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No Talk Between Thaksin And Hun Sen About Maritime Boundaries Dispute: MP By Thai Newsroom Reporters Former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen with de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra during his informal visit last week. Photo: Thai Rath NO TALK HAS BEEN recently held between de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra and former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen about unsolved dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over overlapping maritime boundaries and undersea natural resources off both countries’ shores, said Pheu Thai MP Noppadon Pattama today (Feb. 27). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321024-no-talk-between-thaksin-and-hun-sen-about-maritime-boundaries-dispute-mp/

NO TALK HAS BEEN recently held between de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra and former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen about unsolved dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over overlapping maritime boundaries and undersea natural resources off both countries’ shores, said Pheu Thai MP Noppadon Pattama today (Feb. 27). Noppadon, a former foreign minister, categorically dismissed as “groundless” the criticism that the two former prime ministers had recently held a tete-a-tete talk about ways and means to settle the decade-long dispute over the overlapping maritime boundaries around Koh Koot island in the Gulf of Thailand which is officially held as Thai territory and joint Thai-Cambodian development projects on untapped natural resources undersea. The former foreign minister said such “groundless” hearsay would merely confuse the public and spoil future negotiations between the two neighbouring countries. Hun Sen paid an informal visit to Thaksin who wore soft splints around his neck and right arm at the latter’s Chan Song Lah residence last Wednesday and expressed admiration for a 32-year-long friendship between the two of them. By Thai Newsroom Reporters TOP: Former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen with de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra during his informal visit last week. Photo: Thai Rath Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-02-28 - 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

Enormous Damage In Chiang Mai National Park Fire: Anutin by TNR Staff Fire spreading on a mountain at Ob Luang National Park in Chiang Mai, left, and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, right, who is taking action. Photo: TV Channel 7 INTERIOR Minister Anutin Charnivarikul said today (Feb. 27) that he is closely following the forest fire at Ob Luang National Park in Chiang Mai’s Hot district with this causing enormous damage both in the forested areas and triggering dust and smoke problems that has spread to many provinces, TV Channel 7 said this afternoon. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321023-enormous-damage-in-chiang-mai-national-park-fire-anutin/

INTERIOR Minister Anutin Charnivarikul said today (Feb. 27) that he is closely following the forest fire at Ob Luang National Park in Chiang Mai’s Hot district with this causing enormous damage both in the forested areas and triggering dust and smoke problems that has spread to many provinces, TV Channel 7 said this afternoon. The cause is illegal burning to gather forest products which while prohibited there are still many people who break the law. Anutin said he has ordered Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn to quickly control this forest fire that has been raging since Feb. 22. The fire-fighting operations have successfully extinguished this huge blaze in many areas but the team is still constantly watching the situation and hope to successfully put it out completely. by TNR Staff TOP: Fire spreading on a mountain at Ob Luang National Park in Chiang Mai, left, and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, right, who is taking action. Photo: TV Channel 7 Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-02-28 - 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

Suspect In Murder Of Taiwanese Man Arrested In Cambodia by TNR Staff Pixelated image of the Thai woman arrested in Cambodia and her red sedan. Photo: Naewna CAMBODIAN police have arrested a Thai woman who together with four Taiwanese men are wanted in the murder of another Taiwanese man whose body was found at an abandoned restaurant on Suvarnabhumi Airport road 4 on Sunday (Feb. 25) with all five having fled to the neighbouring country within hours of his death, Naewna newspaper said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321022-suspect-in-murder-of-taiwanese-man-arrested-in-cambodia/

CAMBODIAN police have arrested a Thai woman who together with four Taiwanese men are wanted in the murder of another Taiwanese man whose body was found at an abandoned restaurant on Suvarnabhumi Airport road 4 on Sunday (Feb. 25) with all five having fled to the neighbouring country within hours of his death, Naewna newspaper said. Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Thana Chuwong said the Cambodian authorities were able to arrest Ms. Piyanuch (surname withheld), 23, who is the owner of a red sedan in which the deceased man’s body was taken and dumped at this abandoned restaurant. She is now being questioned and is believed to be the key to solving this case. He confirmed that the suspects arrived in Thailand at 2 a.m. last Sunday and left at 5 a.m. but it is as yet not known whether they came here to specifically kill this man. by TNR Staff TOP: Pixelated image of the Thai woman arrested in Cambodia and her red sedan. Photo: Naewna Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-02-28 - 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 Wednesday 28 February 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1321021-thailand-live-wednesday-28-february-2024/

News of Hua Hin’s “decline” greatly exaggerated. Here’s why. Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Mr. Archawan Kongkanant being interviewed on Hua Hin beach. It was a weekend of drama online for Hua Hin and its tourism industry. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321011-news-of-hua-hin’s-“decline”-greatly-exaggerated-here’s-why/

The latest report from We Are Social reveals the top 20 most-visited websites by Thais, showing a notable presence of adult content sites in the rankings. Steamy side of Internet in Thailand: Adult sites climb charts Picture courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321014-steamy-side-of-internet-in-thailand-adult-sites-climb-charts/

Several road checkpoints in 3 southernmost provinces dismantled The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has ordered the dismantling of several road checkpoints in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, to be in line with the recent resumption of peace talks between the government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) rebel group. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320976-several-road-checkpoints-in-3-southernmost-provinces-dismantled/

The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has ordered the dismantling of several road checkpoints in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, to be in line with the recent resumption of peace talks between the government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) rebel group. Colonel Aekvorawit Chobchoophol, spokesman of the ISOC’s forward command, said yesterday that the dismantling of the checkpoints has been going on for about two weeks now, leaving only those which are deemed necessary and which will be upgraded. He said that the main checkpoint at Koh Mor Kaeng, on a highway linking the three southernmost provinces with Songkhla province, and the checkpoint near Ingkhayut Borihan barracks, located at the junction of a road linking Pattani with Yala, have been dismantled. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-27 - 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

Thailand aims to become Southeast Asia’s data centre hub by Alex Morgan PHOTO: via Southeast Asia The Thailand Data Centre Council (TDCC) is pushing to establish Thailand as the central hub for data centres in Southeast Asia in the next three years, amid rising competition with foreign data centre providers joining the market. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320974-thailand-aims-to-become-southeast-asia’s-data-centre-hub/

The Thailand Data Centre Council (TDCC) is pushing to establish Thailand as the central hub for data centres in Southeast Asia in the next three years, amid rising competition with foreign data centre providers joining the market. From the United States, Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and India, global cloud data centre operators are turning their investment focus towards Thailand. The Board of Investment (BoI) confirms that NextDC, an Australian data centre operator, obtained BoI approval for a 13.7 billion baht investment in a new hyperscale data centre in Bangkok. The Asian data centre leader, CtrlS Datacenters, has also leased a land plot in the Eastern Economic Corridor of Digital (EECd) in Chon Buri for 50 years. CtrlS Datacentres (Thailand) Co received BoI approval for a 5-billion-baht investment in this new hyperscale data centre. Thai Internet and Cloud Service Provider Association President Morakot Kultumyothin mentioned plans to encourage greater participation from its members this year to enhance competitiveness and industry promotion. The association comprises 17 members, with the majority of them being Thai-owned service providers. Despite the burgeoning competition, Wanchai Vach-shevadumrong, Deputy Managing Director of Internet Thailand (INET), identifies hidden opportunities. He predicts a continued demand for cloud services as businesses seek to cut costs, increase automation, and speed up digital transformation. However, the company faces a pricing war due to the emergence of new foreign cloud service providers and the existing local ones. INET is targeting premium customers, offering a cloud service bundled with a cybersecurity service. In related news, the TDCC recently appointed Thosaphol Pengsom as its first chairman. The five founding members of the TDCC jointly established the council in January 2024, aiming to uplift the data centre sector as a critical industry for Thailand’s digital infrastructure. Thosaphol noted the importance of fostering an environment that supports the expansion of data centre capacity for major cloud service providers such as Alibaba Cloud, Huawei Cloud, Tencent Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform. According to TDCC, the APAC data centre co-location market supported 10,233 megawatts of IT capacity in 2023, roughly 40% of the global market. Projections by Structure Research forecast this capacity to surge to 19,069MW by 2028. However, Thailand, despite having the region’s second-largest GDP, faces potential policy and regulatory challenges that may hinder its participation in the growing artificial intelligence (AI) economy, reported Bangkok Post. Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-27 - 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 exports are rebounding but huge trade deficit with China poses a threat By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk Exports are bringing cheer to Thailand’s gloomy economy, growing 10 per cent year on year in January, the highest in 19 months. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320973-thai-exports-are-rebounding-but-huge-trade-deficit-with-china-poses-a-threat/

Exports are bringing cheer to Thailand’s gloomy economy, growing 10 per cent year on year in January, the highest in 19 months. The January results marked six consecutive months of export growth, offering hopes of gross domestic product (GDP) expanding greater than last year’s sluggish 1.9 per cent. Thailand’s export of merchandise contracted 1.5 per cent in 2023, but it started to turn into positive territory in the fourth quarter of the year. Pisit Puapan, director of the macroeconomic policy bureau at the Fiscal Policy Office, says exports expanded 3.4 per cent year on year in the fourth quarter of 2023. He believes the momentum of exports, along with rising private investment, consumption and tourism, will drive the economy this year to grow 2.8 per cent, slightly higher than the 2.7 per cent growth forecast by the National Economic and Social Development Council, a state think-tank. By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-27 - 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

Man admits to killing wife’s grandmother in northern Thailand by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A tragic incident unfolded in Nong Bua Lamphu province as a Thai man confessed to the shocking murder of his wife’s grandmother and another family member, leaving the local community in disbelief. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320969-man-admits-to-killing-wife’s-grandmother-in-northern-thailand/

A tragic incident unfolded in Nong Bua Lamphu province as a Thai man confessed to the shocking murder of his wife’s grandmother and another family member, leaving the local community in disbelief. The man, Watthayu, overcome with remorse, admitted to the crime following a heated argument with his wife, Chanthana, also known as Nam. The devastating turn of events led to a manhunt that concluded when vigilant factory workers spotted him near an ice plant, just 15 kilometres from the crime scene. Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Yesterday at approximately 4pm, police received a tip-off from ice factory workers who identified a man resembling the suspect from online media reports. The suspect, wearing black shorts and shirtless, was caught on surveillance cameras lurking near the factory in the village, not far from where the double homicide took place on a road between Sribunruang district and Si Chomphu district in Khon Kaen province, reported KhaoSod. Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Upon confirmation from Chanthana that the man in the images was indeed her husband, Watthayu, the police swiftly moved to the ice plant. Watthayu surrendered to the authorities without resistance, and after being read his arrest warrant, he led the police to a motorcycle he had stolen and to the location where he discarded the murder weapon, a mere 100 metres from his hiding spot. Watthayu recounted to the police and reporters that the conflict with his wife escalated when her grandmother, Kulab, confronted him about their marital issues, suggesting they separate. In a fit of rage, Watthayu used a knife to fatally attack his wife’s relatives. Fleeing on the stolen motorcycle, he eventually ran out of fuel near the ice factory where he decided to hide, planning to surrender since the previous evening but lacking a phone to contact the authorities. Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Chanthana expressed her grief, feeling responsible for calling her grandmother to the scene of the crime. She revealed that Watthayu was only one year her senior, not 35 as reported by some sources, and that they had met through a dating app after her previous marriage ended. Acknowledging Watthayu’s volatile temper and the frequent abuse she suffered, Chanthana resolved to end their relationship, unable to forgive him for murdering her grandmother, who had raised her since childhood following her parents’ separation. As police escorted Watthayu to the station, Chanthana, overwhelmed with emotion, followed at a distance and later confronted him, tearfully questioning how she would cope without her mother figure. Watthayu, tearful himself, remained silent in response to her heart-wrenching inquiries. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-27 - 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

Over 500 people take part in Run Fun Walk event in Hua Hin By Online Reporter On February 24th, 2024, Hua Hin played host to the second edition of the Run Fun Walk event, aimed at bolstering tourism and observing Makha Bucha Day. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320968-over-500-people-take-part-in-run-fun-walk-event-in-hua-hin/

On February 24th, 2024, Hua Hin played host to the second edition of the Run Fun Walk event, aimed at bolstering tourism and observing Makha Bucha Day. The event kicked off at 4:00 p.m. in front of Hua Hin Market Village, with Mr. Komkrit Charoenthansombat, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, officiating the opening ceremony. Dubbed as the “Hua Hin Rak Loei #2 Hua Hin The City of Shellfish” walk-run, the event marked its return to promote tourism in Hua Hin and stimulate the local economy during the Long Weekend holiday on Makha Bucha Day. A notable aspect of the event was its philanthropic angle, as a portion of the proceeds, after expenses, will be directed towards schools under the jurisdiction of Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. By Online Reporter Full story: HUA HIN TODAY 2024-02-27 - 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

UPDATE: 5 suspects flee Bangkok for Cambodia after killing Taiwanese man by Petch Petpailin Photo via ThaiRath Five suspects fled Thailand for Cambodia after killing a Taiwanese man and leaving his body in an abandoned restaurant near Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320926-taiwanese-man-stole-car-before-being-shot-dead-at-suvarnabhumi-airport-road/?do=findComment&comment=18724205

5 suspects flee Bangkok for Cambodia after killing Taiwanese man by Petch Petpailin Photo via ThaiRath Five suspects fled Thailand for Cambodia after killing a Taiwanese man and leaving his body in an abandoned restaurant near Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. The dead body of the Taiwanese man, 44 year old Shih Mou Chiang, was discovered in the abandoned restaurant on Suvarnabhumi 4 Road in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakarn on February 25. Officers discovered blood and brains outside the restaurant and found Shih Mou’s body inside. Shih Mou was seen lying in a pool of blood with two gunshot wounds to his head and the back of his left ear. He was wearing a black T-shirt and long black jeans and had about 3,000 baht in cash in his pocket. He had many tattoos, including a giant and letters of the Japanese alphabet. A 28 year old Thai man, Dilok Samart, discovered the dead body. He explained that he worked as a cleaner at the airport. He and other workers used the abandoned restaurant every day for their afternoon break. He went there as usual and followed the bloodstains to find Shih Mou’s body. Police suspected that Shih Mou died about four to six hours before his discovery. They believed that the suspects killed Shih Mou somewhere else and later left his dead body at the scene. Officers checked security cameras at the scene and nearby and discovered a suspicious car, a red Mazda 2 SUV, parked at the scene that morning. Further investigation into the car led police to a suspect’s house in Areeya Daily Village in the Lat Phrao district of Bangkok. Thai woman involved Police raided the house at 9pm that day and found bloodstains in several places in the accommodation. Shih Mou’s motorcycle, a red Ducati, was found parked outside the house. Officers also found 50 grammes of ketamine in the house. A neighbour reported to officers that the house belonged to a Thai national who went to work in Taiwan. A Thai woman aged about 20 years old rented the house and lived there alone. He saw three to four foreign men, suspected to be Chinese nationals, visiting her at the house quite often. According to the neighbour, he saw Shih Mou arrive at the house on his motorcycle at midnight on February 24. In the early hours of February 25, the neighbour heard two gunshots before two foreign men drove the red car out of the house. Police discovered the car in Soi Phut-Jaroon in the Klong Song Tonnoon sub-district, Lat Krabang district, Bangkok. Officers found a bottle of bathroom cleaner, three bottles of white bleach cleaning liquid, a bloody plastic bag, and a bloody cloth. The memory card of the dashcam was removed. According to the police report, four Taiwanese and one Thai were involved in the murder. They were identified as follows: 26 year old Taiwanese man Lin Kwang Yun 25 year old Taiwanese man Cho Yu Fai 42 year old Taiwanese man Wang Kong Teng 33 year old Taiwanese man Su Fong Yeun 22 year old Thai woman Piyanut Thammarat Suspects flee Thailand The five suspects fled separately after abandoning the car in the Lat Krabang district. They reunited in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo before crossing the border into Cambodia and staying at a casino in Poipet City. Police reported that they left the casino at 9pm yesterday, February 26, and headed for Phenom Penh. Police admitted that they were unable to determine whether or not the suspects had already left Cambodia. They said they would coordinate with Cambodian authorities to arrest them all. The Commander of the Provincial Police Region 1, Jirasan Kaewsaengek, reported that the motive of the murder was suspected to be a conflict over illegal business, adultery, or drug smuggling. The deceased, Shih Mou, was suspected of being involved with the call centre scam gang, but further investigation would be carried out to confirm this information. ThaiRath reported that Shih Mou stole a car, a white Toyota Yaris, from his Taiwanese friend in Pattaya on February 24. He drove the stolen car to Bangkok and abandoned it on Ratchadaphisek Road before riding his motorcycle to the suspects’ house. Shih Mou is also on the arrest warrants for theft and gun possession in Taiwan as well. Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-27 - 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

Hua Hin in decline? Jomtien makeover… not everyone is happy - Tim Newton Today - Feb 27 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320961-hua-hin-in-decline-jomtien-makeover…-not-everyone-is-happy-tim-newton-today-feb-27/

Thailand news - Joint operations between US and Thai Navy divers continue to 'salvage' the HTMS Sukhothai that sank 14 months ago in the Gulf of Thailand. Are the LONG and ongoing roadworks along Rama II causing a decline of Hua Hin as a weekend favourite for Thais (and foreigners generally)? Jomtien Beach is changing, and not necessarily for the better. A new gun amnesty from the Thai government aims to get rid of many of the illegal weapons floating around, and the father of a young political activists is wanting his daughter, and her fellow-activist friend, released from custody whilst they are in poor health due to their hunger strike. Tim Newton Today is a daily take on Thai and regional news and issues of interest to expats and foreign tourists.

UK Visa Application Centre in Bangkok is relocating By Online Reporter Here is some important news for anyone who needs to apply for a visa to visit the United Kingdom. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320879-relocation-of-vfs-uk-visa-application-centre/

UK Visa Application Centre in Bangkok is relocating Here is some important news for anyone who needs to apply for a visa to visit the United Kingdom. The UK Visa Application Centre, which is located at the Trendy Office Building on Sukhumvit Soi 13, is moving to a new location from 18 March 2024. The UK Visa Application Centre and the HMPO address in Bangkok, Thailand will be relocated to the new address below. Visa Application Centre and HMPO address: VFS (Thailand) Ltd. The Shoppes at Belle Grand Rama 9, 131/1,141/1, Unit BS003 – BS003/1, 1st Floor, Rama 9, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10310 Thailand. By Online Reporter Full story: HUA HIN TODAY 2024-02-27 - 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