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The Phuket Provincial Court is set to revive its tourist section in response to an increasing number of court cases involving tourists. This initiative is led by the acting chief justice of the Phuket Provincial Court, Kriangsak Rodpunshoo. He disclosed that the influx of both local and international tourists in Phuket has led to a spike in both criminal and civil cases featuring tourists. According to Kriangsak, this surge in court cases is undermining tourists’ trust in their safety and the security of their belongings. It is also negatively impacting the overall tourism sector throughout Thailand. Kriangsak believes that the reinstatement of the tourist court section will help tourists receive justice when they find themselves embroiled in legal disputes, whether they be criminal or civil, or even in disagreements with governmental bodies. “This will build tourists’ confidence and create a good image of Phuket province and tourism in Thailand as a whole,” Kriangsak stated. The tourist section was initially established on September 24, 2017, but was forced to halt its operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Among its various duties, the section assists tourists in lodging consumer protection complaints, facilitates negotiations, locates tourist witnesses, and issues subpoenas to sued business owners, reported Bangkok Post. The decision to reopen the tourist section comes on the heels of a recent incident in Phuket involving two tourists from New Zealand. They have since been barred from re-entry into the country following their assault on a traffic police officer on March 16. Their charges include robbery, obstructing an officer on duty, assaulting a law enforcement officer, driving without a licence, and bribery. In related news, a drunken Ukrainian tourist was apprehended in the early hours of January 15 in Phuket following a succession of boisterous episodes at Patong Police Station. Displaying signs of intoxication, the Eastern European man made an appearance at Patong Police Station on January 14, instantly becoming a source of disturbance and public inconvenience, revealed the local police. by Mitch Connor Picture courtesy of Achadthaya Chuenniran Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Government Aims for Tourism Supremacy by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced Thailand's ambitious goal to become a regional tourism hub, with plans to impress tourists from their arrival and throughout their stay. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324089-government-aims-for-tourism-supremacy/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced Thailand's ambitious goal to become a regional tourism hub, with plans to impress tourists from their arrival and throughout their stay. The government plans to host several global events to enhance tourists' experiences in the coming months, focusing on safety and encouraging repeat visits. Detailing the vision to make Thailand an Aviation Hub capable of hosting up to 150 million travelers by 2030, Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol said the initiative is expected to introduce a new dimension to tourism. This will also stimulate growth through strategic concepts by 2025. The plan seeks to promote the country's unique cultural and natural resources, connect tourist routes to spread visitors across regions, and advertise less-known destinations. Further ambitions include establishing Thailand as the 'Hub of ASEAN' for seamless travel and a 'World Class Event Hub', serving as a center for global experiences in music, sports, food, and lifestyle. The move aligns with the vision of ASEAN as a Single Destination accessible through the ASEAN Pass. by Krajangwit Johjit Source: NNT 2024-04-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

UK police catch British pedophile at London airport Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323949-uk-police-catch-british-pedophile-at-london-airport/

Rayong fisherman nets suspected ambergris worth millions of baht by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A fishing expedition near Hua Hin beach in Rayong province recently turned up an unexpected catch for a local fisherman, who netted what appeared to be a lump of ambergris, a valuable substance used in the production of perfume. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324086-rayong-fisherman-nets-suspected-ambergris-worth-millions-of-baht/

A fishing expedition near Hua Hin beach in Rayong province recently turned up an unexpected catch for a local fisherman, who netted what appeared to be a lump of ambergris, a valuable substance used in the production of perfume. The discovery has sparked excitement among residents, and experts are being called upon to confirm the authenticity of the find. The news team visited a row house in Nong Phrong community, Rayong, where the alleged ambergris was held. A couple, 50 year old Somsak, and 36 year old Narisa presented a greyish-white lump that resembled the precious substance. When heated, this object immediately turned to boiling oil, a characteristic reaction of genuine ambergris. Weighing approximately 400 grammes and measuring 13 centimetres in length, 8 centimetres in width, and 6 centimetres in thickness, the find could potentially be worth a significant sum. Somsak claimed that during his routine fishing at the sea near Hua Hin beach in Phang Rard, he stumbled upon the lump and, suspecting it to be ambergris, took it ashore. To confirm his suspicions, he sought the opinion of specialists, despite the object matching descriptions he had found on social media. The fisherman expressed his willingness to sell the piece if it proved to be authentic. He invited interested parties to inspect the find, providing contact information for potential buyers, reported KhaoSod. Ambergris, often referred to as whale vomit, is a rare and valuable substance that forms in the digestive system of sperm whales. Over time, it hardens and floats to the ocean’s surface, and can be found washed up on coastlines. Its rarity and use in high-end perfumes make it highly sought after, with prices reaching tens of thousands of pounds per kilogramme. In related news, Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) unveiled the coveted Koh Yao sea cucumber, freshly adorned with a prestigious geographical indication (GI) stamp. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

NBTC excludes World Cup from ‘must have’ broadcast rule by Alex Morgan The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board yesterday unanimously decided to exclude the World Cup football tournament from its “must have” rule, effective immediately. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324083-nbtc-excludes-world-cup-from-‘must-have’-broadcast-rule/

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board yesterday unanimously decided to exclude the World Cup football tournament from its “must have” rule, effective immediately. This rule has been in place since 2012, obliging companies that own the broadcast rights to seven major sporting events to allow free TV channels to air the content. The seven events include the FIFA World Cup, Southeast Asian Games, ASEAN Para Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, the NBTC Chairman, pointed out that the World Cup is a globally popular commercial event that occurs every four years. FIFA’s rules stipulate that companies holding the broadcast rights for the World Cup must air a minimum of 200 hours of football programmes on public TV in the country where the rights holder is based. The removal of the World Cup from the “must have” list facilitates potential future adjustments to the rule, according to Dr Sarana. A source from NBTC, who asked to remain unnamed, revealed that this move marks a reversal from a March 2023 resolution. At that time, the NBTC board had agreed in principle to eliminate all conditions of the “must have” rule that covered the seven major sports competitions. The plan to amend this rule was delayed until the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar. In November 2022, the NBTC donated 600 million baht to the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) to assist in raising the required 1.4 billion baht for the 2022 World Cup broadcasting rights. The allocation of matches later sparked conflicts between the NBTC, SAT, and True Corporation—a significant sponsor of the broadcast rights purchase—and the Association of Digital Television Broadcasting, along with IPTV operators, reported Bangkok Post. It’s a case of deja vu for Thai football enthusiasts who had to witness a broadcasting merry-go-round before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. by Alex Morgan Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Driver Fined after Driving Sedan on Kamala Beach – Video By Goongnang Suksawat Kamala, Phuket –A Thai driver was fined 1,000 Baht after he drove a sedan on the Kamala Beach. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324082-thai-driver-fined-after-driving-sedan-on-kamala-beach-–-video/

Kamala, Phuket –A Thai driver was fined 1,000 Baht after he drove a sedan on the Kamala Beach. The Kamala Police Chief Colonel Somsak Thongkleang told the Phuket Express that the video clip of a black sedan driving on the beach went viral on social media earlier this week. The Thai driver was called to the Kamla Police Station and identified only as Mr. Prasopchock, 39, an owner of a convenience store in Bangkok. ขับเก๋งลงหาดกมลา.mp4 By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-04-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai man runs naked after Buddha statue grants conscription exemption by Petch Petpailin Photo via Ejan A Thai man honoured his vow to a Buddha statue at a shrine in the central province of Ang Thong by running naked after the statue granted conscription exemption. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324081-thai-man-runs-naked-after-buddha-statue-grants-conscription-exemption/

A Thai man honoured his vow to a Buddha statue at a shrine in the central province of Ang Thong by running naked after the statue granted conscription exemption. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) summons Thai men aged over 21 years old for military conscription every year. Failure to attend the conscription draw can result in imprisonment for up to three years. This year’s conscription draws occurred from April 1 to 12. During the conscription process, each man is required to draw a ballot. Those who draw a red card must join the military service, while those with a black card are exempt. In addition to preparing necessary documents, many Thai men who wish to avoid military service visit famous temples or shrines, making wishes to respected supernatural spirits for assistance. The Luang Por Khao Statue, or the white Buddha statue, in Ang Thong province, is one such renowned spot, always crowded during conscription draws. Initially, the holiness of Luang Por Khao remained undiscovered until one Thai man asked for an exemption from conscription and had his wish granted. He pledged to run naked and strike an aluminium bucket along the route if his wish was fulfilled, thus honouring his promise. Military service avoidance This tradition has spread among other men in the community, with many having their wishes granted at the shrine, thereby elevating its status. Those whose desires are fulfilled undertake a ritual of stripping off their clothes and circling the statue at a predetermined interval, as pledged. Additionally, they are obliged to strike the bucket until the final round. Typically carried out at night, participants engage in this ceremony individually, one after the other. Observers can discreetly peer through the metal fence encircling the statue, their focus primarily on the conscription aspect rather than the nudity involved. In a related story, two Thai men in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima ran barefoot for over 7 kilometres to celebrate their conscription exemption. They ran with smiles on their face despite the hot road and the temperature of nearly 40 degrees Celsius. Another man in the eastern province of Rayong wore a military camouflage T-shirt, while another acted like a soldier during the conscription draw, both successfully obtaining black cards. They said these were their strategies to avoid military service. Others dismissed the notion in interviews with Thai news agencies, asserting that nothing could aid them in avoiding conscription, as the luck and fate of each individual solely determines it. Every year, pictures circulate showing men crying or fainting from shock and disappointment after receiving red cards. Many Thai men desire to shift from mandatory conscription to voluntary enlistment. The reasons made them do not want to serve the military are varied. Some fear losing career opportunities or salary, while others worry about what they have to face during training. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Ejan Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

PM, Govt Warned To Not Repeat Mock Jail Sentence For Yingluck By Thai Newsroom Reporters Former Democrat leader Jurin Laksanavisit. Photo: Thai Rath PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin and the Pheu Thai-led government have been warned today (Apr. 3) to not repeat the alleged compromising and flaunting of the country’s rules of law in favour of deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra who is reportedly looking to return home from self-exile abroad. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324080-pm-govt-warned-to-not-repeat-mock-jail-sentence-for-yingluck/

PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin and the Pheu Thai-led government have been warned today (Apr. 3) to not repeat the alleged compromising and flaunting of the country’s rules of law in favour of deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra who is reportedly looking to return home from self-exile abroad. During the first day of censure debate without a subsequent vote of confidence at parliament, former Democrat leader Jurin Laksanavisit called on the Pheu Thai-backed prime minister to see to it that the existing rules of law be practically observed by the authorities to the extent that Yingluck be literally put behind bars to serve a five-year jail sentence for her court-verdicted, duty-negligence charges pertaining to a previous Pheu Thai government’s corruption-infested rice subsidy campaign. Without naming names, Jurin cautioned that Srettha and the Pheu Thai rank and file in government under the alleged influence of de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict on parole no longer zigzag through the legal loopholes in the judicial process to help with Yingluck’s homecoming plan since the former woman prime minister would almost certainly look to follow in the footsteps of her brother Thaksin who had never spent a single day behind bars since he returned home last August. Jurin said double standards allegedly applied in favour of Thaksin which might probably be repeated in favour of Yingluck are undoubtedly raising the most “corrosive” question which could probably spoil their legal integrity and put their political stability and confidence at risk. By Thai Newsroom Reporters Former Democrat leader Jurin Laksanavisit. Photo: Thai Rath Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-04-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chon Buri to be featured in the Michelin Guide 2025 The Michelin Guide Thailand is to feature Chon Buri in its 2025 edition, marking both its eighth year and the inclusion of Bangkok’s nearest seaside province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324077-chon-buri-to-be-featured-in-the-michelin-guide-2025/

The Michelin Guide Thailand is to feature Chon Buri in its 2025 edition, marking both its eighth year and the inclusion of Bangkok’s nearest seaside province. This expansion widens the guide’s scope to encompass Thailand’s diverse culinary landscape, highlighting unique regional offerings alongside established destinations like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Chon Buri is the first province in the Eastern region to be featured in the upcoming guide, which started with Bangkok and its environs in 2018 before extending to Phuket and Phang-Nga (since 2019); Chiang Mai (since 2020); Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (since 2022); Isan (since 2023); and Ko Samui and Surat Thani (since 2024). The new addition comes as no surprise as Chon Buri has an outstanding character when it comes to food, culture, and landscape. Perhaps, many foodies and travelers familiar with the province would have expected Chon Buri to be included earlier. Niche Seeprae, Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), told reporters that the expansion to Chon Buri was solely the decision of The Michelin Guide. “I think Chon Buri has a strong identity as a new destination (in the guide),” he said. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-04-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

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British man dies after bathroom fall at Chon Buri residence by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A British businessman met a fatal end today at 7.10am after slipping and falling onto a glass sliding door in the bathroom at his Chon Buri residence, resulting in glass impaling his chest. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324076-british-man-dies-after-bathroom-fall-at-chon-buri-residence/

A British businessman met a fatal end today at 7.10am after slipping and falling onto a glass sliding door in the bathroom at his Chon Buri residence, resulting in glass impaling his chest. Police Lieutenant Colonel Surasingh Sukmak, the deputy investigator, was notified of the incident which involved 54 year old British national, Gareth John Wilson. The accident took place in a private housing estate in the Huai Yai area of Bang Lamung District in the coastal town of Chon Buri. Upon arrival at the accident scene, a luxurious single-story residence, law enforcement found Wilson’s wife and relatives, overwhelmed with grief, some fainting and collapsing on the sofas in the lounge area. Wilson lay on the bed with a fatal wound to his chest in the bedroom. The glass sliding door of the bathroom was shattered, and there was a large amount of bloodstain on the floor. No signs of a struggle were evident in the room. The police proceeded to document the scene for further investigation. The initial statement from the deceased’s wife suggested that Wilson had been out drinking with friends the night before and had returned home late. In the morning, while he was walking to the bathroom, he reportedly felt dizzy, lost his balance, and crashed into the sliding glass door, causing it to shatter. Despite being severely injured, Wilson managed to move to the bed where he lay down. Relatives quickly called for medical assistance from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, but by the time help arrived, the injuries and blood loss proved too severe, and Wilson’s life could not be saved, reported KhaoSod. The police have planned a thorough post-mortem examination at the Police General Hospital’s forensic medicine institute to determine the precise cause of death. Relatives will be called in for further questioning to complete the investigation into the accident. In related news, the British backpacker murderers have made fresh appeals against their sentence claiming they are innocent of beating an English couple to death in Thailand 10 years ago. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

to continue: Thailand Live Thursday 4 April 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1324075-thailand-live-thursday-4-april-2024/

Thai government plans 7% VAT on imported goods from May by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post The Thai government, under the directive of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is preparing to implement a 7% value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods valued at 1 baht and above, starting in May. Full. story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324016-thai-government-plans-7-vat-on-imported-goods-from-may/

Deputy PM supports regulated cannabis use in Thailand Picture courtesy of Pattaya News In a significant public announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul voiced his stance on the ongoing cannabis debate in Thailand, declaring he supports regulated use. This followed an interview with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on France 24, in which the leader suggested the reclassification of marijuana as an illicit substance due to its deemed harmful effects on Thai society. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324045-deputy-pm-supports-regulated-cannabis-use-in-thailand/

A video of a foreign man attacking a Thai taxi driver on a road in the Thalang district of Phuket this morning went viral on Thai social media. The physical assault was reportedly sparked after the driver asked the foreigner to stop smoking in the cab. Smokin’ scuffle: Foreigner’s taxi tantrum goes viral in Phuket By Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ MRT Online ภาคใต้ and Newshawk Phuket Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324056-smokin’-scuffle-foreigner’s-taxi-tantrum-goes-viral-in-phuket/

Thai government plans 7% VAT on imported goods from May by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post The Thai government, under the directive of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is preparing to implement a 7% value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods valued at 1 baht and above, starting in May. Full. story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324016-thai-government-plans-7-vat-on-imported-goods-from-may/