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Government Gears Up for Digital Wallet Registration File photo for reference only The Thai Finance Ministry plans to introduce a 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme for 50 million local residents. The registration for this will start in August 2024. This initiative targets Thai citizens who are aged above 16 with low income and minimal savings. The aim of this program is to stimulate the economy by encouraging electronic spending at local shops. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331510-government-gears-up-for-digital-wallet-registration/

The Thai Finance Ministry plans to introduce a 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme for 50 million local residents. The registration for this will start in August 2024. This initiative targets Thai citizens who are aged above 16 with low income and minimal savings. The aim of this program is to stimulate the economy by encouraging electronic spending at local shops. The Deputy Finance Minister, Julapan Amornvivat, assured that the Ministry has secure funding for this 500 billion baht digital project. This budget includes 175 billion baht from the 2024 financial year, 152.7 billion baht from the 2025 fiscal year and 172.3 billion baht from the state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. Despite ongoing discussions at budget committee meetings, the Ministry sees the discussions as a standard part of the process and is not worried about budget rejection. On the forthcoming agenda of the digital wallet policy committee meeting, the Ministry of Commerce will tackle the preparedness of stores that wish to participate. The aim is to ensure people purchase domestic goods and raw materials, which will help boost the local economy. Registration for 50 million people is scheduled to parallelly kick off in early August 2024. It will then close towards the end of September 2024 for multiple agencies to verify the claims. The app development is timed to complete during the third quarter, ensuring the digital money reaches the public by the end of the year. The app is also expected to support various state welfare programs, such as subsidies for electricity, gas, transportation, care for the elderly and vulnerable, and health services. The purpose is to consolidate all state welfare data into one system. The Ministry of Digital Economy will be responsible for managing this app, marking it as Thailand's first application, handling data for 50 million residents for public welfare. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Man Receives 8-Month Jail Term for Vandalizing Temple Wall with Spray Paint File photo for reference only On Thursday, a 26-year-old man was ordered by a Criminal Court to serve 8 months in jail for defacing the wall of the Emerald Buddha Temple in Bangkok with anti-112 graffiti. The event took place on March 28, 2023. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331509-man-receives-8-month-jail-term-for-vandalizing-temple-wall-with-spray-paint/

On Thursday, a 26-year-old man was ordered by a Criminal Court to serve 8 months in jail for defacing the wall of the Emerald Buddha Temple in Bangkok with anti-112 graffiti. The event took place on March 28, 2023. The man, Suttawee Soikham, who also goes by the name "Bang-ern," was nabbed after he was spotted spray painting, then crossing out the number 112 on a wall outside the temple. In Thailand, the number 112 is often used by protesters to symbolize the country's law against royal defamation – Section 112 of the Criminal Code. After reviewing the evidence, the court found Soikham guilty under both the country's law protecting ancient monuments and national museums, and the law maintaining city cleanliness and order. Since his crime broke multiple laws but was considered as a single act, he was charged under the law with the most severe punishment – the Ancient Monuments Act. Initially, Suttawee was sentenced to 1 year in prison without any possible suspension. However, thanks to his helpful testimony, his sentence was cut by a third, leaving him with 8 months imprisonment. The cans he used for spray painting were seized while other charges against him were dropped. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Durian sellers are cutting fruits into smaller pieces due to rising prices File photo for reference only Durian prices have risen in Nakhon Ratchasima, causing sellers to switch tactics and offer the fruit in parts instead of whole due to lower buying power among locals and sales dropping over 50%. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331507-durian-sellers-are-cutting-fruits-into-smaller-pieces-due-to-rising-prices/

Durian prices have risen in Nakhon Ratchasima, causing sellers to switch tactics and offer the fruit in parts instead of whole due to lower buying power among locals and sales dropping over 50%. At a local market in Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima, durian sellers have started selling the fruit by the pound instead of by kilogram due to a slow economy and a notable hike in durian prices from last year, which has significantly lowered customer buying power by over half. Durian parts are now sold with a variety of prices between 50 to 75 baht per pound so that more cautious spenders can afford them. Regular customer, 27-year-old Duannapa discussed her experience. She expressed her delight in the new offer as her buying power hasn't been high recently, making it difficult for her to buy a whole durian. A 29-year-old durian vendor named Puna in the market explained the shift in sales strategy. He stated that most customers now have less buying power, leading to the decision to sell durian in parts. He also said that selling in parts allows customers to select exactly what they want and suits those who want smaller quantities. He revealed that durian sales have declined compared to last year due to the economic slump and increased number of durian sellers, necessitating a change in sales approach for all stores. This change in selling options exhibits the vendors' flexibility in difficult economic times and their aim to serve a more budget-conscious clientele. By selling the durian in smaller, more affordable pieces, the vendors hope to keep their customer base and boost sales regardless of the economic downturn and stiffer competition. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai family in South Korea seeks help after meningitis scare File photo for reference only A Thai woman named Purima "Kim" Rungthongkumkul, who was attending a company seminar in South Korea, was hospitalized due to meningitis. Her brother, Nakarin Rungthongkumkul, took to social media to ask for financial help. Kim's symptoms of meningitis started showing on June 25 when she travelled from Seoul to Busan. She was initially treated and sent back to her hotel but her condition worsened, leading to her loss of consciousness and hospitalization on June 27. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331506-thai-family-in-south-korea-seeks-help-after-meningitis-scare/

A Thai woman named Purima "Kim" Rungthongkumkul, who was attending a company seminar in South Korea, was hospitalized due to meningitis. Her brother, Nakarin Rungthongkumkul, took to social media to ask for financial help. Kim's symptoms of meningitis started showing on June 25 when she travelled from Seoul to Busan. She was initially treated and sent back to her hotel but her condition worsened, leading to her loss of consciousness and hospitalization on June 27. After scans revealed she had meningitis, Kim was treated in a special environment in the hospital and couldn't return to Thailand for about three weeks. Her family was informed of her diagnosis and later told that she had become brain dead. The daily medical costs were about 120,000 baht. Nakarin and his family, struggling with the decision, chose to cease treatment to prevent further suffering for Kim. However, they decided to donate her organs and she remained in the hospital until her parents could arrive. The family had started a donation campaign to cover Kim's medical costs, which as of July 4 had reached 863,750 baht of the needed 1.2 million baht. However, with her remaining in the hospital until her parents' arrival, plus the cost of her eventual cremation and sending her ashes back to Thailand, more funds are needed. Nakarin said the campaign will close once enough funds are raised, donations can be made to his Government Savings Bank account number 020295027393. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

True Corporation’s emergency alert system unveiled Photo courtesy of The Nation Thailand’s True Corporation (True) conducted a successful live test of its new emergency alert system, the Cell Broadcast Service (CBS), marking a major step forward in national security. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331505-true-corporation’s-emergency-alert-system-unveiled/

Thailand’s True Corporation (True) conducted a successful live test of its new emergency alert system, the Cell Broadcast Service (CBS), marking a major step forward in national security. True CEO Manat Manavutiveth declared that the system, developed in collaboration with key government agencies, signifies True’s commitment to building robust infrastructure for emergency communication. This innovative system has been crafted with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), and the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Designed to align with Thailand’s national disaster alert policy and digital economy strategy, CBS aims to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11: making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This real-time alert system delivers critical information directly to mobile phones within affected areas, breaking language barriers by broadcasting in Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian. Manat said CBS categorises alerts into five levels: National Alert: Immediate notification to everyone within the coverage area. Emergency Alerts: Warnings about natural disasters and criminal threats. Amber Alerts: Notifications about missing persons or abductions. Public Safety: Alerts for specific areas like residential communities and travel routes. Test Alerts: Used for system testing and verification. “The adaptability of this system ensures that everyone receives critical updates during emergencies, promoting inclusivity and facilitating a faster, more coordinated response.” Manat noted that CBS uses both audio signals and pop-up messages, supporting Text-to-Speech technology for visually impaired users. Highlighting the rising frequency and severity of natural disasters due to climate change, the True CEO described CBS as a proactive measure to mitigate potential damage and loss of life, envisioning a safer environment for citizens and tourists. “The successful testing of CBS paves the way for Thailand to adopt a standardised emergency alert system that aligns with international best practices.” Regulatory framework Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong praised the smooth operation of the alert system during the test but acknowledged the need for discussions to develop a regulatory framework and clear roles for implementation. “It is DES’ mission to coordinate with various agencies, ensuring every party has a clearly defined role without overlap.” Prasert mentioned plans to consult the Interior Ministry on supervision and system operations. With an initial budget of 434 million baht, supported by the NBTC Office’s Universal Service Obligation 3 fund, and an additional 1.2 billion baht for network providers’ systems, CBS is slated for nationwide rollout in the new year. Efforts are also underway to negotiate with Apple to enable CBS operation on iOS devices. NBTC Chairman Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck pledged to expedite funding and collaboration with all operators, ensuring the timely implementation of CBS to benefit everyone in Thailand, reported The Nation. By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of The Nation Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

US government tempts RTA with fleet of F-16 fighter jets Photo courtesy of The Nation The US government has made a tantalising offer to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTA) – a loan to purchase an entire fleet of F-16 fighter jets. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang revealed this intriguing development, shedding light on the high-stakes negotiations. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331504-us-government-tempts-rta-with-fleet-of-f-16-fighter-jets/

The US government has made a tantalising offer to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTA) – a loan to purchase an entire fleet of F-16 fighter jets. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang revealed this intriguing development, shedding light on the high-stakes negotiations. In a meeting at the Defence Ministry, US Ambassador Robert Frank Godec presented the enticing proposition. Godec conveyed that the US is prepared to finance the RTA’s acquisition of a complete F-16 fleet in one go, rather than through piecemeal purchases. This bold move aims to secure a significant deal, positioning the US as a key player in Thailand’s defence upgrade. However, Sutin remained tight-lipped about the exact amount offered. He warned that while the loan could expedite the acquisition process, it comes with a substantial interest cost. Other nations have also presented similar loan offers, intensifying the competition for Thailand’s favour. This American offer follows the RTA’s announcement last month about forming a selection panel to choose between Sweden’s Gripen fighter jets and the US’s F-16s. The decision holds immense strategic importance for Thailand’s air defence capabilities. RTA Commander-in-Chief ACM Phanphakdee Phattanakul confirmed that the air force has allocated 19 billion baht for the purchase of four new fighter jets. The panel is meticulously evaluating both the Gripen and F-16 models to determine the best fit for Thailand’s defence needs. Adding another layer to the proposal, Sutin disclosed that the US has also offered a sophisticated data link system. This system can serve as a command centre for the F-16s, ensuring seamless communication with aircraft from various manufacturers, and enhancing interoperability and operational efficiency, reported The Nation. By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of The Nation Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Anutin says Pathum Thani's Governor can prevent Charn from being PAO Chief File photo for reference only Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has stated that the governor of Pathum Thani alone has the power to determine the future of Charn Puangpetch, a Pheu Thai candidate who won the recent Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) mayoral election. Despite his win, Charn is facing trial in the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders for corruption charges related to his previous role as Pathum Thani PAO chief. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331503-anutin-says-pathum-thanis-governor-can-prevent-charn-from-being-pao-chief/

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has stated that the governor of Pathum Thani alone has the power to determine the future of Charn Puangpetch, a Pheu Thai candidate who won the recent Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) mayoral election. Despite his win, Charn is facing trial in the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders for corruption charges related to his previous role as Pathum Thani PAO chief. The Council of State's Secretary General has said that Charn cannot take up his official duties due to these charges. Over this issue, Anutin stated he would not risk his career by going against the law and that he would consider the Council of State's opinion. Anutin added that he is not worried about upsetting the Pheu Thai party, as he is committed to abide by the law. On the other hand, Pheu Thai Party's deputy leader, Chusak Sirinil, stated that only the court has the authority to prevent Charn from serving as the PAO mayor following his recent win. Kaewsan Atibodhi, a former law lecturer at Thammasat University, argued there is no need for the Supreme Court to stop Charn from performing his duties unless it decides otherwise. He supported the secretary general's view and added that the Pathum Thani governor would be held responsible if they allowed Charn to carry out his duties. Kaewsan suggested that Charn should step aside and publicly apologize to peacefully resolve this political issue. Recently, Charn has not been seen publicly. His wife told reporters that he went to the countryside to rest after his long campaign. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Reconsideration of afternoon ban on selling alcohol in progress File photo for reference only Thailand's Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, is considering lifting a ban on afternoon alcohol sales that has been in place for 52 years, in efforts to stimulate the tourism industry. The tourism sector has been urging for a re-evaluation of the law which currently prohibits the sale of alcohol between 2pm and 5pm. This consideration comes after a meeting held at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University on Tuesday. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331502-reconsideration-of-afternoon-ban-on-selling-alcohol-in-progress/

Thailand's Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, is considering lifting a ban on afternoon alcohol sales that has been in place for 52 years, in efforts to stimulate the tourism industry. The tourism sector has been urging for a re-evaluation of the law which currently prohibits the sale of alcohol between 2pm and 5pm. This consideration comes after a meeting held at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University on Tuesday. Thavisin disclosed that the Restaurant Business Association requested the government to introduce immediate economic measures in order to prevent more restaurant closures, which have been exacerbated by an over 50% increase in raw material and energy prices. In the face of operational costs rising, the government is actively promoting tourism in an effort for restaurateurs to generate more income. The proposed review of the ban is mainly targeted at increasing alcohol sales to foreign tourists. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Art toy craze surges in Thailand as adult collectors get creative File photo for reference only Thailand's local art toy industry is growing at a rapid rate, primarily fueled by adult collectors and innovative small toy manufacturers. This growth has been noted by Auramon Supthaweethum, Director-General of the Business Development Department, who believes this business has a bright future as consumer demand rises. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331501-art-toy-craze-surges-in-thailand-as-adult-collectors-get-creative/

Thailand's local art toy industry is growing at a rapid rate, primarily fueled by adult collectors and innovative small toy manufacturers. This growth has been noted by Auramon Supthaweethum, Director-General of the Business Development Department, who believes this business has a bright future as consumer demand rises. In 2023, the art toy industry in Thailand brought in a revenue of 19.7 billion baht, making a profit of 468 million baht. Despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic over the past five years, the sector continues to expand. Adult collectors and artists view these art toys not only as collectibles but also as an art form. Due to the high demand, the supply of these toys is unable to keep up, leading to a resale market where prices are marked up significantly. Thai artists, inspired by this trend, have begun designing toys that reflect their culture. The recent popularity of art toys can, in part, be attributed to blind boxes. These are affordable toys sold at stores and vending machines. Their unique selling point is the surprise element; buyers won't know which toy they've gotten until they open the box. They usually come in series featuring multiple collectables, with rarer ones dubbed as "secret figures." The art toys are made by artists, designers, and illustrators in limited editions, contributing to their high prices. They use a range of materials, including wood, steel, resin, plastic, vinyl, and velvet. Globally, the art toy industry holds high commercial value, driven by consumers known as 'kidults' — teens and adults who buy games and collectibles for themselves, typically those that bring back childhood memories of cartoons and superheroes. In the past year, small businesses have led the Thai art toy market, often partnering with investors from Hong Kong, China, and Japan. Of the 1,024 firms in the industry, small businesses made up 93.7%, valued at 5.7 billion baht in total. Among the many art toy characters created by Thai artists, Cry Baby, a character showing a tearful girl with short hair, stands out due to its popularity across Southeast Asia. In 2023, Thai toy exports, including art toys, reached a value of 8.78 billion baht. The United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom were the top importers. However, in the first four months of 2024, exports grew by 51.4%, with China, the US, and Japan taking the lead. This continued growth in the art toy sector underscores the global interest in unique and culturally significant collectibles, indicating a promising future for Thai artists and manufacturers to further grow their reach in international markets. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pattaya Taxi Driver Attacks Two Women During Argument Over Turn Signals - video File photo for reference only Two women who were assaulted by a motorcycle taxi driver in Soi Pattaya 4, Thailand, are seeking justice. They reported the incident to a number of Thai news outlets after the driver failed to use his turn signal and later attacked them physically. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331500-pattaya-taxi-driver-attacks-two-women-during-argument-over-turn-signals-video/

Two women who were assaulted by a motorcycle taxi driver in Soi Pattaya 4, Thailand, are seeking justice. They reported the incident to a number of Thai news outlets after the driver failed to use his turn signal and later attacked them physically. The victims, identified as Mayom, 42, and Arthitiya, 25, suffered injuries during the assault that occurred on July 2. Mayom had to receive four stitches for a head wound, while Arthitiya sustained a bruised eye. According to Mayom, the taxi driver suddenly turned in front of their motorcycle without indicating. He then parked to drop off his passenger before making an abrupt right turn back onto the road without looking out for oncoming traffic. When Mayom questioned the driver about his failure to use the signal, he became enraged. In response, the taxi driver pursued them, sped past to overtake, and cut in front of them yet again. He then assaulted Mayom, grabbing her shirt and punching her multiple times, even after she had fallen to the ground. A bystander captured the violent episode on camera and shared it on social media. The accused taxi driver was seen in the video wearing an orange vest, with the number 12 clearly visible. Although some locals tried to stop the fight, the argument continued. Following the attack, the women reported the assailant at the Mueang Pattaya Police Station, providing the video as proof of the assault. However, due to the lack of police response, the victims reached out to the media in an attempt to push for faster action from the authorities. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Vietnamese Fraudsters Posing as Tour Guides Rob Fellow Citizens in Thailand File photo for reference only A Vietnamese man is set to face legal punishment for defrauding and robbing fellow Vietnamese, costing them over 1 million baht. He and his accomplices tricked their victims into traveling to Thailand under the guise of being tour guides. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331498-vietnamese-fraudsters-posing-as-tour-guides-rob-fellow-citizens-in-thailand/

A Vietnamese man is set to face legal punishment for defrauding and robbing fellow Vietnamese, costing them over 1 million baht. He and his accomplices tricked their victims into traveling to Thailand under the guise of being tour guides. The crime took place at a rented house at Soi Sukhumvit 101 in Bangkok's Phra Khanong district on August 21 last year. The victims, including a man named Tran, reported to local police that the group had lost cash and mobile phones, valued at over 1 million baht, to the Vietnamese thief known as Nong and his gang. The scam involved offering travel packages to Thailand to potential Vietnamese tourists. Once the victims arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on August 16, they rented the house that would later become the crime scene. On the day of the crime, Nong and seven gang members broke into the rented home, holding the victims at knifepoint. They forced the victims into one room, restrained them and assaulted them before robbing them of their cash and phones. They fled the scene when a friend of Tran’s arrived and interrupted the crime. All the Vietnamese suspects managed to escape back to Vietnam illegally via a border crossing point at the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Mukdahan on August 26 last year. The police tracked the criminals and discovered that Nong had returned to Thailand, hiding in the province of Samut Sakhon. He was then apprehended. Nong faces charges under Section 340 of the Criminal Law: for planning and executing a theft with three or more persons using weapons. The penalty for this crime is imprisonment for 12 to 20 years and a fine of 240,000 to 300,000 baht. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Former Director of Thai Survey taken into custody over illegal land deeds for a resort File photo for reference only The former head of the Land Survey Centre in Nakhon Ratchasima was arrested today, July 4, by the police. The executive is accused of unlawfully issuing land title deeds for personal benefit in several high-profile instances. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331496-former-director-of-thai-survey-taken-into-custody-over-illegal-land-deeds-for-a-resort/

The former head of the Land Survey Centre in Nakhon Ratchasima was arrested today, July 4, by the police. The executive is accused of unlawfully issuing land title deeds for personal benefit in several high-profile instances. Phumvisal Kasemsuk, head of the national corruption-fighting agency, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), led the team that arrested the former director, known as Arun. Arun is being charged with corruption and misconduct under Section 157 of the Penal Code. The ex-director has been accused of issuing illegal land title deeds to a collective of investors and businesses. The land in question spans over 2,000 rai (or about 790 acres) and is located in the tourist hotspot of Khao Yai in Pak Chong district. This land alone is worth hundreds of millions of baht. The investigation also revealed additional lands in Nakhon Ratchasima were illegitimately issued, impacting thousands of rai in various districts. It's said that Arun played a critical role in issuing these illegal deeds, thus benefiting a large number of powerful investors and violating local land management rules. After avoiding the law for a lengthy period, Arun was finally apprehended at his home. His arrest happened just two months before the statute of limitations for his case was due to expire. The capture operation was a result of the exceptional teamwork between various agencies. They managed to execute the warrant just in the nick of time. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Police warn of AI scam using fake video calls in Lamphun Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Police in Lamphun issued a public warning about con artists using artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing video calls impersonating police officers. A recent incident involved scammers using the image of a female officer, Ploy, to deceive the public. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1331495-police-warn-of-ai-scam-using-fake-video-calls-in-lamphun/