- Thailand News
One Malaysian dead and another injured after big-bike crash in Suphan Buri
A 50 year old Malaysian female tourist has died, and her friend injured, after their high-performance BMW motorcycle crashed in Suphan Buri’s Muang district yesterday afternoon. The two were part of a 20 motorbike convoy, riding from Malaysia with the goal of reaching Tak province in Thailand’s north-west. The fatal crash took place at 1.30pm on Malaiman Road in Tambon…
- Bangkok News
Valentine’s roses leap in price this year
Roses are red Violets are blue A red rose used to cost 15 baht Now it’s 52! The price of roses has spiked to almost double from that of the past two years. The popular Valentine’s gift was retailing for up to 70 baht each, a substantial increase from last year’s 50 baht average around Bangkok. In Bangkok, flower vendors…
- Environment News
“Close down the schools” – Chiang Mai University academic
PHOTO: Measuring the PM2.5 particles and pollution from public transport in Chiang Mai With Chiang Mai making the list for worst air pollution in the world (Number 3), calls are growing for schools and educational institutes in the northern province to close down temporarily. “The Chiang Mai University, in particular, should suspend its classes until the situation improves. Not only…
- Environment News
New electric ferries to ply the ‘Venice of the East’ in Bangkok
by Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn A 1 billion baht project is under consideration to transform Bangkok into the “Venice of the East” (again?) and help ease the city’s air pollution problems. The project for electric-powered ferries to ply the Chao Phraya is backed by Energy Absolute, a Thai alternative energy technology provider, which yesterday said it will work with the Marine Department…
- Bangkok News
Thai-Italian man dies after fall from apartment in Pathum Thani
A Thai-Italian man has fallen to his death from a room on the eighth floor of an apartment building in Pathum Thani province, just north of Bangkok. Police suspect it might have been a suicide. The Klong Luang police reported the death of 22 year old Akinare Prancesco Polize. When police arrived at the apartment, his 23 year old roommate…
- Chiang Mai News
72 year old jumps for her life from the second floor during home inferno
An elderly woman has suffered head injuries whilst escaping a blaze that burned down her home in Chiang Mai. The fire broke out at a two-storey teak house on Ban Pae road in Tambon Tha Sala of Chiang Mai’s Muang district. Five fire engines took an hour to get the blaze under control after it swept through the entire timber…
- Pattaya News
Foreigner arrested for kicking in the door to Pattaya police station
PHOTOS/VIDEO: Ruk Siam News A drunk foreign man, dressed only in shorts, has kicked in a window at a police station in Pattaya. His name or nationality have not been revealed by police. Ruk Siam News reports that he then made his way to the beer garden at the Central shopping centre where security tracked his movements and alerted police. The…
- Thailand News
Slow phase out of ‘Paraquat’ meets resistance
Activists are voicing their objections to the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Grisada Boonrach’s proposal to ban the use of paraquat in three years instead of one. The Hazardous Substance Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting tomorrow to reconsider the banning of three controversial agricultural chemicals – paraquat, glyphosate, and chlorpyrifos. But the BioThai Foundation has disclosed the minister’s text…
- Bangkok News
Tourist falls from fourth floor of Suvarnabhumi
A Russian tourist was fatally injured after falling four floors at the country’s largest airport. Police say he climbed over a glass wall on the fourth floor in the passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi and jumped. Royal Thai Police deputy spokesman Pol Col Kritsana Patanacharoen says 44 year old Mikhail Sinitsyn landed on the second floor after his fall early this…
- Environment News
Air quality for Thailand – February 11
Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for…
- Krabi News
Krabi restaurants fined for dumping wastewater into Ao Nang canal
PHOTO: ‘Thailandia Restaurant’, TripAdvisor.com Krabi health authorities have taken action against two restaurants in Ao Nang, Krabi for releasing wastewater into a canal that drains into the sea. Tourists in the area complained about the foul odours coming from the canal. Authorities say it has adversely affected tourism to the popular tourist spot. Deputy Krabi Governor Somkuan Khan-ngern has responded…
- Chiang Mai News
Father and daughter killed traveling to Bangkok to apply for masters degree
A father and his daughter were killed after their car careered off the road in Lampang and hit a tree. Police say 58 year old Rongthep Ratanapipit was driving his daughter 22 year old Latthawan Ratanapipit from Chiang Mai to Bangkok to apply for master degree, when he apparently dozed off behind the wheel. The car crashed into a tree in…
- Thailand Election News
“I wish you all good luck and happiness” – Princess Ubolratana posts on Instagram
PHOTO: The four children of King Bhumibol, Rama 9 Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, elder sister to the Thai King, has posted a message on her Instagram account this morning thanking Thais for their love and support. The sister of His Majesty the King posted the message shortly after 6am. His Majesty prohibited her from standing in the upcoming election…
- Thai Life
Agency calls for 200 million baht to tackle Thailand’s unwanted pregnancies
An agency has proposed that Thailand’s National Health Security Office (NHSO) budgets 200 million baht to purchase and distribute condoms and contraceptive implants as a possible solution to the country’s unwanted pregnancies. The AIDS and Unwanted Pregnancy Hotline 1663 Centre says the money, which amounts to only 3 baht per head, could come from the NHSO’s health promotion and disease…
- Bangkok News
More than 500,000 people say goodbye to Thai celebrity cat “Maew Askoe”
Over half a million people have gone online to bid their farewell to one of Thailands more celebrated stray cats. “Maew Asoke” meaning the cat of Asoke (a busy business district along Sukhumvit road in Bangkok) shot to stardom after being repeatedly spotted using the BTS in the area. Whether or not the feline paid for tickets is still in question.…
- Thailand News
Two Burmese arrested with 20 kilograms of ‘ice’ in SUV
PHOTO: Three Pagodas Border Pass in Kanchanaburi Two Burmese men have been arrested with 20 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of around 30 million baht. The drugs were hidden in the modified gas tank of their SUV in Kanchanaburi’s Sangkhlaburi district yesterday morning. The police followed up on a tip-off about a Ford Everest SUV smuggling drugs…
- Bangkok News
14 arrested in money-lending network raid
Fourteen suspects are now in custody over racketeering charges after police raided 30 locations in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. The crackdown was targeting the “Yai Jeab” illegal money-lending network. Immigration Police chief Pol Lt-General Surachate Hakparn says they were chasing 28 wanted persons and aiming to collect incriminating documents and seize assets. The simultaneous searches led to the arrest of…
- Northern Thailand News
Warning: Massage can be dangerous for pregnant women – Health ministry
Massage can be dangerous for women at different stages of their pregnancy. The warning was issued by the Public Health Ministry after a woman suffered a miscarriage and went into a coma after getting a foot massage in the Chiang Mai province. “Women who are less than three months into their pregnancy should avoid massage because it may lead to…
- Thailand News
Hakeem al-Araibi UPDATE: “Australia never issued a red notice”
The Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi is going to file another bail request next week. His lawyer said yesterday that they will continue to seek bail while he awaits his extradition trial in April. Meanwhile, the Australian government, which is pressing for his release and return, yesterday dismissed reports that it had put out the red notice that resulted in the…
- Business News
Americans are flocking to Asia. Why?
Asia is sexy. From K-Pop sensation BTS topping the Billboard charts to “Crazy Rich Asians” owning the summer box office in the US, Americans can’t get enough of Asian film, music, and of course, noodles. “It’s all a sign of the Asianisation of the world”, reports CNN. “Asia has the world’s lowest taxes. Despite having some of the world’s largest…
- Northern Thailand News
Air pollution problems move to Khon Kaen
Pollution continues to choke the north-east province of Khon Kaen with the Air Quality Index reaching 187 yesterday, well beyond the “moderate” safety limit of 100. This morning it’s reading at 174. Associate Professor Dr Kittichai Triratanasirichai, a former president of Khon Kaen University, says the pollution in Khon Kaen had worsened mainly due to the burning of sugarcane and…
- Bangkok News
Five taken to hospital following Bangkok condo fire
PHOTO: JS100Radio Five people have suffered smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at a condo in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district last night (Wednesday). The fire apparently started in the Lumpini Condo Ram Indra-Navamin around 9.30pm in a room on the second floor of the 24 storey Building D. All residents were evacuated before firefighters arrived. Police say the room was…
- Bangkok News
PM, Bangkok Governor and environment board summoned to court over air pollution
The Thai PM, Bangkok’s governor Aswin Kwanmuang and the National Environment Board were summoned to the Central Administrative Court today over the PM2.5 air pollution crisis that has affected Greater Bangkok for nearly two months. The court will question Prayut, Aswin and members of the board in response to a complaint filed by the Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) and…
- Thailand News
Australian PM writes a second letter to Thai PM over al-Araibi case
The Australian Government is pouring on the pressure with Bangkok to immediately release Hakeem al-Araibi, with the Australian PM writing a second letter to his Thai counterpart saying he was disturbed to see Hakeem al-Araibi in shackles at the Criminal Court on Monday. “I’ve written to him again, because I was very disturbed at the appearance of Hakeem at the…
- Thailand News
75 year old burned to death while fighting plantation fire in Sa Kaew
A 75 year old has been burned to death while fighting a fire in Sa Kaew’s Aranyaprathet district last night. Sa Kaew is east of Bangkok on the Cambodian border. The incident happened in a eucalyptus plantation. District police received an alert at 8.30pm that the man, Boonsee Thamungmee, was killed at the plantation in Moo 6 village in Tambon…
- Bangkok News
51 year old Frenchman arrested over allegations of soliciting sex with teenagers
by Jessada Chantharak A 51 year old French citizen, reportedly working as a French teacher in Singapore, has been arrested in Bangkok, Thailand for allegedly buying sex with teenage boys. The suspect is Quenot Jean-Christophe Marie Georges. He was arrested on February 4 at a hotel room in Soi Inthamara 47, Bangkok. A computer notebook, a memory card, two hard…
- Chiang Mai News
Chiang Mai top cops transferred after gambling den raid
Five leading police officers at the Muang Chiang Mai Police Station have been immediately side-lined to inactive posts. The transfers are pending a fact-finding probe of whether they had been negligent in their duties by allowing a gambling den to operate within the precinct. The police were transferred today and the probe result is expected within two weeks. Transferred are…
- Bangkok News
“Australian ‘red notice’ led to the arrest of Hakeem al-Araibi”
PHOTO: South China Morning Post “Australia issuance of an Interpol red notice for former Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi that led to his arrest in Thailand”. This revelation from Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. Bahrain, which issued an arrest warrant after finding him guilty of criminal charges in 2014, learnt about his overseas trip and requested Thailand to detain him, Don…
- Bangkok News
Hakeem Al-Araibi hobbles into court in leg irons – raises questions about his treatment in Thailand
The Corrections Department says they are permitted by law to place leg irons on former-Bahraini-footballer-turned-Australian-refugee Hakeem Al-Araibi. Al-Araibi, a resident of Australia where he holds also refugee status, appeared at the Criminal Court yesterday with his legs cuffed. He is fighting an extradition request from his former home country. The sight of Al-Araibi in leg irons drew a lot of…
- Hua Hin News
Hua Hin massage shops blocking the beach
PHOTO: Juckrit Chotphom The Hua Hin municipality says they’re going to investigate beach massage operators for encroaching on, and blocking, the popular beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Clerk of the municipality, Jirawat Prammanee, says he ordered officials to check on the operators after seeing posts from a Hua Hin resident showing the beach obstructed by massage beds. Jirawat said…
