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Myanmar national attacks Belgian partner with hammer in Hat Yai by Mitch Connor PHOTO VIA: Leo Moko FROM:Unsplash.com A 32 year old Myanmar national was apprehended in Hat Yai, Songkhla after a violent episode in which he attacked his Belgian partner using a hammer. The incident, incited by jealousy, according to the apprehended, took place in their shared apartment, leaving the 56 year old Belgian man with severe head injuries and the apartment splattered with blood. Fuull story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324789-myanmar-national-attacks-belgian-partner-with-hammer/

A 32 year old Myanmar national was apprehended in Hat Yai, Songkhla after a violent episode in which he attacked his Belgian partner using a hammer. The incident, incited by jealousy, according to the apprehended, took place in their shared apartment, leaving the 56 year old Belgian man with severe head injuries and the apartment splattered with blood. Upon arriving at the horrific scene, local police discovered the victim in critical condition and arrested Kyaw Zin Htike, who was still at the location with the weapon. After being detained and brought to Hat Yai police station, Htike confessed to the crime, admitting that he had assaulted his partner following a heated argument. In an unsettling twist, Htike tested positive for narcotics following a drug test conducted at the station. He confessed to having consumed drugs three days prior. Consequently, the law enforcement officials filed initial charges of attempted murder against him, coupled with the possession of a narcotic substance in his system. Under scrutiny from the press, Htike explained his actions as a result of jealousy, fearing his Belgian partner was seeing someone else. The suspect expressed remorse over his actions, claiming he still harboured love for his boyfriend and wished to apologise. The two individuals had initially met on Koh Samui, an island off the east coast of Thailand, and subsequently moved to Hat Yai. Prior to the unfortunate incident, the couple had plans to celebrate the traditional Thai New Year, Songkran, in their current city of residence before heading to Phuket. The hammer, the instrument of the brutal assault, was seized by the police as evidence in the ongoing investigation. The victim’s condition remains critical, and the future of this international couple hangs in the balance. In related news, Police arrested a Thai man who murdered his 10 year old daughter at a resort in the northern province of Uttaradit. He admitted to killing his daughter and attempting suicide but was too afraid to go through with it. by Mitch Connor PHOTO VIA: Leo Moko FROM:Unsplash.com Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-12 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

UPDATE: Phuket governor confirms Swiss expat’s visa appeal will be heard PHOTO: Facebook/Urs Fehr The governor of Phuket has confirmed that an appeal on behalf of Urs Fehr will be heard, to determine whether or not his visa remains cancelled. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324762-phuket-governor-addresses-rumors-in-swiss-expat-alleged-assault-case/?do=findComment&comment=18837475

Phuket governor confirms Swiss expat’s visa appeal will be heard PHOTO: Facebook/Urs Fehr The governor of Phuket has confirmed that an appeal on behalf of Urs Fehr will be heard, to determine whether or not his visa remains cancelled. The Swiss national’s visa was revoked by Thailand’s Interior Minister, Anutin Charvirakul, after he allegedly kicked a female Thai doctor who was sitting on steps leading to his rented Cape Yamu villa. The steps were later judged to have been illegally built as they were on a public beach and have now been demolished, although they had been constructed before the Swiss man’s rental of the property. For his part, Fehr claims he didn’t intentionally kick the doctor but slipped while making his way down the steps. His defence fell on deaf ears however, with the Immigration Bureau deciding to revoke his visa under instruction from the Interior Minister. Full story: PhuketGO 2024-04-12 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Bangkok port’s move stalled pending government clarity by Mitch Connor FILE PHOTO: A view of Bangkok's port amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand, June 21, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha. Picture courtesy of Asian Financial Bangkok Port’s transformation into a mixed-use development has been put on hold by the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), as it awaits further instructions from the Transport Ministry. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324782-bangkok-port’s-move-stalled-pending-government-clarity/

Bangkok Port’s transformation into a mixed-use development has been put on hold by the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), as it awaits further instructions from the Transport Ministry. The decision follows an order to relocate the port to Chon Buri, which was proposed to mitigate pollution and congestion in the city. However, it is presently unclear whether the entire port or only sections of it are to be moved. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri, who also oversees PAT operations, yesterday stated that the ministry will wait for further clarification from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. In pursuit of this order, a feasibility study has been commissioned, but the Transport Ministry is set to wait for explicit instructions from the 62 year old prime minister before taking any further action. Manaporn suggested that only certain parts of the port need to be relocated to optimise space and enhance the quality of life for residents. This follows a similar plan proposed by the PAT in 2019 to transform the 2,353-rai area into a smart community. This project would have turned the port into a major transportation hub, supported by a mixed-use development. As per the PAT’s proposal, the area would be divided into four zones. Zone A would feature office facilities and smart community residences, while Zone B would showcase a smart port equipped with modern amenities and semi-automated installations. Retail outlets, hotels, and department stores would populate Zone C, with warehouses and a sports complex designated for Zone D. By implementing this development, the proportion of Thailand’s logistics costs to gross domestic product (GDP) would decrease to 0.77%, while maintaining the port’s yearly capacity at 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), reported Bangkok Post. The bidding process for a 32-rai plot necessary for the project’s land acquisition process has been announced but is currently on hold as the PAT awaits the Prime Minister’s official order, said Manaporn. “We don’t know if the current plan is similar to the PAT proposal, as none of the official statements have been sent to the ministry.” by Mitch Connor TOP FILE PHOTO: A view of Bangkok's port amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand, June 21, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha. Picture courtesy of Asian Financial Full story: The Thaiger 2024-04-12 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Road safety concerns rise as upcountry travel surges for Songkran by Mitch Connor Picture courtesy of Stay in Thailand Amid the forthcoming Songkran holiday, a surge in upcountry travel has sparked apprehension among road safety champions, who fear a rise in road mishaps outside the designated seven dangerous days of travelling. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324779-road-safety-concerns-rise-as-upcountry-travel-surges-for-songkran/

Amid the forthcoming Songkran holiday, a surge in upcountry travel has sparked apprehension among road safety champions, who fear a rise in road mishaps outside the designated seven dangerous days of travelling. The seven dangerous days were initiated today and will conclude on April 17, and it is during these days that the highest incidents of road accidents are expected. Assistant National Police Chief Kornchai Klayklueng revealed that the Royal Thai Police (RTP) aims to reduce road accidents by 5% during these seven days. The RTP is preparing for a 3.1% surge in travellers compared to the previous year’s holiday. They forecast the peak travel days to be today and tomorrow, with most departures from Bangkok and the busiest return dates being April 16-1 7. In a bid to manage the situation, the RTP has established an Accident Control Operation Centre for this year’s Songkran. This will enhance law enforcement and introduce additional safety measures for drivers. Kornchai also advised those using electric vehicles to arrange for a charging station stopover before their battery depletes due to potential traffic delays. To assist electric vehicle users, the Highway Police has mapped out a network of charging stations, he added. However, Nikorn Jamnong, the director of the Chartthaipattana Party and president of the People’s Safety Foundation, expressed concern about an uptick in accidents before and after the seven dangerous days. He revealed that 60 fatalities were reported on Wednesday, a stark increase from last year’s 30 deaths during the same period. Out of these, 50 were motorcycle fatalities, including four expats. Considering the 4,207 road fatalities reported in the first quarter of the year, Jamnong stressed the need for authorities to extend their road safety efforts beyond just the Songkran holiday dates. Echoing similar sentiments, Prommin Kantiya, director of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation’s Accident Prevention Network, noted that some people have prolonged their holiday until April 21. This could potentially lead to a longer period of heavy road usage in the country, thereby intensifying the risk of accidents, reported Bangkok Post. by Mitch Connor Picture courtesy of Stay in Thailand Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-12 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai government’s digital wallet scheme faces legality verification by Mitch Connor The Government of Thailand‘s plan to partially finance its 500-billion-baht digital wallet handout scheme through a 172.3 billion baht loan from the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative is set to undergo legality verification by the Council of State. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324778-thai-government’s-digital-wallet-scheme-faces-legality-verification/

The Government of Thailand‘s plan to partially finance its 500-billion-baht digital wallet handout scheme through a 172.3 billion baht loan from the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative is set to undergo legality verification by the Council of State. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also stated that the government will seek advice from its legal arm to ensure the lawfulness of the scheme. “There is a plan to create a super app for the scheme, which would require additional funding from taxpayers.” The 62 year old Thai prime minister reassured the public that the government would fully explain the situation once the app is ready. PM Srettha also emphasised the government’s commitment to transparency, promising that the scheme would be open to public scrutiny. The proposed handout scheme, a flagship policy of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, involves distributing 10,000 baht to 50 million Thais through a “super app” developed by the Digital Economy and Society Ministry. The app is designed to be utilised by all banks in an open-loop model. The Bangkok-born prime minister, who also serves as the finance minister, expressed optimism that the scheme, set to roll out in the fourth quarter, would spur the economy, boosting the GDP by 1.2 to 1.6%. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat elucidated the financing strategy for the digital wallet scheme. The scheme will be funded through three sources, with 152.7 billion baht drawn from the 2025 fiscal year budget. Budget reallocation The 172.3 billion baht loan from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives’ budget for the 2025 fiscal year will be disbursed to 17.23 million farmers. The remaining 175 billion baht will be sourced from the current fiscal year’s budget reallocation. However, the plan to borrow from the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative has drawn criticism. Critics argue that this mirrors the Pheu Thai’s loss-ridden rice-pledging programme under the former Yingluck Shinawatra administration, said Jurin Laksanawisit, a Democrat Party list MP. “This is an exact replica of the rice-pledging scheme. They share the same DNA. The government will now borrow 172.3 billion from the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative. Combined with the more than 200 billion baht debt incurred by the rice scheme, the Pheu Thai-run governments will owe the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative about 400 billion baht.” The government has yet to detail how it will repay the loan it plans to take from the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative to fund the digital wallet scheme. Nipon Poapongsakorn, a distinguished fellow at the Thailand Development Research Institute, urged the government to provide these details. He also pointed out that the 500-billion-baht handout was a short-term measure intended to secure political gains ahead of the next election, despite the economy’s current state of recovery. by Mitch Connor Full story: The Thaiger 2024-04-12 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

PM Srettha’s blessings for Songkran festival at Government House by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of The Nation Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin graced a religious ceremony at Government House in Bangkok, marking Thailand’s Songkran Festival, the nation’s traditional new year. As dawn broke over the capital, the PM led the observance, honouring customs deeply rooted in Thai culture. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324777-pm-srettha’s-blessings-for-songkran-festival-at-government-house/

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin graced a religious ceremony at Government House in Bangkok, marking Thailand’s Songkran Festival, the nation’s traditional new year. As dawn broke over the capital, the PM led the observance, honouring customs deeply rooted in Thai culture. The ceremony commenced with the Thai PM paying homage to the Brahma shrine at 8.30am, nestled before the majestic Thai Khu Fah Building. Following this solemn gesture, Srettha partook in a Buddhist chanting ceremony held at the Phakdibodin Building, where abbots from ten revered temples in Bangkok invoked blessings, sprinkling holy water upon the Premier and fellow participants, invoking prosperity and good fortune. In a poignant display of reverence, the Bangkok-born Srettha then anointed a Buddha statue with scented water, a venerable tradition symbolising respect for sacred entities at the dawn of the new year. The Thai PM received the Rot Nam Dam Hua ritual, where younger devotees tenderly washed the hands of their elders with scented water, seeking blessings for the year ahead. Expressing gratitude for the preservation of Thai customs, especially on Songkran, National Elderly Day, and Family Day, the Bangkok-born PM extended heartfelt wishes for joy, vigour, and national prosperity to all citizens. He voiced hopes for 2024 to herald a cascade of blessings for years to come. In a gesture of generosity, the 62 year old prime minister distributed Buddhist amulets from Wat Huai Duan in Nakhon Sawan province to all participants, adding a touch of spiritual grace to the occasion, reported The Nation. Among the distinguished attendees were Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy PM Somsak Thepsutin, Deputy PM and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy PM and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, and PM’s Office Minister Puangpetch Chunla-ead. In related news, water wars erupted on Pattaya’s Soi 7 and Soi 8 as Songkran festivities kicked off, transforming the beachfront bars into battlegrounds of fun and frolic. The spirited water play of Songkran burst into life on April 10, igniting the lively bar areas along Pattaya’s Soi 7 and Soi 8. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of The Nation Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-12 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Kanchanaburi man arrested after violent restroom assault by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod A brutal incident of violence has shaken the community of Tha Maka in Kanchanaburi Province, where a 38 year old man turned methamphetamine agent was arrested for a savage attack. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324775-kanchanaburi-man-arrested-after-violent-restroom-assault/

A brutal incident of violence has shaken the community of Tha Maka in Kanchanaburi Province, where a 38 year old man turned methamphetamine agent was arrested for a savage attack. The altercation, which occurred on October 22, 2023, resulted from a seemingly minor incident where the victim, Anek (surname withheld), inadvertently bumped into Udon (surname withheld) near a restroom, prompting a violent response. The confrontation began in a local eatery where Udon, known for flaunting his influence, was dining with associates. As the evening progressed, noise and commotion from Udon’s table escalated. When Anek visited the restroom and accidentally brushed against Udon, the encounter turned confrontational. Udon, feeling challenged by the mere eye contact, followed Anek into the restroom and assaulted him, causing him to fall. The attack culminated in Udon lifting the lid of a toilet seat and slamming it onto Anek ‘s head, resulting in a severe brain haemorrhage. Following the incident, Anek ‘s relatives reported the matter to the police, leading to an investigation that gathered enough evidence to secure an arrest warrant. Udon, who had been evading capture, was found residing in Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province, further expanding his criminal repertoire as a drug dealer catering to the local youth, reported KhaoSod. Upon his arrest on April 1, Udon confessed to the assault, attributing his actions to intoxication and a perceived challenge. A background check on Udon revealed a history of criminal activity, including four drug-related offences involving methamphetamine, two thefts, and one firearms-related charge. In related news, a violent encounter last night left two high school students injured after being shot by a younger peer. The incident, which took place near a petrol station in Buriram province, was reportedly an act of revenge on behalf of a friend. The two victims, both Grade 9 students, were attacked as they rode their motorcycle in the vicinity of Nong Mama village. Initial reports indicate that the weapon used in the assault was purchased online. Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-12 by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chinese influencer’s food poisoning sparks Thai food hygiene row by Petch Petpailin Photo via Weibo/ 刘雨鑫JASON Chinese netizens criticised Thai food as “unclean” after a Chinese influencer suffered food poisoning after eating at a night market in Thailand and issued a warning to his followers on Weibo. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324774-chinese-influencer’s-food-poisoning-sparks-thai-food-hygiene-row/

Chinese netizens criticised Thai food as “unclean” after a Chinese influencer suffered food poisoning after eating at a night market in Thailand and issued a warning to his followers on Weibo. The Chinese food blogger, Liu Yu Xin, also known as Jason, posted a video of himself enjoying food at a night market in Thailand on his Weibo account. Most of the food he tried was made of raw ingredients like marinated raw crabs, raw shrimps, raw squid in spicy dipping sauce, and jumping shrimp salad with little living shrimps. Another video Jason shared showed him suffering from diarrhoea and food poisoning. He revealed to his followers that this was the first time marinated raw food caused this illness. Jason warned his followers to be careful when eating this type of food in Thailand because the country’s hot weather makes dangerous bacteria grow faster. He added that the cost of treatment in a Thai hospital was also expensive as he paid nearly 20,000 baht. Many Chinese netizens shared their experiences of suffering from food poisoning after eating in Thailand, and some shared their opinions that Thai food was not as clean as food in China. They commented… “I visited Thailand more than ten times and did not dare to try this kind of food.” “Honestly, Thai food is not as hygienic as food in China. Marinated raw food in Thailand is not recommended due to bugs and bacteria together with the country’s temperature.” “My son had a fever and suffered from vomiting and diarrhoea after drinking watermelon juice.” “Another food blogger I follow also went crazy after eating raw marinated food in Thailand.” “A Thai tour guide in Bangkok recommended me not to eat raw seafood because Bangkok is far from the sea, so the seafood ingredients are not that fresh. I went to a night market as well but did not try them.” “Last time I ate seafood in Thailand, I got an infection and inflammation in the digestive system. So scary. Travel insurance is a must. No more eating out.” The Thai Facebook page, Ai Zhong, expressed an opinion that Jason consumed several raw dishes at the same time, which could have increased the risk of suffering from food poisoning. The page administrator also disagreed that Thai food was unclean, saying that every country has both clean and unclean food and that visitors should be aware of this before eating. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Weibo/ 刘雨鑫JASON Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-12 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 12 April 2024 Fulll story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324771-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-12-april-2024/

The government is to seek advice from its legal team to ensure the legality of its plan to borrow 172.3 billion baht from the Bank of Agriculture to partially finance its 500-billion-baht handout scheme. 10,000 baht is due to be distributed during the last quarter of this year to every eligible person via "an app" that will be usable at all banks. A 27 year Thai woman was found dead at her home in central London earlier this week. The woman had been stabbed, neighbors were reported to have heard screams, police were called on Sunday but took 13 hours to arrive at the scene on Monday. The Thai embassy has contacted the woman's family and are assisting police. The Port Authority of Thailand will wait for a directive from the prime minister before re-developing Bangkok port into a multi-purpose facility. The authority was seeking clarification on whether part or all of the port would be moved to Chonburi. The baht looks set to lose value and could reach 37 baht to the dollar next week, due to a strengthening U.S economy. Thousands packed the Mo Chit Bus Terminal in Bangkok yesterday to travel home for the Songkran festival. The department of Transport estimates, there will be 16 million cars travelling out of Bangkok. Locally expect heavy traffic at Ta Yang north of Cha am where roadworks are causing long delays in both directions. Also southbound on parts of Huahin bypass. Around the region The United Nations Children's fund Unicef says: More than 243 million children across East Asia and the Pacific are at risk of heat-related illnesses and death, as the region braces for a summer with record heat in the coming months.The agency added Children are more vulnerable than adults to the effects of climate change. WEATHER Chiang Mai and the north: cloudy with some thunder showers 38C! Bangkok: Sunny 36C Pattaya: Sunny partly cloudy 33C Phuket and the south: Sunny partly cloudy 35C Hua Hin: Sunny, 35 C AQI yellow, moderate 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 2024-04-12 Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Page turners: Survey reveals shift in Thai reading habits by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ Thai Book Fair A recent survey by the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT) and Chulalongkorn University revealed that Thai people spend nearly two hours per day reading, contradicting the long-held belief that Thais read less than eight lines of text a year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324767-page-turners-survey-reveals-shift-in-thai-reading-habits/

A recent survey by the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT) and Chulalongkorn University revealed that Thai people spend nearly two hours per day reading, contradicting the long-held belief that Thais read less than eight lines of text a year. Despite widespread belief, there is no solid evidence to support the notion that Thai residents rarely read books and even read less than eight lines of text per year. However, this misconception has persisted within Thai society for years and has been brought up multiple times in discussions on education in Thailand. Previous surveys attempted to debunk this myth and the latest study by PUBAT and Chulalongkorn University further confirms the increasing reading habits among Thai people. PUBAT Secretary Theeranai Sotthipintha reported on April 8 that PUBAT and Chulalongkorn University surveyed Thai reading habits and book purchasing behaviours in 2024. The survey was conducted in February with 2,550 participants aged between 12 and 50 years old. Theeranai clarified that the survey found Thai people spend 113 minutes, or nearly two hours, reading each day, with 45% of respondents reading daily. The survey also highlighted reading preferences among different age groups. Those aged 12-19 primarily read textbooks and exam guides, while those in the 30-39 and 40-49 age favoured self-improvement books, and people over 50 tended to read books related to health, Printed books remained the preferred format, although e-books were favoured by those over 50 due to the ability to adjust text size. In addition, the recent 12-day Thai Book Fair, which concluded on April 8, saw 1.3 million Thai and foreign visitors, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. The fair generated sales exceeding 400 million baht. PUBAT President Suwit Rungwattanapaibun noted that this was the 52nd book fair in Thailand and the largest in ASEAN. He expressed plans to expand the fair to other areas in response to its continuous growth, predicting that its success would significantly boost the Thai book market’s value to 1.7 billion baht this year. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ Thai Book Fair Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-12 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Man Angry About Being Too Broke to Buy Kratom Juice Arrested for Smashing Car Windows By Aim Tanakorn Pattaya —A distraught Thai man threw rocks at random car windows in Pattaya on Wednesday, April 10th, 2024. He was arrested and said he did it because he felt angry that he did not have money to buy kratom juice. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324765-man-angry-about-being-too-broke-to-buy-kratom-juice-arrested-for-smashing-car-windows/

Pattaya —A distraught Thai man threw rocks at random car windows in Pattaya on Wednesday, April 10th, 2024. He was arrested and said he did it because he felt angry that he did not have money to buy kratom juice. The Nongprue police received a report about a man resembling a homeless person throwing rocks at the windows of several cars in Soi Khao Ta Lo, Nong Prue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chonburi province, around 9:36 AM. They rushed to the scene along with emergency responders. At the scene, in front of a kratom juice shop, the suspect was found and had already been restrained by locals. He was identified as Mr. Natthapong Noisakran, 29. The Thai man was disheveled and appeared to be under the influence of something. A bottle of kratom juice was found next to him. Mr. Natthapong confessed to breaking the windows of three cars with rocks. He claimed that he did it because he was frustrated that he wanted to buy more kratom juice, but he did not have any money to buy it. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-12 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Tourists Complain Over Sanitation Issues at Pattaya Bali Hai Pier By Aim Tanakorn Pattaya — Tourists at Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier are expressing dissatisfaction with the pier’s hygiene, citing overflowing garbage bins, stinky portable toilets, and even leaking liquid waste dripping from the toilets. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324764-tourists-complain-over-sanitation-issues-at-pattaya-bali-hai-pier/

Pattaya — Tourists at Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier are expressing dissatisfaction with the pier’s hygiene, citing overflowing garbage bins, stinky portable toilets, and even leaking liquid waste dripping from the toilets. The concerns initially became known via a guide, who asked The Pattaya News to keep their anonymity. The guide stated that many tourists have been complaining to them about the garbage overflowing from the bins, as well as the stench from the portable toilets at Bali Hai Pier. The guide also noted that there was liquid waste leaking from the toilets onto the ground, creating an unsanitary and smelly environment. The Pattaya News reporters went to the pier on April 11th, 2024, and found that the guide’s complaints were mostly true. Numerous pieces of trash, including food containers, plastic bags, cigarette butts, and empty bottles, were found strewn around the pier’s waiting areas. Even though city hall security guards and special task force officers were present, the garbage was still scattered around the place. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-12 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Government Urges Safe and Respectful Songkran Celebrations Amid Concerns of Violence and Harassment By Kittisak Phalaharn National—On April 11th, 2024, Mr. Karom Phonphonklang, the Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson, called for the cooperation of all citizens to play water during the Songkran celebration safely and appropriately. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324763-govt-urges-safe-and-respectful-songkran-celebrations-amid-concerns-of-violence-harassment/