Archive for the ‘THAILAND TODAY’ Category
Sunday, January 4th, 2009
(UPDATED ON JANUARY 5, 2009)
SANTIKA NIGHTCLUB SHAREHOLDER SAYS ‘SORRY’
In an emotional address to the public, a major shareholder of Santika Nightclub said he was extremely sorry to the families of the victims, who were killed or injured in the massive fire on New Year’s Day. On Thai TV Santika Nightclub shareholder Wisuk Setsawat, who was clearly distressed, appeared as though he was about to faint. He was escorted away by friends. Mr Wisuk has testified about the Bangkok blaze to Thai Police at the Thong Lor Police Station. Police General Jongrak stated that Mr Wisuk was questioned as a witness and not a suspect. Meanwhile, legal action is proceeding against Suriya Ritrabue, the managing director of White & Brothers (2003) Co, who is the registered owner of Santika Nightclub. Incredibly, Santika Nightclub was registered as a noodle shop, which was only permitted to sell food until midnight. Thai Police forensic experts continue to search for clues as to what caused the deadly inferno. Sadly, some families have still not found their loved ones.
BANGKOK (AFP) - The Bangkok nightclub fire death toll has risen to 64 dead with over 220 people injured. Out of those injured in the Santika nightclub inferno, 35 victims remain in ICU. Among the dead are 9 bodies that are still unidentified. Currently 68 people injured in the Bangkok blaze remain in hospital. It is reported that 18 of them are foreigners.
SANTIKA NIGHTCLUB IN BANGKOK BEFORE THE FIRE
Meanwhile Thai Police are trying to contact the Santika Nightclub owners. According to Thai Police sources, the Santika owners have until Wednesday to come forward. Members of the Thai emergency services, said that the horrific scenes at the Santika Nightclub fire, was the most disturbing they had ever encountered.
News sources are THE NATION and the BANGKOK POST
Tags: BANGKOK, nightclub fire, Santika
Posted in BANGKOK, NEWS & VIEWS, PUBS & CLUBS, THAILAND TODAY | Comments Off
Saturday, January 3rd, 2009
BANGKOK NEW YEAR’S PARTY TURNS DEADLY
A THAI WOMAN DISCOVERS THAT A LOVED ONE IS AMONG THOSE WHO DIED (PHOTO BY AP)
New Year’s celebrations turned deadly in Bangkok’s Thonglor district, when a horrific fire killed over 60 nightclub revellers. Although some foreigners died in the blaze, the majority of the corpses were thought to be Thai women. Over 200 other Thais and foreigners were injured in the ‘Thai-ring Inferno.’ A ring of fire suddenly engulfed Santika nightclub in Ekamai, Bangkok. Many people were unaware of the fire until it was too late. British survivor Alex Wargacki, 29, tells how he was saved from death by the ‘hand of an angel’ after collapsing and falling unconscious…
BANGKOK BLAZE SURVIVOR ALEX WARGACKI CURRENTLY RECOVERING IN HOSPITAL. (PHOTO BY ANDREW CHANT).
“I woke up and heard this voice saying, ‘Come on this way’,” he recalled. “Then I felt myself being dragged towards an exit. A crowd of people parted in front of me and then I was out in the open air. Had it not been for this voice with the hand of an angel, I would not be alive today.”
It is truly horrific to think that this happened during New Year’s celebrations. The special party was named ‘Goodbye Santika.’ The house band are called ‘BURN’ and there were crosses and coffins on the walls. This was a popular venue with Hi-So Thais and foreigners alike. Forensic specialists from the Thai Police are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
The original news story was by Andrew Drummond in Bangkok. The full news report was covered by SKY NEWS
Tags: BANGKOK
Posted in BANGKOK, NEWS & VIEWS, PUBS & CLUBS, THAILAND TODAY | Comments Off
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008
The closure of Bangkok’s international airport has created a HUGE blow to Thailand’s tourism industry and economy. Bangkok’s top class hotels and restaurants have been hit hard. Even though Bangkok’s airports are now fully operational, recovery for Thai tourism is going to be slow. Combined with the global economic crisis, Thailand did itself no favours. Ironically, the type of tourists that Thailand endeavours to attract have been driven away. Single males seeking fun-in-the-sun are now what is keeping part of the Thai economy afloat. The fun-in-the-sun seekers or ‘mongers’ will walk through warzones to get what they want. I dare say that some families who were caught up in Bangkok’s airport crisis have possibly been scared away for life.
Thailand’s tourism is down but not out for the count. Amid the nightlife scene in Bangkok, the popular go-go bars in Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza are starting to get busier. It’s the luxury hotels, airlines and tour operators that are really suffering. Thailand needs to be grateful to the ‘mongers’ but the Thais will never admit that fact. During this global economic crisis, Thailand’s luxury hotels and restaurants have to realise that they are just too expensive. Whether they do anything about the problem remains to be seen…
This informative report says it all by YAHOO NEWS
Tags: BANGKOK, GO-GO BARS, Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy, Thailand, tourism
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Tuesday, December 30th, 2008
The big question facing Thailand’s ongoing political crisis is whether it is Mission Impossible for the new Thai PM. Unlike Tom Cruise in the Hollywood movie series ‘Mission Impossible’ there does not seem to be a happy ending in sight for Thai PM Khun Abhisit. There is still a divide among the Thai people and Thailand’s political scene remains in turmoil. Newly appointed Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has delivered his maiden policy speech, after protesters forced him to switch venue. The full news report is by BBC NEWS
BBC PHOTOS - Protests thwart Thai PM
Tags: Thai, Thailand
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Friday, December 26th, 2008
Today I woke up on Boxing Day morning and the world was much the same for me, as it was yesterday on Christmas Day. But, for thousands of people their world was changed forever on Boxing Day 2004. It is exactly 4 years to the day that the deadliest Tsunami in recorded history devastated the tropical island of Phuket. On Koh Phi Phi alone out of the 3,000 people on the island that morning only 1,500 people survived. It was a devastating loss of life.
My good friend Aaron Le Boutillier was on Koh Phi Phi that fateful morning, but fortunately he survived. Aaron has since then published “And Then One Morning” which tells the harrowing tale of the horror he witnessed. This is a very special book. It is not only well written, but the most important thing is - ALL AUTHOR ROYALTIES TO BE DONATED TO THE VICTIMS OF THE TSUNAMI.
BOXING DAY IN BANGKOK (PHOTO COURTESY OF STICKMAN)
LEST WE FORGET - Please take a moment to visit the Page that I have entitled, “Tsunami Thailand.”
Tags: BANGKOK, Christmas Day, Phuket, Thailand, Tsunami Thailand
Posted in BANGKOK, DAVES RAVES, NEWS & VIEWS, THAILAND TODAY | Comments Off
Friday, December 19th, 2008
PHOTO TAKEN BY DAVE THE RAVE 2008
BANGKOK - His Majesty King Bhumibol recently gave his endorcement for Thai Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjavija to become Thailand’s prime minister. Report by BBC NEWS
Khun Abhisit is English-born and Oxford University educated. There is a profile of the new Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjavija on this link by BBC NEWS
It is widely thought that new Thai PM Khun Abhisit will need every ounce of his Oxford University education to face Thailand’s political turmoil and economic problems. We wish Khun Abhisit good luck, because Thailand desperately needs a competent leader. According to the media, there is a daunting task facing the newly appointed Thai PM. It is explained in this news report by BBC NEWS
Tags: BANGKOK, Thai, Thailand
Posted in BANGKOK, NEWS & VIEWS, THAILAND TODAY | Comments Off
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
THAI AIRWAYS RESUME FLIGHTS - THE NATION
Thai Airways and other airlines resume flights at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Bangkok exhails a huge sigh of relief, but the race is on to get Bangkok’s main artery fully operational. It could be a maximum of 2 weeks or a minimum of 1 week, before Suvarnabhumi International Airport is fully operational. There is a large backlog of flights to deal with. Passengers are asked to check in no less than 7 HOURS BEFORE THEY FLY. Bangkok Airport and Thai Airways are in damage control mode.
PRISONERS IN PARADISE
It is thought that as many as 350,000 people are still stranded in Thailand. That’s a whole load of ’prisoners in paradise.’
Tags: airport, BANGKOK, emergency, Suvarnabhumi, Thai Airways, Thailand
Posted in BANGKOK, NEWS & VIEWS, THAILAND TODAY | Comments Off
Monday, December 1st, 2008
THAILAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT UPDATE
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueng Airports remain closed for a seventh consecutive day. However, the PAD anti-government protesters have “allowed” almost 40 planes to fly out of Suvarnabhumi Airport, albeit empty.
The following airports across Thailand are operational - Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, Hat Yai and U-Tapao.
Regularly updated information about Thailand’s international airports can be found on Stickman’s website.
Tags: airport, BANGKOK, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Koh Samui, Phuket, Thailand
Posted in BANGKOK, NEWS & VIEWS, THAILAND TODAY | Comments Off
Monday, December 1st, 2008
BBC NEWS - EMPTY PLANES LEAVE BANGKOK CRISIS
A “deal” has been agreed with the PAD (People’s Alliance for Democracy) protesters to fly a total of 88 planes out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Currently, stranded passengers are scrambling to get flights from U-Tapao naval base. U-Tapao is located about 140km (90 miles) south-east of Bangkok.
Several countries have sent planes to fly their citizens out of Thailand. For the full story read this BBC NEWS REPORT
Tags: airport, BANGKOK, emergency, Thailand
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Sunday, November 30th, 2008
A Thai grenade attack upon the PAD (People’s Alliance for Democracy) anti-government protesters in Bangkok, has wounded more than 50 people. At least four Thais are said to be in a serious condition. It is feared that these acts of terrorism will spark an outright civil war.
The full story is covered by Reuters News
Tags: BANGKOK, Thai
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Sunday, November 30th, 2008
SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT REMAINS PARALYSED
(Updated on November 30th at 2:30pm Bangkok time)
Bangkok’s two main airports remain closed for a sixth consecutive day. Many people are suffering from the chaos and confusion. Meanwhile, 50,000 Thai police were moved into Bangkok yesterday.
The Bangkok airport crisis continues…
Tags: BANGKOK, Thai
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Saturday, November 29th, 2008
STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED AT BANGKOK AIRPORTS
(Updated on November 29th at 6:30pm Bangkok time)
BANGKOK - Suvarnabhumi International Airport remains shutdown, as the crisis continues. Increasing levels of travellers are left stranded at Bangkok’s international airport. It is estimated that as many as 300,000 people might be forced to miss their flights. The Thai authorities and the PAD protesters, are locked in a standoff that will cost Thailand’s reputation and tourist industry untold damage.
Currently, the situation is extremely tense, as police action might soon to be taken against the PAD protesters. The Thai authorities have endeavoured to seek a peaceful end to this Bangkok emergency, but time is running out.
For regular news updates check the following links…
THE NATION - BREAKING NEWS
BANGKOK POST - BREAKING NEWS
BANGKOK AIRPORT CRISIS - THE NATION
Tags: airport, BANGKOK, emergency, Thai, Thailand
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Friday, November 28th, 2008
STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED AT BANGKOK AIRPORTS
(Updated on November 28th at 4:45pm Bangkok time)
Both Suvarnabumi and Don Mueang airports are closed until at least November 29th, 2008.
You are advised to avoid Suvarnabumi and Don Mueang airports during this state of emergency.
Bangkok Police have been told to use whatever “peaceful” means to clear both Bangkok airports.
PAD (People’s Alliance for Democracy) protesters are gearing up for what they say is the “final battle.” They are apparently prepared to “fight to the death” if necessary.
BBC NEWS REPORT - Thai protesters braced for battle
Meanwhile life goes on as normal in the vast majority of Bangkok. Note that Bangkok is NOT under siege - the state of emergency is at Bangkok’s airports.
Tags: BANGKOK
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Thursday, November 27th, 2008
The Thai government has declared a state of emergency at Bangkok’s two main airports. There are 30 emergency teams on route. This is a very serious situation and all travellers should monitor news reports…
BBC BREAKING NEWS - ”Emergency rule at Thai airports”
Tags: BANGKOK, Thai
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
TSUNAMI THAILAND - DECEMBER 26, 2004
The tragic events of the Tsunami in Thailand on December 26th, 2004 shocked the world. Aaron Le Boutillier is a survivor who was on Phi Phi island that fateful day. Aaron tells the world in detail what happened, during the worst Tsunami in recorded history. I have dedicated a special Page to Tsunami Thailand, because all of the author royalties will be donated to charity. Click on this link to the Tsunami Thailand Page.
Tags: And Then One Morning, Thailand, Tsunami
Posted in DAVES RAVES, NEWS & VIEWS, THAILAND TODAY | Comments Off
