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The airport on Koh [Samui] [1] has reopened after the fatal crash on Tuesday afternoon of Bangkok Airways flight PG 266, in which the main pilot, Chatchai Punsuvan, was killed and four passengers and the co-pilot were seriously injured. There has been a lot of speculation over the cause of the crash. However, after early investigations at the scene of the crash and data gained from the planes black box, it looks likely that the accident was caused by wind shear. According to a report by [News 24] [2], Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters that: "The transport minister (said) that on initial assumptions the accident may have been caused by the weather. As the flight touched down on the runway there was a sudden wind shear." Police have confirmed that there was heavy rainfall and storm-like conditions as the pilot of flight PG 266 attempted to safely land the plane on Samui’s landing strip on Tuesday. The crash, during which 42 people were injured, was completely unexpected. Anyone who regularly travels to Thailand will already be aware of the Bangkok Airways’ excellent safety record. It seems that in this case the accident, although disastrous, was unavoidable. Bangkok Airways president Puttipong Prasattong-Osoth had this message for passengers: "While the investigation of this accident remains underway, Bangkok Airways' management reassures that we continue to take safety as the priority in all aspects of our operations." [1]: http://1stopsamui.com [2]: http://news24.com 2009-08-07T09:20:00+07:00 1406 2009-08-07T11:01:27+07:00 5 true 1406-samui-airport-reopens-after-fatal-crash Andrew

Restaurants in [Thailand] [3] come in all shapes and sizes, from gourmet restaurants located in leading hotels to small street side food carts. While standards of food safety are generally high, this is not always the case. This week the Commerce Ministry was urged to make food safety a priority and make sure that high standards can be found right across the board. Although all areas of Thailand are being looked at, one main focus area is the northern city of [Chiang Mai] [1], which often escapes scrutiny. Veerasak Jinarat is the vice minister of the Commerce Ministry. In a recent interview with [The Nation] [2] he said that: "The country's export problems with fruits and vegetables come down to a supply shortage, unpredictable production volume and, most importantly, lower quality than required by international standards.” Over the next few months the Commerce Ministry will be working closely with members of the EU to make sure that food standards are high. Also involved with the project are the Federation of Thai Industries, the Board of Trade and the Thai Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association. [1]: http://1stopchiangmai.com [2]: http://nationmultimedia.com [3]: http://1stopthailand.com 2009-07-31T09:07:00+07:00 1393 2009-08-07T13:08:52+07:00 5 true 1393-commerce-ministry-to-improve-food-safety-standards Andrew

Around 1,500 supporters visited the Kaew Fah temple in Nonthaburi, just outside [Bangkok] [1] earlier this week to witness a phone-in by the former PM. Thaksin, who turned 60 on Sunday, sang a song to the crowd about his life in exile, accompanied by a slideshow featuring his formal presentation of robes to monks. According to a report by [The Nation] [2], Thaksin then addressed the crowd, saying: "I thank you for attending my 60th birthday. May the boon from the merit-making ceremony bring you prosperity and happiness and I wish the merit made today will allow me to return home to serve you once again.” A hologramic image of Thaksin was beamed onto a large screen at the Kaew Fah temple from Dubai, where he is currently living in exile. The ceremony was chaired by Thaksin's sister Yaowapha and her husband Somchai Wongsawat along with a number of political figures in such as Deputy House Speaker Apiwan Wiriyachai,Pheu Thai and spokesman Prompong Nopparit. The ceremony focused largely on religious ritual such as merit-making and Somchai Wongsawat set cattle as well as placing eight coins in each of the attending monk's alms bowl as eight is believed to be a lucky number for Thaksin. [1]: http://1stopbangkok.com [2]: http://nationmultimedia.com 2009-07-28T09:22:00+07:00 1388 2009-07-27T23:22:58+07:00 5 true 1388-thaksin-sings-to-celebrate-60th-birthday Andrew

Residents of [Pattaya] [1] received free medical and dental services recently as members of the U.S Navy teamed up with the Royal Thai Navy. The campaign was part of the medical civic action program (MEDCAP) at Kiriparawanawan School, which provided care for 268 people from Pattaya. The event was part of the 15th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series. Most of the patients were children from Kiriparawanawan School and the surrounding area, who arrived at the school to receive eye exams, vaccinations, badly needed dental work and treatment for a range of illnesses. One of the compassionate parties involved in the campaign was Lieutenant Brandt Cullen, dental officer for the dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry. In an interview with the [Pattaya Mail] [2] he stated that: “My first patient today had excessive tooth decay. We gave him anesthetic and extracted both teeth for him.” CARAT has provided the U.S. and a number of Asian nations including Thailand with the chance to exchange knowledge and enhance maritime security through shared training, equipment and manpower since 1995. [1]: http://1stoppattaya.com [2]: http://pattayamail.com 2009-07-27T08:44:00+07:00 1385 2009-07-26T17:44:47+07:00 5 true 1385-royal-thai-navy-provide-care-in-the-community Andrew

Pattaya’s Royal Navy is often praised for their skill, but there’s always room for improvement. Recently, divers from the U.S Navy visited [Pattaya] [1] to join in some training and learn new techniques. Members of the U.S Navy visited the Sattahip Naval Base in Pattaya to share updated equipment and procedures. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Troy Roat was the MDSU 1 diving officer in charge of the operation. In an interview with the [Pattaya Mail] [2] he revealed that: “This is a partnership. We are always working to develop the most effective diving plan, and that’s an evolutionary process. Divers are very intuitive people. Their training and practices are parallel to ours.” The exercise was part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2009. Divers from the Royal Thai Navy got their first chance to use the new Kirby Morgan KM 37 helmets that were recently obtained by MDSU 1. The KM 37 is a modernized version of the KM 21 helmet that is currently used by the Thai navy, and allows divers to reach even deeper depths for extended periods of time. [1]: http://1stoppattaya.com [2]: http://pattayamail.com 2009-07-24T08:56:00+07:00 1383 2009-07-23T21:57:31+07:00 5 true 1383-deep-down-in-pattaya Andrew

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shunawatra confirmed this week that he spent the night in Malaysia. Residents of Udon Thani, which is located in the north of Thailand near the city of [Chiang Mai] [1] tuned into FM 97.5 Udon Lovers community radio station to hear a live phone-in from Thaksin Shunawatra. According to a report by [The Nation] [2] Thaksin admitted that: "My private jet stopped for refuelling in Malaysia and they sent 20 special-branch policemen to guard me. They love and care about me. You people are role models for red-shirt supporters nationwide. If I have a chance to return, I will buy a plot of land and build a house (in Udon Thani).” The former Prime Minister is officially banned from visiting Asia as he is accused of committing fraud. Thaksin claimed that he spent the night in Malaysia before jetting back to Dubai. However, subsequent reports suggest that Thaksin was never in Malaysia at all and his broadcast was yet another bid for publicity. However, whatever the truth behind the rumour, the high ratings for the broadcast indicate that the former PM still has a huge following. [1]: http://www.1stopchiangmai.com [2]: http://nationmultimedia.com 2009-07-16T08:50:00+07:00 1370 2009-07-18T16:23:35+07:00 5 true 1370-former-pm-visits-malaysia Andrew

This is not a good time to be the mayor of [Samui] [1]. Late last week, Mayor Ramnet Jaikwang received the news that his teenage nephew had been arrested along with two friends for snatching the bag of a Chinese female tourist. The mayor has been working hard to attract Chinese tourists to the island after the Chinese government recently lifted a ban on tourism to Thailand. However, plans to promote the safety and community spirit of Koh Samui seem to have blown up in his face when his 17-year-old nephew and his friends, the 18-year-old Veerayut Chauykhongma and a 16-year-old girl were arrested by a team of policemen and volunteers in a woodland hideout. It seems that the three teenagers snatched the bag of Seal Mai Ma, a 24-year-old tourist from China, while she was walking along the Lamai beach road. The teenagers sped towards Seal Mai Ma in a Honda Click motorbike and grabbed the bag, which contained US$200 in cash as well as Visa and Master cards and a mobile phone. However, Mayor Ramnet will be awarding his nephew no special privileges. “There is no protection for anyone if he is guilty. Anyone committing a crime must be penalized,” Ramnet said in a recent statement to the [Samui Express] [2]. [1]: http://1stopsamui.com [2]: http://news.samuiexpress.net/ 2009-07-10T08:50:00+07:00 1363 2009-07-09T20:50:55+07:00 5 true 1363-samui-bag-snatchers Andrew

A big day for the police last week when they arrested Somsak Phansranoi, 38, in Chumphon Province near [Samui] [1] for driving over the speed limit and using a fake driving license. The [Samui Express] [2] reported that what the police may have though would be a simple arrest or fine turned out to be much more when the driver suddenly confessed to killing his wife. Somsak told the police that the crime happened on Koh Phangan last September. He confessed to strangling his wife Darika Phansranoi, 42, and dumping her body into the sea at Aou Nang beach near Thong Nai Pan. The problem for Somsak, he said, was that he was unable to sleep as he was being “haunted and followed by the spirit of my dead wife. Now I feel relieved that I have confessed to you. I beg for forgiveness for what I have done to my wife. I won’t run away anymore.” After checking their records, the police discovered that the body of Darika Phansranoi had been found on September 8th and appeared to have been strangled. Unfortunately, the police were unable to arrest Somsak for the murder due to lack of evidence. [1]: http://1stopsamui.com [2]: http://news.samuiexpress.net/ 2009-07-01T09:00:00+07:00 1348 2009-06-30T18:39:22+07:00 5 true 1348-speeding-driver-finally-confesses Andrew

As conflict between the Burmese army and the breakaway Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, (DKBA), and the Karen National Liberation Army, (KNLA) worsen, 4,000 Karen villagers fled across the Thai-Burmese border from a refugee camp. With nowhere really to go, the refugees have been forced to take up residence in the north of Thailand near [Chiang Mai] [1] in places such as Tha Song Yag district in Tak province and Mae Sot. Refugees have been leaving Myanmar since 1997 and it is estimated that as many as 500,000 ethnic Karen have been forced out of their homes by the fighting and bombing in their home villages. Of those 500,000 it is believed that around 100,000 are living in Thailand, mostly in the north-west. According to a recent report by the [Chiang Mai Mail] [2] the European Union’s council gathered earlier this week and expressed their concern over the refugee situation. They demanded that the Burmese Army declare a cease-fire and conform to international and human rights laws. This is the first time that the EU has formerly addressed the situation in Myanmar and the crisis. It can only be hoped that this marks a positive turning point. [1]: http://1stopchiangmai.com [2]: http://chiangmai-mail.com 2009-06-19T09:00:00+07:00 1331 2009-06-18T10:56:15+07:00 5 true 1331-burmese-citizens-seek-refuge-in-thailand Andrew

In true B-horror movie style, in a [Saathip neighbourhood near Pattaya](http://www.pattayamail.com), Thailand, two king cobra snakes have been effectively terrorizing the village children since the end of August. The fact that the two deadly snakes were purportedly chasing down local children in the street was first made public when 60-year old Pratuan Wuttipo contacted the local radio station to request assistance in capturing the cheeky reptiles who she said had hunting down kids on August 27th. She told the Rochana Thammasathan Foundation Radio Center that residents were staying indoors after dark for fear of the marauding ophidians. The response by rescue workers was to clear away the thick grass from beside the roadside with an excavator, but when the machine broke down during the process, the eagerly superstitious locals were sure it was the work of the demon serpents. One report states that Pattarpol Kongbuntam, a 10-year old neighbourhood boy was peacefully riding his bicycle home from school when the roaming reptilian freebooters lunged form the street-side and rose and hissed at the boy. Sightings have been reported on a daily basis of the pair of malevolent crusaders slithering across roads, under houses, yet remain under the protection of whichever baleful spirit sent them as they remain at large. 2007-09-21T04:53:00+07:00 339 2007-09-21T04:54:28+07:00 7 true 339-pair-of-insolent-cobras-still-at-large DaveB

It's 10 years since three days of fighting between supporters of the country's two main political figureheads led to bloodshed. With Prince Norodom Ranariddh in self-imposed exile in France, prime minister Hun Sen's victory seems more secure than ever before. The anniversary is not being officially marked in Cambodia. [BBC NEWS][1] has [the story][2]. [1]: http://news.bbc.co.uk [2]: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6273338.stm 2007-07-06T11:42:00+07:00 224 2007-07-08T22:15:50+07:00 3 true 224-cambodia-10th-anniversary-of-leadership-tussle Watt

A currency expert believes the Thai Baht would rise to 30 to the US dollar if the [Bank of Thailand (BOT)][3] ceased intervening in the level of the currency. Exporters are urging the central bank to slow the Baht's appreciation. [The Nation][1] carries [the story][2]. Here are the [historical rates of the Baht since January 2007][4]. [1]: http://www.nationmultimedia.com [2]: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/05/business/business_30039374.php [3]: http://www.bot.or.th/bothomepage/index/index_e.asp [4]: http://www.bot.or.th/bothomepage/databank/EconData/EconFinance/tab89e.asp 2007-07-05T05:01:00+07:00 216 2007-07-05T10:19:34+07:00 3 true 216-baht-may-rise-to-30-us- Watt

Records show that 1 million people die from smoking-related diseases every year in the Asean countries. Anti-tobacco lobbyists are urging the governments of Southeast Asia to ban smoking in all indoor workplaces, and they have been gaining traction at the WHO conference in Bangkok. The proposal is expected to be officially approved by the full conference before it concludes Friday. [Bangkok Post][1] has [more details][2]. [1]: http://www.bangkokpost.com [2]: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=119906 2007-07-04T11:48:00+07:00 215 2007-07-04T23:24:39+07:00 3 true 215-asean-smoking-kills-1-million-a-year-in-the-region Watt

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry of Thailand has bto date blocked more than 10,000 websites accused of carrying inappropriate materials. In near future, web site will not be blocked like this. A new law will come into effect under which any banning of websites will be done by court order only. [The Nation][1] has [more detail][2]. [1]: http://www.nationmultimedia.com [2]: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30038960 2007-07-03T09:21:00+07:00 208 2007-07-04T10:14:26+07:00 3 true 208-thailand-new-cyber-law-due Watt

According to an article in [The Nation][1] Thailand has [proposed an international effort to control cigarette ads and sales on the Internet][2] at an international WHO meeting in Bangkok. [1]: http://www.nationmultimedia.com [2]: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30038985 2007-07-03T05:21:00+07:00 207 2007-07-04T23:08:11+07:00 3 true 207-thailand-limit-cigarette-ads-on-internet Watt

As reported in the [Phuket Gazette](http://www.phuketgazette.net), a significant raid on a local drug cartel saw Phuket Provincial Police seize 115, 000 baht in cash and 1,384 ya bah pills, a type of methamphetamine. It was a dramatic event involving a car chase and exchange of gunfire. The eventual raid begun with a routine arrest of a local man on June 18th. The man, who was in possession of two ya bah pills, subsequently gave up the name of his supplier and police conducted a sting operation when they arranged to buy 20 pills from the dealer the next day. When the operation took place and the arrest was made, police noticed a tuk-tuk speeding off and when pursued, the driver fired two gunshots at the police. He initially eluded the authorities, and eventually crashed through the roof of a house, offering his ID card as collateral for the damage to the stunned family. The family turned in the man’s ID to police and he was later apprehended. Sayam Jamjantra then gave up the name of another supplier where police seized 100,000 baht in cash and a Glock 17 semi-automatic gun. Police say there are many such drug rings on the island and they will continue to investigate. 2007-06-28T08:29:00+07:00 200 2007-07-01T10:29:23+07:00 7 true 200-phuket-police-seize-methamphetamine-from-local-dealers DaveB

[Thai Airways][4] may be struggling to live up to its famed "Smooth as Silk" slogan if [the latest list of passenger complaints][2] is anything to judge by. Despite the global popularity fo Thai cuisine, food quality tops the list of complaints in April, with inflight entertainment and cabin-crew service following close on the list. Meals on flights ex-Bangkok came in for particular criticism according to [the story][2] carried by the [Bangkok Post][1]. While THAI offer many interesting and attractive [promotions][3] they should look to improve their services to grow sales in the long term. [1]: http://www.bangkokpost.com [2]: http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=119706 [3]: http://www.thaiairways.com/Promotions/default.htm [4]: http://www.thaiairways.com/index.shtml 2007-06-26T09:05:00+07:00 194 2007-06-27T04:48:40+07:00 3 true 194-thai-not-so-smooth-as-silk Watt

According to [Thais News][tn], the Phuket Highway Office has invited local enterprises to [help in the beautification of road No. 402 from Bang Ku to Darasamut junction][tnn]. The road beautification project is expected to add colour to the island for the next high season. [tn]: http://www.thaisnews.com/ [tnn]: http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=214092 2007-06-26T07:59:00+07:00 193 2007-06-26T14:51:30+07:00 2 true 193-private-businesses-encouraged-to-make-beautiful-roads Toony

Manchester City football club's board of director is [backing the £81.6m takeover bid from former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra][1] despite the freezing of his assets in Thailand. [Thaksin has gone on record as saying that the events in Thailand won't affect Man City deal][3]. However Thailand authorities are set to investigate the source of the funds behind Thaksin's offer. The [BBC][4] is reporting that [Sven-Goran Eriksson will be the new Man City manager][2]. Meanwhile [The Nation][5] are questioning where the money comes from and [whether the Manchester City deal can help Thaksin's flagging fortunes?][6]. [1]: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6225306.stm [2]: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/6229436.stm [3]: http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/23/headlines/headlines_30037627.php [4]: http://news.bbc.co.uk [5]: http://nationmultimedia.com [6]: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/23/opinion/opinion_30037615.php 2007-06-25T09:24:00+07:00 189 2007-06-25T14:43:19+07:00 3 true 189-man-city-takeover-money-matters Watt

The American company which won a contact to manufacture shoulder patches for US military uniforms may actually have produced them in Thailand but attached a "Made in USA" label. Criminal charges have been laid against the company. The [Bangkok Post][1] has [details][2]. [1]: http://www.bangkokpost.com [2]: http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=119585 2007-06-21T04:52:00+07:00 171 3 true 171-us-army-patches-made-in-thailand Watt