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Man Arrested for Attempted Robbery and Assault at Mall Car Park Picture courtesy of Amarin TV A 46-year-old man was apprehended for attempting to rob a woman and assaulting her at a department store's car park in the Rangsit area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326699-man-arrested-for-attempted-robbery-and-assault-at-mall-car-park/

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV A 46-year-old man was apprehended for attempting to rob a woman and assaulting her at a department store's car park in the Rangsit area. The victim, identified as Ms. Jutharat, aged 36, was attacked as she was getting into her Mercedes Benz sedan last evening. The suspect, Mr. Kantinan Kulsriroj, threatened Ms. Jutharat with a 30cm knife, intending to steal her handbag and car. Police were able to apprehend him swiftly at a nearby mall in the Pathum Thani area thanks to the surveillance footage from cameras in the lot. Inspector Pol. Lt. Col. Wichaya Pan-ngam of Chulalongkorn Pratunam provincial police station stated that Kulsriroj was found hiding in the back seat of his wife's car, with the knife from the robbery still in his possession. He had reportedly contacted his wife and asked her to come pick him up from the mall, but the police found him before her arrival. Kulsriroj confessed to the crime, stating that he had an argument with his wife two days prior and left home. His gambling addiction pushed him to attempt the robbery. Ms. Jutharat informed the police that as she was getting into her car, the attacker held her at knifepoint. Realising she wasn't alone, she called for help from two nearby men, provoking Kulsriroj to attack her. She however escaped a serious injury when the knife hit the waistband of her pants. After startling the attacker with the car's horn accidentally, she sustained a slash on her cheek before he ran off with her bag. She managed to retrieve her handbag after a short chase. -- 2024-05-07 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Man Destroys Bottles at Bang Saen Beach, Raising Safety Concerns File photo courtesy of Cornwall live for reference only. An incident causing safety concerns occurred at Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri province when a man was caught smashing bottles on the shoreline, posing a danger to beach visitors. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326696-man-destroys-bottles-at-bang-saen-beach-raising-safety-concerns/

An incident causing safety concerns occurred at Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri province when a man was caught smashing bottles on the shoreline, posing a danger to beach visitors. This reckless behavior has led locals and authorities to demand improved supervision and care for those with mental health issues. A video posted today on Je Moi v-news shows the man in question using a rock to break bottles at the beach. Many social media users expressed concern for the safety of visitors to the well-known tourist spot due to the broken glass. A food vendor at the beach, 70-year-old Amorn Imura, identified the man as a local who often exhibits erratic behavior but is largely ignored due to apparent mental health issues. She fears the broken glass could potentially injure tourists, an incident that has happened in the past according to local rescue teams. However, she admits she did not witness the described event. A tourist, Kowit Yodphet, who saw the disturbing video, stresses the danger posed by this act. He noted that many beachgoers don't wear shoes and might step on the broken glass. Kowit called on the man's family to provide him care and possibly seek medical help. This occurrence underlines the need to ensure the safety of tourist areas, both for visitors and locals who depend on tourism for their income. File photo courtesy of Cornwall live for reference only. -- 2024-05-07 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Air Pollution Skyrockets in Chiang Mai File photo courtesy of Thaiger Chiang Mai and multiple northern provinces in Thailand are contending with alarmingly high air pollution levels. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326695-air-pollution-skyrockets-in-chiang-mai/

Chiang Mai and multiple northern provinces in Thailand are contending with alarmingly high air pollution levels. According to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), 11 provinces experienced dangerously high red-coded PM2.5 levels. Pollution figures ranged from 82.1 to 158.8 microgrammes per cubic metre in 24 hours, significantly higher than the safe limit of 37.5 µg/m3. Among the northern provinces, Chiang Rai reported the worst PM2.5 level at 158.8, with Chiang Mai close behind at 141.9. Further, unhealthy orange-coded PM2.5 levels were found in 46 other provinces, primarily in the Central Plains and northeast, with readings from 38.2 to 67.6 µg/m3. Meanwhile, east and south provinces reported good to moderate air quality, with the best air in Phuket and Phangnga at 15.3µg/m³ and 15.7µg/m³ respectively. Swiss tech company IQAir, which specializes in air quality, confirmed the severity of the issue by ranking Chiang Mai the world's fourth most polluted city, trailing Delhi, Lahore, and Kathmandu. This report underscores the urgent need for actions to curb escalating air pollution levels. File photo courtesy of Thaiger -- 2024-05-07 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Belgian Biker Dies in Thai Traffic Incident Picture courtesy ot TPN news A Belgian man tragically died in a traffic accident while riding his motorcycle in northeastern Thailand's Roi Et province on the night of May 4th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326693-belgian-biker-dies-in-thai-traffic-incident/

A Belgian man tragically died in a traffic accident while riding his motorcycle in northeastern Thailand's Roi Et province on the night of May 4th. The motorcyclist, identified as 67-year-old Jan Remi Van Welden, lost his life on Arun Prasert Road near the Khee Lek area entrance in the Pathumrat district around 10:00 PM. Local police and rescue personnel from Asoke Kasetwisai Foundation, alongside medical staff from Pathumrat Hospital, turned up at the crash site, where they found a white Triumph motorcycle with a storage box attached to the rear lying on a bridge. Nearby, they located Mr. Van Welden's severely injured body, which displayed signs including a fractured skull suggesting he might have been hit by a vehicle. However, preliminary searches by Pathumrat police did not reveal any collision indications or debris from another vehicle at the accident scene. The area was cordoned off and evidence was collected for further investigation, with the cause of the crash still yet to be determined. Mr. Van Welden's body was later taken to a local hospital while the police began the process of reaching out to his family and embassy. Picture courtesy ot TPN news -- 2024-05-07 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Govt Challenged to Remove Central Bank Governor Amidst Digital Wallet Dispute Dr. Setthaput Suthiwatnarueput Governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT). Picture courtesy of Thairath The Democrat Party spokesperson, Ramet Ratanachaweng, has dared the Pheu Thai-led government to sack Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput over a disagreement concerning a digital wallet project. The project, initiated by Pheu Thai, plans to give 50 million Thai nationals a 10,000-baht digital wallet for shopping in their home district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326692-govt-challenged-to-remove-central-bank-governor-amidst-digital-wallet-dispute/

The Democrat Party spokesperson, Ramet Ratanachaweng, has dared the Pheu Thai-led government to sack Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput over a disagreement concerning a digital wallet project. The project, initiated by Pheu Thai, plans to give 50 million Thai nationals a 10,000-baht digital wallet for shopping in their home district. Gov Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput raised objections to the project, suggesting that it may lead to unnecessary public debt. The governor's remarks received criticism from Pheu Thai leader, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, accusing him of blocking national economic development. The controversy sparked when the governor suggested scaling down the digital wallet recipients to state welfare cardholders and vulnerable groups only. This proposal would leave some financial cushion for emergencies, he argued. Despite the disagreement, the Pheu Thai-led government has revealed plans to split the 500-billion-baht funding for the digital wallet project into three batches. This includes 175 billion baht from the current fiscal year's budget, 152.7 billion baht from next year's budget, and 172.3 billion baht borrowed from the Bank for Agriculture & Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). In response, Ratanachaweng raised concerns over apparent attempts by Pheu Thai to reduce the central bank governor's powers. He added the governor should freely express his views without political influence, honoring the international principle of central bank freedom. The opposition anticipates public outrage if the governor is dismissed. TOP: Dr. Setthaput Suthiwatnarueput Governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT). Picture courtesy of Thairath -- 2024-05-07 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 7 May 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1326691-thailand-live-tuesday-7-may-2024/

Thailand boasts three of the top 100 beaches globally, according to BeachAtlas, a UK-based startup focusing on beach information. The beaches include famous Maya Bay, which came in fifth on the 2024 Golden Beach Award list. Visitors flock to Maya Bay for its stunning blue waters, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful white sands. Despite the one-hour speedboat trip from Phuket or Krabi, the beach sees between 4-5,000 visitors daily. Three Thai Beaches Make it to the World's Top 100 List Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326672-three-thai-beaches-make-it-to-the-worlds-top-100-list/ File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Unsplash

Unidentified Handcuffed Woman Found Dead Near Chi River File foto courtesy of Wikipedia for reference only A mysterious death has been reported in Roi Et Province, where an unidentified woman was found lifeless near the Chi River. The body, discovered in a scrubland area near the waterway, was found with her hands handcuffed behind her back, leading to suspicions of foul play. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326654-unidentified-handcuffed-woman-found-dead-near-chi-river/

File foto courtesy of Wikipedia for reference only A mysterious death has been reported in Roi Et Province, where an unidentified woman was found lifeless near the Chi River. The body, discovered in a scrubland area near the waterway, was found with her hands handcuffed behind her back, leading to suspicions of foul play. The woman, thought to be aged between 40-50 and with distinctive braided long hair, was dressed in a navy long-sleeved shirt with yellow stripes and tartan-patterned capris. She had no identification documents on her, presenting a challenge to authorities attempting to identify her. The body, estimated to have been deceased for at least 48 hours, was found on May 5 sparking a major investigation by the local police who are striving both to identify the woman and to determine her cause of death. While her body has been sent for an autopsy, the police are also putting efforts into locating her relatives and further understanding the circumstances around her death. Owing to the absence of any identification, they are also urging the public to share any relevant information that could assist in notifying the woman’s family. The handcuffed state of the woman raises deeper questions about the events leading up to her death, pointing towards possible foul play. As the investigation progresses, officials are appealing for anyone who could shed light on her identity or provide information about her demise to come forward. -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Navy Officers Heroically Aid Traffic Accident Victim in Chon Buri Picture courtesy of Facbook Pattaya News Four Royal Thai Navy (RTN) officers from Sattahip Naval Base swiftly jumped into action following a traffic accident between a motorcyclist and a bus in Chon Buri. The officers were on routine patrol when they spotted a Thai man aged 48, injured and trapped under the searing sun. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326649-navy-officers-heroically-aid-traffic-accident-victim-in-chon-buri/

Picture courtesy of Facbook Pattaya News Four Royal Thai Navy (RTN) officers from Sattahip Naval Base swiftly jumped into action following a traffic accident between a motorcyclist and a bus in Chon Buri. The officers were on routine patrol when they spotted a Thai man aged 48, injured and trapped under the searing sun. The accident had occurred at 3pm on April 30 and quickly created a buzz on social media. The officers, including both men and women, rushed to shield the man from the sun's rays. They got an umbrella from a nearby store and used a fan to reduce his body temperature, an important measure to prevent heatstroke. Simultaneously, Lieutenant Prapaphon Samphawaphon, another officer present at the scene, called for medical assistance from the Sawang Rojathantham Sattahip Foundation rescue team, as the other officers controlled traffic to avert additional mishaps. The officers' selflessness didn't stop there. They stood by the injured man's side, comforting him until the rescue team arrived, enduring the relentless sun for more than 30 minutes according to observers. The scene was captured on video and circulated on social media, also acting to increase public admiration for the officers who acted promptly and selflessly. Their daring and kindhearted act demonstrates the enduring spirit of humanity, even in trying times. -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

UPDATE: Chinese Businessmen Extorted in Bangkok; Police Officers Among Suspects Picture courtesy or MGR Five Chinese businessmen were forcibly detained and extorted for 2.5 million baht in Bangkok on May 5. The extortion perpetrators, according to the Din Daeng police, included active and retired Thai law enforcement officers and civilians. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326631-chinese-interpreter-with-gang-ties-arrested-in-thailand-kidnap-case/?do=findComment&comment=18894121

Chinese Businessmen Extorted in Bangkok; Police Officers Among Suspects Picture courtesy or MGR Five Chinese businessmen were forcibly detained and extorted for 2.5 million baht in Bangkok on May 5. The extortion perpetrators, according to the Din Daeng police, included active and retired Thai law enforcement officers and civilians. The incident began on April 25 within a Bangkok hotel where four Thai men coerced the businessmen into accompanying them. The plot hinged on a deceptive digital currency deal worth US$65,000 or 2.5 million baht. The businessmen believed they were being arrested by police officers involved in the scheme, during which they were instructed to pay 5 million baht, later reduced to 2.5 million. Upon investigating, police obtained arrest warrants for seven suspects, two active police officers, a retired officer, and four civilians. At a recent press conference, it was announced the arrest of five people including the ringleader, retired officer Atthawut, from the Khan Na Yao Police Force. Also arrested were Theerachai, Nophasin, Police Sergeant Phuwadet, and Jarunet. Virayuth, a fugitive, is currently on the run. He's an active police officer suspected of playing a key role in the scheme. The extorted money, following completion of the transaction, was divided into 11 parts reflecting their roles. Thai criminal court has issued two more arrest warrants as the investigation continues to bring the remaining suspects to justice. -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Summer Storm Topple Billboards, Poles in Hat Yai Picture courtesy of Siam Rath On 5th May 2024, Hat Yai, Songkhla, witnessed a severe storm that knocked down sizeable billboards and power poles. Thankfully, no injuries were reported amidst the chaos. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326643-summer-storm-topple-billboards-poles-in-hat-yai/

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath On 5th May 2024, Hat Yai, Songkhla, witnessed a severe storm that knocked down sizeable billboards and power poles. Thankfully, no injuries were reported amidst the chaos. With the concern for public safety, Hat Yai Municipality urged locals to evade the Manohra intersection area, which posed a potential risk to both drivers and pedestrians. Agencies were quickly deployed to secure and block the hazard zone. Local reports revealed that over ten power poles were knocked down in the storm, one of which struck a pickup truck with five passengers on board. Fortuitously, all passengers escaped unscathed. Taking prompt action on the situation, Hat Yai City Mayor, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sakorn Thongmunee, liaised with the Hat Yai Provincial Electricity Authority and related agencies. They were tasked to assess the damage to property and safety and to ensure further help if needed. The Songkhla Governor has prioritised these issues, seeking assistance from all sectors to address them. He also initiated plans for precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, confirmed the Mayor of Hat Yai City. -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chinese Tourists Revive Thailand Tourism Using ED Visa Picture courtesy of Siam Sport A group of Chinese tourists kickstarted Thailand’s tourism revival over the weekend under the Non-Immigrant ED Visa. The visa, nicknamed the "Non-Ed Visa", allows tourists to stay for 90 days and participate in Muay Thai classes, significantly longer than the previous 60-day limit. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326641-chinese-tourists-revive-thailand-tourism-using-ed-visa/

Picture courtesy of Siam Sport A group of Chinese tourists kickstarted Thailand’s tourism revival over the weekend under the Non-Immigrant ED Visa. The visa, nicknamed the "Non-Ed Visa", allows tourists to stay for 90 days and participate in Muay Thai classes, significantly longer than the previous 60-day limit. This scheme was overseen by Paitoon Chutimakornkul, an advisor to the prime minister and a member of the sports sub-committee. The policy aims to promote Muay Thai and increase its recognition globally, acting as one of Thailand's unique draws. The initiative eliminates the need for tourists to leave their home country to extend their Thailand visas, making it easier for them to enjoy a longer stay. The policy's effectiveness is demonstrated by the broad international interest reflected in numerous enquiries to the Sports Authority of Thailand’s (SAT) Board of Boxing Sport, which provides necessary information for tourists to participate in the programme. Pimol Srivikorn, another advisor to the prime minister, informed that the SAT and his sub-committee recently conducted a second trial to certify Muay Thai trainers, allowing them to teach overseas. Fulfilling necessary requirements, 11 candidates are set to instruct in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the increasing global interest in Muay Thai and Thailand’s commitment to promote the sport internationally. A group of Chinese tourists kickstarted Thailand’s tourism revival over the weekend under the Non-Immigrant ED Visa. The visa, nicknamed the "Non-Ed Visa", allows tourists to stay for 90 days and participate in Muay Thai classes, significantly longer than the previous 60-day limit. This scheme was overseen by Paitoon Chutimakornkul, an advisor to the prime minister and a member of the sports sub-committee. The policy aims to promote Muay Thai and increase its recognition globally, acting as one of Thailand's unique draws. The initiative eliminates the need for tourists to leave their home country to extend their Thailand visas, making it easier for them to enjoy a longer stay. The policy's effectiveness is demonstrated by the broad international interest reflected in numerous enquiries to the Sports Authority of Thailand’s (SAT) Board of Boxing Sport, which provides necessary information for tourists to participate in the programme. Pimol Srivikorn, another advisor to the prime minister, informed that the SAT and his sub-committee recently conducted a second trial to certify Muay Thai trainers, allowing them to teach overseas. Fulfilling necessary requirements, 11 candidates are set to instruct in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the increasing global interest in Muay Thai and Thailand’s commitment to promote the sport internationally. -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Myanmar man ignores red warning flag, drowns at Kalim beach File photo. Courtesy of Wikipedia A 20-year-old Myanmar man tragically drowned at Kalim Beach, Phuket after ignoring a red warning flag and swimming in the dangerous waters. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326638-myanmar-man-ignores-red-warning-flag-drowns-at-kalim-beach/

File photo. Courtesy of Wikipedia A 20-year-old Myanmar man tragically drowned at Kalim Beach, Phuket after ignoring a red warning flag and swimming in the dangerous waters. Nay Myo Zaw and his friends had intended to relax on the beach. Despite the warning, Zaw and a friend entered the water and got swept off by a rip current. Patong lifeguards, using jet skis, and rescue workers from Kusoldharm Foundation, using a dinghy, reacted promptly to save them but only one was rescued alive. Zaw's lifeless body was found 20 minutes later. In a similar incident at the beach, a 23-year-old Thai woman from Isaan region drowned. The woman, found on the seaside rocks of Kalim, was unresponsive on her way to Patong Hospital. The twin tragedies underline the importance of adhering to safety advisories at the beach. -- 2024-05-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Crops at Risk Due to Climate Change File photo courtesy of Wikipedia Climate change threatens Thailand's agriculture with researchers forecasting a significant decrease in crop yields within the next 70 years. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326637-thai-crops-at-risk-due-to-climate-change/