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Six police officers relieved of duty for alleged ties to Tuhao’s criminal activities Six metropolitan police officers, including a deputy commander, have been relieved of duty for allegedly aiding and abetting the criminal activities of a Chinese criminal gang, allegedly led by Chinese businessman Chaiyanat Kornchayanant, aka “Tuhao”. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283324-six-police-officers-relieved-of-duty-for-alleged-ties-to-tuhao’s-criminal-activities /

Six metropolitan police officers, including a deputy commander, have been relieved of duty for allegedly aiding and abetting the criminal activities of a Chinese criminal gang, allegedly led by Chinese businessman Chaiyanat Kornchayanant, aka “Tuhao”. Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat, the national police chief, said today (Thursday) that the six officers, including Kornchayanant’s Thai wife, who held the rank of a police colonel, a deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Bureau, are under investigation for gross disciplinary violations and their case has been sent to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. He said, however, that the six officers implicated have the right to defend their case in court. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/six-police-officers-relieved-of-duty-for-alleged-ties-to-tuhaos-criminal-activities/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-12 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

฿100m needed to salvage the sunken HTMS Sukhothai The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is going to need about 100 million baht to raise the sunken HTMS Sukhothai from the bottom of the Gulf of Thailand and 12 suitably equipped companies have offered to undertake the work. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283267-navy-wants-to-raise-sunken-warship-for-return-to-service/?do=findComment&comment=17837704

฿100m needed to salvage the sunken HTMS Sukhothai The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is going to need about 100 million baht to raise the sunken HTMS Sukhothai from the bottom of the Gulf of Thailand and 12 suitably equipped companies have offered to undertake the work. A well-informed naval source said that Admiral Adung Phan-iam, the commander of the RTN fleet, had instructed the committee selecting the qualified company to speed up the selection process. The source said that one of the conditions set by the RTN for the salvage operation is that the ship must be recovered in its present shape without being cut into sections. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/100m-needed-to-salvage-the-sunken-htms-sukhothai/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-12 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

PHOTO: UK Daily News A British man has made a series of allegations against Patong Police, claiming he was tortured while in custody. The story has been reported in a number of foreign news outlets, in which the man has been named as 51 year old Carl Gentry-Evans. According to a First Post report detailing the allegations, Mr Evans was holidaying on the island when he had his drink spiked by an alleged criminal gang. He alleges the gang then beat him up and stole his bank cards. The details become unclear after that as it appears Mr Evans spent the following 48 hours in some kind of “delirium”. When he recovered, he claims he noticed a number of purchases had been made using his bank cards and that he’d lost nearly UK £7,000. Mr Evans says he was walking back to his accommodation in Patong when he was intercepted by the police and ended up in custody. He says he was put in a police van and alleges that while being driven to jail, 4 officers assaulted him using “metal sticks”. Mr Evans also alleges that the chief of police punched him in the face. The shocking – and somewhat bizarre – allegations continue, including being left without food or water, refused help and beaten for hours. “They shackled me so tightly that the circulation in my arms was cut off. They put chains around my neck and attached it to either side of the jail.” Mr Evans claims he remained in custody for 7 days and that the police laughed when he asked for the British Embassy to be contacted. He says he was eventually given permission to contact his sister in New Zealand, who contacted the embassy and sent her brother money to cover his release and medical treatment. The report goes on to say that following his release, Mr Evans contacted the British Embassy but claims “they did not offer much help”. It’s understood Mr Evans has now left Thailand and was not officially charged. Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-news/british-tourist-claims-he-was-tortured-while-in-police-custody-in-phuket/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-11 - 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!

Phuket is the “favourite” Thai holiday destination among Chinese tourists PHOTO: Chinese visitors arrive in Thailand Phuket, followed closely by Chiang Mai, is the top destination favoured by Chinese tourists, according to the President of the Phuket Tourist Association. Thanet Tantiphiriyakit is welcoming the long-awaited return of the Chinese, adding that many countries are happy to welcome them back. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283241-phuket-is-the-“favourite”-thai-holiday-destination-among-chinese-tourists/

PHOTO: Chinese visitors arrive in Thailand Phuket, followed closely by Chiang Mai, is the top destination favoured by Chinese tourists, according to the President of the Phuket Tourist Association. Thanet Tantiphiriyakit is welcoming the long-awaited return of the Chinese, adding that many countries are happy to welcome them back. According to a Bangkok Post report, 3 direct flights from China will land in Phuket on January 18. The flights, 2 from Shanghai and one from Nanjing, will carry a combined total of 500 passengers a day. A further 2 direct flights from China may be added, pending approval being granted, according to Thanet. Another 3 flights will go into operation from January 24, meaning a total of 8 direct flights a day from China to Phuket. Addressing concerns about the spike in Covid-19 infections in China… “Phuket is well equipped to deal with an outbreak of the virus. He says workers in the island’s tourism sector will wear face masks and practice social distancing.” Meanwhile, up north, the director of Chiang Mai Airport, Wichit Kaeosaithiam, says a direct flight from Shanghai to the northern city will begin on January 18. Another direct flight, this time from Guangzhou, will be added 2 days later. Wichit says the airport has been preparing for an increase in air traffic from China since the country recently dropped its travel restrictions. Approval is also being sought for a direct flight from Beijing to Chiang Mai, another 2 direct flights from Shanghai, along with a direct service from Chengdu, in Sichuan province. Chiang Mai Airport also offers direct flights from Singapore, Hong Kong, Incheon and Busan in South Korea, Taipei in Taiwan, Luang Prabang in Laos, Danang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and Yangon in Myanmar. Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-news/phuket-is-the-favourite-thai-holiday-destination-among-chinese-tourists/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-11 - 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!

Fire Guts 7-11 and Six other Buildings in Chonburi Police are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed one 7-11 convenience store and six buildings in Chonburi’s Ban Bueng district early this morning, January 11th. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283240-fire-guts-7-11-and-six-other-buildings-in-chonburi/

Police are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed one 7-11 convenience store and six buildings in Chonburi’s Ban Bueng district early this morning, January 11th. The fire was reported at 3 AM and quickly spread from one 7-11 store to six surrounding buildings, causing significant damage to the area on the Chonburi-Ban Bueng Road in the Ban Bueng sub-district. Firefighters were called to the scene and were able to bring the fire under control around 4:50 AM, but not before it had caused significant damage to the buildings. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and is under investigation by Chonburi police. No injuries have been reported, however, the damage to the buildings and the 7-11 store are considerable. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/01/11/fire-guts-7-11-and-six-other-buildings-in-chonburi/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-01-11 - 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!

TAT aims to make the whole year high season for travel in Thailand The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to make the whole year a high season for travel, to boost both domestic and inbound tourism, according to Parichart Boonclai, TAT Executive Director of Advertising and Public Relations. The strategy is to promote the identity of each region, to encourage domestic tourists throughout the year. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283239-tat-aims-to-make-the-whole-year-high-season-for-travel-in-thailand/

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to make the whole year a high season for travel, to boost both domestic and inbound tourism, according to Parichart Boonclai, TAT Executive Director of Advertising and Public Relations. The strategy is to promote the identity of each region, to encourage domestic tourists throughout the year. Domestic Tourism Northern Thailand will present the beauty of the old days, which aims to persuade people in the north travel to other provinces in the region. Central Thailand will present the brand new experience of travelling under the theme of ‘Trendy C2’, to resonate with Gen Y and Z tourists. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/tat-aims-to-make-the-whole-year-high-season-for-travel-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-11 - 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!

Chiang Mai launches COVID vax campaign ahead of tourist arrivals from China Chiang Mai has launched a COVID-19 vaccination campaign, as a precautionary measure ahead of the return of tourists from China, with the first direct flight between Shanghai and Chiang Mai set to arrive in the northern capital on January 18th. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283237-chiang-mai-launches-covid-vax-campaign-ahead-of-tourist-arrivals-from-china/

Chiang Mai has launched a COVID-19 vaccination campaign, as a precautionary measure ahead of the return of tourists from China, with the first direct flight between Shanghai and Chiang Mai set to arrive in the northern capital on January 18th. Dr. Jatuchai Maneerat, the provincial public health chief, said today (Wednesday) that they will provide free COVID-19 vaccines to people working in the tourism sector, from January 23rd to 29th at the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) conference hall, with a target of administering 3,000 doses a day. Free vaccinations will also be available for members of the public at the Nakornping, Chiang Mai Neurological, Chiang Mai Mother and Child and community hospitals, he said. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/chiang-mai-launches-covid-vax-campaign-ahead-of-tourist-arrivals-from-china/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-11 - 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 before and after images of a Vietnamese girl with alopecia totalis, calcinosis cutis and hyperthyroidism, with the rightmost picture showing her hair growing back after treatment. Photos obtained by VnExpress An 11-year-old girl in Vietnam has calcinosis cutis, alopecia totalis and hyperthyroidism without Down syndrome, a combination of conditions that has never been recorded in medical history. The girl, who lives in the southern province of Binh Phuoc, began to lose her hair at the age of 2, and was complete bald by the age of 8, according to her family. She also had a bump on her neck, as well as yellow papules around her neck, armpits and arms. In August 2021, she went to Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital in HCMC to have her neck bump diagnosed, and testing showed that she had calcinosis cutis and alopecia totalis. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnamese-girl-with-unique-combination-of-diseases-recorded-as-world-s-first-4558550.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-11

An artwork of Hanoi artist Minh Anh that was accused of being AI-generated. Photo by Minh Anh A Vietnamese artist said his Reddit account has been banned following accusations one of his artworks was AI-generated. Nguyen Hoang Minh Anh, aka Ben Moran, 30, who works in a Hanoi art studio, last month posted one of his works on r/Art subreddit, which has over 22 million members. Anh said the admins of the subreddit deleted his work because they believed it was generated by AI. When he sent proof he had created it himself, one of them said: "I don't believe you. Even if you did 'paint' it yourself, it's so obviously an AI-prompted design that it doesn't matter. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnamese-artist-says-reddit-account-banned-over-ai-generated-art-accusations-4558703.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-11

Passengers on a bus are helped to get out it plunges into a canal in Dong Thap Province, January 10, 2022 A bus plunged into a canal in southern Vietnam after a passenger attempted to steal the driver's phone and threatened to attack him. As the 40-seat passenger bus was moving in Dong Thap Province on Tuesday night, a passenger named Le Hiep Hoa, 37, approached the driver, Phan Thanh Tung, and tried to steal his smartphone. When the driver grabbed him, Hoa took out a pair of scissors and threatened to stab him. Hoa then grabbed the steering wheel, causing the bus to plow into a canal. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/bus-plows-into-canal-as-thief-threatens-driver-4558844.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-11

People ride on Y Khun the elephant (L) on the Lak Lake of Dak Lak Province at the end of 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Oanh A man in Dak Lak Province in the Central Highlands handed an elephant over to an animal rescue center and was given VND700 million ($29,852) as support money. Y Khun (which means "lucky") is a 40-year-old elephant that's been raised by Dang Van Long's family in Dak Lak's Lak District for tourism purposes for years, Tran Xuan Phuoc, director of the Dak Lak Elephant Conservation Center, said Tuesday. Over the past two years under the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Long brought Y Khun to the jungle to raise him in nature. However, as natural forest coverage gradually decreased and food became more scarce, the family decided to give Y Khun to the conservation center. In return, the family received VND700 million as support. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/man-hands-over-elephant-to-conservation-center-receives-29-800-4558866.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-11

Le Lai (R) and Hoang Trung Thong at a power station in Dak Lak Province, where they stole wires and fried electrical appliances of 80 families in the area. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Oanh Two men were detained after stealing wires from power stations in Dak Lak Province, which resulted in a power surge that damaged electrical appliances in 80 local homes. Le Lai, 28, and Hoang Trung Thong, 41, were detained by police of Buon Ma Thuot Town in the Central Highlands province on Wednesday. They are under investigation for stealing. In December last year, Lai and Thong came to Buon Ma Thuot and rented a motel room as a base for carrying out robberies. At night, they would use tools to steal wires and copper coils, which they sold as scrap. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/thieves-steal-wires-from-power-station-fry-appliances-in-80-families-4558921.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-11

In this handout photo from Catubig Municipal Information Office taken on January 10, 2023 shows people riding a boat in a flooded area in Catubig, due to the heavy rains brought by a low pressure area. Handout / Catubig Municipal Information Office / AFP MANILA, Philippines — More than 291,000 individuals were affected by the low pressure areas that have been threatening parts of the country since the start of the year, disaster authorities said on Wednesday. The Office of Civil Defense said the heavy rain and floods triggered by the LPAs affected 263,906 people in MIMAROPA, Bicol region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao region and the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao. Over 3,000 individuals fled their homes. Ten people died due to the effects of the LPAs, while four people were injured. The OCD initially reported 11 deaths, but it removed one fatality from Capiz whose death was caused by the effects of localized thunderstorms. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/11/2236874/recent-lpas-affect-291k-people-kill-10-disaster-agency -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-11

The Department of Agriculture announced on Monday its plan to import 22,000 metric tons of onion as prices zoomed in the past two months. STAR / File MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Samuel Martires said Wednesday that his office’s investigation into the purchase of onions by the Department of Agriculture and Food Terminal Inc. from a Nueva Ecija cooperative will look into the possibility that there was collusion between government officials and the private sector. “We will check if there was collusion, direct conspiracy, between some officials of the Department of Agriculture and the private sector,” Martires said partly in Filipino on DZBB. “We need to wait for the explanation of FTI. Why did they purchase onions from this cooperative? What other cooperatives bidded?” he said. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/11/2236868/ombudsman-probe-look-possible-conspiracy-da-fti-onion-purchase -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-11

In this photo from the Bureau of Immigration Facebook page, an immigration officer inspects a traveler's passport. Bureau of Immigration FB Page MANILA, Philippines — With visa-free entry to 34 countries and territories and visa-on-arrival at 41, the Philippine passport ranked 66th on the Passport Index. The index was compiled by Arton Capital, a company that promotes the idea of "global citizenship" through second residences and citizenships. The Philippines is tied with Mongolia and Morocco on the index, which lists the United Arab Emirates passport as the most "powerful" with visa-free entry to 122 countries and territories and visa-on-arrival in 59. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/11/2236892/how-powerful-philippine-passport-not-very-according-passport-index -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-11

Newly-appointed Secretary Carlito Galvez presides over a meeting at the Department of National Defense. Release / Department of National Defense MANILA, Philippines — Newly-appointed Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday urged senior officials in the department to "stay in place" as reports of resignations among its top brass came out following the departure of Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., who was officer-in-charge of the department. In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of National Defense said Galvez "enjoined all members of the DND’s executive committee and heads of the DND bureaus to stay in place during a transition briefing" in Camp Aguinaldo. "We will sustain the gains of the past secretaries and will also further enhance the capability of our national defense," Galvez was quoted in the DND statement as saying to the executive committee. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/11/2236876/galvez-tells-senior-defense-officials-stay-place -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-11

Pattaya Tourist Police Vow to Deter Crime Against Chinese Visitors Pattaya Tourist Police said they are ready to take care of an influx of Chinese tourists, especially in terms of safety. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283224-pattaya-tourist-police-vow-to-deter-crime-against-chinese-visitors/

Pattaya Tourist Police said they are ready to take care of an influx of Chinese tourists, especially in terms of safety. Pol. Lt. Col. Pichaya Kheawpluang, chief of the Tourist Police Station 4, told The Pattaya News that a large number of Chinese tourists will visit Pattaya after China lifted its travel restrictions on January 8th. He said this might result in a rise in crimes in the area, but the Tourist Police have taken several measures to protect the life and property of every tourist. For example, one of the measures is an application called “Police I Lert U,” which he urged every tourist to download to report any emergency to the Tourist Police. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/01/11/pattaya-tourist-police-vow-to-deter-crime-against-chinese-visitors/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-01-11 - 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!

Pattaya Rescuer Falls Out of his Truck After Python Escapes on Truck’s Bed A rescuer suffered a serious head injury after falling down from a truck’s bed and hitting his head when a python he caught suddenly escaped. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283223-pattaya-rescuer-falls-out-of-his-truck-after-python-escapes-on-truck’s-bed/