Video News

Thailand’s Business Ease Ranking Drops in Asia-Pacific Thailand’s ranking for business ease in the Asia-Pacific region has dropped from 9th place in 2022 to 12th in 2023, according to a survey by the Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA). The survey assessed market development, operating environment, and regulatory framework across 13 economies, with Singapore ranking first. Thailand’s decline reflects challenges in competitiveness and cost efficiency, though it maintained strengths in payment infrastructure and regulatory flexibility. With only 40% of businesses planning to expand in the region, Thailand faces increasing difficulties for future business growth.

7-Eleven Introduces PromptPay QR Code Payments Nationwide 7-Eleven has introduced PromptPay QR code payments across 480 branches in Thailand, making cashless transactions easier. Customers can now use their mobile banking apps to scan and pay, eliminating the need for cash. The service was officially announced on September 27, 2024, through the Consumer Facebook page, generating excitement among users. Traditional payment methods, including cash, TrueMoney Wallet, credit cards, and All Points, remain available. Although some users believe the service is nationwide, customer service clarified that PromptPay is currently only available at select branches.

Uncertainty Surrounds Tax Obligations for Thai Elite Visa Holders Speculation has arisen that holders of Thailand’s Elite Visa might be exempt from new tax rules requiring taxation of overseas income sent to Thailand. A webinar attendee suggested Elite Visa holders may not need a tax number, similar to Long Term Residence (LTR) visa holders. However, a group moderator clarified that the information came from a PowerPoint, not an official Thai Revenue Department (TRD) document. The TRD’s new tax rule applies to most tax residents but excludes LTR visa holders. Official clarification is expected before the 2024 tax year begins.

Heavy Rain and Strong Winds to Hit 38 Thai Provinces The Thai Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain and strong winds hitting 38 provinces today due to a weakening southwest monsoon and a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam. Northeastern provinces are particularly at risk, and sailors are advised to avoid rough conditions at sea. Thunderstorms and rain are expected across northern, northeastern, central, eastern, and southern Thailand. Temperatures will drop by 1-3 degrees Celsius in the northeast after October 3, due to a cold air mass from China. Residents are urged to take precautions during this period of unstable weather.

Bang Khen Police Stop Illegal Street Race Police in Bang Khen intercepted a group of motorcyclists racing on Ram Inthra Road, organised via Facebook. The riders were performing dangerous stunts, including wheelies when police arrived around 2 am. Although many fled, officers apprehended 22-year-old Adisak and his unregistered Honda Lead motorcycle. Adisak admitted to arranging the race to showcase riding skills with friends. Police have seized the motorcycle and are proceeding with legal actions against him.

PETA Accuses Thai Zoo of Exploiting Baby Hippo Moo Deng for Profit PETA has accused Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo of exploiting Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo turned TikTok sensation, for profit. They argue that she belongs in the wild, not in captivity for entertainment. The zoo denies any mistreatment, warning visitors to respect the animals or face legal action. Moo Deng’s popularity has significantly boosted zoo revenue and sparked merchandise sales. However, some commenters disagree with PETA, stating the zoo is contributing to the conservation of the endangered species, native to West Africa with only around 2,500 left in the wild.

The transcription below features stories from Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries covered in Good Morning Thailand, hosted by Alex. Topics range from PETA's accusation against a Thai zoo for exploiting baby hippo Moo Deng to the potential landfall of Typhoon Krathon in Taiwan. PETA Accuses Thai Zoo of Exploiting Baby Hippo Moo Deng PETA claims Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo is exploiting Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo and TikTok star, for profit. The zoo denies mistreatment, asserting the animal's popularity helps fund conservation efforts. Bang Khen Police Stop Illegal Street Race Police in Bang Khen stopped a group of motorcyclists racing on Ram Inthra Road. One rider, 22-year-old Adisak, was arrested. Legal action is underway. Heavy Rain and Strong Winds to Hit 38 Thai Provinces The Thai Meteorological Department warns of heavy rain and strong winds affecting 38 provinces, urging residents to take precautions and sailors to avoid rough seas. Thailand’s Business Ease Ranking Drops in Asia-Pacific Thailand dropped from 9th to 12th place in the Asia-Pacific for business ease, citing challenges in competitiveness and cost efficiency. The survey assessed 13 regional economies. Uncertainty Surrounds Tax for Thai Elite Visa Holders Speculation continues over whether holders of Thailand's Elite Visa will be exempt from new tax rules on overseas income. Clarification is expected before 2024. 7-Eleven Introduces PromptPay QR Code Payments Nationwide 7-Eleven now offers PromptPay QR code payments at 480 stores across Thailand, enhancing cashless transaction options, though the service is only available at select branches. Landslide Kills 15 at Illegal Gold Mine in Indonesia A landslide in an illegal gold mine on Indonesia’s Sumatra island has killed 15, with more missing. Heavy rains triggered the disaster, hampering rescue efforts. Malaysia’s Ruling Coalition Wins Second Straight By-Election Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition won a by-election in Johor's Mahkota, solidifying public support and boosting political stability ahead of his 2025 fiscal reforms. Typhoon Krathon Likely to Make Landfall in Taiwan Typhoon Krathon is intensifying and may hit Taiwan’s Pingtung County by Tuesday. Heavy rain and potential floods are forecast, with several ferry services suspended.

Chiang Mai Flood Photo of Woman Pushing Motorcycle Goes Viral Again A 19-year-old photo of a Chiang Mai woman pushing her motorcycle through floodwaters has resurfaced and gone viral amid the province's current flooding. The 2005 image, shared on the Facebook page "Chiang Mai Unseen," shows Aew, who remarkably appears unchanged in recent photos. Social media users are captivated by her youthful appearance, with many expressing astonishment at how little she's aged. Aew humorously acknowledged the floods in a Facebook post, noting she's grown accustomed to them. The viral post has sparked widespread engagement, highlighting both nostalgia and the ongoing flood issues in Chiang Mai.

Russian Woman Rescued After Drifting at Sea for 7 Hours A 32-year-old Russian woman, identified as Junior, was rescued after drifting at sea for seven hours off the coast of Sattahip. On September 25, a local fishing boat spotted her 8 kilometres from shore, and a speedboat was sent to assist. She had gone for a swim after drinking a small amount of alcohol and unintentionally drifted far from shore, losing her sense of direction. Despite being exhausted, she was unharmed and taken to a hospital for a health check before being returned to her hotel.

Polish Woman Threatens to Bomb Thai VietJet Flight A Polish woman on Thai VietJet flight VZ 961 from Da Nang to Bangkok threatened to bomb the plane mid-air on September 26. The crew informed Suvarnabhumi ATC, leading to emergency protocols. The plane safely landed, and authorities separated passengers and baggage for inspection. The threat was false, but the woman, Ms. Myrcik, was detained for questioning. Thai VietJet praised the crew for their professional response. Under Thai law, making false bomb threats carries a penalty of up to five years in prison or a 200,000 baht fine.

1.4 Tonnes of Cannabis Seized by Thai Customs Laem Chabang customs officials seized over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis, valued at 25 million baht, preventing it from being smuggled to the UK. The bust involved Thai police, the Seaport Interdiction Task Force, and the UK's Border Force. Two shipments, falsely declared as rubber mats and fabric gloves, were found to contain cannabis during inspections on September 11 and 16. The culprits face charges under Thai customs and medicinal cannabis laws. Despite cannabis being decriminalized in Thailand, exporting remains regulated, and it is still illegal in the UK.

Chinese National Insults Thai Women, Calls Them Prostitutes Two Thai women were insulted by a Chinese national during a trip to China, who called them prostitutes, sparking outrage on social media. One victim, Pinyada Nantakhamee, shared her experience tearfully on TikTok, revealing the hurtful remarks and how other Chinese people laughed. Netizens criticized the behaviour, offering support and suggesting that Pinyada should have confronted the man. American teacher David William also condemned the incident, calling it ignorance and encouraging Thai nationals to stand up against such stereotypes. Despite calls to share the offender's photo, Pinyada has not done so yet.

Glue-Sniffing Drifter Causes Chaos in Pattaya A glue-sniffing drifter named Prasit caused chaos in Pattaya’s Soi Nern Plub Wan on September 24, with hallucinations leading to bizarre behaviour. Locals detained the 44-year-old, who claimed ghosts were guiding him while clutching two cans of glue, which he insisted were “sacred honey.” Though suspected of prior thefts, no charges were pressed. Police confirmed his glue solvent abuse and possible mental health issues, arranging for his medical treatment and rehabilitation. Residents had previously seen him acting suspiciously near an abandoned building.

In today's Thailand video news, Alex covers major stories across Thailand and Southeast Asia on the Good Morning Thailand program. The stories range from a Polish woman threatening to bomb a Thai VietJet flight to Malaysia preparing for a new economic zone. Polish Woman Threatens to Bomb Thai VietJet Flight A Polish woman on Thai VietJet flight VZ 961 from Da Nang to Bangkok threatened to bomb the plane mid-flight on September 26. Emergency protocols were enacted, and the plane landed safely. The woman was detained for questioning, and the threat was found to be false. Thai Customs Seizes 1.4 Tonnes of Cannabis Over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis worth 25 million baht was seized by Laem Chabang customs, preventing it from being smuggled to the UK. The shipments were falsely declared, and the culprits now face charges. Glue-Sniffing Drifter Causes Chaos in Pattaya A glue-sniffing drifter disrupted Pattaya’s Soi Nern Plub Wan on September 24 with hallucinations, causing bizarre behaviour. Police detained the individual, who has been taken for medical treatment and rehabilitation. Chinese National Insults Thai Women Two Thai women were insulted by a Chinese man during their trip to China, who called them prostitutes, sparking outrage on social media. The incident, shared on TikTok, drew widespread criticism. Chiang Mai Flood Photo Goes Viral Again A 19-year-old photo of a woman pushing her motorcycle through Chiang Mai floodwaters has resurfaced and gone viral. The image highlights both nostalgia and ongoing flood concerns in the region. Russian Woman Rescued After 7 Hours at Sea A 32-year-old Russian woman was rescued after drifting at sea for seven hours off the coast of Sattahip. She had gone for a swim and unintentionally drifted far from shore but was safely returned. Indonesia Seeks to Join Trans-Pacific Trade Pact Indonesia has formally requested to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), aiming to expand its export markets and increase economic growth. Remains of Vietnam War Pilot Identified After 50 Years The remains of U.S. Marine Capt. Ronald W. Forrester, a Vietnam War pilot missing since 1972, has been identified. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in October. Malaysia Prepares for SEZ with Singapore Malaysia plans to develop a special economic zone (SEZ) near Singapore, boosting trade and attracting investments. The country also aims for net-zero emissions by 2050. South Korea to Ban Dog Meat by 2027 South Korea plans to ban dog farming for food by 2027, offering financial incentives for farmers to shut down operations. The practice of eating dog meat has seen a significant decline in recent years.

Viral Story of Multilingual Homeless Woman in Thailand Gains Attention A homeless woman with multilingual skills has gone viral in Thailand after her story was shared by entrepreneur Apisit Khongsin. While delivering food in Nakhon Sawan, Apisit met Manatsanun, who impressed him with her fluency in multiple languages, including English and Finnish. It was revealed that she had studied abroad and worked in foreign countries before returning to Thailand due to health issues, including depression. Despite efforts by her family to reconnect, Manatsanun prefers her current lifestyle. Apisit has hired her as a brand ambassador, hoping to offer financial stability and help her find better living conditions.

Electricity Bills Waived in Flood-Hit Northern Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has announced the waiving of electricity bills for residents in flood-affected areas of northern and northeastern Thailand this month. Additionally, in October, bills will be reduced by 30% as part of a broader relief package. The Finance Ministry is also providing a debt moratorium for small-scale farmers. To improve disaster response, the government is enhancing the Thang Rath app for emergency alerts and developing the Cell Broadcast Service for quicker warnings. These measures aim to ease the burden on communities and improve access to critical information during natural disasters.

Thai Influencer Detained for Promoting Online Gambling Thai influencer Thanakrit, known as Bally, was detained for promoting online gambling through his Facebook page, which has over 410,000 followers. Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers discovered that Bally was posting comedic clips containing links to gambling websites, earning 2,500 baht per post. Bally admitted to being hired by gambling site owners to create and post these videos. The CIB charged him under the Gambling Act of 1935 for promoting unauthorized gambling, following an investigation by the Technology Crime Suppression Division.

Thai Woman Alleges STD After Relationship With Indian Businessman A 24-year-old Thai woman, Miss B, has accused an Indian man posing as an Arab businessman of luring her into a relationship and leaving her with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). After meeting through her nail salon, the pair had unprotected sex, after which the man disappeared and blocked all contact. Miss B later discovered that the man had deceived many women and LGBTQ individuals, with around 100 victims in Samut Prakan and nearby provinces. Experiencing severe symptoms, she plans to seek medical help, while authorities continue their search for the alleged conman.

Russian Man Fined for Reckless Driving on Koh Samui A Russian man, Aleksandr Sharygo, was fined 5,000 baht for dangerous driving on Koh Samui, drawing mixed reactions from locals. A Thai woman shared a video in a Facebook group showing Sharygo's reckless driving, which included speeding and parking illegally. Police quickly located his yellow luxury car and fined him for failing to report a colour change and unpaid vehicle tax. Sharygo apologised for his actions, while some netizens praised the police's response, others felt the punishment was too lenient and called for harsher penalties.

Thailand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage, A Historic Milestone in Southeast Asia Thailand has made history as the first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage. King Maha Vajiralongkorn signed the law, which will take effect in 120 days, with the first marriages expected in January 2025. The new law grants same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples, including adoption and inheritance rights. This milestone follows years of LGBTQ activism and advocacy. Despite ongoing societal challenges, public support for marriage equality is strong, marking a major step forward for LGBTQ rights in the region.

The transcript below covers stories from Thailand and across Southeast Asia, as featured in the Good Morning Thailand program, hosted by Alex. The topics range from Thailand's upcoming same-sex marriage law, set to take effect in early 2024, to Vietnam’s president meeting with U.S. corporations to boost the country's tech sector. Thailand Legalises Same-Sex Marriage, A Historic Milestone in Southeast Asia Thailand has made history as the first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage, with the new law taking effect in early 2024. Russian Man Fined for Reckless Driving on Koh Samui A Russian man has been fined 5,000 baht for dangerous driving on Koh Samui, sparking mixed reactions from locals. Thai Woman Alleges STD After Relationship With Indian Businessman A Thai woman has accused an Indian businessman of deceiving her into a relationship and leaving her with an STD. Thai Influencer Detained for Promoting Online Gambling Influencer Thanakrit "Bally" was detained for promoting gambling websites via his social media accounts. Electricity Bills Waived in Flood-Hit Northern Thailand The government will waive electricity bills for flood-hit northern Thailand residents and offer a 30% discount in October. Viral Story of Multilingual Homeless Woman in Thailand Gains Attention A multilingual homeless woman has gone viral, gaining widespread attention for her fluency and inspiring a local entrepreneur. Cambodia's New Canal Raises Concerns Over Mekong River Impact Cambodia’s $1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal project has raised environmental concerns over potential disruption to the Mekong River. Indian Police Face Investigation Over Alleged Assault on Woman An investigation has been launched after a woman accused Indian police of physical and sexual assault in Odisha. Japan Faces Rice Shortage Amid Weather Issues and Tourism Surge Japan is experiencing a significant rice shortage due to poor weather and increased tourist demand, pushing prices higher. Vietnam’s President Meets U.S. Corporations to Boost Tech Sector Vietnam’s President To Lam met with top U.S. firms to discuss expanding Vietnam’s tech and semiconductor industries.

McDonald’s Thailand Invites Texas Chicken Employees to Apply for Jobs Amid Chain Closure McDonald’s Thailand is inviting employees from Texas Chicken, which is closing at the end of September, to apply for jobs at its 230 branches nationwide. In a Facebook post on September 23, McDonald’s expressed support for Texas Chicken staff, highlighting their skills and encouraging them to join the McDonald’s team. The company is offering various opportunities to help those affected by the closure transition into new roles. This gesture aims to ease concerns about job security for Texas Chicken employees.

Thailand to Introduce Electronic Travel Authorisation for Visa-Free Visitors by 2025 Thailand will soon require travellers from 93 visa-exempt countries, including Singapore, to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entry. The ETA, expected to launch between December 2024 and June 2025, will be free and aimed at enhancing border security and preventing illegal immigration. While travellers from Malaysia, Laos, and Cambodia are exempt, all others must apply online for single-entry stays of up to 60 days, with an optional 30-day extension. The ETA will streamline immigration with automated gates, but further details are still being finalised.

British Man Arrested for Attempting to Smuggle £1 Million Worth of Cannabis from Thailand Nathaniel Benson, a 44-year-old from Leeds, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on September 18 for allegedly attempting to smuggle £1 million worth of cannabis from Bangkok, Thailand. Border Force officers found over 100 kilograms of cannabis in five suitcases, including one checked under a child’s name. Benson has been charged with importing Class B drugs and is set to appear in court on October 24. A woman travelling with him was released on bail. The National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned against drug smuggling, as cannabis seizures have surged this year.

Thai Woman Seeks Compensation After Alleged Snake Bite in Bangkok Cinema A Thai woman, Kornphaphiporn Poka-imsin, is seeking justice after claiming she was bitten by a snake in a Bangkok cinema on July 31. She incurred 25,000 baht in medical expenses but received only 6,990 baht in compensation, as the cinema insists it was a rat, not a snake, involved. Despite her hospital stay and tetanus injection, the snake species couldn’t be identified, and no antivenom was given. Kornphaphiporn has turned to the public for support, arguing that the cinema should ensure a safe environment and take full responsibility.