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Photo courtesy of KhaoSod By Puntid Tantivangphaisal A shooting game stall at the Chiang Mai Winter Fair has been permanently closed following complaints of misleading pricing. A Facebook user recounted an experience where a price misunderstanding led to demands for an inflated payment of 1,200 baht. The event organisers have intervened and ended the stall’s operations. The incident began when Benjawan, a 26 year old resident of Mae Taeng district, visited the fair with five friends on Wednesday, January 8. They were drawn to a slingshot shooting game offering prizes. Upon enquiring, a female employee quoted a price of 20 baht per set, containing 30 slingshot pellets. The group purchased two sets for a total of 40 baht. After finishing their game, they were surprised when the same employee asked for 1,200 baht, explaining that each pellet cost 20 baht. This led to a dispute, as the group believed they were paying per set, not per pellet. The employee pointed them to a small, barely visible sign indicating the actual pricing. Refusing to pay the unexpected amount, the group called the stall owner, who explained the employee was new and the pricing miscommunication was unintentional. The group reported the incident to the police present at the event, who promised to investigate the matter. The Facebook post generated numerous comments from others who had encountered similar situations, though they noted the absence of intimidation at this particular stall. The post served as a warning to others attending the fair to be cautious of pricing discrepancies. Subsequently, event organisers, informed by the Chiang Mai province, confirmed they had received complaints and inspected the area. The decision was made to close the slingshot stall and prevent it from reopening. Organisers also warned other vendors at the fair, stating that any further instances of customer exploitation would result in the revocation of their operating permits, reported KhaoSod. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-10

Phuket Airport tourist cries fowl over 3,000 baht Subway sarnies By Petch Petpailin Photo showing a meal deal at 278 baht via Facebook/ เที่ยวภูเก็ต A foreign woman took to TikTok to accuse a Subway store at Phuket International Airport of overcharging her after she bought three sandwiches for 3,000 baht. (£72). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1348471-phuket-airport-tourist-cries-fowl-over-3000-baht-subway-sarnies/

Photo showing a meal deal at 278 baht via Facebook/ เที่ยวภูเก็ต By Petch Petpailin A foreign woman took to TikTok to accuse a Subway store at Phuket International Airport of overcharging her after she bought three sandwiches for 3,000 baht. (£72). The TikTok user, @naynaysully, posted a video on Wednesday, January 8, while standing in front of the Subway store at the airport. In the video, two security guards can be seen intervening, while a Subway employee is heard speaking to a superior on the phone. The woman captioned the video… “What the scamming hell is going on here? They want £72 for three subs (sandwiches). Avoid Phuket Airport!” However, the foreign woman did not specify the details of her order in the video. When asked by commenters to share a receipt, she claimed that staff had not provided one. She mentioned in the video that she added extra toppings to her sandwiches, prompting netizens to demand further clarification. Some TikTok users defended the store, pointing out that Subway is generally expensive, unlike Thai street food. They also noted that prices at airport outlets are typically higher. If the foreigner had indeed added extra toppings, they argued, the cost might reasonably have risen to over 3,000 baht as she claimed. In the second TikTok video, the woman explained that she had ordered three meal deals, each comprising a sandwich, a drink, and a cookie. Although she had enough money to pay, she refused to do so because she felt the price was excessive. Airport’s miscalculation She said she left the food behind to catch her flight but security guards and Subway staff reportedly pursued her, demanding payment. They eventually offered her a discount, reducing the price to 1,500 baht, which she agreed to pay. However, she claimed that she only received two sandwiches, without drinks or cookies. The foreign woman said she later boarded her flight and vowed never to visit the Subway store at Phuket Airport again. Despite the incident, she described her overall experience in Thailand as positive, apart from this “Subway nightmare.” Following the incident, Phuket Airport released an official statement confirming that the customer was charged according to the store’s price list. The airport detailed the order as follows: Footlong meatball sandwich (574 baht) with extra roasted meat (180 baht) and three extra portions of cheese (180 baht): Total 934 baht Footlong roasted chicken sandwich (454 baht) with added ham (180 baht) and three extra portions of cheese (180 baht): Total 814 baht Footlong roasted chicken sandwich (454 baht) with added tuna (180 baht): Total 634 baht Three drinks: 297 baht Seven cookies: 273 baht One bottle of drinking water: 35 baht According to the airport, the total bill came to 3,152 baht. Nevertheless, the total cost based on the breakdown should have been 2,987 baht, leaving a difference of 165 baht. One netizen pointed out a discrepancy in the airport’s calculation, but the airport has not yet addressed this error or provided a further statement. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-10

Isaan hero steps in to rescue abused 7 year old boy living alone By Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ Thanachat Chaiyasart A benevolent Thai man in the Isaan province of Kalasin came to the aid of a seven year old Thai boy who was living alone and suffered physical abuse by an unidentified drug addict in the area. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1348402-isaan-hero-steps-in-to-rescue-abused-7-year-old-boy-living-alone/

Photo via Facebook/ Thanachat Chaiyasart By Petch Petpailin A benevolent Thai man in the Isaan province of Kalasin came to the aid of a seven year old Thai boy who was living alone and suffered physical abuse by an unidentified drug addict in the area. The man, Thanachat Chaiyasart, shared heartbreaking pictures of the boy named Ice yesterday, January 8, on Facebook. The images showed wounds and bruises across the boy’s face. His left eye was in a severe condition and turned red from the abuse. In the caption, Thanachat wrote… “I hope the relevant government departments will take care of this case. This boy lived alone in his home, which is surrounded by drug addicts. He was assaulted without reason. This is too much for a little boy. Please help.” Thanachat later posted a video of a conversation with Ice. The boy admitted that he did not know the name of his attacker but could recognise his face. When asked if he was in pain, he said he felt very hurt, particularly in his left ear. One 31 news agency reported that Ice initially lived with his stepfather. However, the stepfather was arrested and jailed. A neighbour had been giving Ice 20 baht each day to buy snacks at school. The boy told Thanachat that he enjoyed going to school because he had friends to play with and could eat there. Thanachat expressed that he did not want Ice to return to the same home, even if his stepfather was released from prison, as the environment was not conducive to the boy’s growth and wellbeing. Ice’s story quickly gained attention among locals. The director of the school Ice attended eventually visited Thanachat’s home to collect the boy. Ice is now under the care of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (M-Society). Thanachat later updated his Facebook account, stating that Ice is now safe and that the individual responsible for the physical assault has been arrested. Many netizens praised Thanachat’s actions and expressed their hopes that the young boy would have a brighter future and grow up to become a good person. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-09

Bangkok Traffic Innovations Cut City Congestion by 25% in Two Years File photo courtesy: wikipedia In a bid to tackle congestion, Bangkok's traffic has seen a noticeable improvement, with travel times reduced by 25% in some of the city's busiest areas. This follows the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's implementation of Area Traffic Control (ATC) technology and other innovations. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1348398-bangkok-traffic-innovations-cut-city-congestion-by-25-in-two-years/

File photo courtesy: wikipedia In a bid to tackle congestion, Bangkok's traffic has seen a noticeable improvement, with travel times reduced by 25% in some of the city's busiest areas. This follows the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's implementation of Area Traffic Control (ATC) technology and other innovations. Since May 2023, the ATC system, which fine-tunes traffic light timings, has boosted vehicle flow during peak hours by 10% and an impressive 30% outside of rush hours, according to BMA spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala. Further technological enhancements include the installation of AI-equipped CCTV cameras to catch traffic offenders, alongside road improvements aimed at enhancing driver comfort. These initiatives have been implemented across 50 strategic locations in the city. Looking ahead, these measures will expand to include over 70 more congested areas throughout the year, promising further improvement. Additionally, the BMA actively encourages residents to use non-motorised and public transport options, promoting sustainable travel solutions and easing road traffic pressures. -- 2025-01-09

Actors Pechaya & Yuranunt Cleared in iCon Group Legal Storm File photo for reference only In a surprising turn of events, the Office of the Attorney General has decided not to prosecute renowned actors Pechaya "Min" Wattanamontri and Yuranunt "Sam" Pamornmontri concerning allegations linked to The iCon Group. Despite the complex case against 17 individuals, these two actors have been relieved of legal charges due to insufficient evidence of their involvement in any illegal conduct. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1348396-actors-pechaya-yuranunt-cleared-in-icon-group-legal-storm/

File photo for reference only In a surprising turn of events, the Office of the Attorney General has decided not to prosecute renowned actors Pechaya "Min" Wattanamontri and Yuranunt "Sam" Pamornmontri concerning allegations linked to The iCon Group. Despite the complex case against 17 individuals, these two actors have been relieved of legal charges due to insufficient evidence of their involvement in any illegal conduct. The iCon Group Co., Ltd., led by Voratphon Voratvoyarakul, and others, including Kan Kanthathavorn, are facing legal action after an investigation unveiled compelling evidence linking them to illegal activities. Kan, also known as Boss Kan, appeared to be actively involved from the company's inception. However, Min and Sam seemed to have no substantial ties to any unlawful practices during their brief association as brand ambassadors in 2023. The decision, which initially lacks transparency as it is under further review by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), follows an exhaustive inquiry of over 300,000 pages of documents and testimonies from thousands of witnesses. With the suspects’ detention nearing its end, an urgency marks the closing proceedings. Senior attorney Chanchai Chalanonnivat explained that, if any disputes arise between the DSI and the attorney general's conclusions, they will proceed with legal adjudication. Concerns have been expressed regarding the process, notably that some crucial witnesses might not have been questioned. Yet, Chanchai clarified that consistency across existing testimonies mitigates the need for additional interviews unless discrepancies surface. Ultimately, the case underscores the importance of robust evidence in securing prosecutions. As Min and Sam await their anticipated release, the spotlight remains on others, notably Kan, who faces the likelihood of prosecution due to the clear evidence of his central role in the alleged offences. -- 2025-01-09

Foul play: Krabi cops rescue footballers from scam agent’s offside trap By Petch Petpailin Photo via KhaoSod Krabi Provincial Tourist Police officers swooped to help an Egyptian and a Yemeni football player after they were deceived by a scam agent who lured them to Thailand and defrauded them of 45,000 baht. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1348394-foul-play-krabi-cops-rescue-footballers-from-scam-agent’s-offside-trap/

Photo via KhaoSod By Petch Petpailin Krabi Provincial Tourist Police officers swooped to help an Egyptian and a Yemeni football player after they were deceived by a scam agent who lured them to Thailand and defrauded them of 45,000 baht. The victims, 26 year old Yemeni Majid and 25 year old Egyptian Ali, sought help from the Tourist Police after their mobile phone was stolen while it was being charged at the Ban Nai Rai Mosque in Krabi. The two foreign nationals told the police that they had only one mobile phone left to contact their families and no money. They had been staying at the mosque, awaiting support from their families to return to their home countries. Majid and Ali revealed to the police that they were football players and that an Egyptian scam agent stranded them in Thailand. The agent promised them positions at the Krabi Football Club, convincing them to travel to Thailand to join the team. The two men met the agent in Bangkok, who then took them to Krabi. To secure their spots at Krabi FC, they paid the agent 45,000 baht in three instalments. Unfortunately, after the final payment, they lost contact with the agent. When they contacted Krabi FC, they discovered that the club had not hired any foreign players and had no plans to do so. Realising they were scammed, they attempted to find a way back home. The Egyptian and Yemeni men contacted their families for help and planned to stay at the mosque until assistance arrived. However, the last mobile phone they were using to communicate with their families was stolen. Majid and Ali informed Thai officials that they were not the first victims of this scam. They discovered that at least three other Egyptian football players had fallen victim to the same trap. Regarding the phone theft, the police identified the culprits as two Thai teenagers from the area. They are expected to be summoned for questioning and legal proceedings soon. As for the scam agent, officers believe he is still in Thailand and planning to target more victims. The police are gathering additional information to issue an arrest warrant for fraud. If convicted, the scam agent faces up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both, under Section 341 of the Criminal Law. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-09

Thai man assaulted in gang attack orchestrated by friend By Petch Petpailin Photo via Channel 7 An 18 year old Thai man in the eastern province of Rayong is seeking justice after three attackers, including his friend, attacked him and stole his shoes without a prior conflict. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1348393-thai-man-assaulted-in-gang-attack-orchestrated-by-friend/

Photo via Channel 7 By Petch Petpailin An 18 year old Thai man in the eastern province of Rayong is seeking justice after three attackers, including his friend, attacked him and stole his shoes without a prior conflict. The teenage victim, Thanaphon, shared details of the attack with a leading Thai lawyer, Paisarn Ruengrit, hoping his case would be processed quickly. He told the lawyer that the incident took place on the side of Sapan Chang-Natakwan Road in Rayong on Sunday, January 5. Thanaphon explained that he received a call from his friend at about 10.30pm. His friend told him that his motorcycle ran out of fuel and that he needed Thanaphon’s help. The victim rushed from his home to help his friend, intending to take him to a petrol station and bring fuel back to the scene. However, he did not have a chance to speak with his friend; his so-called friend and two other men he had never met immediately assaulted him. Thanaphon showed the lawyer wounds and bruises resulting from the assault. He also demonstrated how he lay on the road, curled up, trying to shield his face from the attack. Thanaphon said the attackers repeatedly kicked him before taking his shoes. One of them said… “Your shoes look great. I want them.” Thanaphon said he reported the assault to Sam Nak Thong Police Station but feared he would not receive justice, as the police did not take his case seriously. He believes his friend tricked him into the assault by lying about his motorcycle trouble. Thanaphon emphasised that he had never had a conflict with his friend or anyone else. He could not understand the reason for the attack. All of the attackers remain at large. If the three attackers are convicted, they could face life imprisonment or imprisonment from 15 to 20 years under Section 340 of the Criminal Law: committing theft using violence. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-09

Chinese parents searchs for missing daughter amid call centre scam fear By Petch Petpailin Photo viaChannel 3 Chinese parents are searching for their missing daughter, with whom they lost contact after she arrived in Thailand on January 6. The family was concerned that their daughter might have fallen victim to a call centre scam. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1348392-chinese-parents-searchs-for-missing-daughter-amid-call-centre-scam-fear/

Photo viaChannel 3 By Petch Petpailin Chinese parents are searching for their missing daughter, with whom they lost contact after she arrived in Thailand on January 6. The family was concerned that their daughter might have fallen victim to a call centre scam. The Chinese father, Wu Wei Tong, filed a complaint at Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station and later submitted further complaints at the Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters on Tuesday, January 7. He and his wife hoped that RTP Commissioner Kittirat Phanphet would assist in bringing their daughter back home. In an interview with Thai media through an interpreter, the Chinese man revealed the timeline leading up to his daughter’s disappearance. He said his 21 year old daughter, Wu Jia Xi, arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport with her friend on January 6. Wu Jia Xi’s family had never met this friend before, as the two had only recently connected via social media. Wu Jia Xi had just completed her university studies, and the trip to Thailand was her first overseas journey. The missing woman informed her parents that she would check into a hotel near Don Mueang International Airport. However, CCTV footage revealed that a white Toyota Alphard van took her and her friend to a hotel in the Lat Krabang area, near the airport. The hotel where she checked in was different from the one she had informed her family about. The parents spoke with hotel staff and learned that Wu Jia Xi and her friend had checked into the hotel at 5am but had quickly checked out around 9am on the same day. Avoid Myanmar Wu Jia Xi continued communicating with her parents online until 4pm that day but thereafter, she ceased all contact. Wu Jia Xi’s mother revealed that, during their online conversation, she had urged her daughter not to travel to Myanmar for fear of danger. Wu Jia Xi responded, assuring her mother that she was not foolish and would not dare to go to Myanmar. Thai police officers have yet to release any statements about the case, while the parents fear that their daughter has become another victim of the call centre scam gang, much like Chinese actor Wang Xing. Regarding Wang’s case, Channel 3 reported that he is currently staying at the shelter of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (M-Society). He declined to give an interview with Thai media about his experience in Myanmar and requested a return trip to China. The media reported that the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China would be responsible for organising Wang’s return to China. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-09

Thai woman chants to ward off evil spirits in front of man’s house - video By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A man recounted his unexpected nighttime encounter with a woman chanting in front of his house. The incident occurred at 2am on Monday, January 6, when the man received a call from his family asking him to return home as a mysterious woman had been reciting prayers outside their home for about 30 minutes, causing alarm among the household members. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1348391-thai-woman-chants-to-ward-off-evil-spirits-in-front-of-man’s-house-video/

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod By Puntid Tantivangphaisal A man recounted his unexpected nighttime encounter with a woman chanting in front of his house. The incident occurred at 2am on Monday, January 6, when the man received a call from his family asking him to return home as a mysterious woman had been reciting prayers outside their home for about 30 minutes, causing alarm among the household members. Tarn explained that upon his arrival, he was shocked to see the woman standing beneath a tree, holding a religious pendant and chanting in an unfamiliar language. She claimed to be dispelling evil spirits from the house. When Tarn questioned her presence, the woman vaguely replied that she was sent by someone, prompting him to ask her to leave. The man contacted the police but only one officer responded. Consequently, he decided to drive the woman back to her home in a nearby subdistrict, believing the situation was resolved. However, he later saw her riding a motorbike around the village, concerned she might return to chant in front of his house again, prompting him to follow her. Further investigation revealed that the woman is a caregiver for bedridden patients in the subdistrict. Typically, she does not exhibit such behaviour and it remains unclear what triggered this incident. Tarn speculates stress might be a factor, although he is unsure about her mental health history, noting she had been on medication previously. Neighbours have also reported similar encounters with her. Tarn admitted that the incident left him and his family feeling anxious and bewildered, especially since the woman claimed to be performing a ritual to ward off evil from their home. Despite the unsettling experience, Tarn expressed his intention to visit her, as her family is now aware of the situation and has taken her under their care, reported KhaoSod. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-09

Shell shocked: Buyer claws back after floating market crab scam By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A consumer shared a disappointing experience on social media after buying some steamed crabs from a famous floating market, only to find mostly empty shells and a small amount of crab meat upon returning home. Full Story :https://aseannow.com/topic/1348389-shell-shocked-buyer-claws-back-after-floating-market-crab-scam/

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod By Puntid Tantivangphaisal A consumer shared a disappointing experience on social media after buying some steamed crabs from a famous floating market, only to find mostly empty shells and a small amount of crab meat upon returning home. The incident, which occurred on January 5 at the Amphawa Floating Market, involved buying crabs for 250 baht, where the buyer ended up with seven to eight clean shells and minimal crab meat, accompanied by three cups of dipping sauce. The experience was shared in a Facebook group พวกเราคือผู้บริโภค (We Are Consumers) where the user warned others of a potential scam at the market. The vendor in question reportedly sells only steamed crabs and shrimp marinated in fish sauce. Following the post, several comments emerged, questioning whether the crabs had been consumed. The original poster clarified that the crabs in the photo were untouched. The vendor later responded in the thread, explaining that they have been in business for three years and that each box of crabs is weighed at 500 grammes before being opened. The vendor expressed regret for the issue, claiming this was the first occurrence of such a problem and apologised for any customer dissatisfaction. They offered a refund if the situation seemed unreasonable, highlighting the costs involved in their business operations and assuring that the products sold match the advertised images, reported KhaoSod. In a notable case, the owners of Laemgate Infinite, a Bangkok seafood restaurant, were sentenced to 723 years in prison for defrauding customers. They sold vouchers for an all-you-can-eat buffet at extremely low prices but failed to honour the promotions, leading to complaints from hundreds of disgruntled customers, according to WIO News. According to Tripadvisor, patrons at certain Bangkok seafood restaurants have been billed excessively for crab dishes, with prices reaching 300 baht per 100 grammes, leading to unexpectedly high bills. Customers are often directed to these restaurants by taxi drivers or guides receiving commissions. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-09

British drug dealer arrested after his suspicious behaviour in Phuket By Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ สถานีตำรวจภูธรกมลา Police arrested a British drug dealer in Phuket after observing him behaving suspiciously while meeting traffic officers on a road. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1348387-british-drug-dealer-arrested-after-his-suspicious-behaviour-in-phuket/

Photo via Facebook/ สถานีตำรวจภูธรกมลา By Petch Petpailin Police arrested a British drug dealer in Phuket after observing him behaving suspiciously while meeting traffic officers on a road. Traffic officers from Kamala Police Station stopped the British man, whose identity remains undisclosed, in the Kamala area of Phuket yesterday, January 8. The officers reported that they were conducting routine patrols when they noticed the man, who appeared nervous and was behaving suspiciously upon seeing them. Police conducted a search of both the man and his motorcycle, discovering ketamine in his possession. Photos shared on the police’s official Facebook page show the drugs packed into six separate plastic zip-lock bags, seemingly prepared for sale. The quantity of ketamine led officers to conclude that the suspect was not merely a user but a dealer involved in distributing the drug. It is unclear whether the police carried out a drug test on the British suspect. Following the arrest, the man was charged under Section 146 of the Narcotics Control Act for producing, importing, exporting, distributing, or possessing Category 2 narcotics. This offence carries a penalty of up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine ranging from 200,000 to 1.5 million baht. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-09

Fight breaks out after Thai woman leaves 2 husbands for foreigner By Petch Petpailin The Thai woman and one of her Thai husbands. | Photo via ThaiRath A physical altercation over jealousy broke out in a market in the Isaan province of Surin on Sunday, January 5, after a Thai woman left her two Thai husbands to date a foreign man. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1348385-fight-breaks-out-after-thai-woman-leaves-2-husbands-for-foreigner/

The Thai woman and one of her Thai husbands. | Photo via ThaiRath By Petch Petpailin A physical altercation over jealousy broke out in a market in the Isaan province of Surin on Sunday, January 5, after a Thai woman left her two Thai husbands to date a foreign man. A Thai woman who witnessed the incident shared a video of the chaos at the market on her Facebook account on Sunday. She wrote in the caption, “I was lucky that the broken beer bottle did not cut my face.” In the video, the Thai woman at the centre of the conflict was wearing a dark blue hoodie and jeans and was seen standing near her foreign boyfriend, who was dressed in a brown jacket. She was arguing with and fighting with her two Thai husbands, one wearing a blue-and-white striped T-shirt and the other a grey jacket. At one point, the woman picked up a glass beer bottle and threw it at her Thai husband in the grey jacket. He managed to dodge it. The bottle narrowly missed hitting the woman filming the video, who screamed in shock. The female witness later gave an interview to ThaiRath and provided additional footage to the media. In the video shared by ThaiRath, the foreign man was seen participating in the altercation, pushing the man in the grey jacket to the ground. The witness told the media that the violent incident occurred near a playground where many children were playing. Fortunately, none of them were injured, although her boyfriend sustained a cut to his leg from the broken glass bottle. Child apologises The witness explained that she overheard the woman in the video speaking on the phone with her husbands. “Stop bothering me! I can be anywhere I want. It’s my life.” The woman then hung up and began drinking beer with her foreign boyfriend at the market. Shortly afterwards, another phone call came, during which the woman dared her two husbands to meet her at the market. The two men arrived soon after and kicked over the chair and table where the woman and the foreigner were sitting. The four began arguing and the dispute escalated into the violent scene captured in the video. According to the witness, the woman in the video refused to take responsibility for her boyfriend’s injury. Only her child contacted the couple to apologise. The woman’s child also revealed that his mother and her two husbands lived together harmoniously until the foreign man entered the relationship, which led to jealousy and altercation. The child alleged that his mother tricked the two husbands into taking care of her and giving her money until they were left penniless. After that, she abandoned them and started a relationship with the foreigner. At the end of the interview, the witness stated that she wanted the woman to take responsibility for her boyfriend’s injury. However, she did not disclose whether she would pursue legal action against the woman. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-09

Sand wars settled: Kata Noi Beach reclaims its shores By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Dhakul Chan Nice Holidays Discovery Group Company The sandy battle for Kata Noi Beach appears to be over, with beachgoers celebrating their newfound space. What was once a sprawling battlefield of beach chair vendors has been transformed into a haven for snorkellers and sunbathers alike. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1348384-sand-wars-settled-kata-noi-beach-reclaims-its-shores/

Photo courtesy of Dhakul Chan Nice Holidays Discovery Group Company By Puntid Tantivangphaisal The sandy battle for Kata Noi Beach appears to be over, with beachgoers celebrating their newfound space. What was once a sprawling battlefield of beach chair vendors has been transformed into a haven for snorkellers and sunbathers alike. One local reported that the long-standing “sand grab” has been resolved, with clear and accessible spaces now available along the beach. “I just returned from a morning of snorkelling at Kata Noi and it looks to me that the situation has been fixed! There are now four or five beach chair-free zones. “It also looks like they moved the chairs further away from the high water mark, leaving plenty of room for beach towels in front of the chairs. And where there are chairs, there are clear access paths between them. Somebody at the city has thought this through and executed it nicely.” Karon Mayor Jadet Wicharasorn previously confirmed the issue was spiralling out of control. Beach chair operators had overrun Kata Noi and Kata beaches, with many businesses setting up without permission. “The 10% rule remains in effect, limiting vendors to only 10% of the beach, but most of these operators have no approval.” Despite his concern, Mayor Jadet revealed that local municipalities no longer have direct authority to regulate beach businesses. That responsibility lies with Phuket’s Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the military’s political arm, reported The Phuket News. “Until we receive an order from ISOC, we can’t take enforcement action.” Now, with Kata Noi’s sandy shores restored, beachgoers can finally stretch out and enjoy the sun without battling through a maze of deckchairs. The spotlight now falls on ISOC to ensure the solution remains permanent. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-09