Thailand

A beginner level student has accidentally shot dead her instructor at a shooting range yesterday in Thailand’s central province of Pathum Thani, just north of Bangkok. The student, a 50 year old woman named only as Thacha, said she thought that it was a dummy round after picking up a bullet mixed with others on the floor, according to Thai media. Officers from Klong 5 police took Tacha to the station for questioning, however, charges have not yet been filed. The police also confiscated the gun, photographed the scene, and collected witness statements. The incident happened at the 333 Shooting Range in Khlong Luang district. The victim was 37 year old Charnchai Lunseup. Rescue workers found him unconscious at the scene after he was shot in the shouler. They performed CPR on Charnchai, and took him to Thanyaburi Hospital, but they could not revive him, and he died there. An autopsy is underway. Several accidental shootings have happened Thailand within the past few months. … [Read more...] about Student accidentally kills shooting instructor in central Thailand

A couple were excited for a two night getaway to a luxury resort in Krabi with a sea view room and a private hot tub. But when they arrived, it turned out the hot tub was more communal than they thought. In a video posted on Facebook, a group of monkeys can be seen having the time of their lives, diving into the steamy hot tub, swimming under the water, and jumping in from high up in a nearby tree. The couple didn’t mind that the monkeys stole their hot tub to have a party. They said the monkeys gave the resort a natural feel and a good atmosphere. Then, in the early hours of the morning, they were awoken by a loud noise, similar to glass smashing. They discovered a huge crack in their window and suspected a monkey had something to do with it. But, they moved rooms and there were no problems. As part of the package, the hotel arranged a boat trip to Koh Phi Phi and Maya Bay for the couple. The couple were given a voucher to hand in to the boat operator. They waited by the pier at … [Read more...] about Monkeys party in hot tub at luxury resort in Krabi, Thailand

BANGKOK, May 14 (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Thailand's Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (May 14) that in the past 24 hours there are 6,736 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 2 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad. Death toll increased by 54, while 9,213 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals. Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,144,317. The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,367,752 – 4,264,998 of whom have recovered, 73,333 are still in hospitals and 29,421 have died. Separately, another 29,698 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 90,914 their second shot and 111,359 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 135,523,321. According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 520.41 million on Saturday, 474.97 million of whom have recovered, 39.15 million are active cases (39,144 in severe condition) and … [Read more...] about Thailand records 6,736 Covid-19 cases and 54 deaths on Saturday (May 14)

As part of his visit to the US, Thailand’s PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has attended the 2nd ASEAN-US Special Summit in Washington last week. Now, he is inviting the US to invest or set up supply chains in Thailand to fill gaps created by the Russia-Ukraine crisis. And not the least the ongoing disruption of China’s part in the supply chain with its lockdowns and interruptions over Covid-19. PM Prayut said last week, ahead of the summit, that Thailand won’t pick a side between Russia and Ukraine, and will remain politically neutral. However, he stresses that Thailand can help the US fill the broken global supply chain, saying that Thailand is an important trade hotspot. After the summit, Prayut says that he is ready to host US President Joe Biden at the 29th APEC summit in November. “I think we have to adjust in many aspects to keep up with global changes – especially in industry and the economy – and find ways to boost Thailand’s income and GDP in the future.” The Thai PM went on to … [Read more...] about Thailand’s PM Prayut invites US to invest in supply chains

A festival promoting Thai culture is taking place in Kalasin province until May 17, 2022. The event features community products from 20 northeastern provinces. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) The country registered 54 more Covid-19 fatalities and 6,736 new cases during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Saturday morning. This compared with the 56 coronavirus-related fatalities and 7,779 new cases reported on Friday morning. The new case numbers did not include 6,651 positive results from antigen tests over the previous 24 hours, which would raise the total to 13,387. The new infections announced Saturday comprised 6,721 in the general population, 13 among prison inmates and two in arrivals from other countries. As of Friday, a total of 73,333 people were receiving Covid-19 treatment (down from 75,864 the previous day), including 26,212 in hospitals (down from 26,826). Among the remainder, 10,962 were in field hospitals/hospitel facilities … [Read more...] about 6,736 new Covid cases, 54 more deaths

The hot topics remain to be how and when the remaining restrictions are going to be removed, the fate of the Thailand Pass, getting Thailand’s nightlife open again (officially) and the things stopping travellers returning to Thailand at the moment. Throw your comments and questions at Tim as we travel on the good ship ‘Thailand’ for an hour. Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you are. Check the mood of the meeting and what’s on people’s minds in today’s Thaiger Weekend Update with Tim Newton. Get more from The Thaiger FREE APP: ANDROID or iOS | HAVE YOUR SAY FORUM | … [Read more...] about Thaiger Weekend Update – Saturday, May 14 – VIDEO

We warned you, but we can’t stop you. That’s the message being conveyed by the actions of Thai authorities, who have shown restraint toward prohibited water splashing on Khao San Road in Bangkok during this week’s Songkran festival. Police, and even soldiers, have been called in to remind tourists and Songkran revellers about the government’s ban on water splashing this year. Water pistols have been confiscated but there has been no arrests. The same situation has been happening in other tourist hotspots around Thailand to a greater or lesser extent. Despite repeated warnings about the government’s ban on water splashing, setting up screening checkpoints at both ends of Khao San road and deploying the Thai military, they haven’t taken any heavy-handed steps to arrest or fine the Songkran partygoers, notably foreign tourists, from splashing water on the street during the Thai New Year. In fact, at least one unfortunate police officer got his face smeared by revellers while … [Read more...] about UPDATE: Bangkok authorities try to limit the water games on Khao San Road

THE LATEST The German tourist who went missing from a hotel in Phuket’s Thalang district on May 9 was last seen on CCTV footage, walking on a road in Mai Khao-subdistrict (far north on the west coast). The footage is reportedly from a hotel nearby. It has not yet been reported what date the footage is from, or which road the woman was walking on. The woman, 76 year old Barbara Elisabeth Monika Glag Lange, reportedly has Alzheimer’s Disease. Thalang district’s police chief said earlier this week that police believe Barbara couldn’t remember her way back to her hotel after she went for a walk. Police are continuing to search for her. This is reportedly the second time Ms. Barbara has been reported missing. In another incident this month she was found at Nai Yang beach, also in Thalang district. Anyone who sees Barbara or has information is asked to contact the Tourists Assistance Center at 062-880 8112, or Mr. Wichai at 084 079 6279. PREVIOUS UPDATE Phuket police are … [Read more...] about UPDATE: CCTV footage of missing German tourist in Phuket

The Walking Street in Muang district of Phuket is popular among Thais and foreign tourists. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran) PHUKET: The four-day holiday that began on Friday is expected to generate 1.8 billion baht in revenue from tourist spending in this island province, with 60% hotel occupancy expected, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). About 70,000 hotel rooms, or 70% of the total on the island, are now available for booking and the average room occupancy rate is 44.5%, said Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, director of the TAT’s Phuket office. She predicted that occupancy would increase to 60% during the long weekend that runs through Monday, a substitute for Visakha Bucha Day, which falls on Sunday. Friday, the day of the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, was a holiday for government employees but not the private sector. The average stay during the long holiday was expected to be 2.5 nights per person, said Ms Nanthasiri. Seven airlines are now serving Phuket with an average of … [Read more...] about Phuket expects B1.8bn lift from 4-day holiday

A fire in Phra Nakhon district in central Bangkok has killed 2 women early this morning. The women tragically lost were 33 year old Saengsom Kotchakornkamut, and 75 year old Wararak wangsathitwong. Police believe Saengsom and Wararak died of suffocation, however their bodies were sent to a hospital for a post-mortem examination. The fire engulfed 2 buildings, each 3 storeys, which were home to a print shop. Firefighters took about 20 minutes to get the fire under control, and found Saengsom and Wararak dead on the 3d floor. Thai media reports that their lips and noses had black stains and their clothes and bodies were filled with soot. Officers from Samran Rat police station believe that the pair might have gone to the 3d floor to run away from the fire, but couldn’t escape because the windows were barred. The police believe they then suffocated from the smoke. They have not yet determined what caused the fire. Saengsom was reportedly the daughter of the shop’s owner, and Wararak … [Read more...] about Bangkok fire kills 2 women