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Suspected young knife attacker requires psychiatric assessment The secondary education student who allegedly stabbed his classmate to death at a Bangkok school this morning will be sent for psychiatric assessment, said Pol Col Vachirakorn Wongboon, superintendent of Khlong Tan police. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318347-suspected-young-knife-attacker-requires-psychiatric-assessment/

Student stabbed to death at a municipal school in Bangkok A secondary education student was fatally stabbed by a classmate at a municipal school in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district this morning. The victim died shortly after arriving at hospital. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318335-student-stabbed-to-death-at-a-municipal-school-in-bangkok/

GPS gone awry A woman, who was relying on GPS to navigate the way to visit a friend in Phrae province on Sunday, found her car stuck on a small pedestrian suspension bridge over a river. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318346-gps-gone-awry/

A SWISS man who is the second husband of a Thai woman who inherited 13 million baht from her first Swiss husband upon his death in 2021 and has been missing since Jan. 8 has now confessed to having killed her, Amarin TV said this afternoon (Jan. 29). Swiss Man Admits Killing Missing Thai Wife: Police by TNR Staff Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318386-swiss-man-admits-killing-missing-thai-wife-police/

Student stabbed to death at a municipal school in Bangkok A secondary education student was fatally stabbed by a classmate at a municipal school in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district this morning. The victim died shortly after arriving at hospital. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318335-student-stabbed-to-death-at-a-municipal-school-in-bangkok/

A secondary education student was fatally stabbed by a classmate at a municipal school in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district this morning. The victim died shortly after arriving at hospital. Suan Luang district director Bancha Suebkraphan told Thai PBS that the apparently unprovoked attack took place at about 8.40am, as the students were lining up in front of the flag pole for the daily flag-raising ritual. He said that the victim, a 9th year (Mathayom 2) student, was stabbed by a classmate, who is a “special child”, a term used for children who have special needs, adding that there was no quarrel reported prior to the stabbing. He also said that the victim was pronounced dead at about 10.20am. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-29 - 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

‘Generation Rent’ surges in Thailand as homes become increasingly unaffordable The story about a large Chinese family in Henan paying US$140 (about 5,000 baht) a day to stay in a hotel suite for over 200 days rather than buy a house has gone viral on social media. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318333- ‘generation-rent’-surges-in-thailand-as-homes-become-increasingly-unaffordable/

The story about a large Chinese family in Henan paying US$140 (about 5,000 baht) a day to stay in a hotel suite for over 200 days rather than buy a house has gone viral on social media. The family of eight gave up their apartment and took a hotel room as their home because it was much more affordable and worry-free. That news was discussed widely on social media, not least because the state of the world economy is resulting in a large number of people in various parts of the world finding it almost impossible to own their houses. This so-called “Generation Rent” – young adults who opt to rent rather than own homes due to factors such as high property prices, economic challenges, or a preference for flexibility – has been growing in number and expanding from the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands to various parts of the world including Asia. In many Asian and Southeast Asian countries, cultural and economic factors influence housing trends. While homeownership is still a significant goal in these regions, renting is becoming more common, especially among younger generations facing not just high property prices but also the near impossibility of obtaining a mortgage. Japan, Singapore and South Korea are three countries in Asia where generation rent numbers are notable. Thailand will likely follow suit thanks to the current situation and changing lifestyle of the young generation. There’s a saying in Thai, “a small bird builds a small nest” which means that one should buy the right-size house to fit one’s budget. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-29 - 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 baht heads for poorest January since 2020 by Alex Morgan PHOTO: via China Daily The Thai baht, after experiencing a nearly 4% loss compared to the US dollar, is on track for its poorest January performance since 2020. The currency’s downfall signals further challenges ahead, given the significant outflows. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318332-thai-baht-heads-for-poorest-january-since-2020/

The Thai baht, after experiencing a nearly 4% loss compared to the US dollar, is on track for its poorest January performance since 2020. The currency’s downfall signals further challenges ahead, given the significant outflows. Emerging Asia’s top-performing currency in the fourth quarter turned into this year’s biggest loser as global funds avoid Thai assets. This comes amid a dispute between the government and the central bank concerning the means of reviving the struggling economy. Julapun Amornvivat, the Deputy Finance Minister, voiced concerns last week about the 10-year high borrowing costs hindering economic recovery. This followed the Bank of Thailand’s resistance to calls for a rate cut, arguing that reducing borrowing costs would not address the economy’s structural issues. Alvin Tan, the head of Asia FX strategy at RBC Capital Markets in Singapore, predicted that the baht would continue to suffer due to the increasing political backlash against its current policy rates. He anticipates the dollar-baht to fluctuate between 36.0 and 36.50 in the following weeks after it closed at 35.63 last week. by Alex Morgan PHOTO: via China Daily Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-29 - 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

Hunter becomes prey: Thailand’s anti-corruption icon faces extortion accusation File photo : Srisuwan Janya The tables have been turned on prolific petitioner Srisuwan Janya, who has become the accused rather than the accuser. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318331-hunter-becomes-prey-thailand’s-anti-corruption-icon-faces-extortion-accusation/

The tables have been turned on prolific petitioner Srisuwan Janya, who has become the accused rather than the accuser. Once admired by many and feared by his targets, the self-styled anti-corruption campaigner was arrested at his house in Pathum Thani on Friday for allegedly extorting money from a senior bureaucrat. The arrest was made during a sting operation conducted by the Royal Thai Police’s Anti-Corruption Division, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The operation was launched after Natthakit Khongthip, director-general of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives’ Rice Department, filed a police complaint accusing Srisuwan of demanding 1.5 million baht in exchange for staying silent over alleged corruption in two of the agency’s projects. Natthakit claimed two politicians from the ruling coalition’s United Thai Nation Party – Yoswaris Chuklom and Pimnattha Jiraputthiphak – were accomplices in the alleged extortion bid. Yoswaris, a former comedian whose stage name was Jeng Dokjik, is a political appointee named to a government working group by Deputy Premier and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, who is the United Thai Nation leader. Pimnattha is a former election candidate of the party. Insisting on his innocence The trio denied all charges during police interrogation. They were released on a bond of 400,000 baht each on Saturday. Speaking to the media after his release, Srisuwan insisted he was innocent and claimed the charges against him stemmed from vested interests who felt threatened by his petitions and were seeking retaliation. File photo : Srisuwan Janya Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-29 - 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 man rapes daughter and stepdaughter, mother turns blind eye by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ ตำรวจสอบสวนกลาง Police arrested a Thai father for repeatedly raping his biological daughter and stepdaughter over a 10- year period. One of the victims became pregnant while the victims’ mother chose to turn a blind eye to the sexual assaults. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318329-thai-man-rapes-daughter-and-stepdaughter-mother-turns-blind-eye/

Police arrested a Thai father for repeatedly raping his biological daughter and stepdaughter over a 10- year period. One of the victims became pregnant while the victims’ mother chose to turn a blind eye to the sexual assaults. Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested the 38 year old alleged rapist named Ram on January 27 in the central province of Ayutthaya for raping two daughters. The rapes took place while he was living with his wife and daughters in the northern province of Lampang. One of the victims was his 22 year old stepdaughter named A. The second victim was Ram’s biological daughter named A. B is now 18 years old and became pregnant as a result of the sexual assault. ThaiRath reported that Ram sexually assaulted his stepdaughter A since she was seven years old. A moved out of the house to live with her boyfriend to escape the rapist. Ram also raped his own daughter B since she was nine years old. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ ตำรวจสอบสวนกลาง Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-29 - 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

Teenage murder prompts debate in Thailand: Should kids face adult punishments? File photo A shocking murder recently committed by a group of boys aged 13 to 16 has prompted a big question in Thailand. Should children who commit serious crimes be sentenced as harshly as adult criminals? Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318328-teenage-murder-prompts-debate-in-thailand-should-kids-face-adult-punishments/

A shocking murder recently committed by a group of boys aged 13 to 16 has prompted a big question in Thailand. Should children who commit serious crimes be sentenced as harshly as adult criminals? Under current Thai law, children aged between 12 and 15 are protected from criminal punishment but can be subject to measures imposed by a court. Juvenile offenders aged 15 to 17, meanwhile, may face punishment – including time behind bars. However, they will only receive half the punishment of an adult sentenced for the same offense. If no penalty is meted out, they can still be sentenced to a period of rehabilitation. Until 2022, all children under the age of 10 were considered too young to be held criminally liable. The age of criminal responsibility was raised that year based on medical opinion that by the age of 12, humans’ mental capacity has developed to the point where they can tell right from wrong. Will the age of criminal responsibility get lower? National Police Commissioner General Torsak Sukvimol revealed recently that a panel had been established to scrutinize juvenile crimes over the past five to six years in support of a review into whether Thailand’s current age of criminal responsibility is appropriate. “The panel is expected to reach a conclusion before the end of this month,” the police chief said. “We will then forward our opinion to the prime minister and relevant authorities.” TOP: File photo Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-29 - 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

Elderly man’s body found floating in Bang Pakong River by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A shocking discovery was made in the Bang Pakong River when locals found the body of an elderly man floating in the water. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318326-elderly-man’s-body-found-floating-in-bang-pakong-river/

A shocking discovery was made in the Bang Pakong River when locals found the body of an elderly man floating in the water. The unidentified man, estimated to be between 65 and 70 years old, is believed to have been dead for around five hours before his body was discovered at midnight on January 29. The authorities, alerted by Deputy Inspector Pattawee Kanth, are working diligently to locate the man’s relatives and investigate the circumstances of his death. In the early hours of the morning, the Chachoengsao rescue unit joined law enforcement at the scene near the Bang Pakong District Office. The villagers had tethered the corpse to prevent it from drifting away due to the receding water levels. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-29 - 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 job seekers offered positions in Macau, salaries over 91,000 baht by Nattapong Westwood PHOTO: via AMCAT The Thai Department of Employment announced a significant opportunity for job seekers with a penchant for the service industry. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318325-thai-job-seekers-offered-positions-in-macau-salaries-over-91000-baht/

The Thai Department of Employment announced a significant opportunity for job seekers with a penchant for the service industry. Some 67 positions are available in Macau, with no application fee and attractive salaries and benefits. Applications are accepted via email around the clock until February 12. Karom Phonphonklang Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed that the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Employment is coordinating with MGM Grand Paradise Limited, a prominent casino, restaurant, and hotel business in the Macau Special Administrative Region, for their first recruitment drive of 2024. The positions cover a range of occupations, both for general applicants and those seeking internships. The starting salaries range from 46,121 to 91,371 baht, providing a significant incentive for potential applicants. The employer, MGM Grand Paradise Limited, is committed to covering the round-trip airfare upon completion of the contract term and contributes 500 Macau dollars per month towards accommodation. Additionally, employees will be provided meals during work hours, annual leave, and other benefits stipulated by Macau labour laws. by Nattapong Westwood PHOTO: via AMCAT Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-29 - 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 plans Philippines tie-up for 75th anniversary bash by Bob Scott Picture of Coron, Palawan in the Philippines courtesy of Stay in Thailand Thailand’s Deputy Director General for East Asian Affairs Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry is gearing up to boost social, cultural and economic ties with the Philippines to celebrate three quarters of a century of bilateral relations. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318322-thailand-plans-philippines-tie-up-for-75th-anniversary-bash/

Thailand’s Deputy Director General for East Asian Affairs Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry is gearing up to boost social, cultural and economic ties with the Philippines to celebrate three quarters of a century of bilateral relations. Both Thailand and the Philippines outlined a series of initiatives, including high-level visits, business-to-business collaborations, cultural showcases, and community engagements, to mark 75 years of formal bilateral ties in the upcoming months. Vorapun Srivoranart, the Deputy Director-General for the East Asian Affairs Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, revealed on Friday that the Philippines ranks as Thailand’s fifth largest trading partner within ASEAN, boasting a trade volume of US$10 billion (356 billion baht) last year. by Bob Scott Picture of Coron, Palawan in the Philippines courtesy of Stay in Thailand Full story: THe Thaiger 2024-01-29 - 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 police cleared of DW corruption allegations - Tim Newton Today - Jan 29 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318320-pattaya-police-cleared-of-dw-corruption-allegations-tim-newton-today-jan-29/

Thailand news - Thailand's deputy police chief Surachete Hakparn has returned from Germany and declaring that the allegations against Pattaya Police, relating to a Deutsche Welle documentary, were unfounded. But a letter sent to TNT suggests the contrary. Four men in Pattaya have led police on a merry kidnap chase, only to be found as a hoax, Bangkok motorists being asked to use public transport to reduce PM2.5 air pollutants,3 drownings in a week - in Rayong and around the Similan Islands, British base jumps dies after jumping off a Pattaya condo. Tim Newton Today is a daily take on Thai and regional news and issues of interest to expats and foreign tourists.

Thailand’s Land Bridge project eyed for boosting economy amid local concerns by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of iStock Thailand’s Land Bridge project, a major infrastructure initiative resembling a proposed shortcut through Southeast Asia, dominated the recent mobile Cabinet meeting in Ranong. Residents expressed apprehensions to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, highlighting potential environmental damage and disruptions to their lifestyle. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318319-thailand’s-land-bridge-project-eyed-for-boosting-economy-amid-local-concerns/