- News
Variable conditions test sailors on Day 2 of 2018 Samui Regatta
Early morning thunder and lightening made way for a wet and breezy start to Day 2 of the 2018 Samui Regatta. The four classes lined-up in 10 knots of wind topping out at 15, and it was the IRC classes off first with a quick windward/ leeward. They were then sent on the same course as the Performance Cruising and…
- News
Boracay. Maya Bay. Phuket?
Bangkok, July 30, 2018 Today the Thai Government has announced a six month closure of the island of Phuket. The shutdown will commence on May 1, 2019 and reopen on October 31, 2019. PM Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha spoke to a meeting of Thailand’s peak tourism and business groups saying the drastic closure is necessary to ‘get Phuket’s house in order’…
- News
Taxi trouble in Hua Hin – Threats, assaults and arrests
In a story that could be played out anywhere around Thailand, the taxi wars in Hua Hin are heating up with the arrival of the ride-sharing App ‘Grab’ in the coastal town. A taxi driver has assaulted a female hotel employee just hours after posting online threats against all Grab taxi drivers working in Hua Hin. A local taxi driver,…
- News
Complaints flow in for dodgy balloon festival organiser – Chiang Mai
PHOTO: thaitravelblogs.com These balloon festivals have been popping up around the country and work like a travelling carnival of hot air balloons. The festivals tend to involve little more than a music festival with some well-lit hot air balloons around the perimeter. A similar show, the International Balloon Festival, was n Chiang Mai at the Cowboy Army Riding Club from March 2-4…
- News
Chiang Mai hoteliers say the licensing laws are ‘unjust’.
PHOTO: www.delannahotel.com A few weeks ago a Hua Hin condo lost a court case when the judge ruled that the condominium was not allowed to rent out its rooms on a daily or weekly basis. This has big ramifications for websites and business models like AirBnB. Now the crackdowns are happening in Chiang Mai but local hoteliers believe the registration…
- News
Tuesday, public holiday for Visakha Bucha Day
It was a long weekend, interrupted by a day of work on Monday. Tuesday, May 29, in Visakha Bucha Day and will be commemorated as a public holiday around Thailand. There are a quite a number of important Buddhist holidays throughout the year, but the most significant is Visakha Bucha Day. This day commemorates three defining events in the life…
- News
Ten boys set to face gang rape charges after attack on 15 year old
Ten boys are facing charges of rape after a 15 year old school girl was attacked in Ratchaburi. The story received wide coverage after it was featured on Amarin TV. Following the TV show, Bang Pong police spoke to the victim and her family. Now armed with evidence they are set to charge ten boys with rape, abduction, illegal detention and obscenity.…
- News
New airports approved for Phuket and Chiang Mai
After four years of false starts and rumours it looks like Phuket will now get a much-needed second airport to feed the island and the surrounding region. Yesterday’s announcement by AoT (Airports of Thailand) comes after extensive studies to examine the extension of the current Phuket airport runway which is hemmed in by Thepkasattri Road at one end and the…
- Health
Death by alcohol. How does Thailand rate?
Amongst all the things that might kill you, alcohol remains near the top of the list in many countries. Excess consumption of alcohol can lead to all manner of long-term disease as well as domestic disruption and then, out on the roads driving with other people, deaths related to drink driving. Whilst Thailand has a poor relationship with alcohol –…
- News
‘Stargazer’: Helping to create a stronger future for our Thai community
CC’s Hideaway in Kata proudly presented its fourth annual Phuket talent contest “Stargazer” on April 21, 2018. The contest brought together Phuket’s expat and Thai communities to experience a unique contest which brought together a wide range of singers, bands, dancers, acrobats and actors, but also to support the work of the Life Home Project Foundation. CC’s Hideaway is committed to support…
- News
More bombs rock the South – three injured
Three people have been injured following suspected insurgent attacks in the South yesterday. Explosives were placed in or near to ATM machines and bank branches in 14 locations in Yala, Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat. At this stage, as with most attacks in the deep south, there has been no claim of responsibility. The fasting month of Ramadan started last week. Video…
- Property
Renting out rooms daily or weekly? You better read this.
SCREENGRAB: AirBnB website Illegal short-term holiday rentals, advertised and promoted by online portals like AirBnB, are coming under increasing scrutiny from authorities. Although there has been laws preventing short-term property rentals acting as ‘hotels’, the law has been loosely enforced with some condo developments around the country acting as defacto hotels and listing in many online booking websites. In May…
- News
The Andaman’s first artificial seaweed installation in Khao Lak
An installation of ‘artificial seaweed’ took place at Bang Neang Beach in Takua Pa, led by Phang Nga Vice Governor Pakpoom Intarasuwan yesterday (May 16). There were 25 volunteer conservationists across different occupations such as teachers, doctors, soldiers, police, local politicians and foreigners joining in the installation which is happening over four days. Diving instructor Songwut Kwongming, who is the…
- News
Pete & Abbie’s holiday goes wrong – Go Fund Me campaign raises funds for medical bills
PHOTOS: ‘Pete & Abbies Journey’ Facebook page A British travel agent was left ‘unable to move’ after the taxi she and her partner were in was in a head-on smash with a truck heading to Khao Lak. The incident happened back on May 9. The couple were forced to rely on family and a Go Fund Me campaign to raise…
- Thai Life
First birthday competition and promotion at SIS Kata
The SIS Kata, Phuket celebrates its 1st Birthday by launching the “Stay in Style” promotion and “Photo in Style” contest. The winner of the “Photo in Style” contest will win 4 days/3 nights stay at SIS Kata. There are a total of 5 prizes to be won. Stay in Style Promotion, Stylish Room inclusive of Breakfast for 2 persons. 2,799…
- Travel
Warnings over cheap cosmetic surgery – Lee’s story
PHOTO: Nine News, Australia Most cosmetic surgeries in Thailand will definitely save you money when compared to the costs in western hospitals. And the vast majority of procedures will go perfectly according to plan with patients broadly happy with their results. But Lee Cameron says she will regret the decision to have cosmetic surgery in Thailand for the rest of…
- Thai Life
Bangkok Airways to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket
Bangkok Airways is looking to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket this November. This according to Bangkok Airways’ regional airline vice president, Varong Israsena. Myanmar National Airlines started operating a direct flight between Yangon and Phuket last month and are looking to increase frequency of the flights from Myanmar’s largest city to Phuket. “I see great potential in Myanmar.…
- News
Bangkok property trends continue to point upward
Bangkok’s property market continues to show price growth with an eight-point increase in the DDproperty Property Index from 205 to 213 in the first quarter of 2018. A strong opening for 2018, this growth is on the back of an improving economic outlook and an expected increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year to 4.2 percent (up 0.3 percent…
- News
Barbed wire fence erected around the offices of the Emerald Development Group
A barbed wire fence has been erected around the main offices for the Emerald Development Group and two signs erected in the front of the property. “This is a personal land plot which does not belong to the Emerald Development Group Co.,Ltd. Outsiders are not permitted or else legal action will be taken. Tel: 085 886 7456” The erection of…
- Thai Life
Low cost flying fleets triple in five years
Thailand’s low cost carrier sector is continuing to grow rapidly since the first two LCCs, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia, launched back in 2004. Now we’re spoiled for choice with Lion Air, Thai Smile, Nok Air, Air Asia, JetStar, Vietjet and NokScoot vying for our budget-flying baht. Thailand Business News reports that growth has accelerated over the past five years.…
- Thai Life
Overheating smartphone on KLM jet forces authorities to re-examine the ‘batteries on planes’ issue
PHOTO: KLM A KLM Boeing 777 has now landed safely in KL following an 18 hour lay-over in Phuket after a ‘precautionary landing’ forced on the pilot after a smartphone over-heated, emitting smoke in the passenger cabin. It’s not the first incident involving over-heating lithium batteries (if that was the cause) and is sure to bring another close examination of…
- Health
High performance coaching to be at your best!
by Hayden Rhodes @ Healthy Richuals Philosophy plays an important role in determining how you live and the results that you get in life. Did you ever consider that life could be improved by changing your philosophy? Think about it. How you think, dictates how you will act. And your daily actions reflect your living philosophy. Imagine fine tuning your…
- Thai Life
KLM jet makes precautionary landing in Phuket
PHOTO: NewsInFlight.com Newsinflight.com is reporting that a KLM Boeing 777-200, Flight KL 809 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, had to make a precautionary landing in Phuket, after smoke started filling the cabin when a passenger’s mobile phone ‘overheated’. Witnesses report that there were no flames but plenty of smoke coming from the phone. Reports say the crew ‘handled the situation…
- News
South East Asia hotel investor’s summit kicks off in BKK Monday
PHOTOS: seahis.com The largest investor summit for hotel owners and investors in south east asia kicks off in Bangkok May 14 & 15. The event is being held at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit. At this stage the event has 220 registered delegates from 15 countries, representing 60 leading hotels. Organisers say the event will adopt a roundtable format to allow delegates guests…
- Thailand News
Stunning Malaysian election result ousts Barisan Nasional
FILE PHOTO Malaysia’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) opposition coalition has crossed the minimum threshold of 112 seats needed to form government in Malaysia. The Election Commission continue to count a few remaining votes this morning but have confirmed the win of the Pakatan Harapan party and coalition members. The result brings to an end the rule of Barisan Nasional (BN) and…
- Thailand News
CamGO adding more ‘autorickshaws’ to its Cambodian fleet
CamGO, the company behind the local ride-hailing app, have announced a partnership agreement with Indian motorcycle company TVS Motor that would provide TVS’s King model autorickshaws for use in the Kingdom. In the agreement, TVS will supply the three-wheeled vehicles to CamGO using local firm Three Wheel Motor Service Provider as a front for their services. Ouk Chipsourn, CEO of…
- Thailand News
Over 14 million Malays vote today in general election
EC staff making final preparations at a polling station at Stadium Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur. Around 14.4 million Malaysians will cast their votes today from 8am to 5pm at 28,115 polling stations nationwide. 14,940,624 are registered voters who are eligible to cast their ballots in today’s general election. Of that number, 278,590 are advance voters who cast their ballots last…
- Thailand News
Maybe this idea might get off the ground – Uber takes to the skies
Uber has held its second annual “flying taxi” conference in LA showcasing its prototype future taxi service and promising to revolutionise the way we get around busy urban areas.. Embraer and Pipistrel Aircraft, two aircraft manufacturers that are working with Uber, released new concept images of aircraft they plan to build for the ride-hailing company’s ambitious project. Karem, also based…
- Thai Life
Changes to visa applications at the Thai Consulate-General in Penang
The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Penang has announced changes to its acceptance and delivery of visas. Penang, Malaysia, has been a popular destination for expats and tourists to head to, particularly from Phuket. There is an entire visa-run industry heading out of the island each day heading for Penang with hotels, restaurants and taxis all ready for the daily hordes…
- News
Soi Dog Saturday Opening Tours – come and meet your future best friend
Last Saturday, May 5, Soi Dog Foundation welcomed Phuket’s media to visit the Gill Dalley’s Sanctuary located in Mai Khao. The day was held to promote the extended visitor times to allow weekday-work people to experience one of Phuket’s most popular attractions – meet and mingle with small dogs, cats and kittens. The tour starts at 9.30-10.30am and led by…
