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Move To Reduce Speed Limit On 40 Busy Bangkok Roads To 50km Per Hour By Thai Newsroom Reporters Traffic jam in inner area of Bangkok. Photo: Sanook.com THE SPEED LIMIT FOR automobiles running on 40 congested roads in Bangkok’s inner part has been proposed to be reduced from 80km to 50km per hour for pedestrian safety reasons. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319769-move-to-reduce-speed-limit-on-40-busy-bangkok-roads-to-50km-per-hour/

THE SPEED LIMIT FOR automobiles running on 40 congested roads in Bangkok’s inner part has been proposed to be reduced from 80km to 50km per hour for pedestrian safety reasons. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Traffic & Transportation Department has proposed to the Bangkok Metropolitan Police that the legal speed limit for all automobiles passing communities and business areas in the capital city’s inner zone be reduced from 80km to 50km per hour to better maintain the pedestrians’ safety, said Thaipat Thanasombatkul, head of the department, today (Feb.12). The sought-after reduction in Bangkok’s speed limit, designed to better maintain the safety of pedestrians on sidewalks and shoulders of the congested roads, has been primarily proposed to be in line with the International Road Assessment Programme standards, Thaipat said. By Thai Newsroom Reporters Traffic jam in inner area of Bangkok. Photo: Sanook.com Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-02-13 - 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: British Tourist Missing After Kayak Accident A British tourist has gone missing following a kayaking mishap at Rajjaprabha Dam in Surat Thani province. Officials said 24-year-old Gowribalan Shanghaman was reported to have fallen from his kayak into the waters of the dam early yesterday morning (Feb 11), sparking a search and rescue operation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319711-search-continues-for-british-man-missing-in-southern-thailand/?do=findComment&comment=18689804

British Tourist Missing After Kayak Accident A British tourist has gone missing following a kayaking mishap at Rajjaprabha Dam in Surat Thani province. Officials said 24-year-old Gowribalan Shanghaman was reported to have fallen from his kayak into the waters of the dam early yesterday morning (Feb 11), sparking a search and rescue operation. Shanghaman, along with a companion, had set out from a local raft house for a kayaking trip when the incident occurred approximately 500 meters from their starting point. The area, situated some 50-60km from the dam’s crest, is known for its scenic beauty but also for its potential dangers. Four scuba divers from the Cheow Lan Municipal Office have been sent to the rescue site, known to be the reservoir’s deepest part with depths up to 50 meters. The rescue team said they were facing difficulties due to the low visibility in the chilly, turbid waters, posing a significant challenge to their search efforts. Concerns were also raised regarding the adherence to park safety regulations. Shanghaman and his friend did not report to the authorities before starting their trip, a necessary procedure all visitors must follow to ensure their safety. It was also reported that the two men were not wearing life vests at the time of the accident. As the search continues, park officials and local authorities are urging visitors to follow all safety guidelines and regulations closely, emphasizing the importance of reporting to park officials before engaging in water activities and the use of life vests to prevent similar incidents. Source: NNT 2024-02-13 - 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’s opponents to petition justice minister to deny him parole A group of opponents plans to submit a petition to Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong tomorrow at Government House, protesting against parole for convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319768-thaksin’s-opponents-to-petition-justice-minister-to-deny-him-parole/

A group of opponents plans to submit a petition to Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong tomorrow at Government House, protesting against parole for convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Justice Ministry, Somboon Muangklam, said today that 1,200 inmates are eligible for parole this year, but he does not know whether Thaksin is among them. Of the 1,200, he said that 1,000 of them are “ordinary” cases, while the rest are “special” cases, adding that, in every mass parole, there are some “big names”. Asked when they will be released, Somboon said it depends on the Corrections Department, because there is no need for a release warrant to be issued by the court and the paroled inmates can be released from prison at weekends. For those who are over 70 and have health problems, the spokesman said that they will not be required to wear electronic monitoring bracelets, unlike like younger inmates who are released on parole. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-13 - 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 13 February 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1319767-thailand-live-tuesday-13-february-2024/

2 foreign men to face 10,000 fine for riding e-unicycles in Chiang Mai Photo via Facebook/ กูรูเชียงใหม่ เรื่องเชียงใหม่กูรู้ Thai motorists demanded police take action against two foreign men riding electric unicycles, or e-unicycles, on a crowded road in the northern province of Chiang Mai. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319741-2-foreign-men-to-face-10000-fine-for-riding-e-unicycles-in-chiang-mai/

Five immigration officers jailed for 15 years each for extortion Five immigration police officers were sentenced to 15 years in prison each today, after they were found guilty by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases of extorting 10 million baht from a Chinese businessman in exchange for dropping a charge against him. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319726-five-immigration-officers-jailed-for-15-years-each-for-extortion/

A 24 year old British man went missing yesterday while kayaking in a canal near the Rajjaprabha Dam, also known as the Cheow Lan Dam, in the southern province of Surat Thani. Search continues for British man missing in southern Thailand by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ MGR Online ภาคใต้ Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319711-search-continues-for-british-man-missing-in-southern-thailand/

Government finds itself backed into a corner on digital wallet scheme The Thai government’s controversial plan to raise 500 billion baht through an off-budget loan for the digital wallet scheme has run into another roadblock. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319712-government-finds-itself-backed-into-a-corner-on-digital-wallet-scheme/

The Thai government’s controversial plan to raise 500 billion baht through an off-budget loan for the digital wallet scheme has run into another roadblock. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) recently issued a warning that the scheme risked violating the Constitution and related laws and was vulnerable to corruption. In January, the Council of State — the government’s legal advisory body — had also suggested thorough consultation with related agencies, and asked that the State Fiscal and Financial Disciplines Act be followed before proposing a loan bill to Parliament. A hot potato In the run-up to the May general election last year, the Pheu Thai Party had pledged to implement the digital wallet scheme under which everyone aged 16 years and above would be given a one-time 10,000 baht handout for spending in a prescribed radius within six months. The estimated cost of the scheme was around 560 billion baht. Pheu Thai, which leads the current ruling coalition had argued then that the scheme was aimed at boosting the country’s faltering economic growth to at least 5 per cent. Economic growth in recent years has been stuck in a rut of 2-3 per cent. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-12 - 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

Search continues for British man missing in southern Thailand by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ MGR Online ภาคใต้ A 24 year old British man went missing yesterday while kayaking in a canal near the Rajjaprabha Dam, also known as the Cheow Lan Dam, in the southern province of Surat Thani. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319711-search-continues-for-british-man-missing-in-southern-thailand/

A 24 year old British man went missing yesterday while kayaking in a canal near the Rajjaprabha Dam, also known as the Cheow Lan Dam, in the southern province of Surat Thani. Supot Juinark, the director of Khao Sok National Park, reported to officers at Ban Ta Khun Police Station around 12:30pm yesterday, February 11, that 24 year old Englishman Gowribalan Shanghman had gone missing after kayaking in the Warng Canal, located 50 to 60 kilometres away from the Cheiw Lan Dam. ThaiRath reported that Shanghman travelled to the dam with his friends and a tour guide. They were staying at a floating raft accommodation called Krisorn Float. The spot where Shanghman vanished boasts a water depth of approximately 50 to 60 metres, with frigid temperatures submerged beneath. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ MGR Online ภาคใต้ Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-12 - 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

Government to roll out new measures to tackle Thai indebtedness The Thai government is expected to announce new measures today to solve the debt problems of Thai people, after it was revealed that, by the end of last year, household debt had soared by 3.7% year-on-year to 13.7 trillion baht, including 1.05 trillion baht in non-performing loans (NPLs). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319709-government-to-roll-out-new-measures-to-tackle-thai-indebtedness/

The Thai government is expected to announce new measures today to solve the debt problems of Thai people, after it was revealed that, by the end of last year, household debt had soared by 3.7% year-on-year to 13.7 trillion baht, including 1.05 trillion baht in non-performing loans (NPLs). Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is also finance minister, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the national police chief, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, are expected to hold a press conference today on the new measures to solve indebtedness, among which are those who are still being affected by the impacts of the COVID pandemic, people without fixed incomes, leasing debtors, student loan debtors and those who have NPLs with state-run financial institutions. Of this staggering 13.7 trillion baht of debt, loans on which payments are overdue for more than 90 days (NPLs), involving about three million debtors, amount to 1.05 trillion baht, representing an increase of 7.7%, while loan payments which are overdue for 31-90 days amount to 610 billion baht, up 17.8% from a year earlier. Surapol Opasatien, president and CEO of National Credit Bureau, says they are most concerned about debt from car leasing, amounting to 230 billion baht, representing an increase of 28% compared to a year earlier, adding that NPLs from car leasing are increasing quickly, as reflected in the increased repossessions of cars. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-12 - 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

5,000 Chinese tourists a day over Chinese New Year By Peter Roche FILE PHOTO: Tasty Thailand Chinese tourists have descended on Phuket to celebrate Chinese New Year, pushing hotel occupancy on the island to 81%. Thai PBS World reports that Chinese visitors in the kingdom have also joined Thais in Bangkok’s Chinatown to mark the holiday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319708-5000-chinese-tourists-a-day-over-chinese-new-year/

Chinese tourists have descended on Phuket to celebrate Chinese New Year, pushing hotel occupancy on the island to 81%. Thai PBS World reports that Chinese visitors in the kingdom have also joined Thais in Bangkok’s Chinatown to mark the holiday. Phuket has long been a popular destination for Chinese travellers due its strong Chinese heritage and ancestry. The director of the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand says the number of Chinese arrivals has jumped to between 4,000 and 5,000 a day. Lertchai Wangtrakuldee says this is the highest number of arrivals of any nationality and the island expects to see revenue of 6.8 billion baht from the holiday period. By Peter Roche FILE PHOTO: Tasty Thailand Full story: PhuketGO 2024-02-12 - 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

Eight year old becomes youngest person to ‘windsurf’ across Gulf of Thailand By Peter Roche PHOTO: www.shanethewingfoiler.com Well, kite-surfing actually. An 8 year old boy has become the youngest person ever to kite-dsurf across the Gulf of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319707-eight-year-old-becomes-youngest-person-to-‘windsurf’-across-gulf-of-thailand/

Well, kite-surfing actually. An 8 year old boy has become the youngest person ever to kite-dsurf across the Gulf of Thailand. Thanawat “Shane” Promwaen set the record after windsurfing across 107 kilometres to mark his 9th birthday, which was yesterday, February 11. Pattaya Mail reports that two previous attempts were prevented by unfavourable winds, but it was third time lucky for Shane as he left from Surfspot in Hua Hin, ending his endeavour at Pattaya Kitesurfing Clubloongchat on Jomtien Beach. Earlier he was going to do the trip from Jomtien to Hua Hin instead. Boats with first aid practitioners and other safety features accompanied Shane on his journey, but thankfully, he made the crossing in 4 hours, 10 minutes without incident. His record-breaking time even surpassed that previously set by a jet skier. By Peter Roche PHOTO: www.shanethewingfoiler.com Full story: PhuketGO 2024-02-12 - 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 workers invited to apply for high-paying oil rig jobs in Brunei by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of KhaoSod A Thailand government spokesperson announced a significant recruitment drive by the Department of Employment for 40 positions on oil rigs in Brunei, offering high annual salaries, free accommodation, and excellent benefits. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319706-thai-workers-invited-to-apply-for-high-paying-oil-rig-jobs-in-brunei/

A Thailand government spokesperson announced a significant recruitment drive by the Department of Employment for 40 positions on oil rigs in Brunei, offering high annual salaries, free accommodation, and excellent benefits. The application window for these coveted roles opened on February 9 and will close on February 23, inviting experienced professionals with a minimum of eight years in the industry, including four years on oil rigs, to apply for the roles of Marker Fitter and 6 GR Pipe and Structural Welder. The Department of Employment in Thailand has opened applications for skilled workers to fill positions with Adinin Worl & Engineering SDN BHD, a company based in Brunei that operates within the oil and gas industry. The positions available are for assembly fitters and welding technicians, with attractive salary packages on offer. Successful candidates can expect to earn 98 Brunei dollars per day, equivalent to approximately 2,560 Thai baht, over a two-year contract with a maximum of 245 working days per year. In addition to a competitive salary, the employer will provide free accommodation, medical care, and compensation insurance for work-related accidents. The roles specifically call for experienced individuals who have at least eight years of relevant experience, including a minimum of four years on offshore oil drilling platforms. Proficiency in English is also a requirement to ensure smooth communication within the multinational work environment. by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-12 - 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 Travel Industry Urged To Reduce Usage Of US$ For Doing Business by TNR Staff THE Thai travel & tourism industry has been warned about using the US dollar for business transactions and urged to use the currencies of the countries with which they are doing business. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319705-thai-travel-industry-urged-to-reduce-usage-of-us-for-doing-business/

THE Thai travel & tourism industry has been warned about using the US dollar for business transactions and urged to use the currencies of the countries with which they are doing business. In a landmark lecture at this year’s joint meeting of the Association of Thai Travel Agents and the Thai Hotels Association on Feb. 5, Professor Dr. Piti Srisangnam, head of the Asean Foundation, cited “De-Dollarisation” as one of “6D” trends that will shake up Travel & Tourism, the other five being Decoupling/ DeRisking of the global value chains, Deglobalisation, Destabilisation, the Digital Divide and Degradation of Environment. The lecture is set to reset the content of industry discourse, in Thailand and beyond. For the first time, two leading Thai travel & tourism industry associations invited a professor to discuss the impact of geopolitical conflicts on their businesses, jettisoning the repetitively boring talks on post-Covid recovery, sustainability and technology. In a cogently argued lecture, Dr. Piti challenged many of the sunny-side-up positions presented by corporate speakers at industry forums. Between the lines, he highlighted the problematic role of the United States in all the 6Ds, from wars and conflict to currency volatility, trade wars, technological disruption and environmental degradation. Of all the 6Ds, his most detailed views were on De-Dollarisation, which directly impacts on the bottom lines of every company. by TNR Staff Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-02-12 - 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 street food vendor dies after punch in card game dispute by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of KhaoSod A Bangkok street food vendor succumbed to injuries sustained from a single punch delivered by a friend during a drunken altercation over alleged cheating in a card game. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319703-bangkok-street-food-vendor-dies-after-punch-in-card-game-dispute/