Category：Offbeat

Adorable and poisonous green-spored parasol mushrooms on Kaohsiung road

After days of torrential rain, a road divider in Kaohsiung is blooming with something you definitely don’t want to pick. Huge clusters of white mushrooms have popped up along Fengnan Road, turning the strip of grass into an unexpected photo spot, and even causing a few traffic headaches. Though cute, these aren’t harmless mushrooms. They’re poisonous green-spored parasols, and officials are warning the public to keep them away from their hands and mouths.

This road divider doesn’t have the usual flower bushes. Instead, there are some white things decorating the grass. Let’s take a closer look. It turns out it’s a patch of massive mushrooms, adding a touch of fairyland to the city.

Passerby
Won’t touch the mushrooms
They’re huge! People are saying you shouldn’t touch them. They’re toxic.

Passerby
Likes the mushrooms
It’s so weird! There’s mushrooms!

Days of constant heavy downpours have caused mushrooms to appear all over the road divider along Fengnan Road in Kaohsiung’s Fengshan District. It’s not the first time the mushrooms have cropped up, but they’ve never been this big before. The mushroom craze has sent people flocking to the road to snap up pictures. The traffic chaos now is something else.

Local
Fengshan District
People are parking illegally to take pictures. The police has come to fine them, because it’s such a busy road. You can’t just stop wherever you want.

Security guard
Fengshan District
There was a patch there and another there. There were mushrooms everywhere. The police caught people parking illegally and slapped them with a NT$600 fine.

The mushrooms are green-spored parasols, a medium-to-large poisonous species that can cause serious vomiting and diarrhea 1 to 3 hours after ingestion. City officials were dispatched on Thursday evening to remove them all.

Chen Chin-hung
Kaohsiung Public Works Bureau
Abundant precipitation over the past few days made the soil very moist, creating the perfect condition for green-spored parasols to grow. They are poisonous. They shouldn’t be touched, foraged or eaten.

A low pressure system has blown in constant rains to Kaohsiung, which was once again dotted with mushrooms. While the unusual sight has caught much attention, authorities warn the public to not touch them or, worse, eat them.

#mushrooms #kaohsiung #rainy #cute #adorable #spores #parasol

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2026-08-21

Candidates make custom Kuai Kuai, drink cup lids to reach voters

As election season draws near, candidates are pulling out all the stops to make an impression on voters. Traditional items like tissue paper and fans no longer cut it. In Pingtung, a county councilor candidate became an instant hit with custom bags of Kuai Kuai featuring his photo. Another candidate over in Tainan is looking to capitalize on people’s summer cravings for a cool drink by printing his campaign ad directly on the lids, making it impossible for people to miss.

On a hot summer’s day, it seems like everyone is carrying a cold drink with them. This drink stand in Tainan has some unique film covers, printed with a man wearing a tiger helmet. It’s actually a promotion for Tainan City Councilor Wang Hsuan-mao’scampaign.

- It’s not bad. Really unique.

- Yeah, I think it’s special. A giveaway doesn’t have to be something you use.

Drink stall owner
People might just throw away promotional items. But with this, you look at it while you’re drinking and learn what he’s doing.

Campaign giveaways are usually thrown out, giving them minimal effect. But if you buy a beverage, you’re going to drink it, and every time you take a sip, the message is right in front of your face, making it hard to ignore.

Wang Hsuan-mao
Tainan City Councilor
The cost of one film lid is actually less than a pack of tissues. It’s like renting a billboard. Instead of putting an ad up on a billboard, I’m renting their drink lids and asking them to run my ad. It’s a similar concept.

He’s working with 50 drink shops, trading custom film lids for ad space while also helping the shops save on distribution costs. Tsai Li-ching, another Tainan city councilor seeking reelection, is also working with drink makers to supply large bottles with her ads, which frequently pop up at neighborhood events.

Tsai Li-ching
Tainan City Councilor
It’s a fresh cold drink! Whenever there’s a banquet or a temple feast, we provide them on the tables.

Tainan City Councilor Huang Chao-hui played on homophones of his name to make custom pencils to help voters remember him. Over in Pingtung, County Councilor Lee Shih-pin is looking to voters’ love for Kuai Kuai for a leg up. The custom bags featuring his photo have been a hit especially with seniors. As election day approaches, candidates are coming up with all kinds of creative gimmicks to be seen, knowing that the most important thing is getting voters to remember them.

#campaign #election #citycouncilor #KuaiKuai #drinkshop #campaignswag #Tainan #Pingtung #creativemarketing

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2026-08-20

Elderly dog steps onto train tracks just as train approaches station

An adorable white dog gave visitors at Alishan the fright of their lives this past weekend. Just as a train was about to pull in to a train station, the dog wandered onto the tracks, mere meters ahead of the train. The driver sounded the horn repeatedly, but the dog wouldn’t move. Amid cries from onlookers, the train slowed down to a snail-pace crawl to prevent a tragedy. The dog seemed blissfully unaware of any problems, and continued plodding forward until it eventually moved aside.

A train is rounding the tracks when… Wait, is that a dog? A white pup has wandered straight onto the tracks.

Onlookers gasp as the train gets dangerously close to the doggo.

The driver sounds the horn again and again, but the dog pays it no mind, strolling casually along the grassy tracks. It even looks back, as if checking whether the train is still following it. Visitors don’t know whether to cry or laugh.

Everyone stands around waiting. The incident happened on Sunday morning on the Alishan Forest Railway. The train was approaching Shizilu Station, on its way to Chiayi, when the naughty doggo grabbed the opportunity to wreak some havoc. A traditional saying in Taiwan goes “Good dogs don’t block the road.” But clearly that doesn’t apply to rail tracks.

Member of public
Commenting on dog
So it’s not a good dog, because it blocked the way!

Member of public
Commenting on dog
It’s right at home, as if it were in its own back yard.

Member of public
Commenting on dog
It’d be better if it were on a leash. That would’ve prevented this.

The white pupper is actually a beloved neighborhood resident that’s cared for by the community. At the age of 20 years – equivalent to 100 dog years – its mobility isn’t what it used to be and when walking around is a little slower. Train drivers all know about this furry travel companion, and they always sound the horn and slow down when they spot it.

Chou Heng-kai
Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office
The drivers all know about the dog. Nobody is grazing livestock on the railway, so no regulations have been violated.

The train was slowing down to stop at the station anyway, so the chances of a tragic accident were low. But even then, for those seeing it for the first time, it was a scary close call.

#dog #doggo #cute #funny #animals #animal #cutedogs #dogsofinstagram #doglover

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-08-20

Businesses offer talisman cake, joss paper bread for Ghost Festival

Every year, the Ghost Festival generates NT$34 billion in business. Nowadays, brands aren’t just striving to have the most lavish offering table. They’re going all out with creative marketing. The furniture behemoth IKEA is selling cakes shaped like talismans, while PX Mart has pastries shaped like the Buddha’s hand and eye. Even champion baker Jay Wang is making layered toast with clearly defined sheets inspired by joss paper, all looking to cash in on this auspicious month.

Yellow talismans with red lettering to mark a safe home rest inside a glass display case. As the camera gets closer, you can tell they’re not from a temple. They’re from an oven.

Yeh Wei-hsiang
FTV reporter
Who said you can only get talismans at a temple? Brands are getting creative this Ghost Month, hoping that by eating a talisman, you can ingest its power.

Peace and safety, all packed into a dessert. Customers have been lingering by the display case, struck by the novelty.

Customer
Hasn’t tried it
No, I don’t know. I’ve never tried it. I think I would like it.

It’s like a talisman.
It’s a crepe cake? It looks like there are layers. It seems all right because of the design on top.

With Ghost Festival right around the corner, businesses are getting creative.

Incense lit. Joss paper burning. Table piled with offerings. But wait—why is he eating the joss paper? This mille-feuille toast fits right onto the altar table alongside the other offerings. The champion baker behind it shared the inspiration for his creation.

Jay Wang
Champion baker
I have a connection with traditional temple troupes, having taken part in many performances before. We burned a lot of joss paper back then. Given the environmental concerns, we hope to encourage this eco-friendly option. After praying, you can “burn” it in your stomach.

When shopping for Ghost Festival offerings, most people turn to instant noodles, canned goods, and drinks. This year, a supermarket is also selling pastries shaped like the Buddha’s hand and eye to offer a new twist for the altar table. To capture a slice of lucrative Ghost Festival sales, businesses are not only competing on scale, but also creativity.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#GhostFestival #GhostMonth #offering #josspaper #talisman #Taoism #creative

2026-08-19

Traffic cam live-streams doves nesting on light pole

While checking a live-stream traffic camera, people in Kaohsiung noticed a nest perched up on a light pole. Inside were two eggs, their bird parents working hard to incubate them. Back in June, people noticed another egg in the exact same place. Now over a month later, the live “parenting broadcast” has returned for a sequel, and everyone is eager to see the baby birds hatch.

A mother bird sits peacefully, her eyes slowly blinking closed. After a moment, she shifts and opens her eyes. Occasionally she gets up to shift her position, hoping to give her precious eggs the best chance at hatching.

On this live traffic camera stream, residents of Kaohsiung’s Sinsing District noticed two bird parents tending to their nest perched on top of a light pole. They take turns leaving in order to keep the eggs inside warm and safe.

Member of public
Will check on chicks
You’d usually expect nests to be up in trees, but this one’s on a light pole. I’ll probably keep checking to see if they’ve hatched yet.

- It’s so hot. How can they possibly nest up there? It’s impressive.
- Are you looking forward to them hatching?
- Of course!

Lin Kun-hai
Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society director
A key characteristic of the pigeon family is that they’re not picky when choosing a nesting spot. As we saw here, this nest was built right on a joint of the light pole.

This nesting couple belong to the common species of urban bird called the red collared dove. Pigeons and doves are known for being bold and building nests wherever they please.

Lin Kun-hai
Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society director
Under these conditions, if the parents leave, the eggs would be exposed to direct sunlight. Sometimes if the temperature gets too high, it could compromise their viability.

Another egg was actually spotted on this same exact pole back in June. At the time, everyone wondered where the parents were. Now that there are these two eggs, people are curious what happened to the previous one. But for now, everyone just hopes these two baby birds will hatch smoothly so the little fledglings can spread their wings and fly away.

#urbanwildlife #dove #pigeon #nest #trafficcam #Kaohsiung #cuteanimals

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-08-17

Big brawl breaks out after drunk KTV patrons say hello in car park

A simple hello turned into a full-blown brawl at a KTV in Changhua. A group of people were leaving after a night of singing in the early hours of Sunday when alcohol-fueled confusion apparently sparked a fight. One man mistakenly thought a group inside a car were his friends and went over to say hello, but when they ignored him, tempers flared. The argument quickly escalated, with the men even yanking on the car door and demanding they get out. Police were called to the scene and had to restrain one man who had completely lost control. Let’s see how it went down.

- Let’s sort you out.
- F*** you.
- What?
- F*** you.
- Are you sobered up?
- It hurts.
- Are you sobered up?

KTV Staff
Changhua
It’s the usual bravado. They drink and think they’re a big deal, and that everyone should listen to them.

Wang Yu-hung
Police officer
The incident stemmed from a verbal altercation between the two sides as they were leaving the car park, which escalated into a physical fight. Everyone involved has since been brought in for questioning.

The KTV bills itself as the cheapest in Changhua, making it a popular hangout for younger crowds. But what started as a friendly hello quickly turned into a full-blown fight after. By the time police arrived, some of the troublemakers had already fled the scene. Officers later summoned seven people involved for questioning, and the case has been referred for investigation on suspicion of assault and disturbing public order.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#brawl #ktv #nightlife #changhua #changhuanews #localnews #taiwan

2026-08-17

Drivers report nearly hitting rooster, deer, cow on roadways

When out on the roads, it’s important to pay attention! One driver in Kaohsiung found this out the hard way recently, when he almost ran into a chicken sunbathing in the middle of the road. It also gave the rooster quite a scare! Elsewhere in Changhua, another driver wasn’t so lucky. An entire herd of deer suddenly jumped into the street as he was driving, causing a crash.

A driver was riding along a street on Changhua’s Bagua Mountain when they saw … a deer? They stared blankly at each other, both surprised to see the other. The adult bounded away, but the fawns…

With a crash, they collided into a heap.

Liu Pao-tsun
Taifeng Borough warden
Someone was raising sambar deer down in the valley. They probably escaped and kept breeding. They mostly come out at night. About two or three months ago, someone else ran into a deer, too.

The local borough warden said deer are common around here, but it’s rare to see an entire family out together. They’re clearly afraid of people and panicked when they ran into the driver, causing a nasty spill.

It’s not just deer you have to look out for. In Kaohsiung’s Gushan鼓山 area, another driver had just taken a turn when he spotted a big white rooster sunbathing in the middle of the road. Turns out this particular bird is infamous in these parts.

Nearby resident
Knows about the rooster
It’s a consecrated temple rooster. It always wanders over to the auto repair shop next door. It loves human company. If we’re sitting here chatting, it’ll come and hang out nearby. Over there, there are mechanics, electricity, fans, and it’s much cooler, so of course it likes it over there.

Nearby resident
Knows about the rooster
Everyone around here knows about him and will swerve to avoid him. Some people are sweet enough to come by just to play with him.

This bird is a consecrated rooster belonging to the temple next door. For two years now, it often wanders over to the neighboring repair shop during the day to enjoy the AC and find company. He may love nuzzling up to people, but the street isn’t the best place to do it.

We’ve had a rooster, a deer … and now a cow? You’ve probably seen a cow ambling around before, but have you ever seen one sprint? A driver in Pingtung’s Yenpu was terrified that if this cow charged over, it wouldn’t end well. Suffice it to say, when taking to the roads, besides watching out for reckless drivers, you might also need to watch out for reckless animals!

#animals #driving #roadsafety #templerooster #deer #animalencounter #scooter

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-08-14

Man returns breathalyzer to police who forgot it at accident site in rush

Leaving your house in a rush is never a good thing, as you can easily forget to take important items with you. Something similar happened to police officers in Taoyuan. The city’s officers were handling a traffic accident on Thursday, when they had to pack up and hurry off to help with the Wan An air raid drills. But in their haste, they left their breathalyzer behind. Luckily for them, it was later found by a passerby.

The man picked up the briefcase from the ground and filmed the unboxing inside his car. Everything inside is where it should be, except that the whole kit shouldn’t be there, but at the police station. The law-abiding citizen decided to take the kit back, and then handed it over to its rightful owner. The precinct says it will review the lapse as well as investigate and discipline those responsible for it.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#forgotten #lostandfound #taoyuan #goodsamaritan #funny #rush

2026-08-14

Crumbling drain cover swallows front wheel of car without warning

A driver that had just pulled out of a parking spot was forced to park his car again just a few seconds later, after a drain cover collapsed under the weight of his car. One of the front wheels of the vehicle got stuck in a drainage hole. Fearing that the opening would crumble even more, he immediately called the police for help, and a towing service to get the car pulled out. It turns out the concrete and metal had deteriorated over the years, causing them to crumble. Let’s hear more.

Chuang Shu-ting
FTV reporter
The drain cover gave in without warning, swallowing up the car’s front wheel. Had it been a pedestrian, they would’ve fallen 1m down into waste water.

Voice of construction worker
Kaohsiung
The base had become brittle. It was the last straw. It must have been in disrepair for years.

Member of public
Kaohsiung
It’s so dangerous. The government should pay more attention to maintenance, especially regarding regular checks and repairs.

Wang Ta-wei
Kaohsiung Water Resources Bureau
The area that collapsed was the edge of the cast iron drain cover touching the cement for the ditch. The cover is subjected to pressure from passing vehicles, which weakens the materials and causes them to crack.

The incident happened in Kaohsiung’s Cianjin District. The driver got a big scare, after the ground swallowed up his wheel. The city’s water resources agency says repairs are underway, adding that compensation will be provided. Officials stressed that inspections are carried out routinely, and that the ditches will be reinforced to prevent similar incidents.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Kaohsiung #driving #drain #ditch #thatwasclose #maintenance #help

2026-08-14

‘Headless’ temple-goer filmed on sly could have medical condition

A lady in a pink dress was filmed by a stranger at a temple during Ghost Month, with the person joking that they had spotted a “headless” temple-goer. While the woman’s posture may have caught people’s attention, doctors say it could be linked to an underlying health condition. And as the footage spreads online, it’s worth remembering that what may seem strange or amusing to one person could be a very personal matter for someone else.

A lady in a pink dress going about her daily life was captured on video by a stranger, who flippantly joked that he was seeing a headless temple-goer.

Lin Yi-yun
FTV reporter
Some edgy worshippers at Xingtian Temple poked fun at the lady, saying that they were seeing a paranormal apparition in broad daylight.

Member of public
Commenting on video
At first I would be left wondering what happened to her head. But then you’d realize she’s just lowered it. Nothing’s scary about that.

Member of public
Commenting on video
There’s lots of people like that. It’s just poor posture.

Some level-headed passersby reasoned that many people naturally hunch over. It’s not an uncommon sight, after all. Of course there was nothing unearthly about the woman, who’s likely dealing with health problems.

Lin Yu-lian
Taiwan Adventist Hospital
Usually there are two possible causes: neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions. In most cases of neuromuscular problems, the cause is myasthenia gravis, which weakens the muscles in the neck and back so much that you can’t extend them. That would make the head droop forward. It could also be ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory arthritis that causes bone deformities that make it difficult to lift the head.

A doctor says conditions such as spondylitis may require rehabilitation and medication. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary. As for the temple-goer in pink, though she may look unusual, it’s certainly no excuse to secretly film a stranger.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#headless #temple #xingtiantemple #taipei #taipeinews #incense #nearlyheadlessnick #ghost #ghostmonth

2026-08-14