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Top 5 luxury villas in Phuket and Koh Samui for your next holiday
Ask people to name the most beautiful places in Thailand, and you'll often hear Phuket and Koh Samui being mentioned. Who would disagree? One is renowned for its bustling nightlife, vibrant culture, and lively beach scene, while the other is...
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Germany returns ancestral remains, artefacts to New Zealand in heartfelt gesture
In a poignant gesture, Germany has returned the ancestral remains of 95 Indigenous New Zealanders, along with artefacts and cultural treasures, to their homeland. The remains of the Maori and Moriori individuals, including six mummified tattooed heads known as toi moko, were received at Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, in a private ceremony. Craig Hawke, New Zealand’s Ambassador to…
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Malaysia anticipates improved US human trafficking report ranking
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has expressed optimism that Malaysia’s ranking in the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report will show improvement this year. Currently, Malaysia is placed in Tier 3, which puts the country in a disadvantageous position. The TIP report is scheduled to be released tomorrow night, and the Home Ministry is set to have an engagement session…
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Malaysia’s Economy Ministry targets 4,900 vending machines in two months
The Economy Ministry of Malaysia anticipates the acquisition of the remaining 4,900 vending machines aimed for this year under the People’s Income Initiative (IPR) programme to be finalised within the next two months. Rafizi Ramli, the Economy Minister, explained that the ministry is currently selecting and evaluating suitable applicants through an ongoing open procurement process. “Our aim is also to…
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Seven arrested in Malaysia over Pakistani human trafficking suspicions
Seven Pakistani men were arrested in Kuala Lumpur on suspicion of involvement in a human trafficking case. The suspects, aged between 21 and 44, were apprehended at an apartment in Taman Pandan Perdana, Ampang. The police were alerted to the situation by a 23-year-old Pakistani male victim who had been beaten by four of the suspects, who were believed to…
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Thai interest rates raised to 2% by BoT amid core inflation worries
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) anticipates ongoing economic growth with some potential risks, as evidenced by their decision to increase the key Thai interest rates for the sixth consecutive meeting, according to the minutes released recently. On May 31, the committee unanimously agreed to increase the one-day repurchase rate by a quarter point to 2%,…
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Malaysia seeks Interpol help to find comedian over MH370 joke outrage
Interpol’s assistance is being sought by Malaysia’s police chief to track down Jocelyn Chia, a New York-based, Singapore-born comedian whose joke about the missing MH370 flight has sparked outrage and led to diplomatic apologies. Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani announced the decision to request Interpol’s help in the ongoing investigation. Chia, a former lawyer believed to have become…
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Influencer Andrew Tate faces intensified human trafficking charges in Romania
Romanian authorities have intensified human trafficking charges against well-known influencer Andrew Tate, his brother Tristan, and two associates. The case now includes one more victim, bringing the total to seven women. Since April, the Tate brothers and their associates have been under house arrest in Bucharest. Initially detained in December, they are being investigated for rape, human trafficking, and forming…
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UK economy grows 0.2% in April driven by pubs and car sales
The United Kingdom’s economy experienced growth in April, with a 0.2% increase following a 0.3% contraction in March, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The data revealed a 0.1% growth over the three months leading up to April. ONS Director of Economic Statistics, Darren Morgan, attributed the bounce back to strong performance in bars and pubs, a rebound…
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Phallic procession invokes divine showers: Thai residents parade huge wooden penis to summon rain gods (video)
Residents in the central province of Kanchanaburi took part in a ritual with an enormous wooden sculpture of a penis to invoke rain and paraded it around the community while praying to Devas, also known as Buddhism angels. The 600 kilogrammes wooden phallic sculpture, called Palad Khik in Thai, serves as an amulet that many Thai people carry with them,…
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Thai folk legend Pumpuang Duangjan’s anniversary sparks lottery frenzy
Luck favours the bold! On the 31st anniversary of the singer Pumpuang Duangjan’s passing, her legion of devoted followers planned to enter the lottery in the hopes of winning her blessings. The passing of Pumpuang Duangjan, known as the Queen of Thai Folk Music, was commemorated yesterday by family, friends, and fans who continue to admire the exceptional quality of…
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Thai outbound travel surges as Asian flight capacities increase
The Thai outbound travel market is experiencing fierce competition among Asian countries, as flight capacities have increased compared to last year. The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) anticipates that the Thai outbound market could recover to half of the 11.2 million departures in 2019, prior to the pandemic, due to stronger flight frequencies in Asia. TTAA vice-president Chotechuang Soorangura stated…
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Over 200,000 parents miss out on £53m Healthy Start vouchers
Over a third of eligible parents are not receiving the Healthy Start voucher scheme, which is intended to help families afford essential items like baby formula. This revelation comes after a Sky News investigation into the extreme measures UK families are taking to feed their infants due to the soaring cost of baby formula milk. Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck is…
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Brake urges 20mph limit near schools to cut child road casualties
Safety charity Brake has called for a 20mph speed limit to be imposed on all roads near schools in the UK to reduce child fatalities. Last year, 2,456 children under 16 were seriously injured or killed on the country’s roads. Many councils have already implemented 20mph zones near schools, but Brake claims that two-thirds of parents report higher limits on…
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Malaysia allocates $750m to tackle rural poverty, plans new job programmes
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to convene a meeting with district officers across Malaysia next week to address the pressing issue of hardcore poverty, particularly in rural areas. Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan revealed that the government has allocated US$750 million in the 2023 budget for this purpose, which will be directed to the Ministry of Economy to implement…
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Ex-minister disputes PM’s claims on 30,000 absent SPM exam students
Former Malaysian education minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin has countered Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s claims regarding the number of absent SPM candidates during last year’s national examinations. Mohd Radzi pointed out that local news reports indicated 14,858 students were absent, not the 30,000 cited by the prime minister during a dialogue session with undergraduates at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Anwar had…
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KLIA aerotrain service upgrade set for 2023 completion, minister urges haste
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is set to have one of its two Automated People Mover (APM) or aerotrain services back in operation next year. The Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, has instructed Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to ensure the upgrading works are completed on schedule or earlier. The aerotrain has been in service for 25 years and is now…
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Motorist crashes into house causing 2 million baht in damages, leaves family homeless
A 21 year old man has caused nearly 2 million baht (US$57,745) in damages after he lost control of his truck and crashed into a house, destroying the roof and damaging another car. The incident occurred in Ban Na Don, Nong Na Kham sub-district, Mueang district, Udon Thani Province. Luckily, the five people sleeping inside were unharmed. The driver sustained…
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Bud Light loses top spot in US sales after transgender influencer boycott
Bud Light has lost its status as the top-selling beer in the United States following a boycott, according to recent data. Sales dropped by nearly 25% in the four weeks leading up to June 3, as reported by consulting firm Bump Williams. The boycott began after transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney shared a photo of a personalised Bud Light can on…
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RNLI lifeboats rescue 108 migrants amid 290 Channel call-outs
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) revealed that lifeboats were deployed 290 times in 2022 to rescue migrants attempting to cross the English Channel. This is the first time the charity has disclosed details about its involvement in migrant crossings. Despite criticism that the RNLI is operating as a “taxi service” for migrants, the organisation has saved 108 lives in…
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Kelantan state assembly dissolves, paving way for Malaysian elections
The Kelantan state assembly in Malaysia is set to be dissolved on June 22, clearing the way for state elections, as announced by Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob. He had previously sought an audience with the state ruler of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, to discuss the dissolution of the 14th state assembly. Kelantan is not the only state to hold elections…
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Malaysia’s Klang Valley rail lines expect shorter travel times by September
Klang Valley commuters in Malaysia can anticipate reduced travel times and increased train frequencies on several public transport rail lines by around August or September, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke. In a parliamentary response, Loke stated that Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd are currently implementing various initiatives to restore public confidence in the rapid transit system.…
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BAFS to build 1.2 billion baht oil pipeline linking Saraburi and Ang Thong
Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Plc (BAFS) is set to construct a new 52-kilometre oil pipeline connecting Saraburi to Ang Thong, in a bid to enhance its trade in the northern region. The project, which is estimated to cost 1.2 billion baht, will facilitate oil transportation from the east to the north. BAFS is currently in discussions with Thai Petroleum Pipeline…
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Miss Universe Thailand contestants promote cultural tourism in Udon Thani
Several Miss Universe Thailand beauty pageant contestants visited a number of sacred sites in Udon Thani where they were warmly received by locals. The group took part in several traditional rituals as a gesture of respect and homage. The beauty pageant contestants participating in Miss Universe Thailand 2023 yesterday morning visited Wat Si Dara in Na Chum Saeng, Thung Fon, and…
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Global displacement hits 110 million, UNHCR cites Ukraine and Sudan conflicts
A staggering 110 million people across the globe now find themselves displaced, with the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan contributing significantly to this figure, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The agency’s annual report revealed that approximately 19 million individuals were forced to flee their homes last year, marking the largest annual increase ever recorded.…
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Cosplay pianist Pan Piano shocks viewers with sexy outfits: Are they appropriate for YouTube?
A pianist YouTuber known as Pan Piano has shocked viewers by posting a risqué piano performance while donning revealing cosplay outfits, resulting in millions of views in a short period. The viral video has sparked debates about the appropriateness of such content on the video-sharing platform. Pan Piano, previously known for her elaborate cosplay looks, now displays more of her…
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Belgian man commits suicide at a Phuket shooting range
A Belgian man reportedly took his own life at a shooting range in Phuket yesterday. The motive of the suicide is under investigation. Officers from Chalong Police Station rushed to investigate Sai Yuan Shooting Range in the Rawai sub-district, Mueang district of Phuket after being notified about the death of the Belgian man, who was later identified as a 52…
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Russian Major-General killed in Ukrainian missile strike, says official
In a significant development, a high-ranking Russian officer has reportedly been killed during a Ukrainian missile strike, as Kyiv continues its counteroffensive against Russian forces. According to Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-backed official in Ukraine, Major-General Sergei Goryachev, Chief of Staff of Russia’s 35th Army, was killed in the southern Zaporizhia region on the frontlines where Ukrainian forces have been regaining…
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AI discrimination more pressing than human extinction, says EU competition chief
The European Union’s competition chief, Margrethe Vestager, has highlighted discrimination as a more urgent concern than human extinction in the development of artificial intelligence (AI). In an interview with the BBC, Vestager emphasised the need for “guardrails” to counter the technology’s risks, particularly in areas where AI is used for decision-making that can impact livelihoods, such as mortgage applications. The…
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Berlusconi’s death leaves €6bn empire, Forza Italia’s future uncertain
The passing of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has left the nation in mourning, with a state funeral being held in Milan’s grand cathedral. This level of tribute, usually reserved for popes, war heroes, and serving ministers, demonstrates the impact of Berlusconi’s life on Italy. The media mogul and political leader leaves behind a vast empire and a powerful…
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Putin claims Ukrainian losses ‘catastrophic’, Zelensky denies failing counter-offensive
Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, has stated that the Ukrainian counter-offensive has been largely unsuccessful, with the Ukrainian army experiencing significant losses. He claimed that Kyiv’s losses were nearing a “catastrophic” level during a meeting with war correspondents. However, this information has not been verified, and Ukrainian President Zelensky has denied that the counter-offensive is failing. “There is movement forward,”…
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