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UPDATE: New Seaplane Service Set for Phuket to Boost Tourism by Year-End A seaplane service is scheduled to start operating in Phuket by the end of the year. This development, an initiative by the Transport Ministry, aims to boost tourism and is a part of the government's aviation hub policy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326911-first-seaplane-tourism-launched-in-phuket-by-thai-deputy-minister-of-transport/?do=findComment&comment=18904304

New Seaplane Service Set for Phuket to Boost Tourism by Year-End Picture courtesy: The Star A seaplane service is scheduled to start operating in Phuket by the end of the year. This development, an initiative by the Transport Ministry, aims to boost tourism and is a part of the government's aviation hub policy. The policy, orchestrated by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, has been implemented to increase the nation's capacity to accommodate an influx of international tourists. The news was announced by Deputy Transport Minister, Manaporn Charoensri, at the 'First Seaplane Operations Towards Thailand’s Aviation Hub' workshop. The workshop focused on the potential of seaplanes servicing popular marine locations, such as Ao Pho and Ratsada Ports in Phuket and Phi Phi Island in Krabi. The seaplane service aims to facilitate tourists visiting remote marine destinations and serve as a resource for disaster mitigation and emergency rescue in these areas. To ensure safety, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has established guidelines for seaplanes, aligning with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. In additional tourism development plans, the Marine Department is considering turning the Phuket Deep-sea Port into a cruise terminal. The proposal, designed to accommodate small, mid-size and bigger cruises, is a response to declining cargo traffic at the port. The study for this plan is expected to conclude by the end of the year. -- 2024-05-10 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Two pairs of sacred oxen have been selected for the Ploughing Ceremony Picture courtesy: Manager online Two sacred oxen, Por and Piang, have been chosen for this year’s Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang, Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326941-two-pairs-of-sacred-oxen-have-been-selected-for-the-ploughing-ceremony/

Picture courtesy: Manager online Two sacred oxen, Por and Piang, have been chosen for this year’s Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang, Bangkok. Underlining their importance, two reserves, Perm and Pool, are also ready. All four were chosen using traditional selection factors like color, shape, size, leg strength, tail length, and overall appearance. Por and Piang were donated to the Livestock Development Department by Somchai Damtamis and Arkhom Wattanakul as a tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Ploughing Ceremony, presided over by His Majesty the King, marks the beginning of Thailand’s rice-growing season. In the ceremony, the sacred oxen are harnessed to a wooden plough and sow rice seeds on ceremonial grounds as Brahmin court members watch. Later, the oxen are offered different foods. Their choices carry predictions for the upcoming harvest. For instance, if they choose rice or maize, plenty of cereals and fruits are expected. The ceremony then sees the Lord pick one of three pieces of different-length cloth. The shortest predicts abundant highland rainfall and rice, medium suggests average rainfall with ample fruits and meat, while the longest suggests plentiful lowland rice despite little rainfall. -- 2024-05-10 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chon Buri Motorcycle-Truck Collision Leaves Pair Critically Injured Picture courtesy: bouncenationkenya In Chon Buri, a collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck led to critical injuries for two individuals, one in dire condition. Surveillance footage reveals the incident occurred when the pickup driver unexpectedly opened their door, causing the oncoming motorcyclist to collide forcibly. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326940-chon-buri-motorcycle-truck-collision-leaves-pair-critically-injured/

Picture courtesy: bouncenationkenya In Chon Buri, a collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck led to critical injuries for two individuals, one in dire condition. Surveillance footage reveals the incident occurred when the pickup driver unexpectedly opened their door, causing the oncoming motorcyclist to collide forcibly. Lieutenant Colonel Shinawatra Thisalana from Chon Buri City Police Station was alerted to the accident involving the motorcycle and pickup truck on Sretthakit Road in the Ban Suan area of Chon Buri. Emergency services from the Traikunatham Foundation promptly responded. At the site, Ban Suan Town Municipal Office employee Jakkrakrit was found critically injured, receiving CPR and initial first aid. The motorcycle rider, Sukanya, was also hurt, with both rushed to Chon Buri Hospital. The white Toyota Revo pickup showed substantial damage to its driver-side door, while a black Honda Scoopy motorcycle lay on its side, the front end mangled from the impact. Sukanya shared that as she trailed the pickup, it abruptly halted, and the door swung open as the driver exited, leaving her insufficient time to brake, resulting in the collision. Authorities plan to thoroughly question both drivers to uncover the incident's specifics and take legal action accordingly. Accidentally swinging open vehicle doors in busy locations poses grave risks for motorcyclists and cyclists alike. Local officials are inquiring into the matter to establish accountability, emphasizing that road safety is a universal obligation, and negligence may lead to fatal outcomes. -- 2024-05-10 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Guard Stops Sandal Thief at Mall in Nonthaburi Picture courtesy: Sanook In an audacious act of theft, a woman was apprehended attempting to leave a Lacoste store wearing unpaid sandals at a shopping mall in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326939-guard-stops-sandal-thief-at-mall-in-nonthaburi/

Picture courtesy: Sanook In an audacious act of theft, a woman was apprehended attempting to leave a Lacoste store wearing unpaid sandals at a shopping mall in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The drama unfolded on May 8 after the suspect, a 20-year-old woman, reportedly began shouting abuses to other shoppers before entering the shop and subsequently trying on a pair of size 37 sandals priced at 2,390 baht. According to store staff, the woman walked out, replaced her old shoes with the new pair, and was stopped by a vigilant security guard before she could leave the mall. Reportedly, in a perplexing twist, the thief even asked the guard to pay for her stolen merchandise. Reports indicated that the woman could not sufficiently explain her actions to the police, leading to speculation about a potential mental health issue. No updates have been provided by the police regarding further questioning or potential charges. This incident follows a similar case in February 2022 where a Thai woman stole a taxi following what her mother claimed was an emotional breakdown after a car accident. In that case, police refuted the claim of mental illness, stating that the woman could adequately respond to questions. It is yet unclear whether a medical evaluation was done to validate the claim. -- 2024-05-10 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Government Gears Up for FIFA Congress Picture courtesy of National News Bureau of Thailand Thailand is all set to host the historic 74th FIFA Congress from May 13-17 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. This marks a significant moment for Thailand as the first ASEAN nation and the fifth in Asia to host this renowned global football gathering. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326937-thai-government-gears-up-for-fifa-congress/

Picture courtesy of National News Bureau of Thailand Thailand is all set to host the historic 74th FIFA Congress from May 13-17 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. This marks a significant moment for Thailand as the first ASEAN nation and the fifth in Asia to host this renowned global football gathering. Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sermsak Pongpanit, highlighted the importance of the event, with an anticipated attendance of FIFA members from 211 countries and over 3,000 guests, including global viewers. The congress is expected to not only boost tourism but also showcase Thailand's cultural heritage and hospitality in line with the nation’s "Soft Power" strategy. Nualphan Lamsam, President of the Football Association of Thailand, expressed gratitude for the support from the government and various agencies in securing the hosting rights. This includes the bid for hosting the Women's World Cup 2027. Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, Gongsak Yodmanee, emphasized that hosting the congress signifies Thailand's capability to organize major international events and will likely drive interest in football, especially among the youth. -- 2024-05-10 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 10 May 2024 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326934-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-10-may-2024/

One person was killed and hundreds evacuated during a fire at a chemical storage site at the ‘Map-Taa-Put’ Industrial Port near Rayong. The blaze at a petrochemical subsidiary of the Siam Cement group caused several explosions with thick black smoke streaming from the site, by early evening, fire crews were still struggling to bring the blaze under control. Four drug smugglers were arrested, and a huge quantity of heroin seized in Nong Khai, NE Thailand yesterday. Police caught four men with cardboard boxes entering a house. Officers found 208 packages that contained 1,4 tons of heroin. Several Laotian nationals are believed to have delivered the drugs by boat. A Group called ‘Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network’ issued a statement in response to Prime Minister’s order to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic substance. The network emphasized that the definition of what constitutes an addictive substance should be based on scientific evidence. They called on Health authorities to carry out a comparative analysis of the benefits and harms of cannabis, alcohol and cigarettes. Around the region Several EVA Air stewardesses stepped in when two passengers threw punches at each other on a flight from Taipei to San Francisco. One man wanted to change seats, another objected, resulting in physical violence. Both men were handed over to US police. Todays’ WEATHER Chiang Mai and the north: Sunny becoming Cloudy with thundershowers, 35C, Bangkok: Cloudy, with Thundershowers, 34C, Pattaya: Cloudy with thundershowers 32C, Phuket and the south: Cloudy, with thundershowers 31C, Hua Hin: A cloudy start with showers, clearing up by afternoon 32C. AQIYellow to Orange, moderate to high Green clear, yellow moderate, Orange High, Red unhealthy. 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 -- SURF 102.5 FM 2024-05-10 Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Phuket Authorities Take a Stand Against Pollution for Tourism and Ecosystem Picture courtesy of Daily News Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, has mandated a rigorous action against pollution in Phuket. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326933-phuket-authorities-take-a-stand-against-pollution-for-tourism-and-ecosystem/

Picture courtesy of Daily News Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, has mandated a rigorous action against pollution in Phuket. The call comes due to an increased build-up of waste from fishing nets and monsoon debris in Phuket and nearby waters, which are detrimental to both tourism and marine ecosystems. In a recent visit to Phuket, Patcharawat called for the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) to devise and apply strategies to combat these threats, which are also causing coral reef bleaching. While inaugurating the Phuket Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, the Minister paid heed to the local's complaints, which spanned from wastewater management to housing land allocations in mangrove forest areas. Teera Phumchuai, a representative of Ratsada Municipality, expressed gratitude for the minister's responsiveness and stressed on the need for swift remedial actions for coastal erosion and the introduction of the urban forest project. Responding to these issues, Patcharawat committed to initiate the “Mangrove Forest Ban Ao Kung, Tha Le, Lang Daeng, Phuket” urban forest project by June and emphasized on communal involvement in environmental preservation. On wastewater management, Patcharawat encouraged a joint effort between the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) and local bodies to devise efficient policies. In addition, he asked the DMCR to tackle the waste problems before the upcoming monsoon season in a move to lessen environmental damage. Concluding his visit at the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center of the Upper Andaman Sea at Cape Panwa, he evaluated coral bleaching impacts and discussed sustainable resolutions with the local community. He underscored the urgency to mitigate coastal erosion at Sai Kaew Beach and urged for more tree plantations to shield the delicate ecosystem. -- 2024-05-10 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Patong Arrest: Russian Man Caught with Magic Mushroom Picture courtesy of Matichon In a recent incident in Patong, a 29-year-old Russian tourist was apprehended by local authorities for possessing a magic mushroom, a substance deemed illegal under Thailand's category 5 drugs classification. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326929-patong-arrest-russian-man-caught-with-magic-mushroom/

Picture courtesy of Matichon In a recent incident in Patong, a 29-year-old Russian tourist was apprehended by local authorities for possessing a magic mushroom, a substance deemed illegal under Thailand's category 5 drugs classification. The arrest, which transpired on Patong-Kamala Road, was carried out by the Patong Police on Wednesday (May 8th). Details surrounding the quantity of the seized magic mushrooms were not disclosed by the Patong Police. The Russian individual's full identification remains confidential as per police reports. Following the arrest, the tourist was escorted to the Patong Police Station to face charges related to the unlawful possession of magic mushrooms. -- 2024-05-10 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

UPDATE: Anutin Concerned About Reclassifying Cannabis in Thailand Picture courtesy of Daily News Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, expressed concerns regarding the proposal to reclassify cannabis as a type 5 illegal narcotic drug. FFull story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326926-anutin-alleges-betrayal-in-parliament-over-cannabis-legislation/?do=findComment&comment=18903639

Anutin Concerned About Reclassifying Cannabis in Thailand Picture courtesy of Daily News Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, expressed concerns regarding the proposal to reclassify cannabis as a type 5 illegal narcotic drug. This proposal came after Prime Minister Srettha spoke about narcotics issues and suggested the reclassification. Anutin emphasized the need for thorough research by the Ministry of Public Health before such a decision is made. He highlighted the previous government's decriminalization of cannabis in 2022, mentioning the lack of legal regulations for its control. Anutin raised the question of whether re-criminalizing cannabis would be wise, considering the release of over 6,000 convicts on cannabis-related charges since decriminalization. He stressed the importance of basing decisions on medical evidence rather than personal views or politics. Additionally, Anutin addressed concerns about the impact of this reclassification on the popularity of the Bhumjaithai Party, emphasizing that they fulfilled their promise to decriminalize cannabis. However, he pointed out that it is the current government that holds the policy-making authority. Anutin affirmed that the party would present logical and evidence-based arguments to advocate for the benefits of cannabis. The discussions surrounding the potential reclassification of cannabis in Thailand are likely to be contentious and complex. -- 2024-05-10 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Court Fines NACC for Prawit Watch Investigation Picture courtesy of Matichon weekly In a recent development in Thailand, the Central Administrative Court has fined the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and its office for withholding information regarding a probe into former deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon's collection of luxury watches. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326928-court-fines-nacc-for-prawit-watch-investigation/

Picture courtesy of Matichon weekly In a recent development in Thailand, the Central Administrative Court has fined the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and its office for withholding information regarding a probe into former deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon's collection of luxury watches. Political activist Veera Somkwamkid disclosed the court's decision to penalize both entities with a 5,000 baht fine each for non-disclosure. The court has further instructed the NACC to reveal the investigation findings to Veera within a 15-day timeframe. The case stems from 2017 when public outcry ensued over Prawit's possession of 22 undeclared luxury watches. Despite initial claims that the watches were borrowed, widespread skepticism persisted. Veera's relentless pursuit for transparency led to a complaint filed against NACC in 2017, unveiling a sequence of events exposing bureaucratic obstacles. Following a 2018 NACC decision to dismiss the case, Veera's persistent efforts have now resulted in the recent court ruling compelling the disclosure of investigative results. -- 2024-05-10 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Airways Introduces Enhanced Mobile App Upgrade Picture courtesy of Travel Daily Media Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has rolled out an updated version of its mobile app, tailored to Royal Orchid Plus (ROP) members. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326927-thai-airways-introduces-enhanced-mobile-app-upgrade/

Picture courtesy of Travel Daily Media Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has rolled out an updated version of its mobile app, tailored to Royal Orchid Plus (ROP) members. The revamped app enables travellers to conveniently manage their ROP accounts, book seats, check-in, receive flight notifications, and store boarding passes on their smartphones. Additionally, users can access special promotions for services like accommodation and rental cars directly through the app. The enhanced features aim to offer passengers greater flexibility and control over their travel arrangements. The upgraded Thai Airways app is now downloadable from the App Store and Play Store. Moreover, new ROP members can earn 500 miles by registering on the app between May 30 to June 2. In a separate development, Thai Airways faced backlash when a business-class passenger, Treerat Sirichantaropas, criticized the airline on social media for inadequate service on a flight to Beijing. Despite purchasing premium tickets, malfunctioning seats led to dissatisfaction. -- 2024-05-10 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Anutin alleges betrayal in parliament over cannabis legislation Anutin Charnvirakul. File photo courtesy of Thai PBS Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul accuses his Bhumjaithai party of being deceived in parliament concerning a bill related to the decriminalisation of cannabis. Despite passing the initial reading, the bill has faced obstruction, leaving the party feeling misled. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326926-anutin-alleges-betrayal-in-parliament-over-cannabis-legislation/

Anutin Charnvirakul. File photo courtesy of Thai PBS Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul accuses his Bhumjaithai party of being deceived in parliament concerning a bill related to the decriminalisation of cannabis. Despite passing the initial reading, the bill has faced obstruction, leaving the party feeling misled. Anutin emphasizes the medical benefits of cannabis, urging opponents to provide evidence of any negative effects. The absence of clear regulations governing cannabis usage presents a significant challenge. The authority to reclassify cannabis rests with the Narcotic Prevention and Suppression Board and the Narcotic Control Committee. Although no longer overseeing the Ministry of Public Health, Anutin remains a member of the Narcotic Prevention and Suppression Board and pledges to provide scientific evidence supporting the benefits of cannabis. The final decision on cannabis classification lies in the hands of the board and the Narcotic Control Committee. Existing cannabis retailers operate under the Ministry of Public Health's regulations, as confirmed by Anutin. -- 2024-05-10 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

PM Srettha's Diplomatic Mission to France, Italy, and Japan Picture credit Sretthas' X Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to embark on a diplomatic journey to France and Italy from May 15 to 21, followed by a visit to Japan from May 22 to 24. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326925-pm-sretthas-diplomatic-mission-to-france-italy-and-japan/