Thailand
- Crime News
Pattaya mayor calls for more security on Bali Hai pier
After a number of incidents went viral on social media, the mayor of Pattaya ordered officials to crack down on issues at the Bali Hai pier. Crimes like price gouging and tour boats operating without licenses have been frequently reported, so as of yesterday there will be a significant increase in police and security on the pier. Bali Hai pier…
- Thailand News
Government to expedite the revision of the civil partnership bill for same-sex couples
Following a court ruling on marriage that was seen as a setback for same-sex couples, the Thai government is now expediting the revision of draft law on civil partnerships. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krae-ngam says the law will protect the rights of all genders, according to the Bangkok Post. Wednesday the Constitutional Court upheld the language in Section 1448 of…
- Crime News
11 inmates climb through hole in ceiling, escape from prison cell in Nakhon Sawan
Nearly a dozen inmates climbed through a hole in a holding cell and escape from the Khlong Pho Temporary Prison in the central province Nakhon Sawan where they were held as a isolation period before being sent to Nakhon Sawan Central Prison. Officers say the inmates have been found. Police Major-General Raphiphong Sukphaiboon from Nakhon Sawan police station said the…
- Property
How the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the face of properties in demand
The Covid-19 pandemic has definitely changed the face of many things, including that of Thailand’s properties in demand. According to CBRE, a leading international property consultant, the resumption of real estate activities is in the near future. As Thailand is currently easing entry restrictions, the consultant says it is only a matter of time when the property market will pick…
- Thailand News
APEC summit in Thailand to focus on regional economy
Next year Thailand will be hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The Foreign Ministry explains that this year the meeting will be focused on economic recovery and growth in the region following the global Covid-19 pandemic. Promoting cooperation between member nations is the emphasis of this event, reports Thai PBS. The theme of the summit is said to…
- World News
Thai Foreign Minister reportedly admits to meeting with Myanmar’s military junta
Following reports in Burmese media that Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister visited Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw last weekend to meet with the military junta and coup leader, the minister has reportedly revealed details about his trip, saying he discussed humanitarian aid for the country’s citizens. Foreign Affairs Minister, Don Pramudwinai, who also serves as Deputy PM, reportedly admitted to meeting with coup…
- Phuket News
Phuket to emphasise safety during Loy Krathong
As Phuket prepares for its Loy Krathong festivities tonight, the governor is imploring citizens to be safe and to respect the Covid-19 protocols in place. Celebrations on the island are scheduled to go forward, despite the lingering concerns over Covid. Governor Narong Woonciew expanded upon the many requirements that are in place this evening to mitigate the chances of the…
- Thailand News
Today’s Loy Krathong breaks traditions, Thais encouraged to celebrate “virtually”
Every year, on the 12th full moon on the lunar calendar, Thais celebrate Loy Krathong, giving thanks to the water goddess by releasing lotus-shaped floating offerings onto the water. Rivers, canals, and other bodies of water are filled with the beautiful offerings, known as krathongs, which are usually made from banana tree trunks and decorated with flowers, leaves, candles, and…
- Thailand News
Anti-doping agency bans Thailand from hosting international football tournaments
The World Anti-Doping Agency has hit Thailand with a number of sanctions over its failure to comply with WADA conditions. The ruling means Thailand cannot host any international football tournaments and the Thai flag cannot be displayed at such events. It’s understood the ruling is a result of Thailand’s failure to follow WADA’s 2021 code. According to a Bangkok Post…
- Business News
Mass lay-offs at Thai AirAsia as aviation sector continues to struggle
Thailand may have re-opened to international travellers, but the aviation sector continues to struggle as a result of the pandemic. Today, the Bangkok Post reports that Thai AirAsia has announced mass redundancies and extended furlough arrangements for many of its staff. Asia Aviation, the largest shareholder in TAA, says the outlook for the aviation sector remains unstable and the company…
- News
Loy Krathong in Bangkok: Proof of vaccination or ATK test required
Those in Bangkok celebrating Loy Krathong tomorrow will need to abide by “new normal” measures which include showing proof of vaccination or taking a rapid antigen test to enter venues approved to hold the celebrations. All visitors must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 vaccine or test negative for Covid-19 within the past 72 hours. There will be two main locations in…
- Thailand News
Pro-monarchy academic says lèse majesté law needs to be more clear
With Thailand’s draconian lèse majesté law in the spotlight as continuous youth-led protests call on an end to law which carries a lengthy prison sentence for insulting the Thai Monarchy, a well-known academic and supporter of the royal family says the law needs to be amended to make it more clear. Under Section 112 of the Thailand’s Criminal Code, also…
- Thailand News
Thai authorities issue warning on Trang temple’s cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency investors in Thailand are being warned not to invest in Somdejcoin, or SDC, which is named after a revered Buddhist monk and developed by a temple in the southern province Trang. Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, issued an official statement yesterday warning traders and investors about the decentralised finance token, claiming that the coin’s investment data is…
- Thailand News
Constitutional Court ruling on marriage a setback for same-sex couples
In a setback for the LGBTQ+ community, Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled that the current law, which says marriage is between a man and a woman, is constitutional. Same-sex marriage activists have argued that the wording of the law, Section 1448 of the Civil and Commercial Code, basically blocks same-sex couples from being legally married. A petition had been filed with…
- Property
Thailand’s property market slated to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2023
Experts are pointing to 2023 as the year in which Thailand’s property market is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels. The estimation is sooner than previously thought, with the easing of housing loan regulations and the country’s reopening speeding up the recovery. Last month, the central bank relaxed mortage regulations to help revive the property sector, which accounts for 10%…
- Visa Information
Visa agent accused of pocketing 230,000 baht after promising visa extensions
A woman claiming to be a visa agent is being accused of promising visa extensions for 25 migrant workers, but pocketed hundreds of thousands of baht. The owner of a bedding supplies company in Samut Prakan, just southeast of Bangkok, filed a complaint with police saying she paid the agent to get visa extensions for 25 of the 40 migrants…
- Education
Thailand’s education system: Part 1
Thailand’s education system is largely affected by political instability and an increasingly aging populace. As Thailand has seen many military coups, with the recent one occurring in 2014, the climate of political repression has curtailed academic freedom. The consequences are played out daily when Thai academics are forced to work under the constant threat of surveillance, political reprisal, and arrest.…
- Thailand News
“People’s Constitution” to take down “Prayut regime” rejected by parliament
Parliament rejected a draft of the so-called “People’s Constitution,” a proposed legislation to take down what Thais call the “Prayut regime” and scrap the 20 year national strategy. A former Democrat candidate told Thai PBS World that “Prayut regime” essentially allows the prime minister to control the Senate and other organisations mandated under the charter. The “People’s Constitution” draft was…
- Thailand News
Boost in tourism expected over Loy Krathong Festival
The Tourism Authority of Thailand said that they are anticipating a slight boost in tourism for this year’s Loy Krathong Festival. While still much quieter than in the days before the pandemic, this year a bit more travelling and tourism related to the event are expected than last year. The TAT estimates that tourists throughout the country will spend around…
- Crime News
Assistant village chief allegedly shoots and kills his 2 year old daughter
An assistant village head in Southern Thailand allegedly killed his two year old daughter after he fired a shot at his wife, but the bullet missed and hit the child. Reports say he then turned the gun to his head and shot himself. Reports say the man was drunk and lashed out at his wife’s birthday party in Nakhon Si…
- Tourism News
Emirates A380 to return to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to meet increased demand
The A380 is to return to the skies over Bangkok as Emirates upgrades capacity on flights to the capital to meet increased demand. TTR Weekly reports that Thailand’s recent re-opening to vaccinated tourists from approved countries has led to strong demand, with around 10,000 arrivals registered at Suvarnabhumi every day. In order to add capacity and frequency to its services,…
- Bangkok News
Flooding in Bangkok expected during Loy Krathong as Chao Phraya continues to rise
The Chao Phraya River is expected to continue rising as the Loy Krathong festival draws near. A Royal Thai Navy Hydrographic Department report said yesterday that sea levels are rising, which will cause the river to rise, too. Bangkok and other communities near the river have been experiencing flooding over the past few weeks, and the Chao Phraya has repeatedly…
- Thailand News
Doctors successfully perform Thailand’s first “acardiac twin” surgery
Surgeons reportedly performed Thailand’s first surgery involving twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence, or TRAP, where the cardiac system of one normally developed foetus is supplying blood for another, known as the “acardiac twin,” which is poorly developed, often missing a heart, head, and limbs. On Wednesday, surgeons at Srinagarind Hospital of Khon Kaen University successfully performed the surgery, stopping the…
- Crime News
Man arrested for allegedly shooting his 88 year old father to death in Southern Thailand
Police arrested a man for allegedly killing his 88 year old father at his home in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district. On Monday, father and son were reportedly in a heated argument when 60 year old Seree Kuldamrongwiwat allegedly fired shots at his father. The Bangkok Post reports that the fatal shooting was caught on surveillance cameras. Saree was arrested yesterday…
- Thailand News
Thailand coast along the Andaman Sea eyed to be UNESCO World Heritage site
A large swath of coastline in Southern Thailand has been approved by the Cabinet to be a potential new UNESCO World Heritage site. This area runs along the Andaman sea from Phuket up through Phang nga and Ranong, and much of it is already approved nature reserves and national park land. The total site comprises around 1,160 square kilometres. A…
- Covid-19 News
Wednesday Covid Update: 6,524 new cases; provincial totals
56 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 20,199 with 20,105 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 6,524 new Covid-19 cases and 7,191 recoveries. There are now 91,382 people in Thailand being…
- Thailand News
National park officials in Chachoengsao search for elephant critically injured from gunshots
Thailand’s National Park Service team and veterinarians are working hard to find a wild elephant, known as “Plai Noo Sing,” who was shot several times and critically injured in a forest in Chachoengsao, east of Bangkok. Since last week, officials from Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary have been on the lookout for a 20 year old wild elephant who…
- Thailand News
Prayut reportedly says draft charter amendments should not touch the Monarchy
As Thai politicians mull over changes to propose to the country’s constitution, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that any amendments lawmakers are seeking to make, the institution of the Royal Family must be left untouched, according to the Bangkok Post. Bangkok Post reporters spoke with a source who attended a mobile cabinet meeting in Krabi, which was chaired by the prime…
- Crime News
Police crackdown after CNN investigation into multimillion dollar medical glove scam
Thai police have arrested a Japanese businessman and have issued several arrest warrants following the CNN investigation into the multimillion dollar, transnational medical glove scam involving a Thailand-based company. According to the report, millions of used medical gloves, some stained with blood, were exported from Thailand to American companies looking to cash in on the pandemic-driven spike in demand for…
- Bangkok News
Truckers protest diesel prices at Ministry of Energy
A protest by truckers took place on a Bangkok highway yesterday to bring attention to the high price of diesel. The truckers are calling for a cap on fuel prices, and drove in a convoy to the Ministry of Energy to make their demands known. The drivers parked their trucks along 4 roads around Bangkok, according to the Bangkok Post.…
