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  • Covid-19 NewsCabinet approves ‘force majeure’ closure of hotels

    Cabinet approves ‘force majeure’ closure of hotels

    The Cabinet has approved the ‘force majeure’ closure of hotels and any lodging businesses, with additional compensation for businesses that are under the social security scheme. There will now be compensation for employees of hotel and lodging businesses for their loss of income, either due to the government’s shutdown order or their owner’s decision to close down during the current…

  • Covid-19 NewsPattaya commences ‘restricted access’ from April 9 onwards

    Pattaya commences ‘restricted access’ from April 9 onwards

    Today, Chon Buri’s governor Pakkhathorn Thianchai has approved the Pattaya City’s proposal to restrict access to the town at 2pm from tomorrow (April 9) for 21 days. It is not a new curfew, but a limitation on people travelling in and out of the city region. Pattaya City will commence a 24 hour lock down of the city’s borders where…

  • Covid-19 NewsPrachuap Khiri Khan locks down ‘until further notice’

    Prachuap Khiri Khan locks down ‘until further notice’

    The Prachuap Khiri Khan municipality, 240 kilometres south of Bangkok, has locked down the province from April 3 to combat the spread of the Coronavirus Covid-19, ” with immediate effect until further notice”. The announcement includes Prachuap Khiri Khan’s main seaside town Hua Hin. The announcement, included on the Thailand Tourism Authority website, says there are now screening measures at…

  • Covid-19 NewsFour major banks close branches for the weekend to prevent crowds

    Four major banks close branches for the weekend to prevent crowds

    Four of Thailand’s biggest commercial banks are closing all branches over the weekend to promote social distancing and fight the spread of the Covid-19. Kasikornbank, Siam Commercial Bank, Krungthai Bank and TMB-Thanachart Bank announced yesterday that they would close all branches nationwide today and tomorrow (Saturday and Sunday). Electronic services will remain available. Krungthai Bank’s announcement said the decision was…

  • Covid-19 NewsChiang Mai orders lights out and fences up

    Chiang Mai orders lights out and fences up

    Chiang Mai provincial governor Charoenrit Sanguansat yesterday announced 2 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 374 suspected cases in the region. “We will keep most public places closed throughout this month.” The governor has ordered fences up and lights out at all walking streets, entertainment venues, spas, karaoke bars, massage parlous, gaming centres, fitness clubs, cinemas and theatres. Even the…

  • Covid-19 NewsBangkok governor issues stern warning over closures

    Bangkok governor issues stern warning over closures

    Bangkok’s governor Asawin Kwanmuang is warning business owners that they face heavy fines, even jail if they disobey orders to close. And in an apparent warning to police, he said “the same applies” to those responsible for ensuring the ban is enforced. Asawin says six types of establishment have been ordered shut until the end of the month to try…

  • Covid-19 NewsPattaya venues “willing to close” if ordered

    Pattaya venues “willing to close” if ordered

    “If the government ordered us to close entertainment venues, we are willing to cooperate.” Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha said yesterday that, for the time being at least, he is not ordering a shutdown of the country’s massive nightlife industry. But one of Thailand’s main tourist hotspots is bracing for the worst: the Pattaya Entertainment Operators Association conceded yesterday they are…

  • World NewsMt Merapi erupts, closes Adi Sumarmo International Airport in Indonesia

    Mt Merapi erupts, closes Adi Sumarmo International Airport in Indonesia

    Adi Sumarmo International Airport in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia has been closed because of an active volcano erupting, spewing smoke and ash into the sky. There have been no reports of casualties or damage, according to National Disaster Mitigation Agency. The airport on Indonesia’s Java Island was forced to close temporarily this morning after the volcano, Mt Merapi, erupted spewing…

  • OpinionOPINION: A sad, but inevitable, farewell to The Nation daily

    OPINION: A sad, but inevitable, farewell to The Nation daily

    Sad news that after 48 years, The Nation Multimedia Group is shutting up shop on its daily newspaper. It’s final edition hit news stands around Thailand today (June 28). It wasn’t entirely unexpected and is a decision that every newspaper has either already made, is constantly reviewing or will have to make in the future, probably soon. The Nation Multimedia…

  • Business NewsA new beginning at 48 – The Nation prints its last newspaper today

    A new beginning at 48 – The Nation prints its last newspaper today

    The Nation daily newspaper, known for its independent and aggressive news reporting, publishes its last print edition today. After 48 years on the newsstands, one of Thailand’s only two English dailies, goes the way of many good banners before them. The Nation will continue as an online news source. The newspaper is the latest victim of the disruptive technology that…

  • Pattaya NewsRetribution: Pattaya police chief transferred, foreign bar owners deported

    Retribution: Pattaya police chief transferred, foreign bar owners deported

    Pattaya’s police chief has been transferred, the foreign bar owners are being deported and will be blacklisted. This has been the swift retribution for local senior police and the owners of ‘Coming Bar’ for allowing prostitution and under-age sex on their premises. In addition, the Bang Lamung district police chief says the offending bar will be shut for five years…

  • World NewsBangkok’s Wireless Road closed for two days – 34th ASEAN Summit

    Bangkok’s Wireless Road closed for two days – 34th ASEAN Summit

    Wireless Road (Witthayu Road), one of Bangkok’s most congested and popular stretches of road, will be closed for two days during the 34th ASEAN Summit. Thailand is hosting the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok on June 22 and 23 when it will welcome the regional leaders of the 10 ASEAN member countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines,…

  • Environment NewsMaya Bay’s closure could be further extended – Dr Thon

    Maya Bay’s closure could be further extended – Dr Thon

    Maya Bay, closed to the public since last June to allow its beach and coral to recover, will remain shut to visitors for at least another two years as its ecology needs more time to heal. “The director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Tanya Netithammakul will have the final say on whether to reopen the…

  • Krabi NewsMaya Bay’s extended closure “vital to conserve the ecology”

    Maya Bay’s extended closure “vital to conserve the ecology”

    Maya Bay’s extended closure keeps the wraps on one of southern Thailand’s most popular tourist attractions. Worapot Lomlim, chief of the Hat Nopparat Thara Phi Phi Islands national park confirmed this week that he might keep Maya Bay closed for up to five years to allow the current recovery to continue. The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation…

  • Krabi NewsNew red flags set up at Maya Bay to prevent tourist swimmers

    New red flags set up at Maya Bay to prevent tourist swimmers

    The Mu-Koh Phi Phi National Park Officers have set new red flags around Maya Bay to prevent boats and tourists swimming into the area. Red flags and signs have also been placed at the Bay’s entrance that to prevent entry and swimming into the closed bay. National park officer say that there were some tour boat operators who have suggested…

  • Phuket NewsOvernight stays cancelled for Similan Islands

    Overnight stays cancelled for Similan Islands

    Environmentalists and marine biologists have scored another win for the local eco-system with the closure of the Similan Islands to overnight stays. Concern over degradation of coral reefs and the marine ecology of the Similan Islands, caused by polluted water discharged into the sea, is prompting the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation to prohibit overnight accommodation on…

  • Krabi NewsThree alternatives to Maya Bay

    Three alternatives to Maya Bay

    “Stop complaining and take tourists somewhere else – National Park officials.” National parks officials, looking after the Phi Phi islands, say there are plenty of other great locations to visit besides just Koh Phi Phi Ley’s Maya Bay. They were responding to complaints from both tourists and tour operators. Tour operators say that the move to indefinitely close the famous…