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Picture courtesy of The Department of Industrial Works. The Department of Industrial Works is intensifying efforts to prevent the illegal import of 816 tonnes of electric arc furnace dust from Albania, following concerns raised by several environmental organisations. Environmental groups, including the Basel Action Network, Friends of the Earth, and EARTH Thailand, alerted authorities that waste generated from steel recycling in electric arc furnaces was being shipped to Thailand without authorisation. The shipment, carried by two cargo vessels from Albania, has bypassed international protocols, specifically breaching the Basel Convention, which regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous waste. Julapong Thaweesri, the Director-General of the Department of Industrial Works, confirmed that the department is coordinating closely with Albanian authorities and Singapore's National Environment Agency to track and halt the illegal import of this hazardous material. -- 2024-08-15 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Short video of the fire. RPReplay_Final1723628946.mp4

The Constitutional Court has ruled 5-4 against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in the case concerning ethical misconduct related to the appointment of former PM's Office Minister Pichit Chuenban. As a result, his premiership has been terminated, and the cabinet will be dissolved.

Video of the fire. RPReplay_Final1723614709.mp4

Fire Engulfs Scrap Shop, Spreads to Two Adjacent Stores A fire broke out at a scrap yard and second-hand goods shop and quickly spread to two adjacent stores due to high winds in Pathum Thani. Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1335475-fire-engulfs-scrap-shop-spreads-to-two-adjacent-stores/

Picture from responders August 14, a fire broke out at a scrap yard and second-hand goods shop and quickly spread to two adjacent stores due to strong winds. The incident occurred at 09:30 on Road No. 9, heading towards Bang Bua Thong, Khu Bang Luang Subdistrict, Lat Lum Kaeo District, Pathum Thani. Pol. Lt. Kiattinon Chatkaewmaneekul, the investigating officer from Khu Bang Luang Police Station, and Mr. Krirkphon Buathong, the mayor of Khu Bang Luang Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, were alerted by local residents about the fire and 15 fire trucks, were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, the first responders, found that the fire had engulfed the scrap shop and spread to two other adjacent scrap shops, both of which were ablaze. The shops contained large quantities of flammable materials, which fuelled the fire's intensity, and thick black smoke caused some local residents to evacuate their homes. Firefighters worked tirelessly for several hour before managing to bring the fire under control. According to Ms. Phakthamon, 24, the owner of one of the other effected shops, she was inside her home when an employee from the first shop ran to inform her that a fire had broken out. She rushed to the scene to find the flames rapidly spreading. Despite efforts by herself and her workers to extinguish the fire, the strong winds caused the blaze to spread to her shop. Unable to contain the fire, they called in rescue teams, but the shop suffered nearly complete fire damage. Police from Khu Bang Luang Police Station, along with relevant agencies, have conducted an on-site investigation, questioning the shop owners about the cause of the fire. They have also documented the scene with photographs and will coordinate with Forensic Unit 1, Pathum Thani, to investigate the cause of the fire further. The extent of the damage will be assessed in due course. -- 2024-08-14 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Fire Extinguisher Explodes at Phra Nakhon Temple Reported explosion of a fire extinguisher inside Wat Trithosathep Worawihan, located on Prachathipatai Road, Phra Nakhon District. Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1335463-fire-extinguisher-explodes-at-phra-nakhon-temple/

Pictures from responders August 14, at 09:30, Authorities were alerted to an explosion of a fire extinguisher inside Wat Trithosathep Worawihan, located on Prachathipatai Road, Ban Phan Thom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District. Upon arrival at Wat Trithosathep Worawihan, emergency responders confirmed that a single fire extinguisher had exploded. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. This fire extinguisher, with others had been stored on the ground outside, under a staircase. The area was exposed to the weather, allowing no protection of the fire extinguishers from both sun and rain. The base of the extinguisher had ruptured out with force (see pictures below) discharging its contents and the extinguisher had flown across the area into an adjacent wall, crushing the top of the extinguisher. It is unclear if the base of the extinguishers had been weaken by being allowed to sit on wet ground or the extinguisher had undergone some unreported manual damage or stress, such as being dropped recently. This was a dry chemical extinguisher, and had a recommended charging pressure of 1.3mpa (about 13 bars), which is enough to cause serious harm to anyone if they had been close to the extinguisher, when it exploded. Investigation of the incident is ongoing, including looking into the date of manufacture of the extinguisher and when, plus by whom it was last serviced. -- 2024-08-14 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Electric Motorcycle Charging Station Fire in Pattaya An electric motorcycle charging station caught fire, early morning in Pattaya. Fortunately, the fire was contained before it spread to the surrounding building, Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1335449-electric-motorcycle-charging-station-fire-in-pattaya/

Picture from responders August 14, an electric motorcycle charging station caught fire, early morning in Pattaya. Fortunately, the fire was contained before it spread to the surrounding building, and no injuries were reported. The incident occurred at 02:30 in a four-story commercial building in the Nong Prue area of Bang Lamung District. The ground floor of the building houses a noodle shop. Upon receiving a report of a fire at the location, Pattaya’s firefighters, rescue personnel, and Pattaya City Police to the scene. Upon arrival, the emergency responders found flames emanating from the electric motorcycle charging station, with thick smoke filling the area. Firefighters quickly worked to extinguish the fire, preventing it from spreading to the rest of the building. The fire was successfully brought under control, but the charging station was heavily damaged. A witness, who was a customer at the noodle shop, reported hearing a hissing sound from the electric motorcycle battery before a loud explosion occurred, followed by flames. Attempts to put out the fire with a chemical extinguisher were unsuccessful, prompting the call to the fire department. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion. It is unclear whether the fire was due to an electrical short circuit in the charging equipment or a degraded battery. -- 2024-08-14 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pattaya Man Arrested After Performing Motorcycle Stunt in Tunnel A young man attempting to show off his motorcycle skills by riding through a tunnel in Pattaya was arrested after a video of the stunt went viral on social media. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1335444-pattaya-man-arrested-after-performing-motorcycle-stunt-in-tunnel/

Picture courtesy of Pattaya City Police facebook A young man attempting to show off his motorcycle skills by riding through a tunnel in Pattaya was arrested after a video of the ‘wheelie’ stunt went viral on social media. The incident began when the man, dressed as a delivery rider for a popular food delivery service, recorded himself riding a dirt bike through a tunnel where motorcycles are prohibited. The video, which was posted online with the caption "When the customer says they're hungry," was intended to garner likes and attention. However, it quickly caught the attention of the Pattaya Special Operations Unit. Using the video (below) as evidence, authorities traced the man to his home, where they arrested him and seized the motorcycle involved in the stunt. The Pattaya police emphasized that while the man may have thought he was just creating content, his actions were both illegal and dangerous, and the law must be upheld. The suspect will now face charges in court, where he will have to answer for his actions. -- 2024-08-14 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe RPReplay_Final1723590368.mp4

7 Injured in Minivan and Pickup Truck Collision in Pathum Thani A passenger minivan collided with a pickup truck carrying steel on Taling Chan-Suphanburi Road in Pathum Thani, leaving seven people injured. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1335430-7-injured-in-minivan-and-pickup-truck-collision-in-pathum-thani/

A passenger minivan collided with a pickup truck carrying steel on Taling Chan-Suphanburi Road in Pathum Thani’s Lat Lum Kaeo District, leaving seven people injured. The accident occurred on August 13, at around 14:00 when the minivan, unable to stop in time, rear-ended the steel-laden pickup truck. Police Lieutenant Colonel Theerapong Nakwa of Lat Lum Kaeo Police Station was alerted by the public and arrived at the scene along with rescue teams from Lat Lum Kaeo Hospital and volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation. At the scene, a white public minivan serving the Bangkok-U Thong route, registered in Suphanburi, was found off the road with significant front-end damage. The driver, a 74-year-old man from Suphanburi, sustained a head injury, while six passengers suffered various injuries. They were all transported to Krung Siam St. Carlos Hospital for treatment. Approximately 20 mettes away, a white Isuzu pickup truck, registered in Bangkok, was found with its rear right light damaged. The truck's driver, a 56-year-old man, was unharmed. According to the pickup driver, he had just resumed driving after stopping for noodles when he heard a loud crash from the rear. Upon checking his rearview mirror, he saw the minivan had collided with his truck and veered off the road. He immediately contacted rescue services. The minivan driver explained that he had picked up six passengers from Pin Klao and Southern Bus Terminal and was unable to brake in time when he encountered the slow-moving pickup truck, leading to the collision and the subsequent injuries. Police officers conducted a thorough investigation at the scene, interviewing both drivers to determine the cause of the accident. They also documented the scene and arranged for the minivan to be towed from the roadside. -- 2024-08-14 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe Pictures from responders

SRT Urges Passengers to Follow Safety Regulations After Dangerous Incident The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) issued a press release and a stern warning to all passengers to strictly adhere to railway safety regulations, particularly the prohibition against leaning out of or hanging from trains (video). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1335429-srt-urges-passengers-to-follow-safety-regulations-after-dangerous-incident/

Picture from social media clip. 13 August, The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) issued a press release and a stern warning to all passengers to strictly adhere to railway safety regulations, particularly the prohibition against leaning out of or hanging from trains. This comes after a dangerous incident was widely circulated on social media, showing a passenger creating dangerous content by standing on the train's steps and leaning out, resulting in head injury after striking a pole. Mr. Ekrach Sriarayanpong, Head of the Governor’s Office at the State Railway of Thailand, confirmed that the incident which occurred on August 5, at approximately 15:15. The incident took place on Local Train No. 452 traveling from Sungai Kolok to Nakhon Si Thammarat as it was departing from Phatthalung Station. The passenger, a 19-year-old was attempting to film content while hanging onto the train's steps and leaning out of the moving train. Their head struck a pole, causing them to fall onto the platform. The passenger sustained minor injuries to their fingers and complained of a headache. They were immediately transported to Phatthalung Hospital, where medical examinations and a brain scan revealed a swollen bump on their head, but no internal damage. The patient was discharged after treatment. Although the train was moving at a low speed when the incident occurred, given that it had just departed the station, the SRT emphasised that such actions are reckless and extremely inappropriate. These behaviors could lead to severe accidents, potentially resulting in permanent injury or death. The SRT strongly advises all passengers against engaging in such dangerous behavior. In response to this incident, the SRT has instructed train staff to increase the frequency of safety checks and to provide passengers with clear safety guidance. If any passengers are found engaging in risky behavior, they will be immediately warned, and non-compliant individuals may be asked to disembark from the train. The SRT has also called on all train passengers to comply with the following safety regulations: 1. Do not ride in the joints or on the steps of the train cars. 2. Do not board or alight while the train is moving; wait until it has come to a complete stop. 3. Do not extend your arms, legs, or head out of the train. 4. Do not climb on or sit on the train's window sills or doors. The SRT remains committed to prioritising passenger safety by continually improving service standards and ensuring the highest levels of safety. Passengers can travel with peace of mind, knowing that their well-being is a top priority throughout their journey. Video of the incident below. -- 2024-08-14 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe My Movie.mp4

Suvarnabhumi Airport statement, (translation) At 13:25 today, the Security Centre of Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) received a report of a fatal accident involving a maintenance technician from Asian Elevator Co., Ltd., a contracted company responsible for the airport’s elevator systems. The technician tragically lost his life while performing maintenance on an elevator in the office area of Concourse A, located on the first floor outside the passenger terminal. Initial investigations identified the deceased as Mr. Wisetrat Tangso, a lift maintenance technician. At the time of the incident, he was in the process of conducting routine elevator maintenance. In response to the accident, Suvarnabhumi Airport immediately coordinated with medical personnel and local police to secure the area and begin an investigation. Forensic experts from Samut Prakan Province were also called in to conduct a detailed examination to determine the exact cause of death. The area where the incident occurred has been temporarily cordoned off to facilitate the investigation. Suvarnabhumi Airport has confirmed that the accident did not result from any malfunction of the elevator in question. The airport management expressed their deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. Furthermore, Suvarnabhumi Airport has instructed all relevant departments to review and reinforce safety protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Video of the incident. video_521289314081702228-KzywIiBx.mp4

The incident took place at 15:30 in the passenger terminal of the airport, on the first floor of Concourse A, a restricted area for airport staff and authorised personnel only. The technician, who worked for a contracted company, was found dead with severe head injuries after being crushed by the elevator's counterweight, which weighs approximately two tons. According to the initial investigation, the technician was repairing one side of the elevator when he accidentally dropped a wrench into the adjacent shaft. As he leaned in to retrieve the tool, the counterweight, which was still in operation, descended and struck him, resulting in his immediate death. Authorities have begun questioning the technician’s colleagues to gather more details. It is believed that the incident was an accident that occurred during routine maintenance work. The body has been sent to Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute for an autopsy. Mr. Kittipong Kittikhachorn, Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, who was on official business abroad at the time, stated that he had ordered a full investigation to determine the true cause of the accident. He clarified that the incident was not caused by the elevator malfunctioning and falling. Mr. Kittipong also emphasized that the contractor responsible for the technician's work must provide full support and compensation to the victim’s family. He further urged all contractors working within the airport to enhance safety protocols to prevent such tragic accidents from happening again.

Update Picture from press conference The afternoon of August 13, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwphan, Commissioner of the Police Forensic Science Office, Royal Thai Police, provided an update on the investigation into a recent incident. Forensic officers were dispatched to the scene following a report, where they gathered crucial evidence and information from witnesses. Witnesses revealed that before the incident, a household member had purchased a drain cleaner to resolve a blockage in the bathroom. The product, described as being in an opaque white bottle with a red cap, was later found by forensic officers in a trash bin, with some liquid remaining at the bottom. In the bathroom, four partially used bottles of a common bathroom cleaning product were also discovered. According to Lt. Gen. Trirong, witnesses indicated that the drain cleaner had been used about three hours before the officers arrived. Upon inspection, the officers detected a strong burning odor and experienced irritation to their eyes and noses. The bathroom in question is small, measuring 1.2 meters wide, 2.5 meters long, and 2.05 meters high, with only one ventilation window approximately 40 centimeters wide. The bathroom door opens inward, leading to the hypothesis that if someone fainted inside, anyone attempting to help would need to close the door first to help them, so potentially inhaling hazardous chemicals. Further investigation led officers to purchase the same brand of drain cleaner for testing. It was found to contain a highly concentrated black sulfuric acid, which should not be mixed with alkaline substances, such as caustic soda. When combined with a blockage, the mixture could produce toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, which has been known to cause fatalities in the past. Pol. Col. Wiphawadi Kasemworabhum, a scientist from the Chemical and Physical Inspection Group of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, revealed that from academic reports, the amount of hydrogen sulfide gas that is harmful to health has many levels. A level of 50 ppm will cause eye irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract. However, if the gas is at a level of 500 ppm, it will cause nausea and loss of consciousness. If it exceeds 500 ppm, it will cause lack of oxygen and sudden respiratory arrest. Lt. Gen. Trirong concluded by stating that the exact cause of death is still pending a detailed autopsy report, but Initial findings show that it was not related to 'caustic soda' and that no burn marks were found in the mouths. If the fatality is linked to the use of the drain cleaner, legal action for damages may be pursued under the law . -- 2024-08-12 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Update Picture CCTV from the store. Media reports, suggest that CCTV footage revealed details, involving the close friend of the officer’s eldest daughter. The footage shows the friend driving a black sedan to purchase a specific brand of drain cleaner at a hardware store along Phra Ya Satja Road in Ban Suan Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chonburi Province. In the CCTV footage, the friend is seen parking her car in front of the store, exiting the vehicle, and entering the store to purchase the drain cleaner. She then proceeds to the checkout counter, with a store employee following her throughout. At the counter, the store owner is heard warning the friend about the dangers of mixing the cleaner with caustic soda, as the combination could cause a hazardous situation. The friend appeared to understand and acknowledge the advice. She then scanned her payment for the item, left the store, got back into her black sedan, and drove away. -- 2024-08-12 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

13 August 08.00 - The fire continues to burn and parts of the structure and roof have collapsed, despite ongoing efforts to extinguish it. The fire, which started on August 11, has now persisted for almost two days. The flammable materials have made it difficult for firefighters to bring the blaze under control. Firefighters have been working around the clock since the fire was first reported, the flames continue to smoulder, with hotspots flaring up despite the best efforts of emergency services.

Thai Airways Report Reduced Profits Q2 2024 Thai Airways has announced a decline in net profits for the second quarter of 2024 as the airline progresses with its capital restructuring plan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1335349-thai-airways-report-reduced-profits-but-end-of-financial-restructuring-in-sight/

Picture Thai Airways Thai Airways has announced a decline in net profits for the second quarter of 2024 as the airline progresses with its capital restructuring plan. The airline is preparing to submit a registration statement for the sale of securities and a draft prospectus to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand. This step is part of its strategy to complete a debt-to-equity conversion and a new share offering by the end of the year. These measures aim to ensure that the company reports “positive equity” in its 2024 annual financial statements, a crucial requirement for the success of its ongoing rehabilitation program. Thai Airways and recorded a net profit of THB306 million in Q2, a significant drop from the THB2.3 billion profit reported in the same period last year. The airline attributed the profit decline to several factors, despite a 17.7% increase in total revenue to THB44 billion. Passenger revenue alone grew by 15.9% year-on-year. However, this was counterbalanced by a 32.1% rise in operating costs, driven by the expansion of operations, increased raw material costs, and the depreciation of the Thai baht, which inflated foreign currency-denominated expenses. Additionally, exceptional items such as foreign exchange losses and asset impairments further impacted the financial results. Thai Airways highlighted the expected boost in tourism, with the number of tourists to Thailand projected to increase by 25.9% to 35.5 million in 2024. This growth is partly attributed to the expansion of Thailand’s visa-free initiative on July 15. For the future Thai Airways plans to add two more Airbus A330-300s to its fleet around November and will begin upgrading the cabins of its A320 aircraft in the fourth quarter. Airbus Services will manage the installation of 12 business class seats on each A320neo, transitioning the aircraft to a two-class configuration with 12 business class seats and 144 economy class seats. As of June 30, had 77 active aircraft, along with one non-operational aircraft and 21 decommissioned planes slated for sale. The airline also recently placed an order for 45 Boeing 787-9s, scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2033, as part of its fleet renewal and expansion plans. By 2033, Thai Airways aims to operate a fleet of 96 aircraft, with the potential to expand to 131 if all 35 additional Boeing 787 options are exercised. -- 2024-08-12 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

UPDATE No Conclusion Yet on Caustic Soda as Cause of Death for Police Mother and Two Daughters A chemistry professor at the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science at Kasetsart University, expressed skepticism about the initial assumption that caustic soda alone caused the deaths. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1335324-police-officer-and-her-two-daughters-found-dead-in-bathroom/?do=findComment&comment=19143858