photo by khonkaen.ws BANGKOK – The national beer garden industry appealed directly to the PT-led government for financial assistance after its worst-ever beer garden season came to an abrupt end on January 4. With unseasonal temperatures rising to 36C and humidity up to 80%, the beer gardens of the capital city and upcountry have been devastated by low turnout and poor sales of iced lager and... 

BANGKOK – The continued rumors and threats of New Year’s bombs is finally giving small business owners in the capital something to celebrate. Recent polls on social media and leading newspapers suggest that many revelers are choosing smaller venues this year, believing that terrorists are more likely to select large crowds and venues as targets. As a result, small bars and restaurants are seeing... 

BANGKOK – As the nation prepares for the jubilant celebration of His Majesty the King’s 7th cycle birthday, various municipal and national governing bodies have hastily proposed to rename all or nearly all existing structures in the kingdom after the revered monarch to mark the occasion. Having already renamed the Industrial Ring Road Bridge to be the Bhumipol Bridge 1 and Bhumipol Bridge 2, and... 

THAILAND/BURMA BORDER – Thailand’s Bt20-billion human trafficking industry is experiencing a major drop in production due to the flood crisis, human traffickers reported this week. “This crisis has hit our business hard, at both the supply and distribution end,” said Thanh Huendoc, who manages a large Burmese-Thai trafficking syndicate. “We’re looking at huge losses this year.” With flooding... 

BANGKOK – Bangkok’s online news community celebrated another advancement today as one of its English-language newspapers unveiled a new website, designed for easier digestion of the Kingdom’s news. The new website of The Nation, which calls itself “Insightful, Intrend (sic), Independent” features an all-time low of just 12 moving, flashing, or animated parts on its home page, an approximate...