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    5 best wine bars in Bangkok offering rich and quality wine

    It’s wine o’clock! Whether you’re all about fruity reds, sweet whites, or funky naturals, Bangkok has many great spots to sip your favourite varieties. But with an array of options to choose from, and the constant rise and fall of...

  • Confidence in teachers survey – Thai Teacher Day tomorrow

    Confidence in teachers survey – Thai Teacher Day tomorrow

    Many of us are involved in education, either directly or indirectly, here on the island. Many expats work with schools, many of us have children attending schools and others work in association with school activities or have partners in the local education system. Tomorrow is Thai Teacher Day and a new survey has come out reflecting what people think about…

  • Jealous man arrested over murder of wife in Bangkok

    Jealous man arrested over murder of wife in Bangkok

    By Kittipong Maneerit A man has confessed to killing his bar-worker wife last Thursday over jealousy and a money dispute. 27 year old Mingkwan Rattanapetch known as Saranya, was strangled inside her apartment in Bangkok. Her husband, 22 year old Noppadon Singhachote has told police that he got angry when Saranya quarrelled with him over money and threatened to leave…

  • Boat fire off Koh Phi Phi – Chinese tourists injured

    Boat fire off Koh Phi Phi – Chinese tourists injured

    A speedboat named ‘King Poseidon’ carrying 31 passengers exploded this morning (January 14) in front of Viking Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley. Injuries have been reported from the accident. https://www.facebook.com/phuketgazette/videos/1580631392014683/ There were 26 Chinese (23 adults and 3 children) plus 5 Thais who are the crew staff. There are five reported to be severely injured at this stage with…

  • From ping-pongs to the real-deal. The evolution of sex-shows in Bangla Road.

    From ping-pongs to the real-deal. The evolution of sex-shows in Bangla Road.

    PLEASE NOTE: This article contains material that may offend some readers. Thailand, despite it’s many natural wonders, superb street cuisine, vibrant culture and (mostly) warm weather, still has a reputation well-earned. Let’s call it the three Ps – Patpong, Pattaya and Patong. Whereas, say ten years ago, you could visit a few go go bars, see an occasional ping pong…

  • Thai men first same-sex couple to marry in Queensland, Australia

    Thai men first same-sex couple to marry in Queensland, Australia

    Two Thai men were among the first same-sex couples in Queensland to get married following passage of Australia’s historic marriage equality bill. While many Australian same-sex couples chose to celebrate New Year’s 2018 by getting married, 37 year old Jarrukit Somjich from Chiang Rai and 49 year old Kiticha Srijad from Pathum Thani wed right after the bill passed in…

  • Powered paraglider crashes in provincial Children’s Day celebrations

    Powered paraglider crashes in provincial Children’s Day celebrations

    A powered paraglider fell and landed on a palm tree in Chumphon province during a show to mark National Children’s Day on Saturday morning. The accident happened at 10am behind the Tambon Haad Yai Administrative Organisation in Lang Suan district, tambon officials said. 47 year old Sathaporn Rakbamrung who was flying the paraglider, escaped without injuries. He performed a show…

  • A third of Thai children are ‘disadvantaged’

    A third of Thai children are ‘disadvantaged’

    More than one in three children in Thailand are in disadvantaged groups – this according to the Mental Health Department’s director-general, Dr Squadron-Leader Boonruang Triruangworawat. “Of 13.82 million children (below 18 years of age), at least 5 million are underprivileged,” Boonruang said. He said 80 per cent of underprivileged children were financially poor and about six per cent were from…

  • SATURDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes

    SATURDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes

    Welcome to your weekend. Your Saturday ‘Boat Lagoon Weekend’ is on tonight from 6pm. Plenty of fun and food for all ages. For our weekend headlines, just click on the heading for the full story. Here are today’s main Phuket and Thai headlines… Two Thai men wed in Queensland Australia Two Thai men have been among the first same-sex couples…

  • THAIGER TODAY Friday, January 12

    THAIGER TODAY Friday, January 12

    Would you pay 40 baht for a small bottle of water in Thailand? | Prawit’s watch collection knows no bounds | Chalong ‘drifters’ hand themselves in | Committee set up to manage the Layan beach foreshore | Bangkok sends it’s cable underground…eventually | Dismantling begins of the Royal Crematorium in Sanam Luang.

  • Marine Office sets new life vest standards

    Marine Office sets new life vest standards

    The Phuket Marine Office has issued a rule about life vest standard’s certification for each boat to ensure all vessels only use the life vest approved by the Marine Office to guarantee quality. Phuket Marine Office Chief, Surat Sirisaiyat, says that the new rule will order all boats to use life vesta approved by the Marine Office, which comprises qualifications…

  • Anti-graft activist passes on 16 more watch pics to the NACC

    Anti-graft activist passes on 16 more watch pics to the NACC

    Anti-graft activist Srisuwan Janya yesterday provided more evidence to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) about another 16 watches seen worn by Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan, adding to information on three other watches he had already submitted. Srisuwan asked the NACC to ask the Customs Department to provide information on the multi-million-baht watches regarding the payment of customs duties. “This…

  • FRIDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes

    FRIDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes

    Chalong racers charged over drifting The 10 drivers, who have been drifting their cars and spinning wheels in Chalong, generally disturbing the locals, handed themselves into Police last night. They are accused of reckless driving, blocking the traffic way and disturbing the public. The 10 cars were seized by the police. The video on Facebook showing the group in Chalong’s…

  • Phuket sets up committee to manage Layan & Laypang beaches

    Phuket sets up committee to manage Layan & Laypang beaches

    PHOTO: OrBorTor President Ma’Ann Samran showing reporters and officials where the beach is. By Salinee Prap Phuket has set up a committee to manage the 178-rai Layan and Laypang beaches in Thalang district after it was ruled as public space by the Supreme Court last year. Efforts will be made to allow common use and prevent anymore encroachments, Phuket Land…

  • Dante Alighieri Phuket rolls their sleeves up for the elderly

    Dante Alighieri Phuket rolls their sleeves up for the elderly

    Today (January 11), Dante Alighieri Society Phuket distributed food for elderly people at Ban Phuket Elders Public Aid in Thalang. Mrs Nonglak Khantong, president of Dante Alighieri Phuket and Mr Carlo Briola, treasurer of the Association, have declared that this is just the first of the group’s charity initiatives. Already recognised by Provincial officials, Dante Alighieri Phuket aims to promote…

  • Progress on Sea Gypsy Sirinath NP fishing case

    Progress on Sea Gypsy Sirinath NP fishing case

    Rawai’s Mayor, Arun Solos, led a group of Rawai Sea Gypsies to file a complaint this morning (January 11), in order to call for justice for the 6 fishermen arrested in Sirinath Marine National Park. The mayor headed a delegation including Niran Yangpan, the community leader, village chief and sub-district chief with the 6 fishermen to hand the letter to…

  • Asia’s prison populations – Thailand #10 in the world

    Asia’s prison populations – Thailand #10 in the world

    China has the largest prison population in Asia, more than four times as large as India. However, when it comes to prison population rates, Thailand has the highest incarceration rate in the region. Around the world more than 10.35 million people are imprisoned either as pretrial detainees or having been convicted and sentenced, according to the report of UK-based Institute…

  • Krabi Coal Power Plant to get more public hearings

    Krabi Coal Power Plant to get more public hearings

    The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and its consulting company are preparing another set of public hearings about the proposed coal power plant project at Baan Klong Rua Pier after a series of protests against the project from locals and activists. “After the government suspended the project following the disagreements from locals, who commented that the EHIA (environmental health…

  • THURSDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes

    THURSDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes

    Would someone please call the Thai Meteorological Department and explain to them that it’s not meant to rain this time of the year! More rain sells expected at some time today although we predict (without any scientific knowledge) that they will be brief (we hope). Here’s today’s main news stories… Don’t shop for orthodontic services online! The Dental Council is warning people…

  • Unseasonal rain hits Bangkok

    Unseasonal rain hits Bangkok

    Several parts of Bangkok were deluged on Wednesday morning because water pumps were undergoing maintenance and a flood-drainage system isn’t yet completed, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Flood Prevention Centre said. The centre, seemingly caught off guard by the unseasonal early-morning rainfall, issued a statement explaining its unpreparedness. Specifically, it said it was seeking funds to build a pumping well on…

  • Seven students faint in Ayutthaya school van

    Seven students faint in Ayutthaya school van

    Four female and three male students fainted on their way to school in Ayutthaya on Wednesday morning after their van’s air conditioner malfunctioned, police said. The students were found unconscious in the van driven by Wanaree Jindarat, 52, when it reached the Pracha Sueksa School in Tambon Huaror of Ayutthaya’s Muang district. The students were rushed to Ayutthaya Hospital and…

  • I’ve got a drone. Can I bring it with me to Thailand? Yes, but…

    I’ve got a drone. Can I bring it with me to Thailand? Yes, but…

    INFOGRAPHIC: Tourism Authority of Thailand Last week it was reported that over 7,000 drones had been registered for flying in Thailand since October 2, 2017 when the law came into effect where drones must be registered. This number only included drones registered at NBTC offices, not at police stations around the country, so the true number of registrations is much…

  • THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, January 10

    THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, January 10

    Boat wreck threatens oil spill off Cape Panwa | Porche Vs Taxi in BKK | Big rains in the capital overnight | Van crash kills one, injures eight | Three killed in Pattaya after high-speed bike crash | Minimum wage debate heats up | “Get off the bus!”

  • Threatened oil spill off Phuket’s east coast

    Threatened oil spill off Phuket’s east coast

    A boat named ‘Cheburi’, a fishing boat from outside Thai waters, has washed ashore in front of Tapao Yai Island, just off Cape Panwa, after being prosecuted by the Fisheries Office for breaking Thailand’s Fisheries Act for not reporting on time. Officers surrounded the scene with floating protection barriers to avoid the oil leaking out. The old and ‘out of…

  • WEDNESDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes

    WEDNESDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes

    A lot of stories making up our news feeds today, from all over Thailand. Let’s ignore the threat of a 100% chance of rain from the forecast and focus on the sunshine in between. Here are today’s main news stories… Minimum wage rise, but… Debate over a rise in the minimum wage is heating up, with a key battleground opening…

  • THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, January 9

    THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, January 9

    Over 7,000 drones registered so far | Taxi industry getting new ‘Taxi OK’ App | Suspects arrested over bus torching in South last month | No plans as yet for HM King’s coronation | Restaurants holding out along Layan Beach | Brit arrested in Pattaya over women falling from balcony | Latest in the Bang Tao beach ‘private beach’ affair.

  • TUESDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your local news in 3 minutes

    TUESDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your local news in 3 minutes

    Hang on.. “100% rain predicted Wednesday and Thursday”. Isn’t this meant to be the dry-season, the high-season, the blue-sky season? Despite the dramatic forecasts we still seem to be getting plenty of sunshine. Here’s today’s main new stories… Bus torching leads to arrests More arrests are anticipated over the torching of a Bangkok-bound bus in southern Yala province last month thanks…

  • Russian rape story ‘misunderstanding’

    Russian rape story ‘misunderstanding’

    Reports on social media that a 28 year old Russian woman had been attacked and raped on Koh Phi Phi are false according to local police. Police say there was no truth to the suggestion there was a misunderstanding after the alleged victim told a Russian friend to contact police. Polina Shemiakina, a Russian yoga teacher had arrived on the holiday…

  • Here I am. Look at me.

    Here I am. Look at me.

    Editorial by Tim Newton Yingluck’s in London. Yep, it’s her. Somehow a Facebook page has been able to achieve what the entire Royal Thai Police and Interpol have been unable to – find former Premier Yingluck Shinawatra. We are led to believe that these random pics of the fugitive PM are a serendipitous happening, arousing media speculation and allowing the…

  • Breaking the ice. Thai students triumph at ice-sculpture awards in China.

    Breaking the ice. Thai students triumph at ice-sculpture awards in China.

    A beautifully sculpted masterpiece titled “Horse-Bird-Fish-Water”, about the Himmaphan forest of Hindu and Buddhist mythology, has earned Thai students from Ubon Ratchathani Vocational College the top award at China’s Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival held from January 4-7. This is the second consecutive year the college has won the prize, and the ninth consecutive year that a team…

  • THAIGER TODAY Monday, January 8

    THAIGER TODAY Monday, January 8

    Private Beach in Bang Tao. Huh?! | Update on Phuket Immigration website | Yingluck awaiting asylum status in the UK | Toon’s charity money WILL be used to purchase hospital equipment | South Korean, with a US passport, got naked at airport | Ao Nang Beach effluent outcry | 42 arrested in Songkhla in rubber plantation gambling raid.