webfact

Online fraud declines as Thais embraces digital safety measures by Neill Fronde Chaiwuti Thanakamanusornis, Image via Wikipedia Chaiwuti Thanakamanusorn is confident that online crime measures are effective, as statistics of online scams show a decline. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304133-online-fraud-declines-as-thais-embraces-digital-safety-measures/

Chaiwuti Thanakamanusorn is confident that online crime measures are effective, as statistics of online scams show a decline. The public is also increasingly aware and cautious, preventing themselves from becoming victims of online fraud. Chaiwuti, the Thai Minister of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), is urging the public to adopt measures to protect themselves from becoming victims of organized cybercriminal gangs. These offenders, who persistently resort to various deceptive methods to trick people into transferring funds out of their accounts, constantly devise new and more effective ploys to pull off their online fraud. A prime example of this involves sending potential victims a link which, when clicked on, enables the fraudsters to gain access to and withdraw funds from their accounts. by Neill Fronde Chaiwuti Thanakamanusornis, Image via Wikipedia Full story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/technology/online-fraud-declines-as-thai-public-embraces-digital-safety-measures -- Thaiger 2023-08-21 - 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

12-year-old girl duped into sending explicit photos by school fraudster by Neill Fronde A 12 year old girl was tricked into sending explicit photos to an alleged teacher as a health check. (via FBI) Soliciting explicit images under the guise of a teacher, a person online commanded a 12-year-old girl to capture and send revealing photos of herself. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304132-12-year-old-girl-duped-into-sending-explicit-photos-by-school-fraudster/

Prachinburi print shop overcharges customer, shocking Internet by Neill Fronde Image courtesy of KhaoSod A disheartening incident unfolded when a woman was charged 500 baht for scanning four documents, at a print shop in the area of Ban Rabao Phai, Sri Maha Pho District, Prachinburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304131-prachinburi-print-shop-overcharges-customer-shocking-internet/

Officials Inspect Cannabis Shops on Bangla Road in Patong After Viral Video By Goongnang Suksawat Patong – Relevant officials inspected cannabis shops on Bangla Road in Patong to check for licenses and rule infringements after a video clip of foreigners using a machine to blow cannabis smoke across the street went viral on social media. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304129-officials-inspect-cannabis-shops-on-bangla-road-in-patong-after-viral-video/

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 21 August 2023 https://aseannow.com/topic/1304130-thailand-live-monday-21-august-2023/

Thailand is projected to emerge as a principal destination for international Muslim tourists within the next half-decade. The Deputy Government Spokesperson, Rachada Dhnadirek, put forth this intent to lure more Muslim travellers, citing their rising numbers and increased spending capacity. Thailand aims to be top Muslim tourism destination within 5 years Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304128-thailand-aims-to-be-top-muslim-tourism-destination-within-5-years/

Thailand is projected to emerge as a principal destination for international Muslim tourists within the next half-decade. The Deputy Government Spokesperson, Rachada Dhnadirek, put forth this intent to lure more Muslim travellers, citing their rising numbers and increased spending capacity. She noted, during her Friday announcement, that Muslim tourists comprised a major segment of Thailand’s tourism industry. An impressive surge in the volume of Muslim visitors to the country was observed last year, accounting for over three million, a substantial rise from the recorded 875,043 in 2017. These figures, she recalled, were grounded in the data released by the Department of Tourism (DoT). An average Muslim visitor’s stay is around 13 days, with each guest spending approximately 6,000 baht per day. The DoT has set forth an ambitious five-year plan from 2023 to 2027 to heighten the allure of the kingdom among Muslim tourists. This process aims to bolster the service quality of tourism operators to match international standards. by Neill Fronde TOP: Thailand sets its sights on becoming a top Muslim tourism destination. (via Travel Daily Media) Full story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/thailand-targets-becoming-top-muslim-tourism-destination-in-the-next-5-years -- Thaiger 2023-08-21 - 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

Luxury car owner threatens debt collectors with pistol before fleeing by Nattapong Westwood Image screenshot via Red Skull, Twitter The video of a posh sedan owner brandishing a pistol to threaten repossession officials, before speeding off, became viral. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304036-luxury-car-owner-threatens-debt-collectors-with-pistol-before-fleeing/

The video of a posh sedan owner brandishing a pistol to threaten repossession officials, before speeding off, became viral. On August 18th, a video shared by Twitter user ‘Red Skull’ showed a debt collection agency attempting to seize a luxurious car due after consecutive defaults on instalment payments, only to be threatened by the debtor who fled the scene in his vehicle. As shown in the clip, the finance company’s staff were preparing to seize a red Mustang, affixing papers on the car’s doors, front and rear hoods, as well as the fuel tank. This process is intended to prepare the vehicle for repossession and deter any unauthorized use. Unpredictably, the car’s owner arrived at the scene, ripped off the papers stuck on one of the doors, displayed a pistol, and sped away. by Nattapong Westwood Image screenshot via Red Skull, Twitter Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/luxury-car-owner-threatens-debt-collectors-with-pistol-before-fleeing -- Thaiger 2023-08-19 - 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

Latest date for ex-PM Thaksin’s return is August 22 Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will fly back to Thailand on August 22nd, the same day that parliament will meet to select a new prime minister. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304034-latest-date-for-ex-pm-thaksin’s-return-is-august-22/

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will fly back to Thailand on August 22nd, the same day that parliament will meet to select a new prime minister. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest daughter and head of Pheu Thai “Family”, said in her Twitter and Instagram posts this morning (Saturday) that she will travel to Don Mueang airport to meet her father, who is scheduled to land at about 9am in his private jet. Thaksin had previously announced that he would return to Thailand on August 10, but he abruptly changed his plan, claiming that he had to see his doctor. It is reported that authorities have already made preparations for his return, after 17 years of self-imposed exile. Thaksin’s aircraft will park in a special zone reserved for private jets and immigration officials will receive him upon his arrival. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/latest-date-for-ex-pm-thaksins-return-is-august-22/ -- Thai PBS 2023-08-19 - 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

Cycling through hidden gems: Hua Hin gears up for Tha Sadet bike event on Sept 10 By Online Reporter The Hua Hin Cha-am Tourism Business Association announced plans for the Hua Hin Bike Tour Tha Sadet cycling event on September 10, during a press conference held at Tha Sadet, Thanarat Camp in Pranburi on August 18. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304033-cycling-through-hidden-gems-hua-hin-gears-up-for-tha-sadet-bike-event-on-sept-10/

Rayong lottery seller scoops 6 million baht first prize following temple rites by Samantha Rose Image courtesy of Sanook A local lottery vendor in Rayong Province struck gold recently with the first prize in the national lottery, following a round of prayers at Wat Lao-ok. The win came soon after the lucky aura of Toa Wessuwan at Wat Lao-ok presumably assisted in a second-prize win. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304030-rayong-lottery-seller-scoops-6-million-baht-first-prize-following-temple-rites/

As Pheu Thai keeps crossing new lines, Move Forward finds own dilemma by Tulsathit Taptim Senators rejecting a Pheu Thai prime ministerial nominee will be heavily criticised, but that possibility will have been largely expected. Move Forward doing the same, however, will be a lot more questionable, thought-provoking or downright controversial. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304022-as-pheu-thai-keeps-crossing-new-lines-move-forward-finds-own-dilemma/

Senators rejecting a Pheu Thai prime ministerial nominee will be heavily criticised, but that possibility will have been largely expected. Move Forward doing the same, however, will be a lot more questionable, thought-provoking or downright controversial. Pheu Thai has crossed the line first. Bhumjaithai was just the beginning of a slippery slope. The second biggest party is already being branded a traitor, an ideological chameleon who could be subjected to voters’ wrath in the next general election. The apparent contact with the United Thai Nation (Ruam Thai Sang Chart) Party is the final, big nail in the coffin. The Move Forward-Pheu Thai collision, though, will not leave the surprised election winner unscathed. Look who voted for Pita Limjaroenrat and look who are set to reject a Pheu Thai prime ministerial nominee, said MP Adisorn Piengkes of the second-biggest party this week. It was a swipe in an on-going war of words that has come close to _ but has not quite touched _ a very important aspect of the turmoil, the question whether Move Forward, for all its proclamations, is helping democracy. The answer can be either yes or no. The question is very subtle and soul-searching, bringing debatable pragmatism up against inflexibility which is also doubtful. Of the two parties, Pheu Thai made the first compromise the minute it was seen to be approaching Bhumjaithai. While that alone may justify Move Forward’s consequent reactions, the biggest party may be about to cross a line itself. by Tulsathit Taptim Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/as-pheu-thai-keeps-crossing-new-lines-move-forward-finds-own-dilemma/ -- Thai PBS 2023-08-19 - 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

University student falls for double scam, losing 350,000 baht by Nattapong Westwood Image by Elnur A university student found himself in a web of deception after falling victim to an online scam, only to be scammed again by fake police officers who offered to reclaim his lost money. The young man ended up losing a total of 350,000 baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304020-university-student-falls-for-double-scam-losing-350000-baht/

A university student found himself in a web of deception after falling victim to an online scam, only to be scammed again by fake police officers who offered to reclaim his lost money. The young man ended up losing a total of 350,000 baht. The incident led to a warning about such scams appearing on the Facebook page “Drama-addict”. The post specified: ” This case should be taken interest in. It is similar to previous cases we have warned about with scammers, creating fake pages and websites, pretending to be police officers or government agencies. They fool victims who were initially scammed by other fraudsters, promising to help them reclaim the lost money. If the victims fall for it, they end up being scammed again and end up losing everything.” The case revolved around the university student who initially fell into an investment scam losing 10,000 baht. Subsequently, he encountered a group that fooled him again. He reported the first crime online and was approached by a fake special force unit that proposed to refund him his money on the grounds they could hack the betting website where the initial scam took place. by Nattapong Westwood Image by Elnur Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/university-student-falls-for-double-scam-losing-350000-baht -- Thaiger 2023-08-19 - 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

Phuket braces for rain havoc: Urgent weather alert signals flood risk by Mitch Connor Two volunteers tow a flat-bottom boat to help stranded residents during flooding in Phuket. Picture courtesy of Phuket Public Relations Office. The southern province of Phuket has been included in an urgent weather notification that advocates for all hands on deck amid the risk of flash floods possibly instigated by heavy, persistent rain forecasted to batter the Andaman coast starting from Sunday, August 20. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304019-phuket-braces-for-rain-havoc-urgent-weather-alert-signals-flood-risk/

OPINION Toxic boss in Khao Yai hotel – Where is the empathy? By Nad Bunnag, Thai PBS World What happens if one of your employees asks you for permission to take leave, to be with their terminally-ill parents or child one last time? An empathetic leader would be expected to approve it and manage the team’s workload. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304017-toxic-boss-in-khao-yai-hotel-–-where-is-the-empathy/

What happens if one of your employees asks you for permission to take leave, to be with their terminally-ill parents or child one last time? An empathetic leader would be expected to approve it and manage the team’s workload. This was not, however, the case for a luxury hotel employee in Khao Yai, whose story went viral within a day. What really happened? A hotel employee, named Ploy, sent a text message asking her immediate supervisor, known as Kob, to extend her leave in order to take care of her ailing mother. Her request was denied. Even worse, she was told to return to work as soon as possible, which meant having to drive for hours, from her home province of Buri Ram back to Nakhon Ratchasima. Fewer than 15 minutes later, Ploy’s mother died. So, she told Kob that she needed to take leave. “So you’re going to resign?” her immediate supervisor responded. “Then tender your resignation letter when you’re back.” The employee posted a screengrab of her chat exchange, which quickly sparked outrage on social media. So far, the post prompted more than 202,000 reactions, mostly angry faces, and 120,000 shares on Facebook. Thousands of netizens expressed their sympathy for the employee, while also criticising her supervisor’s heartless actions. Some of them even went as far as exposing the supervisor’s identity on X (Twitter) and digging up her past toxic behaviour, pushing the hashtag #PeeKob (#พี่กบ) to among the top trending hashtags. Subsequently, the Intercontinental Khao Yai Resort issued a statement yesterday (Thursday), claiming that they have suspended the immediate supervisor as they continue their investigation into their conduct and that they sympathise with and stand by the employee who lost her mother. Despite this, the hotel’s official Facebook page was flooded with negative comments, with many of them demanding a thorough investigation over the incident, which prompted its page admin to turn off its comments section. The hotel also gained one-star reviews, which affected 65 hotels, located in other countries, in the same hotel chain. Thailand’s Labour Minister, Suchart Chomklin, has also ordered the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare to investigate the case. Meanwhile, the Labour Protection and Welfare Office in Nakhon Ratchasima province has ordered the employer to explain the case on August 21st, when they will also look into the hotel’s policies for staff leave. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/toxic-boss-in-khao-yai-hotel-where-is-the-empathy/ OPINION by Nad Bunnag, Thai PBS World -- Thai PBS 2023-08-19 - 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

Motorcyclists Crash into Barrier, Fall into Power Line Pit on Ladprao Road Picture: Thai Rath In a late-night incident, two Burmese men riding a motorcycle crashed through a barrier and fell into a pit of power lines on Ladprao Road, leaving both injured. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304016-motorcyclists-crash-into-barrier-fall-into-power-line-pit-on-ladprao-road/

Miraculous Escape as Steel Rod Shatters Car Windshield A young man narrowly escaped death as a mystery steel rod, spanning meters in length, struck his car's windshield, almost penetrating through to him. In a stroke of luck, the rod hit the roof's support before reaching the car's interior. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304014-miraculous-escape-as-steel-rod-shatters-car-windshield/

PM Prayut Visits Thai Airways Headquarters BANGKOK - On August 19th, news outlets reported that Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha visited Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd.'s headquarters on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok, to assess the company's progress in its recovery efforts. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304013-pm-prayut-visits-thai-airways-headquarters/

Nearly 5-meter-long Python Slithers Across Road Near Famous Mall Picture: Siam Rath Udon Thani - On August 18, 2023, Mr. Veeraphon Raksamawong, the admin of the Ban Dung District Facebook page, was alerted by a driver near Big C Ban Dung that a massive python was about to slither onto the road towards the mall. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304010-nearly-5-meter-long-python-slithers-across-road-near-famous-mall/