webfact

Drink driver crashes car after offering lift to intoxicated woman by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวเวิร์คพอยท์ 23 A drunk Thai man offered a lift to an equally intoxicated woman he met on a roadside in the central province of Chachoengsao but failed to get her home because he crashed his car into a traffic barrier. Three people in the vehicle suffered mild injuries. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1345228-drink-driver-crashes-car-after-offering-lift-to-intoxicated-woman/

Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวเวิร์คพอยท์ 23 by Petch Petpailin A drunk Thai man offered a lift to an equally intoxicated woman he met on a roadside in the central province of Chachoengsao but failed to get her home because he crashed his car into a traffic barrier. Three people in the vehicle suffered mild injuries. Bang Pakong Police Station officers and rescuers dashed to the accident scene at the bridge crossing Hon Sin Canal near a U-turn bridge construction site on Bangna-Trat Road. The incident took place at about 2.30am yesterday, December 2. Upon investigation, officers found the white Mazda 2 hatchback with a damaged front bumper near a traffic barrier. The barrier was placed to separate the road from the construction area. The impact of the crash caused the hatchback to be thrown into the construction area. Three injured victims were identified as 27 year old male driver Sathaporn, 22 year old Sathaporn’s friend named Krittiyaporn, and a 33 year old female passenger named Pennapha. Sathaporn and Krittiyaporn were rushed to Chularat 11 Hospital, while Pennapha was sent to Bang Pakong Hospital. After receiving the treatment, Sathaporn informed police that he won a lottery ticket based on the numbers on his registration plate. She then asked Krittiyaporn to celebrate the reward at a restaurant. On their journey home, Sathaporn noticed Pennapa sitting on the roadside intoxicated. Photo via Amarin TV Sathaporn was worried that something bad might happen to her if he left her to sleep there. He offered Pennapha a ride back to her home in the Bang Pli Noi neighbourhood of Samut Prakan province. Unfortunately, Sathaporn, who was also drunk, crashed the car into the traffic barrier, injuring them all. Sathaporn revealed that he had no car or accident insurance, so he had to pay for the car repair himself. Photo via Amarin TV Sathaporn said the reward he claimed from the lottery could not even cover the repair cost. Police are now awaiting Sathaporn’s blood test to see how much alcohol was in his system and are assessing the condition of Pennapha before issuing a change against the driver. Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-12-03

Heavy rain warning issued for southern Thailand provinces by Bright Choomanee Picture courtesy of Tom De Decker, Unsplash The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its third warning about heavy to very heavy rainfall expected to hit southern Thailand from December 3 to December 5. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1345218-heavy-rain-warning-issued-for-southern-thailand-provinces/

Picture courtesy of Tom De Decker, Unsplash by Bright Choomanee The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its third warning about heavy to very heavy rainfall expected to hit southern Thailand from December 3 to December 5. The adverse weather conditions are being attributed to a low-pressure system over the southern South China Sea, which is forecast to move across the lower southern region of Thailand and Malaysia before entering the southern Andaman Sea and the Strait of Malacca. This, combined with a moderate northeast monsoon affecting the Gulf of Thailand, is likely to cause Residents in the following areas are advised to prepare for potential flash floods and landslides: December 3: Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Trang, Satun December 4: Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Krabi, Trang, Satun December 5: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Krabi, Trang, Satun The TMD has urged people in flood-prone and mountainous areas to stay vigilant as accumulated rainfall may lead to sudden flooding and water runoff. Sea conditions in the Gulf of Thailand are expected to become rough, particularly in the lower regions, with waves reaching 1 to 2 metres and rising higher during thunderstorms. Mariners are advised to exercise caution, avoid storm-affected zones, and avoid venturing into areas with heavy rainfall. Officials have encouraged residents to stay informed through official announcements and to prepare for emergencies, reported KhaoSod. Travellers, particularly those heading to or from the southern provinces, are advised to plan and monitor weather conditions closely. For updates, visit the TMD’s website at www.tmd.go.th or contact their hotline at 1182, available 24/7. Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-12-03

Thailand's Marriage Equality Bill to Become Law Next Month Picture courtesy: South China Morning Post Thailand is set to become the third region in Asia, following Taiwan and Nepal, to legally recognise same-sex marriage, with the Marriage Equality Bill poised to take effect next month. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1345216-thailand-prepares-for-historic-marriage-equality-law-enactment/

Picture courtesy: South China Morning Post Thailand is set to become the third region in Asia, following Taiwan and Nepal, to legally recognise same-sex marriage, with the Marriage Equality Bill poised to take effect next month. Following its royal endorsement, the law was published in the Royal Gazette on 24th September, heralding a significant shift in Thai legislative history. From 22nd January, same-sex couples will be legally permitted to register their marriages, marking the commencement of a new era of legal equality. To prepare for this landmark change, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, alongside various governmental ministries and Bangkok Pride, hosted the "Marriage Equality Day" event. This initiative aimed to assess and ensure Thailand's readiness for the bill's implementation. Kannapong Pipatmontrikul, from the Interior Ministry, announced the formation of a committee to update marriage registration systems, allowing same-sex marriage registrations at district offices nationwide. The language of regulations is being adapted to remove gender-specific terms, substituting "individuals" and "married couples" to align with the spirit of the new law. Once these regulatory amendments receive approval from the Interior Minister, system modifications and trial runs will follow, training staff across registration offices to handle the updated processes proficiently. Post-enactment, same-sex marriage registration will be open to individuals aged 18 and over—a provision that includes parental or guardian consent for those under 20. Further efforts are underway to revise connected legal frameworks, ensuring equal rights for same-sex couples across other legislative areas such as surrogacy, nationality, and gender recognition, according to Kerdchoke Kasemwongjit from the Justice Ministry. This holistic approach aims to guarantee full parity with heterosexual couples in establishing and nurturing families, reported Bangkok Post. -- 2024-12-03

Overstaying American Arrested at Phuket Airport By Goongnang Suksawa An American man was arrested at the Phuket International Airport for 21 days of overstay. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1345213-overstaying-american-arrested-at-phuket-airport/

By Goongnang Suksawa An American man was arrested at the Phuket International Airport for 21 days of overstay. Phuket Immigration at the airport told the Phuket Express that over the past weekend they arrested the unidentified 40-year-old American man at the international terminal in the airport. He was found to have overstayed for 21 days. The American man was taken to the Sakoo Police Station to face overstay charges. Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS -- 2024-12-03

Monk's Makeshift Eyebrows with Tape Solves Welfare Card Payment Issue Picture courtesy: MGR online A monk's ingenious approach to a welfare payment mishap has captivated social media users. After failing to verify his identity with the state welfare payment app due to missing eyebrows, the monk received help from inventive store staff who used black adhesive tape to create temporary eyebrows. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1345209-monks-makeshift-eyebrows-with-tape-solves-welfare-card-payment-issue/

Picture courtesy: MGR online A monk's ingenious approach to a welfare payment mishap has captivated social media users. After failing to verify his identity with the state welfare payment app due to missing eyebrows, the monk received help from inventive store staff who used black adhesive tape to create temporary eyebrows. This creative solution was shared on Facebook by CNew Viewer 4K, swiftly gaining traction with nearly 8,000 reactions. The monk's dilemma unfolded when the facial recognition system at a partner store, essential for processing welfare card payments, couldn't recognise him because of his eyebrow-less appearance—a characteristic of Buddhist monks. Picture courtesy: MGR online By applying the adhesive-tape eyebrows, the staff managed to enable the system to process the monk's payment successfully. Photos from the incident showed the tape being applied, the monk's face scanned, and a staff member chuckling at the unconventional fix. Picture courtesy: MGR online Commenters on social media both laughed at the humorous scene and noted the real-life challenges such incidents highlight, particularly for shops accepting welfare card payments. This episode underscores the unforeseen hurdles that cultural practices can pose to technology-driven systems, reported MGR online. -- 2024-12-03

Indian Nationals Arrested in Thailand for Illegal Money Lending Picture courtesy: Daily News Thai police have arrested two Indian men masquerading as peanut vendors while secretly running an illegal money lending operation. The arrests were made in Phayao after a coordinated effort by local authorities. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1345206-indian-nationals-arrested-in-phayao-for-illegal-money-lending/

Picture courtesy: Daily News Thai police have arrested two Indian men masquerading as peanut vendors while secretly running an illegal money lending operation. The arrests were made in Phayao after a coordinated effort by local authorities. The individuals, identified as Mr. Sahani Neeraj, 23, and Mr. Sahani Namo, 27, were detained with significant evidence, including mobile phones, customer lists, and a motorcycle. They were charged with conducting an unlicensed money lending business and overstaying their visas. Reports surfaced that the men were offering high-interest loans—20% interest per day—to market traders and local residents, under the cover of trading peanuts. This operation formed part of a broader initiative by Thai authorities to crack down on illegal lending, which burden many people with unmanageable debts. Authorities have emphasised the importance of such operations, pointing to government policies prioritising the eradication of unlawful financial schemes. Further investigations are ongoing as officials seek to gather more evidence and identify potential accomplices, reported Daily News. -- 2024-12-03

Russian Woman Falls to Her Death from 37th Floor of Condo in Bangkok Picture from responders. The incident occurred on the afternoon of December 2, when a 24 year old Russian woman jumped or fell from the 37th floor of a condominium in Ratchathewi, plunging to her death. At approximately 15:05, Pol. Sub-Lt. Papawin Donmoolphrai, an investigator with the Phayathai Police Station, received a report of a woman having fallen from a high floor of a condominium on Phayathai Road, Ratchathewi district. Police, forensic officers, a medical team from Ramathibodi Hospital, and rescue volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation rushed to the scene. The condominium, consisting of two 44-story buildings, became the site of a horrific discovery. The victim, identified as Ms. Maria, a 24-year-old Russian national, was found lifeless on the pavement beside Tower A. She was wearing a green short sleeved T-shirt and black trousers. The impact caused severe bodily disfigurement, with blood and brain matter scattered across the pavement and onto a nearby wall. Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had been residing in a rented unit on the 37th floor. When authorities visited the apartment, they encountered her boyfriend, Mr. Nikita, a 39 year old Russian national, who appeared distraught and was reportedly crying uncontrollably. A Russian interpreter was called in to assist with the inquiry. The couple had recently moved into the condominium, having rented the unit on an annual lease just 15 days prior to the incident. Neighbours reported hearing a loud and heated argument between the couple the previous evening. Surveillance footage from the building showed no evidence of a third party entering the unit before the incident. However, there were no cameras positioned to capture the exact location from which she fell or jumped. Authorities are continuing their investigation and plan to interview the boyfriend further to determine the circumstances leading to the tragedy and if this was an accidental fall, suicide or foul play. If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek help. -- 2024-12-03

Russian Woman Falls to Death from 37th Floor Condo Picture courtesy: AMARIN TV In a tragic incident, a Russian woman has died after falling from the 37th floor of a condominium in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok. The woman, whose name has not been released, lived there with her partner. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1345188-russian-woman-falls-to-death-from-37th-floor-condo/