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CHAIYACHANOK CHIDCHOB, son of de facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob, will likely be named secretary-general of the second largest coalition party in near future, a partisan source said today (Jan.26). In a general caucus scheduled for the upcoming April, Chaiyachanok will likely be named secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai to replace his own uncle, Saksayam Chidchob, who has resigned from the partisan executive position and simultaneously called it quits as a party-listed MP in the face of a court verdict earlier delivered against him. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is more or less speculated to be named Bhumjaithai leader, the post which he concurrently assumes, in April’s general caucus. By Thai Newsroom Reporters TOP: De facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob’s son Chaiyachanok Chidchob. Photo: Sanook.com Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-01-27 - 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

Don’t Delve Into German President Making A Comparison: Pita by TNR Staff Former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, left, and current Move Forward leader Chaithawat Tulathon, right, with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. FORMER Move Forward leader and party-listed MP Pita Limjaroenrat urged the public to not focus on any possible comparison visiting German German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier might make after holding talks with both him and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Manager Online and Amarin TV said today (Jan. 26). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318178-don’t-delve-into-german-president-making-a-comparison-pita/

FORMER Move Forward leader and party-listed MP Pita Limjaroenrat urged the public to not focus on any possible comparison visiting German German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier might make after holding talks with both him and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Manager Online and Amarin TV said today (Jan. 26). Speaking to reporters prior to attending a party meeting on the road map for 2024, Pita said photos of him meeting the German leader had circulated and that the German authorities had invited him but he was uncertain if Steinmeier had personally wanted to meet him. Their meeting lasted 30-40 minutes with many issues discussed. However reporters pointed out that during the press conference given by the German president and Srettha at the Government House yesterday the ITV shares case was mentioned and questioned whether a comparison would be made in later talks with him. by TNR Staff TOP: Former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, left, and current Move Forward leader Chaithawat Tulathon, right, with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-01-27 - 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: Pro-Prayut Party Distances Itself From Arrest Of Key Member In Bribe-Taking Sting by TNR Staff Deputy Premier-cum-Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, right, and Mr. Yoswarit Chuklom, or Jeng Dokjik, left. RUAM Thai Sang Chart Party, largely viewed as de facto led by former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, quickly distanced itself from the arrest of a key member in a sting operation that netted high-profile prolific petitioner Mr. Srisuwan Jaraya on bribe-taking charges, TV Channel 7 and Naewna newspaper said this evening (Jan. 26). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318169-serial-petitioner-srisuwan-in-police-custody-on-an-extortion-charge/?do=findComment&comment=18648109

Pro-Prayut Party Distances Itself From Arrest Of Key Member In Bribe-Taking Sting by TNR Staff Deputy Premier-cum-Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, right, and Mr. Yoswarit Chuklom, or Jeng Dokjik, left. RUAM Thai Sang Chart Party, largely viewed as de facto led by former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, quickly distanced itself from the arrest of a key member in a sting operation that netted high-profile prolific petitioner Mr. Srisuwan Jaraya on bribe-taking charges, TV Channel 7 and Naewna newspaper said this evening (Jan. 26). Police arrested Mr. Yoswarit Chuklom, or Jeng Dokjik, who heads the political movement Ruam Chai Rak Chart (United in Love of the Country), and another party member Ms. Phimnattha Chiraphutthiphak on charges of colluding with Srisuwan after was caught red-handed taking bribes from Rice Department Director-General Mr. Natthakit Khongthip. However Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, who is also the leader of this party, quickly came out to say that while Yoswarit is a member of his party the police investigation results have to be first studied to determine whether he behaved inappropriately thus damaging the party’s reputation or was it a mistake. He added that the party had the right to expel him or he could resign but this case is not linked to his camp with the suspect also no longer a member of civil servants working group number 11. Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-01-27 - 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

Police officer jailed when he appeared before a Bangkok court after a fatal shooting on Wednesday by James Morris and Son Nguyen Police Sergeant Kiattipong, also known as Dab Pae Suwannusak. on Thursday. The Ratchada Criminal Court refused him bail and ordered him detained for a 12-day period. The accused, not on official duty, accompanied a friend to retrieve a phone. Confronted by the victim, a professional motorbike rider, the situation escalated. Despite orders to stand down, the victim attacked the accused with a knife. Feeling threatened, the officer fired a fatal shot at the attacker threw a car window. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318176-police-officer-jailed-when-he-appeared-before-a-bangkok-court-after-a-fatal-shooting-on-wednesday/

Police Sergeant Kiattipong, also known as Dab Pae Suwannusak. on Thursday. The Ratchada Criminal Court refused him bail and ordered him detained for a 12-day period. The accused, not on official duty, accompanied a friend to retrieve a phone. Confronted by the victim, a professional motorbike rider, the situation escalated. Despite orders to stand down, the victim attacked the accused with a knife. Feeling threatened, the officer fired a fatal shot at the attacker threw a car window. A court in Bangkok on Thursday jailed a police officer who fatally shot a man on Wednesday evening. He was remanded in detention for 12 days. The court refused the officer bail after prosecutors objected and suggested he may interfere with the case. However, in a statement to the press, Police Sergeant Kiattipong Suwannusak claimed he only acted in self-defence. He said he was viciously attacked by the victim in a crazed state with a knife. The officer was not on official duty at the time. police-officer-jailed-after-appearing-before-a-bangkok-court-after-fatal-shooting On Thursday, a court remanded a police officer to prison. It came following an incident at 7 pm in the Huai Khwang district of Bangkok. by James Morris and Son Nguyen Full story: Thai Examiner.com 2024-01-27 - 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

Positive January tourism data with the kingdom on target to welcome 3.17 million foreign visitors by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Minister of Tourism and Sports Sudawan Wang-Suphakitkosol on Wednesday revealed figures for the first three weeks of January to January 21st. The data shows a surge in Chinese visitors. Visa-free regime boosts Chinese interest and sentiment, while caution arises given last year’s pattern. Russian tourists with 90-day stays contribute to the robust influx, generating ฿97.911 billion in income. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318175-positive-january-tourism-data-with-the-kingdom-on-target-to-welcome-317-million-foreign-visitors/

Minister of Tourism and Sports Sudawan Wang-Suphakitkosol on Wednesday revealed figures for the first three weeks of January to January 21st. The data shows a surge in Chinese visitors. Visa-free regime boosts Chinese interest and sentiment, while caution arises given last year’s pattern. Russian tourists with 90-day stays contribute to the robust influx, generating ฿97.911 billion in income. Thailand’s Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkoson this week revealed that numbers so far in 2024 are encouraging. The kingdom is on target to welcome 3.17 million visitors for the month of January. Significantly, there was a rise in Chinese arrivals although a similar pattern was seen in 2023. The kingdom is targeting 33.5 million arrivals for the year, up from 28 million seen in 2023. This week, Ms Sudawan, Minister of Tourism and Sports revealed that from January 15-21, 2024 Thailand received a total of 715,579 foreign tourists. In effect, an increase of 20,753 people from the previous week, or equivalent to 2.99%. In short, Thailand averaged 102,226 arrivals per day. At the beginning of the week, the Ministry of Finance projected 33.5 million foreign tourists this year. by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Full story: Thai Examiner.com 2024-01-27 - 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 Police Uncover Massive Drug Smuggling Network in Nationwide Crackdown National—At 09:30 PM, on January 26th, 2024, Pol. Lt. Gen. Samran Nuanma, the Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, and relevant officials, held a press conference on the seizure of narcotics in 8 cases across Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318173-thai-police-uncover-massive-drug-smuggling-network-in-nationwide-crackdown/

National—At 09:30 PM, on January 26th, 2024, Pol. Lt. Gen. Samran Nuanma, the Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, and relevant officials, held a press conference on the seizure of narcotics in 8 cases across Thailand. Thai Narcotics Suppression police cracked down on a massive drug smuggling network across Thailand. The drug smugglers allegedly transported illicit substances from northern to central Thailand before distributing them to south Thailand and other provinces, according to the police. According to a report by the police, there were a total of 25 million pills of amphetamine, 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, and other assets worth 15 million baht in total confiscated. By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-01-27 - 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

20-Car Pileup Chaos in Loei: Latex Leaks and Rain Cause Dangerous Road Conditions By Kittisak Phalaharn Loei—On January 25th, 2024, Loei rescue teams received accident reports on Loei-Chiang Khan Road, Loei-Wang Saphung Road, and Loei-Na Duang Road as rains started pouring, causing 20 multi-vehicle accidents in three hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318171-20-car-pileup-chaos-in-loei-latex-leaks-and-rain-cause-dangerous-road-conditions/

Loei—On January 25th, 2024, Loei rescue teams received accident reports on Loei-Chiang Khan Road, Loei-Wang Saphung Road, and Loei-Na Duang Road as rains started pouring, causing 20 multi-vehicle accidents in three hours. According to a report by Loei rescue teams, as the rains started pouring, there was an accident report on Loei-Chiang Khan Road, a multi-vehicle crash. The rescue teams were dispatched to rescue the victims stuck inside the vehicles before transferring them to Loei Hospital. However, it was reported that there were more than 10 accident reports on Loei-Wang Saphung Road and Loei-Na Duang Road. Overall, more than 20 accidents occurred and one serious injury was reported, according to Loei rescue teams. Upon an investigation, multi-vehicle crashes occurred every year in this area as trucks carrying latex leaked a milky fluid from trees to the road. Especially, when the rains started to pour, the latex on the road caused slippery surfaces. By Kittisak Phalaharn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-01-27 - 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

German Man Arrested After Stealing 86,000 Baht From Hotel in Patong By Goongnang Suksawat Patong – A young German man was arrested after he stole 86,000 baht from a hotel in Patong. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318170-german-man-arrested-after-stealing-86000-baht-from-hotel-in-patong/

Patong – A young German man was arrested after he stole 86,000 baht from a hotel in Patong. The Patong Police told the Phuket Express that on Thursday (January 25th) at 3:00 A.M. a foreign man stole 86,000 baht from a cash register of a hotel in Patong on the Ratch Uthit 200 Pi Road. The suspect did not cover his face and even looked at a CCTV camera nearby before walking away. He was not a customer of the hotel. The hotel filed a report to the Patong Police with CCTV footage of the incident. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-01-27 - 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

Political shock. Activist Srisuwan arrested in police swoop, plainclothes officers at Government House by Joseph O' Connor Scenes from Friday as police moved to arrest Mr Srisuwan Janya of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution at his home in Pathum Thani (inset). Later, Mr Yoswaris Chuklom, alias Jeng Dokjik, an associate of the United Thai Nation (Ruam Thai Sang Chart) Party was detained. The latter’s arrest was brokered by Deputy Prime Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga with senior police officers. It took place at Government House at 4.20 pm. Arrests linked to an extortion plot against a senior civil servant plunges Thai politics into turmoil, exposing connections to UTN candidates. The scandal promises aftershocks as the story unfolds. Friday saw an earthquake in Thai politics when a scandal blew the ground under anti-corruption campaigner and constitutional activist Mr Srisuwan Janya. Following a dramatic police sting operation at the activist’s home where police claim he sought to dispose of hush money, there was further thrilling drama over at Government House where another suspect was understood to be attempting to meet Deputy Prime Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga. Indeed, it was subsequently revealed that the deputy PM arranged for police to detain one of those wanted for the extortion of a civil servant, on the grounds of the seat of government. Thailand’s political world was thrown into chaos and feverish speculation on Friday when police arrested the Chairman of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution Mr Srisuwan Janya at his home in Pathum Thani. Full story: Thai Examiner.com 2024-01-27 - 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

Serial petitioner Srisuwan in police custody on an extortion charge Well-known serial petitioner Srisuwan Janya has been taken into police custody on an extortion charge, after he and two associates allegedly demanded 1.5 million baht from the director-general of the Rice Department in exchange for dropping his plan to lodge a complaint of alleged corruption against the official. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318169-serial-petitioner-srisuwan-in-police-custody-on-an-extortion-charge/

Well-known serial petitioner Srisuwan Janya has been taken into police custody on an extortion charge, after he and two associates allegedly demanded 1.5 million baht from the director-general of the Rice Department in exchange for dropping his plan to lodge a complaint of alleged corruption against the official. The police action followed the filing of a complaint by Natthakit Khongthip, director-general of the Rice Department, claiming that Srisuwan, Yotwarit Chuklom and a former United Thai Nation party candidate called “Pimnattha” had tried to extort three million baht from him. The trio threatened to expose alleged corruption in the Rice Department’s project to cut rice production costs unless Natthakit paid them three million baht. The amount was, however, negotiated down to 1.5 million baht. Police then set up a sting operation, by letting a courier take the first 500,000 baht payment to Srisuwan’s house, a process which was kept under close surveillance. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-27 - 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 Saturday 27 January 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1318168-thailand-live-saturday-27-january-2024/

American tourist found with magic mushrooms at police checkpoint in Kamala by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Phuket News An American tourist has been arrested for the possession of magic mushrooms in Kamala, Patong, Phuket. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318115-american-tourist-found-with-magic-mushrooms-at-police-checkpoint-in-kamala/

Taking to the floor of parliament for the first time in six months, Move Forward party-list MP Pita Limjaroenrat talked about the garbage problems in Phuket and Samut Prakan provinces, with a stern warning that Phuket could be renamed one day by tourists as “a haven full of garbage” if the problem cannot be resolved quickly and effectively. Pita warns Phuket may become a garbage hell if not addressed Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318125-pita-warns-phuket-may-become-a-garbage-hell-if-not-addressed/

American tourist found with magic mushrooms at police checkpoint in Kamala by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Phuket News An American tourist has been arrested for the possession of magic mushrooms in Kamala, Patong, Phuket. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318115-american-tourist-found-with-magic-mushrooms-at-police-checkpoint-in-kamala/

An American tourist has been arrested for the possession of magic mushrooms in Kamala, Patong, Phuket. At a traffic checkpoint, officers stopped a Honda Click motorcycle at around 5.30pm on January 23, with 27 year old Egyptian Khaled Mohamed Abobakr and an American woman named Karima Salah Mohamed onboard. A shoulder bag was searched and dried buffalo dung mushrooms were found sealed in a clear plastic bag. Listed as a Category 5 narcotic, the mushrooms weighed 2.8 grammes. The American woman was arrested as well as one other individual for possession of crystal meth and two others for the sale of kratom juice, reported Phuket News. In related news, Patong, Phuket, witnessed a crackdown by local law enforcement against the illicit trade of hallucinogenic fungi, commonly known as magic mushrooms. This campaign was further intensified with the recent apprehension of two individuals on Bangla Road. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Phuket News Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-26 - 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

Lithuanian man fined 12,000 baht for drifting BMW in Chon Buri by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ ChiangMai TV Chon Buri Provincial Court fined a Lithuanian man 12,000 baht for dangerous driving and getting behind the wheel without a licence after a video of him drifting his luxury BMW Z4 went viral on Thai social media earlier this month. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318114-lithuanian-man-fined-12000-baht-for-drifting-bmw-in-chon-buri/

Chon Buri Provincial Court fined a Lithuanian man 12,000 baht for dangerous driving and getting behind the wheel without a licence after a video of him drifting his luxury BMW Z4 went viral on Thai social media earlier this month. The footage captures a black BMW Z4 drifting through the centre of an intersection, surrounded by stationary vehicles waiting at a red light. Identified as the Tarn Lom Temple intersection along Sukhumvit Road in the Saensuk sub-district of Chon Buri province. Following the incident, Thai netizens called upon the authorities to pursue legal action against the driver, citing the dangerous and unlawful nature of the act, which put other motorists at risk. In response to the illegal action, officers from the Saensuk Police Station conducted further investigations into the car and discovered that the owner was a 45 year old Thai woman named Sukanya, but the driver drifting the car was a 31 year old Lithuanian man named Devidas. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ ChiangMai TV Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-26 - 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