PHOTOS: Phuket Newshawk/Phuket Hotnews

On December 13, at about 4pm, Chalong police received a report about a baby found abandoned in front of Siam Commercial Bank, in Rawai.

At the scene, police found a baby boy with fair skin and appeared like a mix caucasian/Asian. The infant was crying but the witnesses who called police were trying to hold, comfort and feed the baby. The witnesses and the baby were escorted to Chalong police station. The people who found the baby told the police that they saw a couple fighting in front of the bank.

The man was western and the woman was Thai, which the witnesses believe were the parents of the baby. The man walked away before the woman put the baby down on the steps, in front of the bank, and then left the scene as well.

So the witnesses went to look after the baby and called the police.

Police sent the baby to Chalong Hospital for a checkup. The results indicate the baby boy is healthy and well. They also contacted Phuket children and family shelter, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to pick up the baby for further care while the police look for the parents.

Chalong police are currently checking the CCTV camera footage to try and identify the woman who abandoned the baby in front of the bank and believe that they will find the couple soon.

A big thanks to the people who found the baby and contacted the police.

STORY: Phuket Hotnews

Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.

Police have arrested nine Chinese nationals in an investigation into alleged amulet fraud in Chonburi, eastern Thailand.

The Nation reports that the accused were running a shop at a Chonburi temple, where they sold fake amulets and Buddha images for prices that ranged from 1,000 baht to over 10,000 baht. They are accused of working with tour agents to target Chinese tourists and part them from their cash.

The suspects all entered Thailand on tourist visas and rented the store at the temple from December 6. Some of the men also pretended to be employed by the temple and would offer to help Chinese tourists take part in a religious ceremony if they paid a fee.

The chief of the Immigration Police says the men’s actions have had a negative impact on Thailand’s reputation. They have now been transferred to local police custody for processing.

This time last year a similar scam was uncovered by The Thaiger in Kathu, Phuket but little seems to have been done about it and the Chinese buses keep racking up each day – rinse and repeat.

Also read about the fake plastic amulets sold in Phuket HERE.

SOURCE: The Nation

Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.

PHOTO: kapumail

Phuket’s Prince of Songkla University Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism has completed a lengthy report about the health of the island’s tourism, saying that tourism and Phuket’s economy are in poor condition. Part of the report says that, despite a 4% rise in visitor numbers in 2019, revenue from tourism is falling.

“The economy of Phuket is entering a period of recession.”

Chayanon Phucharoen, the associate dean of research and graduate study at the faculty reports that Phuket’s economy is undergoing a transformation.

In the past decade there has been an enormous surge of new developments and new accommodation options, most outside of Patong. But the demographics of the tourist influx isn’t matching the hotel or developers’ plans.

“Annual economic growth in the province has been at 6% for the last two decades, but recently we observed a hiccup.”

“The days of sea, sand and sun… beer, bars and babes, are over.”

Chayanon refers to a Bank of Thailand survey showing the number of tourism operators in Phuket province had fallen sharply, despite rising tourist arrivals.

Chayanon blames, amongst other things, the strong baht for putting a brake on tourism spending, adding that digital disruption had funnelled tourist services and income towards online platforms controlled by outsiders, and a move away from on-island tour operators and vendors.

“Other conditions undermining the tourism sector included degraded beaches and poor road traffic safety.”

The study says that there is an urgent need for Phuket to create new tourism experiences instead of relying exclusively on its reputation for sea, sand and sun. And there was a move away from Patong as the main focus for the island’s future tourism.

But the report noted that it wasn’t only Phuket that was feeling the pinch of a stronger baht. Major tourist destinations such as Pattaya are also feeling the impact.

Amongst the bad news for Thailand’s main tourist hot-spots, Damrongkiat Pinitkarn, secretary of Entertainment and Tourism Industry Association of Pattaya, says the town’s bars have recorded a 40% drop in custom from tourist so far this high season.

That report, by Sophon Cable TV, says that, though the Chinese still account for the highest number of visitors, many are now opting to explore Vietnam where the local currency is weaker and tourists can get more value for their money.

“In the evening, more tourists are staying within the confines of their hotels instead of venturing out to party at clubs or discos. Chinese tourists are also checking in pool villas and having parties instead of going out.”

On a positive note, there has been a huge influx of Indian visitors to Pattaya, who are attracted by the city’s lively night life but the report notes that their numbers may not grow any larger, so bar owners need to deal with this tough situation and adapt.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.