- Songkran News
Health Ministry says to keep traditional Songkran activities dry
Thai officials have yet to set regulations on the massive water celebrations for Songkran, the Thai New Year, but the Public Health Ministry is recommending dry activities for the traditional ceremonies. To prevent the spread of Covid-19, the ministry is advising that Thais avoid the traditional act known as “rod nam dam hua,” where water is poured on the hands…
- Covid-19 News
Deaths due to Covid-19 pandemic much higher than reported figures, study shows
The Covid-19 death toll is much higher than what has been officially reported, according to a recent analysis published in The Lancet, a medical journal. The analysis estimates that the global number of fatalities related to the Covid-19 pandemic reached 18.2 million by December 31, 2021, which triples the number of deaths reported at 5.94 million. The findings were based…
- Property
Thai steel producers brace for higher production costs, slower market
Thailand steel producers are preparing for the fallout of higher steel prices and growing demand from Asia in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Within a week, the world market price of steel billet rose to roughly US$800 per tonne, up from $650 per tonne, EAF Long Product Steel Producers Association committee member Pravit Horungruang told the Bangkok Post.…
- Crime News
Successful young writer dies after balcony plunge, allegedly over Tangmo rumours
The Tangmo saga has had far reaching consequences, beyond a drowning mystery of a Thai TV star that has sparked Thai social media into a frenzy. Now a 20 year old has died from injuries sustained on March 3 when he fell from a balcony at a condo in Lat Phrao. Pattarathida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong drowned in the Chao Phraya on February…
- Events
Emergency food relief has reached Koh Samui
by Joanna Matlub Living Waters Phuket has expanded its charitable food donations from Phuket to Koh Samui. This week, Living Waters Phuket continued its efforts to support vulnerable communities in need, this time moving beyond the Phuket and Phang Nga areas and onto the communities in Koh Samui on the Gulf of Thailand. The LWP Foundation was set up to…
- Thailand News
Thai citizens donate over 5 million baht to Ukraine
Over 5 million baht has been donated by Thai citizens to help with humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. As of yesterday, 5,306,750 baht had been collected by the Embassy of Ukraine in Thailand, which has been transferred to the National Bank of Ukraine. The donations will help people affected by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The news follows yesterday’s…
- Thailand News
Convenient Covid-19 testing – say hello to ATK vending machines
In Thailand, you can find a range of items in vending machines including instant noodles, snacks, drinks, CBD-infused coffee, condoms, SIM cards, electronic gadgets, and even ice cream. In the coronavirus era, face masks and Covid-19 tests have been added to the list. Vending machines filled with rapid antigen Covid-19 test kits has been set up outside a hospital in…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut to board first official flight to Yala’s new airport, chair opening ceremony
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will be onboard the first flight to the new Betong Airport in the southern province Yala to preside over the opening ceremony on Monday. The prime minister hopes the airport will stimulate the southern border provinces’ economic development, encourage domestic and international commerce and improve security in the area. The airport, under construction from 2017 to 2019,…
- World News
Yoon Suk-Yeol wins South Korea presidential election by a hair
South Korea has a new president today after a nail-biting and often nasty campaign, deemed “the unlikeable election.” Conservative Yoon Suk-Yeol will be the nation’s new president, after Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party conceded defeat last night. Speaking at a post-election press conference, Yoon consoled his rival and called for unity, saying… “Our competition is over for now.…
- World News
Ministry of Foreign Affairs donates 2 million baht for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved a budget of 2 million baht to provide humanitarian assistance in Ukraine in light of the ongoing conflict which continues to cause death, injuries and damage to infrastructure. So far, 230 out of 256 Thai people who wish to leave Ukraine have already been evacuated. MFA spokesperson Thani Saengrat told the press today that…
- Thailand News
Tangmo memorial services: livestream link and QR codes
Three days of Christian memorial services for Thai actress Nida Patcharaveerapong aka “Tangmo” (แตงโม) are scheduled to take place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 11-13, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm each day, at Liberty Church Bangkok in Saphan Sung district, Bangkok. The services are open to family, fans, the general public and the media. The church building can accommodate 3,000…
- Visa Information
Work permit programme for Elite cardholders launched to draw in foreign investment
A work permit programme aimed at attracting rich foreigners and drawing in foreign investment has been launched by the Thailand Privilege Card company, which operates the Elite Card scheme. Cardholders who are eligible for the new Flexible Plus Programme must make an investment of US$1 million, which is around 30 million baht. Under the new programme, cardholders with a membership…
- Thailand News
Villagers in Pathum Thani flock to rice fields to dig for crabs after summer storm
Villagers picked up their spades today and took their children out to the rice fields to dig for crabs after a summer storm passed in Pathum Thani province, just northeast of Bangkok. Heavy rainfall brought crabs to the surface of the soil which made for a fun family activity while many children are out of school due to the Covid-19…
- World News
UKRAINE UPDATES: Zelensky invokes Churchill; Biden bans Russian oil; civilians flee cities; McDonald’s, Starbucks close stores in Russia
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine hits the two-week mark, here’s the latest headlines… • A new ceasefire in the northeastern city of Sumy is expected to allow more civilians to flee to safety. • On Tuesday, about 7,000 people were evacuated from the city, which Russian has bombarded for days. Already 22 people were killed in air strikes on the…
- Thailand News
Thai Navy helps bring crew of gas tanker back to shore after more than a year at sea
The Thai Navy helped five crew members on a gas tanker get to shore after one complained that they had been on board the vessel for 13 months without leave. The Schumi 7 liquefied petroleum gas tanker, en route for Bangladesh, was redirected to a boat pier at Ao Makham Bay in Phuket. Noppadol Boonmee, a crewman on the vessel, had…
- Thailand News
Koh Kut mayor says smoke detector didn’t work when villa caught fire
The luxury villa in Koh Kut that burned to the ground, with guests narrowly escaping the flames, was equipped with smoke detectors and alarms, but they weren’t working, according to the island’s mayor, Dechathorn Chanob. All guests escaped the fire at Soneva Kiri resort on Koh Kut, off the coast of the eastern province Trat, but many guests, including famous…
- World News
China’s military budget increases 7.1% in 2022, Taiwan not afraid
China has allotted 1.45 trillion yuan for military spending in 2022. That’s the equivalent of US$229.5 billion and a whooping 17 times Taiwan’s defense spending for the year, according to a report by the Taipei Times. On Saturday, the Chinese Ministry of Finance issued a statement saying the nation’s defense budget would increase 7.1 percent from last year, signaling a…
- Crime News
UPDATE: Tangmo’s memorial services; police to close case FRIDAY; netizens leak CCTV footage; witnesses lied…
As the investigation into the death of Thai TV actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong enters its second week, here are the latest developments… • Three days of Christian memorial services for Tangmo (แตงโม) are scheduled to take place over the weekend on March 11-13, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm each day, at Liberty Church Bangkok in Saphan Sung district, Bangkok. Despite her…
- Bangkok News
Man who released cobras, cut himself at Bangkok intersection arrested at airport
A man who made headlines last month after releasing cobras and cutting himself at a busy intersection in Bangkok was arrested by police at Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday evening. 47 year old Kanetpisanuthep Jakapopmahadecha, known as “K Hundred Million,” was arrested under six charges and has since been taken to Somdet Chaophraya Institute of Psychiatry for a psychiatric assessment. At…
- World News
Thailand finalising ‘Vaccinated Travel Lane’ details with Malaysia, to open mid-March
Thailand and Malaysia tourism officials are finalising the details of a “vaccinated travel lane” entry scheme, which would eliminate quarantine for vaccinated travellers arriving by plane between the two Southeast Asian nations. The new travel scheme is projected to open from mid-March, with at least 10 daily return flights. Good progress is reportedly being made in finalising the details at…
- Crime News
Police arrest alleged kingpin of drug network in Northern Thailand
Police arrested an alleged kingpin of a drug network in Northern Thailand known as “Polly.” Yesterday’s arrest follows a drug seizure of 2.3 million methamphetamine pills, or “yaba,” which means “crazy drug,” in the Phrae province back in January. 44 year old Amnatsin Jansuk, also known as “Ek Samrong,” was arrested in Samut Prakan, just southeast of Bangkok. He was…
- Pattaya News
Mario Kleff designed the longest steel box girder used in residential construction in Thailand
It was early March 2022 in Pattaya when the delivery of 50 tons worth of custom fabricated steel, in the form of box girders and cellular beams arrived at the Majestic Residence construction site, Khao Phra Tamnak. The architect Mario Kleff and his construction company Wandeegroup Asia Co Ltd continue to set new standards in residential construction in Pattaya and…
- World News
UKRAINE UPDATES: Civilians unable to evacuate; UN calls for safe passages; new ceasefire proposed; Moscow threatens to cut off natural gas to Europe
Here’s the latest from Ukraine, as the Russian invasion enters its 13th day… • Russian shelling continues to prevent the evacuation of civilians from besieged cities including Kyiv, Mariupol, Volnovakha, Sumy and Kharkiv. Fears are mounting for civilians trapped in Ukrainian cities as the Russian onslaught continues. • Meanwhile, the UN humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, has called on Russia and…
- Thailand News
Wild bull attack injures two park rangers in Phetchabun
A wild bull charged at a group of five park rangers patrolling in Tat Mok National Park in Phetchabun province on Sunday afternoon. The bull hit squadron leader Woraphot Piraksa head-on, knocking out some of his teeth and injuring his face, mouth and body. Team member Jiraphong Nakrabum was also injured. The team made it to Phetchabun hospital by Sunday…
- World News
UKRAINE UPDATES: Russia allows civilians to flee — to Russia, as 95% of its amassed forces now in Ukraine; China to provide humanitarian aid
Here’s the latest headlines from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine… • Russian sate media has announced a new ceasefire proposal, which would allow civilians to flee key cities via humanitarian corridors. But the Ukrainian government has denounced the plan as “immoral,” as civilians in Kyiv would be offered safe passage north to Belarus, while those in Kharkiv would have a corridor…
- Thailand Protest News
Bystander struck in the head by rubber bullet in Bangkok rally dies
A 64 year old man who had been struck by a rubber bullet fired during one of the violent clashes with police at Bangkok’s Din Daeng area back in August died after several months of being bedridden. The Din Daeng area had been the site of numerous clashes between police and anti-government protesters, particularly a young group called “Thalugas” which…
- Thailand News
Thousands of Thais trafficked to Japan for prostitution each year
Thousands of children and women are trafficked from Thailand to Japan for prostitution every year, a recent study shows. A senior Thai police officer says he found that Japan has been the largest market of Thais trafficked into the sex industry. “In the case of illegal trafficking of women and children for prostitution, Japan has been the largest market for…
- Visa Information
OPINION – Thai government making it hard to live and work in Thailand
This is a letter from a concerned expat who has been working, legally, in Thailand, for a number of years but says that now it’s getting nearby impossible for many law-abiding, tax-paying expats to obtain a new visa. Re-printed with permission. Hello, I wanted to talk about a major issue that’s happening in Thailand regarding people’s visas. I see that…
- Crime News
Tangmo’s mother accepts apologies, for a price
The mother of drowned actress “Tangmo” says she forgives two witnesses to her daughter’s death, and would accept a “financial gift” from one of them. Panida Siriyuthayothin, the mother of drowned actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong, appeared on Channel 3 yesterday to announce that she had forgiven two of the people who were on the speedboat… the owner and captain of…
- Koh Samui News
Shane Warne dies in Thailand – friends tried CPR for 20 minutes – OBITUARY
Thai Police have made a statement today that they don’t suspect foul play in yesterday’s death of legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne. The 52 year old, who had only arrived on Koh Samui for a vacation with fiends on Thursday, died of a suspected heart attack sometime early on Friday. “No foul play was suspected at the scene based on…