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  • EventsPhuket Vegetarian Festival events 2019 – schedule and history

    Phuket Vegetarian Festival events 2019 – schedule and history

    The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival, aka. ‘Nine Emperor Gods Festival’, always runs during the ninth lunar month. For expats and tourist ‘newbies’ the Vegetarian Festival is a lot to do with parades, firecrackers, bizarre ceremonies and spiritual mystiques piecing themselves, and little to do with vegetarian food. Whilst we’ve tried to provide a program here, any time schedule at individual…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya Indoor Cricket League – Round 3

    Pattaya Indoor Cricket League – Round 3

    Round 3 was played at Rugby School in Bang Lamung between PCC (Pattaya Cricket Club) and RST (Rugby School Thailand). There were indoor cricket debutants for both teams: Carl Pohl for RST and Pravit Grover, Edwin Van Rensburg and Andy Holt for PCC. This was yet another very close game where dropped catches, missed run out opportunities and extras were…

  • Economy NewsThais clamour for the “Chim, Shop, Chai” 1000 baht give-away program

    Thais clamour for the “Chim, Shop, Chai” 1000 baht give-away program

    PHOTO: buriramguru.com The “Chim, Shop, Chai” (Eat, Shop, Spend) program has been a resounding success, and it’s still got a another five days or so to go. Thai citizens can apply for the 1000 baht ‘gift’ from the government and spend the money at selected shops anywhere outside their home province. The government only accepts one million applications each day so,…

  • Expats12 month “Medical Visa” proposed among updates to Thai visa offerings

    12 month “Medical Visa” proposed among updates to Thai visa offerings

    A new visa category is being proposed that could allow people to stay in the Kingdom for up to a year for medical treatments. The so-called “Medical Visa” (Non-MT) would visitors to stay for 12 months. The Thai deputy PM and health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and the tourism and sports minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced yesterday that countries that will benefit are wealthy…

  • World NewsMyanmar switches to international ‘unicode’ on October 1

    Myanmar switches to international ‘unicode’ on October 1

    PHOTO: Cordelia Persen/flickr “October 1 is “U-Day”, when Myanmar officially adopts the new system.” Accessing everything from Wikipedia to Google Maps in Myanmar is about to get a lot easier when the country finally adopts the universal code underpinning phone and online communication next week. Tech experts say the move to bring the country more in step with the rest of…

  • Business NewsCafe Amazon brewing up a cup of coffee in China

    Cafe Amazon brewing up a cup of coffee in China

    PTT Oil and Retail Business, the owners of the Cafe Amazon brand, has opened its first branch in China. Their goal is to make the coffee chain a global brand, a sort of ‘Thai Starbucks’. The first Cafe Amazon outlet in China is located at a Sinopec petrol station in Nanning of Guangxi, in southern China on the Vietnamese border,…

  • Business NewsThailand may lift ban on foreign investors for some innovation sectors

    Thailand may lift ban on foreign investors for some innovation sectors

    PHOTO: Marvin Meyer/Unsplash Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is considering whether to remove certain innovation-related businesses from the list of those open only to Thai citizens. The idea is being floated as a way of increasing foreign investment in Thailand, making the country a more attractive option for overseas companies. Deputy Director General of the Department of Business Development, Poonpong Naiyanapakorn says…

  • Thailand NewsRent-a-crowd protesters in NYC weren’t Thai and didn’t know where Thailand was on a map

    Rent-a-crowd protesters in NYC weren’t Thai and didn’t know where Thailand was on a map

    A small group of vocal protesters in New York, rallying in front of a hotel where the Thai PM was staying over the weekend, have been revealed to be Mexicans, Brazillians and Peruvians, not Thai. PM Prayut and his entourage were staying in the Plaza Athenee Hotel over the weekend and until Tuesday this week, attending events and UN Summits. Thai…

  • Crime NewsRoyal pardon plea drafted for Burmese convicted over Koh Tao murders

    Royal pardon plea drafted for Burmese convicted over Koh Tao murders

    PHOTO: www.frontiermyanmar.net A lawyer from the Thai Bar Council and a member of the Thai Human Rights Commission says that the Burmese workers accused and convicted over the 2014 Koh Tao murders could have their death sentence stayed if granted a royal pardon. Speaking to the press, Rastada Manoo Rastada, who represented Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo during the murder…

  • Tourism NewsChinese company rewards 10,000 employees with trip to Pattaya

    Chinese company rewards 10,000 employees with trip to Pattaya

    PHOTO: www.77kaoded.com Chinese firm Aurance has celebrated its 10th anniversary by taking its employees on a trip to Pattaya – all 10,000 of them. And apparently, it’s not the first time they’ve rewarded their staff so generously. Sontaya Khunpluem, mayor of Pattaya welcomed the visitors to a cultural show at Nong Nuch gardens, followed by a bit of Muay Thai…

  • Economy NewsAsian Development Bank drops growth forecast for Thailand

    Asian Development Bank drops growth forecast for Thailand

    “The bank forecasts a slightly higher growth rate at 3.2% next year, due largely to infrastructure investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor.” The Asian Development Bank is lowering its growth forecast for Thailand’s economy from 3.9% to 3% but is optimistic that conditions will improve next year. “The bank forecasts a slightly higher growth rate at 3.2% next year, due…

  • HealthLand of teenage tears – tackling Thailand’s youth depression and suicide

    Land of teenage tears – tackling Thailand’s youth depression and suicide

    Thailand had the highest suicide rates in ASEAN, according to a recent study conducted by the World Health Organisation. The WHO ranked Thailand 32nd worldwide in its annual suicide rate report which came out earlier this month. The report indicated around 10,000 deaths by suicide per year, much higher than other ASEAN countries. Many of the deaths are Thailand’s younger…

  • World NewsChina opens mega airport in Beijing ahead of country’s 70th anniversary

    China opens mega airport in Beijing ahead of country’s 70th anniversary

    “China is expected to surpass the US to become the world’s biggest aviation market in the next couple of years.” by Poornima Weerasekara China’s President Xi Jinping has opened a futuristic new airport in Beijing, expected to become one of the busiest in the world. Xi declared the starfish-shaped airport open in brief remarks at a ceremony inside the huge terminal,…

  • Events1000 gather in Phuket to join the global cry on climate change

    1000 gather in Phuket to join the global cry on climate change

    Asia’s largest travel and tourism sustainability event, opened in Phuket yesterday, as Southeast Asia’s hospitality industry came together in a spirit of collaboration to tackle the critical environmental issues facing resort destinations across the region. A year on from the inaugural edition of PHIST, the event continues to grow. A record attendance of 1,000 delegates attended the full-day event, held…

  • Crime NewsMinister pledges to sort out Thailand’s export procedures in wake of New Zealand drugs bust

    Minister pledges to sort out Thailand’s export procedures in wake of New Zealand drugs bust

    PHOTO: www.chiangraitimes.com Following the seizure in New Zealand last month of shipping containers from Thailand packed with drugs, Deputy Transport Minister Athirat Rattanaset says the country must improve its maritime export procedures. He was speaking at a meeting with exporters, saying the drugs bust in New Zealand has had a negative impact on Thailand’s image and calling on them for…

  • Tourism NewsThomas Cook demise will affect British tourism to Thailand for the rest of 2019

    Thomas Cook demise will affect British tourism to Thailand for the rest of 2019

    “British tourists have contribute between 900,000 – 1,000,000 tourists to Thailand annually for the past seven years.” The failure of the British Thomas Cook travel business will cut the numbers of arrivals from Britain to Thailand for the remainder of this year. Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand says they are also assessing a drop in northern-European…

  • Northern Thailand NewsMP for Pheu Thai convicted of murder and sentenced to death

    MP for Pheu Thai convicted of murder and sentenced to death

    PHOTO: Pheu Thai MP for Khon Kaen, Nawat Tohcharoensuk, sentenced to death today The Khon Kaen provincial court has convicted a Pheu Thai MP for Khon Kaen, Nawat Tohcharoensuk, of masterminding the murder of a local official and sentenced him to death today. Six years ago, Suchart Khotethum, an assistant chief of the Khon Kaen provincial administrative organisation, was killed…

  • Thai LifeTop 10 things to do in Phuket when it rains (2020)

    Top 10 things to do in Phuket when it rains (2020)

    Phuket really only has two seasons – wet and dry. The wet season usually runs from April to November each year. And when it rains, it pours! But there’s still plenty to do on the island, rain or sunshine. Best of all it’s always going to be around 30 degrees so it’s not cold or unpleasant. A 20 baht plastic poncho…

  • World News“Philippines: Deadliest country in the world for land defenders” – Global Witness

    “Philippines: Deadliest country in the world for land defenders” – Global Witness

    “In July, the group said 30 killings in the Philippines last year made it the deadliest country in the world for land defenders – a first since the group began reporting such deaths in 2012. “ by Cecil Morella Murders of environmental activists and land defenders in The Philippines continue to rise sharply under President Rodrigo Duterte. The accusations from…

  • Việt NamNokia 7.2: Thiết kế đẹp, giá tốt, cấu hình cực “chất” trong phân khúc tầm trung

    Nokia 7.2: Thiết kế đẹp, giá tốt, cấu hình cực “chất” trong phân khúc tầm trung

    Tại triển lãm IFA 2019 đầu tháng 9, Nokia cho ra mắt Nokia 7.2, phiên bản nâng cấp của mẫu Nokia 7.1 ra mắt năm 2018. Nokia 7.2 được làm bằng khung polycarbonate kẹp giữa các tấm kính cường lực Gorilla Glass với hiệu ứng gradient khuếch tán ánh sáng trông rất cao cấp. Màn hình của 7.2 cũng lớn…

  • Economy NewsChim-Shop-Chai – more than a million already register for the latest Thai stimulus package

    Chim-Shop-Chai – more than a million already register for the latest Thai stimulus package

    Interest in the government’s latest stimulus package has been massive with online portals being battered by people wanting to know more about how they can get their hands on the 1000 baht give-away from the Thai government. More than a million people have already registered to join the government’s Chim-Shop-Chai (Taste-Shop-Spend) program, where they will receive a 1000 baht to…

  • Politics NewsThai pro-democracy body calls on UN to investigate ‘military government in disguise’

    Thai pro-democracy body calls on UN to investigate ‘military government in disguise’

    PHOTOS: Facebook: Jaran Ditapichai/Kritsada Akkhapracha Jaran Ditapichai, the president of the Association of Thai Democrats without Borders’ has written to the UN yesterday asking the international body to investigate the government of Thai PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The Nation reports that Jaran personally dropped the submission at a letterbox near the UN headquarters in New York and recorded the action with…

  • TravelUPDATE: Thomas Cook financial collapse

    UPDATE: Thomas Cook financial collapse

    “These insolvency proceedings do not involve the continental and Nordic businesses.” The UK Thomas Cook businesses are now under the control of the official receiver who has appointed AlixPartners and KPMG as special managers to oversee the liquidation, and in the case of AlixPartners, to work with the business to assist the UK Civil Aviation Authority on repatriation of existing…

  • Tourism NewsUK travel icon Thomas Cook bankrupt, stranding tourists

    UK travel icon Thomas Cook bankrupt, stranding tourists

    PHOTO: Axios.com “This marks a deeply sad day for the company which pioneered package holidays and made travel possible for millions of people around the world.” British travel giant Thomas Cook declared bankruptcy today after failing to reach a last-ditch rescue deal. The collapse triggers the UK’s biggest repatriation since World War II to bring back stranded passengers. The 178 year…

  • Koh Samui NewsRussian man and his dog found dead on Koh Samui

    Russian man and his dog found dead on Koh Samui

    A 51 year old Russian man, identified as Vyacheslav Kolbunov, has been found dead at his home on Koh Samui. A dead pit bull was also found in the room, with two other pit bulls discovered in an enclosure outside the home. Koh Samui police and forensic officers discovered drug paraphernalia, along with a coffee cup and a glass containing…

  • Thailand NewsSignificant developments in cannabis farming in Thailand

    Significant developments in cannabis farming in Thailand

    PHOTO: www.growbarato.net In what’s thought to be the first-ever industrial scale manufacturing facility for medical cannabis within the Asean Region, Maejo University in Chiang Mai has planted 12,000 cannabis sprouts – the largest lot in the country. It’s hoped the result will eventually be 1 million bottles, each containing 5ml of cannabis oil, by February. Senior officials from the Ministry…

  • World NewsLeclerc takes Singapore GP pole, Hamilton shares front row

    Leclerc takes Singapore GP pole, Hamilton shares front row

    PHOTO: Charles Leclerc on top after grabbing in pole position – Reuters “Lewis Hamilton admits he is surprised to be next to a Ferrari on the grid after qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix alongside pole-winner Charles Leclerc.” Championship leader Hamilton was able to do little to prevent Ferrari’s Leclerc from claiming consecutive victories in Spa and Monza in the last…

  • HealthThailand ranked sixth best in the world for healthcare

    Thailand ranked sixth best in the world for healthcare

    Sixth best healthcare system in the world! Well done Thailand. The Kingdom is gaining worldwide recognition for quality healthcare services after placing sixth in a ranking of countries with the best healthcare systems. The ranking was conducted by the US magazine CEOWORLD who do annual rankings of a number of world businesses and services. The rankings came out last month.…

  • Crime NewsMore arrest warrants issued over Bangkok’s August bomb attacks

    More arrest warrants issued over Bangkok’s August bomb attacks

    PHOTO: Voice of America The Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for five more suspects yesterday over their alleged involvement in the simultaneous bomb and arson attacks in Bangkok back on August 2. Police presented evidence against them to the court yesterday to obtain warrants for their arrest. They are accused of being members of an unlawful syndicate and collaborating to carry…

  • ExpatsCould you be a digital nomad in Thailand?

    Could you be a digital nomad in Thailand?

    Are you a digital nomad? Working online wherever you can find a seat and wi-fi? According to digital nomad websites, some of the most popular locations to work online around the world include Chiang Mai & Bangkok (Thailand), Budapest (Hungary), Belgrade (Serbia), Bali (Indonesia), Lisbon (Portugal) and Buenos Aires (Argentina). What do all these cities have in common? The main…