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  • Crime NewsThe 11.5 tonnes of Ketamine that wasn’t

    The 11.5 tonnes of Ketamine that wasn’t

    That huge Ketamine bust in Chachoengsao province last week, some 11.5 tonnes (yes tonnes!) of the drug, has turned out to not be quite what it seems. Originally drug officials seized 475 bags, each weighing 25 kilogram. 66 of these bags were tested. What was inside the bags wasn’t Ketamine, as claimed by police, but trisodium phosphate instead. Which brings…

  • Thailand Protest NewsStudent protesters gathering today under Bangkok skytrain

    Student protesters gathering today under Bangkok skytrain

    Despite 2 students recently being summoned for breaking the emergency decree, members of the “Bad Student” protest group are gathering today under the Siam BTS skytrain station in Bangkok to continue rallying. The students set up a stage on the bed of a truck that was parked in front of Siam Paragon shopping mall after rain forced them to move…

  • Covid-19 News10 new cases of Covid today in Thailand, all in quarantine

    10 new cases of Covid today in Thailand, all in quarantine

    Thailand has 10 new cases of Covid-19 reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). The infections were from those arriving from 8 different countries, with all being in quarantine. The new cases bring the total to 3,902 with the death toll remaining at 60. Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, US and India were the…

  • Transport NewsOnly taxis travelling to and from Bangkok airports can charge for luggage

    Only taxis travelling to and from Bangkok airports can charge for luggage

    The Land Transport Department is clarifying the recent news that taxis in Bangkok can charge special handling fees for luggage after the announcement received public scrutiny. The department’s deputy director Tanee Suebrerk says this special fee only applies to metred taxis travelling to and from Bangkok’s two airports. He says that those taxis who do not deliver passengers or pick…

  • Northern Thailand NewsThai man in Surin greeted by crocodile in his toilet

    Thai man in Surin greeted by crocodile in his toilet

    Surprise! A Thai man in Surin province was greeted by an unexpected visitor as he took an early morning toilet break. The man, 52 year old Korn Yudirom, says he got up at 3am to use the toilet, which is located separately from his main home. The man thought water was left running in the toilet, after hearing noises after…

  • Tourism NewsRejoice Thailand. 681 tourists will arrive in November!

    Rejoice Thailand. 681 tourists will arrive in November!

    Rejoice, roll out the red carpet and sound the bells. Here they come! Thailand is about to be flooded with 681 tourists who have applied for, and received, the Special Tourist Visa. Ok, we’ll admit that’s the number is a bit down on last year’s monthly 3.3 million tourist arrivals (average). But, twisting the numbers like only the Tourist Authority…

  • Covid-19 NewsThe Thai tourism new normal, learning to live with the pandemic

    The Thai tourism new normal, learning to live with the pandemic

    OPINION by Julian Spindler Thailand’s world-class tourism industry, one of the twin drivers of our economy, is in a deep, coronavirus-induced coma, close to death. No life support is currently available. Pandemic paranoia has gripped the nation, freezing our bio-security risk management in full containment mode, meaning zero tolerance for local Covid-19 transmission. The socio-economic, and some might add political, impacts…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Bangkok exodus, Pattaya air pollution, Vaccine next month? | November 20

    Thailand News Today | Bangkok exodus, Pattaya air pollution, Vaccine next month? | November 20

    Last day of the week, and the second day of official public holidays in Thailand. We’ll be back on Monday with another Thailand News Today. Over 5 million escape Bangkok by car and public transport as holiday begins The Transport Ministry says just under 5.3 million Bangkok residents have left the capital as the long holiday gets underway. Not bad…

  • Covid-19 NewsVaccine could be ready by the end of next month – BioNTech/Pfizer

    Vaccine could be ready by the end of next month – BioNTech/Pfizer

    BioNTech has announced the candidate Covid-19 vaccine, the German company is developing with US pharmaceutical company Pfizer, could be released for public distribution before the year, at least in the US and Europe. BioNTech co-founder Ugur Sahin says that both companies plan to apply for “emergency use authorisation” of their candidate vaccine in the US today (US time), while European regulators…

  • Thailand Protest NewsPolice violence against democracy demonstrators – letter from Human Rights Watch

    Police violence against democracy demonstrators – letter from Human Rights Watch

    OPINION In response to Tuesday’s protests outside the Thai Parliament, and the police response, Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, responds. Published in full… Unnecessary Use of Water Cannons, Teargas; 55 Reported Injured Thai police unnecessarily used water cannons and teargas against peaceful democracy demonstrators outside the parliament in Bangkok on November 17, 2020, in violation of international…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Protests to escalate, Domestic violence, Tourist visa exemptions? | Nov 19

    Thailand News Today | Protests to escalate, Domestic violence, Tourist visa exemptions? | Nov 19

    Just a reminder that it is still safe to travel to Thailand. The protests are in very small pockets around Bangkok and well publicised in advance. If you can, and are prepared to go through all the hoops and paperwork, it’s still a great place to visit. Bangkok police blame insufficient manpower for failure to control Parliament road clashes Police…

  • Crime NewsTwo die from heroin overdose in Samut Prakan

    Two die from heroin overdose in Samut Prakan

    Two men have been found dead from a heroin overdose. They were found in a toilet in Samut Prakan Province, south of Bangkok, last night. Police reported that there were no signs of violence on either of the men. Thai Rath reports that the men were aged 46 and 48. Police reported that they were found in the Samrong Nua…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya supply boat destroyed in offshore blaze | VIDEO

    Pattaya supply boat destroyed in offshore blaze | VIDEO

    A speed boat, moored off Pattaya, caught fire last night. It was in clear view for people at the nearby beaches. No one was injured in the incident but the vessel has received extensive damage. Pattaya City Police were notified of the blaze at 8pm. Local police, Pattaya marine officials and emergency services rushed to the scene. The boat was…

  • Covid-19 NewsSouth Australia heads into major lockdown to control Covid cluster

    South Australia heads into major lockdown to control Covid cluster

    The Australian state of Victoria, with its capital Melbourne, locked down for nearly 3 months, eventually cutting new cases down to zero. Now the next-door state of South Australia, with its capital Adelaide, has begun one of the world’s toughest lockdowns. Even outdoor exercise, dog-walking and basic errands are banned. The state of 1.7 million will now aim to contain…

  • Visa InformationWe must establish travel bubbles – Thai tourism operators demand action

    We must establish travel bubbles – Thai tourism operators demand action

    There has been a surge of domestic tourism in Thailand. But even that ‘surge’ is underwhelming when compared to the previous international traffic, 27% of it from China, in the ‘good old days’. Last year there were nearly 40 million overseas arrivals. Even places like Phuket and Khao Lak, usually starting to fill up with international travellers for the traditional…

  • Transport NewsBoeing’s 737 MAX takes its next step to re-enter commercial service

    Boeing’s 737 MAX takes its next step to re-enter commercial service

    The US Federal Aviation Administration has approved the next step for the beleaguered Boeing 737 MAX to resume commercial flights after a 20 month grounding. But the factors that partly contributed to the plane’s grounding have not been addressed leaving the plane reliant on software to control its flying characteristics. The plane, a fourth generation makeover of 50 year old…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Emergency Decree, Protesters shot, Baht boost temporary | Nov 18

    Thailand News Today | Emergency Decree, Protesters shot, Baht boost temporary | Nov 18

    There’s a link to the final story underneath the video on YouTube. Here we go for Thai PM extends emergency decree to January next year. The government will extend a nationwide emergency decree until at least January 15 next year. The PM has cited the need to prevent a resurgence in coronavirus infections during the peak New Year’s travel period.…

  • Covid-19 NewsThai PM extends Emergency Decree to January next year

    Thai PM extends Emergency Decree to January next year

    The government will extend a nationwide emergency decree until at least January 15 next year. The PM has cited the need to prevent a resurgence in coronavirus infections during the peak New Year’s travel period. The impasse with protesters was not brought up as a reason to extend the current Emergency Decree. The CCSA chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has…

  • Thailand Protest News6 protesters shot with live rounds in Bangkok, but police deny the claims

    6 protesters shot with live rounds in Bangkok, but police deny the claims

    6 protesters were reportedly shot in yesterday’s chaos as police tried to repel advancing anti-government protesters as they attempted to march to the front of the Thai Parliament. They were shot with live rounds according to medical staff who attended to their injuries. Inside the parliament lawmakers debated proposals for possible constitutional reform. At this stage it is not clear…

  • Thai LifeTracking down “The Beach” – the inspiration for the 2000 Hollywood movie

    Tracking down “The Beach” – the inspiration for the 2000 Hollywood movie

    Tourists flocked to Maya Bay, you know ‘The Beach’ featured in the 2000 movie starring Leonardo de Caprio and directed by Danny Boyle. Since 2000, the tourist magnet on Koh Phi Phi Ley became a Mecca for the back-packer crowd followed by a mass tourist flock, bringing some 5,000+ tourists to the small bay every day at its peak. In…

  • Thailand Protest NewsPolice deploy water cannons and tear gas, Royalists throw bricks – the protests outside parliament

    Police deploy water cannons and tear gas, Royalists throw bricks – the protests outside parliament

    UPDATE: 6 people were shot with live rounds in yesterday’s scuffles. Read more HERE. The current spate of protests in Thailand took an ugly step forward yesterday when police resorted to using a high power water cannon truck with the water laced with a chemical irritant. They also fired tear gas and, according to protesters, used rubber bullets. Photos show…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Protesters v Police, Quarantine reduction, VietJet passenger arrest | Nov 17

    Thailand News Today | Protesters v Police, Quarantine reduction, VietJet passenger arrest | Nov 17

    A busy day of news with the protests underway as we were preparing today’s program. We will keep you up to date with the latest at thethaiger.com Police use tear gas and water cannons against protesters outside Thai parliament this afternoon Police in riot gear and gas masks have deployed water cannons and tear gas on protesters out the front…

  • World NewsThailand News Today | The RCEP reset, Hotel Talkfest, Protesters to be arrested | November 16

    Thailand News Today | The RCEP reset, Hotel Talkfest, Protesters to be arrested | November 16

    First day of the week with another Thailand News Today, all the latest news from around Thailand and the region. Hoteliers to discuss how to revive Thailand’s crippled hospitality industry The Tourism and Sports Ministry is holding a talkfest with15 hotel operators expected to join to discuss recovery solutions for the battered industry. Some top executives are planned to pitch…

  • Crime NewsHitman arrested over 14 year old cold-case murder in Pattaya of NZ businessman

    Hitman arrested over 14 year old cold-case murder in Pattaya of NZ businessman

    An arrest has been made in a 14 year old Pattaya cold case following the arrest of a Thai man who allegedly murdered a New Zealander in 2006. 40 year old Yiamwut Julapong, aka. Pokpong, is now in custody in Phetchabun province after a raid led by Crime Suppression Division. ‘Pokpong’ was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by Pattaya Court back…

  • World NewsVamco weakens into tropical storm, misses northern Thailand altogether

    Vamco weakens into tropical storm, misses northern Thailand altogether

    Typhoon Vamco, which killed some 67 people when it stormed through the middle of Luzon island late last week, has turned into a tropical storm which will have minor effects on Thailand’s weather over the next few days. Isolated light to moderate rains will be likely over the Northeast and the North today as a result… Vamco will track on…

  • World News15 Asia-Pacific countries form the world’s largest trade bloc, the great RCEP reset

    15 Asia-Pacific countries form the world’s largest trade bloc, the great RCEP reset

    After 8 gruelling years of negotiation, 15 countries have signed onto the largest free trade bloc in history. In a joint statement, the leaders of the countries, signatories of the trade deal, say RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) will form a crucial part of economic recovery once the pandemic is over. The deal excludes the US, which withdrew from a…

  • World NewsTrump supporters march in Washington, repeating claims of election fraud

    Trump supporters march in Washington, repeating claims of election fraud

    Supporters of US President Donald Trump staged a march through Washington yesterday, protesting unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. A week since Democrat candidate Joe Biden clinched the electoral college numbers required to claim the presidency. Meanwhile Donald Trump, a Republican, continues to refuse acknowledgment or accept the outcome, launching a barrage of legal challenges to overturn the results. Most of these…

  • Covid-19 NewsOfficials criticised over Covid border screening measures

    Officials criticised over Covid border screening measures

    Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is being criticised over its border screening measures after an Indian man, who stayed in Thailand for 3 months, tested positive for Covid-19 in Krabi province while remaining asymptomatic. Walairat Chaifoo, director of the Epidemiology Bureau, has defended the screening measures by saying the Department of Disease Control has initiated mass tests for those “at-risk” at…

  • Bangkok NewsFire in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 31, under control

    Fire in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 31, under control

    4 or 5 large explosions shook residents in Sukhumvit Soi 31 around 1.45 this afternoon. It appears an electric transformer exploded, right outside a school. The ensuing fire threatened the adjacent school buildings. Emergency services rushed to the scene and had the fire under control within 10 minutes. Large plumes of back, acrid smoke were seen billowing from the scene…

  • Tourism NewsKrabi’s Ao Nang businesses shut up or sell up

    Krabi’s Ao Nang businesses shut up or sell up

    Ao Nang, Krabi’s tourist strip, is struggling under the strain of no customers or tourists. Thai Residents reports that there are now at least 10 hotels up for sale valued at billions of baht. Businesses and hotels along the popular Ao Nang tourist strip have been shutting down because of the prolonged closure of Thailand’s borders to general tourism. Even…