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Yasuaki Kawashita, a Japanese man from Osaka, returned to Thailand today to demand answers from the Thai police regarding the unsolved murder of his then 27-year-old daughter during the Loy Krathong festival in Sukhothai province 17 years ago. He is scheduled to revisit the spot in Sukhothai Historical Park where his daughter, Tomoko, was killed, something he has done almost every time he has returned to Thailand. File photo : Yasuaki Kawashita Tomoko’s throat was slashed and her body suffered knife wounds, Thai police said. Her body was found near Wat Saphan Hin in the Mueang district, lying next to the bicycle she had rented for sightseeing. Some of her belongings were missing, leading police to suspect that it was a robbery gone wrong. “She was stabbed when the attacker tried to rob her. She resisted and ran away, but then he caught her and slashed her throat with a knife,” a police officer said at the time. Top: file photo 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

Red flags flying on Krabi beaches as speed boat capsizes in rough seas Photo from ไทยโพสต์ Red flags are being flown along the beaches in the Hat Noppharat Tara Mo Ko Phi-Phi National Park, to warn tourists not to swim in the sea due to strong winds. A small speed boat, belonging to a naval officer, capsized at about noon today, about 300 metres from Hong Island, but all eight people on board are safe after being plucked from the sea by a tour boat from Phuket and being put ashore on Hong Island. It is reported that all eight people wore life vests. Mana Nualwan, the chief marine official in Krabi, said he had told all tourist boat operators to equip their boats with life-saving equipment and to ensure all the passengers wear life vests while on board. Meanwhile, in the southern province of Surat Thani, a British tourist is reported to have gone missing this afternoon while kayaking, after he fell into the reservoir behind Rajjaprabha (Cheow Lan) Dam in Ban Ta Khun district. 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

Pita Suggests Plan B Be Applied In Lieu Of Digital Wallet Project By Thai Newsroom Reporters Move Forward leader Chaithawat Tulathon and former party leader Pita Limjaroenrat together with some MPs visited Chinatown to mark Chinese New Year – Year of the Dragon. Photo: Matichon FORMER MOVE FORWARD leader Pita Limjaroenrat today (Feb.10) suggested the Pheu Thai-led government prepare and apply Plan B in place of the much-heralded, highly contentious digital wallet project. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319671-pita-suggests-plan-b-be-applied-in-lieu-of-digital-wallet-project/

FORMER MOVE FORWARD leader Pita Limjaroenrat today (Feb.10) suggested the Pheu Thai-led government prepare and apply Plan B in place of the much-heralded, highly contentious digital wallet project. Pita advised the government to put Plan B to work if the populist handout campaign, the implementation of which has already been postponed beyond May, finally fizzles out. Without elaborating, Pita said the bottom-up economics be applied to all parts of the country rather than the top-down approach which the government has apparently put forward. Since late last year, the national economy has slowed down despite an increase in foreign tourist arrivals whilst spending of the public sector and export volumes have declined, according to the former Move Forward leader. By Thai Newsroom Reporters TOP: Move Forward leader Chaithawat Tulathon and former party leader Pita Limjaroenrat together with some MPs visited Chinatown to mark Chinese New Year – Year of the Dragon. Photo: Matichon 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

Boat Carrying Chinese Tourists Capsizes, All Safely Rescued by TNR Staff Chinese tourists and the boat’s crew members floating in the sea after the vessel capsized Feb. 11, 2024. Photo: Amarin TV A LONG-TAIL boat carrying seven Chinese tourists plus the vessel’s crew members capsized off Krabi today (Feb. 11) but fortunately all were safely rescued by a passing boat, Amarin TV said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319670-boat-carrying-chinese-tourists-capsizes-all-safely-rescued/

A LONG-TAIL boat carrying seven Chinese tourists plus the vessel’s crew members capsized off Krabi today (Feb. 11) but fortunately all were safely rescued by a passing boat, Amarin TV said. The accident occurred near Koh Lao Lading island, around 300 metres from Koh Hong with the two islands being part of Krabi’s Than Bok Khorani National Park. The long-tail boat capsized after being hit by high waves with the tourists and crew members struggling to stay afloat in the middle of the sea. by TNR Staff TOP: Chinese tourists and the boat’s crew members floating in the sea after the vessel capsized Feb. 11, 2024. Photo: Amarin TV 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

Beach Beds and Umbrellas Seen Back on Freedom Beach in Phuket Causes Controversy By Goongnang Suksawat PHOTO: MONSOONGARBAGE Phuket – Beach Bed Umbrella were found all over the Freedom Beach in Patong which is a nature and environment conservation area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319669-beach-beds-and-umbrellas-seen-back-on-freedom-beach-in-phuket-causes-controversy/

PHOTO: MONSOONGARBAGE Phuket – Beach Bed Umbrella were found all over the Freedom Beach in Patong which is a nature and environment conservation area. The Phuket Express noted that Freedom Beach has been listed as the 18th World’s Top Best Beach by the World Beach Guide 2023. This isn’t the first time beach beds and umbrellas have caused controversy, as we point out below. The Army Region 4 commander Lieutenant General Santi Sakuntanak inspected the beach last year. Freedom Beach has been clearly announced as a nature and environment conservation area. No one is allowed to do anything for personal benefit like set up buildings on the beach. The beach is locally known as ‘Mai Ngao’ Beach but Freedom Beach is famously known by foreign tourists. The beach is in the area of the Nak Kerd Mountain Reserve Forest in Karon. Freedom Beach was cleared of beach beds and umbrellas and structures after a full crackdown last year. Now for our update: Photos of beach bed umbrellas on the Freedom Beach were posted on the MONSOON GARBAGE Facebook page and went viral on social media last week. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 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

Patong Tuk Tuk Taxi Driver Fined after Foreign Passenger Seen Dancing on Roof – Video By Goongnang Suksawat Patong –A TuK Tuk taxi driver was fined after his foreign passenger was seen dancing on a roof in Patong. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319668-patong-tuk-tuk-taxi-driver-fined-after-foreign-passenger-seen-dancing-on-roof-–-video/

Patong –A TuK Tuk taxi driver was fined after his foreign passenger was seen dancing on a roof in Patong. The Patong Police told the Phuket Express that a video clip of a foreign passenger dancing on a Tuk Tuk taxi’s roof had gone viral on social media last week. On Saturday (February 10th) the Patong Police successfully identified the Tuk Tuk taxi driver. He was called to the Patong Police Station and was fined and asked to warn his passengers not to dance on the roof. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 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 aae808ef-4594-4393-b2ec-5799088d8186.mp4

Multiple-Vehicle Crash on Rattanathibet Road in Nonthaburi Leaves Many Injured, Driver Found Intoxicated By Kittisak Phalaharn Nonthaburi—At 11:30 AM, on February 10th, 2024, Bang Bua Thong police officers received a multi-vehicle accident report causing many injuries on Rattanathibet Road, Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319667-multiple-vehicle-crash-on-rattanathibet-road-in-nonthaburi-leaves-many-injured/

Nonthaburi—At 11:30 AM, on February 10th, 2024, Bang Bua Thong police officers received a multi-vehicle accident report causing many injuries on Rattanathibet Road, Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi. Bang Bua Thong police and rescue teams were dispatched to the accident scene and found 7 crashed vehicles blocking traffic lanes. The rescue teams rescued the victims from their vehicles and performed first aid before transferring them to local hospitals. The police facilitated the traffic and relocated the crashed vehicles in one hour before opening the traffic lanes normally, according to the police. Multiple-Vehicle Crash on Rattanathibet Road in Nonthaburi Leaves Many Injured, Driver Found Intoxicated By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 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

Human-Caused Fires Ravage Thai-Cambodia Border: Trat Authorities Take Action By Kittisak Phalaharn Trat—At 11:30 AM on February 11th, 2024, Trat local media reported an illegally human-caused fire situation along the Banthat Mountain Range, Thai-Cambodia border, in the Chum Rak area, Mueang, Trat. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319666-human-caused-fires-ravage-thai-cambodia-border-trat-authorities-take-action/

Trat—At 11:30 AM on February 11th, 2024, Trat local media reported an illegally human-caused fire situation along the Banthat Mountain Range, Thai-Cambodia border, in the Chum Rak area, Mueang, Trat. It was reported that there were three to four fire smoke spots along the Banthat Mountain Range. The fire smoke visibly covered the Chum Rak area, according to Trat local media. The fires engulfed more than 2 kilometers along the mountain range, having dry grasses and trees as fire sources. The human-caused fires also kept spreading into the Thai border for 1 kilometer. Explosions along with burning sounds from fires could be heard from afar as there were also landmines deployed in the forest vicinity for territorial defense measures, according to Trat local media. By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 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

Chinese Man Falls to His Death From Pattaya Condo By Adam Judd A 35-year-old Chinese man on vacation with his family in Pattaya for the Chinese New Year reportedly fell to his death from a condo in North Pattaya this afternoon, February 11th, 2024. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319665-chinese-man-falls-to-his-death-from-pattaya-condo/

A 35-year-old Chinese man on vacation with his family in Pattaya for the Chinese New Year reportedly fell to his death from a condo in North Pattaya this afternoon, February 11th, 2024. The incident took place at approximately 2:00 P.M. at a condo in Central Pattaya whose name has been withheld pending further investigation. The victim, identified by his family to the press and police as 35-year-old Yuanhui Lai, had reportedly fallen to his death from the balcony of a rented condo on the 18th floor of the condominium. By Adam Judd Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 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

Pattaya Man Seeks Medical Help for Ring Stuck Around His Genitals By Aim Tanakorn A 38-year-old Thai man sought medical attention on Friday after an aluminum ring became lodged around his genitals. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319664-pattaya-man-seeks-medical-help-for-ring-stuck-around-his-genitals/

A 38-year-old Thai man sought medical attention on Friday after an aluminum ring became lodged around his genitals. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rescue team was called in to assist a Thai man (name withheld upon request) in Pattaya on February 9th after the local hospital lacked the necessary equipment to remove an aluminum ring, often believed to help with sexual endurance, tightly stuck around his genitals. According to reports, the victim found himself in this predicament after attempting to follow a social media trend. He had seen a clip online suggesting that wearing an aluminum ring in the genital area could improve sexual stamina. Motivated by this information, he purchased a ring online only to discover he couldn’t remove it after wearing it. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 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

Surge in Tourism: Koh Samui Sees Increase in Visitors Following Visa Exemptions and Direct Flights By Kittisak Phalaharn Surat Thani—On February 10th, 2024, Mr. Wiwat Chuenban, the Chairman of the Surat Thani Provincial Tourism Industry Council, publicly revealed an increasing number of foreign and Thai tourists visiting Koh Samui in January and February 2024. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319663-koh-samui-sees-increase-in-visitors-following-visa-exemptions-and-direct-flights/

Surat Thani—On February 10th, 2024, Mr. Wiwat Chuenban, the Chairman of the Surat Thani Provincial Tourism Industry Council, publicly revealed an increasing number of foreign and Thai tourists visiting Koh Samui in January and February 2024. After a visa exemption for Chinese tourists, there were four direct flights from Chengdu, China, to Surat Thani in one week. There was also a direct flight route from Taiwan to Surat Thani as well, resulting in a surging number of bookings of more than 672 hotels, and 25,000 rooms were reserved, according to Wiwat. The direct flight from Taiwan, the third tourist charter flight, had 188 tourists visit popular tourist attractions such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao during the Chinese New Year Celebration. Surge in Tourism: Koh Samui Sees Increase in Visitors Following Visa Exemptions and Direct Flights By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 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 Royal Gazette Announce Quantities of Narcotic Drugs that Makes A Person Legally a Drug Addict and Not a Dealer By Kittisak Phalaharn On February 9th, 2024, the Thai Royal Gazette website published the Thai Ministry of Public Health’s regulations on the quantities of narcotics and psychotropic substances subject to punishment and substances believed to be possessed for consumption. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319662-thai-royal-gazette-announce-thresholds-for-drug-addiction-vs-dealing/

On February 9th, 2024, the Thai Royal Gazette website published the Thai Ministry of Public Health’s regulations on the quantities of narcotics and psychotropic substances subject to punishment and substances believed to be possessed for consumption. Exercising the power under Section 24, paragraph 2, of the Narcotics Control Act 2021, and Section 107, paragraph 2, of the Narcotics Control Act, the Minister of Public Health Cholnan Srikaew issued the following ministerial regulations: Narcotics subject to punishment in Category 1, there are 7 types, namely: Amphetamine (amphetamine or amfetamine) not exceeding 5 units for use or net weight not exceeding 500 milligrams N3 ethyl MDA or MDE not exceeding 5 units for use or net weight not exceeding 1,250 milligrams Heroin (heroin or diacetylmorphine) with a net weight not exceeding 300 milligrams (+)-lysergide or LSD or LSD 25 not exceeding 5 units for use or net weight not exceeding 100 milligrams Methamphetamine (methamphetamine or methamfetamine) not exceeding 5 units for use or net weight not exceeding 500 milligrams, in the form of flakes, or granules, with a net weight not exceeding 100 milligrams Methylenedioxyamphetamine or tenamfetamine or MDA not exceeding 5 units for use 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or methylenedioxymethamphetamine or ecstasy or MDMA not exceeding 5 units for use or net weight not exceeding 1,250 milligrams Thai Royal Gazette Announce Quantities of Narcotic Drugs that Makes A Person Legally a Drug Addict and Not a Dealer By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 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

Welsh Father Faces Life-changing Reality After Thailand Holiday Accident By Tom Sinclair A SEEMINGLY idyllic family holiday to Thailand turned into a life-altering nightmare for Lee, a 54-year-old father from Church Village, Rhondda Cynon Taf. Known for his dedication as a community occupational therapist, Lee’s career focused on enabling disabled individuals to live independently. Ironically, he now faces a similar challenge, after a devastating motorcycle accident left him paralysed from the waist down. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319660-welsh-father-faces-life-changing-reality-after-thailand-holiday-accident/

A SEEMINGLY idyllic family holiday to Thailand turned into a life-altering nightmare for Lee, a 54-year-old father from Church Village, Rhondda Cynon Taf. Known for his dedication as a community occupational therapist, Lee’s career focused on enabling disabled individuals to live independently. Ironically, he now faces a similar challenge, after a devastating motorcycle accident left him paralysed from the waist down. Lee’s trip, intended as a joyful reunion with his daughter Katie, whom he and his wife Clare Francis hadn’t seen in five months, ended in tragedy on January 19th, 2024. The accident occurred on their trip’s final day, shattering the family’s happiness and altering Lee’s life course irreversibly. The aftermath of the crash was dire. Lee sustained multiple severe injuries, including broken ribs, a fractured spine in three places, and significant lung contusions. His condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to a critical care stint in Krabi Hospital in southern Thailand, where he battled pneumothorax, haemothorax, and a pulmonary embolism. These complications severely hampered his treatment and recovery, necessitating a week on a ventilator, unable to eat or speak. Despite undergoing successful decompression surgery, the prognosis was grim: Lee would never walk again. This news was particularly devastating for someone whose life was intertwined with physical activity and sports. Lee, a former basketball player and coach for the under-18s Welsh girls’ team, cherished his walks up Pen y Fan as a form of personal therapy. Now, he must confront a future devoid of these passions. The journey back to Wales was nothing short of harrowing. Lee endured an 18-hour stretcher flight, a testament to his resilience and the unwavering support of his family. His daughter Abigail, alongside her step-siblings Dylan and Menna, navigated the complexities of insurance coverage, ensuring Lee’s medical and repatriation costs were met. By Tom Sinclair Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 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

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 12 February 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1319658-thailand-live-monday-12-february-2024/