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A 34 year old British man has died in a motorbike accident in Phuket in the early hours of yesterday, February 15. The accident, involving 3 vehicles, happened in Rawai and the bike rider died at the scene, according to The Phuket News. Chalong Police arrived on the scene, outside a 7 Eleven store on Patak Road, shortly after 5am. Officers found 3 damaged vehicles: the British man’s Honda motorbike, a pick-up truck belonging to 27 year old Hakarn Yuso, and a Toyota minivan belonging to 49 year old Suradet Sawangsri. According to the report, CCTV footage from the area shows the British man travelling from Kata Beach and heading for Chalong circle. By Peter Roche PHOTOS: The Phuket News Full story: PhuketGO 2024-02-16 - 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

Unruly British man goes berserk on Bangkok-London flight (video) by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of The Daily Mail An unruly British man was arrested after his flight from Bangkok to London Heathrow landed following a cowardly attack on a Thai Airways member of staff. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320106-unruly-british-man-goes-berserk-on-bangkok-london-flight-video/

An unruly British man was arrested after his flight from Bangkok to London Heathrow landed following a cowardly attack on a Thai Airways member of staff. The 35 year old unnamed British man went berserk only minutes after the flight from the Thai capital took off on February 7 and proceeded to smash up the aircraft’s toilet. A passenger managed to capture the disgraceful footage of the unhinged man assaulting a flight attendant who was trying to calm him down. The belligerent passenger was also seen attempting to exchange blows with other passengers and crew members who intervened. The motive behind his erratic behaviour remains unknown. A female passenger, who opted to remain anonymous, recorded the unfolding chaos on her mobile phone from her seat. Her footage depicts the man striking a steward, causing him to collapse in the aisle. “He was in the toilet and he started screaming and shouting. He started smashing the door and it came away from the hinges. “An older guy, in the white t-shirt, tried to get him out. A fight broke out and he ended up smacking the flight attendant. I think he broke his nose.” by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of The Daily Mail Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-16 - 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 BTIT.mp4 Shocking moment British passenger PUNCHES air steward in the face and has to be restrained after 'smashing up plane toilet' during flight from Bangkok to London

Locals rally to clean up messy situation for Thai-Scottish family in Pattaya by Petch Petpailin Photo via Amarin TV Locals sought help for a Thai woman and her half Thai half Scottish sons living in an unhealthy, rubbish-strewn house in Pattaya. The three were reportedly in financial trouble after the woman’s Scottish husband left Thailand four years ago. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320104-locals-rally-to-clean-up-messy-situation-for-thai-scottish-family-in-pattaya/

Locals sought help for a Thai woman and her half Thai half Scottish sons living in an unhealthy, rubbish-strewn house in Pattaya. The three were reportedly in financial trouble after the woman’s Scottish husband left Thailand four years ago. Residents in the northern Pattaya neighbourhood urged Amarin TV to tell the family’s story in a bid to find help for them. Residents were also concerned about their health as the piles of rubbish in the family’s home were causing air pollution in the area. Upon arrival, the reporter team encountered a group of locals waiting outside the house. They interviewed a motorcycle taxi rider named Ball, who helped the family several times before. He said he first met the family a month ago. He felt uncomfortable when he sent them to the house and asked to look inside, only to find a pile of rubbish. Ball said he felt sorry for the children, so he often bought them food and drink and sometimes lent their mother money. The woman told Ball that her husband was Scottish. He left Thailand three to four years ago and initially sent her money every month. However, the money sometimes could not cover their expense, so the woman had to borrow from neighbours and food vendors in the area. Her eldest son is 16 and the other boy is seven. Ball said he did not know why the family kept the rubbish in the house. He tried to persuade the woman to clean the place several times but she ignored his pleas. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Amarin TV Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-16 - 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

Bangkok's air pollution crisis, government in panic mode - - Tim Newton Today - Feb 16 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320103-bangkoks-air-pollution-crisis-government-in-panic-mode-tim-newton-today-feb-16/

Thailand news - Thailand's PM and other government ministers are reacting to the poor PR and media attention over the ongoing PM2.5 and air pollution crisis in Bangkok, central and northern Thailand. Thailand's same-sex marriage bill will hit parliament soon for consideration, more over 'motorcade-gate' and the responses from government officials, a major makeover for the Jomtien Beach promenade and Phuket's airfare price-gouging. Tim Newton Today is a daily take on Thai and regional news and issues of interest to expats and foreign tourists.

Thai police cracks down on billion-baht movie piracy network by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Law enforcement conducted raids at four locations across Thailand, cracking down on an extensive online piracy network responsible for an illicit movie streaming platform that has been in operation for nearly two decades. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320102-thai-police-cracks-down-on-billion-baht-movie-piracy-network/

Law enforcement conducted raids at four locations across Thailand, cracking down on an extensive online piracy network responsible for an illicit movie streaming platform that has been in operation for nearly two decades. The raids, which took place yesterday, targeted two sites in Bangkok, one in Surin, and one in Surat Thani, aiming to dismantle the piracy network that has allegedly caused damages exceeding 1 billion baht. The Intellectual Property and International Trade Court issued the search warrants that led to the concerted operation spearheaded by the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD). The crackdown was the result of complaints from several private companies in the film industry against the website siambit.com, known for distributing pirated movies. The operation’s success followed an intensive investigation into the website’s operations, which revealed a well-organised system of piracy. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-16 - 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

Royal Rainmaking Department struggles to control Bangkok PM2.5 levels by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of The Nation The Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department admits its efforts to tackle sky-high PM2.5 levels in Bangkok are being thwarted by the haze drifting from Myanmar. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320100-royal-rainmaking-department-struggles-to-control-bangkok-pm25-levels/

The Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department admits its efforts to tackle sky-high PM2.5 levels in Bangkok are being thwarted by the haze drifting from Myanmar. The department’s Director-General, Supit Pithaktham, sprung into action after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s directive to combat PM2.5 air pollution actively. Supit revealed that despite their daily endeavours since December to produce artificial rain, the intensified burning of farmland in Myanmar has unleashed a relentless barrage of pollution, carried by easterly winds into Bangkok. “Although our sorties to seed clouds continue daily, we lack the aircraft to increase our efforts.” Yesterday witnessed a surge in PM2.5 levels across Bangkok, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to advocate for remote work today and tomorrow. PM Srettha, responding to the crisis, rushed to the Air Quality Centre of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry’s Pollution Control Department for a briefing. by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of The Nation Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-16 - 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’s Education Ministry to launch enhanced O-Net Plus exam system by Mitch Connor Pol Gen Permpoon: Test not mandatory. Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Education Minister, Police General Permpoon Chidchob, affirmed the necessity of a benchmark to evaluate students’ knowledge and skill levels, a role that the National Institute of Educational Testing Service’s (Niets) Ordinary National Educational Test (O-Net) is set to fill. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320097-thailand’s-education-ministry-to-launch-enhanced-o-net-plus-exam-system/

Education Minister, Police General Permpoon Chidchob, affirmed the necessity of a benchmark to evaluate students’ knowledge and skill levels, a role that the National Institute of Educational Testing Service’s (Niets) Ordinary National Educational Test (O-Net) is set to fill. As disclosed by Pol Gen Permpoon, the ministry, in collaboration with the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec), the Office of the Teacher Civil Service and Educational Personnel Commission (OTEPC), and Niets, is outlining future plans for the test. The existing O-Net, which covers maths, Thai language, science, and English, may be replaced by an improved version, O-Net Plus. The latter will allow students to take exams in additional subjects without repeating those already passed or taken, the current system does not extend to all eight core subjects, reported Bangkok Post. Pol Gen Permpoon anticipates the O-Net Plus’s roll-out in the 2024 academic year, although it will not be obligatory yet. The test will have an increased emphasis on critical thinking skills. Students will have the option of taking the O-Net Plus test, aimed at enhancing their skills and gauging their learning achievements, rather than coercing them into scoring high for their school’s benefit. by Mitch Connor TOP: Pol Gen Permpoon: Test not mandatory. Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-16 - 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 sees Chinese tourism soar as visa requirement dropped Less bureaucracy and more flights are luring Chinese visitors back to Thailand in a boost to the tourism industry By Tommy Walker Visitors admire the decorations on Bangkok's Yaowarat Road [Tommy Walker/Al Jazeera] Bangkok, Thailand – Bangkok’s Chinatown, lit up by red-lanterns and decorative banners to celebrate the Lunar New Year holidays, is bustling. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320096-thailand-sees-chinese-tourism-soar-as-visa-requirement-dropped/

Less bureaucracy and more flights are luring Chinese visitors back to Thailand in a boost to the tourism industry Bangkok, Thailand – Bangkok’s Chinatown, lit up by red-lanterns and decorative banners to celebrate the Lunar New Year holidays, is bustling. As the region welcomed the Year of the Dragon last weekend, ethnic Chinese Thais thronged temples to light candles and pray for good fortune. Inside the glowing red interior of Wat Mangkon Kamalawat – the largest Chinese temple in Bangkok – women wore traditional cheongsam dresses and took photos with their loved ones. Outside, in the hustle and bustle of Yaowarat Road, lion dancers performed as visitors – Thais and legions of tourists – crowded the street, sampling the food and shopping from stalls in the market. Many were from China, with official figures showing hundreds of thousands of Chinese nationals chose to spend the holiday, which began on February 10, in Thailand where they no longer need to get a visa. By Tommy Walker Picture: Visitors admire the decorations on Bangkok's Yaowarat Road [Tommy Walker/Al Jazeera] Full story: AL JAZEERA 2024-02-16 - 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

Revenue department develops data analytics to combat tax invoice fraud by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of Patipat Janthong The Director-General of the Revenue Department, Kulaya Tantitemit, has announced the development of a data analytics system aimed at helping entrepreneurs integrate into the tax payment system and fight against falsified tax invoices. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320092-revenue-department-develops-data-analytics-to-combat-tax-invoice-fraud/

The Director-General of the Revenue Department, Kulaya Tantitemit, has announced the development of a data analytics system aimed at helping entrepreneurs integrate into the tax payment system and fight against falsified tax invoices. This announcement was made during a press conference alongside the Economic Crime Suppression Division. Five gangs responsible for the production of fake value-added tax (VAT) invoices have been apprehended by a joint effort between the department and the division. The Revenue Department estimates that these fraudulent acts have led to a tax revenue loss of approximately 100 million baht (US$2,766,022), reported Bangkok Post. The new data analytics system is a strategic move to bolster tax and customs administration. It will enable about 800,000 entrepreneurs to access the VAT payment system free of charge, according to Kulaya. She emphasised that the creation of counterfeit VAT invoices is in violation of Section 90/4 of the Revenue Code, as it enables companies to under-report their income tax. Investigations have uncovered that other registered businesses have been issuing VAT invoices without carrying out any actual business transactions. by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of Patipat Janthong Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-16 - 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 should open its door to young Myanmar refugees By Cod Satrusayang In a recent, unsettling development, Myanmar’s military junta announced the imposition of compulsory military service for all young men and women, a drastic measure that threatens to further destabilize an already volatile region. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320088-thailand-should-open-its-door-to-young-myanmar-refugees/

In a recent, unsettling development, Myanmar’s military junta announced the imposition of compulsory military service for all young men and women, a drastic measure that threatens to further destabilize an already volatile region. This decision, mandating service for men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27, comes amidst intensifying conflicts with resistance forces and widespread international condemnation of the junta’s legitimacy and actions. As a result, a significant exodus towards relative safety is underway, with Thailand becoming a primary destination for those fleeing conscription and conflict. Thailand stands at a crossroads, presented with a humanitarian dilemma and a strategic opportunity. The flow of young, potentially skilled individuals from Myanmar poses a question of not just moral duty but also of long-term benefits to the Thai workforce and society at large. It is a moment that calls for compassion, foresight, and leadership from the Thai government and its people. First and foremost, welcoming the young refugees from Myanmar is a humanitarian imperative. These individuals are seeking to escape serving a regime that has been widely criticized for its oppressive tactics, human rights abuses, and illegitimate claim to power. By Cod Satrusayang Full story: THAI ENQUIRER 2024-02-16 - 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 government urges use of public transport amid rising PM2.5 pollution by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post The escalating issue of PM2.5 pollution in Thailand has led the government to encourage the public to utilise public transportation, particularly in the most polluted areas. Full sory: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320085-thailand-government-urges-use-of-public-transport-amid-rising-pm25-pollution/

The escalating issue of PM2.5 pollution in Thailand has led the government to encourage the public to utilise public transportation, particularly in the most polluted areas. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has called for the public’s cooperation in the battle against the country’s increasing air pollution, which has seen a significant rise in recent days. “We must work on improving the situation instead of just talking about it,” PM Srettha stated, emphasising the need for proactive action over-relying on favourable weather conditions to naturally dissipate the pollution. These remarks came following a briefing on the national PM2.5 dust pollution situation, held at the Pollution Control Department (PCD). Provincial governors have received instructions to prevent open waste burning within their provinces, and related departments have been tasked to liaise with neighbouring countries to curb the same. To foster long-term air quality improvements around the capital, the government is contemplating introducing incentives for motorists to switch to electric vehicles, along with plans to relocate the bustling Klong Toey port outside the city. by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-16 - 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

Soaring travel costs to Phuket spark tourist backlash by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post The soaring cost of air travel to Phuket has sparked a backlash from local tourists, with low-cost carriers reportedly charging up to 14,000 baht (US$388) for a round trip from Bangkok. Despite making bookings weeks in advance, some travellers reported paying 5,000 baht (US$138) for a one-way ticket. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320084-soaring-travel-costs-to-phuket-spark-tourist-backlash/

The soaring cost of air travel to Phuket has sparked a backlash from local tourists, with low-cost carriers reportedly charging up to 14,000 baht (US$388) for a round trip from Bangkok. Despite making bookings weeks in advance, some travellers reported paying 5,000 baht (US$138) for a one-way ticket. The president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), Suksit Suvunditkul, confirmed that both airfares and hotel prices in Phuket have been on a steady increase since the pandemic’s end. According to Suksit, the rising prices can be attributed to the surge in demand during the ongoing high season, predominantly fuelled by foreign tourists. “International tourists were unfazed by high prices as their trips were planned and booked in advance. The airfares are normally combined in the form of connecting flights from Bangkok, so they wouldn’t notice how the prices had adjusted on domestic routes,” explained Suksit. He further highlighted that the price hike primarily affected local business travellers and domestic tourists. Data for this month reveals that foreign tourists accounted for 90% of all travellers to Phuket, while domestic travellers made up a mere 10%. Chinese New Year festivities gave a significant boost to the Chinese market, which overtook the Russian market for the first time this year. Between February 1-14, Phuket witnessed the arrival of 66,775 Chinese tourists, surpassing the 54,908 Russian tourists, reported Bangkok Post. Suksit also pointed out that the high season in Phuket typically runs from November to March, with a peak period between December and February. This period generally results in a spike in airfares and room rates due to increased bookings. by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-16 - 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

Cabinet meeting to discuss constitutional amendment referendum parameters by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of iStock Phumtham Wechayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, has announced that next month’s cabinet meeting will focus on the parameters required for a constitutional amendment referendum. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320082-cabinet-meeting-to-discuss-constitutional-amendment-referendum-parameters/

Phumtham Wechayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, has announced that next month’s cabinet meeting will focus on the parameters required for a constitutional amendment referendum. Phumtham, who is also the head of a panel examining the referendum requirements for the charter amendment, has stated that the report will be submitted to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the cabinet for review. In a recent meeting with coalition party leaders, Phumtham stated that there was an agreement on the panel’s key issues. These issues revolve around the uncertainty of how many referendums should be conducted during the charter amendment process, the question or questions to be posed during the referendum, and the procedures to undertake for a charter rewrite, reported Bangkok Post. The findings from these discussions will be presented to the Election Commission after the cabinet’s review. Phumtham also mentioned that parliament intends to appeal to the Constitutional Court for a ruling on the number of referendums required for the charter amendment. by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of iStock Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-16 - 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