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Thailand has declared three days of mourning for the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash near the border of Azerbaijan and Iran. During these days, all flags on government buildings and state companies will fly at half-mast. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered the mourning period, which will be observed on May 23rd, 24th and 27th. The break on May 25th is due to the Visaka Bucha public holiday. The fatal crash happened on a Sunday afternoon in a remote mountain region. Alongside President Raisi, the helicopter was carrying other top officials, including the Foreign Affairs Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. They all lost their lives in the accident. President Raisi was 63. The death of President Raisi has led to Thailand expressing its deep condolences to Iran. The two countries share a 400-year strong relationship. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement to show its support for Iran during this difficult time, reinforcing the strength of the diplomatic ties between them. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-22 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Bleak reefs: Coral bleaching hits Mooh Koh Surin & Phi Phi Island The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DMCR) revealed seven coral bleaching sites have been identified in Moo Koh Surin National Park in Phang Nga, with up to 70% of coral fields around Krabi’s Phi Phi Island also affected. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327885-bleak-reefs-coral-bleaching-hits-mooh-koh-surin-phi-phi-island/

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DMCR) revealed seven coral bleaching sites have been identified in Moo Koh Surin National Park in Phang Nga, with up to 70% of coral fields around Krabi’s Phi Phi Island also affected. An investigation into the bleaching situation, conducted over two days, revealed that seven coral reef sites in Moo Koh Surin National Park are experiencing bleaching ranging from 5% to 50%. The probe, carried out on May 12-13, involved measuring seawater temperatures to assess the extent of the damage. The most severe bleaching was observed near Koh Torinla, where mushroom coral reefs at depths of two to 10 metres were found to be completely bleached in some areas. In addition, 30% of reefs at the same depth displayed pale colours. Other locations within the national park also showed varying levels of bleaching: 30% in Ao Tao and Ao Chong Kad, 20% in Ao Trian, 10% in Ao Mae Yai, and 5% in Ao Suthep and Ao Pakkard. The national park is currently closed for the rainy season, with plans to reopen on October 15. Around Phi Phi Island in Krabi, several areas are temporarily closed due to significant coral bleaching, affecting more than 50% of the coral reefs in the region, said Yuthapong Damsrisuk, chief of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park. “Snorkelling and scuba diving activities are suspended in affected areas such as Kai Island, Khangkhao Bay, Rai Lay Bay, Daeng Island, and Yavasum Island.” In response to the situation, the marine national park has designated new snorkelling areas for visitors to use, aiming to mitigate the impact on the vulnerable coral sites, reported Bangkok Post. By Bob Scott Source: The Thaiger 2024-05-22 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Court shakes up Senate race: Judge advises removal of EC regs Picture courtesy of KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA from pexels.com A judge at the Administrative Court has advised the removal of certain Election Commission (EC) regulations that govern how Senate election candidates introduce themselves, following complaints from petitioners. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327884-court-shakes-up-senate-race-judge-advises-removal-of-ec-regs/

A judge at the Administrative Court has advised the removal of certain Election Commission (EC) regulations that govern how Senate election candidates introduce themselves, following complaints from petitioners. Activists and candidates filed a petition against the EC regulations, arguing that they overly restrict candidates’ use of social media and mass media to introduce themselves to the public. The court held its first hearing on the case yesterday. The petitioners targeted specific EC regulations: Nos. 5, 7, 8, 11(2), and 11(5), implemented on April 27. They claimed these rules deter candidates from expressing their opinions publicly or giving interviews to the press. An injunction was also requested to temporarily suspend these regulations until a court ruling is made. An Administrative Court judge prepared a written report summarising the arguments, facts, and laws involved in the dispute, and suggested that some regulations be scrapped. Regulation No. 7 was highlighted, which permits candidates to introduce themselves using no more than two A4-sized pieces of paper to summarise their resumes for fellow candidates. This information is prohibited from being shared with the public. The new Senate will comprise 200 members who will not be directly elected by the public. Instead, applicants will vote among themselves in three stages: district, provincial, and national. The judge argued that many candidates were unfamiliar with each other, making the two A4 pieces of paper impractical. Additionally, the public would lack information about the candidates. The judge recommended removing the phrases ‘no more than two A4 pieces of paper ‘ and ‘being introduced among themselves and not to the public’ from the regulation, deeming them contrary to the law. Regulation No. 11(2), which prevents candidates from the media and advertising professions from using their careers to introduce themselves, was also criticised as discriminatory. The judge noted that candidates from other professional groups can leverage their careers to benefit their Senate campaigns. The judge suggested that the restrictions were unfair and should be removed to ensure a level playing field for all candidates. The court will continue to deliberate on the matter, taking into account the judge’s recommendations and the arguments presented by both sides, reported Bangkok Post. By Mitch Connor Picture courtesy of KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA from pexels.com Source: The Thaiger 2024-05-22 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

One dead, 30 injured in Singapore Airlines emergency landing File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google A Singapore Airlines flight had to make a sudden landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok due to harsh weather; sadly, one passenger died and 30 others got injured. The air traffic control team at the airport got an emergency signal from the London-Singapore flight at 4 pm on May 21, as per Thai PBS. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327831-one-dead-30-injured-in-singapore-airlines-emergency-landing/

A Singapore Airlines flight had to make a sudden landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok due to harsh weather; sadly, one passenger died and 30 others got injured. The air traffic control team at the airport got an emergency signal from the London-Singapore flight at 4 pm on May 21. As per a Facebook page called Pilot Notebook, severe weather encountered by the Singapore Airlines plane after it left London for Changi Airport led it to land at Suvarnabhumi Airport instead. Unfortunately, this emergency landing led to injuries of 30 passengers and the death of one. The flight carried 211 passengers along with 18 cabin crew. The incident may have been caused by unexpected air turbulence over the Indian Ocean, though the official reason remains unconfirmed. It's also believed that the deceased passenger might have sustained fatal injuries due to not buckling the seatbelt during landing. In related news, bad weather also caused a tragic helicopter crash in Iran on May 19, claiming the life of the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and nine others. The chopper had been transporting the leaders from the Azerbaijani border to Tabriz. It battled heavy fog and snowstorm before crashing in East Azerbaijan province's mountains. Iranian authorities have yet to confirm the accident's cause. Lastly, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin sent his condolences and ordered all government offices to fly the Thai flag at half-mast in memory of the deceased. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-21 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Grab Strikes a Deal with Phuket and Chiang Mai Airports File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Microsoft Bing Grab, a ride-hailing service, has gained exclusive rights to operate at Phuket and Chiang Mai Airports, both managed by Airports of Thailand. This arrangement limits other similar services, like Bolt, from accessing the airport terminals to pick up or drop off passengers. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327825-grab-strikes-a-deal-with-phuket-and-chiang-mai-airports/

Grab, a ride-hailing service, has gained exclusive rights to operate at Phuket and Chiang Mai Airports, both managed by Airports of Thailand. This arrangement limits other similar services, like Bolt, from accessing the airport terminals to pick up or drop off passengers. Even though ride-hailing services are legal in Thailand, Grab's newfound privileges come with a catch. The cost of this agreement is being passed down to the customers. In Phuket, the fares of Grab from the new taxi booth at the front of the domestic terminal are equivalent to those of traditional taxis. These so-called 'fixed prices' are deemed to be approximately 2 – 3 times higher than regular fares in city areas like Bangkok. On numerous occasions, the regional government in Phuket has emphasized that taxis should use their meters. However, most of the taxi services from the airport tend to charge a set fee, with little enforcement of rules by regional authorities. Previously, ride-hailing services to and from Phuket Airport were roughly half the price of traditional taxis. However, they could only pick up and drop off passengers outside the airport grounds. Now, after this deal, Grab's charges to and from the Phuket airport are almost as much as traditional taxis. The same scenario is observed in Chiang Mai and Suvarnabhumi, though it's less problematic in Suvarnabhumi due to more reasonable taxi fares. Chiang Mai Airport officials have defended their decision to grant Grab exclusive ride-hailing privileges at the passenger terminal. The airport's general manager, Mr. Ronnakorn Chalermsanyakorn, explained that only vehicles that use the Grab application are allowed to pick up passengers from the airport. That's in order to maintain control over service quality and passenger safety. This news erupted after a Bolt driver voiced his complaint about being banned from the airport to pick up passengers who booked rides through the Bolt app. He was told that though Bolt isn't illegal, it isn't approved by Airports of Thailand to operate at the airport. Grab's deals with the airport officials in Phuket and Chiang Mai signify the continuing dominance of taxi services at the airports. Last November, Grab Thailand's Country Head, Worachat Luxkanalode, said that the new Grab booths are about helping their customers. However, he didn't mention that the fares would be aligned with local taxi fixed rates to secure their access to the airport grounds. In conclusion, the deals with Airports of Thailand have increased the power and strength of local taxi operators in Phuket and Chiang Mai, with negligible benefits for travelers. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Microsoft Bing -- 2024-05-21 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Srettha is Considering a Food Partnership with Barilla File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google The Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, recently had a meeting with top officials from Barilla G.e.R. Fratelli S.p.A., a leading pasta manufacturing company based in Italy. The discussions focused on increasing the quality of food production and spreading pasta distribution channels across Thailand. Other participants in this discussion were Federico Vescovi, the President of Partnership Development at Barilla, and Andrea Sorbello, the company's Government Relations Manager. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327824-srettha-is-considering-a-food-partnership-with-barilla/

The Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, recently had a meeting with top officials from Barilla G.e.R. Fratelli S.p.A., a leading pasta manufacturing company based in Italy. The discussions focused on increasing the quality of food production and spreading pasta distribution channels across Thailand. Other participants in this discussion were Federico Vescovi, the President of Partnership Development at Barilla, and Andrea Sorbello, the company's Government Relations Manager. The Italian company runs 30 production plants worldwide, including 10 mills spanning Italy, the US, and other nations. It also operates a strategic sales office in Singapore that caters to the ASEAN region, as well as Japan, South Korea, and China. The meeting explored the possibilities of collaborating with Thai companies, specifically to produce ready-to-eat meals and increase pasta distribution throughout Thailand. Prime Minister Srettha emphasized the advantages of Thai food producers adopting high-quality production techniques, stating that such a cooperation would improve product standards for local consumers. Additionally, it would boost the general quality and accessibility of food items in the region. In reply, Barilla expressed that Thailand could serve as a pivotal center for its future production and export activities. The company highlighted the strategic importance of Thailand in its global plans, suggesting promising opportunities for stronger economic collaboration between Thailand and Italy. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-21 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Cabinet Gives Green Light for Increase in Digital Wallet Stimulus Budget File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google The Cabinet has given the green light for an increase to the 2024 fiscal year budget, in order to support a new stimulus program. Though the exact amount of the increase is still undecided, an initial proposal suggests an additional 122 billion baht (about US$3.36 billion). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327823-cabinet-gives-green-light-for-increase-in-digital-wallet-stimulus-budget/

The Cabinet has given the green light for an increase to the 2024 fiscal year budget, in order to support a new stimulus program. Though the exact amount of the increase is still undecided, an initial proposal suggests an additional 122 billion baht (about US$3.36 billion). The rise in funding is intended to support the government's "digital wallet" scheme, which plans to give 10,000 baht to each of 50 million citizens so as to boost spending in local economies. By 2025, the deficit in the budget is expected to widen by 152.7 billion baht, pushing the total budget to 3.752 trillion baht to back this initiative. Some economists are against this plan, but the government insists that it is crucial for revitalizing an economy in crisis. The central bank has also suggested that the program should mainly help vulnerable groups. Earlier, the government had mentioned that the money needed for this stimulus would come from the budgets for 2024 and 2025, paired with contributions from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-21 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Over 30 Thais fall victim to investment scam losing 41 million baht Photo via Facebook/ มติเพรส Online Thirty Thai victims filed a lawsuit against a designer brand product vendor for operating an investment scam that caused 41 million baht in damages. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327822-over-30-thais-fall-victim-to-investment-scam-losing-41-million-baht/

Thirty Thai victims filed a lawsuit against a designer brand product vendor for operating an investment scam that caused 41 million baht in damages. The victims visited the Crime Suppression Division Office yesterday, May 20, to file a complaint and provide evidence to officers. More than 30 people fell victim to the scam, and most of them were online vendors like the scammer, known as Aim Wandee. One of the victims, Jiab, revealed with Channel 7 that she was a trainer teaching her followers how to notice the differences between fake and genuine designer products. She met Aim through their shared profession in the designer brand industry. According to Jiab, Aim scammed victims out of money using multiple tricks. She would act as an agent for selling designer brands, inviting people to consign their second-hand items to her. She promised to sell the items and pay the owners, but allegedly never did. Some victims bought products from Aim and transferred their money but never received the goods. Others were lured into investing in Aim’s businesses, receiving initial returns but ultimately losing their money. Another victim, Somchai, said he was invited to invest in Aim’s business by her boyfriend. He invested 600,000 baht and received 30,000 baht in profit. Aim later lured him into investing more in her business but received no profit and also lost his investment cost. Channel 7 reported that Aim is originally from Myanmar and recently gained Thai nationality in April. She has been operating scams since she lived in Chiang Mai and has since relocated. The media also reported that Aim changed her name to avoid arrest for past crimes. Police reported that they will obtain a search warrant to investigate Aim’s home and seize her assets as part of their investigation. They will gather more evidence to determine the charges against her. By Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ มติเพรส Online Source: The Thaiger 2024-05-21 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand’s sports equipment market to hit 32 billion baht Image courtesy of jcomp on Freepik The sports equipment market is set for significant growth in the coming years, thanks to a surge in consumer interest in health and wellness since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327821-thailand’s-sports-equipment-market-to-hit-32-billion-baht/

The sports equipment market is set for significant growth in the coming years, thanks to a surge in consumer interest in health and wellness since the Covid-19 pandemic began. President of the Thailand Sporting Trade Association Kitti Charoenpornpanichkul reported that the domestic sports equipment market reached a value of approximately 30 billion baht (US$826 million) last year. This figure surpasses the 25 billion baht recorded before the pandemic in 2019. Driven by heightened consumer awareness about physical fitness and the adoption of active lifestyles, sales of sports equipment in 2023 saw a notable increase, with sports shoes accounting for half of the sales. Kitti projected that the market value of sports equipment would climb to 32 billion baht this year, marking an 8% rise. “The market will be driven by the increasing number of senior citizens participating in sports, recreation and leisure activities, and the growing number of youth academies.” Additionally, the influx of individuals visiting Thailand for sports tourism activities has contributed to higher spending on sports equipment, said Kitti. “I believe if Thailand does not face an economic slowdown, the sports equipment market will grow by more than 8%.” Post-lockdown fitness trends have shifted as people have become more concerned about public health and safety, seeking convenient ways to stay active and maintain their health without frequenting fitness centres or sports facilities. This shift has further spurred demand for home sports equipment. According to Kitti, reduced gym utilisation rates have prompted fitness business operators to adjust their models. Some have reduced the amount of exercise equipment to create more space for personal or group training sessions. Chief executive of Fitness Innovations (Thailand) Ltd Suzanne Hosley, an education and training centre for fitness professionals, noted that the fitness industry is expected to improve in the second half of this year, with some sectors surpassing pre-pandemic levels, reported Bangkok Post. By Alex Morgan Image courtesy of jcomp on Freepik Source: The Thaiger 2024-05-21 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Blaze destroys British man’s condo in Pattaya Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail A terrifying blaze erupted in the early hours of May 17 at the Center Condotel on South Pattaya Road, causing extensive damage and forcing the frantic evacuation of residents. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327517-pattaya-terrorised-by-two-fires-in-the-night-locals-evacuated/?do=findComment&comment=18930698

Blaze destroys British man’s condo in Pattaya A terrifying blaze erupted in the early hours of May 17 at the Center Condotel on South Pattaya Road, causing extensive damage and forcing the frantic evacuation of residents. The fire, reported at 3.36am, initially broke out on the 12th floor, quickly spreading to the 13th floor as thick smoke engulfed the building, creating a chaotic and perilous scene. Kraithong Chullanun, a 45 year old security guard at the condo, reported that flames were first spotted on the 12th floor, and within minutes, they had spread. Kraithong, alerted by a resident to the smell of smoke and visible flames, attempted to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. However, his efforts were in vain as the flames spread rapidly, necessitating the urgent call for fire services and the immediate evacuation of the residents. Firefighters, armed with water trucks and the building’s internal water supply, battled the inferno for over an hour. They eventually managed to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading further, though the aftermath left smoke lingering throughout the building. The origin of the fire was traced to a room on the 12th floor, destroying the belongings of Michael Raymond Bell, a 75 year old British national. Fortunately, Bell escaped without injury. Police Lieutenant Captain Anirut Jaeroh, Deputy Inspector of Pattaya City Police Station, stated that initial investigations were inconclusive regarding the cause of the fire. Further examinations by the Chon Buri Province Forensic Office are required to determine the exact cause, reported Pattaya Mail. The damage, estimated to exceed 1 million baht, has left residents and officials questioning how the fire started. Bell is set to be questioned to aid investigations. By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail Source: The Thaiger 2024-05-21 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Woman and Her American Boyfriend Go Missing in Switzerland The family of a Thai woman, known as Noon, has launched an online search for her after she went missing in Switzerland. She had traveled to the European country with her American boyfriend and has been out of contact for 24 days. Her sister posted about Noon's disappearance on a Facebook group dedicated to traveling in Switzerland, asking members to reach out if they happened to see Noon. The post revealed that Noon left for Switzerland on her Swedish passport and her last social media interaction was on April 26. Apparently, before disappearing, Noon posted a picture of herself in the Swiss town of Brig. Another relative of Noon's, residing in Switzerland, commented on the post, saying she had already reported Noon as missing to the local police. She also expressed concern over Noon's boyfriend, revealing he has a criminal record in Thailand that includes detainment charges. The family has requested help from anyone with information about Noon's whereabouts to contact her sister through her Facebook account, Fon’mama Dumbbell. Photo courtesy of The Thaiger -- 2024-05-21 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Ex-Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat Surprises with Senate Candidacy File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google The former Prime Minister of Thailand, Somchai Wongsawat, unexpectedly showed up at the Chiang Mai district office at 9 in the morning to mark the beginning of the senatorial candidate registrations. Somchai served briefly as prime minister from September 18, 2008, until December 2, 2008, and did not address the media during his visit. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327818-ex-prime-minister-somchai-wongsawat-surprises-with-senate-candidacy/

The former Prime Minister of Thailand, Somchai Wongsawat, unexpectedly showed up at the Chiang Mai district office at 9 in the morning to mark the beginning of the senatorial candidate registrations. Somchai served briefly as prime minister from September 18, 2008, until December 2, 2008, and did not address the media during his visit. His time as prime minister was filled with challenges due to Thailand's unsettled political situation and the worldwide financial crisis. His tenure ended abruptly when the Constitutional Court disbanded his People's Power Party (PPP) over allegations of fraud, leading to a political prohibition for him and other party leaders. It is interesting to note that Somchai is connected to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra through marriage, as he is married to Thaksin's sister. Noppadol Suya, the Election Commission Director in Chiang Mai, shared that they expect around 1,500 candidates from the province to run for a Senate seat. The significant number of registrations on the first day implies a highly contested race. He also reminded all candidates to follow all the rules closely, especially the rule against promoting themselves in the media. The constitution states that the selection process involves several rounds of voting at the district, provincial, and national levels. Candidates need to get through six voting rounds to secure one of the ten Senate seats allotted to each of the 20 qualifying professional groups, and there is a backup list of five candidates per group. The first round at the district level is scheduled for June 9, with provincial voting following on June 16, and the final round at the national level on June 26, as per The Nation. While the journey to the Senate will be a challenging one, the sudden participation of Somchai has undoubtedly raised the stakes. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-21 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Frustrated son attacks late-arriving rescue crew, causing father's death File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google A bedridden patient tragically passed away in Bangkok due to a late response from a medical team. Unhappiness with the delay led the patient's son to physically attack a rescue officer. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327816-frustrated-son-attacks-late-arriving-rescue-crew-causing-fathers-death/

A bedridden patient tragically passed away in Bangkok due to a late response from a medical team. Unhappiness with the delay led the patient's son to physically attack a rescue officer. Deputy Chief of Investigation at Lumphini Police Station, Lieutenant Colonel Phanupong Chaiyakul, received reports about an unconscious patient from Erawan Medical Centre's rescue officers. A team was promptly sent to a condominium located in Khlong Toei District, Bangkok. On arrival, the medical team was confronted by the patient's son. While waiting for the elevator, the rescue officer, Somchai Klongchaeng, attempted to find out more about the patient's condition. The son, dissatisfied, verbally abused Somchai and then began to physically assault him. The son questioned the team's tardiness and asked why another team wasn't deployed. Bystanders broke up the fight and the son went to Lumphini Police Station to give an account of events. In a statement, Somchai said that he had been told about the emergency by family members. They described the patient as unconscious and unresponsive, but still breathing. However, no ambulance was available in the immediate area, so the team had to use a standby vehicle, which took almost 30 minutes to arrive. Somchai further stated that family members had said the son often acted aggressively due to mental health issues and a history of substance abuse. His aggression stopped the medical team from examining the patient as their safety was at risk. Eventually, volunteer medics managed to check the patient, but by then he had died. Somchai insisted he had only been trying to get medical information and had not done anything to provoke the son. The police have already started an investigation. The injured rescue officer has been advised to undergo a medical examination at the Police Hospital. The police will continue their investigation today, which may lead to legal consequences. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-21 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Angry Thai woman attacks three people with hot oil over 8,000 baht rent dispute File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google A Thai woman attacked three people, including a toddler, with boiling hot cooking oil due to a disagreement over unsettled rent amounting to 8,000 baht. The victims, two adult women and a two-year-old girl, sought assistance from the Paveena Foundation for Women and Children, both for medical care and in making sure that the woman responsible faced legal consequences. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327813-angry-thai-woman-attacks-three-people-with-hot-oil-over-8000-baht-rent-dispute/