webfact

NAKHON SITHAMMRAT, Jan 11 (TNA) – A lone robber, snatching five gold necklaces from a gold shop in Nakhon Si Thammarat was arrested in the forest behind his grandmother’s house. The police found all stolen items. The lone robber heldup the Siriporn gold shop in Tha Sala district on Jan 9 and made off with five gold necklaces on a motorcycle. He left the vehicle along with the clothes worn during the crime at a house. The police gathered the evidence and sought an arrest warrant for the suspect, identified as Mr. Chaiwut Vetayawong, aged 54 from the provincial court. The police today successfully apprehended Mr. Chaiwut in the forest behind his grandmother’s house in Tha Sala district. The police seized all five stolen gold ornaments, weighing 21 gold baht in total. (Thai gold Baht = 15.244 grams). Full story: TNA-MCOT 2024-01-11 - 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

TMD warns of impending cold front in northern Thailand by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of prachachat A new cold front is expected to grip the northern region of the country, bringing thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail, warns the Meteorological Department of Thailand today. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316769-tmd-warns-of-impending-cold-front-in-northern-thailand/

A new cold front is expected to grip the northern region of the country, bringing thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail, warns the Meteorological Department of Thailand today. The temperature will drop by 3 degrees Celsius starting today. The high-pressure system, or cold air mass, is currently covering the northeastern region and the South China Sea. The department advises residents in the affected areas to take care of their health due to the changing weather conditions and to exercise caution when travelling in foggy areas. The northeastern monsoon, which is covering the Gulf of Thailand and the southern region, is gradually weakening. Though this is causing the rainfall to decrease in the lower southern region, isolated thunderstorms are still expected. From tomorrow, January 12 to January 16, another moderate cold air mass from China will cover the northeastern region of Thailand and the South China Sea, while the westerly wind from Myanmar will move across the northern region of Thailand, reported KhaoSod. These conditions are likely to bring thunderstorms, strong winds, and possible hail in the initial stages, followed by a temperature drop of 1 to 3 degrees Celsius in the northern and northeastern regions. A slight temperature decrease is also expected in the central and eastern regions. During this period, the northern region of Thailand will experience moderate to high levels of dust and smog due to weakening winds and poor air ventilation. by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of prachachat Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-11 - 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

New Covid JN.1 Strain Sweeping Thailand by TNR Staff Dr Yong Poovorawan. Photo: INN News A PROMINENT virologist said this morning (Jan. 11) that a new Covid-19 strain, JN.1, has now taken hold in Thailand and is turning into the most widespread variant as it is highly contagious and this leading to a spike in the number of patients, Naewna newspaper said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316767-new-covid-jn1-strain-sweeping-thailand/

A PROMINENT virologist said this morning (Jan. 11) that a new Covid-19 strain, JN.1, has now taken hold in Thailand and is turning into the most widespread variant as it is highly contagious and this leading to a spike in the number of patients, Naewna newspaper said. Dr. Yong Poovorawan, head of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, said in a Facebook post that a test of 14 samples in December, with there being a few more to be analysed but the total is low because of limited budget, shows JN.1 is the most common strain. This variant first appeared in the US and mutated from the BA.2.86 strain, nicknamed Pilora, the name of an asteroid. It is highly contagious and spreads quickly and is expected to replace all other Covid variants. This new variant, which does not have a nickname yet, became more pronounced in December and will definitely spread in the New Year. by TNR Staff Dr Yong Poovorawan. Photo: INN News Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-01-11 - 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

Midnight blaze turns golf course into ‘tee-rific’ inferno by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod A midnight explosion echoed through Chachoengsao province, leading to a massive fire that razed a golf course warehouse, destroying five vehicles in the process. The incident unfolded at 12am today. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316765-midnight-blaze-turns-golf-course-into-‘tee-rific’-inferno/

A midnight explosion echoed through Chachoengsao province, leading to a massive fire that razed a golf course warehouse, destroying five vehicles in the process. The incident unfolded at 12am today. Deputy Inspector Pak Jambairat of San Pudas Police Station, upon receiving the fire report, immediately rushed to the scene with the Chachoengsao fire-fighting unit and the San Pudas municipal fire truck. The scene of the incident was a single-storey wooden storage warehouse at a golf course, situated beneath the course’s water tank. The fire spread rapidly, consuming three motorcycles and two pickup trucks parked within the warehouse. Various pieces of equipment stored inside the warehouse were also destroyed by the fire. Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours before finally bringing it under control, reported KhaoSod. by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-11 - 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: Visually impaired man accuses relatives of deceit over 20,000 baht loan in Thailand by Nattapong Westwood PHOTO: via los Angeles A 36 year old visually impaired man, known as Likhit, accused his relatives of tricking him into signing off his land rights, under the misconception that he was signing a loan agreement. The incident took place today, at 12pm. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316746-blind-man-conned-out-of-land-by-his-deceased-mother’s-younger-sister-after-signing-up-for-a-loan/?do=findComment&comment=18610659

Visually impaired man accuses relatives of deceit over 20,000 baht loan in Thailand by Nattapong Westwood PHOTO: via los Angeles A 36 year old visually impaired man, known as Likhit, accused his relatives of tricking him into signing off his land rights, under the misconception that he was signing a loan agreement. The incident took place today, at 12pm. Likhit explained that he once borrowed 20,000 baht from his relatives, with a 10% interest rate, for which he agreed to pay 2,000 baht per month. He believed he was signing a loan agreement. However, he later found out that he had unknowingly signed off his six acres of land in Wang Nam Khiao, a valuable piece of real estate. Likhit, who has been blind for the past 12 years, said he was unaware of the land transfer. He stressed that he never intended to sign off his inherited land, which he received from his late mother. One day, his relatives informed him that they would seize the land due to his failure to pay the interest. Although Likhit admitted that he hadn’t paid them, he was shocked when they threatened to evacuate everyone living on the land, planning to utilise it for sugarcane cultivation. Before this, Likhit had donated a part of the land for the construction of a water tank for the villagers’ use. Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-11 - 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

Governor’s bold move against toxic haze: Chiang Mai’s war on farm fires heats up by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of The Nation Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn is leading the charge against the annual curse of PM2.5 pollution caused by the burning of agricultural residue. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316762-governor’s-bold-move-against-toxic-haze-chiang-mai’s-war-on-farm-fires-heats-up/

Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn is leading the charge against the annual curse of PM2.5 pollution caused by the burning of agricultural residue. In a teleconference with the province’s 25 district chiefs, he laid down strict instructions to tackle the issue head-on. The provincial administration has already taken a decisive step by banning unauthorised burning of farm waste from January 1 to April 30. Farmers must now obtain approval from the district office before resorting to burning, and a cutting-edge app named FireD will be used to monitor and report the process. Governor Nirat is not merely relying on restrictions, he has tasked the district chiefs with exploring alternatives to burning. Farmers are being encouraged to adopt more eco-friendly practices, such as ploughing and burying residue or selling it to energy recycling plants. These innovative plants will then transform the waste into compressed energy bars, creating a win-win situation for both farmers and factories. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of The Nation Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-11 - 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

Chonburi Serial Power Line Thief Apprehended Again After Being Released on Bail By Tanakorn Panyadee Early on Tuesday morning, highway police in Chonburi apprehended a suspect believed to be planning another power line theft on the Pattaya-Sattahip motorway. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316759-chonburi-serial-power-line-thief-apprehended-again-after-being-released-on-bail/

Early on Tuesday morning, highway police in Chonburi apprehended a suspect believed to be planning another power line theft on the Pattaya-Sattahip motorway. CCTV cameras, positioned near kilometer marker 135+100 in Huay Yai sub-district, captured footage of three suspicious individuals parking their motorcycles along the motorway around 2:30 AM. This location was the scene of an infamous cable theft in September 2023, where thieves caused millions of baht in damage by cutting power lines. Through the footage, authorities quickly identified one of the suspects as Mr. Anulak Obchu, 35. The Thai man had been arrested by highway police in September 2023 for the previous incident. Despite being released on bail, Mr. Anulak’s presence at the scene raised concerns that he might be planning to commit a repeat offense. By Tanakorn Panyadee Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-01-11 - 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 Officials Lead Coastal Cleanup at Cape Bali Hai By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: ข่าวเมืองชล City officials in Pattaya launched a cleanup operation on Wednesday along the coastline of Cape Bali Hai to tackle a significant accumulation of marine debris. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316757-pattaya-officials-lead-coastal-cleanup-at-cape-bali-hai/

City officials in Pattaya launched a cleanup operation on Wednesday along the coastline of Cape Bali Hai to tackle a significant accumulation of marine debris. The January 10th initiative was led by Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai and joined by the Office of the Natural Resources and Environment and their dedicated staff. The operation, which began at dawn, uncovered a concerning amount of marine debris, such as plastic bottles and bags, paper scraps, foam boxes, and remnants of fishing equipment. This waste had marred the picturesque landscape of Cape Bali Hai, but undeterred, the officials diligently worked together to remove the garbage to restore the area’s natural beauty. By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: ข่าวเมืองชล Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-01-11 - 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

Electrical Leakage on Chonburi Footbridge Prompts Call for Repair By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya Signs warning people not to touch the rails of a footbridge due to electrical leakage have prompted calls for authorities in Phan Thong to conduct urgent repairs. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316755-electrical-leakage-on-chonburi-footbridge-prompts-call-for-repair/

Signs warning people not to touch the rails of a footbridge due to electrical leakage have prompted calls for authorities in Phan Thong to conduct urgent repairs. Local residents in Chonburi’s Phan Thong district are urging relevant authorities to address an electrical leakage at a footbridge to prevent a potential electrical hazard. The hazardous bridge, located near Phan Thong Tonson School, is regularly used by numerous young students. The leakage appears to stem from a tangle of wires wrapped around one of the iron rails of the bridge. Makeshift paper signs have been posted at the bridge’s base to warn people against making contact with the rails. By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-01-11 - 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: Thai Cabinet reviews submarine procurement contract extension by Mitch Connor Picture courtesy of Thairath A submarine procurement contract extension is under review by the Thai Cabinet, following advice from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316743-navy-not-lobbying-ministers-over-chinese-submarine-suthin/?do=findComment&comment=18610418

Thai Cabinet reviews submarine procurement contract extension by Mitch Connor Picture courtesy of Thairath A submarine procurement contract extension is under review by the Thai Cabinet, following advice from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). This came as a response to the navy’s inquiries concerning the programme. The OAG highlighted the requirement for a 1,217-day contract extension to undergo a Cabinet review due to the government-to-government nature of the deal. The change to the submarine engine, however, was deemed a technical issue, the evaluation of which rests with the navy. The 13.5-billion baht (US$ 385,279,605) submarine programme experienced a setback when China failed to secure a German-made engine for the Yuan-class S26T submarine, ordered by the Thai navy. This was due to regulatory restrictions that prevented German engines from being utilised in Chinese military equipment, reported Bangkok Post. China offered a CHD620 engine to replace the MTU396, a solution that seems to be acceptable to the navy. Even so, the Pheu Thai-led government appears to lean towards swapping the submarine for a frigate, a deal that may increase costs by one billion baht (US$ 28,527,830). If the engine change is approved, the procurement process will require an additional 40 months to be completed. The construction, already delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is currently on pause due to the engine issue. Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-11 - 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

Caution advised over interest rate cuts by Bank of Thailand by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of Seksan Rojjanametakul Pundits have cautioned against hasty moves to cut interest rates and have emphasised the importance of an independent Bank of Thailand as it determines its policy interest rates. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316753-caution-advised-over-interest-rate-cuts-by-bank-of-thailand/

Pundits have cautioned against hasty moves to cut interest rates and have emphasised the importance of an independent Bank of Thailand as it determines its policy interest rates. They warned that inconsistent fiscal and monetary policies could harm more than they help. Therdsak Thaveeteeratham, Asia Plus Securities (ASPS) executive vice president, insisted that decisions regarding interest rates should be the sole jurisdiction of the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, devoid of conflicts or interference. He stated, “The Bank of Thailand should be an independent organisation. Political interference can negatively affect public confidence in the financial system.” Therdsak also called for fiscal and monetary policies to be consistent and reliable. “If fiscal and monetary policies are consistent without conflict, that will make supervision of the economic system smooth and create more confidence and stability.” He believes that the Bank of Thailand has leeway to reduce interest rates given the current inflation rates. However, geopolitical risks and the El Niño weather phenomenon could cause an inflation surge, which may be causing concern, reported Bangkok Post. by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of Seksan Rojjanametakul Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-11 - 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

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday 11 January 2024 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316752-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-11-january-2024/

The state of emergency has been lifted in the southern district of Pattani Following the reduced level of insurgent attacks, However the state of emergency will be extended for a further 3 months to 18 areas along the border with Malaysia, The government aims to lift the emergency decree along the entire southern border by 2027. A Democrat MP says he will visit the police hospital on Friday and talk with Taksin Shinawat and others being treated there. Several of Taksins opponents asked whether he had sneaked out to live in his house. The MP said this visit aims to find out whether Thaksin is receiving more privileges than other inmates. The Royal Thai has been told it will need cabinet approval to extend it’s submarine procurement contract by over 12 hundred days due to it being a government-to-government deal. The 13.5-billion baht submarine program faced a setback when China couldn't acquire a German-made engine, The navy is content with China's offer of a replacement, while the government would prefer to swap the submarine for a frigate. Local Police have issued a warning over a scam that offers to obtain driving licenses without the need for the applicant to take a test. Advertisements appeared on social media offering to take the test for applicants for a range of fees. Victims would apply via a Line application giving their personal data and copy of ID Card. The department of transport says it does not accept applications online and warns against responding to the scammers. Around The Region. Chiang Mai and the north: sunny 32C Bangkok: Sunny partly cloudy 35 Pattaya: Sunny, partly cloudy 33 Phuket and the south: Sunny partly cloudy, isolated shower 32C Hua Hin : Sunny, 32 AQI moderate to high Credits: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Asean Now, Khaosod English, Hua Hin Today, Royal Coast Review, Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn, Thainewsroom.com, The Pattaya News, Phuket News, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times. The Irrawaddy. Windy.com. Wunderground.com -- SURF 102.5 FM 2024-01-11 Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 - 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

18-Wheeler Trailer with Failed Brakes Collides with Sedan and Pickup, Claiming the Life of a 35-Year-Old Woman In a tragic incident in Nonthaburi, a collision involving a sedan, a pickup truck, and a trailer with 18 wheels lacking brakes resulted in the loss of life of a 35-year-old female architect. The accident occurred on the inbound lane of the Kanchanaphisek Road, just before the Rama 5 Roundabout in Bang Khu Wat, Bang Kruai district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316748-18-wheeler-trailer-with-failed-brakes-collides-with-sedan-and-pickup-claiming-the-life-of-a-35-year-old-woman/

Singaporean Fugitive Apprehended by Krabi Tourist Police on Koh Lanta In a significant turn of events on January 10, authorities from the Krabi Tourism Enforcement unit successfully nabbed an individual of Singaporean origin, wanted on charges related to nocturnal theft and eluding law enforcement. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316744-singaporean-fugitive-apprehended-by-krabi-tourist-police-on-koh-lanta/