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Grilling the corrupt: Pattaya vows to clean up squid scandal By Bob Scott Picture of Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Reumkitcharoen courtesy of Amarin TV In a sizzling showdown, the Pattaya deputy mayor has sworn to weed out corruption among city officials extorting grilled squid vendors, promising severe consequences for those found guilty. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346352-grilling-the-corrupt-pattaya-vows-to-clean-up-squid-scandal/

Picture of Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Reumkitcharoen courtesy of Amarin TV By Bob Scott In a sizzling showdown, the Pattaya deputy mayor has sworn to weed out corruption among city officials extorting grilled squid vendors, promising severe consequences for those found guilty. At the crack of dawn today, December 16, Pattaya City Special Affairs officers swooped in on a group of street vendors illegally peddling their goods on Soi Pattaya Tai 15, right by the bustling entrance to Walking Street in Nongprue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Among those nabbed was 23 year old Nicha (surname withheld), a grilled squid vendor caught in the net. Fuming yet resigned, Nicha spilled the beans to reporters, revealing her discontent over being apprehended. She alleged that some officials had been pocketing monthly fees in return for allowing her to sell in the lucrative location, with the audacity to demand free food as well. This time, the arresting officers were a different crew from those previously on the take. Nicha accepted her fate but vowed to expose the corrupt official who leached off her, ready to finger him for a formal investigation, reported Amarin TV. Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Reumkitcharoen minced no words about Pattaya City’s no-nonsense policy prohibiting street vending in the Walking Street area at night. He backed up the bans, citing tourists’ gripes that vendors cramp travel flow and tarnish the area’s image, tasking officials to make sure vendors toe the line. In light of vendors’ explosive claims of money and goods extortion by crooked officials, Wuttisak has come out swinging, promising to dole out severe penalties, up to outright dismissal, if wrongdoing is verified. It’s all part of his mission to uphold fairness and polish Pattaya City’s gleaming image. Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-12-16

Siblings flee drug-addicted father only to be targeted by rapist By Petch Petpailin Photo via KomChadLuek Four siblings escaped their drug-addicted father in the central province of Chai Nat only to encounter a man posing as a saint who offered help and later attempted to rape the eldest girl. They were eventually rescued by police in Chon Buri. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346351-siblings-flee-drug-addicted-father-only-to-be-targeted-by-rapist/

Photo via KomChadLuek By Petch Petpailin Four siblings escaped their drug-addicted father in the central province of Chai Nat only to encounter a man posing as a saint who offered help and later attempted to rape the eldest girl. They were eventually rescued by police in Chon Buri. Officers from Nong Yai Police Station shared the siblings’ story with the media. They are now safe and are being cared for by the Chon Buri Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office at a shelter for children and families in the province. One of the siblings gave an interview to Channel 7, stating that they escaped their home in Chai Nat because they could no longer endure physical abuse from their drug-addicted father. The four then met a man who offered support and invited them to stay at his home. They accepted and went with him. Unfortunately, they had to escape again a few days later because this false saint sexually assaulted the eldest girl and attempted to rape her. The eldest girl contacted a friend living in Chon Buri and asked if she could stay with her. The friend was willing to help but the friend’s parents allegedly refused to help. The four siblings then walked along the street with no clear destination until they met Police Officer Wanlop Thasanathanapong. Wanlop told the media that he was patrolling when he came across the siblings by the roadside. He stopped to speak with them and took them to the police station after learning of their tragic situation. The report does not mention the siblings’ mother, or their ages or names. Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-12-16

Thai hospital checks out of universal healthcare gold card scheme By Bob Scott Picture courtesy of National Health Security Office Mongkutwattana Hospital slammed the brakes on accepting outpatients under Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme, famously dubbed the gold card, as financial woes grip the facility. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346349-thai-hospital-checks-out-of-universal-healthcare-gold-card-scheme/

Picture courtesy of National Health Security Office By Bob Scott Mongkutwattana Hospital slammed the brakes on accepting outpatients under Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme, famously dubbed the gold card, as financial woes grip the facility. The shock move, spearheaded by director Riengthong Nanna, took effect on Friday, December 13 with the hospital shutting its doors to gold card outpatients. The heart of the matter? Alleged unpaid dues by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) that are making the hospital’s balance sheet bleed. The hospital claims a staggering 44 million baht is owed by the NHSO for outpatient referrals stretching back to March, said Riengthong. “Continuing to service these patients would send us into financial oblivion.” Riengthong recounted a similar debacle back in 2020, when the hospital was forced to take legal action over a debt of 13.2 million baht. Despite ongoing courtroom drama with no end in sight, Mongkutwattana is drawing a line in the sand, refusing to accept more outpatients unless they cough up cash or the NHSO pays up. Riengthong hinted at a possible split from the NHSO next year if the stalemate drags on. But NHSO is singing a different tune. Deputy Secretary-General Atthaporn Limpanyalert refuted claims of unpaid bills, stating the NHSO has a budget in place for hospital payments but acknowledged the tangled web of Mongkutwattana’s finances. The earlier 13.2 million baht debt stemmed from a clinic linked to Mongkutwattana, which lost its NHSO contract due to financial mismanagement in 2020, leaving the NHSO unable by law to cover its debts, Bangkok Post reported. The fresh 44 million baht debt remains in limbo as the NHSO dives deeper into outpatient data in Bangkok. A hefty 2.1 billion baht audit request from various clinics, plus another financial probe into a 1.2 billion baht pocket, has seen the NHSO freeze payments in their tracks, said Atthaporn. “Payments are paused due to these investigations.” However, to ease the strain, the NHSO has forked out a hefty 60 million baht advance, handed over to the hospital yesterday. Should Mongkutwattana stick to its guns and stop outpatient referrals, the NHSO is ready to reroute patients to other hospitals, including Chulabhorn and Phaet Panya, ensuring no one’s left out in the cold. Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-12-16

Wife Seeks Police Protection, Case Transfer After Councillor's Murder File photo for reference only Napapat Sitthisanitphong, widow of late former Prachin Buri provincial councillor Chaimet Sitthisanitphong, has requested police protection for herself and her son. Seeking justice in the wake of her husband's murder, she has petitioned for the homicide case to be transferred to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) from the local authorities. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346156-wife-seeks-police-protection-case-transfer-after-councillors-murder/

File photo for reference only Napapat Sitthisanitphong, widow of late former Prachin Buri provincial councillor Chaimet Sitthisanitphong, has requested police protection for herself and her son. Seeking justice in the wake of her husband's murder, she has petitioned for the homicide case to be transferred to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) from the local authorities. Arriving at CSD headquarters this morning alongside her lawyer and Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, head of the Help Crime Victims Club, Napapat expressed concerns over their safety due to the alleged involvement of influential local figures in Chaimet's murder. Chaimet had a reported history of disputes with Sunthorn Rawiwan, the mayor of Prachin Buri PAO, though Napapat noted that these disagreements had been resolved peacefully. Despite this, Chaimet met with Sunthorn at his home unarmed, where a fatal shooting subsequently took place. Chaimet was found with 22 gunshot wounds, and an M16 assault rifle was recovered at the scene, intensifying the need for a thorough and impartial investigation. Following the shooting, police detained seven individuals, though it has been reported that two additional people present during the incident remain at large. Napapat's plea underscores a bid for greater transparency and security amid these circumstances. -- 2024-12-13

Bangkok and TikTok Unite to Boost BKK Food Bank Initiative File photo for reference only The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and TikTok have joined forces to enhance the #BKKFoodBank project, which aims to reduce food waste while supporting vulnerable communities. Launched in 2022, the initiative has ambitiously set out to tackle inequality, ensure food security, and contribute to building a sustainable society. By collaborating with TikTok, the project has significantly broadened its outreach, benefiting from the platform’s massive audience and engaging content approach. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346155-bangkok-and-tiktok-unite-to-boost-bkk-food-bank-initiative/

File photo for reference only The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and TikTok have joined forces to enhance the #BKKFoodBank project, which aims to reduce food waste while supporting vulnerable communities. Launched in 2022, the initiative has ambitiously set out to tackle inequality, ensure food security, and contribute to building a sustainable society. By collaborating with TikTok, the project has significantly broadened its outreach, benefiting from the platform’s massive audience and engaging content approach. In the past two years, the initiative has made substantial environmental contributions by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over two million kilograms and establishing Food Banks in all 50 Bangkok districts. Food waste poses a significant challenge in Bangkok, accounting for half of the city's total waste and costing over 7.3 billion baht annually. The project addresses this issue by effectively managing surplus food, distributing over 3.3 million meals to 110,000 vulnerable individuals, and cutting carbon emissions. The collaboration with TikTok has supercharged the project's momentum in the past two months, enabling the distribution of more than 1.1 million meals and further reducing carbon emissions by over 690,000 kilograms. TikTok's Head of Public Policy in Thailand, Chanida Klaiphan, emphasized the platform's dedication to positive social impact, leveraging its top creators to advocate for sustainable food management and community involvement. Currently, 665 convenience stores participate in the initiative, donating surplus food and necessary supplies. These donations are meticulously sorted and stored to meet hygiene standards before being distributed through BKK Food Bank centres across Bangkok. This collective effort brings hope for a more sustainable future while addressing essential needs in the community. -- 2024-12-13

Crackdown on Sukhumvit Beggars Reveals Hidden Wealth File photo for reference only In an effort to improve the image of Thailand, police, alongside officials from the Immigration Bureau and the Homeless People Protection Centre, conducted a crackdown today in Bangkok's Sukhumvit area, rounding up 12 beggars. The operation unearthed unexpected findings, including a Thai national found with 1.3 million baht in cash and bank deposits. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346154-crackdown-on-sukhumvit-beggars-reveals-hidden-wealth/

File photo for reference only In an effort to improve the image of Thailand, police, alongside officials from the Immigration Bureau and the Homeless People Protection Centre, conducted a crackdown today in Bangkok's Sukhumvit area, rounding up 12 beggars. The operation unearthed unexpected findings, including a Thai national found with 1.3 million baht in cash and bank deposits. The group apprehended comprised eight Thai citizens, two Cambodians, a Laotian, and one Burmese national. In a surprising twist, a search of one Thai individual's lodgings unveiled 300,000 baht in cash and a bank book indicating a balance of one million baht. Authorities argue that the presence of beggars negatively impacts the country's image. The rounded-up Thai individuals are now facing legal proceedings at the Lumpini police station. Meanwhile, the foreign nationals will be charged with illegal entry and begging. This operation highlights the complexity of the issue, with some beggars possessing substantial hidden wealth, raising questions about the motivations and operations behind street begging. The authorities continue to address both legal and social implications as part of their broader initiative to enhance the capital's public image. -- 2024-12-13

Bangkok’s new ‘Health Stations’ promise quick, hassle-free care By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail Say goodbye to endless queues and tedious hospital visits. The Ministry of Public Health has unveiled its game-changing Health Station initiative, a telemedicine service designed to supercharge universal healthcare in Thailand. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346153-bangkok’s-new-‘health-stations’-promise-quick-hassle-free-care/

Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Say goodbye to endless queues and tedious hospital visits. The Ministry of Public Health has unveiled its game-changing Health Station initiative, a telemedicine service designed to supercharge universal healthcare in Thailand. Debuting at the Charoenchai Housing Cooperative Community in Bangkok, these futuristic kiosks let residents consult doctors via video calls for 42 medical conditions, dramatically cutting waiting times and hospital congestion. With plans to roll out 50 stations across Bangkok before expanding nationwide, this initiative is set to revolutionise access to healthcare. Equipped with state-of-the-art communication tools and vital sign measurement devices, the Health Station empowers users to perform basic health checks and get immediate results. Each station can handle up to 72 patients daily, averaging six consultations per hour. Users can opt for home-delivered medications or pick them up from participating pharmacies. “The Health Station is an innovative addition to the universal healthcare system,” said officials, highlighting its collaboration between the National Health Security Office and private partners. Not only does it make medical services more accessible, but it also reduces costs for treatments, medications, and travel. Community members play a vital role in maintaining the kiosks to ensure they stay operational. This sense of shared responsibility is crucial for the project’s long-term success. The government is keen on transforming the national health security system, leveraging this tech-forward approach to enhance the quality of life for citizens. By integrating cutting-edge solutions into public healthcare, Thailand is setting an example for the region in modern medical accessibility, reported Pattaya Mail. Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-12-13

Phuket noise dispute turns violent with two injured in gunfire By Bright Choomanee Picture courtesy of Phuket City Police A noise complaint at a rental property in Phuket Town erupted into violence, resulting in injuries to both the landlord and tenant after a gun was discharged during a scuffle. The incident unfolded yesterday, December 12, drawing attention to the ongoing tensions between the two parties. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346152-phuket-noise-dispute-turns-violent-with-two-injured-in-gunfire/

Picture courtesy of Phuket City Police By Bright Choomanee A noise complaint at a rental property in Phuket Town erupted into violence, resulting in injuries to both the landlord and tenant after a gun was discharged during a scuffle. The incident unfolded yesterday, December 12, drawing attention to the ongoing tensions between the two parties. Phuket City police responded to the disturbance on Phatthanakan Soi 2 around 5pm, yesterday, December 12. Emergency personnel from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation and Vachira Phuket Hospital attended the scene, where they discovered the injured landlord and tenant. The 41 year old landlord, Soros Chitchiew, sustained a wound to his right eye socket, while the tenant, Phanupong Sae-Tae, known as Bank, was shot in the left leg. Both victims received immediate medical assistance before being transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further treatment. Soros explained that the altercation began when he and his wife visited Room 5 to address complaints about excessive noise during nighttime hours. He noted that Phanupong had previously displayed threatening behaviour and had been asked to leave the premises on multiple occasions. The situation escalated when Phanupong allegedly became aggressive, involving his relatives in the dispute. Soros, who legally owns a firearm, carried the weapon as a safety measure. During the confrontation, a struggle ensued over the gun, leading to its accidental discharge and injuring the tenant’s leg. Suhaila Hawe, Soros’s wife, portrayed the tenant as troublesome, claiming other residents found him intimidating due to inappropriate actions, such as staring at women. She mentioned that their attempts to address the issues with Phanupong were met with hostility, culminating in the violent episode. Phuket City Police Chief, Police Colonel Pratuang Phonmana, confirmed that law enforcement arrived within 10 minutes of the initial call and detained Soros. Preliminary findings suggest the incident was a spontaneous outburst from an escalating dispute. Police confiscated four firearms from Soros’s home, including the 9mm Sig Sauer pistol used in the shooting. Police are currently verifying the registration status of all the firearms involved, reported The Phuket News. The investigation continues, with officers examining evidence and taking statements from both parties to ascertain the full context of the altercation. Both Soros and Phanupong remain hospitalised, and legal charges are anticipated based on the investigation’s findings. Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-12-13

Thai minibus driver rapes passenger after tricking her into lucky ritual By Petch Petpailin Photo via KhaoSod A Thai minibus driver raped a female passenger after tricking her into performing a ritual for good fortune, and then abducting her to a hotel in Pattaya. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346150-thai-minibus-driver-rapes-passenger-after-tricking-her-into-lucky-ritual/

Photo via KhaoSod By Petch Petpailin A Thai minibus driver raped a female passenger after tricking her into performing a ritual for good fortune, and then abducting her to a hotel in Pattaya. The victim filed a complaint against the minibus driver, Mueang, at Na Jomtien Police Station following the sexual assault on October 10. The incident occurred while the victim was travelling in Mueang’s minibus from the Isaan province of Sisaket to the Rama II area of Bangkok. The victim explained that Mueang informed her that she would be his last passenger, as he had to take others to Chon Buri first. There were eight passengers, including the victim, on that day. Mueang gradually took each passenger to their destination, leaving only the victim, as he said he would. Instead of travelling directly to Rama II, Mueang suggested that the victim perform a ritual for good fortune and offered to take her to a well-known place where the ritual could be performed. Mueang then took the victim to Chakngewaw Market in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya to buy flowers as offerings. He then went to a hotel in the area instead of the sacred place he promised. Mueang raped the victim at the hotel and then continued the journey to take her to Rama II. Frightened, the victim asked to be dropped off mid-journey at a petrol station and went to the police station after Mueang left. Police arrested Mueang yesterday, December 12, at a cassava farm in the Nam Kliang district in Sisaket province. Officers did not reveal whether Mueang admitted to the crime. The details of the legal charges brought against Mueang were not revealed, but he is expected to be charged under Section 276 of the Criminal Law: sexual assault. The penalty is imprisonment from four to 20 years and a fine from 80,000 to 400,000 baht. Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-12-13

Thai thief returns stolen motorcycle to police station, motive unclear By Petch Petpailin Photo via Channel 7 A Thai man stole motorcycles belonging to locals in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima and later parked them outside a police station. His motive remains unclear. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346148-thai-thief-returns-stolen-motorcycle-to-police-station-motive-unclear/

Photo via Channel 7 By Petch Petpailin A Thai man stole motorcycles belonging to locals in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima and later parked them outside a police station. His motive remains unclear. The owner of a grocery store in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province shared CCTV footage of the suspect, who stole his sidecar motorcycle, with Channel 7 yesterday, December 12. In the footage, the suspicious man is seen walking through the community wearing a cap to conceal his face. Unfortunately, the CCTV cameras in the area failed to capture the moment the thief stole the vehicles, so it was not clear whether the suspect was this man or not. The theft reportedly occurred in broad daylight. The grocery store owner explained that he parked his sidecar motorcycle outside his home and, as usual, left the key in the vehicle. However, the next morning, he discovered that the vehicle was missing. The store owner asked his son and employees to search for the motorcycle, and they eventually found it outside Ban Han Police Station on the night of December 11. The police station is located not far from his home. The victim questioned police about the motorcycle, but officers said they did not notice who parked it there. The police station also lacked security cameras. The store owner stated that he still did not know the thief’s identity. He added that his neighbour also fell victim to the same motorcycle thief, and the stolen vehicle was similarly left outside the police station. The victim urged the police to take the case seriously, even though no valuables were lost in these incidents. He expressed concern that the thief might commit more serious crimes in the future and might no longer return stolen property to the police station. Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-12-13

Thai man kills stepbrother over drug-fuelled chaos in Sisaket By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A young man in Sisaket province reached a breaking point after years of family turmoil, leading to a tragic incident. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346147-thai-man-kills-stepbrother-over-drug-fuelled-chaos-in-sisaket/

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod By Puntid Tantivangphaisal A young man in Sisaket province reached a breaking point after years of family turmoil, leading to a tragic incident. Phu Sing Police reported on Wednesday, December 11, that a 33 year old man was found dead in his home after being stabbed three times in the chest. His 21 year old stepbrother was arrested at the scene with the weapon. The deceased, Rewat, reportedly had been involved in drug use for a decade, causing erratic and violent behaviour towards locals. Village chief Nopakit Phomkhon confirmed that Rewat’s aggressive behaviour had escalated over the past three to four years, often threatening and attacking others. The stepbrother, Suwat, on the other hand, was described as a responsible and hardworking man who built a home for his family. The situation reached a boiling point when Rewat demanded to use Suwat’s motorbike, a request Suwat denied due to Rewat’s tendency to sell valuables for drug money. Suwat had previously hidden the motorbike and other valuable items with neighbours to prevent their sale. Rewat threatened to destroy the motorbike if he found it, leading to another violent outburst where he attempted to harm their parents. Suwat, unable to tolerate Rewat’s destructive behaviour any longer, fatally stabbed him. Their 60 year old mother, Sawan, revealed that Rewat was her eldest son from a previous marriage while Suwat was her second child with her current husband. She recounted how Rewat’s personality changed drastically due to drug abuse, turning from a good-natured person into someone violent and unpredictable. He sold family possessions, including nine sacks of rice and charcoal meant for cooking, to finance his drug habit. Despite attempts to rehabilitate Rewat, he continued to relapse and never held a job, relying on family members for drug money. Sawan was not present during the incident but was informed by Suwat afterwards. She noted Suwat’s generally good behaviour, highlighting his work ethic, abstinence from alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, and his role as the family’s main provider. Suwat had recently returned home from Bangkok, where he had been working, and planned to bring his wife and children back to live with him. However, the continued issues with his brother impeded these plans. Suwat disclosed that he had endured his brother’s behaviour for over five years, often receiving distressing calls from their parents about Rewat’s actions. On the day of the incident, Rewat had tried to borrow the motorbike from their father, presumably to sell it for drugs. When denied, Rewat threatened to kill their parents and burn the motorbike. Suwat, witnessing this, could no longer bear the situation. In a moment of desperation, he grabbed a knife, stabbed Rewat three times, and hid the weapon nearby before informing their mother of what he had done, reported KhaoSod. “I couldn’t take it anymore. I’ve had to listen to my parents’ worries for years. When he threatened them yesterday, I just snapped.” Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-12-13

Thai Wildlife Bust Uncovers Illegal Trade in Exotic Species File photo for reference only A luxury home by the Mae Klong River in Ratchaburi, Thailand, found itself at the heart of a significant investigation, after police discovered more than 50 rare South American wildlife species illegally kept on the premises. The operation, orchestrated by Deputy Commander-in-Chief Arun Wachirasrisukanya and Chief Inspector Aphisan Chairat, exposed a burgeoning black market for exotic animals facilitated via social media. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346146-thai-wildlife-bust-uncovers-illegal-trade-in-exotic-species/

File photo for reference only A luxury home by the Mae Klong River in Ratchaburi, Thailand, found itself at the heart of a significant investigation, after police discovered more than 50 rare South American wildlife species illegally kept on the premises. The operation, orchestrated by Deputy Commander-in-Chief Arun Wachirasrisukanya and Chief Inspector Aphisan Chairat, exposed a burgeoning black market for exotic animals facilitated via social media. Acting on leads about illegal possession, officials executed a search at the riverside property. The homeowner, identified only as Tong, was present when officials uncovered the menagerie. Among the illegally housed creatures were cotton-top tamarins, squirrel monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, and even African grey parrots—all crammed into unsuitable cages. The animals' market worth surpassed 3 million baht, with particular concern for endangered species, such as the cotton-top tamarins, originating from South America. Officials reported eight cotton-top tamarins valued at about 150,000 baht each and ten squirrel monkeys priced at approximately 75,000 baht each. Tong confessed he acquired these rare animals via a Facebook group, lacking the requisite permits. He faced immediate charges for unlawful possession of protected wildlife and was detained for further legal action. This case underlines the increasingly rampant trade of exotic wildlife through online platforms. -- 2024-12-13

Thai Police Bust Illegal Corn Farm in Forest; Main Suspects Escape File photo for reference only Thai police initiated "CIB Crush Influence," targeting investors exploiting forest lands. Despite a failed capture of main suspects, they found a couple illegally farming corn in Mae Mo, Lampang, and took legal action. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346144-thai-police-bust-illegal-corn-farm-in-forest-main-suspects-escape/