Thailand

  • Thai LifeProtest at sacking of school director

    Protest at sacking of school director

    Teachers, present and former students and parents gathered at Bangkok Christian College yesterday (October 28) to protest the suspension of school director Supakit Jitklongsap, who they say was dismissed unfairly. They said they’d continue their protest until the new director of the school, as well as the Church of Christ in Thailand, clarified the issue. They held signs demanding his…

  • Economy NewsCommerce Ministry will appeal US GSP decision

    Commerce Ministry will appeal US GSP decision

    Thailand will ask the United States to reconsider removal of trade preferences for Thai exports under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), according to the Ministry of Commerce. In the past, whenever trade benefits for Thai products exported to the US were suspended, Thailand has appealed to the US, according to the commerce minister, who added that it is ultimately…

  • Economy NewsThai exports will suffer from Trump labour rights decision

    Thai exports will suffer from Trump labour rights decision

    The Thai export sector will suffer another blow after the US President Donald Trump announced on Friday the suspension of 1.3 billion dollars worth of duty-free trade for certain Thai goods, claiming Thailand has not taken steps to protect the labor rights. In a letter to US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence, Trump said…

  • Bangkok NewsGrab driver beaten up by ‘win’ thugs in Bangkok – VIDEO

    Grab driver beaten up by ‘win’ thugs in Bangkok – VIDEO

    Artit Chitnok posted a 20 second video on his Facebook page a video that showed 3 ‘win’ motorbike drivers (motorcycle taxi drivers) beating up a Grab Bike driver on the road. The incident took place on the night of October 26 under the Thonglor BTS Skytrain Station in Bangkok. The video was taken from inside a car while they were…

  • NewsTiger Temple will adopt cats and dogs

    Tiger Temple will adopt cats and dogs

    Authorities in Kanchanaburi have begun building facilities at the infamous Tiger Temple in Sai Yok district to care for about 1,200 stray dogs and cats from a foundation run by a former Bangkok governor. Kanchanaburi’s governor was among those participating in a ceremony to mark the start of construction on Saturday. The temple, formally known as Wat Pa Luang Ta…

  • World News123 kilograms of marijuana seized at border

    123 kilograms of marijuana seized at border

    Police found big bags containing 123 kilograms of compressed marijuana at a resort hotel in the Tha Uthen district of the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom. The guests believed to have brought the contraband have fled. Tha Uthen’s district chief said on Saturday that local residents alerted authorities after seeing a few men check into at the hotel on Friday…

  • Economy NewsThai exports will suffer from Trump decision

    Thai exports will suffer from Trump decision

    US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the US will suspend 1.3 billion dollars worth of duty-free trade for certain items from Thailand, claiming that Thailand has not taken steps to protect labor rights. In a letter to US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence, Trump said he had suspended duty-free treatment because Thailand…

  • PropertyGuaranteed rental returns – Are they real?

    Guaranteed rental returns – Are they real?

    If you’re looking to invest in overseas property, search the market and it’s not unusual to find condos for sale with guaranteed rental returns of 40%, and some even higher. Yes, it DOES seems too good to be true, but the offers are out there and the packages often come with free legal fees and other such benefits. Clearly, before…

  • Crime NewsArrest warrant issued for Korean suspected of stabbing another Korean man in Pattaya

    Arrest warrant issued for Korean suspected of stabbing another Korean man in Pattaya

    Police in Pattaya have issued an arrest warrant for a 38 year old Korean man, named as Keunhei Park, who is the chief suspect in the stabbing of another Korean national. The Pattaya News reports that the victim is an expat man who was stabbed seventeen times in the early hours of Thursday morning. He is understood to have undergone…

  • Thai LifeFour hundred made redundant as tyre factory in eastern Thailand shuts down

    Four hundred made redundant as tyre factory in eastern Thailand shuts down

    The closure of a tyre canvas production plant in Rayong province, eastern Thailand, has led to four hundred workers being left unemployed. Thai PBS World reports that the SRF Industries (Thailand) factory shut down yesterday, blaming operating losses caused by the slowdown in the country’s economy. It’s understood that management at the plant informed workers of the crisis on September…

  • Tourism NewsBangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport moves domestic passenger security screening

    Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport moves domestic passenger security screening

    From 5.00am on November 19, Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok will relocate screening of domestic passengers to alleviate overcrowding on the fourth floor. The Nation reports that the airport is moving the security screening to concourse screening, including Concourse A and B on the second and third floors. The measure is also being put in place to address the confusion and…

  • Thailand NewsThai dog rescue service named Rescue of the Year in global contest

    Thai dog rescue service named Rescue of the Year in global contest

    Walkin’ Pets by HandicappedPets.com is proud to announce Thailand’s own Michael Baines, and his rescue The Man That Rescues Dogs, as the first ever Walkin’ Pets Rescue of the Year award. Michael Baines is the founder of the Man That Rescues Dogs and is a true champion for special needs dogs. Michael Baines is a chef by profession and a…

  • South Thailand NewsArmy hunting man who shot dog with a spear gun in southern Thailand

    Army hunting man who shot dog with a spear gun in southern Thailand

    A man who shot and seriously injured a dog with a spear gun is being hunted by army officers in Songkhla province, southern Thailand. The man is accused of shooting the dog twice, with the arrows piercing its liver and stomach. The “Smiledog Home Hatyai” Facebook page says the dog is named Mee Dum. Photo:Smiledog Home Hatyai   It was…

  • HealthSecond phase of government’s economic stimulus package off to a good start

    Second phase of government’s economic stimulus package off to a good start

    The government has launched phase 2 of its Chim-Shop-Chai scheme, aimed at boosting the country’s economy. The second phase is aimed at those who missed out on subscribing the first time round, with each person entitled to a 1,000 baht giveaway and a 15 – 20% rebate on spending between 30,000 and 50,000 baht. Thai PBS World reports that the…

  • NewsThirty public parks in Bangkok to open for Loy Krathong festival

    Thirty public parks in Bangkok to open for Loy Krathong festival

    Bangkok will open 30 public parks for the forthcoming Loy Krathong Festival, which is set to take place on November 11. Thai Residents reports that the parks will enable both locals and tourists to participate in the festival by floating krathongs in the parks’ ponds. A krathong is a floating container that holds various items including incense sticks, a candle,…

  • HealthUS pushing for delay to Thai ban on glyphosate in order to protect imports

    US pushing for delay to Thai ban on glyphosate in order to protect imports

    The US is urging Thailand to delay its forthcoming ban on glyphosate, saying it will have a significant impact on the country’s import of soybean, wheat, coffee, apples, grapes and other produce from the US and elsewhere, which totals around 51 billion baht annually. The Nation reports that the US Agricultural Department made the request after Thailand announced a ban…

  • Thailand NewsThai Red Cross issues appeal for blood donations

    Thai Red Cross issues appeal for blood donations

    Blood supplies are running low and The National Blood Centre of the Thai Red Cross Society is urging members of the public to give blood in order to help meet demand. Thai PBS World reports that a decrease in the number of people donating blood since the beginning of the month has led to a significant drop in supply. The…

  • Northern Thailand NewsUbon Ratchathani collision kills seven, seriously injures four

    Ubon Ratchathani collision kills seven, seriously injures four

    An accident between a mini-bus and a six-wheel truck has left seven dead and seriously injured four others. Thai PBS World reports that the collision happened in Ubon Ratchathani, northeast Thailand, yesterday morning. Witnesses say the mini-van was travelling at high speed when the driver lost control, crossing into the path of oncoming traffic and colliding head-on with the truck.…

  • Crime NewsPolice foil attempt to smuggle one million yaba pills from north to south of Thailand

    Police foil attempt to smuggle one million yaba pills from north to south of Thailand

    Thai Residents reports that acting on intelligence reports, Border Patrol Police (BPP) in Chiang Mai have busted a drug smuggling operation that was attempting to transport a million yaba pills from the north of the country to the south. The operation began on October 22, with the gang planning to transport the pills from Chiang Dao district through the forest…

  • Thai LifeGrieving husband on a mission to take his wife’s ashes to all the places she longed to see

    Grieving husband on a mission to take his wife’s ashes to all the places she longed to see

    Every day, Sakchai Suphanthamat can be seen pushing his cart along the highway, in the company of three dogs, two of whom he has picked up along the way. Sakchai carries his wife’s ashes, on a pilgrimage to take her to all the places she longed to see while she was alive. The Bangkok Post reports that the bereaved man…

  • Tourism NewsVisa fee waiver to run until end of April

    Visa fee waiver to run until end of April

    The government will extend the waiver of visa-on-arrival fees for another six months to boost the number of foreign tourists entering the Kingdom. A government spokesperson announced on Tuesday (October 22) that the Cabinet had approved a six-month extension to the exemption until the end of April next year. The visa fee waiver was implemented in November last year and…

  • World NewsThai Airways denies cancelling flights to 4 Asean destinations

    Thai Airways denies cancelling flights to 4 Asean destinations

    Thai Airways has dismissed reports that it will stop flying to four Asean destinations, namely Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar. In a statement issued Tuesday October 22, Thai’s president insisted there is no truth to reports that the airline will stop flights to the four destinations. He said that the company is preparing its corporate strategy, and a thorough analysis…

  • NewsSix top officials sacked on King’s orders

    Six top officials sacked on King’s orders

    His Majesty the King has sacked six senior palace officials attached to Royal Guard units and the Royal Household Bureau, stripping them of their rank and recalling their royal insignias, citing severe disciplinary misconduct and accusing them of exploiting their positions for personal gain. The dismissals were announced in two royal commands, reported Wednesday October 23 by the Royal Gazette.…

  • Crime NewsImmigration police arrest German man in connection with death of German woman in Pattaya

    Immigration police arrest German man in connection with death of German woman in Pattaya

    A German man who has overstayed his visa has been arrested in Pattaya in connection with the death of a German woman found dead in a canal in Chonburi province. The Pattaya News reports the dead woman as 77 year old Marg und Schaefer and says she ran a bar with the man who was taken into custody on Tuesday.…

  • NewsOne dead, three in coma, ten seriously ill after drinking moonshine mixed with poisonous toad blood in Chonburi

    One dead, three in coma, ten seriously ill after drinking moonshine mixed with poisonous toad blood in Chonburi

    A dangerous concoction of herbal alcohol known as ya dong, mixed with poisonous toad blood, has left one man dead, three others in a coma, and ten seriously ill in Chonburi province. The Pattaya News reports that the incident happened in the sub-district of Samet, with local police notified after a man was found dead at Samet temple on Monday…

  • Northern Thailand NewsTourism Council of Thailand cites Thai baht as biggest challenge to tourism

    Tourism Council of Thailand cites Thai baht as biggest challenge to tourism

    The strong Thai baht is proving to be the biggest obstacle in trying to lure tourists, according to The Tourism Council of Thailand who have had to lower its projection of over 40 million foreign visitors this year down to 39.7 million. The president of the council says the surging baht is the main reason for the decline. “It’s frightening…

  • Northern Thailand NewsItalian man shot and killed by girlfriend’s ex

    Italian man shot and killed by girlfriend’s ex

    A 58 year old Italian man has been shot and killed while riding a motorcycle in Khon Kaen, northeastern Thailand. A Thai man has since been arrested for the shooting. Police reported that 45 year old Suchin Oomket was arrested for allegedly murdering Mario Ferrri on Sunday evening. He allegedly the man on suspicions the victim was having an affair…

  • Northern Thailand NewsItalian busted in Australia smuggling heroin

    Italian busted in Australia smuggling heroin

    An 49-year-old Italian has been charged with drug smuggling after arriving at Perth Airport from Chiang Mai. He allegedly had about 300 grams of heroin, worth about 135,000 Australian dollars, hidden inside his body. After trace technology during a baggage examination showed positive for narcotics, Australian Border Force officers referred him to the Australian Federal Police for an internal exam.…

  • Economy NewsAirline on brink of collapse, TG president warns

    Airline on brink of collapse, TG president warns

    The president of Thai Airways has announced that the national flag carrier is in deep financial trouble and may have to fold unless staff members unite to work harder. He also said that there may still be time, though not much, to save the company. “Otherwise speculation that THAI is going bankrupt will materialize and there is a chance that…

  • ExpatsThailand’s immigration police catch thousands of overstayers thanks to airport biometrics

    Thailand’s immigration police catch thousands of overstayers thanks to airport biometrics

    The chief of Thailand’s immigration police says the biometrics system in place at sixteen airports across the country has so far netted 1,000 people who are blacklisted or on watch lists, 700 who have arrest warrants out for them, and 45,000 who have overstayed in the country. The Nation reports that the system is also used to detect fake passports…