Thailand
- South Thailand News
Eating your way around Songkhla
by Pattarawadee Saengmanee – The Nation Weekend As we come in for landing at Hat Yai International Airport, I see clear sky reflected in the azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Despite the weather App warnings, the sun was out. Sightseeing is first on the agenda though and after a pleasant 40-minute drive from the airport to Songkhla Old…
- Thailand News
Four men arrested over sex act broadcast on mobile app
Four men have been arrested for broadcasting a sex act live via a China-based application. This was discussed at a media briefing today by deputy tourist police chief Pol Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn. Surachete did not identify the men or the app used. He says the four men, who are from Thailand and Myanmar, were charged with violating the Computer…
- Thailand News
Most rape cases ‘settled’ by police, says foundation
by Kornrawee Panyasuppakun – The Nation We are all familiar with Thai police ‘settling’ small misdeamours, mostly road, on the spot – acting as judge and jury and keeping many minor potential court cases away from lawyers and the Thai court system. But the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation claims that most rape case, including child rape cases, are…
- Chiang Mai News
Making your point, head first into a fish spa
Sometimes you have to go the extra distance to prove your point. Like putting your head in a fish spa. Sanook reports that a Thai owner of hundreds of fish spas around the country has made hi point about an Australian woman and the foreign media for discrediting his business. The actions of Chaiyaporn Lojaya follow the Australian’s claim in…
- Thailand News
MP numbers being shuffled around in lead up to Thai election
Some of Thailand’s key political parties are set to see a significant reduction in MPs after new regulations were issued reducing the number of constituency candidates. For instance, Pheu Thai Party’s strongholds – the North and the Northeast – will lose 13 seats in Parliament, while the Democrat Party could lose six MPs, as the number of seats in the…
- Hua Hin News
Shark nets to be installed at Hua Hin beach tomorrow
Talk News is reporting that authorities in Hua Hin have finally decided who is responsible for installing a shark net at Sai Noi beach. This is the location where a Norweigan tourist was bitten in April this year. 54 year old Werner Danielsen (at the time of the attack) has since returned to Norway after amassing hundreds of thousands baht…
- Thailand News
Four year old mauled to death by escaped dogs
PHOTO MONTAGE: Thai Rath A four year old girl playing outside her house on a bicycle has been savagely mauled to death by three dogs that got out of a neighbour’s yard. The incident happened in Chaiyaphum province. But the dog owner could face only a small fine or a short jail term. Thai Rath report that when Chaiyaphum police arrived…
- Pattaya News
20 Chinese arrested over betting and investment web-scams
Twenty Chinese citizens have been arrested in separate raids in Pattaya and charged with operating websites designed to deceive fellow Chinese. The Chon Buri police chief Maj Gen Nanthachart Supamongkol and Pattaya’s Pol Col Chitdecha Songhong announced the results of the raids yesterday (Tuesday). In the first raid, six Chinese men were arrested at a house on Soi Khao Talo…
- Thailand News
Thai PM fires back at media over question of his political future
The Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha fired back at the media when pressed for an answer about his political future. The PM has said in recent months that he will make an announcement about his political future sometime “in September”. It is widely speculated that he will either join a supportive political party running in the election or make himself available…
- Health
Blood tests shows contamination with toxic farm chemicals
“Several farmers have visited Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital since late last month, seeking treatment for exposure to farm chemicals.” Traces of toxic chemicals have been detected in the blood of 1 in every 20 farmers in Nakhon Ratchasima. This is the result of tests across 132 villages in the Bua Yai district. The Bua Yai district’s public-health office arranged blood…
- Thailand News
Electric cars in Thailand move into the fast lane
by Jintana Panyaarvudh The Thai Government has a goal of getting 1.2 million electric vehicles on the road by 2036. The rising number of registered EVs, the development of a locally made EVs, as well as research and development of some EV parts are indications that it could have a major role in Thai society, said Amonrat Kaewpradap, a committee…
- Phuket News
Police commander follows up on shooting of a man who ran a checkpoint
The Phuket Provincial Police Commander has followed up the case where a Thai man was shot after breaking through a police checkpoint. The Phuket man, who ran a Phuket City Police checkpoint in Rassada yesterday morning, died after attempting to open fire on police in Cherng Talay very early yesterday morning (September 18). Read more of the story HERE. The Phuket Provincial…
- World News
Thai fined $6,000 for defaulting on Singapore national service obligations
by The Straits Times – Asia News Network PHOTO: Ong Wee Jin A Thai national, registered as a Singaporean when he was just a year old, but never lived in Singapore, has been fined S$6,000 for defaulting on his national service obligations in the Lion City. 24 year old Ekawit Tangtrakarn, an application engineer, committed the enlistment offence before he ceased…
- Chiang Mai News
Storms and strong winds hit Chiang Mai
A major road in Chiang Mai province has been blocked by fallen trees and power poles following strong winds and heavy rains today. Trees and power poles on the Chiang Mai-Fang road in Mae Taeng district were brought down at about 10am, officials said. Phairin Limcharoen, chief of the province’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, coordinated with the Provincial Electricity…
- Chiang Mai News
Tourists caught up in Chiang Mai karaoke bar overcharge ‘scam’
PHOTO: Daily News A Chinese tourist and three friends lodged an official complaint with the Chiang Mai police about the operators of a karaoke bar who allegedly overcharged them. They say they were ‘shocked’ after being presented with a bill for 14,000 baht. The incident on Monday night resulted in the men seeking police assistance after being handed the bill.…
- Pattaya News
Koreans end up in hospital following Pattaya cross-cultural experience
PHOTO: Sanook Two Korean men have had a unexpected ‘cross cultural’ experience after an attractive woman agreed to accompany them back to their apartment in Pattaya. We’ll dispense with the long introduction because you’ve already guessed the punchline – the ménage à trois ended up being an all male affair. Sanook has named the lady boy in the story as “Somchai”…
- Thai Life
70 per cent of Thais wear Buddhist amulets
There’s never been any evidence that they work as lucky charms but most Thais purchase and wear them, whether for faith, protection, luck or as gift, they’re ubiquitous in Thailand. More than 70 per cent of Thais wear Buddha amulets, according to a Suan Dusit Poll. The most popular amulets are those bearing the likeness of the monks Luang Pu…
- World News
Singapore #1, Thailand #6 – Asia’s most innovative nations
by DataLEADS/Asia News Network Singapore, South Korea and Japan are the most innovative countries in Asia whereas Pakistan and Bangladesh are the least innovative, according to the Global Innovation Index 2018 report. Thailand comes in number 6 out of the 17 ranked countries. The report analyses the energy innovation landscape of the next decade and identifies possible breakthroughs in fields…
- World News
More than 60 dead as Mangkhut continues into southern China
The world’s strongest tropical storm this year, Typhoon Mangkhut, continues its path of destruction across Southeast Asia, reaching mainland China yesterday (Sunday) after pummeling Hong Kong and killing dozens in the Philippines. The storm, originating in the Pacific Ocean and first hitting Guam and the Marshall Islands, has been deadly with its high power winds hitting rural communities in The…
- Thailand News
Two teenagers drown trying to save school friend
by Sutthipomh Settharangsi Two schoolchildren have died after trying to save another friend from drowning in the Chaiyaphum province, central Thailand, on Saturday. Seven lower-secondary students visited a local check dam in Tambon Nong Pai in Kaeng Khro district when one girl, riding a motorcyle, fell into the water along with her two-wheeler. The friends jumped into the water, despite…
- Thailand News
Another Army death raises questions over Military handling of hazing
PHOTO: Facebook/Boy Krungkao by Chularat Saengpassa – The Nation Weekend Hazing (US English) initiation ceremonies, (British English), bastardisation (Australian English), ragging (South Asia), or deposition, refers to the practice of rituals, challenges, and other activities involving, harassment, violence or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group including a new fraternity, sorority, team, or club. Another conscript…
- Thailand News
BREAKING: NCPO relaxes ban on political activities
The NCPO has announced that it will relax the political bans, restrictions and activities that had been issued since it took over the power four back in May 2014. The relaxation details that include allowing political parties to elect their executives have now been promulgated in the Royal Gazette. The junta, National Council for Peace and Order, used its absolute…
- Thailand News
Another beaten Thai Army private dies of injuries
PHOTO/VIDEO: Facebook/Rejecttime Yok Infantryman Khacha Pacha, hospitalised onAugust 21 after being beaten by three other soldiers at a Lop Buri Army camp, has died this morning. His pregnant wife confirmed the death on her Facebook page today (Friday). It included a photo of her hand grasping his as he lay in his hospital bed and the caption, “I know you are…
- Bangkok News
Pathum Thani street racers arrested for modifying bikes
PHOTO: Facebook/Surachet Hakpal Police have arrested 155 motorcyclists for illegally modifying their bikes for road racing in a joint forces operation in Pathum Thani, just north of Bangkok, last night (Thursday). Pol Maj Gen Surachet Hakpal, deputy tourist police chief, held one of his early morning media-fests at 1am this morning at the Klong Lung district office. He reported that…
- Bangkok News
Election between December 11 and May 9
The forecast for two typhoons is relatively easy and accurate to predict. Predicting the next Thai election, less so. Place your bets (except that gambling in Thailand is illegal). Thailand’s Election Commission has outlined a tentative time frame for the next election vote, starting from December 11, at the earliest, to May 9 next year, at the latest. The timeframe…
- World News
Mega storm bears down on Luzon Island, The Philippines
Two typhoons are barreling into several coastlines in the east and south-east Asia. There’s Typhoon Barijat, lying to the south of China and making its way past Hainan Island as we write this article. Around 12,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying parts of China’s Guangdong province and shipping halted ahead of it’s landfall tonight. But the main act is to follow…
- South Thailand News
Two rangers killed, four others injured in Pattani ambush
FILE PHOTO – The Nation Another attack in the deep south. Thai PBS reports that two para-military rangers have been killed and four others seriously wounded in an ambush by a group of armed men. The attack was followed by a gun fight in the Nong Chik district of Pattani late last night (Tuesday). Nong Chik police headed to the…
- Bangkok News
BNK 48 pop idol under fire for hosting pro-junta programs
by Kittipong Thavevong of The Nation A young Thai pop star has become the subject of a heated political debate and the target of attack for hosting a television show publicising the government’s achievements. Anti-junta activists are calling the show ‘political propaganda’ and called out Cherprang Areekul, ‘captain’ of the popular girl pop band BNK 48 for “serving the dictatorship” and “helping…
- Thailand News
Record first seven months for tourist arrivals
by Thammarat Thadaphrom The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced visitor arrivals of about 22.65 million from January to July 2018, up by 11% compared to the same period of 2017. Estimated visitor expenditure rose by over 14% to 1.18 trillion baht. The top ten source markets of visitors to Thailand during the first seven months of 2018 were China,…
- Pattaya News
Drug and pool parties busted after residents complain about short-term villa rentals
PHOTOS: We Love Pattaya The Bang Lamung district chief has sent in police to check on complaints that pool villas in a Huay Yai estate were being rented on a daily basis for noisy parties. Ads for the properties owned by De Ville Group were on Facebook contravening hotel regulations. We Love Pattaya reports that a sting was conducted at one…