Thailand

A 23-year-old Thai activist has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for royal defamation, under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, for attending a protest in traditional Thai attire. Royalists interpreted her catwalk show as “mocking” H.M. Queen Sirikit, the queen mother of Thailand. Bangkok South Criminal Court read the verdict of Jatuporn Sae-Ung’s sentence today, almost two years after she walked the catwalk in a traditional pink Thai dress at a protest on Silom Road in Bangkok on October 2020. The court reasoned that Jatuporn intended to mock H.M. Queen. The protest was held to oppose using 13 million Thai baht of taxpayers’ money for a fashion show linked to the royal family and called for monarchical reform. The protest fell the same day Princess’s new clothing collection was launched. Protestors shouted, “Long Live the Queen” as Jatuphon walked the catwalk, while another protest held an umbrella over her head. A royalist filed a lawsuit against Jatuporn … [Read more...] about Thailand News Today | Activist jailed for “mocking” Queen of Thailand

Court fines “The Beach” producers 10m baht to restore Maya Bay Thailand’s Supreme Court ruled that Hollywood movie company 20th Century Fox – now renamed 20th Century Studios – is required to pay 10 million baht in environmental damages caused by the movie “The Beach” back in 2000 starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Filming for “The Beach” began at Maya Bay at the Phi Phi Islands in Krabi province, southern Thailand, in 1998. After the film’s success, the bay became a world-famous tourist destination, but “The Beach” hasn’t been the same. A filed a lawsuit against the movie company for offences under Thailand’s National Park Act (1961) and National Environmental Quality Promotion and Conservation Act (1992). Lawsuits were against Thailand’s Forestry Department for giving the film production company the green light to “renovate” Maya Bay to make the movie picture-perfect. Unfortunately, the renovations had devastating and lasting effects on Phi Phi … [Read more...] about Thailand News Today | Court fines “The Beach” producers 10m baht to restore Maya Bay

Thailand’s nationwide Emergency Decree has been extended again, this time until the end of February. The decree gives the Thai government the ability to set policies and procedures to prevent the control the spread of Covid-19… things like restricting travel, setting up road checkpoints and introducing other restrictions without having to consult the parliament. All the latest articles about Thailand’s Covid-19 situation are on one page HERE . Government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri says it is just an extension of the decree that is currently in place that was initially set to end on January 15. The extension, adding on another 45 days, was proposed by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration and approved by the Thai Cabinet this week. The initial emergency decree was enacted in March last year and has been extended ever since. The number of local Covid-19 infections has spiked since the outbreak at the Samut Sakhon seafood market last month, spreading to 55 … [Read more...] about Thailand’s emergency decree extended again

The most recent cannabis bill has been quashed after a 198 to 136 vote in the House of Representatives. Lawmakers say the statement’s wording was “loose and could potentially expose youth to health risks.” The bad news is that if the bill is withdrawn, there may not be enough time to push it through the current Parliament’s session as it expires in March of 2023. The conservative Democratic Party has remained steadfast in its position of reinstating cannabis to the narcotics list. In addition, some MPs claim that they’ve received reports of cannabis users becoming violent and mentally ill. The Democratic Party says loopholes such as allowing the general public to register to grow cannabis plants can lead to recreational use, negatively impacting society. Another Cannabis and Hemp Bill has been reportedly vetted by a House committee and is about to be forwarded to the House for consideration in the second reading. Bhumjaithai party spokesman ภราดร ปริศนา นันทกุล … [Read more...] about Thailand News Today | Cannabis bill torched by Thai Parliament

Nok Air has temporarily suspended all Chiang Mai – Korat flights just six weeks after the route’s inaugural flight on August 2. The suspended route was the only commercial flight going in and out of Isaan’s Nakhon Ratchasima Airport , which is now a ghost town and at risk of closing again. The service had high potential, linking the capital of the North to Nakhon Ratchasima – aka ‘Korat’ – in northeast Thailand, which otherwise takes 10.5 hours to drive. The route looked promising when 86 passengers boarded Nok Air’s Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft for the inaugural flight last month. As time went on, passenger numbers depleted and the airline started making losses. Some flights had only nine passengers on board. Nok Air said that their fleet needs some repairs this month and the airline doesn’t have enough aircraft to facilitate all their routes. The airline made the financial decision to scrap the Chiang Mai – Korat route for the time being but plans to reopen the service … [Read more...] about Nok Air suspends new domestic route in Thailand after just six weeks

A cannabis frenzy swept over Thailand after the government removed it from the narcotics list on June 6. After a confusing initial rollout, here’s where the country currently stands and what you can and can’t do. If you’re wondering whether you can smoke and consume cannabis in Thailand, the short answer is yes . With the new law, anyone over the age of 20 can possess and use cannabis — but with some rules. Lighting up a joint in a public space can cost you a hefty fine of up to 25,000 baht and face a jail sentence of up to three months. It’s legal for cafes and restaurants to serve cannabis-infused products. That is, as long as the cannabis extract in the products contains less than 0.2% THC, which is the primary psychoactive compound that makes you high. Extracts that contain more than 0.2% of THC are still illegal. The non-psychoactive CBD compound, on the other hand, is less controlled. Cannabis flowers aren’t considered extracts, so they don’t have to … [Read more...] about Thailand News Today | Thai cannabis regulations – What you can and can’t do

At 4am today, a gang of money-hungry lottery fanatics dug up a mass grave, for people with no relatives, at a cemetery in Mueang district in Chon Buri province, eastern Thailand . The group were searching for the winning numbers of today’s national lottery draw, as evidenced by the incense and equipment used in lottery rituals found strewn around the scene. In the middle of the night, the manager of Traikhun Memorial Cemetery Foundation Den Thammawohan found two graves open. Den said the human remains inside grave 3/40 had been stolen. The lid of grave 3/41 was open, but the human remains were still inside, said Den. Near the graves, incense sticks and scrolls used in lottery number rituals were found scattered on the floor. Den said he saw a bronze Honda pickup truck and a black Honda Jazz parked nearby. He rushed over and asked, “Hey, what are you doing? Are you digging up graves?” He heard a loud thud, like someone dropping concrete. Then, both the cars drove away, … [Read more...] about Tomb raiders dig up mass grave in search of winning lottery numbers in Thailand

Yesterday, a glamorous 101 year old lady in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand , reflected on her experience of interpreting for Queen Elizabeth II during Her Majesty’s visit to Thailand 50 years ago. Srithong Ariwong is pictured in a red outfit alongside Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip in the northern province of Chiang Mai on February 14, 1972. Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Anne visited Thailand for six days, hosted by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Queen Sirikit and the extended Thai royal family. The former teacher interpreted for the British royals during their visit to Chiang Mai University, where they looked at orchids and a range of locally-made handicrafts such as lacquerware and umbrellas weaved from bamboo. Srithong was assigned the role of interpreter by nature of her exceptionally fluent English skills at a time when very few people in Chiang Mai spoke English. Born in Phrae province in northern Thailand, Srithong showed … [Read more...] about Queen Elizabeth II’s interpreter during royal visit to Thailand turns 101 years old

New fighter jets are needed to improve Thailand’s national security and replace the current aircraft that are due to be decommissioned, according to the Royal Thai Air Force. The air force started a 10-year plan to decommission fighter jets in 2021, cutting the fleet in half by 2032. Officers say new jets are needed for main air defence operations. The air force must also comply with the Defence Ministry’s national security and defence operation strategy, which states that the air force must keep sufficient capability in response to future threats, according to the spokesperson for the Royal Thai Air Force. The modernised jets are also required for the air force’s security cooperation with other countries in the region, in addition to strengthening the country’s air defence capabilities. The accident of an F-16 A-ADF fighter jet on Tuesday during a training exercise is currently being investigated by an air force team. It’s expected to be completed in one week. The … [Read more...] about Royal Thai Air Force says Thailand needs new fighter jets for national security

A close friend of one of Thailand’s best-known actors, Sombat Metanee, revealed he died peacefully in his sleep today. The 85 year old, who made more than 2,000 films and television shows, was hailed by Thai fans as a heroic actor. At one time, Sombat held a Guinness World Record for most film appearances at 617 times. The media reported that he featured as the main hero in 40 films and shows a year at the height of his popularity. He started his career as an actor at the age of 23 and continued appearing in television series, talk shows, and advertisements until recently. A television advertisement made him even more famous to a new generation of film and TV viewers when appeared in an ad for a DVD player brand, AJ. His line in the ad… “AJ DVD พระเอกตัวจริง.” It translates to say AJ DVD player is the real hero. It also became a catchphrase when the advertisement was aired. Watch the advertisement here . Sombat quit the film industry to go to university so he could … [Read more...] about Thailand movie legend Sombat Metanee has died, aged 85