- Crime News
Norwegian expat in Pattaya arrested on child porn charges
An elderly Norwegian man has been arrested in Pattaya on charges of downloading, collecting, and possessing child pornography. The 87 year old expat was arrested yesterday in the Jomtien area, after authorities identified his computer IP address as being the source of illegal downloads of child sexual abuse material. The Pattaya News reports that members of the Institute of Forensic…
- Covid-19 News
Leading doctor says Thailand’s Covid success faces threat from rising cases in neighbouring countries
A leading academic at Mahidol University says rising cases of Covid-19 in neighbouring countries may prove a threat to Thailand’s apparent success in suppressing the virus. Prasit Watthana, dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriroj Hospital, says that while countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Australia have demonstrated success in bringing the virus under control, rising numbers in Malaysia and…
- Tourism News
Tourism Minister optimistic high season will see 10 million domestic trips a month
The Tourism and Sports Minister is aiming to see domestic tourists undertake 10 million trips a month during the forthcoming high season. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is hopeful the stimulus measures approved by Cabinet will boost tourism numbers and help off-set some of the economic devastation caused by the closure of Thailand’s borders. Domestic tourism first began to pick up in May,…
- Covid-19 News
European countries in lockdown as Covid-19 cases top 11 million
Covid-19 cases across Europe have now topped 11 million, with Austria and Greece the latest countries to impose partial lockdowns. France, Germany, Belgium and Ireland have already done the same, introducing strict restrictions on movement and, in most cases, shutting all but non-essential services. Nearly 285,000 deaths from the virus have now been recorded across the continent. The Bangkok Post…
- Crime News
Pattaya journalist injured as foreigner steals gun, fires at police, then kills himself
An armed man has killed himself after a stand-off with police in Pattaya that lasted several hours, during which a journalist was shot. It’s understood the man, a 25 year old American citizen, stole a Glock 9mm with 8 bullets from a shooting range, with staff trying but failing to stop him from making his getaway on a motorbike, according…
- Covid-19 News
Hotels reluctant to apply for ASQ status due to government’s cap on tourist arrivals
With the number of foreign arrivals who can enter Thailand on the special tourist visa limited to just 1,200 a month, hotel owners say they’re reluctant to apply for alternative state quarantine status. Hoteliers say a lack of tourists in sufficient numbers, coupled with the number of quarantine facilities already in existence, means the investment required to gain ASQ approval…
- Business News
Thai Airways to launch one-off flight over sacred Buddhist sites
Thai Airways has announced a special flight on November 30 that will give passengers the opportunity to chant Buddhist mantras while flying over 99 sacred sites in the Kingdom. Wiwat Piyawiroj, executive vice-president at the struggling national carrier, says passengers will fly over Bangkok and 31 provinces, taking in 99 holy sites, over which they will be able to chant…
- South Thailand News
Government to consider rescue packages for tourism businesses in South
The government will hold a mobile Cabinet meeting in Phuket today to consider potential rescue packages for tourism-related businesses that have been ravaged by the closure of international borders. The proposals, which include soft loans for airlines and other businesses, come after PM Prayut Chan-o-cha met with Phuket business representatives and local officials yesterday. The Bangkok Post reports that the…
- Thailand Weather Updates
3 people missing after being swept away by flash flooding in Prachinburi
A Highways Department official and 2 villagers are missing in the eastern province of Prachinburi, after they were swept away by strong currents caused by heavy flooding. Thai PBS World reports that heavy rain resulted in water runoffs from mountains in Khao Yai and Tap Larn national parks, leading to flash floods. 32 provinces were on alert after heavy rains…
- Tourism News
Minister declares Phuket Airport ready to welcome STV arrivals
The Thai Transport Minister has declared Phuket International Airport ready to welcome tourists arriving under the recently-launched Special Tourist Visa scheme. A similar announcement was also made in the days before the much-discussed October 8 STV tourists who never arrived. Now we wait again… Peppering all these apparent preparations is a visit from the PM and cabinet officials to Phuket.…
- Tourism News
PM in 2 day visit to economically-ravaged islands of Phuket, Samui
The PM and his Cabinet are visiting Phuket and Samui today and tomorrow, in order to meet with business leaders and provincial government, to discuss ways to help the decimated local economies. Since the closure of borders in late March, as the Covid-19 pandemic began its worldwide rampage, former tourist hotspots like the southern islands have borne the brunt of…
- Thailand Protest News
2 protest leaders re-arrested while recuperating in hospital
3 protest leaders are recovering in hospital following skirmishes outside the Bangkok Remand Prison during their release on Friday night. 2 of the 3, Panupong Jadnok and Parit Chiwarak have been re-arrested, while still recovering at Praram 9 Hospital in Bangkok. Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul is also being treated at the hospital and it’s understood police are seeking a court order to…
