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    5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)

    Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...

  • Same same but not very different – Election 2019

    Same same but not very different – Election 2019

    By Jintana Panyaarvudh Campaigning ahead of the March 24 election is getting a little too heated in the view of some observers. The old habit of slinging mud between rival politicians has revived prompting critics to raise concerns. “The world has evolved but Thai politicians have failed to develop or employ new, creative methods in their campaigns to attract voters,”…

  • Air quality for Thailand – March 4

    Air quality for Thailand – March 4

    Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.   Northern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive…

  • Chiang Mai kids are demanding action on air pollution

    Chiang Mai kids are demanding action on air pollution

    PHOTOS: Facebook / Pharadon Phonamnua Children and their parents in Chiang Mai are sick of the poor air quality in the northern capital and have issued a new Facebook challenge with the hashtag #CleanAirAct. The Facebook page has their photos taken with an “anti-PM2.5 dust” flags, they want action and they want it NOW. Campaign organiser Pharadon Phonamnuai, pointing out that…

  • 14 injured in bus crash in Prachuap Khiri Khan

    14 injured in bus crash in Prachuap Khiri Khan

    PHOTO: ปูดำนิวส์ A tour bus has flipped over in the middle of the main road through Prachuap Khiri Khan last night around midnight. The accident happened at the Phetkasem Road 371 kilometer marker (distance from Bangkok). Up to 14 people have been injured in the incident, four of them seriously. The injured were rushed to hospital as rescuers helped free…

  • Chinese resurgence, Russian stability feature in tourist arrivals for the start of 2019

    Chinese resurgence, Russian stability feature in tourist arrivals for the start of 2019

    The Chinese returned in numbers at the start of 2019 giving the Land of Smiles a spectacular start for the year with a total of 3.7 million visitors in January 2019. This was a nearly 5% rise in total tourist numbers from the same month last year. Mainland China continues to lead Thailand’s source market with just over a million arrivals…

  • Saying no to ‘Say No’ campaigns – Tackling Thailand’s plastic bag problem

    Saying no to ‘Say No’ campaigns – Tackling Thailand’s plastic bag problem

    Some timid but long overdue steps are now being taken towards reducing Thailand’s plastic waste. Baby steps to start with but there is no doubt that the issue has now entered the Thai national psyche. In reaction, so far, Thai businesses have, for the most part, made only cursory PR efforts at tackling the bigger problem but, again, it’s a…

  • Day One of burning ban – Chiang Mai still choking on poor air quality

    Day One of burning ban – Chiang Mai still choking on poor air quality

    PHOTOS: The Nation Air pollution remains above the official safety limit in and around Chiang Mai today – the first day of a 50 day ban on all burning. Next door, in Mae Hong Son, the level of PM2.5 micron airborne particulates measured 93 micrograms per cubic metre of air, nearly double the safe limit of 50mcg. Chiang Mai measures…

  • Air quality for Thailand – March 1

    Air quality for Thailand – March 1

    Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants…

  • American man and Thai woman arrested in Chiang Mai cannabis factory raids

    American man and Thai woman arrested in Chiang Mai cannabis factory raids

    PHOTOS: The Nation Narcotics police in Chiang Mai have arrested a 44 year old American man and a 37 year old Thai woman in separate raids on two houses in Mae Rim district. Police alleged the houses were used as cannabis production facilities. Police allegedly found cannabis in multiple forms – dried, liquid, tablets as well as plants. Inside one…

  • Future Forward leader Thanathorn spared detention, for now

    Future Forward leader Thanathorn spared detention, for now

    The leader of a pro-democracy party, Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, and two of his colleagues were spared detention in a case involving criticism of the junta on TV last week. Dashing earlier speculation that the trio would be held in custody, the attorney-general ordered them freed for now, saying they had voluntarily turned themselves in. Bail bond was also…

  • Constitutional court to rule Thai Raksa Chart’s fate next week

    Constitutional court to rule Thai Raksa Chart’s fate next week

    by Kas Chanwanpen Thai Raksa Chart Party will know its fate next week after the Constitutional Court yesterday scheduled March 7 to read its verdict on whether the party should be dissolved following a petition from the Election Commission (EC). The final judgement next week will be made based on the evidence submitted to the court earlier and there will…

  • Air quality for Thailand – February 28

    Air quality for Thailand – February 28

    Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Northern Thailand Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects Southern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants…

  • Air quality for Thailand – February 27

    Air quality for Thailand – February 27

    Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand It is a great day to be active…

  • PM disses debates “I just don’t see the necessity to take part”

    PM disses debates “I just don’t see the necessity to take part”

    by Kas Chanwanpen A prime ministerial candidate is refusing to take part in any of the televised political debates in the lead up to the election on March 24. Dismissing growing calls to join the up-coming round of debates, NCPO chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha has affirmed that he attached no importance to the calls for him to outline his vision,…

  • Southern ranger killed, two injured in Yala bomb ambush

    Southern ranger killed, two injured in Yala bomb ambush

    PHOTOS: The Nation Southern insurgents have detonated a home-made bomb in a roadside ambush of a patrol unit of rangers in Yala’s Bannang Sata district. The fatal incident happened this morning, killing one ranger and injuring another. Yala provincial police were informed of the blast at 9.25am. It occurred on the main road in Tambon Bacho’s Ban Ubae village. 33…

  • Air quality for Thailand – February 26

    Air quality for Thailand – February 26

    Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand It is a great day to be active…

  • Air quality for Thailand – February 25

    Air quality for Thailand – February 25

    Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Northern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to…

  • “New drug laws don’t legalise unlicensed marijuana cultivation”

    “New drug laws don’t legalise unlicensed marijuana cultivation”

    Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rushed to clarify that the new narcotics law does not legalise the unrestricted planting of marijuana in an apparent response to the Bhumjai Thai political party’s manifesto pledge to legalise marijuana cultivation. The party trotted out the election platform last week during their campaigning. FDA secretary-general Dr. Tharet Kratnairaveewong has clarified that the…

  • American backpacker refuses to pay for girl he brought back to hostel, punches staff

    American backpacker refuses to pay for girl he brought back to hostel, punches staff

    An American backpacker tourist, visiting Chiang Mai, had to be restrained after getting into a squabble with hostel staff after being asked to leave the premises. The video of the altercation was shared on Reddit by ‘EatPrayFart’. Following a night out, the backpacker brought a girl back to the mixed dorm room that he shared with nine other people. The report…

  • Poor air quality and smoke continue to dog Chiang Mai

    Poor air quality and smoke continue to dog Chiang Mai

    PHOTO: Sanook Chiang Mai continue to suffer from a smog and haze crisis. Residents are suffering the affects of the poor air quality for the second week in a row in the northern Thai city. A high reading of 176 has been recorded just north of the city centre but the areas all around Chiang Mai are registering high readings recorded…

  • Air quality for Thailand – February 22

    Air quality for Thailand – February 22

    Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants…

  • Army chief’s intervention in election campaign backfires

    Army chief’s intervention in election campaign backfires

    by Jitraporn Sennawong and Nattaphat Phromkaew The Thai Army chief’s attempt to scare politicians from discussing the Army’s budget and reform by indirectly calling them “enemies of the state” has backfired. Many Thais have emerged with additional proposals for reforms of the military, and others are protesting the chief’s invocation of the jingoistic military anthem. Political critics and social media…

  • Air quality for Thailand – February 21

    Air quality for Thailand – February 21

    Central Thailand It is a great day to be active outside.   Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.   Southern Thailand It is a great day to be active outside.

  • Thai Raksa Chart say Princess was ‘nominated with her consent’

    Thai Raksa Chart say Princess was ‘nominated with her consent’

    PHOTO: Prasert Thepsri – The Nation The embattled Thai Raksa Chart Party is defending its nomination of Princess Ubolratana as a prime ministerial candidate saying it was done at the wish and consent of the Princess. The party is fighting for its existence as the Charter Court mulls a dissolution of the party after a recommendation from the Election Commission.…

  • Army Chief spits the dummy and orders the playing of military song

    Army Chief spits the dummy and orders the playing of military song

    Contributors Jitraporn Sennawong and Kas Chanwanpen – The Nation If you’re the Thai Army Chief, and a bit miffed that some political parties are including scaling back military spending in their election policies, what do you do? Why of course you order Army radio stations in the Kingdom to play a jingoistic, and offensive to many, military-themed song, “Nak Phaendin”. Angry…

  • Air quality for Thailand – February 18

    Air quality for Thailand – February 18

    Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants…

  • Amnesty for possession of cannabis in Thailand?

    Amnesty for possession of cannabis in Thailand?

    The Government is looking at a plan to grant amnesty to those who have been using, or have, cannabis in their possession, But only if they report to authorities within a given time frame. The Drug Committee approved three draft legislations for amnesty yesterday. If the drafts become law even possessors of cannabis, who are not patients or research units,…

  • 2,810 MP candidates line up for March 24 election

    2,810 MP candidates line up for March 24 election

    107 candidates, for positions as Members of Parliament, and two prime ministerial candidates have been disqualified from running in the March Thai general election. Of the 2,917 party-list registered candidates, from 77 political parties, 2,810 candidates and 68 prime ministerial candidates from 44 parties have qualified after being checked by the Election Commission. While the EC didn’t disclose the names…

  • Thailand’s Constitutional Court accepts case to dissolve Thai Raksa Chart

    Thailand’s Constitutional Court accepts case to dissolve Thai Raksa Chart

    Thailand’s Constitutional Court has voted unanimously to accept the Election Commission’s ruling that the Thai Raksa Chart party be disbanded over its nomination of Princess Ubolratana as its prime ministerial candidate last Friday. The party will be given seven days to present its defence in writing before the Court deliberates on the party’s future. Meanwhile electioneering is continuing for the…

  • Air quality for Thailand – February 15

    Air quality for Thailand – February 15

    Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand It is a great day to be active…