Good Morning Thailand EP.865 | Taxi blocks ambulance, Belgian man causes chaos, drunk tourist goes streaking

Entry fees to Thailand’s Phi-Phi islands have been reeling in about 1 million baht a day for the country’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, since the introduction of the e-ticketing system last July. Chiang Mai‘s work from home measure, introduced by the provincial administration yesterday will continue until tomorrow (Sunday), Thai PBS reported. This is due to the PM2.5 pollution problem in the province, which has not improved. Officials are working with Agoda to boost community-based tourism in the Kaiburi district of Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan province. A pickup truck parked in the sun all day burst into flames in Buriram province in northeast Thailand after a lighter exploded on the front seat yesterday.

9 Touko 202314min

Forbes yesterday released its annual list of the world’s billionaires, and Thailand has its hands in the till with 28 billionaires, three of whom are ranked in the top 150. In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion and prevent accidents, the use of large vehicles with ten or more wheels has been prohibited on six roads during the Songkran holidays. Thailand is looking toward artificial intelligence (AI) to boost economic growth and the kingdom’s vision to become the globe’s fifth-largest economy by 2027.

8 Touko 202316min

Thai police arrested a young British man for destroying property at a 7-Eleven convenience store in the Pathumwan district of Bangkok. Khon Kaen the capital of Isaan is the cheapest tourist destination in Thailand, offering the most competitive room rates, according to online travel giant Agoda. The average going room rate in Khon Kaen on Agoda’s platform is 1,030 Thai baht (US$30). Two kindhearted siblings who gave a lift to a hitchhiker yesterday in the Isaan province of Udon Thani saw their trust backfire when he stole their car. A Buddhist monk ran around the room like a celebrating footballer upon drawing a black card at a military conscription draftee selection event in Nakhon Ratchasima in northeast Thailand on Sunday, meaning that he won’t be required to serve in the military. The Australian man who was tragically stabbed to death at the resort he owned in Krabi, southern Thailand, on his 57th birthday has been identified as Peter Heppell from Perth.

8 Touko 202318min

In recent Thailand news, the Tourism Authority of Thailand anticipates the Songkran holiday to generate 18.5 billion baht in revenue, surpassing 2019 levels due to pent-up demand for domestic travel. However, not all news is positive, as a Maldivian tourist was caught smuggling 25 live birds out of Thailand. In Bangkok, 30 police officers successfully rescued a family of five after an 18-hour hostage crisis. On a lighter note, a Thai man won the lottery using numbers provided by ChatGPT. Overall, Thailand continues to experience a mix of ups and downs in its news cycle.

8 Touko 202313min

In Thailand news, the country's lottery office has announced that it will no longer be paying out prizes with cash due to concerns over Covid-19 transmission. Winners will instead receive their payouts via bank transfer or electronic payment. Major oil companies have taken a precautionary step to stabilize the oil market by cutting production. This move comes as the global economy continues to be impacted by the pandemic. On a more alarming note, Chiang Mai has been ranked as the most polluted city in the world for nine consecutive days. Residents are urged to take precautions to protect their health. In a positive development, Bangkok police have rescued two underage girls from a prostitution ring. The girls were found in a hotel where they were being held against their will. The police have arrested several suspects in connection with the case. Lastly, a Taiwanese foodie has made headlines for eating 61 bowls of noodles at a Bangkok restaurant. The food challenge attracted a lot of attention on social media and has since gone viral. While it may seem like a lighthearted story, it serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting local businesses during these difficult times.

8 Touko 202316min

A bar fight broke out in the early hours of the morning at the YES Pattaya pub, injuring over six people. The incident occurred at 3:20 am when two groups of young adults clashed. In other news, Thailand's 45-day visa exemption for visitors from around 60 countries has been reduced back to 30 days. Meanwhile, a 31-year-old man has been arrested for burning down a floating restaurant in Phang Nga. He admitted to pouring gasoline on the restaurant before setting it on fire and watching it burn. For travel enthusiasts, the Transport Company has announced that it will operate 4,500 daily trips on state-owned and private buses and vans during the upcoming Songkran holidays. The buses will carry people from Bangkok to other provinces. Additionally, after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Bangkok will celebrate the Songkran festival with major festivities. A water-splashing celebration in front of City Hall in the Phra Nakhon district has been designated as the main venue for the event. For more in-depth coverage of these stories and other breaking news, be sure to check out thethaiger.com

5 Touko 202322min

Police raids have uncovered a gambling network tied to the husband of a Thai actress. Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki has been accused of spending company funds on his Thai girlfriend. An Australian man was arrested over a restaurant brawl in Phuket. Tourists in the Andaman Sea were treated to a rare display of Bryde’s whales. Finally, the world-famous New York burger joint Shake Shack opened its flagship Thailand store in Bangkok today. This news highlights the diverse and exciting news stories coming out of Thailand. From police raids to whale sightings, there is always something new and interesting happening in the country.

31 Maalis 202314min

Police launched an investigation into Marichche Clinic in Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province near Bangkok after a customer lost consciousness and died just six hours after her breast augmentation surgery. Thousands of Russians and Ukrainians are currently stranded in Thailand due to the ongoing war between the two countries. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is proposing an extension of the 45-day visa-free stays for tourists from 64 countries until the end of 2023 to boost tourism recovery. Global aviation is taking off to a promising start this year, with the Pacific Asia Travel Association predicting a 71% growth rate for the region. Lastly, a foreigner of unknown nationality was allegedly deported from Shanghai, China for testing positive for cannabis upon returning from Thailand, where marijuana is legal. These Thailand news stories demonstrate the diverse range of events taking place in the country. For more in-depth coverage of these stories and other breaking news, be sure to check out thethaiger.com Welcome to the most magical place in Thailand - 'CARNIVAL MAGIC': https://www.carnivalmagic.fun Check out our podcast with Bruna Silva:    • Brewing Up Succes...   Ad-free website, 3 months free for subscribers and members: https://thethaiger.com/?youtube=membe... Join our podcast: https://forms.gle/HWHjJudjApKECnVD7 For sponsoring GMT or any business inquiries, please get in touch with us here: info@thethaiger.com

30 Maalis 202316min