Thailand
- Thailand News
Officials untangle cables on major Bangkok road to improve city’s appearance, safety
Bangkok officials are untangling cables on a major road to improve the city’s appearance and safety. The minister of Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Ministry said this move on Sukhumvit Road is part of a larger push to better Bangkok’s landscape and promote it as a “lively world class city”. The National Telecom executive vice president said the agency is…
- Thailand News
Thai prisons ban alcohol-based gel after inmate dies, others hospitalised from drinking hand sanitiser
Alcohol-based hand sanitiser is being banned at Thai prisons after one inmate died, another blinded, and 31 others injured from mixing the hand gel with soft drinks to get drunk. All forms of alcohol products are typically prohibited on prison grounds, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, with major outbreaks at Thai prisons infecting tens of thousands of inmates, rules were…
- Crime News
Forensic doctor denies ‘signs’ Thai TV actress Tangmo was hit in the head
A recent autopsy on the body of the Thai TV actress known as “Tangmo” shows that there was no sign she was hit in the head with a hard object before drowning in the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok last month, says a forensic doctor who examined the body of the 37 year old celebrity. There were reportedly no broken…
- Economy News
As Thailand’s fuel prices spike, stockpile raised
As Thailand’s fuel prices continue to spike, officials have announced that the government will extend fuel stockpiling. Thailand’s Deputy PM and Energy Minister said in a meeting yesterday that the government has instructed oil companies to extend stockpiling of oil reserves from 60 to 70 days to help defuse a pending crisis. He said Thailand will keep its policy of…
- World News
Thailand confirms neutral stance, encourages ‘dialogue’ on Russia-Ukraine
A government spokesman confirmed yesterday that Thailand will remain neutral on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The spokesman said due to the threat by Covid-19, Thailand doesn’t want any international conflict to worsen the public health crisis. He also restated what foreign ministers have said, that all parties should excersise “maximum restraint”. He stressed that PM Prayut has supported a policy of…
- Thailand News
Officials warn about various scam Thailand Pass emails, some with malicious links
Thailand Pass applicants are being warned about numerous scam emails from accounts posing as the Department of Consular Affairs or a team from the Thailand Pass system. Some emails are requesting personal information, such as passport numbers, and others include an encrypted link. Officials haven’t confirmed if any other information besides email addresses has been compromised from the Thailand Pass…
- World News
Ministry of Foreign Affairs donates 2 million baht for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved a budget of 2 million baht to provide humanitarian assistance in Ukraine in light of the ongoing conflict which continues to cause death, injuries and damage to infrastructure. So far, 230 out of 256 Thai people who wish to leave Ukraine have already been evacuated. MFA spokesperson Thani Saengrat told the press today that…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok women activists call on Prayut to amend Thailand’s maternity leave law
On Tuesday, International Women’s Day, networks of women’s rights groups in Bangkok called on PM Prayut to amend Thailand’s current maternity leave law. Under the current law, women are paid for 90 days of leave. Women’s rights activists want this changed to 98 days. The spokeswoman for the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare said the department will discuss the…
- Crime News
Police search for suspected hitman who allegedly shot M16 rifle, killing an officer
Two people, including a police officer, were killed in a gunfire exchange where a suspected hitman allegedly shot at officers using an M16 rifle in the southern province Phattalung. Another officer was severely injured and three suspects, including the alleged hitman, were able to escape. Eight police officers from the Crime Suppression Division tracked down Chamrat “Chui Chaochan” Rakchan, a…
- Covid-19 News
Thursday Covid Update: 22,984 new cases; provincial totals
74 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 23,512 with 1,814 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 22,984 new Covid-19 cases and 24,161 recoveries. There are now 220,334 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…
- Thailand Travel
Phuket boat tour business begs government to stop fuel price spike
A speedboat tour company in Phuket is begging the government to not allow fuel prices to spike. The company, Nikorn Marine Tour Phuket, offers tourists group boat trips, as well as private trips. It also offers beach parties, but its main services require boats. The company’s CEO told The Phuket News yesterday that after Covid-19 had already hit marine tourism…
- Property
Bangkok office owners should update, renovate now — JLL Thailand
Bangkok property owners should update their older office spaces now to maintain renters and adjust to changing consumer habits. Renovations and upgrades of older facilities are necessary in the face of lower demand and increased competition, as local developers plan to introduce more than 2 million square metres of new office spaces between 2022-2026. Owners of ageing office buildings in…
- Covid-19 News
Hospital accidentally mistakes bedridden patients, sends body to the wrong family
A woman went to visit her father at a hospital, but when she came by, she found that the patient the hospital had identified as her father was not him. She found out later that the hospital accidentally switched the identification information for two Covid-19 patients. Her father had died back in January and his body may have been sent…
- Bangkok News
Thais queue to sell gold as war in Ukraine sees prices reach new high
Bangkok residents queued up to sell their gold for cash yesterday, as the ongoing war in Ukraine saw the price of gold reach a new high. According to a Thai PBS World report, Thais lined up outside gold shops along Bangkok’s Yaowarat Road to sell their gold items for cash. The report states that by 12.56pm yesterday, the purchase price…
- Thailand News
1 killed, 3 injured in oil tanker fire at Chao Phraya River pier in Samut Prakan
One person was killed and three were injured when an oil tanker caught fire following an explosion on the vessel. The tanker was docked at a pier on the Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakan, just southeast of Bangkok, when there was a sudden explosion. Three people were able to escape while another person was reported missing. Human remains were…
- Thailand News
Thai government to ease tax rules for investments in digital assets
The Thai government has approved the easing of tax rules for digital assets in order to promote and develop the industry. The move comes amid a surge in cryptocurrency trading in the kingdom, according to a Reuters report. Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith says the relaxed rules means cryptocurrency traders can offset annual losses against gains in the case of taxes…
- Thailand News
Japanese gangster arrested for allegedly stealing 2 million baht in gold from Bangkok shop
A Japanese man allegedly robbed a gold shop at Bangkok shopping centre, taking off with 975 grams of gold valued at around 2 million baht. Police say the suspect is involved with Japanese “Yakuza” crime syndicates. The Royal Palace Police Station received a report on Monday from a gold shop Thong Suay at The Old Siam Shopping Plaza, claiming that…
- Northern Thailand News
Khon Kaen still enforcing unpopular alcohol ban at least 2 more weeks
Khon Kaen’s governor announced yesterday that the province will continue its highly strict, unpopular ban of alcohol from all restaurants for at least two more weeks. After two weeks, the ban will be reevaluated. Even though Thailand has allowed bars to reopen as temporary restaurants, Khon Kaen enforces stricter laws, and doesn’t even allow restaurants to serve alcohol. Alcohol can…
- Covid-19 News
Government health officials approve plan to make Covid endemic in Thailand by July
The Public Health Ministry’s plan to make Covid-19 endemic in Thailand by July 1 has been given the green light. The plan was approved yesterday by the National Communicable Disease Committee, giving Thailand under 4 months to downgrade the virus from pandemic status. According to health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand is adopting a policy of safeguarding the health of both…
- Tourism News
Tourism officials not bothered by US advice to citizens to avoid travel to Thailand
Tourism officials have shrugged off a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notice which advised citizens to avoid travel to Thailand. Earlier this week, the US CDC added Thailand to its list of Level 4 countries, due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation in the kingdom. However, Yuthasak Supasorn from the Tourism Authority of Thailand says that won’t make much…
- Covid-19 News
Number of calls increases, Thailand’s Covid hotline struggles to keep up
Since Covid-19 cases soared in recent weeks due to the highly infectious Omicron strain, the hotline has been getting around 40,000 and 70,000 calls each day, with inquiries requesting beds and medical treatment. Several people were unable to get through due to the huge volume of calls received each day and the lack of corresponding employees to meet the demands.…
- Pattaya News
Mother files complaint with Pattaya police after son gets hit, bruised by teacher
A Thai teacher in Pattaya is being accused of hitting a 10 year old student because he was asking too many questions during an examination. The boy’s mother says he came home with a bruise on his back. The 28 year old mother, Suwanna Phasuk, made a report to the police at the Nong Prue station and says she wants…
- Thailand News
Health department warns pregnant women with Covid-19 “don’t take Favipiravir”
Thailand’s Department of Health advises pregnant women with Covid-19 not to take the anti-viral medication Favipiravir. The department’s director-general said especially during the first trimester, Favipiravir might affect fetuses. He said the drug is usually only given during the last quarter of pregnancy, on a case-by-case basis. The department advised pregnant women who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, and…
- Thailand News
Phuket welcomes first group of Test & Go tourists travelling by sea
Phuket welcomed its first group of Test & Go travellers entering the island province by sea and tourism officials say more visitors travelling on cruise ships and yachts will be entering under the quarantine exemption scheme. On March 1, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration eased travel restrictions, allowing Test & Go travellers to enter Thailand by land and sea,…
- Pattaya News
Intoxicated Chon Buri man claims to have ‘magical flower’, runs shirtless
An intoxicated man in Chon Buri province told police the pink flower he wore on his ear was ‘magical’, and made him invisible. He said this after allegedly running shirtless through traffic in Meuang Chon Buri district yesterday evening. The man also allegedly shouted and danced. Multiple police had to run after him, restrain him, and carry him to their…
- Thailand News
Koh Kut mayor says smoke detector didn’t work when villa caught fire
The luxury villa in Koh Kut that burned to the ground, with guests narrowly escaping the flames, was equipped with smoke detectors and alarms, but they weren’t working, according to the island’s mayor, Dechathorn Chanob. All guests escaped the fire at Soneva Kiri resort on Koh Kut, off the coast of the eastern province Trat, but many guests, including famous…
- Thailand News
Prominent Thai MP jailed for housing project corruption
A Thai MP, who at one point was involved in Thaksin’s Pheu Thai party, was jailed on Friday for corruption in a housing project. MP Watana Muangsook, who left Pheu Thai to join Thai Sang Thai last year, is charged with 11 counts of corruption, including abuse of power and demanding bribes. In 2003, Watana was involved in the Ua…
- Crime News
Tangmo witness Robert admits he ‘lurched’ boat forward, sending actress overboard
One of the five boat buddies — i.e. “witnesses” — of Thai actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong has confessed to causing the vessel to “lurch,” tossing the celebrity actress overboard where she drowned in the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi on the night of February 24, the Bangkok Post reported police as saying Tuesday. Phaiboon “Robert” Trikanjananun, told investigators he had…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya business owners claim authorities issued fake, overpriced SHA+ certificates
A number of business owners in Pattaya say they were duped into buying fake documents to certify that they meet standards set by Thailand’s Safety and Health Administration. When authorities inspected their businesses, they discovered the SHA+ documents had been fabricated. Some say they even paid thousands of baht to have the certification process expedited. Around 20 business owners from…
- World News
Thai Foreign Minister calls for Russia-Ukraine negotiations
Thailand’s Foreign Minister spoke out yesterday, calling for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. He says that even though it will be difficult, every party wants to see the situation return to normal. He said there will be negative consequences if the conflict is not resolved, adding that if the situation does not return to normal soon, it would “cause an…
