- 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…
- Bangkok News
40 year old Burmese woman dies in Nonthaburi car crash
A Burmese woman has been killed when the car she was a passenger in hit a concrete barrier on a road in Nonthaburi’s Bang Yai district, just north-west of the capital. Bang Yai police said the accident happened at 4.30am yesterday (Saturday) on the Bangkok-bound Kanchanapisek road in front of the Boonthong plants market in Tambon Saothong Hin. The…
- 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…
- 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…
- Thailand Election News
“Princess cannot run for office” – King of Thailand
After a dramatic day in Thai politics yesterday, where the Thai Raksa Chart Party dropped a bombshell into the election campaign by nominating Princess Ubolratana, the King’s eldest sister, as a prime ministerial candidate, the drama continued last night with a statement from HM The King. The Thai monarch issued a strongly-worded statement around 11pm, prohibiting his older sister Princess Ubolratana…
- 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…
- 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…
- Thailand News
Helicopter crashes in Nakhon Sawan
A helicopter from the Royal Rain-making and Agricultural Aviation Department has crash-landed while on a training flight in Nakhon Sawan, north of Bangkok, yesterday. The pilot, a co-pilot and a mechanic escaped with only minor injuries after the chopper crashed into an empty field and caught fire. Rescuers managed to extinguish the fire. Department officials said that the helicopter developed…
- 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
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
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…
- 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…
- 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…
- Bangkok News
Facemasks on sacred statues gets BKK photographer into hot water
PHOTOS: Facebook/Chub Nokkaew Thai photographer Chub Nokkaew is in trouble for defacing Wat Arun’s iconic statues with face masks. Well, not quite… But the retouched photos were done so skilfully it almost resulted in him facing a criminal charge. He was merely using the retouched pics to make a point about Bangkok’s recent air pollution woes. The artwork has received…
- 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…
- Bangkok News
Air pollution in Bangkok improved over the weekend, marathon goes ahead
PHOTO: Thai PBS Air quality around Bangkok had sufficiently improved for the running of a charity marathon in the capital yesterday morning. 16,000 runners took part in the marathon yesterday from the Ratchamangala stadium in Hua Mark, through central Bangkok and to the finish line at the Democracy monument on Rajdamnoen road. The race organisers say they were closely monitoring updates…
- 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.…
- Cannabis News
Seven drug busts net 10 million meth pills, 4 kg of heroin
The more drugs police intercept, the more that pours across the borders. The Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau have reported on seven drug busts that netted 10 suspects and the confiscation of 10 million methamphetamine pills and nearly four kilograms of heroin. The NSB also seized other illicit drugs including crystal meth or “ice”, ecstasy pills and cocaine. Separate searches in…
- 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…
