webfact

Thailand braces for liquor industry disruption under Move Forward Craft brewers and distillers call for easing of production curbs FRANCESCA REGALADO, Nikkei staff writer Customers enjoy cold beers at a restaurant in Bangkok on June 28. Thailand’s overall beverage market was worth $20 billion in 2020, with alcoholic tipples accounting for 64% of that. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) BANGKOK -- It took only a word from Thailand's prime minister hopeful to trigger a run on local liquor brands Sangvein Spirits and Issan Rum. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299249-thailand-braces-for-liquor-industry-disruption-under-move-forward/

Craft brewers and distillers call for easing of production curbs BANGKOK -- It took only a word from Thailand's prime minister hopeful to trigger a run on local liquor brands Sangvein Spirits and Issan Rum. Appearing on a morning TV show in early June, Pita Limjaroenrat named his favorite spirits and reminded audiences of his Move Forward Party's policy to promote Thai liquors abroad. But as supporters -- who carried the party to a surprise win in the May 14 general election -- rushed to order bottles, they were confronted by the supply issue at the heart of Move Forward's policy. Small distilleries are limited to five-horsepower stills, which means they can make only 100 bottles per day. "We're actually almost sold out this year. It's going to be rough for us to try to keep up with demand," said Niks Anumanrajadhon, a partner in Issan Rum. FRANCESCA REGALADO, Nikkei staff writer Top picture+ Customers enjoy cold beers at a restaurant in Bangkok on June 28. Thailand’s overall beverage market was worth $20 billion in 2020, with alcoholic tipples accounting for 64% of that. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) #news Full story: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Food-Beverage/Thailand-braces-for-liquor-industry-disruption-under-Move-Forward -- © Copyright Nikkei Asian Review 2023-06-29 - 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.

Thailand News - Royal protesters acquitted, Thai baht on decline : Tim Newton Today - June 29 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299248-thailand-news-royal-protesters-acquitted-thai-baht-on-decline-tim-newton-today-june-29/

Protesters acquitted of all charges after Royal motorcade incident in 2020, Chinese tourist numbers expected to flatline in second half of this year, a 200 kilogram Buddha statue kills a man in Sisaket, the Thai baht is falling against many currencies, Thai schools in Bangkok are allowing students relaxed dress and hairstyle rules, a Karaoke bar in Bangkok raided and minors found working there, latest in the battle for the house speaker position and a Senator says that the prospective PM, Pita, "will be lucky to get even 5 votes". Tim Newton Today is a daily take on Thai and regional news and issues of interest to expats and foreign tourists. With thanks to our sponsor 5 Star Marine in Phuket for premium, private charters. Click on this link for a special offer for TNT viewers... https://5starmarinephuket.com/tim/

Move Forward may agree to a “trade-off” for House speakership Move Forward party has unveiled its candidate for the House speakership, Phitsanuloke MP Padipat Suntiphada. The Move Forward party may consider sacrificing some cabinet seats as a “trade-off” for the House speakership, which has become a bone of contention between it and its political ally the Pheu Thai party, according to party sources. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299247-move-forward-may-agree-to-a-“trade-off”-for-house-speakership/

The Move Forward party may consider sacrificing some cabinet seats as a “trade-off” for the House speakership, which has become a bone of contention between it and its political ally the Pheu Thai party, according to party sources. The sources insist that, as the party commands the highest number of MPs in the House, Move Forward is entitled to the House speakership. The fight for this top legislative post has exposed a serious schism between the two major political parties, which are in the process of forming a post-election coalition with six smaller parties. Top photo: Move Forward party has unveiled its candidate for the House speakership, Phitsanuloke MP Padipat Suntiphada. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/move-forward-may-agree-to-a-trade-off-for-house-speakership/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-06-29 - 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.

Stolen lorry in wild Thai car chase causes havoc, damaging 20 cars By Nattapong Westwood Picture courtesy of ศร บ้านสร้าง Facebook A wild car chase saw a 31 year old man steal a ten-wheel lorry in Rayong province, Thailand, resulting in an encounter with the police and causing damage to nearly 20 parked cars. The incident began at a local truck service company Sannan Wai Tract Service’s compound last night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299246-stolen-lorry-in-wild-thai-car-chase-causes-havoc-damaging-20-cars/

Bedridden man dies after forced ID renewal trip By Nattapong Westwood Image by Prangtong Jaiboon via Facebook In an incident eliciting nationwide outrage, a chronically ill man from Pathum Thani province was required by local authorities to physically appear for the renewal of his expired national ID, despite being bedridden. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299245-bedridden-man-dies-after-forced-id-renewal-trip/

Thailand braces for severe storms and heavy rainfall by Samantha Rose Photo by Muhammad Farooq via flickr The Meteorological Department today warns that Thailand continues to experience thunderstorms and heavy rains in the upper northern, eastern, and southern regions. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299244-thailand-braces-for-severe-storms-and-heavy-rainfall/

The Meteorological Department today warns that Thailand continues to experience thunderstorms and heavy rains in the upper northern, eastern, and southern regions. A vortex advances into the Gulf inducing the southwest monsoon to prevail over the Andaman Sea, the southern portion, and the Gulf of Thailand, causing ongoing heavy rain in the upper northern, eastern, and southern regions of Thailand. Starting from 6am today, for the next 24 hours, an upper northern region, 60% of the area will experience thunderstorms and a few areas will have heavy rainfall. Provinces affected are Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Phitsanulok, and Phetchaboon with the highest temperature poised to hit a high of 37 degrees Celsius. Moving to the northeastern region, 40% of the area will also observe these weather conditions primarily in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima. by Samantha Rose Photo by Muhammad Farooq via flickr #news Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-braces-for-severe-storms-and-heavy-rainfall -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-29 - 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.

Furore over mock referendum could derail deep South peace moves By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk Thai military personnel guards convenience stores damaged after an attack, in Cho-airong district in southern Thailand’s Narathiwat province, on August 17, 2022. (Photo by Madaree Tohlala / AFP) The first of a three-part series by Thai PBS World’s Political Desk analyses the latest disputes among political forces over the right to self-determination and the peace process in Thailand’s predominantly Muslim region. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299243-furore-over-mock-referendum-could-derail-deep-south-peace-moves/

The first of a three-part series by Thai PBS World’s Political Desk analyses the latest disputes among political forces over the right to self-determination and the peace process in Thailand’s predominantly Muslim region. The knee-jerk reaction of security agencies and ultra-right-wing groups against student activists and politicians who dabbled with the idea of holding a referendum on self-determination for the historic Patani state could threaten a peace initiative being prepared for the deep South by the government-in-waiting. The Fourth Army Region and Forward Command of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) filed a lawsuit against a dozen students, activists, and politicians, accusing them of committing unconstitutional and criminal acts after a mock referendum on the right to self-determination in early June. A group of student activists conducted the mock referendum during an event to launch their newly set up Patanian Student Movement on June 7 at Prince of Songkla University’s Pattani campus. They distributed a questionnaire asking the participants whether they agree with the right to self-determination and allow local residents in the restive South to hold a referendum on independence. By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk Top picture: Thai military personnel guards convenience stores damaged after an attack, in Cho-airong district in southern Thailand’s Narathiwat province, on August 17, 2022. (Photo by Madaree Tohlala / AFP) #news Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/furore-over-mock-referendum-could-derail-deep-south-peace-moves/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-06-29 - 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.

Deadly hit and run in Kampaeng Phet: cyclist found dead at roadside By Nattapong Westwood Image courtesy of KhaoSod Online In what appears to be a case of a hit and run, a cyclist‘s body was found abandoned alongside a road in Kampaeng Phet province, Thailand. The victim’s body found 5km away from his shattered bicycle, bore the worrying signs of a collision and hastily discarded. Local residents heard the loud crash while the culprit’s identity remains unknown. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299239-deadly-hit-and-run-in-kampaeng-phet-cyclist-found-dead-at-roadside/

Bangkok community demands expulsion of disrespectful teacher By Nattapong Westwood Image courtesy of KhaoSod Online Tensions erupted in a close-knit neighbourhood located in Wat Suttharam school surrounding Bangkok yesterday as residents sought to oust a school teacher and his wife accused of disrespectful and aggressive behaviour. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299236-bangkok-community-demands-expulsion-of-disrespectful-teacher/

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday 29 June 2023 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299232-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-29-june-2023/

The Move Forward Party and the Pheu Thai Party have agreed to hold a meeting on Sunday to discuss and find a resolution regarding the allocation of the House Speaker. Parliament is set to reconvene on Monday, with the selection of the new House Speaker likely to take place on Tuesday. A Taiwanese couple, wanted for a 4 billion-baht fraud in their home country, was arrested in Bangkok's Bang Na district after evading capture for over 20 years. The suspects, known as Golden (aged 64) and Miuki (aged 57), were apprehended by immigration police in a condominium car park while attempting to flee to Singapore. The arrests followed a request from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand. The couple was subsequently sent back to Taiwan. The State Railway of Thailand plans to change the purchase of 184 diesel trains in order to prioritize electric trains. the allocated budget of 1.5 billion baht remains unchanged. The SRT also plans to acquire 182 carriages, where it will consider a new form of procurement including operating a financial lease plan that has not yet been adopted by the SRT but is widely used by the aviation industry. Bangkok’s City Hall announced yesterday that schools under its supervision must grant students the option not to wear uniforms to school at least once a week. The aim is to reduce the financial burden on parents and provide students with a voice in the matter. Around the Region: Asean nations are to produce a set of guidelines on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the region, their guide on AI governance and ethics will be released early next year. China; Visitors will soon be able to pay for just about anything by using the superapp WeChat, visitor will be able to link their international credit or debit card to their WeChat account, which will give access tens of millions of merchants. The weather: Sunny Chiang Mai and the north: Cloudy thundershowers 34C Bangkok: Sunny..partly Cloudy 35C Pattaya, bright, cloudy thundershowers 33 Phuket and the south: Sunny partly cloudy,thunderstorms 29C ‘Hua Hin’ :Sunny partly cloudy this afternoon, isolated shower 33C 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 2023-06-29 - 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.

Fatal Crash: Sedan and Six-Wheeler Collide in Chachoengsao Province Picture: Thai Rath An accident unfolded when a sedan, driven by a 34-year-old male, collided with the rear of a six-wheeler, causing the car to somersault. Sadly, the sedan driver met an untimely demise in the catastrophic collision. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299223-fatal-crash-sedan-and-six-wheeler-collide-in-chachoengsao-province/

20-year Taiwanese fraud case resurfaces in Thailand as suspect couple arrested by Nattapong Westwood Photo by Khaosod. A high-profile fraud case from Taiwan was reignited in Thailand after the main culprits were arrested. The couple, alleged to have escaped from Taiwan over 20 years ago, were found operating fraudulent activities under new identities. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299219-20-year-taiwanese-fraud-case-resurfaces-in-thailand-as-suspect-couple-arrested/

Near Tragedy Averted: Vendors Rescued from Electric Shock A TikTok video shared by user "foremost02" served as a chilling reminder of the swift and dangerous nature of electrical accidents. The incident unfolded at a noodle shop along Sukhumvit Road in Chonburi Province, involving two vendors. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299218-near-tragedy-averted-vendors-rescued-from-electric-shock/

Woman Accidentally Triggers Explosion of Old Fire Extinguisher Picture: Siam Rath On June 28th, 2023, a distressing incident took place in a residential area of Thawi Watthana, Bangkok. A woman inadvertently activated an old fire extinguisher, causing its fire-suppressing chemical contents to explode towards her. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299217-woman-accidentally-triggers-explosion-of-old-fire-extinguisher/

Thai woman’s fingers and toes amputated during hospital visit for diarrhea sparks outrage By Petch Petpailin A Thai woman and her husband filed a complaint against a hospital in Chon Buri after a doctor amputated the woman’s fingers and toes during her visit to the hospital for severe diarrhoea. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299189-thai-woman’s-fingers-and-toes-amputated-during-hospital-visit-for-diarrhea-sparks-outrage/

Thai Tour Guide Falls off Building in Pattaya and Dies By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — A Thai tour guide fell from the 4th floor of a building in Naklua and died. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299214-thai-tour-guide-falls-off-building-in-pattaya-and-dies/

Auction Company Gears Up For Jump In Seized Vehicles Amid Spike In Defaults by TNR Staff Some parked used cars. Top photo: Thai Rath AMID a spike in non-performing loans (NPLs) and risky debts with this likely leading to an increase in seized vehicles Union Auction Plc (AUCT) has now joined hands with garages to increase their lots to cope with the upcoming influx, Matichon newspaper said this evening (June 28). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299213-auction-company-gears-up-for-jump-in-seized-vehicles-amid-spike-in-defaults/

AMID a spike in non-performing loans (NPLs) and risky debts with this likely leading to an increase in seized vehicles Union Auction Plc (AUCT) has now joined hands with garages to increase their lots to cope with the upcoming influx, Matichon newspaper said this evening (June 28). Mr. Waranyu Sila, AUCT’s CEO, said despite the National Credit Bureau having said that car hire purchase loan default is expected to jump leading to 1 million vehicles being seized over four months, this is unlikely to soar this rapidly from an annual total of around 200,000 vehicles because finance companies tend to offer debt restructuring plans to defaulting clients. Moreover this big a spike would impact the overall auto industry as it would lead to prices of new vehicles falling while having a wide effect on the national economy. by TNR Staff Top photo: Some parked used cars. Photo: Thai Rath #news Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/06/28/auction-company-gears-up-for-jump-in-seized-vehicles-amid-spike-in-defaults/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2023-06-29 - 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.

Baht falls to 7-month low as unease grows over chances of Pita Limjaroenrat being elected as PM by Joseph O' Connor On Wednesday evening, the Move Forward Party proposed a meeting on July 2nd between itself and the Pheu Thai Party to discuss outstanding issues between the two main partners of the proposed eight-party coalition government expected to support the Move Forward Party leader Mr Pita Limjaroenrat as Thailand’s next Prime Minister. However, a rift over the position of House Speaker and dogged opposition from conservative forces, not least within the junta-appointed Thai Senate, threaten to derail a smooth transition to a new government when parliament in a joint session meets on July 13th to elect a prime minister. The financial markets are watching. On Wednesday, the baht hit a seven-month low against the US dollar. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299212-baht-falls-to-7-month-low-as-unease-grows-over-chances-of-pita-limjaroenrat-being-elected-as-pm/