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  • Transport NewsCabinet sets aside over 5 billion baht to improve Bangkok’s public transportation

    Cabinet sets aside over 5 billion baht to improve Bangkok’s public transportation

    Yesterday, the two biggest transportation groups in Thailand, Bangkok Mass Transit Organisation (BMTA) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), received subsidies from the Cabinet to cope with the loss as well as increase their liquidity. A total of 5 billion baht was given, with 2.28 billion going to BMTA and 3.38 billion going to SRT. The Cabinet has also…

  • Crime NewsMen arrested at Bangkok airport for allegedly smuggling drugs valued at 95 million baht

    Men arrested at Bangkok airport for allegedly smuggling drugs valued at 95 million baht

    Two Pakistani men were arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Monday for allegedly trafficking 30.6 kilograms of ketamine and 1.1 kilograms of heroin hidden in instant tea packages. Officers say the drugs had a street value of 95 million baht. The two residents of Karachi, who travelled to Thailand by an Emirates flight through the United Arab Emirates, were arrested for…

  • Thailand NewsVictoria’s Secret Thailand supplier faces labour abuse by laid off workers

    Victoria’s Secret Thailand supplier faces labour abuse by laid off workers

    Garment workers from Victoria’s Secret supplier Brilliant Alliance Thai Global filed a complaint yesterday with the National Human Rights Commission at the Government Complex in Bangkok. The complaint follows the charges filed against six labour activists for protesting illegally outside the Government House in Dusit district on October 19. The movement was led by the Triumph International Workers Union as…

  • Visa InformationCabinet okays new visa scheme allowing a 1 year stay for medical tourists

    Cabinet okays new visa scheme allowing a 1 year stay for medical tourists

    A new visa scheme approved, in principle, by the Thai Cabinet today will allow foreigners who are travelling to Thailand for medical treatment to stay in the Kingdom for up to a year. At the moment, many medical tourists stay in the country on 60-day tourist visas, which can be extended for another 30 days, and (before the pandemic) many…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok’s SRT Red Line launches commercial service, fares 12 to 42 baht

    Bangkok’s SRT Red Line launches commercial service, fares 12 to 42 baht

    After four months of trial operation, commercial services on the Red Line commenced yesterday, with fares ranging from 12 baht to 42 baht, with its operating hours extended until midnight every day. The director-general of SRT Electrified Train Co., Suthep Panpeng, said that with the termination of free services, ridership will initially drop by 20% to roughly 8,000 per day,…

  • World NewsTwo South African travellers test positive for Omicron at Singapore airport

    Two South African travellers test positive for Omicron at Singapore airport

    Singapore’s health ministry says two South African travellers tested positive for the new Covid-19 variant “Omicron” transit at Changi Airport on their way to Australia yesterday. Contact tracing has begun for airport personnel who may have come into contact with two travellers. According to the ministry, the two residents of Johannesburg with pre-departure negative tests before boarding a Singapore Airlines…

  • Covid-19 NewsTuesday Covid Update: 4,306 new cases; provincial totals

    Tuesday Covid Update: 4,306 new cases; provincial totals

    37 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 20,771 with 20,677 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 6,407 new Covid-19 cases and 6,165 recoveries. There are now 75,673 people in Thailand being…

  • Bangkok NewsForeigner claims Bangkok taxi pocketed 1,000 baht for ride down Sukhumvit

    Foreigner claims Bangkok taxi pocketed 1,000 baht for ride down Sukhumvit

    A foreigner in Bangkok claims he was ripped off by a taxi driver who drove him from Thong Lor to Sukhumvit Soi 11, saying the driver didn’t use a meter and pocketed 1,000 baht. Apparently, the driver claimed the passenger had handed him 100 baht. A Thai woman posted a video of the confrontation with the taxi driver on TikTok…

  • Thailand NewsMinistry prepares to bring back Thais from eight African countries starting tomorrow

    Ministry prepares to bring back Thais from eight African countries starting tomorrow

    With Thai authorities issuing a travel ban on those from 8 African countries reporting the new Omicron variant, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing to bring Thai citizens in the high risk countries back to Thailand. Citizens living in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe can apply for a COE (certificate of entry) to return…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok’s Yellow Line skyrail starts test runs

    Bangkok’s Yellow Line skyrail starts test runs

    The newest addition to Bangkok’s skyrail is here.The Yellow Line, which travels from Lat Phrao to Samrong in Samut Prakan, has reportedly begun its test run since last Thursday from the maintenance depot near Sri Iam station in Bang Na district. The Yellow Line, which is a joint venture worth 54,768.455 million baht between Thailand’s Mass Rapid Transit Authority and…

  • Thailand NewsThai PM to visit Udon Thani tomorrow

    Thai PM to visit Udon Thani tomorrow

    According to government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will visit Udon Thani, one of Thailand’s largest cities, in the north east of the country, tomorrow to meet with the public and private sectors in the region to discuss provincial development and welcoming tourists under the Udon Plus scheme. Politically, the north east has always seen as a strong region…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket yacht startup banks funding for 2022

    Phuket yacht startup banks funding for 2022

    The following is a press release from Boatcrowd. Chartering a private yacht is among the most exclusive, luxurious, and unforgettable experiences you can ever have. It opens you up to explorations and adventures that you would never experience on land, and it’s the perfect way to relax, enjoy, and see more of the world. As Covid restrictions are being lifted…

  • Thailand News“Sandbox” stay shortened to 5 days for vaccinated travellers from overseas

    “Sandbox” stay shortened to 5 days for vaccinated travellers from overseas

    The mandatory stay under the “sandbox” re-entry scheme has been shortened to 5 days for vaccinated travellers entering Thailand. At its general meeting on Friday chaired by the prime minister, the CCSA to cut the stay under “sandbox” regulations from 7 days down to 5. “Happy Quarantine,” as tourism officials call it, has also been cut to 5 days for…

  • Bangkok NewsRenovation of Hua Lamphong may wait another three years: BMA

    Renovation of Hua Lamphong may wait another three years: BMA

    It might be another two to three years until Bangkok’s historic Hua Lamphong station is developed for commercial use. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Office of Town Planning and Development has today put a hold to the State Railway of Thailand’s request to develop station and surrounding buildings for another two or three years. According to reports, the 120-rai site planned for…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: 4,753 new cases; provincial totals

    Monday Covid Update: 4,753 new cases; provincial totals

    27 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 20,734 with 20,640 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 4,753 new Covid-19 cases and 6,165 recoveries. There are now 77,811 people in Thailand being…

  • Covid-19 NewsThai officials mull over testing methods for arrivals following Omicron emergence

    Thai officials mull over testing methods for arrivals following Omicron emergence

    With the emergence of the Omicron variant, just as Thailand was easing travel regulations, the Thai government is mulling over whether to reverse its plan to replace RT-PCR tests with the less accurate, but faster and cheaper antigen tests, or ATK, for arrivals from overseas. The CCSA held an emergency meeting over the weekend in response to the news of…

  • Covid-19 NewsUPDATE: What we know about “Omicron,” new travel restrictions to Thailand

    UPDATE: What we know about “Omicron,” new travel restrictions to Thailand

    An increasing number of countries are taking precautionary steps to halt international flights. There are already many travel bans from several southern African nations following the discovery of a newly identified Covid-19 variant called “Omicron”. Is Omicron in Thailand? The Omicron Covid-19 variant has not been detected in Thailand, according to the director-general of the Department of Disease Control, assuring…

  • Bangkok NewsPolice seize 36,000 fake US0 bills and printing machines in a series of raids

    Police seize 36,000 fake US$100 bills and printing machines in a series of raids

    In a transnational investigation into a large counterfeit bill operation, Thailand’s Police Cyber Task Force teamed up with the US Secret Service in Bangkok, seizing offset printing machines and tens of thousands of counterfeit $100 bills in early November. The investigation was launched after authorities noticed an uptick in banknote forgeries in Thailand. A source also tipped off authorities, saying most…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok police say restaurateurs could face jail time for serving alcohol after 9pm

    Bangkok police say restaurateurs could face jail time for serving alcohol after 9pm

    Police in Bangkok are warning restaurant owners that if alcohol is served after 9pm, they will face legal action… possibly even up to a year in jail and a fine up to 100,000 baht. Restaurants in the capital are allowed to serve beer, wine and cocktails up until 9pm, if they have passed standards set under the Safety and Health…

  • Covid-19 NewsOmicron Covid-19 variant isn’t in Thailand, DDC director says

    Omicron Covid-19 variant isn’t in Thailand, DDC director says

    The Omicron Covid-19 variant isn’t in Thailand, director-general of the Department of Disease Control said yesterday, assuring the public that the mutated strain of the virus virus is not “travelling” into the country by tourists. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said that all “sandbox” visitors are being closely and stringently monitored by health authorities. “All 1,007 travellers from South Africa who recently…

  • Transport NewsHua Lamphong (Bangkok Train Station) – History and future | VIDEO

    Hua Lamphong (Bangkok Train Station) – History and future | VIDEO

    Bangkok’s historic Hua Lamphong is being closed down by the middle of December. Here’s a look at the legendary station’s past and future, plus a look at the local neighbourhood and working life at the station. The iconic station has been open for over 100 years and been the host of many happy, and sad, arrivals and departures. Please don’t…

  • Covid-19 NewsUPDATE: Latest news on Omicron – what we know

    UPDATE: Latest news on Omicron – what we know

    World travel destinations are moving to block flights from up to 10 African countries following the discovery of the Omicron Covid-19 variant this week. Officially, the new variant is designated B1.1.529. This is the latest information about the current status on Omicron. The new Covid-19 mutation was first reported to the World Health Organisation on Wednesday this week, by scientists from…

  • Thailand NewsFrench expat being denied re-entry to Thailand over repeated criticism of the Thai monarchy

    French expat being denied re-entry to Thailand over repeated criticism of the Thai monarchy

    One of Thailand’s long term French expats Yan Marchal is being denied reentry to Thailand. He says he is being expelled to Paris from Bangkok, as soon as tonight, for being a long term critic of the Thai government and Monarchy. Yan says he could appeal the ‘deportation’. “I have been advised to fly out rather than to expose myself…

  • Covid-19 NewsOmicron causing concern, Thai authorities ban travellers from 8 countries

    Omicron causing concern, Thai authorities ban travellers from 8 countries

    Countries around the world are pushing back against the latest strain of Covid-19, now officially called by its Greek alphabet name ‘Omicron’, or B.1.1.529 if you want to be scientific. Potentially, the new variant is more a transmissible coronavirus and was first recognised by South African health authorities. Now, a number of countries are already banning travellers from several southern…

  • World NewsThailand, 5 other countries added to Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane list

    Thailand, 5 other countries added to Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane list

    The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore today announced that travelers from Thailand, Cambodia, Fiji, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Turkey will be able to enter Singapore quarantine-free starting in mid-December Vaccinated Travel Lane scheme. Visitors from VTL countries who are fully vaccinated are able to enter Singapore without having to go through quarantine and simply have to take a Covid-19 test.…

  • Thailand NewsHeavy rain, potential flooding in the forecast for Southern Thailand

    Heavy rain, potential flooding in the forecast for Southern Thailand

    Eight provinces in Southern Thailand — Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat — have been warned by the Meteorological Department today to prepare for potentially flooding and runoff as heavy rain and strong winds continued in the Gulf of Thailand. The warning will be in effect until Tuesday, according to the weather services, adding…

  • World NewsCambodia authorities seize large shipment of cocaine from boat by Laos border

    Cambodia authorities seize large shipment of cocaine from boat by Laos border

    Cambodian officials in Koh Lung’s Stung Treng province managed to stop a boat carrying cocaine from Laos to their territory at 7pm Wednesday. Border police searched the vessel and found 10 sacks containing 170 packs of cocaine. Reports in local media do not clarify how many kilograms each pack weighs. According to the Stung Treng Provincial Police Commissioner, Ot Sivutha,…

  • Thailand NewsFriday Covid Update: 6,559 new cases; provincial totals

    Friday Covid Update: 6,559 new cases; provincial totals

    64 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 20,645 with 20,551 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 6,559 new Covid-19 cases and 6,875 recoveries. There are now 80,277 people in Thailand being…

  • World NewsAirAsia to resume Bangkok-Phnom Penh flights following Cambodia’s reopening

    AirAsia to resume Bangkok-Phnom Penh flights following Cambodia’s reopening

    AirAsia is resuming flights from Bangkok to Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh starting December 22. The Southeast Asian country recently lifted restrictions to allow fully vaccinated foreign travellers to enter without undergoing quarantine. Next month, flights from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport to Phnom Penh will take off on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Travellers who are considered fully vaccinated under the…

  • Thailand NewsSoi Dog Foundation sends over 100 tonnes of dog and cat food for flood relief

    Soi Dog Foundation sends over 100 tonnes of dog and cat food for flood relief

    The following is a press release from the Soi Dog Foundation. Soi Dog Foundation’s ongoing relief effort for dogs and cats affected by the recent flooding in Central Thailand has seen the amount of food delivered to desperate dogs and cats exceed a whopping 100 tonnes. Following the initial distribution in late September of 64 tonnes of food to flood-affected…