Tara Abhasakun
- World News
1,000 Thais register to apply for jobs in Saudi Arabia
Thai and Saudi officials say labour relations between their countries are strengthening following renewed relations. Thailand’s labour minister said over 1,000 people have registered online with the Department of Employment to apply for jobs in Saudi Arabia. He claimed the final remaining step is signing a bilateral labour agreement, which is expected to occur soon. The agreement will allow Thailand…
- Thailand News
Phuket police on the hunt for alleged shoplifting foreigner
A foreign man reportedly stole snacks from a Phuket shop on two separate occasions. The shopkeeper alleges the foreigner first stole snacks back in January, after he came to the store with a Thai woman. The woman paid for her items, while the man allegedly stole 228 baht worth of snacks. The man reported the alleged theft to Phuket City…
- South Thailand News
Four military rangers injured in another Southern Thailand bomb
A bomb exploded in Mayo district of Pattani province in Southern Thailand this morning. Four paramilitary rangers were injured from the bomb on their way to fix a broken water pump near their base. One ranger was severely injured. One ranger’s left arm was injured. One ranger’s leg was wounded, and another ranger suffered chest pain. All the rangers were…
- World News
Russian Embassy in Bangkok works with Thai tourism to help those stranded
The Russian embassy in Bangkok is working with Thai tourism authorities to help Russians stuck in Thailand following flight cancelations and payment problems. At a press conference yesterday, Russia’s ambassador to Thailand said 1,500 letters have been issued to extend visas for the roughly 6,500 Russians stranded across the country. This news comes after the Russian Consulate in Phuket announced…
- Education
Thai education official admits online learning’s pitfalls
A Thai education official admitted that online learning in Thailand has weakened students’ reading and writing skills. The secretary-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission said this is especially a problem for kindergarten and primary students. He said students “must” start school in-person on May 15. This was after rumours circled that school might be interrupted again. The…
- World News
United States trade dispute on solar products from Thailand, Southeast Asia
Projects in the United States might freeze over a recent dispute on solar panels imported from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Even though these countries supply the United States with about 80% of its solar imports, the United States’ Commerce Department is scheduled to probe whether the solar products are circumventing tariffs. The probe is over whether Chinese manufacturers are…
- World News
UN High Commissioner accuses Myanmar’s army of war crimes, including burning alive
In a new report, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights accused Myanmar’s army of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including burning women and children alive in Kayah State. Kayah State is home to mainly people of the Kareni, or ‘Red Karen’ ethnic group, one of the many ethnic groups fighting for autonomy in Myanmar. The report claimed the…
- Tourism News
Province in Western Thailand works to revive tourism in new scheme
The governor of one Western Thai province whose tourism income plummeted this year announced yesterday the need for a “comprehensive strategy” to revive tourism. The province of Prachuap Khiri Khan made 1.85 billion baht in tourism in 2020, but that dropped to 36 million baht in 2021. “We expect travel activities to pick up once Covid-19 is classified as an…
- World News
Ukraine president vows to defend Kyiv “relentlessly”
Even though Russian forces have killed at least 579 Ukrainian civilians in its now 18-day long invasion, Ukraine isn’t going down without a fight. The country’s president vowed “relentless defense” in the capital city of Kyiv last night, despite Russian troops advancing so far that there are fears of Kyiv becoming encircled “imminently”. AFP journalists say Russians are meeting resistance…
- Northern Thailand News
Northeast floating farm marks Thailand’s moves toward green energy
A new solar farm in Thailand’s Northeast that floats on water is one of 15 that Thai authorities plan to build by 2037. The project aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 47,000 tonnes a year. Officials also hope the first farm in Ubon Ratchathani will attract tourists. They are calling it the “world’s largest floating hydro-solar farm”. Thailand is trying…
- Northern Thailand News
‘Furry Green’ snake discovered in Northeast Thailand
One thing we don’t usually need in Thailand is a fur coat. Unless you’re a snake. A local of Sakhon Nakhon province in Northeast Thailand has discovered a rare species of snake just near his home last month… a snake with green fur. Lots of green fur! The local man, Tu, is now awaiting for authorities to identify the strange…
- World News
YouTube blocks Russian state media across the globe
Youtube is now blocking Russian state media channels all around the world. At first, Youtube only banned Russian media in Europe. Youtube’s guidelines prohibit content that minimalises, trivialises, or denies well-documented violent events. As a part of this guideline, the channel said it will now block content that denies the invasion, or claims it is a ‘peacekeeping operation’. “In line…
- Thailand Travel
Tourism officials plan Saudi visit to attract Middle Easter travellers to Thailand
In the wake of both the Chinese and Russian tourist taps being turned off, Thai tourism officials are planning to travel to Saudi Arabia with a goal of attracting 200,000-500,000 Middle Eastern tourists to Thailand this year. The Thai tourism ministry and Tourism Authority frequently run travel roadshows around the world as part of an ongoing marketing program to push…
- Bangkok News
Son of national police figure hits and kills Pakistani refugee with Porsche, Bangkok
The son of a former national police chief has allegedly struck and killed a Pakistani refugee whilst driving his Porsche, driving in Bangkok. The driver, 29 year old Pornmet, reported to police after he was treated for head and face injuries. He admitted that he carelessly changed lanes suddenly while driving near Thaksin Bridge at around 1am yesterday morning. A…
- Bangkok News
Four Afghan women win scholarships to Bangkok university
Despite living under the Taliban’s grip, four Afghan women have won scholarships to study at Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok. The women were chosen based on their academic records, and determination to promote women’s participation in Afghan society. The executive director of the Thai Pipe Industry told the Bangkok Post the women will be role models and mentors to…
- Thailand News
Bangkok doctor warns of healthcare collapse if Covid-19 is not dealt with
A Bangkok professor at Chulalongkorn’s Faculty of Medicine warns that Thailand’s economy isn’t strong enough to handle Covid-19 if the situation gets out of hand. He noted that Thailand’s economy is weaker than the economies of European countries. “With fewer economic resources than wealthy countries, the impact of the outbreak will be too tough to handle”. Several healthcare resources in…
- World News
Tourism official proposes payment solutions for Russians in Phuket
Following the move by Mastercard and Visa to cut off services to cards issued in Russia, Phuket tourism officials are proposing solutions for Russians stranded there. Yesterday, the president of the Phuket Tourism Business Association proposed three possible solutions: Allow Thai commercial banks to support Russia’s Mir payments system, allow the use of Chinese payment systems such as union pay,…
- World News
After missile accidentally fired, Pakistan warns India “Be mindful of consequences”
After accidentally firing a missile into Pakistan on Wednesday, India’s military blames a “technical malfunction”. The military called the misfire “deeply regrettable”. Pakistan’s foreign ministry condemned the missile as an unprovoked violation by a ‘super-sonic flying object’. India’s charge d’affaires in Islamabad has now been summoned to the foreign office to counter Pakistan’s claim. The Indian military did not say…
- Economy News
Federation of Thai Industries wants gov to scrap Test & Go, stop fuel price crisis
The Federation of Thai Industries has called on Thailand’s government to scrap the Test & Go scheme, and stop the ongoing fuel price crisis. On Thursday, the president of the federation suggested easing Test & Go to support tourism and a recovery for the Thai economy. The FTI suggested that Thailand only require fully vaccinated travellers to show proof of…
- World News
Russian soldiers kidnap Ukrainian mayor, president compares to Islamic State
10 Russian soldiers kidnapped mayor Ivan Fedorov of the Ukrainian city of Melitopol yesterday. Ukrainian parliament members allege the soldiers kidnapped him when he was at the city’s crisis centre dealing with supply issues. In a video message last night, Ukraine’s president confirmed the kidnapping, and described the mayor as a brave man who defends his community. “This is obviously…
- South Thailand News
Prayut orders tight security amidst new Southern bomb attack
In the aftermath of a bombing in Yala province in Southern Thailand, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered investigators to hunt down the perpetrators. The attack injured four patrolling rangers and two civilians in front of a school in Bannang Sata district. This news comes after a government negotiator announced last month that the Thai government would have peace talks with…
- World News
Phuket call centre for Russians and Ukrainians gets positive reviews
Russians and Ukrainians stranded in Phuket are reportedly grateful for a new call centre that Phuket authorities set up to help them. One Thai guide who speaks Russian said he took calls from both Russians and Ukrainians to help them coordinate with Phuket immigration on visa issues. “The felt that they were not abandoned”. The director of the Tourism Authority…
- Thailand News
Health officials hurry to mail medicine to over 3,500 Bangkok Covid-19 patients
After over 3,500 Covid-19 patients in the Bangkok area couldn’t access home health services, health officials are rushing to mail them Favipiravir. The secretary-general of the National Health Security Office said it would take about five days for patients to receive the anti-viral drug in the mail, if their symptoms are not serious. The NHSO has been overwhelmed by the…
- World News
Singapore wants to attract highly skilled expats
Singapore has devised a new system to identify unusually high talent, or ‘super skills’ in expats. The system is points-based, and scores factors including education, skills, and how expats’ nationalities contribute to diversity in their company. It is set to start in September. Singapore’s Manpower Minister said business chambers and companies have welcomed the scheduled points system. He told Bloomberg Television the…
- Thailand News
Officials untangle cables on major Bangkok road to improve city’s appearance, safety
Bangkok officials are untangling cables on a major road to improve the city’s appearance and safety. The minister of Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Ministry said this move on Sukhumvit Road is part of a larger push to better Bangkok’s landscape and promote it as a “lively world class city”. The National Telecom executive vice president said the agency is…
- Economy News
As Thailand’s fuel prices spike, stockpile raised
As Thailand’s fuel prices continue to spike, officials have announced that the government will extend fuel stockpiling. Thailand’s Deputy PM and Energy Minister said in a meeting yesterday that the government has instructed oil companies to extend stockpiling of oil reserves from 60 to 70 days to help defuse a pending crisis. He said Thailand will keep its policy of…
- World News
Thailand confirms neutral stance, encourages ‘dialogue’ on Russia-Ukraine
A government spokesman confirmed yesterday that Thailand will remain neutral on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The spokesman said due to the threat by Covid-19, Thailand doesn’t want any international conflict to worsen the public health crisis. He also restated what foreign ministers have said, that all parties should excersise “maximum restraint”. He stressed that PM Prayut has supported a policy of…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok women activists call on Prayut to amend Thailand’s maternity leave law
On Tuesday, International Women’s Day, networks of women’s rights groups in Bangkok called on PM Prayut to amend Thailand’s current maternity leave law. Under the current law, women are paid for 90 days of leave. Women’s rights activists want this changed to 98 days. The spokeswoman for the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare said the department will discuss the…
- World News
Thai woman says she narrowly escaped organ harvesting in Cambodia
A Thai woman alleges organ harvesters in Cambodia drew her blood and were about to cut her open when she was rescued. Police are now warning Thais about accepting jobs overseas as not only can they get wrapped but in an illegal scam operation, but police say organ traffickers have been known to remove kidneys, the liver, and eyes after…
- Northern Thailand News
In Udon Thani, UNICEF, Thai officials launch platform to protect kids from violence
UNICEF, the Ministry of Public Health, and other health officials launched a case management platform in an Udon Thani hospital today. The platform, Primero, will support social workers in working with children vulnerable to violent abuse. It will move documentation cases online, linking them with the hospital’s information system. Primero will help children and families find resources both in and…
