Thailand

  • Opinion“Thailand shouldn’t have water problems” – a personal view

    “Thailand shouldn’t have water problems” – a personal view

    OPINION Post from a concerned Phuket resident who is worried about the future of the island’s most precious resource, fresh water. Despite being surrounded by water, potable water supplies are in peril for the forthcoming high season with lower-than-usual rainfall and the dams still at historically-low levels at the time of publishing this story. The person has asked to be anonymous……

  • Environment NewsKoh Phi Phi dugong died from a gastrointestinal infection

    Koh Phi Phi dugong died from a gastrointestinal infection

    PHOTO: Department of National Parks, Wildlife & Plant Conservation Another dead dugong was discovered over the weekend off Koh Phi Phi in Krabi province. Department of Marine and Coastal Resources veterinarians have determined the death was caused by stomach infection and chronic inflammation of the intestines. Another was found off the coast of Trang on the weekend as well. The…

  • EventsPhantom V wins Multihull Solutions Regatta in Phuket

    Phantom V wins Multihull Solutions Regatta in Phuket

    PHOTOS: Phuket Yacht Club The 2019 Multihull Solutions Regatta has been run and won after the final day of excellent racing conditions off southern Phuket. The Stealth catamaran Phantom V with its boat builders Alan Carwardine and Roger Diggleman on board, as well as owner Andrew Hurford, won the Racing Multihull Division of the 2019 Multihull Solutions Regatta. Its four…

  • Northern Thailand News‘Irishman’ nabbed after 11 year overstay in north-east Thailand

    ‘Irishman’ nabbed after 11 year overstay in north-east Thailand

    PHOTO: Naew Na Nakhon Ratchasima Immigration, along with local tourist police, have arrested an Irishman,Samuel Caleb Birch, who has been on an overstay of 4,192 days. That’s nearly 11 years and six months! According to Naew Na, the man was arrested at a restaurant in Soi Moo Ban Yamo 5, Ban Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, north-east Thailand. According to his visa, he arrived…

  • Phuket NewsDigging into the Phuket hotel data

    Digging into the Phuket hotel data

    by Bill Barnett, c9hotelworks As Phuket’s hotel operators and owners face a disruptive 2019, we thought it was time to do a deep dig into the island’s accommodation performance metrics. Global hospitality data and analytics group STR was the logical resource, so we spoke to their Area Director Asia Pacific, Jesper Palmqvist. The following are key takeaways from the highly focused…

  • Transport NewsThai farmers and residents from four provinces unhappy about proposed motorway

    Thai farmers and residents from four provinces unhappy about proposed motorway

    About 100 affected residents and farmers, from the Phetchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi and Nakhon Pathom provinces, are demanding the Thai Department of Highways scrap their environmental impact statements and start again. The protests are over the 109 kilometre Nakhon Pathom to Cha-am Motorway. A seminar was held over the weekend called “The Future of Petchaburi and the Motorway to the…

  • Politics NewsNew Thai cabinet to be sworn in Tuesday in Bangkok

    New Thai cabinet to be sworn in Tuesday in Bangkok

    PHOTO: Amphorn Satharn Throne Hall The new Thai cabinet will be sworn in tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Amphorn Satharn Throne Hall in Bangkok near the Dusit Palace, 3 kilometres north of the Grand Palace. The announcement was made by the the Secretariat of the Cabinet over the weekend. All 36 Cabinet appointees will travel by shuttle leaving the Phakdee Bordin…

  • World NewsHeading south at speed: The China–Laos railway

    Heading south at speed: The China–Laos railway

    by Selina Ho, NUS Laos is dependent on China to bankroll the US$7 billion project, raising concerns of being caught in a debt trap The Kunming-Vientiane link will eventually connect with a railway line to Bangkok, and southward down the Malay peninsula to Singapore The Laos section of the project is now half complete Construction on the China–Laos railway began in…

  • Phuket NewsThai TV star faces legal battle to regain custody of her daughter after daylight abduction in Phuket

    Thai TV star faces legal battle to regain custody of her daughter after daylight abduction in Phuket

    PHOTO: says.com A baby has been abducted in Phuket as Thai police investigate a complaint filed by her mother. Last Friday, police were seeking to interview the father and husband of the UK Thai former ‘supermodel’. It follows a dramatic midday abduction on the outskirts of Phuket where the 25 year old woman was ‘imprisoned in her car’ as a…

  • Politics NewsThaksin Shinawatra starting new party called Pheu Dharma

    Thaksin Shinawatra starting new party called Pheu Dharma

    Despite his self-imposed exile in 2008 and living overseas ever since, Thaksin Shinawatra’s shadow still looms large over Thai politics. And now sources claim he’s planning a comeback with a new party, all being engineered offshore, just as the fragile new Thai government starts to run the country. Fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra is rumoured to be forming a new…

  • Transport NewsBTS Skytrain stations get maintenance checks after falling concrete

    BTS Skytrain stations get maintenance checks after falling concrete

    It wasn’t the sky falling. It was the Skytrain Station falling on a road in Bangkok. The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) has announced maintenance work underway at 22 BTS Skytrain stations after a concrete slab fell from the Ari station onto the road below, just missing drivers. Executive director of the BTSC Surapong Laoha-Unya said they prioritised the safety…

  • Crime NewsAmerican and Thai wife arrested for selling ‘ice’ in Bang Lamung, Pattaya

    American and Thai wife arrested for selling ‘ice’ in Bang Lamung, Pattaya

    An American and his Thai wife have been arrested in Pattaya for possessing nearly a kilogram of crystal methamphetamine, plus a hand gun along with ammunition. The arrest follows a longer investigation as police became aware of the couple’s activities. Police have confirmed that the man is an American citizen. 39 year old Bart Helmus and 30 year old Sirinapha Wisetrit…

  • Tourism NewsBangkok’s Anantara adds second luxury charter boat

    Bangkok’s Anantara adds second luxury charter boat

    Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is launching its second luxury riverboat by the end of 2019. Manohra River Song is currently under construction in a shipyard, just north of Bangkok. The 50 million baht boat will join Manohra Dream offering luxury river cruises on Chao Phraya River. In addition to sailing to Ayutthaya, 70 kilometres north of Bangkok, the second vessel will…

  • Environment NewsVisiting time to see baby dugong Mariam is now restricted

    Visiting time to see baby dugong Mariam is now restricted

    Tourists and local well-wishers are flocking to get a glimpse of ‘Mariam’. She’s become an internet hit. But that’s also caused other problems. The high number of Thai and foreign tourists heading to Duyong Bay in Tambon Koh Libong in Kantang district, Trang, to watch officials looking after seven month old orphan dugong Mariam is prompting authorities to issue regulations to…

  • Tourism NewsEuropean and Chinese tourists avoiding Pattaya, Indians on the rise

    European and Chinese tourists avoiding Pattaya, Indians on the rise

    The strong baht is being accused as a major deterrent for Euro-tourists to Pattaya. “Over the past few months, European travellers have hardly come to Pattaya at all because of the baht’s appreciation,” said Damrongkiat Phinitkarn, secretary of the Entertainment & Tourism Association of Pattaya City. He told the Bangkok Post that tourists are opting to go to other countries…

  • Northern Thailand NewsAn 80 million year old carnivorous dinosaur from Thailand identified

    An 80 million year old carnivorous dinosaur from Thailand identified

    PHOTO: Thai PBS A Thai PhD student, studying overseas, has identified some bones of a dinosaur wandering around the mountains of Khon Kaen 80 million years ago. Fossilised bones, unearthed on a mountain in Khon Kaen nearly 30 years ago, have been identified as belonging to a previously unknown carnivorous dinosaur. Thai PBS says the the bones were unearthed on…

  • Chiang Mai NewsLampang public servant on the run after murdering wife and attempting suicide

    Lampang public servant on the run after murdering wife and attempting suicide

    A senior public servant from Lampang is on the run after allegedly strangling his wife then fleeing after failing to successfully hang himself from the stair handrails in his house. Lampang is a province south-east of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Sanook.com reports that a two page will was found on a desk in the house. Serm Ngam police responded to…

  • EventsBlack crabs, tuk tuks and plates of Pad Thai – Miss Grand Thailand costume competition

    Black crabs, tuk tuks and plates of Pad Thai – Miss Grand Thailand costume competition

    From Wild Boars, black crabs, tuk tuks, plates of Pad Thai and black panthers, the costume designers have not held back in the year’s Miss Grand Thailand competition. The 77 Thai provinces have been represented by the contestants in the 2019 Miss Grand Thailand costume competition. The national costume part of the competition was held on July 13 in Bangkok.…

  • Bangkok NewsVIDEO: Bangkok police under investigation for beating up restrained drunk in back of truck

    VIDEO: Bangkok police under investigation for beating up restrained drunk in back of truck

    Seven officers from the Laksong Police Station are currently under investigation following an incident of police brutality in Lat Laksong district of Bangkok. The incident happened at 2pm on July 7. The man was beaten in public view out the front of the Laksong police station. The incident was captured by a mobile camera and posted on Facebook. An initial…

  • Environment NewsFarmers resort to household waste water to save their crops in Suphan Buri

    Farmers resort to household waste water to save their crops in Suphan Buri

    PHOTO: Thai PBS Some farmers in Don Jedi district of Suphan Buri, one of Thailand’s “rice bowl” provinces, are turning to using household waste water to irrigate their parched farmland. Suphan Buri is a province immediately north-west of Bangkok. Desperate to save his 3.2 hectares of rice paddy fields in Village 5, Tambon Don Jedi, rice farmer Narong Wongsuwan told…

  • Politics NewsNew Thai cabinet now endorsed by HM The King

    New Thai cabinet now endorsed by HM The King

    PHOTO: Adapted from Bangkok Post The new Thai cabinet has now been formally anointed and confirmed by HM The King The new cabinet members were nominated by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha following months of prevarication and internal squabbles in the 19 member coalition led by Palang Pracharat. The Royal Gazette has named Prawit Wongsuwon, Somkid Jatusripitak and Wissanu Krea-ngam as deputy…

  • HealthThai PM warns about patients relying on medical marijuana as magic cure

    Thai PM warns about patients relying on medical marijuana as magic cure

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday spoke up about the current flood of interest as Thai public health authorities roll out the first phase of medical cannabis to patients. Read The Thaiger story HERE. The PM cautioned patients against being totally dependent on marijuana-based medicines, saying this practice may lead to their illnesses getting worse in the future. Prayut cited several…

  • ExpatsThais fined for failing to report resident foreigners within 24 hours

    Thais fined for failing to report resident foreigners within 24 hours

    PHOTO: Naew Na More Thai nationals have been charged and fined for failing to report foreigners who were staying at their accommodations within 24 hours of checking in. The article didn’t specify if they were guest house proprietors, landlords or hotels owners. In any case, someone must register if foreigners are staying at their establishments within 24 hours of check-in. 23 year…

  • World NewsASEAN commit to eliminating marine plastic

    ASEAN commit to eliminating marine plastic

    “At present, four ASEAN members are the world’s top ocean polluters, namely Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand.” At the recent 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok last month the 10 member states of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) adopted “The Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Region” in an effort to eliminate marine plastic debris in the region. ASEAN…

  • PropertyProperty developer confidence takes a dive in second quarter 2019

    Property developer confidence takes a dive in second quarter 2019

    A measurement of real estate developer confidence for the Q2 2019 (April to June) has dropped to 42.2 points from 50.4 points for Q1 2019 (January to March). Thai PBS reports that the second quarter confidence index has fallen below the 50 point median index, reflecting developers’ declining confidence in the economic situation and investment in Thailand. Real estate developers…

  • Transport NewsBTS asked to pay 100 billion construction costs in exchange for 30 year concession extension

    BTS asked to pay 100 billion construction costs in exchange for 30 year concession extension

    Manit Techa-apichoke, president of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration-owned Krungthep Thanakhom, says the state firm was empowered by Article 44 of the interim charter to conduct negotiations with the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) over the 100 billion baht debt transfer and concession extension. Manit says the negotiation should be completed in about two months. The Nation reports that the BMA will negotiate with…

  • Technology NewsMiracle magic Thai power generator rubbished by academic

    Miracle magic Thai power generator rubbished by academic

    PHOTO: 75 year old Cheun Fanmeik, making power out of cranking a handle – INN News A retired electrical engineer and professor at the Lat Krabang Institute of Technology is slamming the invention of a ‘power generator’ by a Thai pensioner as nonsense. 75 year old Cheun Fanmeik, who used to work at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, claims he could…

  • Phuket NewsPM opens Chalong Underpass and meets local supporters in Phuket

    PM opens Chalong Underpass and meets local supporters in Phuket

    PHOTOS & VIDEO: District 5 PR Office The PM arrived at the Chalong Underpass area this morning to officially declare the controversial 350 metre underground road tunnel open. The roadworks took nearly four years to complete and caused financial pain, inconvenience and turmoil for both businesses and residents in the south of the island. The Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos was…

  • Chiang Mai NewsChiang Mai teenager survives big bike collision but loses leg – VIDEO

    Chiang Mai teenager survives big bike collision but loses leg – VIDEO

    A 13 year old Chiang Mai teenager is lucky to escape with his life after a high-speed crash in front of the Sri Arun Market in the San Kampaeng district of Chiang Mai. The person posting video of the incident estimated he was traveling at 150 kph when he hit another motorbike, before sliding into a car at high speed.…

  • Crime NewsWindmill GoGo in Pattaya raided: Three arrested over prostitution and underage sex

    Windmill GoGo in Pattaya raided: Three arrested over prostitution and underage sex

    PHOTO: รอบพัทยา Ok As difficult as it might be to believe, police have found MORE evidence of prostitution in Pattaya. Attention this time turned to the red-light district of Walking Street where regular ‘inspections’ from police and officials in the past have found ‘no prostitution’ (cough…). Police conducted a raid using an ‘undercover informant’ after receiving tip-offs the bar was…