- 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…
- Thailand Election News
PM Prayut: No more coups, I swear!
Ageing tends to mellow people and, after a certain point, our wild party days are put well behind us. Even rock bands usually turn to ballads after a few decades. And, it seems, military leaders might get less coup-y over the years. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha vowed that his 2014 coup overthrowing the Thai government was his last. PM Prayut…
- 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…
- 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…
- Transport News
Pickup truck backs off second story car park
Some expats may be confused when they see a Thai person back a vehicle into a parking space. Pulling in forward is much faster, but Thais prefer to spend an extra few minutes navigating their car backwards into parking spaces to save a few seconds on a quick escape when they leave. But backing into a parking space comes with…
- 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…
- 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…
- Bangkok News
Chinese Samanea Group building largest retail centre in Thailand
Chinese retail giant Samanea Group plans to create the largest retail and wholesale centre in Thailand, much to the chagrin of Thai importers. They worry that the centre will flood the country with cheap Chinese goods. The Samanea Plaza, located on Bangna-Trat Road in Bang Sao Thong District, Samut Prakan province, already operates a massive shopping centre. Over 100 service…
- 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.…
- 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…
- Environment News
Tourism in Chiang Mai may be damaged by air pollution
The Northern region of Thailand, especially Chiang Mai, is experiencing a hazardous level of ultra-fine PM2.5 dust particles in the air. This is causing concerns among tourism operators in the city that the situation will negatively impact the industry. Pallop Saejiew, the president of Chiang Mai’s Tourism Industrial Council, worries about the long-term effects on the province’s tourism industry. Demand…
- 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…
- 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…
- Tourism News
4 guides arrested leading Chinese tour group without ID
Police have been cracking down on illegal tour groups and guides, recently arresting a Russian man mid-tour. Now four Thai female tour guides have been arrested around Bangkok while leading Chinese tour groups. The guides turned out to be licensed, but they did not have the proper documentation. The arrests took place in the tourist area of Tha Rua, Tha…
- 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…
- 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…
- Crime News
Pattaya Police find 5 motorbikes stashed in forest
We’ve all had trouble finding motorbikes in a big, crowded parking lot. But in Pattaya, five stolen Honda Wave 110 motorcycles were found deep in the forest where no one might ever look. According to the vice village headman, the motorbikes were found with broken handlebars and stripped seats and were discovered hidden in the forest. The motorbikes were recovered…
- 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…
