Northern Thailand

Employees of Chiang Mai’s Famous Dhara Dhevi Hotel Claim their Owed Bt100Million in Unpaid Wages

Published

4 years ago

October 3, 2020

Bchcomber

Dhara Dhevi hotel , chiang mai, thailand

Employees of Northern Thailand’s famous Dhara Dhevi hotel asked the Chiang Mai deputy governor to help them get their wages.Their requests come following the closure of the hotel which has allegedly cost 300 employees nearly 100 million baht.

On 1st October, around 100 employees gathered at Chiang Mai’s provincial hall, holding signs demanding compensation. Laso revealing some information about the Chiang Mai hotel’s financial status.

According to hotel employees, not all of them have been compensated fairly. Even though they are still hired by the hotel, and have been throughout the pandemic. The hotel employees say that the hotel is using various tactics to avoid payment.

According to CityNews the hotel no longer has its operating license, which expired on 8th July of this year.

Employees allege the hotels computer equipment, furniture as well as many physical assets have been confiscated by debtors. They have also said the famous Chiang Mai Hotel is in a bad state of repair.

The Dhara Dhevi hotel has announced that it is reducing its payment to employees due to the COVICD-19 situation. However, employees say that that is a disingenuous claim. Because the hotel had already been rolling back on payment since January. Before the covid-19 pandemic hit Thailand and closed tourism.

According to the complaints, as of January, only 50% of salary was paid, February 25% and March 10%, with no payment since. Employees say that recently they were promised 75% of their salary. This was to go into affect two months ago, but have again they have been disappointed.

A representative of the group said that only 100 out of the 300 employees came to complain. Because most had to return home or seek work elsewhere. He himself, the manager of the Fujian Restaurant, is owed three million baht.

Thailand’s Domestic tourism not helping Chiang Mai hotels

Meanwhile, Laied Bungsrithong, President of Thai Hotels Association, Upper North Chapter and GM of Rati Lanna Riverside Spa Resort Chiang Mai says the government’s push to stoke domestic tourism isn’t helping Chiang Mai hotels. With most remaining closed and those that do open only about 15 percent full.

She said about 20,000 rooms have become available since hotels began reopening July 20. But average occupancy of 15 percent remains far below the breakeven point. About 70 percent of hotels simply have remained closed. Because it costs more to open than keep the doors locked, she said.

The government has poured billions of baht into subsidized schemes to boost domestic tourism, but they have had little impact, Laied said.

Northern Thailand

Tubers on Pai River Draw Anger Over Inappropriate Behavior

Published

4 months ago

July 16, 2024

Thomas3940

The Governor of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has sought stricter rules for tourist tubing on the Pai River, following allegations of tourists sneaking into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police reports and considerable criticism online.

After a resort owner in Pai protested about the existing situation of tubing activities along the Pai River, the Governor became aware of the matter. According to the accusations, wine and beer are discreetly offered to tourists while disguised in plastic water bottles to prevent detection.

After their tubing adventures, these tourists, both men and women, would walk around Pai town in their swimsuits. Men often wear one pair of swim briefs, but most women wear two-piece swimsuits or bikinis.

This behavior was considered derogatory to local culture. Recently, there were instances of tourists slipping into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police investigations and considerable online criticism.

Following the complaint, provincial governor Chuchip Pongchai requested a meeting of the police and allied authorities on July 16 to explore further tourism restrictions.

The province already restricts the selling of alcohol to tourists who go tubing, which involves floating down a river on inner tubes made of rubber tires. Most people observe the guidelines, but others, including some store owners, break them by concealing the alcohol by pouring it in water bottles.

According to TNA, Pai is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular tourist spots, attracting 40,000 visitors each year and strengthening Thailand’s economy.

Tubing in the Pai River has become a favorite activity among foreigners. However, the governor stated that the attitude of some tourists has jeopardised the province’s image.

Tourists Tubing on Pai River

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Northern Thailand

Pregnant Woman Goes Psycho Stabs Family Members in Phayao

Published

4 months ago

July 15, 2024

Thomas3940

Police in northern Thailand’s Phayao province have arrested a 40-year-old pregnant mother for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm.

Phayao Police report they were called after a woman and her daughter had been stabbed and beaten by a family member to a house number 206, Soi 7, Village No. 3, Ban San Nong Niao Subdistrict. Tom, Mueang District.

When officers arrived they found Ms. Chayada Chaiyawan, age 45, and her daughter Ms. Patida Chaiyawan, age 19, with injuries to their bodies and heads. Blood was spread all over the bedroom, and they found Mrs. Sakulkarn, aged 40 years, who was a relative living next door, tied up.

The police then transported all of them to Phayao Hospital for treatment. Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice. Both also sustained head injuries, according to Phayao police.

Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice

Ms. Chayada told police the incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. She was sleeping in the room with her young son, when she heard someone opened the bedroom door. She said at that time it was still dark and all she saw a shadow of a person lifting what she though was a hammer.

She said the got up and fought until she fell after being hit in the head and stabbed with a knife, in fear for her life she screamed for her daughter to come and help. When the daughter entered the room the assailant proceeded to hit her in the head and stabbed her also.

The assailant ran out of the room and was immediately restrained by a neighbour who heard the screaming and ran into the house to help. Mrs. Sakulkarn who was 7 months pregnant was tied up and police and rescue workers were called to the scene. The neighbour told police that all the time they were waiting for the police.

Police said Mrs. Sakulkarn is being held in Hospital and is under psychiatric care. Ms. Chayada and her daughter were treated for their injuries and sent home.

According to Thai Media, Police said charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm will be filed against Mrs. Sakulkarn after she is released from Hospital.

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Northern Thailand

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province

Published

5 months ago

July 10, 2024

Bchcomber

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province.

Five people were killed and two others badly injured when a pickup truck was hit by a north-bound train at an unguarded railway crossing in Phitchit province on Monday evening.

Phitchit police reported the horrific crash occurred around 6 pm at Moo 1 village in tambon Pak Thang of Muang district of Phitchit.

Police said the 201 passenger train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok approached the crossing, which was unguarded and had no safety barriers.

A four-door pickup truck plates drove across the tracks and into the path of oncoming the train which was was unable to stop or slowdown in time to avoid hitting the pickup truck.

The force of the crash drove the pickup about 30 metres down the railway crossing and off to the side. All passengers on the pickup were thrown from the vehicle.

Three women passengers died immediately and two more passengers died later at Phichit Hospital. Two others including the driver of the pickup were seriously injured.

Police investigators said truck driver Pratya Khongthat, 40, was taking relatives, including a 14-yea-old girl, to a funeral at Wat Ratchangkhwan in tambon Pak Thang, approximately one kilometer from the accident scene.