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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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Sponsored Why traders in Thailand are choosing EC Markets for gold and forex trading
Gold and forex trading have long been favourites among investors in Thailand, but why are so many traders now turning to EC Markets? The answer lies in a combination of tight spreads, ultra-fast execution, Thai baht (THB) deposit support, and...
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Airport warns of taking photos of landing aircraft at Nai Yang Beach
A meeting was held yesterday (May 17), led by the Phuket International Airport General Manager Petch Chancharoen, to discuss a YouTube post. The meeting follows a ‘youtube’ channel user, ‘donprozento’, posting a video on March 10. The video shows tourists taking photos of an aircraft landing. The aircraft was landing on the runway 09. The meeting was to address measures to…
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900,000 baht to move ‘some’ monkeys
Phuket’s Governor Norraphat says, “We have studied all the possibilities and issues, such as food and water, to move some monkeys to islands off the coast of Phuket – Koh Ngam, Koh Pa Yu, Koh Mali, Koh Pae and Koh Tanan.” “From previous public hearings we have found that the most critical areas for monkey mischief is at Baan Yamu…
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April tourist arrivals in Thailand up nearly 10%
Thailand’s tourism racks up 13,701,411 visitors arriving in the first four months of 2018 – a 14% increase, year on year. For the same four months last year the passenger arrivals increased 3.35%. In April alone arrivals were 3,092,725. This is up 9.38% year on year according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Permanent Secretary, Pongpanu Svetarundra. The top ten…
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Phuket airport launches ‘Take off HKT ready for ASQ’ event
An event was launched today (May 18) at the The Slate Phuket Hotel in Thalang, hosted by the Phuket International Airport General Manager Petch Chancharoen (between fixing the air-conditioning at the domestic terminal). The event was aimed to present the readiness of the airport to join the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) of Airport Council International (ACI) for airport ranking. Phuket Airport is…
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Suspect arrested with over 100,000 meth pills after road accident in Krabi
Krabi Police have arrested 36 year old Supat ‘Bao’ Pueaksom. Police seized 115,150 methamphetamine pills along with a handgun and 10 bullets. The arrest came after Tuesday (May 5) when Plai Phraya Police in Krabi were notified of that a car collided with a kilometre marker on the side of the Route 44 Southern Seaboard road in Krabi. The car…
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French cybercrime suspect arrested in police raid – Samui
PHOTOS: Samui Police Frenchman Jonathan Verron, an alleged leader of a hacker group that stole data from a British financial institution and demanded a ransom to keep it secure, has been arrested on Koh Samui this morning (Friday). Crime Suppression Division Fifth Command and Technology Crime Suppression Division police had French embassy staff on hand when they raided a house…
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New Kusoldharm rescue office branch launched at base of Patong Hill
An opening ceremony was hosted by Phuket’s Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok for the new Kusoldharm Office Kwuan Yang branch on Patong Hill. The President of the Kusoldharm Foundation Benjawan Tampanuwat says, “Kusoldharm Foundation was officially established in September 27, 1976. The foundation’s main office remains on Poonpon Road in Phuket Town. We have established Kusoldarm rescue office braches in three…
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Seven arrested in Phuket loan shark crackdown
Phuket Provincial Deputy Commander Col Sermpan Sirikong says, “We’ve arrested four male and two female suspects in a loan shark crackdown on May 15 and 16.” “The five male suspects are 41 year old Adiraek Henghoo, 21 year old Ratanapon Haemtong, 26 year old Taechit Eakkanaprat, 23 year old Chawankorn Sukpan and 38 year old Kittisak Wongsamai. Two female suspects are…
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Three suspects arrested over April arson
A team of Phuket police and soldiers have arrested 18 year old Wiwat Singkaha, 19 year old Purachart Jitchamnan and a 52 year old woman known as ‘One’. Wiwat and Purachart were arrested at different houses in Mai Khao while ‘One’ was arrested at a house in Sakoo. Wiwat and Purachart were charged with arson while ‘One’ was charged with…
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Two vehicles catch fire after collision with power pole
Officials of the Phuket Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in Rassada were notified of an incident in front of Baan Kuku School in Rassada on Thursday (May 17) at 5am. Firefighters with three fire trucks arrived at the scene to find a Nissan car ablaze. Behind the Nissan police found an Isuzu pickup truck. Official at the Phuket Provincial…
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Army denies orders to shoot down drones in South
The fourth Army Region is denying there is a standing order for aerial drones to be shot down in the southern border provinces but it pointed out there were rules governing drone flights. Colonel Pramote Prom-in, spokesman for the forward command at Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, said drones could not be flown in aviation zones or near military…
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Phuket teacher turned away in Penang applying for visa
PHOTO: TielandtoThailand.com According to a British EFL teacher based in Phuket, officials in Penang are requiring a criminal background check from Thai police when applying for a Non-immigrant B visa associated with teaching. As reported in a Facebook post on the morning of May 17, Jay (who asked we omit his surname) stated the first thing embassy staff asked was,…
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Three escape burning vehicle in Wichit
Officials from the Phuket Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM Phuket) were notified of an incident near Laem Chan Intersection on Chao Fa East Road in Wichit this morning at 7.20am. Firefighters with two fire trucks along with Wichit Police arrived at scene to find a Toyota car ablaze. It took about 30 minutes to control the fire. The…
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‘Furious Aunties’ receive 1.47 million baht compensation, pending appeal
A Bangkok family could receive more than 1.47 million baht compensation for inconvenience because of the authorities’ failure to prevent “illegal markets” from operating around their house if the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) loses its appeal against a lower court verdict. The Central Administrative Court on Wednesday decided to award compensation to the Saengyoktrakarn family and also ordered the relevant…
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Phuket hosts Andaman marine rescue ‘brainstorm’
This morning (May 17) Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong joined in a brainstorming meeting at Pavillion Queen’s Bay Ao Nang in Krabi whilst working on a marine rescue centre project for the Andaman provinces. Joining him were officials from Krabi, Phuket, Phang Nga, Ranong and Trang. Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chatchai Salikanlaya was present to suggest ideas and to hear from…
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The Andaman’s first artificial seaweed installation in Khao Lak
An installation of ‘artificial seaweed’ took place at Bang Neang Beach in Takua Pa, led by Phang Nga Vice Governor Pakpoom Intarasuwan yesterday (May 16). There were 25 volunteer conservationists across different occupations such as teachers, doctors, soldiers, police, local politicians and foreigners joining in the installation which is happening over four days. Diving instructor Songwut Kwongming, who is the…
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Marine rescue training for tour guides
Training, run by the Department of Tourism, was launched at the Royal Phuket City Hotel yesterday (May 16). More than 70 participants joined in the training aimed specifically at marine safety. Siriwan Pohnlertwiwat, Head of Tourism Business Development says, “This training aims to prepare staff for tourist safety. Tour guides and tourism officials from Andaman provinces (Krabi, Phang Nga and…
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Seven pit bull dogs attack Monk
A 68 year old Buddhist monk has had a lucky escape after being mauled by sevenpit bulls while on a morning alms round in Samut Songkhram province. This information from a local police Facebook page. The photos of Phakhru Samutkhanisorn Panyawichuro’s 50 bitemarks, including several wounds that required up to 20 stitches were circulated in Thai social media. The Nation…
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Companies like AirBnB ‘illegal’ for daily and weekly rentals in Thailand
PHOTO: Wan Vayla Condos in Khao Tao A court ruling handed down in Hua Hin effectively confirms that people who rent out their rooms via companies like AirBnB on a daily and weekly basis are acting illegally. A letter has been sent to the Wan Vayla condos in Khao Tao from the local authorities outlining the court’s decision in two…
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Pete & Abbie’s holiday goes wrong – Go Fund Me campaign raises funds for medical bills
PHOTOS: ‘Pete & Abbies Journey’ Facebook page A British travel agent was left ‘unable to move’ after the taxi she and her partner were in was in a head-on smash with a truck heading to Khao Lak. The incident happened back on May 9. The couple were forced to rely on family and a Go Fund Me campaign to raise…
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60 million baht budget to solve perennial flooding on Thepkasattri road
At a meeting held yesterday (May 16) at the Governor’s House, the perennial flooding around Thalang on the main morth/south road was discussed. The meeting was chaired by Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong. Governor Norraphat says, “We have received a 60 million baht budget for the year 2019 to solve flooding problems in three areas on the main Thepkrasattri Road (No…
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Woman rescued from lagoon in Srisoonthorn
Thalang Police were notified of an incident at Bang Maruan Lagoon in Srisoonthorn by 61 year old Amnuay Imurai, who is a local security man, yesterday afternoon (May 15). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a woman age around 35, apparently drunk. Mr Amnouy and people who were exercising at the lagoon were trying to stop…
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COMMENT: What does it take to change driving habits?
Yesterday we had to report the sad news of 12 year old Chinnarat Kajatroka who fell off the motorbike he was driving whilst his 12 year old passenger had to watch in horror as his friend’s head was crushed by a tour bus which was following behind. On his own admission the two were travelling very fast, apparently racing another…
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Amulet thief arrested in Cherng Talay
A team of the Cherng Talay Police led by Maj Parinya Kwankaew have arrested 47 year old Jiradet Kongkaew from Pattalung at a house in Srisoonthorn yesterday. Police seized 29 famous amulets including ‘Luang Por Chaem’. He was taken to the Cherng Talay Police Station where he was charged with theft. (An amulet is an object that is typically worn,…
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Thailand Travel Mart 2018 in Pattaya this June
PHOTO: CM108.com Pattaya will be the host city for the 2018 ‘Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion’ (TTM+), positioning the event in a new light as the country’s travel sector continues to grow from strength to strength. The event is hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The three-day event is scheduled for June 13-15.…
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Facebook transparency report released. Which country filed the most requests?
In the first three months of this year Facebook says they’ve taken down 837 million pieces of spam and disabled 583 million fake accounts, most of them before being reported they claim. The figures form part of Facebook’s first transparency report that was released yesterday. CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the report is on the effectiveness of the social network giant’s…
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Fire in an unused classroom in Krabi
Fire fighters and fire trucks arrived at a class room on the third floor at a school in Krabi yesterday (May 15). Teachers and students were trying to put out the fire with fire extinguishers and buckets of water. Krabi Police were notified of the fire at the Krabi Provincial Administartive Organisation (OrBorJor) School in Krabi City at 1pm .…
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Woman talked down from pedestrian bridge in Thalang
Thalang Police were notified of an incident on Thepkrassattri Road in front of the Thalang District Health Office at 11:50 last night (May 14). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find an emotional woman standing on the iron guard of the 5.5 metre bridge during heavy rain. The woman was later identified as a 38 year old…
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Netflix, Spotify and Chill – Navigating the brave new world of music and TV
Subscription movies and music services are booming, in particular Netflix which has over 125 million users worldwide and Spotify which has over 70 million paying users. The subscription model is where you pay a monthly fee and are entitled access to media which is streamed via the internet, rather than buy a physical CD/DVD, an album from iTunes or pay…
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Dead fish found floating at a favourite Krabi public park
Last weekend many dead fish were found floating in a lagoon of a public park in Krabi town. The park is a popular spot where people are exercising. It is also an important tourism destination in Krabi. The lagoon has a bad smell from dead fish with flies attracted to the smell of rotting fish. Monitor lizards had also moved…
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