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What to do if Thai police stop you and attempt a ‘shake-down’ Thai police First thing… keep calm. Let them lead the conversation and don’t say anything other than answering their questions. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1285080-what-to-do-if-thai-police-stop-you-and-attempt-a-‘shake-down’/

Thai police First thing… keep calm. Let them lead the conversation and don’t say anything other than answering their questions. Secondly, the vast majority of Thai police are there to do a job, protecting fellow Thais and foreign visitors. But there are a few who will take advantage of situations where they think they can get away with stitching you up for a few thousand baht. Recent events have brought this to our attention, again, and we would invite everyone to just review these recommendations if you find yourself in this situation. Thai police are entitled to stop you on the street, or in a car going through a checkpoint, if they are suspicious about anything. • Don’t admit to anything or agree to having your photo taken at this stage. • If they ask to see your passport and ID, do so without fuss, and then politely ask for their return. • You are entitled, politely, to ask for their ID as well • Allow any bags or your pockets to be searched – you are entitled to record this process, as long as your filming doesn’t interfere with their search. You should also ask for someone to act as an independent witness during the search. • Don’t sign anything, especially as the documents are likely to be full in Thai language • Don’t agree to leave the immediate area you have been stopped, even if they insist that you go to the police station • Ask, politely, for the Tourist Police or to contact a Thai friend who can act as an intermediary and interpreter. If the situation is even slightly serious – a crash or an accusation of drug possession – insist that you can call for a consular or embassy representative of your country. • Absolutely remain polite and don’t cause a scene or start shouting – this will NOT end well • If they start talking about a fine, or a pay off, whatever the situation, just politely refuse saying that you’re waiting for an interpreter, consular official or tourist police. On the other hand, if you’ve done something wrong – speeding, drunk, drunk driving, possession of a small amount of drugs, caught vaping or with a vaping device – be prepared to negotiate an on-the-spot fine and payment. Whatever the police want as a payment will be a lot less than the trouble you’ll have to go through if you choose to refuse their on-the-spot offer. If the Tourist Police, or a consular official, advise you to pay up, do so – they’ve been in these situations a hundred times before. If you start demanding to see a lawyer, raise your voice or get angry, the situation will escalate and will cause the police to lose face, and that’s about the worse thing to happen. Infrequently the ‘cops’ that stop you may not be police and, instead, be posing as police officers. If you suspect anything like this then be additionally vigilant about waiting for some witnesses to arrive before you do ANYTHING. You are well within your rights to protect yourself from bad or fraudulent police officers. Be diligent when someone claiming to be a police officer wants to search you or your property. Full Story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/what-to-do-if-thai-police-stop-you-and-attempt-a-shake-down/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-31 - 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 and Sweden to Discuss Visas for Thai Berry Pickers BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Labor has said it will start negotiations with Swedish officials following Sweden’s threat to suspend the issuance of seasonal working visas to Thai berry pickers, following reports of unfair treatment by employers and job brokers. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1285079-thailand-and-sweden-to-discuss-visas-for-thai-berry-pickers/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Labor has said it will start negotiations with Swedish officials following Sweden’s threat to suspend the issuance of seasonal working visas to Thai berry pickers, following reports of unfair treatment by employers and job brokers. Swedish ambassador Jon Astrom Grondahl tweeted about the issue on January 13, stating that the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok will not facilitate berry pickers until employers guarantee fair recruitment, safety standards and decent working conditions for Thai workers in Sweden. Department of Employment Director-General Phairoj Chotikasatien met with the ambassador in mid-December to discuss working conditions for Thai berry pickers. He noted that the problem is rather complex and involves a number of companies which purchase berries from the farms that hired the workers. In recent years, the number of Thais eager to take up berry-picking jobs in Sweden and Finland has increased, with 6,000 Thais traveling to these countries in 2022 - up from 5,000 the previous year. However, the increase has also led to a rise in disputes, with about 400 workers asking the government to act as a mediator between them and their employers or recruitment agencies. Samarn Laodumrongchai, an expert at the Institute of Asian Studies, said many Thai berry pickers end up overstaying their visas and taking up other jobs when they realize they haven’t made enough to cover their debts. Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin said he is planning to convene a meeting soon to discuss a solution with related agencies. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230131120435082 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-01-31 - 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 Police to Meet Singaporean Man for Questioning over Extortion Claim BANGKOK, Jan 31 (TNA) – The Thai police will travel to Singapore to meet the Singaporean friend of the Taiwanese actress for questioning in the ongoing investigation into the allegation that Thai policemen extorted money from the tourists. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1285030-thailands-police-caught-with-their-pants-down-in-extortion-case-of-taiwanese-actress-and-friends-chuwit-revelations-latest/?do=findComment&comment=17874193

Thai Police to Meet Singaporean Man for Questioning over Extortion Claim BANGKOK, Jan 31 (TNA) – The Thai police will travel to Singapore to meet the Singaporean friend of the Taiwanese actress for questioning in the ongoing investigation into the allegation that Thai policemen extorted money from the tourists. Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee, Investigation Division, the Metropolitan Police Bureau said he is seeking approval from the national police chief for the overseas mission. It is expected that the order will be issued tomorrow. Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1105673 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2023-01-31 - 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.

Actress breaks silence on police extortion, 7 Huai Khwang officers axed Taiwanese actress Charlene An, who is at the centre of a Thai police extortion scandal, broke her silence about her traumatic experience in Thailand in an interview with Taiwanese media and on social media in Taiwan last week. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1285030-thailands-police-caught-with-their-pants-down-in-extortion-case-of-taiwanese-actress-and-friends-chuwit-revelations-latest/?do=findComment&comment=17874185

Actress breaks silence on police extortion, 7 Huai Khwang officers axed Taiwanese actress Charlene An, who is at the centre of a Thai police extortion scandal, broke her silence about her traumatic experience in Thailand in an interview with Taiwanese media and on social media in Taiwan last week. According to the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), the actress, travelling in a car, was stopped at a road checkpoint, in front of the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok, by a group of Huai Khwang police officers for a search on the night of January 5th. The officers claimed they found an electronic cigarette in her possession. It is alleged that the police extorted 27,000 baht from her in return for letting her go without charge. Her Singaporean boyfriend reportedly paid the money to the police who divided it among them. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/actress-breaks-silence-on-police-extortion-7-huai-khwang-officers-axed/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-31 - 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.

Green sea turtle helps nurture a baby dugong in Dong Tarn Bay area Heartening images of a huge green sea turtle nurturing a baby dugong in Thailand’s Dong Tarn Bay were posted on the Facebook page of Sakanan Plathong, a biology lecturer at the Science Faculty of Prince of Songkhla University today (Tuesday). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1285078-green-sea-turtle-helps-nurture-a-baby-dugong-in-dong-tarn-bay-area/

Heartening images of a huge green sea turtle nurturing a baby dugong in Thailand’s Dong Tarn Bay were posted on the Facebook page of Sakanan Plathong, a biology lecturer at the Science Faculty of Prince of Songkhla University today (Tuesday). “The baby dugong has a green sea turtle as its new mother. The fact that it is a huge turtle shows that it is familiar with the area and where it is safe, otherwise it would have been caught in fishing nets and died a long time ago. The turtle knows which route is safe,” said Sakanan. He suspects that the mother of the baby dugong may be the one which was found dead in the Dong Tarn Bay area last December, leaving its baby orphaned. So, when the baby dugong found the green sea turtle, it just clung on to it and refused to leave. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/green-sea-turtle-helps-nurture-a-baby-dugong-in-dong-tarn-bay-area/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-31 - 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.

Myanmar man missing after being swept into the sea around Samui Island A Myanmar migrant worker went missing and is believed to have drowned after he was swept into the sea, as he was sitting on rocks near a viewpoint on Samui Island in Surat Thani Province on Monday. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1285077-myanmar-man-missing-after-being-swept-into-the-sea-around-samui-island/

A Myanmar migrant worker went missing and is believed to have drowned after he was swept into the sea, as he was sitting on rocks near a viewpoint on Samui Island in Surat Thani Province on Monday. The victim’s two friends alerted the emergency services, but efforts to search for the man were hampered by rough seas. It is reported that the victim and two fellow countrymen visited the rocks in Bo Phut sub-district, but one of them went too close to the water and sat on a rock. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/myanmar-man-missing-after-being-swept-into-the-sea-around-samui-island/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-31 - 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.

Sarng Anakot Thai party leader and secretary-general officially join Palang Pracharath Sarng Anakot Thai Party Leader Uttama Savanayana, party secretary Sontirat Sontijirawong and General Wit Dhephasdin na Ayudhya, leader of Thailand Together Party, formally joined the Palang Pracharath Party today (Monday). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284994-sarng-anakot-thai-party-leader-and-secretary-general-officially-join-palang-pracharath/

Sarng Anakot Thai Party Leader Uttama Savanayana, party secretary Sontirat Sontijirawong and General Wit Dhephasdin na Ayudhya, leader of Thailand Together Party, formally joined the Palang Pracharath Party today (Monday). The three arrived at the Palang Pracharath Party HQ this afternoon and were greeted by Wirat Rattanaseth, a deputy leader, and Sakoltee Phattiyakul, the party’s strategy chief for Bangkok. They then went to see the party leader General Prawit Wongsuwan and Santi Promphat, the party secretary-general. All three donned the party’s jackets and were presented to members of the media, together with General Prawit and Santi. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/sarng-anakot-thai-party-leader-and-secretary-general-officially-join-palang-pracharath/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-30 - 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.

Two Motorcycles Stolen in Chonburi, Thieves Still On The Loose PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya Two motorcycle thieves snuck into a parking area of an apartment building in Chonburi’s Phanat Nikhom district and stole two motorcycles last night, January 29th. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284993-two-motorcycles-stolen-in-chonburi-thieves-still-on-the-loose/

PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya Two motorcycle thieves snuck into a parking area of an apartment building in Chonburi’s Phanat Nikhom district and stole two motorcycles last night, January 29th. The apartment’s CCTV camera captured the suspects arriving on a motorbike. The pillion rider walked into the parking area, chose the motorbike, kicked it a few times, and somehow dragged the motorcycle away with ease. The two suspects were recorded by CCTV driving away from the scene with the stolen vehicle. However, they returned a few hours later and stole another motorbike from the same apartment. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/01/30/two-motorcycles-stolen-in-chonburi-thieves-still-on-the-loose/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-01-30 - 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.

2+ meth tablets will be treated as drug trafficking under proposed new edict Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is ready to sign a ministerial edict, which will mean that an individual found in possession of more than one methamphetamine tablet will be treated as a drug trafficker, instead of an addict. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284992-2-meth-tablets-will-be-treated-as-drug-trafficking-under-proposed-new-edict/

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is ready to sign a ministerial edict, which will mean that an individual found in possession of more than one methamphetamine tablet will be treated as a drug trafficker, instead of an addict. Once the edict is signed, it will be sent to the cabinet for approval and then published in the Royal Gazette prior to enforcement. Anutin said that the reduction in the amount of meth tablets in the possession of an individual, from 15 or more to two or more, to be regarded as a trafficking offense has been discussed extensively among the agencies concerned. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/2-meth-tablets-will-be-treated-as-drug-trafficking-under-proposed-new-edict/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-30 - 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.

Hanoi people cover themselves in warm clothes as they drive to work on the morning of January 30, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh A cold wave that has blanketed the north for weeks now will ease from Wednesday and temperatures will gradually increase, the weather bureau has said. Since mid-January, the region has experienced average daytime temperatures of below 15 degrees Celsius. On Monday most localities, including the capital Hanoi, would be no warmer than 22 degrees and nighttime temperatures would be 7-8 degrees, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/northern-vietnam-cold-wave-to-end-this-week-4564702.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-30

Bui Xuan Huy was fed with noodles after he was found down a cliff near Sung Co Beach, Da Nang, January 29, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Hoai Ha A traveler from HCMC was trapped inside a hole at a beach in Da Nang's Hai Van Pass for 5 days before being rescued on Sunday. Police of Da Nang on Saturday received reports that Bui Xuan Huy, 27, from HCMC, fell into a hole at Sung Co Beach while solo traveling. Huy tried to climb out of the hole himself but failed. His food slowly ran out, but he eventually managed to catch enough cellphone service and made a call for help to his family Saturday night. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/hcmc-traveler-rescued-5-days-after-falling-off-cliff-near-hai-van-pass-4564464.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-30

Workers set a boundary maker to identify the area where Ring Road No.3 will be built in Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, October 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Tung Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed HCMC to get a move on with its Ring Road No.3 construction and in fact finish it ahead of schedule. Construction of the 8.2-kilometer section of the road passing through the city has to be completed by April 2025, he said while inspecting the work Sunday. Work on it began last September and was scheduled to be completed by September 2025. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/pm-tells-hcmc-to-finish-ring-road-no-3-earlier-than-planned-4564638.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-30

A still image from a video posted on social media shows a woman put on fire in Quang Nam Province, on January 26, 2023. Police in Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam have arrested two women for putting a third woman on fire on a street. Nguyen Thi Diem Phuong, 23, and her mother-in-law, Dang Thi Thong Nhat, 44, have been arrested after police identified the two as having put a 28-year-old woman on fire. The victim has not been identified. On January 26, social media users shared a video of the incident, which took place in broad daylight on a street in Duy Xuyen District. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/woman-set-on-fire-over-romantic-jealousy-police-4564692.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-30

Vehicles line up along the Prenn Pass, Lam Dong Province, January 29, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan All vehicles will be prohibited from entering National Highway 20 section that passes through the Prenn Pass to get to Da Lat starting February 6 due to construction. The Lam Dong Province Department of Transport on Monday said an 8-kilometer section of the highway that runs through the pass would be closed, and traffic would be re-routed in order for the area to be upgraded. The project is expected to begin on February 10 and will continue for one year. The total investment cost is at VND552 billion ($23.5 million). Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/popular-pass-to-da-lat-closed-down-for-upgrade-4564753.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-30

Jose Cabrera III, chargé d’affaires at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salen Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during a meeting on January 29, 2023. Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Facebook MANILA, Philippines — Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salen Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah condemned the killing of overseas Filipino worker Jullebee Ranara, who was found dead in the desert last week. Jose Cabrera III, chargé d’affaires at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, where Sheikh Salem expressed his condolences to Ranara’s family and to the Philippine government. “Sheik Salem added that the actions of the perpetrator do not in any way reflect the character and values of Kuwaiti society, the Kuwaiti people and the Kuwaiti government,” the embassy’s statement said. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/30/2241308/kuwait-foreign-minister-condemns-ranaras-murder -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-30

E-sabong involves remote betting on cockfights. Philstar.com MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has reached out to the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission to take down websites engaged in e-sabong, or the remote betting on cockfights, that the government suspended in May 2022. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin said the PNP is targeting five "active websites that continue to host e-sabong games." President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 9 last December directing the continued suspension of e-sabong operations in the Philippines. The NTC has, in the past, issued orders to Internet Service Providers to block websites although freedom of expression advocates have raised that this should be done through court orders. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/30/2241319/pnp-working-take-down-e-sabong-websites-platforms -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-30