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Taiwanese Lottery Winner Thanks Temple with 100 Pig Heads Photo: The Thaiger A Taiwanese man won big in the lottery and returned to Wat Ko Suwannaram in Bangkok's Sai Mai district to show his gratitude on February 5. Yu, a 32-year-old amulet shop owner from Taiwan, gifted the temple with 100 pig heads, 3,000 candles, and various food items. His offerings were made to the Great Brahma Emperor, a large statue believed to have brought him good fortune. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351039-taiwanese-lottery-winner-thanks-temple-with-100-pig-heads/

Photo: The Thaiger A Taiwanese man won big in the lottery and returned to Wat Ko Suwannaram in Bangkok's Sai Mai district to show his gratitude on February 5. Yu, a 32-year-old amulet shop owner from Taiwan, gifted the temple with 100 pig heads, 3,000 candles, and various food items. His offerings were made to the Great Brahma Emperor, a large statue believed to have brought him good fortune. The temple's abbot, Phra Khru Palat Suwatthanakevikun, known as Phra Khru Rungsaeng, shared that the statue of the Great Brahma Emperor was inspired by a vision seen last year. It features a depiction of a three-headed Brahma riding a swan and an elephant, funded by a wealthy Malaysian devotee. The 8-meter-high statue, topped with a seated Buddha, cost over 10 million baht to construct and draws many visitors, especially from the Chinese community. Yu frequently visits the temple with Taiwanese friends for blessings. He recounted his visit to the temple to pray before winning the lottery in Taiwan, choosing not to disclose the exact prize amount. True to his vow, he returned to make his offerings after his win. During the ceremony, Yu drew a lottery number, 079, from the temple’s basket, hoping for another stroke of luck. The event also included esteemed religious figures like Phra Sri Phrayatti Dilok from Nong Chok district and Phra Khru Pitak Rattananukit from Wat Phra Ruang Prasit. Together, they conducted a candle-lighting ceremony around the statue. Attendees left with gifts of pig heads, sweets, and fruits, adding to the day's blessings. -- 2025-02-06

Phuket: Top Winter Sun Escape Fuels Tourism Boom File photo for reference only Phuket has emerged as the third-best winter sun destination globally, says a Bounce study ranking it behind only Darwin and Sydney in Australia. The analysis took into account temperature, rainfall, sea conditions, and sunshine hours, making Phuket ideal for those ditching the winter blues. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351038-phuket-top-winter-sun-escape-fuels-tourism-boom/

File photo for reference only Phuket has emerged as the third-best winter sun destination globally, says a Bounce study ranking it behind only Darwin and Sydney in Australia. The analysis took into account temperature, rainfall, sea conditions, and sunshine hours, making Phuket ideal for those ditching the winter blues. With a winter sun score of 6.24 out of 10, Phuket boasts perfect getaway conditions from December to February, its dry season. Visitors can enjoy around eight hours of sunshine daily and warm air and ocean temperatures—27°C and 28°C respectively—with minimal rainfall (just 43mm). Despite being more expensive during high season (December to April) with hotel rates averaging 10,500 baht per night, Phuket remains affordable compared to some Western destinations. It outshone popular spots like Tenerife, Cancun, and Siem Reap in the same study. The island's allure doesn’t stop at its golden beaches; vibrant nightlife and rich culture keep tourists flocking. This year, 4.3 million tourists, including 2.6 million international travelers, visited Phuket in just the first half of 2024. Luxe Phuket reports this influx marks a 42% increase from last year, nearing pre-pandemic levels. The tourism surge has reinvigorated Phuket’s economy. From January to June 2024, revenue reached 246 billion baht, with monthly earnings expected to hit 50 billion baht in peak months like November and December, potentially pushing annual revenue to 500 billion baht. However, increased tourism brings challenges. Environmental issues, particularly waste management, have become pressing as the island grapples with over 1,000 tonnes of waste daily. Local officials are actively working on addressing this growing concern to ensure sustainable tourism moving forward. -- 2025-02-06

Thai Telecom Official Sentenced Over TrueID Media Controversy File photo for reference only A top official from Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Professor Pirongrong Ramasoota, has been sentenced to two years in prison. She was found guilty today by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases for misusing her office in a case involving TrueID, a popular over-the-top (OTT) media platform. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351037-thai-telecom-official-sentenced-over-trueid-media-controversy/

File photo for reference only A top official from Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Professor Pirongrong Ramasoota, has been sentenced to two years in prison. She was found guilty today by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases for misusing her office in a case involving TrueID, a popular over-the-top (OTT) media platform. The case originated in 2023 when complaints arose about TrueID allegedly showing ads on digital TV programs, banned on other platforms. As the head of an NBTC subcommittee, Pirongrong sent out compliance reminders to all digital TV licensees. However, TrueID, not holding a license, did not receive a warning, raising fears that broadcasters might stop offering content via TrueID, which could damage its business. The NBTC defended the move, citing it as necessary under the "Must Carry" principle to protect consumers, insisting there was no bias against TrueID. The court disagreed, stating that OTT services do not need an NBTC license, making the subcommittee's notice unfair and damaging to TrueID. Although TrueID's previous attempt to suspend Pirongrong in April 2023 was denied, today’s ruling now holds her accountable. This verdict has put the spotlight on the NBTC’s practices, sparking discussions about fair regulation in Thailand's growing digital media scene. TrueID argues that the absence of specific regulations for OTT platforms led to reputational and financial harm due to the NBTC's actions. They claimed the notification endangered their business by potentially halting content streaming from licensed broadcasters. Despite a May 2024 motion by True Digital Group to suspend Pirongrong during the lawsuit, it was dismissed, citing insufficient evidence of bias. With this recent development, it calls for a reassessment of the rules governing new-age media platforms in Thailand. -- 2025-02-06

Vietnamese Workers Arrested in Pattaya Salon Raid File photo for reference only In a recent raid on a beauty salon in Pattaya, Thai Tourist Police arrested several Vietnamese nationals for illegally working in a profession reserved for Thai citizens. The operation, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Raksa, took place on Tuesday, February 4, following local tips about foreign workers at a salon on the railway road near Soi Nern Plub Wan. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351036-vietnamese-workers-arrested-in-pattaya-salon-raid/

File photo for reference only In a recent raid on a beauty salon in Pattaya, Thai Tourist Police arrested several Vietnamese nationals for illegally working in a profession reserved for Thai citizens. The operation, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Raksa, took place on Tuesday, February 4, following local tips about foreign workers at a salon on the railway road near Soi Nern Plub Wan. Arriving during business hours, officers found the foreign nationals providing hairdressing services. After presenting their identification, the police requested to speak with the manager. A Thai female employee assisted the officers in reviewing the workers' documents. Pol. Lt. Col. Piyapong confirmed that the workers were Vietnamese and explained that hairdressing is a restricted occupation in Thailand, leading to their arrest. The Vietnamese nationals were later handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings. -- 2025-02-06

Escapee Caught Lounging on Chon Buri Beach Post-Prison Run File photo for reference only On February 5th, police captured an escaped prisoner, 32-year-old Wasan Obnual, as he relaxed on Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri. Wasan had fled Nonthaburi Provincial Prison three days earlier during his work at the Corrections Museum. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351034-escapee-caught-lounging-on-chon-buri-beach-post-prison-run/

File photo for reference only On February 5th, police captured an escaped prisoner, 32-year-old Wasan Obnual, as he relaxed on Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri. Wasan had fled Nonthaburi Provincial Prison three days earlier during his work at the Corrections Museum. After his escape, Wasan went home, telling his mother he had been released and needed to go to court for an electronic monitoring bracelet. Unaware of his deception, she gave him 100 baht and lent him her motorcycle and phone. Despite serving nine months and nearing likely pardon eligibility with only two years remaining, Wasan chose to evade prison for unclear reasons. Allegedly, his father suspected a journey to confront his wife's lover. Wasan vanished near Bangkok's Victory Monument before police tracked him down after a 30-hour search. Now back in custody, authorities are questioning him on his motives. Expressing relief, Wasan's father commended the police, fearing his son might resist arrest. He advised Wasan to move on to a new chapter after his release, instead of rekindling past relationships. In light of this escape, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsond is contemplating electronic monitoring for inmates working outside prison in similar scenarios. -- 2025-02-06

Udon Thani Woman Accuses Soldier Boyfriend of Assault File photo for reference only A young woman in Udon Thani, Thailand, has accused her soldier boyfriend of assault and sharing explicit videos without her consent. Kade, 22, claims the incident occurred on February 3 when her boyfriend, Man, forcibly took her phone and shared private videos on Facebook. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351032-udon-thani-woman-accuses-soldier-boyfriend-of-assault/

File photo for reference only A young woman in Udon Thani, Thailand, has accused her soldier boyfriend of assault and sharing explicit videos without her consent. Kade, 22, claims the incident occurred on February 3 when her boyfriend, Man, forcibly took her phone and shared private videos on Facebook. The couple met on Facebook and began their relationship before Songkran in 2023. Kade had relocated from Bangkok to live with Man’s family, but their relationship soured following a video call that was allegedly recorded without her knowledge at his mother’s home. Man reportedly uploaded the video after they had a heated argument. During the February 3 incident, Man allegedly kicked Kade in the stomach and neck before fleeing. Kade is demanding action from his military superiors to punish Man and remove the video from social media. She hopes they might even detain him at the military base. Kade’s mother supports her daughter's legal pursuit, revealing that Man had threateningly demanded money in exchange for Kade's ID card and issued various threats. She fears for her daughter's safety. Journalists investigating the case spoke with Man's stepmother, Lee, in Chiang Wang village. She confirmed the assault and Man’s subsequent escape. Lee reported that the couple's argument led to violence and the seizure of Kade's phone. She also disclosed Man's prior violent behavior, including an assault on his father. Reporters eventually located Man in Phathat village, Phen district. A soldier in the 5th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, Man denied all allegations, including posting the videos. He insisted he only retrieved the phone, which was locked, thus preventing any online activity. The community awaits legal action to resolve these troubling accusations. -- 2025-02-06

Thailand Prepares for Surge in Refugee Healthcare Needs File photo for reference only The Tak Provincial Public Health Office in Thailand is gearing up to accommodate a large influx of patients from refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, with around 40,000 to 50,000 people expected. This preparation comes after U.S. President Donald Trump's recent decision to cut funding for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351031-thailand-prepares-for-surge-in-refugee-healthcare-needs/

File photo for reference only The Tak Provincial Public Health Office in Thailand is gearing up to accommodate a large influx of patients from refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, with around 40,000 to 50,000 people expected. This preparation comes after U.S. President Donald Trump's recent decision to cut funding for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Healthcare services at Nu Po Refugee Camp in Tak's Umphang district have been halted since January 27, with only emergency cases being treated. The region hosts nine camps with around 90,000 refugees, who have fled conflict in Myanmar over the past 30 years. These camps have relied heavily on U.S. and other Western nation support. The funding suspension raises concerns for local hospitals that have relied on IRC's financial aid to provide care for refugees. These hospitals are now facing extra pressure to support a potential surge of refugee patients while already struggling to meet the needs of Thai patients under the universal healthcare scheme. Pitakpong Chandaeng, chief of the Tak Provincial Public Health Office, highlighted the challenges being faced, saying officials have convened to strategize on handling the situation. Previously, public health units funded by the IRC cared for refugee patients but now must focus limited resources on treating general diseases, chronic conditions, psychiatric disorders, tuberculosis, and emergencies. Efforts are underway to seek funding from other NGOs to help manage the situation. There are currently three temporary shelters in Tak—Mae La Centre, Umpium Centre, and Nu Po Centre—housing about 40,000 to 50,000 refugees. Worawit Tantiwattanasap, director of Umphang Hospital, proposed creating a national fund to gather donations, emphasizing the need for humanitarian support and ensuring medical treatment remains free for refugees. -- 2025-02-06

Reading for Early Parole: New Plan for Prisoners' Release File photo for reference only The Department of Corrections (DoC) might soon implement a reading program as a new criterion for early parole. Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong announced that inmates could earn early release by reading books while serving their sentences. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351030-reading-for-early-parole-new-plan-for-prisoners-release/

File photo for reference only The Department of Corrections (DoC) might soon implement a reading program as a new criterion for early parole. Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong announced that inmates could earn early release by reading books while serving their sentences. This initiative aims to encourage learning and help prisoners receive basic education before their release. Among the 230,000 incarcerated individuals in the country, 77% have not completed compulsory education, and 10% are uneducated. The goal is for these inmates to achieve an education level equivalent to Grade 12 or higher, boosting their job prospects after release. Inspired by a similar program in Brazil, where prisoners can reduce their sentences by four days per book, this reading plan could become a key part of rehabilitation efforts. The DoC has set up Phrom Panya libraries in prisons, offering a wide selection of books, with some libraries housing up to 20,000 texts. Justice Minister Tawee emphasized that the reading initiative is inclusive, designed for all inmates, and not aimed at any specific group. He introduced this idea on October 11 during the 109th DoC Foundation Day event, believing that fostering a reading culture will support prisoners in reintegrating into society. Through this reading program, the DoC hopes to enhance the quality of the workforce and contribute to national development. -- 2025-02-06

Thai police rescue student from 1.5 million baht scam By Bright Choomanee Picture courtesy of Matichon Thai police were commended for rescuing a university student from a call centre scam that held her for a 1.5 million baht ransom. The incident occurred yesterday, February 5, when the call centre gang lured the student from a renowned university in Rangsit, convincing her to transfer nearly 1.5 million baht. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351027-thai-police-rescue-student-from-15-million-baht-scam/

Picture courtesy of Matichon By Bright Choomanee Thai police were commended for rescuing a university student from a call centre scam that held her for a 1.5 million baht ransom. The incident occurred yesterday, February 5, when the call centre gang lured the student from a renowned university in Rangsit, convincing her to transfer nearly 1.5 million baht. Police Colonel Kiattisak Mitprasat of Khlong Luang Police Station reported that the student’s parents reached out around 2am, expressing concern after their daughter, a third-year student, fell victim to the scam. Officers from Khlong Luang Police Station promptly began their investigation, successfully locating the student by 4am. She was found unharmed, although she had been deceived by the scam. The scam involved a series of phone calls claiming to be from TrueMove, a telecommunications network, warning the student that her SIM card was illegal. The fraudsters, posing as Patong police in Phuket, coerced her into transferring money and hiding for her safety, alleging that someone using her account knew her location and intended harm. Frightened, the student took a taxi to rent a room to hide. The scammers also threatened her parents, demanding 300,000 baht (US$8,925) for her release but her parents, in collaboration with police, did not transfer any money. The police managed to rescue the student safely. Upon searching the room, the student was alone without any immediate threat present. The gang had manipulated her into transferring funds multiple times, totalling 1,490,000 baht (US$44,330) across five accounts. The gang used four different SIM cards, pretending to be from TrueMove and posing as fake Patong police, even conducting video calls with the victim, reported KhaoSod. The police responded to the distress call at 2am and secured the student’s safety by 4am. As part of the investigation, all involved bank accounts were frozen, and the student provided a statement regarding the scam, which involved five accounts and four SIM cards. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-02-06

Man arrested for extorting Bangkok residents at bus stop By Bright Choomanee Picture courtesy of KhaoSod A 27 year old man was apprehended for extorting money from residents, including elderly people, at a bus stop in Bangkok. A group of bystanders detained him and handed him over to the police at Rat Burana Police Station for further legal action. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351026-man-arrested-for-extorting-bangkok-residents-at-bus-stop/

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod By Bright Choomanee A 27 year old man was apprehended for extorting money from residents, including elderly people, at a bus stop in Bangkok. A group of bystanders detained him and handed him over to the police at Rat Burana Police Station for further legal action. Today, February 6, the Rat Burana Police Station received a report that a man was caught by residents while attempting to extort money near the entrance of Soi Pracha Uthit 34. Police officers quickly responded to the scene, finding the incident occurring on the pavement close to Soi Pracha Uthit 34, in the Bang Mod subdistrict of Thung Khru district, Bangkok. Upon arrival, police found a large group of people watching the scene. The suspect, identified as Thanakorn Meesapsiri, also known as Ice, was restrained by the crowd with his hands and feet tied and seated on the pavement. A sharp knife was found lying next to him. Thanakorn, who had been harassing residents at the bus stop near Na Luang intersection, would typically operate around 4am daily. His actions had become notorious in the Pracha Uthit area, prompting several complaints from distressed residents. A Facebook post warning about Thanakorn’s activities was shared on the community page for Rat Burana-Pracha Uthit (Thung Khru) by a user named Patthanan Patt. It described how the man’s mother had encountered Thanakorn at 4am while waiting for a bus near Bangkok Bank at the entrance of Soi Pracha Uthit 42. The post detailed how Thanakorn approached her with a knife, demanding money. She managed to evade him by boarding a bus just in time. The following day, he allegedly attempted to confront her again, accusing her of deceiving him by escaping the previous encounter. Bangkok extortion The situation escalated when Arboi, a 28 year old friend of a victim’s son, was informed that Thanakorn was withdrawing money from an ATM near King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. Arboi and his friends managed to detain Thanakorn with help from nearby residents, despite experiencing some difficulty. During questioning, Arboi recounted how Thanakorn had demanded money from his friend’s mother and threatened her with a knife. Arboi was alerted and pursued Thanakorn, eventually apprehending him with assistance from the community. Thanakorn later claimed to police that he was homeless and had been living in an Internet café. He insisted he never intended to harm anyone and that the knife was only used for peeling fruit. He expressed remorse for his actions, explaining that he had been released from prison and had nowhere else to go. One of the victims, Sujaree Tantiamornpong, a 53 year old private company housekeeper, stated that Thanakorn had approached her for money, brandishing a knife when she refused. She managed to escape by engaging him in conversation until a bus arrived. Sujaree reported the incident to the Rat Burana Police Station after witnessing Thanakorn attempt to attack her again in the early hours of the morning, reported KhaoSod. Police have detained Thanakorn for further investigation at the Rat Burana Police Station. Residents who have been victims of extortion or threats from Thanakorn are encouraged to come forward and report their experiences to the police station. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-02-06

Illegal gambling ring in Bangkok busted, Taiwanese nabbed By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of The Pattaya News Thai cybercrime police conducted a major raid on an illegal online gambling network in Bangkok, apprehending a Taiwanese leader and detaining more than 20 administrators. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351025-illegal-gambling-ring-in-bangkok-busted-taiwanese-nabbed/

Photo courtesy of The Pattaya News By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Thai cybercrime police conducted a major raid on an illegal online gambling network in Bangkok, apprehending a Taiwanese leader and detaining more than 20 administrators. The network, which posed as an NFT trading website, was secretly providing online gambling services, including slots, live casinos, sports betting, and poker. Officials estimate the network’s annual cash flow exceeded 500 million baht. This operation is part of a broader nationwide effort to curb illegal online gambling activities. Officers carried out raids at four locations across Bangkok. Among those apprehended were three individuals already wanted on arrest warrants. Police are questioning the detained administrators to uncover additional key figures involved in the operation. It is anticipated that further arrests will occur as the investigation delves deeper into the syndicate’s financial activities and its local collaborators, reported The Pattaya News. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-02-06

Foreign man stabs Thai app-based motorcycle rider in car park By Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ วัยรุ่น รุงรัง A foreign man refused to pay a transport fare and stabbed a Thai app-based motorcycle rider in the car park of a shopping mall in Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district on January 24. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351024-foreign-man-stabs-thai-app-based-motorcycle-rider-in-car-park/

Photo via Facebook/ วัยรุ่น รุงรัง By Petch Petpailin A foreign man refused to pay a transport fare and stabbed a Thai app-based motorcycle rider in the car park of a shopping mall in Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district on January 24. A video of a foreigner arguing with a Thai app-based motorcycle rider was shared on a Thai social media platform last month but it only gained attention from Thai news agencies today, February 6. The foreign attacker reportedly remains at large. The video of the incident was recorded by a witness at the shopping mall car park. The rider, wearing an orange jacket, chased after his foreign passenger and demanded that he stop and pay the transport fare. The foreigner continued walking away, carrying a white parcel box and a knife. The person recording the video urged the foreigner to drop the weapon and stop fleeing if he had done nothing wrong. The foreigner ignored the plea and stabbed the rider. The victim managed to dodge the attack but sustained a cut to his waist. The rider, identified only as Moss, told the Thai News Agency that he picked up the foreign passenger from outside a shopping mall in Pathum Wan to take him to a nearby mall. Upon arrival at the destination, the foreigner borrowed Moss’s ID card for a parcel delivery service, claiming he forgot his passport. Concerned that his name might be used to deliver illegal goods, Moss requested to check the contents of the parcel box before handing over his ID card. The foreign man refused, insisting that the box contained Lego toys. Moss was sceptical, as the parcel was very heavy, and insisted on checking the contents. The foreign man suddenly became angry and walked away without paying the transport fare. The argument escalated into a stabbing, as captured in the video. People in the car park rushed to restrain the foreigner but he managed to flee before the police arrived. Moss said he filed a complaint with the police for attempted murder and failure to pay the transport fare. Regarding the unpaid fare, the foreign man could face a fine of up to 5,000 baht under Section 152 of the Land Transport Act. For attempted murder, the penalty is half the punishment for murder under Section 288 of the Criminal Code, which can result in the death penalty, life imprisonment, or imprisonment for 15 to 20 years. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-02-06

4 Israeli men fined for causing chaos at hospital in Mae Hong Son By Petch Petpailin Photo via Channel 7 Police fined four Israeli men 3,000 baht each for causing chaos at Pai Hospital in the northern province of Mae Hong Son on February 2 by entering an emergency room without permission. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351023-4-israeli-men-fined-for-causing-chaos-at-hospital-in-mae-hong-son/