Tim Newton
- Opinion
Religious tolerance is OK until it starts interfering with community health
Last week it was revealed that six children have died in the southern provinces of Thailand since June this year. Sadly, children die all the time through misadventure and incurable disease. But these six children died from Measles, one of the many diseases that have been brought under control in most communities over the past half century. Vaccination has also…
- Health
The art of Thai massage – Chann Wellness Spa, Kamala
Time to relax, time to be pampered. You deserve some ‘me’ time to get refreshed and be indulged at the Chann Wellness Spa at Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa, Phuket in Kamala. Tim Newton headed to Kamala for an hour of well-deserved pampering. Chann Wellness Spa is one of the island’s most established spas combining experienced staff, the right ‘mood’…
- Food
Savoury staples with a touch of the finest Swiss chocolate
Chocolate… mmmmm. But did you consider it as part of a broader savory menu? I enjoyed an evening of chocolate-infused cuisine and, well, it really works! Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket is treating guests to a new menu of savoury dishes with a sweet twist as Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts launches its ‘Chocolate on the Salty Side’ promotion.…
- Bangkok News
Airport tips for cheapies – Bangkok
Heading out of Bangkok and looking for a few financial short-cuts? Getting to the airport, Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi, needs a bit of planning. To get to Don Muaeng from the Bangkok on time a taxi is probably going to be your best bet. If it’s in one of the peaks the taxi can take the ‘top floor’ route which…
- Thai Life
‘2,215’ – this year’s ‘must see’ documentary
PHOTO: The Nation From the outset, I can’t recommend this wonderful documentary more highly. It was inspiring, highly entertaining and a beautifully crafted, intimate insight into, as he describes himself, a normal Thai person doing something extraordinary. Artiwara ‘Toon’ Kongmalai, a huge popular rockstar in Thailand, decided to raise money for struggling public hospitals in the Land of Smiles. He…
- Business News
Phuket now has a world class shopping hub
by Tim Newton The population of Thailand is around 70 million people. I think most of them were at the opening night of the new Central Floresta on September 10. As far as openings go this must have put a smile on the Central owners and management involved in bringing this new shopping experience to fruition – it was a…
- Food
Monsoon Valley Dinner @ Ginja Taste Restaurant, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, in collaboration with Siam Winery, is hosting the ‘Monsoon Valley Dinner’, an extraordinary 5 course Thai set menu. The food, atmosphere and service are, as you’d expect, spectacular. But there’s a twist to this gastronomic experience. Each course is paired with a Thailand wine. The special dinner is being served until September 7 at the…
- Opinion
Hello Bangkok Christian College – It’s the 21st century
PHOTO: Bangkok Christian College In a sign that the Thai education system still has a way to go, the Bangkok Christian College has been forced to backtrack on using the phrase “sexual deviation” to describe transgenders and other shades of the GLBT spectrum. But the college insists it will still host a controversial seminar in Bangkok as planned. The seminar,…
- News
Happy Birthday Thaiger – One year old today
Acute self indulgence today as we announce our first major milestone for thethaiger.com. We’re one year old. It was on August 1, 2017 that the fledgling Thaiger company took over the reins of the 23 year old Phuket Gazette and started posting under the new management. Only two weeks before we had received the keys to the toy box and…
- Northern Thailand News
Comment: They’re out. Now what? The future for Mu Pa football team members.
by Tim Newton They’re out. Now what for the 13 young men from Mae Sai? They entered the Tham Luang caves on June 23 along with their 25 year old coach, Ekkapol on a benign post-practice trip to the nearby caves. The y’d been there before. Except for their families, guardians and school friends, they were basically unknown to anyone…
- Thailand News
Hopes and prayers unanswered – time is running out.
By Tim Newton Now into the ninth day. Hopes and prayers unanswered. The 12 teenagers and their coach went into the caves last Saturday afternoon (June 23) following their weekly practice. We are told they were carrying with them basic provisions, water and a first aid kit. Any provisions would now be long finished. Luckily water is in plentiful supply.…
- World News
Bali: Thousands stranded as Mount Agung erupts again
PHOTO: merdeka.com Sitting in the KLIA Terminal in Kuala Lumpur, the announcement comes over the PA. “Passengers are advised that the fight from KL to Bali has been cancelled.” This is why. Thousands of tourists are now stranded as the international airport closes following more eruptions from Mount Agung. People on the island report a thick plume of ash and…
- Travel
The world’s longest flight needed new airline seats
PHOTO: Aviation International News Imagine sitting for 19 hours in one seat, travelling nearly 17,000 kilometres, from Newark to Singapore. The route, a return to long distances for Singapore Airlines since it canned the same route with the Airbus A340 in November 2013, will now be a lot more comfortable. The Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long Range service is…
- Thai Life
Top 10 world landmarks
…as voted by Trip Advisor users. Where are the world’s most popular landmarks? And which are ranked in the world’s Top Ten? What comes to mind? The Eiffel Tower? Statue of Liberty? Machu Picchu? Well none of those make their way into the world’s Top Ten as voted by Trip Advisor users in this 2018 survey. Even the top three…
- Opinion
To the war room!
Two predictable things happen every four years – the running of the World Cup and a synchronous crackdown on gambling in the Kingdom. And here we go again. The Metropolitan Police say they’re gearing up to fight illegal gambling ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament in Russia this week. They are claiming they have an ‘action plan’ to seize…
- Travel
Siam Niramit. Bringing Thailand’s vibrant history to life.
The island has a number of world class attractions that have relied on big investment and a hope that the crowds keep flocking to Phuket. For Siam Niramit, the massive investment is paying off with floods of tourists heading to the attraction off the By Pass Road in Samkong seven days a week. For those who haven’t attended Siam Niramit…
- Thai Life
Singapore on top, Laos on the bottom – English proficiency
PHOTO: talkpoverty.org The EF English Proficiency Index is out for the past 12 months, the seventh overview of countries where English is not the native language. Ranked from top to bottom and broken up into specific demographics. And Thailand doesn’t fare well. Bad news, it’s #53 in the world this year. The good news, it’s risen from #56 last year…
- News
NCPO Four Year anniversary – Has Prayut brought happiness back to Thailand?
COMMENT Today is the fourth anniversary of the NCPO (National Committee of Peace and Order) coup which overthrew the elected Yingluck Shinawatra government in 2014. At the time it was claimed that the coup was necessary to stop Thai protesters harming each other and ‘to bring happiness back to the people’. General Prayut rode into the capital, Army in tow,…
- News
Open letter: Phuket Lifeguard Crisis – from The International Surf Lifesaving Association
Heading into this year’s monsoon, the issue of safety along Phuket’s west coast comes sharply into focus. The role of lifeguards on our beaches has been pivotel to saving lives and providing a safer environment for foreign swimmers who are not in tune with the wave conditions and rips (many of them can’t even swim!). The negotiation games played each…
- Thai Life
The cheapest places in the world to live – Is Thailand on the list?
PHOTO: Sam Kittner Compared to what you’re paying in the west, in some countries you can have a palatial house, a maid, personal chef, good health care and a driver for the same cost of a struggling life in your home country. Thailand has long been seen as a retirement haven with its low cost of living, great food and…
- World News
Malaysian election decoded
by Tim Newton Don’t be under any illusion what has just happened in Malaysia. The country hasn’t been freed from the bonds of a corrupt and draconian long-term government and about to soar into a new era of democracy, growth and prosperity. That a 92 year old former premier, who nurtured both his current deputy Anwar Ibrahim and the ousted…
- Opinion
OPINION: Travelling north – The PM woos his past political foes
Despite his protestations to the contrary, the Thai PM is leveraging himself exactly where he needs to be 9 months out from the scheduled national election. A day in the north-east, courting his former red shirt foes, shows that there’s little integrity in politics, no matter who or where you are. Still, completely straight faced, the PM was marching around…
- Thailand News
Malaysian PM in a fight for his political life
Just south of Thailand there is a looming political showdown that is likely to reshape Malaysian politics, no matter what happens at Wednesday’s polls. It’s the country’s 14 election since independence. On one side a politically-stained, long-sitting incumbent trying to cling onto power. On the other side an opposition led my the incumbent’s former mentor – the 92 year old Mahathir…
- Opinion
COMMENT: The fall of the Emerald Development Group
Today is Mai Sawit Ketroj’s birthday. He’ll be spending it behind bars after being questioned by police about alleged fraud involving the Emerald Development Group. In a packed media conference yesterday Tourist Police Deputy Commander Maj Gen Surachet Hakpan outlined the unravelling of the prominent Phuket property development company. “The suspect admitted that he has a lack of financial resources…
- Thai Life
Top 10 reasons to live in Thailand
(10 minute read) Let’s move to Thailand! Many travel to the Land of Smiles and some even stay, drawn by it’s culture, climate, opportunities, cost-of-living or maybe even ‘love’. Here are our top ten reasons to move to and live in Thailand. 1. The weather Thailand’s weather, north to south, can vary quite a bit but most of the year…
- Thai Life
World’s best airlines – People’s Choice, Trip Advisor
PHOTO: Singapore Airlines Trip Advisor has compiled the world’s best airlines from the data and votes of their users around the world. No panel of judges here – the people have spoken. Not surprisingly, Singapore Airlines has come out on top, again. The Singaporean national airline is a consistent winner of best airline competitions over a number of decades. Air…
- News
Vale Chef Ronnie
Filipino celebrity chef Ronnie Macuja, who opened ultra chic VSet Restaurant and Bar at Chalong Pier showcasing his modern Mediterranean/Asian cuisine, as well as Higher Restaurant at Seduction nightclub in Patong, and more recently at Café Del Mar, died suddenly in the early hours of Friday morning. Ronnie’s chef career started at the Manila Hilton. They offered him a two…
- News
The Great Expedition – finding the Ancient Road To Kamala
The Great Expedition continues to find the famed Ancient Route To Kamala from the sleepy Kathu valley. In our second attempt to get over the hill from tracks off Soi Namtok (leading to the Kathu Waterfall) our intrepid adventurers failed again to find the Great Hidden Track. Last time we headed up the road where tourists are taken for the…
- Travel
Animal shows in Phuket. ‘Not in my back yard’!
OPINION by Tim Newton Three years ago the issue came into sharp focus in Phuket when a Ukraine company established ‘Nemo’, the first dolphinarium in Phuket, right next door to the Chalong Zoo. The dolphinarium drew a lot of kick-back from locals who took the NIMBY approach – Not In My Back Yard. They were applying their western values about the…
- Thai Life
10 Destinations on the rise for 2018 – Trip Advisor
Trip Advisor has released a list of the destinations in Asia that are ‘on the rise’, either off the map and previously undiscovered by the travel agents, or creeping back into popularity. Thailand is already well-established as a tourist destination. The Ministry of Tourism and Sport is predicting up to 37 million tourists will visit the Land of Smiles this…
