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Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra speaks to Reuters during an interview in Singapore February 23, 2016. (Photo by Edgar Su / Reuters) Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has endured a painful dilemma for the past 15 years – whether or not to return to Thailand and face jail terms imposed during his absence. While the statute of limitations has expired on one of his sentences, three other final verdicts against him carry accumulated penalties of 10 years in prison. Thaksin, 74, began his tenure as prime minister in February 2001 and served until September 2006, when he was ousted in a military coup. He currently lives in self-imposed exile after fleeing Thailand in August 2008, avoiding criminal cases stemming from his time in power. After years of repeatedly declaring his imminent return, it appears Thaksin is actually set to end his 15-year absence from Thailand this month. His daughter Paetongtarn, one of Pheu Thai Party’s three prime ministerial candidates, announced on his birthday on July 26 that Thaksin would fly back to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport on August 10. However, political whistleblower Chuwit Kamolvisit on Friday claimed on Facebook that Thaksin had cancelled his plan to return. Chuwit’s claim was swiftly dismissed as “nonsense” by Paetongtarn, who insisted the August 10 return date was still in place. Thaksin needs ‘three gems’ Political analysts, though, point to lingering uncertainties that could yet see Thaksin reconsider his homecoming plan. Olarn Thinbangtieo, a lecturer at Burapha University’s Faculty of Political Science and Law, said the ex-PM needs to acquire three “gems” to assure him that his return would be a smart decision – legislative power, government power, and support from the masses. By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/experts-weigh-chances-of-thaksins-return-next-week/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-08-01 - 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.

Thai tourism seeks visa fee waiver to attract Chinese and Indian visitors by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of Evan Krause, Unsplash A plea for the revival of a visa fee waiver programme has been issued by Thailand‘s tourism industry, seeking an influx of visitors from populous nations like China and India. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302240-thai-tourism-seeks-visa-fee-waiver-to-attract-chinese-and-indian-visitors/

A plea for the revival of a visa fee waiver programme has been issued by Thailand‘s tourism industry, seeking an influx of visitors from populous nations like China and India. The request follows a lukewarm recovery in numerous essential markets and is viewed as vital for enhancing arrivals this year. President of the Thai Hotels Association, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, placed emphasis on targeting countries with vast populations such as China and India. This is due to tourists primarily residing in destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. The need to consider budget travellers and large tour groups became evident despite high-spending tourists bolstering Thailand’s tourism statistics. “Whilst Thailand is currently receiving a greater number of high-spending tourists, it’s important to recognise the reliance many hotels have on budget travellers and big tour groups,” stated Marisa. India, having recently exceeded China as the world’s most densely populated nation, provides a compelling opportunity for Thailand. With the growth in its workforce, enticing more Indian tourists and inspiring them to explore beyond major city destinations is a strong possibility, reported Bangkok Post. According to Marisa, a variety of sectors could prove beneficial to hotel businesses of all sizes, given how Indian travellers visit for diverse reasons. From adventure-seeking tourists to wedding groups to those in pursuit of health and wellness services, the Indian tourist demographic is remarkably varied. by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of Evan Krause, Unsplash Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/thai-tourism-seeks-visa-fee-waiver-to-attract-chinese-and-indian-visitors -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-01 - 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.

Trang beach tragedy: 20 year old student missing as group ignores red flag warning by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of KhaoSod A 20 year old university student has gone missing while swimming with school friends on a beach in the southern province of Trang, Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302238-trang-beach-tragedy-20-year-old-student-missing-as-group-ignores-red-flag-warning/

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Tuesday 1 August 2023 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302237-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-tuesday-1-august-2023/

All 71MPs from the Bhum-jai-thai party will join the 8 party coalition bringing this to a 9 party group that would support Pheu Thai leader Srettha Thavi-sin for prime minister in Friday's vote. If he obtains 375 yes votes from MPs and senators, this would enable him to take the helm of government. There is of course plenty of political maneuvering to go on between now and Friday. Police say two people who own the warehouse storing fireworks that exploded killing 12 people and injuring 121 others on Saturday are due to surrender. The two a couple said they initially opened a shop selling farm equipment, the premises later converted to a warehouse. The couple face charges of illegal possession of explosive materials leading to an explosion causing death. 25-year-old Japanese woman was found dead in a toilet, at a hotel in ChaingMai yesterday. there was a phone charging cable around her neck. The woman's husband says he woke up in the night then found her body in the bathroom. Police say the couple checked into the hotel two days ago after arriving from Bangkok. A 16 hundred vehicle fully automated car park opened at Bang Sue Grand railway station today in the capital , cameras will record the license plate of each vehicle and suggest available parking places. Around the Region: Myanmar's junta announced a six-month extension to a state of emergency yesterday delaying elections they had pledged to hold by August. An Army Chief said fighting and attacks were still ongoing and it was not the right time to hold elections. HongKong Fans, friends and family of the late singer and song-writer Coco Lee gathered for her funeral in Hong Kong yesterday. nearly one thousand fans, many dressed in black, queued in the summer heat to enter the funeral hall that was opened to the public after the private service. The weather: Chiang Mai and the north: rain with thundershowers 29C Bangkok: Bright Partly Cloudy, with thundershowers 34C Pattaya, Cloudy 32C Phuket and the south: Thundershowers, 30C ‘Hua Hin’ :Sunny, partly cloudy, 34C. 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 Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 -- © Copyright SURF 102.5 FM 2023-08-01 - 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.

Tragic Accident: 23-Year-Old Woman Killed in Cement Truck Collision in Bangkok Picture: Siam Rath On July 31st, at 6:00 PM, Pol. Lt. Jiraporn Chanararn, from the Din Daeng Police Station, received a report of a fatal accident involving a collision between a motorbike and a ten-wheeler cement truck on Jaturatit Road, near the Beung Makkasan area, heading towards Phra Ram 9 in the Ratchathewi district, Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302236-tragic-accident-23-year-old-woman-killed-in-cement-truck-collision-in-bangkok/

Cha-am has a new landmark which is being touted as the largest of its kind in Thailand By Online Reporter Tourists have been flocking to a new (ish) cultural landmark in Cha-am, which officials proudly tout as the largest of its kind in all of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302235-cha-am-has-a-new-landmark-which-is-being-touted-as-the-largest-of-its-kind-in-thailand/

Jealous Husband Assaults Wife and Male Friend, Inflicting Severe Injuries On July 31st, in Ayutthaya, Thailand, a horrifying incident unfolded as a jealous husband viciously assaulted his wife and her male companion using a knife. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302233-jealous-husband-assaults-wife-and-male-friend-inflicting-severe-injuries/

Kuwaiti Man Detained for Stealing Airline Staff's iPhone at Suvarnabhumi Airport Picture: Siam Rath On July 31, 2023, at 2:30 PM, a CCTV camera captured an incident at the check-in counter of an airline inside Suvarnabhumi Airport's Terminal 4. A Kuwaiti passenger approached the counter to report his travel plans from Bangkok to Kuwait. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302232-kuwaiti-man-detained-for-stealing-airline-staffs-iphone-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

Pattaya Beach Vendors Complain Over Rule Forbidding Parking on Beach Side By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: บริษัท โสภณ เคเบิ้ล ที.วี.และสื่อสาร พัทยา จำกัด Pattaya — Some beach vendors are not so pleased with the rule that forbids parking on the beach side of Pattaya Beach, claiming it negatively affects tourists. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302230-pattaya-beach-vendors-complain-over-rule-forbidding-parking-on-beach-side/

Allegedly Speedy Motorcyclist Run Over by Tour Bus in Pattaya By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — A tragedy happened in Pattaya last night when a 23-year-old Thai man was run over and killed by a tour bus. The driver of the bus claimed that the victim travelled at high speed on his motorbike and crashed into his vehicle. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302229-allegedly-speedy-motorcyclist-run-over-by-tour-bus-in-pattaya/

Bhumjaithai To Join Pheu Thai-Led Coalition Partners And Vote Srettha For PM By Thai Newsroom Reporters Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Srettha Thavisin, right, and Move Forward logo, left, over a background of parliament meeting chamber. Photo: Matichon THE BHUMJAITHAI under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob is becoming a ninth coalition partner headed by the Pheu Thai to vote Srettha Thavisin for prime minister on the upcoming Friday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302228-bhumjaithai-to-join-pheu-thai-led-coalition-partners-and-vote-srettha-for-pm/

THE BHUMJAITHAI under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob is becoming a ninth coalition partner headed by the Pheu Thai to vote Srettha Thavisin for prime minister on the upcoming Friday. All 71 Bhumjaithai MPs will join the 310-MPs-strong Pheu Thai-led coalition in Friday’s joint House/Senate meeting to cast yea votes for Srettha, one of a trio of the Pheu Thai candidates for head of government following the May 14 election, partisan sources said today (July 31). Srettha, known as personally associated with deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of de facto Pheu Thai boss/deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is speculated to get a minimum of 375 yea votes from the MPs and senators, accounting for more than half the combined total of the lawmakers to take the helm of government with the Pheu Thai as its core. That the Bhumjaithai is being brought into the Pheu Thai-led coalition followed events in which Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat had failed to make it in the first round of vote in a joint House/Senate session and then been contentiously denied a second chance to be named prime minister earlier this month. By Thai Newsroom Reporters TOP: Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Srettha Thavisin, right, and Move Forward logo, left, over a background of parliament meeting chamber. Photo: Matichon Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/07/31/bhumjaithai-to-join-pheu-thai-led-coalition-partners-and-vote-srettha-for-pm/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2023-08-01 - 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.

UPDATE: Pattaya police crack down on Kuwaiti street racers disrupting traffic by Top Kuwaiti street racers are disturbing Pattaya traffic with loud and disruptive behaviour. (via 77kaoded). Picture courtesy of 77kaoded In the busy streets of South Pattaya, the rising clamour of Middle Eastern street racers revving their engines late into the night has become a troublesome traffic disturbance for locals and businesses alike. The continual uproar has driven some hotel guests to cancel their stays, according to hotel operators in the area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302205-police-seize-15-rented-motorbikes-as-kuwaiti-motorbike-racers-remain-a-problem-in-pattaya/?do=findComment&comment=18241637

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 1 August 2023 https://aseannow.com/topic/1302227-thailand-live-tuesday-1-august-2023/

Restaurant owner confronts negative reviewer at their home Following an online uproar when a restaurant owner confronted a customer who had left a negative review, the owner herself sought to clarify events. She states she did not intend to cause distress but rather to understand the customer’s complaints. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302223-restaurant-owner-confronts-negative-reviewer-at-their-home/

The Thai tourism sector is worried about the formation of the new government that might consist of parties that the majority don’t like. Thai Tourism Sector Worried About Potential Street Protests if Unfavorable Government Takes Office Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302217-thai-tourism-sector-worried-about-potential-street-protests-if-unfavorable-government-takes-office/

Thailand could face a “lost year” if no government formed soon Thailand could face a “lost year” if the country delays the process of forming a new government until May next year, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanawat Pholvichai, the president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302190-thailand-could-face-a-“lost-year”-if-no-government-formed-soon/

Thailand could face a “lost year” if the country delays the process of forming a new government until May next year, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanawat Pholvichai, the president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). “Lost year” is a term coined to refer to a long period of sluggish economic growth and declining investment. Dr. Thanawat said that the time being spent on forming a new government is affecting the economy, especially for next year. If the new government is formed in August, the country should have a new cabinet and the government policy statement by September. He explained that, according to the party’s budget policy, budgeting under the leadership of Pheu Thai can be finalised sooner than under Move Forward, which has a zero-based budgeting policy, which requires all expenses to be justified and approved in each new budget period. Waiting for another 10 months to form a new government will gravely affect the economy. People’s confidence in the state of the economy will be lost. When investors have no idea what the country’s policy will be for that long, everything pauses and the economy slows down more and more. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-could-face-a-lost-year-if-no-government-formed-soon/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-07-31 - 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.

Former soldier arrested for brutal murder of neighbour near Bangkok by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ สมุทรปราการ press Samrong Nuea Police Station officers arrested a former soldier at a condominium in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok yesterday after the alleged brutal murder of a neighbour. He bludgeoned her to death with a hammer. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302189-former-soldier-arrested-for-brutal-murder-of-neighbour-near-bangkok/

Road accident: University students killed in horrific crash north of Bangkok by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod. Two university students lost their lives while one sustained injuries after a six-wheel truck crashed into their motorcycle in a horrific road accident in Pathum Thani province, north of Bangkok, Thailand. The driver of the truck later reported himself to the police in the aftermath of this tragic accident. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302187-road-accident-university-students-killed-in-horrific-crash-north-of-bangkok/

Penny-pinching plans: Finance ministry’s welfare budget shuffle in the works by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of guide2thailand.com. In an attempt to ease the strain on government spending, the Ministry of Finance is contemplating new measures regarding the allocation of the public welfare budget, an anonymous source from the finance ministry disclosed. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302185-penny-pinching-plans-finance-ministry’s-welfare-budget-shuffle-in-the-works/

In an attempt to ease the strain on government spending, the Ministry of Finance is contemplating new measures regarding the allocation of the public welfare budget, an anonymous source from the finance ministry disclosed. This primarily pertains to the bracket of public welfare budget expenditure which, the source identifies, consists of redundant items that do not necessarily correlate with the section of the population who are most in need of welfare payments. One glaring example of this mismatch surrounds the old age allowance (OAA) scheme which currently pays progressive rates ranging from 600 to 1,000 baht monthly, relative to the age of the beneficiary. For instance, individuals aged between 60 to 69 are allotted 600 baht, those aged 70 to 79 get 700 baht, those aged 80 to 89 are granted 800 baht, and those aged 90 and above receive 1,000 baht each month. As it stands, approximately 11 million people benefit from the OAA, which utilises an annual budget circulating around 80 billion baht. Alternatively, should the OAA be confined to only the low-income elderly sector, or individuals who hold a state welfare card with an annual income not exceeding 100,000 baht, the number of OAA recipients would be reduced to 5 million. This would in turn halve the state budget to 40 billion baht, according to the source. by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of guide2thailand.com. Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/thailands-finance-ministry-considers-overhaul-of-welfare-budget-allocation -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-31 - 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.

Monsoon mayhem: Thai Meteorological Department warns of soaking showers by Nattapong Westwood Spooky forest at dusk, ominous storm clouds gather generated by artificial intelligence. Picture courtesy of vecstock, Freepik. The Thai Meteorological Department issued a warning today of increased and heavy rainfall due to the southwestern monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302184-monsoon-mayhem-thai-meteorological-department-warns-of-soaking-showers/