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BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has disclosed that nearly 60,000 bank accounts were frozen last year, with almost 120,000 telephone numbers frozen for their use in criminal operations. According to government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has joined forces with police and other agencies to tackle cybercrime activities. She stated that in 2022, 166 suspects from eight foreign call center gangs were arrested, while 58,463 bank accounts and 118,530 phone lines were discovered to be used for illegal operations and were frozen by authorities. Eight illegal account-trading groups on social media and 1,830 gambling websites were also shut down last year. Meanwhile, 163,091 complaints were filed on the police website, totaling nearly 27.3 billion baht in damages from March 1 to December 31 of last year. 51% of these complaints are about overseas contact center gangs, 40.5% concerning domestic online scams, and 8.5% regarding other cybercrimes. The spokesperson stressed that the government is prioritizing combating cybercrime, which has risen rapidly in recent years, and that related departments are working with international agencies to tackle this issue. Complaints against cybercrime can be made through www.thaipoliceonline.com or by contacting authorities through the Electronic Transaction Development Agency’s 1212 hotline. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230120152400094 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-01-20 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Labor Ministry Expresses Concern Over Tourism Staff Shortages BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Labour expressed concerns about personnel shortages in the tourism industry as Thailand continues to welcome more international travelers. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284110-labor-ministry-expresses-concern-over-tourism-staff-shortages/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Labour expressed concerns about personnel shortages in the tourism industry as Thailand continues to welcome more international travelers. Permanent Secretary of Labor Boonchob Suttamanuswong stated that he has recently met with the Thai Hotels Association (THA), the Tourism Council of Phuket, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and related agencies to discuss labor shortages in the tourism industry. According to Boonchob, THA has reported that while five-star hotels have enough manpower to welcome guests during the New Year holidays, the three-star and four-star hotels faced personnel shortages which affected their service operations. These agencies expressed their worry since labor shortage remains a big issue as foreign arrivals are increasing in the upcoming days. Meanwhile, ATTA has expressed concerns about the lack of tour guides as foreigners continue to arrive in the country. The association proposed a legal change that would allow foreigners to work as tour guides to alleviate manpower shortages. The permanent secretary stated that, in order to address the issue in the long-term situation, the Department of Skill Development will launch a program to upskill final-year undergraduates studying tourism and hospitality. The department will also work with businesses in the field to hire them upon graduation, providing businesses with skilled employees for the tourism industry. The ministry recently conducted a survey on personnel shortages in the tourism industry and discovered that out of 32,359 businesses in 60 provinces, about 1,817 operators require workers for their businesses, totaling 9,763 people. Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phangnga, and Surat Thani are the top five provinces where workers are in short supply in the tourism industry. Employers are looking for receptionists, porters, waiters, cleaners and housemaids, cooks, kitchen staff, cashiers, and accountants. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230120110727973 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-01-20 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

LPG price to rise to 423 baht for a 15kg cylinder in March Thailand’s National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) has decided to increase the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in March by 15 baht, to 423 baht for a 15kg cylinder, Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said today (Friday). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284109-lpg-price-to-rise-to-423-baht-for-a-15kg-cylinder-in-march/

Thailand’s National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) has decided to increase the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in March by 15 baht, to 423 baht for a 15kg cylinder, Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said today (Friday). The committee did, however, agree to freeze the retail price of LPG for February at 408 baht for a 15kg cylinder, an ex-factory price of 19.9833 baht/kg, excluding VAT. Supattanapong said that the Oil Fund is incurring losses of about 813 million baht a month by subsidising the retail price of LPG at 408 baht per 15kg. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/lpg-price-to-rise-to-423-baht-for-a-15kg-cylinder-in-march/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-20 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Yaowarat Market Lively ahead of Chinese New Year Photos by Chamnanwut Sukhumwanit BANGKOK, Jan 20 (TNA) – Shoppers of Chinese descent on Friday flock to Yaowarat, Bangkok’s China Town to buy food and other items used in ceremonies to pay respect to ancestors and gods during the Lunar New Year. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284108-yaowarat-market-lively-ahead-of-chinese-new-year/

Photos by Chamnanwut Sukhumwanit BANGKOK, Jan 20 (TNA) – Shoppers of Chinese descent on Friday flock to Yaowarat, Bangkok’s China Town to buy food and other items used in ceremonies to pay respect to ancestors and gods during the Lunar New Year. Traders are upbate on the return of customers after it was quite sombre during the Covid-19 pandemic. The director-general of the Internal Trade Department Wattanasak Sur-iam visited a market on Yaowarat Road to monitor goods prices. Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1098979 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2023-01-20 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival to be Hosted at Paragon Cineplex BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival is set to take place from January 20th to 25th, 2023, with the opening ceremony scheduled for January 20th at the Paragon Cineplex in Bangkok. The festival is organized by Thailand’s Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the Federation of National Film Societies, the government, and the private sector. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284107-bangkok-asean-film-festival-to-be-hosted-at-paragon-cineplex/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival is set to take place from January 20th to 25th, 2023, with the opening ceremony scheduled for January 20th at the Paragon Cineplex in Bangkok. The festival is organized by Thailand’s Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the Federation of National Film Societies, the government, and the private sector. This year’s festival will feature a diverse range of films, including five high-quality ASEAN films that have received international awards, three classic films, 14 ASEAN short films, and eight ASEAN feature films. The event, which is now in its 8th year, aims to promote Thai tourism through film, as well as to position Thailand as a center for Asian film production and expand the ASEAN film market to the international level. Admission to the festival is free, and more information can be found on the Facebook fan page "Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival." Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230120141339049 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-01-20 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Major repairs to Laksi-Don Mueang local road from January 25th The Italian-Thai Development Corporation will begin major roadworks on the local road between Laksi and Don Mueang on January 25th. The work is to repair the undulating road surface, which has been a constant cause of complaints from motorists. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284105-major-repairs-to-laksi-don-mueang-local-road-from-january-25th/

The Italian-Thai Development Corporation will begin major roadworks on the local road between Laksi and Don Mueang on January 25th. The work is to repair the undulating road surface, which has been a constant cause of complaints from motorists. The public relations office of the State Railway of Thailand said in its recent Facebook post that the road, which runs parallel to the railway, has been repaired several times, but usually not the entire road, leaving the problem of the undulating surface unresolved. The office said that, while previous maintenance work seems to have been a waste of money, the SRT will designate problematic areas, which will be resurfaced one by one until all are completed. This will take about two months. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/major-repairs-to-laksi-don-mueang-local-road-from-january-25th/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-20 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Passenger assistance robots introduced at Bangkok’s main train terminal Passengers using the Krung Thep Aphiwat Train Terminal in Bangkok, formerly the Bang Sue Grand Station, for the first time will be assured of not losing their way in the massive station thanks to new service robots, which will help guide them. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284027-passenger-assistance-robots-introduced-at-bangkok’s-main-train-terminal/

Passengers using the Krung Thep Aphiwat Train Terminal in Bangkok, formerly the Bang Sue Grand Station, for the first time will be assured of not losing their way in the massive station thanks to new service robots, which will help guide them. The State Railway of Thailand has put six robots into service, which can communicate in Thai, English and Chinese, to guide passengers to, for example, the ticket booths, the food centre, taxis, buses, the prayer room and the first-aid room. “Sawasdee krub. Do you need help? To where would you like me to guide you?” asks the recorded voice of the robots. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/passenger-assistance-robots-introduced-at-bangkoks-main-train-terminal/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-19 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Election Commission urged to investigate United Thai Nation Party Former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn and political activist Veera Somkwamkid have asked the Election Commission (EC) to investigate the United Thai Nation (Ruam Thai Sang Chart) Party over alleged violations of the election law. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284026-election-commission-urged-to-investigate-united-thai-nation-party/

Former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn and political activist Veera Somkwamkid have asked the Election Commission (EC) to investigate the United Thai Nation (Ruam Thai Sang Chart) Party over alleged violations of the election law. In a letter, submitted to the EC today (Thursday), Veera and Somchai, currently strategy chief of the Thai Liberal Party, allege that the United Thai Nation Party breached the law on January 9th, when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha formally applied for membership of the party at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The alleged violations include the hiring of about 100 buses and passenger vans to transport people to the event, distribution to supporters of about 4,000 sets of party T-shirts, hats and flags worth over a million baht and the hiring of a band to entertain the attendees. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/election-commission-urged-to-investigate-united-thai-nation-party/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-19 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

The inside of a well where 46-year-old Y Son Adrong was trapped in for four days, Dak Lak Province. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Oanh A 46-year-old man in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak was rescued Wednesday after spending four days stuck down a well. Y Son Adrong was found after police in Dray Bhang Commune received reports that a motorbike had been abandoned for days near a corn field in Kim Chau Village. At around 10 a.m. Wednesday, authorities found that there was a well located around 30m from the motorbike. The well was 25m deep and someone was calling for help from below. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/man-rescued-after-spending-days-trapped-in-well-4561705.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-19

Nguyen Minh Lam at a police station in Phu Yen Province for rapping a traffic police officer, January 15, 2023. Photo by Phu Yen police A motorcyclist who drove straight into a traffic police officer who flagged him down in Phu Yen Province in central Vietnam has been arrested. Nguyen Minh Lam, 22, now faces "murder" charges. He was driving in Tuy An District late at night on January 15 when officer Nguyen Manh Hung, 33, stepped out of a sidewalk and on to the street and waved a baton to order Lam to pull up. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/man-arrested-for-ramming-traffic-police-officer-with-motorbike-4561909.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-19

A traffic police officer tests a motorbike driver for alcohol in Hanoi on January 18, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Gia Chinh Some 40,590 people were fined for drunk driving in the last month after year-end parties, the Traffic Police Department said. At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, four officers from the Hanoi Police's Traffic Police Team No. 6 set up a checkpoint at Tran Thai Tong Street, Cau Giay District. One of the officers, in civilian clothes, was stationed in an area with many pubs 500 m from the checkpoint with a walkie-talkie to notify the checkpoint when someone left the pub. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/more-than-40-500-fined-for-drunk-driving-during-run-up-to-tet-4561809.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-19

The "Cat with a ball" artwork in Da Nang. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong The city of Da Nang removed a Tet cat mascot from a flower street display on Wednesday after a South Korean designer said the design was a plagiarization of his artwork. The Da Nang Civil and Industrial Construction Investment Project Management Board, along with relevant units, have removed the "Cat with a ball" artwork by Lee Sangsoo from its location between the Rong Bridge and the Tinh Yeu Bridge in Son Tra District. The artwork was part of a flower street display. The removal came after the image of the artwork circulated on social media, after which Lee confirmed that the design was made without his permission. He asked that it be removed from the flower street. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/da-nang-removes-tet-cat-mascot-following-south-korean-artist-s-complaints-of-plagiarism-4561942.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-19

An X-ray image shows a pair of scissors impaling the skull of a boy in Hanoi. Photo obtained by VnExpress A 12-year-old boy in Hanoi got scissors embedded in his skull while playing with friends. The boy was hospitalized in a conscious state with the scissors impaling his right temple, Dr. Tran Minh Tan of the Duc Giang General Hospital said Thursday. An X-ray revealed that the scissors had already penetrated the skull, he added. Tan said the area where the scissors is located has nearby arteries, so if it is not properly treated, injuries may happen and could result in hemorrhaging leading to a risk of brain abscesses and meningitis. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/scissors-impale-skull-of-hanoi-boy-4561998.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-19

This undated photo shows members of a private group called ‘Savepoint Corona Busters Team’ spray disinfectant in the detention cells at the Manila Police District headquarters. The STAR / Edd Gumban, file MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights reminded jail authorities on Thursday to comply with international rules after a family member of a political prisoner was subjected to a strip search without consent. The CHR cited provisions in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, or the Mandela Rules, that forbids the use of security searches to “harass, intimidate or unnecessarily intrude upon a prisoner’s privacy” and that “intrusive searches shall be conducted in private and by trained staff of the same sex as the prisoner.” The human rights body also reminded the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to adhere to its own guidelines on strip searches of persons entering jail premises. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/19/2238734/chr-expresses-concern-over-strip-search-political-prisoners-female-kin -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-19

Representatives from DOH, WHO and the Australian Government with Wellness Warriors at the launch of "The Wellness Movement" at Philippine Children's Medical Center on 16 Jan 2023. World Health Organization MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health has launched an initiative to improve the mental health and well-being of 3,000 medical workers across the Philippines. “The Wellness Movement,” which is supported by the World Health Organization and the Australian government, is in line with the country’s Mental Health Act that recommends integrating strategies promoting health in the workplace. “Creating a mental-health positive culture in our workplaces is integral to the flourishing of not only our healthcare workers as they fulfill their role as healers, but also the cultivation of relationships among their families and friends, as they bring home healthy habits for mental health and wellness,” said DOH Undersecretary Beverly Lorraine Ho. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/19/2238748/mental-health-well-being-initiative-health-workers-launched -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-19

Passengers crowd the departure lobby while others set up camp inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Monday midnight, Jan. 2, 2023 as the influx of passengers still builds up despite announcements made by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista that the airport is back to normal operations around 5:50 PM on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. Numerous flights were canceled earlier due to a technical glitch and the power outage at the Air Traffic Management Center of the NAIA. The STAR / Miguel de Guzman MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs is now working on the repatriation of eight Filipinos trafficked in Cambodia over the cryptocurrency scheme bared over a Senate hearing in November. The department said the trafficking scheme has been ongoing for months. Chinese mafia perpetrators recruit Filipinos for data encoding or call center jobs but they end up being forced to scam other individuals while based across Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. “Our Embassy in Phnom Penh has officially requested the DFA for funding for financial assistance for the Filipinos and also for the tickets so we’re going to fund it,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega said in a televised interview with CNN Philippines’ “The Source” on Thursday. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/19/2238749/embassy-requests-financial-aid-repatriate-filipinos-trafficked-cambodia -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-19

United States and Philippine military vehicles during the combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) of the annual Philippines-US Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) Exercise 2019 in Crow Valley, Capas, Tarlac, Province on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. The STAR / KJ Rosales MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is not keen on increasing the country’s military spending as he remarked at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland that “there is no point in the Philippines building up its armory.” Speaking to WEF President Børge Brende, Marcos said the Philippines is not in an economic situation at par with military giants like the United States and China to hike its defense budget and is not pursuing military solutions. “The solutions are not going to be military. If they are going to be military, then they are not solutions because it will end badly if it goes that way, it will end badly for those involved and even those who are not involved,” Marcos said, citing the war in Ukraine. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/19/2238740/marcos-says-no-point-building-philippine-armory -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-19

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee has recommended administrative and criminal charges against former senior officials of the Department of Education and the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management over the purchase of laptops that the panel found to be overpriced by at least P979 million. Among the former officials who the panel recommended to be slapped with charges are former Education Undersecretary Alain del Pascua and former PS-DBM officer-in-charge Executive Director Lloyd Christopher Lao. The committee said Del Pascua and Lao should be charged for violating Sections 3(e) and 3(g) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/19/2238757/senate-panel-wants-deped-ps-dbm-execs-charged-over-overpriced-laptops -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-19