Month: July 2024

  • Thailand NewsBangkok urged to create app for safer, fair motorcycle taxi fares

    Bangkok urged to create app for safer, fair motorcycle taxi fares

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been urged by a city council member to develop a new application for motorcycle taxis to ensure passenger safety and fair pricing. Viput Srivaurai, representing Bang Rak district, advocated for leveraging technology and innovation to enhance motorcycle taxi services. Viput emphasised that the BMA should implement a data management system to organise services and…

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  • Thailand NewsGlobal chaos as CrowdStrike fixes world’s biggest IT outage

    Global chaos as CrowdStrike fixes world’s biggest IT outage

    Cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike has issued a fix for a software glitch that caused one of the most massive global IT outages ever recorded, disrupting industries from airlines and banking to healthcare. CrowdStrike’s CEO George Kurtz confirmed yesterday that the issue had been identified and isolated, but affected Windows computers would need manual reboots to regain functionality. While Microsoft announced that…

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  • Thailand NewsOver 2 million unregistered Thai mobile numbers suspended

    Over 2 million unregistered Thai mobile numbers suspended

    The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) suspended the services of over 2 million mobile phone numbers after their owners missed the identity registration deadline yesterday. This move aims to enhance security and reduce fraud related to unregistered mobile numbers. The affected numbers are primarily linked to individuals possessing between six and 100 unregistered SIM cards. The suspension affects their…

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  • Thailand NewsSurat Thani marks king’s birthday with beach, underwater clean-up

    Surat Thani marks king’s birthday with beach, underwater clean-up

    Government officials in Surat Thani, in collaboration with the Koh Tao Subdistrict Municipality, organised a beach and underwater clean-up event to honour the birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua on July 28. Yesterday, July 18, at the Chulalongkorn Stone Court in Koh Tao, Pha Ngan district, Surat Thani province, several officials and local leaders, including the Deputy Director of the…

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  • Thailand NewsDrunk Thai man stabs taxi rider with scissors to avoid paying fare

    Drunk Thai man stabs taxi rider with scissors to avoid paying fare

    A drunk Thai man stabbed a motorcycle taxi rider in the neck with a pair of scissors outside a village in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok on July 17 because he could not pay the fare after spending all his money on booze. Bang Bua Thong Police Station officers were alerted to the stabbing and rushed to the scene with Poh…

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  • Thailand NewsTikTok account theft: Popular Pattaya pancake vendor seeks justice

    TikTok account theft: Popular Pattaya pancake vendor seeks justice

    A popular crispy Tokyo-style pancake vendor in Ko Khram near Pattaya is in distress after discovering that someone close to her has stolen significant amounts of money and her branded handbags. Additionally, her TikTok account, boasting 2.5 million followers, has been sold without her consent. Oranya Aphaiso, known as Olive, reported the incident to the Ko Khram Police Station and…

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  • Thailand NewsDebate ignites over van-car collision in Patong Hill, Phuket (video)

    Debate ignites over van-car collision in Patong Hill, Phuket (video)

    A collision between a van and a car at the intersection of a hotel driveway in Patong Hill, Phuket, sparked a heated debate over road rules and responsibilities. Video footage of the incident, shared by the NewshawkPhuket Facebook page, shows a white car exiting a hotel on Phra Baramee Road in Kathu district and being hit by an oncoming van.…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand tops South Korea’s drug seizure list

    Thailand tops South Korea’s drug seizure list

    Thailand continues to dominate in the seizure of illicit drugs by South Korean police this year, accounting for a significant portion of the narcotics confiscated at the country’s entry points. Thailand was responsible for 25% of the 298 kilogrammes of drugs seized in South Korea during the first half of 2024, according to data from the Korea Customs Service (KCS)…

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  • Thailand NewsSlapstick meth dealer flees from police, runs into wall, gets caught

    Slapstick meth dealer flees from police, runs into wall, gets caught

    A slapstick meth dealer in Nakhon Ratchasima was apprehended in a drug raid on his residence, where he attempted to flee, but ran into a wall in his drug-fuelled haste. He was promptly caught by the police, who discovered his hidden stash of methamphetamine. Police from the Khon Buri Police Station, led by Deputy Superintendent Decho Phengleng, and Investigation Inspector…

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  • Thailand NewsBusiness ties: Thailand extends visa-free stay for Hongkongers

    Business ties: Thailand extends visa-free stay for Hongkongers

    Thailand’s extension of visa-free visits for Hong Kong residents is expected to bolster business relations and entice more visitors from the financial hub, despite a recent murder-suicide incident in Bangkok, according to industry leaders. The tragic event, involving six people, has not deterred travel plans, they emphasised. Anthony Lam Sai-ho, Executive Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, praised…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket enforces 48-hour alcohol ban for Buddhist holidays

    Phuket enforces 48-hour alcohol ban for Buddhist holidays

    Patong police announced a 48-hour ban on alcohol sales in bars and restaurants as Thailand observes the Buddhist holidays Asarnha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa this weekend. Violating the alcohol sales ban could result in up to six months in jail or a fine of up to 10,000 baht, according to the notice issued by Patong Police. Officers informed bar…

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  • Thailand NewsGlobal cyber outage grounds flights and halts news broadcasts

    Global cyber outage grounds flights and halts news broadcasts

    CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity giant serving a number of global industries, suffered a significant outage this morning, causing disruptions across the globe. This unforeseen technical glitch halted news broadcasts and grounded flights, creating chaos for travellers and media outlets alike. There were no reports of any Thai airports affected. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States reported that three…

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  • Thailand NewsThai man with epilepsy crashes and kills student on Bangkok road

    Thai man with epilepsy crashes and kills student on Bangkok road

    A Thai man with epilepsy yesterday crashed his pickup into a sedan car and two motorcycles on Ratchadapisek Road in Bangkok, injuring three motorists and killing a university student. Officers from Phahonyothin Police Station and rescuers from the Portektung Rescue Foundation rushed to the accident scene on Ratchadapisek Road in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok yesterday afternoon, July 18. Officers…

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  • Thailand NewsChulabhorn Hospital offers free Hepatitis screenings

    Chulabhorn Hospital offers free Hepatitis screenings

    Chulabhorn Hospital invites the public to participate in a free Hepatitis B and C screening programme in honour of the king on July 25 and July 26. The initiative celebrates the His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday on July 28. Chulabhorn Hospital, under the Chulabhorn Royal Academy, announced the event today, encouraging citizens to join the screening programme. The screenings…

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  • Phuket NewsWichit conducts major tsunami evacuation drill in Phuket

    Wichit conducts major tsunami evacuation drill in Phuket

    Phuket’s Wichit Municipality conducted a comprehensive tsunami evacuation drill and rescue exercise yesterday, July 18, aimed at bolstering disaster preparedness in Phuket. Wichit Mayor Kreetha Chotiwichpipat and Mueang Phuket District Chief Worasit Putjeeb led the drill, which involved multiple agencies in a Table Top Exercise (TTX). The simulation was designed to test the municipality’s ability to respond to a tsunami…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand rubber farmers oppose fund use for fish purchase

    Thailand rubber farmers oppose fund use for fish purchase

    Rubber farmers in Prachuap Khiri Khan raised concerns over the Ministry of Agriculture’s decision to use funds from the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) to buy black-banded trevally fish at 15 baht per kilogramme. The farmers question the fairness and appropriateness of this policy. Rungroj Ratanakaw, a resident of Thong Mongkol subdistrict in Bang Saphan district, voiced his disagreement with…

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  • Thailand NewsSouth Korean man faces jail for hiding illegal Thai worker’s body

    South Korean man faces jail for hiding illegal Thai worker’s body

    A South Korean court sentenced a pig farm owner to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, for concealing the body of a Thai worker who had been working illegally at the farm for 10 years and died last year. The body of 67 year old Boonchu was discovered on a mountain in Pocheon City, Gyeonggi province, South Korea,…

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  • Business NewsTenzing Pacific Services predicts market’s ‘positive momentum’ to continue

    Tenzing Pacific Services predicts market’s ‘positive momentum’ to continue

    Tenzing Pacific Services is anticipating positive stock market momentum to carry through to the end of 2024 despite volatility and share performance dispersion. Tenzing Pacific Services, a health, life, and business insurance and investment company, saw June as a mixed bag when it came to growth. This is in large part due to the market’s performance not necessarily correlating with…

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  • Thailand NewsCrispy pork surprise leaves Bangkok diner shell-shocked

    Crispy pork surprise leaves Bangkok diner shell-shocked

    A shocking discovery of a metal fragment in crispy pork left a woman stunned at a local restaurant in Bangkok. Despite her calmness in approaching the vendor to inform them of the discovery, she was met with indifference and received no apology. A woman posted in the พวกเราคือผู้บริโภค (We Are Consumers) Facebook group about her experience at a food stall…

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  • Business NewsVirgin Active celebrates 10 years of operation in Thailand

    Virgin Active celebrates 10 years of operation in Thailand

    Virgin Active Thailand is celebrating 10 years of operations and is looking to continue boosting the health and wellness of the country. Part of the Virgin Group global portfolio, Virgin Active currently has 8 clubs in Thailand, which deliver nearly 60,000 exercise classes yearly. Country Director for Virgin Active in Southeast Asia, Julien Bera, sees the 10th anniversary as a…

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  • Thailand NewsPattaya’s art explosion: Colourful contest unveils future stars

    Pattaya’s art explosion: Colourful contest unveils future stars

    Recognising the vital role of promoting cultural growth and conservation, the Pattaya City Cultural Council recently launched the highly anticipated Pattaya City Visual Arts Contest 2024. With the vibrant theme, Pattaya: A Way of Colours, this contest is designed to ignite the creative passions of young and emerging artists from all walks of life. Pattaya City Council President Banlue Kullavanijaya,…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket launches road safety campaign to curb tourist accidents

    Phuket launches road safety campaign to curb tourist accidents

    Phuket provincial police have initiated a new road safety campaign targeting the root causes of traffic accidents involving tourists. This effort, in collaboration with local partners, aims to reduce the high number of road incidents in the area. The campaign was officially launched yesterday, July 18, at the Phuket Merlin Hotel by Region 8 Police Police Lieutenant General Suraphong Thanomchit…

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  • Thailand NewsBoy sleeping in Chiang Mai laundrette sparks action (video)

    Boy sleeping in Chiang Mai laundrette sparks action (video)

    A young boy has drawn widespread attention after sleeping alone in a laundromat in the Chiang Mai province late at night. Concerned netizens expressed their desire to help the child, sparking a conversation about his welfare. Footage shared by TikTok user @suwatchareek captured the boy entering the laundromat around 3am and staying until 5am. “A little boy came to sleep…

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  • Thailand NewsThai man on the run after stealing 10 million baht from employer

    Thai man on the run after stealing 10 million baht from employer

    A Thai woman is demanding Pathum Wan Police Station officers speed up their investigation after her employee stole 10 million baht in cash from her on July 5. The thief remains at large. The victim, 68 year old Pimduen Siyaphak, urged Channel 7 and other news agencies to publicise the image of the alleged thief, 60 year old Preeda, to…

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  • Thailand NewsHouse approves 122 billion baht digital wallet scheme budget

    House approves 122 billion baht digital wallet scheme budget

    The House of Representatives approved a supplementary bill to increase the budget for the current fiscal year by 122 billion baht, in a vote held late yesterday. This additional funding aims to partially finance the government’s digital wallet handout scheme. A total of 297 MPs voted in favour of the bill, while 164 opposed it, with no abstentions recorded. Among…

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  • Thailand NewsShocking incident: Electrician severely electrocuted in Buriram

    Shocking incident: Electrician severely electrocuted in Buriram

    An electrician was severely injured after being electrocuted while connecting power lines on a high-voltage pole in Buriram. Rescue efforts were delayed by 30 minutes due to the late arrival of a separate bucket truck. At 10am today, July 19, emergency responders from Buriram Hospital received a report of a person being electrocuted on a high-voltage electricity pole in front…

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  • Thailand NewsBangchak cuts high-premium fuel prices by 5 baht per litre

    Bangchak cuts high-premium fuel prices by 5 baht per litre

    Bangchak Corporation announced a significant price reduction on its high-premium fuel types, offering a discount of 5 baht per litre nationwide from today to tomorrow, July 20. This promotion includes both Bangchak Hi Premium 97 and Bangchak Hi Premium Diesel S, with no minimum purchase required. Bangchak Corporation, a leading company in the fuel industry, is running its major annual…

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  • Thailand NewsIce truck overturns, traffic frozen after near miss in Phatthalung

    Ice truck overturns, traffic frozen after near miss in Phatthalung

    A six-wheel truck transporting ice overturned and blocked a road in Phatthalung, causing significant traffic disruption this morning after avoiding a collision with a car that fled the scene. The incident resulted in minor injuries to the truck’s occupants and a traffic jam stretching several kilometres. At 7.30am, today, July 19, officers from Srinakarin Police Station received reports of a…

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  • Thailand NewsThai AirAsia X suspends Sydney-Bangkok route

    Thai AirAsia X suspends Sydney-Bangkok route

    Thai AirAsia X announced the suspension of its sole Australian route between Sydney and Bangkok, effective August 1. Despite the temporary halt, the airline assures it remains committed to the Australian market and plans a grand return in December with increased flights and enhanced connectivity. The decision to suspend services was driven by fleet management and operation hub movement. As…

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  • Thailand NewsInjured Thai man warns motorists after staged accident, extortion

    Injured Thai man warns motorists after staged accident, extortion

    A Thai man is warning fellow motorists in the Isaan province of Udon Thani after two suspects staged an accident in an attempt to extort 30,000 baht from him. The thugs then beat him up when he refused to pay. The 44 year old victim, Sarn, told Channel 3 that the incident occurred on the Don Kloy-Dongyang-Phibunrak Road in Udon…

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  • HealthSurge in rabies cases among livestock including cows in Northeast Thailand raises alarms

    Surge in rabies cases among livestock including cows in Northeast Thailand raises alarms

    Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued an urgent warning to the public regarding a rise in rabies cases, particularly among cattle in the Northeast region. Health authorities are emphasising the critical need for vigilance and precautionary measures as they monitor the situation closely. Health authorities have also issued strict warnings that locals should not butcher and consume the…

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  • Thailand NewsPersistent Chiang Mai gang arrested for bird food scam on tourists

    Persistent Chiang Mai gang arrested for bird food scam on tourists

    Police have detained members of a scammer gang at Tha Phae Gate, Chiang Mai, who were scamming tourists by selling bird food and charging them for photos, deemed to be damaging the area’s reputation as a tourist destination. Today, July 19, officers from the Tourist Police Division 2, led by Makara Srisakulpisut and Nithipat Bunmak, conducted a thorough inspection of…

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  • Thailand News4th female Supreme Court president in Thai history to be appointed

    4th female Supreme Court president in Thai history to be appointed

    Chanakarn Theeravechpolkul is set to become the 4th female president of Thailand’s Supreme Court on October 1. This historic appointment marks a dramatic reversal in the traditionally male-dominated judiciary. On July 8, the Judicial Commission unanimously voted to appoint Chanakarn as the 50th chief of the country’s top court. She will succeed Anocha Chevitsophon, the third woman to hold the…

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  • Thailand NewsEx-official kills sub-district head in a Phitsanulok murder-suicide

    Ex-official kills sub-district head in a Phitsanulok murder-suicide

    A tragic incident unfolded during a local celebration as an ex-assistant village headman fatally shot a female sub-district head before taking his own life at a fruit market in Phitsanulok province. Police officer Surin Takrudphet reported that around 9.57pm yesterday, July 18, a distress call was received about a shooting at a fruit market centre in Wang Thong district, where…

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  • Thailand NewsWat Arun holds merit-making ceremony to honour king’s birthday

    Wat Arun holds merit-making ceremony to honour king’s birthday

    Wat Arun, one of Thailand’s most revered temples, will host a merit-making ceremony on August 15 to honour His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday. The temple invites Buddhists to participate in paving stone roads and washing the iconic Phra Prang tower. Phra Phrom Vajramethee, a prominent member of the Supreme Sangha Council and the Abbot of Wat Arun Ratchawararam, announced…

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  • Thailand NewsButterbear to boost Thai tourism, targets 10% of Chinese fans

    Butterbear to boost Thai tourism, targets 10% of Chinese fans

    Butterbear, a beloved mascot in Thailand, will soon serve as a new presenter for Thai tourism, targeting to attract at least 10% of its one million Chinese fans to engage in tourism activities within the country. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to draw eight million arrivals from the Chinese outbound market, which is estimated to reach 130 million…

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  • Thailand NewsKnife-wielding man shot dead after attacking police in Chiang Rai

    Knife-wielding man shot dead after attacking police in Chiang Rai

    A man wielding a knife caused chaos in Santat village, Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai province, injuring a police officer before being fatally shot. A subsequent search of his home revealed drug paraphernalia. Local police received a report at 9.30pm yesterday that a man was wreaking havoc in the village. Upon arrival, the officers found 28 year old Toon walking…

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