Caitlin Ashworth
- Thailand News
Symptoms improved for 70% of patients on cannabis treatment – Health minister
Thailand’s pro-marijuana public health minister boasts that symptoms have improved for at least 70% of the country’s medical cannabis patients. Thailand’s 311 medical cannabis clinics at hospitals have treated more than 14,200 people, most who are diagnosed with terminal cancer, according to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Other patients using the cannabis treatment are patients with Parkinson’s disease, drug-resistant neuropathic…
- Road deaths
Hundreds of pigs killed in truck accident after driver allegedly fell asleep
A trailer truck packed with pigs flipped, killing hundreds of the pigs, after the driver allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel. Nation Thailand described the scene as a “horror film.” Lifeless bodies were stacked on top each other while injured pigs screamed and squealed in pain. The driver is facing reckless driving charges. The pigs were packed in a triple-decker…
- Covid-19 News
Thai health officials investigate South Korean military officer Covid-19 case
Thai health officials are trying to determine how the South Korean military officer, who tested positive for Covid-19 after returning home from Thailand’s annual Cobra Gold training, became infected with the virus. So far, it’s a mystery. Local health authorities investigating the case are asking South Korean authorities for more information about the officers whereabouts to figure where exactly the…
- Covid-19 News
5 new Covid-19 cases in quarantine, 2 reported symptoms
5 new Covid-19 cases were detected in quarantine with 2 reporting symptoms of a fever, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases is raised to 3,852 with 3,693 recoveries and 60 deaths. 99 people are currently receiving medical treatment for the coronavirus. A 30 year old Thai student travelling from Sweden tested…
- Pattaya News
Chon Buri man allegedly killed neighbours over dispute about their barking dog
A Chon Buri man allegedly shot and killed his neighbours because their dog was barking. 49 year old Jirat Wuttimananon turned himself in to police and allegedly admitted to fatally shooting the married couple after an argument about the barking dog. He faces murder charges. “I have been annoyed with the dog for a long time and made many complaints.…
- Visa Information
Thailand “relaxes” visa criteria to draw in more tourists
In an effort to revive the tourism industry after a quiet 7 months without foreign tourists, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says they’ve “relaxed” the criteria for issuing tourist visas and are now allowing foreigners from countries considered a “medium risk” for spreading Covid-19 to apply for a tourist visa. Thailand will start allowing some foreigners to enter on a…
- Thailand Protest News
Monks prohibited from participating in political protests
Monks and novices are banned from joining political protests and urgent notifications have been sent to temples advising them that monks could be expelled for participating. As the pro-democracy movement continues, some monks have already been seen at rallies calling on government and monarchy reformation as well as a rewrite of the 2017 Constitution. The National Office of Buddhism director…
- Thailand News
Thai Airways sells warehouse items and leases offices for extra cash
In its latest move to generate just a little more cash in the midst of bankruptcy, cash-strapped Thai Airways is leasing out its office buildings and auctioning off in-flight items like bowls, cups, mugs and packages of “refreshing tissue.” Thai Airways also recently put 34 passenger airplanes on the market. With the coronavirus-induced travel restrictions, Thai Airways cannot operate fully…
- Thailand News
North Taurid meteor shower visible from Thailand tomorrow night
A North Taurid meteor shower will be visible from Thailand tomorrow around 7pm with a few, but very bright meteors expected to light up the sky, according to National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand. Around 5 meteors could shoot across the sky per hour and the ones that do could be bright meteors known as “fireballs.” The Taurid meteor stream…
- Covid-19 News
3 new Covid-19 cases in quarantine, 1 patient with symptoms
3 new Covid-19 cases were detected in quarantine with 1 patient reporting symptoms, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Thailand is raised to 3,847 with 3,685 recoveries and 60 deaths. 102 people are currently receiving medical treatment for the coronavirus. A 40 year old Thai woman travelling from Turkey tested…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok motorbike taxi driver allegedly stabs another driver to death
A Bangkok motorbike taxi driver allegedly stabbed and killed another driver during an argument. Although the women picked up passengers from different areas, they often clashed. Motorbike taxi driver Thongthae Janmun is facing charges of intent to murder. The women got in a dispute yesterday. The victim slapped Thongthae on the head, then Thongthae allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed…
- Events
PTT pays millions in compensation after Samut Prakan gas pipeline explosion
The Thai petrol company PTT paid millions of baht in compensation to those affected by the Samut Prakan natural gas pipeline explosion last month which killed 3 people and injured more 60 people. The explosion at an industrial estate in the Bang Bo district killed 3 people, including 2 elderly women, and severely injured 10 people. Another 21 people were…
- Thailand News
Thai police warn about romance scammers on dating applications
Police are warning about a romance scam where people pose as attractive foreigners on dating applications and, after some sweet talking, convince victims to transfer money to an account for an “investment opportunity.” Police say the scammers claim the coronavirus pandemic has affected their business and they’ve started investing in the stock market as well as cryptocurrency. Police say the…
- Covid-19 News
17 people in close contact with Hungarian foreign minister test negative for Covid-19
Health officials suspect the Hungarian diplomat who tested positive for Covid-19 became infected with the virus when he picked up the Hungarian foreign minister from the airport and had lunch with him. 17 other people who came in close contact with the foreign minister during his 2-day trip to Bangkok have all tested negative. Foreign minister Peter Szijjarto made a…
- Bangkok News
1 killed, another severely injured in motorcycle collision in Bangkok
A person was killed and another severely injured in a motorcycle collision today in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district. The motorcycles collided while driving around a curve. One of the bikes flipped and exploded. Photos show the bike engulfed in flames. 32 year old Thanatthakorn Chareaonsuk was found dead at the scene. 25 year old Kritsada Wanpen was severely injured and broke…
- Thailand News
Sarasas school refuses to negotiate compensation for students allegedly abused by teachers
The Sarasas Witaed Ratchaphruek School – under fire for numerous alleged child abuse incidents – will not negotiate compensation with parents of students allegedly abused by their teachers at the Nonthaburi school. Parents were each seeking around 5 million baht for damages, adding up to 130 million baht altogether, according to the lawyer representing the parents and chairperson of the…
- Bangkok News
Police investigate Bangkok shooting, find guns at suspect’s home
Police investigating a shooting outside a Bangkok massage parlour raided a suspect’s home and found guns, ammunition and drugs. The dispute late last month involved Thai internet idol and well known gambler Apriak “Sia Po” Chat-arnon. The investigation has been more extensively covered in Thai media. 2 people were injured in shooting and police arrested Sia Po on murder charges.…
- Covid-19 News
Diplomat in Thailand tests positive for Covid-19 after contact with Hungarian foreign minister
A Hungarian diplomat who resides in Thailand recently tested positive for Covid-19 in an apparent local transmission. The 53 year old diplomat had been in close contact with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto who tested positive for Covid-19 during a visit to Bangkok. Peter arrived in Bangkok on November 3 and left the following day after his diagnosis. The Centre…
- Northern Thailand News
Family demands investigation after conscript found dead at army base
The family of a young conscript that was found dead, hanging in a military base bathroom, is demanding an investigation claiming the 22 year old army private was physically assaulted during his training and he had no motive to commit suicide. Pichawat Wiangnon was found hanged to death at Military Circle in northeastern province Roi Et. Officers at the base…
- Pattaya News
Man arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on a woman at the ATM
A man was arrested after he allegedly pulled a gun on a woman at an ATM outside a Chon Buri petrol station and demanded money. Police quickly arrived to the gas station on Sukhumvit Road and arrested 36 year old Tawat Jantawon who allegedly told police he had taken a small amount of crystal methamphetamine. Police searched the man and…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok’s Chinatown to get a new look
Bangkok’s Chinatown is getting a makeover. A noticeable change will be to the food carts lining the main strip, Yaowarat Road, which are usually packed tightly along the street. In the revitalisation plan starting early next year, the food carts will be “more ordered” and “harmonised,” according to deputy governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul. “After January, people will see a noticeable change…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok man arrested for selling e-cigarettes and vape liquid
Police raided a home in Bangkok, seizing 70 electronic cigarettes as well as refill liquid and other related products. While the products are legal in many countries, vape pens and e-cigarettes sales are illegal in Thailand. Police say the alleged dealer, 35 year old Chalitpon Saardrup, sold the e-cigarettes and vaping liquid through Facebook and used a private delivery service…
- Thailand News
Less Thais visiting temples due to Covid-19, religious tourism at a loss
While Google searches for “prayers” spiked during the Covid-19 outbreak, people in Thailand are spending less time going to temples to pray. In a recent poll, less people are travelling to temples and making merit due to the pandemic, according to the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office. The office recently did a poll and found that 44% of…
- Thailand News
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha congratulates US President-elect Joe Biden
After the tight race for United States president, Thailand’s prime minister sent a message congratulating President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their victory against incumbents President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Reports say that Biden’s win could benefit Thailand. The Bangkok Post says trade tension between the US and China could ease up. The Thai…
- Visa Information
Foreigners report alleged visa scam in Koh Samui
A Thai woman in Koh Samui allegedly ripped off at least 8 foreigners by offering visa extension services and taking off with the money. A group of foreigners reported the scam to officers at the Bo Phut police station, saying they placed deposits ranging from 10,000 baht to even 100,000 baht, but the services were never fulfilled. A man posted…
- Covid-19 News
3 Covid-19 cases in quarantine, 1 reported symptoms
3 new Covid-19 cases were detected in quarantine, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Thailand’s total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases is raised to 3,840 with 3,661 recoveries and 60 deaths. 119 people are currently receiving medical treatment for the coronavirus. 2 people from Ethiopia, a 28 year old woman and a 38 year old man, tested positive…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok nightclub has special booth to vet and upcharge foreigners
A Bangkok nightclub has set up what resembles an immigration counter outside the venue to check foreigners’ IDs and make them pay up before entering. At BarBarBar in Thong Lor, Thais get in free, but foreigners are asked to step aside to the booth and either pay 500 baht or buy a bottle of alcohol before entering the venue. Bouncers…
- Pattaya News
Investors see opportunity in Pattaya hotel market
Although travel restrictions are still tight, investors see potential opportunities in Pattaya’s hotel market. Many are reimagining the 2021 market by focusing on domestic demand. Property consultancy JLL says the ongoing Eastern Economic Corridor development comes into play. U-Tapao International Airport in Rayong expanding to increase capacity by 5 million passengers and a high speed rail is in the works…
- Phuket News
Phuket police investigate alleged teacher abuse
Police are investigating a teacher at a central Phuket school after a complaint was filed accusing the teacher of kicking a pre-school student in the face. The Pavena Foundation for Children and Women reported the incident to the Wichit Police. The 5 year old student’s grandmother initially reported the alleged abuse to the foundation. In an interview with police, the grandmother…
- Covid-19 News
New rapid Covid-19 tests await FDA approval
A new rapid Covid-19 test made in Thailand is expected to cut coronavirus screening costs and provide results within a day. The tests, developed by the Medical Sciences Department in collaboration with Siam Bioscience, are waiting to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The approval process could take around a month. The test, once proven and rolled out,…
