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A Facebook user named NAKON45, also known as Anyawut Po-ampai, reported an alarming incident today. A woman had unexpectedly fallen into a lift shaft within a building located in the Bang Na district of Bangkok. Officials were quickly alerted to assist, with the Ruamkatanyu Foundation dispatching a high-rise rescue team equipped with the necessary tools to help the woman who had fallen into the lift shaft of the building situated in Sukhumvit Soi 66/1, reported KhaoSod. The hope was that everyone involved would remain safe throughout the ordeal. The post attracted a multitude of comments, with many expressing their wishes for the safety of the woman involved. Eventually, officials were able to successfully rescue the woman from the predicament, ensuring her safety. In related news, a TikTok video shared by user @dreamiiqueen has gone viral, depicting a terrifying ordeal of being trapped alone in a lift that continuously ascends and descends. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of NAKON45 อัญวุฒิ โพธิ์อำไพ (Facebook) Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-05 - 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

Transport Ministry plans to replace Mor Chit 2 bus terminal The Transport Ministry has a plan to build a new bus terminal to replace Mor Chit 2, which was intended for temporary use, Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit told parliament on the second day of the 2024 fiscal year budget bill debate. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316171-transport-ministry-plans-to-replace-mor-chit-2-bus-terminal/

The Transport Ministry has a plan to build a new bus terminal to replace Mor Chit 2, which was intended for temporary use, Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit told parliament on the second day of the 2024 fiscal year budget bill debate. The new terminal will be located on a site which is yet to be determined, where a high-rise building will be constructed, to accommodate buses and offices, connected to the Bang Sue train station or electric train stations either via a tunnel or covered walkway. He also said that there will be no garage at the new terminal, which means that no buses will be allowed to park at the terminal for long periods, but will have set schedules to arrive at the terminal to pick up and drop off passengers to minimise congestion at the terminal. Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-05 - 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

Stage set for chaotic 2024 By Tulsathit Taptim Don’t let the drone-painted skies during the New Year countdowns fool you. That is as beautiful as 2024 can ever get, because this year is going to be the most problematic in years, not just for Thailand but also the rest of the world. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316170-stage-set-for-chaotic-2024/

Don’t let the drone-painted skies during the New Year countdowns fool you. That is as beautiful as 2024 can ever get, because this year is going to be the most problematic in years, not just for Thailand but also the rest of the world. Domestically, imagine a bunch of lunatics dancing across a minefield absolutely oblivious to any danger. That’s how this year will pan out politically. However, what can happen internationally can make any explosion the Thais trigger look like a harmless firework. Simply put, the love-hate triangle among the conservatives, Pheu Thai and Move Forward is bound to come to the boiling point this year, with digital wallet, Thaksin Shinawatra and charter amendment creating situations where ones can’t separate friends from foes. Chaos will spread from Parliament to the streets, and if a Pheu Thai-led administration cracks down on protesters, one more irony will be added to the growing pile of Thai political absurdities. Among names to watch is Paetongtarn Shinawatra. As she keeps dropping down the popularity table, topped by Move Forward’s Pita Limjaroenrat at the moment, her star may actually be rising when the premiership is concerned. This strange phenomenon will elevate Move Forward and Pheu Thai from “frenemies” to full-scale enemies. By Tulsathit Taptim Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-05 - 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

AOT Ready for Visa-Free Thailand-China Policy, Expects Boost in Chinese Tourism by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - Following the Thai government’s approval of a permanent visa-free arrangement with China, Airports of Thailand (AOT) is prepared to support the VISA FREE policy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316169-aot-ready-for-visa-free-thailand-china-policy-expects-boost-in-chinese-tourism/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Following the Thai government’s approval of a permanent visa-free arrangement with China, Airports of Thailand (AOT) is prepared to support the VISA FREE policy. The agency has collaborated with relevant agencies to facilitate the processes for both incoming and outgoing passengers, ensuring fluidity without creating congestion at various service points, especially in immigration and baggage claim areas. It has also integrated technology for additional convenience. In addition to this, AOT has launched a market stimulation project for aviation to attract airlines to increase the frequency of flights and international passengers. Airlines operating regular international flights, including charter flights and non-scheduled or leased flights, will receive a discount of 175 baht per additional passenger, over and above the approved flight schedule. This is subject to a maximum discount of 75% on the aircraft landing service fees for the additional flights. The program has been in effect retrospectively from November 1st, 2023, to March 31st, 2024. There is also a project for airlines that open new flight routes, where AOT will consider discounts on aircraft landing fees, aircraft parking fees, and the use of air bridges. AOT anticipates that the VISA FREE measure in 2024 will attract more than 8 million Chinese tourists to Thailand, a 75% recovery compared to 2019 when 11.1 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand. by Namo Vananupong Source: NNT 2024-01-05 - 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

Foreign man arrested for sexually harassing teenage Thai girl by Petch Petpailin Photo via Channel 7 Police today arrested a foreign man for the sexual harassment and attempted rape of a 16 year old Thai girl at a hotel in the Asoke neighbourhood of Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316168-foreign-man-arrested-for-sexually-harassing-teenage-thai-girl/

Police today arrested a foreign man for the sexual harassment and attempted rape of a 16 year old Thai girl at a hotel in the Asoke neighbourhood of Bangkok. The victim’s mother filed a complaint against her foreign boyfriend accusing him of sexually harassing her daughter in the early hours of this morning, January 4. The woman told police that she was a single mother living with her 16 year old daughter. She was dating a foreigner, whose nationality was not revealed. The man offered to help find a part-time job for her daughter. The foreign man made an appointment with her daughter at a hotel in the Asoke area saying he would take her to apply for a job. However, the man’s intentions were sinister and he tried to rape her in the hotel room. He only stopped his depraved attack because the teenager was on her period. He then let the girl return home. The girl revealed that the foreign man did not rape her but he did sexually harass her in the room. She told her mother about the matter and reported it to Lumphini Police Station. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Channel 7 Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-05 - 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 innovation in credit cards for 2024 The state-run Krungthai Bank has launched a new translucent, numberless credit card without a magnetic stripe, visible CVV number or expiration date. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316167-new-innovation-in-credit-cards-for-2024/

The state-run Krungthai Bank has launched a new translucent, numberless credit card without a magnetic stripe, visible CVV number or expiration date. An executive of the bank offered an assurance that the new credit card is safe and helps to solve the problem of credit card fraud. To use the new credit card, he explained that card holders will have to use their cards in combination with the associated mobile application and will be required to enter the CVV code. Each CVV code is only valid for 24 hours and the card holder will have to ask for CVV codes from their credit card issuer. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-05 - 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

256 people killed during road safety campaign, Phuket boat safety shake-up - Tim Newton Today - Jan 5 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316164-256-people-killed-during-road-safety-campaign-phuket-boat-safety-shake-up-tim-newton-today-jan-5/

Thailand news - Thailand's new year road safety campaign has finished with another 256 people dead, another five boat captains test positive for drugs in Phuket, a white whale spotted in Phang Nga Bay near Phi Phi Islands, smuggled heroin, on its way to Australia, is intervened, and where is Bangkok's new Yellow Line network rolling stock manufactured? Thai government chases up complaints about the new 4am closing times. Tim Newton Today is a daily take on Thai and regional news and issues of interest to expats and foreign tourists.

Rare cinereous vulture found in Kamphaeng Phet now under specialised care by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post. A juvenile cinereous vulture, discovered on a road in the Lan Krabue district of Kamphaeng Phet last Sunday, is currently under the care of a team of veterinarians from the neighbouring Nakhon Sawan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316163-rare-cinereous-vulture-found-in-kamphaeng-phet-now-under-specialised-care/

A juvenile cinereous vulture, discovered on a road in the Lan Krabue district of Kamphaeng Phet last Sunday, is currently under the care of a team of veterinarians from the neighbouring Nakhon Sawan. The bird, weak from its long winter migration, is being prepared for future release. Veterinarian Pimchanok Songmongkol from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation’s (DNP) Protected Area Regional Office 12th in Nakhon Sawan confirmed the bird’s health. The team has examined the migratory bird and found no signs of injury. The cinereous vulture, known scientifically as Aegypius monachus, is a large bird, considered the biggest in the vulture family. Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-05 - 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

Drug-fuelled party raided in Sattahip, teens arrested by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Pattaya News Sattahip Police Station orchestrated a shutdown of a raucous drug party at an undisclosed pool villa in the Bang Sare subdistrict of Chon Buri province yesterday, January 4. The villa’s name remains under wraps as authorities delve into the aftermath of the wild revelry. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316162-drug-fuelled-party-raided-in-sattahip-teens-arrested/

Sattahip Police Station orchestrated a shutdown of a raucous drug party at an undisclosed pool villa in the Bang Sare subdistrict of Chon Buri province yesterday, January 4. The villa’s name remains under wraps as authorities delve into the aftermath of the wild revelry. Over 20 officers stormed the villa, responding to numerous grievances from bleary-eyed locals disturbed by the thumping beats. The party, reportedly fuelled by drugs, had been escalating throughout the night, prompting the decisive police action at 4.30am. Inside, a contingent of eight Thai teenagers, comprising six males and two females, were caught in the act of spinning out-of-control tunes amid a haze of suspected drug use, as per Sattahip police reports. In a stunning twist, the authorities confiscated undisclosed quantities of ketamine, alongside drug paraphernalia, reported Pattaya News. The unidentified teens underwent mandatory drug tests and are slated to face the legal repercussions of their alleged drug abuse and ketamine possession, according to Sattahip police. As the investigation unfolds, the clandestine party’s aftermath promises to reveal more details. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Pattaya News Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-05 - 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

Burmese boxing coach killed in Tak, murderers remain at large by Petch Petpailin Photo via KaojorleukPhoto via Kaojorleuk Police are searching for the murderers of a Burmese boxing coach in the Mae Sot district in the northern province of Tak. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316161-burmese-boxing-coach-killed-in-tak-murderers-remain-at-large/

Police are searching for the murderers of a Burmese boxing coach in the Mae Sot district in the northern province of Tak. The lifeless body of an 18 year old Burmese man, identified as Ko, was found on the side of the Mae Sot-Umphang Road in the Mae Sot district of Tak on January 3. Ko was in black boxer shorts. His palms were pressed together as if he was trying to beg for his life. Mae Sot Police Station officers discovered a stab wound to his back but the weapon used in the crime has not yet been found. His body is undergoing an autopsy at Nae Sot Hospital. Locals living near the scene told police that the community held a new year boxing competition before Ko’s dead body was discovered. They said they heard people having a heated argument but were afraid to check on the incident and feared for their safety. One of the locals spotted Ko’s body under some banana trees. The local thought Ko was drunk and fell asleep there but was shocked to discover that he was dead. by Petch Petpailin Photo via KaojorleukPhoto via Kaojorleuk Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-05 - 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

Covid-19 Subvariant JN.1 Being Monitored BANGKOK, Jan 5 (TNA) – Thailand is monitoring the new Covid-19 subvariant JN.1, which can better evade immunity, but the symptoms are not different from the previous subvariants. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316159-covid-19-subvariant-jn1-being-monitored/

BANGKOK, Jan 5 (TNA) – Thailand is monitoring the new Covid-19 subvariant JN.1, which can better evade immunity, but the symptoms are not different from the previous subvariants. Emeritus Professor Wasan Jantarathit, Head of the Center for Medical Genomics, Ramathibodi Hospital revealed the spread of the Covid-19 JN.1 variant, with cases reported in several countries including Europe, Singapore, and the United States, with a potential trend in Thailand as well. The Covid-19 variant JN.1 continues to develop from the Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, with changes observed in the spike protein at one position, making it better at evading immunity compared to the previous strain. However, the symptoms are not different from the Omicron variant. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the JN.1 variant as a Variant of Interest (VOI), meaning it is of interest but not a cause for significant concern compared to the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants. Initially, three cases of JN.1 variant infection have been identified in Thailand. Full story: TNA-MCOT 2024-01-05 - 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

PM to launch new free medical service in Roi-et this Sunday Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will preside over the launch of a new and free medical service scheme in the north-eastern province of Roi-et this Sunday, under which only an ID card is needed. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316157-pm-to-launch-new-free-medical-service-in-roi-et-this-sunday/

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will preside over the launch of a new and free medical service scheme in the north-eastern province of Roi-et this Sunday, under which only an ID card is needed. The “30-baht Plus” universal health scheme will initially be launched on trial in basis in Roi-et, Phrae, Phetchaburi and Narathiwat. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said today that members of the public can gain access to free medical services at any state and private hospitals, clinics and pharmacies which have joined the program. He said that all the medical facilities are electronically networked, so they can share information in the records of the patients, which means that patients will receive similar medical services, be it at a state hospital or a clinic. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-05 - 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 driver’s fueling video in Malaysia sparks digital outcry, prompts complaints to Malaysian PM A video, showing a woman believed to be Thai, filling her car’s tank with benzene 95 at a gas station, has gone viral in Malaysia. The car bore Surat Thani license plates and the gas station is reported to be in Rawang, in Malaysia’s Selangor state. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316154-thai-driver’s-fueling-video-in-malaysia-sparks-digital-outcry-prompts-complaints-to-malaysian-pm/

A video, showing a woman believed to be Thai, filling her car’s tank with benzene 95 at a gas station, has gone viral in Malaysia. The car bore Surat Thani license plates and the gas station is reported to be in Rawang, in Malaysia’s Selangor state. The clip, posted on the X account of “MALAYSIA Most Viral”, is believed to have been taken by a Malaysian waiting in line to refuel his own car. The caption read, ‘She is stealing gas subsidised by Malaysian people. What I understand the least is why Petronas staff helped fill up the tank.’ Malaysian netizens heavily criticised the woman, some of whom used hashtags for Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Rafizi Ramli, economic affairs minister, complaining about the incident. Gas prices in Malaysia are much lower than in Thailand. Foreign license plate vehicles can refuel at gas stations in Malaysia, but only with benzene 97, not benzene 95, which is subsidized by the Malaysian taxpayer. The price of benzene 95 in Malaysia is about Bt15/L while, in Thailand, it is Bt35. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-05 - 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