to the deputy director of the Customs Department, Phanthong Loykunlanan, the department has abolished frisking tourists to make travel more convenient. However,…
Read More » - World News
Thailand’s MICE sector boosts tourism profits
Tourism profits have thrived since Thailand reopened. For business travel, the sector known as meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE), is at the front of prospects for the coming year. MICE has been a major contributor to the hospitality sector in Thailand for years, with spending per trip almost double that of leisure tourists. In 2019, the international MICE market generated…
Read More » - Visa Information
Bank of Scotland brands Thai wife ‘criminal’
A Bank of Scotland apology to a Scotsman has come after the bank labelled his Thai wife a “criminal.” Ashby McGowan, from Glasgow and Thanaporn Sonkew, received £150 (US$180, 6,000 baht) for the “distress and inconvenience” they had been caused, according to The Nation. McGowan and Thanaporn find themselves trapped in a “hostile environment” with ordinary law-abiding Thais seemingly automatically…
Read More » - Crime News
Thai police can’t find alleged ‘macau888’ kingpin’s rare Lamborghini
UPDATE Police searched three locations in Thailand but the super rare Lamborghini they planned to seize from alleged macau888 gambling kingpin Benz Daemon today is nowhere to be found. Police did however seize other luxury cars belonging to various suspects in the case including Benz Daemon, who is believed to be in hiding in Hong Kong. Netizens are criticising the…
Read More » - Phuket News
Thailand’s tourism industry struggles to deal with chronic labour shortage
Thailand is facing a major crisis: the Land of Smiles’ tourism industry is struggling to deal with its chronic labour shortage. With over 11 million foreign tourists visiting Thailand since the country’s reopening in July 2022, the country is facing a major shortage of workers. According to data from the Labour Ministry, popular tourist destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai,…
Read More » - South Thailand News
Anwar’s maiden visit to Thailand raises hopes for peace
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar’s maiden visit to Thailand this week has raised hopes for peace in the troubled south. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia last year. The visit is expected to add momentum to the peace dialogue. Malaysia is the facilitator for the dialogue to end decades of conflict in Narathiwat,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Pattaya restaurant blamed for taking over public beach
A restaurant manager confessed to using public spaces at Na Jomtien Beach in Pattaya without permission to provide seating for their customers. Facebook page, PattayaWatchdog, posted a picture of nearly 30 tables on the beach, complete with decorative lamps to create an ideal romantic dinner setting. The caption said… “This is Na Jomtien Beach under the care of the Na…
Read More » - Thailand News
American tourists spend more money in Thailand than Europeans, survey says
American tourists spend more money in Thailand on average than European tourists, according to a survey conducted by the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT). The TCT polled 200 Western tourists about their holiday spending habits during Q4 of last year. On each trip to the kingdom, Americans said they spend 96,269 baht on average per person (US$2,887) and Europeans said…
Read More » - Tourism News
Russian plane engine catches fire on Phuket runway
A Russian tourist plane bound for Moscow faced a terrifying moment when its engine caught fire before takeoff at Phuket International Airport. The 309 passengers and 12 crew on board the 26 year old Boeing 767-306ER, operated by Azur Air, were forced to evacuate the aircraft. Footage from the scene shows flames bursting from the right engine of the Russian…
Read More » - Expats
AI chatbot steers British woman out of troubled marriage and into arms of lover
Artificial intelligence is omnipresent: it is in healthcare, enables problem-solving and, in one case, helped one unhappily married British woman to decide to divorce her husband. In maybe a world first, a woman sought the advice of OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot to navigate the treacherous waters of a failing marriage and a steamy affair. Sarah, a 37 year old tech worker…
Read More » - Technology News
Spending on IT in Thailand to grow 4%
Spending on IT in Thailand is expected to grow by more than 4% in 2023, slightly slower than last year and weighed down by a projected contraction in spending on new phones. Growth this year is projected to be almost twice the global rate of 2.4%. John-David Lovelock of the research firm Gartner said… “Inflation, skills shortages and supply chain…
Read More » - Transport News
New twice daily bus links Pattaya and Hua Hin
Hua Hin and Pattaya have long been two popular destinations in Thailand for tourists and expats. Now a new service schedule will link the two cities with buses running twice a day between Pattaya and Hua Hin, beginning February 19. The two cities sit about 325 kilometres apart by road. Both cities are known for their stunning beaches, exciting nightlife, and…
Read More » - Crime News
More addictive meth a new drug danger
Love meth but are disappointed that it’s just not addicting enough? There may be a new solution for you. A doctor in Krabi warned about a dangerous new addictive substance found in meth pills. Dr Somkiat Kijthamachet, who runs the Dr Somkiat Clinic, has been providing free treatment to drug addicts for over 30 years. He recently uncovered a new…
Read More » - Crime News
Thai police to seize rare Lamborghini from alleged ‘macau888’ gambling network kingpin
Thailand’s cyber police say they will seize a super rare Lamborghini owned by the alleged owner of the illegal online gambling network ‘macau888‘ today. The Lamborghini Mad Bull Liberty Walk Aventador V2 is one of only 50 in the world with an estimated value of 37 – 44 million baht. It is the only one in Thailand. The ‘Liberty Walk’…
Read More » - Thailand News
GLO under fire after refusing to pay jackpot winner 12 million baht
An out-of-work, heartbroken Thai Lottery jackpot winner who won 12 million baht couldn’t claim her prize from the Government Lottery Office (GLO) because she bought her tickets from an online lottery platform that the government shut down for overcharging customers. Phanthawat “North” Narkwisut, the CEO of Kong Salak Plus, was ordered to close his platform by the Department of Special…
Read More » - Sponsored
Marketing in Thailand as a Foreigner: Volume #5 The Best Practices, really?
Foreign marketers sometimes need to be bold enough to wear socks and sandals in a tropical country like Thailand to stand out. If you wonder why: READ HERE. Volume#5: The Best Practices, really? Anyone working for brands big enough is always approached with ‘THE PLATFORMS’. They will let you know all the best practices in the world that could rocket…
Read More » - Politics News
Move Forward Party vows to take down ‘Three Por’ generals
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat vows to end the powerful Three Por clique and rewrite Thailand‘s constitution. The 42 year old MP announced at a campaign event in Chiang Mai on Saturday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, were the root cause of Thailand’s problems and they need to…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Canadian man’s luxury Pattaya villa gutted by fire
A fire gutted a Canadian man’s 20 million baht luxury villa in Pattaya, eastern Thailand, yesterday. Officers at Nong Prue Police Station were notified of a raging fire at a pool villa in Phu Thara village in Pattaya’s Bang Lamung district yesterday afternoon. Nong Prue Municipality firefighters deployed three fire engines and quickly got the flames under control. The fire…
Read More » - Environment News
Earthquake rocks Turkey – buildings tumble and fear takes over (videos)
A massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeast Turkey early this morning, sending shockwaves throughout the region and causing several buildings to crumble. The US Geological Survey reported that the earthquake was centred about 33 kilometres from Gaziantep, a major city, and had a depth of 18 kilometres. The disaster was felt in neighbouring provinces, as well as in Lebanon and…
Read More » - Expats
Thailand’s taxi troubles: Tourists slam overpriced rides and shoddy service
Thailand‘s taxi services have received a poor rating in a recent survey conducted by the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), with foreign tourists slamming the country’s taxis for overpriced fares and shoddy service. The survey, which was conducted on 200 foreign tourists during the final quarter of 2022, showed a rating of just 3.5 out of 5 for taxi services…
Read More » - Thailand video news
Aeroplane Engine On Fire During Takeoff at Phuket Airport | GMT
In today’s episode, An aeroplane engine caught fire during takeoff at the airport in Phuket, Airport customs explains its inspection guidelines, Is kaeng som the worst dish in Thailand?, and Chinese travel companies resume regular business.
Read More » - Entertainment
Cops blame publicity-seeker Arisa for “Four Brothers” gambling ring fiasco
Police are currently busting the macau888 gambling website and are seeking 12 more suspected members of the “Four Brothers” gambling ring after making the first arrest on Friday. Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) commissioner Pol Lt-General Worawat Watnakornbancha said on Saturday that police are hunting 12 remaining suspects, though some may have fled overseas. Natthapong Rachinla, 28, “Zico” was arrested…
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