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Pattaya —A Thai woman denied stealing a credit card from a Chinese tourist in Pattaya to buy gold chains. The woman alleged she instead almost got raped by the tourist. On March 21st, 2024, Ms. B (pseudonym) complained to the Facebook page Sai Mai Tong Rod to counter a claim made by Chinese tourist Mr. Mu Dihui Wu Dihui, 33, that she stole the tourist’s credit card to buy gold jewelry and then ran away. Ms. B’s version of events totally differed from Mr. Mu Dihui’s. She stated that the Chinese tourist actually gave her the credit card to purchase gold, and she then exchanged it for cash at the gold shop. Ms. B claimed she gave all the money back to Mr. Mu Dihui, however, Mr. Mu Dihui allegedly attempted to rape her. This forced her to escape and seek help from a nearby motorcycle taxi driver. Mr. Nid, the motorcycle taxi driver, told the media that Ms. B appeared distressed when she approached him. She stated that Mr. Mu Dihui had taken her phone and was trying to intimidate her. Mr. Nid then assisted Ms. B in purchasing a new phone before she left for Bangkok without filing a police report. UPDATE: by Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-03-23 - Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Shortage of berry soup and yoghurt in Finland if Thai berry-pickers banned by Charlotte Nike Albrechtsen Thai citizens make up a large part of the berry-pickers in Finland and the recent ban on visas for Thai berry-pickers can create a shortage in berry soup and yoghurt. In the previous summers Thai nationals made up 80-90 percent of the workforce and it can be difficult to replace the workers this harvest seasons. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323061-shortage-of-berry-soup-and-yoghurt-in-finland-if-thai-berry-pickers-banned/

Thai citizens make up a large part of the berry-pickers in Finland and the recent ban on visas for Thai berry-pickers can create a shortage in berry soup and yoghurt. In the previous summers Thai nationals made up 80-90 percent of the workforce and it can be difficult to replace the workers this harvest seasons. Operations manager Birgitta Partanen at the industry organisation Arkiset Aromat said to the Finish media outlet yle, that the decision to ban visas for Thai national berry-pickers came as a shock to the industry and that they do not yet have a plan as to how to replace them. According to yle, the industry expected for the old visa system to continue this year until a new permanent system is created. Birgitta Partanen says the industry is trying to hire domestic laborers to cover the vacant positions, but not enough are willing to take the jobs, as the pay is low by Finnish standards. by Charlotte Nike Albrechtsen Full story: ScandAsia 2024-03-23 - Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand collaborates with Sweden and Denmark to fight corruption by Charlotte Nike Albrechtsen Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) tightens collaborations with Denmark and Sweden in a meeting with the Nordic Police Liaison Office. The goal is to develop new tactics and tackling illegal activities in accordance with the global standards for corruption. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323060-thailand-collaborates-with-sweden-and-denmark-to-fight-corruption/

Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) tightens collaborations with Denmark and Sweden in a meeting with the Nordic Police Liaison Office. The goal is to develop new tactics and tackling illegal activities in accordance with the global standards for corruption. The cooperation between the Nordic countries is both bilateral and multilateral and extends to exchange of legal information, coordinate cases, and to collaborate academically in order to share knowledge of fighting corruption. The initiative aims at suppressing and preventing corruption and be beneficial in raising the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) of Thailand. The Thai newsagency the Nation published an article yesterday saying the NACC’s Secretary General Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, Assistant Attache/Liaison Officer Carsten Andersen, the Nordic Police Affairs Department at the Danish Embassy in Thailand Jane Ohlsson, Assistant Ambassador Officer for Police Affairs in the Nordic Countries at the Swedish Embassy in Thailand, NACC’s executives and representatives from the Bureau of International Affair and Corruption Investigation, the Bureau of Investigation and Special Operation met on 8 March 2024 to discuss the topic. by Charlotte Nike Albrechtsen Full story: ScandAsia 2024-03-23 - Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

to continue: Thailand Live Saturday 23 March 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1323059-thailand-live-saturday-23-march-2024/

Thai MPs score controversy with illegal match stream in Parliament Photo by Thai News Pix via WorkPoint Today Pheu Thai Party MPs sparked controversy on Thai social media for watching yesterday’s Thailand versus South Korea football match on an illegal website, complete with gambling advertisements, during a parliament meeting. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323028-thai-mps-score-controversy-with-illegal-match-stream-in-parliament/

Tourist Police and the Chinese consulate in Thailand are teaming up to enhance safety measures for Chinese tourists visiting Pattaya. Tourist Police and Chinese Consulate Team Up to Enhance Safety for Chinese Tourists Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323022-tourist-police-and-chinese-consulate-team-up-to-enhance-safety-for-chinese-tourists/

State Railway of Thailand’s renovation project for accessibility by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post In a significant move towards inclusivity, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has embarked on a renovation project for 10 of its passenger carriages. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323003-state-railway-of-thailand’s-renovation-project-for-accessibility/

In a significant move towards inclusivity, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has embarked on a renovation project for 10 of its passenger carriages. The initiative is aimed at making the carriages more accessible for individuals with disabilities, according to Aekkarat Sriarayanpong, head of the SRT governor’s office. The carriages undergoing renovation are second-class vehicles put into service in 2012. The SRT plans to have the first two refurbished carriages ready by the end of the month. Subsequently, the remaining carriages are slated to be completed in stages, with three in April, another two in May, and the final two in October. The primary objective of the renovation is to improve safety measures and convenience for passengers with disabilities. The modifications include the installation of a closed-system toilet, a platform ladder, and an escalator. These enhancements are designed to provide a user-friendly experience for the disabled. In addition to this undertaking, the SRT already has 115 CNR Special Express Train carriages in operation that are equipped to accommodate passengers with disabilities. These carriages serve various destinations across the northern, northeastern, and southern train routes, reported Bangkok Post. Following the completion of the current renovation, the SRT has plans to refurbish 16 additional second-class carriages in the subsequent year, as disclosed by SRT governor Nirut Maneepan. This ongoing commitment to inclusivity by the SRT is a commendable stride towards making public transport more accessible for all. In related news, the SRT advanced with plans to construct three double-track railroad routes spanning a total of 634 kilometres. The project, which will require a combined investment of 113.14 billion baht, has been approved by the SRT board and is due to be submitted to the Transport Ministry last month. In other news, the SRT rolled out a game-changing 90-day advance booking service for CNR express trains on key routes, for the upcoming Songkran festivities. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-22 - Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Sakon Nakhon headman caught in 9 million baht heroin bust by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod In a major drug bust, authorities in Bueng Kan Province apprehended three individuals, including a prominent subdistrict headman from Sakon Nakhon, for smuggling nearly 10 kilogrammes of heroin. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323001-sakon-nakhon-headman-caught-in-9-million-baht-heroin-bust/

In a major drug bust, authorities in Bueng Kan Province apprehended three individuals, including a prominent subdistrict headman from Sakon Nakhon, for smuggling nearly 10 kilogrammes of heroin. The arrest took place yesterday afternoon at a border patrol police company in Bueng Kan, following a covert operation led by the local law enforcement and border patrol units. The suspects were caught red-handed with the narcotics, valued at approximately 9 million baht, along with a white Nissan sedan and three mobile phones, which have been seized as evidence. The operation was a result of meticulous intelligence gathering by the border patrol police company 244, which received a tip-off about a suspicious bag located in a scrubland near Highway 212. Upon further inspection, the bag contained an aluminium frame with heroin concealed within, cleverly disguised to look like ordinary folding bed legs. The heroin, totalling 9.29 kilogrammes, was expertly hidden and would have required a keen eye to detect its presence within the aluminium tubes. The suspects include 29 year old Wachira, 55 year old Rungphet, and 53 year old Petchrat, all from Sakon Nakhon. During the sting operation, Wachira and Petchrat were observed retrieving the bag and attempting to load it into the vehicle, while Rungphet waited inside the car. All three were immediately apprehended by the officers lying in wait. Upon questioning, Rungphet, the headman, confessed that following his wife’s death, he had been in a relationship with Petchrat. She had invited him on what he believed to be a casual trip to Bueng Kan and to transport some items for a friend, unaware of the illicit contents. Wachira, on the other hand, admitted to being hired for 50,000 baht to deliver the heroin to Sakon Nakhon, intending to share the payment with Petchrat upon successful delivery. The Bueng Kan Governor, Chumphon Wannachatchawansiri, expressed shock at the involvement of a local official in such illicit activities. Rungphet, despite claiming ignorance about the heroin, is facing not only criminal charges but also disciplinary action due to his status as a government official, reported KhaoSod. The governor emphasised a zero-tolerance policy towards any state officials involved in drug trafficking and assured that stringent measures would be taken against such individuals. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-22 - Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Hairstyle Mimicking Forest Fire CHIANG MAI, March 22 (TNA) – With a bold move, an owner of a hair salon in Chiang Mai designed a hairstyle resembling a forest fire, vividly depicting the pain caused by wildfires and advocating for an end to forest burning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323000-hairstyle-mimicking-forest-fire/

CHIANG MAI, March 22 (TNA) – With a bold move, an owner of a hair salon in Chiang Mai designed a hairstyle resembling a forest fire, vividly depicting the pain caused by wildfires and advocating for an end to forest burning. This unique hairstyle aligns with the current severe situation of thick smoke from forest fires in many provinces, particularly in Chiang Mai, which ranks among the world’s most polluted cities. The haze has engulfed the area for over a month, prompting both government and private sectors to campaign for a cessation of all open burning activities. In one hair salon in Chom Thong, Chiang Mai, the owner, Maitree Muangthong also known as Boy emphasizes the importance of this issue. He designed a hairstyle resembling a forest fire to raise awareness and urge people to cease forest burning practices due to the widespread distress it causes. Full story: TNA-MCOT 2024-03-22 - Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Arson attacks by insurgents in three southernmost provinces Suspected insurgents launched coordinated robbery and arson attacks on multiple targets in the three restive southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat early this morning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322999-arson-attacks-by-insurgents-in-three-southernmost-provinces/

Suspected insurgents launched coordinated robbery and arson attacks on multiple targets in the three restive southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat early this morning. The targets included 7-11 convenience stores, a crushing plant, cell towers, CCTV cameras, a road grader, a saw mill and a car. Car tyres were also set alight on some roads, but no one was killed or injured. In one of the arson attacks on a 7-11 convenience store in Muang district of Pattani, an employee told the police said that three armed men fired several shots into the air before they entered the store and ordered all the employees to leave. One of them refused and a rebel threatened to shoot him. Then the rebels poured gasoline over the cashier’s counter and set it alight, before fleeing the scene on motorcycles. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-03-22 - Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Rouble trouble: Russian woman fined for assaulting pregnant Thai by Bob Scott Picture of the Russian woman, identified Alena, courtesy of Bangkok Post The violent Russian woman who blamed her period for assaulting a pregnant Thai woman in Koh Pha Ngan has been fined 500 baht and handed a suspended 15-day jail sentence. Immigration authorities in Surat Thani are deliberating whether to revoke her visa due to the criminal offence. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322998-rouble-trouble-russian-woman-fined-for-assaulting-pregnant-thai/

The violent Russian woman who blamed her period for assaulting a pregnant Thai woman in Koh Pha Ngan has been fined 500 baht and handed a suspended 15-day jail sentence. Immigration authorities in Surat Thani are deliberating whether to revoke her visa due to the criminal offence. Alena Kupriyanova, the Russian woman in question, confessed to kicking the shop owner, who is eight months pregnant, on Monday out of frustration after being asked to remove her shoes before entering a coffee shop. The pregnant shop owner opted to file charges against the 41 year old Russian woman to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Kupriyanova cited menstruation as the reason for her behaviour on that day, claiming it had affected her mood. Her Thai visa was reported to be valid until May 22, reported Bangkok Post. This incident marks the latest in a series of reports detailing misbehaviour by tourists. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul downplayed public concerns regarding a perceived rise in such incidents, asserting that foreigners who violate Thailand’s laws will face prosecution. He referenced a recent case in which two New Zealand brothers were prosecuted and subsequently had their visas revoked after assaulting a police officer in Phuket. “Visa revocation is decided on a case-by-case basis and not that every foreigner who breaks the law will end up being deported.” Statistics gathered by the Royal Thai Police from October of last year until this month indicate that 614 foreigners have been subject to legal proceedings for committing crimes in Thailand. Of these, 98 people have been deported as a result. In many instances, police have noted that these foreigners have faced prosecution for employing nominees to hold shares on their behalf in companies established with concealed intentions to provide work permits to other foreigners. Picture courtesy of Facebook/ Satika Oz UPDATE: Russian woman blames period for assault on pregnant Thai shopkeeper A Russian woman accused of assaulting a pregnant Thai shopkeeper on the island of Koh Pha Ngan, located in the province of Surat Thani, claimed that she did it because she was on her period. The woman, identified as Alena, was escorted to court today, March 20, by local Thai police. The authorities are considering requesting the immigration bureau to revoke her visa. The alleged assault took place in a nearby coffee shop, situated next to an organic vegetable store owned by the complainant, 34 year old Ploy. The expectant mother, now in her eighth month of pregnancy, accused Alena of kicking her in the right groin, prompting her to report the incident to the police. Subsequently, Alena was charged under Section 295 of the Criminal Code for assault leading to physical and mental harm. The repercussions of this offence could include a prison sentence of up to two years and/or a fine of up to 40,000 baht. While being escorted to Koh Samui Provincial Court, Alena was accompanied by a male compatriot. She disregarded any questions from the press and seemed disturbed when pictures were taken of her before she entered a police vehicle. According to Ploy, the incident occurred around 1pm on March 18 when Alena entered the store, disregarding the no shoes policy indicated on the door sign. Ploy alleges that despite being asked in English to remove her shoes, Alena disregarded the request and subsequently kicked her twice in the right leg before exiting the store. The police were promptly notified and were able to locate Alena and bring her to Koh Pha Ngan Police Station to face charges. During questioning, Alena allegedly admitted to the assault and offered an apology to Satika. She claimed her aggressive behaviour was due to her being on her period. Surat Thani Police Chief, Police Major General Sermphan Sirikhong, has ordered his team to pursue the case and press charges. The victim will be provided with assistance as per the law, and the immigration office in Surat Thani will be petitioned to consider revoking Alena’s visa. Ploy recollected that there were two other foreign customers present in the store when the incident occurred. She reiterated that she had asked Alena to remove her shoes as she sells organic herbal products and wanted to maintain cleanliness. She was taken aback by Alena’s violent response and instinctively shielded her stomach, given her advanced pregnancy. She accepted Alena’s apology but insisted on letting the police handle the case to avoid a recurrence of such incidents. ORIGINAL STORY: Pregnant Thai woman seeks justice after Russian assault in Koh Pha Ngan A pregnant Thai woman turned to social media for justice after a Russian woman kicked her yesterday at a coffee shop in Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. The Thai victim, known only as Ploy, shared pictures of the Russian woman with blonde hair on a Facebook group called Facebook Koh Pha Ngan, yesterday, March 18. In her post, she stated… “This Russian woman physically assaulted me, an eight-month-pregnant woman, by kicking me. Does anyone know her or where she stays? Please inform me if you meet this woman. I will never give up on taking legal action against her.” Later, Ploy discovered the Russian woman’s Instagram account and shared it in the group. According to her bio, the foreigner claimed to be an actress, model, and designer based in Koh Pha Ngan. However, her Instagram account was later set to private, and all bio information was deleted. Ploy later revealed to Channel 3 that she owns an organic vegetable shop on the island, located next to the coffee shop where the incident took place. On the day of the incident, the Russian woman entered the coffee shop wearing her shoes, despite warnings from other local customers and a sign outside that she had to take them off before entering the establishment. Vulgar language Ploy noticed that the Russian woman seemed to have difficulty understanding the Thai language spoken by the locals. Deciding to help, Ploy approached and explained about the shoes in English. However, the Russian woman responded with vulgar language, prompting Ploy to ask her to leave. Following the request to leave, the Russian woman became enraged and kicked Ploy in the groin. Ploy, who was eight months pregnant, feared for her unborn child as the kick narrowly missed her abdomen. Subsequently, the Russian woman left the shop without offering any apologies. Ploy then complained to Koh Pha Ngan Police Station, providing CCTV footage of the incident as evidence. Ploy told Channel 3 that the Russian woman’s boyfriend tried to seek help from a local politician in the province to evade charges. However, Ploy insisted that she would not drop the charges, saying the incident insulted her dignity as a Thai resident. Authorities from Koh Pha Ngan and the Immigration Office reportedly identified the woman and planned to summon her for questioning. They also intended to review her visa status, as some netizens suggested she might be working in Thailand without permission. by Bob Scott Picture of the Russian woman, identified Alena, courtesy of Bangkok Post Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-22 - Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai woman denies stealing from Chinese man, accuses him of rape attempt by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ PPTV HD A Thai woman denied stealing credit cards from a Chinese man and accused him of attempting to rape her at his BBQ restaurant in Pattaya. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322995-thai-woman-denies-stealing-from-chinese-man-accuses-him-of-rape-attempt/

A Thai woman denied stealing credit cards from a Chinese man and accused him of attempting to rape her at his BBQ restaurant in Pattaya. The 33 year old Chinese man, Dihui Wu Dihui, filed a complaint at Bang Lamung Police Station in Pattaya on March 13, accusing a Thai woman he met on a dating app of stealing his credit cards. He said the woman disappeared with his credit cards and spent 32,815 baht at a gold shop. The news Facebook page, Esor News, also accused the woman of being a romance scammer, alleging that she deceived several men via dating applications and frequently changed her profiles to avoid detection. The accused woman came forward to assert her innocence, stating that she did not steal anything from Dihui. She also claimed that he attempted to rape her on the same day of the incident. During a press conference on March 21, the woman disclosed that she met Dihui on a dating app and continued their conversation on WeChat. She maintained that they were just friends and had no romantic relationship. The woman explained that she used dating apps to find friends due to her depression and lack of social connections, as she ran an online bakery and often stayed at home. According to the woman, Dihui invited her to his BBQ restaurant in Pattaya on March 13. She accepted the invitation as he did not exhibit any suspicious or violent behaviour. She said the restaurant operated on the first floor of a four-story building, with accommodations on the floors above. They did not stay at a hotel but at Dihui’s restaurant. Each side claims innocence The woman claimed that Dihui asked her to withdraw 30,000 baht from his credit cards and instructed her to withdraw 10,000 baht each time. He asked her to withdraw the money at a gold shop by using the credit cards to buy gold accessories and later resold the gold to the shop for cash. The woman said she followed his instructions and returned to the restaurant around noon, returning the credit cards and giving Dihui the cash. While they were in Dihui’s room, he allegedly demanded sex from the woman, but she refused. He purportedly attempted to force himself on her but she managed to escape his advances. The woman said Dihui tried to rape and attack her a few times but was unsuccessful. She subsequently informed Dihui of her intention to return to Bangkok, which angered him, leading him to seize her mobile phone. When Dihui vanished from the scene, she seized the opportunity to escape from him. The woman recounted how she hailed a motorcycle taxi to a shopping mall, seeking assistance from a phone service provider to report her phone as lost and deactivate its SIM card signal. Afterwards, she took a taxi back to Bangkok. The Chinese man revisited Bang Lamung Police Station, reiterating his denial of attempting to sexually assault the woman. He expressed his dissatisfaction, citing the difference between the woman’s actual appearance and her dating profile picture. Additionally, he accused the woman of stealing his credit cards. Police confirmed conducting a comprehensive investigation into the incident but refrained from disclosing further details at present. However, officers assured the public that they would soon ascertain the truth. ORIGINAL STORY: Golden getaway: Thai woman swipes Chinese man’s credit cards in Pattaya A Thai woman is on the run after stealing credit cards from a Chinese man to buy two gold necklaces valued at about 33,000 baht from a gold shop in Pattaya. Bang Lamung Police Station told Channel 8 that the 33 year old Chinese man, Dihui Wu Dihui, reported the theft of his credit cards to the police via a phone call on the afternoon of March 13. He explained that a Thai woman, whose identity he did not know, stole his credit cards while he was sleeping. The Chinese man disclosed that he had met the woman on a dating application while he was in Bangkok. A week before the incident, they were travelling together in Pattaya and stayed at a hotel in Soi Khao Talo. According to the Chinese man, he woke up on March 13 to see that the woman disappeared from his hotel room. Then, he received two messages from his banks on his mobile phone informing him that his credit cards had been used to buy gold necklaces worth 32,815 baht. Thai police officer Sornsuphan Audthonsri-anan reported that he did not understand Dihui’s complaint due to the language barrier. So, they requested Dihui to meet them at the police station later, providing a Chinese interpreter. However, Dihui did not appear at the scheduled time. According to the Facebook page, Esor New, the Thai thief remains at large, evading capture. The page alleges that Dihui wasn’t the initial target of this woman. She has been running a romance scam through a dating application for a while now, frequently altering her name and profile on the app to ensnare fresh victims. Thai netizens questioned why the gold shop approved the sales despite the differences in the woman’s signatures and names on the cards. Channel 8 reported that the owner of the gold shop refused to give an interview with the media. However, in a brief conversation, it was revealed that the woman used two credit cards to buy two gold necklaces until the credit limit was reached. The owner added that she allowed the woman to buy the products because there were no names or signatures of the cardholders on the back of the cards. Bang Lamung Police Station officers did not disclose the next steps of the investigation to the public. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ PPTV HD Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-22 - Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Northeast Thailand: Son murders father in family dispute by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A family tragedy unfolded in Non Sang, Nong Bua Lamphu province when a son murdered his father in a moment of apparent self-defence. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322994-northeast-thailand-son-murders-father-in-family-dispute/

A family tragedy unfolded in Non Sang, Nong Bua Lamphu province when a son murdered his father in a moment of apparent self-defence. The harrowing incident, which took place yesterday evening, resulted in an urgent manhunt for the perpetrator, who is now urged to surrender to the authorities. The deceased, Songsakran, was known by locals for his drastic change of behaviour when under the influence of alcohol. According to his 81 year old father, Chingchai, Songsakran was a good person when sober but became aggressive and quarrelsome after drinking. Chingchai described how his son, who had been separated from his wife, had left his three young children in the care of Chingchai and his wife since the eldest was five years old. Songsakran only recently returned to live with his family after a prolonged absence. The heated argument that led to the tragedy was between Songsakran and his eldest son, Witthawat. Songsakran, returning home after a day of work and drinking, became embroiled in a dispute with Witthawat, who was preparing a meal. Threatening to shoot his son, Songsakran’s outburst prompted Chingchai to intervene, urging Witthawat to leave the house for safety. However, as Witthawat departed, Songsakran fired a gun, resulting in a struggle where Chingchai himself was struck with the weapon, causing injury. Believing his grandfather was in danger, Witthawat returned to the scene. He confronted his father, questioning why he would attack the man who had raised him and his siblings. Amid confusion and chaos, a third grandson, Witthawat’s younger brother, tried to intervene, but it was too late. Songsakran had already been fatally wounded by Witthawat, who, in a state of panic, fled the scene. Called to surrender Chingchai, in a heartfelt appeal, has since encouraged his grandson to surrender, emphasising that the young man still has a future ahead of him. The local police have issued an arrest warrant for Witthawat on charges of parricide. The family and community now await his surrender, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this tragic episode. Meanwhile, relatives have begun funeral rites for Songsakran. Authorities are calling for Witthawat to present himself to the police, stressing that escape is futile, reported KhaoSod. They are closely monitoring potential hideouts, including the homes of relatives and friends. They suggest that a cooperative approach may lead to leniency in his sentencing. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-22 - Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Scientists spooked by ghost shark sighting off Thailand coast (video) by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of Andrew Black Scientists have been spooked by the ghoulish discovery of a ghost shark swimming off the Andaman coast of Thailand. Researchers revealed the ghost shark is a new species named Chimaera supapae. It boasts a formidable head, oversized eyes, and delicate, feather-like fins. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322993-scientists-spooked-by-ghost-shark-sighting-off-thailand-coast-video/

Scientists have been spooked by the ghoulish discovery of a ghost shark swimming off the Andaman coast of Thailand. Researchers revealed the ghost shark is a new species named Chimaera supapae. It boasts a formidable head, oversized eyes, and delicate, feather-like fins. Chimaeras, commonly known as ghost sharks, belong to the family of cartilaginous fish, sharing kinship with sharks and rays. Live Science highlighted that these cartilaginous fish represent some of the oldest species still extant today. The recently identified species falls under the category of shortnose chimaeras, as detailed by researchers in a paper published on March 6 in the journal Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. This paper illuminates the habitat of ghost sharks, dwelling in the lightless depths of the ocean where sunlight fails to penetrate, specifically below 1,640 feet along continental slopes and oceanic ridges. Ghost sharks predominantly prey upon bottom-dwelling creatures such as crustaceans and mollusks, as reported by Live Science. Measuring up to 20 inches in length, Chimaera supapae boasts broad pectoral fins believed to aid in its locomotion across the seabed. Of particular interest is the creature’s discovery location: off the Andaman coast of Thailand. However, it’s worth noting that the specimen was found deceased as part of a deep-sea survey project conducted in 2018. David Ebert, lead author of the study and program director of the Pacific Shark Research Center at San Jose State University in California, stated that Chimaera are rare in this region of the world. “There were only 53 known species of chimaera in the world. This makes 54.” The revelation of Chimaera supapae is a source of excitement for scientists as it contributes to our understanding of the vast array of life dwelling in the depths of the ocean, said Ebert. “Evolutionarily, these chimaeras are among some of the oldest lineages of fishes with the lineage going back 300-400 million years. “The discovery of new species like this chimaera tells us how little we know about the marine environment and how much is still to be explored.” by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of Andrew Black Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-22 - Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai defence ministry to downsize military by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post The Thai Ministry of Defence outlined a comprehensive plan to downsize service personnel by approximately 700 individuals within the next three years. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322992-thai-defence-ministry-to-downsize-military/