- Hot News
Fake news goes viral about ‘death sentence’ for Phuket airport selfies
International media are going crazy over a completely nonsense story. But, of course, one outlet posts the fake news and the others copy/paste. “Tourists who take selfies on notorious airport beach are threatened with the death penalty by Thai officials,” trumpets the headline in Daily Mail. (‘notorious’???) “Tourists taking beach selfies while planes take-off have angered airport chiefs in Thailand…
- Bangkok News
3 metre python hides in toilet. Bites man’s penis.
SOURCE: Pattaya One News Before you read the story, The Thaiger notices that the video used in the Pattaya One story dated today, is dated four month’s ago. Slow news day in Pattaya? Maybe. But here’s the harrowing tale anyway about the hungry python and the unlucky Thai 45 year old. 45 year old Terdsak Kaewpangpan, went to the bathroom…
- Hot News
Skinny ‘Real-life Dumbo’ filmed at Phuket Zoo performing tricks for tourists
PHOTOS: Moving Animals The Phuket Zoo has again been exposed as a below-standard attraction where the inmates appear to be often mistreated, defying modern international standards and conventions for zoos. A skinny looking baby elephant has been filmed as it was forced to dance and perform tricks for tourists in, what the Mail Online describes as, “heart-breaking footage”. It’s not…
- Phuket News
500 free helmets to be handed out to motorbike drivers before Songkran
FILE PHOTO: Patong Police Patong Development Foundation, along with Patong Police and Patong Municipality, will be handing out 500 helmets to motorbike drivers in Patong before Songkran Day under the campaign ‘Where’s your helmet’. Patong Police Chief Col Anothai Jindamanee says, “Many motorbike drivers have been injured and die in road accident. We want 100 percent of motorbike drivers and…
- Phuket News
Water trucks asked not to cross Patong Hill on Songkran day
PHOTOS: Patong Municipality Water truck operators will be asked to stop delivering water by crossing the notorious Patong Hill on April 13 (Songkran Day). The announcement was issued by Patong Traffic Police Chief Lt Col Lert Pokhwang. The statement says, “April 13 will be Songkran Day. There will be many road users on that day which heightens the risk of…
- Northern Thailand News
Moral and social media support pours in for leading medical marijuana researcher
Khao Kwan Foundation president Decha Siripat has been receiving moral and social media support after a combined force of police, military and anti-narcotic officials raided the foundation’s offices in Suphan Buri last Wednesday, seizing about 200 marijuana plants, cannabis oil, dried marijuana seeds and marijuana powder. Some foundation staff were also held in police custody on charges of illegal possession of narcotics whilst a summons…
- Koh Samui News
“Nong Gee” turns heads at Koh Samui military conscription
Thai media’s fascination with ‘ladyboys’ continues with Daily News reporting about the military conscription event in Koh Samui and, as usual, getting diverted by the one or two “kathoey” who role up, as required by law, to draw lots to see if they will get conscripted into the national Army. “Thai men screamed their appreciation as a very attractive lady…
- Travel
“Thailand Travel Shield” insurance scheme to continue – TAT
The TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) says that the Thailand Travel Shield insurance project will continue. The service provides online travel insurance for foreign tourists. Reported in Phuketify, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn, says that the TAT had initiated the creation of the Thailand Travel Shield project as a local insurance scheme alternative back in July 2014. “This year marks the fifth…
- Songkran News
Officials say Songkran can still go ahead on Khaosan Road this year
Today the Bangkok Post did a story headlined ‘No Songkran on Khaosan Road this year’. What?! No Songkran at Thailand’s most popular water splashing location? The story went on… “Business operators on Khaosan Road have decided to cancel activities for Songkran this year to allow authorities to prepare the area for the coronation of His Majesty the King.” “Shows, merit-making…
- World News
British passports have removed the words ‘European Union’
Britain has now begun issuing passports with the words “European Union” removed from the front cover. It’s a pre-emptive move, even though the contentious Brexit is currently delayed and no clear date has been set when Britain will leave the bloc. The Home Office has confirmed that some passports introduced after March 30 no longer include references to the EU.…
- Bangkok News
Regular street racing crackdown nets 79 motorbikes
FILE PHOTO Police arrested 83 motorcyclists and seized 79 motorcycles in this week’s regular crackdown on the streets of Bangkok. The motorbikes were found to have been illegally modified for road racing. 4 of the arrested were of people under the age of 18 and one was arrested over illicit drug abuse. Pol Maj Gen Nithitorn Jintakanon, traffic police chief…
- Northern Thailand News
Counting down PM’s 7 day deadline in Chiang Mai – so far no change
by Piyaporn Wongruang, Tim Newton Last week PM Prayut Chan-o-cha issued an order to end the haze crisis in the North within seven days and declared the situation part of the national agenda. Two days to go and there is still no respite of the hazardous levels of smoke and smog besetting the northern capital and adjacent provinces. The PM met…
- Bangkok News
Sacred waters begin their journey to Bangkok for Royal Coronation
PHOTOS: Phuket – Kritsada Meuanawong Thailand’s 76 provinces have taken part in a nationwide ceremony to draw sacred water from 108 water sources to be used during the Coronation of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn on May 4. The ceremony began in all provinces at the same time of 11.52am. The only exception was Bangkok where the same ritual will be held on April 12 at the Haw Sastrakhom, inside…
- Thai Life
Surachate Hakparn: Sidelined and sent back to the operation centre of the RTP
Thailand’s headline policeman, former Immigration Chief Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn, aka. Big Joke, has been transferred to the Operation Centre of the Royal Thai Police. The order was signed by the Thai Police Chief Chakthip Chaijinda. The order was signed and executed last night. As of today, his social media account – Facebook and Twitter – plus the Immigration…
- Food
Hyatt Regency open new Spectrum Rooftop Bar in Bangkok
PHOTO: Award-winning Japanese architecture firm Super Potato tops off Hyatt Regency Bangkok Bangkok’s newest rooftop bar opens its doors this week as a sparkling new entry in the list of Bangkok’s top-shelf night spots. Designed by the Japanese design firm Super Potato, the Hyatt Regency Bangkok’s new Spectrum Lounge & Bar is a multi-faceted venue. On three different levels, the expansive…
- World News
Is your web page ‘mobile first’? If not, you’re losing out.
Mobile devices have become the main points of accessing information, news, bookings and retail across South East Asia. This is now the case for more than 90% of digital users in the region. It’s not just a move to the internet from traditional media portals (TV, papers/magazines, radio), it’s a move away from desktops and laptops onto mobile platforms. According…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok officials promise to move the communication cabling underground, again
The BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Authority) says it will again attempt to clear the ubiquitous tangled mess of cables that hang over BKK streets. But this time they are saying they are going to put the communication cabling underground only, not the power supply. Bangkok Gov. Aswin Kwanmuang says the administration is working with the national broadcasting regulator (NBTC) to move…
- Business News
Thai Air Asia introduces Chiang Rai-Shenzhen route
Thai AirAsia is adding new flights to its Chiang Rai hub with a new direct route to China that starts on April 30. The new daily direct flight from Chiang Rai to Shenzhen (adjacent to Hong Kong) is being promoted this week with fares as low as 735 baht one-way. Bookings opened this week and the promotional fare remains the…
- Business News
Boeing reveals another software problem in 737 MAX jets
US jet manufacturer Boeing says it has found a new but “relatively minor” software error in its 737 MAX jet models. The aircraft’s anti-stalling system, the MCAS, is already being investigated as the possible cause of two deadly crashes. In both cases all passengers and crew died when the Boeing 737 MAX model jets fell out of the sky after…
- World News
Protests turn to Royal Brunei Airlines
PHOTO: Paddle Your Own Kanoo Protests over Brunei introducing draconian new laws with brutal punishments for gay sex, adultery and theft are now being aimed at the nationally-owned Royal Brunei Airlines. Virgin Australia Airlines has already confirmed it has cancelled its staff travel deal with the national carrier over the new anti-gay laws. Royal Brunei Airlines also have code-share agreements…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s Songkran ‘seven days of danger’ safety campaign is on again
Phuket officials are preparing for the annual ‘Seven Days of Danger’ Songkran safety campaign that will this year runs from April 11 to April 17. The official Songkran day (Thai New Year) is on April 13. Phuket Governor Phakkapong Tavipattana says, “Road safety is being emphasised for drivers who are over speed limit, ghost riders, running through a red light,…
- Phuket News
False Killer Whales sighted of Koh Similans in Phang Nga – VIDEO
VIDEO: Wow Andaman About ten killer whales have been sited off Koh Similans in the Andaman off the Khao Lak coast this week. Thai Rath reports that tour guides from the Wow Andaman Tour were on a speedboat with tourists in the morning at Koh Similans this week. They say they sighted about ten False Killer Whales near the boat. The…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Pattaya’s wide new beaches have been washed out to sea
The Pattaya Harbor Department admits that their plans to extend Pattaya’s eroded beaches didn’t go to plan. In fact around 400 million baht was just washed out to sea. Now the sand has been flushed away in this week’s storms and Pattaya’s landmark project is in tatters. Following Monday’s unseasonal torrential rain storm a huge chunk of the new sand…
- World News
Thai AirAsia connects Phuket direct to Phnom Penh
Low-cost carrier Thai AirAsia has announced direct flights between Phuket and the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. The new route comes as part of the airline’s ongoing establishment of a network across Asia and its push into the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) market. The new route starts June 1 and will be available four times a week. Thai AirAsia…
- World News
Brunei’s draconian new penal code comes into force
PHOTOS: Beverly Hills Hotel, just one of many hotels partly owned by the Brunei royal family Outrage greets Brunei’s anti-gay laws and draconian punishments as they come into force. The harsh new criminal laws in Brunei, including death by stoning for sex between men or for adultery, and amputation of limbs for theft, is now in effect. Despite an international…
- Chiang Mai News
Cameroon man and three Thais arrested over fake email money scam in Chiang Mai
PHOTOS: Immigration Bureau A Cameroon citizen and three Thai suspects have been arrested after sending fake emails to victims saying they owed them money. Immigration Bureau Chief Lt Gen Surachet Hakparn says, “The Four suspects had sent fake emails to victims saying that they were from educational institutions abroad where their children have studied. They had to transfer money to…
- South Thailand News
Four kilograms of marijuana found in delivery pickup in Nakhon Si Thammarat
PHOTOS: Infantry Division 5 A parcel delivery driver has been found with four kilograms of marijuana in his Kerry Express pickup truck in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The Infantry Division 5 reports that while soldiers from the Infantry Division 5 were on their duty at a normal checkpoint in Chulabhon District, they stopped a pickup truck doing parcel deliveries. They found…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya city officials investigate Big Buddha Hill makeover
PHOTO: Pattaya Mail Having cleared encroachments around Big Buddha Hill’s Chinese shrine, Pattaya officials are now investigating options for the cleared land. Deputy city mayors Manote Nongyai and Pattana Boonsawat toured the Phra Yai Temple area with engineering and public works staff on Pratamnak Hill at the end of last month with an eye toward redevelopment of the temple, the…
- Pattaya News
Big, wide beaches, but where are the stars of the show?
The video opens with travelogue music from the 1970s and the rest of the segment was missing the main stars – tourists. MCOT Presenter Preewat Bupsiri explains to the viewers about the 400 million baht that had been spent on new sand to widen the beach from a mere 5 metres to the artificially bloated 35 metres wide. A 2.8…
- Thailand Election News
Future Forward’s Thanathorn summoned to acknowledge sedition charges
“I believe that millions of people who cherish justice will stand by me and are ready to show they will not put up with dark power that intends to destroy Future Forward.” Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is complaining that his Future Forward party is being intimidated by a “dark power which refuses to let go of Future Forward”. He has been summoned by the police…
