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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 14 July 2023 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300595-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-14-july-2023/

Thai prime ministerial hopeful Pita Lim-jaroen-rat was dealt a major setback yesterday after two separate complaints with the election commission regarding shares in itv and proposed amendments to the Les majeste laws, threatened to derail his leadership bid just ahead of today's crucial vote by MPs and the senate. Move Forward responded by accusing the Election Commission of “abuse of power” The Election Commission shut down the "comment" function on its Facebook page after it was bombarded with criticism from the public. Most Move Forward Party supporters gathered in protest at Pathumwan bangkok and also in other cities including Chiang Mai. The House of Representatives yesterday met to discuss their response to the deadly collapse of an elevated road under construction near latkrabang in Bangkok. The speaker asked for departments to come up with ideas to find the cause and ways of preventing similar tragedies from recurring. Authorities in Chiang Mai have warned people to be wary of a scam on a Line chat account that falsely claims to be able to issue citizenship ID cards. At least 23 people fell for the scam resulting in losses of almost half a million baht. Almost 60 students at a thai school in northern thailand were sent back to Myanmar yesterday after they had enrolled illegally A further 67 students who have lost contact with their parents due to the ongoing conflict remain at the school while authorities work out how to deal with them, several people falsely claiming to be parents turned away due to lack of documentation. A “Zero Carbon” mobile application has been launched to help tourists and tourism operators monitor their carbon emissions. The apps executive director said this app will help tourists monitor their carbon footprint generated by their activities and help provide travel routes and methods that are considered net zero tourism. About 1,500 zero-carbon routes will be added to the app in the next three years. Around the Region: Malaysia is attempting to find a group of at least 12 Malaysians who have gone missing in northern India, which is heavily affected by torrential rains. Widespread flooding caused at least 31 deaths, thousands to leave their homes and stranded tourists. The weather: Bright with thundershowers Chiang Mai and the north: bright partly cloudy with showers, 32C Bangkok: Bright but Cloudy, 34C Pattaya, Sunny, partly cloudy 32C Phuket and the south: Sunny partly cloudy 30C ‘Hua Hin’ :Sunny becoming cloudy, a chance of rain later in the day 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 2023-07-14 - 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.

Teen Arrested for Child Exploitation on Twitter Police in Thailand's Kanchanaburi province arrested an 18-year-old man, Theerapun, for exploiting underage girls on Twitter. Lieutenant Colonel Krisada Phalayalahan led the operation to apprehend the suspect from a hotel in Ubon Ratchathani. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300594-teen-arrested-for-child-exploitation-on-twitter/

Chiang Rai Border Patrol Police Officer Arrested for Alleged Drug Trafficking On July 12, 2023, Mr. Wichai Chaiyamongkol, the Secretary of the Drug Suppression Committee, confirmed the arrest of Senior Sergeant Major Daab, a Chiang Rai Border Patrol Police officer, for alleged involvement in trafficking ketamine to Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300593-chiang-rai-border-patrol-police-officer-arrested-for-alleged-drug-trafficking/

Pickup Truck Carrying Old Batteries Catches Fire near Rama 2 Shopping Mall Picture: Siam Rath On July 13, an unforeseen fire erupted on a pickup truck brimming with discarded batteries near the HomePro outlet in the Rama 2 district, Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300592-pickup-truck-carrying-old-batteries-catches-fire-near-rama-2-shopping-mall/

Possible Skeleton of a Human Baby Found Near Pattaya By Goongnang Suksawat Banglamung – The possible skeleton of a human baby was found near a reservoir in Huay Yai. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300591-possible-skeleton-of-a-human-baby-found-near-pattaya/

Chonburi and Pattaya Officials Tighten Rules on Bolt Riders By Tanakorn Panyadee Banglamung — Banglamung officials have ruled that from now on, Bolt riders will no longer be able to pick up passengers within a 100-meter radius of a legal motorbike taxi riders’ stand. Furthermore, Bolt riders are now required to register their vehicles for a yellow public transportation plate as well as comply with other requirements within four months. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300590-chonburi-and-pattaya-officials-tighten-rules-on-bolt-riders/

Indian Tourist Drowns at Pattaya Hotel Pool By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya Pattaya — An Indian tourist has drowned at a hotel pool in Pattaya. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300589-indian-tourist-drowns-at-pattaya-hotel-pool/

Thailand is facing a deep political crisis as Pita loses key vote and top court takes up complaints by Joseph O' Connor Pita Limjaroenrat after the vote in parliament and a heated six-hour debate The controversial Article 112 of the Criminal Code on lèse-majesté was debated openly in parliament on Thursday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300587-thailand-is-facing-a-deep-political-crisis-as-pita-loses-key-vote-and-top-court-takes-up-complaints/

The controversial Article 112 of the Criminal Code on lèse-majesté was debated openly in parliament on Thursday with Mr Pita Limjaroenrat arguing that reform of the law would help to protect the dignity of the Monarchy while Move Forward Party Secretary-general, Chaitawat Tulathon, said no one should be jailed for defamation. In reply, Senator Somchai Sawangkarn described the Move Forward Party as a dangerous cult with extreme views that threatened the peace of the kingdom as he launched a scathing attack on what he called attempts to coerce the Senate through online social media activism. Thai politics took a step further into what could be a serious political crisis on Thursday when parliament failed to elect list MP Pita Limjaroenrat as Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister even after he was the only nominee before parliament supported by an eight-party coalition representing 72% of voters and 62% of seats in the House of Representatives. In an often ill-tempered and fiery debate, opposition to Mr Pita came from the Senate and MPs aligned with the outgoing government which decisively lost the May 14th General Election. With two serious petitions before the Constitutional Court against both Mr Pita and the Move Forward Party itself, taken up only on Wednesday, the day before the key parliamentary vote, there are fears that the situation may deteriorate further if the court subsequently acts against the prime ministerial nominee and the winning party in that poll. The Thai parliament sitting in joint session on Thursday failed to elect Move Forward’s Pita Limjaroenrat as Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister in a sometimes heated session in which many of the issues currently exercising the country were aired before Senators and MPs. by Joseph O' Connor Top photo: Pita Limjaroenrat after the vote in parliament and a heated six-hour debate Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/07/13/thailand-faces-political-crisis-pita-limjaroenrat-loses-parliament-vote-pm/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-07-14 - 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.

National Police Chief Orders Chonburi Police to Crack Down on Foreign Criminals By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — The Thai national police chief ordered police officers in Chonburi to crack down on foreign criminals following the abduction and dismemberment of German real estate broker Hans Peter Mack. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300586-national-police-chief-orders-chonburi-police-to-crack-down-on-foreign-criminals/

UPDATE: MFP Leader Fails to Secure Enough Votes to Become New PM BANGKOK (TNA) – Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to secure more than half of the bicameral parliament to become the new prime minister on Thursday . Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300577-move-forward-party’s-thai-pm-candidate-pita-fails-first-round-of-voting/?do=findComment&comment=18202888

MFP Leader Fails to Secure Enough Votes to Become New PM BANGKOK (TNA) – Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to secure more than half of the bicameral parliament to become the new prime minister on Thursday . After his initial bid failed, Mr. Pita said he accepted the result of the first prime minister vote in the joint sitting of parliament today and vowed to continue to gather more support in his second bid to become the new prime minister. The next voting is expected on July 19. House speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha reported the official results of the prime ministerial vote, in which Pita won 324 votes including 13 from senators. Some 182 legislators voted against him and 199 abstained from voting. The total votes were 705. The rest of 44 legislators including top military officers did not attend the joint parliamentary session to vote for a new prime minister. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1206710 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2023-07-14 - 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.

to continue: Thailand Live Friday 14 July 2023 https://aseannow.com/topic/1300585-thailand-live-friday-14-july-2023/

Chainsaw link found in German businessman murder, family receives 1.25 million baht from stolen funds by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of หนังสือพิมพ์รายวัน.สยามประชา Facebook In a recent murder case involving a German businessman, investigators have identified a tool shop in Pattaya that sold a chainsaw used in the grim crime. The police have closely followed the trail of money involving a sum of 1.2 million baht (US$34,682) returned to the victim’s family so far. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300538-chainsaw-link-found-in-german-businessman-murder-family-receives-125-million-baht-from-stolen-funds/

Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party, has failed to gather sufficient votes of 375 from the joint sitting Parliament, resulting in him failing the first round of the prime ministerial vote. Move Forward Party’s Thai PM Candidate Pita Fails First Round of Voting Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300577-move-forward-party’s-thai-pm-candidate-pita-fails-first-round-of-voting/

Chainsaw link found in German businessman murder, family receives 1.25 million baht from stolen funds by Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of หนังสือพิมพ์รายวัน.สยามประชา Facebook In a recent murder case involving a German businessman, investigators have identified a tool shop in Pattaya that sold a chainsaw used in the grim crime. The police have closely followed the trail of money involving a sum of 1.2 million baht (US$34,682) returned to the victim’s family so far. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300538-chainsaw-link-found-in-german-businessman-murder-family-receives-125-million-baht-from-stolen-funds/

Thailand ranked among the 10 best countries for expats By Jonathan Fairfield File photo Annual survey reveals Thailand is growing in popularity with expats Thailand has been ranked among the top 10 places for expats to live, according to the annual Expat Insider Survey carried out by InterNations. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300537-thailand-ranked-among-the-10-best-countries-for-expats/

Annual survey reveals Thailand is growing in popularity with expats Thailand has been ranked among the top 10 places for expats to live, according to the annual Expat Insider Survey carried out by InterNations. The latest rankings see Thailand move up to 6th place from 8th place in 2022 and 14th place in 2021. Each year, InterNations, a global community for people who live and work abroad, conducts its Expat Insider survey. Now in its tenth year, the survey quizzes over 12,000 expats to generate a ranking of 53 countries across the world. It analyzes factors such as quality of life, ease of settling in, personal finance, and more. By Jonathan Fairfield Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/thailand-ranked-among-the-10-best-countries-for-expats/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2023-07-13 - 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: Barriers, cargo containers, water cannon around parliament ahead of rally The Thai parliament has become a fortress today (Thursday), with about 40 cargo containers being placed at the entrance, exit and around the building, while barriers have been erected on roads to cope with supporters of the Move Forward party, who are expected to turn up in droves late this afternoon to offer moral support to party leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300527-police-prepare-for-protest-as-thai-parliament-to-vote-on-new-pm/?do=findComment&comment=18201583

Barriers, cargo containers, water cannon around parliament ahead of rally The Thai parliament has become a fortress today (Thursday), with about 40 cargo containers being placed at the entrance, exit and around the building, while barriers have been erected on roads to cope with supporters of the Move Forward party, who are expected to turn up in droves late this afternoon to offer moral support to party leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Two water cannon and two water trucks, plus a truck equipped with loud speakers, have been put on standby in the parliament compound. A 50m radius around parliament has been declared off-limits by police to unauthorised people, including demonstrators, until midnight Friday. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/barriers-cargo-containers-water-cannon-around-parliament-ahead-of-rally/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-07-13 - 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.

Cop’s alleged mistress cries foul: Betrayed and financially ‘cuffed’ by high-ranking officer by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ ThaiNews – ไทยนิวส์ The alleged mistress of a high-ranking police officer filed a complaint with the Royal Thai Police (RTP) claiming that she was betrayed by her lover who did not provide the financial support he promised. She also accused him of embezzling the RTP budget for personal gain. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300534-cop’s-alleged-mistress-cries-foul-betrayed-and-financially-‘cuffed’-by-high-ranking-officer/

Close call: Young boys narrowly escape watery fate in Phuket by Mitch Connor Picture courtesy of Rawai Municipality Phuket witnessed a distressing incident on Soi Naya, Nai Harn, in which two young boys narrowly escaped death by drowning. The incident, which occurred yesterday, resulted in the rushed transfer of the children to Chalong Hospital for immediate medical attention. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300533-close-call-young-boys-narrowly-escape-watery-fate-in-phuket/

Thai private sector braced for impact amid political unrest and government delays by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of Clint Oka, Unsplash Protests and potential political instability are causing growing unease within Thailand‘s private sector, chiefly due to the impact of delays in forming the country’s new government. The possible effects are multifaceted, potentially touching areas such as new investments and the tourism industry. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300531-thai-private-sector-braced-for-impact-amid-political-unrest-and-government-delays/

Protests and potential political instability are causing growing unease within Thailand‘s private sector, chiefly due to the impact of delays in forming the country’s new government. The possible effects are multifaceted, potentially touching areas such as new investments and the tourism industry. The Thai Chamber of Commerce’s vice-chairman, Poj Aramwattananont, expressed concern yesterday in light of recent moves by the local Election Commission (EC). The EC recommended prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat’s disqualification from his parliamentary duties due to violations of electoral rules. Yet, constitutionally-compliant action is something the private sector can readily accept, according to Aramwattananont. He noted forthcoming investments could be influenced negatively by the delayed government formation. An extended delay could significantly dent investor confidence, as policies set by a new government and its cabinet are often key determinants for future investment decisions. Furthermore, the vice-chairman emphasised the obligation of the government to uphold peace and order, especially during political protests. “The caretaker government should continue its work,” he said, maintaining that the private sector and civil servants should carry on their duties without interruptions. by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of Clint Oka, Unsplash Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/thai-private-sector-braced-for-impact-amid-political-unrest-and-government-delays -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-13 - 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.