Thailand
- Thai Life
King Chulalongkorn Day
October 23 is a national holiday in Thailand as it marks “King Chulalongkorn Day”, known in Thai as “Wan Piyamaharaj Day”. He remains highly revered in Thailand and his portrait can often be seen, alongside the current King Rama X, in homes, shops and halls around the Kingdom. The day commemorates the passing of King Chulalongkorn, otherwise known as King…
- Krabi News
Krabi residents say no to dolomite mine
Over a hundred residents in Krabi province have staged a rally against an attempt to operate a dolomite mine in their community. (Dolomite is used for acid neutralisation in the chemical industry, in stream restoration projects, and as a soil conditioner. Dolomite is used as a source of magnesia, a feed additive for livestock, a sintering agent and flux in…
- Thailand News
TAT tap into Big Data to assist tourists
by Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is moving forward with the development of a Big Data system to cater to the growth in the number of tourist arrivals. (Yes, it’s another one of these buzz words when the word ‘digital management’ doesn’t sound sexy enough in the PR release. Read more about Big Data HERE.) The authority…
- Thailand News
Wet season, not so wet – some dams are less than 60% full
FILE PHOTO: Ubonrat Dam – The Nation Emerging from the back end of the annual wet season, Thailand should be well poised for adequate water supplies for the forthcoming dry season. There’s been major flooding of some dams in the central, far north-eastern and some southern areas. But the wet season rains have been ‘lumpy’ leaving many of the country’s…
- Thailand News
No more coups, unless we need one – Commander in Chief
With the country heading for elections in February, or sometime soon in 2019, the hope is for a new, democratically elected government following four and a half years of military rule. But would the army rule out another coup? Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Apirat Kongsompong has refused to rule out the possibility of another coup if the country is plunged into…
- Thai Life
‘Big Joke’ is the ‘real deal’ according to Thai Rath
PHOTOS: Thai Rath Thai Rath have published a feature on the closest person Thailand has to Batman (aka Maj-Gen Surachate Hakparn) or “Big Joke” as he’s affectionately know to the Thai media. He’s taken the role of Thailand’s poster-boy crime fighter. He’s also recently been promoted to the top job at Thai Immigration. The article says that Big Joke is…
- Northern Thailand News
Chiang Rai’s Suwit Jaipom unveils charcoal portrait of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej
PHOTOS: localnews2010.com A Chiang Rai Artists, Suwit Jaipom, has unveiled a portrait of the late HM King Rama IX, that he has recently created to mark the second anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s passing. At his studio in Ban Pang Lao in the capital district of Chiang Rai, Suwit Jaipom, the president of ArtBridge Chiang Rai and local artist, has created…
- Thailand News
Thailand – most visited destination among Chinese for Golden Week
The National News Bureau is reporting that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says Ctrip.com, China’s largest and most influential online travel agent, has ranked Thailand the number one global destination among Chinese tourists during this year’s National Day vacation – the Chinese Golden Week 2018. Thailand comes out on top of Japan, Hong Kong SAR, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, and…
- Bangkok News
Pakistani asylum seekers set to be deported
Immigration police have rounded up 100 Pakistani asylum seekers who have overstayed their visas or lack any visa. They claim their Christian religious beliefs make it dangerous for them to return to Pakistan. Acting Immigration Police chief Maj-General Surachate Hakparn ordered checks of Soi Charansanitwong 12 in Bangkok’s Bangkok Yai district yesterday (Wednesday). Surachate told a press conference that 52…
- Phuket News
Phuket vegetarian festival processions kick off
The famous, or infamous, Phuket vegetarian street processions have started. Thais, expats and foreign tourists enjoyed watching some of the processions during this morning’s rain. The festival is held until October 17 this year. This year’s Phuket Vegetarian Festival was announced in the Royal Thai Government Gazette as a ‘Phuket event of cultural heritage’. Read more about the launch of…
- Northern Thailand News
First Thai MotoGP earns profits and widespread praise
by Lerpong Amsa-ngiam “The attendance is the highest for any of the 15 MotoGP races so far this year.” The Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat has claimed the inaugural Thailand MotoGP “successful beyond expectations” after it was attended by an estimated 220,000 fans and generated revenue of 3 billion baht. The three day event, another victory for four-time…
- Bangkok News
Three-quarters of Bangkokians in debt
An estimated 77.5 per cent of Bangkokians are in debt and 53 per cent admit to have fallen behind in repayments. This, from a survey by Bansomdej Poll in collaboration with the Foundation for Consumers (FFC)’s Chaladsue (Smart Buyer) magazine. The poll of 1,171 people conducted between August 24-28 this year found that out of the indebted respondents (most of…
- Thailand News
Floods sweep away bridge in Mae Hong Son
by Tossapon Boonpat A bridge in Mae Hong Son crucial to tourism and trade was swept away in a flash flood on Sunday. “We urgently need a Bailey bridge [to replace it temporarily], or else the flow of tourists and goods into Myanmar will be disrupted,” said Trairat Wanasirisuk, chief executive of the Tambon Mae Sam Lab Administrative Organisation. The…
- World News
18 years of internet growth in Asia
Sourced from DataLEADS – Asia News Network The internet continues to grow swiftly in all parts of the world. Asia continues to show impressive growth trends in the last eighteen years although there are still many pockets in south east asia that need improved access to the www. To say that access to the internet has made a profound change to…
- Thai Life
Mong Thongdee gets Thai citizenship. Good news for Thailand’s Paper aeroplane champ.
PHOTO: Facebook/MongThongdee Mong Thongdee is to become a Thai citizen, almost a decade after earning fame by winning a national paper-aeroplane championship at the age of 12. Mong posted on his Facebook that he has been informed that the Chiang Mai governor has approved his request for Thai citizenship. He’s been told he will now get a 12-digit citizenship ID…
- Northern Thailand News
Thailand MotoGP starts today in Buri Ram
PHOTO: Jorge Lorenzo (99) of Spain and Ducati Team in Turn 7 during FP2 at the MotoGP PTT Thailand Grand Prix 2018, Chang International Circuit, Thailand on October 05, 2018. Naratip Golf, Srisupab/SEALs Sports Images The ‘PTT Thailand Grand Prix 2018’ MotoGP is being held from today until Sunday, October 7, at the Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram, north-east Thailand.…
- Phuket News
Phuket Governor assures Phuket “we’re ready to handle any tsunami”
The Phuket Governor Pakkapong Tawipat is assuring Phuketians and tourists of the island’s readiness to handle any tsunami. Governor Pakkapong says, “It’s not only Phuket that is paying attention to the recent tsunami in Sulawesi, but also the nation. We are totally ready to help people and tourists if any similar event was to occur.” “We are keeping an eye…
- Bangkok News
Rotary Club of Bangkok and Rotary Thailand celebrate 88th anniversary
PHOTO: The Board of Directors and members of the Rotary Club of Bangkok The Rotary Club of Bangkok, the first Rotary Club in Thailand, celebrated its 88th anniversary on September 21, 2018 with a major gathering of members and dignitaries from across Asia. Led by Khun Maleeratna Plumchitchom, the current President of the Rotary Club of Bangkok, the anniversary event was…
- Bangkok News
Nigerian and Thai arrested over romance scam
Police have arrested a Thai woman and a Nigerian man for having allegedly deceived at least three Thai women to transfer them some 444,900 baht in a romance scam. The new immigration police chief Maj Gen Surachet Hakpal told a press conference on Wednesday that 41 year old Chigozie Orisakwe and 37 year old and Panhathai Chermchan were arrested under…
- Phuket News
Sunhemp in bloom at Rajabhat University
Phuket’s Rajabhat University is holding a Sunhemp Blooming event until the end of today. It started on Monday. President of Agricultural Resources for Tourism Management, Khun Kanokwan Kaewuthai, says, “We are attracting attention to local tourism with some of our agricultural resources by integrating knowledge, tourism, agricultural business, marketing and public relations.” “We are also supporting our student to practice…
- Krabi News
Two metre crocodile caught in Krabi
A two metre crocodile has been caught in a mangrove forest in Klongtom, Krabi whilst another crocodile was sighted last night. Officials from the Krabi Provincial Fisheries Office arrived at the area after being notified by locals that a crocodile has been caught. The crocodile was 1.8 metres and 30 kilograms, female and in good health. 36 year old Noppohn…
- Krabi News
10 vehicle pile up in Krabi
Amazingly, no injuries from a 10 vehicle pile up in Krabi City yesterday. Krabi City Police were notified of the carnage on Sri Trang Road near an intersection in the Krabi City Municipality at about noon yesterday (Sunday). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a ten-wheeler truck, carrying a machine, on the side of the road…
- South Thailand News
Baby elephant rescued from muddy pit in Chumpon
by Prasit Leehakhunakorn A two year old male elephant, ‘Chao Duan’, has been rescued after it fell into a 70 centimetre deep and four metre wide muddy pit where it was stuck for two days in Chumphon province. The elephant is now recovering under the loving care of veterinarians, although its hind legs remain immobile for now. Nam Tok Ngao…
- Health
Medicinal marijuana by next year in Thailand
Thailand’s Governmental Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) is starting researching to develop medicines from marijuana in acknowledgement of evidence that the outlawed substance has health-enhancing properties. It is also seeking to initiate a legal amendment that would permit cannabis for medicinal use, possibly by May next year. Recreational use will remain illegal. GPO chairman Dr Sopon Mekthon yesterday says that with the…
- Bangkok News
Director and security chief of Don Mueang suspended over assault of Chinese tourist
“Immigration police dismissed the tourist’s claim that immigration officials had demanded 2,000 baht from him for a visa on arrival in addition to the normal fee of 2,000 baht.” The Director of Bangkok’s Don Mueang international airport, as well as the director for security, have been suspended from active duty for at least 30 days pending an investigation into an…
- Thailand News
Wet wet wet at the Phetchabun’s ‘Um Phra Dam Nam Festival’
The ‘Um Phra Dam Nam Festival’, one of the world’s most unique Buddhist festivals held annually in Phetchabun in Central Thailand. It’s scheduled from October 7 to 12 at Trai Phum temple and at the pier of Bot Chanaman temple. Translated from Thai, Um Phra Dam Nam literally means ‘diving while holding Buddha’s image’. According to local legend, the festival began when…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok and Phuket on the list of the World’s ‘Top City For Visitor Spending’
According to Mastercard’s annual Destination Cities Index, Bangkok has earned the position as the world’s most visited tourist destination once again in 2017. Phuket also got into the Top 10 list of tourist money magnets. The Thai capital attracted over 20 million visitors over the past year, more than both London (19.83 million) and Paris (17.44 million). But despite scoring…
- Hua Hin News
Four whale sharks hunting off Prachuap Khiri Khan
Four whale sharks have been spotted near Koh Talu, three kilometres off the coast of southern Prachuap Khuru Khan over the past week. The surprise appearance of the quartet of hunting whale sharks caused excitement to groups of tourists and divers on board speed boats on their way from a pier at Klong Chamuang, Ban Nong Samet of Bang Saphan…
- Northern Thailand News
Chiang Rai hit with mild earthquake
A minor 3.4-magnitude earthquake hit Chiang Rai’s Phan district this morning. The confirmation from the Seismological Bureau of the Meteorological Department. The bureau said the earthquake had an epicentre situated about 15 kilometres underground at latitude 19.45 degrees and longitude 99.60 degrees. The epicentre was in the Doi Luang National Park. The quake was felt by residents of Phan and nearby…
- Phuket News
Central’s new volcano goes up in flames
VIDEOS: Kristopher and Toribio One of Central Floresta’s new themed feature attractions has been totally guttered today in a dramatic fire that started just after opening time this morning. The ‘Tribhum’ attraction, a walk-thru theme park, scheduled to open before the end of the year, burnt fiercely as the outer skin of the ‘volcano’ caught fire and kept burning until…
