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Police arrested a drug-addicted Thai woman for causing disturbances and scaring away customers at a petrol station in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. She previously gained attention on Thai social media last year for falsely claiming to be the daughter of Steven Gerrard.. Mueang Udon Thani Police Station officers were notified of the ensuing chaos at a PTT petrol station on Prachak Sinlapakhom Road at around 9.50am today and investigated the scene. They discovered the Thai woman, identified as 39 year old Jantima, inside the women’s bathroom. She was dressed in a Liverpool shirt and black shorts, muttering to herself while insisting that the police keep their distance. Jantima claimed to the police that she had come to the petrol station to study chemistry. The petrol station attendant, 23 year old Wissanu Khan-apha, informed Channel 7 that Jantima regularly came to the petrol station. She would often cause a commotion in front of the convenience store and dance on the sink in the women’s bathroom. Wissanu suspected Jantima of using drugs and suffering from a mental illness. He wanted police to arrest Jantima, fearing she might harm the station or customers. The police also suspected Jantima of drug use and questioned her but she did not respond directly. Instead, she asked the officers how many methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba, they could buy for her. Following the arrest, Jantima was taken to the police station for drug testing and a mental health evaluation. The police also planned to investigate whether she lived alone or with family members. According to Matichon, Jantima had a known history of drug abuse and had previously stirred trouble in August of last year. During that incident, she attempted suicide while under the influence of Yaba by setting fire to her rented room using a curtain and some paper. The room’s owner contacted the police and was able to intervene before the situation escalated. However, what drew widespread attention to her story was her assertion, when questioned by the police about her family, that the former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard was her father. Photo via DailyNews by Petch Petpailin Photo via DailyNews Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chinese parents reunited with daughter in Bangkok after virtual kidnapping by Petch Petpailin Photo via Nation TV Thai police officers reunited Chinese parents with their daughter after a scammer attempted to swindle the Chinese nationals by operating a virtual kidnapping for ransom. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325666-chinese-parents-reunited-with-daughter-in-bangkok-after-virtual-kidnapping/

Thai police officers reunited Chinese parents with their daughter after a scammer attempted to swindle the Chinese nationals by operating a virtual kidnapping for ransom. The Chinese couple filed a complaint at Sriracha Police Station in Chon Buri province saying their 22 year old daughter, who was studying in Australia, was kidnapped and transported to Thailand. The suspect accused the Chinese couple’s daughter of breaking a law in Australia and demanded 40 million baht to secure her safety. Amarin TV reported that the woman arrived alone at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on April 13. She spent a night at a hotel near the airport and then disappeared. On April 17, around 10am, the woman contacted her mother and requested money. During the call, a male suspect also threatened the Chinese couple, pressuring them to transfer the funds. Later that day, the woman departed Bangkok for the Sriracha district of Chon Buri province. She spent the night in Sriracha before checking out of the hotel. Afterwards, she acquired a new SIM card and returned to Bangkok, where she checked into a hotel in the Bangrak district. Thai police subsequently located her at the hotel and escorted her to meet her parents at Bangrak Police Station. Police believe the scammer operated a virtual kidnapping for ransom, threatening the woman to comply with their demands. However, the woman has not yet provided all the details of the virtual kidnapping to the police. Her parents decided to drop the legal process after reuniting with their daughter and finding that she was safe. Channel 7 reported that virtual kidnappings for ransom are becoming increasingly common among Chinese students in Australia. Scammers coerce victims into faking their kidnapping and extort money from their parents or guardians. A similar incident was reported in Thailand in August last year when several Thai university students were lured by scammers into faking kidnappings for ransom to extort their parents. Most of the students were forced to film fake abduction videos and send them to their parents. The parents were threatened not to report the matter to the police for their children’s safety. Thai police were able to rescue several victims before their families lost all the money. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Nation TV Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai boxing camp owner executed at religious festival in Buriram by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of pixabay from pexels.com A shocking execution-style murder in the early hours of yesterday morning has left the Thai boxing community in mourning. The 56 year old, owner of a boxing camp, known as Sia Dam, was brutally shot in the head and neck by an unidentified gunman, resulting in his immediate death. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325665-thai-boxing-camp-owner-executed-at-religious-festival-in-buriram/

A shocking execution-style murder in the early hours of yesterday morning has left the Thai boxing community in mourning. The 56 year old, owner of a boxing camp, known as Sia Dam, was brutally shot in the head and neck by an unidentified gunman, resulting in his immediate death. The incident, which took place around 4am yesterday, April 22, unfolded in the presence of his son at a religious celebration in Buriram province. The tragedy struck just as the celebrations at Nong Teng Temple in Nong Teng subdistrict, were concluding. Sia, a respected figure from Chokna Sam Subdistrict, Prasat District, Surin Province had brought two of his boxers to compete at the event, which also included an honorary ceremony for the abbot. The assailant, who remains at large, used a grey Hyundai van with a Cambodian license plate as the scene for the cold-blooded killing. Sia’s son, whose identity has been protected, recounted the harrowing moments that led to his father’s murder. After the boxing matches, they were heading to the van to rest. As his father opened the door and leaned on the seat, a man in a long-sleeved green shirt and a hat suddenly appeared and shot Sia point-blank, right before his eyes. The son, in shock, was left frozen as chaos ensued around them. The victim’s wife, 46 year old Nittaya is devastated by the loss of her husband, who she insists had no known enemies. Sia was a simple businessman, selling bottled water and managing a public restroom in Chong Chom market. The van in which he was killed was loaned to him by a friend as collateral. The Provincial Police Region 3 Chief, Major General Ruthaphon Naowarat revealed that despite no apparent disputes on the night of the murder, no leads will be disregarded, including those related to the boxing circles. A team of police investigators from various units, including the Provincial Police Region 3, Buriram Provincial Police, and Krasang Police Station, are intensively gathering evidence and collaborating with Surin province officers to unravel the case, reported Khaosod. by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of pixabay from pexels.com Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 23 April 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1325663-thailand-live-tuesday-23-april-2024/

PM Explores Hosting Formula One Race in Bangkok BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Group, convened today, April 22, at the Thai Khu Fah Building within Government House to explore the feasibility of hosting a Formula One race in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325646-pm-explores-hosting-formula-one-race-in-bangkok/

Embattled deputy police chief claims PM has abused authority File photo : Embattled deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn Suspended deputy national police chief, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, filed a petition today with the chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), demanding an investigation into Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s alleged abuse of authority. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325644-embattled-deputy-police-chief-claims-pm-has-abused-authority/

A Portuguese woman yesterday left guests gobsmacked by walking around a Phuket hotel with her boobs out and reportedly refused to settle her accommodation bill. Phuket hotel boob: Portuguese guest’s topless strut causes chaos Photo via Facebook/ Phuket Times ภูเก็ตไทม์ Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325642-phuket-hotel-boob-portuguese-guest’s-topless-strut-causes-chaos/

Industrial waste plant in Rayong goes up in flames, people evacuated A fire broke out this morning at a factory storing chemicals and industrial waste in the Bankai district of Rayong province, sending foul odours and thick smoke into the air. Explosions were heard occasionally. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325615-industrial-waste-plant-in-rayong-goes-up-in-flames-people-evacuated/

A fire broke out this morning at a factory storing chemicals and industrial waste in the Bankai district of Rayong province, sending foul odours and thick smoke into the air. Explosions were heard occasionally. People living near the factory have been evacuated to avoid the possible effects of the toxic fumes. At press time, firefighters had brought the blaze under control, but had not yet extinguished it. They had to use foam suppressants to douse the fire, as the factory stores chemicals. People in the area have already filed complaints with authorities, because the factory’s wastewater tanks ruptured, leaking untreated water into the community’s environment and living areas. The Rayong Industry Office has ordered the factory’s owners to repair the water treatment system. Officials are about to visit the factory to check whether the order has been implemented. Source: Thai PBS 2024-04-22 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Phuket car rentals must verify tourist driving licenses by Mitch Connor PHOTO VIA:Jonas Leupe FROM:Unsplash.com Phuket’s vehicle rental businesses received a first-hand reminder about the importance of verifying tourists’ driving licenses. The National Tourist Police Commander, Lieutenant General Saksira Phueakam, paid them a visit on Saturday, April 20. This personal visit was part of an initiative to regulate the growing vehicle rental industry in the popular tourist destination of Phuket. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325612-phuket-car-rentals-must-verify-tourist-driving-licenses/

Phuket’s vehicle rental businesses received a first-hand reminder about the importance of verifying tourists’ driving licenses. The National Tourist Police Commander, Lieutenant General Saksira Phueakam, paid them a visit on Saturday, April 20. This personal visit was part of an initiative to regulate the growing vehicle rental industry in the popular tourist destination of Phuket. Lt. Gen. Saksira embarked on a tour around Patong at 11am on the day following the visit to Phuket by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Royal Thai Police Acting Commissioner Gen. Kitirath Panphet. Accompanying Lt. Gen. Saksira were top-ranking officials from the Tourist Police Region 3 Command, including Col Yutthaphum Panlainak, Col Phisit Sawatthaworn, Lt Col Wachirapisak Na Songkhla, and Lt Col Channarong Rodthongdee. The purpose of these visits was to remind car and motorbike rental businesses that they could be fined if their customers were caught driving without valid licenses. It was also an opportunity to strengthen public relations and share information about rules and regulations related to renting vehicles to foreigners. Patong rental business operators were educated on the laws and instructed to adhere to them for the safety of tourists. The Phuket Tourist Police released a statement stating that Lt. Gen. Saksira and fellow officers went out to inspect vehicle rental shops, distribute stickers with information on regulations, and build public relations. During the inspection, some rental shop operators were seen placing Tourist Police stickers on their premises under the watchful eye of Lt. Gen. Saksira and his team. These stickers serve as reminders of penalties for driving a vehicle without a license and allowing another person to drive your vehicle without a valid license. Another sticker explained the types of licenses recognised in Thailand, besides the Thai driving license issued by the Department of Land Transport (DLT). Holding any other document, such as a US, UK, Russian, or Australian driving license, without an accompanying International Driving Permit (IDP), effectively means not having a valid driving license in Thailand. The IDP is valid only when accompanied by an original foreign driving license, reported The Phuket News. by Mitch Connor PHOTO VIA:Jonas Leupe FROM:Unsplash.com Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-22 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Swiss Expat Critically Injured in Scooter-Car Crash in Pattaya By Aim Tanakorn Pattaya —A Swiss expat in Pattaya is critically injured after being hit by a car while riding his three-wheeled electric scooter to buy medicine. His wife is seeking justice for her husband, claiming the other party refused to take responsibility. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325607-swiss-expat-critically-injured-in-scooter-car-crash-in-pattaya/

Pattaya —A Swiss expat in Pattaya is critically injured after being hit by a car while riding his three-wheeled electric scooter to buy medicine. His wife is seeking justice for her husband, claiming the other party refused to take responsibility. According to the Thai wife, Mrs. Samrit Geisbuehler, the accident occurred on April 19th at around 9:50 AM as her husband, 73-year-old Mr. Andeks Geisbuehler, was on his way to purchase his regular medication. The incident was captured on CCTV footage, showing the car, an Isuzu Mu-X, colliding with Mr. Andeks’s scooter as he crossed an intersection on a road along a railway in the Khao Talo area, South Pattaya. Mr. Andeks was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries and has been placed in the ICU. Mrs. Samrit revealed that she was disappointed with the alleged lack of support from the driver, who she claimed has not offered any words of consolation or financial assistance to her Swiss husband. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-22 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Motorbike taxi driver stabs colleague in Phuket over passenger by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of Phuket City Police A motorbike taxi driver in Phuket Town is currently on the run after allegedly stabbing a colleague during a heated argument. The violent dispute occurred yesterday, April 22, at the fresh market on Ranong Road. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325604-motorbike-taxi-driver-stabs-colleague-in-phuket-over-passenger/

A motorbike taxi driver in Phuket Town is currently on the run after allegedly stabbing a colleague during a heated argument. The violent dispute occurred yesterday, April 22, at the fresh market on Ranong Road. The victim, a 65 year old known as “Thiwa Lo Phuket,” was discovered by officers from the Phuket City Police Station, still seated on his motorbike. He had sustained stabbing injuries to his abdomen and chest, prompting immediate medical attention. He was hastily transported to the Vachira Phuket Hospital for treatment. The suspect, identified as Jumpol Panthong, also aged 65, is a fellow motorbike taxi driver. It is reported that the altercation began over a disagreement concerning a passenger. The verbal spat quickly escalated, leading to Jumpol allegedly brandishing a knife and stabbing Thiwa before promptly fleeing the scene. Phuket City Police are currently utilising CCTV footage from the area in a bid to track down the assailant. The police force has confirmed that efforts to locate and apprehend Jumpol Panthong for the stabbing incident are ongoing, reported Phuket News. In related news, a splash spat between a Thai Win motorbike taxi driver and an Indian tourist during Pattaya’s Songkran festivity ignited when the foreigner got drenched. The kerfuffle arose when the Win driver’s playful seven year old son soaked the tourist, triggering a heated altercation. The entire event took place on Pattaya Second Road towards Khao Phra Tamnak around 7pm on April 18. The escalating tension was caught on camera, showing the Thai driver pursuing and confronting the Indian tourist amidst the Songkran festivities. The video further illustrated the driver attempting to hit the tourist. However, the situation was defused as onlookers stepped in and separated the two parties. This incident quickly gained traction on social media, drawing mainly criticism towards the motorbike taxi driver. The majority of the netizens expressed their disappointment over the driver’s conduct, which they believed tarnished the reputation of Pattaya by intimidating the visitor. by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of Phuket City Police Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-22 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Hua Hin car wash owner given water bill for almost 40,000 THB By Online Reporter The Hua Hin Municipal Authority has launched an investigation after Phudis Arunoros, the owner of Moly Car Care, received an extraordinarily high water bill amounting to 38,624.70 baht for March, a figure nearly 80 times his usual monthly expense. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325601-hua-hin-car-wash-owner-given-water-bill-for-almost-40000-thb/

The Hua Hin Municipal Authority has launched an investigation after Phudis Arunoros, the owner of Moly Car Care, received an extraordinarily high water bill amounting to 38,624.70 baht for March, a figure nearly 80 times his usual monthly expense. On April 19, Arunoros took to the business’s Facebook page, Moly Car Care @Hua-Hin, to express his disbelief by posting an image of the bill issued by the Hua Hin Municipal Authority, accompanied by a bewildered comment, “What is this… the water doesn’t even flow, where does this come from, 38,624.70 baht? I almost spend 10,000 baht on water myself.” Arunoros, who has been operating his car care shop for 17 years, noted that the typical water cost for his business hovers around 500 baht per month, with additional water purchases from private tankers, bringing his total monthly expenditure to approximately 2,000-3,000 baht. However, due to the known water shortages in Hua Hin from March to April, his facility received little to no municipal water supply, forcing him to spend close to 10,000 baht on water from private sources. By Online Reporter Full story: HUA HIN TODAY 2024-04-22 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Appeal for humanitarian aid for Burmese sheltering in Thailand Thousands crossed the Moei River to Thailand amid junta airstrikes around the border town of Myawaddy. / Photo by the Irrawaddy The anti-Myanmar junta National Unity Government (NUG) has appealed to all organisations and authorities to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar fleeing the civil war in their country, to seek temporary refuge in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325598-appeal-for-humanitarian-aid-for-burmese-sheltering-in-thailand/

Thousands crossed the Moei River to Thailand amid junta airstrikes around the border town of Myawaddy. / Photo by the Irrawaddy The anti-Myanmar junta National Unity Government (NUG) has appealed to all organisations and authorities to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar fleeing the civil war in their country, to seek temporary refuge in Thailand. A statement, issued by the Foreign Ministry of the resistance forces yesterday, said that the NUG, its ethnic allies and affiliated groups will cooperate with the Thai government and other related organisations in providing assistance to the displaced people from Myanmar. The statement accused the Myanmar military of various forms of attacks, including artillery bombardments and air strikes on public buildings and the properties of civilians in and around Myawaddy township, driving thousands of civilians across the border into Thailand’s Mae Sot district of Tak province and surrounding areas. Source: Thai PBS 2024-04-22 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

UPDATE: Pattaya’s post-Songkran clean-up disposes 20 tonnes of trash by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of Steve Pattaya witnessed a massive clean-up operation after the Wan Lai Day festivities, a grand culmination of the Songkran celebrations, left behind a staggering 20 tonnes of garbage. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325587-20-tons-of-garbage-left-behind-after-wan-lai-in-pattaya/?do=findComment&comment=18860974

Pattaya’s post-Songkran clean-up disposes 20 tonnes of trash by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of Steve Pattaya witnessed a massive clean-up operation after the Wan Lai Day festivities, a grand culmination of the Songkran celebrations, left behind a staggering 20 tonnes of garbage. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai took to the city’s streets on the morning of April 20 to personally inspect the aftermath and to extend support to the Pattaya City Environment Office workers tasked with the monumental job of cleaning up Beach Road and its surrounding areas. The Wan Lai Day, which was held the previous Friday, saw an array of celebrations marking the end of Songkran. The merry-making, however, resulted in a heap of waste, primarily around the Beach Road area. Deputy Mayor Manoch, during his visit, noted the extent of waste scattered across the road, which included coloured powder, despite the city’s technical ban on it, discarded glass bottles, water guns, cardboard boxes, water buckets and powder cans. In a heartening note, Manoch was all praise for the city’s waste management workers, calling them “true heroes.” His admiration for their dedication was evident as he watched them tirelessly work towards maintaining the cleanliness of Pattaya Beach. The clean-up operation was initiated as early as 4am, with four water trucks pressed into service. The trucks were deployed to collect the garbage and wash down the streets and the vicinity. Manoch informed that the workers completed the task much before dawn, thereby adhering to the city’s policy of Clean Before Sunrise. The enormity of the task and the swift response by the waste management workers underscore the city’s commitment to cleanliness, even in the wake of grand celebrations that are an integral part of Pattaya’s cultural fabric, said Manoch. “Beach Road was covered in coloured powder, trash, glass bottles, cardboard boxes, water guns, water buckets, and powder cans after the fun-filled celebrations. The clean-up operation began at 4am with four water trucks deployed to collect garbage and wash down the streets and surrounding areas.” Despite the massive clean-up operation required post-Wan Lai Day, the dedication of the Pattaya City Environment Office workers and their adherence to the city’s cleanliness policy stands as a testament to Pattaya’s commitment to cleanliness and environmental sustainability. Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-22 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

New tiger discovered at Kaeng Krachan National Park near Hua Hin By Online Reporter Image: กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช Kaeng Krachan National Park has reported the discovery of a new Indochinese tiger, indicating a hopeful increase in the population due to successful conservation efforts. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325596-new-tiger-discovered-at-kaeng-krachan-national-park-near-hua-hin/

Kaeng Krachan National Park has reported the discovery of a new Indochinese tiger, indicating a hopeful increase in the population due to successful conservation efforts. The tiger, identified as “KKT-006M,” was first recorded in the upstream area of the Phetchaburi River. The exciting find was part of a larger wildlife monitoring operation conducted from April 4-7, as disclosed by Mr. Mongkol Chaiyaphakdee, the head of Kaeng Krachan National Park. This operation, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Thailand, involved setting up camera traps and tracking wildlife movements in the region. During this period, the cameras captured images and videos of two previously known Indochinese tigers, “KKT-002M” and “KKT-004.” However, a closer inspection of stripe patterns in photos taken on March 24, March 31, and April 1 revealed a previously unrecorded male tiger. The images, which depict the tiger actively playing in the water at the Sub Chum Hed area of the park, confirm the presence of a new tiger, now cataloged as “KKT-006M.” By Online Reporter Image: กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช Full story: HUA HIN TODAY 2024-04-22 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe