News from Thailand – December 29, 2014
On this page you can read a bird's-eye view of the most important Thai news. We list headlines from major news sources including: Bangkok Post, The Nation, ThaiPBS, MCOT, etc.
There is a web link behind the news items. When you click on it you can read the full article at the English source. The news page is updated several times a day so that you always read the latest and most current news.
News from Thailand – December 29, 2014
– The Nation opens today with the search for the missing AirAisia aircraft. The plane of the Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia was on its way from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore yesterday with 162 people on board when it requested permission to fly higher because of the storm. Air traffic control could not give permission for this, because another aircraft was already flying at that altitude. Five minutes later, the AirAsia plane disappeared from radar.
Indonesia has deployed twelve naval vessels, five aircraft and three helicopters in the search for the missing aircraft. Singapore, Australia and Malaysia also supply equipment. The US has offered help. According to the head of the Indonesian rescue service, there is little hope that the occupants are still alive. The device is most likely "at the bottom of the sea," he told journalists. Almost all occupants of the aircraft are from Indonesia.
– The buses used for public transport in Bangkok (BMTA) have not been profitable for years and therefore the fare should be increased. The Ministry of Transport seems to agree with this, according to Deputy Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. A decision will be made about the rate increase next year: http://t.co/sCptoF0L0q
– A shop assistant (26) in Pattaya probably committed suicide. On Sunday night, the police in Pattaya received a report that someone had fallen or jumped from the fifth floor of the parking garage at Central Festival Pattaya Beach. It turned out to be a 26-year-old shop assistant. According to the police, it is very likely a suicide: http://t.co/JfgPsLw61b
– Two teenagers were shot and injured after an argument at the Pattaya Countdown Festival. Early Sunday morning, the Pattaya police received a report that a shooting had occurred in which two people had been killed. According to local residents, the two victims were part of a larger gang of young people who got into a fight with another youth gang. Three shots were heard and the two victims were found at the front of Soi 53 on Sukhumvit Road. Investigation revealed that it was an argument between two youth gangs earlier that evening at the Pattaya Countdown Festival near the Bali Hai harbour: http://t.co/uEjTfP7lih
– The Russian economic crisis hits Pattaya and Phuket firmly. Pattaya, said to be the most popular destination for Russians, is seeing a sharp drop in the number of Russians. There are 50% fewer Russians than at this time last year in the seaside resort. Hotel occupancy in Pattaya has fallen from 90% to 70%. Phuket, the second most popular destination for Russians in Thailand, is also feeling the slump in tourism from Russia: http://goo.gl/j3CyvL
– Four police officers accused of corruption surrounding an online football gambling network turned themselves in yesterday. A total of nine policemen are suspected of corruption. The other five have not yet turned themselves in. If they don't do that today, they will still be arrested. The four who did report have been taken into custody: http://t.co/eny6vgnC1V
– The death toll from flooding in southern Thailand rises to 14. So far, at least 14 people have been killed and eight injured in flood-related accidents. The five southernmost provinces have been dealing with extreme monsoon rains for weeks: http://t.co/Eat1VJqMJt
The less Russian tourists the better! Not to mention the good ones, but most of them are loud and annoying! The image they have of themselves is in English imagery: “Russia rules the waves”!!!
Hi Reinhard, in principle you have a point, but the Thai people there will think differently since they have less turnover. read income, will generate.
These kind of positive messages make me decide to travel to Thailand in February.
The better off Russians have of course arrived here again.
Of the less privileged only those who have already booked about 4 to 6 months ago. However, once here they face significantly higher prices due to their 40% devalued currency. The retail and hospitality business obviously do less business.
The property sector is complaining that a number of Russians are trying to get out of previous commitments. The full consequences of this are not yet understood.
20 years ago I came to beautiful Thailand for the first time
you were a tourist was respected the people were friendly just not to be forgotten.
i sometimes travel beyond Thailand 5 times a year and have seen it change over the last 20 years as well
niet alleen de russwen zijn de schuld dat de toeristen door vliegen naar vietnam Phillipinnes enz maar ook de Thai.
the more tourists came, the more arrogant the Thai became
there were enough of them, was their thinking.
I have seen with my wife that taxis go full throttle so that elderly farrangs were dragged across the street. and about the other customer unfriendly treatments (very often Discriminatory) I will not say anything.
I once said no tourist for 5 years and they know how to do it again.
the russian came with a bracelet to drink and eat freely and nothing to digest in Thailand 10 years ago
now russians have taken a holiday in recent years who think that if they order a beer that the hotel is included in the price.
a culture change but they don't know any better.
go to thailand and don't visit pattaya or phuket for once.
go to changrai or chang mai and don't forget isaan with Nong kai
almost no peace to see but the real Thailand
I have been able to run 5 star hotels in Hua Hin for a number of years. We received a message 2 years ago that the largest travel organization in Russia left Hua Hin in favor of Pattaya and Phucket (“the Russian wanted a destination no further than 100 km from the airport”).
The flag went out…. We would rather have the “rich” Thai for a weekend in Hua Hin than a Russian for a whole week…. Terrible people (sorry to say so). And yes, luckily I met a number (to count on 2 hands) of normal Russians. The latter immediately wanted to buy our golf course for 23 million euros….
hahaha
Jw
But if more Russians stay away, more tourists will probably come from other countries who are fed up with them
There has been a gang war for years, in which the Thai has lost out to the Russian mafia.
“Toni” a nightclub on walking street was once owned by the Thai and ruled over Pattaya. We are now 24 murders further….. Not much is written about it (otherwise the tourists will stay away) and the Russian mafai largely controls Pattaya….. The Thai owner of Toni has now fled and I occasionally see Adam ….. He is fed up with Thailand…