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  • Crime NewsChiang Mai eatery fined for alcohol promotion

    Chiang Mai eatery fined for alcohol promotion

    A Chiang Mai restaurant is warning other eateries to be very careful about promoting alcohol after being raided and fined. Police went to Ai ToMoE restaurant in Chiang Mai after a tip that it was promoting beer in its 499 baht buffet menu, according to the restaurant’s Facebook post yesterday. Offices arrested the chef, named “Boy”, and fined him 50,000…

  • Northern Thailand NewsIsaan students say they’ll defy protest ban

    Isaan students say they’ll defy protest ban

    Students at Isaan’s Mahasarakham University say they’re going ahead with a planned anti-government rally despite a ban from the institution. Organisers of the protest made the announcement earlier today. The university initially said yesterday that any rallies held on campus grounds must abide by the laws and refrain from anti-monarchy rhetoric. The university later revised its policy and banned all…

  • Crime NewsBangkok police seize fake drugs, cosmetics, supplements in factory raid

    Bangkok police seize fake drugs, cosmetics, supplements in factory raid

    Police and officers of the Food and Drug Administration seized 119 items made using hazardous substances and sporting fake labels in a raid on an illegal factory near Bangkok’s Pratunam intersection. The products were valued at 200,000 baht. The FDA reported the production of illegal healthcare products, which led police to Tofu Skincare based in the capitol’s Ratchathewi district. The…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok slum fire injures 3, damages 5 homes

    Bangkok slum fire injures 3, damages 5 homes

    A fire in central Bangkok’s Khlong Toei slum area last night injured 3 and damaged at least 5 houses with many more reportedly losing their possessions. It took firefighters around 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control. An initial police inspection indicated that the the blaze may have been started in a house whose residents made a small fire…

  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment announces 3,000 baht payment for elderly, infant, disabled population

    Government announces 3,000 baht payment for elderly, infant, disabled population

    The Thai government has pledged to provide a 3,000 baht Covid-19 handout to the country’s elderly, infant, and disabled citizens. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security says the payment will be made to vulnerable sectors of society and covers around 6 million eligible people. Each person is entitled to a one-off payment of 3,000 baht, which will be…

  • World NewsHong Kong facing prospect of curfew amid rise in Covid-19 cases

    Hong Kong facing prospect of curfew amid rise in Covid-19 cases

    Medical experts are warning that a curfew may have to be imposed after Hong Kong has seen nearly 500 new cases of Covid-19 in the last week. Yesterday alone saw 73 new cases with 66 being community transmitted. However, officials say they have only identified the sources of transmission for around 30 of those reported cases. A restaurant at the…

  • Covid-19 NewsVisa amnesty extension “very likely”. Decision this week.

    Visa amnesty extension “very likely”. Decision this week.

    Only 11 days to go until we reach the end of the current visa amnesty, which has allowed people with expired visas to remain in the Kingdom during the midst of Thailand’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak. But even today Immigration officials say that a proposal to extend the visa amnesty, or some similar alternative, is before the government for…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhase 6 to be announced this week, will allow more groups to come to Thailand

    Phase 6 to be announced this week, will allow more groups to come to Thailand

    “…keeping the economy functioning is of secondary importance.” 5 move groups are expected to be allowed into Thailand as the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration rolls out Phase 6 of the -reopenings’ this week. The groups would include migrant workers and some foreigners. A meeting was held yesterday where the next phase of reopening Thailand was discussed which will be considered by…

  • World NewsFloods ravage north-eastern India and southern Nepal

    Floods ravage north-eastern India and southern Nepal

    Heavy rain lashing India’s northeast is triggering severe flooding and landslides. So far the death toll is up to 221 but is expected to rise. Over 4 million people have been displaced by the floods in the northeastern state of Assam. Parts of southern Nepal and Bangladesh are also being deluged. More than a million people have already moved to relief…

  • Covid-19 NewsPoll: vast majority fear second virus wave, support foreign arrival ban

    Poll: vast majority fear second virus wave, support foreign arrival ban

    A recent opinion poll by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll, showed well over 90% of respondents fear a second wave of Covid-19 and want a complete ban on foreign arrivals in Thailand. The poll, taken July 14-18, gauged the concerns of 1,459 Thai adults of various education levels and occupations, about the possibility of a second outbreak,…

  • Thailand NewsHuge monitor lizard pulled from Si Racha car

    Huge monitor lizard pulled from Si Racha car

    A woman in Chon Buri’s Si Racha district got a big surprise when she found a huge water monitor lizard in her home and called rescue workers in a panic. The lizard, over 2 metres long and coloured gold and silver, had wedged itself behind a refrigerator in the home of the woman, who was not named. Workers from a…

  • Pattaya NewsNorwegian man found dead in Jomtien condo pool

    Norwegian man found dead in Jomtien condo pool

    A Norwegian man apparently drowned at a pool in a condominium in Pattaya’s Jomtien district yesterday. Pattaya City Police were notified of the incident at 5pm. The name of the victim and condo are being withheld pending an investigation and notification of the man’s family and the Norwegian embassy. Police, reporters and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find…

  • Covid-19 NewsSuvarnabhhumi Airport sees huge jump in traffic

    Suvarnabhhumi Airport sees huge jump in traffic

    Despite a continued and near-total ban on international arrivals, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport is seeing a spike in traffic after the government eased lockdown measures and allowed domestic travel. The airport’s general manager says that from July 1-15, Suvarnabhumi saw 3,205 flights (1,604 incoming and 1,601 outgoing) or an average of 214 per day. “The total number of passengers using…

  • ExpatsMore details on visa amnesty “grace period” proposal

    More details on visa amnesty “grace period” proposal

    The Thai Immigration Bureau has provided more details on a proposed visa amnesty extension. The proposal, expected to go before the Cabinet at its regular meeting on Tuesday, is being presented as more of an application for a grace period than an extension. The proposal would essentially provide a grace period for those on amnesty without a valid visa, to…

  • Covid-19 NewsDiplomats no longer exempt: will be subject to quarantine

    Diplomats no longer exempt: will be subject to quarantine

    The CCSA announced yesterday that centre has resolved that ambassadors and diplomats entering Thailand will no longer be exempt from Thailand’s quarantine requirements, and will be required to enter “alternative state quarantine” on arrival for 14 days. The announcement follows the discovery of a case of Covid-19 in the daughter of a Sudanese diplomat living in Bangkok. That case ostensibly…

  • Thailand NewsExperts warn against coconut water concoction for kidney stones

    Experts warn against coconut water concoction for kidney stones

    Low in calories, naturally free of fat and cholesterol, more potassium than bananas and super hydrating – these are just a few of the many benefits ascribed coconut water. Dubbed “Mother Nature’s sports drink” by marketers, demand is soaring in the US and elsewhere, propelled by celebrity and athlete endorsements, promises help with everything from hangovers to cancer. A multitude…

  • Covid-19 NewsCabinet to decide on third visa extension for foreigners

    Cabinet to decide on third visa extension for foreigners

    The Foreign Affairs Ministry announced today that a third “automatic extension” of visas for foreigners is “in the works” and will be proposed to the Cabinet with the results announced “soon” by the Immigration Bureau. A decision was originally slated for July 15, then postponed to today. Spokesman Natapanu Nopakun’s remarks this afternoon indicate the decision hasn’t yet been made.…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s over-zealous virus control is killing the economy

    Thailand’s over-zealous virus control is killing the economy

    Investors and economists are saying that “fear” and concerns over a second wave of Covid-19 is stopping Thailand’s economy recover. “Thailand should overcome concern of a second wave of Covid-19 and instead relax restrictions on foreign investors and tourists in order to shore up its falling economy.” Prominent local investor Dr. Niwes Hemvachiravarakorn says that the Thai Government… “shouldn’t worry…

  • Thailand NewsCabbie’s body found in Bangkok petrol station toilet

    Cabbie’s body found in Bangkok petrol station toilet

    A taxi driver’s body was found yesterday in the restroom of an NGV petrol station on Bangkok’s Kanlapaphreug Road. Police from Bang Khun Thian station in Jomthong district was alerted to a bad odour coming from the toilet. The body of 58 year old Kaew Srikan, a resident of Jomthong, was found seated inside. Police say the toilet was locked…

  • Thailand NewsWhy are Thailand’s Covid-19 numbers so low?

    Why are Thailand’s Covid-19 numbers so low?

    Why has Thailand, with a population greater than that of the UK, been largely spared the catastrophic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the nation and much of the world? Social distancing is embedded in Thai culture – Thais rarely touch when greeting, preferring the prayer-like “wai” gesture to a handshake or embrace. Could this custom be at least partly…

  • Central Thailand News2 Rayong protesters arrested after trying to display signs during PM’s visit

    2 Rayong protesters arrested after trying to display signs during PM’s visit

    2 protesters have ended up with charges for violating Thailand’s emergency decree after trying to wave protest signs at a motorcade passing through Rayong yesterday. The signs were aimed at the Thai PM during his visit to the eastern province. Prayut was inspecting health measures in the wake of the controversy over mishandling of quarantine measures for a visiting Egyptian…

  • World NewsChinese aviation bans flights from 2 Thai carriers for bringing Covid-19 into China

    Chinese aviation bans flights from 2 Thai carriers for bringing Covid-19 into China

    The Civil Aviation Administration of China announced yesterday that it’s banning flights by Thai AirAsia X and Thai Lion Air to the mainland from July 20-27 as a punitive measure for allegedly bringing Covid-19 patients into the country. Today both airlines announced that no one disembarked while in Bangkok. After the CAAC announced that 11 travellers aboard Thai Lion Air’s…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand to allow medical tourism within 2 weeks

    Thailand to allow medical tourism within 2 weeks

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced today that Thailand’s medical tourism and wellness programs will go ahead despite the controversy swirling around 2 Covid-19 cases this week – in Bangkok and in Rayong. CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin says the Ministry of Public Health will announce a list of hospitals that pass its criteria next week, and the first…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya mayor on the defensive over recent floods

    Pattaya mayor on the defensive over recent floods

    Struggling with severe drought just months ago, Pattaya is now facing the opposite problem. The city’s mayor has addressed criticism on social media this week regarding widespread flooding last week during a significant rainfall, telling The Pattaya News and media yesterday that the heavy rain flooded several areas, including Soi Khao Noi, the town’s railway road as well as other…

  • World NewsThai Immigration police nab human trafficker

    Thai Immigration police nab human trafficker

    Immigration police have arrested a 55 year old “employment agent” who allegedly trafficked illegal migrant workers from neighbouring countries into Thailand. The Immigration Bureau’s commissioner identified the suspect as Petcharat Sathon at a press briefing. Officers arrested her at a hotel in the eastern province of Sa Kaeo, near the Cambodian border. She’s been charged with smuggling migrant workers into…

  • Covid-19 NewsPM and Health Minister give “moral support” visit to Rayong amid Covid scare

    PM and Health Minister give “moral support” visit to Rayong amid Covid scare

    As the city of Rayong in eastern Thailand battles with the fallout of a visiting Egyptian soldier testing positive for Covid-19 , the PM and his Public Health Minister descended on the city in a show of moral support. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, accompanied by Anutin Charnvirakul, as well as the deputy chief of the Royal Thai Army and Dr. Suwanchai…

  • Politics NewsDeputy PM Somkid, top economic team resign

    Deputy PM Somkid, top economic team resign

    Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak, widely considered Thailand’s economic tzar, has resigned, along with 3 ministers working for him, paving the way for the long-rumoured cabinet reshuffle by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha of the government’s economic team. The 3 others are Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana, the energy minister and the minister of higher education, science, research, and innovation. The deputy secretary-general of…

  • Covid-19 NewsPM asks reporters to “ease off” on new Covid-19 stories

    PM asks reporters to “ease off” on new Covid-19 stories

    With the nation rattled by news of 2 new Covid-19 infections among “VIPs” who were exempted from testing when they arrived in the country – one an Egyptian soldier, the other the 9 year old daughter of a Sudanese diplomat – PM Prayut Chan-o-cha asked reporters today to make their reports on the new cases “less scary”. He said the…

  • World NewsA recovering China faces worst floods in decades

    A recovering China faces worst floods in decades

    As China is still reeling from economic impacts of Covid-19, a new struggle has ensued as the nation is now seeing the worst flooding in decades which have destroyed the homes and livelihoods of millions. The devastating floods have impacted 38 million people. According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, some 2.24 million people have been displaced, with 141 people…

  • Covid-19 NewsRayong governor transferred, hundreds tested, amid Egyptian soldier Covid mess

    Rayong governor transferred, hundreds tested, amid Egyptian soldier Covid mess

    Locals in the eastern province of Rayong, are lining up to be tested for the Covid-19 virus, following the news that a visiting Egyptian airman tested positive after being exempted from quarantine. The PM has already apologised for the mess and promised a review into the rules that meant none of the visiting aircrew had to fulfil the mandatory quarantine…