News
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Monopoly comes to Phuket, but don’t Go To Jail!
You may not be able to physically visit the world famous holiday island right now, but you can buy and trade property along it’s best known streets – all whilst sitting at home and playing Phuket Monopoly with your family. You can also get “free parking”, usually at a premium in Phuket’s most popular towns. But make sure you don’t…
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Thailand News Today | Everyone welcome, Golf quarantine approved, 775M for Pattaya | December 9
All countries welcome – Thailand open for business Come one, come all. You’re all welcome back. In response to the dismally low take-up of the Special Tourist Visa, the Thai government has U-turned on a stipulation that only those from “low-risk” countries can apply to re-enter the Kingdom. The special tourist visa is now available to all, regardless of the…
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UPDATE: 5 men arrested for allegedly abducting foreigner in Bangkok
UPDATE: 5 men were arrested for allegedly kidnapping a 43 year old Chinese businessman, forcing him into a white Mitsubishi Champ sedan on Sukhumvit 39 in Bangkok’s Phrom Phong area. The abduction was allegedly over a lawsuit filed by the businessman, who had invested in several spas, against one of the suspects who is a construction contractor. Apparently, the contractor…
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Grab driver fired for photo holding a gun, threatening to social media users
A now-fired Grab driver might face criminal charges after he made posts on social media with threatening messages and a photo of himself holding a gun while wearing the company’s jacket. Grab Thailand says they’ve suspended the driver’s account on the ride-sharing and food delivery mobile application for violating the company’s security and safety protocols. Grab says the driver used…
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Foreign tourists can now spend the 14-day quarantine at a golf course
Need to work on your golf swing? Come to Thailand and spend the mandatory 14-day quarantine at a golf course. The Thai Cabinet approved the “golf course quarantine” and the measure will be published in the Royal Gazette this evening, making it official. Golfers will need to abide by coronavirus prevention measures, like social distancing, while playing rounds. Along with…
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Driver killed after car hits barrier, plummets off Bang Na Expressway
A 30 year old man has died, after the car he was driving crashed into a barrier and then plunged off an expressway, landing on its roof on the road below. Nation Thailand reports that the incident occurred on the Burapha Withi (Bang Na) Expressway, in the central province of Samut Prakan, just after midnight last night. The man has…
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775 million baht earmarked for revival of Pattaya tourism industry
Officials in Pattaya are planning 2 development schemes, at a combined cost of 775 million baht, with hopes of reviving the city’s decimated tourism industry. The proposals have been named Neo Koh Lan and Old Town Na Klua, and will consist of 32 projects, which will be developed over the next 3 financial years. The Bangkok Post reports that funds…
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Thai government urged to support foreign property buyers with additional incentives
The Thailand Development Research Institute is calling on the government to support foreign property investors, by allowing them to bid for residential units. Nonarit Bisonyabut from the TDRI says the measure would be aimed at off-setting a shortfall in local demand. With foreigners usually having higher purchasing power than Thais, he adds that the number of units offered for bidding…
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Shaken but not stirred – Miss Thailand contestants get an unplanned swim | VIDEO
Luckily no one was hurt but these Miss Thailand beauty queens ended up with an unscheduled dunking whilst parading for the cameras in Chiang Mai. A video captures the face-masked girls, all dressed up in the day’s casual uniform, posing for the cameras and the the moment a bridge snaps, plunging the 30 smiling, but bemused, Miss Thailand contestants into…
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Health minister blasts illegal returnees, downplays epidemic rumours
The Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has slammed a group of Thai nationals who crossed the border from Myanmar illegally, bypassing health checks and quarantine. At least 10 Thai women employed at a hotel and entertainment complex in Myanmar have tested positive for Covid-19 since their illegal return to the Kingdom. Thailand now has a total of 39 cases linked…
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All countries welcome – Thailand open for business
Come one, come all. In response to the dismally low take-up of the Special Tourist Visa, the Thai government has U-turned on a stipulation that only those from “low-risk” countries can apply. The visa is now available to all, regardless of the Covid-19 situation in their country. However, all arrivals are still subject to mandatory 14 day quarantine – which…
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19 protest guards arrested for removing barbed wire from public street
19 volunteer guards associated with the pro-democracy protests were arrested last night for allegedly stealing government property after they removed barbed wire that was partially blocking a pedestrian bridge in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district. The barbed wire may have been left behind by authorities after protests in October. The guards, known as WeVo, meaning “We Volunteer,” are associated with the…
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Police investigate possible abduction of foreign woman in Bangkok
Police have opened an abduction investigation after a Chinese woman was reportedly forced into a car off Sukhumvit soi 39 in Bangkok’s Phrom Phong area. The Thong Lor department confirmed they have opened an investigation after rumours were spread on Facebook about alleged kidnappings in the area. A woman made a Facebook post last night saying a condominium security guard…
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4 health care workers in Bangkok test positive for Covid-19
4 health care workers tested positive for Covid-19 after working at alternative state quarantine facilities and hospitals in Bangkok. The medical personnel, ages 25 to 40, tested positive on December 4 and 5 after reporting symptoms of a fever and headache. Public health officials are investigating the cases to see if there were any slip-ups in quarantine protocols. Medical personnel…
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Pet wildcat lost in Phuket, Russian family offers 50,000 baht reward
Be on the lookout for an African wildcat in Phuket. A Russian family’s pet serval cat “Julie” is missing and they’re offering a 50,000 baht reward to anyone with information that leads to the cat’s return. The cat is large with markings that resemble a cheetah. Julie was last seen in the Surin Beach area. The cat’s owner, Aliona Lissone,…
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Man gets life sentence for fatal shooting of ex-wife at Bangkok beauty clinic
A 28 year old man, who fatally shot his ex-wife and injured her colleague at their place of work, has been sentenced to life in prison. Danusorn Numcharoen was originally sentenced to death at yesterday’s hearing in Bangkok’s Criminal Court, with the sentence commuted to life imprisonment because he confessed. He must also pay compensation to the victim’s family, set…
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Teenager allegedly stabs father to death after being told to do his homework
A 15 year old allegedly stabbed his father to death after being scolded for not doing his homework and playing too much on his smartphone. Police in the Ratchaburi’s Ban Pong district are investigating and have not yet pressed charges. The teenager, a Mathayom 3 student, was playing on his smartphone when his father said he should be doing his…
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Air Asia to focus on ASEAN expansion, as CEO expresses cautious optimism for 2021
Air Asia’s chief executive, Tony Fernandes, says the low-cost carrier is planning to expand its presence in Southeast Asia and is in talks to form 3 new airlines. He points out that people still want to travel, and that demand makes him hopeful air travel could be back to its pre-Covid numbers within 6 – 12 months. “At the right…
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How to buy gold in Thailand – from bracelets to baht
Jett Gunther visits Bangkok’s Chinatown and discusses why you should buy gold in Thailand, and how. Bangkok is home to one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, and the Chinese love gold! Not only is gold highly regarded as a sacred metal, gold has held its value for thousands of years! In the past 20 years alone, the price…
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PM in visit to flood-hit south, as death toll rises to 24 – VIDEO
Record flooding in parts of southern Thailand has now claimed 24 lives, with the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat being hardest-hit, with 19 deaths and around 180,00 homes flooded. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha visited the province yesterday to express his condolences and pledge financial aid for those affected. Video: Thai Rath The Bangkok Post reports that the death of a woman…
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Passengers from Chiang Rai-Bangkok flights considered “low-risk”
Passengers from 4 flights between Chiang Rai and Bangkok are considered at “low risk” of contracting Covid-19, according to a statement from the Public Health Ministry. However, the ministry is asking all passengers to self-monitor for the next 14 days, and report symptoms such as fever, a cough, sore throat, or a loss of taste or smell immediately. The 4…
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Thailand News Today | Deadly floods, Chiang Rai Covid cases, Mekong Forum | December 7
Southern Thailand flood death toll: 24 At least 24 people have now been reported to have died due to flash floods in Southern Thailand following a week of heavy rain. 19 of the victims were in Nakhon Si Thammarat which was hit the hardest. Today, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported 3 more deaths from flooding in the…
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New forum to tackle Mekong challenges
For nearly 20 years, activists have called against the development of hydro-dams and water projects along the Mekong River. But now, the campaign is taking the next step with plans to focus on taking action at the policy level. It took 2 decades, but activists have now launched the “Mekong People’s Forum.” 200 people attended the forum including local villagers, conservationists,…
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More trees for Bangkok, city’s arborist says a “green future” will take time
More trees will be planted throughout Bangkok as part of the city’s master plan “Green Bangkok 2030.” While in western countries, eco-friendly master plans are driven by science, Thailand has spiritual influences that also come into play. Photos and news of big trees being cut down are often shared on social media. Some people in Thailand believe spirits inhabit some…
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Man allegedly steals excavating tractor, smashes into police pickup truck
A man was arrested after he allegedly stole a backhoe excavating tractor and smashed the digging bucket into a motorcycle and a police pickup truck. 42 year old Rungniran Songsan was charged with theft and criminal damage. Police were called to the scene after Rungniran allegedly took off on the backhoe in a rural road in Pathum Thani, north of…
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Southern Thailand flood death toll: 24
At least 24 people have died due to flash floods in Southern Thailand following several days of heavy rain. 19 of the victims were in Nakhon Si Thammarat which was hit the hardest. Today, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported 3 deaths from flooding in the southern region. A woman drowned in Surat Thani’s Phrasaeng district and 2…
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New Year countdown events get the “okay,” but under strict health measures
Lockdowns, social distancing, face masks and lots and lots of hand sanitiser… this year has been different to say the least and counting down the last hours of 2020 will be different as well. New Year countdown events have been given the “okay,” but just as long as health safety measures are in place, according to Nattaphon Narkphanit who leads…
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2 local cases in Bangkok contribute to Sunday total of 14 new Covid-19 cases
2 people have been identified in Bangkok as locally infected with Covid-19. The announcement follows a week of revelations coming out of the north from the Chiang Rai border crossing into Myanmar where Thai prostitutes and workers have been crossing back into Thailand, infected, without going through any quarantine procedures. Thailand recorded 14 new cases of the coronavirus today, including…
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Drugged up slaughterhouse worker kills 2, injures 5 at random
A drugged up slaughterhouse worker has been accused of killing 2 girls and injuring 5 others while going on a random knife attack on his motorbike in Udon Thani. The man, 31 year old Itthiphol Imphueng, from Udon Thani’s Nong Wua So district, worked in Muang district. His first victim was 16 year old Anchaya Boonyingyuan, who died at Udon…
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