Tanutam Thawan

Local Thai journalist speaking fluent Thai and English. Tanutam studied in Khon Kaen before attending Bangkok’s Chulalongkhorn University.
  • NewsDurian being sent into space. Yes, really.

    Durian being sent into space. Yes, really.

    PHOTO: Thai Residents Thais are set to send durian into outer space in July. The fruit – that has people either delighted or revolted by its smell and taste – will be sent into space in what scientists say will be the first Thai food to leave earth. (We can confirm that there have been no Pad Thai or Som…

  • NewsSeconds in it on Day 3 of Samui Regatta

    Seconds in it on Day 3 of Samui Regatta

    Performance Cruising on Day 3 of 2018 Samui Regatta. Day 3 of the 2018 Samui Regatta started off with a whimper. The storms of yesterday had gone and the sun was out in force, hopes were high for a return to the tropical sailing conditions which have made Samui Regatta so famous. Come start time all the ingredients were there,…

  • NewsBe a part of the Paws Squad. Join Soi Dog’s Saturday opening.

    Be a part of the Paws Squad. Join Soi Dog’s Saturday opening.

    This Saturday morning, Soi Dog Foundation will open as usual but is adding some freebies and fun activities for everyone this week. At the Gill Dalley’s Sanctuary, we have recently extended the opening hours to half a day on Saturday from 9 am – midday. This Saturday, the first five visitors will receive a cool Soi Dog ‘freebies’ set, including…

  • NewsAirport expansion plans, exactly a decade ago

    Airport expansion plans, exactly a decade ago

    In the wake of this week’s AoT announcement about the two new airports – one for Phuket and Chiang Mai – it’s only ten years ago, exactly, that funding was announced for the expansion of Phuket International Airport. Digging into the archives the article from May 23, 2008, says that in 2009 the AoT was expecting 6 million passengers to…

  • World NewsMyanmar holding talks with Mekong countries over deteriorating drug situation

    Myanmar holding talks with Mekong countries over deteriorating drug situation

    Senior drug policy leaders from the Mekong region – Cambodia, China, Lao, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam– are in Naypyitaw, Myanmar with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) this week for a conference of the Mekong MOU on Drug Control to discuss the illicit drug situation in the region, and to negotiate a new strategic plan. The conference brings…

  • NewsFive years of commitment to keep Phuket’s beaches clean

    Five years of commitment to keep Phuket’s beaches clean

    Phuket’s Clean the Beach Boot Camp (CBBC) has been cleaning the island’s beaches for five years. Each two weeks, on a Saturday morning, volunteers assemble for a free beach workout from island fitness leader Krix Luther and then, in return, they put on their gloves, grab a big bag and pick up rubbish on the beaches. Yesterday the team assembled…

  • TravelFly cheap to Oz with AIS on QANTAS

    Fly cheap to Oz with AIS on QANTAS

    Use AIS mobile. You could be flying to Australia with a discount. QANTAS is offering AIS mobile phone users in the capital an 8% discount on airfares on all routes from Bangkok to Australia, or New Zealand, until 31 July. The offer is valid on routes Bangkok to Australia (Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne) and Bangkok to New Zealand (Auckland,…

  • FoodGinja Taste Restaurant named one of Thailand Tatler Best Restaurants 2018

    Ginja Taste Restaurant named one of Thailand Tatler Best Restaurants 2018

    Executive Chef Dietmar Spitzer (5nd from right) alongside with Mr. Libor Secka (7th from left), Director of Food & Beverage posed together with their dedicated Food & Beverage team JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa in Mai Khao has added to its global reputation with its authentic Thai restaurant. Ginja Taste recently receiving the gastronomic award in an annual Thailand…

  • News73% of Thais are buying online – Experian

    73% of Thais are buying online – Experian

    Three quarters of Thai consumers are making online purchases, with Beauty and Fashion, and Electronics being the top categories. However, as consumers continue to look towards convenience, fraud exposure will likely increase – these are the findings of the Digital Consumer Insights 2018 by the world’s leading information services company Experian, co-authored with leading ICT market research and advisory firm…

  • NewsCompanies like AirBnB ‘illegal’ for daily and weekly rentals in Thailand

    Companies like AirBnB ‘illegal’ for daily and weekly rentals in Thailand

    PHOTO: Wan Vayla Condos in Khao Tao A court ruling handed down in Hua Hin effectively confirms that people who rent out their rooms via companies like AirBnB on a daily and weekly basis are acting illegally. A letter has been sent to the Wan Vayla condos in Khao Tao from the local authorities outlining the court’s decision in two…

  • OpinionCOMMENT: What does it take to change driving habits?

    COMMENT: What does it take to change driving habits?

    Yesterday we had to report the sad news of 12 year old Chinnarat Kajatroka who fell off the motorbike he was driving whilst his 12 year old passenger had to watch in horror as his friend’s head was crushed by a tour bus which was following behind. On his own admission the two were travelling very fast, apparently racing another…

  • NewsSamui Regatta kicks off May 26

    Samui Regatta kicks off May 26

    From May 26-June 2, the Samui Regatta is on at the Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui in the waters off the island’s Chaweng Beach. It’s the final event in the annual Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championship. Now in its 17th year, the Samui Regatta has been hosted by Centara Grand Beach Resort Koh Samui since its inception. Each year, a fleet…

  • NewsFacebook transparency report released. Which country filed the most requests?

    Facebook transparency report released. Which country filed the most requests?

    In the first three months of this year Facebook says they’ve taken down 837 million pieces of spam and disabled 583 million fake accounts, most of them before being reported they claim. The figures form part of Facebook’s first transparency report that was released yesterday. CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the report is on the effectiveness of the social network giant’s…

  • NewsVanranyu cruises to victory at Singha Laguna Phuket Open

    Vanranyu cruises to victory at Singha Laguna Phuket Open

    Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij savoured his first professional victory in front of his family after closing with an even-par 70 to win by six shots in the final round of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open yesterday (Sunday). The 21 year old Thai displayed great form all week as he traded two birdies against as many bogeys on Sunday to secure his…

  • NewsVaranyu holds commanding lead at Singha Laguna Phuket Open

    Varanyu holds commanding lead at Singha Laguna Phuket Open

    Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphaibulkij maintained his position at the top with his second round of nine-under-par 61 at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open on Friday. The 21-year-old Thai carded a flawless round with seven birdies and one eagle to lead the field by seven strokes on a 17-under-par 123 total at the 2 million baht (approx. USD64,000) event co-sanctioned by the…

  • NewsThe Blue Horizon World Corporate Golf Challenge, Thailand

    The Blue Horizon World Corporate Golf Challenge, Thailand

    The WCGC Thailand roared back into action in 2018 with a new Title Sponsor ‘Blue Horizon’ at the helm of the event, and a new scoring system. With a title sponsor on board it enabled the entry fees to be lowered significantly from last year helping the event double participation on last year event with over 150 teams taking part…

  • FoodKata Rocks Collective Series 12 unmasked

    Kata Rocks Collective Series 12 unmasked

    Kata Rocks’ Collective Series 12 ‘Venetian Masquerade Party’ delivered on its promise of another classy event with over 80 guests enjoying an evening of exceptional food, live DJ entertainment and acrobatic performances. Infinite Luxury Marketing Director Michael Nurbatlian says this was one of the best Collective Series events to date as the event’s exotic theme, attire and party ambiance came…

  • Thai LifeKata Sea Breeze Resort has been awarded Thailand MICE Venue certification

    Kata Sea Breeze Resort has been awarded Thailand MICE Venue certification

    PHOTO: Kata Sea Breeze Resort represented by Ms.Rutchaneegorn Chalayondeja, Group Director of Business development of AKSARA Collection received the award from Mr.Weerasak Kowsurat Kata Sea Breeze Resort is now a certified Thailand MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) Venue as certified by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau for its Sea Sky Conference Room having met the required standards. This opens up…

  • NewsThai Kane Shepherd heads to F3 Asian Championship 2018

    Thai Kane Shepherd heads to F3 Asian Championship 2018

    Kane Shepherd, Thailand’s young motorsports star, is racing in the inaugural Formula 3 Asian Championships, certified by the governing body Fédération International de l’Automobile (FIA). Asian motorsports hit another milestone this year with the introduction of the Formula 3 Asian Championships, certified by the governing body Fédération International de l’Automobile (FIA). The championship, which adopts the federation’s new single chassis,…

  • NewsPhuket Harmony World Puppet Festival 2018 – Sponsorship available now

    Phuket Harmony World Puppet Festival 2018 – Sponsorship available now

    Puppeteers from around the world are expected to descend on Phuket in early November for the Phuket Harmony World Puppet Festival 2018. Launched in 2013 by the Semathai Marionette Arts for Social Foundation, the Harmony World Puppet Festival is aimed at promoting puppeteering and helping people to express themselves while preserving their culture through marionette art. The five-day festival regularly…

  • Thai LifeWhich Asian country is doing all the flying in the Asia-Pacific?

    Which Asian country is doing all the flying in the Asia-Pacific?

    Now everyone can fly, or so we’re told by one of the region’s leading budget airlines. So who’s doing all the flying in Asia? Thai flyers, with an average of more than 10 flights EACH per year. Thais are making more flights per year ahead of second and third placed Japan and India, according to the Expedia’s 2018 Global Flight…

  • NewsAKSARA Collection appoints new Director of Hotels and Resorts

    AKSARA Collection appoints new Director of Hotels and Resorts

    The Pattaravornee Family of Phuket are very proud to announce that Mr. Matthew C Hindmarch, who joined the company as General Manager for Kata Sea Breeze Resort and part of the development team of The SIS Kata Phuket four years ago, has been promoted to position of Director of Hotels and Resorts. In this role, Khun Matthew who has been…

  • NewsTwo race shoot-out brings 2018 Top of the Gulf Regatta to an end

    Two race shoot-out brings 2018 Top of the Gulf Regatta to an end

    PHOTOS: Guy Nowell The 2018 Top of the Gulf Regatta has lived up to its reputation for delivering close and competitive racing, and this year the weather made the racing even tougher. Over the past four days sailors have experienced everything from moments of becalm to 25 knot squalls, thunder and lightening, and blue skies indicative of sailing in the…