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Axe-Wielding Foreigner Arrested For Overstaying Over 500 Days by TNR Staff Phuket police overpower the overstaying German man. Photo: Amarin TV A FOREIGN man was arrested for overstaying over 500 days after his neighbours in Phuket’s Chalong subdistrict complained that he has often wielded an axe and a knife in rampaging through the area, Amarin TV said today (Apr. 5). Chalong police went to the unidentified German man’s house and found that the complaint held up because he also threatened them with his axe and knife before running into his house and throwing things at them. In doing so he shouted, “If anyone comes in, I will fight to death.” After getting the neighbours’ complaint police investigated and discovered that this German man had overstayed in Thailand for over 500 days so got a warrant to search his home. Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chalong Police Arrest Male German Overstayer After Axe Threat in Rawai – VIDEO By Goongnang Suksawat Chalong, Phuket-In a dramatic turn of events, Chalong Police apprehended a male German national who had overstayed his visa by more than 500 days. The incident unfolded in the quiet neighborhood of Soi Naya in Rawai. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324256-chalong-police-arrest-male-german-overstayer-after-axe-threat-in-rawai-–-video/

Chalong, Phuket-In a dramatic turn of events, Chalong Police apprehended a male German national who had overstayed his visa by more than 500 days. The incident unfolded in the quiet neighborhood of Soi Naya in Rawai. According to Chalong Police Chief Colonel Eakkarat Plaiduang, officers responded swiftly after receiving reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, they encountered the foreigner, who was shouting and behaving erratically. Fleeing from the authorities, he sought refuge inside a nearby house, barricading himself behind a locked door. Despite their attempts to engage in dialogue, the man remained uncooperative. In a startling escalation, he brandished an axe, threatening both the police and anyone who dared to enter. Objects were hurled from the house, creating a tense standoff. 733996675.101668.mp4 By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

to continue: Thailand Live Saturday 6 April 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1324255-thailand-live-saturday-6-april-2024/

Pita bids farewell to parliament, calls for cabinet reshuffle Former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat speaks in a censure debate on April 4 Former Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat bade farewell to parliament last night, saying that this debate may be the last of his political career, before the party is dissolved by the Constitutional Court. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324242-pita-bids-farewell-to-parliament-calls-for-cabinet-reshuffle/

Over 400 criminal cases brought against foreigners in Phuket By Peter Roche PHOTO: The Phuket Express The governor of Phuket says at least 400 criminal cases have been filed against lawbreaking foreigners on the island. Sophon Suwannarat says the cases have been brought by a dedicated task force checking foreign nationals for “bad behaviour”. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324218-over-400-criminal-cases-brought-against-foreigners-in-phuket/

Maybe Thailand should rebrand its Land of Smiles moniker to the Land of Russian Crime after yet another Russian man was nabbed for criminal activity. Yesterday, a 36 year old Russian national added his name to a catalogue of former Soviet block criminals arrested for reportedly operating illegal activities. ‘Land of Smiles’ fast becoming ‘Land of Russian Crime’ By Bob Scott | Picture of Russian man, Ibragim Gaitukiev, courtesy of Bangkok Post Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324237-‘land-of-smiles’-fast-becoming-‘land-of-russian-crime’/

Over 400 criminal cases brought against foreigners in Phuket By Peter Roche PHOTO: The Phuket Express The governor of Phuket says at least 400 criminal cases have been filed against lawbreaking foreigners on the island. Sophon Suwannarat says the cases have been brought by a dedicated task force checking foreign nationals for “bad behaviour”. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324218-over-400-criminal-cases-brought-against-foreigners-in-phuket/

The governor of Phuket says at least 400 criminal cases have been filed against lawbreaking foreigners on the island. Sophon Suwannarat says the cases have been brought by a dedicated task force checking foreign nationals for “bad behaviour”. The task force was set up around a month ago, after a number of high-profile cases involving foreigners. The most well known of those is that of Urs Fehr, a Swiss man accused of kicking a female doctor as she sat on steps leading to his rented Cape Yamu villa. Fehr, who has a Thai wife, has already had his visa revoked and his case is expected to go to trial later this month. By Peter Roche PHOTO: The Phuket Express Full story: PhuketGO 2024-04-05 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thaksin Among Top 10 Billionaires In Thailand, Dhanin Heads List by TNR Staff De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, left, and CP’s senior president Dhanin Chearavanont, right. Photo: Thai Rath AGAIN topping Forbes magazine’s 10 Richest in Thailand list for this year is Mr. Dhanin Chearavanont, senior president of Charoen Pokphand Group Co., Ltd. (CP), while de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra is also among them placing 10th together with Mr. Harald Link, president of B.Grimm Power Plc, Thai Rath newspaper said this morning (Apr. 5). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324217-thaksin-among-top-10-billionaires-in-thailand-dhanin-heads-list/

AGAIN topping Forbes magazine’s 10 Richest in Thailand list for this year is Mr. Dhanin Chearavanont, senior president of Charoen Pokphand Group Co., Ltd. (CP), while de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra is also among them placing 10th together with Mr. Harald Link, president of B.Grimm Power Plc, Thai Rath newspaper said this morning (Apr. 5). While this year’s list has barely changed from last year with Dhanin still topping it but Thaksin and Link having climbed up, a significant difference is that the 10 Richest in Thailand have become “poorer” when compared to the 10 Richest in the World who are getting richer. The Richest in Thailand 2024 list is as follows: 1) Mr. Dhanin Chearavanont, CP, net worth US$12.5 billion dollars (approximately 458 billion baht), net asset value tallied from stock prices and exchange rates on March 8, 2024 with various types of businesses included. He ranks as the 159th global billionaire. 2) Mr. Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, net asset value US$11.3 billion, food and beverage business; 3) Mr. Sarath Ratanavadi, net asset value US$10.7 billion, energy business; 10) Tied at US$2.1 billion each are Link and Thaksin. by TNR Staff TOP: De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, left, and CP’s senior president Dhanin Chearavanont, right. Photo: Thai Rath Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-04-05 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

15,000 tonnes of cadmium found in Samut Sakhon, no health scares yet by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ กรมควบคุมมลพิษ Acting on a tip-off, the Thai authorities yesterday discovered 15,000 tonnes of cadmium in a warehouse in the Mueang district in the central province of Samut Sakhon. No adverse health effects have been reported by residents thus far. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324215-15000-tonnes-of-cadmium-found-in-samut-sakhon-no-health-scares-yet/

Acting on a tip-off, the Thai authorities yesterday discovered 15,000 tonnes of cadmium in a warehouse in the Mueang district in the central province of Samut Sakhon. No adverse health effects have been reported by residents thus far. The Industrial Commission of the Secretariat of The House of Representatives received a complaint alleging that a company in the northern province of Tak illegally sold cadmium and zinc waste to another company in the central province of Samut Sakhon. These hazardous wastes were supposed to be disposed of in a cement pond according to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) agreement. Samut Sakhon Provincial Governor Phon Damtham and relevant departments raided the accused company that purchased the substances yesterday. They discovered 15,000 tonnes of cadmium waste packed in large bags. Approximately 1,000 bags were found inside the warehouse while some were outside. The company employees revealed in the questioning that the company bought the chemical waste from the company in Tak as reported to authorities. That company performed zinc smelting causing cadmium waste. According to the employees, it took three months to transport the cadmium waste from Tak to Samut Sakhon. The first batch arrived at the warehouse in August last year but the company had not yet melted or processed any of the substances. Disaster zone Governor Phon informed Thai PBS that he had not yet declared the warehouse and its surrounding area as a disaster zone but prohibited people from entering the area for 90 days. The ban would be lifted if the company in Tak retrieved the cadmium waste. Phon insisted that no reports of affected people were found at this time. Since the cadmium waste is in a solid state and stored in a closed warehouse, it has not caused any environmental impacts. The Natural Resources and Environmental Crime, also known as Greencop, will carry out further investigations into both companies, and the Pollution Control Department will collect samples from the site to further investigate the contamination. Cadmium is a chemical element. It has the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. This soft, silvery-white metal is chemically similar to the two other stable metals in group 12, zinc and mercury. Breathing high levels of cadmium damages people’s lungs and can cause death. Exposure to low levels of cadmium in air, food, water, and particularly in tobacco smoke over time may build up cadmium in the kidneys and cause kidney disease and fragile bones. Cadmium is considered a cancer-causing agent. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ กรมควบคุมมลพิษ Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-05 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

AWC set to scoop jackpot from Thailand’s casino legalisation by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of REm Magazine Tisco Securities indicated that Asset World Corporation (AWC), a luxury hotel and retail centre operator, stands to gain significantly from the government’s plan to legitimise casinos within entertainment complexes. This move is part of the government’s strategy to attract high-spending tourists and curb revenue losses from illicit gambling. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324211-awc-set-to-scoop-jackpot-from-thailand’s-casino-legalisation/

Tisco Securities indicated that Asset World Corporation (AWC), a luxury hotel and retail centre operator, stands to gain significantly from the government’s plan to legitimise casinos within entertainment complexes. This move is part of the government’s strategy to attract high-spending tourists and curb revenue losses from illicit gambling. The government is contemplating the establishment of the first entertainment-casino complex in Hat Yai, intended to bolster tourism. Initially, only foreign visitors will be permitted entry to these facilities. Tisco Securities’ research department highlighted that operators of luxury hotels and retail centres in the vicinity of these potential developments, such as AWC, would likely reap notable benefits. AWC has several mixed-use projects lined up for the next five years which could be suitable for the development of a casino or a luxury tourist hotspot. In a research note, Tisco cited AWC as a recommended stock. “The hotel operator has the potential to increase revenue per room, which is still slowly increasing, and steadily penetrate the tourism market in Thailand.” The company’s assets are strategically located near major airports, a factor that may contribute to its success given the government’s plans, Tisco noted. “Any casino would be established near a major airport. According to a preliminary government study, casino-type entertainment venues may be located within 100 kilometres of three major airports – Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, U-Tapao — or the Eastern Economic Corridor and Southern Economic Corridor.” AWC’s three large mixed-use projects are all within these parameters. However, the recovery of the company’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) business has been sluggish in terms of occupancy rates. Tisco anticipates that AWC’s plans for large-scale entertainment venues, in line with the government’s casino licensing plans, may come to fruition sooner than expected, with a shorter time required to reach the break-even point. Tisco continues to recommend a buy for AWC, with an appropriate share price of 5.80 baht. by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of REm Magazine Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-05 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Armed man shot by police at hospital in Phetchaburi after standoff by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A man armed with a gun and a knife caused havoc at Cha-am Hospital in Phetchaburi, resulting in a confrontation with the police that led to him being shot and injured. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324210-armed-man-shot-by-police-at-hospital-in-phetchaburi-after-standoff/

A man armed with a gun and a knife caused havoc at Cha-am Hospital in Phetchaburi, resulting in a confrontation with the police that led to him being shot and injured. The incident occurred yesterday evening when local police were alerted to a disturbance in the hospital’s in-patient building. On arrival, they discovered the man, identified as 34 year old Somchai, brandishing a 10-inch knife and behaving aggressively. The situation escalated when Somchai threatened police officers, prompting them to shoot him six times, hitting him in the legs and nearby areas. An inspection of his body revealed 50 methamphetamine pills, a 9mm handgun, a knife, and a replica firearm, all of which were seized as evidence. The commotion began earlier in the day when Somchai, in a state of frenzy, used a stone to damage the security guard booth at the Cha-am police checkpoint and threatened the officers inside with a gun. He then fled the scene in a white Toyota pickup, with an elevated carriage, licence plate number ถอ 6645 Bangkok, crashing into a police vehicle during his escape. The pursuit continued, with Somchai causing another collision with a police car before heading to the Cha-am Hospital to visit his wife, who was hospitalised with kidney disease. Upon arrival, he once again became agitated, this time threatening security personnel and declaring he had drugs on him. This led to his attempted assault on hospital staff and subsequent shooting by responding police officers. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities piecing together the events that led to the violent outburst, reported KhaoSod. The police are looking into Somchai’s background and the circumstances that led to the incident, including his mental health history and possible motives. In related news, a violent confrontation erupted between a police officer and a restaurant owner in Udon Thani, resulting in both men sustaining serious injuries. The incident, which involved a gun and knife duel, occurred near a convenience store in the Non Sung Subdistrict on the evening of March 30. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-05 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Bangkok repays 2.3 billion baht in debt owed to BTS Skytrain by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ กรุงเทพมหานคร Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced yesterday that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had repaid its 2.3 billion baht in debt to the Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS. It is hoped that this debt repayment will give the private sector confidence to invest in future projects with the BMA. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324208-bangkok-repays-23-billion-baht-in-debt-owed-to-bts-skytrain/

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced yesterday that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had repaid its 2.3 billion baht in debt to the Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS. It is hoped that this debt repayment will give the private sector confidence to invest in future projects with the BMA. The debt owed by BMA to the BTS became a matter of public interest after Skytrain publicly shamed government officials by airing debt collection videos on every screen inside the trains and stations in 2023. The operator also threatened to shut down the train system if the BMA failed to repay the debt. Chadchart reported in a press conference yesterday, April 4, that the BMA had already issued a cheque to the BTS on April 2 after thorough consideration by the Bangkok Council. The 57 year old Bangkok chief stated that the BMA hoped this debt repayment would make the private sector more confident in investing in future projects with the BMA and recognising the importance of urban development. Chadchart added that the annual budget allocated to the BMA might prove insufficient to fund all forthcoming infrastructure projects. The BMA is hopeful that the private sector will place trust in its capabilities and collaborate effectively with officials. A report by Bangkokbiznews indicates that this debt is associated with the BTS Green Line project and its extensions, linking Bangkok, Samut Prakarn, and Pathum Thani. Workpoint Today highlighted that the initial repayment of this debt amounts to approximately 30 billion baht, with 2.3 billion baht designated for the electrical and mechanical systems’ expenses. The remaining debt includes 6.9 billion baht for the construction of two extensions (Bearing to Kheha station and Mor Chit to Khu Khot station) and more than 9 billion baht for operational costs since April 2017. In an interview last year, Chadchart revealed that BMA receives about 80 billion baht in budget per year, which is allocated to transport, urban planning, waste disposal, etc. The governor also mentioned the new train lines in Bangkok last year, the Gray Line (Watcharapon-Thong Lor) and Silver Line (Bang Na-Suvarnabhumi Airport). The projects were reported to be under study, and there are no new updates on the projects now. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ กรุงเทพมหานคร Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-05 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Teen gang fatally shoots boy in Udon Thani province by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A group of teenagers ruthlessly chased down and fatally shot a 14 year old boy in the Nong Han District, Udon Thani province, leaving two of his peers severely injured. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324207-teen-gang-fatally-shoots-boy-in-udon-thani-province/

A group of teenagers ruthlessly chased down and fatally shot a 14 year old boy in the Nong Han District, Udon Thani province, leaving two of his peers severely injured. The horrific incident occurred on the evening of March 31, in the village of Ban Yang. Captured by CCTV, five youths on two motorcycles pursued the group to a dead-end alley where the shooting took place. The following day, law enforcement swiftly apprehended the suspects, identified as 16 year old Tang, the gunman; 15 year old Na, the motorcycle driver and weapon concealer; along with Mark, Wave, and Id, all 15 years old. The teenagers hail from the neighbouring Pa Kao community. Tang and Na confessed to the crime while the other three denied involvement. Police seized a homemade shotgun, known locally as an Epo gun, as evidence and charged the group with intentional murder and attempted murder. During the emotional funeral service for the deceased 14 year old, Arm, at Wat Na Kha, his mother, Supranee, and those close to him gathered for a final farewell. Mourners were enveloped in grief, especially Arm’s mother, who lamented the loss of her only son. Meanwhile, Tert, Arm’s friend who had miraculously survived a head injury, joined the mourners, and Chita, the other friend who was injured, remained hospitalised. After the funeral, Supranee revealed a chilling detail: a fresh bloodstain mysteriously appeared opposite where Arm had died, a sign she interpreted as her son’s spirit seeking justice. In a harrowing twist, the perpetrators continued to post threatening messages online, insinuating that Arm’s friends might be their next targets, heightening fears of further violence. Supranee expressed concern for her family’s safety and for those close to Arm, reported KhaoSod. In a poignant account, Kanyarat, Arm’s aunt, recounted how her five year old son claimed to have seen Arm’s spirit pacing in front of their house, a vision that occurred after a ceremony to invite Arm’s spirit home, suggesting that the young boy was not ready to leave and was seeking a final goodbye. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-05 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Tourists undeterred by Taiwan earthquakes for Songkran by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of China Daily Despite Taiwan experiencing its most significant earthquake in a quarter of a century and a series of tremors in Japan, Thai tourists are undeterred and continue with their planned holidays during the Songkran period. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324206-thai-tourists-undeterred-by-taiwan-earthquakes-for-songkran/

Despite Taiwan experiencing its most significant earthquake in a quarter of a century and a series of tremors in Japan, Thai tourists are undeterred and continue with their planned holidays during the Songkran period. Charoen Wangananont, President of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), revealed that the majority of Thai tourists had already secured their tour packages, flight tickets, and accommodation, meaning they cannot seek refunds should they cancel their trips. Wangananont disclosed that concerns were raised about travel safety after news of the Taiwan earthquake emerged. However, upon understanding that the affected regions were on the island’s eastern side, tourists opted to proceed with their original tour plans. Despite southern Japan also issuing earthquake and tsunami warnings, these incidents did not affect the outbound tour programmes scheduled for Japan during Songkran, according to Wangananont. by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of China Daily Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-05 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai student arrested for using AI to create explicit celebrity images by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod Police in Chon Buri Province arrested a 25 year old man for allegedly creating and distributing explicit images of celebrities using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324205-thai-student-arrested-for-using-ai-to-create-explicit-celebrity-images/

Police in Chon Buri Province arrested a 25 year old man for allegedly creating and distributing explicit images of celebrities using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The student, Suphanat, has been previously apprehended for similar offences and was found with over 1,000 doctored images. The arrest on April 5, 2024, by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) led by Police Major General Athip Pongsiwapai, followed an investigation that stemmed from an earlier case in March. Authorities had detained an individual claiming to be a teacher offering courses on using artificial intelligence for image manipulation. This teacher facilitated the creation of explicit images of well-known individuals and sold them in a private group in exchange for membership fees. Continuing their investigation, the police identified a network of the teacher’s students who exhibited similar behaviour. They used AI applications easily accessible via mobile phones to digitally remove clothing from photos of artists, actors, and celebrities, thus creating explicit content. These creations were then posted for sale in a secret group, where members paid for access to the content. The CCIB team, which included Police Colonel Chisanupong Hwaidi, Police Lieutenant Colonel Phubadee Empranit, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Nawapol Patanibul, conducted a raid on Suphanat’s residence in the area of Khao Kansong, Si Racha District. During the raid, they seized a notebook computer, a mobile phone, and a bankbook. Upon interrogation, Suphanat confessed to editing the images for financial gain and admitted to posting them to a private group. He disclosed that the altered images stored in a cloud system numbered over a thousand. The evidence collected prompted the police to take Suphanat into custody, transferring him to the investigative officers of the CCIB’s 3rd division for further legal proceedings, reported KhaoSod. This case highlights the ongoing battle against digital crimes, particularly the misuse of AI for creating and spreading illicit material. It underscores the need for stringent vigilance and law enforcement in the digital realm to protect individuals’ privacy and prevent the exploitation of technology for illegal activities. Picture courtesy of KhaoSod by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-05 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe Picture courtesy of KhaoSod