Tanutam Thawan

Tanutam Thawan

Local Thai journalist speaking fluent Thai and English. Tanutam studied in Khon Kaen before attending Bangkok’s Chulalongkhorn University.
  • News

    Thailand’s Kane Shepherd setting the pace in the Formula Gulf Academy

    Held at the billion dollar facility built on Yas Island specifically to host Abu Dhabi’s Formula One World Championship Grand Prix events, Rounds 3 & 4 were dominated by one of Thailand’s most promising young racing drivers, Kane Shepherd. Kane, who is also contesting the SEA F4 championship, was back in the UAE to gain valuable coaching from Formula Gulf…

  • Food

    Naughty Nuri’s – Bringing a bit of Bali to Patong

    Sponsored Article Naughty Nuri’s, the renowned Balinese BBQ restaurant & bar, well known especially for its “probably the best ribs in the world” had their Grand Opening of the first outlet in Phuket on Saturday, January 20. This growing chain provided a memorable experience to more than 500 guests during the opening ceremony. The 500 seat outlet is set beautifully…

  • Thai Life

    Where is the most expensive place to live in the world? And Asia?

    PHOTO: Thomas Tucker/Unsplash How expensive is it to live in Phuket? And Thailand? numbeo.com has crunched the numbers and listed the cost of living expenses of 540 cities around the world (Phuket gets listed as a ‘city’ on the list). The worlds most expensive city is Hamilton – Bermuda followed by Zurich – Switzerland, both almost three times the cost…

  • Thai Life

    UPDATE: Smart Visa applications accepted after February 1

    Starting February 1, eligible foreigners can apply for a new, four-year visa called the Smart Visa. The visa, itself, isn’t ‘smart’ or magically electronic but you’ll probably need to be smart to apply for it. Initially the digital nomads hoped it might help their lifestyle and allow them an easier way to remain in Thailand. The details don’t really support…

  • News

    The big three. 2018 elections for Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia.

    In 2018 there will be three elections in our immediate region – the much-predicted (and confirmed by the Thai PM) Thai election, another in Cambodia and one in Malaysia. All have their very local versions of democracy which will shape the outcomes. All are vital tests for the region’s fragile democracies. Cambodia Cambodia’s national elections are scheduled for July 29.…

  • Thai Life

    Boat Lagoon Yachting announces mega shipment of private yachts

    Boat Lagoon Yachting, Thailand’s largest importer and distributor of luxury yachts, has made history in the region’s yachting industry with the importation of the largest single shipment of luxury yachts, worth over 1,400 million baht. The shipment comprises nine luxury yachts manufactured in the UK by Princess Yachts, with sizes ranging from 19 metres to a superyacht of over 30…

  • News

    Mystery of beached ‘Elysion’ solved

    The mystery of the boat beached on an Aceh beach (original post below) has been solved with this message from the man who was aboard the yacht when the decision was made to abandon it…. “I sailed ‘Elysion’, a Belgian registered yacht, from Phuket (Thailand) to Langkawi, Malaysia but had to abandon the vessel about 40 nautical miles west from…

  • News

    From ping-pongs to the real-deal. The evolution of sex-shows in Bangla Road.

    PLEASE NOTE: This article contains material that may offend some readers. Thailand, despite it’s many natural wonders, superb street cuisine, vibrant culture and (mostly) warm weather, still has a reputation well-earned. Let’s call it the three Ps – Patpong, Pattaya and Patong. Whereas, say ten years ago, you could visit a few go go bars, see an occasional ping pong…

  • Food

    Bib Gourmand 2018 – Bangkok Michelin Guide listings for every budget

    Following the recent launch of the first-ever edition of the MICHELIN Guide Bangkok, that has generated a lively buzz around town and has put Michelin-starred Bangkok restaurants in the global spotlight, Michelin has now started to promote the ‘Bib Gourmand’ distinction and make it widely known among food aficionados and others in Thailand. The Bib Gourmand list highlights more affordable…

  • News

    Dante Alighieri Phuket rolls their sleeves up for the elderly

    Today (January 11), Dante Alighieri Society Phuket distributed food for elderly people at Ban Phuket Elders Public Aid in Thalang. Mrs Nonglak Khantong, president of Dante Alighieri Phuket and Mr Carlo Briola, treasurer of the Association, have declared that this is just the first of the group’s charity initiatives. Already recognised by Provincial officials, Dante Alighieri Phuket aims to promote…

  • News

    Russian rape story ‘misunderstanding’

    Reports on social media that a 28 year old Russian woman had been attacked and raped on Koh Phi Phi are false according to local police. Police say there was no truth to the suggestion there was a misunderstanding after the alleged victim told a Russian friend to contact police. Polina Shemiakina, a Russian yoga teacher had arrived on the holiday…

  • Food

    Kata Rocks’ Collective Series kicks off for 2018

    Kata Rock’s next ‘Collective Series’ kicks off 2018 with local Thai fun on Saturday, February 3 from 6-8pm with ‘Collective Series 11 – Night Bazaar’. The first event for 2018 will feature a festive Thai market themed ‘celebration of local culture’. After the success of Kata Rocks’ fun, different and outside-the-box Collective Series events of the past three years, Kata Rocks…

  • News

    Drunk female tourist refuses to pay bill at Jungceylon

    A video has posted on a popular Phuket Facebook page that showed an altercation between a female tourist and several people outside a Fuji Japanese restaurant in Jungceylon. The video shows a woman, apparently from Europe (some say Norwegian), arguing with security as a crowd of shoppers gather. Amid claims that the tourist is drunk the poster of the footage…

  • News

    New year’s eve diving tragedy in Koh Phi Phi

    FILE PHOTO A tragic accident off Koh Phi Phi yesterday (December 31) where a 25 year old Indian tourist, Alok Kumar Shukla, was attempting his first scuba dive. According to the scuba company running the tour, the incident happened during the pick up following the group’s first dive. “The customer returned to the boat already and got out of his…

  • News

    DAY FOUR. Nearly 60 people dying each day during the Seven Dangerous Days.

    After four days, the official death toll for the ‘Seven Dangerous Days’ reporting period is 239 with 2,500 injuries. The statistics are compiled by the Road Safety Centre. On Sunday, new year’s eve, 65 people were killed and 714 were injured in 678 separate traffic incidents. Drink driving remains the scourge of Thailand’s roads causing most of fatal accidents. This…

  • Thai Life

    Thailand Yacht Show. Returns to Ao Po Grand Marina February 22 – 25, 2018

    It is that time of the year where we make resolutions; promises about the year to come and how we will approach it. Rather than ploughing through a northern hemisphere winter to get to the gym or sourcing for fresh fruits during a juice cleanse, why not enjoy the best of the southern tropical lifestyle and head to the Thailand…

  • Travel

    Who’s coming and what are they spending? Tourist numbers for 2017.

    The figures for foreign tourists arrivals in the Kingdom during 2017 are going to reach 35 million visitors, according to statistics from the TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand). There are a few surprises in the top ten list, including Laotian visitors at #4. China is still the number one source of foreign tourists with 9.92 million visits over the past…

  • News

    16 year old Thai taking aim at an F1 career

    Story from PaulPoole.co.th A young man from Pattaya is on track to becoming Thailand’s first Formula One driver. Born and raised in Pattaya, Kane Shepherd started racing at the age of 10, competing in various Thai championships and winning national titles every year. He won his first Asian championship in 2014 and again in 2015. His obvious talent qualified him…

  • Travel

    Smart Visa available from mid-January

    PHOTO: world nomads.com Are you smart? Earning a high-salary? Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, you might be eligible for the new four year professional visa, known as the ‘smart visa’ from the middle of January, 2018. According to Lt. Col. Thanarak Boonyaratkarin of the Immigration Bureau, the new Smart Visa will provide more benefits and privileges than any other visa. He says, “you’ll…

  • Thai Life

    The Racha wins triple prestige awards

    Congratulations to The Racha for winning three major hospitality awards in the one year. They’ve won the Best Island Resort Destination and Outstanding Beach Resort in South East Asia by Asian Lifestyle Tourism and the Bronze Award Winner by Exotiq Best of Thailand. The Racha’s Anumba Spa was also voted the Top Island Resort Spa in Asia in the 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards. The Racha can be…

  • News

    Tiger-poking at a Pattaya Zoo sparks social media outrage

    A Thai zoo in Pattaya is sparking outrage after a video of staff repeatedly prodding a tiger to elicit roars for tourist photos went viral, renewing criticism of Thailand’s notorious animal tourism industry. https://www.facebook.com/edwin.wiek/videos/10154902077257443/ Video by Edwin Wiek, the founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand The clip, which has garnered more than one million views since it was posted on…

  • News

    Blade Runner ‘Cola’ sets a good example

    Remember our story about the ‘blade runner’ dog Cola, the soi dog who had a bad start in his life as a pup with both paws amputated? Story HERE. The story has gone viral since then with all the major news agencies picking up the good-news tale about a soi dog who was lucky to be adopted by Soi Dog…

  • Thailand News

    Satellite imagery shows new destruction in Rakhine State

    Analysis of satellite imagery reveals new destruction of Rohingya villages during October and November 2017 in the northern Rakhine State in Burma. This latest report, along with their evidence, has been released by Human Rights Watch today. Human Rights Watch have identified 40 villages with building destruction occurring in October and November, increasing the total to 354 villages that have…

  • Food

    Night brunch at Firefly

    The Pavilions Phuket, the luxurious all-suite, all-villa resort overlooking the island’s spectacular sunset coast, is hosting the first in a series of inspired ‘Night Brunch’ dining events on December 22 at the resort’s sophisticated poolside restaurant and bar, Firefly. Lifting gourmet grazing to a whole new level of fun and indulgence, the themed Night Brunch buffet will feature a limitless…

  • News

    New bar-coded traffic tickets start today around Thailand

    If you get caught without a driving licence, infringing road rules or not wearing a helmet from today, you might be getting one of these. Thailand’s traffic police are now issuing E-traffic tickets for traffic violations from today. You’ll be able to pay the fines online two days after the issue of the ticket. Commander of the Special Branch Police…

  • Thai Life

    Cachet comes to Nai Yang

    Cachet: The sate of being respected or admired. On December 16, 2017, discerning travellers discovered a new dimension of bespoke lifestyle resort with the grand opening of the Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket. This re-imagined lifestyle resort is set on the shores of Nai Yang Beach, at the north end of Phuket’s west coast, a mere 5 minutes from the international…

  • Health

    Thavorn Hotels – Phuket’s luxury beach destinations

    Sponsored Article With its history tracing back to the very first full-service hotel in Phuket, Thavorn Hotels & Resorts has been a prominent family-owned hotel brand in Phuket for over 30 years. Having begun with the founder’s dream in 1950 to steer Phuket into an international tourist destination, today Thavorn Hotels & Resorts features two luxury beach resorts in Phuket’s…

  • News

    mu Space is awarded 15 year satellite license to assist rural Thailand

    mu Space becomes Thailand’s first space technology startup to operate a satellite service after the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission awarded a license for the company. The 15-year license covers the operation of a satellite and provision of satellite-based services until 2032. Speaking on behalf of mu Space, Chief Technical Officer Samathorn Teankingkaeo said his team plans to differentiate mu…

  • Thai Life

    Chamath Palihapitiya shades Facebook. And Facebook’s response…

    A former Sri Lankan-born Facebook executive admits that he feels “tremendous guilt” over his work at the social networking service that he said was “ripping apart the social fabric of how society works”. Former Facebook vice-president for user growth Chamath Palihapitiya accused Facebook of “programming” its users and said he no longer uses the social media platform or allows his…

  • Health

    Thanyapura’s Colour Fun Run Lights Up 2017’s Phukethon

    Today (Saturday, December 9), around 1,200 people came together to take part in Thanyapura’s annual Colour Fun Run. Runners were both local and international, with many travelling to Thailand specifically to take part in the event. The event celebrates fitness for fun; there are no winners in the Colour Fun Run, and people from all ages and abilities are invited…