Hong Kong
- Thailand News
Hong Kong master’s student duped into Thai nightmare
A Hong Kong master’s student was swept into an international scam that cost her over HK$500,000 (approximately 2.2 million baht) and led her to an alarming detour to Thailand. This unprecedented case pushed Hong Kong police to seek Interpol’s help, marking the first time a victim was lured overseas. The victim, identified as K, a 22 year old student from…
- Business News
Hong Kong hotel bills pile up: Tourism takes a hit amid dollar drama
As Hong Kong’s hospitality sector braces for the new year, a perfect storm of challenges threatens to sour the city’s tourist appeal. With a new lodging tax set to dent visitors’ wallets and geopolitical tensions on the rise, thanks to Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency, the city’s once-thriving tourist industry could face an uphill battle. From January, a 3% hotel guest…
- Business News
Thailand & Hong Kong aims for ASEAN financial hub status
Thailand is exploring a partnership with Hong Kong to establish a financial hub aimed at connecting ASEAN markets. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul announced the initiative after a meeting with Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting in Lima, Peru. The meeting highlighted Thailand’s ambition to become a global financial player, as…
- Business News
Hong Kong urged to innovate for tourist spending boost
Hong Kong businesses need to innovate to attract tourist spending, rather than focusing on the decline in visitor expenditure, a senior official has advised. Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, highlighted yesterday, October 20, that tourists are still eager to spend but have heightened expectations. “We cannot just complain about why people aren’t spending money. It’s not that…
- World News
Oedipus rex-ed: Doctor caught in toxic plot to kill mum’s partner
In a subverted Oedipus-like tale, a once-respected doctor has admitted to plotting a shocking murder attempt by disguising himself as a community nurse and poisoning his mother’s partner with a fake Covid booster. Hong Kong-born doctor 53 year old Thomas Kwan aimed to kill 72 year old Patrick O’Hara, who was left battling a rare flesh-eating disease after the deadly…
- China News
Hong Kong: Cat killed in TV wall collapse
A heartbroken cat owner in Hong Kong has taken to social media to hold a renovation company responsible for the tragic death of his beloved pet, Ah Po, after a newly installed TV wall collapsed, crushing the eight year old cat. The incident, which occurred yesterday, October 8, has left Chris, the cat’s owner, reeling with grief and frustration. Chris…
- China News
Hong Kong back in top 3 global financial powerhouses
Hong Kong is back with a bang, reclaiming its position as the world’s third-leading financial centre, overtaking Singapore for the first time in over two years. According to a report published yesterday, September 24, by the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), Hong Kong’s strategic moves have paid off as it storms ahead in the latest rankings. In the 36th edition…
- China News
Panda mania hits Hong Kong: Two to arrive from China
Hong Kong is gearing up for panda fever as two giant pandas, gifted by China, are set to arrive in the city on Thursday, September 26. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced the exciting news, calling it a “major event” for the region. The entire city is buzzing with anticipation, with Lee revealing a citywide naming contest for the…
- Thailand News
Hong Kong Airlines launches daily flights to Chiang Mai next month
Hong Kong Airlines is upping the ante for travel lovers, rolling out a brand-new daily flight to Chiang Mai starting on October 27. This exciting expansion marks the airline’s third destination in Thailand, adding to its Bangkok and Phuket routes, and promises to give tourists even more reasons to visit the Land of Smiles. Flight HX749 is set to take off…
- Thailand News
Drunken Hong Kong taxi thief crashes into police station
A man who stole a taxi in Hong Kong ended his wild ride by crashing into a police station gate on Wednesday. The chaos unfolded around 4pm local time, on Wednesday, September 4, when a 41 year old taxi driver, surnamed Hau, reported a terrifying incident at the Long Ping Commercial Centre in Yuen Long district. According to Hau, a…
- Thailand News
38 flights cancelled as Hong Kong braces for super storm Yagi
Hong Kong’s skies are set for turbulence as super typhoon Yagi approaches, forcing 38 flight cancellations today, September 5, with more disruptions expected. The city’s airport is bracing for impact, and authorities are pulling out all the stops to manage the chaos. Chapman Fong, the airport authority’s deputy director for operations, warned that the weather is expected to worsen towards…
- Thailand News
Cathay chaos: Engine failure grounds entire A350 fleet
Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has been forced to ground its entire fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft after discovering a never-before-seen engine component failure, throwing travel plans into disarray for thousands. The Hong Kong flag carrier cancelled 48 flights, leaving passengers stranded and scrambling for alternatives. The trouble began when Zurich-bound flight CX383 had to return to Hong Kong shortly…
- Thailand News
Hong Kong policeman’s fatal fall from baht bus sparks safety outcry
Pattaya Tourist Police are offering comprehensive support to the widow of a Hong Kong policeman who tragically lost his life after falling off a baht bus on Pattaya Second Road on July 22. The shocking incident has catapulted road safety in Pattaya into the national spotlight. The grieving widow is receiving assistance from police to navigate the investigation and manage claims…
- Thailand News
Hong Kong sergeant dies falling from truck in South Pattaya
A Hong Kong police sergeant tragically died after falling from a songthaew open-air truck in South Pattaya, Chon Buri, yesterday morning. Surveillance footage showed the man tumbling from the back of the taxi van onto the road at 8:36am, July 22. The 48 year old man from Hong Kong suffered severe injuries and was quickly taken to a nearby hospital,…
- Thailand News
Business ties: Thailand extends visa-free stay for Hongkongers
Thailand’s extension of visa-free visits for Hong Kong residents is expected to bolster business relations and entice more visitors from the financial hub, despite a recent murder-suicide incident in Bangkok, according to industry leaders. The tragic event, involving six people, has not deterred travel plans, they emphasised. Anthony Lam Sai-ho, Executive Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, praised…
- Thailand News
Dragon Boat Festival drummer’s bikini photo stuns social media
The Dragon Boat Festival celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, brings together Chinese communities worldwide to partake in traditional activities such as dragon boat racing, eating sticky rice dumplings, and drinking rice wine. This annual event sees large crowds gathering along riverbanks and lakeshores to enjoy the festive atmosphere while watching ancient dragon boat races, similar…
- Thailand News
Srettha unveils plans for Thailand’s economy at UBS conference
At the UBS Asian Investment Conference 2024 in Hong Kong, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin showcased a visionary blueprint for Thailand’s economic revolution. Addressing over 2,000 participants and 300 companies from the Asia-Pacific region, he laid out a series of strategic initiatives designed to attract global investment and drive innovation and sustainability. The 62 year old PM emphasised the nation’s readiness…
- Thailand News
Greater Bay Airlines halts Hong Kong-Singapore flights
Hong Kong-based carrier Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) announced the suspension of its daily service between Hong Kong and Singapore, effective from June 1. The decision, attributed to commercial considerations, comes hot on the heels of its recent rivalry with budget giants Scoot and AirAsia, as well as premium players Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. Launched with much fanfare on April…
- Business News
Hong Kong tourism nears pre-pandemic levels
Hong Kong’s tourism sector continues its fight for revival as the number of visits during the Labour Day golden week holiday reached only 66.8% of the pre-pandemic levels. Despite the ongoing struggle, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po assured the government’s commitment to promoting the city’s mega-event economy and attracting more tourists. This comes after the city registered 893,764 inward trips…
- Thailand News
Thai YouTuber warned of jail time over Hong Kong ghost selfie
A Thai lawyer warned a YouTuber about possible jail time after she shared her spooky experience while travelling in Hong Kong. The YouTuber claimed that a ghostly figure had appeared in the mirror selfie she captured. The 39 year old half Thai, half Swiss YouTuber, Alita “Anntie” Blattler, caused a stir on Thai social media with her selfie photo shared…
- Thailand News
Hong Kong Songkran festival celebrations relocated
The water-splashing festivities of Thailand’s Songkran festival, hosted in Hong Kong’s Kowloon City, are set to make a splash in a new venue – a basketball court. This change came hot on the heels of last year’s arrests of three individuals for dousing police officers and reporters at the event. Kowloon City district officer Alice Choi Man-kwan disclosed that participants…
- Thailand News
Traveloka and Hong Kong Tourism Board collaborate
Traveloka and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) have forged an alliance aimed at showcasing the wonders of Hong Kong to eager travellers from Thailand and beyond. This collaboration, anticipated to skyrocket tourism figures, promises to position Hong Kong as the ultimate hotspot for adventurous souls seeking new experiences. The resurgence of Hong Kong’s tourism sector post-border reopening has been…
- Thailand News
Hong Kong’s national security law: Foreign corporations
Corporate lawyers and consultants have revealed that foreign corporations operating in Hong Kong have been revisiting their strategies since the previous year in anticipation of the recently passed domestic national security law. Despite assurances from the city and central authorities that the legislation, dictated by Article 23 of the Basic Law, would neither disrupt operations nor negatively impact the city’s…
- Thailand News
Hong Kong national security law tightens its grip
Hong Kong’s lawmakers unanimously greenlit a new national security law, unleashing a wave of concerns over the erosion of civil liberties. The legislation, dubbed the Safeguarding National Security Bill, sailed through the Legislative Council, stacked with Beijing loyalists, in a move critics condemn as a hammer blow to dissenting voices. The controversial law, reminiscent of Beijing’s grip on power, arms…
- Thailand News
US asks TikTok to cut ties with China or face ban
In a landmark decision, the US House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that could force TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, to cut all ties with its Chinese parent company or face a ban in the United States. With United States President Joe Biden signalling his readiness to sign off on the legislation pending Senate approval, fears over Beijing’s sway on…
- Business News
Hong Kong pet owners among top spenders in Asia-Pacific
The pet industry in Hong Kong is witnessing steady growth, with pet owners investing nearly HK$700,000 (3.2 million baht) on average in their pets’ lifetimes. This positions them as one of the top spenders in the Asia-Pacific region’s pet care sector. According to a survey conducted by OneDegree, a pet insurance company, 526 pet owners in Hong Kong were found…
- Business News
Thailand to boost rice exports to Hong Kong and China
An upward trend in rice exports from Thailand to Hong Kong and China is anticipated this year, with a particular demand for riceberry and brown rice. This expectation is driven by the global economic recovery and a discerning preference for high-quality rice grains. Thailand is also aspiring to establish a distribution centre in Shenzhen to bolster its market presence. The…
- Thailand News
Baby bodies found in glass bottles in Hong Kong flat
In a grim and chilling revelation, Hong Kong police apprehended two individuals believed to be the parents of two infants whose bodies were uncovered in separate glass bottles within a rented flat. Chief Inspector Au Yeung Tak, heading the New Territories North unit, disclosed today that the distressing find was made around 10am yesterday by a cleaner commissioned by the…