- 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
Nakhon Ratchasima shoots himself after CNY celebrations
A Nakhon Ratchasima man has shot himself while his mother and sister were washing up in the next room following a Chinese New Year dinner in their shophouse. Police were alerted to the suicide at a house on Soi Pattana Prapa Community 2 in Nai Muang, Muang district at 6.45pm last night. They arrived to find Weerawat Phisitthapat’s body lying in…
- 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…
- 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…
- Phuket News
Moken village fire – “destruction brings opportunities”
by Pratch Rujivanarom The devastation of the Moken village on Phang Nga’s Surin island last Sunday night can possibly be used as an opportunity to restore the traditional way of life for the sea gypsies. This assessment from academics after the blaze destroyed 61 houses and left 237 people homeless. Maitree Jongkraijug, a coordinator with Chumchontai Foundation, said the villagers…
- 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…
- Northern Thailand News
Thai and Burmese authorities detain 81 in search for drug gang
by Natthawat Laping “Is wanted Thai drug trafficker 30 year old Pannawit Pathum among the group?” Burmese authorities have conducted raids at entertainment venues, hotels, resorts and residential communities near the Thai-Myannar border opposite Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang district and rounded up 81 Thai nationals who had illegally entered the country. Chiang Rai Immigration superintendent Pol Colonel Ekkorn Busababodin…
- Food
Thai Tapas at Ginja – a truly remarkable taste sensation
I am invited to special dinners many times a week and most are wonderful nights exploring new flavors and presentation at some of the island’s best restaurants. Last night was exceptional and beautifully presented at the award-winning Ginja Taste in Mai Khao. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa invited Chef Prasertchai Trongvanichnam (aka. Chef Jack, Chef de Cuisine of Flavor…
- Bangkok News
Australian government demands Thailand release Hakeem Al-Araibi
“The actions of the Bahraini Government have put Thailand in a very difficult position.” Australia officials are repeating their call that ex-Bahraini national footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, who is now facing a lengthy extradition process after an appearance in a Bangkok court yesterday, be returned to Australia immediately. They say that he is a legal refugee and a permanent resident of…
- Thai Life
Ice ice baby! Social Egg Freezing arrives in Thailand
Could 2019 be the year of the egg? It may very well be thanks to a recent growing trend into “social egg freezing.” For less than $3 a day a major healthcare provider could see many infertile patients reaping the rewards. According to recent reports, Borderless Healthcare Group are set to launch their unique fertility services in the Thai capital.…
- Bangkok News
Chacheongsao rubber plantation fire under control after 15 hours
A huge fire, which had already destroyed more than half of a 400 rai rubber plantation in Chacheongsao province, was finally brought under control at 1.30pm yesterday. The deputy provincial governor Prasong Khongkhaoroptham said the fire had raised worries of adding to Bangkok’s air-pollution woes. Chacheongsao province is directly to the east of the Thai capital. Investigation into the cause of…
- Bangkok News
Limit use of joss sticks and incense – Chinese New Year ‘pollution’
PHOTOS: The Nation by Pratch Rukivanarom Doctors are urging people not to burn joss paper as offerings over Chinese New Year. They’re also recommending to limit incense-burning and fireworks during this year’s celebrations this week to prevent hazardous emissions. (Apparently the ‘hazardous emissions’ have been ok in the past – Ed) The response from Doctors is in reaction to the…
- Thailand News
Facebook bars overseas electoral ads for the March 23 election
The Thai government and Election Commission are imposing their own bans and restrictions for political advertising leading up to next month’s poll. Now Thailand’s favorite social media platform says it is banning ads posted from overseas for the poll as well. Facebook says it will bar foreign-based election advertisements in Thailand as the country heads towards the March 24 election.…
- Bangkok News
Fears that plantation fire could add to Bangkok pollution woes
A huge plantation fire has destroyed a 400 rai rubber farm in Chacheongsao province with concerns that it could also add to Bangkok’s air pollution and smog woes. Chachongseo is the province immediately east of the city limits. The prevailing winds come from the north-east. The fire in Sanam Chai Khet district began at around 10pm last night (Saturday) and…
- Northern Thailand News
Nan blossoms in pink splendour
Tourists are flocking to the far northern province of Nan, on the Laos border, this weekend to witness the beauty of wild Himalayan cherry tree blossoms, widely known as “Thai sakura”, at a research station in Nanoi district. Kanyarat Natebutr, chief of Tonnam Kunsatan research station said that the areas around the station, where cherry trees, green maple and macadamia…
- Bangkok News
Criminal Court agrees to consider extradition of Bahraini footballer
The Criminal Court says it has agreed to consider the public prosecutors’ request to extradite former Bahrain national footballer Hakeem al-Araibi to his home country. The footballer currently holds Australian residency. The request was made after Bahrain supplied prosecutors with evidence and documents accusing al-Araibi of arson and possession of weapons. Bahrain had issued an arrest warrant for the footballer…
- Bangkok News
Government apologises for Bangkok air pollution and smog
The Government has conceded to Bangkok citizens about the air pollution that continues to disrupt lives and threaten their health. “The government apologises for the inconvenience caused by the poor air quality and would like to thank everybody for support and cooperation,” said the PM yesterday. The blue sky typical of this time of year is hidden beyond a grey-yellow…
- Bangkok News
Students sent to hospital after suffering food poisoning from school lunch
70 secondary students from the Jian Hua School in Nakhon Pathom’s Bang Len district suffered food poisoning after school lunch yesterday. Nakhon Pathom is the province to the west of Bangkok. 25 of the affected students were sent to Supan Buri’s 17th Somdet Phra Sangkharat Hospital suffering from severe diarrhoea, vomiting and seizures. 26 year old Teacher Manasawee Phutthapol says that…
- Bangkok News
Thai authorities decide on Bahrain detainee’s future next week
The Thai Attorney General is set to decide by next week whether to extradite a detained Bahraini footballer or allow him to travel to Australia as a refugee. Prosecutors have now received an official request from the Bahraini government to extradite the footballer, Hakeem Ali Mohamed Ali al-Araibi, and the request is being reviewed to see if it falls within…
- Bangkok News
Monk defrocked and charged with child abuse
by Suriya Patathayo Another Buddhist monk has been arrested and defrocked. The allegations involve sexual violations against boys and posting pornographic content online. Leading the investigation, Pol Lt General Surachate Hakparn, deputy chief of Thailand’s Action Taskforce for Information Technology Crime Suppression says that the former monk has confessed that he has committed the crimes for more than 10 years.…
- Thailand News
Thailand poised to break through 40 million arrivals in 2019
Thailand welcomed a record 38.27 million tourists in 2018. That’s up 7.5 percent from 2017 arrival figures. The Thai tourism ministry announced the figures this morning. In December, tourist arrivals amounted to 3.85 million. The ministry is also expecting the number of tourists visiting Thailand in 2019 to increase by another 7.5 percent. For 2019, the ministry expects to break through the…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok air pollution: PM demands action and threatens limiting road traffic
PHOTOS: The Nation The Thai PM says he is determined to step up measures to fight the worsening air pollution problem plaguing Bangkok. Limiting the use of vehicles with an odd-even day schedule is on the cards, he said. Speaking at the opening ceremony of “Our Country, Our Future” exhibition yesterday, Prayut warned that if the smog in Bangkok was…
- Phuket News
His Majesty pays Phang Nga boy’s medical costs – more operations Saturday
HM the King has helped pay for some of the medical care for the seven year old boy mauled by four stray dogs at a beach in Phang Nga last weekend. He is now recovering in Vachira Phuket Hospital. The boy was attacked in Ban Tha Noon, Takua Thung district on Sunday. Dr Chalermpong Sukhonthapol, spokesperson for the hospital, says…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok Air Quality: BKK Governor calls for help as PM2.5 smog continues
PHOTO: Jor Sor 100 traffic radio – Bangkok Air Quality Bangkok’s governor is calling on experts to provide advice on how best to tackle the severe air pollution that blankets the city and is causing the wrong sort of headlines for the capital. The Pollution Control Department reported 41 Greater Bangkok areas as having unsafe levels of PM2.5 – airborne…
- Bangkok News
AoT defers final decision about new BKK airport terminal until February 20
PHOTO: Rendering of the new proposed Terminal for Suvarnabhumi Airports of Thailand has set a deadline of February 20 to decide whether it will go ahead with the construction of the much-needed second terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the country’s largest and busiest airport. The 42 billion baht project has been embroiled in controversy amid criticism from organisations including the Council…
- Hua Hin News
The ‘sweet generation’ head back to school in Hua Hin
by Piyarat Nildee Hua Hin residents may be wondering why some of their more mature residents have been putting on school uniforms and heading back to school. Some of the elderly Prachuap Khiri Khan residents reported at a special college for ‘the Sweet Generation’ yesterday, ready for classes and ready to learn again. Hundreds have enrolled in the School for…
- World News
Burmese migrants, heading for Malaysia, stopped in Chumphon
Police and soldiers in Chumphon have arrested 37 Burmese people who were heading to Malaysia. Security forces, including troops from the 44th Army Circle, checked a wooded location where residents had seen a group of strangers in a makeshift camp. The 33 men and four women had no travel documents and appeared exhausted in their rough camp behind a deserted…
- Thailand News
Palang Pracharat nominate PM Prayut as a candidate
The new junta-sympathetic Palang Pracharat Party has officially nominated three prime ministerial candidates. One of them is the current PM, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. After a party executive meeting today, party secretary general Sontirat Sontijirawong announced the party will nominate Prayut, its party leader Uttama Savanayana and Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak as its candidates in the prime ministerial list. They will…
