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    5 best wine bars in Bangkok offering rich and quality wine

    It’s wine o’clock! Whether you’re all about fruity reds, sweet whites, or funky naturals, Bangkok has many great spots to sip your favourite varieties. But with an array of options to choose from, and the constant rise and fall of...

  • Thai lady boy arrested over Japanese tourist fraud

    Thai lady boy arrested over Japanese tourist fraud

    PHOTO: Immigration Bureau A Thai lady boy has been arrested after she has defrauded Japanese tourists and businessmen over the past ten years. The Immigration Bureau is reporting that the Immigration Chief Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn was notified by the Embassy of Japan that, over the past two months, more than ten Japanese tourists and businessmen have been defrauded by…

  • Hakeem Al-Araibi hobbles into court in leg irons – raises questions about his treatment in Thailand

    Hakeem Al-Araibi hobbles into court in leg irons – raises questions about his treatment in Thailand

    The Corrections Department says they are permitted by law to place leg irons on former-Bahraini-footballer-turned-Australian-refugee Hakeem Al-Araibi. Al-Araibi, a resident of Australia where he holds also refugee status, appeared at the Criminal Court yesterday with his legs cuffed. He is fighting an extradition request from his former home country. The sight of Al-Araibi in leg irons drew a lot of…

  • 14 year old peeping tom gets caught in Thai gas station women’s bathroom

    14 year old peeping tom gets caught in Thai gas station women’s bathroom

    PHOTO: Sanook A Thai teen has been accused of lurking around a gas station bathroom and peeking under the women’s bathroom stall in Chon Buri, east of Bangkok. 21 year old Wipaporn Wongwijarn was shocked when she saw a pair of eyes peeking up at her from under the bathroom stall during a moment with nature. Furious, she stormed out…

  • Hua Hin massage shops blocking the beach

    Hua Hin massage shops blocking the beach

    PHOTO: Juckrit Chotphom The Hua Hin municipality says they’re going to investigate beach massage operators for encroaching on, and blocking, the popular beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Clerk of the municipality, Jirawat Prammanee, says he ordered officials to check on the operators after seeing posts from a Hua Hin resident showing the beach obstructed by massage beds. Jirawat said…

  • Facemasks on sacred statues gets BKK photographer into hot water

    Facemasks on sacred statues gets BKK photographer into hot water

    PHOTOS: Facebook/Chub Nokkaew Thai photographer Chub Nokkaew is in trouble for defacing Wat Arun’s iconic statues with face masks. Well, not quite… But the retouched photos were done so skilfully it almost resulted in him facing a criminal charge. He was merely using the retouched pics to make a point about Bangkok’s recent air pollution woes. The artwork has received…

  • Smoking rooms, and smokers, being kicked out of Thai airports

    Smoking rooms, and smokers, being kicked out of Thai airports

    Ah yes, just finished that 11 hour flight from Europe and can’t wait to dash into the smoking room for a quick cigarette. In Thailand that’s no longer going to be possible. The AoT (Airports of Thailand) are scrapping the anachronistic smoking zones at all their airports, effective immediately. Smokers won’t be able to smoke in the ‘Smoking Rooms’ at…

  • 7-Eleven hands over a cash advance to a lady boy from retiree’s stolen credit card

    7-Eleven hands over a cash advance to a lady boy from retiree’s stolen credit card

    FILE PHOTO ThaiVisa is reporting that an American retiree, living in Bangkok, claims a lady boy stole his wallet in Phuket. She then used his wallet to get a 13,550 baht cash advance at a local 7-Eleven store. The card was signed and the receipt issued to ‘Gregory M Field’ in English. But, explains ThaiVisa, the lady boy was handed…

  • Oil from a lamp started Sunday fire – Moken village headman

    Oil from a lamp started Sunday fire – Moken village headman

    A village headman of the Moken Village in Phang Nga says that oil from a lamp started the fire that engulfed a large portion of the village on Sunday night. A fire destroyed part of the Moken Village (sea gypsy village) on Mu Koh Surin in Phang Nga province. About 67 houses were destroyed while about 18 houses managed to avoid…

  • Pattaya officials sidelined after soliciting for ‘donations’

    Pattaya officials sidelined after soliciting for ‘donations’

    Pattaya’s new mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem is ordering the transfer of a group of municipal officers who appear to be at the centre of an alleged ‘kick-back’ scandal with local massage vendors on Jomtien Beach. The story emerged after a group of masseuses in the Pink Zone of the beach say they had refused to pay a request for 20,000 baht…

  • Another dog tests positive for rabies in Krabi

    Another dog tests positive for rabies in Krabi

    Another local dog has tested positive for rabies in Krabi. The district livestock office in Krabi province announced a Rabies outbreak zone in the Mueang Krabi district area last week. Read more about the announcement HERE. Yesterday, the Krabi Provincial Livestock official was notified from locals that another dog was suspected to have rabies in Moo7, Khao Panom. The dog was captured…

  • Thai and Burmese authorities detain 81 in search for drug gang

    Thai and Burmese authorities detain 81 in search for drug gang

    by Natthawat Laping “Is wanted Thai drug trafficker 30 year old Pannawit Pathum among the group?” Burmese authorities have conducted raids at entertainment venues, hotels, resorts and residential communities near the Thai-Myannar border opposite Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang district and rounded up 81 Thai nationals who had illegally entered the country. Chiang Rai Immigration superintendent Pol Colonel Ekkorn Busababodin…

  • Air quality for Thailand – February 5

    Air quality for Thailand – February 5

    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…

  • Fire destroys car accessories warehouse in Phuket – VIDEO

    Fire destroys car accessories warehouse in Phuket – VIDEO

    A fire has destroyed a car accessories warehouse in Phuket Town early this morning. The damage costs are estimated at many million baht. Fire fighters were notified of the fire at Hong Kee Auto Sound on Wichit Songkram Road in Phuket Town at 01.40am. Fire fighters arrived at the scene with 11 fire engines, along with Kusoldharm rescue workers and…

  • Australian government demands Thailand release Hakeem Al-Araibi

    Australian government demands Thailand release Hakeem Al-Araibi

    “The actions of the Bahraini Government have put Thailand in a very difficult position.” Australia officials are repeating their call that ex-Bahraini national footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, who is now facing a lengthy extradition process after an appearance in a Bangkok court yesterday, be returned to Australia immediately. They say that he is a legal refugee and a permanent resident of…

  • No more smoking in airports, and no more cheap Thai cigarettes

    No more smoking in airports, and no more cheap Thai cigarettes

    Thai smokers are under fire. As of Sunday, February 3, all airports operated by Airports of Thailand (AoT) have been declared no-smoking zones with fines up to 5,000 baht for any violators. AoT has now abolished all smoking rooms in both the offices and passenger buildings in all six airports which they manage. This comes in accordance with the 2017…

  • Jetski operators in Hua Hin told to ‘stick to guidelines’

    Jetski operators in Hua Hin told to ‘stick to guidelines’

    PHOTOS: Talk News Online Jetski operators on Hua Hin beaches have been warned to stick to pricing guidelines and beach locations in the Gulf holiday resort. Talk News Online reports that officials visited Hua Don beach in Hua Hin to rein in the jetski operators. Jetski operators in all seaside resorts around Thailand have a reputation for not following the…

  • Air pollution in Bangkok improved over the weekend, marathon goes ahead

    Air pollution in Bangkok improved over the weekend, marathon goes ahead

    PHOTO: Thai PBS Air quality around Bangkok had sufficiently improved for the running of a charity marathon in the capital yesterday morning. 16,000 runners took part in the marathon yesterday from the Ratchamangala stadium in Hua Mark, through central Bangkok and to the finish line at the Democracy monument on Rajdamnoen road. The race organisers say they were closely monitoring updates…

  • Krabi officials in Ao Nang gear up for Chinese New Year

    Krabi officials in Ao Nang gear up for Chinese New Year

    More than 100 officers from Krabi Immigration and other local officialdom have put on a show of force to assure locals, tourists and expats that authorities are well prepared for Chinese New Year public safety this year. Krabi Immigration Chief Col Supparueak Pankosol says, “There are many tourists visiting Krabi during this Chinese New Year.” “We are making sure that…

  • At least another 60 days in Thai jail for Hakeem al-Araibi

    At least another 60 days in Thai jail for Hakeem al-Araibi

    SCREENSHOT from The Guardian video Australian refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi now has 60 days to prepare a defence against the Bahraini government’s attempt to extradite him from Thailand. Bahrain’s extradition request was formally accepted for consideration last Friday. The 25 year old will have to remain in Thai prison for the two months, on top of the two months he’s already…

  • Chacheongsao rubber plantation fire under control after 15 hours

    Chacheongsao rubber plantation fire under control after 15 hours

    A huge fire, which had already destroyed more than half of a 400 rai rubber plantation in Chacheongsao province, was finally brought under control at 1.30pm yesterday. The deputy provincial governor Prasong Khongkhaoroptham said the fire had raised worries of adding to Bangkok’s air-pollution woes. Chacheongsao province is directly to the east of the Thai capital. Investigation into the cause of…

  • Air quality for Thailand – February 4

    Air quality for Thailand – February 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 Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Southern Thailand Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution…

  • Fire destroys Moken Village in Phang Nga – VIDEO

    Fire destroys Moken Village in Phang Nga – VIDEO

    A fire has destroyed a Moken Village (sea gypsies village) on Mu Koh Surin in Phang Nga last night. Around 8pm last night a fire started which engulfed the Moken Village on Mu Koh Surain National Park in Phang Nga. Mu Koh Surin National Park officials, Navy officers and locals helped to bring the fire under control. About 67 houses…

  • Weather for February 4

    Weather for February 4

    Bangkok Sunshine and a few clouds. High 34C. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High 88F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Chiang Mai Plenty of sunshine. High near 35C. Winds light and variable. Pattaya Scattered thunderstorms during the morning. Partly…

  • Facebook bars overseas electoral ads for the March 23 election

    Facebook bars overseas electoral ads for the March 23 election

    The Thai government and Election Commission are imposing their own bans and restrictions for political advertising leading up to next month’s poll. Now Thailand’s favorite social media platform says it is banning ads posted from overseas for the poll as well. Facebook says it will bar foreign-based election advertisements in Thailand as the country heads towards the March 24 election.…

  • Elephant Boat Race comes to Bangkok March 29

    Elephant Boat Race comes to Bangkok March 29

    Anantara Hotels Director of Operational Excellence & Events Tim Boda has announced Thailand’s first “Elephant Boat Race & River Festival” to be held between March 29 – 31, 2019. “The new three-day festival offers a wide range of activities, races and concerts aiming to raise funds to support domestic and wild elephants throughout Thailand.” Located next to Anantara Riverside Bangkok, the…

  • Chinese tourists flock back to Phuket for Chinese New Year 2019

    Chinese tourists flock back to Phuket for Chinese New Year 2019

    Chinese tourists are flocking back to Phuket for Chinese New Year 2019 after a six month hiatus following last year’s Phoenix boat tragedy. 47 Chinese tourists drowned in the incident, including many children, after the boat capsized on July 5 in a late afternoon storm as the tour boat was returning to Phuket. In the following months hotels received thousands…

  • Ridley sea turtles return to Phang Nga for breeding

    Ridley sea turtles return to Phang Nga for breeding

    PHOTO: World Wildlife Fund Ridley’s sea turtles, a protected species in Thailand, have returned to Phang Nga beaches to breed, following a 23 year absence from the beach in Thai Muang district. The turtle eggs have been collected and taken to the nursery at a turtle watch centre on Tha Sai beach for incubation. The nest on the beach has been…

  • Thailand #1 for Chinese travellers heading overseas for Chinese New Year

    Thailand #1 for Chinese travellers heading overseas for Chinese New Year

    Thailand, Japan and Singapore are topping the lists for Chinese travellers this Chinese New Year. The data comes from Hotelbeds.com, a leading accommodation booking platform. The website identified the top 10 international destinations for Chinese travellers for this year’s seven-day Chinese New Year holiday that starts tomorrow (Monday). Thailand was named the most popular destination followed by Japan and Singapore. The…

  • Leopard cub smuggled on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok to India

    Leopard cub smuggled on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok to India

    A one month old leopard has been found in a passenger’s hand luggage after landing in Chennai, India after a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok. The young leopard was weak and dehydrated when it was discovered. The leopard kitten was hidden in a grocery basket hidden put inside his carry on luggage. At this stage officials haven’t reported the nationality…

  • Seven drug busts net 10 million meth pills, 4 kg of heroin

    Seven drug busts net 10 million meth pills, 4 kg of heroin

    The more drugs police intercept, the more that pours across the borders. The Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau have reported on seven drug busts that netted 10 suspects and the confiscation of 10 million methamphetamine pills and nearly four kilograms of heroin. The NSB also seized other illicit drugs including crystal meth or “ice”, ecstasy pills and cocaine. Separate searches in…