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  • Thailand video newsWhat’s your first response when you hear the word ‘Thailand’? – VIDEO

    What’s your first response when you hear the word ‘Thailand’? – VIDEO

    So what do you think of first when you hear the word ‘Thailand’? Beaches? Markets? Food? A location? Bibi headed out onto the street to pose the question to foreigners and Thais. Turn on the CC (Closed Captions) button at the bottom for translations (most of it’s in English). What would your answer be? Over to you Bibi… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljYxdsJHavw&fbclid=IwAR1e1JFko6HZ6HnKTPmCPgMu_QDzN4vpBlrv1jLLSKOfa79FgPXEGsmJVT4

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – sharp increase in cases, UK officials battle to contain a new threat

    Coronavirus UPDATE – sharp increase in cases, UK officials battle to contain a new threat

    There’s been a sharp spike in new cases of coronavirus, principally in the central Chinese province of Hubei. There are now 60,373 world cases, 59,805 in China. 1,369 people have died and over 6,000 recovered. 242 new deaths were recorded yesterday, the deadliest day since the start of the outbreak. So what’s behind the big rise? It’s not actually a spike…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket’s cruise ship arrivals to be screened for coronavirus

    Phuket’s cruise ship arrivals to be screened for coronavirus

    Over 4,000 tourists and ship crews arrive in Phuket today, on two separate cruise liners, one from Hong Kong and one out of Singapore. There has been a sudden surge of interest in arriving cruise ships after the cruise boat still anchored in Yokohama Bay with a cluster The Seabourn Ovation arrived from Hong Kong just after 7am this morning…

  • Technology NewsFrom Star Trek to the Galaxy Z Flip phone – a new foldable comes to Thailand

    From Star Trek to the Galaxy Z Flip phone – a new foldable comes to Thailand

    The $1,500 Motorola RAZR flip phone, a sort of ‘smartphone’ version of its original 2004 market favourite, was twice the cost of an iPhone 11, looked cool but had a small battery and plastic screen. It was a throwback to the earlier design but with a foldable screen, the latest ‘thaeng’ in the smart-phone world. Now there’s the new Galaxy…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE: No cases in Indonesia, why? Are paper face-masks effective?

    Coronavirus UPDATE: No cases in Indonesia, why? Are paper face-masks effective?

    “Covid-19”. After a month and a half of being called the Wuhan Coronavirus, the Chinese Coronavirus or just boring old ‘coronavirus‘, the viral strain now has an official name. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was speaking in Geneva. “We now have a name for the disease and it’s Covid-19,” This morning the number of cases worldwide has reached 44,852, resulting in 1,113…

  • Northern Thailand NewsKorat Massacre – Did police use a drone to find the gunman?

    Korat Massacre – Did police use a drone to find the gunman?

    A story from Germany’s Deutsche Welle news agency today reveals how tactical police were able to use a drone to trackdown the 32 year old gunman to a storage room at the back of a supermarket (scroll through to 1.30 in the YouTube story below to watch the drone footage). Although no one else appears to have reported this aspect of…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE: Chinese keep arriving in Thailand, UK man spreads virus to 11 others

    Coronavirus UPDATE: Chinese keep arriving in Thailand, UK man spreads virus to 11 others

    The world death toll from the coronavirus outbreak continues to climb. Official figures put the Chinese figure at 1,016 deaths, up 108 from the day before, 1,018 worldwide. Outside of China there has only been 2 deaths reported – one in The Philippines and another in Hong Kong. The number of cases of infection has also grown to 43,104. That’s up…

  • Northern Thailand NewsHM The King offers condolences, grants royal patronage of funerals

    HM The King offers condolences, grants royal patronage of funerals

    “The government is profoundly saddened by the mass shooting and would like to extend its moral support to all Thais and the people of Korat.” This morning the Thai PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha made a statement across the Thai television pool. He passed on a message from His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida who expressed their…

  • Northern Thailand NewsKorat massacre – Shooter’s mother was unable to get into the shopping centre

    Korat massacre – Shooter’s mother was unable to get into the shopping centre

    More information is now coming to light over some of the background operations at play during the Saturday evening search for a crazed gunman, now dead, who was responsible for the killing of at least 30 people and wounding 58 others. Some of the 30 or so people currently in hospital are reported to be in critical condition… the final…

  • Tourism NewsTourism minister mulls adding new tourist levies

    Tourism minister mulls adding new tourist levies

    The Ministry of Tourism and Sport is mulling the idea of collecting levies from international tourists for the “renovation of tourism attractions and natural resources”, as well as providing insurance benefits specifically for tourists. The Minister noted that the high numbers of tourists traipesing over the same well-worn paths and attractions, especially natural and historical treasures, also carried a high…

  • Northern Thailand NewsThai media under fire for disobeying orders to “tone down” Korat massacre coverage

    Thai media under fire for disobeying orders to “tone down” Korat massacre coverage

    Thailand’s media is under fire from the government’s telecommunications regulator, the NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission). Cable TV and other news channels, who ignored official orders to stop broadcasting and streaming of Saturday evening’s lockdown and storming of the Terminal 21 shopping centre in Korat, have been informed they “will face consequences”. Some of the north east’s cable news outlets…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE: 7 more cases in Thailand, WHO battling fake virus news

    Coronavirus UPDATE: 7 more cases in Thailand, WHO battling fake virus news

    The number of worldwide coronavirus deaths has now reached 813, exceeding the number of those killed during the SARS outbreak in 2002/2003. In Hubei province, the centre of the outbreak in mid-December, the death toll has reached 780. Significantly, all but one of the overall total deaths deaths reported have been in mainland China and Hong Kong. 37,553 people are currently infected…

  • Crime NewsUPDATE: Makha Bucha Day massacre – 25 killed, 31 injured

    UPDATE: Makha Bucha Day massacre – 25 killed, 31 injured

    Hundreds of people were evacuated from Korat’s Terminal 21 shopping mall by late last night following a late afternoon shooting spree that’s currently claimed the lives of 25 and another 31 injured. As of this morning the gunman is still holed up in the shopping mall, apparently with hostages. The shopping centre, and surrounding areas, remains in complete lockdown and…

  • Northern Thailand NewsUPDATE: Elite forces storm Terminal 21, gunman holding hostages – VIDEO

    UPDATE: Elite forces storm Terminal 21, gunman holding hostages – VIDEO

    Following the shootings of innocent civilians by a Thai army sniper earlier this evening in Korat, north eastern Thailand, elite police and army forces of the Crime Suppression Division and Lop Buri-based Special Forces arrived at Terminal 21 shopping mall an hour ago. (Video of their arrival at Terminal 21 below) The armed gunman is believed to be still be…

  • Northern Thailand NewsUPDATE: Thai army shooter shot his commander before going on Korat rampage

    UPDATE: Thai army shooter shot his commander before going on Korat rampage

    A confirmed 12 people have been shot dead, some social media are already reporting up to 20 may have been shot dead. Many more are injured after a Thai army soldier, identified as Sergeant Major Jakraphanth Thomma, went on a shooting rampage this afternoon in Korat, Nakhon Ratchasima. The mass shootings are said to have started around 5.30 this afternoon.…

  • Northern Thailand NewsThai Army sniper goes on shooting rampage in Korat – up to 20 shot and killed

    Thai Army sniper goes on shooting rampage in Korat – up to 20 shot and killed

    UPDATE: A police and army detachment is currently searching for an army sniper in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Korat city centre. The solider has shot dead at least 12 people late this afternoon. The city is in virtual lockdown as security officials are trying to clear the areas around the crime scene. The gunman was live-streaming the entire incident and taking selfies…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – over 100,000 Chinese are still in Thailand

    Coronavirus UPDATE – over 100,000 Chinese are still in Thailand

    This morning there remain 25 confirmed coronavirus cases in Thailand. The death toll has now reached 724 with a total of 34,878 confirmed cases in the past six weeks. Over 2,000 have now fully recovered. Meanwhile, around Thailand, many Chinese tourists and expats continue to circulate after being in the Kingdom for more than 2-3 weeks. Around 100,000 Chinese tourists…

  • Thai LifeMakha Bucha Day – Why does Thailand have a public holiday?

    Makha Bucha Day – Why does Thailand have a public holiday?

    For Thai buddhists the day is a day of reflection and visits to the temple. For many others it’s a day of alcohol abstinence. In fact there is always a 24 hour alcohol ban imposed on the day, from midnight to midnight. Buddhist commemorations make up a number of the public holidays on the Thai calendar, among them is Makha…

  • Thailand NewsNo alcohol sales today – Makha Bucha Day

    No alcohol sales today – Makha Bucha Day

    A 24 hour ban on alcohol sales for Makha Bucha Day will remain in effect until midnight tonight (Saturday). Makha Bucha is a sacred Buddhist holiday which refers to a day to honour the third lunar month and, in particular, the Buddha and the teachings that he delivered on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month. The 24 hour…

  • Covid-19 NewsDr Li Wenliang, the face of the Wuhan Coronavirus, and failed censorship

    Dr Li Wenliang, the face of the Wuhan Coronavirus, and failed censorship

    In a country where media, especially social media, is tightly controlled, the events surrounding the death of young doctor Li Wenliang have been particularly surprising. An outpouring of frustration, grief and anger, directed at the Chinese government, made its way onto the Chinese social media platforms and was shared by millions before, as expected, finally being taken down. Such is…

  • Covid-19 NewsKick foreigners, not wearing face-masks, out of Thailand – Minister

    Kick foreigners, not wearing face-masks, out of Thailand – Minister

    Thailand’s mercurial Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has slammed foreign tourists who aren’t wearing face masks, or refuse to wear them when offered a free one offered by the government, says they “should be kicked out.” He was handing out government freebies this morning at the Siam BTS station as part of the Thai government’s education about coronavirus. “They don’t…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – 31,481 infections world-wide, the search for a cure

    Coronavirus UPDATE – 31,481 infections world-wide, the search for a cure

    “…the coronavirus has proven itself to have higher infection rates and lower fatality rates when compared with Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)” As the coronavirus outbreak in China surges past the 30,000 mark, having infected 31,481 people, the global scientific community are racing to find a reliable treatment and vaccine. Most of the people…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE: Thursday afternoon, 1,200+ patients now fully recovered

    Coronavirus UPDATE: Thursday afternoon, 1,200+ patients now fully recovered

    As of Thursday afternoon, World Health Organisation officials have raised the death toll to 565, with a total of 28,299 cases identified around the world. The number of full recoveries now exceeds 1,200 and rising fast as many of the earlier cases progress to full recovery. Below we’ve catalogued a lot of the latest news from around the world from…

  • Phuket NewsBibi does Bangla – What is the Thai girl experience with foreign boyfriends?

    Bibi does Bangla – What is the Thai girl experience with foreign boyfriends?

    Bibi heads to Soi Bangla in Phuket’s seaside party town of Patong. She’s inquiring about Thai girls’ opinions, even the working girls in the clubs. Have they had experience with a foreign boyfriend? What about their foreign boyfriend experiences, good and bad? What are their expectations? Is it all about money or are the Thai women more romantic than the…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – 28,276 confirmed cases, many people continue to recover

    Coronavirus UPDATE – 28,276 confirmed cases, many people continue to recover

    The month-long outbreak of the novel coronavirus shows no sign of letting up with the death toll rising, along with the list of new cases and an increasingly long list of full recoveries. Chinese health officials have raised the death toll to 565, with a total of 28,276 cases identified around the world. The number of full recoveries now exceeds…

  • Thailand video newsDo Thai women prefer ‘farang’ or Thai men? And why?

    Do Thai women prefer ‘farang’ or Thai men? And why?

    Today Bibi from Thaiger’s T-Talk headed out to ask some random females about who they prefer – Farang or Thai guys, and why? And if they have to choose one, who would they go for? Is it the money? Is it the height, the blue eyes? Maybe they want to improve their English. There are plenty of theories, thousands of…

  • Covid-19 NewsFlight full of Thai evacuees from Wuhan arrives at U-tapao, four with fever

    Flight full of Thai evacuees from Wuhan arrives at U-tapao, four with fever

    Four of the 138 Thais repatriated in an Air Asia jet from Wuhan last night were found to have a fever. The Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was at U-tapao airport, south of Pattaya, last night to welcome the 138 evacuees. Thai AirAsia flight FD571, carrying the 138 Thai passengers, landed at the navy airport in Ban Chang district in…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – 492 people now dead, spread to 25 countries

    Coronavirus UPDATE – 492 people now dead, spread to 25 countries

    The latest toll for the Coronavirus outbreak has now reached 25,552, of which just over 3,000 are reported to be in a critical condition. 492 people have died from the disease and 907 have recovered. Outside of China there are now 25 countries with infected patients – Thailand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and Germany with the most cases. Meanwhile,…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – Confirmed cases surpass 20,000

    Coronavirus UPDATE – Confirmed cases surpass 20,000

    There are now 20,638 cases of the Novel Coronavirus . So far, there have been 427 deaths, all but one in China. There have also been 688 people recovering from the virus. Importantly, the death rate has been only 2%, a low rate compared to similar outbreaks of flu-like viruses in the past. Even though the outbreak has spread around…

  • World NewsRegional news source publishes smuggled photos from Bangkok’s Immigration Detention Centre

    Regional news source publishes smuggled photos from Bangkok’s Immigration Detention Centre

    A regional news source, linked to the Catholic Church, has published a group of photos over the weekend slamming Thailand’s notorious Bangkok’s Immigration Detention Centre. The article claims the Centre has “squalid and overcrowded conditions in which inmates, including children, women and the elderly, have been forced to languish for months and even years on end.” The Union of Catholic…