Bangkok

  • World NewsGirlfriend of Malaysian man with Covid-19 tests negative

    Girlfriend of Malaysian man with Covid-19 tests negative

    Thai health officials are tracking down those who were in contact with a Malaysian man who tested positive for Covid-19 after he returned to his home country. Health officials report the man’s Thai girlfriend has tested negative for the virus. The 46 year old man, who had no coronavirus symptoms, tested positive for the virus on August 15 while quarantined…

  • Crime NewsMan arrested shipping 75 kilograms of heroin in engine parts

    Man arrested shipping 75 kilograms of heroin in engine parts

    Bangkok police have arrested and charged a man found in possession of 75 kilograms of heroin for export. Drug suppression police got suspicious after they discovered that engine parts were being shipped to Taiwan, a country known for making and exporting such items. An export company in Ratchadapisek Soi 16 in the Bangkok Yai area came under suspicion. When a…

  • Thailand NewsEducation minister says free speech should be allowed at Thai schools

    Education minister says free speech should be allowed at Thai schools

    “The students are concerned about their future which is a good thing.” Hundreds of self-called “bad students” gathered in front of the Ministry of Education in Bangkok voicing concerns over free speech after they were reprimanded earlier this week for expressing their political beliefs during a morning flag ceremony. The students raised their hands in a 3 finger salute during…

  • Politics NewsSecurity ramped up for activists’ hearing at Criminal Court

    Security ramped up for activists’ hearing at Criminal Court

    Security at Bangkok’s Criminal Court was stepped up substantially today for the arrival of 4 pro-democracy and human rights activists arrested yesterday. Anon Nampa, Buramee Chairat, Suwanna Tanlek and Korakot Saenyenphan were all arrested on charges of “inciting public unrest” and other offences related to the anti-government demonstration held on July 18 at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument. Police were deployed to…

  • Bangkok NewsRetired nurse helps choking passenger on Thai AirAsia flight

    Retired nurse helps choking passenger on Thai AirAsia flight

    A retired nurse is deemed the hero of a domestic AirAsia flight after she helped a choking passenger. Those onboard the Bangkok to Krabi flight noticed a man was choking and called for the flight attendants. The nurse rushed over to help. A passenger on the flight shared the story on Facebook and called the woman the hero of the…

  • NewsDozens flee as Samut Sakhon flat block tilts

    Dozens flee as Samut Sakhon flat block tilts

    Around 60 people in Samut Sakhon, just southwest of Bangkok, were forced to flee their homes last night as their 3 storey flat block leaned over and appeared about to fall. It happened at the Pa Yiam building in Phan Thay Norasingh subdistrict. Residents told reporters they heard a loud noise and felt shaking. Local officials were soon at the…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 case detected outside state quarantine, first in weeks

    Covid-19 case detected outside state quarantine, first in weeks

    Medical authorities in Samut Prakan, just southeast of Bangkok, say a Thai man tested positive for Covid-19 at a hospital there today. The man, whose name was not released, was diagnosed at Ramathibodi Hospital and is currently being treated there, according to Piyamit Sitra, dean of the medical faculty at Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, an agency specifically charged with treating…

  • Northern Thailand NewsSuspect in brutal 2007 murder caught in Kanchanaburi

    Suspect in brutal 2007 murder caught in Kanchanaburi

    A suspect in the brutal 2007 murder of the mother and elder brother of a senior public prosecutor has been arrested. 56 year old Prawit “Tor” Ketsakun, was arrested in Pak Praek, in the western Kanchanaburi province. He denies involvement, claiming he was just sitting in a van. Police say that on August 21 2007 a group of men went…

  • World NewsMalaysian man in Bangkok tests positive for coronavirus

    Malaysian man in Bangkok tests positive for coronavirus

    Just short of 2 weeks after a trip to Bangkok, a man returned home to Malaysia and then tested positive for the coronavirus. Thai health officials are investigating to determine who was in contact with the man while he was in the country and if there are any local infections. Deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department Tanarak Plipat said the…

  • Bangkok NewsThousands of job applicants line up Bangkok hotel before sunrise

    Thousands of job applicants line up Bangkok hotel before sunrise

    Not hundreds, but thousands of job applicants showed up to a Bangkok hotel before the sun came up early yesterday morning. Some slept outside to be first in line to file an application at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel in the Lak Si district. By 4am, 5,000 people were waiting outside the hotel. The hotel advertised 300 vacant positions and…

  • Politics NewsUni students defy rain to hold pro-democracy rally; more planned

    Uni students defy rain to hold pro-democracy rally; more planned

    In the latest of what have become near daily protests calling for change, some 100 students protesters defied the rain early yesterday evening at Bangkok’s Srinakharinwirot University to voice anger at the government and demand a return to democracy. Speakers took turns addressing their peers huddled under an awning at about 5pm. A a fourth-year International Relations student told reporters:…

  • Bangkok NewsAt least 76 homes evacuated in Bangkok blaze

    At least 76 homes evacuated in Bangkok blaze

    A fire at a two-storey apartment building in the Khlong San district of Bangkok, has led to the evacuation of at least 76 households. The families were given shelter at local temples, according to a Facebook post from Phongsakorn Kwanmuang, spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. He adds that locals in the area have rallied round, providing sleeping bags and…

  • Politics NewsDemonstration called against arrests of protest leaders

    Demonstration called against arrests of protest leaders

    Police in Bangkok are under pressure from protesters both on- and offline after yesterday’s arrest and detention of student protest leaders. Prominent activist and human rights lawyer Anon Numpa and protest leader Nutchanon “Mike” Payakaphan were taken into police custody for 7 charges, including sedition. 30 more student protesters are wanted by police and arrest warrants have been issued. The…

  • Bangkok NewsNo ammonium nitrate stored in Bangkok – BMA

    No ammonium nitrate stored in Bangkok – BMA

    The spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, aka. City Hall, has confirmed that no ammonium nitrate is stored in the capital. His remarks come after Tuesday’s devastating explosion of the chemical in Beirut that killed more than 150 and injured over 5,000. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang sent condolences to those affected in the tragic blast and said that no ammonium nitrate is…

  • Covid-19 NewsUS soldiers, concertgoers all test negative for Covid-19

    US soldiers, concertgoers all test negative for Covid-19

    All 110 US soldiers visiting Bangkok for upcoming joint military exercises have tested negative for Covid-19. Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesperson for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, says all are staying at alternative state quarantine locations and are strictly prohibited from leaving their rooms or interacting with the general public. The soldiers’ arrival caused concern and discussion on social media,…

  • Politics NewsActivist lawyer arrested after questioning Monarchy’s role

    Activist lawyer arrested after questioning Monarchy’s role

    34 year old Thai activist and civil rights lawyer and Arnon Nampha was arrested this afternoon for “sedition” and “breaching the emergency decree”. He was apprehended in front of his Bangkok condominium at around 2pm, according to the head of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Yaowalak Anuphan. He is currently in police custody. “Arnon can only be detained no more…

  • Crime NewsAlleged “Arab mafia” members arrested in Bangkok

    Alleged “Arab mafia” members arrested in Bangkok

    The chief of the Thai immigration police today announced the arrest of two Arabs in Bangkok’s Nana area. INN reports that they’re “local mafia”, running protection rackets and committing robberies and assaults. The case began when a Thai salon owner filed a report with Lumpini police claiming that her husband and 3 year old son were assaulted by 2 men…

  • Crime NewsBangkok police nab illegal Nigerian 2 year overstayer with cocaine

    Bangkok police nab illegal Nigerian 2 year overstayer with cocaine

    A Nigerian man who entered Thailand illegally 2 years ago has arrested in Bangkok’s Suan Luang area and found to be in possession of cocaine. Thailand’s immigration chief says immigration officers were keeping tabs on a drug distribution network and soon had a black man in their sights at a condo building in the Suan Luang area of the capital.…

  • Bangkok NewsUS ambassador visits Thai clean-tech company Equator Pure Nature

    US ambassador visits Thai clean-tech company Equator Pure Nature

    The United States Ambassador to Thailand, Michael George DeSombre visited American-founded Thai clean-tech pioneer Equator Pure Nature yesterday to discuss perspectives on US businesses and American-founded companies in Thailand, their contributions to Thai society, primarily during the Covid-19 pandemic, and their role in assisting the development of Thai entrepreneurs, particularly women. Thailand is among countries recognised worldwide as having best…

  • Bangkok NewsHarry Potter-themed protest openly questions monarchy’s role

    Harry Potter-themed protest openly questions monarchy’s role

    Thai protesters strayed into more sensitive territory Monday night as they added the prickly, and largely taboo, topic of the Thai monarchy to the list of issues to include in their demonstrations. At a Harry Potter-themed rally, dubbed “Harry Potter versus You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”, anti-government demonstrators at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument demanded changes to Thailand’s revered monarchy and called for curbs…

  • Crime NewsFacemask business dispute leads to shooting

    Facemask business dispute leads to shooting

    Bangkok police say a business rivalry over facemasks was the reason behind a gunfight that left a man injured in the city’s Bang Khae district. Officers at Lak Song Police Station were informed early this morning that a yellow Porsche was fired at many times in front of a Bang Khae home. The injured man was sent to hospital. Initial…

  • Politics NewsProtesters attempt to “wash away” government double standards

    Protesters attempt to “wash away” government double standards

    Continuing the wave of anti-government demonstrations which has swept the country for nearly 2 weeks, protesters calling themselves “Democracy June 24” gathered outside Government House in Bangkok yesterday and symbolically washed dishes carrying various political messages. The last dish, carrying a photo of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha was dramatically smashed when protesters were “unable” to scrub it clean. (October 24 is…

  • Crime NewsGold shop heist foiled as owner locks thief inside

    Gold shop heist foiled as owner locks thief inside

    Police in Bangkok’s Klong Sam Wa district yesterday arrested a woman after she showed up at a local gold shop, dressed in pink Muslim garb and armed with a pistol, evidently intending to rob the place. Unfortunately for her, the caper was foiled when the owner of the “Yaowarat Gold Department Store” locked her in, called police and waited outside…

  • Bangkok NewsFacebook post from Bangkok restaurateur shows the power of social media

    Facebook post from Bangkok restaurateur shows the power of social media

    A Bangkok restaurateur has been left surprised by the power of social media, after his online complaint led to workers rushing back to fill a gaping hole they’d left outside his premises 3 months ago. Donald Woo, a Hong Kong expat who runs a noodle shop in the capital, took to Facebook to voice his frustration after workers abandoned a…

  • Bangkok NewsNonthaburi teen, 3 friends injured as Porsche smashes into tree

    Nonthaburi teen, 3 friends injured as Porsche smashes into tree

    A teenager in Nonthaburi, just northwest of Bangkok, lost control of the Porsche he was driving, smashing it into a tree yesterday. He and his 3 passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital. The incident took place on the exit of the tollway heading toward Chaengwattana Road in Pak Kret. Police were notified of an incident…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok sees first ever student-led LGBT pride march – VIDEO

    Bangkok sees first ever student-led LGBT pride march – VIDEO

    After more than a week of anti-government protests across the nation, a different kind of demonstration was held in Bangkok today – Thailand’s first ever student-led “pride march”. Young protesters demanded state teachers stop discriminating against LGBT students, more progressive health and sex education, and a revision of restrictive haircut rules. Students marched along Ratchadamnoen Avenue to the Ministry of…

  • Tourism NewsTravelling domestically in Thailand brings Covid-style hotel accommodations

    Travelling domestically in Thailand brings Covid-style hotel accommodations

    As Thailand remains closed to international tourists with travel bubbles being postponed indefinitely, the country has shifted to relying on domestic tourism to close some of the gaps in profit losses. As it heavily relies on tourism, which accounts for around 15% of its GDP, hotels are adapting to welcoming domestic tourists by offering Covid-conscious accommodations. But as the popular…

  • Bangkok NewsTransport Ministry says they still want to negotiate the 24 billion baht Hopewell pay-out

    Transport Ministry says they still want to negotiate the 24 billion baht Hopewell pay-out

    Driving out to Don Mueang Airport it’s difficult not to notice the new BTS line that now extends from Mo Chit and past the airport. It looks finished and, apparently, will open before the end of the year. But running alongside are the remnants of an earlier, and very expensive, attempt to build a link out to Don Mueang, at…

  • Thai Life6 escaped buffalo rescued by Buddhist nun

    6 escaped buffalo rescued by Buddhist nun

    6 buffalo who broke loose from a Bangkok slaughterhouse and onto city streets this morning will be saved by a nun who owns a farm for rescued farm animals. Phakjira Hatthakitchamroen, who owns Punissarapab Farm in the western province of Ratchaburi, is collecting funds to buy the animals from the slaughterhouse in the Srinagarindra area. They were spotted wandering On…

  • 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…