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Student network demands the facts on Thaksin’s true medical condition The Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand gathered today in front of the Police General Hospital, demanding that doctors reveal Thaksin Shinawatra’s actual medical condition. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319909-student-network-demands-the-facts-on-thaksin’s-true-medical-condition/

A Thai woman took to social media to look for a foreign couple who saved her mother from drowning in the Chao Phraya River in the central province of Ayutthaya. Thai woman seeks foreign couple who rescued her mother from Chao Phraya River Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319925-thai-woman-seeks-foreign-couple-who-rescued-her-mother-from-chao-phraya-river/ Photo via Facebook/ กรวิภา ทองนุ่ม

UPDATE: Police seeking two Scots in connection with Myanmar businessman’s murder Police are looking for two Scottish men, accused by a Myanmar woman of killing her son and robbing him of about 5 million baht in cash at an apartment on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 4 on Tuesday night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319890-myanmar-businessman-killed-over-black-money-deal-in-bangkok/?do=findComment&comment=18693305

Police seeking two Scots in connection with Myanmar businessman’s murder Police are looking for two Scottish men, accused by a Myanmar woman of killing her son and robbing him of about 5 million baht in cash at an apartment on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 4 on Tuesday night. The woman, who was also assaulted, told Lumpini police that her son and the two Scots were partners in a money exchange business. She claimed that the pair came to her son’s apartment, located on the 23rd floor, and attacked both of them, knocking her unconscious. She said that, when she woke up, she found her son was already dead in a pool of blood on the floor. She also claims that about five million baht in cash, stored in a safe, had gone. Lumpini police said they are trying to obtain CCTV footage from the apartment building and the surrounding area before they can seek warrants for the arrests of the suspects. Police also said that they are yet to determine the motive of the alleged murder. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-14 - 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 13.3% increase in foreign tourists over Chinese New Year The Chinese New Year holiday has brought 13.3% more foreign tourists to the kingdom, according to Thailand’s tourism ministry. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319893-thailand-sees-133-increase-in-foreign-tourists-over-chinese-new-year/

The Chinese New Year holiday has brought 13.3% more foreign tourists to the kingdom, according to Thailand’s tourism ministry. Tourism minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkoson says that during the period of February 5 – 11, Thailand enjoyed a surge in visitor numbers, in particular from short and regional medium haul countries. Visitor numbers were up from China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea, when compared to the week before. In total, Thailand welcomed 872,235 foreign arrivals, up 102,227 compared to the previous week. By Peter Roche Full story: PhuketGO 2024-02-14 - 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 PHOTO: Thailand Business News

2 foreign men caught stealing 1,500 baht cannabis in Pattaya by Petch Petpailin Photo via Channel 7 The owner of a cannabis shop in Pattaya yesterday filed a complaint against two foreign men who stole 1,500 baht worth of ganja from her shop. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319892-2-foreign-men-caught-stealing-1500-baht-cannabis-in-pattaya/

The owner of a cannabis shop in Pattaya yesterday filed a complaint against two foreign men who stole 1,500 baht worth of ganja from her shop. The Thai shop owner, 48 year old Sakun, told Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers yesterday, February 13, that her cannabis outlet is located in Soi Pattaya Klang 12, and she was in the shop with her son when the theft took place. Sakun said the thieves were foreigners but she could not identify their nationalities. Sakun explained that two foreign men entered the shop together. One of them stood at the front of the counter and pretended to select each type of cannabis. Another foreign man approached Sakun and asked her about the details of each product. One of the foreign thieves told Sakun that he had a US$100 banknote and would return to the shop after exchanging the money. Then, the man walked out of the cannabis shop. Another foreign man browsed the products for a while before leaving without buying anything. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Channel 7 Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-14 - 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

PM2.5 Levels Soar in Bangkok BANGKOK, Feb 14 (TNA) – PM2.5 levels soar in Bangkok, many areas marked red. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319891-pm25-levels-soar-in-bangkok/

BANGKOK, Feb 14 (TNA) – PM2.5 levels soar in Bangkok, many areas marked red. This morning, PM2.5 levels in Bangkok have surged, with several districts hitting red levels, posing health risks. According to the Bangkok Air Quality Data Center's report on PM2.5 dust levels at 7:00 AM, the top 5 areas are as follows: Nong Khaem District: 80.9 micrograms per cubic meter Khlong Sam Wa District: 78.6 micrograms per cubic meter Thonburi District: 78.4 micrograms per cubic meter Bang Bon District: 76.4 micrograms per cubic meter Bueng Kum District: 76.2 micrograms per cubic meter Full story: TNA-MCOT 2024-02-14 - 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

Myanmar businessman killed over black money deal in Bangkok by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod A violent altercation in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area led to the death of a 53 year old Myanmar businessman in the early hours of this morning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319890-myanmar-businessman-killed-over-black-money-deal-in-bangkok/

A violent altercation in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area led to the death of a 53 year old Myanmar businessman in the early hours of this morning. The incident occurred at 1.30am today, February 14, in a room in a Sukhumvit Soi 4 mansion, where the victim, Kayo Seya, was found with multiple injuries and significant blood loss. The businessman was reportedly involved in a foreign currency exchange business with two associates, William and John, a Scottish man. During a heated dispute, the victim’s mother attempted to intervene and was knocked unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she discovered her son had been fatally injured. Additionally, it was reported that 5 million baht in cash was missing from the room. The police and forensic teams are investigating the crime scene and seized a mysterious suitcase and the safe purchased for black money transactions. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage is being reviewed to track down the two suspects, with immigration officials alerted to prevent their escape. The scene at the 23rd-floor apartment was grim, with the victim lying amidst a pool of blood, his injuries indicating a brutal attack. Police, forensic experts, and medical examiners from Chulalongkorn Hospital immediately swarmed the site to gather evidence and piece together the events leading to Seya’s death, reported KhaoSod. by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-14 - 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 by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

Bangkok administration lacks funding to build three mass transit lines The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has decided to scrap the construction of three mass transit projects, due to a shortage of money, and to transfer them to the Ministry of Transport for implementation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319889-bangkok-administration-lacks-funding-to-build-three-mass-transit-lines/

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has decided to scrap the construction of three mass transit projects, due to a shortage of money, and to transfer them to the Ministry of Transport for implementation. The decision not to go ahead with the construction of the Silver, Grey and Light Blue lines was adopted at a meeting of the BMA’s mass transit project management committee today. The Silver Line is 19.7-km long, linking Bang Na with the Suvarnabhumi international airport. It would have 14 stations and connect with the Green Line at Bang Na station and the Yellow Line at Sri-iam station. Most of the route is on land of the Highways Department and half of the route is located in Samut Prakan province. Phase One of the Grey Line is 16.3-km long, linking Watcharaphol with Thonglor. It would have 15 stations and connect with the Pink, Brown, Yellow, Orange and Green at Thonglor station. Most of the land through which the Line route passes belongs to the Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, under the supervision of the Transport Ministry. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-14 - 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

PM reiterates Thai government’s intention to tackle debt problem Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has reiterated the government’s determination to resolve formal and informal debt problems within the 4-year term of his administration. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319886-pm-reiterates-thai-government’s-intention-to-tackle-debt-problem/

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has reiterated the government’s determination to resolve formal and informal debt problems within the 4-year term of his administration. He said that the progress in tackling the debt problem over the past two months reflects his administration’s sincere intention to help people escape from the debt trap. Debtors are divided into four main groups: • Individuals and small and medium sized enterprises who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. • Those who have regular incomes, but are over-burdened with debt obligations, including 3 million members of state cooperatives and 150,000 credit card debtors. • 1.8 million farmers without regular incomes, who have incurred about 250 billion baht in debt, and some 600,000 debtors to the Student Loan Fund. • Debtors who have non-performing loans. An asset management firm will be set up to resolve the NPL problem. The prime minister said that about 140,000 informal debtors, with total debts of 9.8 million baht, have registered for government help to settle their debt since last December. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-14 - 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

Slow economic growth, lack of foreign investment are major challenges Thailand’s biggest economic challenge is that its economy has been growing at slower pace, about 3% per annum, than Malaysia and China, at about 5% annually, because it lacks the ability to attract foreign investors, according to Dr. Kobsak Pootrakool, executive vice president of the Bangkok Bank and a respected economist, in an exclusive interview with Thai PBS. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319885-slow-economic-growth-lack-of-foreign-investment-are-major-challenges/

Thailand’s biggest economic challenge is that its economy has been growing at slower pace, about 3% per annum, than Malaysia and China, at about 5% annually, because it lacks the ability to attract foreign investors, according to Dr. Kobsak Pootrakool, executive vice president of the Bangkok Bank and a respected economist, in an exclusive interview with Thai PBS. If the slow growth persists much longer, Thailand will lose the status of being the economic leader in the region, which would be a big problem, but not an economic crisis like the “tom yum kung” debacle in 1997, he said. Foreign investment in Thailand today is much less than before the 1997 crisis, due to excessive red tape, which many investors find to be an obstacle to investment and, more importantly, Thailand has fewer free trade agreements than its neighbours, like Vietnam. He said Thailand used to be the leader in Southeast Asia in the production of electronics but, today, it has lost that status to Vietnam and we are being left far behind. The cutting of policy rates by the Bank of Thailand is not going to improve the Thai economy, although it may help the economy slightly. If the economy is to grow by 4.5% annually every year, it must be boosted by investment, production restructuring, new innovations and tourism expansion, said the economist. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-14 - 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 free from Sunday, but journalists & protesters arrested - Tim Newton Today - Feb 14 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319884-thaksin-free-from-sunday-but-journalists-protesters-arrested-tim-newton-today-feb-14/

Thailand news - Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra is poised for freedom after spending a very comfortable prison term at the Bangkok Police Hospital, meanwhile journalists, photographers and activists are being arrested and bailed over a number of alleged 'les majeste' offences. Chinese New Year has been a big tourist hit for Thailand as regional tourists have flocked to the Kingdom, in numbers! The transport minister has put Suvarnabhumi airport operators on notice for their 'sloppy' ground services, the Australian Governor General visits Thailand and the Thai Foreign Minister has been visiting the US meeting with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, to discuss various security issues, along with Myanmar, Gaza and Israel. Tim Newton Today is a daily take on Thai and regional news and issues of interest to expats and foreign tourists.

Khon Kaen Buddhism director scammed of 1.19 million baht by Samantha Rose Photo courtesy of Sanook The director of the Office of Buddhism in Khon Kaen has fallen victim to a scam, resulting in a loss of over 1.19 million baht (US$32,973), leaving a mere 87 satang (US$0.024) in their bank account. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319883-khon-kaen-buddhism-director-scammed-of-119-million-baht/

The director of the Office of Buddhism in Khon Kaen has fallen victim to a scam, resulting in a loss of over 1.19 million baht (US$32,973), leaving a mere 87 satang (US$0.024) in their bank account. The director, who had unknowingly sent their phone number—which was not linked to any bank—to what appeared to be a legitimate airline’s line account, was nearly driven to despair by the incident. On February 2, with plans to travel to Bangkok on February 5-6, the director searched for flight tickets on Google and came across a link to a well-known airline. After inquiring about the ticket prices but not purchasing them to find a cheaper alternative, the director was contacted by the airline via Line asking if they were interested in signing up for a membership. Believing that supporting a Thai airline was beneficial and without any apparent risk, the director provided their English name and an office phone number, not linked to any banking application, to prevent potential fraud. In the afternoon of the same day, a video call from the airline’s Line account led the director to confirm their membership by scanning their face, which they assumed was a standard security procedure of the airline. Unfortunately, this was the precursor to the fraudulent act. by Samantha Rose Photo courtesy of Sanook Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-14 - 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

Ed Sheeran concert uproar prompts Paetongtarn to deny VIP noise by Puntid Tantivangphaisal File Photo: Wikimedia Concertgoers at Ed Sheeran’s recent performance in Bangkok were met with an unexpected disturbance emanating from the VIP section, leading to a heated debate across social media platforms. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319879-ed-sheeran-concert-uproar-prompts-paetongtarn-to-deny-vip-noise/

Concertgoers at Ed Sheeran’s recent performance in Bangkok were met with an unexpected disturbance emanating from the VIP section, leading to a heated debate across social media platforms. Amidst the furore, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, addressed the issue today, staunchly denying involvement in the disruptive noise that prompted some audience members to leave the venue. The controversy at the Ed Sheeran concert sparked outrage as fans criticised the excessive noise from the VIP section, accusing patrons of disrupting the performance. Despite the uproar, no immediate action was taken to manage the situation, raising questions about concert etiquette and security measures. Paetongtarn commented on the drama. “A concert is a happy place, a place of joy. It’s normal for people, not just those in the VIP area, to make noise or sing along. A concert isn’t expected to be silent like a library. There’s a different etiquette for different places; it’s one thing if you’re at a temple, another if you’re at a concert.” by Puntid Tantivangphaisal File Photo: Wikimedia Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-14 - 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

Anticipated US interest rate cut to boost gold prices in May by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of Nutthawat Wichieanbut Gold prices in the domestic market, which had earlier witnessed a surge to 34,550 baht (US$956) per baht-weight during the Lunar New Year, are anticipated to rise again in May. This forecast comes as traders expect the Federal Reserve to commence a cut in US interest rates, thereby potentially driving global prices to US$2,100 per ounce. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319876-anticipated-us-interest-rate-cut-to-boost-gold-prices-in-may/