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Pattaya, Thailand: The following is our weekly feature in which we ask our readers a news related question and highlight your answers and feedback at the end of each week. This week, as it is the biggest item in the news , we asked our readers what additional measures, if any, should they take around the new cluster of Covid-19 infections coming out of Samut Sakhon near Bangkok ? Do you have faith in their current measures and trace and testing system? Do you think regional lockdowns are enough or would you support national lockdowns, despite the huge economic cost?  Would you call for less or more events and gatherings canceled? Do you think any businesses or venues should be closed or restricted? And, who is responsible? You can comment below, on our social media or mail us at [email protected] . We look forward to your response and will publish them next weekend. Here is what you said, the opinions below are those of the writer: Charlie B-Can we please note ... » Learn More about Reader Talkback results: Who do YOU think is responsible for the current Covid-19 clusters in Thailand

Thailand- The following is our weekly feature in which we ask our readers a newsworthy question at the start of each week and then highlight your responses to us the following week. This week, we want to ask our readers their opinions regarding Thailand’s current strategy around a large cluster of Covid-19 infections that appear to have begun from a shrimp market in Samut Sakhon and has since spread outwards. Thailand has, so far, taken a “test and trace, suppression” style approach to this recent cluster versus a draconian, economically painful lockdown that could also carry a host of other issues with it. Thailand has divided the provinces into zones and given governor’s significantly more power to deal with the problem in their province. This is very different from the prior situation in which the CCSA (Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration) took total control and took a “one size fits all” approach, putting the country into strict restrictions and a curfew for months ... » Learn More about Reader Talkback: In regards to the current Covid-19 infections, should Thailand “lockdown” again?

Pattaya, Thailand: The following is our popular weekly reader talkback results feature in which we ask our readers a question, usually one that is currently in the news, and then highlight a diverse range of answers roughly a week later. Last week, we asked you the following question: Weekly Reader Talkback: It is the one year anniversary of the first Covid-19 bar shutdown in Pattaya. How has the past year changed you or impacted you? Last week was the ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of a “two-week” closure of entertainment venues in Pattaya that became almost four months, complete with curfews, alcohol bans, beach closures, pool closures (one of our most commented issues), checkpoints, and more. We never had a proper lockdown contrary to popular belief….people were never ordered to stay at home and prohibited from going anywhere else, but it was fairly close. One year later, many countries around the world remain in (or have set new) lockdowns and despite vaccines and light on ... » Learn More about Reader Talkback results: After the one-year anniversary of Covid-19 shutdowns in Pattaya, how has the last year changed you?

Thailand- The following is our weekly feature in which we ask our readers a news topical question and get their insight and opinions. We then share their feedback a week later and pick a variety of diverse and interesting responses. This week, we are going to take a more lighthearted approach and focus on a general question vs. a divisive news question. We simply want to ask our readers and local ex-pats, nearly all who live, reside, or frequently travel to Pattaya where else in Thailand when you are here do you like to visit? What are some of your favorite places away from Pattaya and why? Do you have any unique experiences, photos, or places you really enjoyed? This is your chance to share positive stories of places you have been outside of Pattaya. Let us know in comments, on our social media, or mail us at [email protected] . we look forward to hearing from you and will publish the results next week. ... » Learn More about Reader Talkback: When you are not in the Pattaya area, where else do you like to go in Thailand?

PHUKET: Conde Nast Traveller magazine has named the Banyan Tree Phuket as the world’s best spa resort following tabulation of more than 26,000 votes cast in its 1998 Readers Travel Awards poll, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts has announced. Readers cited the resort’s service, quality spa treatments and facilities, accommodations and unique ambience in casting their votes. “This award is an important milestone for us,” said Edwin Yeow, Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “U.K. and European travellers are extremely discerning and they expect the best. This award is a great endorsement of our resort and its services.” The executive added that despite the current economic uncertainty in the Asian region, the Banyan Tree Phuket achieved an 82 percent occupancy rate in July. This was the latest award for the 108-villa resort, which opened four years ago in the Laguna Phuket complex. The Banyan Tree Phuket is a two-time winner of the “Best Resort Hotel” award from the Pacific Area Travel ... » Learn More about Banyan Tree Tops Reader Poll

SINGAPORE - Singapore Press Holdings has launched The Business Times (BT) News Tablet Edition, allowing readers to get digital copies of BT on brand new Samsung tablets. The devices come preloaded with the SPHtab app, and has features such as automatic download of the latest BT e-paper when Wi-Fi is available, along with auto login, a two-week e-paper archive and social media sharing. There are two models available on 30-month contracts, and subscribers can access the BT website and app. The first is the 10.4-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (LTE), valued at $698, which is available at $39.90 per month. The other option is the smaller Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1-inch Wi-Fi tablet, at $29.90 a month. Both come with Samsung's signature S Pen stylus. Subscribers who sign up for the tablet between Tuesday (Sept 15) and Sept 30 will receive a Samsung EVO Plus 128GB microSD memory card, and also enjoy complimentary delivery of their tablets courtesy of DHL Express. BT editor ... » Learn More about Business Times News Tablet Edition launched, with early-bird specials available for readers

Thailand- The following is our weekly feature in which we ask our readers a news topical question and get their insight and opinions. This is the results portion after we asked our readers the following question last week: Reader Talkback: When you are not in the Pattaya area, where else do you like to go in Thailand? We wanted to specifically know the following: We simply want to ask our readers and local ex-pats, nearly all who live, reside, or frequently travel to Pattaya where else in Thailand when you are here do you like to visit? What are some of your favorite places away from Pattaya and why? Do you have any unique experiences, photos, or places you really enjoyed? This is your chance to share positive stories of places you have been outside of Pattaya. Here is what you told us below. If you didn’t have a chance to voice your opinion you still can! Here is how! Let us know in comments, on our social media, or mail us at [email protected] . ... » Learn More about Reader Talkback Results: When you are not in the Pattaya area, where else do you like to go in Thailand?

PHUKET TOWN:  Opinion on the best closing time for bars and other nightlife entertainment establishments in Patong varies widely, but overall 2am was the most popular closing time according the results of the latest Phuket Gazette Readers’ Poll . In the poll, readers were asked: What do you think is the best closing time for nightlife venues in Patong? Possible answers were: midnight, 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am and 5am. Of these, 2am was the most popular response at 24.7%. The second most popular choice was midnight (16.9%), followed by 4am (16.0%), 5am (14.9%), 3am (13.9%) and 1am (13.6%). The 2am option is notable in that it is the de facto closing time in Patong, when Kathu Police typically begin to make their rounds. A breakdown by demographics revealed a clear difference of opinion between Thais and foreigners. Almost half of respondents (45%) identifying themselves as Thais thought midnight was the best closing time, compared to just 14% of people identifying themselves ... » Learn More about Phuket Gazette Readers’ Poll: 2am best closing time for Patong

Thailand- The following is our weekly feature in which we ask our readers a news topical question and get their insight and opinions. We then share their feedback a week later and pick a variety of diverse and interesting responses. This week we are going to ask you: Are you concerned about the situation in Myanmar and believe it could impact Thailand? For some context of the current situation see the following article here: Thousands of Myanmar’s Karen refugees attempt to flee to northern Thailand as army’s air assault strikes border areas Do you think the current situation will continue to escalate? What sort of consequences do you think the situation will have on Thailand? How, if at all, can the situation be resolved without further escalating or even risking full civil war or a “failed state” in your opinion? Are you concerned that refugees entering Thailand potentially illegally could cause another round of Covid-19 and result in business closures, ... » Learn More about Reader talkback: Are you concerned about the situation in Myanmar and believe it could impact Thailand?

NEW YORK - Publisher Scholastic has halted publication of a book by children's author Dav Pilkey, best known for his Captain Underpants series, who offered an online apology for the title's unintended "racist imagery". Pilkey, author of more than 40 books, said The Adventures Of Ook And Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen From The Future, first published in 2010, would be pulled from retail and library shelves. "I hope you, my readers, will forgive me, and learn from my mistakes that even unintentional and passive stereotypes and racism is harmful to everyone," said Pilkey, 55, in a statement on YouTube on March 26. The graphic novel about a group of friends who save the world using gongfu actually was "intended to showcase diversity, equality and non-violent conflict resolution" but it ultimately backfired, he said. "It was brought to my attention that this book also contains harmful racial stereotypes and passively racist imagery," Pilkey said. "It was and is wrong and harmful to my Asian ... » Learn More about Captain Underpants author pulls ‘racist’ book, apologises to Asian readers