Bangkok Tonight: La Casa Nostra restaurant pop-up at Small’s Bar

Despite few travellers actually being able to visit Thailand’s capital, including ‘business travellers, readers of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific have again named Bangkok the ‘Best Leisure City in the Asia-Pacific’. The Big Mango retains the top ranking on the list for the 5th consecutive year. Bangkok also got third place in the ranking of the Best Business city in the Asia. Singapore and Hong Kong beach out the Thai capital in that category.

Not only that. The 2020 ranking is also a record 10th time that Bangkok has won the award since 2008. Each year, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific confers the awards based on votes cast by its readers and subscribers.

Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the TAT says that, despite the current travel restrictions, Bangkok was able to win the award again.

“Bangkok remains top-of-mind with Business Traveller Asia-Pacific readers. We look forward to welcoming them back soon.”

The TAT were unable to contain their excitement with this PR fizz as they waxed lyrical…

“Bangkok’s rich diversity remains a major draw, showcased via its unique blend of New World experiences and Old World charms. And it is not just about mouth-watering Thai street food, though that remains a key attraction. the city now boasts multiple Michelin starred restaurants served by a modern transportation infrastructure.”

“This includes a new Blue Line underground train extension to historic Rattanakosin Island, where the grandeur of its amazing past remains on full display.”

Each year Business Traveller Asia-Pacific magazine, which gets around 750,000 readers a month online, confers the awards based on votes cast by its readers and subscribers. This includes frequent travellers who use airports, airlines and hotel services to visit a variety of regional destinations. Between April and June 2020, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific sent out a voting poll to subscribers with the results independently compiled by market research company Business Intelligence.

The Business Traveller brand leads the portfolio of titles belonging to international publishing house Panacea Publishing, which is based in London. Business TravellerAsia-Pacific is one of 13 titles around the world.

Since its first issue in 1982, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific has become a valuable resource for frequent travellers, as well as serving as a platform for their concerns.

Other winners in this year’s awards…

A planned protest outside the Constitutional Court in Bangkok this afternoon will now take place at the Lad Phrao Intersection, in the Chatuchak district. The Ratsadon (People’s Party) group have announced the change on the Facebook page of fellow activists, the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration. The rally is expected to kick off at 4pm.

It was originally due to take place at the Constitutional Court, to coincide with the court delivering its verdict on PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s residence. The PM has come under fire from opposition quarters for occupying a military residence, despite having retired from the army in 2014. Critics say this is a violation of army rules, while the army argues that the arrangement is for security reasons.

The PM and deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan were both excused from an order issued by former army chief Apirat Kongsompong earlier this year, that gave all retired military personnel until the end of February to vacate state-owned residences.

Should the court’s verdict go against the PM this afternoon, it will mean the end of his premiership and his current cabinet. Anti-government protesters who have been campaigning for his resignation since July are calling on activists to assemble at the Lad Phrao intersection this afternoon for what they hope will be a significant event.

“If Prayut is found guilty in this case, he could be forced to step down as the court has deemed his action unconstitutional, rendering him unfit to be prime minister. Please come out at Ha Yaek Lad Phrao from 4pm to witness this historical moment together.”

SOURCE: Nation Thailand

18 motorbike taxi drivers are sentenced to prison for their involvement in a mass street fight in June 2019 where a bystander was killed by a stray bullet. Bangkok’s Prakhonong Court handed down prison sentences ranging from 5 years to more than 27 years, according to Thai media.

The fight broke out between two gangs of win drivers, named by Thai media as Soi 1 and Soi 2, on Soi Udomsuk 1 in Bangkok’s Bang Na district. Around 50 to 60 drivers from Soi 1 attacked 20 to 30 drivers from Soi 2 with knives and other weapons, apparently because Soi 2 drivers, who were unregistered and operated without the proper orange identification vests, took customers away from the Soi 1 group.

A 20 year old Kerry Express courier, Weerawat Pheungkrut, was shot and killed when a stray bullet struck him in the left eyebrow. The drivers who were directly involved with the murder were sentenced to the longest prison terms, including leader of Soi 1 known as Pramuk. He was sentenced to 27 years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay a 5,000 baht fine as well as 280,000 baht in compensation with a 7.5% yearly interest.

Other drivers with high prison sentences and also ordered to pay 280,000 baht in compensation with a 7.5% yearly interest:

• Best was sentenced to 27 years in prison and ordered to pay a 5,000 baht.
• Am was sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay a 5,000 baht fine.
• X was sentenced to 24 years and 6 months in prison and ordered to pay a 2,500 baht fine.

Drivers with lower prison sentences:

• Beer was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in prison and ordered to pay a 6,666 baht fine.
• Too, Nui, Bank, Fluke, Mai, Tam and Moo and Jack were sentenced to 5 years in prison and ordered to pay a 5,000 baht fine.
• Oo, Nott, Bank and Ae were sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison and ordered to pay a 5,000 baht fine.

SOURCE: Thai Visa

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