- World News
33 injured after Biman Air flight skids off Yangon Airport runway
A Biman Air aircraft has skidded off the runway in Yangon, Myanmar and broken into pieces. The Biman Airlines flight was carrying a reported 33 people. Biman is the flag carrier of Bangladesh. At least five women and 12 men were being taken by ambulance to North Okkalapa Hospital at around 9pm last night with more serious injuries. The Bombardier…
- Thailand Election News
The Election Commission awards 27 parties with seats in the new parliament
PHOTO: The Thai PM warms up for the next round of musical chairs in the new Parliament “Someone has moved the goal posts and changed the soccer ball to a golf ball.” The new Thai parliament has now officially become unworkable, and that’s before anyone even sits down to take a vote. Today the Election Commission awarded 26 political parties…
- Bangkok News
Violent passenger charged with attempted murder of Grab taxi driver
PHOTO: Pak Kred station chief Pol Col Pongjak Preechakarunpong – TNA In a follow up to yesterday’s ‘strange but true’ story of the Bangkok Grab taxi driver HERE, police have now upgraded the charges against the attacker. TNA reports that 27 year old Khampee Kleualinchee, a Grab taxi driver, was attacked with a knife after taking a call to take…
- Thailand Election News
Court says party-list seat calculation is constitutional
FILE PHOTO In news unlikely to shock anyone, the Constitutional Court has ruled unanimously that Article 128 of the MP Election Act, regarding the calculation of the 150 party-list seat allocation, is constitutional. They’ve ruled that it does not conflict with Article 91 of the Constitution. The Charter Court’s ruling has been released in a statement which was timed to perfection before the Election Commission was set…
- Tourism News
Chinese travellers heading to more non-Asian countries for holidays
More Chinese are now travelling further and taking in non-Asian destinations during this week’s Labour Day holidays, according to Hotelbeds, a leading hotel booking website. Monitoring holiday bookings made by Chinese, Hotelbeds said 10 to the top 30 destinations were outside of Asia compared with just three destinations a year earlier. The three day Labour Day holidays, starting on May…
- Business News
Thai banks on 156 billion baht spending spree for recovery
“He hoped the airline could be profitable again in mid-2020.” Thai Airways International is seeking cabinet approval to buy or lease 38 new planes at an estimated cost of 156 billion baht. In the proposal 31 planes will be acquired over the next five years. Thai Airways president Sumeth Damrongchaitham says the proposal would reach Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak this…
- Northern Thailand News
Tham Luang caves to be properly explored and mapped
Local and foreign cave experts have been mapping the Tham Luang-Khunnam Nang Non cave, in the Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai, to create the first detailed map of the cave complex. The mapping follows confusion during the rescue, and mentioned last week by Vernon Unsworth, over the exact location where the boys were found. Mr. Chaiporn Siripornpaibul says the project will take about two years and is intended to discover more…
- Phuket News
Warning for boats going to sea off Phuket
The Phuket Marine Office has made another official announcement today for boats that will remain in force until May 10. The announcement was issued yesterday stating that “The weather forecast of strong westerly winds is expected to bring heavy rains to southern Thailand and the Andaman coast from today until at least May 10.“ “The warning is in effect for…
- Bangkok News
Grab car driver attacked, but gets the assailant to take him to hospital
… the story gets better. PHOTO: Sanook A father has posted a story on social media about the travails of his son, a Grab car driver in Bangkok. The post said that his son received a call to take a customer from Klong Prapa to Muang Thong Thani. But on the way, passing a secluded area, the passenger produced a knife…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya temple thief foiled on her 2nd attempt
PHOTO: Pattaya Mail A woman previously wanted for stealing 40,000 baht from a local temple has been thwarted from doing the same at the Najomtien Temple in Pattaya. The un-named woman in her mid-20s masqueraded as a snack seller and entered the temple’s rectory on May 3. She was stopped by 79 year old Lungta Thonghor Tammateero who asked what…
- Phuket News
Weather warning issued for Phuket
PHOTO: Phuket Lifeguard Service An urgent weather warning for heavy rains, strong winds and wave warning has been issued by the Phuket Governor. Issued at 11am today, the warning forecasts “a strong westerly wind is expected to bring heavy rains to southern Thailand and the Andaman coast from today until at least May 10.” The warning is in effect for Ranong,…
- Hot News
Game of Thrones, with a grande mocha latte thanks
A paper coffee cup has appeared on a table in the great hall of Winterfell in the (spoiler alert) ‘fictional’ (Aghast!), realm of Westeros in the HBO production of Game of Thrones. Sharp-eyed viewers did a double take in Sunday night’s episode, quickly reaching for the remote and asking ‘was that a Starbucks coffee cup’? The latte or grande mocha…
- Environment News
Forest fires very close to a revered shrine in Mae Hong Son
Fires continue to rage in the northwestern province of Mae Hong Son over the weekend. One of them got very close to a revered Guan Yin shrine in Muang district last night (Sunday). A fire broke out in the forest behind the shrine on the Mae Hong Son bypass in Ban Mai Ngae village of Tambon Pang Moo at 7pm,…
- Phuket News
Phuket lifeguard service warning of strong currents along Phuket beaches
PHOTOS: Phuket Lifeguard Service / Newshawk Phuket Phuket lifeguards are warning all swimmer at Phuket’s beaches of strong waves and rip currents. The head of Patong Lifeguard Service Somprasong Sangchart has warned of strong currents, even at Patong beach. Red flags have been set up along the beach. Meanwhile red flags have also been set up on other beaches as…
- World News
Brunei backs down on gay sex death penalty
Brunei’s sultan now says that death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics are still calling for harsh sharia laws to be completely abandoned in the tiny ASEAN country. The code, also punishing theft with amputation of hands and feet, came into force in April in the sultanate on the…
- Events
Royal Coronation – Monday’s ceremonies
Monday, May 6 has been declared a special public holiday in order for the public to join the celebrations in Bangkok. 4:30pm HM the King grants a public audience on a balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace to present himself as the new monarch and receive the good wishes of the Thai people. 5:30pm HM grants an…
- Pattaya News
Foreign pensioner robbed of 560,000 baht from house safe
PHOTO: Ruk Siam News A foreign pensioner arrived back at his Pattaya home earlier today to find that the house had been ransacked. 69 year old Christopher Knight – nationality unknown – found the safe smashed open and 16,000 Euros (around 560,000 baht) missing. Run Siam News reports that a CCTV server and alarm system had been ripped out and thrown…
- Bangkok News
Former British Bangkok teacher jailed over aiding and abetting child abuse
A 42 year old British man, who had previously taught at an international school in Bangkok, is now in jail in the UK for facilitating the abuse of young girls in The Philippines. James Alexander had been working as a teacher and part time DJ while living in Thailand between 2017 and 2018. He served as a reservist in the Parachute…
- Business News
Prayut tentatively embraces China’s Belt and Road strategy for Thailand
Thai PM’s appearance at the second Belt and Road Initiative forum in Beijing last weekend suggests the luke-warm relations between China and Thailand persist. Whilst both nations portray a strong willingness to progress in their financial partnerships there is still a gulf between the two country’s preferred outcomes in the deals they are forging. Last time Beijing snubbed the Thai…
- Bangkok News
AoT denies corruption in the premium lanes at Suvarnabhumi immigration
After widespread rumours swept through social media, citing corruption with the distribution of Premium Lane cards at Suvarnabhumi Airport allegedly sold to regular passengers via tour operators or nominees, Airports of Thailand is denying any involvement in such a scheme, confirming it only provides special security screening services to eligible passengers. Suvarnabhumi Airport General Manager Wing Commander Suthirawat Suwanawat says…
- Property
Chinese continue to soak up Thailand’s condo glut
There are man reasons why Thailand is a favourite location for property buyers from Hong Kong and mainland China – the street food and great weather are just a part of the allure. Chinese nationals spent a record 40 billion baht (US$1.25 billion) on Thai properties in 2018, according to the Bank of Thailand. So who is buying Thailand’s condominiums?…
- Events
Royal Coronation – Sunday’s Ceremonies
9am The ceremony to bestow His Majesty’s Royal Cypher and Royal Title and to grant the royal ranks to members of royalty takes place at Amarindra Vinicchaya Throne Hall. 4:30pm His Majesty the King rides in the Royal Palanquin in the Royal Procession on Land to encircle the city, affording people the opportunity to attend and pay homage to their…
- Tourism News
Thai Airways celebrates 59 years of operations
Thai Airways International has recognised the airlines’ long-serving staff with certificates at a ceremony to mark the 59th anniversary. Thai Airways president, Sumeth Damrongchaitham, presided over a ceremony to present certificates and souvenirs to staff who have completed 35 years and 25 years of service with the national airline. The certificates were also given to staff who were commended by…
- Events
Royal Coronation – Saturday Highlights – PHOTOS
“I shall continue, protect and reign with righteousness for the benefit of the people.” 11.50am: The King goes to the Bhadrapitha Throne and sits under the Royal Nine-tiered Umbrella, where the Chief Brahmin presents him with the Royal Golden Plaque of His Majesty’s official title, the Royal Regalia, the Ancient and Auspicious Orders and the Weapons of Sovereignty. 12.40pm: Their…
- Bangkok News
Fire in 40 story unfinished Sathorn condo – VIDEO
PHOTO: Sanook Fire raged at a 40 story Sathorn condo last night just after sunset. A Twitter post shows video of the fire taking control in a condominium under construction in Sathorn, Bangkok. Comments on the post speculate that the fire was at the Knightsbridge Sathorn. This is yet to be confirmed by police or the owners of the building. มีเหตุเพลิงไหม้นะครับ…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Summer storms forecast for the central and north of Thailand
The Thai Meteorological is warning provinces in the North, Northeast, Central and East about the threat of ‘summer storms’ until Monday. The latest storm warning was issued at 5am today. The Thai department said the thunderstorms were being caused by a high pressure system from China that covers the upper part of the Northeast and the South China Sea, while…
- Events
Royal Coronation – Saturday Morning ceremony – VIDEO
The Royal Purification, or the “Song Muratha Bhisek” Ceremony, takes place at Chakrabat Biman Royal Residence. “Muratha Bhisek” refers to the action of pouring holy water over the head of the king. It is followed by the Anointment Ceremony at Baisal Daksin Throne Hall. Then His Majesty the King proceeds to the Bhadrapitha Throne and sits under the Royal Nine-tiered…
- Thai Life
Surachate returns to ‘clerical duties’ at the PM’s office
Welcome home Surachate. “Big Joke” has returned from his ‘break’ in America. He has returned to resume desk duties in a ‘special advisory role’ in the Prime Minister’s Office. Pol.Lt. Col. Surachete Hakparn, former commander of the Immigration Bureau and in the news almost daily flying around the country fighting transnational crime, chasing down scams and illegal internet gangs, is…
- Events
Royal Coronation – Schedule of events
The Coronation of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun will run over three days from Saturday, May 4 to Monday, May 6. The actual coronation takes place on the first day. Here is the latest LIVE link to the ceremony, mostly in English… The Coronation ritual so far The collection of sacred waters from different sources around the Kingdom, followed by the consecration…
- Krabi News
Three motorbike passengers survive after being hit by sedan in Krabi – VIDEO
PHOTOS: Krabi Pitakpracha Rescue Foundation | VIDEO: Rueang Den Yen Nee CH 3 Three motorbike passengers have survived after being hit by a sedan in Krabi. Police were notified of the accident on Uttrakit Road opposite a temple in Mueang Krabi District yesterday. Emergency responders arrived and found three people injured – two men and a six year old girl. Nearby police…
