webfact

An Indian man was arrested by Pattaya Immigration on Thursday, March 7th, after being accused of stealing 100,000 baht and a tablet from his employer. The suspect reportedly admitted that he had already spent all the money on self-entertainment. According to reports, the suspect, Mr. Palliparambil (family name withheld), was accused by his former employer, Mr. Dawood Saudhi, the owner of the Delm Mar apartment, of stealing the mentioned items. The employer filed a police report against Mr. Palliparambil on January 18th, leading to his arrest on March 7th. Mr. Palliparambil had reportedly worked for Mr. Dawood at his apartment when the incident took place. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-03-09 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Swedish singer based in Thailand has heart attack by Lærke Kobberup The Swedish born country singer Jonas Anderson had a heart attack on 4 March 2024, due to blocked arteries. Jonas Anderson was born in Sweden, Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321920-swedish-singer-based-in-thailand-has-heart-attack/

The Swedish born country singer Jonas Anderson had a heart attack on 4 March 2024, due to blocked arteries. Jonas Anderson was born in Sweden, but has been raised and currently residences in Thailand where he works as a country musician. Jonas Anderson noticed discomfort while out running, but he didn’t think much of it. However as the discomfort continued he decided to go to the nearest hospital. Here they discovered the blocked artery which resulted in a heart attack. He was then operated on and luckily survived. by Lærke Kobberup Full story: ScandAsia 2024-03-09 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

‘Kicking’ Swiss Man Hit Again For Holding Registered Pistols by TNR Staff Mr Urs Fehr clasping his hands in a wai and his Thai wife. Photo: Matichon THE SWISS man whose visa was revoked after he allegedly kicking a female doctor as she sat on the stairs leading from his villa to Cape Yamu beach in Phuket was hit with another charge of holding two registered pistols because gun ownership is restricted to Thai citizens. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321894-swiss-man-who-allegedly-assaulted-thai-doctor-faces-additional-charges/?do=findComment&comment=18752699

‘Kicking’ Swiss Man Hit Again For Holding Registered Pistols by TNR Staff Mr Urs Fehr clasping his hands in a wai and his Thai wife. Photo: Matichon THE SWISS man whose visa was revoked after he allegedly kicking a female doctor as she sat on the stairs leading from his villa to Cape Yamu beach in Phuket was hit with another charge of holding two registered pistols because gun ownership is restricted to Thai citizens, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon (Mar. 8). Mr. Urs Fehr, or David, 45, allegedly kicked Dr. Thandao Chandam, attached to Dibuk Hospital, as she sat on the stairs watching the moon on the night of Feb. 29. After former Democrat Party MP Mr. Watchara Phetthong urged the Interior Ministry to revoke the licence for two pistols Urs held, Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said foreigners do not have the right to hold firearms and this is wrong from the start. “No need to go to the revocation stage, this is considered as adding another charge, previously he was hit with being a social danger which is already heavy,” Anutin said. Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-03-09 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

to continue: Thailand Live Saturday 9 March 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1321918-thailand-live-saturday-9-march-2024/

British lookalikes forge unlikely friendship on flight to Thailand Photo courtesy of Mark Garland via Daily Mail An airport mix-up led a pair of British lookalikes to discover they not only shared the same flight but also the same name, sparking an unlikely friendship. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321899-british-lookalikes-forge-unlikely-friendship-on-flight-to-thailand/

American Woman Arrested on Pha Ngan Island for Allegedly Operating Nursery Without Legal Permission By Goongnang Suksawat Surat Thani –An American woman was arrested after she allegedly operated a nursery without legal permission on the Pha Ngan Island in Surat Thani. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321881-american-woman-arrested-for-allegedly-operating-nursery-without-legal-permission/

The Ministry of Interior will press additional charges against the Swiss national who allegedly kicked a female Thai doctor as she sat on the staircase of his rented villa in Phuket last week. The new charges relate to the possession of two handguns. Swiss man who allegedly assaulted Thai doctor faces additional charges Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321894-swiss-man-who-allegedly-assaulted-thai-doctor-faces-additional-charges/

Apologies, ASEAN NOW is not currently accepting comments on this topic //CLOSED /Admin

American Woman Arrested on Pha Ngan Island for Allegedly Operating Nursery Without Legal Permission By Goongnang Suksawat Surat Thani –An American woman was arrested after she allegedly operated a nursery without legal permission on the Pha Ngan Island in Surat Thani. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321881-american-woman-arrested-for-allegedly-operating-nursery-without-legal-permission/

Surat Thani –An American woman was arrested after she allegedly operated a nursery without legal permission on the Pha Ngan Island in Surat Thani. The Surat Thani Immigration Office told the Phuket Express that earlier this week they inspected a nursery on the Phan Ngan Island. About 20 three to five year old kids were found inside the nursery. Two female Israelis and a female Ukrainian were found as baby sitters and four Myanmar nationals were found as housekeepers. Ms. JENNIFER, 40, American national, was presented as the owner. She was unable to present legal documents for the nursery. All involved were all taken to the Koh Pha Ngan Police Station. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-03-08 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Phetchabun residents petition over Khao Kho land dispute by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Booking.com A heated land dispute in Phetchabun’s Khao Kho district led residents of 35 local communities to petition two House committees for intervention. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321879-phetchabun-residents-petition-over-khao-kho-land-dispute/

A heated land dispute in Phetchabun’s Khao Kho district led residents of 35 local communities to petition two House committees for intervention. Opposition leader and member of the House of Representatives committees on the military and natural resources and environmental affairs, Chaithawat Tulathon, received the petition yesterday. Buppha Chanpheng, representing the locals living within the Khao Kho forest complex, submitted the document. The petition reveals that park authorities have accused several residents of encroaching on a protected reserve, with some inhabitants already facing official charges. Buppha Chanpheng indicated that last year, the park authorities started demanding rent from the communities. This was an unacceptable request for the residents, who firmly believed in their legal entitlement to inhabit the area. Interestingly, most of the residents in the disputed zone, many from ethnic minority groups, have been residing within the forest complex since the 1970s. In 1977, amid the conflict between the Thai military and the Communist Party of Thailand, local villagers were asked to collaborate with the military. As a part of the agreement, they were permitted to settle in the area and promised title deeds to the land they occupied. This promise, however, was seemingly disregarded when the area was declared a forest reserve in 1986. Despite this declaration, Buppha argues that the residents have the right to remain within the forest complex. She substantiates this claim by pointing out that just before the area was declared a natural reserve, temporary certificates of occupation were issued for 585 land plots, reported Bangkok Post. “We have done nothing wrong. We have already written a report to various government agencies, but they remain silent. So we have to ask MPs to bring this matter to the House of Representatives on behalf of the people in distress.” In their petition, the group has requested that the government dismiss the land encroachment charges levelled against the villagers. Their plea signifies the ongoing tension and uncertainty surrounding the rights and status of the inhabitants of the Khao Kho forest complex. by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Booking.com Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-08 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Things learned from Sukhumvit By Tulsathit Taptim That watchers did not take the “War of the Transgender Angels” earlier this week seriously deserves some serious consideration Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321878-things-learned-from-sukhumvit/

That watchers did not take the “War of the Transgender Angels” earlier this week seriously deserves some serious consideration. Political, social and even economic aspects of the clash between Thai and Philippine beauties in the heart of Bangkok can get lost amid the loud shrieks and tongue-in-cheek but overwhelming media coverages and social media content. So, here are what should have been talked about more: 1 Unity or comradeship of Thai transgender women is second to none. Some of them reportedly came as far as from Pattaya when an SOS was sent. Others who were based nearer arrived at the troubled Sukhumvit area within minutes. Tens of thousands must be watching the development with great concern online. 2 While what drives political mobs can be questioned sometimes, as adrenaline often got mixed up with (or mistaken for) ideology, what brought those Sukhumvit gatherers there is unquestionably tribal pride triggered by what looked like genuine contempt of their strength and togetherness. It’s not an overstatement to say that LGBTQ movements in many cases are more unified than heterosexual ones. The formers are seen as less active simply because they are only drawn by issues that really affect them. The attitude is pragmatism and not at all selfishness. By Tulsathit Taptim Full story: Thai PBS 2024-03-08 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Swiss national opts for jail after assaulting Thai woman in mall by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Thairath A 62 year old Swiss national who physically assaulted a local Thai woman in a mall, chose to remain in custody despite an offer of bail from his former Thai spouse. The Trang Provincial Court had set his bail at 50,000 baht (US$1,406), which his ex-wife was willing to pay. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321877-swiss-national-opts-for-jail-after-assaulting-thai-woman-in-mall/

A 62 year old Swiss national who physically assaulted a local Thai woman in a mall, chose to remain in custody despite an offer of bail from his former Thai spouse. The Trang Provincial Court had set his bail at 50,000 baht (US$1,406), which his ex-wife was willing to pay. However, the Swiss man, Dieter Matthias Straumann, rejected her assistance and expressed a desire to stay in jail. He further showed resistance by refusing to liaise with the Swiss embassy or his family. Yesterday, the Tourist Police reported this incident, stating that in the event of Straumann’s temporary release during prosecution, they have asked immigration authorities to prevent him from leaving Thailand. The suspect has been uncooperative, refusing to respond to police questioning or sign any document recognising the charges against him. He faces serious allegations of causing severe physical injury and disobedience towards officials due to his lack of cooperation. The local police obtained a court order for his 12-day detention on Wednesday. Straumann is accused of assaulting Natchanan Khikkham, a 58 year old woman, at a Big C store in the Mueang district. The assault occurred when Khikkham asked Straumann to be polite, leading to him pushing her and repeatedly punching her. Khikkham sustained a broken nose, swollen eyes and back, and had difficulty breathing as a result of the attack. Kritpong Khikkham, the victim’s son, expressed the family’s intention to pursue all possible legal avenues against Straumann. He stated that Straumann had pressed his knee onto his mother’s neck and punched her approximately 20 times, indicating that an attempted murder charge should also be considered. His mother’s medical condition would require four to six weeks of treatment, as per a doctor’s assessment. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised the need for strict law enforcement in this case, given that a citizen was subjected to maltreatment. He voiced his concern over Straumann’s presence in Thailand. “We do not want such a person in Thailand because he poses a danger to society, and he already used violence and injured another.” Anutin further raised the question of revoking Straumann’s visa, reported Bangkok Post. In related news, the Immigration Bureau revoked the visa of a Swiss man involved in assaulting a female Thai doctor in Phuket. He faced legal action and public backlash, leading to visa cancellation. by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Thairath Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-08 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chiang Mai flower festival blooms success with record visitors by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Chiang Mai is basking in the success of its 47th Flower Festival, which attracted a staggering 668,000 visitors, both Thai and international, generating over 80 million baht (US$2.25 million) in revenue. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321876-chiang-mai-flower-festival-blooms-success-with-record-visitors/

Chiang Mai is basking in the success of its 47th Flower Festival, which attracted a staggering 668,000 visitors, both Thai and international, generating over 80 million baht (US$2.25 million) in revenue. As a result, the province is preparing to enhance the event’s float parade, focusing on innovation and interest for future festivals. Chiang Mai flower festival blooms success with record visitors | News by Thaiger Photo courtesy of KhaoSod On March 8, the deputy governor of Chiang Mai, Veerapong Ritrod, presided over a meeting with the Flower Festival’s organising committee, government sectors, and related agencies to review the outcomes and lessons learned from the recently concluded event. Photo courtesy of KhaoSod The festival, held from February 2-4, under the theme Lanna’s Floral Splendour, aimed to prepare for a more effective and elevated future event. Tourist figures at the park reached 668,000 visitors, with direct spending within the venue exceeding 80.2 million baht. This was a notable increase from the previous year, which saw 618,065 attendees and 74 million baht (US$2 million) spent. Chiang Mai University is set to report on the overall tourism revenue, encompassing travel, accommodation, services, and other expenditures. Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A primary issue identified in this year’s festival was the similarity in design and decoration among the floral floats, which were categorised into three competition types: beauty, cultural preservation, and creativity. The organising committee will reconsider the contest’s structure and rules to ensure distinctiveness and suitability for each award category in future events. Educational institutions may be invited to participate in designing innovative and unique floats to elevate the festival’s appeal and attract more tourists. Photo courtesy of KhaoSod The 48th edition of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival is scheduled for February 1-2 next year. The organizing committee will consider extending the event’s duration and will promote it earlier to allow people to plan their travels, reported KhaoSod. Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Photo courtesy of KhaoSod by Nattapong Westwood TOP Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2024-03-08 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Northern air pollution crisis, Swiss #1 apologises, Swiss #2 refuses bail - TNT - March 8 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321874-northern-air-pollution-crisis-swiss-1-apologises-swiss-2-refuses-bail-tnt-march-8/

Thailand news - Two Swiss men shuffle through the Thai legal system - #1 apologises over another matter as his visa is revoked, #2 has refused an offer of bail. A real crisis for northern Thailand as the region suffers under dangerous air pollution, whilst the Thai PM plans to visit there next week. The 'Phuket Purge' continues with more people being arrested for working illegally or overstaying visas... and other parts of the country as well. Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports are listed in a 'worst airports in Asia' survey but a government officials 'questions' the results. A new light rail service for Khon Kaen and a disturbing report about sexual violence against women in Thailand. Tim Newton Today is a daily take on Thai and regional news and issues of interest to expats and foreign tourists.

Phetchaburi’s brilliant Phra Nakhon Khiri Festival gets underway next week By Online Reporter The 37th annual Phra Nakhon Khiri-Petchaburi City event, taking place from March 14th to 23rd, 2024, invites visitors to embark on a journey of discovery and celebration at “Phra Nakhon Khiri: A Tribute to Great Kings and a Wonderland of World Heritage.” Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321873-phetchaburi’s-brilliant-phra-nakhon-khiri-festival-gets-underway-next-week/

The 37th annual Phra Nakhon Khiri-Petchaburi City event, taking place from March 14th to 23rd, 2024, invites visitors to embark on a journey of discovery and celebration at “Phra Nakhon Khiri: A Tribute to Great Kings and a Wonderland of World Heritage.” This esteemed tradition of Petchaburi Province, now in its 37th year, is set to be held in the scenic Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang) area, Chalerm Phrakiat Park, in honor of King Mongkut (Rama IV), and its surroundings. The event serves as a heartfelt homage to King Mongkut (Rama IV), King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), and King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) for their significant contributions to Petchaburi Province, while also promoting local tourism. The festivities kick off on Thursday, March 14, 2023, at 6:00 PM, with an opening ceremony featuring “Phra Nakhon Khiri: A Tribute to Great Kings and a Wonderland of World Heritage,” a special performance by Rajabhat University Phetchaburi, alongside the presentation of awards for the procession. Highlights include an exhibition on the World Heritage Site of Kaeng Krachan National Park, offering visitors the chance to learn about the history and significance of Thailand’s sixth World Heritage Site and its third natural heritage site. Additionally, tree saplings will be distributed at Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang). By Online Reporter Full story: HUA HIN TODAY 2024-03-08 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai man flees after assaulting girlfriend and killing her lover Photo of Petch Petpailin Photo via ThaiRath A Thai man remains at large after brutally assaulting his girlfriend and killing her lover outside a rented room in the Doi Saket district of the northern province of Chiang Mai. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321871-thai-man-flees-after-assaulting-girlfriend-and-killing-her-lover/