Neill Fronde

Neill is a journalist from the United States with 10+ years broadcasting experience and national news and magazine publications. He graduated with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of California and has been living in Thailand since 2014.
  • Food“Thai Taste Therapy” launched to promote Thai cuisine worldwide

    “Thai Taste Therapy” launched to promote Thai cuisine worldwide

    In an attempt to diversify the promotion of Thailand around the world, the Department of Cultural Promotion created a project called “Thai Taste Therapy” that will focus on traditional Thai food. The project intends to emphasize how delicious Thai cuisine has many health benefits and aims to broaden Thailand’s exposure around the world. The project has united 50 well-known Thai…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya reopening likely to snub nightlife, favor other attractions

    Pattaya reopening likely to snub nightlife, favor other attractions

    While Pattaya and indeed the rest of Thailand are struggling to figure out when and how they will really be able to reopen for international tourism, it looks likely that when Pattaya does reopen the entertainment and nightlife the city is famous for may not be open. As reopening comes into sight welcoming back international travellers that would be free…

  • Thailand NewsCovid-Free Setting zones require all staff vaccinated by October 1

    Covid-Free Setting zones require all staff vaccinated by October 1

    Starting October 1, Thailand will roll out their Covid-Free Setting measures in an effort to safely reopen businesses. Yesterday Department of Health Chief Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai announced that as part of that rollout, shopping centre employees and staff at other at-risk businesses must be fully vaccinated by that October 1 launch. The Department of Health head made the declaration while visiting the…

  • Phuket News3 deaths and 2 Sandbox Covid-19 infections today in Phuket

    3 deaths and 2 Sandbox Covid-19 infections today in Phuket

    Today in Phuket 3 new deaths brought the September total to 23 and the overall total since April to 43, while 2 new Sandbox travellers were infected with Covid-19 and daily infections remain above 200 for the 17th day in a row. There was a slight decrease in hospitalised patients pushing the number of available beds up to 276, just…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket unveils new strategy for Covid-19, hospital shortages

    Phuket unveils new strategy for Covid-19, hospital shortages

    After the release of official figures showing that Phuket is down to its last 10% of available beds for Covid-19 patients, Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew announced a revamping of the province’s strategy on the pandemic. The governor also insists that there’s plenty of beds in the hospitals and there is no shortage despite what the official numbers and math show.…

  • Covid-19 NewsBooster for those with 2 Sinovac vaccines coming by October

    Booster for those with 2 Sinovac vaccines coming by October

    Those already vaccinated in Thailand may be getting a shot in the arm by next month or even sooner, as Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared that booster shot administering will begin imminently for those who received 2 Sinovac vaccines already. He stressed that the actual timing will be up to the Disease Control Department but predicted it will be…

  • Thailand NewsDeputy inspector of police booze smuggling case not commenting

    Deputy inspector of police booze smuggling case not commenting

    The deputy inspector on a case that is investigating police officers involved in smuggling illegal bootleg alcohol into Bangkok is remaining curtly tight-lipped regarding the case. When asked about the recent investigation, he refused to comment, telling reporters they should ask the main inspector directly. He said the inspector could provide more information and commentary and making remarks to the…

  • Covid-19 News“Sandbox Safety Zone in School” says 85% vaccination to reopen

    “Sandbox Safety Zone in School” says 85% vaccination to reopen

    In order to safely reopen schools for on-site learning, the Department of Health has declared that, for red and dark red zones, a minimum of 85% of all students, teachers, and staff in the school must be fully vaccinated before reopening. The issue of Education has become a quandary worldwide as countries weigh the need for children to receive an education…

  • Krabi NewsKrabi starts partial lockdown, curfew; Phi Phi closure extended

    Krabi starts partial lockdown, curfew; Phi Phi closure extended

    After a rash of Covid-19 outbreaks over the last two days, Krabi province has gone into a partial lockdown with a curfew from today, and the closure of Koh Phi Phi has been extended until September 24. The announcement by the Krabi Provincial Health Office stated that from today anyone travelling into Krabi must have at least one AstraZeneca dose…

  • Covid-19 NewsLacking gov’t aid, Phuket nightlife advises opening as restaurants

    Lacking gov’t aid, Phuket nightlife advises opening as restaurants

    The president of the Patong Entertainment Business Association took a harsh stance against the long-term closures of nightlife venues in Phuket and the lack of assistance from the government of Thailand. In a fiery interview, he called on bars and clubs to open as restaurants despite the action being legally dubious and chastised the government for the long-term closure without…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Covid-19 totals: 40 dead, 91 Sandboxers, hospitals 90% full

    Phuket Covid-19 totals: 40 dead, 91 Sandboxers, hospitals 90% full

    Phuket has just about hit the 90% hospital bed occupancy rate as infections and hospitalisations climb with new beds not being added quickly enough to keep pace. There were 229 infections today, 20 less than yesterday, and no new deaths reported, though details were released of the 1 death confirmed yesterday. A 63 year old Thai man was the 40th…

  • World News15 people fled hidden in truck to escape Covid-19 in Vietnam

    15 people fled hidden in truck to escape Covid-19 in Vietnam

    A refrigerated truck travelling north from Southern Vietnam was discovered to be holding 15 stowaways trying to escape the Covid-19 surge. Vietnamese state media reported on the story of the 15 people, one of which was just 7 years old, attempting to escape from the south which has been overwhelmed with Covid-19 infections. According to reports from Ho Chi Minh…

  • Thailand Protest NewsPolice arrest 78 protesters, bystanders, medics and minors

    Police arrest 78 protesters, bystanders, medics and minors

    Last night, protesters and crowd control police met at Din Daeng in a heated confrontation that resulted in 78 people being arrested including bystanders, volunteer medics, and even underage people. Those who were taken into custody were held in several different police facilities, and the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights observed and reported on the arrests. They said 20 people…

  • Technology NewsGaming stocks plunge as Chinese authorities protest “effeminacy”

    Gaming stocks plunge as Chinese authorities protest “effeminacy”

    Gaming companies are taking a hit in the stock market as authorities in China have been cracking down harder and harder on their perceived negative effects in Chinese society. The government has already ordered them to limit how much gaming time children have, and have pushed back on things like obscenity, violence, money worship, and now the idea that video…

  • Crime NewsMan stabbed his common-law wife in front of police station

    Man stabbed his common-law wife in front of police station

    After getting into an argument in front of a police station this morning, a man stabbed his common-law wife to death. The crime took place at about 9:30 am this morning in front of Cha-uat Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat in the south of Thailand. After an argument that became more and more heated in front of the police station, with the…

  • Pattaya NewsCrash wakes family as a drunk driver plows into their house

    Crash wakes family as a drunk driver plows into their house

    A family in Bang Lamung got a rude awakening when a pickup truck lost control and smashed through the front of their house late last night. The crash happened around midnight during curfew hours for Chon Buri, and fortunately, the children and adults inside the house had already gone to bed when the accident occurred. The crash involved a grey…

  • Thailand NewsCOVID-19 Sunday afternoon Update, provincial totals

    COVID-19 Sunday afternoon Update, provincial totals

    180 coronavirus-related deaths and 14,029 new Covid-19 cases were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. In the past 24-hours since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 15,742 recoveries. There are now 135,966 people in Thailand currently receiving treatment for the coronavirus. In the latest and most severe wave of Covid-19, first recorded on April 1, the…

  • Phuket News2 new Covid-19 deaths in Phuket, only 15% of hospital beds open

    2 new Covid-19 deaths in Phuket, only 15% of hospital beds open

    2 new deaths and a reduction in total hospital beds lead the bad news on Covid-19 for Phuket today. The daily infections have held steady with 230 new infections, a few less than yesterday, but marking the 13th day in a row with infections above 200 per day. The total deaths in the last 8 days stands at 19, one…

  • Koh Samui News48 arrested at Covid-19 violating luxury Koh Samui birthday party

    48 arrested at Covid-19 violating luxury Koh Samui birthday party

    Yet another illegal gathering, a party on Koh Samui, was busted by police for breaking the Covid-19 emergency restrictions. Early this morning, police raided Maithy Pool Lounge & Restaurant at a luxury resort in the hills behind Bangrak on the northeast corner of the island and arrested 48 people having a birthday party in defiance of Covid-19 rules. 27 foreigners…

  • World NewsSuper Typhoon Chanthu and Tropical Storm Conson hit SE Asia

    Super Typhoon Chanthu and Tropical Storm Conson hit SE Asia

    Thailand is not alone in the massive storms and flooding it has experienced over the past week or two. Southeast Asia is looking down the barrel of two major storm systems, Super Typhoon Chanthu lumbering towards Taiwan and Tropical Storm Conson advancing on Vietnam, both expected to make landfall this weekend.   Super Typhoon Chanthu The super typhoon will batter…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 AFTERNOON UPDATE Saturday: provincial totals

    Covid-19 AFTERNOON UPDATE Saturday: provincial totals

    Covid-19 infections and deaths have been fairly consistent over the past week but today’s 253 deaths reported over the last 24 hours is a disappointing jump from the 189 deaths reported yesterday. The number of daily Covid-19 infections remained steadily around the 15,000 mark for more than a week, with the past 24 hours seeing 15,191 infections. 726 of those…

  • Bangkok NewsPolice launch mobile Covid-19 testing for officers and families

    Police launch mobile Covid-19 testing for officers and families

    Considered high-risk for contracting Covid-19 due to their frequent close interaction with the public, the Royal Thai Police launched a proactive screening campaign for officers and their family members to be tested for Covid-19. Mobile testing units have been dispatched from police headquarters to provide antigen tests to stations, starting with Bangkok. The national police force has created 10 mobile…

  • Crime NewsKidnapped baby Nong Gina was not sexually assaulted

    Kidnapped baby Nong Gina was not sexually assaulted

    After the bizarre excuse given for Nong Gina’s kidnapping, that the 2 year old was left at a cave as a sacrifice to the nature spirits, police and missing persons groups suspected more sinister motivations. Police are looking into the possibility that a human trafficking network had targeted Nong Gina, and questioned 3 additional suspects. Now after a physical examination,…

  • Hua Hin NewsHua Hin reopening could hurt bigger domestic tourism market

    Hua Hin reopening could hurt bigger domestic tourism market

    With Covid-19 restrictions being eased a bit and allowing for some domestic movement, Hua Hin has seen an influx of Thai domestic travellers coming for a much-needed holiday. The seaside town in Prachuap Khiri Khan province is seeing a boom but the Vice President of the Thai Hotels Association is advising that the planned reopening for foreigners may do more…

  • Thailand NewsCovid-19 UPDATE Saturday: 253 deaths, rate of infections steady

    Covid-19 UPDATE Saturday: 253 deaths, rate of infections steady

    Covid-19 infections and deaths have been fairly consistent over the past week but today’s 253 deaths reported over the last 24 hours is a disappointing jump from the 189 deaths reported yesterday. The number of daily Covid-19 infections remained steadily around the 15,000 mark for more than a week, with the past 24 hours seeing 15,191 infections. 726 of those…

  • World NewsPM Prayut lays out 10-year plan at China-ASEAN Expo

    PM Prayut lays out 10-year plan at China-ASEAN Expo

    To kick off the 18th annual China-ASEAN Expo taking place in Nanning, China from September 10 to September 13, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha gave a speech by video conference discussing a post-pandemic Asia. In his remarks, PM Prayut praised the Chinese government and pledged to focus the ASEAN-China relationship on public health, economic recovery, and sustainability. The Thai prime minister gave…

  • EntertainmentLisa of Blackpink set video records, 50 million views in 12 hours

    Lisa of Blackpink set video records, 50 million views in 12 hours

    Lisa, the Thai native member of the K-Pop mega-group Blackpink just released her debut solo music video to record-breaking numbers. The track was released on YouTube hours ago, racking up 10 million views in just 2 hours, while continuing to be viewed in record numbers. The singer hails from Buri Ram, and her debut single as a solo artist is…

  • Covid-19 NewsOfficials expect 400,000+ Covid-19 infections from free ATK plan

    Officials expect 400,000+ Covid-19 infections from free ATK plan

    The Chinese-made Lepu Medical Technology antigen test kits at the centre of a controversial importing deal are now scheduled to be distributed free across Thailand from September 16. Health officials are anticipating a spike of several hundred thousand new Covid-19 cases as a result of ATK distribution. The National Health Security Office expects that as a result of the influx…

  • Thailand NewsMinistry of Public Health rules AstraZeneca vaccine cause of blood clot death

    Ministry of Public Health rules AstraZeneca vaccine cause of blood clot death

    The Ministry of Public Health has determined a person whose death came from a blood clot and thrombocytopenia ultimately died as a result of one shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine. This instance was the only one out of 628 cases that have been studied by the committee on Adverse Events Following Immunisation that concluded that a vaccine from AstraZeneca was…

  • Tourism NewsPrediction for international travellers to Thailand lowered again

    Prediction for international travellers to Thailand lowered again

    Tourism researchers have once again downgraded their expectations for the total number of international travellers in 2021 after Thailand has yet to recover from the third wave of Covid-19 starting in April that brought the Delta various and huge infection numbers across the country. The Tourism Authority of Thailand, known for its rose-tinted predictions and press releases, had predicted in…