webfact

Daily News Thai Cap: I was saved by... Dr Nopparat Rattanaworah - better known as Dr Song - who was kidnapped by an armed group in Africa has been speaking to Daily News and other Thai media about his ordeal. Dr Song was travelling between Burkina Faso and Mali when he heard gunshots. There was a man pointing a gun. He was ordered out of the vehicle and onto his knees and blindfolded and tied up. Picture: Daily News He was taken on an eight hour journey into the countryside through jungles, corn fields and small villages. He had no idea where he was headed. He was given a mat. He would sleep under trees in the day to escape the sunlight having to move as the sun's rays moved. He was in a small tent at night. He said he was never assaulted. He lived mostly on plain rice if he couldn't get anything better to go with it. He said it was stressful but he always believed he would get away. None of his captors spoke about money for ransom to him. Eventually he managed to convince the chief of the captors that he was just a humble doctor travelling the world, not a rich businessman. The chief allowed him to call his mother and French Fries, his girlfriend. Picture: Daily News French Fries proved very helpful in helping to secure his release - mostly through What's App negotiations. He was dumped in the deep jungle and told to find his way back. Dr Song said there was not much point in trying to get back at his captors. He had no idea who they were or how to go about finding them. He'd just carry on touring the world and put it behind him. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-28 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Malaysian didn't learn from previous lesson - back selling bootleg foreign liquor online Daily News Thai Caption: Arrested yet again 191 police armed with a search warrant went to a house in Soi Hatairat 3, Minburi, northern Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276073-malaysian-didnt-learn-from-previous-lesson-back-selling-bootleg-foreign-liquor-online/

Daily News Thai Caption: Arrested yet again 191 police armed with a search warrant went to a house in Soi Hatairat 3, Minburi, northern Bangkok. It was the home and distribution depot of one Mr Chan, 55, a Malaysian national. Mr Chan was caught in possession of items such as imported foreign liquor and wine, empty liquor and wine bottles, tax labels from Thailand and abroad, corks and stickers of many kinds, reported Daily News. Mr Chan was importing foreign liquor and wine then repackaging it for profit. He got his empty bottles from a recycling dump. He turned a case of foreign booze worth 3,200 baht into 7,500 baht for customers who contacted him online. Police say Mr Chan was making 150,000-200,000 baht a month and had been doing it for a year. They also discovered that he had been arrested in 2019 on similar charges of bootlegging and tax evasion when he had 600,000 baht's worth of items seized. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-28 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Tim Newton Today - Oct 28: Thai LTR visa numbers, Chinese 'party' dens being investigated, ASEAN bla bla Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276071-tim-newton-today-oct-28-thai-ltr-visa-numbers-chinese-party-dens-being-investigated-asean-bla-bla/

ASEAN foreign ministers met yesterday in Jakarta and decided, well, nothing really. The New Thai Long Term Resident visas appear to be massively underperforming. Police checking into the proliferation of Chinese party dens around Bangkok and Pattaya. A safe landing after an engine fire on a Boeing 737. Tim Newton Today is a daily, independent look at Thai and south East Asian regional news.

Thai police allegedly ignore desperate gamblers appeal for help - they put the phone down because the call came from a casino Daily News Thai Caption: They claimed...trickery Daily News reported on an alarming case in which a group of gamblers had been winning at cards known as Dragon Tiger at a casino under the Prasert Manutham expressway section in Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276070-thai-police-allegedly-ignore-desperate-gamblers-appeal-for-help-they-put-the-phone-down-because-the-call-came-from-a-casino/

Daily News Thai Caption: They claimed...trickery Daily News reported on an alarming case in which a group of gamblers had been winning at cards known as Dragon Tiger at a casino under the Prasert Manutham expressway section in Bangkok. The gamblers had been at the tables for three days and the third was August 19th. At 6 pm on that day two representatives of the casino invited the group to a second floor room where it was claimed they had been cheating at the tables leading to big losses for the house. The gamblers called 191 for help telling them that they were being held against their will and needed help. When it was confirmed that they were indeed calling from a casino 191 contact ceased and couldn't be reestablished. Then another casino rep came into the room saying that someone had tried to call the police. They were all bundled into a van being told they were off to a police station. They were instead taken to a vacant area near the Chonburi Motorway where they were held for an hour and a half. At this time they later discovered the police made a trip to the casino. They were then put back in the van and returned to the casino after the police had dropped in. At about midnight the group was split up and individually attacked including having black bags placed over heads, noses and mouths held shut and suffering body assault to try and extort money. The assailants said they were soldiers. They kept repeating "how much money have you got, give it all to us". There were ten assailants. Finally after their severe beating through the night the victims were forced into transferring 5 million baht to their assailants. They were then put back in the van and dumped in Sukhaphiban 5 Road at about 6 am. They were told that if they reported what had happened they would be murdered. They were informed that all their data on their Thai ID's had been recorded. Including their addresses. In September one member of the victims' group decided to go to the police chief responsible for this part of Bangkok. But he found that the charge was just "causing losses" against the casino. Eventually after contact with the casino rep this victim managed to get back 500,000 baht but had earlier been extorted out of 2 million. The police hid behind the fact that the losses came from gambling, ignoring the gravity of the assault. Now all five victims have approached online community action group Sai Mai Tong Rort. It's founder Ekkaphop Leuangprasert said that the casino in question is a big operation with many different types of games available including Dragon Tiger and baccarat all under one roof. There are people gambling there all day and all night. He called what had happened "robbery" not "causing losses". What took place was a serious crime. He called the police response "unusual". And putting a plastic bag over someone's head could be attempted murder. Phones and jewelry were also missing from the victims. There has been no mention of a police report. He intended to take the matter up with the local chief. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-28 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

PM elaborates on 3 core strategies for elevating Thailand’s prosperity level by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - The prime minister has asserted a revamp of Thailand requires the implementation of 3 core strategies that would elevate prosperity and people’s overall livelihood. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276067-pm-elaborates-on-3-core-strategies-for-elevating-thailand’s-prosperity-level/

by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - The prime minister has asserted a revamp of Thailand requires the implementation of 3 core strategies that would elevate prosperity and people’s overall livelihood. Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha delivered a speech on the topic “Accelerating Thailand.” He elaborated the government strives to concretely bring various initiatives to realization as it prepares the nation for future challenges. One goal is to elevate the overall wealth of the nation and dissipate prosperity to every locality so people’s livelihood could improve. Three core strategies are being implemented for these purposes. The first strategy involves infrastructure development for transportation as well as for digital affairs. Infrastructure will open up opportunities for people to make their living and be self-reliant. The second strategy involves the electric vehicles industry and modern agriculture. These two industries are poised to become among the world’s largest in the future. The third strategy concerns the use of the banking sector to create opportunities for new entrepreneurs and enterprises. The prime minister said the aim is to bring these strategies to realization within the next 12 months. Many projects under these strategies are already progressing. Gen. Prayut called for the public to have confidence in said projects and asked for public cooperation in taking the nation toward greater prosperity. The prime minister added there are criticisms over his management of the nation from time to time, and said this is normal in a democracy. He noted that people should not let their attention over crucial national matters be distracted. He asked that everybody contribute to the big picture at hand and ready the nation for the future. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221028092245598 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-10-28 - 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!

Properties from about 200 developers being offered at old prices at 42nd House and Condo Exhibition by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Prices of energy and construction materials as well as interest rates have all increased this year. Nonetheless, the Thai Condominium Association and Housing Business Association are partnering with developers to offer properties at their original prices. These offers from about 200 developers may be found at the 42nd House and Condo Exhibition in Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276066-properties-from-about-200-developers-being-offered-at-old-prices-at-42nd-house-and-condo-exhibition/

by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Prices of energy and construction materials as well as interest rates have all increased this year. Nonetheless, the Thai Condominium Association and Housing Business Association are partnering with developers to offer properties at their original prices. These offers from about 200 developers may be found at the 42nd House and Condo Exhibition in Bangkok. Labor minister Suchart Chomklin presided over the opening of the 42nd House and Condo Exhibition at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. During the occasion, he said the real estate sector is one of the drivers enabling the Thai economy to expand. This is due to the fact many businesses are associated with real estate. He acknowledged that construction costs will soon rise by 5-10% because of high energy prices impacting the prices of construction materials. The rise in minimum wages will also have an impact on construction costs. Chairat Thamphira, chair of the 42nd House and Condo Exhibition organizing committee, said the current period is still an appropriate time for buying properties. He cited the current government measure reducing the property transfer fee and mortgage registration fee. The Bank of Thailand is also currently implementing relaxed LTV ratios for mortgages to enable borrowers to take a loan of equal value to the property. Furthermore, property developers partaking in the exhibition are keeping prices unchanged as the properties were constructed when costs were lower. 32.8% of properties available at the exhibition are condominiums. 19.7% are detached homes and 16.4% are townhouses. The properties are being offered alongside special promotions from the developers. About 100,000 people are expected to visit the 4-day exhibition that is being held from today (27 October) until Sunday. The organizer expects roughly 50 billion baht in sales during and shortly after the event. Those who would like to look at current property offers from developers may visit the exhibition at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center Hall 5. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221028091046590 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-10-28 - 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!

Democrat Party hit with another major defection This picture taken on April 18, 2022 shows the exterior of Thailand’s Democrat Party headquarters in Bangkok. (Photo by Jack TAYLOR / AFP) The Democrat Party, Thailand’s oldest political party, has been dealt another blow with the resignation of one of its most senior members Trairong Suwankiri on Thursday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276065-democrat-party-hit-with-another-major-defection/

This picture taken on April 18, 2022 shows the exterior of Thailand’s Democrat Party headquarters in Bangkok. (Photo by Jack TAYLOR / AFP) The Democrat Party, Thailand’s oldest political party, has been dealt another blow with the resignation of one of its most senior members Trairong Suwankiri on Thursday. Trairong, an advisor of the party, gave no reason for his resignation but said in a Facebook post that he decided to quit “despite my love for the Democrat Party”. Trairong is only the latest veteran politician to quit the Democrat Party. It’s not immediately clear whether he will join another political party despite speculation that he has been courted by Ruam Thai Sang Chart, a new political party set up by supporters of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/democrat-party-hit-with-another-major-defection/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-28 - 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!

Tourists given suspended jail sentences/fines after Bangkok-Sathorn raid Picture: Siam Rath Seven people have appeared in court including tourists following the raid on a premises in the Yannawa police jurisdiction in the Sathorn area of Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276063-tourists-given-suspended-jail-sentencesfines-after-bangkok-sathorn-raid/

Picture: Siam Rath Seven people have appeared in court including tourists following the raid on a premises in the Yannawa police jurisdiction in the Sathorn area of Bangkok. They are the first group of defendants who have admitted their guilt. Far more who have denied drug taking will see their cases in court today. Prosecutors took four Chinese men, one Thai man and two Thai women to the Bangkok South Municipal court. The Chinese men and Thai women admitted to taking the Class 1 drug methamphetamine and ketamine (Class 2). They were given 1-2 month prison sentences and fines of 8-16,000 baht. The fines were reduced to 4-8,000 baht due to their admissions and help in the case while the prison sentences were suspended for two years. The Thai man was convicted after admitting to taking a prohibited liquid drug and acquiring funds illegally. He was fined 4,200 baht reduced in half due to admission. There are still 56 - mostly Chinese tourists - who will appear in court today. These are the ones who are fighting charges. ASEAN NOW will bring you the result of the case as soon as we hear of it. Sources: Siam Rath | Daily News -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-28 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

UPDATE: Chinese businessman linked to pub raid is donor of Palang Pracharath More than 200 Chinese clients were found in the pub in Yannawa raided by police on Tuesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276042-palang-pracharath-admits-man-likely-linked-to-illegal-nightclub-donated-cash/?do=findComment&comment=17690042

Chinese businessman linked to pub raid is donor of Palang Pracharath More than 200 Chinese clients were found in the pub in Yannawa raided by police on Tuesday. A Chinese businessman linked to a pub in Yannawa district of Bangkok raided by police on Tuesday night is listed as a donor of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin admitted on Thursday. Somsak, the chief strategist of Palang Pracharath, said the businessman, Chaiyanat Kornchayanant, donated as much as three million baht to the party last year. “His donation was made in accordance with the law,” he said but admitted that the party did not do background checks of its donors. “But I can assure you that there is no political favour in return,” he said of the donation by Chaiyanat. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/chinese-businessman-linked-to-pub-raid-is-donor-of-palang-pracharath/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-28 - 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 Tesla CEO finalized a transaction he was determined to walk away from before performing a surprise U-turn this month. Photograph: Dado Ruvić/Reuters The $44bn deal will give world’s richest man control of influential social media platform with more than 230m users Dan Milmo Global technology editor, and Kari Paul in San Francisco Elon Musk has reportedly completed his $44bn takeover of Twitter, taking control of the company and firing several of the company’s top executives, including CEO Parag Agrawal. Several outlets, including Reuters, the Washington Post and the New York Times, reported on Thursday evening that Ned Segal, the chief financial officer, and Vijaya Gadde, head of legal policy, trust and safety, were also fired, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. Agrawal and Segal were in Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters when the deal closed and were escorted out, Reuters reported. The news comes ahead of a Friday deadline to complete his purchase of the platform, and will give the world’s richest man control of an influential social media platform with more than 230 million users, and caps several tumultuous months of back and forth over whether he would buy the company. Full story: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/27/elon-musk-completes-twitter-takeover -- © Copyright The Guardian 2022-10-28 - 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!

Chinese businessman wanted to shutter local media house to ‘please’ recently held CCP meeting in Beijing By Erich Parpart The Chinese government will continue to try and increase their control over Thai media, the founder of a Thai student publishing house which said that a Chinese businessman tried to buy them out told Thai Enquirer. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276060-chinese-businessman-wanted-to-shutter-local-media-house-to-‘please’-recently-held-ccp-meeting-in-beijing/

By Erich Parpart The Chinese government will continue to try and increase their control over Thai media, the founder of a Thai student publishing house which said that a Chinese businessman tried to buy them out told Thai Enquirer. “China has been influencing Thailand for a long time now and their attempt to try and buy our small publication made me think how many news agencies in Thailand have already been supported by China which is why they do not dare to speak about Chinese issues,” said Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, a pro-democracy activist and founder of the Sam Yan Press. “We thought about staying silence on the matter because it was risky but if we remain silence, people will not know about this attempt to control a Thai publication by China and the need for Thai press to be free from influences from abroad,” he said. The publication, which translated and published many books that were critical to Beijing’s human rights records include those of political dissidents in China such as Liu Xiobo and Ilham Tohti, said in a series of tweets and a statement that they were approached by an investigator from a private investigation company in Bangkok which has a Chinese client who wanted to offer the publication 2 million Baht for them to shut down. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/45477/chinese-businessman-wanted-to-shutter-local-media-house-to-please-recently-held-ccp-meeting-in-beijing/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-10-28 - 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!

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday October 28 2022 Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276058-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-october-28-2022/

Listen to the news: Police arrested two Singapore nationals for allegedly selling drugs to mainly Chinese customers, and for living in Thailand illegally for more than 20 years. Officers believe a pub on Ratchada Road and a karaoke lounge on Sathorn Road were run as unlicensed nightclubs by the same people. Several luxury cars and more than a million baht were seized during raids carried out after the death of a Chinese woman who tested positive for drugs. Her family contacted the Chinese embassy in Bangkok which led to the current police investigation. Thailand’s The State Railway is conducting a poll online to see whether people approve of Hua Lamphong train station’s move to Chatuchak. SRT’s PR director said so far people have indicated they want long train services to the North, South and Northeast to be located at the new terminal at Bang Sue, now known as ‘Bangkok Central’ while Hua Lampong should continue as a center for local city train services. The Thai doctor who returned home after being kidnapped in Africa has been recalling his ordeal, he told the media his captors were friendly towards him, but food and water were in short supply. Dr Nopparat had been shooting a YouTube video while traveling in Africa. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit instructed the NBTC broadcast regulator to ensure the FIFA world cup in Qatar will be available here on domestic television. His meeting also secured next years budgets for the National Sports Development Fund, and Sports authority. Prime Minister Prayut will visit Laos tomorrow for the foundation-laying ceremony of the fifth Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River. When finished the 15 kilometer bridge is expected to cost 1.1 billion baht. The PM’s trip comes at the invitation of the laos government REGION Asean foreign ministers meeting in Jakarta conveyed their concern and disappointment that there has been no significant progress on the “five-point peace deal on Myanmar. The ministers discussed how to push forward the peace process ahead of next month's Asean summit. Malaysia: fire-fighters were called to an explosion at a Petronas oil refinery in Johor yesterday, an interconnecting pipe was believed to be the source of the blaze which caused severe damage but no injuries. Chiang Mai: Bright partly cloudy with rain 30C Bangkok: Cloudy with thndershowers 32C Pattaya and SE: partly cloudy with thundershowers 30C. Phuket: Partly Cloudy with thunderstorms this afternoon 29C. Hua Hin: Bright, Cloudy with rain, 28C 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 2022-10-28 - 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!

Tourism and Sports Minister to suggest marine safety improvements for tourists in Phuket By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – The Tourism and Sports Minister is going to suggest marine safety improvements for tourists in Phuket to the Thai Prime Minister. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276057-tourism-and-sports-minister-to-suggest-marine-safety-improvements-for-tourists-in-phuket/

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – The Tourism and Sports Minister is going to suggest marine safety improvements for tourists in Phuket to the Thai Prime Minister. The suggestion follows the death of a Russian tourist on the island recently. The Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn who arrived in Phuket yesterday morning (October 26th) for the Thirteenth ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports event had also visited the Layan Beach in Thalang. Mr. Pipat told the Phuket Express, “I am very sorry for Ms. Elena’s family and friends for their loss. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/10/27/update-tourism-and-sports-minister-to-suggest-marine-safety-improvements-for-tourists-in-phuket/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-10-28 - 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!

Foreign man rescued after struggling while diving off Phuket By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – An unidentified foreign man has been rescued after suffering from decompression sickness while he was diving near an island in Chalong. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1276056-foreign-man-rescued-after-struggling-while-diving-off-phuket/