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THAI to Finalize Deal to Buy 30 New Aircraft by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Thai Airways (THAI) aims to finalize a deal to buy at least 30 new aircraft by the end of the year and could double its fleet of narrow-body jets over the next decade, according to its chief executive. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299138-thai-to-finalize-deal-to-buy-30-new-aircraft/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thai Airways (THAI) aims to finalize a deal to buy at least 30 new aircraft by the end of the year and could double its fleet of narrow-body jets over the next decade, according to its chief executive. THAI CEO Chai Eamsiri said in an interview with Reuters at the airline’s headquarters in Bangkok that the airline will issue a ’request for proposal’ to Airbus and Boeing to buy 30 wide-body and an undisclosed number of narrow-body aircraft next week. The carrier is looking to cash in on a post-pandemic travel boom by bolstering regional routes, but there have been concerns over whether planemakers Airbus and Boeing will be able to ramp up output to meet delivery targets. Chai said THAI, which began bankruptcy protected restructuring of debt worth 400 billion baht (US$11.17 billion) in 2021, currently has a fleet of 20 Airbus A320 aircraft and has secured a dozen new A321neo on lease for delivery in 2025 and 2026. These aircraft would be deployed to serve destinations in Southeast Asia, India, southern China and southern Japan - key medium-haul routes that THAI wants to reinforce. Chai noted that the carrier’s wide-body fleet will also increase from 45 currently to 56 aircraft by the first quarter of next year, with the additional jets coming on dry lease contracts, which typically do not include crew. "That’s for the short term," according to Chai, who added that the aircraft will be used on long-distance intercontinental routes to Australia and Europe that have seen a strong recovery since the pandemic. THAI’s cabin factor - the percentage of seats sold - was at about 84% in the last quarter and the CEO said advance bookings from markets like Europe were looking "promising". Chai, a former Thai Airways chief financial officer who took over as CEO last November, said the airline’s pandemic-driven restructuring plan was on track and it would relist on the stock market by the first quarter of 2025. by Paul Rujopakarn #news Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230628092004833 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-06-28 - 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 Restaurants Listed Among World’s 50 Best by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed gratitude to Thailand’s food and beverage industry as two Thai restaurants secured spots on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299137-thai-restaurants-listed-among-world’s-50-best/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed gratitude to Thailand’s food and beverage industry as two Thai restaurants secured spots on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Compiled by UK-based William Reed Business Media, the list featured Bangkok’s Le Du (No.15) and Gaggan Anand (No.17), owned by renowned chefs Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn and Gaggan Anand, respectively. Peru’s Central Restaurant claimed the title of “World’s Best Restaurant.” Additionally, four more Thai establishments made it to the Top 100, namely Sorn (No.56), S?hring (No.72), Nusara (No.74), and Potong (No.88). Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri highlighted the premier’s admiration for the determination of Thai restaurateurs, acknowledging that Thai cuisine greatly promotes the nation’s soft power. The global recognition of Chef Thitid and Chef Gaggan Anand, showcased by the inclusion of Le Du and Gaggan Anand on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, highlights their exceptional culinary skills, innovative approaches and unwavering dedication. As Thailand’s culinary scene continues to thrive, its restaurateurs and chefs also serve as ambassadors, showcasing the country’s gastronomic excellence and solidifying its reputation as a world-renowned culinary destination. by Paul Rujopakarn #news Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230628090014826 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-06-28 - 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.

Prachinburi locals discover monk-like termites, place bets on lucky lottery numbers by Nattapong Westwood PHOTO: KhaoSod In a rather unusual discovery, residents of Prachinburi province have witnessed the appearance of strange monk-like termites and long-haired young women termites. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299136-prachinburi-locals-discover-monk-like-termites-place-bets-on-lucky-lottery-numbers/

German and French firms eye Thailand’s booming electric vehicle sector By Alex Morgan PHOTO: Charging EV car via Freepik A surge of interest in Thailand’s budding electric vehicle (EV) industry has been noted among businesses from France and Germany. The Thailand Board of Investment (BoI) revealed this interest following an investment promotion roadshow in these European nations. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299132-german-and-french-firms-eye-thailand’s-booming-electric-vehicle-sector/

A surge of interest in Thailand’s budding electric vehicle (EV) industry has been noted among businesses from France and Germany. The Thailand Board of Investment (BoI) revealed this interest following an investment promotion roadshow in these European nations. The BoI’s Deputy Secretary-General, Wirat Tatsaringkansakul, suggested a particularly keen receptiveness from French and German investors. These potential investors are reportedly looking into expanding their production bases and outsourcing companies to satisfy the surging demand of the Asian market. It’s not just an interest in the pure EV industry. Investment prospects in the components of EVs, electronics, as well as the medical and healthcare sectors are also being eagerly explored by these investors. France and Germany were the venues for an investment encouragement roadshow, designed to lure in foreign businesses to Thailand. The event was held from June 18 to 23. The roadshow created an opportunity for executives of the BoI to engage Business France, a state-owned agency providing guidance to French companies intending to invest overseas, as well as foreign firms intending to set up businesses in France. By Alex Morgan PHOTO: Charging EV car via Freepik Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/german-and-french-firms-eye-thailands-booming-ev-sector -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-28 - 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 enlists friend for fatal shooting of ex-girlfriend in Phatthalung By Nattapong Westwood PHOTO: iStock In an unsettling incident, a 16 year old from Phatthalung lured his friend to fatally shoot his 17 year old ex-girlfriend from Nakhon, who had moved on several months after their breakup. The incident occurred yesterday at 9pm when the police station in Phatthalung received reports from the local hospital about the unfortunate incident. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299126-teen-enlists-friend-for-fatal-shooting-of-ex-girlfriend-in-phatthalung/

Two deaths linked with cannabis use and violent incidents reported in recent days by Thai police by James Morris and Son Nguyen Krabi police on Monday night arrested a 36-year-old identified as Mr Bless Thongtan, who appeared to be hallucinating and told them that God had instructed him to murder a 32-year-old local neighbour and durian farmer. The suspect told police that he had been smoking marijuana but had also taken two methamphetamine tablets. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299124-two-deaths-linked-with-cannabis-use-and-violent-incidents-reported-in-recent-days-by-thai-police/

Krabi police on Monday night arrested a 36-year-old identified as Mr Bless Thongtan, who appeared to be hallucinating and told them that God had instructed him to murder a 32-year-old local neighbour and durian farmer. The suspect told police that he had been smoking marijuana but had also taken two methamphetamine tablets. Evidence in both cases speaks to the perpetrators experiencing a hallucinatory state and not being able to take responsibility for their actions. In the first incident, in Nong Bua Lamphu, police sought a toxicology report from an autopsy on a 14-year-old boy addicted to marijuana who had just attacked his grandfather with a cleaver before hanging himself from a tree. Two people have died in Thai provinces in recent days in violent incidents linked to marijuana use. One of the cases, on Monday night, involved a 36-year-old man in a state of hallucination who attacked a neighbour in Krabi, killing the man with a machete. The man admitted to police he had taken methamphetamine pills and smoked marijuana while on Sunday night, in Nong Bua Lamphu, a 14-year-old boy, reportedly addicted to cannabis, committed suicide after attacking his grandfather. Police later found a marijuana bong discarded on his bed in a hut near the house. The scale of Thailand’s drug epidemic and perhaps an insight into the public’s concerns over the free availability of marijuana in the kingdom can be seen from two violent incidents in the past two days involving a 14-year-old in Nong Bua Lamphu and a 36-year-old perpetrator in Krabi. by James Morris and Son Nguyen #news Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/06/28/two-deaths-linked-with-cannabis-and-violence-krabi-nong-bua-lamphu/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-06-28 - 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 NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 28 June 2023 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299121-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-wednesday-28-june-2023/

The Pheu Thai Party says it aims to secure the position of House speaker and will discuss this with the Move Forward Party later today. Pheu Thai MP Suchart Tan-charoen is expected to be nominated for the post. while the coalition parties still support Move Forward's leader, Pita Lim-jaroen-rat, as the next prime minister. Meanwhile The Move Forward Party says it plans to nominate 41-year-old Phitsanulok MP Padi-pat Santi-pada as the new House Speaker. The deadlock between the two parties continues as the selection date for the next speaker approaches, due on July 4th.. The US ambassador to Thailand has denied accusations that America conspired with any particular political party or interfered in the May 14th general election. Responding to allegations of political interference ... Ambassador Robert Godec said the US was ready to work with all Thai political parties. Thai Police are in the process of cleaning up its criminal records, with about 10 million innocent people set to be removed from its database to better align it with the principles of human rights. New regulations should ensure records are only retained of convicted criminals, fingerprints will be removed of those who are accused but later proven innocent, as well as people whose cases are pending, and those with jail terms of one month or less or suspended jail terms. The owner of a luxury hotel the ‘Star Over Sea resort’ ,built on a hilltop overseeing a Royal Thai Navy seaport has refused to close down or demolish the resort, despite being issued with a demolition order several months ago. The owner had appealed the order, The Sattahip Naval Station will seek permission to begin eviction proceedings and initiate civil action against the resort owner if she continues to ignore the order. Around the Region: Chinese President Xi Jinping has told visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins that their countries should see each other as partners, not adversaries, adding that Beijing stands ready to promote a stable comprehensive strategic partnership. Mr Hipkins is on a 6 day visit with a delegation from 29 top New Zealand companies. Philippines Police say they have rescued more than 1,000 people allegedly trafficked to work in Manila for an online casino. the alleged victims from China, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia were among those found during a police raid. Victims had accepted jobs posted on Facebook. The weather: Sunny Chiang Mai and the north: Cloudy thundershowers 33C Bangkok: bright.. Cloudy thundershowers 36C Pattaya, bright, cloudy thundershowers 33 Phuket and the south: Sunny partly cloudy, isolated thunderstorms 30C ‘Hua Hin’ :Sunny partly cloudy this afternoon, isolated shower 32C 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 2023-06-28 - 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.

Hat Yai’s Unconventional Road Markings Prompt Urgent Rectification Picture: Thai Rath The Mayor of Hat Yai has urgently ordered rectification of unconventional traffic lines on Sriphuwanarot Road. Unlike elsewhere, the lines in Hat Yai veer around obstacles. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299117-hat-yai’s-unconventional-road-markings-prompt-urgent-rectification/

Reckless Youth Throw Stones at Train Passengers, Urging Authorities to Take Action to Protect Passengers Picture: Daily News In a startling incident, a group of reckless teenagers was observed hurling stones at a train in the vicinity of the Airport Link Rama 9 station, putting passengers at significant risk. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299115-reckless-youth-throw-stones-at-train-passengers-urging-authorities-to-take-action-to-protect-passengers/

Pattaya Motorbike Taxi Driver Returns Lost Bag Containing Nearly 100,000 Baht to Foreigner On June 27, an honest motorbike taxi driver in Pattaya city turned in a foreigner's lost bag containing crucial documents and nearly 100,000 Baht in US dollars, reported Siam Rath. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299114-pattaya-motorbike-taxi-driver-returns-lost-bag-containing-nearly-100000-baht-to-foreigner/

UPDATE: Police Move To Clear Criminal Record Of 13 Million Thais by TNR Staff Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, left, and Mr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul. Photo: Thai Rath WITH the announcement of the amendment of police regulations on fingerprinting on May 27, 2023 which in the past led to fingerprinted suspects having a criminal background thus unable to apply for a job despite the charges having later being dropped against them the police are now rushing to clear the record of 13 million Thais thus affected, TV Channel 7 said Tuesday (June 27). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299086-over-93-million-people-cleared-from-police-criminal-record-files/?do=findComment&comment=18169256

Police Move To Clear Criminal Record Of 13 Million Thais by TNR Staff Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, left, and Mr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul. Photo: Thai Rath WITH the announcement of the amendment of police regulations on fingerprinting on May 27, 2023 which in the past led to fingerprinted suspects having a criminal background thus unable to apply for a job despite the charges having later being dropped against them the police are now rushing to clear the record of 13 million Thais thus affected, TV Channel 7 said Tuesday (June 27). Mr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, head of Thammasat University’s law faculty, said the unamended regulation led to suspects against whom charges were later dropped or who had died to continue having criminal record. To remove their name from the listing they had to prove that it was a wrongful arrest or the suspect had died. Discussions between relevant agencies including the courts, prosecutors and the police discovered that it was the police who were directly involved in this listing. Each year there are more than 800,000 criminal cases involving more than 13 million Thais, or one in every six Thai citizens, and they previously all were listed as having a criminal record. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/06/27/police-move-to-clear-criminal-record-of-13-million-thais/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2023-06-28 - 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 Mayor Addresses Concerns about Roadwork on Thepprasit Road By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — Pattaya mayor Poramase Ngampiches addressed concerns about the construction of a median strip on Thepprasit Road, which the residents said would worsen traffic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298988-pattaya-residents-protest-against-construction-of-median-strip-on-thepprasit-road/?do=findComment&comment=18169250

Pheu Thai party wants the House speakership and 14 cabinet seats The Pheu Thai party will demand 14 cabinet seats and the House speakership in talks with the Move Forward party. Failing that, both parties will review their positions. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299113-pheu-thai-party-wants-the-house-speakership-and-14-cabinet-seats/

The Pheu Thai party will demand 14 cabinet seats and the House speakership in talks with the Move Forward party. Failing that, both parties will review their positions. The Move Forward party would get 14 cabinet seats plus the prime minister’s post. This stance was unilaterally agreed upon at a meeting today (Tuesday) of the Pheu Thai party’s executive committee and MPs. It will be presented at a meeting of the negotiating teams of the two parties Wednesday. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pheu-thai-party-wants-the-house-speakership-and-14-cabinet-seats/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-06-28 - 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's Influencers Marketing Pioneer Talks at Skal Bangkok Luncheon event Skal Bangkok invited Suvita Charanwong, Thailand's Influencer Marketing Pioneer to talk at its monthly Business Luncheon Event. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299112-thailands-influencers-marketing-pioneer-talks-at-skal-bangkok-luncheon-event/

to continue: Thailand Live Wednesday 28 June 2023 https://aseannow.com/topic/1299111-thailand-live-wednesday-28-june-2023/

Pattaya Police Pledge to be an Organization the Public Can Trust By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — The new chief inspector of the Pattaya Police Station, Pol. Maj. Suchart Dusdee, instructed his subordinates to be service-oriented and take good care of citizens and tourists. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299068-pattaya-police-pledge-to-be-an-organization-the-public-can-trust/

More than 9.3 million people have had their names removed from police criminal record files, having been found not guilty and acquitted, were fined or were given mild sentences by the courts, according to Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief. Over 9.3 million people cleared from police criminal record files Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299086-over-93-million-people-cleared-from-police-criminal-record-files/

Pattaya Police Pledge to be an Organization the Public Can Trust By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — The new chief inspector of the Pattaya Police Station, Pol. Maj. Suchart Dusdee, instructed his subordinates to be service-oriented and take good care of citizens and tourists. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299068-pattaya-police-pledge-to-be-an-organization-the-public-can-trust/