NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday August 18 2022

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A court in Bangkok has dismissed a 10 year lawsuit brought by villagers that live along the Mekong river who wanted Thailand to cancel the purchase of electricity from a hydro dam in Laos, claiming the Xaya-buri dam negatively impacted the environment and their livelihoods.

However the supreme court ruled the  purchase of power agreement did not directly impact the plaintiffs or people in the Mekong basin.

Thailand's health minister Anutin has said the new cannabis law could be opened further to permit its recreational use. This could be done if people agree that cannabis use is not harmful, adding he has not seen any negative social  impact since the plant was taken off the country's narcotics list in June. 
Anutin has said he will stand in next year's general election.

3 passengers were killed and 5 others injured when a truck carrying Myanmar workers came off the road after a tyre burst in NAKHON SI THAMMARAT.

The injured were taken to hospital, some of the others and a Thai driver fled before police arrived. Some were later caught.

A 21 year old man, an Indian national, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport trying to smuggle protected wildlife out of the country, including a white desert fox, two iguanas, pythons --a raccoon, three monitor lizards and eight monkeys. Many were not native to Thailand, Officials were trying to find out where they had originated.

Police arrested 2 couples in their 20s from Prachuap Khiri Khan in possession of 98,000 methamphetamine pills valued at some 10 million baht, Officers had earlier questioned another drugs agent who said the couple had supplied drugs, investigations lead to a further stash hidden in blue pvc pipes buried in a coconut plantation. Investigations continue.

Region:

Myanmar: A senior UN official said she had urged Myanmar's military ruler to release political prisoners and stop executions during a rare, high-profile visit.

Noeleen Heyzer   said "her visit was to convey the concern of the United Nations and propose concrete steps needed to reduce conflict and suffering of the people. UN engagement does not in any way confer legitimacy," 

China is currently in the grip of its longest heatwave since records began in 1961, at least four provinces are rationing electric power as consumption increased. The current heatwave has lasted for 66 days.

Chiang Mai: A fine start, rain this afternoon  31C
Bangkok: Bright becoming Cloudy with thundershowers 32C        
Pattaya and SE:   Cloudy with isolated showers 30C
Phuket and the South: Fine & Dry Partly cloudy 30C
Hua Hin: Bright partly cloudy with rain likely this afternoon 32C

Credits: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Asean Now, Khaosod English,  Hua Hin Today, Royal Coast Review, Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn, Thainewsroom.com, The Pattaya News, Phuket News, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times. The Irrawaddy. Windy.com. Wunderground.com.
 

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