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Justice Minister Focuses on Rehabilitation in Phuket Prison Visit: Justice Minister Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong visited Phuket Provincial Prison to promote rehabilitation. He observed inmates working on the Bang Yai Canal, provided ID services, supported a dental care initiative, and addressed debt mediation. The visit also included promoting sports with donated Muay Thai equipment and touring the prison library.

Blacklisted Vietnamese Men Arrested for Illegal Entry in Thailand: Three blacklisted Vietnamese men were arrested for illegal entry at the Nong Khai border. Phan Dinh Sy, who advertised illegal transport services, and two others, Phan Van and Tran Van Am, were detained at Nong Khai Bus Terminal. Sy faces charges under Section 64 of the Immigration Act, while Van and Am face charges under Section 81, with potential fines and imprisonment.

Pygmy Killer Whales Rescued in Phuket Mangrove Forest: Five pygmy killer whales were rescued from a mangrove forest in Phuket, though one did not survive. The whales were given medical attention and released into deeper waters.

Foreign Fortune-Teller Harasses Thai Women for Money: A foreign fortune-teller has been harassing Thai women for money around Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat in Nonthaburi. Social media reports describe similar experiences.

Police Seize 45,000 Bottles in Counterfeit Cough Syrup Raid: Authorities raided a counterfeit cough syrup factory in Samut Sakhon, seizing 45,000 bottles. The factory produced fake syrup, which was popular among youths for intoxication.

Tourist Injured in Chumphon Resort Balcony Collapse: A tourist was seriously injured in a balcony collapse at a Chumphon resort, which was found to be operating without a license. The local police response was criticised.

Thailand Moves Closer to Legalising Casinos to Boost Tourism: Thailand is advancing plans to legalize casinos, aiming to boost tourism and foreign investment. The proposal includes 30-year licenses and designated locations such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. The ceiling at Chiang Mai Airport collapsed, injuring children: A section of the ceiling at Chiang Mai Airport collapsed, injuring two children. The incident was due to moisture from air conditioning ducts exacerbated by rainfall. Unlicensed Beauty Doctor Arrested in Bangkok Hotel Raid: An unlicensed beauty doctor was arrested in Bangkok, caught administering fillers and Botox in hotel rooms. She faces charges for practising medicine without a license. Tourist Injured in Chumphon Resort Balcony Collapse: A tourist was seriously injured in a balcony collapse at a Chumphon resort, which was found to be operating without a license. The local police response was criticised. Police Seize 45,000 Bottles in Counterfeit Cough Syrup Raid: Authorities raided a counterfeit cough syrup factory in Samut Sakhon, seizing 45,000 bottles. The factory produced fake syrup, which was popular among youths for intoxication. Foreign Fortune-Teller Harasses Thai Women for Money: A foreign fortune-teller has been harassing Thai women for money around Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat in Nonthaburi. Social media reports describe similar experiences. Pygmy Killer Whales Rescued in Phuket Mangrove Forest: Five pygmy killer whales were rescued from a mangrove forest in Phuket, though one did not survive. The whales were given medical attention and released into deeper waters. Singapore Hangs Man for Trafficking 36g of Heroin Singapore executed a man for trafficking 36 grams of heroin, highlighting its strict drug laws despite international criticism. Indonesia Bans DuckDuckGo Over Pornography and Gambling Concerns: Indonesia banned DuckDuckGo, citing concerns over pornography and gambling content. The move aligns with the country's strict online content regulations.

The ceiling at Chiang Mai Airport collapsed, injuring children: A section of the ceiling at Chiang Mai Airport collapsed, injuring two children. The incident was due to moisture from air conditioning ducts exacerbated by rainfall.

Thailand Moves Closer to Legalising Casinos to Boost Tourism: Thailand is advancing plans to legalize casinos, aiming to boost tourism and foreign investment. The proposal includes 30-year licenses and designated locations such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

Unlicensed Beauty Doctor Arrested in Bangkok Hotel Raid: An unlicensed beauty doctor was arrested in Bangkok, caught administering fillers and Botox in hotel rooms. She faces charges for practising medicine without a license.

Chinese-Owned Factory Fined 1.8 Billion Baht for Water Contamination: The Chachoengsao Provincial Court fined THH Moly Processing Company, a Chinese-owned factory, 1.8 billion baht for contaminating the Jone Reservoir in Chachoengsao, Thailand. In 2019, 2 million cubic meters of reservoir water were found tainted with toxic substances, making it unusable for local consumption and agriculture. An investigation linked the factory to the pollution. The Pollution Control Department sued the company in 2022, and the court ordered the compensation to be divided among four government departments. Efforts are underway to expedite the reservoir's recovery to benefit over a thousand local households.

Thai Man Regrets Career Choice as Peers Earn Higher Salaries: A 28-year-old Thai man expressed regret on social media over his career choice of a government job with an 18,000 baht salary, compared to his university peers in the private sector earning up to 100,000 baht. He shared his frustrations about the financial disparity and uncertainty of switching sectors. Netizens offered support, emphasizing the differences in job security and benefits between sectors, advising him to focus on self-improvement and gradual progress. Suggestions included further education or training to enhance qualifications, potentially leading to better opportunities within the public or private sector.

Thai Thieves Arrested for Stealing Cannabis Plants: Police arrested four Thai individuals for stealing cannabis plants from a farm in Nakhon Phanom to start their own cannabis business. The farm owner reported the theft of plants valued at 30,000 to 40,000 baht, along with other cannabis species, fertilizer, and tools. The suspects, aged 26, 18, and two 16-year-olds, were identified through security footage and apprehended at a house in Mueang Nakhon Phanom district. Police discovered a small cannabis plot, 30 plants, and equipment worth over 500,000 baht. The suspects admitted to stealing from multiple farms to pursue their dream of running a cannabis farm. They face charges of night-time theft, with penalties of 1-5 years imprisonment and fines of 20,000-100,000 baht.

The transcription below provides news stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia, covered in the Good Morning Thailand program hosted by Alex and Jay. The stories range from the Thai government's "Digital Wallet" scheme facing initial hurdles to Myanmar's military regime extending the state of emergency. 1. Thailand's $14 Billion Handout Scheme Faces Initial Hurdles Thailand's $14 billion handout scheme faced early issues as millions rushed to register, crashing the system. By early afternoon, 10.5 million had applied, but many struggled with access and passcode issues. The government aims to stimulate the economy with a 10,000 baht ($282) "digital wallet" for most citizens, despite funding delays and criticism. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin acknowledged initial problems but remains optimistic about the scheme, which aims to boost economic growth by 1.2-1.8 percentage points next year. 2. Dutch Teenager Falls to Death from Cliff in Krabi An 18-year-old Dutch teenager, Tim Bakker, fell to his death from the Ngon Nak Nature Trail viewpoint in Krabi, Thailand. While trekking with his parents, Bakker stayed behind at Nak Waterfall. When his parents returned, they couldn't find him. Rangers located his body beneath the cliff using phone signals and drones. It's believed Bakker slipped while enjoying the view. 3. Japanese Man Arrested for Attempted Rape of Drunk Thai Woman A Japanese man, Nichimura, was arrested for attempting to rape a drunk Thai woman at Royal City Avenue (RCA) in Bangkok on July 28. The victim, intoxicated and waiting for her boyfriend, was approached by Nichimura, who inappropriately touched her and tried to carry her away in a taxi. The boyfriend intervened via phone, leading to her being left on RCA Road. Nichimura admitted to inappropriate actions while drunk. He was charged with sexual assault and detaining another person, granted bail at 50,000 baht, and had his passport seized pending prosecution. 4. Thai Man Regrets Career Choice as Peers Earn Higher Salaries A 28-year-old Thai man expressed regret on social media over his government job with an 18,000 baht salary, compared to his university peers in the private sector earning up to 100,000 baht. He shared frustrations about the financial disparity and uncertainty of switching sectors. Netizens offered support, advising him to focus on self-improvement and gradual progress, suggesting further education or training for better opportunities. 5. Chinese-Owned Factory Fined 1.8 Billion Baht for Water Contamination The Chachoengsao Provincial Court fined THH Moly Processing Company, a Chinese-owned factory, 1.8 billion baht for contaminating the Jone Reservoir in Chachoengsao, Thailand. In 2019, 2 million cubic meters of reservoir water were found tainted with toxic substances. The Pollution Control Department sued the company in 2022, and the court ordered the compensation to be divided among four government departments. 6. Thai Thieves Arrested for Stealing Cannabis Plants Police arrested four Thai individuals for stealing cannabis plants from a farm in Nakhon Phanom to start their own cannabis business. The farm owner reported the theft of plants valued at 30,000 to 40,000 baht. The suspects, aged 26, 18, and two 16-year-olds, were identified through security footage and apprehended. They face charges of night-time theft, with penalties of 1-5 years imprisonment and fines of 20,000-100,000 baht. 7. Indonesia Legalizes First-Trimester Abortions for Rape Victims Indonesia now allows first-trimester abortions for rape victims and in medical emergencies. President Joko Widodo signed Government Regulation Number 28 of 2024, extending the legal abortion window in rape cases from six to 14 weeks. The law also introduces tobacco and e-cigarette sales restrictions, primary healthcare integration, and measures to control unhealthy food consumption. 8. Myanmar’s Military Regime Extends State of Emergency Amid Civil War Myanmar's military regime extended the state of emergency by six months to prepare for elections. The regime now controls less than half the country, facing resistance from ethnic militias and opposition forces. The U.S. criticized the extension, urging the regime to end violence and engage with all stakeholders for a democratic future.

Japanese Man Arrested for Attempted Rape of Drunk Thai Woman: A Japanese man, Nichimura, was arrested for attempting to rape a drunk Thai woman at Royal City Avenue (RCA) in Bangkok on July 28. The victim, intoxicated and waiting for her boyfriend, was approached by Nichimura, who inappropriately touched her and tried to carry her away in a taxi. The boyfriend intervened via phone, leading to her being left on RCA Road. Nichimura admitted to inappropriate actions while drunk. He was charged with sexual assault and detaining another person, granted bail at 50,000 baht, and had his passport seized pending prosecution.

Dutch Teenager Falls to Death from Cliff in Krabi: An 18-year-old Dutch teenager, Tim Bakker, fell to his death from the Ngon Nak Nature Trail viewpoint in Krabi, Thailand. On July 31, while trekking with his parents, Bakker felt exhausted and stayed behind at Nak Waterfall. When his parents returned, they couldn't find him. Rangers searched overnight and resumed on August 1, eventually locating his body beneath the cliff using phone signals and drones. It's believed Bakker slipped while enjoying the view. Ngon Nak Mountain is a popular tourist spot known for its scenic views and tranquil forest atmosphere.

Thailand's $14 Billion Handout Scheme Faces Initial Hurdles: Thailand's $14 billion handout scheme faced early issues as millions rushed to register, crashing the system. By early afternoon, 10.5 million had applied, but many struggled with access and passcode issues. The government aims to stimulate the economy with a 10,000 baht ($282) "digital wallet" for most citizens, despite funding delays and criticism. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin acknowledged initial problems but remains optimistic. The scheme, set to launch in two months, expects to boost economic growth by 1.2-1.8 percentage points next year, targeting regional economic activity outside cities.

Urgent Call for O-Negative Blood Donations in Phuket: An urgent call for O-negative blood donations has been made by the RH-Emergency Donation group in Phuket to help a Frenchman in need. Due to the rarity of this blood type in Thailand, the plea emphasizes the importance of donations from Westerners. The Phuket Red Cross is the designated donation site, and recent updates now allow donors from the UK, France, and Ireland to contribute.

Chinese Woman Rescued from 15 Million Baht Virtual Kidnapping: Thai police rescued 21-year-old Chinese woman Wang Jia Bao in Bangkok from a virtual kidnapping scheme. Scammers demanded 15 million baht from her parents, with Wang manipulated by scammers posing as Chinese police. She was tracked through security footage and found safe. This scam targets Chinese students abroad, with similar cases in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

The US Urges Thailand to Release a Vietnamese Activist Facing Extradition: US Congress members have urged Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to release Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap, who faces extradition despite holding UN refugee status. Bdap, a founder of Montagnards Stand for Justice, is charged with terrorism by Vietnam, though he was in Thailand during the riots. The National Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Watch emphasize Thailand's international obligations to protect him. Bdap's hearings are set for tomorrow and August 19.

The transcription below provides various news stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia, covered in Good Morning Thailand, hosted by Alex. The stories range from the arrest of former Scottish footballer Ian Heddle for crimes against children in Thailand to The 1975 being sued over a concert incident involving Matty Healy in Malaysia. 1. Scottish Former Footballer Arrested for Child Crimes in Thailand: Ex-footballer Ian Heddle, 61, has been jailed for four years for child abuse in Thailand. He was found with 272,936 indecent images and 4,001 videos of children. Arrested at Edinburgh Airport in February 2023, Heddle admitted to possessing and making the material. Three videos showed him abusing a young girl in Thailand. He received a six-year extended sentence, including two years on license, and was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. 2. Drunk Driver in Ayutthaya Leads Police on High-Speed Chase: A drunk driver in Ayutthaya led police on a high-speed chase along Phahonyothin Road. Mongkol, 38, driving a red pickup truck with loudspeakers, was reported for erratic driving and playing loud music. He attempted to flee upon police arrival, leading to a dangerous chase. He was eventually stopped and found with a blood alcohol concentration of 234 milligrams per cent. Mongkol admitted to drinking and driving and now faces multiple charges. 3. Car Wash Cover-Up: DSI Finds Football Feed Behind Suds and Soap: The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided a car wash shop in Bangkok, uncovering an illegal football broadcasting network. Part of a larger syndicate with 100 mule accounts and 1.2 billion baht in circulation, the network also hinted at online gambling and cannabis cultivation. With over 30,000 members, the network caused financial damages exceeding 2.9 billion baht. Arrest warrants were issued for five key suspects, with two already in custody. The DSI continues to investigate. 4. US Urges Thailand to Release Vietnamese Activist Facing Extradition: US Congress members have urged Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to release Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap, who faces extradition despite holding UN refugee status. Bdap, a founder of Montagnards Stand for Justice, is charged with terrorism by Vietnam, though he was in Thailand during the riots. The National Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Watch emphasize Thailand's international obligations to protect him. Bdap's hearings are set for tomorrow and August 19. 5. Chinese Woman Rescued from 15 Million Baht Virtual Kidnapping: Thai police rescued 21-year-old Chinese woman Wang Jia Bao in Bangkok from a virtual kidnapping scheme. Scammers demanded 15 million baht from her parents, with Wang manipulated by scammers posing as Chinese police. She was tracked through security footage and found safe. This scam targets Chinese students abroad, with similar cases in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. 6. Urgent Call for O-Negative Blood Donations in Phuket: An urgent call for O-negative blood donations has been made by the RH-Emergency Donation group in Phuket to help a Frenchman in need. Due to the rarity of this blood type in Thailand, the plea emphasizes the importance of donations from Westerners. The Phuket Red Cross is the designated donation site, and recent updates now allow donors from the UK, France, and Ireland to contribute. 7. Laos and Thailand Mark First Direct Passenger Train Between Bangkok and Vientiane: The first direct passenger train between Bangkok and Vientiane launched on July 19, providing a 13-hour journey between the capitals of Thailand and Laos. This route allows passengers to transfer to a high-speed rail line to Kunming, China. The inaugural journey was so popular that an additional carriage was added. Plans are in place to eventually offer a high-speed rail connection between Bangkok and Vientiane as part of China's Belt & Road Initiative. 8. Indonesia Raises Smoking Age Limit, Will Curb Cigarette Advertising: Indonesia has raised the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes from 18 to 21 and implemented new health regulations to combat smoking. These include banning the sale of single cigarettes, restricting sales near schools and playgrounds, and prohibiting cigarette sales and advertising on social media without age verification. Critics argue that stricter enforcement is necessary to ensure effectiveness. The advertising restrictions will take effect in two years. 9. The 1975 Sued Over Malaysia Concert with Matty Healy Kiss: The organizers of the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur are suing British band The 1975 for £1.9m ($2.4m) after singer Matty Healy criticized Malaysia's anti-LGBT laws and kissed a band member on stage, leading to the event's cancellation. The lawsuit claims the band breached performance rules prohibiting political and religious discussions, swearing, smoking, and drinking on stage. The band's actions have also drawn criticism from Malaysia's LGBT community.

Scottish Former Footballer Arrested for Child Crimes in Thailand: Ex-footballer Ian Heddle, 61, has been jailed for four years for child abuse in Thailand. He was found with 272,936 indecent images and 4,001 videos of children. Arrested at Edinburgh Airport in February 2023, Heddle admitted to possessing and making the material. Three videos showed him abusing a young girl in Thailand. He received a six-year extended sentence, including two years on license, and was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

Drunk Driver in Ayutthaya Leads Police on High-Speed Chase: A drunk driver in Ayutthaya led police on a high-speed chase along Phahonyothin Road. Mongkol, 38, driving a red pickup truck with loudspeakers, was reported for erratic driving and playing loud music. He attempted to flee upon police arrival, leading to a dangerous chase. He was eventually stopped and found with a blood alcohol concentration of 234 milligrams per cent. Mongkol admitted to drinking and driving and now faces multiple charges.

Car Wash Cover-Up: DSI Finds Football Feed Behind Suds and Soap: The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided a car wash shop in Bangkok, uncovering an illegal football broadcasting network. Part of a larger syndicate with 100 mule accounts and 1.2 billion baht in circulation, the network also hinted at online gambling and cannabis cultivation. With over 30,000 members, the network caused financial damages exceeding 2.9 billion baht. Arrest warrants were issued for five key suspects, with two already in custody. The DSI continues to investigate.

Singer Exposes Taxi Driver Watching Pornography: Singer Big D Gerrard exposed a taxi driver watching pornography while stopped at a traffic light, sharing a video on TikTok. He expressed concerns about societal norms and passenger safety, urging public transport providers to maintain higher standards.