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Govt questions ranking of Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang in ‘Worst Airport’ list by UK publisher By Kittisak Phalaharn On March 5th, 2024, Mr. Chai Watcharong, the Thai Government spokesman, posted on X in response to Business Financing, a UK publisher, ranking Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports in the worst airport list in Asia in 2023. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321852-govt-questions-ranking-of-suvarnabhumi-don-mueang-in-‘worst-airport’-list-by-uk-publisher/

On March 5th, 2024, Mr. Chai Watcharong, the Thai Government spokesman, posted on X in response to Business Financing, a UK publisher, ranking Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports in the worst airport list in Asia in 2023. According to Thai national media, Business Financing, a British travel and tourism media publisher, publicly revealed a ranking of the best and worst international airports in Asia. The ranking list showed that Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam, was the best airport in Asia, taking over Changi Airport, Singapore, and Hong Kong International Airport. Meanwhile, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports were ranked 7th and 10th as the worst airports in Asia, according to Business Financing. However, Chai questioned the ranking by Business Financing on X and whether the UK publisher was universally recognized by the aviation industry in evaluating the airports’ quality. By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-03-08 RELATED TOPIC: Bangkok airports hit turbulence: Ranked among world’s worst https://aseannow.com/topic/1321741-bangkok-airports-hit-turbulence-ranked-among-world’s-worst/ - 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

F-35A Stealth Fighters Land For The First Time In Thailand By Thai Newsroom Reporters The four US air force F-35A stealth fighters reaching Thailand with a US air force pilot talking to a Thai air force pilot. Photos: Matichon FOUR UNITED STATES AIR FORCE’S F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets today (Mar. 7) landed for the first time in Thailand at Wing 1 in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321850-f-35a-stealth-fighters-land-for-the-first-time-in-thailand/

FOUR UNITED STATES AIR FORCE’S F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets today (Mar. 7) landed for the first time in Thailand at Wing 1 in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The first batch of four Lockheed Martin F-35As which flew from Eielson air force base in Alaska and landed smoothly at Wing 1 air force base will take part in a Cope Tiger 2024 air exercise between the Thai, US and Singaporean air forces on Mar. 18 and Mar. 19. Another four F-35A jets of the US air force which will also participate in the joint air exercise are scheduled to arrive at Wing 1 at a later date, however. By Thai Newsroom Reporters TOP: The four US air force F-35A stealth fighters reaching Thailand with a US air force pilot talking to a Thai air force pilot. Photos: Matichon Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 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

Foreign Tourists Soak Up the Sun Despite Scorching Temperatures in Pattaya By Aim Tanakorn PHOTO: 77kaoded Pattaya — Foreign tourists continued to bask in the sun and enjoy the beaches of Pattaya despite shockingly high temperatures on March 6th, 2024. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321849-foreign-tourists-soak-up-the-sun-despite-scorching-temperatures-in-pattaya/

Pattaya — Foreign tourists continued to bask in the sun and enjoy the beaches of Pattaya despite shockingly high temperatures on March 6th, 2024. Despite the extreme heat, which significantly impacted the daily lives of Thai residents, many international visitors still sunbathed on Pattaya area Beaches, according to Thai local media. Tourists were observed relaxing on Pattaya’s beaches and engaged in water activities like normal. Some people opted to relax under beach umbrellas, enjoying seafood in the shade. This, according to local media, solidified that Pattaya’s picturesque coastline, which stretches over 3 kilometers, continues to be a magnet for international tourists, despite the scorching weather. By Aim Tanakorn PHOTO: 77kaoded Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 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 Man Who ‘Kicked’ Doctor Loses Visa, 2nd Swiss Man Too Could Do So by TNR Staff Mr Urs Fehr clasping his hands in a wai and the order revoking his visa. Photo: Thai Rath DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER-cum-Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul praised Phuket authorities for quickly revoking a Swiss man’s visa for allegedly kicking a doctor as she sat on the stairs leading from his villa to Cape Yamu beach and is considering revoking the visa of another Swiss man who assaulted a Thai woman at a Trang hypermart, TV Channel 7 said today (Mar. 7). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321848-swiss-man-who-‘kicked’-doctor-loses-visa-2nd-swiss-man-too-could-do-so/

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER-cum-Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul praised Phuket authorities for quickly revoking a Swiss man’s visa for allegedly kicking a doctor as she sat on the stairs leading from his villa to Cape Yamu beach and is considering revoking the visa of another Swiss man who assaulted a Thai woman at a Trang hypermart, TV Channel 7 said today (Mar. 7). 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. Mr. Dieter Matthias Strausmann at Trang police station. Photo: Naewna On Tuesday Mar. 5 Mr. Dieter Matthias Strausmann, 62, who is residing in southern Trang city on a retirement visa, punched up Ms. Natchanan Khikkam, 58, at the hypermart while both of them were shopping there and she now has to undergo month-long medical treatment to recover from her injuries. Anutin said he does not want people who behave in this manner to live in Thailand, pointing out that Thais welcome everyone with friendliness but cannot accept it if they are treated with disrespect. by TNR Staff TOP: Mr Urs Fehr clasping his hands in a wai and the order revoking his visa. Photo: Thai Rath Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 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

Beware the bill dodger: Thai rescue warns Bangkok eateries of Thai man’s seizure scam by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 7 A Thai rescue foundation issued a scam warning to restaurants and bars in Bangkok, urging them to remain vigilant for a Thai man who has been repeatedly feigning seizures after meals to avoid paying his bills. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321847-beware-the-bill-dodger-thai-rescue-warns-bangkok-eateries-of-thai-man’s-seizure-scam/

A Thai rescue foundation issued a scam warning to restaurants and bars in Bangkok, urging them to remain vigilant for a Thai man who has been repeatedly feigning seizures after meals to avoid paying his bills. The rescue team, stationed in the Phattanakarn, On Nut, Srinagarindra, and Suan Luang neighborhoods of Bangkok urged the media to highlight the Thai man’s scam among restaurants in the surrounding areas. The rescue team explained that the Thai man, whose identity has not been revealed, dines at a restaurant or bar and pretends to suffer from a sudden seizure upon finishing his food. He’s employed this deceptive tactic multiple times, managing to avoid payment until rescuers became familiar with his antics. Kittipong, a rescuer from the San Klong Ruamkatanyu Foundation, revealed to Channel 7 that he last encountered the man last year. The man usually visited the restaurants and bars alone at night and ordered food and drink at a total of over 2,000 to 3,000 baht. Upon receiving the bill, the man would simulate a seizure, lying on the ground or feigning unconsciousness. Restaurant owners or staff, believing it to be a genuine emergency, would seek help from rescue teams, giving the man an opportunity to flee during the chaos. Kittipong highlighted that the rescuers eventually recognised the feigned symptoms, yet they sometimes found it difficult to decline requests for assistance from restaurants. He lamented that such instances wasted valuable time that could have been devoted to aiding individuals in genuine emergencies. According to Kittipong, many restaurants failed to report these incidents to the police. Even when they did, the penalties imposed were insufficient to deter the man from repeating his scams. Police officers merely advised him to desist from his actions. The rescuer emphasised that there was little the rescue team could do beyond cautioning food establishments to be wary of this individual. Due to the leniency of legal repercussions, allowing him to continue his scams. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 7 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

Chinese woman hails Thai police for speedy thief arrest by Petch Petpailin Photo via Channl 3 and GMM25Thailand A Chinese woman hailed the swift action of Thai police officers who successfully arrested a thief just three hours after he stole her bag containing 25,000 baht in cash in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321846-chinese-woman-hails-thai-police-for-speedy-thief-arrest/

A Chinese woman hailed the swift action of Thai police officers who successfully arrested a thief just three hours after he stole her bag containing 25,000 baht in cash in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. Bang Phli Police Station officers arrested the thief, a 41 year old Thai man named Nikorn Maiwong, at a resort in the Bang Bor district of Samut Prakarn at 9.30pm on March 5 after he stole a handbag from a Chinese woman near the Chorcher Hotel in the province. The officers successfully recovered all of the victim’s belongings, including 25,000 baht in cash, passport, ID card, debit cards, etc. Additionally, they found methamphetamine pills, also known as Yaba, in his possession. Remarkably, the entire operation was completed within three hours after the theft took place. The Chinese victim, 36 year old Ja Yanli, shared her experience with Channel 3 and expressed her gratitude for the swift arrest. Ja recounted that she travelled to Thailand with 2,000 colleagues from a cosmetic company in China. The theft occurred on the first day of her six-day trip while she was walking on the footpath near her hotel. A Thai man on a motorcycle approached, grabbed her handbag, and quickly fled the scene. Ja was shocked and felt like her entire trip was ruined. However, the Thai police acted swiftly and managed to apprehend the thief. She felt impressed and wanted to share her positive experience with friends in China and encouraged them to travel to Thailand as well. Nikorn claimed that he hadn’t premeditated the theft. While riding his motorcycle along the road, he seized an opportunity upon noticing the Chinese woman with her handbag slung over her arm. He intended to use the stolen money to buy Yaba and cover other personal expenses. According to police reports, Nikorn had been released from jail on February 21 of this year. Immediately upon his release, he stole two motorcycles in the province before targeting the Chinese victim of this theft. In this instance, Nikorn faces charges of committing theft using a vehicle to aid the crime. The prescribed penalty for this offence is a minimum of five to ten years’ imprisonment, along with a fine ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 baht. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Channl 3 and GMM25Thailand 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

Wheelchair-bound British beautician launches accessible salon Photo of Samantha Rose Photo courtesy of BBC News In a remarkable display of resilience, the British beautician, who was paralysed following a balcony fall in Thailand, has launched a pioneering new salon where accessibility is not merely a feature but a guiding principle. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321845-wheelchair-bound-british-beautician-launches-accessible-salon/

In a remarkable display of resilience, the British beautician, who was paralysed following a balcony fall in Thailand, has launched a pioneering new salon where accessibility is not merely a feature but a guiding principle. Struggling to access conventional beauty treatments after her life-altering accident, Maddi Neale-Shankster envisioned a haven where wheelchair users and the able-bodied could share the same space without feeling like a burden. “There’s absolutely nothing that’s ever gonna stop me from getting my lashes done and having a sunbed.” The catalyst for the 22 year old British beautician’s venture was a chilling experience attempting to use a sunbed, where she found herself dependent on a friend’s assistance and facing restrictive conditions. Determined to rewrite this narrative, the young beautician set out to create a sanctuary where everyone feels accepted, regardless of their physical abilities. The Coventry-born beauty specialist’s purpose-built salon boasts wider nail desks, spacious rooms, and gently sloping ramps for seamless accessibility. “I didn’t fit in the toilet, I didn’t fit down the corridor, I didn’t fit in the nail desk.” Such challenges fuelled her commitment to crafting a space where everyone feels not just accommodated but celebrated, reported BBC News. Moreover, the Neale-Shankster’s salon is not just about beauty, it’s about making a difference. Through a charity raffle, she has raised funds for spinal research, underscoring her dedication to improving the lives of others facing similar challenges. ORIGINAL STORY: ‘Rave for Maddi’ raises £5000 for British woman after balcony fall in Thailand A charity fundraising event entitled ‘Rave for Maddi’ held in Coventry, England, raised 200,000 baht (£5000) to help the recovery of the young British woman who fell from a second-floor balcony in Koh Pha Ngan in southern Thailand on New Year’s Eve. A GoFundMe appeal raised over 3 million baht (£73,500) from over 1,400 donors to pay for 21 year old Maddi Neale-Shankster’s transfer to the UK assisted by a team of specialist medical assistants. After undergoing surgery in Thailand, Maddi returned to England around three weeks ago where she will undergo a lengthy rehabilitation process to recover from a fractured spine, two collapsed lungs and pierced liver. The goal is for Maddi to start walking again. Nightclub promoters in Maddi’s hometown, Coventry, decided to throw a big party called ‘Rave for Maddi’ at the HMV EMPIRE on January 28 to raise funds to cover Maddi’s living costs until she can hopefully walk again and return to work. The event was a booming success with 500 attendees and raised around £5000 to help Maddi in the immediate future. In total, 35 local musicians and artists joined forces to put on the show which just shows how much the young beautician is supported by her local community. Maddi flew to Thailand with her partner for a three-week dream holiday. But after ringing in the new year on the party island, things took a turn for the worse when she fell from a second-floor balcony. To make matters worse, Maddi was pickpocketed earlier on in the night, said her mother Karen. Karen flew out to Thailand to be by her side while she had fluid pumped out of her chest and underwent urgent back surgery. Maddi took out travel insurance however it only covered 10,000 baht (£247), not £10,000, as she thought. Yesterday, another young English tourist made headlines after getting into a serious accident on the same Thai island. Emma Lewis, a 24 year old student from Basingstoke in Hampshire, was driving a moped through Koh Pha Ngan when she lost control and drove through a glass window. Glass shattered all over her leaving her in need of 56 stitches. Luckily for Emma, her insurance paid out and reimbursed her 800,000 baht (£20,000) in medical bills. Photo of Samantha Rose Photo courtesy of BBC News 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

20+ already arrested in purge of foreigner law-breakers in Phuket By Peter Roche PHOTO: Phuket Tourist Police Police in Phuket have arrested at least 16 people in what appears to be a crackdown on foreigners working illegally and/or overstaying their visas. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321844-20-already-arrested-in-purge-of-foreigner-law-breakers-in-phuket/

Police in Phuket have arrested at least 16 people in what appears to be a crackdown on foreigners working illegally and/or overstaying their visas. The Phuket News reports that Phuket Provincial Police posted an announcement on their Facebook page, but didn’t give a reason for the sudden flurry of activity. “Right now, in every area in Phuket, the police are taking offences committed by tourists seriously. We want the people of Phuket to trust us.” The arrests are believed to be linked to the furore over Swiss expat Urs Fehr, who has been charged with assault after kicking a female doctor. By Peter Roche PHOTO: Phuket Tourist Police Full story: PhuketGO 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

Swedish Man Arrested for Allegedly Working at a Bar in Karon By Goongnang Suksawat Karon –A Swedish man was arrested after he was found allegedly working at a bar in Karon. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321843-swedish-man-arrested-for-allegedly-working-at-a-bar-in-karon/

Karon –A Swedish man was arrested after he was found allegedly working at a bar in Karon. The Karon Police told the Phuket Express that on Wednesday (March 6th) at 5:00 P.M. they and the Phuket Immigration arrested a suspect identified only as MR. STEN, 57, a Swedish national. He was arrested at a bar on the Tai Na Road in Karon. The arrest follows Phuket Immigration cracking down on illegally working foreigners in Phuket. The Swedish man was found allegedly recommending beverages to customers at the bar. He was unable to prevent a legal work permit and was taken to the Karon Police Station to face charges of working without permission. 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

Russian Man Arrested for Allegedly Working Illegally at a Cannabis Shop in Kathu By Goongnang Suksawat Kathu –A Russian man was arrested after he was allegedly found working in a cannabis shop in Kathu. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321842-russian-man-arrested-for-allegedly-working-illegally-at-a-cannabis-shop-in-kathu/

Kathu –A Russian man was arrested after he was allegedly found working in a cannabis shop in Kathu. The Phuket Tourist Police told the Phuket Express that on Wednesday (March 6th) they arrested a suspect identified only as MR. NIKOLAEV, 43, a Russian national, at a cannabis shop in Kathu. He was taken to the Kathu Police Station to face charges of working without permission. The Phuket Express adds that it is important to note that work permits and visas are not available for foreigners to work as sellers in front of shops. 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

to continue: Thailand Live Friday 8 March 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1321841-thailand-live-friday-8-march-2024/

PM Srettha to Address Wildfire Crisis Upon Return from Europe BANGKOK (NNT) - During his mission abroad, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed concern after receiving reports about wildfires in the northern region of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321820-pm-srettha-to-address-wildfire-crisis-upon-return-from-europe/

Bangkok Hospital Headquarters has announced a major purge of medical records for patients who haven't contacted them in over ten years. Bangkok Hospital to purge decade-old medical records Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321798-bangkok-hospital-to-purge-decade-old-medical-records/

Trang locals vexed by PEA’s abrupt power cuts over minimal dues by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of Kapook Residents in Trang province are experiencing a wave of frustration following a stringent new policy by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) that has led to the abrupt disconnection of electricity services and the removal of metres for overdue payments as low as 100 baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321800-trang-locals-vexed-by-pea’s-abrupt-power-cuts-over-minimal-dues/

Residents in Trang province are experiencing a wave of frustration following a stringent new policy by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) that has led to the abrupt disconnection of electricity services and the removal of metres for overdue payments as low as 100 baht. Without warning, many are caught off guard by the aggressive enforcement that has seen meters removed en masse, leaving households in the dark and scrambling for solutions. The PEA’s initiative, which was intended to provide relief by deferring electricity disconnections for residential users with monthly bills not exceeding 300 baht (US$8) for up to three bills, has been overshadowed by a more immediate concern. This policy, which began with the November 2023 billing cycle and is set to continue until November this year, was meant to alleviate financial burdens on the public. However, the situation on the ground is heated. The PEA has contracted with private companies to disconnect services and remove metres from households with just one month of unpaid bills. This action has been taken without any prior notification, be it through written warnings or mobile phone alerts. In the Mueang district of Trang province, residents have expressed their anger after private contractors were found removing metres, leaving many without electricity after just one month or as they entered the second month of arrears. A recent visit to a village in the Ban Khuan sub-district of Mueang, Trang, revealed a household that had its electricity cut off and its metre removed in broad daylight on March 4, while the homeowner was out. Upon returning home in the evening and finding the lights out, the homeowner was shocked to discover the metre gone with an outstanding bill of just 1,123.51 baht (US$31). The homeowner, who had no previous warnings, had never defaulted before but occasionally paid late, believing there was a three-month grace period. The sudden enforcement of this strict policy forced the family to spend a night in a hotel, incurring additional expenses, before settling the bill and a penalty fee the next day. By the evening, the same contractors had reinstalled the metre. Meter removals The contractors, from separate companies based in Surat Thani and Phatthalung, admitted to removing meters daily by the sackful, even for one-month arrears, due to the new policy. Their knowledge of the policy’s specifics was limited, and their daily tasks included reconnecting more than 10 households from morning to evening, reported KhaoSod. In the contractors’ possession, metres and documents were found indicating that the same one-month arrears policy applied to all, with some bills as low as 153.71 baht (US$4). This rigorous approach to bill collection has caused significant distress among residents, exacerbated by the region’s scorching heat. Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-07 - 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