- Events
Bangkok locations for Loy Krathong – float away the woes of 2020
The Loy Krathong festival is tonight, this year coinciding with Halloween. If you’re living in Bangkok you’re spoiled for choice with launching locations. There is no equivalent word in English for ‘krathong’. You might hear it described as a small boat or vessel. Many shops, market and roadside stalls will display ready-made krathongs, or in parts so you can assemble…
- Thailand Protest News
Court rejects bid to arrest activists who led march on German Embassy
A bid to apprehend 5 anti-government activists, who led a march to the Germany Embassy on Monday from the Sam Yan intersection, has failed, after a court in Bangkok rejected a police application for arrest warrants. The Bangkok South Criminal Court has turned down an application from Pitak Suthikul, acting superintendent of Thungmahamek police in Bangkok. Pitak had requested arrest…
- Thailand News
Thai students rank highest for social awareness, weak on view of different cultures
A global survey carried out the by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reveals that Thai students are highly attuned to social issues compared to students of other countries. However, they fare less well when it comes to respecting and viewing foreign cultures as equal. Nation Thailand reports that the OECD findings are based on a 2018 survey of…
- Phuket News
PM to visit Phuket on Monday as island’s economy lies in tatters
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is to arrive in Phuket on Monday, where he will meet with local business leaders and discuss proposals for reviving the southern island’s devastated tourism sector. It’s understood a representative of Phuket’s Old Town area is to put forward an idea for promoting the historic centre as a tourist destination. Since borders were closed in late March,…
- Covid-19 News
Health officials propose reducing quarantine to 10 days
Health officials are suggesting cutting mandatory quarantine for international arrivals to 10 days. Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says the proposal will be submitted to the government’s Covid-19 task force for approval. It’s hoped that a reduction in the quarantine period could help revive Thailand’s battered tourism sector. ”The priority now is to strike a balance between people’s health and the…
- Thailand Protest News
Palang Pracharath MP calls for probe into Pheu Thai MP who cut own arm in parliament
Opposition politicians are clashing over the actions of one MP who deliberately cut his arm in an act of self-harm to draw attention to the plight of anti-government protesters. Palang Pracharath MP, Sira Jenjaka, is threatening Wisarn Techathirawat, Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai, with removal from office for what he’s calling a publicity stunt. On Tuesday, during a special joint…
- Tourism News
Government confirms re-opening for foreign tourists, yacht crew, under Special Tourist Visa
Thailand is preparing to re-open to more international tourists and foreign yacht crew, after Cabinet specified updated guidelines for the Special Tourist Visa scheme. Deputy government spokeswoman, Traisulee Traisoranakul, says the new regulations will be in force until September 30, 2021. The STV has been introduced in an effort to re-ignite international tourism in the Kingdom, which has been severely…
- Crime News
Thieves arrested after stealing safe containing 10 million baht
Police in the central province of Saraburi have arrested 6 people suspected of stealing a safe containing over 10 million baht in cash. Thai Residents reports that officers found over 7 million baht in US dollars and Chinese yuan, and over 3 million baht in Indonesian rupiah. Saraburi police arrested the suspects on Monday, who have been named as, 34…
- Covid-19 News
France and Germany back in lockdown amid resurgence of Covid-19 in Europe
The leaders of France and Germany are once again having to introduce national lockdowns as the Covid-19 virus continues to surge across Europe. France is now recording over 36,000 (+36,437 yesterday) new cases a day, while Germany, which fared slightly better than other European countries during the first wave of the virus, is now seeing a dramatic rise in cases…
- Thailand News
Thailand to introduce separate test for big bike riders from next year
From next February, motorbike riders in Thailand will be required to pass a separate driving test and training session if they wish to receive a licence for a “big bike”. The regulation has been announced in the Royal Gazette, after the government approved it last August, in a bid to cut road traffic accidents which are predominantly motorbikes (about 75%) and…
- Thailand Protest News
PM refuses to resign, citing concerns over political divide, the economy, Covid-19
“I refuse to comply with the proposals that do not represent the needs of the majority of the people.” The Thai PM has made it clear he will not resign, saying he has no intention of “abandoning the country during a crisis”. Addressing Parliament yesterday, Prayut Chan-o-cha pointed to the current problems facing Thailand, including the political divide in society,…
- Thailand Protest News
Opposition MP slashes his arm in protest at treatment of anti-government activists
An opposition party MP has slashed his arm in front of officials in Parliament, in protest at the treatment of political activists. Visan Techatirawat, a partY member of the opposition Pheu Thai Party, says the gesture was his own personal protest to oppose the government’s action against peaceful protesters at a rally in the capital on October 17. Police remain…
- Covid-19 News
2 foreigners in same hotel as the Koh Samui woman test positive for Covid-19
Officials are reviewing the use of a Samut Prakan hotel, just outside Bangkok, as a quarantine facility, after 3 foreign nationals staying there tested positive for Covid-19. The first was a 57 year old woman who developed symptoms of the virus after she had completed 14 days’ quarantine and had returned to her home on the island of Koh Samui.…
- World News
3 Chinese casino workers arrested with 8 million baht after illegal crossing from Myanmar
Officers from the Thai police and military have arrested 3 Chinese nationals after they crossed illegally into Thailand from the Burmese town of Myawaddy. Thai Residents reports that the 2 women and 1 man were workers at a casino in Myanmar and were arrested in possession of 8 million baht. Officers detained them as they were getting into 2 cars…
- Thailand Protest News
Thai PM: Do you know what will happen if I resign?
The Thai PM has asked opposition MPs if they know what would happen if he resigns – then proceeded to tell them. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha called on members of the opposition to clarify whether they want him to resign or to dissolve the House of Representatives. Thai PBS World reports that his comment was in…
- World News
Son of Sultan of Brunei dies at the age of 38
The son of the Sultan of Brunei has died at the age of 38, the government of Brunei has confirmed. Prince Azim, who was 4th in line to the throne, passed away on Saturday morning. While the cause of death has not been confirmed, his Wikipedia entry says he succumbed to a long illness. CNN reports that the prince had…
- Thailand Protest News
Education ministry says curriculum revamp will promote analytical thinking over rote learning
As anti-government sentiment among Thailand’s student population shows no sign of abating, the Education Ministry says it plans to overhaul the Basic Education Core Curriculum to provide students with a better understanding of political developments in the Kingdom between 1932 and 1957. Supat Chumpathong says the new curriculum will also place more of a focus on analytical thinking, instead of…
- Thailand Protest News
Anti-government protesters plan march to German Embassy today
A political rally is being planned at the German Embassy on Bangkok’s Sathon Road this evening as anti-government activists continue to call for the PM’s resignation and pout pressure on the government for reforms to the country’s political system and constitution. Thai PBS World reports that protesters are expected to gather at the Sam Yan intersection on Rama IV Road…
- Covid-19 News
Officials to choose “low risk” countries for possible reduction in quarantine
The Thai government is to compile a list of countries considered “low risk” for the Covid-19 virus, as it considers a reduction in the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for foreign arrivals. Nation Thailand reports that, once finalised, the Public Health Ministry will submit its list to the Interior Ministry, who will use it to decide the criteria for reduced quarantine.…
- Business News
Approval sought for multi-billion-baht Phuket medical hub
Industry officials are seeking the go-ahead for a project to transform over 140 rai of government land in Phuket into a world-leading medical hub. The project is budgeted at 3 – 4 billion baht, depending on which report you read. Kitkong Tantijaraswarodom, from the Federation of Thai Industries, believes the development of a medical and wellness hub in the sub-district…
- Thailand Protest News
Head of development think tank calls for dialogue to resolve political crisis
The president of the Thailand Development Research Institute is calling on both sides to resolve the ongoing political impasse through “dialogue and democracy”. In a report in the Bangkok Post, Somkiat Tangkitvanich warns that the situation is reaching a “crisis point” as he lays out his proposals for how both sides can reach an agreement. A new round of protests…
- Food
The World’s 50 Best Foods… Thai massaman curry tops the list
The humble Thai massaman curry has topped a list of the World’s 50 Best Foods, compiled by the CNN Travel team. Thailand’s smooth coconut milk and potato-based curry (add meat, tofu or vegetables of your choice) comes in at Number 1, with 2 other popular Thai dishes also making it into the World’s Best food list. The hot and spicy…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya residents accuse Greek expat of throwing sewage, threatening neighbours, and damaging property
Residents of a housing estate in the district of Banglamung in Pattaya, have filed a police report against an expat they accuse of threatening and damaging behaviour. According to The Pattaya News, neighbours say the Greek national has threatened them, as well as “throwing sewage” at their homes, and damaging their fences. They add that, despite filing a police report…
- Pattaya News
Burmese worker killed, 11 injured, in Chon Buri truck collision
A pick-up truck carrying migrant workers has collided with another truck in the eastern province of Chon Buri, killing 1 and injuring 11. The victims are all thought to be Burmese nationals. The Pattaya News reports that the accident occurred in the sub-district of Nong Kangkok, with the dead man named as 35 year old Mr. Juan. The 11 injured…
- World News
China ban on inbound, outbound tour groups to continue
The Chinese government is to keep the current ban on inbound and outbound tour groups, amid fears that the winter months could bring a resurgence of Covid-19. The Bangkok Post reports that the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has confirmed on its website that the ban remains in place. After several months with very low case numbers, officials are…
- Tourism News
Health Minister says quarantine could be reduced to 10 days, maybe eventually zero
Health officials are ready to reduce the mandatory quarantine period for foreign tourists, provided other relevant bodies agree. The current quarantine period is set at 14 days, but the Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, says this could be reduced to 10. He adds that if the reduction is successful, quarantine could be further reduced, eventually reaching a point where quarantine…
- Politics News
Former Pheu Thai chair to challenge legality of State of Emergency
Thai politician and former chair of the Pheu Thai Party, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, has confirmed she plans to challenge the legality of the state of emergency in court. She joins a number of opposition MPs and other activists who are petitioning to have the order lifted. Bangkok awoke to a state of emergency declared by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha in the…
- Thailand Protest News
Letter calling for Thai PM’s resignation signed by over 1,000 academics
A petition calling for the resignation of Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, has been signed by up to 1,118 academics and delivered to Government House. The petition was created by the Thai Academic Network for Civil Rights. Nation Thailand reports that a group of university lecturers and students have marched to Government House to deliver the letter. They include Anusorn Unno,…
- Thailand Protest News
Thai police accuse anonymous social media users of inciting looting during protests
A spokesman for the Thai police says the Digital Economy and Society Ministry has asked for action to be taken against 58 social media accounts accused of “encouraging looting” at anti-government protests. Siriwat Deepor says the anonymous Twitter accounts are pointing to political demonstrations in other countries where looting occurs and property is destroyed. “Chats in Twitter are claiming this…
- Thailand Protest News
2 Thai protest leaders immediately re-arrested after being released on bail
Authorities have re-arrested 2 of the leaders at the centre of anti-government protests right after they were granted temporary release on bail. Panasaya Sitthijirawattanakul, known as “Rung”, and Parit Chivarak, aka “Penguin”, were released yesterday from Patum Thani prison, north of Bangkok. They were being held on charges of violating the emergency decree and released alongside fellow protester Nutchanon Pairote,…
