News
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Royal Crematorium exhibit exceeds 3.89 million visitors
More than 3.89 million people visited the Royal Crematorium exhibition between November 2 and December 30. People visited the exhibition in remembrance of the much-revered HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The late monarch passed away on October 13, 2016. A one-year mourning period followed, with the Royal Cremation Ceremony held over five days in October. Exhibits detailing the ceremony…
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2017 – Phuket’s year in review
2017. What a year. As the clock is about to click over into 2018 we look back at another busy year on the island. From scams to bus crashes, corrupt officials to shootings, boat crashes to lifeguard contracts, we remember the biggest news stories on the island for the past 12 months. January The year started with the first of…
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SUNDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Last day for 2017. But it’s the middle of the ‘Seven Days of Danger’ and the road carnage continues despite an all out effort of Thailand’s police to stem the flow. Not surprisingly, drunk-driving is still the leading cause of deaths on our roads. PLEASE be safe tonight, make arrangements ahead of time for your safe return home after celebrations.…
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DAY TWO REPORT – Seven days of danger
A total of 92 people were killed and 1,107 were injured during the first two days of seven-day monitoring period for people travelling during the long New Year holidays. On Friday, which was the second day of the so-called “seven dangerous days” new year holidays, 576 road accidents happened, killing 49 people and injuring 609, said Karun Sakulpradit, permanent secretary…
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Phuket Governor announces first casualty for new year period
At Provincial Hall this morning (December 30), Phuket’s Governor, Norapat Plodthong, chaired a meeting to follow up on the accidents for the first 2 days of the 7 days of danger over the New Year season. There were 10 accidents in total, with 9 injuries and 1 casualty in the past two 2 days (December 28 – 29). The ‘7…
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Prawit’s watches. They are from a ‘third party’.
Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan has submitted a letter explaining his possession of luxurious watches and a diamond ring, which he failed to include in his assets declaration, to the anti-graft agency. The letter named a third party who would be called upon to testify in the case, according to the anti-graft agency, the National Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday. A meeting…
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SATURDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
A weekend, a new year’s weekend and a long weekend with Monday and Tuesday public holidays this year. Welcome to your Saturday. The threat of rain is still there but enjoy the sunny bits in between. Here’s the main news stories circulating today… Extra public holiday on Tuesday This year the Thai Government has declared one extra day – next…
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DAY ONE – Seven days of danger. Road toll down.
As Thai holidaymakers journeyed to their hometowns for the annual New Year Festival with accompanying high traffic volumes on highways and crowded transport hubs, the Road Safety Operation Centre on Friday reported a slight decrease in accidents, deaths and injuries on the first of the seven-day road safety promotion period ending January 3. Thursday saw 41 deaths and 500 injuries…
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Soi Dog to open one Saturday per month
Soi Dog will now open its door one Saturday per month, welcoming dog and cat lovers for an amazing experience around the shelter. Cannot join the fun weekdays from 8am to 5pm? You now also have a chance to visit the foundation one Saturday per month from 9.30am to Midday with a tour that starts at 10am. Not only will…
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Phuket’s Governor follows up on stray dog shelter renovations
Phuket’s Governor hosted a meeting with the Phuket Dog Shelter Management Committee today (December 29) at Provincial Hall in Phuket Town to follow up on the progress of its renovation, together with the Chief of Phuket Provincial Livestock Office and a representative of Phuket’s Soi Dog Foundation. “There are 460 dogs in the shelter by now and the shelter opens…
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Who’s coming and what are they spending? Tourist numbers for 2017.
The figures for foreign tourists arrivals in the Kingdom during 2017 are going to reach 35 million visitors, according to statistics from the TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand). There are a few surprises in the top ten list, including Laotian visitors at #4. China is still the number one source of foreign tourists with 9.92 million visits over the past…
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Traffic routes for 2018 Countdown in Phuket Old Town
Phuket traffic police have announced roads closure and new adjustments around the Phuket Old Town area for the 2018 countdown event on December 30 – 31, from 4 pm – midnight which includes: At Thepkasattri / Tungka intersection, buses and lorries are not allowed. Alternative route is Damrong Road. At Thepkasattri / Dibuk intersection, the road will be closed down…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, December 29
Another roadside bomb in Narathiwat | Smart Visa arrives mid January | Top overseas tourist arrivals for 2017 | Krabi Airport install new explosives detectors | Super Moon next Tuesday | Toon heading back to BKK, in a passenger van.
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The new Smart Visa and digital nomads
PHOTO: neverendingvoyage.com The new Smart Visa might be a visa solution for some, but not all, of the ‘digital nomads’ that have been become ubiquitous in Thailand, from all over the world. Whereas the young professionals might have taken off around the world on a break between their schooling and the start of their professional careers, now they’re taking their…
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FRIDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
A super Full Moon, a new year, but a few more days to go first. A bit cloudy today as the remnants of tropical storm Tembin make their way across the island over the next few ays. The weather forecast predicts some rain over the weekend – we’ll keep you informed and up to date. Here’s today’s main news stories……
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Three more illegal tour guides arrested in Phuket blitz
Three more Chinese-speaking illegal tour guides have been arrested yesterday (December 27) and the day before following the illegal tour guide crackdown initiated by Phuket’s Governor. Yesterday in Soi Sakdidech, in Phuket Town, a team of Phuket provincial authorities along with representatives of Royal Thai Navy Area 3, Provincial Internal Security Operations Command and Volunteer Defense Corps checked a Chinese…
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THAIGER TODAY Thursday, December 28
New short cut from Kathu to Saphan Hin | Two arrested over suspicion of bomb preparation | Provincial Hall launches road & marine safety campaign | Krabi residents calling for action over pam oil plant waste water | Lowest death toll in 13 years – southern insurgency | Driver almost squashed by unsecured container.
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16 year old Thai taking aim at an F1 career
Story from PaulPoole.co.th A young man from Pattaya is on track to becoming Thailand’s first Formula One driver. Born and raised in Pattaya, Kane Shepherd started racing at the age of 10, competing in various Thai championships and winning national titles every year. He won his first Asian championship in 2014 and again in 2015. His obvious talent qualified him…
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Smart Visa available from mid-January
PHOTO: world nomads.com Are you smart? Earning a high-salary? Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, you might be eligible for the new four year professional visa, known as the ‘smart visa’ from the middle of January, 2018. According to Lt. Col. Thanarak Boonyaratkarin of the Immigration Bureau, the new Smart Visa will provide more benefits and privileges than any other visa. He says, “you’ll…
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Provincial Hall makes road safety top priority during holiday season
Phuket takes its turn to launch a road and marine accident prevention campaign for the new year season yesterday (December 27). At Provincial Hall Phuket’s Governor Norapat Plodthong hosted the launch of the campaign and led a parade that gathered officials from several Provincial departments, together with local foundations and volunteers. “New Year is the festive time when people travel…
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Krabi locals complain about waste water from palm oil factory
Plaipraya District locals from Krabi called for help today (December 27) after the water in their local canal has become increasingly filthy and black because of the wastewater from a palm oil factory in the area. Apart from the smell and colour of the canal, a number of fishes have also died in waterways a few kilometres around. The local…
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Tropical storm ‘Tembin’ weakens but rain still forecast for the weekend
Storm Tembin has been weakened by cold wind, but is still causing heavy rain along the east coast of the southern region and rough sea conditions in the Gulf of Thailand, while cool weather and light rain covered the rest of the country. The Meteorological Department issued a weather update today stating that Tembin had degraded into a low-pressure area…
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Paramilitary soldier dies following yesterday’s Narathiwat attacks
One of two paramilitary soldiers wounded during series of attacks in Narathiwat’s Sisakhon district yesterday (Tuesday) has succumbed to his injuries at Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Hospital. The deceased, 35 year old Kamjorn Tanma, a native of Chiang Mai province, was scheduled to wed his girlfriend tomorrow. A bathing ceremony for Kamjorn was held at Bangnara Temple in Narathiwat’s Muang district, presided…
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19 students injured in Chiang Rai van accident
A van carrying students overturned on a road in Chiang Rai province on Wednesday morning, injuring everyone on board. The accident took place on Paholyothin Road in the Mae Chan district at about 6.40am. Most students sustained minor injuries and were allowed to return home following treatment, but some remained hospitalised as of press time. The van had collision insurance…
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THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, December 27
‘Silly Season’ starts tomorrow | Government has new year ‘gifts’ | German detained over Krabi vandalism | Four hour waits for visa-on-arrival at BKK airport | Seven Dangerous Days ‘rules’ | Militants attack twice in Narathiwat.
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The ‘silly season’ is upon us
New year’s celebrations will soon begin with millions of people hitting the road and revellers gathering at festive venues. But before the celebrations begin, authorities came forward yesterday to advise the public about permitted and prohibited activities. “We will be lenient with the ban on passengers in pickup beds but drivers must be very careful, especially when applying the brakes,”…
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WEDNESDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
There are two seven-days-of-danger on Thailand’s roads, as designated by the police – one starting tomorrow and the other during Songkran. They are the two worst periods for road deaths, by far. We don’t want you to be one of the statistics this year so we urge you to prepare ahead of any road trips to ensure that you are…
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Tropical storm “Tembin” makes its way across the Gulf of Thailand
Fishermen have been warned of strong winds and high waves in the Gulf of Thailand as the result of typhoon “Tembin”, which has now passed through southern Vietnam yesterday and due to affect the southern coastal areas from Pranchuap Khiri Khan to Songkhla from tomorrow and Thursday. Payao Muengngam, director of the Southern Meteorological Centre for the east coast, is…
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Tsunami memorial ceremony in Phang Nga
Baan Namkem villagers from Phang Nga, plus relatives of the the 2004 tsunami victims, gathered this morning at the Tsunami Memorial Park for the 13th anniversary of Phuket’s biggest disaster. The crowd brought flowers to mourn the victims and their loved ones. There was also religious ceremony from the 3 main religions – Buddhism, Islam and Christianity – to bless the…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, December 26
Toon crosses the finish line | Overpass links the two Central Festival buildings | 60 year old British man drowns at Similans | Free helmets being handed out to kids in Phuket Town | Tropical depression heading our way for the weekend.
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