entertainment

  • Travel GuidesMovie Guide: Top Thai films to watch on Netflix 2022

    Movie Guide: Top Thai films to watch on Netflix 2022

    There are countless movies to watch at home, whether it’s on one of the many streaming services, that dusty DVD collection you have laying around, or even your favourite pirating site (not recommended). But what about Thai films? When it comes to local Thai entertainment, choosing a movie to watch after work, on a date or on vacation can be…

  • Thai LifeMovie Guide: Top Thai films to watch on Netflix 2022

    Movie Guide: Top Thai films to watch on Netflix 2022

    There are countless movies to watch at home, whether it’s on one of the many streaming services, that dusty DVD collection you have laying around, or even your favourite pirating site (not recommended). But what about Thai films? When it comes to local Thai entertainment, choosing a movie to watch after work, on a date or on vacation can be…

  • Thailand NewsNew Thailand cave-rescue film ‘Thirteen Lives’ gets record pre-screening scores, high hopes for box office

    New Thailand cave-rescue film ‘Thirteen Lives’ gets record pre-screening scores, high hopes for box office

    Ron Howard’s Thailand documentary Thirteen Lives about the famous cave rescue mission has received outstanding test scores in pre-release screenings, prompting MGM to promote the film’s release date from Easter weekend to mid-November, coinciding with awards season. The film follows the true story of a group of young boys and their soccer coach, who were trapped for weeks in the…

  • Thailand NewsStreaming services rake in more than 815 million baht, emerge as new cash cow for Thai entertainment industry

    Streaming services rake in more than 815 million baht, emerge as new cash cow for Thai entertainment industry

    The Department of International Trade Promotion announced on Tuesday that international streaming services like VIU, iQiyi, WeTV, and Netflix, alongside the Thai film industry, have earned Thailand more than 815 million baht. The news comes after the DITP held a meeting with members from international streaming providers and 15 Thai content creators to improve their relationship on January 27. This…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s nightlife venues and bars told to keep closed until January 16

    Thailand’s nightlife venues and bars told to keep closed until January 16

    Thailand’s nightlife cat and mouse game between authorities and desperate bar and nightlife businesses will continue until the middle of January 2022. Following deliberations from the CCSA yesterday, entertainment venues will have to keep their doors closed until at least January 16. To put an exclamation mark after the latest announcement, the Thai government has also extended the emergency decree…

  • World NewsPop megastars ABBA release first album in 40 years

    Pop megastars ABBA release first album in 40 years

    Some said it would never happen. In fact, they themselves frequently said it would never happen. But pop fans around the world are rejoicing over the return of Swedish supergroup, ABBA. Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid have reunited for the release of Voyage, their first album in 40 years. It will be followed by an “avatar” concert planned for March…

  • Thailand NewsCan Koh Pha Ngan’s Full Moon Party recover from Covid-19 hiatus?

    Can Koh Pha Ngan’s Full Moon Party recover from Covid-19 hiatus?

    After a year long hiatus, can Thailand’s world-famous Full Moon Party recover, or will it evolve in the post-Covid-19 era? Before April last year, Haad Rin Beach on Koh Pha Ngan was invaded each full moon by backpackers and partygoers. The beach hummed to the thump, thump of the music and the buckets of exotic cocktails (and plenty of other…

  • Crime NewsWoman talks about the life of a Thai “pretty” after model’s death

    Woman talks about the life of a Thai “pretty” after model’s death

    Following the news of a model who died after working as a hostess at a Bangkok party, Thai media spoke with a woman, known in Thailand as a “pretty,” about what it’s like to work in the lucrative, yet shady Thai model entertainment industry where many work as hostesses at parties and events that often involve alcohol, drugs and sex…

  • Bangkok NewsEating out until 11pm in Bangkok is waiting for approval

    Eating out until 11pm in Bangkok is waiting for approval

    Bangkok restaurants may soon be allowed to stay open a little later. Health officials are considering easing up Covid-19 prevention measures by extending restaurant dine-in closing times to 11pm. If the proposal by the Thai Restaurant Association is given a green light, it may lead to the lifting ban of alcohol drinking. After the order of shutting entertainment venues and…

  • Covid-19 NewsMore closures in Bangkok as BMA mulls further restrictions

    More closures in Bangkok as BMA mulls further restrictions

    • High risk entertainment venues closed • BMA’s 437 schools closed for at least 2 weeks • CCSA considering restricting Bangkok restaurants to take-any only services only The Bangkok Metropolitan Organisation has closed “high risk’ venues around Bangkok as of midnight last night. The city’s 437 public schools run by the BMA have also been ordered to close until at least January 17.…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Covid update, Bangkok restrictions, Gold rush | December 29

    Thailand News Today | Covid update, Bangkok restrictions, Gold rush | December 29

    All the latest updates about the Covid-19 situation in Thailand. 155 new Covid-19 infections were reported today in the daily briefing by the CCSA. The total count of confirmed cases in Thailand raised to 6,440 while the national death toll raised to 61 after a 45 year old man in Rayong, infected with Covid-19, died. Thailand currently has 2,195 active…

  • Northern Thailand News2 local cases in Bangkok contribute to Sunday total of 14 new Covid-19 cases

    2 local cases in Bangkok contribute to Sunday total of 14 new Covid-19 cases

    2 people have been identified in Bangkok as locally infected with Covid-19. The announcement follows a week of revelations coming out of the north from the Chiang Rai border crossing into Myanmar where Thai prostitutes and workers have been crossing back into Thailand, infected, without going through any quarantine procedures. Thailand recorded 14 new cases of the coronavirus today, including…

  • Covid-19 NewsEntertainment industry calls for 2am closing times

    Entertainment industry calls for 2am closing times

    A leading representative of Thailand’s entertainment and nightlife industry is urging the Department of Disease Control to allow the country’s entertainment venues to close at 2 am instead of the current closing time of midnight. The meeting was held yesterday at the Chatuchak Newspaper building and called “Brainstorming to help save the economy and revive tourism.” Thanawat Srisuk, the industry…

  • EntertainmentFuture of Bangkok’s iconic Scala cinema building uncertain after closing

    Future of Bangkok’s iconic Scala cinema building uncertain after closing

    Cinema lovers and theatre employees are mourning the closure of Bangkok’s legendary Scala cinema after 51 years in business. The theatre was the last one to remain independent in the capital, amid an expanding landscape of multiplex cinema chains. Khaosod English reports that many Scala lovers turned out to bid farewell to the theatre prior to its final screening on…

  • Business NewsPhuket’s (in)famous “Soi Bangla” district reopens today

    Phuket’s (in)famous “Soi Bangla” district reopens today

    Today is the official reopening of Phuket’s famous (or infamous) “Soi Bangla” nightlife district, but only about 20% of venues say they’re reopening during this early stage. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced yesterday that all night entertainment venues may reopen but must strictly adhere to health guidelines set out to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin,…

  • Covid-19 NewsThai PM concerned about “second wave” of virus when Thailand’s nightlife resumes

    Thai PM concerned about “second wave” of virus when Thailand’s nightlife resumes

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has voiced his concerns about the re-opening the country’s bars, clubs, and other nightlife that may lead to a second wave of the Covid-19 virus. It’s currently proposed, but not finalised, that Phase 5 easing of restrictions would allow pubs, bars, and other entertainment venues to re-open from July 1. The precise guidelines imposed on re-opening…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya mayor says bars, nightlife, ready to open and obey the rules

    Pattaya mayor says bars, nightlife, ready to open and obey the rules

    The mayor of Pattaya says the city’s nightlife is ready to get back to business whilst agreeing to obey all the regulations that govern reopening in the aftermath of Covid-19. Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem says venues are anxious to throw open their doors once again and willing to comply with the 22 rules outlined by the government this week. He says…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s entertainment venues and bars poised to reopen in July

    Thailand’s entertainment venues and bars poised to reopen in July

    Pubs, clubs and karaoke bars will be allowed to re-open in July. That’s a promise from the committee which has been rolling out Thailand’s gradual re-openings in staged phases. It will be the fifth phase of lifting the restrictions, originally imposed on all levels of business in Thailand in response to the threats from Covid-19. But, it should be stressed,…

  • Covid-19 NewsMeeting to discuss reopening of nightlife venues

    Meeting to discuss reopening of nightlife venues

    Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, says PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha has stated his wish to see all professions return to work and earning an income. This follows a public petition, especially from Thailand’s estimated 100,000 self-employed musicians, from the entertainment industry, The Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thai Alcoholic Beverage Business Association and even members…

  • Covid-19 NewsMusicians want to get back on the mic

    Musicians want to get back on the mic

    Can we have music again? Musicians are asking for restrictions to be lifted so they can hold night performances and get back to work. Around 50 musicians petitioned the Thai PM, asking that night entertainment venues reopen by next week. Bars are still closed as social gathering mixed with alcohol might be too risky right now. But many bars and…

  • Technology NewsCyber minister wants Netflix-like Thai streaming platform

    Cyber minister wants Netflix-like Thai streaming platform

    Thailand’s minister of digital economy and society, aka. “cyber minister” says that Thailand should have its own streaming platform to bring in revenue and promote Thai movies and television overseas. Puttipong Punnakan remarked at a forum that creating a Netflix-like platform to stream and sell Thai films and series to foreign audiences would reel some sweet, sweet subscription revenue into…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhase 4 of relaxations may come sooner according to CCSA

    Phase 4 of relaxations may come sooner according to CCSA

    The government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported today that pubs, bars and entertainment facilities would be permitted to reopen in the coming weeks if the regular count of new Covid-19 cases remains in single digits. Dr Taweesilp has confirmed that the Covid-19 situation in Thailand continues to improve and has dropped to single digits for the past 22 days.…

  • EntertainmentThailand rescue dog from meat trade performs on Britain’s Got Talent

    Thailand rescue dog from meat trade performs on Britain’s Got Talent

    A dog rescued from Thailand’s illegal meat trade brought tears to those on the TV show Britain’s Got Talent. There was silence as the story of Miracle the dog played on a screen to the audience. A photo flashed on the screen of when the dog was crushed in a cage piled high with dogs. “When the dog rescuer first saw him…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s new ‘normal’ – Government charts course post-April 30

    Thailand’s new ‘normal’ – Government charts course post-April 30

    “The government will ease restrictions on businesses reopening only when it does not place people at a higher risk of catching the disease.” Trying to find a balance between the public health needs and the imperative to re-boot Thailand’s economy, the Government is rumoured to be mulling another month of the emergency decree. The current emergency decree is set to…

  • Covid-19 NewsHungarian tourist dies in Phuket after failing to reveal Bangla Road visits

    Hungarian tourist dies in Phuket after failing to reveal Bangla Road visits

    Dr Chalermpong Sukhonthapol, the director of Phuket’s Vachira Hospital, has revealed details of a Hungarian tourist who recently died of Covid-19, but had earlier withheld details of his visits to the island’s red light district in Bangla Road, Patong. Bangla Road has been the island’s hotzone for new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus. The case has resulted in more than…

  • Covid-19 NewsUPDATE: Thailand closes schools, entertainment venues, Phuket shuts entertainment venues

    UPDATE: Thailand closes schools, entertainment venues, Phuket shuts entertainment venues

    UPDATE: Phuket’s Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana last night gave the order to close all entertainment venues in Phuket for 14 days, effective today. All sports venues, cinemas and massages shops are to remain closed for 14 days. Phakaphong explained that the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee’s decision to close all entertainment venues followed yesterday’s Cabinet resolution. The same closure of all entertainment…

  • Covid-19 NewsBars, clubs and cinemas closed, but only in Bangkok and only for 14 days

    Bars, clubs and cinemas closed, but only in Bangkok and only for 14 days

    Such is the speed of the news cycle at the moment, we can hardly keep up with the updates and changes in the ongoing reactions by the Thai government to the Covid-19 story. This morning the Thai PM was ‘thinking’ about closing down bars and entertainment venues, now it’s actually happened, but only in and around Bangkok. The Cabinet has…

  • Tourism NewsBars and clubs in Thailand open until 4.00am? Not everyone is in favour

    Bars and clubs in Thailand open until 4.00am? Not everyone is in favour

    PHOTO: Hotels.com Some academics oppose the Tourism and Sports Minister’s idea to allow entertainment venues to remain open until 4.00am. Udomsak Saengow of the Centre for Alcohol Studies is one of those suggesting that more research is needed before such a move. “Civic groups have worked hard to limit access to alcohol and they succeeded in lobbying for shortening the…