- World News
Bullets found on plane cause evacuation in Korea
A few stray bullets are enough to ruin an entire flight. Yesterday a Korean Air plane was evacuated after two live bullets were discovered on board. The incident took place at Incheon International Airport in South Korea. The plane was bound for Manila and had 230 passengers on board at the time. The discovery of the bullets resulted in the…
- Pattaya News
Sattahip resort ordered to close for land encroachment
A lesson that never seems to be learned time and time again in Thailand: if you’re breaking the law, maybe don’t advertise it on social media. A luxury resort in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri has been ordered to close due to land encroachment after recently posted advertisements on social media for sea-view rooms. Star Over Sea received the…
- Expats
LTR visa lures just 2,920 applicants in four months
Despite claims of being able to lure one million expats in five years – which averages to 200,000 a year, or just under 17,000 per month – the actual figures in the first few months have fallen flat. Thailand’s new long-term resident (LTR) visa has attracted almost 3,000 foreign applicants in the four months since its introduction, according to a…
- Thailand News
Two men in Indonesia face charges – one for masturbating in his car, the other for filming it
An incident in Indonesia may be a case of “snitches get stitches.” After filming and turning in a man caught masturbating in public in his car, the man who took the video may face pornography charges. Indonesia is not exactly known for its liberal stance on sex and morality and both the masturbator and his Peeping Tom videographer are facing…
- Visa Information
Russian arrested for 188-day overstay on Koh Pha Ngan
A Russian national has been arrested at Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani for overstaying his visa by a staggering 188 days. Surat Thani Immigration officers confirmed the arrest of 50 year old Leonid Toisloi. The Russian man was apprehended in front of a convenience store in the northern town of Chalok Lam earlier this week. The authorities have taken…
- Koh Samui News
Dead dolphin washes ashore in Koh Samui
Tragic news hit Koh Samui island yesterday when reports confirmed a dead dolphin was found washed ashore. The unfortunate discovery was made at Hua Thanon Beach in the Maret sub-district on the southeastern side of the island. The dead dolphin was reported to the Samui District Offices yesterday, prompting officers to investigate the incident. Upon arriving at the beach, the…
- World News
TikTok’s hottest new trend: vasectomies
Men in the United States are increasingly opting for vasectomy, following the US Supreme Court’s decision to undo federal abortion rights in June 2022. Many myths and misconceptions about vasectomy have long circulated on the Internet, which has created a negative perception of the procedure. In response, men across the country have taken to TikTok to promote vasectomies as an…
- Tourism News
TAT predicts 6 million European tourists to Thailand
Thailand is expecting to welcome six million tourists from Europe this year, generating over 420 billion baht in revenue. The figure represents approximately 80% of pre-pandemic levels. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn expressed confidence in Thailand’s ability to maintain its popularity as a tourist destination for European markets. He noted that pent-up demand for travel among…
- Thailand News
Malaysian officials pose with sex toys seized from home
Sex toys are probably stashed in far more homes than discussed in polite society but even the most opened-minded among us will blush at the revelation of one Malaysia household. The Home Ministry revealed it seized over 1,000 sex toys worth more than RM115,000 (about 892,000 baht) from a single home in Kota Warisan, Sepang district, not far from Kuala…
- World News
Sushi terrorism a growing problem in Japan
Sushi terrorism might not be a phrase in your daily vocabulary but it’s becoming an alarming issue in Japan. Defined as the act of handling sushi and utensils in a disgustingly unsanitary manner in conveyor belt sushi restaurants, sushi terrorism has been a trend in viral videos in Japan for the past month. The threat of sushi terrorism has caused…
- Tourism News
THAI Airways announces 2023 summer schedule
THAI Airways has announced its summer schedule and expanded its services around the globe. The flagship carrier of Thailand will add 39 routes to Europe, nine to Asia, and 30 routes to China for the summer. Between March 26 and October 28, more routes will operate and flights will run more frequently on the most travelled routes. THAI Airways kickstarted…
- Technology News
Proposed RESTRICT Act could ban TikTok in the US
TikTok banned in the United States? If a new bipartisan bill gets its way, the popular short-video app could be blocked due to national security concerns. US Senators Mark Warner and John Thune have introduced a bill called the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act that could ban TikTok and other security…
- Eastern Thailand News
Minivan driver claims he wasn’t asleep, screaming tourists caused crash
A minivan full of Russian tourists crashed either as a result of a screaming passenger or a sleeping driver, depending on who you believe. The minivan crashed into a tree after the driver was seen slumping over in his chair and one of the passengers screamed loudly, either out of fear, or too quickly to wake up the sleeping driver.…
- Politics News
PM Prayut recovering after hand surgery
Many people have opinions about Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, but one thing almost everyone can agree on: he is great with his hand gestures. Iconic photos have graced The Thaiger and other news sources capturing his broad waves, his hands pressed together in a “wai” position, pointing, awkward “I love you” hand gestures, and perhaps most famously, his shushing gestures.…
- Bangkok News
Fight to keep iconic signs on Khao San Road
Khao San Road is legendary as the backpacker hub of Thailand. It was once teeming with street vendors and bars spilling out into the streets, aggressive tuk-tuk drivers and ping-pong show advertisers. A barrage of sights and sounds and smells for fresh young backpackers to be overwhelmed by as Khao San Road stretched under snarls of metal signs hovering above…
- Transport News
Shortcut road between Kathu and Thalang in the works
Phuket authorities are planning to construct a shortcut road between Kathu and Sri Soonthorn in Thalang. The road is being built in hopes of easing traffic congestion in Koh Kaew. The move was announced by Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) President, Rewat Areerob, who revealed that three prominent families in the region have donated land for public use to enable…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Summer begins today with temperatures climbing
Bring on the heat! Thailand will officially enter its summer season today with temperatures expected to soar as high as 43 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department (TMD) announced on Friday declaring the start of the summer heat. The onset of summer comes just as a monsoon in the upper regions of Thailand will cause temperatures to rise. The monsoon is…
- Crime News
Drunk Thais claim knife-point robbery was self-defence
Police charged three drunk Thai men with robbery after they brandished a large knife and gun in an attempt to rob a foreign tourist in the Khao San area of Bangkok. The robbery attempt took place outside the Tang Hua Seng department store in Banglamphu. The victim was a Romanian tourist. The three are currently being held at Nang Loeng Police Station…
- World News
Fuel storage depot fire in Jakarta kills 17, injures dozens
A fire that broke out at a state-run fuel storage depot in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta yesterday has claimed at least 17 lives and injured dozens of others. The blaze, which started after 8pm local time, was brought under control several hours after it began. While the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, army chief of…
- Thailand News
Committee proposes law legalizing prostitution over 20
Great news for punters, a committee drafting a new law governing prostitution has agreed that voluntary sexual service without criminal penalties should be allowed from the age of 20. Jintana Chanbamroong, head of the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development at the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, chaired the committee drafting the new law. The new law is a…
- Crime News
Charges filed against Thai factory used by Tesco
After catching heat for what critics considered a half-assed investigation, Thai police have now filed criminal charges against a factory used by Tesco. VK Garment Factory, a clothing factory in Mae Sot used to produce F&F clothes has been charged over its treatment of workers. The charges for fraud claim that the factory used workers’ bank cards illegally, withheld immigration…
- Events
Makha Bucha Day Monday: lots of Buddhism, no booze
Buddha Days: holidays of religious celebration for Thais and sober frustration for foreign tourists. Next week Thailand will celebrate Makha Bucha Day, an important religious holiday for Thai Buddhists. The holiday falls on Monday, March 6. While the day may not hold the same religious significance for non-Buddhists, it is still recognized as a significant day in Thai culture, and…
- Thailand News
Faith-based businesses: Your good luck is their bad luck
There’s big money in misery. In times of economic downturn and instability, many Thais turn to spiritual practices such as prayer, amulets, and fortune telling for support. As a result, many faith-based businesses have emerged to offer solutions to people’s problems. But as the economy grows stronger and more stable, faith business profits are falling. With the onset of the…
- Crime News
Man arrested 19 times for thefts in Pattaya
Maybe the 19th time is the charm? A man was arrested in Pattaya for stealing a Russian woman’s phone, and, as it turns out, he had previously been arrested for theft 19 times before. The 54 year old Thai man was arrested this time after he was caught stealing a phone from a Russian woman. She reported to the police that…
- Thailand News
Chang focuses on the mass-premium beer market
Chang beer’s parent company, Chang International Co., is eyeing the mass-premium beer market to expand its catalogue and profits. The company announced plans to invest 1 billion baht to grow its beer business and strengthen its portfolio with Chang Cold Brew. With the pandemic easing, the economy coming back, and tourism blooming, people are spending more on booze. Chang is…
- World News
Police find Abby Choi’s head cooked in soup pot
Police report that the decapitated head of Hong Kong model and socialite Abby Choi, who went missing last Tuesday, was found in a soup pot. The Hong Kong police Police Superintendent revealed that her head had been boiled until only the skull remained. “When we found the two pots of soup at the scene, one of the pots measuring 50…
- World News
Married man murdered and dismembered mistress in Japan
A gruesome murder has shocked Japan after the dismembered body of a 33 year old single mother, Ayumi Ito, was discovered in the home of a married man with whom she was allegedly having an affair. Ito’s body parts were found on the balcony of the suspect’s home as well as more parts in his car. Police believe 31 year…
- Thailand News
Alcoholic Drink Control Act has reduced drinking 2%
Some news we shouldn’t drink to: alcohol consumption is down 2% after 15 years of Thailand’s Alcoholic Drink Control Act. The law banned alcohol advertisements and placed limits on when and where booze can be sold. A seminar entitled “Different Views on 15-year Enforcement of the Alcoholic Drink Control Act” was held on Sunday at Bangkok’s Asia Hotel where the…
- Songkran News
Songkran returns to Pattaya amid Covid concerns
Pattaya is set to welcome back Songkran after a four-year absence due to pandemic restrictions. The festival, which is known for being the biggest and wettest party in Pattaya, will culminate on April 19 with Wan Lai, or the “Big Day.” However, health officials fear that the unbridled celebration could also bring a new spike in Covid-19 infections, as it…
- Health
HPV testing for Thai women key to cancer reduction
Many Thai women are still not getting screened for HPV, despite the introduction of self-sampling swabs last year. An assistant professor and gynaecological oncology specialist at Chulabhorn Hospital said 80% of cervical cancers can be prevented if regular check-ups are performed. But many women still resist the screening, feeling uneasy with the testing process. Last year the self-sampling test swabs were…
