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Police Sound Alarm on Songkran Fraudsters BANGKOK (NNT) - After nearly 5,300 fraud cases were reported last week, the Royal Thai Police is urging the public to be on alert against online scammers during the Songkran holidays. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292027-police-sound-alarm-on-songkran-fraudsters/

BANGKOK (NNT) - After nearly 5,300 fraud cases were reported last week, the Royal Thai Police is urging the public to be on alert against online scammers during the Songkran holidays. According to special advisor Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang, 5,269 cases were reported from April 2-8, with victims suffering total losses of 312.5 million baht. These cases included 2,600 cases of online shopping scams, 719 cases of job posting scams, 539 cases of loan fraud, 286 cases related to online investments, and 276 cases of call center scams. The special advisor warned that online shopping scams have been on the rise as Songkran-related products such as shirts or water guns are used to scam victims of their money. Lt Gen Sompong also advised the public to be wary of Ponzi schemes, in which scammers entice victims to make investments by promising huge returns, as well as lending scams in which criminals deceive consumers into paying collateral for nonexistent loans. He urged people to make sure the other party is verified before making investments or transactions. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230413001019733 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-04-13 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Chiang Mai residents and tourists brave choking air pollution to celebrate Songkran Apparently undeterred by the excessive PM2.5 air pollution, many residents and tourists, both Thai and foreign, spilled onto the Chiang Mai’s main roads this morning (Thursday) to celebrate the Songkran festival. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292026-chiang-mai-residents-and-tourists-brave-choking-air-pollution-to-celebrate-songkran/

Apparently undeterred by the excessive PM2.5 air pollution, many residents and tourists, both Thai and foreign, spilled onto the Chiang Mai’s main roads this morning (Thursday) to celebrate the Songkran festival. Many were seen filling their water guns and containers from a ditch, to squirt at one another in a joyful atmosphere. In line with the tradition, the Phuttha Sihing, the most revered Buddha image in Chiang Mai, was moved from Phra Sing Temple in a vehicle procession around the city, to let people ritually bathe the statue. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/chiang-mai-residents-and-tourists-brave-choking-air-pollution-to-celebrate-songkran/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-04-13 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Party drugs disguised as drinks and coffee packs for sale on TikTok – ONCB Drug trafficking gangs have recently turned to a new trick to sell party drugs online, such as ketamine and Ecstasy, disguised as electrolyte and collagen drinks and coffee. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291940-party-drugs-disguised-as-drinks-and-coffee-packs-for-sale-on-tiktok-–-oncb/

Drug trafficking gangs have recently turned to a new trick to sell party drugs online, such as ketamine and Ecstasy, disguised as electrolyte and collagen drinks and coffee. The Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Secretary-General Wichai Chaimongkhon said today (Wednesday) that officials received a report yesterday of an advertisement on TikTok offering such items containing the party drugs. The post also shows phone numbers and WhatsApp contacts in a neighbouring country, said Wichai, adding that several TikTok users, including Thais and foreigners, had made purchases. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/party-drugs-disguised-as-drinks-and-coffee-packs-for-sale-on-tiktok-oncb/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-04-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Speedboat explosion in southern Thailand kills 1, injures 1 An explosion on a tourist speedboat docked at a pier in Phang Nga province in southern Thailand injured two people yesterday, one of whom later passed away in the hospital. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291936-speedboat-explosion-in-southern-thailand-kills-1-injures-1/

An explosion on a tourist speedboat docked at a pier in Phang Nga province in southern Thailand injured two people yesterday, one of whom later passed away in the hospital. At around 8pm, the Phang Nga Harbour Office was informed of a loud noise similar to an explosion on a speedboat at Ban Thap Lamu Pier in Lam Kaen subdistrict, Thai Mueang district. Military personnel from Phang Nga Naval Base, officials from the Phang Nga Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, officers from Thai Mueang Police Station and rescue workers from the Narenthorn EMS Centre rushed to the scene. Meanwhile, witnesses used a fire extinguisher to quell the flames caused by the blast. The boat, “Kalamangdee 2,” is a 15.6-gross tonne speedboat used for taking tourists on boat trips to the Similan Islands. The boat can carry up to 35 passengers and up to three crew members. Officials say the boat was carrying a number of scuba diving oxygen tanks when the explosion happened. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/speedboat-explosion-in-southern-thailand-kills-1-injures-1 -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Thai man goes on rampage: Attacks 6 people after married woman rejected his advances Photo via ThaiRath A Thai man went on the rampage, attacking six victims, including a couple after a married woman rejected his advances in the central province of Kanchanaburi. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291934-thai-man-goes-on-rampage-attacks-6-people-after-married-woman-rejected-his-advances/

Photo via ThaiRath A Thai man went on the rampage, attacking six victims, including a couple after a married woman rejected his advances in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The wife’s husband, 24 year old Adisak Wiatesing, filed a complaint with the police after the couple were attacked by a man named Pae on April 10. Adisak told police that he went to a bar with his 27 year old wife Sukanya Thaweechokkamthorn and four friends on Monday. He went to a bathroom and Sukanya waited for him at the front. While Sukanya stood waiting alone, Pae approached and asked for her LINE account. She refused. Adisak said he came out of the bathroom at that moment and told Pae he was Sukanya’s husband and they returned to their table. While the two were travelling home, Pae followed them and cut off their car to make them stop. Pea then assaulted Adisak, Sukanya, and their friends after they got out of the car. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thai-man-goes-on-rampage-attacks-6-people-after-married-woman-rejected-his-advances-video -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Phuket officials inspect floating beach club ahead of operating licence decision PHOTO: Facebook/YONA Beach Club Phuket Phuket’s floating beach club saga continues… Originally scheduled to open in 2020, a plan scuppered by the pandemic, the owners of Yona Beach Club are hopeful that permission to operate may soon be granted. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291933-phuket-officials-inspect-floating-beach-club-ahead-of-operating-licence-decision/

PHOTO: Facebook/YONA Beach Club Phuket Phuket’s floating beach club saga continues… Originally scheduled to open in 2020, a plan scuppered by the pandemic, the owners of Yona Beach Club are hopeful that permission to operate may soon be granted. A report from the National News Bureau of Thailand says local officials have been inspecting the vessel, a ship converted into a “beach club” style entertainment venue. At the start of this year, provincial governor Narong Woonsiew put a stop to plans to launch a floating beach club off Phuket. At the time, local officials claimed the vessel would cause environmental damage and create too much noise. They also stated that the vessel only had a permit to operate as a passenger vessel and did not have the appropriate licence to run food and beverage services. Full Story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-news/phuket-officials-inspect-floating-beach-club-ahead-of-operating-licence-decision/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-04-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Porsche driver caught using fake registration plate to avoid tollway fees Photo via Nation A 69 year old Porsche driver who has a history of repeated traffic offences was charged by the police. The driver had been using a fake license plate to evade tollway fees on 22 separate occasions. The police took action after receiving a complaint from the legitimate owner of the license plate. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291932-porsche-driver-caught-using-fake-registration-plate-to-avoid-tollway-fees/

Photo via Nation A 69 year old Porsche driver who has a history of repeated traffic offences was charged by the police. The driver had been using a fake license plate to evade tollway fees on 22 separate occasions. The police took action after receiving a complaint from the legitimate owner of the license plate. Last year, Thailand introduced a new payment system for tollways called M-Flow. It is a contactless fee collection system that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to detect a car’s registration plate, allowing motorists to pay toll fees monthly or online after their trip. The system aims to reduce traffic congestion on the motorway, as drivers no longer have to stop at the booth or slow down to wait for the sensor and barrier gate to open, as is the case when using top-up devices like M-Pass or Easy Pass. Instead, drivers can pass through the checkpoint and pay the fees later. However, the suspect, 69 year old Sanchai took advantage of the system by using a fake registration plate to trick the AI system. On March 20, a Thai man named Thanathat filed a complaint with the police after receiving a warning from M-Flow stating that he had failed to pay toll fees 22 times and must pay a fine for late payment. However, the picture sent to him as evidence was not of his car at all, but a white Porsche instead of his silver Mercedes Benz sedan. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/porsche-driver-caught-using-fake-registration-plate-to-avoid-tollway-fees -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Thailand – Cambodia border checkpoint overwhelmed ahead of Songkran Photo via Poipet International Border Checkpoint Police | I The Poipet International Border Checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia is so busy ahead of the Songkran – or the Southeast Asian New Year – that Thai authorities have had to open a second checkpoint nearby to ease congestion. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291928-thailand-–-cambodia-border-checkpoint-overwhelmed-ahead-of-songkran/

Photo via Poipet International Border Checkpoint Police | I The Poipet International Border Checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia is so busy ahead of the Songkran – or the Southeast Asian New Year – that Thai authorities have had to open a second checkpoint nearby to ease congestion. Like Thailand, Cambodia is celebrating the Buddhist New Year this weekend. In Cambodia, the holiday is called “Moha Sangkranta” and will be celebrated from Friday 14-15 this year. Thousands of Cambodian migrant workers who wish to return home for the holidays are applying for re-entry permits on the Thai side of the border, so they can return to Thailand after the festivities are over, reports the Khmer Times. Chief of Immigration on the Khmer side, Brigadier General E Chamroeun, said that the Thais have informed him that the congestion is because the Thai immigration officers only have one scanner at the Poipet checkpoint to process and issue re-entry permits. Cambodian migrant workers have been lining up for re-entry permits since Monday, added the chief. To speed up the queues, the Thai authorities are sending migrants to a second location equipped with a scanner in the Aranyaphrathet district of Sa Kaeo province. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-cambodia-border-checkpoint-overwhelmed-ahead-of-songkran -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Latest Thai social media craze, sweet soy sauce soda, poses serious health risk, says health dept Photo via Amarin TV The Department of Health issued a warning to the public regarding the consumption of a trendy Thai social media beverage called sweet soy sauce soda. According to the department, the drink has unhealthy quantities of sodium and sugar, which surpass the recommended daily intake and can pose a health hazard. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291927-latest-thai-social-media-craze-sweet-soy-sauce-soda-poses-serious-health-risk-says-health-dept/

Photo via Amarin TV The Department of Health issued a warning to the public regarding the consumption of a trendy Thai social media beverage called sweet soy sauce soda. According to the department, the drink has unhealthy quantities of sodium and sugar, which surpass the recommended daily intake and can pose a health hazard. The drink is trending after a famous Thai sauce company, Deksomboon, announced a new product, sweet soy sauce soda as an April Fool’s Day joke. Deksoomboo later uploaded the sweet soy sauce soda recipe to Facebook followers who expressed an interest in trying it. Previously, Deksoomboon had introduced a vanilla ice cream dessert featuring a topping of sweet soy sauce, which led many Thai netizens to speculate that the flavour of sweet soy sauce soda might be similar. As a result, numerous netizens attempted the recipe and shared their results on social media. Despite the popularity of the drink, the Deputy Director of the Department of Health, Sarawut Boonsook, warned consumers against drinking it because the beverage contains high sugar and sodium. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/latest-thai-social-media-craze-sweet-soy-sauce-soda-poses-serious-health-risk-says-health-dept -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Thailand puts cross-border air pollution on agenda for upcoming ASEAN summit Chiang Mai smog. PHOTO: Flickr/Andrew and Annemarie Thailand’s Foreign Minister says the issue of the cross-border haze currently plaguing much of the North will be discussed at an ASEAN summit next month. Don Pramudwinai was speaking ahead of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, which Indonesia will chair at Labuan Bajo, Nusa Tenggara Timur, from May 9 – 11. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291926-thailand-puts-cross-border-air-pollution-on-agenda-for-upcoming-asean-summit/

Chiang Mai smog. PHOTO: Flickr/Andrew and Annemarie Thailand’s Foreign Minister says the issue of the cross-border haze currently plaguing much of the North will be discussed at an ASEAN summit next month. Don Pramudwinai was speaking ahead of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, which Indonesia will chair at Labuan Bajo, Nusa Tenggara Timur, from May 9 – 11. The Bangkok Post reports that Don has confirmed the issue of cross-border air pollution will be on the agenda. His comments follow a virtual meeting attended by the leaders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos last week, during which the matter was also discussed. Don has described that meeting, which was hosted by Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, as a positive step in addressing the issue. The Foreign Minister was also asked about the fact that residents in northern Thailand are now calling on his ministry to work with neighbouring countries to stop the annual burning. Don says this was also discussed at last week’s online meeting and that further talks on the issue will take place soon. Full Story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/thailand-puts-cross-border-air-pollution-on-agenda-for-upcoming-asean-summit/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-04-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

PTT and Bangchak freeze fuel prices during Songkran festival PTT and Bangchak have announced that they will not increase fuel prices at their gas stations nationwide for one week, while people travel during the Songkran festival, to negate concerns that they may have to pay more for fuel if global oil prices go up during the period. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291925-ptt-and-bangchak-freeze-fuel-prices-during-songkran-festival/

PTT and Bangchak have announced that they will not increase fuel prices at their gas stations nationwide for one week, while people travel during the Songkran festival, to negate concerns that they may have to pay more for fuel if global oil prices go up during the period. The two oil companies assure that they have sufficient fuel at all their petrol stations and oil depots. For electric vehicles, Bangchak said that it has 184 EV recharging stations, located at every 100km on the country’s main highways, while PTT has more than 200 OR recharging stations to serve all EVs. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/ptt-and-bangchak-freeze-fuel-prices-during-songkran-festival/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-04-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Traders warned not to sell high-pressure water guns Traders have been warned not to sell high-pressure water guns or face up to three years in prison and/or a maximum fine of 600,000 baht, Office of Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) Secretary-General Thasornatt Thanittipun said today (Wednesday). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291924-traders-warned-not-to-sell-high-pressure-water-guns/

Traders have been warned not to sell high-pressure water guns or face up to three years in prison and/or a maximum fine of 600,000 baht, Office of Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) Secretary-General Thasornatt Thanittipun said today (Wednesday). To ensure that traders comply, he said OCPB officials have been sent to commercial areas in Bangkok known as hubs for smuggled and counterfeit products, such as Khlong Thom, Sampeng and Saphan Lek, adding that no high-pressure water guns have yet been found. In other provinces, however, officials from the OCPB have found some shops selling the banned products, although they did not display the products openly, said Thasornatt, adding that the products can still be procured online. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/traders-warned-not-to-sell-high-pressure-water-guns/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-04-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Bangkok blanketed in smog, officials advise wearing face masks for Songkran PHOTO: Flickr/Harshil Shah With Bangkok (bad) and much of northern Thailand (worse) shrouded in a blanket of smog, officials are urging people to keep their face masks on while celebrating Songkran outdoors. According to a Coconuts report, the Public Health Ministry is advocating for face masks to protect people from harmful microparticles – even going so far as to suggest that people should forget outdoor water play and stay indoors. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291923-bangkok-blanketed-in-smog-officials-advise-wearing-face-masks-for-songkran/