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<rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Thailand news</title><link>https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/</link><description>National and regional news from all around Thailand</description><language>en</language><item><title>Tunnel Collapse Kills Two at Chiang Rai Rail Project</title><link>https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/tunnel-collapse-kills-two-at-chiang-rai-rail-project-r2406/</link><description>Two workers were killed and two others injured after a section of wall collapsed inside the Doi Luang railway tunnel on the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong railway project in Doi Luang district, Chiang Rai, on 20 June 2026. The collapse occurred in an area of the tunnel that had not yet been lined with concrete, with debris falling onto workers inside the construction site.  Get today's headlines by email   According to project engineer Pattapong Boonkaew, the Doi Luang tunnel is 3.4 kilometres long and was successfully bored through last year. Construction is currently focused on installing a permanent concrete lining to protect the tunnel walls, with more than three-quarters of the work already completed. The collapse occurred in an exposed section that was awaiting protective treatment as part of the normal construction process.  Pattapong said preliminary findings suggest the collapse was caused by an &#x201C;unforeseeable geological event&#x201D;. He explained that Chiang Rai has experienced unusually heavy and prolonged rainfall over the past two to three years, resulting in excessive water accumulation within rock layers beneath Doi Luang mountain. This is believed to have affected temporary support structures in the exposed section, causing a localised failure and collapse.  The engineer stressed that the tunnel&#x2019;s main structure, including sections already lined with permanent concrete, remains stable and safe. He said the incident would not affect the overall construction schedule or the future safety of railway operations. Geological specialists will now conduct a detailed assessment of rock conditions, while additional safety measures and reinforced temporary supports will be introduced to prevent similar incidents.    Authorities confirmed that two workers died at the scene and two others were injured. All casualties were transferred to Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital.  Chiang Rai Governor Chucheep Pongchai visited the site shortly after receiving reports of the incident. He said he had been attending official duties in Wiang Kaen district when informed by the Doi Luang district chief. The matter was immediately reported to the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, who were attending duties with the Prime Minister.  The governor said the Prime Minister had expressed concern and ordered an immediate on-site assessment. He described the collapse as an engineering accident influenced by natural factors, including persistent rainfall. He added that accumulated rainfall data would be incorporated into future construction planning during the wet season.  Authorities have coordinated with Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital to ensure support and compensation for the injured workers and the families of those who died. Chucheep emphasised that the collapse was confined to a specific construction area within the tunnel and did not involve a major structural failure of the project.  Matichon reported that the Den Chai-Chiang Rai railway project was approved by the Cabinet on 31 July 2018 with a budget of 85.345 billion baht and a construction period of seven years. The line is expected to open in January 2028 and includes four railway tunnels.   Pictures courtesy of Matichon  Join the discussion?   Already a member?    Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 21 June 2026</description><enclosure url="https://assets.aseannow.com/forum/uploads/monthly_2026_06/IMG_5269.png.927da83d26b6b5d9c945f418c74d2ffd.png" length="3728362" type="image/png"/><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:38:27 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Tunnel Collapse Kills Two at Chiang Rai Rail Project</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397167-tunnel-collapse-kills-two-at-chiang-rai-rail-project/?do=findComment&comment=20562384]]></link><description>Two workers were killed and two others injured after a section of wall collapsed inside the Doi Luang railway tunnel on the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong railway project in Doi Luang district, Chiang Rai, on 20 June 2026. The collapse occurred in an area of the tunnel that had not yet been lined with concrete, with debris falling onto workers inside the construction site.  Get today's headlines by email   According to project engineer Pattapong Boonkaew, the Doi Luang tunnel is 3.4 kilometres long and was successfully bored through last year. Construction is currently focused on installing a permanent concrete lining to protect the tunnel walls, with more than three-quarters of the work already completed. The collapse occurred in an exposed section that was awaiting protective treatment as part of the normal construction process.  Pattapong said preliminary findings suggest the collapse was caused by an &#x201C;unforeseeable geological event&#x201D;. He explained that Chiang Rai has experienced unusually heavy and prolonged rainfall over the past two to three years, resulting in excessive water accumulation within rock layers beneath Doi Luang mountain. This is believed to have affected temporary support structures in the exposed section, causing a localised failure and collapse.  The engineer stressed that the tunnel&#x2019;s main structure, including sections already lined with permanent concrete, remains stable and safe. He said the incident would not affect the overall construction schedule or the future safety of railway operations. Geological specialists will now conduct a detailed assessment of rock conditions, while additional safety measures and reinforced temporary supports will be introduced to prevent similar incidents.    Authorities confirmed that two workers died at the scene and two others were injured. All casualties were transferred to Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital.  Chiang Rai Governor Chucheep Pongchai visited the site shortly after receiving reports of the incident. He said he had been attending official duties in Wiang Kaen district when informed by the Doi Luang district chief. The matter was immediately reported to the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, who were attending duties with the Prime Minister.  The governor said the Prime Minister had expressed concern and ordered an immediate on-site assessment. He described the collapse as an engineering accident influenced by natural factors, including persistent rainfall. He added that accumulated rainfall data would be incorporated into future construction planning during the wet season.  Authorities have coordinated with Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital to ensure support and compensation for the injured workers and the families of those who died. Chucheep emphasised that the collapse was confined to a specific construction area within the tunnel and did not involve a major structural failure of the project.  Matichon reported that the Den Chai-Chiang Rai railway project was approved by the Cabinet on 31 July 2018 with a budget of 85.345 billion baht and a construction period of seven years. The line is expected to open in January 2028 and includes four railway tunnels.   Pictures courtesy of Matichon  Join the discussion?   Already a member?    Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 21 June 2026 

 
View full article</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:38:27 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Drunk Foreigner Sparks Chaos in Pattaya Brawl, 10 Cops Needed</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397134-drunk-foreigner-sparks-chaos-in-pattaya-brawl-10-cops-needed/?do=findComment&comment=20562383]]></link><description>Another fine night in Thailand's "family friendly" destination.</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:32:40 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Government Urged to Tighten Foreign Condo Ownership Rules</title><link>https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/government-urged-to-tighten-foreign-condo-ownership-rules-r2405/</link><description>Thailand is facing renewed calls to tighten regulations governing foreign condominium ownership as the government considers raising the foreign ownership quota in condominium projects to attract overseas investment and support a property market still struggling with a slowdown.  Get today's headlines by email   The proposal is viewed as a way to improve liquidity in the real estate sector and help developers clear unsold inventory. However, concerns have emerged over housing affordability for Thai citizens, property speculation and the long-term impact of increased foreign ownership.  Dr Sopon Pornchokchai, president of the Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA), said the debate should move beyond claims that Thailand is &#x201C;selling the nation&#x201D;. He noted that only a limited number of condominium projects have reached the current 49% foreign ownership quota and that foreign buyers accounted for less than 20% of total condominium purchases last year.  Sopon argued that Thailand&#x2019;s rules are considerably more lenient than those in China. Foreign buyers in Thailand face no residency requirement before purchasing a condominium, whereas China generally requires foreigners to have lived in the country for around one to two years before becoming eligible to buy property.  He also highlighted the absence of a minimum purchase price in Thailand. AREA&#x2019;s survey of foreign condominium purchases in Bangkok and surrounding provinces in 2025 found that around two-thirds of units purchased by foreigners were priced at 5 million baht or less. By comparison, foreigners purchasing condominiums in major Chinese cities typically face costs of around 10-20 million baht or more due to higher property values and larger unit sizes.  The number of units foreigners can purchase has also come under scrutiny. Thailand allows foreign buyers to acquire multiple units provided the building remains within the legal foreign ownership quota, while China generally limits foreign buyers to a single unit. Sopon also raised concerns about nominee ownership structures and claimed that foreign owners already play a significant role in the management of some condominium projects in Bangkok, Pattaya and Hua Hin.  Additional concerns relate to property speculation and short-term rentals. Sopon said Thailand permits foreign buyers to purchase condominiums for investment and resale, while enforcement against illegal daily rentals remains weak. He warned that some buildings could become dominated by owners from a single nationality, potentially creating foreign enclaves and affecting the hotel sector if units are used as unlicensed accommodation.  Sopon also criticised Thailand&#x2019;s low property tax burden on foreign owners. He said annual property taxes, rental income taxes and capital gains taxes are significantly lower than those imposed in China, making Thailand particularly attractive for investment-focused buyers seeking returns rather than permanent residence.  The Nation reported that the government has yet to decide whether to increase the foreign ownership quota. Sopon said any expansion should be accompanied by stricter, more transparent regulations to balance foreign investment with the long-term interests of Thailand and its citizens.   Picture courtesy of The Nation  Join the discussion?   Already a member?    Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 21 June 2026</description><enclosure url="https://assets.aseannow.com/forum/uploads/monthly_2026_06/IMG_5189.png.6a5f26883897d525225b59ee187db482.png" length="4269631" type="image/png"/><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:32:26 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Government Urged to Tighten Foreign Condo Ownership Rules</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397166-government-urged-to-tighten-foreign-condo-ownership-rules/?do=findComment&comment=20562382]]></link><description>Thailand is facing renewed calls to tighten regulations governing foreign condominium ownership as the government considers raising the foreign ownership quota in condominium projects to attract overseas investment and support a property market still struggling with a slowdown.  Get today's headlines by email   The proposal is viewed as a way to improve liquidity in the real estate sector and help developers clear unsold inventory. However, concerns have emerged over housing affordability for Thai citizens, property speculation and the long-term impact of increased foreign ownership.  Dr Sopon Pornchokchai, president of the Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA), said the debate should move beyond claims that Thailand is &#x201C;selling the nation&#x201D;. He noted that only a limited number of condominium projects have reached the current 49% foreign ownership quota and that foreign buyers accounted for less than 20% of total condominium purchases last year.  Sopon argued that Thailand&#x2019;s rules are considerably more lenient than those in China. Foreign buyers in Thailand face no residency requirement before purchasing a condominium, whereas China generally requires foreigners to have lived in the country for around one to two years before becoming eligible to buy property.  He also highlighted the absence of a minimum purchase price in Thailand. AREA&#x2019;s survey of foreign condominium purchases in Bangkok and surrounding provinces in 2025 found that around two-thirds of units purchased by foreigners were priced at 5 million baht or less. By comparison, foreigners purchasing condominiums in major Chinese cities typically face costs of around 10-20 million baht or more due to higher property values and larger unit sizes.  The number of units foreigners can purchase has also come under scrutiny. Thailand allows foreign buyers to acquire multiple units provided the building remains within the legal foreign ownership quota, while China generally limits foreign buyers to a single unit. Sopon also raised concerns about nominee ownership structures and claimed that foreign owners already play a significant role in the management of some condominium projects in Bangkok, Pattaya and Hua Hin.  Additional concerns relate to property speculation and short-term rentals. Sopon said Thailand permits foreign buyers to purchase condominiums for investment and resale, while enforcement against illegal daily rentals remains weak. He warned that some buildings could become dominated by owners from a single nationality, potentially creating foreign enclaves and affecting the hotel sector if units are used as unlicensed accommodation.  Sopon also criticised Thailand&#x2019;s low property tax burden on foreign owners. He said annual property taxes, rental income taxes and capital gains taxes are significantly lower than those imposed in China, making Thailand particularly attractive for investment-focused buyers seeking returns rather than permanent residence.  The Nation reported that the government has yet to decide whether to increase the foreign ownership quota. Sopon said any expansion should be accompanied by stricter, more transparent regulations to balance foreign investment with the long-term interests of Thailand and its citizens.   Picture courtesy of The Nation  Join the discussion?   Already a member?    Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 21 June 2026 

 
View full article</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:32:26 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>One in six sees Muslim population growth as threat, study warns</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1396801-one-in-six-sees-muslim-population-growth-as-threat-study-warns/?do=findComment&comment=20562381]]></link><description>I hear and read that a lot.   But as I never parrot other peoples "wisdoms" and always try to form my own opinion based on facts and logic, I fail to understand, why Islam is a death cult and ask myself if those using that phrase know anything about Islam.  death cult in what way?  worshipping death in form of killing others Both Christianity and Islam see the killing of innocents as a sin but Christianity teaches to love your enemy while Islam allows you to fight him.  Then again, when you look at the practical application of religion in living history, Christians have killed way more Muslims and destroyed their countries than the other way around.  worshipping death in form of being killed by others Both religions glorify martyrs who died in the name of God or denying to convert   worshipping death in form of being killed while trying to kill others Other than Christianity which knows only strictly passive martyrdom and does not actively seek out death, Islam glorifies those who died fighting for Islam and their country.   And we don&#xB4;t? Do we not worship those, who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country and families against evil powers as our greatest heroes?  Even if they died, not exactly while defending our country but more likely while invading another country, full of evil people, aka as insurgents, who were actually really defending their country and their families, which makes them the heroes and us the evil invaders, but let&#xB4;s not get distracted by trivialities.  And let us not forget one important fact:   Jesus was a Zombie.  I mean, he came back from the dead, that&#xB4;s textbook Zombie.  Now, which side was the death cult again?</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:30:53 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Death Penalty in UK.</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397074-death-penalty-in-uk/?do=findComment&comment=20562380]]></link><description>stop being a Rick your derailing it hoping for bite. and as your being your Sanctimoniouse self name someone i disagreed with.</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:20:19 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Factory re-set</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397021-factory-re-set/?do=findComment&comment=20562379]]></link><description>You are probably right. If not now then it will have to be in the next year or two. To be fair I don't do banking on the phone only on the computer. Just need the finance and the will to do it.</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:10:53 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Technology,  Data Centers,  and Life without Parole</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1395454-technology-data-centers-and-life-without-parole/?do=findComment&comment=20562378]]></link><description>@rumak  I came across this story today and it really struck a chord. IMO Admiral James Stockdale nails it. On September 9th, 1965, Adm James Stockdale was shot down over North Vietnam, and spent the next seven and a half years as a "guest" of the infamous "Hanoi Hilton."    Years later, during an interview about Stockdale's coping strategy during that time, Jim Collins asked him which prisoners didn't make it. Here's what he had to say:  "Oh, that's easy, the optimists. Oh, they were the ones who said, "We're going to be out by Christmas". And Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then they'd say, "We're going to be out by Easter". And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart."  There is an important lesson here.  It has become known as "The Stockdale Paradox."  Stockdale went on to say:  "You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end, which you can never afford to lose, with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be."</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:03:52 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Haverfordwest mayor forced to hire security after racist threats</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397165-haverfordwest-mayor-forced-to-hire-security-after-racist-threats/?do=findComment&comment=20562377]]></link><description>The first Black mayor of Haverfordwest has been forced to hire private security guards after receiving racist threats, casting a shadow over what should have been a landmark moment for the Welsh town. Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner, 37, made history in May when he became the first Black elected mayor of the Pembrokeshire town. Just weeks later, concerns for his safety led him to arrange personal security for one of the area's oldest civic traditions.  Historic Achievement Meets Ugly Backlash Thomas-Turner had described his election as a sign of how far the community had progressed. But reports of racist abuse and threats have exposed a darker side of local politics. The mayor attended Haverfordwest's annual Beating of the Bounds ceremony accompanied by security personnel, prompting questions from residents and highlighting the pressures now facing public figures amid rising concerns about abuse and intimidation.  Security Decision Taken Personally Haverfordwest Town Council confirmed that the security arrangements were made privately by the mayor and were not funded or commissioned by the council. Officials stressed that the move should not be interpreted as evidence of a specific threat to the event itself. The centuries-old ceremony went ahead without incident and remained a safe, family-friendly occasion.  Council Condemns Abuse In a statement, Thomas-Turner said the council would not tolerate racism, discrimination, harassment or threatening behaviour. He added that matters relating to individual councillors were being handled by the appropriate authorities. The council also issued a strong condemnation of abuse directed at elected representatives, warning that intimidation undermines the principles of democratic debate and public service.  Calls for Accountability Grow Michael Williams described the situation as "appalling but sadly not surprising", arguing that some individuals have become increasingly emboldened to express racist views openly. Despite the controversy, Thomas-Turner has vowed to continue serving the town. The youngest person to hold the mayoralty in Haverfordwest for a century said he remained committed to building a future based on unity, opportunity, compassion and community spirit.  Haverfordwest's first Black mayor forced to get personal security guards after death threats</description><enclosure url="https://assets.aseannow.com/forum/uploads/monthly_2026_06/OIP-351879657.jpg.b6f1175fb066315d545dd54c614482eb.jpg" length="59130" type="image/jpeg"/><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:00:44 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Brexit dream fades in leave capital after 10 years</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397164-brexit-dream-fades-in-leave-capital-after-10-years/?do=findComment&comment=20562376]]></link><description>Fifth-generation farmer Chris Wray  Ten years after delivering the strongest Brexit vote in Britain, the Lincolnshire town that became the face of the Leave movement is wrestling with a painful question: what exactly did it get in return? Standing on 700 acres farmed by his family for five generations, farmer Chris Wray delivers a stark verdict. "I can't afford to employ my own kids," he says.  For a family whose land has survived wars, recessions and political upheaval, the statement lands like a thunderbolt. The 46-year-old father of four says his own future in farming once seemed guaranteed. Now he cannot say the same for his children.  When Britain voted to leave the European Union in June 2016, Boston voted harder for Brexit than anywhere else in the country. More than 75 per cent of residents backed Leave, turning the market town into a national symbol of frustration over immigration, economic change and a feeling that Britain had lost control.  For years, Boston sat at the centre of Britain's immigration debate. Following EU expansion in 2004, workers from countries including Poland, Lithuania, Romania and Latvia arrived in large numbers to work in agriculture, food processing and logistics.  The town changed rapidly. New businesses opened, different languages became commonplace and some residents felt their community was transforming faster than they could influence. Into that atmosphere stepped Nigel Farage, UKIP and the wider Leave campaign. Their message was simple: end free movement, take back control and put British workers first. Boston embraced it completely.  But a decade later, many of the industries that depended on migrant labour are facing serious difficulties. Farmers and employers who once relied on overseas workers have struggled to fill vacancies. Wray says the workers who became the focus of so much anger were also helping to keep local businesses running. "When you talk to Eastern Europeans, they've got that old-school work ethic you remember your parents having," he says. "They work crazy hard, all day, every day. British people just don't want that work."  Not everyone sees the issue the same way. Twenty-seven-year-old Jacques Perdeaux says immigration remains the town's defining concern. Although he was too young to vote in 2016, he says he would support Nigel Farage and agrees with Reform UK's position on immigration and welfare. Yet even he struggles to argue that Brexit delivered everything promised. "Everyone blames the government," he says. "The system is flawed."       Iga Bontoft, who runs EU Linc  Just a few streets away, Polish-born community worker Iga Bontoft tells a very different story. Having lived in Boston for 16 years, paid taxes and built a life in Britain, she says many migrants still feel uncertain about their future. "None of us really feels settled," she says.  Bontoft argues that vastly different groups are often lumped together in political debates about immigration. She says many people overlook the long hours worked by migrants who contribute to the local economy.  The financial reality of Brexit has hit farming particularly hard. For decades, British farmers benefited from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, which delivered around &#xA3;3.5 billion annually to agriculture across Britain. Wray says those payments often represented the difference between profit and loss. "Our subsidy figure was essentially our profit figure," he says.  Since Brexit, those payments have been phased out and replaced by environmental schemes. Meanwhile, fuel, fertiliser, machinery, insurance and energy costs have all risen sharply. "The margin under Brexit has just gone," says Wray.  Across Lincolnshire, many farmers are now focused on limiting losses rather than generating profits. "Nothing makes any money," Wray says. "It's about what you're going to lose the least on."  The pressure has pushed many farmers towards solar energy. Wray has already dedicated 100 acres of land to solar panels and says he would commit more if possible. "It could put me in profit," he says. "I could draw more money from solar than from farming."  That creates a striking contradiction in Boston and Skegness, represented by Reform UK MP Richard Tice. Reform opposes large-scale solar farms and wants them removed from agricultural land. Yet many local farmers now see solar energy as one of the few viable ways to stay afloat . Wray is no enthusiastic supporter of Net Zero policies. But he says he has little choice. "It's hard to go net zero when you're poor," he says. "It'll bankrupt us if we're not careful."  The impact is also being felt on Boston's high street. Fruit shop owner Sayid Kutan questions whether his business can survive, saying the streets have become noticeably quieter and the town feels divided.  Driving through Boston today reveals a landscape of waterlogged fields, solar farms, migrant-owned businesses and shuttered market stalls. For many residents, the promises of Brexit were clear: stronger industries, greater prosperity and a brighter future. Ten years later, critics point to lost subsidies, labour shortages and mounting financial pressures.  For Chris Wray, the issue is deeply personal. The question is no longer about politics or slogans. It is whether a sixth generation of his family will be able to make a living from the same land that supported every generation before them.  Boston voted harder for Brexit than anywhere else, 10 years on what have they got for it?</description><enclosure url="https://assets.aseannow.com/forum/uploads/monthly_2026_06/AA26670L.jpg.bd91d0331a7557c0b01248095db9c503.jpg" length="77629" type="image/jpeg"/><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:53:59 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Ukraine is winning the war</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1370979-ukraine-is-winning-the-war/?do=findComment&comment=20562375]]></link><description>According to information obtained by Exilenova+, the Moscow Oil Refinery has been shut down following the attacks. The facility is one of Russia&#x2019;s largest refineries and a key supplier of fuel to the Moscow region.  According to Reuters on June 18, citing industry sources, the latest strike damaged the Euro+ crude oil processing complex, commissioned in 2020 as part of the refinery&#x2019;s modernization program. The unit includes a crude distillation section with a nominal capacity of around 140,000 barrels per day&#x2014;approximately 47% of the refinery&#x2019;s total processing capacity.  Sources told Reuters that the damaged complex also includes a catalytic reforming unit and a diesel hydrotreater. In addition, several secondary processing units, interconnecting pipelines, auxiliary equipment, and fuel storage tanks were reportedly damaged and caught fire. Reuters previously reported that another major crude distillation unit, CDU-6, responsible for roughly 53% of the refinery&#x2019;s processing capacity, was damaged during an earlier Ukrainian drone strike on June 16.</description><enclosure url="https://assets.aseannow.com/forum/uploads/monthly_2026_06/image.png.efe0eaa20745071dddc960133fad8b7e.png" length="542289" type="image/png"/><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:50:35 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Your current leading locations for a Plan B backup to Thailand?</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1396672-your-current-leading-locations-for-a-plan-b-backup-to-thailand/?do=findComment&comment=20562374]]></link><description>Here's some weirdness. While the summer weather in Vina is similar to Southern California the ocean water is VERY COLD and not suitable for swimming. That would be frustrating.  Another plus is that it's about 90 minutes to bus to Santiago, similar to Pattaya to Bangkok.  Some other options in Chile:</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:41:22 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Ukraine is winning the war</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1370979-ukraine-is-winning-the-war/?do=findComment&comment=20562373]]></link><description>A new generation of Ukrainian mid-range drones is severely disrupting the Russian military&#x2019;s supply lines to the southern front lines, striking bridges, trains and fuel trucks &#x2013; and giving Kyiv a chance to derail Moscow&#x2019;s plans for a summer offensive.  Video and images of about 150 strikes against Russian fuel tankers, trucks and other vehicles have been geolocated and analyzed by French open-source analyst Cl&#xE9;ment Molin and the volunteer-run OSINT group Geoconfirmed, as well as CNN&#x2019;s OSINT team.  It&#x2019;s likely that many more strikes have gone unrecorded.  Most have occurred since the beginning of May, in addition to a surge in strikes on other targets such as port facilities and ships. With a range of 50 to 300 kilometers, the drones, all made in Ukraine, are designed to throttle the Russian army&#x2019;s logistics &#x2013; adding a new dimension of strikes to Ukraine&#x2019;s strategy as the war grinds through its fifth year.  Among the newly designed drones are the FP-2 and the Behemoth, which has a cruising speed of 180 kmh (110 mph) and can carry a 70 kilogram warhead.</description><enclosure url="https://assets.aseannow.com/forum/uploads/monthly_2026_06/image.png.466f96dd734ff678c2de3a7474315ce5.png" length="243505" type="image/png"/><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:34:37 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>The UK "rape gang</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397163-the-uk-rape-gang/?do=findComment&comment=20562372]]></link><description>The &#x2018;Rape Gang Report&#x2019; sponsored by Restore Britain MP Rupert Lowe, estimates that at least 250,000 mainly White British girls had been victimized nationwide since the 1950s. Now, we all know what Restore Britain is all about&#x2014;racism, Tommy Robinson style.  And then we have Russia Today, surely a bastion of free reportage. Hm, what might be Russia&#x2019;s agenda for the United Kingdom, well, other than fomenting discontent?  Let&#x2019;s take 1955 as an arbitrary start year. That&#x2019;s 71 years ago. Let&#x2019;s do the math, that's ~3,500 rapes a year to 2026. Sorry, but the sexual assault statistics simply don&#x2019;t support that figure.  There were ~12,500 Pakistani male immigrant to the UK in the decade up to 1960. No gender breakdown is available but a total of ~67,000 immigrated up to 1970. From 1971 to 1980, there were ~77k Pakistani men in the UK. ~80k total to 1990.  Okay, I&#x2019;m bored looking this up. Obviously, Pakistani families have had British children, resulting in 1.6M to 1.8M people of Pakistani heritage in the UK today. How many of these Pakistani men are children under 18? How many are infants? The statistics don&#x2019;t disclose that.  In 2026, ~56,000 immigrated from Pakistan. And 70k left the UK for elsewhere.  I&#x2019;m going to go with &#x201C;The Rape Gang Inquiry Report lies to support a racist agenda, the Dishonourable Rupert Lowe&#x2019;s anti-immigrant agenda. You can&#x2019;t fool the numbers. This is nothing more than a shameful ploy to fool the gullible.  Are you going to tell me that the 24,000 people who crowd-funded &#xA3;500,000 did not have a racist agenda???  Doesn&#x2019;t Restore Britain have the same sort of ring as Make America Great Again? Umm, white power?</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:29:36 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Man suspected of throwing toddler to crocodiles released</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397083-man-suspected-of-throwing-toddler-to-crocodiles-released/?do=findComment&comment=20562371]]></link><description>You are right he has been driven mad by consuming extreme material designed for just that end and to plug into personal fears and insecurities often as a result of disappointed lives looking for scapegoats. Happy people don't generally hate.</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:23:34 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Before the Dawn of Internet: How did you find banned books?</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397148-before-the-dawn-of-internet-how-did-you-find-banned-books/?do=findComment&comment=20562370]]></link><description>One needs no proof if one has faith.  One side makes you smaller, and one side makes you taller. Just have faith.  Just ask Alice.</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:10:52 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Is Altman's Scam even worse than we anticipated? Ed says...YES!</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397157-is-altmans-scam-even-worse-than-we-anticipated-ed-saysyes/?do=findComment&comment=20562369]]></link><description>No. But, maybe they should make him the head of the CIA?</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:08:15 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Is Altman's Scam even worse than we anticipated? Ed says...YES!</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397157-is-altmans-scam-even-worse-than-we-anticipated-ed-saysyes/?do=findComment&comment=20562368]]></link><description>I presume that you also fully realize that I was similarly fixated on Elizabeth Holmes, and Bernie Madoff.  In fact, being fixated on scammers is my main hobby in life, other than posting Topics on TV.  Psychopaths have always fascinated me. Their psychopathy is inexplicable from an evolutionary perspective, or do you not think so?  This psychopathic aberration seems to have no evolutionary advantage..... Or does it?  Any ideas?</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:07:34 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Man suspected of throwing toddler to crocodiles released</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397083-man-suspected-of-throwing-toddler-to-crocodiles-released/?do=findComment&comment=20562367]]></link><description>Radicalised. There are 2-3 on here who are similarly radicalised, but they can't see it.   Farage and Yaxley sowing division and creating this false narrative. I fear for the UK.</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:07:11 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>World Cup 2026 Has anyone seen a live game on TV yet?</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1396855-world-cup-2026-has-anyone-seen-a-live-game-on-tv-yet/?do=findComment&comment=20562366]]></link><description><![CDATA[From now Thailand time schedule: Sun, 21 Jun Netherlands vs Sweden 12:00 a.m. Sun, 21 Jun Germany vs Ivory Coast 3:00 a.m. Sun, 21 Jun Ecuador vs Curaçao 7:00 a.m. Sun, 21 Jun Tunisia vs Japan 11:00 a.m. Sun, 21 Jun Spain vs Saudi Arabia 11:00 p.m. Mon, 22 Jun Belgium vs Iran 2:00 a.m. Mon, 22 Jun Uruguay vs Cape Verde 5:00 a.m. Mon, 22 Jun New Zealand vs Egypt 8:00 a.m. Tue, 23 Jun Argentina vs Austria 12:00 a.m. Tue, 23 Jun France vs Iraq 4:00 a.m. Tue, 23 Jun Norway vs Senegal 7:00 a.m. Tue, 23 Jun Jordan vs Algeria 10:00 a.m. Wed, 24 Jun Portugal vs Uzbekistan 12:00 a.m. Wed, 24 Jun England vs Ghana 3:00 a.m. Wed, 24 Jun Panama vs Croatia 6:00 a.m. Wed, 24 Jun Colombia vs DR Congo 9:00 a.m. Thu, 25 Jun Switzerland vs Canada 2:00 a.m. Thu, 25 Jun Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina vs Qatar 2:00 a.m. Thu, 25 Jun Scotland vs Brazil 5:00 a.m. Thu, 25 Jun Morocco vs Haiti 5:00 a.m. Thu, 25 Jun Czechia vs Mexico 8:00 a.m. Thu, 25 Jun South Africa vs South Korea 8:00 a.m. Fri, 26 Jun Curaçao vs Ivory Coast 3:00 a.m. Fri, 26 Jun Ecuador vs Germany 3:00 a.m. Fri, 26 Jun Japan vs Sweden 6:00 a.m. Fri, 26 Jun Tunisia vs Netherlands 6:00 a.m. Fri, 26 Jun Türkiye vs USA 9:00 a.m. Fri, 26 Jun Paraguay vs Australia 9:00 a.m. Sat, 27 Jun Norway vs France 2:00 a.m. Sat, 27 Jun Senegal vs Iraq 2:00 a.m. Sat, 27 Jun Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia 7:00 a.m. Sat, 27 Jun Uruguay vs Spain 7:00 a.m. Sat, 27 Jun Egypt vs Iran 10:00 a.m. Sat, 27 Jun New Zealand vs Belgium 10:00 a.m. Sun, 28 Jun Panama vs England 4:00 a.m. Sun, 28 Jun Croatia vs Ghana 4:00 a.m. Sun, 28 Jun Colombia vs Portugal 6:30 a.m. Sun, 28 Jun DR Congo vs Uzbekistan 6:30 a.m. Sun, 28 Jun Algeria vs Austria 9:00 a.m. Sun, 28 Jun Jordan vs Argentina 9:00 a.m. Knockout Rounds and FinalThe matchups are set once the group stage ends, but the dates and headline kick-offs are fixed. The opening match is on 11 June; here is how the knockout stage falls in Thailand time. Stage Dates (Thailand) Kick-Off (ICT) Round of 32 29 Jun – 4 Jul Confirmed after group stage Round of 16 5 – 8 Jul Confirmed after group stage Quarter-finals 10 – 12 Jul Confirmed after group stage Semi-finals 15 &amp; 16 Jul 2:00 a.m. Third-place play-off 19 Jul 4:00 a.m. Final 20 Jul 2:00 a.m.]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:05:18 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>World Cup 2026 Has anyone seen a live game on TV yet?</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1396855-world-cup-2026-has-anyone-seen-a-live-game-on-tv-yet/?do=findComment&comment=20562365]]></link><description>Watched T&#xFC;rkiye vs Paraguay today on free Monomax channel 29. Obviously not all are free. Pro tip: VPN to Ireland www.rte.ie/player No need to create an account. (You're welcome.)</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:03:01 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Man suspected of throwing toddler to crocodiles released</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397083-man-suspected-of-throwing-toddler-to-crocodiles-released/?do=findComment&comment=20562364]]></link><description>BREAKING - MASS STABBING IN EDINBURGH  Should we respond with pure,cold,rage ?</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 17:58:08 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>The Man Who Would Be King</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397161-the-man-who-would-be-king/?do=findComment&comment=20562363]]></link><description>He's sick mentally. He's sick physically. Nothing new to see here. He's not even to blame anymore. It's the republicans who refuse to remove him which indeed they have the power to do.</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 17:57:43 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Israel sees Trump&#x2019;s deal a &#x201C;&#x201C;diplomatic Oct. 7&#x201D;</title><link><![CDATA[https://aseannow.com/topic/1397162-israel-sees-trumps-deal-a-diplomatic-oct-7/?do=findComment&comment=20562362]]></link><description>The article is correct. Trump surrendered.</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 17:54:04 +0000</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
