Thailand News

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  • 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,”…

  • Weather for March 4

    Weather for March 4

    Bangkok Partly cloudy. High 33ºC. Winds S at 15 to 30 km/h. Phuket Partly cloudy. High 31ºC. E winds shifting to W at 15 to 25 km/h. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 37ºC. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. Pattaya Morning thunderstorms. High 31ºC. Winds S at 15 to 30 km/h. Chance of rain 80%. Hua Hin Partly cloudy,…

  • 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…

  • Woman attacks Lottery MC during draw in Phatthalung – VIDEO

    Woman attacks Lottery MC during draw in Phatthalung – VIDEO

    The live broadcast of the government’s bi-weekly lottery draw was interrupted when a 35 year old woman threatened one of the MCs with a screwdriver. The lottery draw, held in Phatthalung province’s City Hall yesterday, was being broadcast live on Channel 5. The hall was full lottery enthusiasts and government officials when the attack happened. The attacker, later identified as…

  • Weather for March 1

    Weather for March 1

    Bangkok Generally clear. High 34ºC. Winds S at 15 to 25 km/h. Phuket Generally clear. High 32ºC. E winds shifting to SSW at 15 to 25 km/h. Chiang Mai Partly cloudy. High 36ºC. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. Pattaya Generally clear. High 31ºC. Winds SSW at 15 to 30 km/h.   Hua Hin Generally clear. High 33ºC. Winds…

  • Thai Airways resumes flights to Europe via Chinese airspace

    Thai Airways resumes flights to Europe via Chinese airspace

    Thai Airways International has resumed flights to Europe via Chinese airspace instead of over Pakistan after an abrupt cancellation of flights last night. The cancellations were due to armed tensions between India and Pakistan. Pratthana Pattanasiri, director for aviation safety at Thai Airways, said today that the national flag carrier was granted permission from China to fly to their European…

  • Flights delayed and cancelled at Phuket Airport – Closure of Pakistan airspace

    Flights delayed and cancelled at Phuket Airport – Closure of Pakistan airspace

    Flights have been affected at the Phuket International Airport, a knock-on affect from the closing of airspace over Pakistan. Latest in the tensions between India and Pakistan HERE. Thai Airways resumes flights. Read about that HERE. The Phuket International Airport has announced flights that have been affected at the Phuket International Airport. Delayed flights… AEROFLOT airlines flight SU278/279 from Moscow…

  • UPDATE: Thai Airways resumes flights

    UPDATE: Thai Airways resumes flights

    Thai Airways has resumed flight between Bangkok and Europe today after cancellations due to Pakistan’s emergency closure of its airspace. The cancellations, announced late last night, have caused havoc for travellers hoping to fly between Bangkok and Europe on Thai Airways last night and today. Flights between Bangkok to Europe, in both directions, normally fly over Pakistan’s airspace but since…

  • 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…

  • Weather for February 28

    Weather for February 28

    Bangkok Generally clear. High 34ºC. Winds S at 15 to 25 km/h. Phuket Partly cloudy. High 32ºC. E winds shifting to SSW at 15 to 30 km/h. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 36ºC. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 km/h. pattaya Partly cloudy. High 31ºC. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 km/h. Hua Hin Partly cloudy. High 32ºC. Winds SSE…

  • Pregnant wild turtle rescued from Lampang forest fire

    Pregnant wild turtle rescued from Lampang forest fire

    PHOTO: Lampang PR Office Fire fighters have rescued a pregnant wild turtle which was trying to escape from a forest fire at Doi Prabat in Lampang yesterday. The Thai News Agency reports that fire fighters from the Royal Forest Department, who were fighting at the firefront on Doi Prabat in Lampang found the pregnant wild turtle which was doing its…

  • Weather for February 27

    Weather for February 27

    Bangkok Partly cloudy. High 33ºC. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Partly cloudy. High 33ºC. Winds ESE at 15 to 30 km/h. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 36ºC. Winds SSE and variable. pattaya Partly cloudy. High 30ºC. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 km/h. Hua Hin Partly cloudy. High 31ºC. Winds SE at 15 to 25 km/h. Ko…

  • Phitsanulok man arrested for sex blackmail of 200 women

    Phitsanulok man arrested for sex blackmail of 200 women

    A man in Phitsanulok province has been arrested for allegedly luring some 200 women to videotape sex on their phones and later extorting them for money. Pol Lt-General Surachate Hakparn, in his role leading Thailand’s Action Taskforce for Information Technology Crime Suppression (TACCTICS), held a media conference yesterday to announce the arrest of 35 year old Kittisak Nimboonchuen. Surachate says…

  • 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,…

  • Dutch man arrested in Chon Buri on trafficking and overstay charges

    Dutch man arrested in Chon Buri on trafficking and overstay charges

    PHOTOS: Immigration Bureau Immigration officers have arrested a Dutch man in Chon Buri following an Interpol posting and notification. The Immigration Bureau reports that Jacob Jan Schipper from the Netherlands has been arrested for human trafficking, operated a smuggling ring and tax avoidance. He was arrested at a condominium in Sattahip, Chon Buri. When he was found Immigration police also seized cash…

  • Weather for February 26

    Weather for February 26

    Bangkok Morning thunderstorms. High 32ºC. Winds S at 15 to 25 km/h. Chance of rain 40%. Phuket Generally clear. High 32ºC. Winds ESE at 15 to 30 km/h. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 36ºC. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. pattaya Morning thunderstorms. High 30ºC. Winds S at 15 to 25 km/h. Chance of rain 40%. Hua Hin Partly…

  • Undoing a 90 year ban on female monks

    Undoing a 90 year ban on female monks

    STORY & PHOTOS: Kate Geraghty Perspective from Sydney Morning Herald writer Kate Geraghty. It’s not only western religions that bar woman from participation in religious teachings. It’s 4am and the odd rooster is crowing in the cool hours before day breaks and three saffron-robed monks from the all-female Songdhammakalyani Monastery are making their way through the back streets of Nakhon Pathom,…

  • New points system for traffic violations comes into force mid-year

    New points system for traffic violations comes into force mid-year

    Keeping your license will now be a bit more complicated under amendments to the Thai Road Traffic Act. But good drivers have nothing to worry about. There’s now a new points system added to the Road Traffic Act which will come into force when it’s finally announced in the Royal Gazette. The National Legislative Assembly sat yesterday to vote the…

  • Weather for February 25

    Weather for February 25

    Bangkok Partly cloudy. High 33ºC. Winds S at 15 to 30 km/h. Phuket Generally clear. High 32ºC. Winds SE at 15 to 30 km/h. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 37ºC. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. pattaya Morning thunderstorms. High 31ºC. Winds S at 15 to 30 km/h. Chance of rain 50%. Hua Hin Partly cloudy. High 32ºC. Winds…

  • “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…

  • A mother and two young daughters killed when their car is hit by a train

    A mother and two young daughters killed when their car is hit by a train

    A mother and two young daughters have been killed when their car was struck by a train at a railway crossing in Surat Thani’s Phun Pin district this morning. The Nation reports that police say the accident happened at a rail crossing in front of the Tambon Phun Phin Administrative Organisation that is located between Maluan and Thung Pho railway…

  • Thai exports fall 5.7 percent in January, year-on-year

    Thai exports fall 5.7 percent in January, year-on-year

    Thai export results have dipped for the third straight month, falling more than 5.65% compared to a year earlier. The fall was a lot bigger than expected, according to the Thai commerce ministry. Shipments contracted 1.72% in December, compared to a year earlier as well. January’s export drop was due to falling shipments of rice, gold, electronics and cars, according to the…

  • Weather for February 22

    Weather for February 22

    Bangkok Generally clear. High 35ºC. Winds S at 15 to 25 km/h. Phuket Generally clear. High 32ºC. E winds shifting to S at 15 to 25 km/h. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 36ºC. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 km/h. Pattaya Generally clear. High 31ºC. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 km/h. Hua Hin Partly cloudy. High 33ºC. Winds SSE…

  • Thailand’s sponsorship market grew 19% – 2018

    Thailand’s sponsorship market grew 19% – 2018

    ASN (Asia Sponsorship News) has just released its Sponsorship Market Overview for Thailand 2018. Local agencies have had their say on the performance of the Southeast Asian sponsorship marketplace. 2018 was a robust year for Thailand’s Sponsorship market, growing 19% year-on-year to US$223.4 million (2017’s total investment was US$188.2 million) and making grounds on reaching its previous (outlier) market peak of…

  • Young elephant found dead with plastic in intestines – Chachoengsao

    Young elephant found dead with plastic in intestines – Chachoengsao

    PHOTO: Department of national parks, wildlife and plant conservation The body of a young elephant has been found with plastic inside its large intestine in Chachoengsao (north of Chon Buri) yesterday. Officials at the department of national parks, wildlife and plant conservation (DNP) were notified from a villager headman that the young elephant has been founded dead in the forest. Veterinarians…

  • 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…

  • Weather for February 21

    Weather for February 21

    Bangkok Generally clear. High 35ºC. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Generally clear. High 32ºC. ENE winds shifting to W at 15 to 25 km/h. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 36ºC. Winds SE and variable. pattaya Partly cloudy, with a possible thunderstorm. High 30ºC. Winds SW at 10 to 15 km/h. Chance of rain 30%. Hua Hin Generally…

  • 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.…

  • Weather for February 20

    Weather for February 20

    Bangkok Generally clear. High 34ºC. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Generally clear. High 31ºC. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 35ºC. Winds SE and variable. Pattaya Generally clear. High 31ºC. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 km/h. Hua Hin Generally clear. High 31ºC. Winds SE at 10 to 15 km/h. Ko…

  • Syrian woman arrested with fake Spanish passport at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    Syrian woman arrested with fake Spanish passport at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    PHOTOS: Immigration Bureau Immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport have arrested a Syrian woman with a fake Spain passport. The Immigration Bureau reports that, while they were patrolling the airport, they found the woman who was acting suspiciously. They asked to see her passport which had her name listed on the passport as Alampana Albana, a Spanish national. She was waiting for…