News

Phuket boat sinking ‘unlikely to hamper tourism’

Published

11 months ago

July 9, 2018

Phuket boat sinking ‘unlikely to hamper tourism’ | The Thaiger

In the wake of last Thursday afternoon’s tragedy, where more than 50 people have perished, mostly Chinese tourists, tourism officials, economist and tour boat operators are scrambling to keep the Great Chinese Tourism Money Machine on track in Phuket.

The Nation is reporting that the tour boat ‘catastrophe’ in Phuket was unlikely to harm the Thai tourism industry, but the government must respond to it decisively… this from the chief economist at Siam Commercial Bank this morning (Monday).

In the short run, Yunyong Thaicharoen says the government has to investigate the cause of the accident in which a dive boat sank in rough seas, leaving 42 Chinese tourists dead and another 14 missing.

He also stated that the government “must rebuild confidence among tourists, demonstrating that lessons were learned from this tragedy and steps taken to prevent a recurrence.”

No pre-booked tours have been cancelled since the accident, but it is now low tourist season, Yunyong noted. He said Thailand would likely welcome 38.2 million foreign visitors this year, up 8 per cent over 2017.

Tourism grew by 13 per cent in the first five months of this year and 27 per cent among Chinese travellers.

Chinese tourists were heading out to the Andaman islands off Phuket as soon as Friday morning, from Rassada pier, whilst Chalong pier was closed to rescue craft departures only.

SOURCE: The Nation

Thailand

Investigation launched into private hospital for alleged overcharging

Published

2 hours ago

May 22, 2019

The Thaiger & The Nation

Investigation launched into private hospital for alleged overcharging | The Thaiger

FILE PHOTO

If you wish to make a complaint about private hospital overcharging and rorts, phone 1569.

The Thai government’s Commerce Ministry is considering legal action against a Thai private hospital for allegedly overcharging a patient who was charged 30,000 baht for treatment for diarrhea.

The Internal Trade Department of the Commerce Ministry has launched a fact-finding probe, in response to a complaint lodged via the department’s hotline 1569. The patient claimed he was charged about 30,000 baht by the private hospital after he was admitted for treatment of ‘acute diarrhea’.

The investigation shows that the hospital, whose name is being withheld, had indeed overcharged the patient for several items of medication and services, according to Thai PBS.

The source claims the department will soon ask the executive, or a representative of the hospital, in for a ‘please explain’ session.

Meanwhile, the department is in the process of inviting executives and representatives of 70 private hospitals to discussions after it was discovered that they had allegedly overcharged for medications by a factor of 3-9 times above market prices.

SOURCE: Thai PBS

Bangkok

Chinese ‘red notice’ fugitive arrested at Suvarnabhumi

Published

3 hours ago

May 22, 2019

The Thaiger & The Nation

Chinese ‘red notice’ fugitive arrested at Suvarnabhumi | The Thaiger

A Chinese fugitive wanted on an Interpol red notice has been arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport, acting Immigration Police chief Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang said.

48 year old Lu Dayang was arrested on Sunday while trying to fly to Macao. Sompong said the Chinese Embassy informed his staff that Lu was wanted for allegedly smuggling illegal goods into China.

He said Lu entered Thailand back on May 8 on a 15 day tourist visa. The bureau revoked his visa on May 17 and identified his return flight.

Chinese 'red notice' fugitive arrested at Suvarnabhumi | News by The Thaiger

SOURCE: The Nation

Pattaya

The really, really crazy solution for Pattaya’s sewage and wastewater problem

Published

4 hours ago

May 22, 2019

The Thaiger & The Nation

The really, really crazy solution for Pattaya’s sewage and wastewater problem | The Thaiger

PHOTO: Manager Online

We kid you not. THIS is the solution to the torrents of black sewage and untreated wastewater gushing into Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach’s coastline over the weekend. The sight of sandbags jammed into the gushing ocean outlet takes ‘TIT’ to a whole new level.

Read the story and check out the video HERE.

The picture on the Manager Online website is not a joke. It’s actually the current solution implemented by the local municipality to solve the ‘problem’.

The authorities have already admitted there was much to be done to find a permanent solution to the problem that saw damning videos and photos all over social media. The waters off Jomtien were a black sea of sludge, “a very unwelcome sight for any tourist considering holidaying in the area,” according to ThaiVisa.

Effluent and trash flowing directly into the sea is the subject of continuing complaints in the area for years. And not only Pattaya. The sight of raw sewage and wastewater flowing into the sea is now an almost daily post in Phuket as well.

SOURCE: Manager Online