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Thai woman fakes kidnapping to extort money from folks to pay gambling debts by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ Thairath - ไทยรัฐออนไลน์ A Thai woman in the central province of Pathum Thani faked a kidnapping in order to extort 100,000 baht from her parents to repay her online gambling debts. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324270-thai-woman-fakes-kidnapping-to-extort-money-from-folks-to-pay-gambling-debts/

A Thai woman in the central province of Pathum Thani faked a kidnapping in order to extort 100,000 baht from her parents to repay her online gambling debts. A Thai mother, 51 year old Noi, reported her daughter’s kidnapping at Bang Sri Mueang Police Station on April 3. She recounted that an alleged criminal sent videos of her 30 year old daughter, Kratae, to her husband, so she immediately sought help from the police. In the video, Kratae’s arms and legs were tied and her mouth was covered. She was crying and asking her parents to help her. Noi revealed to the police that the criminal wanted 100,000 baht in exchange for her daughter’s freedom. Noi and her husband were also threatened not to file a complaint with the police, or else Kratae would be killed. Despite the threats, Noi chose to seek assistance from the police. Officers traced Kratae’s phone signal and located her at a hotel in Pathum Thani province. Upon raiding the room, they found Kratae alone, with no blackmailer or criminal present. Confronted with the evidence, Kratae confessed that she faked the kidnapping incident because she wanted money from her parents. She explained that she rented the room, tied herself up, and tried to blackmail her parents for money to repay online gambling and other debts. Kratae confessed to being addicted to online gambling, leading to losing all of her money. Despite borrowing money from four informal sources to settle her debts, she squandered the borrowed funds on new gambling ventures, resulting in further losses. Upon discovering the fabricated crime scene, Noi disclosed to the police that Kratae had faked a kidnapping in the past but she never anticipated her daughter would do it again. Expressing deep distress upon viewing Kratae’s videos and harbouring grave concerns for her well-being, Noi stated she would willingly pay for her daughter’s release if the kidnapping were genuine, believing any parent would empathise. To dismantle the gambling network in which Kratae participated, police extended their investigation to the implicated website, aiming to apprehend all involved suspects and terminate the illicit operation. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ Thairath - ไทยรัฐออนไลน์ Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Family caught faking issue for discount at Bangkok shabu eatery by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod The manager of a renowned shabu restaurant in Bangkok revealed that a deceptive family was caught on camera sneaking tissue paper into a hotpot, causing a scene that led to a discounted bill and damaged the restaurant’s reputation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324269-family-caught-faking-issue-for-discount-at-bangkok-shabu-eatery/

The manager of a renowned shabu restaurant in Bangkok revealed that a deceptive family was caught on camera sneaking tissue paper into a hotpot, causing a scene that led to a discounted bill and damaged the restaurant’s reputation. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, prompted customers to leave, nearly emptying the establishment. The latest update revealed details of the incident at the well-known shabu restaurant located near the Sanambin Nam area. The restaurant manager, Duangkamol (surname withheld), disclosed that on Wednesday evening at around 8pm, a family of three, seemingly parents and their child, visited the restaurant. The group was not regular patrons and had never visited this restaurant before. The buffet was priced at 319 baht per person without a time limit for dining. During their visit, which lasted from 8pm to 9.30pm, the female customer complained, accusing the staff of serving food with tissue paper in the condiment tray and the hotpot. The employees immediately apologised without checking the CCTV footage, assuming the incident was genuine. The restaurant offered to change the hotpot to calm the situation and avoid confrontation. However, the customers declined and approximately 20 minutes later, they complained about the taste of the crab sticks, stating they could no longer eat and asked for the bill. As the manager, Duangkamol suggested showing the customers the CCTV footage to prove the restaurant’s innocence, which led to louder complaints. To prevent discomfort for other patrons, the decision was made to discount one of the three charges. After the incident, Duangkamol reviewed the footage and discovered that the female customer in a red shirt was responsible for placing the tissue paper in the hotpot. This shocked the kitchen staff, causing one female employee to cry. The deceptive actions of the family, who loudly blamed the restaurant, led other customers to check out, causing a significant loss of business, reported KhaoSod. Upon learning the truth, the restaurant owner filed a police report yesterday and is currently consulting with a lawyer for further legal action. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Man Arrested After Stealing Canadian Dollars Worth 108,000 Baht in Patong By Goongnang Suksawat Patong – A Thai man was arrested after he stole Canadian dollars worth 108,000 Baht in Patong. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324268-thai-man-arrested-after-stealing-canadian-dollars-worth-108000-baht-in-patong/

Patong – A Thai man was arrested after he stole Canadian dollars worth 108,000 Baht in Patong. The Patong Police told the Phuket Express that on Friday (April 5th) they arrested a suspect identified only as Mr. Charat at a parking area of an apartment on the Ratcha Pata Nusorn Road in Patong. Seized from him were some of the remaining Canadian dollars and a mobile phone. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Two Pakistani Men Arrested in Patong for Overstay By Goongnang Suksawat Patong – Two Pakistani men were arrested for overstay at a rental room in Patong. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324267-two-pakistani-men-arrested-in-patong-for-overstay/

Patong – Two Pakistani men were arrested for overstay at a rental room in Patong. The Patong Police told the Phuket Express that earlier this week they arrested two suspects identified only as Mr. Ashfaq, 34, and Mr. Aneed, 26. Both are Pakistani nationals. They were arrested at a rental room on the Ratch Uthit 200 Pi Road in Patong. They were taken to the Patong Police Station to face overstay charges. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Indian, British and Thais Arrested for Drunk Driving in Patong By Goongnang Suksawat Patong – An Indian, a British man, and two Thai riders were arrested in Patong for drunk driving. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324266-indian-british-and-thais-arrested-for-drunk-driving-in-patong/

Patong – An Indian, a British man, and two Thai riders were arrested in Patong for drunk driving. The Patong Police told the Phuket Express that earlier this week they had set up a police checkpoint on the Taweewong Road after midnight until 2:30 A.M.. Four suspicious motorbike riders were stopped at the police checkpoint. They were all given alcohol breath tests which were all over the legal blood alcohol limit of .50. The information released on the suspects was as follows: Mr. Jame, 34, British national test showed .58 milligrams percent of alcohol. Mr. Chaithanya, 41, Indian national test showed .71milligrams percent of alcohol. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pattaya Van Driver Dies After Falling Asleep and Hitting Truck By Aim Tanakorn Pattaya — A van driver lost his life when he reportedly dozed off at the wheel and crashed into a highway truck near Pattaya on Thursday afternoon, April 4th, 2024. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324265-pattaya-van-driver-dies-after-falling-asleep-and-hitting-truck/

Pattaya — A van driver lost his life when he reportedly dozed off at the wheel and crashed into a highway truck near Pattaya on Thursday afternoon, April 4th, 2024. The accident was reported to Banglamung Police Station around 1:30 PM. Police and resuce workers rushed to the scene on an overpass in the Nong Manao area, Banglamung sub-district, Banglamung district, Chonburi province, to find a grey Toyota van had crashed into a six-wheel truck. Inside the destroyed van, rescue workers found the deceased, later identified as 39-year-old Mr. Suthiphon Ketmak. The victim suffered fatal injuries, including a broken neck and a broken right eyebrow. Mr. Suthiphon died in the driver’s seat. Rescue workers used cutting equipment to remove the body from the vehicle. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chinese Tour Bus Crashes Near Pattaya, 20 Passengers Safe By Aim Tanakorn Pattaya — A tour bus carrying 20 Chinese tourists crashed into a roadside near Pattaya on Thursday, April 4th, 2024. Luckily, nobody was injured. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324264-chinese-tour-bus-crashes-near-pattaya-20-passengers-safe/

Pattaya — A tour bus carrying 20 Chinese tourists crashed into a roadside near Pattaya on Thursday, April 4th, 2024. Luckily, nobody was injured. The accident transpired on 331 Road in the Huay Yai area of Banglamung district, Chonburi province. Sawang Boriboon rescue workers and police rushed to the accident scene at 4:10 PM. There, they found a tour bus tilted at an awkward angle on the grassy roadside. Inside the vehicle, authorities found 20 Chinese tourists who were visibly shaken by the accident. Authorities instructed the tourists to evacuate the bus via an emergency exit, and it was found that none of the tourists were harmed by the accident. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Police ‘No Place for Drugs’ Operation Net 22,387 Arrests and Seizures Worth 339 Million Baht By Kittisak Phalaharn On April 4th, 2024, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sarayut Sa-nguanphokai, the Commander of Provincial Police Region 4, and relevant officers held a press conference on the “No Place for Drugs” operation to eradicate drug trafficking in northeast Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324263-thai-police-‘no-place-for-drugs’-operation-net-22387-arrests-and-seizures-worth-339m-baht/

On April 4th, 2024, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sarayut Sa-nguanphokai, the Commander of Provincial Police Region 4, and relevant officers held a press conference on the “No Place for Drugs” operation to eradicate drug trafficking in northeast Thailand. The No Place for Drugs Operation aimed to suppress local drug dealers and drug networks in 87 locations with proactive operation from 19 police stations. The police were issued to investigate, track down, and arrest wanted criminals and local drug dealers. As a result, the Provincial Police Region 4 officers captured more than 22,387 individuals from 22,287 cases, and seized 17 million amphetamine pills, 59 kilograms of heroin, and 6.8 kilograms of methamphetamine, from October 1st, 2023, to March 31st, 2024. The total value of illicit substances and assets was estimated at 339 million baht. By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Cannabis Network Concerned Over Government’s Move to Criminalize Marijuana, Advocates for Truthful Comparison By Kittisak Phalaharn On April 4th, 2024, Mr. Prasitchai Nunual, the secretary-general of the Network for Shaping the Future of Thai Cannabis, publicly stated his concerns over bringing marijuana back into an illicit substance type by the Thai government. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324262-thai-cannabis-network-concerned-over-govt’s-move-to-criminalize-marijuana/

On April 4th, 2024, Mr. Prasitchai Nunual, the secretary-general of the Network for Shaping the Future of Thai Cannabis, publicly stated his concerns over bringing marijuana back into an illicit substance type by the Thai government. Prasitchai voiced his opinion regarding the change in cannabis policy that criminalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes while being lenient on carrying five pills of amphetamine and amending alcohol control bills. The network for Shaping the Future of Thai Cannabis previously petitioned the Thai Ministry of Public Health to publicize factual comparisons between marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes, and amphetamines with scientific information on these four categories to determine control measures accordingly, remarked Prasitchai. However, the Thai government was indifferent to the petition and marked cannabis, medicinal plants, as narcotic substances, and instead lowered restrictions on illicit substances containing chemicals to the public, stated Prasitchai. It could be said that a group of investors could not keep cannabis production under control, claimed Prasitchai. If comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the uses of cannabis and amphetamine, it was clear that cannabis was the safest as it was grown with care and quality materials whether being used for medical aspects or recreational purposes, according to Prasitchai. By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

In 2023, Thailand shifted away from cash just as Sweden’s central bank asked to see it protected by Joseph O' Connor A new report from the Bank of Thailand shows Thai consumers in 2023 shifting from cash towards digital payments. Only 66% of payments last year were in cash. Meanwhile, Sweden, the country that pioneered a cashless society, is moving in the opposite direction. In November 2023, the Riksbank or Swedish Central Bank called for cash payments to be protected by legislation despite cash transactions falling to only 1% of GDP. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324261-in-2023-thailand-shifted-away-from-cash-just-as-sweden-asked-to-see-it-protected/

A new report from the Bank of Thailand shows Thai consumers in 2023 shifting from cash towards digital payments. Only 66% of payments last year were in cash. Meanwhile, Sweden, the country that pioneered a cashless society, is moving in the opposite direction. In November 2023, the Riksbank or Swedish Central Bank called for cash payments to be protected by legislation despite cash transactions falling to only 1% of GDP. Thai cash usage plummets as Sweden turns around and seeks cash protection. Thailand embraces digital payments as cash transactions drop to 66%, signalling a shift in consumer behaviour. Meanwhile, Sweden’s central bank pushes for cash protection, highlighting global concerns over a cashless future. A new report shows Thai consumers drifting increasingly towards digital payments. The Bank of Thailand report studying payments throughout 2023 shows that cash transactions had fallen to 66%. Previously, Thai consumers were seen as strongly wedded to cash. This news has just been released and warmly welcomed by the central bank. However, it comes as Sweden’s central bank, where only 2% of payments are now in cash, is moving in the opposite direction. In November 2023, the Nordic country called for the right to use cash for payments as legal tender, to be enshrined and protected by legislation. In 2022, a shocking survey for central bank chiefs showed a marked reluctance by Thai people to switch to digital payments. That survey came just after the pandemic era when millions registered for government digital applications to receive financial benefits. At that time, only 27% of people continued to make online or digital payments while 50% vowed never to move from cash. However, in the last two years, there has been a change. by Joseph O' Connor Full story: Thai Examiner 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Navy Might Get Both Submarine And Frigate Next Fiscal Year: Suthin By Thai Newsroom Reporters Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang. Photo: Matichon .THE NAVY MIGHT PROBABLY procure two major warships, a submarine and a frigate, together within the next fiscal year, said Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang today (Apr. 5). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324258-navy-might-get-both-submarine-and-frigate-next-fiscal-year-suthin/

.THE NAVY MIGHT PROBABLY procure two major warships, a submarine and a frigate, together within the next fiscal year, said Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang today (Apr. 5). Suthin said although negotiations with China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co, manufacturer of a Yuan-class S26T submarine, have not yet concluded following a recent, informal visit to China by navy chief Adm. Adung Pan-iam and himself, he might probably manage to give the navy both different kinds of warship in the same fiscal year or fiscal 2025. Suthin declined to confirm or deny that any bilateral settlement on the 12.4-billion-baht, Chinese-built submarine on which no German-made engine will be installed as otherwise specified in the purchase contract will be finalised within this month. The navy had earlier paid some seven billion baht in down payment for the 12.4 billion baht Chinese submarine whose delivery had been indefinitely postponed from last year. By Thai Newsroom Reporters Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang. Photo: Matichon Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pheu Thai is reformist, not neo conservative party, Thaksin claims Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has defended the Pheu Thai party, saying it is not a neo conservative party, but a reformist party, dating back to its founding as the Thai Rak Thai party, which was eventually dissolved by the Constitutional Court. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324257-pheu-thai-is-reformist-not-neo-conservative-party-thaksin-claims/

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has defended the Pheu Thai party, saying it is not a neo conservative party, but a reformist party, dating back to its founding as the Thai Rak Thai party, which was eventually dissolved by the Constitutional Court. Addressing party members on a video conference at the general meeting of the Pheu Thai party on Friday, Thaksin, who is now on parole, claimed that the now defunct Thai Rak Thai was a party which introduced several changes to Thai society, ranging from the 30-baht universal health security system to village funds and price guarantees for farm products. He claimed that the Pheu Thai party has been carrying on with the reformist policies of its predecessor and is now embarking on the “digital wallet” scheme, which he described as a “super new idea”. “Today, we are definitely not stuck with antiquated issues, because the world has changed and the Pheu Thai party must change,” said Thaksin, adding that capitalism that lacks compassion will not make people happy and reaching out to the people, physically or through the media, is important. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe