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Three people from Thailand have been sentenced to life imprisonment and handed a fine of about Bt723,000 (equivalent to 80 million Riel) for drug trafficking and possession, as reported by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday. The convicted are Phanthep Vithya, 44, Kroeungsak Maklikun, 35, and Narongrith Chakroeunsuk, 26. On August 31, 2022, the police found them in possession of nearly 42 kilograms of ketamine and ecstasy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A fourth suspect, Sem Jam, 28, was killed in a shootout when the group tried to escape arrest. According to Lieutenant Colonel Nuon Sothearith, deputy head of the municipal anti-drug unit in Phnom Penh, the suspects were transporting these illegal drugs from Stung Treng province to Phnom Penh in two pickup trucks. They tried to avoid a police checkpoint by speeding and firing 10 shots at the officers. The drugs were hidden beneath a layer of flowers in the truck bed. In addition to the drug charges, the three convicts also face charges of unauthorized possession of firearms under the Criminal Code, and money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering Law. During the arrest, the police seized four guns, 12.18 kilograms of ketamine, 29.75 kilograms of ecstasy, other drug-related materials, two pickup trucks, and three plots of land. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Microsoft Bing -- 2024-05-07 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Motorcycle Bomb Explosion Injures Four in Narathiwat on Monday Night Photo courtesy of Thai PBS Last night, a bomb explosion erupted from a motorcycle sidecar, injuring two defense volunteers and two civilians in Tha Phraya Sai Dam, Muang district of Narathiwat, the southernmost province. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326731-motorcycle-bomb-explosion-injures-four-in-narathiwat-on-monday-night/

Last night, a bomb explosion erupted from a motorcycle sidecar, injuring two defense volunteers and two civilians in Tha Phraya Sai Dam, Muang district of Narathiwat, the southernmost province. The explosive force and flying shrapnel led to the four individuals receiving injuries, who then were swiftly transported to the provincial hospital for medical attention. Post-explosion, police officers sealed off a considerable range around the blast location. A bomb disposal crew thoroughly checked the surrounding area for potential additional explosives, but none were found. Police received information from eyewitnesses that ironically, the explosive-filled motorcycle and sidecar were parked in front of the dam on Monday evening. After parking, the driver exited the scene. At 9.35pm, the bomb detonated. Photo courtesy of Thai PBS -- 2024-05-07 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pattaya Police Crack Down on Major Motorbike Theft Network, Recover 14 Stolen Bikes Photo courtesy of The Pattaya News On Sunday, May 5th, a major motorcycle theft ring was broken up by the Nongprue police, resulting in the arrest of four suspects. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326677-pattaya-police-crack-down-on-major-motorbike-theft-network-recover-14-stolen-bikes/

On Sunday, May 5th, a major motorcycle theft ring was broken up by the Nongprue police, resulting in the arrest of four suspects. The breakthrough came through an extensive investigation conducted by the officers from Nongprue Police Station. The inquiry started with the arrest of a 22-year-old man named Phumrin Kesmala, also known as “Mon,” on drug-related charges. Further investigation into Phumrin's background revealed his past involvement in motorcycle theft. This led the police to unearth more evidence, which included photos of stolen motorcycles on a messaging app used by Phumrin. These images corresponded to bikes reported missing in Chonburi and Pattaya areas. From this, another 22-year-old, Apirat Sosungnoen, nicknamed “Ice,” was identified as a middleman who was buying stolen motorbikes from Phumrin and selling them to migrant workers. When police approached him, Apirat tried to escape in a Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck, hitting several police cars. However, he was eventually apprehended. The police then tracked the stolen bikes sold by Apirat to a condo in Samut Prakan province, where nine bikes were found. Additional motorbike parts and four more stolen motorcycles were discovered at Apirat's residence. The law officials also set up a sting operation using Apirat to reach out to a friend interested in buying stolen bikes. This led them to a third suspect, 29-year-old Phanudet Srisawat, who was arrested at the proposed meeting location. The last arrest was a 39-year-old Burmese man, Rin Rin, involved in purchasing a stolen motorcycle. Overall, the police were able to recover over 14 stolen motorcycles and several parts. An 18-year-old (name kept confidential) reclaimed his bike at the police press conference. The culprits then apologized to the victim. The four suspects are now under police detention and will face legal actions. Photo courtesy of The Pattaya News -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Motorcyclist falls into a cable duct manhole in Mae Sot district Photo courtesy of Thai PBS A woman riding a motorcycle was seriously injured in Mae Sot, Tak province, when she hit an unmarked steel barrier and fell into a cable duct manhole. The incident happened on Sunday night. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326676-motorcyclist-falls-into-a-cable-duct-manhole-in-mae-sot-district/

A woman riding a motorcycle was seriously injured in Mae Sot, Tak province, when she hit an unmarked steel barrier and fell into a cable duct manhole. The incident happened on Sunday night. Emergency personnel took about 15 minutes to rescue the woman from the two-meter deep hole on Intharasiri Road, located in front of Aranyakhet Temple. While some workers were rescuing the woman and her motorcycle, others were directing traffic to avoid further accidents, as the duct was not easily visible in the dark. Traffic in the area was disrupted due to multiple cable ducts spanning a 1.6-kilometer section of Intharasiri Road. These ducts, which carry communication and other cables, are currently exposed. The steel barriers that cover these ducts do not have any illuminated signs, making them hard to see and potentially hazardous to road users. Photo courtesy of Thai PBS -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Digital wallet project adds to Government's financial strain File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google The government's financial burden, displayed as the percentage of interest to its expected revenue, is predicted to increase from the current 8% to 11% next year. This jump is largely due to the introduction of the government's main digital wallet giveaway program. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326675-digital-wallet-project-adds-to-governments-financial-strain/

The government's financial burden, displayed as the percentage of interest to its expected revenue, is predicted to increase from the current 8% to 11% next year. This jump is largely due to the introduction of the government's main digital wallet giveaway program. A confidential individual from the Finance Ministry has stated that the existing 8% rate is consistent with an A rating according to international credit rating agency standards. A leap to 11% would lead to a drop to BBB+ credit rating, matching the nation's present sovereign credit rating. In 2019, the government's debt-to-revenue ratio was a manageable 6%, thanks to the efficient management of borrowing costs by the Public Debt Management Office. However, the pandemic in 2020-2021 caused a sudden change. The government approved two emergency decrees allowing borrowing up to 1.5 trillion baht to alleviate the financial effects of the pandemic. This decision pushed the ratio to a risky 8%, just under the 10% limit set by the government management framework. The government plans to finance its digital wallet project, estimated to cost 500 billion baht, with funds from the fiscal budgets of 2024 and 2025. This includes funds from Section 28 of the State Fiscal and Financial Discipline Act. Additionally, the government has decided to increase the budget deficit for the fiscal year 2025 by 152 billion baht. This move will require more state borrowing to offset the deficit, totaling 865 billion baht or 4.42% of the GDP. This would increase the government’s financial burden from 8% to 11% in 2025, as per the source. Regardless of these numbers, the government’s public debt management is believed to be within the financial discipline framework. The State Fiscal and Financial Discipline Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavasin, has stated that the government's debt-to-revenue ratio should not exceed 35%. As of September last year, this ratio was at 26%. In addition, the percentage of debt in foreign currency compared to total public debt should not be more than 10%. As of September last year, it was only 1.4%. Similarly, the ratio of foreign currency debt to revenue from exports of goods and services should not exceed 5%. It was a mere 0.05% as of last September. As of February this year, the total public debt was at 11.3 trillion baht, equal to 62.5% of the GDP. An updated medium-term fiscal plan released in January showed that the government's debt repayment budget compared to the expenditure budget has increased annually. It was at 10.5% for the fiscal year 2023, 11.0% for the fiscal year 2024, and is likely to steadily rise to 13.3% by 2028. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Three Thai Beaches Make it to the World's Top 100 List File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Unsplash Thailand boasts three of the top 100 beaches globally, according to BeachAtlas, a UK-based startup focusing on beach information. The beaches include famous Maya Bay, which came in fifth on the 2024 Golden Beach Award list. Visitors flock to Maya Bay for its stunning blue waters, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful white sands. Despite the one-hour speedboat trip from Phuket or Krabi, the beach sees between 4-5,000 visitors daily. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326672-three-thai-beaches-make-it-to-the-worlds-top-100-list/

Thailand boasts three of the top 100 beaches globally, according to BeachAtlas, a UK-based startup focusing on beach information. The beaches include famous Maya Bay, which came in fifth on the 2024 Golden Beach Award list. Visitors flock to Maya Bay for its stunning blue waters, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful white sands. Despite the one-hour speedboat trip from Phuket or Krabi, the beach sees between 4-5,000 visitors daily. The top four ranked beaches were Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Boulders Beach in South Africa, Waikiki Beach in the USA and Copacabana in Brazil. Other notable beaches in the top 10 include Black Sand Beach, Glass Beach (Reynisfjara) in Iceland, JBR Beach in Dubai, Skeleton Beach in Namibia and Omaha Beach in France. Krabi’s Railay Beach, frequently on 'world's best beach' lists, ranked at number 66. This beach, reachable only by boat, features stunning limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and soft white sand. Perhaps the most unexpected entry was Pattaya Beach, securing the twelfth spot despite lacking the stunning beauty of many of Thailand's other beaches. It ranked high in categories like 'Party and Lifestyle', 'Community', and 'Cultural Significance', turning the seaside city into an exciting destination for both day and night activities. Conversely, Railay West Beach in Krabi came in at the sixty-sixth position. The beach selection was not solely based on beauty, but also considered aspects like cultural significance, community presence, and party lifestyle. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Unsplash -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Ministry of Labor Pushes Bill to Aid Freelance Workers File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Unsplash The Thai Labor Ministry is planning to introduce a new law to protect and support the estimated 20 million freelance workers in the country. These workers are involved in various professions such as farming, vending, transportation and food services. The proposed law, which is soon expected to be presented to the Cabinet and then to the House of Representatives, will set procedures to formally register freelancers and encourage their grouping into associations. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326670-ministry-of-labor-pushes-bill-to-aid-freelance-workers/

The Thai Labor Ministry is planning to introduce a new law to protect and support the estimated 20 million freelance workers in the country. These workers are involved in various professions such as farming, vending, transportation and food services. The proposed law, which is soon expected to be presented to the Cabinet and then to the House of Representatives, will set procedures to formally register freelancers and encourage their grouping into associations. The proposed law will establish a fund to provide soft loans and offer life and health insurance to freelance workers. It will also give a formal definition of a freelance worker. To improve the economic stability of freelancers, the country's Labour Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, has initiated a policy encouraging the formation of groups of freelance workers in each subdistrict. The aim of this policy is to enhance freelancers' access to social security benefits and financial aid. In addition, the Labor Ministry is planning to work with the Commerce Ministry, the Interior Ministry, and the Tourism and Sports Ministry. This collaboration will aim to identify and create work and product markets that are suitable for freelance workers, thereby enhancing their job opportunities and access to the market. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Unsplash -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Stricter Telecom Rules Introduced to Fight Cross-Border Crimes File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Unsplash Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is stepping up its efforts to curb illegal activities facilitated by mobile telecom signals along the country's borders. This comes in light of a rise in criminal activities like call center fraud and unlawful online gambling which negatively affect the economy, national security, and international relations. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326669-stricter-telecom-rules-introduced-to-fight-cross-border-crimes/

Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is stepping up its efforts to curb illegal activities facilitated by mobile telecom signals along the country's borders. This comes in light of a rise in criminal activities like call center fraud and unlawful online gambling which negatively affect the economy, national security, and international relations. The NBTC recently held an urgent meeting with private telecom operators, asking them to adjust or remove mobile signal directions to ensure coverage is strictly limited to Thailand. This is meant to prevent criminals residing near the border areas from using these signals for illegal activities. Additionally, telecom operators have been asked to keep track of and report any abnormal increases in internet traffic, especially in areas notorious for these criminal activities. These new measures form part of a larger government strategy to control cybercrime, necessitating regular weekly updates from operators on their compliance. The action is in response to an national directive issued on 1st April which calls for definitive action and measurable results in combating the prevalent problem of online fraud. This problem has recently come under increased scrutiny due to a rise in online fraud complaints all over the country. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Unsplash -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

CAAT demands explanation from Nok Air for two flight delays File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is looking into complaints about flight delays reported by some passengers who flew with domestic carrier Nok Air. The disrupted flights were from Bangkok to Hat Yai and Bangkok to Phuket on a recent Saturday. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326667-caat-demands-explanation-from-nok-air-for-two-flight-delays/

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is looking into complaints about flight delays reported by some passengers who flew with domestic carrier Nok Air. The disrupted flights were from Bangkok to Hat Yai and Bangkok to Phuket on a recent Saturday. One of the distressed passengers relayed his experience on social media. His flight to Hat Yai couldn't take off because the plane's engine failed to start. To make matters worse, the air-conditioning system of the airplane wasn't working, causing discomfort to the passengers as they were sweating profusely. He likened their condition to being drenched with water during the Songkran festival. Eventually, the passengers were allowed to leave the plane and were offered a doughnut and small bottle of water each in the departure lounge. They were then asked to return to the same plane. The captain tried to assure them of the plane's safety. However, several passengers voiced their concerns and refused to reboard the same plane. A different plane was arranged and it departed from Don Mueang airport at 6.05 pm, a good few hours later than the originally scheduled time of 1.20 pm. There was also a complaint from a passenger on the Bangkok to Phuket flight. He recounted an ordeal similar to the first incident, alleging they were left inside the grounded plane without air-conditioning for hours. He was particularly upset due to the inconvenience it had caused his elderly parents and young nephew who were traveling with him. The flight, which was supposed to reach Phuket by 8 pm, ended up arriving around 1 am the next day. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Jomtien Beach's peace disrupted by illegal fireworks File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google The peaceful atmosphere of Jomtien Beach in Pattaya was disturbed by unlawful fireworks last night. Local authorities quickly responded to complaints about noise pollution from residents and arrested three sellers of the illegal fireworks. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326666-jomtien-beachs-peace-disrupted-by-illegal-fireworks/

The peaceful atmosphere of Jomtien Beach in Pattaya was disturbed by unlawful fireworks last night. Local authorities quickly responded to complaints about noise pollution from residents and arrested three sellers of the illegal fireworks. The identities of these individuals have not been shared. They were caught selling fireworks at The Now Hotel, a practice that not only disrupts the peace but also poses safety hazards. After being arrested, the trio were taken from the beach to a police station in a pickup truck. They are currently facing charges linked with the illegal sale of fireworks. A local resident noted to a reporter that the fireworks, though beautiful, are dangerous and disruptive. "They endanger public safety and disturb the peace," the resident said. Along with this action, local officials conducted surprise checks on teenagers on the beach to ensure no illegal substances were being carried. No such substances were found, according to Pattaya News. The arrest of the fireworks vendors is part of an ongoing initiative by the police to preserve peace on Jomtien Beach. Given the recent increase in noise complaints from residents, local law enforcement has upped patrols. This proactive strategy is designed to ensure beachgoers can enjoy their surroundings without disturbance. One officer stated, "We've increased patrols on Jomtien Beach to maximize enjoyment for everyone by maintaining peace and tranquility." Meanwhile, increased police presence has also been reported at Patong Beach in Phuket, targeting illegal fireworks. This initiative, which started on May 1, has already led to the arrest of three individuals, including a New Zealander. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand is catching up with Singapore as a preferred work destination for expats: Experts File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google The Thai office and co-working space industry, which had been hit hard due to a drop in local demand amid the pandemic, is now seeing a surge in occupancy rates attributed to expatriates working for multinational firms. This is according to IWG Plc, a UK-based office services company operating numerous brands. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326507-thailand-is-catching-up-with-singapore-as-a-preferred-work-destination-for-expats-experts/

The Thai office and co-working space industry, which had been hit hard due to a drop in local demand amid the pandemic, is now seeing a surge in occupancy rates attributed to expatriates working for multinational firms. This is according to IWG Plc, a UK-based office services company operating numerous brands. Multinational companies are increasingly viewing Thailand as a favorable destination for their expat executives, much like Singapore. This is due to the Thai government offering tax advantages to foreigners on work visas. This was announced by Thitiwat Thanapornnithinan, the Thailand country manager for IWG, on Wednesday. According to Thitiwat, Thailand boasts several merits over Singapore or Malaysia. It offers greater work-from-home flexibility, lower wages, and cost of living. Additionally, English is reasonably spoken by the local population. During the pandemic and afterward, Thai companies have embraced a hybrid workspace model, enabling employees to work remotely as a means to reduce office rent costs. From 2023, numerous office buildings have witnessed their occupancy rates dipping below 70%, leading some to slash rent prices by 25%, Thitiwat noted. To attract new tenants, others have introduced perks like shorter lease periods and collaborations with other co-working spaces to widen their range of services. Thitiwat pointed out that multinational firms employing expats, particularly in the IT sector, have been quick to take advantage of these competitive office rental deals, with spaces up to 3,000 sqm available. He further stated that virtual offices are also in hot demand among these firms. They offer a company registration address complete with phone numbers and a mailbox for document drop-off. The recent trends in Thailand's office space sector are consistent with findings from a CEOWORLD magazine survey, which named Thailand as the most desirable country to visit in 2024 among its 295,000 readers. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-03 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Parents File Lawsuit Against Monk After Children Get Injured During Amulet Test Photo courtesy of The Thaiger Five parents have sued a monk from Khao Rae Temple in Sukhothai, northern Thailand, alleging that he injured their children during a test of his 'magical amulets'. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326506-parents-file-lawsuit-against-monk-after-children-get-injured-during-amulet-test/

Five parents have sued a monk from Khao Rae Temple in Sukhothai, northern Thailand, alleging that he injured their children during a test of his 'magical amulets'. Using Facebook, the father of one boy shared his 13-year-old's encounter, prompting 70-year-old monk Boonsong to admit his deeds. The father reported his son's burns to the police, pinning blame on the monk's amulet testing. In a Channel 3 interview, the father said his son disclosed the origin of a burn wound on his hand - through a monk's amulet testing exercise at the temple. Pong, a victim aged 13, explained to reporters that he and his friends had been given 200 baht each by the monk to participate in testing the 'Miracle Buddhas' amulets. The boys, desiring the money, followed the monk's instructions. Pong stated that the monk claimed the amulets had healing abilities and would defend them from harm. The boys held the amulets as the monk poured acidic liquid onto their hands to prove the amulets' power. However, the acid ended up causing burns to the boys, indicating that the amulets had no magical strength. When the parents confronted the monk at the temple, he refused to see them. Although a temple representative pledged to cover the medical bills, the parents remained unsatisfied, making a police report at Tung Saliam Police Station to get the monk to admit his guilt. Boonsong met with the police on May 2 to discuss the incident. The police stated that gathering evidence and assembling a special investigation team would make the legal process lengthy. Meanwhile, certain locals are angry at the parents for causing harm to the temple's reputation through social media. One believer in the amulets, Chai, insisted on their power based on his own successful test, remarking that he had not been harmed and continues to hold reverence for the amulet till date. Photo courtesy of The Thaiger -- 2024-05-03 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Man dies in Bangkok after utility shaft lid breaks, causing a fatal fall Photo courtesy of The Thaiger A sad incident took place today in downtown Bangkok. A man, aged between 55 and 60, lost his life after falling into a deep utility shaft located at the entrance of Soi Lat Phrao 49. His body was recovered from the 20-meter deep shaft, leading the authorities to launch an urgent investigation. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326505-man-dies-in-bangkok-after-utility-shaft-lid-breaks-causing-a-fatal-fall/

A sad incident took place today in downtown Bangkok. A man, aged between 55 and 60, lost his life after falling into a deep utility shaft located at the entrance of Soi Lat Phrao 49. His body was recovered from the 20-meter deep shaft, leading the authorities to launch an urgent investigation. He was just crossing the road when the accident happened. He fell into a duct meant for electric wires. The shaft, filled with water, was covered with a decayed wood lid, which broke under his weight. Despite quick action by the emergency team, the man died at the spot. The emergency crews were able to get the man's body out of the deep shaft by noon. It took them more than an hour using pulley systems. The investigators are trying to find out how this incident happened. They are looking into the condition of the manhole cover and the maintenance of the utility shaft. They found out that the wooden lid of the shaft was rotted, possibly from constant watering of the nearby plants, which might have caused the wood to decay. Initial reports say that local enforcement officers, who were there when the man fell, tried but failed to save him. They had warned people repeatedly not to cross the road at that spot and suggested using a nearby pedestrian bridge instead. The chief of the Chokchai Police Station said that contractors would be questioned as part of the investigation. They need to find out if there was any negligence involved in this tragic event, as the shaft is part of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority's infrastructure. The deceased man is believed to be a local resident. The police are working quickly to find out more about the circumstances surrounding this sad incident. This accident has raised questions about the safety of the city's street infrastructure, especially considering the ongoing expansion of the electric train network in Bangkok. Photo courtesy of The Thaiger -- 2024-05-03 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe