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  • Environment NewsKeeping Thailand’s taps from running dry | Thaiger

    Keeping Thailand’s taps from running dry

    “There is no way that we can send enough water to supply all these farms.” It could be the worst seasonal drought for four decades according to the Office of National Water Resources. Speaking to the Bangkok Post, ONWR secretary-general Somkiat Prajamwong recalled that during the severe drought in 2015 (when Thailand was under military rule), soldiers were sent to protect…

  • Tourism NewsAOT sets up checkpoints to check passengers from Wuhan, China for virus | Thaiger

    AOT sets up checkpoints to check passengers from Wuhan, China for virus

    “Passengers with any suspicious symptoms detected during the initial screenings after landing will be quarantined for medical examinations.” Airports of Thailand says they are monitoring a the detection of some cases of viral pneumonia from Wuhan flights coming out of China. They say that six airports are now ready to cope with the situation by setting up international communicable diseases…

  • Economy NewsUS manufacturing activity falls to lowest level in a decade | Thaiger

    US manufacturing activity falls to lowest level in a decade

    PHOTO: teletrader.com “The data show American factories remain plagued by pullbacks in business investment at home, softer demand throughout the world and, until recently, an escalating trade war between the U.S. and China.” US manufacturing had a tumultuous year in 2019 with the weakest monthly performance for a decade, with orders shrinking and factories continuing to roll back production. The…

  • Central Thailand NewsMystery Phitsanulok prisoner deaths to be investigated | Thaiger

    Mystery Phitsanulok prisoner deaths to be investigated

    PHOTO: Mishvo in Motion An investigation has been launched into the deaths of four prisoners in the northern province of Phitsanulok over the New Year holiday break. A spokesman says that The Thai Corrections Department has created a panel to investigate the deaths, which happened in close succession. Officials say the four prisoners showed symptoms related to food poisoning, such as…

  • Environment NewsThai shoppers get resourceful to deal with the plastic bag ban | Thaiger

    Thai shoppers get resourceful to deal with the plastic bag ban

    Shoppers across Thailand are showing typical Thai ingenuity in coping with big retailers’ recent ban on single-use plastic bags, bringing buckets, baskets and even a wheelbarrow to take their purchases home, many posting images on social media (below). The ban, introduced on January 1 by all 75 members of the Thai Retailers Association, including malls, supermarkets and the ubiquitous convenience…

  • Northern Thailand NewsRecord numbers flock to Khon Kaen flower festival | Thaiger

    Record numbers flock to Khon Kaen flower festival

    PHOTOS: 77kaoded.com A record high of over 300,000 visitors flocked to the annual flower festival in the north eastern province of Khon Kaen this year, averaging around 30,000 a day. The “Amazing International Flower Festival 2019” was held at Bueng Thung Sang Health Garden, from December 17 to January 3. Although the festival officially ended on Friday, the city will keep…

  • Bangkok NewsFinnish man arrested over Suvarnabhumi bomb threat | Thaiger

    Finnish man arrested over Suvarnabhumi bomb threat

    PHOTO: Skytrax Police report that an investigation has been opened into a bomb threat made to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. A man remains in detention over the matter. The threat was made on the evening of January 1, with a call implying that a bomb had been placed inside the airport The airport regularly receives bomb threats, and has security protocols in…

  • Environment NewsOnline app will enable volunteers to monitor Thailand’s ‘hazardous’ farm chemicals | Thaiger

    Online app will enable volunteers to monitor Thailand’s ‘hazardous’ farm chemicals

    Thailand’s Department of Disease Control and mobile phone service providers AIS are launching an online application to enable health volunteers and officials to monitor farmers’ use of the hazardous herbicide paraquat, and pesticides glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. In November, the National Hazardous Substances Committee cancelled a December 1 ban on glyphosate and delayed the enforcement of the ban on paraquat and chlorpyrifos…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesThai water officials warn local authorities to get ready for shortages | Thaiger

    Thai water officials warn local authorities to get ready for shortages

    The Office of the National Water Resources is warning that water stored in the country’s large and medium size dams is now dropping to the minimum useable level, urging measures from local agencies to ease the impact on the public. This warning goes out with another three months of dry season hanging over Thailand’s head. The annual ‘wet season’ kicks…

  • Environment NewsStarbucks Thailand introduces paper straws from next Monday | Thaiger

    Starbucks Thailand introduces paper straws from next Monday

    The Thai operators of Starbucks Coffee says it will provide paper straws to customers at all stores across Thailand starting next Monday, January 6. The announcement is most likely in response to the national mood to reduce usage of single-use plastic items although the local Starbucks franchise say the announcement has been in the pipeline for the past year. Starbucks…

  • Environment NewsFirst meteor shower of the year to be visible January 4th | Thaiger

    First meteor shower of the year to be visible January 4th

    PHOTO: Artists impression. In truth there could be up to two meteors per minute at the peak, but you’ll need to be in a very dark location to get the best from the experience. Set the alarm and boil the kettle for a wake-up coffee. The year’s first meteor shower will grace Thailand’s skies on January 4, according to the…

  • Environment News31 Thai provinces bracing for “severe drought” | Thaiger

    31 Thai provinces bracing for “severe drought”

    The drought situation across nearly half of Thailand is about to get worse. The water levels in the Mekong River is at its lowest level since 1992 and the Provincial Waterworks Authority is warning 31 provinces to prepare for severe drought this year. Thai PM Prayuth Chan-o-cha is expressing concern over the situation and instructed officials to distribute water to…

  • Politics NewsRival demonstrations scheduled for January 12 in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Rival demonstrations scheduled for January 12 in Bangkok

    Over 10,000 people have registered for the “Run Against Dictatorship” in Bangkok on January 12, while government supporters say they are planning a rival event on the same day. The two events point to increasing political tension in Thailand, which has seen violent street protests and even coups in recent decades. Critics say the general election in March was manipulated to…

  • Northern Thailand NewsNew road projects around Thailand in 2020 | Thaiger

    New road projects around Thailand in 2020

    PHOTO: Nation Thailand The Thai Department of Highways plans to spend 124 billion baht during the next 12 months with five of the projects already budgeted and ready for the tender process. Contracts are expected to be signed in May for those projects. There will be a 16 kilometre eastern bypass around Nong Khai, just south of Vientiane and the…

  • Environment NewsThai retailers start plastic bag ban. What are you doing to help? | Thaiger

    Thai retailers start plastic bag ban. What are you doing to help?

    And so it begins, a new era in Thailand, and a new paradigm where plastic bags may be seen as environmental pariahs instead of day to day necessities the Land of Smiles. Yesterday marked the first day of the ban on single use plastic bags implemented by around 75 brands under the Thai Retailers Association to reduce plastic waste. The…

  • Economy NewsGreenback falls below 30 baht to the USD | Thaiger

    Greenback falls below 30 baht to the USD

    The Greenback has dropped below 30 baht against the US$, its strongest position in six years. The currency closed at 29.88 baht to the dollar yesterday. But Thai officials say the drop through the 30 baht barrier is not a concern and more of a ‘blip’ than an ongoing trend to increase its value against the Dollar. At 4pm this…

  • Northern Thailand NewsOver 400 arrested for drink-driving in Kalasin province during holiday campaign | Thaiger

    Over 400 arrested for drink-driving in Kalasin province during holiday campaign

    PHOTO: 200 drink-drivers ended up in court after being arrested on NY Eve – INN News More than 400 people have been arrested for drink-driving in the northeastern province of Kalasin alone over the holiday period. This, an appalling result during the first four of Thailand’s “7 Dangerous Days” safety campaign over the Christmas/New Year holidays. The drivers were caught…

  • Pattaya NewsBritish tourist killed in Pattaya fireworks incident | Thaiger

    British tourist killed in Pattaya fireworks incident

    PHOTO: The errant firework cylinder that police believe was the one that exploded in Mr. McLaren’s face – The Pattaya News A British tourist has died after fireworks exploded adjacent to where he was standing during New Year celebrations in central Pattaya. Police were notified at 12:30am and rushed to the scene. The 51 year old man, named by police as…

  • Environment NewsBangchak petrol stations installing EV charging locations and solar panels | Thaiger

    Bangchak petrol stations installing EV charging locations and solar panels

    “Currently PEA is surveying the sites of Bangchak’s petrol stations that are suitable for installing EV chargers.” This from Somchai Techavanich, Chief of Marketing and VP of Marketing at Bangchak Corporation. The group recently announced that the company is planning to install EV (electric vehicle) charging stations at its petrol stations under an MoU for clean energy business development signed…

  • Tourism NewsThailand set to launch two more budget airlines in 2020 | Thaiger

    Thailand set to launch two more budget airlines in 2020

    While Thailand’s flagship Thai Airways struggles, two new budget airlines are preparing to take off in 2020. The past decade has been challenging for Thailand’s legacy airline whilst newer, more nimble and cashed-up players enter the market. As reported in The Thaiger last week, both Thai Summer Airways and Thai Eastar Jet have gained Air Operating Licenses from the Civil…

  • Politics NewsOpposition will increase pressure to amend Thai constitution in 2020 | Thaiger

    Opposition will increase pressure to amend Thai constitution in 2020

    Opposition parties will intensify their push to amend Thailand’s 2017 constitution and allow “fair political ground rules for all parties”, according to Phumtham Wechayachai, a key member of one of the parties, Pheu Thai. He says the opposition will work through a joint parliamentary panel, recently formed to study constitutional amendments, headed by Phiraphan Saleeratthavipark, a veteran Democrat MP who…

  • Bangkok NewsLate night party blamed for major road incident east of Bangkok | Thaiger

    Late night party blamed for major road incident east of Bangkok

    PHOTOS: Khaosod English Police are still investigating the events that led up to a major traffic incident last Friday. A woman in Samut Prakan, east of central Bangkok, has been seriously injured after crashing her pickup truck into a power pole, causing a series of incidents. The driver, 25 year old Siriprapha Photmoo, remained unconscious in hospital over the weekend. Police…

  • Economy NewsThai baht hits highest level against the USD in six years | Thaiger

    Thai baht hits highest level against the USD in six years

    The baht finished in spectacular fashion after a year as one of the world’s most stable currencies, when it reached 30.15 baht against the US$, its highest level in six years. Kasikornbank Bank is forecasting that the Thai baht could move into a range of 30-30.30 baht to the dollar this week (up to January 3). Investors have been selling USD…

  • Northern Thailand NewsFreak hailstorm causes blackouts, damages homes in Chiang Rai | Thaiger

    Freak hailstorm causes blackouts, damages homes in Chiang Rai

    PHOTOS: Thai PBS World Heavy rains and hail have damaged homes and caused widespread blackouts in the northern province of Chiang Rai. Strong winds knocked down trees in several districts, blocking traffic. Officials say the sudden storm, which struck Mae Sai, Chiang Saen and Mae Chan districts, lasted about 30 minutes and damaged several houses. They say the relief operation was hindered…

  • Crime NewsMan arrested with loaded gun in Pattaya, allegedly firing in public | Thaiger

    Man arrested with loaded gun in Pattaya, allegedly firing in public

    PHOTO: The Pattaya News A 42 year old Thai man has been arrested, not far from the same Pattaya checkpoint where a 26 year old man was earlier arrested with a live grenade. Police responded to a complaint that someone was firing a gun on Soi Bun Bunkaram 5 around midnight on December 29. Officers, and a reporter from The Pattaya…

  • Northern Thailand News2 million baht of gold stolen in Buri Ram, police suspect inside job | Thaiger

    2 million baht of gold stolen in Buri Ram, police suspect inside job

    A thief has made off with 2 million baht in gold necklaces, rings and bracelets from a gold shop at a Buri Ram department store. Police examined CCTV footage showing a man wearing a cap entering the shop in the early morning on Saturday before ransacking several areas. Officers took fingerprints at various locations including the gold shop. Thai media report…

  • Politics NewsLatest NIDA poll says Thanathorn “most suitable” for PM | Thaiger

    Latest NIDA poll says Thanathorn “most suitable” for PM

    A recent NIDA survey has named Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit “the most suitable person” for the post of Thai PM and his Future Forward Party as the best party to lead the country. The survey by the National Institute for Development Administration, or NIDA Poll, was conducted between December 18 – 20 on 2,511 Thai adults of various occupations and levels of education.…

  • Crime NewsThai police dis criticism of their Koh Tao Murder investigation | Thaiger

    Thai police dis criticism of their Koh Tao Murder investigation

    PHOTO: Bangkok Post Thai police have publicly hit back at foreign media allegations that their forensics investigation into the highly-publicised 2014 murder case on Koh Tao did not meet international standards. The publicity about their allegedly botched investigation began in 2014 with the brutal murder of two British tourists, David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, on Koh Tao island off Surat…

  • Pattaya NewsTwo Chinese men survive balloon crash in Sri Racha | Thaiger

    Two Chinese men survive balloon crash in Sri Racha

    PHOTO: Peao Yiang Tai Sri Racha Two Chinese men have survived after their hot air balloon plummeted hundreds of feet to the ground Friday morning in Sri Racha, north of Pattaya. Rescue workers learned of the incident at 11am. They arrived at a fruit plantation to find the balloon on the ground. It appeared to have fallen into several trees, knocking…

  • Thailand NewsThanathorn says he’ll fight for Thailand’s ethnic minorities | Thaiger

    Thanathorn says he’ll fight for Thailand’s ethnic minorities

    Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit says his opposition party will press for recognition of the basic rights of Thailand’s ethnic minorities, including ancestral land rights and access to state welfare. The party leader was in the western province of Tak on Friday to attend New Year celebrations among the Hmong hill tribe, and to seek their support for the…