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Rangsiman Accuses PM Paetongtarn of Protecting Thaksin During a fiery 100-minute censure debate speech, MP Rangsiman Rome accused PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra of covering up her father Thaksin’s alleged fake illness to avoid jail. He claimed top officials conspired to keep Thaksin in a Police Hospital VIP room instead of prison following his return in August 2023. Rangsiman also alleged Paetongtarn gave Thaksin a mobile phone in violation of prison rules, visited him under special conditions, and rewarded officials who enabled his stay. He likened the situation to a “jailbreak” and accused both the Police Hospital and Corrections Department of organised wrongdoing.

Naked Dutch Tourist Injured After Krabi Hotel Rampage A 51-year-old Dutch tourist, Ronald Hillmar, caused chaos at a Krabi hotel on March 24 after running naked through the premises in a hallucinatory state. Hotel staff called police when Hillmar began shouting incoherently and behaving erratically. He had earlier fallen down stairs, sustaining bruises, and refused medical help before being forcibly taken to hospital. Authorities suspect drugs or alcohol may be involved. Hillmar had checked in earlier that day and was due to leave in the evening, but his behaviour turned dangerous during checkout. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of his actions.

LPG Tanker Runs Aground Off Koh Larn, No Leak Reported An LPG tanker ran aground near Koh Larn’s Tawaen Beach off Pattaya but fortunately was not carrying gas, averting environmental damage. The NP Bangpakong vessel, owned by SC Group Holding, struck rocks at Laem Whale around 2:25 AM on March 25. The company admitted the crash was due to captain negligence and is cooperating with authorities. A tugboat is being deployed for salvage, and officials are working to protect nearby coral reefs. No leaks occurred, and the company has pledged compensation and stricter safety measures to prevent future incidents.

German Tourist Beaten by Mob in Pattaya A 40-year-old German tourist, David Adrian Lelonek, was brutally assaulted by around ten men on Pattaya Beach Road in the early hours of March 25. He suffered serious facial injuries and was rushed to hospital. Three suspects were quickly arrested and admitted to attacking the tourist, claiming they were defending a motorbike taxi driver after a misunderstanding. Shocking video footage of the assault has raised concerns about Pattaya’s safety image. Police are continuing the investigation to find the remaining attackers, while officials urge locals to avoid violence and rely on law enforcement to handle disputes.

British Man Dies After Bangkok Street Scuffle A 28-year-old British man died suddenly after a chaotic street encounter in Bangkok’s Bang Sue district on Sunday night. Witnesses say he was behaving erratically and tried to enter a karaoke bar before being stopped by workers. A scuffle broke out when he allegedly tried to steal a phone and motorcycle, leading to his collapse and death. The workers involved say the altercation wasn’t violent, and speculate drugs or exhaustion may be to blame. Police are awaiting autopsy results, and the two workers remain in custody as investigations continue.

New Payment System 'Tagthai' Introduced for Tourists in Thailand Thailand has launched 'Tagthai,' a new payment system designed to facilitate financial transactions for tourists without the need for a local bank account. The system requires only a passport for registration and is accessible via a smartphone application, provided users have an active data connection. Currently, top-up facilities for the service are limited but are expected to expand as the system gains traction. While primarily targeted at tourists, 'Tagthai' may also appeal to expatriates and residents concerned about banking security. The introduction of this system reflects Thailand's ongoing efforts to enhance the convenience and safety of financial transactions for visitors, promoting a more seamless travel experience.

Thailand Warns Vaping Could Lead to 5 Years in Prison The Thai government has intensified its crackdown on e-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, warning that individuals caught possessing or using these devices could face up to five years in prison and substantial fines. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who previously supported the legalization of vaping during her election campaign, has reversed her stance in response to growing health concerns and reports of adverse effects associated with e-cigarette use. Authorities are encouraging the public to report instances of vaping through an official mobile application, aiming to curb the proliferation of these devices. This stringent approach has sparked debate among health professionals, policymakers, and the public regarding the effectiveness of prohibition versus regulation in addressing vaping-related health issues.

Drunk Thai Woman Attempts Hara-Kiri After Dispute with Husband In Chiang Mai province, a domestic dispute took a tragic turn when a 50-year-old Thai woman attempted to commit hara-kiri—a form of ritual suicide involving self-inflicted abdominal wounds—following an argument with her husband. Both individuals were reportedly intoxicated during the altercation. Emergency responders arrived at their rented home around 2 a.m. to find the woman with severe abdominal injuries. She was promptly transported to a local hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery and is currently in critical condition. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, emphasizing the dangers of alcohol-fueled disputes and the importance of seeking help for domestic issues. This event underscores the need for increased awareness and resources for mental health and domestic conflict resolution in Thailand.

Bangkok and 57 Thai Provinces Face Hazardous PM2.5 Dust Levels Thailand is grappling with severe air pollution as Bangkok and 57 out of 76 provinces report hazardous levels of PM2.5 particulate matter. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has issued red-level warnings for regions including the north, northeast, central plains, and eastern areas, indicating dangerously high pollution levels. Bueng Kan province recorded the highest concentration at 146.2 micrograms per cubic meter, significantly exceeding the safe threshold of 37.5 µg/m³. Health officials are advising residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, to minimize outdoor activities and wear protective masks when necessary. The government is under increasing pressure to implement effective measures to combat air pollution, including stricter emissions regulations and promoting sustainable urban development practices.

The transcription below features news stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia, as covered in Good Morning Thailand, hosted by Jay. Topics range from a tragic domestic dispute in Chiang Mai to the death of an Australian tourist in a Bali boat collision. Tragic Domestic Dispute in Chiang Mai A 50-year-old Thai woman attempted hara-kiri after a drunken argument with her husband. Emergency responders rushed her to a hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Authorities stress the dangers of alcohol-fueled conflicts and the need for mental health support. Hazardous PM2.5 Levels Grip Thailand Bangkok and 57 provinces face dangerous air pollution, with PM2.5 levels far exceeding safety limits. Officials urge residents to limit outdoor exposure and wear protective masks, while the government faces pressure to enforce stricter environmental regulations. Thailand Cracks Down on Vaping Possessing or using e-cigarettes in Thailand could now lead to five years in prison. Authorities are urging the public to report violators via a mobile app, sparking debate on whether regulation would be more effective than prohibition. ‘Tagthai’ Payment System Launched for Tourists Thailand introduces ‘Tagthai,’ a new digital payment system allowing tourists to make transactions without a local bank account. While top-up options are limited, expansion is expected soon, enhancing convenience and security for visitors. Angkor Wat Equinox Draws 80,000 Tourists A record-breaking crowd gathered at Angkor Wat to witness the Spring Equinox, boosting local tourism by 34%. Officials vow continued investment in heritage tourism to promote Cambodia’s cultural legacy. Australian Tourist Dies in Bali Boat Collision A boat crash near Nusa Penida killed an Australian tourist and injured several others. Authorities suspect negligence or miscommunication and are facing renewed calls for stricter marine safety regulations.

Bag Frenzy Turns Violent at Bangkok Mall, Brand Halts Sales A chaotic rush for Merge’s limited-edition ‘A Day Bag’ outside Central Westgate mall in Nonthaburi led to violence, drawing heavy criticism online. Some people in line were reportedly paid to hold spots for resellers. A video of the scuffle went viral, sparking debate over poor crowd management and outdated sales methods. In response, Thai brand Merge has suspended sales of the 2,490-baht bag indefinitely, citing safety concerns and expressing regret over the incident. Netizens called for better sales systems and questioned the department store’s security preparedness.

British Tourist Claims Abuse in Thai Jail, Forced to Drink Urine British tourist Lewis Green, 22, claims he was drugged, beaten, and starved while jailed in Hua Hin, Thailand, during his solo trip. Arrested after a dispute at a cannabis dispensary, Green says he was shackled, forced to drink urine, and denied food, suffering fractured ribs and a broken wrist. He alleges he was spiked with DMT and falsely accused of car theft. His release came only after paying over £7,000 in fines and compensation. Now recovering in the UK, Green has launched a GoFundMe and warns others of the risks foreign tourists can face in Thailand.

Thai Minister Demands More Mall Security After MBK Brawl Following a violent brawl between rival students at Bangkok’s MBK Center on March 23, Higher Education Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi has urged tighter security at malls and better monitoring of students with known rivalries. The clash, involving students from Rajamangala University of Technology’s Uthenthawai Campus and Pathumwan Institute of Technology, left five injured—two critically. Four students were arrested after the fight broke out on the sixth-floor food court. The minister condemned the violence and pledged serious, lasting solutions, while police plan to enhance mall security and weapon checks to prevent future incidents.

German Man Who Attacked Dentists Found Dead in Korat A 41-year-old German man known as Mr. Matthias, who had recently attacked dentists and made threats in Korat, was found dead at his home in Non Sung, Nakhon Ratchasima, on March 21. He had a large neck wound, and police are investigating whether it was suicide or foul play. His erratic behaviour since November 2024 included assaults on female dentists and damaging clinics. He was recently granted bail after being charged with trespass and assault. Police had planned to revoke his visa, but his death halted proceedings. CCTV footage is being reviewed as the investigation continues.

https://youtube.com/shorts/GTSnWCfEAQo?feature=share German BMW Crash in Phuket Narrowly Misses Motorbike A 24-year-old German man, Moritz Harald Hick, crashed his BMW in Phuket’s Rawai area around 3:22am on March 22, narrowly missing a motorbike. The car sped out of a side street, hit the central divider, went airborne, and struck a parked Isuzu DMAX pickup, pushing it into shopfront support poles. His passenger, fellow German Anton Augsten, sustained injuries and was taken to Chalong Hospital. The BMW, pickup, and a nearby shop were damaged. Police are continuing their investigation and assessing compensation for the incident.

https://youtube.com/shorts/-Ho7IelvuNs?feature=share Thailand Delays Decision on Cutting Visa-Free Stay to 30 Days Thailand has not yet made a decision on reducing its visa-free stay for tourists from 60 to 30 days, despite recent reports. The current policy—introduced in July 2024—allows passport holders from 93 countries to stay up to 60 days, extendable to 90. Authorities are reviewing the policy amid concerns some foreigners may be abusing the extended stay for illegal work. However, most tourists reportedly stay less than 21 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is balancing tourism promotion with national security and will submit its findings to a visa policy committee before any cabinet decision.

The transcription below features news stories from Thailand and across Southeast Asia, as presented in the Good Morning Thailand program, hosted by Alex and Jay. The stories cover a range of topics, from Thailand delaying its decision on reducing visa-free stays to five Malaysians facing U.S. charges in a massive stock fraud case. Thailand Delays Decision on Cutting Visa-Free Stay to 30 Days Thailand has yet to finalize its decision on reducing visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days. Authorities are reviewing concerns over long-term visitors abusing the system for illegal work, though most tourists stay less than 21 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will present findings before any policy changes. German BMW Crash in Phuket Narrowly Misses Motorbike A 24-year-old German man crashed his BMW in Phuket’s Rawai area, narrowly missing a motorbike. The car hit a divider, went airborne, and smashed into a parked truck, pushing it into shopfront poles. One passenger sustained injuries, and police are investigating the incident. German Man Who Attacked Dentists Found Dead in Korat A 41-year-old German national accused of attacking dentists in Korat was found dead with a severe neck wound. Authorities are investigating whether it was suicide or foul play. He had been out on bail for assault and trespass, and police were considering visa revocation before his death. Thai Minister Demands More Mall Security After MBK Brawl Following a violent brawl at Bangkok’s MBK Center between rival students, Thailand’s Higher Education Minister is calling for stricter mall security. The fight left five injured, two critically, with four arrests made. Officials are pushing for enhanced security and weapon checks in malls. British Tourist Claims Abuse in Thai Jail, Forced to Drink Urine A British tourist alleges Thai police drugged, beat, and starved him while in custody over a dispute at a cannabis dispensary. He claims officers broke his ribs and wrist, shackled him, and forced him to drink urine. After paying over £7,000 in fines, he was released and is now warning travelers. Bag Frenzy Turns Violent at Bangkok Mall, Brand Halts Sales A chaotic rush for Merge’s limited-edition ‘A Day Bag’ at a Bangkok mall turned violent, sparking outrage. Resellers allegedly paid people to hold spots in line, leading to clashes. In response, Merge has suspended sales of the bag indefinitely, citing safety concerns. Japan Pledges $11M for Cambodia Demining and Peace Museum Japan has pledged $11 million to Cambodia for demining efforts and the construction of a peace museum in Siem Reap. The funding will enhance demining equipment and training while promoting awareness of landmine dangers in the region. Philippines Adds Buses, Trains Amid Transport Strike As a transport strike disrupts commuters in the Philippines, the government is deploying additional buses and trains to mitigate the impact. The strike, which opposes alleged fraud in the Public Transport Modernization Program, will run until March 26. Russian Sentenced to 18 Years for Killing Compatriot in Vietnam A Vietnamese court sentenced a Russian man to 18 years in prison for murdering a fellow Russian over a housing dispute. The victim’s body was found two days later, leading to the suspect’s arrest. US Charges Five Malaysians in $214M Pump-and-Dump Scheme Five Malaysians and two Taiwanese nationals face U.S. charges over a $214 million stock fraud scheme. They allegedly manipulated shares through false promotions, misleading investors. If convicted, they face up to 25 years per securities fraud charge.

PM2.5 Pollution Surges Across Thailand’s Provinces Thailand is facing a growing air pollution crisis, with PM2.5 levels exceeding safe limits in 37 provinces, particularly in the north and northeast. Provinces like Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Loei are among the worst-hit. Bangkok also saw elevated levels in five areas, with readings up to 49 µg/m³. The situation is expected to worsen from March 21–27, especially in Bangkok, the north, northeast, and east. The south remains largely unaffected. Authorities advise people to limit outdoor activities, wear protective gear, and monitor health, especially those with existing conditions.

Water Outage Hits Patong as Phuket Upgrades System Phuket’s Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) has announced a planned water outage in parts of Patong on March 21 from 10am to 6pm due to the installation of a new pressure-reducing valve system. Areas affected include Pearl Circle Intersection, Soi Premthap Village, Phra Mettha Road, Beach Road, and more. Residents and businesses are urged to store water in advance, as water may be weak or unavailable during the disruption. Once restored, water may be cloudy or contain sediment. The PWA apologizes for the inconvenience and emphasizes that the work is essential for future service improvements.

Thailand’s Happiness Ranking Slips Despite Small Gain Thailand ranks 49th in the latest World Happiness Report—up five spots from last year but still trailing behind neighbors like Singapore and Vietnam. Released on the UN’s International Day of Happiness, the report evaluates over 140 countries based on GDP, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption perception. Finland tops the list for the eighth year, with Nordic countries dominating due to strong social systems and community trust. Thailand’s ranking suggests a need to focus more on social cohesion and trust rather than just economic growth. The report urges fostering optimism and community ties to boost national well-being.

https://youtube.com/shorts/DCfLKa7bYzg?feature=share Koh Samui Real Estate Booms After ‘White Lotus’ Spotlight Koh Samui’s luxury real estate market is booming, thanks in part to the latest season of The White Lotus, filmed at top resorts on the island. According to Colliers Thailand, the show has boosted the island’s appeal to high-end international buyers, especially from Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. This year, over 600 new condos and 80 luxury seaside villas are expected to hit the market. Demand is strong, with villas near Lamai Beach showing nearly 80% sales. Some ultra-luxury units, priced over 100 million baht, are already seeing impressive sales, highlighting Samui’s rising investment appeal

https://youtube.com/shorts/yfGgBQybbe8?feature=share Nightclub Owner Jailed Over Deadly Fire in Pattaya A Pattaya court has sentenced Phongsiri AKA “B” , owner of the Mountain B pub, and associates to five years in prison for negligence in the 2022 nightclub fire that killed 24 people. The court denied bail for all defendants. Phongsiri and an electrician received reduced sentences after pleading guilty, while his wife and father got 10 years each. Concerns have emerged over possible favoritism toward Phongsiri’s father due to police ties. Victim compensation ranged up to 200,000 baht. Calls have been made for the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate officials who approved the venue’s permits.

Foreign Man Flees Massage Bill in Lampang Scam Spree A foreign man with a limp and a strong odor fled without paying a 700-baht massage bill in Lampang, according to a local shop owner. Identified as "Robert," he took a two-hour massage, used the shop’s bathroom, then claimed he had no cash and left to withdraw money—only to disappear. A baht bus driver also confronted him for an unpaid fare, but he escaped without paying either. Police revealed Robert has scammed multiple businesses, including racking up a 10,000-baht karaoke bill. He remains at large, prompting the shop owner to warn others about his tactics.

The transcription below features news stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia from the Good Morning Thailand program, hosted by Alex and Jay. Topics range from a nightclub owner's prison sentence for a deadly fire to an ongoing transport strike in the Philippines. 1. Nightclub Owner Jailed Over Deadly Fire A Pattaya court sentenced Phongsiri "B" and associates to five years in prison for the 2022 Mountain B pub fire that killed 24. 2. Planned Water Outage in Patong Phuket’s PWA announced a water outage in Patong on March 21 from 10 AM to 6 PM for system upgrades. Residents should store water. 3. Thailand Ranks 49th in World Happiness Report Thailand moved up five spots in the global ranking but still lags behind Singapore and Vietnam. Experts urge a focus on social cohesion. 4. PM2.5 Pollution Worsens Across Thailand Dangerous air pollution levels exceed safety limits in 37 provinces. Bangkok and northern areas are most affected, with conditions worsening. 5. Koh Samui’s Real Estate Boom The White Lotus has boosted Koh Samui’s luxury property market, attracting high-end buyers. Villas near Lamai Beach report 80% sales. 6. Foreign Man Scams Lampang Businesses A foreigner dubbed “Robert” fled a 700-baht massage bill and scammed multiple businesses in Lampang, including a karaoke venue. 7. Hun Sen Praises Trump’s Media Cuts Cambodia’s Hun Sen applauds Trump for defunding US-backed broadcasters, raising concerns over press freedom and media independence. 8. Fishing Boat Sinks off Vietnam, Four Missing A Vietnamese fishing boat sank near Mắt Island, leaving four crew members missing. Authorities are searching for the lost fishermen. 9. Malaysia Resumes MH370 Search Malaysia has signed a deal with Ocean Infinity to restart the MH370 search under a "no find, no fee" contract, covering 15,000 sq km. 10. Philippines Faces Transport Strike A three-day transport strike begins March 24. The government negotiates with Manibela over disputes in the Public Transport Modernization Program.

Severe Storm in Chiang Rai Causes Major Damage and Injuries A severe storm hit Chiang Rai, damaging temples, schools, and a hospital while injuring four people, two critically. Strong winds and heavy rain impacted five subdistricts across two districts between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The hardest-hit areas were Chom Mok Kaeo and Pa Ko Dam, with significant damage to Mae Lao Hospital, forcing patient transfers. Chiang Rai’s governor ordered immediate aid and damage assessments. Repairs to the hospital are expected within 3-5 days. The storm also affected multiple villages and government buildings, prompting local officials to coordinate relief efforts for affected residents.