- World News
Ukraine-Russia crisis, western leaders “convinced” Russia will invade
The British PM Boris Johnson claims he has evidence that Russia is planning “the biggest war in Europe since 1945”. Speaking to the BBC, Mr. Jonhson said “all the signs are that the plan has already in some senses begun”. “People need to understand the sheer cost in human life that could entail. Asked if a Russian invasion is imminent, Mr…
- Travel
The Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Pattaya
Visiting Thailand’s famous Pattaya is great for those with kids, as fun activities are all around. With many things to do such as the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not or the Frost Magical Ice of Siam, kids will have no trouble being entertained. Moreover, kids have the beach nearby at their disposal offering fun in the sun. Pattaya’s kid-friendly hotels…
- Travel
Top 5 art museums in Pattaya
Pattaya is best known for its stunning beaches and lively nightlife. However, not a lot of people know that the city is also filled with numerous interesting, informative, and engaging museums. From 3D artworks and historical mansions with beautiful sculptures to museums with haunted houses and teddy bears, there are many unique museums in Pattaya for tourists to explore. Below,…
- Travel
Unique souvenirs to buy in Chiang Mai markets and night markets
If you’re bringing an empty suitcase for souvenirs to Thailand, Chiang Mai is the best destination for you. Known as the handicraft capital of Thailand and filled with lively night markets, shopping in Chiang Mai is always a fun thing to do. You can find everything from silk and traditional clothing to hand-carved soaps and silverware. But with so many…
- Travel
The best caves in Thailand to explore
Thailand is full of natural sights that can be explored over a day or many. As many outdoor enthusiasts love to see the country’s caves, it is no wonder that Thailand features some truly awesome caves. From limestone filled caves to ones that resemble a museum, our list of the best caves to explore is below for your consideration. Thailand’s…
- World News
UK pedicab driver adopts tuk tuk tactics, forced to return lassies’ swindled quid
A pedicab driver in London who swindled two female passengers out of 180 pounds has been forced to return the money, after the Westminster City Council requested a crackdown on the city’s bicycle rickshaw “nuisance.” The driver originally charged 18 pounds for a 3 minutes trip, but then increased the price by a factor of 10 at the last minute,…
- Thailand News
Thai durian farmers prepare to face China’s zero-Covid-19 policy at the border, again
Durian growers in Thailand are preparing for stringent import checks with their biggest buyer — China, as the country continues to enforce its zero-Covid-19 policy at the border. Last year, Thailand exported more than 875 thousand tonnes of its pungent yellow fruit to China by land, sea and air, generating an estimated 3.4 billion USD, according to the Department of…
- World News
Former Goldman partner says greed, ambition motivated bribery for 1MDB fund
An ex-Goldman Sachs banker testified in federal court on Wednesday that greed and ambition motivated his participation in a massive bribery scheme that stole billions of dollars from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. The former chief of Goldman’s Southeast Asia operation — Tim Leissner — is the high profile witness in the criminal trial of Roger Ng, former head…
- World News
Philippine Supreme Court approves policy easing path to acquire citizenship
In the Philippines, the Supreme Court has approved an administrative policy making easier for stateless individuals seeking asylum in the island nation to acquire Philippine citizenship, including orphan children and their legal guardians. The high court approved The Rule on Facilitated Naturalization of Refugees and Stateless Persons in its weekly en banc session on Tuesday. In a statement on Wednesday,…
- World News
Moderna to set up subsidiaries in Taiwan, Hong Kong and SE Asia to dispense mRNA vaccines
Moderna Inc., the US biotech company and maker of the popular mRNA covid vaccine, announced on Tuesday its plan to set up four subsidiaries in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan to support the delivery of its vaccines across East and Southeast Asia. The Taiwan-based subsidiary is expected to be established by year’s end, and would bolster the existing medical…
- Tourism News
PM Prayut orders Thailand Pass to be improved, says tourists are essential
After some glitches with the Thailand Pass, which is required to enter the country, the system is being improved to make it more convenient for those travelling to Thailand. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered government agencies to quickly fix the system to ensure there are no delays with the approval process, adding that foreign tourism is essential for reviving Thailand’s economy,…
- Thailand News
3 men arrested after allegedly selling tiger, leopard skins to undercover police
Three men were arrested yesterday after they were allegedly caught selling clouded leopard and tiger hides to an undercover officer. Along with three live leopard kittens, tiger and leopard hides valued at two million baht were seized by national park officers and police at a resort in Kanchanaburi, which borders Myanmar. Officers had received a tip that illegal wildlife traders…
- World News
Taiwan to ease entry restrictions, cut quarantine to 10 days in March
Taiwan plans to relax its strict COVID-19 quarantine policy beginning in March, in order to reopen to the world and gradually resume normal life, the government said on Tuesday. Since the start of the pandemic, Taiwan has enforced a blanket two-week quarantine on everyone arriving to the island, even while its neighbours in Asia began implementing reopening strategies last year,…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok to be officially named “Krung Thep Maha Nakhon”
The official for Thailand’s capital is in the process of being changed to its more formal name “Krung Thep Maha Nakhon,” but its common name “Bangkok” will still be recognised. The Thai Cabinet approved the name change in principle, but the order still needs to be vetted by government officials. Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, or “Krung Thep” as most Thais…
- Crime News
Customs officers seize 15.5 kilograms of cocaine, arrest 3 Brazilians at Bangkok airport
Police arrested three people at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Aiport who were allegedly carrying 15.5 kilograms of cocaine in their luggage. Reports say the drugs had a street value of 46.5 million baht. The suspects, who are from Brazil, flew to Thailand from their home country on Monday on two different flights. A 27 year old man and 22 year old woman…
- Events
Makha Bucha Day 2022: All about the public holiday in Thailand
For Thai Buddhists, Makha Bucha, also written Māgha Pūjā, is a day of abstinence, reflection and visits to the local temple, which culminate in picturesque candle-lit ceremonies in the evening. For those who don’t follow the Buddhist traditions, it’s a day of no alcohol sales. In fact, there is always a 24 hour alcohol ban imposed on the day, from…
- World News
Tourism officials in Vietnam push for a full reopening to foreign travellers on March 15
Vietnam plans to reopen borders for foreign travellers on March 15, although the date is not yet official. According to the local media outlet VN Express, a draft proposal is in the works to fully allow inbound and outbound tourism starting in mid-March. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is now getting input from relevant agencies before submitting the…
- Thailand News
23 hotels in Thailand sold for a total of 13.2 billion baht in 2021
The following is a press release from JLL, a professional services firm specialising in real estate and investment management. Ease of travel restrictions will lead to a brighter tourism market outlook and more participation of foreign investors this year The latest report from property consultant JLL reveals that Thailand saw 23 hotels sold in 2021 with approximately 3,000 keys and…
- Events
Thailand’s boat show saga – aches and pains for Phuket’s yachting industry
“The country’s leisure yachting businesses may face yet another round of ‘too many boat shows’ once the Covid disruptor has passed into relative insignificance.” It’s hard to imagine something as straightforward as a boat show causing endless controversy – but that has been the case almost since Thailand’s first show, Phuket International Marine Expo (PIMEX), held in 2003 at the…
- World News
Russia’s figure skating sweetheart Kamila Valieva continues Olympic pursuit after interim doping ban
Russia’s figure skating star Kamila Valieva has been allowed to continue competing in the Winter Olympics after successfully appealing an interim ban, which came in light of a late failed doping test she took more than a month before the games began in Beijing. The Court of Arbitration for Sport made the ruling on Monday morning, allowing the 15 year…
- Crime News
UPDATE: Phuket gunmen named, possible related shooting in Canada last Tuesday
Police have identified the 2 gunmen who are being sought over the apparent gangland killing of Indian-born Jimi Sandhu on February 4 in Rawai, Phuket. Arrest warrants for 2 Canadian men have been issued. The alleged gunmen have been named as 36 year old Gene Karl Lahrkamp and Matthew Leandre Ovide Dupre, also 36. The arrest warrants follow an intensive…
- Things To Do
Top 10 English-language movies made in Thailand (or mostly in Thailand)
Thailand is active in attracting foreign movie makers, and has been for decades. Many well known movies have been either partially or totally filmed in Thailand. From ‘The Killing Fields’ to ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ and the latest in the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise (around Krabi). Some of Thailand’s scenery is unique and the film crews are well…
- Tourism News
Test and Go report card and arrivals – First 10 days of February
The CCSA has had their first report card for Thailand’s Covid situation following the reopening of the Test & Go program on February 1. After a doubling of daily infections over the past 2 weeks, there were fears that the CCSA may tighten restrictions. But, in the end, nothing was changed at the bi-weekly meeting. Even the provincial zonings remain…
- Economy News
Thailand, post Covid. What needs to change?
OPINION As Thailand starts to peer out from behind the Covid curtain, many expats and potential travellers are wondering if much will change after 2 years of lockdowns, closures re-openings and re-entry ‘plans’. Will we see changes in visas, property ownership, entry requirements and business laws? One of our YouTube commenters wrote in with his current ‘wish list’ (below). As…
- Thailand News
New Thailand cave-rescue film ‘Thirteen Lives’ gets record pre-screening scores, high hopes for box office
Ron Howard’s Thailand documentary Thirteen Lives about the famous cave rescue mission has received outstanding test scores in pre-release screenings, prompting MGM to promote the film’s release date from Easter weekend to mid-November, coinciding with awards season. The film follows the true story of a group of young boys and their soccer coach, who were trapped for weeks in the…
- World News
Burma or Myanmar? Myanmarese or Burmese?
We refer to Myanmar a lot in our news because it’s a bordering foreign country to Thailand and many people from Myanmar work in and around Thailand. It’s also subject of an ongoing coup after the Burmese military staged a coup on February 1, 2021. But is it Myanmar or Burma? And are the people that live there Myanmarese or…
- Bangkok News
Take a healthy bite of hipster paradise with plant based ‘smoothie bowls’ at Paco Club Bangkok
Looking for a boutique cafe that offers a unique blend of delicious and decor? Check out Paco Club Bangkok. With an artsy design and all natural, plant based desserts called “smoothie bows,” this colourful hole in the wall will rock your hipster socks off. Not smoothies in the traditional sense, their signature creations are comprised of your choice of fresh…
- Phuket News
Phuket hotel is first to roll out ‘Life Bag Initiative’ with Living Waters
The Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon in Phuket has became the first hotel to complete and roll out the joint initiative by Living Waters Phuket and the Phuket Hotels Association Life Bag Project. On Wednesday, February 9, the hotel handed out 200 Life Bags directly to the local Saku area, their local community in the area around The Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon.…
- Tourism News
Travellers can register for the Thailand Pass no less than 24 hours before their trip
For those planning a trip to Thailand, travellers will need to register for the required Thailand Pass QR code no less than 24 hours before a trip, but the Thai government is highly recommending that travellers register and plan a trip at least seven days in advance as the processing time before approval can take three to seven days. For…
- Technology News
China’s Tencent restores original ‘Fight Club’ film ending, cuts nudity after censorship backlash
In an unusual reversal of censorship, Chinese tech company Tencent has restored the original ending of the 1999 cult film “Fight Club.” The sudden turnaround comes after intense backlash from Chinese netizens who were familiar with the movie’s plot and significant negative publicity about the change in international media. But of course, they cut out the nudity, keeping in line…
