Year: 2023

  • NewsOlympic Games on the brink as 40 nations threaten to pull out

    Olympic Games on the brink as 40 nations threaten to pull out

    Poland‘s Sport and Tourism Minister, Kamil Bortniczuk reckons that up to 40 countries could boycott the next Olympic Games. This comes after Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia jointly rejected an International Olympic Committee (IOC) plan to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Bortniczuk said… “Considering this, I don’t think we will face tough decisions…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsThai police return 6.5 million baht Richard Mille watch to Vietnamese tourist

    Thai police return 6.5 million baht Richard Mille watch to Vietnamese tourist

    Not all Thai police are bad eggs as proven by Lumpini Police officers who managed to reunite a Vietnamese tourist with an expensive Richard Mille wristwatch that he lost in Bangkok on Wednesday night. A Vietnamese tourist took a taxi from a hotel in the Lumpini area of Bangkok to Asiatique on the river. Later on, he ordered a private…

    Read More »
  • Thailand Protest NewsAppeal of Petr Donatek heard in Paris

    Appeal of Petr Donatek heard in Paris

    The appeal of Petr Donatek, a 46-year-old Czech man accused of hiring thugs to attack Thai refugees in Paris, has finally opened and closed. In his testimony, Donatek pleaded that he did not plan the attack. He was convicted in absentia for having hired two Czechs – Jakub Hosek and Daniel Vokal – to attack Thai trans activist Aum Neko…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsWoman accuses police of seizing her car for personal use

    Woman accuses police of seizing her car for personal use

    A Thai woman accused officers from Sathon Police Station in the southern province of Songkhla of confiscating her car for personal use. The unnamed woman said her car was seized by the police two years ago despite not being involved in a crime. The woman reported that the police arrested her boyfriend in 2021 for possessing Kratom and two tablets…

    Read More »
  • World NewsThai passport worth less than Cambodian

    Thai passport worth less than Cambodian

    The Henley Passport Index released this week, ranks the passports of the world based on metrics such as how many countries one can travel to visa-free. Once again a Thai passport is worth less than many comparable nations and ranks a long way behind other nations that share similar demographics and income. There are not many surprises in the top…

    Read More »
  • Crime NewsFrench ‘mafia’ boss extorts money from foreigners in Pattaya, claims ties with Big Joke

    French ‘mafia’ boss extorts money from foreigners in Pattaya, claims ties with Big Joke

    Police arrested a wanted French ‘mafia’ boss in Bangkok on Tuesday after a group of farangs in Pattaya, eastern Thailand, claimed he extorted money from them in exchange for police protection. The fraudster claimed to have ties with “Big Joke.” Yesterday, high-profile police officer Pol. Lt. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn revealed that police arrested 58 year old Herve Christian…

    Read More »
  • Crime NewsThieves rob Phuket 7-Eleven a day before it closes down

    Thieves rob Phuket 7-Eleven a day before it closes down

    Two thieves robbed a 7-Eleven in Phuket on Tuesday, just a day before it was set to close down. The two men snatched 1,826 baht from the store’s two female staff at gunpoint, The Phuket News reported. Thalang Police arrived at the scene and reviewed the CCTV footage. The footage showed two men on a motorbike circling the store twice…

    Read More »
  • Technology NewsTech titans Apple and Google take a tumble

    Tech titans Apple and Google take a tumble

    As the year came to a close in 2022, the tech world was buzzing with reports of major players Apple and Google falling short of their revenue and profit expectations for the last quarter. Despite Apple being the largest company in terms of market value, the tech giant’s iPhone sales saw a significant dip, mainly due to production disruptions in…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsThailand’s democracy index 2022 is the most improved in the world

    Thailand’s democracy index 2022 is the most improved in the world

    Don’t laugh but, Thailand’s democracy index in 2022 is the most improved in the world, so says the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). It has jumped 17 spots on the global scale, ranking 55th out of 167 countries, at a score of 6.67 out of 10. The EIU is a research and analysis organization that provides economic and political forecasts and…

    Read More »
  • Tourism NewsPhuket looks to entice more low-cost Saudi flights

    Phuket looks to entice more low-cost Saudi flights

    Thailand’s renowned paradise of Phuket is looking to entice more low-cost Saudi flights to the island province. The Phuket Tourist Association said in a Facebook post yesterday that it sent a delegation to meet with a low-cost Saudi airline last week. The delegation met with the airline, Flynas, at Flynas’s headquarters in Saudi Arabia on January 25. The delegation gave…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsMurderer transports woman’s corpse to landfill site via motorbike in central Thailand

    Murderer transports woman’s corpse to landfill site via motorbike in central Thailand

    UPDATE After a woman’s corpse wrapped in a yellow blanket was found dumped at a landfill site in Prachin Buri province in central Thailand yesterday, police uncovered important CCTV footage of the murderer transporting her body via motorbike. Police believe the murder to be a result of a love triangle. At 4.39am on January 27, a man is pictured driving…

    Read More »
  • NewsFormer football star Bale shines on PGA Tour debut at Pebble Beach (video)

    Former football star Bale shines on PGA Tour debut at Pebble Beach (video)

    Former football star Gareth Bale stunned the sports world yesterday with a jaw-dropping shot Tiger Woods would have been proud of as he eased into his new life as a golfer. The 33 year old made a strong start in his PGA Tour debut at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Teaming up with professional golfer Joseph Bramlett, the duo dominated the…

    Read More »
  • Crime NewsPhuket Russian allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars in cash and crypto

    Phuket Russian allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars in cash and crypto

    A Russian man in Phuket allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars in cash and cryptocurrency from other Russians. Region 8 Police said they arrested the man, 32 year old Dnitry Shergin, on Wednesday, over a crime he allegedly committed on December 11. The two victims said that in the early morning on December 11, a group of foreign suspects threatened…

    Read More »
  • Crime NewsRape charges dropped against Man Utd star Mason Greenwood

    Rape charges dropped against Man Utd star Mason Greenwood

    The charges of attempted rape and assault against Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood have been dismissed. The 21 year old Manchester United striker was arrested in January 2022 amid allegations surrounding images and videos but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped the case against him for attempted rape. The case was dropped due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and…

    Read More »
  • Thailand video newsIs Vaping, Shisha and E – Cigarettes in Thailand Legal? | GMT

    Is Vaping, Shisha and E – Cigarettes in Thailand Legal? | GMT

    Bangkok’s first free street-food space welcomes hawkers, street vendors, More trees in Bangkok could cut heatwave mortality by a third, Elevated levels of PM2.5 in Bangkok point to raging rubbish dump fire in Samut Prakan.

    Read More »
  • Hot NewsBelgian couple ditch baby at Tel Aviv airport after refusing to buy extra ticket

    Belgian couple ditch baby at Tel Aviv airport after refusing to buy extra ticket

    A Belgian couple at Israel’s Tel Aviv airport abandoned their baby after realising they needed to buy a ticket for the child. The couple was late for a flight to Belgium and decided their child wasn’t worth the extra cost. They left their child at the check-in counter’s baggage conveyor belt and hurried to clear security to board their Ryanair…

    Read More »
  • Environment NewsThailand to adjust air pollution safety level from June 1

    Thailand to adjust air pollution safety level from June 1

    Thailand is set to adjust its standard safety level of air pollution from June 1, 2023. The adjustment will see the safety level change from 50 microns to 37.5 microns as part of a move to help the Pollution Control Department manage air pollution more efficiently. Pollution Control Department Director-General, Pinsak Suraswadi, says currently the PCD has implemented its Level…

    Read More »
  • Thai Law NewsThailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister says e-cigarettes should be legalised

    Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister says e-cigarettes should be legalised

    Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister says it’s about time that e-cigarettes be legalised. The Minister, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, thinks Thailand should amend the law to reflect the lives of many people in developed countries. According to Thai PBS World, Chaiwut added that Thailand’s neighbouring countries of Singapore and Malaysia have already legalised electronic smoking devices. “The key issue is to…

    Read More »
  • Hot NewsThailand’s Tourism Authority reminds visitors of current anti-smoking laws

    Thailand’s Tourism Authority reminds visitors of current anti-smoking laws

    Thailand’s government is reminding tourists of the nation’s current anti-smoking laws. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says travellers should be aware that electronic cigarettes, shishas, and electronic shishas are currently illegal. Furthermore, the TAT says there is no smoking in public areas as part of the broader Tobacco Control Law which aims to promote a clean, safe and smoke-free…

    Read More »
  • Things To DoKhao Yai’s top five things to do and see

    Khao Yai’s top five things to do and see

    Thailand is full of natural beauty, and Khao Yai may be one of the most picturesque regions in the country. Just a three-hour drive from Bangkok, this natural wonderland is teeming with amazing photo ops. The location of Khao Yai is in Thailand’s eastern region and the province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Known as one of the big four cities of…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsThe top places to visit in Thailand

    The top places to visit in Thailand

    A country that should be on everyone’s bucket list is Thailand. Over 39 million people visited Thailand in 2019, with tourism contributing from 9% to 17.7% of the country’s GDP. A country known for some amazing sites and popular with people of all ages, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful location. If you’re looking to travel to Thailand sometime…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsWoman reveals unnerving parking lot drama with MP at Parliament

    Woman reveals unnerving parking lot drama with MP at Parliament

    Anna Songserm, a TikToker from Thailand, recently shared on social media an unnerving experience she had while visiting the Parliament building in Bangkok. After a frantic search for a parking spot, Anna was directed to park her car in a lot that was closed off by a traffic barrier. Upon her return, she found that her car’s tyres had been…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsWoman’s dead body tied up and dumped at landfill site in central Thailand

    Woman’s dead body tied up and dumped at landfill site in central Thailand

    Police launched a murder investigation today after a rubbish collector discovered the decaying body of a woman wrapped in a blanket and tied up with rope at a landfill site in Prachin Buri province in central Thailand. Officers at Rabo Phai Police Station were informed today that someone found a body wrapped in a blanket at the landfill site in…

    Read More »
  • Pattaya NewsIntoxicated Chon Buri man stabs himself in front of terrified passersby

    Intoxicated Chon Buri man stabs himself in front of terrified passersby

    An intoxicated Chon Buri man repeatedly stabbed himself in front of terrified passersby in the Sri Racha district yesterday. A local meatball vendor said the man, 54 year old Somchai, walked up to his shop while intoxicated, grabbed a knife from him, and stabbed himself in the abdomen four times. The vendor, Chaovalit Somsri, said that before Somchai started stabbing…

    Read More »
  • Environment NewsUncontrollable landfill site fire in Samut Prakan worsens air quality

    Uncontrollable landfill site fire in Samut Prakan worsens air quality

    Bangkok, Thailand, has seen the worst air pollution levels of the year so far today. An uncontrollable fire raging for two days straight at a rubbish dump in Samut Prakan province, just south of the capital, has pumped more PM2.5 dust into the air. A fire has plagued a landfill site in the Phraeksa district since Tuesday night in an…

    Read More »
  • Northern Thailand NewsSon finds mum with help of dad’s old diary after 20 years

    Son finds mum with help of dad’s old diary after 20 years

    Phanatchakorn “Pete” Meesook finally achieved his lifelong dream of reuniting with his mother after 20 years of searching. In a recent interview with the Thai media, the 28 year old man from Chiang Kham shared his touching story of how he found his mother with the help of his father’s old diary. Pete’s parents divorced when he was just a…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsThai fisheries department introduces unique new clownfish breed

    Thai fisheries department introduces unique new clownfish breed

    The Thai fisheries department introduced a unique new clownfish breed. The new breed, called Gold x Thunder Maroon, is a cross between the Gold Nugget Maroon and Thunder Maroon clownfish. Gold x Thunder Maroon clownfish have maroon-spotted white sides. They grow to a maximum length of 17 centimetres. Males of the species can reproduce at six months old, while females can…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsTaxi driver stabs passenger on road in Bangkok

    Taxi driver stabs passenger on road in Bangkok

    A passenger stabbed by a Bangkok taxi driver appealed to the Thai media to highlight his case after he accused the police of procrastinating over the case despite having enough evidence to arrest the accused. The victim succeeded in his quest and the taxi driver was arrested yesterday. The victim, Pratarn Seesook, contacted the crime news department of the MRG…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket hotels association reaffirms commitment to the island’s recovery with election of senior leadership team

    Phuket hotels association reaffirms commitment to the island’s recovery with election of senior leadership team

    Press Release The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organisation representing 80 of the island’s top hotels and resorts, has reaffirmed its deep commitment to the future of Phuket’s hospitality sector by announcing the reappointment of its senior leadership team, including President Bjorn Courage who has been instrumental in the association’s success. Following a recent election, Mr. Courage, who also serves…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsNan FC youth players allegedly brutally attack 17 year old in Thailand

    Nan FC youth players allegedly brutally attack 17 year old in Thailand

    Several football players from Nan FC’s youth team in northern Thailand allegedly beat up a 17 year old and left him for dead at a petrol station on Sunday. At 1.30am on Sunday, 17 year old Somchai (pseudonym) was found badly injured and unconscious on the floor in front of the PT gas station at Sai Sawan Intersection in Mueang…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsCommuters criticise ‘dangerous’ Bangkok Apiwat Station’s lack of lights

    Commuters criticise ‘dangerous’ Bangkok Apiwat Station’s lack of lights

    Commuters took to social media to criticise officials involved with the construction and opening of the “dangerous” Bangkok Apiwat Central Station. Two weeks after the official opening of the station, formerly known as Bang Sue Grand Station, roads around the station remain dark due to the absence of street lights. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) promised that street lighting…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsMore trees in Bangkok could cut heatwave mortality by a third

    More trees in Bangkok could cut heatwave mortality by a third

    Planting more trees in Bangkok to lower summertime temperatures could decrease deaths directly linked to hot weather and heatwaves by a third. Increasing tree cover to 30% would shave off 0.4 degrees Celsius locally, on average, during hot summer months. Thai PBS World tells us that of the 6,700 premature deaths attributed to higher temperatures in 93 European cities during…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsResidents find first leatherback turtle eggs in Phang Nga village in 2 years

    Residents find first leatherback turtle eggs in Phang Nga village in 2 years

    Residents in a Phang Nga village found some buried leatherback turtle eggs for the first time in two years. The locals of Koh Kor Khao village in Takua Pa district were delighted to find the nest on Sunset Beach on Tuesday. Luckily, the eggs had not been impacted by seawater or poor weather conditions. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources…

    Read More »
  • Bangkok NewsBangkok’s first free street-food space welcomes hawkers, street vendors

    Bangkok’s first free street-food space welcomes hawkers, street vendors

    Bangkok opened its first free street-food space in the city for hawkers and street vendors yesterday, in an attempt to keep cluttered pavements free from obstruction. City governor Chadchart Sittipunt launched of the “Hello Hab-Re” (Hello Hawkers) project outside Samyan Mitrtown on Rama IV Road yesterday. Street food is a quintessential part of the Bangkok experience. Wherever you go in…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsRabies detected in northeast Thailand

    Rabies detected in northeast Thailand

    Residents of Nong Phai Noi village in Buriram province, northeast Thailand, are pleading with the authorities to take urgent action after two people were bitten by a dog infected with rabies. The dog bit a pregnant cow which dropped dead two weeks later. On January 10, 65 year old local man Sawat Palertlam was attending to his cows when a…

    Read More »
  • World NewsUS to form military alliance with Philippines to check China

    US to form military alliance with Philippines to check China

    The United States is set to announce details of a new alliance with the Philippines and four new military bases on the island nation as it attempts to curb China’s expansion in the South China Sea. The US is keen to rekindle a former friendship with the Philippines, 30 years after they were told to leave, and plug a gap…

    Read More »
  • Pattaya NewsPattaya’s new police chief pledges to prioritise tourists’ safety

    Pattaya’s new police chief pledges to prioritise tourists’ safety

    Pattaya has a new police chief in town. The new chief, Pol. Col. Thanapong Phothi, pledged to prioritise tourists’ safety when he joined Pattaya Police Station yesterday. A crowd of police officers, city officials, and business people happily welcomed Thanapong. Thanapong is a long-time Pattaya dweller, who has previously served in other roles in and around the city. He said…

    Read More »