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Former House Speaker Chuan Leekpai has rushed to defend Prawit Wongsuwan, after he was seemingly pictured asleep in parliament, and not for the first time. A viral photo appears to show the outgoing deputy PM, as famous for his watch collection as he is for his naps, having a snooze during the first parliamentary session of the incoming government earlier this week. The session on Tuesday, July 4, was held to elect the new House Speaker, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, leader of the Prachachat Party and two deputy speakers. By Peter Roche PHOTO: Facebook/ท่านผู้นำฮาเฮ #news Full story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/former-house-speaker-defends-prawit-as-outgoing-deputy-pm-naps-in-parliament/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-07-07 - 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.

Stream of despair: US livestreamer threatens to kill himself if jailed in Thailand for distributing obscene content A high profile US livestreamer threatened to “kill himself” after learning he faces five years in a Thailand jail for streaming a scantily-clad sexy lap dance for his girlfriend in a Bangkok hotel. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300001-stream-of-despair-us-livestreamer-threatens-to-kill-himself-if-jailed-in-thailand-for-distributing-obscene-content/

A high profile US livestreamer threatened to “kill himself” after learning he faces five years in a Thailand jail for streaming a scantily-clad sexy lap dance for his girlfriend in a Bangkok hotel. Paul Denion, better known as “Ice Poseidon ” to his followers, was arrested by Thai police after he was reported for livestreaming himself dressed half-naked in women’s lingerie performing a lap dance for his sexy blonde girlfriend. The incident took place in the Banyan Tree Hotel on South Sathorn Road, in Bangkok. The hotel’s manager tried to kick out the US liverstreamer and his party for indecent behaviour when the police promptly arrived and arrested all of them while he was livestreaming. Picture courtesy of Sportskeeda. On learning he faces five years in jail for distribution of obscene content, Denion said… “If I get five years, I’m just going to kill myself. I will not be able to survive in a Thai jail.” “I’m being held in Thailand for the actions that I’ve done a few nights ago at a hotel in Bangkok Thailand. by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of Sportskeeda. #news Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/bangkok/stream-of-despair-us-livestreamer-threatens-to-kill-himself-if-jailed-in-thailand-for-distributing-obscene-content-video -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-07 - 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.

Royal Command issued appointing House speaker and two deputies A Royal Command has been issued for the appointment of the House speaker and his two deputies . Prachachat party leader Wan Muhamad Noor Matha is appointed as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Move Forward constituency MP Padipat Suntiphada as the first deputy speaker and Pheu Thai constituency MP Pichet Chuamuangphan as the second deputy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299999-royal-command-issued-appointing-house-speaker-and-two-deputies/

A Royal Command has been issued for the appointment of the House speaker and his two deputies . Prachachat party leader Wan Muhamad Noor Matha is appointed as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Move Forward constituency MP Padipat Suntiphada as the first deputy speaker and Pheu Thai constituency MP Pichet Chuamuangphan as the second deputy. The Royal Command, countersigned by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, has been published in the Royal Gazette. Wan, Padipat and Pichet were present at a ceremony held in the parliament at 10am today (Friday) to receive the Royal Command. #news Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/royal-command-issued-appointing-house-speaker-and-two-deputies/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-07-07 - 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.

Deceit: Spiritual medium scams four Thais out of 600,000 baht By Samantha Rose Picture courtesy of Sanook In a tale of deception, four residents reported to law enforcement their loss of 600,000 baht (US$17,015) due to a scam involving a woman claiming to be a spiritual medium. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299998-deceit-spiritual-medium-scams-four-thais-out-of-600000-baht/

In a tale of deception, four residents reported to law enforcement their loss of 600,000 baht (US$17,015) due to a scam involving a woman claiming to be a spiritual medium. The culprit convinced her victims to perform an expensive ritual, warning that without it, their lives could be at risk. To add to the losses, the fraudster promised to provide cheap cars but never delivered. Deceived by a 47 year old fortune teller and part-time soul guide known as ‘Luek Gaew,’ four aggrieved citizens found themselves out-of-pocket. The case culminated in a report to the Don Yanang Police Station in Thailand’s Bueng Kan province yesterday. It all began in 2016 when Luek Gaew, a friend of the victims for over five years, embarked on an elaborate ruse, the potency of which did not become clear to the victims until it was too late. Basing her operation in the close-knit community of Don Yanang, Luek Gaew managed to convince the victims of a curse they apparently fell under. She insisted they needed a ceremony conducted by herself to rid themselves of this ill fortune. Within her extensive fabrication, Luek Gaew claimed she was the host body for a spirit guide named ‘Pi Pia,’ with whom she shared her predictions of the victims’ unique National Identification and bank account numbers. By Samantha Rose Picture courtesy of Sanook #news Full story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/crime/local-deceit-spiritual-medium-scams-four-thai-residents-out-of-thb-600000 -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-07 - 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.

Chon Buri van collision leaves 5 injured in early morning accident by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod In the early hours of this morning, a collision between two vans in Chon Buri province led to five people being injured. Police and emergency services from Samed Police Station were alerted to the crash at a red light intersection in Samed, Mueang Chon Buri, at around 5am. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299997-chon-buri-van-collision-leaves-5-injured-in-early-morning-accident/

In the early hours of this morning, a collision between two vans in Chon Buri province led to five people being injured. Police and emergency services from Samed Police Station were alerted to the crash at a red light intersection in Samed, Mueang Chon Buri, at around 5am. En route to pick up employees, the driver of a Toyota van failed to notice another vehicle positioned at a stop-light. As a result, a forceful impact occurred, causing substantial damage and injuries to five people. The area of the clash was near the Kiri red light intersection, Samed sub-district. At the scene of the accident were two Toyota vans. A van with the registration นข3646 Phayao was stopped at the red light when it was hit from behind, causing significant damage. The driver, 37 year old Niphon, was among the victims. by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod #news Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/eastern-thailand/chonburi-van-collision-leaves-five-injured-in-early-morning-accident-drivers-under-investigation-2 -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-07 - 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.

Elderly man and young woman severely injured in Phuket accident by Mitch Connor Picture by Eakkapop Thongtub. A tragic biking accident occurred yesterday on Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket, which involved an elderly man and a young woman. Seventy-three year old Anek Amnuaychokchai was eagerly boarding a songthaew when he was struck by a motorbike riding at high speed. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299996-elderly-man-and-young-woman-severely-injured-in-phuket-accident/

A tragic biking accident occurred yesterday on Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket, which involved an elderly man and a young woman. Seventy-three year old Anek Amnuaychokchai was eagerly boarding a songthaew when he was struck by a motorbike riding at high speed. The 25 year old woman operating the motorbike, identified as Acting Sub Lieutenant Fadiya Munoh, was hurled into the back of the bus due to the impact. Both individuals sustained severe injuries and were promptly rushed to the hospital by local emergency services. It is yet to be confirmed whether Fadiyah is a member of the police force, military, or another organisation. Lt. Col. Thanyapisit Muangchan from the Thalang Police Station was notified about the incident yesterday and is currently leading the ongoing investigation. by Mitch Connor Picture by Eakkapop Thongtub. #news Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/elderly-man-and-young-woman-severely-injured-in-phuket-bike-accident-2 -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-07 - 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.

UPDATE: Foreign felons fall: Immigration Bureau’s busts net 25 international suspects in Thailand’s crime crackdown by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ ดาวแปดแฉก Immigration Bureau officers yesterday announced a number of successful operations against foreign criminals in Thailand. The Immigration Bureau managed to arrest 25 foreign suspects in five major cases. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299956-pattaya-police-launch-major-anti-crime-operation-specifically-targeting-foreign-criminals-and-fugitives/?do=findComment&comment=18188079

Foreign felons fall: Immigration Bureau’s busts net 25 international suspects in Thailand’s crime crackdown by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ ดาวแปดแฉก Immigration Bureau officers yesterday announced a number of successful operations against foreign criminals in Thailand. The Immigration Bureau managed to arrest 25 foreign suspects in five major cases. The first case was the arrest of a 31 year old Swiss man named Jonathan who managed to evade a drug charge in Switzerland and sought refuge in Thailand. The authorities apprehended him at a Bangkok airport, believed to be Suvarnabhumi, when he was attempting to flee to Vietnam. The Embassy of Switzerland in Thailand revealed that Jonathan had bought 2,000 methamphetamine tablets from an African supplier in Thailand. He then proceeded to sell the illicit substances to customers residing in Zurich. The second suspect is a 45 year old Swedish man named Stephan, who was on arrest warrants issued by Swedish Court, European Union, and Interpol. Stephan and his accomplices had reportedly committed copyright infringement by recording and distributing television programs on an online platform without permission. The immigration police checked Stephan’s documents and discovered that he was staying in Thailand legally under a valid visa. Officers then revoked his visa and successfully apprehended him at a residence in Chon Buri province. The third case involved the arrest of five South Korean men in Pattaya, following a complaint filed by residents regarding the operation of a travel agency in Thailand. They rented a pool villa accommodation in the province and offered tour packages to South Korean tourists. Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/foreign-felons-fall-immigration-bureaus-busts-net-25-international-suspects-in-thailands-crime-crackdown -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-07 - 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.

Thailand News - Pita’s Senate uphill battle, national Dengue death warning : Tim Newton Today - July 7 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299993-thailand-news-pita’s-senate-uphill-battle-national-dengue-death-warning-tim-newton-today-july-7/

The Thai Airways brand is not doing well whilst other Thai brands are becoming more popular since 2019, the migrant worker amnesty will continue until the end of this month, a 3-fold surge of Dengue cases and deaths in Thailand, 5 year anniversary since the start of the rescue of the 13 young footballers from the Than Luang cave in Chiang Rai. Should you leave bad reviews of Thai hotels? It may not end well. Pita Limjareonrat is facing un uphill battle to woes Thailand's hand-picked Senate, Tim Newton Today is a daily take on Thai and regional news and issues of interest to expats and foreign tourists. With thanks to our sponsor 5 Star Marine in Phuket for premium, private charters. Click on this link for a special offer for TNT viewers... https://5starmarinephuket.com/tim/

Thai Meteorological Department issues flash floods and heavy rain warning by Samantha Rose Picture courtesy of Eutah Mizushima, Unsplash The Thai Meteorological Department has announced a cautionary warning for the period between 8 to 10 July, urging people to brace for heavy rainfall, risk of flash floods, and forest runoff. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299991-thai-meteorological-department-issues-flash-floods-and-heavy-rain-warning/

The Thai Meteorological Department has announced a cautionary warning for the period between 8 to 10 July, urging people to brace for heavy rainfall, risk of flash floods, and forest runoff. The department also warned of high waves, recommending that people avoid travelling by boat. Today, The Meteorological Department forecasted the weather over the next 24-hour period, emphasising that a moderate southwest monsoon continues to prevail over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, resulting in ongoing thundershowers over the period. In the upper Andaman Sea, the wave height reaches 1 to 2 metres, and in areas where there are thundershowers, the waves can exceed 2 metres. In the lower Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, the waves are approximately 1 metre high, and in areas where there are thundershowers, waves can reach 1 to 2 metres height. Boat operators in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are urged to travel with caution and avoid areas with thundershowers over the period. The weather forecast for Thailand, starting from midnight today to midnight tomorrow, predicts 40% of the northern region will experience thundershowers, mainly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, and Phetchabun. Temperatures will reach a minimum of 24 to 26 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 34 to 37 degrees Celsius, with southwest winds blowing at a speed of 10 to 20 kilometres per hour. by Samantha Rose Picture courtesy of Eutah Mizushima, Unsplash #news Full story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/weather/thai-meteorological-department-issues-flash-floods-and-heavy-rain-warning-from-8-to-10-july -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-07 - 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.

MYAirline Introduces Presence in Bangkok, Thailand Redefining Air Travel Experiences BANGKOK, Thailand, 5 July 2023 – MYAirline, Malaysia’s leading airline, proudly announces its expansion into Bangkok with the inaugural flight on 28 June 2023, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s second phase of growth strategy. To mark this achievement, MYAirline hosted a media roundtable, gathering esteemed journalists and tourism experts to introduce MYAirline, its offerings and innovations along with vision for revolutionizing the aviation sector. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299987-myairline-introduces-presence-in-bangkok-thailand/

BANGKOK, Thailand, 5 July 2023 – MYAirline, Malaysia’s leading airline, proudly announces its expansion into Bangkok with the inaugural flight on 28 June 2023, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s second phase of growth strategy. To mark this achievement, MYAirline hosted a media roundtable, gathering esteemed journalists and tourism experts to introduce MYAirline, its offerings and innovations along with vision for revolutionizing the aviation sector. “Bangkok was chosen as MYAirline’s first international destination due to the increasing numbers of both business and leisure travelers to and from Malaysia. From January to May 2023, the Thai Ministry of Tourism & Sports recorded a total of 1,696,358* visitors from Malaysia into Thailand, compared to only 76,420* visitors during the same period last year. This reflects a 2,119.78% increase in arrivals and is presently making Malaysia the top country contributing to Thailand’s tourism industry recovery”, revealed Mr. Teo. “We are confident that this robust trend will continue as trade and tourism between Malaysia and Thailand will further develop in the coming years”, he added. Established in January 2021, MYAirline undertook its first flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2) to 3 destinations - Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Langkawi on 1 December 2022. Since then, its domestic network has expanded to 9 domestic routes with destinations to Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Langkawi, Kota Bharu, Penang, Sibu, Tawau and Miri and an intra-Sabah route from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau. MYAirline aims to revolutionize the aviation sector by enhancing the customer experience, providing unparalleled reliability and convenience, and focusing on sustainability. For cost efficiency, the airline uses a single fleet, comprising of Airbus A320-200. The fleet boasts all-new interiors and first-in-class pre-reclined seats featuring sustainable materials and weight savings, allowing the airline to realize substantial fuel efficiency over time. This is in line with the airline’s objectives to feature more sustainable practices in its operations, which includes the full use of Electronic Flight Bags and a fully digitized backend which reduces paper waste. Moreover, MYAirline prides itself on offering class-leading services to each passenger – from reliable flights to attentive on-ground and on-board assistance – to ensure a new experience and enjoyable journey for passengers. It also boasts humanized communications via its live chat available on the website. In further setting the airline apart in the industry, it is also the first airline in the region to introduce gender-neutral uniforms for male and female cabin crew, promoting inclusivity and equality. The airline recently celebrated its 1-millionth passengers, within a mere 6 months of operations. It is also the first Malaysian carrier to offer flights to and from both Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. It is on track to receive a total of 20 aircraft by end 2023, with a target of 80 aircraft by 2027. “MYAirline is poised to transform air travel by placing our passengers at the core of everything we do. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability, we are confident that MYAirline will become a preferred choice for travelers worldwide as we further expand our flight network to other neighboring countries in the Southeast Asian region this year”, added Rayner. *Data derived from Ministry of Tourism & Sports, Thailand as of May 2023 #news

Warehouse fire in Nonthaburi draws over 50 fire engines, suspicion points to electrical short circuit by Samantha Rose Photo courtesy of Sanook On the night of yesterday, a significant warehouse inferno required the urgent coordination of over 50 fire engines and greater than one hundred firemen, to bring the fire under control after an arduous 90 minutes. The suspected cause of the warehouse fire outbreak points to an electrical short circuit. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299986-warehouse-fire-in-nonthaburi-draws-over-50-fire-engines-suspicion-points-to-electrical-short-circuit/

On the night of yesterday, a significant warehouse inferno required the urgent coordination of over 50 fire engines and greater than one hundred firemen, to bring the fire under control after an arduous 90 minutes. The suspected cause of the warehouse fire outbreak points to an electrical short circuit. At approximately 9.20pm, last evening, local authorities in the district of Bang Sri Mueang located in the province of Nonthaburi, were alerted to the incident at the warehouse of Nockstore Company Limited, a local establishment situated at No. 103, Moo 1, within Wat Bang Sri Mueang lane, off the Bang Sri Mueang road. Fire engines from various nearby areas, including the municipality of Bang Sri Mueang, Bang Kra Sang, Sai Ma and Nonthaburi, were rushed to the site in concern, alongside a massive force of volunteer firemen. A two-storey edifice of considerable size, the ablaze building, located on a three-acre plot, was a relatively new construction barely a year old. As a storehouse for numerous, potentially flammable articles, the fire spread with remarkable speed, fuelled further by the force of the blowing wind. Firefighters, therefore, had to tirelessly direct water jets from all sides to contain the blaze. Located on the right side of the building’s ground floor was the office of the company, which the firefighting unit managed to douse promptly. by Samantha Rose Top Photo courtesy of Sanook #news Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/nonthaburi-warehouse-blaze-draws-over-50-fire-engines-suspicion-points-to-electrical-short-circuit -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-07 - 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.

Thai Airways lags as Centara Grand emerges Thailand’s strongest brand by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of Craig Stevens, Flickr The sluggish revival of business tourism, coupled with Thailand’s failure to establish itself as a global connection hub, has resulted in Thai Airways’ brand value lagging behind its rivals. Conversely, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts has emerged as the strongest brand in the nation this year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299972-thai-airways-lags-as-centara-grand-emerges-thailand’s-strongest-brand/

The sluggish revival of business tourism, coupled with Thailand’s failure to establish itself as a global connection hub, has resulted in Thai Airways’ brand value lagging behind its rivals. Conversely, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts has emerged as the strongest brand in the nation this year. According to Alex Haigh, who serves as the Asia-Pacific Managing Director at Brand Finance, the Thai Government should place an additional emphasis on enticing immigrants who wish to work and retire in the country. Haigh suggested that Thailand should go beyond projecting itself as a leisure-oriented destination, an image it has successfully cultivated among travellers worldwide. Recent studies conducted by Brand Finance revealed a somewhat tepid growth in the brand value of Thai Airways. Currently standing at US$990 million, Thai Airways’ value has certainly increased, but it has failed to keep pace with rivals such as Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines, whose corresponding growth rates of 8% and 5% respectively outperformed Thai Airways’ 3% year on year increase. by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of Craig Stevens, Flickr #news Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/thai-airways-lags-as-centara-grand-emerges-thailands-strongest-brand -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-07 - 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.

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 7 July 2023 Move Forward Party deputy leader Siri-kanya says Prospective PRIME minister- Pita Lim-jaroen-rat will very likely get enough votes to become prime minister at the first session next Thursday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299971-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-7-july-2023/

Move Forward Party deputy leader Siri-kanya says Prospective PRIME minister- Pita Lim-jaroen-rat will very likely get enough votes to become prime minister at the first session next Thursday. With 312 coalition MPs on his side, Pita will need at least 64 more votes from non-coalition MPs and the unelected senators to clinch the post. Migrant workers from four neighbouring countries will be allowed to stay in Thailand until the end of this month, while their employers arrange for the renewal of their work permits, Their documents should have been submitted at the end of May An estimated 500,000 migrant workers were found to have been unable to meet the deadline. So, the Cabinet has extend the deadline. Move forward leader Mr Pita tweeted a message inviting Taylor swift to perform in Thailand. She begins a world tour next month and will perform in singapore in March next year. Mr pitas tweet.. Read: Hey Taylor! Big fan of yours. Btw, Thailand is back on track to be fully democratic after you had to cancel last time due to the coup. The Thai people have spoken via the election and we all look forward... To welcoming you to this beautiful nation of ours Around the Region: Japanese officials are worried that China, the biggest buyer of its seafood exports, may halt those purchases, after Tokyo begins releasing treated wastewater from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea. The UN nuclear watchdog this week gave Japan the green light to begin discharging more than a million tonnes of water. Vietnam: The organiser of a Blackpink concert in Hanoi has apologised after its website featured a map showing China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, prompting a backlash on social media. Blackpink is due to host two concerts in the Vietnamese capital in late July. The weather: Sunny Partly cloudy Chiang Mai and the north: sunny partly Cloudy, 35C Bangkok: sunny partly Cloudy, 35C Pattaya, Sunny, partly cloudy 33C Phuket and the south: sunny, partly cloudy 32C ‘Hua Hin’ :Sunny partly cloudy, expect a few thunderstorms 33C Credits: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Asean Now, Khaosod English, Hua Hin Today, Royal Coast Review, Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn, Thainewsroom.com, The Pattaya News, Phuket News, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times. The Irrawaddy. Windy.com. Wunderground.com Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 -- © Copyright SURF 102.5 FM 2023-07-07 - 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.