Thailand-
The following is a weekly feature article looking at this same time period LAST year in Pattaya and Thailand news.
This weekly feature takes a look back at news from the same period last year (and sometimes different time windows, such as six months or three months) to see how things have changed, following up on the progression of stories, as well as look at potentially broken promises or things that didn’t take place as promised in Pattaya and Thailand.
As we publish dozens of stories a week this is a quick way for people to take a look at what the biggest stories were a year ago, as chosen by our editorial team, and how they impact us today and relate to current news. They are in no particular order of importance, however, are roughly in order of publication.
This week, we cover the first week of November 2020, from Sunday, November 1st, 2020 to Saturday, November 7th, 2020.
Let’s begin:
1. Pattaya bustling for Halloween, Loy Krathong, and Bikini Run triple event
This year’s Halloween was a lot quieter due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions but events returned last weekend for the first time in seven months with a music festival and things are slowly recovering locally. (Although the nightlife industry and bars, a staple of Pattaya, remain closed.)
Pattaya bustling for Bikini Run, Halloween and Loy Krathong triple event
2. Thai government blocks adult website “Pornhub”
A year later, the website is still blocked, despite protests and upset citizens stating that the ban violated freedom of expression and speech. Of course, those with even a little bit of computer knowledge know how to bypass the ban.
Thai Government appears to block popular adult website Pornhub
Minister of Digital Economy and Society explains why Pornhub has been blocked in Thailand
Thailand blocks 209 more “offensive” and “misleading” websites following Pornhub block
3. Foreign man leads Pattaya police on chase, shootout reportedly kills himself afterward
This story dominated local news last year after a young Greek/American led Pattaya police on a manhunt after stealing a gun from a shooting range, firing at police and reporters, injuring one, and eventually reportedly killing himself in his apartment. The man was reportedly suffering from financial, health, and drug issues.
4. Koh Larn planning to renovate bridge and pier on the island
Some of this work has already taken place a year later, however, there is still work to be done.
Koh Larn Bridge and pier planned to be renovated in next three years with a 140 million baht budget
5. Thai Ministry of Education makes some changes, allowing different hairstyles and less harsh punishment from teachers
These changes took place after multiple protests from students last year. The changes, however, according to students is not enough. That being said, there have been few protests this year as schools have just started to resume in much of the country and have been out of in-person learning since roughly April, seven months, due to Covid-19.
That does it for this week! We thank you so much for your support and readership, have a safe week!
