- Northern Thailand News
Northern Thailand suffers whilst officials play the blame game
Excerpts from an article at ttrweekly.com Inflicting immeasurable damage to the health of residents and incalculable losses on the economy and tourism, the northern smog clings to the hilly landscape making a mockery of government assurances that it has the crisis under control. Provincial and district officials appear to be preoccupied with the task of deciding a date when residents…
- 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…
- Bangkok News
Dangerous fake JW Whisky heading for BKK
FILE PHOTO Excise officials have busted a factory in Thailand’s far south that was mixing up brews of fake Johnny Walker Red and Black label whiskey. Police say the man behind the faux booze is a foreigner. The whiskey was described by officials as “very dangerous” for consumers and was on its way for Bangkok. They warned it could also end…
- 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…
- Northern Thailand News
Police seize 2 million meth pills following car chase in Chiang Rai
PHOTO: Facebook/@thaipolice4.0 Police are investigating the source of 2 million methamphetamine pills seized on Friday in Chiang Rai, near the Myanmar border. A man had the 2 million speed pills seized from his pickup truck following a chase in Mae Sai district late Friday. One police officer was injured in the incident. A pick-up was signalled to stop around 11pm on…
- 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 Afternoon ceremonies
After the Crowning and Investiture Ceremony, HM presents the First Royal Command. 1.19pm The ceremony of Assumption of the Royal Residence takes place at Chakrabat Biman Royal Residence. The purpose of the ceremony is to symbolically take up the royal residence. 2pm HM the King grants an audience to members of the Royal Family, the Privy Council, and the Thai…
- 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…
- Phuket News
British man who locked himself in Phuket condo to be deported
PHOTO: Police waiting for officials to enter the man’s room from the outside of the ninth floor The man who locked himself in a Phuket Town condo for over three months is going to be deported and banned from re-entry for up to five years. David Maclean was evicted, by force, from the Supalai Condo yesterday afternoon at 3pm. Officers…
- 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…
- South Thailand News
Wanted militant killed during security forces raid in Pattani
PHOTOS: InnNews.co.th A wanted insurgent has been shot dead by security forces during a raid on a hideout in Pattani yesterday afternoon. Thai PBS reports that the victim was later identified as 37 year old Sarisan Amri who was the subject of five outstanding arrest warrants for his suspected involvement in a series of offences in southern province. About 100…
- Technology News
Facebook bans political fanatics and conspiracy theorists
Facebook is banning prominent US conspiracy theorists like the Infowars founder Alex Jones and the outspoken activist Louis Farrakhan in its crackdown on hate speech and fake content. Others blocked from Facebook and Instagram (owned by Facebook) were Milo Yiannopoulos, a high-profile right-wing provocateur; Paul Nehlen, a political candidate espousing white supremacist views; and conspiracy theorists Paul Joseph Watson and…
- Thailand News
Thailand event round up – May
with The Sponsorship Experts Those with a love for shopping should head to Pattaya for the Thailand One Stop Shopping Expo Pattaya, on until May 5. With more than 47,000 square metres of floor space, TOSSE Pattaya is Thailand’s largest shopping expo with departments showcasing everything from Wedding, Electronics, Garden & Pet Baby & Family and Fashion. The Samui Regatta…
- Technology News
Huawei grows 41%, Apple tanks in China
PHOTO: Huawei remains a popular brand in Thailand with models at both ends of the price spectrum Huawei has dominated the Chinese smartphone market in Q1 2019, taking a record 34% share as rivals Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi and Apple all struggled. Huawei may feeling the heat from a US-led campaign against the Chinese tech company, but in China its smartphones are outselling…
- South Thailand News
Python swallows a goat in Satun – VIDEO
PHOTOS: Sathaphon Samadee / Song Tai Satun Newspaper A python has swallowed a baby goat in Satun in southern Thailand. Song Tai Satun Newspapers reports that a staff member at the Tanyongpoe Tambol Administrative Organisation in Satun was notified of the incident yesterday. Rescue workers arrived at a rubber plantation to find the three metre python, with a noticeable bulge…
- Thailand Election News
EC reassures Thai voters the results will be announced by May 9
Thailand’s Election Commission is confident that it will be able to announce official results from the March 24 general election by May 9. This reassurance came from the commission’s chairman, Mr. Itthiporn Boonprakong. He says official results of the election have been delayed mainly by the EC’s indecision on the method of calculating the allocation of the 150 party-list seats…
- Thailand News
Weather warnings for northern and central summer storms
The Thai Meteorological Department yesterday has announced some more weather warnings for summer storms in upper Thailand and the South China Sea. From May 3-6, a high pressure system from China will extend to upper Thailand and the South China Sea. The southwesterly prevailing winds in upper Thailand will strengthen and the weather continue to be hot over upper Thailand.”…
- South Thailand News
Three metre king cobra caught in Trang – VIDEO
PHOTOS/VIDEO: Thai South News A three and a half metre king cobra has been caught in Trang, in southern Thailand. Thai South News reports that yesterday at 5pm rescue workers were notified that the king cobra had been found inside a toilet of a mosque in Palean, Trang. Rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the cobra hiding behind…
- Tourism News
Cabinet announces 13.2 billion baht handouts, also property and tourism stimulus
The Thai Cabinet has given the go ahead to 13.2 billion baht in social welfare spending to low income-earners. The payments would go to parents with children still in school, disabled people and farmers. The same meeting also announced tax packages to boost the real estate and tourism sectors. A spokesperson for the PM’s Office says that under the welfare card…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s first Rabies death for the year
PHOTOS: PR Office The first death from rabies this year was in Surin, north of Thailand. The Public Relation Department today reported that Dr. Suwannachai Wattanaying- Charoenchai, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control says, “We were notified that a 32 year old man in Surin has died from rabies.” “Before he died he was being treated for fever and was…
- Events
Public transport arrangements for people attending royal coronation
PHOTO: NNT For people attending the royal coronation ceremony, especially on May 5, 2019, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will provide air-conditioned shuttle buses for 11 routes while the Purple and Blue Line MRT and Airport Link will provide free service throughout the day. Pol. Lt. Gen. Kraibun Suadsong, the Commissioner of the Police Strategy Office, announced that the…