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A tragic accident occurred when a drunk driver hit and killed a 13 year old girl who was buying food for her ill mother. The incident left beer bottles scattered in the car, with the grieving mother holding her deceased daughter and repeatedly saying, “I’m sorry.” Police reported that late last night, July 21, an accident was reported to an investigative officer with Mueang Ratchaburi Police Station, Natthaphong Achar-am. The crash, which involved a car and a motorcycle, resulted in one fatality. The incident took place on the old Khao Ngou Road in Ratchaburi. At the scene, near a drinks shop, the body of 13 year old A (a pseudonym) was found. Nearby was her severely damaged Yamaha Scoopy motorcycle. Her mother, 52 year old B (a pseudonym), was seen embracing her daughter’s body, tearfully apologising and calling out her daughter’s name. The other vehicle involved, a green Toyota Camry with Bangkok plates, was found about 10 metres away from the accident site, with significant damage to its front bumper and a broken left front wheel. Beer bottles, both opened and unopened were found inside the car. The driver, later identified as 56 year old Wihok (surname withheld) from Bangkok, was apprehended by locals and rescue workers. Wihok exhibited signs of intoxication and admitted to consuming multiple bottles of alcohol. He was taken into custody by the police for further questioning. Preliminary investigations Preliminary investigations revealed that before the accident, A had ridden out to buy food for her mother, who suffers from depression. She had stopped by the roadside to answer a phone call from her mother when Wihok, driving at high speed, lost control on a curve and struck A, throwing her into the nearby drinks shop. She died instantly. An eyewitness recounted he was riding his motorcycle behind the car on his way home. “The car was moving so fast that I didn’t dare get close. When we reached the spot, I saw the girl had just parked her motorcycle by the roadside. “The car veered off the curve and hit her, killing her instantly. The car then came to a stop in the middle of the road. “The driver didn’t get out and tried to rev the engine to flee but the car couldn’t move because the front wheel was broken. When we approached to tell him to get out, the smell of alcohol was overwhelming, and he admitted he was drunk.” Police interviewed witnesses and reviewed nearby CCTV footage. Wihok’s blood alcohol level was found to be 222 milligrams per percent. He faces charges of causing severe injury and death by drunk driving. Additionally, the car’s registration and insurance were found to be expired. A’s body was sent to the forensic centre at Ratchaburi Hospital for a thorough autopsy before being returned to her family for religious rites, reported Khaosod. By Sarishti Arora Picture courtesy of Nuray from pexels.com Full story: The Thaiger 2024-07-22 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Couple killed in Chon Buri car crash, children injured Picture courtesy of Aleksandr Neplokhov from pexels.com A tragic car accident in Chon Buri province on Sunday night claimed the lives of a couple and left their two children injured. The incident occurred on Suk Prayun Road in Phan Thong district when a white sedan crashed into a power pole. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333563-couple-killed-in-chon-buri-car-crash-children-injured/

A tragic car accident in Chon Buri province on Sunday night claimed the lives of a couple and left their two children injured. The incident occurred on Suk Prayun Road in Phan Thong district when a white sedan crashed into a power pole. The accident resulted in the deaths 41 year old Siraphop and his 41 year old wife, Natchareeya. Emergency responders found their two children injured in the backseat of the vehicle. A pickup truck, parked nearby, sustained rear-end damage, which police officers believe was caused by the sedan before it collided with the power pole. The children informed rescuers that their parents had been arguing loudly before the crash. According to their account, their father was driving when their mother suddenly grabbed and pulled the handbrake, causing the car to spin out of control. The vehicle then struck the parked pickup truck and subsequently hit the power pole. To protect the children’s privacy, authorities have withheld the family’s full names. The police investigation into the accident is ongoing, reported Bangkok Post. By Sarishti Arora Picture courtesy of Aleksandr Neplokhov from pexels.com Full story: The Thaiger 2024-07-22 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Patong tuk tuk driver fined after aggressive road confrontation Picture courtesy of Siarhei Palishchuk from unsplash.com Patong tuk tuk drivers are again under scrutiny after an alarming confrontation between a driver and a resident in traffic. The incident, captured in a 51-second video, ignited a wave of criticism and concern among Phuket residents. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333562-patong-tuk-tuk-driver-fined-after-aggressive-road-confrontation/

Patong tuk tuk drivers are again under scrutiny after an alarming confrontation between a driver and a resident in traffic. The incident, captured in a 51-second video, ignited a wave of criticism and concern among Phuket residents. A resident, who has been living in Phuket for eight years, documented the encounter and posted the video on the Facebook page Driving Like This Should Be Ashamed in Phuket. The video reveals a heated altercation near Bangla Road, where the tuk tuk driver aggressively confronted the resident. According to the resident, the incident occurred while he was driving with his wife. A tuk tuk, initially in the right lane, abruptly cut in front of them and parked in the left lane, obstructing their path. Despite attempts to avoid confrontation, the tuk tuk driver continued to behave aggressively. The resident shared his story on Facebook. “I don’t know where this tuk tuk came from. It cut in front of me and parked in the left lane. I went to drive past him but this tuk tuk driver came to challenge me but I didn’t [react]. The video shows the tuk tuk driver raising his voice and acting menacingly towards the resident, who recorded the entire episode. The resident expressed his frustration and concern over such behaviour in Bangla Road, a popular area in Patong. “I only see it in the news. I didn’t think I’d experience it myself. I sent this clip to the Patong Police Station via the [official Facebook] page. I truly believe that there are still many people who are like me.” Criticism online The video attracted significant attention and criticism online. Many netizens expressed their dismay at the aggressive conduct of tuk tuk drivers in Patong. Comments ranged from residents sharing their own negative experiences to calls for stricter regulations and enforcement. “I’m a Phuket person myself. I don’t plan to travel to Patong at all. It has everything, including all the problems. Experiences like this are normal, most tuk tuks drive like this.” Patong police announced on their official Facebook page on Saturday night that the tuk tuk driver, identified only as Jirayuth, had been summoned for questioning. The incident took place around 8pm last Thursday. Although Jirayuth was fined 1,000 baht for reckless driving and obstructing traffic, the fine was not related to his threatening behaviour. A photo posted by Patong Police showed the fine, but the section for the offender’s name was left blank. There was no mention of whether the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO), responsible for regulating public transport vehicles and drivers on the island, had been informed of Jirayuth’s violation. Additionally, there was no indication if any demerit points had been added to his driver’s license, reported The Phuket News. By Sarishti Arora Picture courtesy of Siarhei Palishchuk from unsplash.com Full story: The Thaiger 2024-07-22 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Man found dead after argument with wife in Phuket rental home Picture courtesy of Phuket News A tragic incident occurred in Phuket when a 40 year old man was found dead in an apparent suicide following an argument with his wife on their first day at a rented house in Baan Manik. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333561-man-found-dead-after-argument-with-wife-in-phuket-rental-home/

A tragic incident occurred in Phuket when a 40 year old man was found dead in an apparent suicide following an argument with his wife on their first day at a rented house in Baan Manik. Thalang Police Station was alerted to the scene in Moo 7, Srisoonthorn, at 2am yesterday, July, 2024. Upon arrival, police officers and rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation discovered the body of the 40 year old Natthakorn Srihakham, inside the home. He was lying on his side, dressed in a blue sports T-shirt and a sarong. The distressing situation came to light when Suchart Phayongsak, who reported the incident, heard loud screams from Natthakorn’s wife. The couple had just moved into the house that day and had drunk alcohol outside their new residence. According to the wife, a minor argument ensued between them. Natthakorn then informed his wife that he was going to sleep in the room and locked the door behind him. Later, when his wife attempted to enter the room, she found the door locked. Peering through the window shutters next to the bedroom, she saw her husband hanging inside. She eventually managed to open the door, but it was too late. Natthakorn’s body was transported to Thalang Hospital for further examination. Thalang Police Chief Nikorn Chuthong confirmed that officers are continuing their investigation into the matter. If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai), or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress, or depression. Seek help. By Sarishti Arora Picture courtesy of Phuket News Full story: The Thaiger 2024-07-22 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Sad News for Thai Wildlife: Serow Found Shot Dead, Injured Tiger Dies File photo for reference only A serow was found killed in Phetchabun province, while a wounded tiger tragically died in Buriram, as reported by Thai officials yesterday. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333560-sad-news-for-thai-wildlife-serow-found-shot-dead-injured-tiger-dies/

A serow was found killed in Phetchabun province, while a wounded tiger tragically died in Buriram, as reported by Thai officials yesterday. Chanyaphak Thanachatakkarakun, the head of Phupha Daeng Wildlife Sanctuary, shared that on July 21, an employee from the Silarat Lom Sak stone-crushing plant heard gunshots from a hilltop. Afterwards, he sadly found a serow fell into a pit. The pit was in a quarry in tambon Bung Nam Tao, Lom Sak district, which had been partially dug up. Upon examination, officials discovered a mature male serow with seven bullet wounds in its neck. The incident took place outside Khao Kheo National Park and no suspects were found at the crime scene. The Lom Sak police are now tasked with investigating the incident and finding the one responsible. The serow is one of Thailand’s 15 species protected by the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act 2019. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-22 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand Takes Action Against Fraudulent Finland Job Offers File photo for reference only Thailand is cracking down on local agents who tricked Thai people into thinking they secured jobs as berry pickers in Finland. This move comes after 43 people were stopped at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday, July 20, just before their flight to the Nordic country. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333559-thailand-takes-action-against-fraudulent-finland-job-offers/

Thailand is cracking down on local agents who tricked Thai people into thinking they secured jobs as berry pickers in Finland. This move comes after 43 people were stopped at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday, July 20, just before their flight to the Nordic country. The Department of Employment started the probe after learning about Thai citizens allegedly going to Finland for wild fruit-picking jobs. The workers were supposed to fly on QR837, with a stopover at Hamad International Airport in Qatar. The authorities detained 43 individuals, including seven women, believed to have been conned by the scheme. Somchai Morakotsriwan, the head of the Employment Department, confirmed on Sunday that all those detained confessed to being part of this plan. Somchai declared that their backgrounds are being checked, and it is thought that most of them were tricked into working illegally in Finland. "The practice of sending workers to Finland as wild fruit pickers has been temporarily halted. Talks between the two countries aim at revising rules to favor the workers," he said. He insisted that employers should respect these new terms and show commitment to fighting human trafficking and protecting Thai workers' rights. On March 15, Finland announced the suspension of Schengen visa applications for wild berry pickers from Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar for the summer harvest season. This move followed another announcement by Finland's Foreign Affairs Ministry in February 2023, tightening visa processing for berry pickers. Last year, serious criminal allegations, including human trafficking, prompted a reevaluation of the visa rules to factor in the risk of worker exploitation and human trafficking, Somchai highlighted. This year, Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is working with researchers from Pellervo Economic Research PTT, studying the consequences of different regulatory actions before further policy changes. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-22 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Decision on Tak Bai Incident Court Case Expected Next Month File photo for reference only A court case involving nine former high-ranking officials implicated in the 2004 Tak Bai incident is scheduled to be assessed by the Narathiwat Provincial Court next month. The case, filed on April 26 by a group of 48 plaintiffs, is seeking justice for the victims and their families who have only received financial compensation for their loss, with no other notable action taken by the police or prosecutors. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333558-decision-on-tak-bai-incident-court-case-expected-next-month/

A court case involving nine former high-ranking officials implicated in the 2004 Tak Bai incident is scheduled to be assessed by the Narathiwat Provincial Court next month. The case, filed on April 26 by a group of 48 plaintiffs, is seeking justice for the victims and their families who have only received financial compensation for their loss, with no other notable action taken by the police or prosecutors. The plaintiffs, including injured victims and deceased victims' relatives, have accelerated their case, aware of the 20-year legal deadline which ends in October. The unfortunate event happened on October 25, 2004, when law enforcement broke up a protest in front of the Tak Bai Police Station in the Tak Bai district. The protesters were demanding the release of six people in custody. During the protest, seven individuals lost their lives, and 78 more perished due to suffocation or organ failure during their transfer to a military camp located in Pattani’s Nong Chik district, about 140 kilometers away. Adilan Ali-Ishoh, an attorney with the Muslim Attorney Centre Foundation representing the plaintiffs, confirmed that there have already been two hearings on June 24 and July 19 for the initial inquiry process. The court is expected to declare on August 23 whether it will take on the case. The nine ex-officials are facing charges of murder, illegal detention, and improper conduct. The accused include a former commander of the 4th army region, a past chief of Provincial Police Region 9, an ex-governor of Narathiwat, and a previous superintendent of Tak Bai station. Three of them were directly involved in the incident. Adilan is hopeful that the court will take the case but expressed concerns over whether the accused could be prosecuted before the statute of limitations expires on October 25. “If the court accepts the case, it remains uncertain if the defendants will try to postpone their court appearance,” he said. Another lawyer involved in the case, Useng Doloh, criticized the police for their lack of action, suggesting that the high-ranking status of the accused may have contributed to the stall in progress. “Twenty years have not erased their memory, but it has only decreased their hope for justice. Once the statute of limitations expires, any hope for justice will vanish,” he said. The will of the plaintiffs to seek legal action underscores the continuous demand for accountability and justice for the lives damaged by the Tak Bai incident. It is expected that the court's decision next month will determine the future course of this overdue quest for justice. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-22 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Bangkok Aims for More Green Space with 130 New Parks by 2026 File photo for reference only The city of Bangkok, under the leadership of Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, is making strides towards sustainability. Going beyond the Green Bangkok 2030 plan, the governor is now focused on a new ecological project. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333556-bangkok-aims-for-more-green-space-with-130-new-parks-by-2026/

The city of Bangkok, under the leadership of Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, is making strides towards sustainability. Going beyond the Green Bangkok 2030 plan, the governor is now focused on a new ecological project. Chadchart's vision is to develop a city with easy-to-reach green areas within 15 minutes. The aim is to construct 130 parks and plant two million trees by 2026 which is a significant progress considering they managed to plant one million trees in two years. As soon as he began his term as governor, he personally set the pace by planting the first tree, highlighted by the city's head of sustainability and adviser to the governor, Pornphrom Vikitsreth. Thailand as a country has been battling significant environmental problems, such as decreasing biodiversity, soil erosion and deforestation. The situation is further heightened in major cities like Bangkok where air pollution stemming from traffic and industrial fumes is quite high. Alongside this, the rising plastic waste is causing increased pollution in water and land ecosystems. Despite its 10 million population, Bangkok has limited green areas per person. Thus, increasing these spaces is vital to improve the livability of the city and elevate its appeal to expatriates, providing competitiveness with nearby cities like Singapore. Moving away from the Green Bangkok 2030 plan, which was in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change, Chadchart is now targeting the development of smaller parks in underserved areas to ensure fair access to green spaces for everyone. The new plan, "15-minute park concept", means that essentials such as schools, malls, eateries and park spaces will be within a 15-minute walk for residents. Prioritizing parks, rather than building one or two large parks each year, the city will now focus on public spaces that are smaller but more spread out. Choosing a new park location involves a well-thought-out procedure. Firstly, they analyze the residents' needs by assessing densely populated areas close to community centers. Then they invite the community to discuss their requirements and finally design the park considering people's feedback. BMA wishes to include the local community from the beginning of the process to improve park upkeep and security once operational. This plan also generates a sense of ownership among the locals. Creating pocket parks in an intensely populated city has been tough. Initiatives like making use of spaces under expressways, transforming concrete spaces into green areas, appropriating parts of parking lots, and cooperating with local schools to make their grounds open to the public after school hours have been undertaken as solutions. Trees and green spaces are essential for the physical and mental well-being of people, improving air quality, assisting with carbon capture and drainage, providing shade and making cities more pleasant to live in. A new policy introducing 50 tree specialists, also known as tree doctors, has also been implemented to ensure the survival of the trees. These specialists are trained to scrutinise and maintain the overall health of trees as opposed to performing routine care. The city, in 2022, only had one tree doctor but this number has now increased to 15 under the current administration with more to join through ongoing training and certification initiatives. The residents are pleased with the new governor and his initiatives, and to ensure high quality, park quality inspectors are employed to assess the condition of the parks. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-22 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand rubber farmers oppose fund use for fish purchase Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Rubber farmers in Prachuap Khiri Khan raised concerns over the Ministry of Agriculture’s decision to use funds from the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) to buy black-banded trevally fish at 15 baht per kilogramme. The farmers question the fairness and appropriateness of this policy. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333379-thailand-rubber-farmers-oppose-fund-use-for-fish-purchase/

Rubber farmers in Prachuap Khiri Khan raised concerns over the Ministry of Agriculture’s decision to use funds from the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) to buy black-banded trevally fish at 15 baht per kilogramme. The farmers question the fairness and appropriateness of this policy. Rungroj Ratanakaw, a resident of Thong Mongkol subdistrict in Bang Saphan district, voiced his disagreement with the ministry’s policy. He stated that using funds from the RAOT to support the Department of Fisheries in purchasing large quantities of black-banded trevally fish seems unreasonable. The designated purchase price is 15 baht per kilogramme which is expected to require a significant budget. Rungroj believes that using the fish for fertiliser or animal feed may not be cost-effective. He questioned whether this policy aligns with the intended purpose of the fund and whether it is fair to rubber farmers across the country, regardless of whether they have legal documentation for their rubber plantations. Rungroj pointed out that the funds to be used for buying the fish are derived from the cess collected by the RAOT. This cess is deducted from the sales of rubber exported by all farmers, both those with and without legal documentation for their land. He also highlighted a perceived injustice in the fund’s allocation. The fund is supposed to compensate those who cut down rubber trees to plant other crops. However, those who plant alternative crops on undocumented land do not receive this compensation, even though the fund comes from all rubber-producing trees in the country. If the fund cannot support all rubber farmers, it should not be diverted to other purposes. Reports indicate that the cess money, which will be used to buy the black-banded trevally fish, is collected from rubber exporters under Section 5 of the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund Act of 1960. The funds are intended to finance the replacement of low-yield rubber plantations with high-yield rubber varieties. Fish removal Nopparat Sitthikasemkit, head of the Fishery Development and Promotion Group at the Prachuap Khiri Khan Fisheries Office, mentioned that the provincial fisheries office is in discussions with relevant sectors to establish purchase points for black-banded trevally at 15 baht per kilogramme. Additionally, efforts are being made to increase the frequency of fishing operations to remove as many black-banded trevally from water sources as possible, at least four times a month, in heavily infested areas like Pran Buri, Sam Roi Yot, and Kui Buri. In August, 20,000 white sea bass, a predatory fish, will be released. The rapid spread of black-banded trevally has significantly impacted local fish populations, such as in the Sam Roi Yot area, where native fish species like Trichogaster and climbing perch have drastically declined. Similarly, along the coastal areas, the population of banana shrimp has also decreased. In response, local communities have been encouraged to turn this crisis into an opportunity by utilising black-banded trevally for various purposes. This includes processing the fish into food, selling it to fishmeal factories for animal feed production, or converting it into bio-fertiliser to reduce agricultural costs, reported KhaoSod. By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2024-07-19 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chulabhorn Hospital offers free Hepatitis screenings Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Chulabhorn Hospital invites the public to participate in a free Hepatitis B and C screening programme in honour of the king on July 25 and July 26. The initiative celebrates the His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday on July 28. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333376-chulabhorn-hospital-offers-free-hepatitis-screenings/

Chulabhorn Hospital invites the public to participate in a free Hepatitis B and C screening programme in honour of the king on July 25 and July 26. The initiative celebrates the His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday on July 28. Chulabhorn Hospital, under the Chulabhorn Royal Academy, announced the event today, encouraging citizens to join the screening programme. The screenings will take place at the multi-purpose area on the second floor of the Ratthaprasasanabhakdi Building (Building B), within the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex. A total of 720 people will benefit from the free screenings. This initiative is part of the celebrations for the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday. The hospital aims to raise awareness about hepatitis B and C, diseases that can lead to liver cancer if not detected and treated early. A special talk titled Hepatitis: Treatable Before It Becomes Liver Cancer will be held on July 25 from 10.30am to 11.30am. The discussion will be led by Vorawat Saengviphasnaporn and Anya Kiativiratsak, specialists in gastroenterology and hepatology at Chulabhorn Hospital’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Centre. Vorawat warned that Hepatitis is a silent threat that can lead to serious health complications. Early detection and treatment are crucial. Anya added that the hospital’s goal is to provide accessible healthcare and educate the public about the importance of regular health screenings, reported KhaoSod. Participants can register for the programme through the provided link and seek further information by calling 02765-5700 ext. 8828. By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2024-07-19 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand Leads in Drug Seizures by South Korean Authorities File photo for reference only Thailand remains the leader in terms of the quantity of illegal drugs seized by South Korean law enforcement in 2024. This accounts for a sizable chunk of the drugs grabbed at the country's borders. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333375-thailand-leads-in-drug-seizures-by-south-korean-authorities/

Thailand remains the leader in terms of the quantity of illegal drugs seized by South Korean law enforcement in 2024. This accounts for a sizable chunk of the drugs grabbed at the country's borders. Thailand contributed to 25% of the 298 kilograms of drugs confiscated in South Korea in the first half of 2024, data from the Korea Customs Service (KCS) shows. The information was released by Yonhap news agency. The second highest contributor was the United States, with 20% of total seizures. In the previous year as well, Thailand was recognized as the dominant source of drug smuggling into South Korea. While there's been a 9% decrease in the quantity of seized drugs compared to the first half of 2023, South Korean authorities have noted changes in the smuggling techniques. There's been a surge in minor smuggling attempts, while larger scale efforts have seen a decline due to stricter border regulation. The figures show that 22% of drug smuggling attempts were made by air passengers, 53% through international postal services, and 24% by express cargo. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-19 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand Lengthens Visa-free Stay for Hong Kong Residents File photo for reference only Thailand’s decision to lengthen visa-free visits for people from Hong Kong aims to strengthen business ties and encourage more tourists, say industry leaders. This decision comes despite a recent murder-suicide event in Bangkok involving six individuals. However, this hasn’t affected tourists' plans significantly, they pointed out. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333372-thailand-lengthens-visa-free-stay-for-hong-kong-residents/

Thailand’s decision to lengthen visa-free visits for people from Hong Kong aims to strengthen business ties and encourage more tourists, say industry leaders. This decision comes despite a recent murder-suicide event in Bangkok involving six individuals. However, this hasn’t affected tourists' plans significantly, they pointed out. Anthony Lam Sai-ho, the Executive Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, lauded the extending of visa-free stays as advantageous to Hong Kong businesses in Thailand. The announcement followed Thailand’s decision to provide visa-free entry to 93 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, from 30 to 60 days. This move aims to boost Thailand’s tourism industry. “Many of our members run factories in Thailand and they need to meet clients, check machinery is functioning correctly, or stay longer for training,” stated Lam. As CEO of Golden Resources Development International, Lam acknowledged Thailand’s role as a strong manufacturing location with solid connections to Hong Kong. He noted numerous industries in Hong Kong such as automobiles, textiles, and food production are tightly linked to Thai businesses. Tiffie Cheung Hoi-tung, a digital marketer, said the visa extension makes it easier for her to work and travel in Thailand. She further clarified, “the extension to 60 days makes travelling and working more efficient for me; I get more time to settle in, and long-term renting becomes more cost-effective.” Cheung was attracted to northern Thailand due to its cheaper living costs, which she estimates to be 25% of that in Hong Kong. She added that the longer stay allows for better weekend travels. Long-term Hong Kong resident in Thailand, Roger Hu Wai-chung, claims the new visa rule will favor people with family in Thailand or retirees who prefer long stays in the country. The Hong Kong Immigration Department said that the initiative would boost tourism, cultural, and economic bonds between Thailand and Hong Kong. Based on Thai data, almost 15 million tourists came to Thailand in the first five months of 2024, earning around 700 billion baht in revenue. Tourists from mainland China topped with 2.91 million visitors, with Hong Kong ranking 16th at 317,954 visitors. Despite the recent murder-suicide case at Bangkok's Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, Hu reassured that Hong Kong residents should not be overly worried about security in Thailand. He stressed that the unfortunate incident at the popular hotel was isolated and stemmed from a debt-related argument. Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, Executive Director of EGL Tours, concluded that the agency's tour groups in Bangkok are proceeding with their plans as the incident is deemed isolated and independent. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-19 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pattaya City Launches Art Contest: Uncovering Budding Artists File photo for reference only The Pattaya City Cultural Council recently kicked off the much-awaited Pattaya City Visual Arts Contest 2024, aimed at boosting cultural growth and preservation. This year's vibrant theme, Pattaya: A Way of Colours, is set to spark the creativity of up-and-coming artists, regardless of their age or background. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333364-pattaya-city-launches-art-contest-uncovering-budding-artists/

The Pattaya City Cultural Council recently kicked off the much-awaited Pattaya City Visual Arts Contest 2024, aimed at boosting cultural growth and preservation. This year's vibrant theme, Pattaya: A Way of Colours, is set to spark the creativity of up-and-coming artists, regardless of their age or background. Pattaya City Council President, Banlue Kullavanijaya, during an awards ceremony on July 13, mentioned that this contest gives a platform for young talents to showcase their creativity. The competition was open to a broad range of participants. There were five categories: Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary School, Lower Secondary School, Upper Secondary School and Vocational Certificate, Higher Vocational Certificate, University, and General Public. This approach ensured that all aspiring artists had the chance to display their skills. The judging panel comprised renowned individuals including National Artists, Associate Professors, Professors, Deans of Art Institutes, and independent artists. They evaluated and chose the best pieces of artwork displayed at Pattaya Beach, located opposite Central Pattaya. “The creativity and skill level shown by these young artists is simply astonishing. It's heartening to see such talent and commitment," one of the judges commented. The winning artworks will be showcased to the public in an exhibition celebrating Pattaya’s unique cultural heritage. It also aims to encourage the new wave of Thai artists. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-19 - Cigna offers a range of plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe