Year: 2023

  • Economy NewsMakro expects big investment funds to move in

    Makro expects big investment funds to move in

    Thailand’s leading wholesale and hypermarket operator Siam Makro Plc, is waiting for big investment funds to move in as company stock heads for a one-year high. Shares are now mature enough to attract the attention of global fund managers. Makro wants to be the biggest operation of its kind in Asia. In many parts of Thailand, Makro cash and carry…

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  • Thailand NewsWoman kidnapped and left for dead in deep forest in Northern Thailand

    Woman kidnapped and left for dead in deep forest in Northern Thailand

    National Park rangers rescued a 65 year old woman who was kidnapped by two unidentified men yesterday and left for dead in a deep forest in the northern province of Lampang. The leader of the Wian Kosai Nation Park, Prawit Jaikam, reported to the media that he received a message from a woman, in Baan Pang Ma O in the…

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  • Thailand NewsEntrepreneur killed in motorbike crash in Thailand

    Entrepreneur killed in motorbike crash in Thailand

    Little is known about the death of award-winning entrepreneur and philanthropist Eli Ostreicher, who was killed in a motorbike accident in Thailand, yesterday at 39 years old. Reports say the accident happened in Bangkok. Eli Ostreicher was born in London’s Hasidic community and later moved to New York City, where he ran five companies including one of his most successful…

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  • Thailand NewsBentley driver charged with drunk driving granted bail at 100,000 baht

    Bentley driver charged with drunk driving granted bail at 100,000 baht

    Under pressure police finally charged a Bentley driver with drunk driving for causing a three-car crash. After much public criticism and deliberation, police charged the driver because he refused to take a breathalyser test in the first place. The driver was reported to have been granted bail of 100,000 baht yesterday. Suthat Siwapiromrat, the millionaire Bentley driver who caused the…

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  • Thailand NewsAustralian runs car over Thai man and kills him in Pattaya

    Australian runs car over Thai man and kills him in Pattaya

    An Australian woman claimed ignorance after she drove her car over a Thai man working at the entrance of a condominium in Pattaya yesterday. He died of his injuries almost instantly. A colleague found Prasit Karbphet at the entrance of Wongamat Residence Condominium at Soi Na Kluea 16 in the Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri. Prasit’s colleague, 32 year…

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  • Tourism NewsThailand’s tour package prices bump up for Chinese visitors

    Thailand’s tour package prices bump up for Chinese visitors

    Thailand’s tour package prices are being bumped up for Chinese visitors to the Land of Smiles. This news comes after China lifted travel restrictions on its citizens on January 8. There are now fewer flight connections between Thailand and China, and unprepared tour agents in China, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s regional director for marketing in East…

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  • Hot NewsToronto man stabbed to death by a group of eight teenage girls

    Toronto man stabbed to death by a group of eight teenage girls

    Toronto police say they know the identity of a 59 year old man who was stabbed to death by eight teenage girls. The man, Ken Lee, was allegedly swarmed by a group of girls in mid-December. He was reportedly living in a homeless shelter and was attacked at around midnight in the city’s downtown. He later died in the hospital.…

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  • Thailand NewsEnglishman ‘crawled for half a mile’ after moped crash in Thailand

    Englishman ‘crawled for half a mile’ after moped crash in Thailand

    A moped crash on Koh Yao Noi island in southern Thailand has left an Englishman in need of urgent surgery. Arron Rouse, from Worcestershire in England, sustained several broken ribs and a gaping wound on his leg when he was thrown off his moped on the night of December 16, 2022. Far away from a proper hospital, Arron couldn’t access…

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  • Covid-19 NewsChinese tourists won’t trigger increase in Covid-19 cases

    Chinese tourists won’t trigger increase in Covid-19 cases

    The Department of Disease Control (DDC) reckons the influx of Chinese tourists will not trigger an increase in Covid-19 cases in Thailand but added the department will evaluate the status of coronavirus infections in two weeks’ time. DDC Director-General Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong revealed yesterday that the average daily number of cases is 900, and the number of Covid patients in…

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  • Crime NewsTourist Police prepare to protect Chinese from Pattaya’s crimes

    Tourist Police prepare to protect Chinese from Pattaya’s crimes

    Now that China has lifted travel restrictions on its citizens, Pattaya Tourist Police are preparing to protect Chinese tourists from the city’s crimes. The chief of Tourist Police Station 4 said yesterday that the lift on Chinese travel restrictions might result in a crime rise in the area. Tourist Police will start patrolling high-risk spots such as Walking Street, South…

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  • China NewsChina’s air travel regulator to allow airlines to fly more routes to US

    China’s air travel regulator to allow airlines to fly more routes to US

    China’s air travel regulator is gearing up to allow more routes to the United States after the country lifted its strict anti-virus travel restrictions this month. According to The Korea Times, China Central Television reported on its website that the US and Chinese airlines are among around 40 carriers that have submitted applications covering about 700 flights per week involving 34…

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  • China NewsChina defends its Covid death reporting rates while allegedly banning photos, videos of Tibetan cemeteries

    China defends its Covid death reporting rates while allegedly banning photos, videos of Tibetan cemeteries

    China is defending itself against World Health Organisation (WHO) claims that its reported Covid-19 death rates are inaccurate. Chinese health officials say that it is ‘not necessary’ to dwell on the exact number of Covid-related deaths in the country. But, a news report by Radio Free Asia says that the government is allegedly banning photos and videos of cemeteries in Tibet.…

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  • Thailand video newsWill there be a legal casino in Thailand soon? | GMT

    Will there be a legal casino in Thailand soon? | GMT

      In today’s episode, Legal casino in Thailand to be considered again tomorrow, Govt to introduce 300 baht tourist fee in June, Indian flight departs with 55 passengers left on bus, Condom usage reportedly drops among Pattaya sex workers, STDs increase, and More than 1,500 arrested in Thailand last year for gambling, online fraud

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  • Hot NewsThailand’s PM invites children to Government House on Children’s Day

    Thailand’s PM invites children to Government House on Children’s Day

    Thailand’s prime minister is inviting children to the Government House on this Saturday’s Children’s Day for entertainment, sports, and educational activities. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will preside over the event and will personally welcome the kids. According to Thai PBS World, the prime minister’s deputy secretary-general for political affairs says Prayut will give a guided tour of his office while…

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  • Hot NewsMore than 1,500 arrested in Thailand last year for gambling, online fraud

    More than 1,500 arrested in Thailand last year for gambling, online fraud

    Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society says more than 1,500 people were arrested in 2022 for online fraud and gambling. The Cybercrime Control Committee announced the statistics at its first meeting for the year. According to the Bangkok Post, 166 suspects were nabbed for their roles in eight call centre scams. Some 461 were reprimanded over illegal online gambling…

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  • Hot NewsWatchdogs call for investigation into ties between Myanmar arms broker and junta leader

    Watchdogs call for investigation into ties between Myanmar arms broker and junta leader

    Watchdog groups are calling for an investigation into the relationship between an arrested Burmese businessman in Thailand and Myanmar’s junta leader. The campaign group Justice for Myanmar, and other similar groups, are calling for a probe into their ties and to block their access to Thailand’s financial system. The calls come after arms broker Tun Min Latt, 53, and three…

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  • Thailand NewsLegal casino in Thailand to be considered again tomorrow

    Legal casino in Thailand to be considered again tomorrow

    The Casino Committee of Thailand reported it will discuss legal casino and entertainment complexes at a city council meeting tomorrow in a bid to gain approval from the Cabinet. The Thai government has been discussing the potential establishment of a legal casino and entertainment complex since the last year. To evaluate the casino industry, a special committee has been established…

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  • What you get for $XCondos priced under US0,000 in Bangkok close to BTS Skytrain (2023)

    Condos priced under US$300,000 in Bangkok close to BTS Skytrain (2023)

    Bangkok is a vibrant and exciting city, offering a unique blend of modern luxury and traditional culture. With so many great attractions and amenities, it’s no wonder that so many people are looking to make the city their home. One of the most attractive options for those looking to live in Bangkok is to purchase a condo. With an abundance…

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  • World NewsSaucy Singapore: nation in the top 5 for 4 fetishes

    Saucy Singapore: nation in the top 5 for 4 fetishes

    Recently, an infographic detailing the most popular fetishes around the world has been doing the rounds again, causing quite a stir in Singapore. The graphic, created by casino website SlotsUp using data from Google Trends, shows the top countries for 20 different fetishes, though it is unclear when exactly the data was collected. The graphic was initially posted in 2021,…

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  • South Thailand NewsInsurgents kill defence volunteer in southern Thailand, 2 injured

    Insurgents kill defence volunteer in southern Thailand, 2 injured

    Suspected insurgents launched a targeted attack on eight territorial defence volunteers in Narathiwat province in southernmost Thailand this morning. One volunteer was killed and two more are injured. At 8am, officers at Si Sakhon Police Station were informed that insurgents detonated a roadside bomb and fired shots with automatic rifles at Si Sakhon defence volunteers, killing one and injuring two,…

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  • Thailand News11 victims injured in collision after car drives against traffic flow

    11 victims injured in collision after car drives against traffic flow

    A 21 year old man caused a six-car collision on a road in Bangkok by driving his Volvo hatchback against the flow of traffic and crashing into a pickup on Christmas Day. Eleven people were injured as a result of his actions. The result of the suspect’s alcohol and drug test has not been made public. Pattheera Datepae, a relative…

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  • Phuket NewsHong Kong woman faces charges of reckless driving after crashing into Phuket vendor

    Hong Kong woman faces charges of reckless driving after crashing into Phuket vendor

    A Hong Kong woman faces charges of reckless driving after she crashed into a Phuket som tam vendor in Koh Kaew yesterday. The incident happened on the northbound lane of Thep Kassattri Road. CCTV footage showed that the sedan crashed into the motorbike sidecar vendor, along with two motorbikes. Phuket City Police arrived on the scene to find the damaged…

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  • Thailand video newsThailand to track cannabis users in government database | Thailand News Today

    Thailand to track cannabis users in government database | Thailand News Today

      Thailand to track cannabis users in government database Thai nationals will soon be required to show their ID cards when purchasing cannabis flowers. The ID and sales information will be entered into a government database, according to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM). Registered vendors will be required to insert the buyers’ ID into a “device”…

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  • Transport NewsIndian flight departs with 55 passengers left on bus

    Indian flight departs with 55 passengers left on bus

    Every flight passenger hates being packed into a busy terminal transport bus from the gate to the stairs before climbing onto their aeroplane. But on Monday morning 55 passengers crammed onto a bus and sat there for an hour while their flight forgot about them and took off. The incident took place in India on a flight operated by budget…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand enacts law to prevent recidivism among sexual and violent offenders

    Thailand enacts law to prevent recidivism among sexual and violent offenders

    Thailand will implement a law later this month that aims at preventing recidivism among prisoners put away for violent or sexual offences after their release from prison. Yesterday, government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said in a Cabinet meeting that the Measures to Prevent Recidivism of Sexual and Violent Crimes Act (2022) will come into force on January 23. The new act requires…

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  • Pattaya NewsCondom usage reportedly drops among Pattaya sex workers, STDs increase

    Condom usage reportedly drops among Pattaya sex workers, STDs increase

    In perhaps the worst city to not wear a condom, Pattaya’s sex workers are reportedly using condoms less than in pre-Covid days, according to disease control officials. A nurse from Pattaya’s Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Department, Nakanya Jantrakard, said the number of reported cases of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases has gone up since 2019. In a meeting…

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  • Thailand NewsGrandparents kidnap 3 year old boy from his parents

    Grandparents kidnap 3 year old boy from his parents

    A married couple filed a complaint with the police after their son’s grandparents kidnapped him. The 3 year old boy’s mother, Kuntika, wants to take her son home after witnessing a dramatic change in his behaviour. The parents noticed the boy is displaying unruly, attention-seeking behaviour, and self-harming, and has lost his appetite since moving in with his grandparents. Pakasit,…

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  • Phuket NewsFloating Yona Beach Club told to cease and wait

    Floating Yona Beach Club told to cease and wait

    A floating beach club barge in Phuket has now been ordered to cease all operations until it gets the full approval it has been seeking to anchor and operate in Patong Bay. Yona Beach Club has been operating with an expired registration and without approval while it waits. The 500-gross-ton vessel housing the beach club, called the Sawasdee, has luxury…

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  • Tourism NewsGovt to introduce 300 baht tourist fee in June

    Govt to introduce 300 baht tourist fee in June

    The government announced plans to introduce its long-mooted 300 baht tourist fee for foreign visitors in June. The tourism fee was originally planned to be imposed on foreign travellers at the beginning of last year but the idea was put on hold after the spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant and details of how the government planned to collect the…

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  • Koh Samui NewsOfficials beautifying Koh Samui’s Fisherman’s Village, hoping to catch more tourists

    Officials beautifying Koh Samui’s Fisherman’s Village, hoping to catch more tourists

    Officials are giving Koh Samui’s Fisherman’s Village a makeover to help businesses catch more tourists. Yesterday, officials started sprucing up Beach Road in Bo Phut with landscape improvements, and general cleaning. The goal of the makeover is to reel in up to 5 million baht of cash for local street vendors. Tourism operators hope to bring out the old charm…

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  • Bangkok NewsThais pay respect to albino buffalo sculpture toppled by drunken Englishman

    Thais pay respect to albino buffalo sculpture toppled by drunken Englishman

    The atmosphere is sombre outside Samyan Mitrtown in Bangkok where buffalo enthusiasts and art lovers laid bouquets of flowers to pay their respects to the toppled albino buffalo sculpture which was ruined by a drunk English tourist who attempted to mount it on the weekend. “Kwai: Calm” (buffalo: calm) the fibreglass albino buffalo remains in a sorry state on its…

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  • GuidesDiscover the legends of Thailand’s spooky ghosts

    Discover the legends of Thailand’s spooky ghosts

    Ghosts have been a part of folklore and mythology for centuries, and Southeast Asia is no exception. In Thailand, a variety of supernatural beings are believed to exist, from mischievous pranksters to vengeful spirits. Among them are Phi Kong Khao, Krasue, Phi Pop, Phi Ta Khon, and Phi Nang Mai. Each one is unique in appearance and behaviour, with its…

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  • Thailand NewsMOPH to open vaccination centre for foreigners

    MOPH to open vaccination centre for foreigners

    The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) plans to offer Covid-19 vaccines for foreigners at Bang Rak Medical Centre in Bangkok for about 1,000 baht. The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced on Wednesday, December 28 that he planned to give free booster shots to foreigners but added it would need Cabinet approval in January. The proposal was seen…

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  • Thailand Weather UpdatesNew Zealand district in state of local emergency dealing with ex-cyclone Hale’s wrath

    New Zealand district in state of local emergency dealing with ex-cyclone Hale’s wrath

    A New Zealand district is under a state of local emergency after ex-cyclone Hale’s wrath pushed a major river toward breaching its banks. The Tairāwhiti Civil Defence declared the emergency as the Hikuwai River has reached a height of 12.5 metres yesterday. It was expected to reach 13 metres by midnight yesterday. Families are self-evacuating due to the risk of…

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  • World NewsPower bank catches fire on flight to Singapore

    Power bank catches fire on flight to Singapore

    A power bank caught fire on a Scoot flight from Taipei to Singapore, injuring two passengers on board. Flight TR933 was just beginning its journey from Taipei’s Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Singapore Changi Airport yesterday evening when the power bank overheated, causing pandemonium. The Scoot flight was forced to return to the gate before takeoff due to a fire…

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  • Hot NewsBangkok’s controversial Bang Sue Grand Station name change on hold

    Bangkok’s controversial Bang Sue Grand Station name change on hold

    Bangkok’s controversial Bang Sue Grand Station name change is on hold after it received heavy backlash for its US$1 million price tag. When His Majesty the King renamed Bang Sue Grand Station, “Krung Thep Abhiwat Central Terminal,” in September, some questioned the need to spend such an amount in taxpayers’ money. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Saksayam…

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  • World NewsMutant mosquitoes a growing threat in Asia

    Mutant mosquitoes a growing threat in Asia

    New research warns that mosquitoes that transmit viruses such as dengue in parts of Asia have evolved and grown resistant to insecticides. Experts warn new methods to control them are urgently needed. Insecticide-resistant mosquitoes have been a known problem for years, but studies are now showing the scope is much larger than previously understood. Fogging-infested areas may no longer be…

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