- Phuket News
Thailand’s marine experts discover Omura’s whales off Phuket coast
A team of marine experts from Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) embarked on a mission off the coast of Phuket in search of the elusive Omura’s whale. Despite their extensive efforts, the team’s quest to locate the rare albino Omura’s whale was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, their expedition was far from fruitless, as they discovered several rare marine creatures…
- Thailand News
Underage pregnancies require community support, says Thai academic
Focusing on the issue of underage pregnancies, Sumate Noklang, a PhD Development Education Programme lecturer at the Graduate School of Srinakharinwirot University, insists that the government must prioritise the quality of life for children yet to be born. This comes as part of national initiatives aimed at tackling the country’s decreasing fertility rates. During 2021-2022, Sumate led a comprehensive research…
- Thailand News
Pa Narae removed from emergency list, southern emergency decree to extend
A recent meeting of the Emergency Situation Management Committee at the National Security Council unveiled that one southern district has been struck off the severe emergency area list, while the emergency decree is predicted to prolong for an additional three months. The district in question, Pa Narae, located in Pattani province, was removed due to improvements in the local situation…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s government initiates inclusivity in education to curb student dropouts
Thailand’s government is planning on launching an inclusivity in education initiative. The aim is to provide equitable access to quality education and decrease student dropouts. This announcement aligns with Children’s Day, celebrated this coming Saturday, January 13. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin voiced his advocacy for children’s rights to education in a recent social media post. His dedication to promoting educational…
- Thailand News
Human rights committee investigates Pattani activists’ dress code penalty
The Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC) Region 4’s decision to penalise activists for wearing Malay traditional dress at an event in Pattani in 2022 came under scrutiny yesterday as the Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights vowed to investigate a complaint lodged against this action. Kamolsak Leewamoh, the committee chairman, affirmed that a thorough questioning session involving all…
- Thailand News
Gold shop in Tha Sala district falls victim to armed robbery
An armed robbery occurred at a gold shop in the Tha Sala district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, where necklaces worth 500,000 baht were stolen. A 54 year old man, Chaiwut Wethayawong, has been identified as the prime suspect in the case, and the police have applied for a court arrest warrant. The robbery took place yesterday and the investigation…
- Thailand News
Russian tourists survive as tour boat sinks off Coral Island
A tour boat named Martini carrying six Russian tourists, sank off Koh Hey, also known as Coral Island, yesterday, January 9. Thankfully, no injuries were reported from the incident, according to the Phuket Marine Office. The tour boat named Martini met its unfortunate fate near Nam Bo Bay, on the west side of Koh Hey around 3.50pm. The vessel had embarked…
- Phuket News
Fatal multi-vehicle collision disrupts morning traffic in Phuket
A chaotic accident unfolded as dawn broke over Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket, when an MG sedan fatally crashed into a power pole, following a series of collisions that began around 6.50am today (January 10). The string of events took place just 50 metres away from the Bang Chak petrol station at Baan Lipon, Srisoonthorn, within the vicinity of Moo 5.…
- Phuket News
Phuket tour boat industry rallies for enhanced safety measures
Phuket’s tour boat industry is taking decisive action, following the tragic accident where a five-year-old Russian girl lost her life in a tour speedboat crash at Koh Maiton. A collective movement is emerging among industry leaders, to bolster safety measures and prevent such incidents from recurring. The initiative is led by prominent figure Shaun Stenning, CEO and Founder of 5…
- Phuket News
Kindee Phuket fair to spotlight local cuisine and music
The culinary and musical delights of Phuket are set to take centre stage at the upcoming Kindee Phuket fair, scheduled from January 19-21 at Sapan Hin. This exciting event, organised by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), comes hot on the heels of the successful Red Cross’s Dee Phuket fair that concluded just a fortnight ago. The spotlight of the…
- Thailand News
Fire engulfs paper factory in Pathum Thani, Thailand, no casualties
Firefighters in Pathum Thani, Thailand, this morning tirelessly battled a blaze that engulfed a substantial paper factory warehouse in the Muang district. The fire, which started in the early hours of today, did not result in any casualties. The Mawanpathum Paper Co factory, located in Tambon Bang Kradee, was the site of the inferno. According to Suwat Phoree, investigation chief…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s escalating smog crisis: 48 provinces engulfed by unsafe air quality
Heavy smog has engulfed 48 out of Thailand’s 77 provinces, rendering the air quality unsafe due to high levels of ultra-fine dust. As of this morning, Tuesday, January 9, 21 provinces reported red-level air pollution, a serious health threat. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported that the particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5) levels…
- Thailand News
Capital A Malaysia: AirAsia across the globe to merge
Malaysia’s Capital A Berhad announced plans to sell its aviation business to AirAsia X Bhd. This move aims to unite long and short-haul operations under the AirAsia brand. Capital A Berhad declared its intention to offload its aviation business to AirAsia X Bhd. The ambitious goal is to consolidate both short and long-haul operations under the universally recognised AirAsia banner. Group…
- Thailand News
Election disinformation: Threat on integrity and democracy
A staggering 87% of 8,000 respondents across 16 countries, bracing for elections in 2024, are deeply concerned about the impact of disinformation on the integrity of their democratic process. A shocking 47% are very concerned, unveiling a digital battlefield that poses a grave threat to the core of democracy. According to UNESCO-IPSOS, their Global Survey of Online Disinformation and Hate…
- Thailand News
Pattaya: Intoxicated man attacks female rescue volunteer
An intoxicated Thai man in his fifties launched a violent assault on a rescue volunteer in Pattaya on Saturday night. Rescue volunteers dashed to the scene on January 6 near a 7-Eleven convenience store close to the railway, responding to reports of a shooting. Little did they know, they were about to be entangled in a bizarre late-night brawl. Upon reaching…
- South Thailand News
Faulty tsunami buoy off Phuket’s coast doesn’t affect Thailand’s early warning system
Phuket’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation assured that despite a malfunction in one of the tsunami buoys deployed in the Andaman Sea, the country’s tsunami early warning system remains fully operational. The faulty buoy, identified as No.23461, is 340 kilometres off Phuket’s coast and ceased transmitting signals last Wednesday, as the Foundation of National Disaster Warning Council reported. The…
- Phuket News
Tragic suicide of young Myanmar woman in Phuket sparks investigation
In the small town of Kamala, Phuket, a tragic incident unfolded as a teenage Myanmar woman, merely 19 years old, took her own life. This heartbreaking event came to light after local authorities were notified about the incident on a quiet Saturday night. Kamala Police’s Police Lieutenant Peeymanat Dinkameen received the distressing news of the young woman’s demise at around…
- Phuket News
Phuket governor proposes 191 million baht infrastructure and digital modernisation plan
It was a bustling day at Phuket Provincial Hall last Friday as local government office chiefs and private sector representatives gathered to confirm a series of new infrastructure developments to be proposed at the upcoming mobile Cabinet meeting in Ranong on January 22-23. At the helm of this ambitious endeavour is Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, who intends to seek approval…
- Thailand News
Thai man linked to major fraud case arrested in Bangkok
Bangkok police apprehended a 57 year old Thai man linked to a sizeable fraud case going back almost ten years. Raveeroj Rithchoteanan, had been previously incarcerated in Angola for his involvement in a significant fraud scheme. The arrest took place on Sunday at a hotel in Wang Thonglang district, with Raveeroj accused of swindling a businessman out of 22 million…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s air quality under threat as haze season approaches
Grey skies are looming over Thailand’s popular tourist destination of Phuket despite the air quality remaining at a moderate level during the first week of January. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has already flagged concerns as predictions suggest the annual haze might arrive earlier than expected this year. According to the World Air Quality Index project (AQICN), the concentration of hazardous PM2.5…
- Phuket News
Mysterious death in Patong: Thai woman’s tragic demise investigated by police
A disturbing incident unfolded on Saturday in the heart of Phuket’s bustling tourist area, Patong, where a Thai woman lost her life under mysterious circumstances. Patong Police are diligently probing the matter, which took place at a local hotel, involving a New Zealand man. The incident came to light at approximately 1.40pm, on January 6 when employees of a hotel…
- Phuket News
Spaniard arrested for stealing handbag at Patong nightclub
A Spaniard found himself in hot water as he was arrested on the night of January 6, in Patong for allegedly pilfering a handbag from a Mongolian woman at the Illuzion nightclub, a popular hotspot on Bangla Road. The incident unfolded when Patong Police Station officers were alerted to a theft complaint from a Mongolian woman. The crime was reported…
- Thailand News
Pedestrian bridge collapses onto dump truck on Northbound Highway 32
A pedestrian bridge in Ang Thong‘s Mueang district came crashing down onto a dump truck, causing a significant obstruction on the main northbound highway, Highway 32. The incident unfolded around 7am today when the dump truck, with its body unintentionally raised, collided with the footbridge. The Department of Highways reported that the truck was en route north on Highway 32,…
- Thailand News
German President Steinmeier’s visit to Thailand to boost bilateral ties
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of Germany, is set to embark on a three-day visit to Thailand, starting on January 24. The visit is at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin. This announcement marks the first international state leader visit since PM Srettha’s government came into power and the first by a German President since Johannes Rau’s visit in…
- Thailand News
Rare white Omura’s whale spotted off Phuket, Thailand (video)
An unexpected encounter with a white Omura’s whale off the coast of Koh He in Phuket marked a potentially unique event, as it could be the first sighting of this incredibly rare species in Thailand and perhaps globally. This news was shared by Associate Professor Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine biologist and lecturer at Kasetsart University. The marine biologist yesterday shared…
- Thailand News
Thai army chief refutes claims of cultural persecution in southern provinces
The Chief of the Fourth Army Region, Santi Sakuntanak, refuted accusations that the Thai army has been legally pursuing youths from the provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat for merely donning traditional Malay attire at a fair celebrating Malay culture. The 54 year old clarified that those summoned to court were implicated in separatist activities and prominently exhibited the emblem…
- Thailand News
Thailand tightens cannabis regulation for medical use only
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew enacted a proposed bill concerning the use of cannabis, underlining its restriction to medical applications only. After signing the bill, Cholnan clarified the bill on Saturday. “The newly proposed law will explicitly outline that cannabis can only be utilised for medical reasons. It will further promote the health benefits that cannabis can provide.” Addressing the…
- Thailand News
Transgender arrested for theft of gold necklace worth 300,000 baht
A 29 year old transgender woman made her escape via South Pattaya Road after snatching a 300,000 baht gold necklace from a Chinese tourist on Christmas Day last year. Yu Chao, a 36 year old Chinese tourist, was left stunned. In the early hours of December 25, near Wat Chai, he encountered a transgender woman offering companionship. Little did he…
- Phuket News
Phuket Rajabhat University launches entrepreneurial scheme for student innovation
The Phuket Rajabhat University in Thailand set in motion a pioneering scheme yesterday aimed at fostering entrepreneurial prowess amongst its students and sparking innovation within the community. This enterprising initiative, launched to nurture future business leaders, seeks to promote business designs born out of community innovation. The grand inauguration of the project was attended by dignitaries including Phuket Vice Governor…
- Thailand News
Thai department seeks funds for human-elephant conflict resolution
The Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is seeking a 50 million baht (US$1.4 million) budget from the government to assist individuals whose lives have been disrupted by encounters with wild elephants. The initiative is part of an effort to mitigate the increasing conflicts between humans and the growing population of wild elephants in the nation.…
