- Central Thailand News
Child injured in hit-and-run “ghost riding” motorbike incident in central Thailand
PHOTO: Workpoint News A 10 year old girl has been injured after a motorbike being ridden against the flow of traffic – a practice known as “ghost riding” – hit her and then drove off. The early morning incident took place in Samut Prakan province in central Thailand as the girl waited to cross the road. Facebook user Uthaiwan Permjit…
- Business News
Thailand may lift ban on foreign investors for some innovation sectors
PHOTO: Marvin Meyer/Unsplash Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is considering whether to remove certain innovation-related businesses from the list of those open only to Thai citizens. The idea is being floated as a way of increasing foreign investment in Thailand, making the country a more attractive option for overseas companies. Deputy Director General of the Department of Business Development, Poonpong Naiyanapakorn says…
- Economy News
PM says Thailand plans to be a high income country within 17 years
PHOTO: AFP The PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha has high ambitions for Thailand within the next 17 years, saying the government aims to see it become a high income country. The PM made the claim while attending a lunch meeting with the Asia Society for Executives and foreign media in New York. He says the government has spent the last five…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya bin man suffers life-changing injuries after being crushed by speeding car
PHOTO: Sophone Cable/ThaiVisa A speeding car has caused catastrophic injury to a Pattaya garbage collector after smashing into him and pinning him against the back of his truck. Thanong Saengthong, aged 36, was rushed to Somdej Na Sriracha hospital following the accident, which happened early this morning in Chonburi’s Bang Lamung district. His left leg was so severely injured it…
- Business News
Thai duty free giant King Power considers move into UK hotel industry
PHOTO: www.chillpainai.com The CEO of King Power, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, says the group is considering a move into the hospitality sector in the UK. Speaking to the press yesterday, Aiyawatt says the idea comes at a time when property prices in the UK and Europe are dropping as a result of the global economic slowdown. “Our deal will be finalised next…
- Tourism News
Chinese company rewards 10,000 employees with trip to Pattaya
PHOTO: www.77kaoded.com Chinese firm Aurance has celebrated its 10th anniversary by taking its employees on a trip to Pattaya – all 10,000 of them. And apparently, it’s not the first time they’ve rewarded their staff so generously. Sontaya Khunpluem, mayor of Pattaya welcomed the visitors to a cultural show at Nong Nuch gardens, followed by a bit of Muay Thai…
- Northern Thailand News
Thai actor to end flood relief fundraising campaign
PHOTO: Bangkok Post Bin Bunluerit, the Thai actor who set up a fundraising campaign in the aftermath of floods that devastated parts of north-east Thailand, is calling time on his campaign. The well-intentioned operation has been dogged by allegations of misappropriation of funds, with local officials accused of charging a “paperwork fee” before distributing donations to flood victims. Bin has…
- Crime News
Minister pledges to sort out Thailand’s export procedures in wake of New Zealand drugs bust
PHOTO: www.chiangraitimes.com Following the seizure in New Zealand last month of shipping containers from Thailand packed with drugs, Deputy Transport Minister Athirat Rattanaset says the country must improve its maritime export procedures. He was speaking at a meeting with exporters, saying the drugs bust in New Zealand has had a negative impact on Thailand’s image and calling on them for…
- Pattaya News
Cambodian man killed, 3 seriously injured in accident at Pattaya construction site
PHOTO: www.cne.wtf A Cambodian worker has been killed and three others seriously injured after scaffolding collapsed at a luxury condo construction site in Pattaya. The accident happened yesterday in Bang Lamung district and caused the four workers to plunge several stories to the ground. The workers were rushed to hospital, with the most seriously injured, a 20 year old man…
- Environment News
Bangkok sewage water home to all sorts
PHOTO: Sanook You never know what you’ll find in the sewage system of Bangkok… Thai Residents reports that Sunsern Ruengrit, a municipal worker in the capital, says the system is supposed to only store water, before the water treatment process begins. Instead, it’s home to a variety of garbage, including plastic and glass bottles, cigarette butts, food, oil and fat,…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok municipality workers told to smarten up their act
PHOTO: www.wikiwand.com The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has received several complaints about its employees acting inappropriately, the Bangkok Post reports. The complaints have led the BMA to tell workers to get their act together. An anonymous BMA source says City Hall has sent letters to all relevant offices, asking municipality officers to refrain from behaviour that might jeopardise the organisation’s…
- Food
Afternoon tea goes vegan at Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental
PHOTO: www.mandarinoriental.com The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has a newly-appointed executive pastry chef and he’s planning some afternoon tea delights with a difference. Chef Pablo Gicquel is introducing vegan and gluten-free options as part of the traditional afternoon tea offering, available from October 7 in The Author’s Lounge at the renowned Bangkok hotel. Highlights on the vegan menu will include vegan…
- Expats
Wanted American found hiding in Thailand
PHOTO: The Nation An American wanted for serious crimes in his home country has been tracked down to Hua Hin, in a joint operation involving Thai Immigration Police and Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security in the U.S. Thai Residents reports that the man, known only as Derrick, is wanted in the states of…
- Environment News
Haze from Indonesia’s forest fires affecting Thailand’s south
The ongoing forest fires in Indonesia are affecting Thailand’s south, bringing smog and a lingering haze to many provinces. Thai PBS World reports that school children at two municipal schools in Trang have received 3,000 face masks from Provincial Governor Luechai Charoensap and city mayor Apichit Wenothai. Distribution of the masks comes as local authorities warn residents to wear masks…
- Northern Thailand News
Thai actor condemns abuse of donations as “deplorable”
PHOTO: Chiang Rai Times Bin Bunluerit, the Thai actor and volunteer rescue worker who raised funds for Ubon Ratchathani’s flood victims has condemned the community leaders guilty of abusing the relief system he put in place. His statement comes amid complaints on social media that some of those administering the funds are taking a percentage, before passing the money on…
- Koh Samui News
Russian man and his dog found dead on Koh Samui
A 51 year old Russian man, identified as Vyacheslav Kolbunov, has been found dead at his home on Koh Samui. A dead pit bull was also found in the room, with two other pit bulls discovered in an enclosure outside the home. Koh Samui police and forensic officers discovered drug paraphernalia, along with a coffee cup and a glass containing…
- Transport News
Salaries of more than 100k proposed for Thailand’s high-speed train drivers
PHOTO: www.scmp.com The drivers of Thailand’s high-speed trains will need to be highly skilled, a ministerial level committee says, suggesting they be paid similar salaries to those of airline pilots. Thai Rath reports that drivers of high-speed trains will face the same amount of stress and responsibility as airline pilots do and in order to attract the most skilled drivers,…
- Thailand Weather Updates
36 Thai provinces to be hit by heavy rain, sharp drop in temperatures
PHOTO: www.kohsamuisunset.com The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) says that between now and Thursday, 36 Thai provinces can expect to be hit by heavy rains, strong winds, and thundershowers, with a sharp drop in temperatures predicted in some regions. The rough weather is due to a monsoon trough currently sitting over the Central, the East and the lower Northeast, a low…
- Thailand News
Significant developments in cannabis farming in Thailand
PHOTO: www.growbarato.net In what’s thought to be the first-ever industrial scale manufacturing facility for medical cannabis within the Asean Region, Maejo University in Chiang Mai has planted 12,000 cannabis sprouts – the largest lot in the country. It’s hoped the result will eventually be 1 million bottles, each containing 5ml of cannabis oil, by February. Senior officials from the Ministry…
- Technology News
Food delivery and online shopping apps are Thailand’s most used innovations
PHOTO: iStock A poll conducted by The Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) at the Ministry of Energy has revealed Thailand’s most used technological innovations. The poll, carried out last July, studied innovation usage among Thai people from all age groups and professions, and was aimed at promoting the usage of energy-efficient innovations. It was divided into four categories: Frequently…
- Crime News
Interpol issues alert for Norwegian wanted for Phuket murder
PHOTO: www.thaiexaminer.com Interpol has issued a red alert for Roger Bullman, the Norwegian wanted for allegedly killing British national Amitpal Singh Bajaj, at a resort in Karon last August. Pol Captain Taecsin Deethong-on of Karon Police Station says the alert was issued following a request from Thai police. Bajaj was on holiday with his wife and child and got into…
- Crime News
Man dressed as postman robs shop while claiming to be carrying a bomb
PHOTO: Bangkok Post A man has walked into a gold shop in Samut Prakan, south of Bangkok, dressed as a postman and claiming to be carrying a bomb. He then proceeded to rob the store. Thai Residents reports that the man entered the shop, located inside a Thai Watsadu store, carrying a Thailand Post delivery box. He threatened staff and…
- Politics News
Future Forward secretary-general floats idea of another debate
PHOTO: Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Party leader of Future Forward Party – AFP Future Forward secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul says the Opposition will consider the option of holding another parliamentary debate over the next 3 months. His statement comes after what was generally considered an unsatisfactory response from the PM and other cabinet members during Wednesday’s debate. Piyabutr is not ready to let the matter…
- Thai Life
Jeans for sale, yours for 200,000 baht
PHOTO: www.menshealth.com Social media in Thailand was thrown into a tizzy yesterday when Facebook user Sarn N Tong posted a pair of Levi’s jeans for sale – for the grand sum of 200,000 baht. The Thai-language daily Matichon reports that the same man has already sold another pair of jeans for 150,000 baht. As part of its report, the newspaper…
- Environment News
Ban of 3 herbicides agreed, with conditions
PHOTO: www.asiaone.com Thai PBS World reports that Thailand’s National Hazardous Substances Committee says it will agree to banning paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos, provided that the alternatives proposed are effective, affordable for farmers, and less hazardous. Committee chairman Apijin Chotikasathien gave the undertaking yesterday, while giving the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives 60 days to come up with alternatives. Mr…
- Pattaya News
Public toilets going underground in Pattaya
PHOTO: Bangkok.com Plans are afoot to build new public toilets underground on Pattaya beaches, according to a report in The Pattaya News. Deputy Mayor Pattana Boonsawad says 4 underground facilities will be built along Pattaya Beach Road initially, with additional amenities being opened on Jomtien and Dongtan beaches. It’s understood the washrooms need to be built below street level to…
- Politics News
“We could move the capital”, says Thai PM
PHOTO: Bangkok.com PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says that one possible solution to overcrowding in Bangkok would be to move the capital. He floated the idea yesterday, while speaking at a seminar called, “Connecting Thailand with the World”, hosted by the Office of the National Economics and Social Development Council in Muang Thong Thani, just outside Bangkok. “There are two possible approaches…
- Tourism News
Obligatory travel insurance for visitors to Thailand? Don’t worry about it for now, says government
Chote Trachu, representing the Thai Ministry for Tourism and Sports, says tourists visiting Thailand don’t have to worry about the mandatory requirement for travel insurance at this time. Thailand’s tourism industry is currently experiencing some challenges, explains the Ministry’s spokesperson, and for this reason, the requirement for all visitors to have travel insurance is being postponed until 2020 – or…
- Food
The 5 Thai dishes most likely to harbour bacteria
Research shared by Thai Residents reveals the 5 Thai dishes most likely to contain E-coli and other nasty bacteria. They are Red Pork Rice, Crunchy Pork Rice, Chicken Rice, Pork Leg Rice, and Papaya Salad. It’s believed that the reason for this may be that while many of the individual ingredients in these dishes are pre-cooked, they are then left…
- World News
Talks with the community will begin next week, says Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam
Thai PBS World shares a Reuters story that reports on planned talks between the Hong Kong government and the community, set to begin next week. The reports says Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has repeated her calls for the violence to end, with the city having been gripped by protests for over three months now. The demonstrations began in…
