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Photo courtesy of KhaoSod By Puntid Tantivangphaisal The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has disclosed a detailed account of the assets and liabilities of Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, marking her ascension into office. The report reveals that the 38 year old PM holds assets worth over 13 billion baht, alongside liabilities amounting to more than 4 billion baht. The asset declaration includes a wide array of personal and family belongings, such as an impressive collection of 217 handbags, 23 vehicles, and nine Bearbrick collectables. Additionally, she owns substantial quantities of gold, jewellery, and clothing. The asset report also lists three plots of land in Pathum Thani and two in Hokkaido, Japan, alongside two rental homes in London. Paetongtarn, who lives with husband Pitak Suksawat, has declared an individual asset value of approximately 13.8 billion baht, with her partner possessing over 147 million baht and their minor child holding 500,000 baht. The liabilities total over 4.4 billion baht, predominantly attributed to Paetongtarn’s personal debts, including an overdraft account of over 5 million baht and various other obligations. Pitak has a smaller share of liabilities, amounting to just over 1 million baht. Her annual income has been reported as over 265 million baht, comprising salaries, wages, and bonuses totalling about 3.4 million baht, dividends of approximately 259 million baht, interest earnings of two million baht, and rental income of 890,000 baht. In contrast, her annual expenses stand at over 57 million baht, with personal expenses accounting for the majority at 45 million baht, insurance premiums at 1.2 million baht, household expenses at 7 million baht, educational fees for her child at 1 million baht, and travel costs at 2 million baht. The asset breakdown for Paetongtarn includes cash holdings of over 7 million baht in various currencies, including Thai baht, Japanese yen, US dollars, Singapore dollars, euros, and British sterling. Her deposits spread across 29 accounts amount to over one billion baht. Her investments span 32 companies and funds, while her loans extended to include an agreement with her brother, Panthongtae Shinawatra, dated September 8, 2016, for over 15 million baht. Paetongtarn owns 12 plots of land, with notable holdings in Khlong Sam, Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani, totalling nine ngan and 180 square wahs, valued at nearly 10 million baht. She also owns land in Hokkaido, Japan, purchased on December 15, 2019, valued at 30 million baht, jointly held with her spouse. Her real estate includes nine buildings, with five apartments in Bangkok and two double-storey houses in Nonthaburi and Khan Na Yao, Bangkok. Additionally, she owns a four-storey commercial building in Cha-Am, Phetchaburi. Luxury cars and gold The vehicle fleet comprises 23 cars, including a Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid valued at over 10 million baht, a Rolls-Royce Phantom worth 6.7 million baht, and a Tesla Model X Long Range priced at 3.19 million baht. Noteworthy leases include two flats in London, valued at over 111 million baht and 208 million baht, respectively, and a home construction contract valued at over 38 million baht. Other notable assets include 75 gold bars valued at three million baht, 75 watches amounting to 162 million baht, nine Bearbrick collectables worth 1.9 million baht, 217 handbags valued at over 76 million baht, 108 rings worth over 31 million baht, 69 bracelets valued at over 28 million baht, 67 necklaces worth over 35 million baht, 205 pairs of earrings valued at over 49 million baht, and 167 outfits worth over 26 million baht. The liabilities section reveals that Paetongtarn has secured loans from her sister, Pintongtha Kunakornwong, totalling over 2.3 billion baht, her brother, Panthongtae, amounting to over 335 million baht, and from her mother, Potjaman Damapong, totalling over 136 million baht, all contracted on September 8, 2016. Additionally, loans from her uncle, Bannapot Damapong, in 2023 amounted to over 1.3 billion baht, reported KhaoSod. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-03

Thai woman seeks justice after lantern sets her car ablaze By Petch Petpailin Photo by Saowaluck Jainak A lantern released on New Year’s Day landed on a parked car at a house in the northern province of Phayao and set the vehicle ablaze. The car owner is now struggling to find those responsible for her loss. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347834-thai-woman-seeks-justice-after-lantern-sets-her-car-ablaze/

Photo by Saowaluck Jainak By Petch Petpailin A lantern released on New Year’s Day landed on a parked car at a house in the northern province of Phayao and set the vehicle ablaze. The car owner is now struggling to find those responsible for her loss. A witness, Sophon Panyod, rushed to alert his neighbour, 35 year old Saowaluck Jainak, after spotting a fire on the roof of Saowaluck’s garage and her car at around 12.30am yesterday, December 2. Saowaluck immediately called rescuers and firefighters to contain the fire. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze within 20 minutes, but the white Suzuki hatchback was completely destroyed. Upon inspection, Saowaluck discovered a burnt lantern at the scene, which was suspected to be the cause of the incident. Sophon told ThaiRath that he and his daughter were driving past Saowaluck’s home when they noticed that her garage roof, made of a shading net, was on fire. The flames quickly spread to Saowaluck’s car, prompting him to wake her and her husband. Saowaluck later reported the incident to Chiang Kham Police Station. She issued a statement urging people to reconsider releasing lanterns, saying… “Believe me, it is not true that floating lanterns help you let go of bad luck. I was just sleeping at home, doing nothing, and yet bad luck came knocking on my door.” A member of the firefighting team, Sawawut Gatip, stated that it was fortunate the vehicle did not explode. If it had, Saowaluck’s home and nearby residences could have been destroyed, potentially resulting in fatalities. Floating lanterns are a traditional practice often observed by Thais during New Year celebrations. However, they are now banned in many areas of the country due to the numerous fire-related incidents. Despite this, many people ignore the risks and the regulations, releasing lanterns merely for the sake of capturing beautiful photographs. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-03

Hunting game: Fake cop at large in Sisaket province By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Officers are on the hunt for an imposter posing as a police officer who has been searching through citizens’ bags. The police chief of Khun Han district, Sisaket province, has confirmed that the suspect is not affiliated with the local police force and efforts are underway to apprehend the fake cop and bring him to justice. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347833-hunting-game-fake-cop-at-large-in-sisaket-province/

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Officers are on the hunt for an imposter posing as a police officer who has been searching through citizens’ bags. The police chief of Khun Han district, Sisaket province, has confirmed that the suspect is not affiliated with the local police force and efforts are underway to apprehend the fake cop and bring him to justice. The incident came to light after a popular social media page, Jay Moi V+, posted a message with images and video, describing a suspicious encounter. A local man, 20 year old Chaiwat Saiboa, recounted his experience of being approached by a man dressed as a street vendor selling roti, who then searched his bag without permission. Chaiwat described how, after attending a new year’s party in Khun Han district, he stopped by a convenience store in the early hours of yesterday morning, January 2. The area was quiet, with only the vendor present outside the store. As Chaiwat exited the store, the vendor took the opportunity to rummage through a bag hanging on his motorcycle. When questioned, the vendor claimed he had seen the bag often and wanted to inspect it, suggesting he was performing some form of law enforcement duty. Chaiwat noted the man’s poor grasp of Thai, which raised suspicions about his identity. “If it hadn’t been me but a woman, who knows what could have happened? From his appearance and language, he didn’t seem to be Thai at all.” Police Colonel Phrith Boonpok, head of the Khun Han Police Station, assured the public that the suspect was not part of their force. He has ordered a thorough investigation and a search for the individual, promising that if any wrongdoing is confirmed, the culprit will face full legal consequences. “We urge the public to report any similar incidents to the police immediately. Genuine officers will always identify themselves, state their unit clearly, and carry a police ID. Moreover, all police personnel have a distinct short hairstyle.” Chaiwat’s encounter serves as a warning for potential risks when travelling late at night. He advised people to stay vigilant and suggested that minors should be accompanied by adults to prevent any possible loss or damage to valuables during such encounters. As the search for the imposter continued, police emphasised the importance of public awareness and caution. The police department has reiterated the need for vigilance and encouraged citizens to report any suspicious individuals posing as law enforcement, reported KhaoSod. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-03

Mor Lam dancer sexually assaulted and pulled off stage in Isaan By Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ หมอลำซิ่งขวัญใจเพชรอุดร A Thai man sexually assaulted a female dancer and pulled her off the stage during a performance in the Isaan province of Nong Khai, resulting in her sustaining an injury. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347831-mor-lam-dancer-sexually-assaulted-and-pulled-off-stage-in-isaan/

Photo via Facebook/ หมอลำซิ่งขวัญใจเพชรอุดร By Petch Petpailin A Thai man sexually assaulted a female dancer and pulled her off the stage during a performance in the Isaan province of Nong Khai, resulting in her sustaining an injury. The Mor Lam performance band, Kwanjai Phet Udon, shared a video of the incident on its official Facebook page to seek justice for the dancer and raise awareness among audiences about the importance of respecting performers and preventing similar incidents. The post stated… “Respecting artists and team members is the simplest thing to do. Please have sympathy for us and others in this industry. Jane (the victim) is now safe. She initially experienced pain in her shoulder, head, and ankle. We provided her with first aid before sending her to a hospital. Her condition has improved significantly. Thank you for everyone’s encouragement.” In the video, Jane, dressed in a vivid blue dancer’s costume, can be seen being pulled by a member of the audience. Despite her attempts to free herself, she failed and suddenly fell off the stage, leaving the other performers in shock. At one point in the footage, the audience, believed to be a man, appeared to attempt to touch her private parts, but Jane managed to protect herself. No legal action The leader of the band, 24 year old Arunroj “Beer” Thaviwit, spoke to ThaiRath about the incident yesterday, December 2. Beer revealed that the incident occurred at around 11pm on December 30 at a private event in Nong Khai. According to Beer, the suspect requested to hold Jane’s hand and offered her tips. Jane sat down to accept the money and hold his hand, but he unexpectedly pulled her off the stage. Beer disclosed that the event organiser contacted him and offered Jane 5,000 baht in compensation. Another band leader, 19 year old Wittaya Chuaykamchoo, told the media that the band usually employed security guards to monitor the front of the stage. However, the guards were occupied with another performer’s team behind the stage when the incident occurred. Wittaya emphasised that the incident was not related to the dancers’ revealing costumes, noting that it is common for Mor Lam dancers to wear such attire. Wittaya expressed hope that other event organisers would take this incident as a warning and implement measures to protect performers, preventing similar occurrences in the future. Many Thai netizens urged the band to pursue legal action against the audience member responsible. They argued that 5,000 baht in compensation was inadequate given the injuries and health risks Jane endured. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-03

Phuket boosts marine safety with smart pier inspection By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of The Phuket News Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Tipsiri spearheaded an inspection at Ao Por Pier in Pa Khlok yesterday, January 2, as part of efforts to enhance marine safety and instil confidence among tourists during the busy new year season. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347829-phuket-boosts-marine-safety-with-smart-pier-inspection/

Photo courtesy of The Phuket News By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Tipsiri spearheaded an inspection at Ao Por Pier in Pa Khlok yesterday, January 2, as part of efforts to enhance marine safety and instil confidence among tourists during the busy new year season. Joining him were officials from both government and private sectors, who evaluated the safety protocols and the ongoing transformation of the pier into a Smart Pier equipped with advanced services and management systems. This initiative, coordinated by the Phuket Marine Office and Phuket Patcharee Tour Co. Ltd., focuses on integrating data across various agencies and leveraging customer analytics to streamline operations. The pier now features a One-Stop Service system, simplifying processes for tourists and operators alike. The inspection team examined the pier’s facilities, including the condition of boats, safety equipment like fire extinguishers, and radio communication systems. Vice Governor Ronnarong emphasised the crucial need for strict adherence to safety protocols during the new year, a peak period for travel. “The safety of our waterways is paramount, particularly as we welcome more tourists during this festive period. Maintaining high safety standards and quality services will solidify Phuket’s reputation as a world-class tourist destination.” The inspection was met with strong cooperation from operators, with a significant number of foreign tourists using the pier to travel to popular sites like Phang Nga Bay and nearby islands, reported The Phuket News. Beyond the basic safety measures, Chaiyan Rapuephon, Managing Director of Phuket Patcharee Tour Co. Ltd., provided updates on the water airport project near Ao Por Pier. This project, currently in the stages of environmental impact assessments and flight route planning, aims to establish a seaplane route at Koh Naka. Once finished, it is expected to further enhance marine tourism in the area. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-03

Japanese Tourist Fined for Defying Sky Lantern Ban in Chiang Mai File photo for reference only A Japanese tourist in Chiang Mai faced a 3,000 baht fine after clashing with police for trying to release a sky lantern on New Year’s Eve—an act banned by local authorities. The altercation, captured on video, went viral, showcasing the tourist's defiance before being settled with intervention and translation support. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347770-japanese-tourist-fined-for-defying-sky-lantern-ban-in-chiang-mai/

File photo for reference only A Japanese tourist in Chiang Mai faced a 3,000 baht fine after clashing with police for trying to release a sky lantern on New Year’s Eve—an act banned by local authorities. The altercation, captured on video, went viral, showcasing the tourist's defiance before being settled with intervention and translation support. Identified only as Hirano, the 31-year-old expressed remorse after learning about the sky lantern ban from a Japanese-speaking interpreter. Despite initially misunderstanding the rules, he paid the fine at Mueang district police station, admitting his mistake and offering apologies to the officers involved. The issue highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing the sky lantern ban, intended to prevent hazards during celebrations. Pallop Sae Jiew of the Chiang Mai Tourism Industry Council stressed the need for better communication and enforcement, including discouraging shopkeepers from selling banned items. This incident coincides with concerns in nearby Phayao province, where a car fire was likely caused by a rogue lantern, underscoring the dangers and reinforcing the ban's importance. -- 2025-01-02

Family disputes suicide claim in security guard’s mysterious death By Petch Petpailin Photo via Channel 8 The family of a missing Thai security guard is seeking justice following his mysterious death at an abandoned house in the central province of Kanchanaburi, which police officers ruled as suicide. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347769-family-disputes-suicide-claim-in-security-guard’s-mysterious-death/

Photo via Channel 8 By Petch Petpailin The family of a missing Thai security guard is seeking justice following his mysterious death at an abandoned house in the central province of Kanchanaburi, which police officers ruled as suicide. The family of the 57 year old security guard, Daeng, reached out to Channel 8, urging a further investigation into his death. Daeng had reportedly been missing for seven days since December 22, before his body was discovered on December 29 in the abandoned house, located 300 metres from his rented room. Police informed Daeng’s family that he committed suicide in the abandoned house, but the family remains unconvinced. Daeng worked as a security guard for a company in the city centre of Kanchanaburi for about a year. In his free time, he raised fighting cocks, keeping nearly 40 of them in coops near his rented room. Daeng’s family and neighbours agreed that he was deeply attached to his chickens and would never have left them to starve if he intended to take his own life. Despite raising fighting cocks, he never put them in fights, as his love for them was purely sentimental. The family revealed to Channel 8 that Daeng’s room showed signs of a search, with his belongings scattered across the floor. One of the security cameras was missing, but none of his belongings or valuables appeared to have been stolen. Daeng’s sister, identified only as A, examined his mobile phone and discovered suspicious videos. In the footage, Daeng stated that he had been accused of theft but insisted he was innocent. A believes that the theft accusation may be connected to her brother’s death. In one video, Daeng said… “Regarding the electric wire theft, I suspect Meow and Jo. I suspect Meow because of the knife he always carries on his sidecar motorcycle. Please investigate this for me. I don’t want to be a scapegoat. If anything happens to me, start the investigation with Uncle Chian.” As of now, the police have not provided any updates or developments regarding the case. The identities of three people mentioned by the deceased had not yet been confirmed as well. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-02

MP demands answers on income and legality of Chinese police training By Petch Petpailin Photo via X/ @lawyerJammy A Member of Parliament (MP) from the People’s Party raised questions to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) regarding the income generated from a special training programme for Chinese volunteer police, as well as the legality and effectiveness of the training, which took only three days to complete. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347768-mp-demands-answers-on-income-and-legality-of-chinese-police-training/

Photo via X/ @lawyerJammy By Petch Petpailin A Member of Parliament (MP) from the People’s Party raised questions to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) regarding the income generated from a special training programme for Chinese volunteer police, as well as the legality and effectiveness of the training, which took only three days to complete. The MP, Sasinan Thamnithinan, shared her concerns on her Twitter account yesterday, January 1, drawing public attention to the issue. Sasinan stated… “A police officer, who wishes to remain anonymous, sent me this story. It is worth questioning whether the RTP has the right to organise training for Chinese volunteer police and charge each participant 38,000 baht. Where does this money go? Where does the budget to organise such training come from? Is it legal to issue these volunteers with identification cards bearing the national emblem?” Photos accompanying the post showed a police officer presenting a Chinese volunteer with a training certificate, an identification card, and a vessel with the Thai flag. One of the photos detailed the training programme, which takes only three days to complete. It also included a breakdown of the 38,000-baht fee and listed the items each Chinese participant would receive upon completing the training. Commander’s defence The Commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 3, Kiattikun Sonthinain, later spoke to the news agency PPTV HD to clarify the matter. He explained that police officers were involved in the programme only as lecturers. The training itself was organised by Siam University in Bangkok, and the officers were not aware of the fees being charged. According to the commander, the training was intended to provide Chinese students at the university with knowledge of Thai law. He also noted that the officers were unaware that participants would be issued items featuring the RTP’s national emblem. Photo via X/ @lawyerJammy The commander emphasised that the Chinese volunteer police did not work for the RTP in any capacity. The programme was merely designed to teach them basic legal knowledge for their daily lives in Thailand. Despite this clarification, Sasinan continued to express concerns. She highlighted that officers from Metropolitan Police Division 3 do not have jurisdiction over the area where the university is located. She argued that officers from Metropolitan Police Division 9 should have been involved instead. The MP further questioned the legitimacy of issuing documents and identification cards bearing the signature of a high-ranking police officer, suggesting that the training may have involved more than just a knowledge-sharing session. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-02

Taxi Vomit Row: Driver Clears the Air on Cleaning Fee Dispute File photo for reference only A taxi driver's night took a sour turn when a passenger's misstep escalated into an online squabble over cleaning costs. The passenger had allegedly been overcharged after vomiting in the cab, sparking debate on social media. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347767-taxi-vomit-row-driver-clears-the-air-on-cleaning-fee-dispute/

File photo for reference only A taxi driver's night took a sour turn when a passenger's misstep escalated into an online squabble over cleaning costs. The passenger had allegedly been overcharged after vomiting in the cab, sparking debate on social media. The incident came to light on the popular Facebook page "อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 6", when a user claimed the driver demanded an exorbitant 5,000 baht cleaning fee, compared to the passenger's offer of 500 baht. The driver, wanting to set the record straight, clarified the details, noting the passenger was actually a man who seemed sober initially but became sick en route in the early hours around 4am. The passenger, having fallen asleep shortly after boarding, awoke on Seri Thai Road and unexpectedly vomited inside rather than stepping out as the driver had assumed. Frustrated by his vehicle's soiled state, the driver, seeking a resolution, suggested stopping at a nearby shop as car washes were shut given it was 4am on New Year's Eve. Despite being peeved, the driver stated he had no monetary interest but valued a clean vehicle for his customers. He preferred the passenger clean it himself, which led to the purchase of wet wipes and spray from a convenience store. Though the effort proved inadequate due to the passenger's drunkenness, the driver later accepted a fee of 500 baht, contrary to the claims online. The dispute gained online momentum after a post featuring an image of the soiled cab circulated, suggesting the 5,000 baht fee. In response, the driver commented to correct the misinformation, urging passengers to be considerate and communicate any discomfort. He concluded, "If you're too inebriated, let us know nicely. We're here to help – a plastic bag isn't hard to find." -- 2025-01-02

Koh Phangan Chaos: Tattooist Wields Shotgun on New Year's Day File photo for reference only New Year’s celebrations on Koh Phangan took a disturbing turn when a local tattoo shop owner, Denchai, brandished a shotgun, striking fear into visiting tourists. The incident, caught on security cameras at around 2:56 am on January 1st, occurred outside a massage shop in Krung Thai Soi, Ban Thong Sala. Footage shows the 49-year-old from Phatthalung province threatening a group of foreigners with a Remington shotgun, causing panic. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347766-koh-phangan-chaos-tattooist-wields-shotgun-on-new-years-day/

File photo for reference only New Year’s celebrations on Koh Phangan took a disturbing turn when a local tattoo shop owner, Denchai, brandished a shotgun, striking fear into visiting tourists. The incident, caught on security cameras at around 2:56 am on January 1st, occurred outside a massage shop in Krung Thai Soi, Ban Thong Sala. Footage shows the 49-year-old from Phatthalung province threatening a group of foreigners with a Remington shotgun, causing panic. The situation escalated when a courageous bystander attempted to defuse the threat by pushing the gun aside. This act inadvertently led to the firearm discharging, with the bullet narrowly missing a tourist's head and striking a nearby wall. Despite the peril, Denchai continued to roam the street, intimidating passers-by with his weapon. Police were alerted and quickly apprehended Denchai at his home, confiscating the shotgun, its stock, and 18 rounds of ammunition. Investigations are underway at Koh Phangan Police Station. The incident has sparked widespread concern and outrage, with social media flooded by reactions to the terrifying ordeal. Police have reassured the public, stressing that measures are being implemented to heighten security and prevent future disturbances on the popular holiday island. -- 2025-01-02

Thai woman shares Bolt driver watches porn throughout her ride By Petch Petpailin Photo via Channel 7 A Thai woman took to a Facebook group to issue a warning and seek legal advice after her Bolt motorcycle rider watched porn videos throughout her journey. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347765-thai-woman-shares-bolt-driver-watches-porn-throughout-her-ride/

Photo via Channel 7 By Petch Petpailin A Thai woman took to a Facebook group to issue a warning and seek legal advice after her Bolt motorcycle rider watched porn videos throughout her journey. The 18 year old victim shared her story on the Facebook group คนขับ Bolt drivers Thailand มอเตอร์ไซค์ (เท่านั้น), which translates to Thailand Bolt Motorcycle Riders (Only), yesterday, January 1. She recounted the incident and included two photos showing the rider watching explicit videos while operating the motorcycle. She wrote… “Sorry if this post bothers anyone. I just want to know what I can do. I encountered this at about 4am. He was watching these explicit videos from the beginning of the ride until the entrance to my village. I asked him to stop at the entrance and walked away quickly. He did not leave and kept staring at me. I decided to hide at someone else’s house, fearing he might see where I live. He eventually left. Can I report this to the app or do anything? #NongChok #PleaseShareThisToWarnOthers” The victim later gave an interview with Channel 7, explaining that she booked the ride from Mit Maitri Road to her village in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district. She said she boarded the motorcycle as usual and initially did not realise the rider was watching pornographic videos on his phone. She pretended not to notice and remained still. However, the rider increased the phone’s screen brightness and volume, seemingly intending for her to notice. She added that he gave her a perverted smile before finally leaving the scene. Fearing for her safety, she hid at a neighbour’s house for ten minutes until she was certain he had left. During the interview, the victim reported that she raised the issue with the app, although it remains unclear whether the company has responded. The woman was not the first victim of this rider. Other Bolt users in the Facebook group commented on similar incidents, sharing stories of his repeated inappropriate behaviour. Despite multiple complaints, the rider remains at large. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-02

Out of luck: Lottery scammer busted at Phuket fair By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Phuket City Police via The Phuket News A brazen fraudster tried her luck at scamming thousands of revellers at Phuket’s new year fair—only to find herself caught red-handed by police in the early hours of the morning today, January 2. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347764-out-of-luck-lottery-scammer-busted-at-phuket-fair/

Photo courtesy of Phuket City Police via The Phuket News By Puntid Tantivangphaisal A brazen fraudster tried her luck at scamming thousands of revellers at Phuket’s new year fair—only to find herself caught red-handed by police in the early hours of the morning today, January 2. Phuket City Police swooped in on 45 year old Kritporn Butlo near the central stage of the Saphan Hin Good Things fair around 12.30am. The suspect was found clutching nine fake government lottery tickets, a shoulder bag stuffed with them, and 1,540 baht in ill-gotten gains from her shady sales. “Kritporn used forged lottery tickets to swindle unsuspecting victims. She’s now facing charges for using fake official documents.” The annual fair, which dates back decades and was once known as the Red Cross Fair, attracts thousands nightly with its buzzing atmosphere, live music, and tantalising food stalls. The highlight? Lottery draws supporting the Phuket Red Cross Society’s community projects. But for Kritporn, the gamble didn’t pay off. After her arrest, she was whisked to Phuket City Police Station to face questioning and legal action, reported The Phuket News. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-02

New year tragedy: Burmese man falls to his death at Songkhla waterfall By Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวด่วนปาตานี A Burmese tourist fell to his death from a cliff at a waterfall in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday, January 1. Rescue efforts spanned over three hours. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347763-new-year-tragedy-burmese-man-falls-to-his-death-at-songkhla-waterfall/

Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวด่วนปาตานี By Petch Petpailin A Burmese tourist fell to his death from a cliff at a waterfall in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday, January 1. Rescue efforts spanned over three hours. Rangers overseeing the waterfall at the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary in Songkhla sought assistance from Mittaphap Samakki Foundation rescuers to retrieve the body of the Burmese man, 31 year old Aung Htike, due to the steep terrain and rapids. Aung Htike fell from the third tier of the waterfall to the second tier. His body became wedged in a rock crevice on the cliff between the two tiers. Rescuers managed to retrieve his body by rappelling down from the third tier Rescuers descended 10 metres downwards, secured the body to a stretcher, and then pulled the stretcher back up to the third tier. The operation took the team over three hours to complete, but the task was not yet finished. The rescue team then had to carry the body to the first tier of the waterfall via a steep and slippery path. The deceased’s mother reportedly broke into tears upon seeing her son’s body. Aung Htike’s sister-in-law told Thai Rath that the family visited the waterfall during their new year holiday. She recounted seeing Aung Htike attempting to step from one stone to another before slipping and falling into the water. The strong current swept him from the third tier of the waterfall to the second, where he became lodged on the cliff. Thai Rath reported that Aung Htike was not the first victim to lose their life at this spot. Multiple accidents occurred in the same area, with most victims being swept by the water to the exact location where his body was found. It is unclear whether the attraction is equipped with adequate warning signs or safety measures for visitors. Source: The Thaiger -- 2025-01-02