- Northern Thailand News
Nakhon Nayok nuclear reactor project is opposed by locals
“The residents say that there is a suspicion that the project might not be transparent and the previous two hearings did not involve all stakeholders.” PHOTO: Thai PBS World Residents in Nakhon Nayok province, inner north-east Thailand, are camping in front of the Thailand Nuclear Technology Institute in Ongkharak district. They are opposing the institute’s plan to construct a 20…
- Tourism News
Thailand’s changing tourist demographic – the Indians
Take a walk around the markets of Pratunam in downtown Bangkok and you’ll soon discover there’s a new type of tourist in town. For years, Thailand’s tourism scene was dominated by Chinese visitors, with 10.5 million in 2018 alone, accounting for about 28% of total foreign arrivals. It still is. But after the tour boat Phoenix, carrying mostly Chinese tourists, sank off…
- Thai Life
Helsinki to Singapore, by bike
PHOTO: Aurelie and Marco, now heading south through Thailand Aurelie and Marco are 36 years old, married, and passionate about cycling. She’s French and he’s half English/half İtalian. Together they have decided to live their lifelong dream; to cycle across the globe. Their chosen path is taking them from Helsinki to Singapore. The pair arrived in Chiang Mai yesterday and…
- World News
North Korean boat collides with Japanese fisheries patrol vessel
A North Korean boat has collided with a Japanese fisheries patrol vessel in the Sea of Japan, off the central coast, tipping around 20 North Koreans overboard. Japan coast guard spokesman Kazuma Nohara told AFP that they were dispatching rescue boats and aircraft to the area, but we don’t know any more details about it at this stage. The North Korean boat…
- Crime News
Pathum Thani win messenger makes millions by double charging customers
PHOTO: INN News “He told police that he had four wives that he needed to take care of.” A fake 49 year old messenger has been arrested after making millions by double charging customers with the same bill. He told police he did it because he has 4 wives and he needs a lot of money to take care of them. The…
- World News
North Korea has “no intention” to continue nuclear talks with the US
PHOTO: It’s good to come to talks prepared with your very own note light and human lightstand – AP North Korea says it has “no intention” to continue nuclear talks unless the US takes steps to “end hostilities”… this just a day after negotiations broke down in Sweden. The discussions in Sweden followed months of stalemate following a February meeting…
- Northern Thailand News
That’s eight titles for Marc Marquez following Thai Moto Grand Prix
“My target was to try to find the best way to win the race.” Marquez is an eight-time world champion after winning the 2019 MotoGP title in yesterday’s Thai Grand Prix. Marc Marquez of Spain has surpassed arch-rival Fabio Quartaroro of France in the final lap to win the Thailand Grand Prix claiming his eighth MotoGP World title in Buri…
- Events
“Broadway in Bangkok, unplugged” – Musical theatre comes to Bangkok in November
PHOTO: Daniel Koek and cast. Daniel played the lead role of Jean Valjean in the original production of Les Misérables at the Queens Theatre Two of the brightest international musical superstars, are returning to Thailand next month to perform in a new show called Broadway in Bangkok…unplugged. If you missed Big Mango Production’s last amazing concert in January, then here…
- Thailand News
Beam me up from Khao Kala’s Buddhist statue – UFOs come to Thailand
Just north of Bangkok, in Nakhon Sawan, an unlikely not-very-tall hill with a Buddha statue atop, is attracting throngs of UFO-seekers. They believe that extraterrestrials hover over the statue, send telepathic messages, walk around the local sugarcane fields and use a conveniently crocodile-infested lake as a Stargate-style portal to travel from their planets. The planets, in case you were wondering,…
- World News
Time to re-submit Brexit plan – EU to UK
“As they stand, “the UK proposals do not provide a basis for concluding an agreement,” a European Commission spokeswoman underlined Friday.” by Marc Burleigh British PM Boris Johnson has been on the phone to EU leaders yesterday to sell his proposals for a managed Brexit. But he says he is hitting a wall of pressure to revise his offer, and…
- South Thailand News
Pheu Thai calls for urgent probe about alleged meddling in Yala’s judicial affairs
PHOTO: Bangla Tribune “Future Forward secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul claimed that he had received a 25 page document from the judge in September, alleging meddling by the chief judge of Region 9.” The Pheu Thai party is urging the government to investigate alleged meddling with the judiciary after a judge in the Yala provincial court shot himself on Friday in an…
- Economy News
Chim-Shop-Chai stimulus scheme set for a second roll-out
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is hinting the government may launch a second phase of the “Chim-Shop-Chai” (Eat-Shop-Spend) scheme. He says he’s waiting for officials to complete an assessment of the first phase and its ability to boost the sluggish economy. Chim-Shop-Chai was a raging success. Up to one million Thais were able to register each 24 hours to apply for…
- World News
Ban on Hong Kong protester face masks – Carrie Lam
“Although the ordinance carries the title emergency, Hong Kong is not in a state of emergency.” by Jerome Taylor and Jasmine Leung Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam has announced a ban on protesters wearing face masks, invoking colonial-era emergency powers, in a bid to quell months of violent anti-government unrest. Carrie Lam said she had made the order under the…
- Environment News
Anti-corruption body calls for transparency over controversial herbicides decision
PHOTO: Ricehopper The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand is joining the anti-paraquat bandwagon with its call for all parties concerned to take a clear stand on the three controversial herbicides – paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. In a statement issued today, the ACT praised Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha for making clear his desire for a complete ban on the weed-killers, while calling…
- World News
Raffles reopens historic Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Cambodia
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, one of the most iconic heritage properties in south east Asia, reopened its doors to guests this week after a six-month closure for renovations and refurbishments. One hundred and twelve of the landmark property’s 119 rooms and suites have been fully refurbished, buttressing the intrinsic appeal of a property renowned for its classic facade, its expansive…
- Health
Toxic skin-whitening creams still available on shelves
“Skin creams containing banned ingredients are very dangerous and could seriously damage your health, scar you for life and even kill you, so they should be avoided at all costs.” – LGA report. The UK’s Local Government Association claims that skin-whitening creams can be as “toxic as paint strippers” and should be “avoided at all costs.” The skin creams are…
- World News
Transformers-inspired robot rolls out green message in Vietnam
PHOTOS: AFP There is more to this towering robot resembling a character from the “Transformers” movies than the auto-parts it’s made from – it speaks Vietnamese and is made from unused motorbike parts. “Hello everyone … I am from Vietnam,” Robot One announces as it swivels side to side in a Hanoi workshop. A team of IT programmers and students…
- Health
Over-use of social media may be harming our youth
Can time spent on social media – YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc – affect the mental health of youth? Yes, says a report by Johns Hopkins and other researchers, published in JAMA Psychiatry. For instance, they found that 12 – 15 year olds, who typically spent three or more hours a day on social media, were about twice as likely…
- Bangkok News
Thai Navy defends spending 112 million baht on mansion for navy chief
PHOTO: Royal Thai Navy facilities next to Wat Arun – patricklepetit.jalbum.net The Royal Thai Navy is dismissing scathing online criticism that it is wasting taxpayers’ money by building a 112 million baht mansion as an official residence for the commander-in-chief. Rear Admiral Apinan Poengsrithong, head of the Naval Public Works Department, explained to a news conference that the building, now…
- Business News
PropTech company targeting global expansion? FazWaz raises Pre-Series A
FazWaz, a PropTech company focused on making real estate transactions cheaper, simpler and more efficient announced today that is has secured an undisclosed 7 figure USD amount in a pre-series A round led by a Singaporean group. The funding will enable the FazWaz Group to expand its market share in Thailand, and continue its overseas expansion into the UAE. The…
- World News
US will slap tariffs on EU following Airbus trade ruling
PHOTO: Airbus factory in Toulouse, France – Manatour.fr The US is making more trade waves, in addition to its long-running trade war with China. Now it’s taking on the largest trade bloc in the world – the European Union. Aircraft and agricultural items from Europe will now be subject to US tariffs in the latest round of a long legal…
- Tourism News
Bangkok’s Dream World has unexpected new attraction
PHOTOS: Matichon Online Upside down roller coaster? Scary Haunted House? Dinosaurs? What’s the exciting new attraction??? The Dream World Amusement Park in Tanyaburi district of Pathum Thani, north of Bangkok, has an unexpected new attraction and Instagram opportunity with its, wait for it…. Male toilet. The new men’s urinals have become a hit according to Matichon Online. So what’s all…
- Phuket News
Phuket lawyer to sue his client for defamation and unpaid bills of 100 million baht
PHOTOS: Phuket Hot News On September 30, Narongrit Netikietiwong, the lawyer of Chanwit Kitlertsiriwattana, Managing Director of Phukhaohokluk Company, who claims to own the land on Naka Noi Island, went to Phuket Media Association to file an official complaint against his client. This follows a report that Chanwit made to the police, accusing the lawyer of “defrauding him”. Narongrit explained…
- Phuket News
21st dugong found dead in fish nets off Phang Nga
Another dugong, the 21st this year, has been found dead, trapped in fish net in the sea off Khura Buri district in Phang Nga. Khura Buri is north of Khao Lak. Marine biologist and vice dean of the Fisheries Faculty at Kasetsart University, Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat, reported today that 21 deaths was the highest number recorded in one year for…
- World News
Critics sound alarm as Singapore’s ‘fake news’ law start today
“Singapore ranks very poorly in the Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index – 151st out of 180 countries, surrounded by countries like Russia, Bangladesh, Rwanda and Iraq.” by Catherine Lai Singapore’s new law to combat “fake news” came into effect today despite criticism from tech giants and activists, who are labelling the tough rules as a “chilling” attempt to stifle…
- Environment News
Bangkok’s blue skies return, but light smog lingers
PHOTO: Prae Sakaowan The air pollution situation around Bangkok has vastly improved in the past 24 hours, returning to more reasonable readings around the city. Certainly most of the city is now reading under 100 and in the ‘moderate’ range of the air pollution scale, according to airvisual.com Bangkok’s Pollution Control Department reported at 9am today that levels of particulate…
- World News
Four bodies recovered, two missing after bridge collapse in Taiwan – VIDEO
“The petrol tanker burst into flames at some point after it hit the water, sending a thick plume of black smoke into the air.” Four bodies have been recovered from under a collapsed bridge in Taiwan as searches continued for two people still missing when the structure smashed onto fishing boats moored underneath. The National Fire Agency reports that two…
- Events
Mah Songs parade through Phuket Town exciting tourists and locals
PHOTOS: Phuket Hot News Today, the Sapam and Bangku Shrines started their Mah Song parade, also known as ‘Lew Geng’ around the the main city of Phuket, in Phuket Town on the island’s east coast. The parades in the annual vegetarian festival are are feature of the 10 day event and attract thousands of tourists to the island in increasing…
- Health
Hair loss. Is there a real solution?
ADVERTORIAL You can wash your hair with the latest German shampoos, you can increase your vitamin and supplement intake, you can do some creative combing. But none of this will prevent the gradual retreat of your hairline or the ever-increasing circumference of that bald-patch at the back of your head. Genetics are genetics. If your Dad’s balding, your uncles are…
- Health
Fire up the barbecue – red meat’s ok. New study.
“They added that the quality of evidence linking processed meat with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes was very low.” by Ivan Couronne Cutting back on red meat is standard medical advice to prevent cancer and heart disease over recent decades. But a review of dozens of studies now concludes that the potential risk is low and evidence “uncertain”. In new guidelines…
