webfact

Phuket Motorbike Taxi Rider Allegedly Sexually Assaults German Tourist By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket –A Phuket motorbike taxi rider allegedly sexually assaulted a female German passenger. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320928-phuket-motorbike-taxi-rider-allegedly-sexually-assaults-german-tourist/

Phuket –A Phuket motorbike taxi rider allegedly sexually assaulted a female German passenger. The Phuket Tourist Police told the Phuket Express that a 37-year-old female German tourist filed a report to the Phuket City Police at 4:26 A.M. on Monday (February 26th) morning. The German tourist told police that she was walking alone in the Phuket Old Town when at 0:45 A.M. she got on a motorbike taxi heading to a hotel in Rassada, Mueang Phuket. The male taxi rider even called the hotel to ask for the hotel’s exact location. According to the tourist, along the way the taxi rider asked the German tourist’s name before suddenly kissing her cheek without warning. He also allegedly touched her genitals and took her hand to touch his own genitals. The German tourist pulled her hand back before jumping off from the taxi motorbike, slightly injuring herself in the process. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 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

Officials Shut Down Allegedly Illicit Nightclub in Pattaya By Aim Tanakorn Pattaya — In the early hours of Monday, February 26th, authorities led by Banglamung district chief Mr. Weekit Manarojkit raided an entertainment venue known as “The Moonlight” located on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320927-officials-shut-down-allegedly-illicit-nightclub-in-pattaya/

Pattaya — In the early hours of Monday, February 26th, authorities led by Banglamung district chief Mr. Weekit Manarojkit raided an entertainment venue known as “The Moonlight” located on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya. The action came after reports surfaced that the establishment had continued operating despite being ordered closed for five years by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) in December of 2020. The closure order was issued due to the establishment reportedly allowing individuals under the age of 20 to frequent its premises and persistently violating previous closure directives. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 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

Taiwanese Man Stole Car Before Being Shot Dead At Suvarnabhumi Airport Road by TNR Staff The abandoned restaurant where the Taiwanese man was found shot dead. Photo: Thai Rath A TAIWANESE man who was shot dead at an abandoned restaurant on Suvarnabhumi Airport road 4 had before his death stolen a car in Pattaya with a fellow countryman, TV Channel 7 and Thai Rath newspaper said today (Feb 26). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320926-taiwanese-man-stole-car-before-being-shot-dead-at-suvarnabhumi-airport-road/

A TAIWANESE man who was shot dead at an abandoned restaurant on Suvarnabhumi Airport road 4 had before his death stolen a car in Pattaya with a fellow countryman, TV Channel 7 and Thai Rath newspaper said today (Feb 26). Pattaya police station said on Saturday afternoon a Taiwanese woman, Ms. Aiju, 33, filed a report that a brand new sedan parked inside her house was stolen by two men, believed to also be Taiwanese. Surveillance camera clips showed the two Taiwanese men in her house, one of whom was found shot dead at the abandoned restaurant on Suvarnabhumi Airport road 4 at 11 a.m. yesterday with police investigators saying he had been dead for four to six hours. About 3,000 baht was found on the body of the deceased who had a big tattoo on his arm and other Chinese-language tattoos on his body. His body was sent to Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodindra Hospital for autopsy. by TNR Staff TOP: The abandoned restaurant where the Taiwanese man was found shot dead. Photo: Thai Rath Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 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

Navy Suspected Of Attempting To Keep Sunken Corvette A Mystery By Thai Newsroom Reporters A composite photo showing HTMS Sukhothai sailing then sinking. Photos: Thai Rath THE NAVY HAS BEEN SUSPECTED of attempting to keep the sunken corvette HTMS Sukhothai (FSG-442) literally buried undersea to make the actual cause of 2022’s incident an unsolved mystery. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320925-navy-suspected-of-attempting-to-keep-sunken-corvette-a-mystery/

THE NAVY HAS BEEN SUSPECTED of attempting to keep the sunken corvette HTMS Sukhothai (FSG-442) literally buried undersea to make the actual cause of 2022’s incident an unsolved mystery. In today’s (Feb 26) press conference, Move Forward MP Chayapon Satondee said members of the public could probably suspect that the navy may have attempted to hide the actual cause of HTMS Sukhothai’s sinking from being ever known to the public after it has been otherwise retrieved from the 50-metre-deep bottom of the sea off Prachuap Khiri Khan. The tragic mishap of the US-built corvette which capsized and sank in a stormy seas on Dec. 18, 2022 reportedly killed 24 sailors and rendered five others missing. “Given a sustained delay in the planned retrieval of the corvette from undersea, one cannot help suspecting that the navy may have ultimately intended to keep the ship literally buried undersea for fear that pieces of evidence otherwise retrieved to the surface could probably unveil the actual cause of the incident,” Chayapon said. By Thai Newsroom Reporters TOP: A composite photo showing HTMS Sukhothai sailing then sinking. Photos: Tha RAth Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 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 A composite photo showing HTMS Sukhothai sailing then sinking. Photos: Thai Rath

Srettha Shrugs Off Alleged Thaksin’s Role In Cabinet Reshuffle By Thai Newsroom Reporters Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Photo: Thai Rath PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin today (Feb 26) shrugged off criticism that de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra would quietly play a pivotal role in a future reshuffle of cabinet members. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320924-srettha-shrugs-off-alleged-thaksin’s-role-in-cabinet-reshuffle/

PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin today (Feb 26) shrugged off criticism that de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra would quietly play a pivotal role in a future reshuffle of cabinet members. The prime minister categorically dismissed speculation that a cabinet reshuffle might probably be looming under the influence of the de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict on parole to whom he paid an informal visit on Saturday. Srettha, viewed as a protege pushed to the elected premiership by Thaksin’s sister/deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra following last year’s election, persisted that only he himself and nobody else be entirely responsible for a possible reshuffle of the Pheu Thai-led cabinet at any time. The Pheu Thai-backed Srettha was responding to criticism that Thailand is virtually simultaneously run by two prime ministers with the other one being Thaksin who had been deposed from premiership in the 2006 coup, resided in self-exile abroad and returned home last August to literally serve half of his curtailed, one-year sentence for court-convicted misconduct at a hospital in lieu of a prison under a lame excuse of “critical illnesses” the symptoms and details of which remain a mystery to the public. By Thai Newsroom Reporters Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Photo: Thai Rathv Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 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

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 27 February 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1320923-thailand-live-tuesday-27-february-2024/

Elderly Swiss cyclist killed in hit-and-run in Sattahip district Photo courtesy of Thai News A 73 year old Swiss cyclist, was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident on Sukhumvit Road, in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri, late on Sunday night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320906-elderly-swiss-cyclist-killed-in-hit-and-run-in-sattahip-district/

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed a draft Executive Decree, exempting owners of illegal firearms, who surrender them to the authorities within a specific timeframe, from legal action. Draft decree signed exempting those who surrender unregistered firearms from legal action Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320913-draft-decree-signed-exempting-those-who-surrender-unregistered-firearms-from-legal-action/

Family seeks refuge from loan shark at Nonthaburi bus stop by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A family in Nonthaburi province found refuge at a bus stop after fleeing their home due to threats from a loan shark who demanded daily interest payments. The incident took place yesterday at 8pm, on February 25, when the family, lacking the funds to meet the exorbitant interest demands, feared for their safety. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320874-family-seeks-refuge-from-loan-shark-at-nonthaburi-bus-stop/

A family in Nonthaburi province found refuge at a bus stop after fleeing their home due to threats from a loan shark who demanded daily interest payments. The incident took place yesterday at 8pm, on February 25, when the family, lacking the funds to meet the exorbitant interest demands, feared for their safety. Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Nontranut Promjan, the chairman of the Nonthaburi task force, visited the site upon receiving a tip-off from a concerned citizen about a family seen sleeping at a bus stop in front of a shopping centre on Rattanathibet Road, Bang Kraso sub-district, Muang district. Upon arrival, he discovered a 49 year old man along with his 40 year old wife and their 12 year old son, a sixth-grade student, taking refuge behind the bus stop signage, reported KhaoSod. Photo courtesy of KhaoSod The man revealed that three months prior, he and his wife each borrowed 5,000 baht, totalling 15,000 baht, from an informal lender. They were obligated to pay 300 baht in interest daily, which translates to 100 baht per 5,000 baht borrowed. This type of interest, known as floating interest, does not reduce the principal amount owed. Despite consistently paying the interest, the family found themselves unable to meet the payment on the due date. The loan shark’s threats via phone, warning that failure to pay would result in being forcibly taken away in a van, instilled enough fear in the family to make them abandon their home. Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Following the discovery, Nontranut escorted the family to the Rattanathibet Police Station, where the husband filed a complaint against the loan shark for intimidation and threats of harm. The police assured them of their safety and escorted the family back to their rented accommodation, promising to look after their security. In related news, cyber police arrested a Thai man in Trang for offering high-interest loans and allegedly coercing debtors into sex, leading to public shaming on social media. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-26 - 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-US navies continue search of HTMS Sukhothai wreck today Photo : Royal Thai Navy’s Facebook page The Thai and US navies are entering the fifth day of their joint operation to search for the remains of five crew members missing from sunken HTMS Sukhothai. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320872-thai-us-navies-continue-search-of-htms-sukhothai-wreck-today/

The Thai and US navies are entering the fifth day of their joint operation to search for the remains of five crew members missing from sunken HTMS Sukhothai. A search will be conducted in the main engine room, quartermaster clerk’s room and deck walkways today, according to the Royal Thai Navy’s Facebook page. The corvette class vessel sank on the night of December 18, 2022, in heavy seas. Twenty-four crew were killed, five remain unaccounted for and the remainder of the complement were rescued. Thirty-five Thai and 14 American naval divers are taking part in the 19-day salvage mission.The US has deployed the supply ship “Ocean Valor”, which is participating in the Cobra Gold multinational military exercise. Top Photo : Royal Thai Navy’s Facebook page Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-26 - 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

Thaksin Shinawatra’s return stirs interest in Thailand’s economic policy by Alex Morgan Photo by Sakchai Lalit via AP The former prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, is back in the political limelight following his release on parole. His return to his Ban Chan Song La residence in Bangkok, which previously served as his command centre during his time in office, has sparked interest from the business sector. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320860-thaksin-shinawatra’s-return-stirs-interest-in-thailand’s-economic-policy/

The former prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, is back in the political limelight following his release on parole. His return to his Ban Chan Song La residence in Bangkok, which previously served as his command centre during his time in office, has sparked interest from the business sector. They are keen to understand the potential implications this could have on the current administration, particularly about the economic policy under the Pheu Thai Party-led coalition government, which Thaksin has dominated since 2007. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, stressed the need for consistent policies, notwithstanding changes in the political landscape. He indicated that it may be premature for a cabinet reshuffle, given that the current administration, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, has only been in place for six months. Sisdivachr was of the view that Thaksin’s return to his residence was unlikely to cause significant changes, considering his continued influence on the party during his exile, reported Bangkok Post. From an economic perspective, Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, suggested that Thaksin’s expertise could be beneficial in an advisory role to the government. Aat Pisanwanich, an economics analyst and senior consultant at Intelligence Research Consultant Co Ltd, also hinted at the possible influence Thaksin’s release could have on economic policies, beyond those declared by the Pheu Thai Party during the election campaign. Prakit Siriwattanaket, managing director of Merchant Partners Asset Management, pointed out that Thaksin’s potential role in policy formulation is being closely monitored by the stock market. He also raised concerns about who holds real power within the government, highlighting the coalition government’s occasional lack of unity. Related news Somchai Sittichaisrichart, managing director of SIS Distribution (Thailand) Plc, an IT distributor, does not expect Thaksin’s release to alter the course of Thai economic development. He urged the government to implement short-term economic stimuli that do not increase public debt, in addition to encouraging foreign investment in Thailand. Foreseeing government operations Despite Thaksin’s release, Apichart Kasemkulsiri, chief executive of SET-listed L.P.N. Development, does not foresee political upheaval. He suggests that Thaksin’s return could result in more vigorous government operations, including the implementation of economic stimulus policies. While Thaksin’s influence on the political landscape is undeniable, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Federation of Thai SMEs, and the Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry declined to comment on the economic prospects following Thaksin’s release. On the other hand, political observers anticipate that Thaksin will continue to exert influence on politics, especially with the Pheu Thai Party at the helm of the government. by Alex Morgan Photo by Sakchai Lalit via AP Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-26 - 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

Cobra Gold military exercise introduces Muay Thai training for first time by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of The Nation Cobra Gold, the annual joint military exercise, kicks off today, and for the first time, it will feature Muay Thai training as an essential component. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320859-cobra-gold-military-exercise-introduces-muay-thai-training-for-first-time/

Cobra Gold, the annual joint military exercise, kicks off today, and for the first time, it will feature Muay Thai training as an essential component. The decision is an integral part of the government’s strategy to elevate the Thai martial arts as a symbol of the nation’s ‘soft power’. The Defence Ministry announced that the 43rd iteration of Cobra Gold would embody the government’s soft power strategy. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang had given instructions to incorporate Thai cultural elements and traditions like Muay Thai into the exercise, apart from the standard programme, reported Bangkok Post. The Defence Ministry spokesperson, Jirayu Houngsub, revealed that the Muay Thai training would also be showcased in tourist hotspots, including Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, Bang Sare, Chon Buri, Rayong, Lop Buri, and other provinces selected by the army. This move is expected to motivate 9,590 soldiers from the 30 participating countries to promote Thai tourism and Muay Thai upon their return home, said Jirayu Houngsub. The 43rd Cobra Gold, which will run until March 8, marks the first instance of the event being conducted at full capacity since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The primary drills will witness participation from Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and the Republic of Korea. Simultaneously, specific exercises will involve countries such as China, India and Australia. Jirayu Houngsub further detailed that this year’s training would emphasise commanding large battalions to tackle diverse threats, including land, air, space, and cybersecurity issues. Related news Meanwhile, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) president Nopasit Chakpitak confirmed that Aerothai would collaborate with the Royal Thai Air Force to manage air traffic for Cobra Gold. He stated that this might necessitate airspace closure over parts of the northeastern, northern, eastern and southern regions, potentially causing minor flight delays. In related news, over 4,000 personnel aboard the USS Somerset and USS Miguel Keith participated in Cobra Gold 2024, a joint military exercise in Thailand, alongside 30 nations. by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of The Nation Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-26 - 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

New agricultural land reform policy to implement buffer zones by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Government House Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow is set to propose a new agricultural land reform policy tomorrow. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320858-new-agricultural-land-reform-policy-to-implement-buffer-zones/

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow is set to propose a new agricultural land reform policy tomorrow. The policy seeks to establish a buffer zone between forest reserves and agricultural land, with the explicit specification that this zone will not be allocated to individual farmers. This comes in the wake of an ongoing dispute between the Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) and the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) over the reform policy. This policy is aimed at improving the status of Sor Por Kor land, which were previously non-transferable plots designated for landless farmers, reported Bangkok Post. The minister’s meeting with Alro aims to ensure that officials across the country comply with the buffer zone guidelines. Furthermore, investigations into alleged irregularities in the issuance of Sor Por Kor land will be conducted. The conflict between Alro and the DNP was sparked when it was discovered that nearly 3,000 rai of land within the Khao Yai National Park, a World Heritage site, was marked for allocation to farmers under the Sor Por Kor policy. The two agencies agreed last Wednesday to maintain a buffer zone between the national park and Alro land untouched. If any Alro plots are later confirmed to be part of a national park, the land document for these specific plots must be annulled. Emphasising the importance of the buffer zones, Thamanat Prompow stated that they will not be assigned to individual farmers. Instead, these zones will be labelled as ‘community forests’, managed collectively by the community for communal use. Meanwhile, a coalition of 22 forest and wildlife conservation groups, led by Amnuay Inthararak, has initiated a campaign opposing the issuance of Sor Kor Por land documents in forest reserves. The group plans to submit a petition to Premier Srettha Thavisin, requesting a review of the Sor Por Kor policy. Related news In related news, Thailand’s Department of Natural Resources refuted claims to farmland within Khao Yai National Park, challenging agricultural land designation by the Agricultural Land Reform Office. by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Government House Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-26 - 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 border skirmishes, Airlines warned against price-gouging - Tim Newton Today - Feb 26 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320857-thai-border-skirmishes-airlines-warned-against-price-gouging-tim-newton-today-feb-26/

Fresh fighting between Burmese troops and rebels near a Thai border post, airlines warned against price gouging fares to tourist island, Thai public health ministers says legalising e-cigarettes and vaping is ‘impossible’, India will become the world's most populous nation by April this year.