Photo from propertytoday.com

 

Thailand anticipates windfall from China’s easing of travel restrictions

 

Thailand is expected to benefit from China’s recent easing of travel restrictions, and Thai tourism and tourism-related businesses are preparing to cope with a surge in Chinese tourists after three years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281891-thailand-anticipates-windfall-from-china’s-easing-of-travel-restrictions/

 

Police Instructed to Quickly Locate Fugitive Heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police have been ordered to find fugitive Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya as soon as possible and bring him to justice for his reckless driving that resulted in the death of a police officer a decade ago.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281896-police-instructed-to-quickly-locate-fugitive-heir-vorayuth-yoovidhya/

Massive road checkpoint mobilisation over 7 days of New Year celebrations
 

Photo from crcfthailand.org

About 50,000 police officers will be deployed at road checkpoints and at public celebration venues across Thailand between December 29th and January 4th, to ensure public safety.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281914-massive-road-checkpoint-mobilisation-over-7-days-of-new-year-celebrations/

 

3 Nominees Arrested For Holding 200m Baht Assets For Foreigner
by TNR Staff 

 

Senior police officers giving details of today’s case. Photos: Naewna

 

THREE Thai nominees were arrested today (Dec. 28) for holding over 200 million baht in assets for a foreigner who was earlier arrested for applying for a Thai ID card without being a Thai national, Naewna newspaper said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281915-3-nominees-arrested-for-holding-200m-baht-assets-for-foreigner/

 

Court Orders Suspension Of EIA For High-Rise Condo Project 
by TNR Staff

 

 

THE CENTRAL Administration Court today (Dec. 28) ordered the suspension of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval granted to a high-rise condominium project in Ratchadapisek area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281916-court-orders-suspension-of-eia-for-high-rise-condo-project/

 

Tourism minister’s plan to offer vaccines to foreign tourists as recovery mired at 29% of 2019

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is proposing a plan to offer free vaccines to all incoming tourists. It comes as Thailand grapples with the prospect of a return of Chinese tourists to the kingdom while the recovery of the industry is mired in difficulties and well behind other countries with large tourism sectors such as Greece and France.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281917-tourism-minister’s-plan-to-offer-vaccines-to-foreign-tourists-as-recovery-mired-at-29-of-2019/

 

Thailand should look to impose restrictions on tourists arriving from China, demands opposition Pheu Thai

By Erich Parpart

 

The Thai government should look at imposing preventive measures to test or restrict travelers from China and countries where a lot of Chinese tourists have visited, the main opposition Pheu Thai Party said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281918-thailand-should-look-to-impose-restrictions-on-tourists-arriving-from-china-demands-opposition-pheu-thai/

 

Foreign man seriously injured after falling from Phuket Airport departure platform
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

Phuket – A foreign man has sustained severe injuries after he fell from a third floor at the Phuket International Airport.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281919-foreign-man-seriously-injured-after-falling-from-phuket-airport-departure-platform/

 

UPDATE:

 

Tourism Authority of Thailand shifts goal from attracting 20 million tourists in 2023 to 25 million after China reopens borders
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revised its target for international tourists in 2023, aiming to attract 25 million instead of the previously planned 20 million, after China announced an end to Covid-induced border closures.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281891-thailand-anticipates-windfall-from-china’s-easing-of-travel-restrictions/?do=findComment&comment=17812214

 

World Sports News - Thursday 29 December by Chili Radio
 

 

Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281927-world-sports-news-thursday-29-december-by-chili-radio/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday December 29 2022
 

 

Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281928-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-december-29-2022/

 

Another year, another deadly pub inferno in Thailand
By Thai PBS World
 

This handout photo taken and released on August 5, 2022 by the Sawang Rojanathammasathan Rescue Foundation shows firefighters working to contain a fire at the Mountain B nightclub in Sattahip district in Thailand’s Chonburi province. (Photo by Sawang Rojanathammasathan Rescue Foundation / AFP)

Thailand’s nightlife scene was hit by a tragedy of historic proportions this year when an inferno tore through the Mountain B nightclub in Chon Buri province, killing 26 people and badly injuring at least 40 others.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281932-another-year-another-deadly-pub-inferno-in-thailand/

 

Norwegian fined 5,000 baht for public sex - but he can't remember who the lady was

 

Sanook Thai Cap: I can't remember who she was

 

A Norwegian man has been fined 5,000 baht by the Pattaya police for having sex in public.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281934-norwegian-fined-5000-baht-for-public-sex-but-he-cant-remember who-the-lady-was/

 

RTP say drink and drive at New Year and we'll arrest you - some leeway shown to late night opening

 

Daily News Thai Caption: Arrests for sure for drink drivers!

 

The chief of the Trat provincial police had a strong message at the start of a New Year crime suppression drive yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281936-rtp-say-drink-and-drive-at-new-year-and-well-arrest-you-some-leeway-shown-to-late-night-opening/

 

Health, transport and tourism ministers to discuss upcoming influx of Chinese tourists 

by Namo Vananupong

 

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - The COVID situation after the New Year holidays may require special attention as Thailand prepares for a fresh influx of tourists following the relaxation of China’s Zero COVID policy.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281938-health-transport-and-tourism-ministers-to-discuss-upcoming-influx-of-chinese-tourists/

 

Spike in interest in Thai trips as Chinese set to be allowed out again post "Zero-Covid"

 

 

Thai Rath speculated that mass Chinese tourism to Thailand was just around the corner after the Chinese government scrapped many exit conditions as they rethought their "Zero Covid" strategy.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281940-spike-in-interest-in-thai-trips-as-chinese-set-to-be-allowed-out-again-post-zero-covid/

 

Thais invited to inform on one another this New Year - call 1386 to join the War on Drugs

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Two of Thailand's biggest figures in the continuing War on Drugs were at Bangkok's main bus station yesterday to get the public onboard.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281941-thais-invited-to-inform-on-one-another-this-new-year-call-1386-to-join-the-war-on-drugs/

 

Chinese tourists returning to Thailand. But how? NY celebration 'rules' : Tim Newton Today - Dec 29

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281942-chinese-tourists-returning-to-thailand-but-how-ny-celebration-rules-tim-newton-today-dec-29/

 

That's him! Granny gets her bike back and the thief get a good pointing to!

 

Daily News Thai Cap: An experienced operator

 

Kanchanaburi's finest swept into action after a 68 year old granny in the western Thai province had her motorcycle stolen at an intersection.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281944-thats-him-granny-gets-her-bike-back-and-the-thief-get-a-good-pointing-to/

 

UPDATE:

 

Tourism Min dispatches officers and canines to oversee safety at countdown spots
by Namo Vananupong

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Tourism safety promotion officers and their canines are being dispatched to various locations throughout Thailand in order to ensure public safety and convenience at New Year’s countdown events. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is meanwhile urging service providers to charge foreign tourists similar rates to what locals are required to pay.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281842-thai-tourist-police-ready-and-willing-to-look-after-you-247-just-call-1155-or-download-the-app/?do=findComment&comment=17812727

 

Anutin at Mo Chit to launch his own "Safe New Year - Fewer Accidents" drive

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thailand's health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul was at Bangkok's main bus station yesterday to launch his own "Seven Deadly Days" of New Year safety drive.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281945-anutin-at-mo-chit-to-launch-his-own-safe-new-year-fewer-accidents-drive/

 

Five Chinese on overstay arrested in Bangkok

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Region 1 immigration and other factions of the RTP served an arrest warrant at a house in Chatuchak, northern Bangkok yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281946-five-chinese-on-overstay-arrested-in-bangkok/

 

Multiple injuries as bus carrying Myanmar pilgrims overturns after puncture in south

 

Daily News Thai Caption: Multiple injuries!

 

Daily News reported that the Muang Ranong police in the far south plus ten rescue vehicles headed for Petchakasem Road KM marker 695 after a song thaew overturned.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281947-multiple-injuries-as-bus-carrying-myanmar-pilgrims-overturns-after-puncture-in-south/

 

50 Thais trapped in burning Cambodian casino Wednesday night
 

 

At least 50 Thai gamblers and employees of a Cambodian casino in the Poipet border town were reported to be trapped inside after the casino caught fire late Wednesday night. A number of people, mostly Thais, were injured and were taken to the Thai border town of Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo Province, for treatment.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281948-50-thais-trapped-in-burning-cambodian-casino-wednesday-night/

 

Pattaya: Cherry blossoms wow the tourists at Thai resort

 

Daily News Thai Caption: Blossom time!

 

Daily News reported from Beach Road in Pattaya where many cherry blossom trees have been set up for tourists.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281949-pattaya-cherry-blossoms-wow-the-tourists-at-thai-resort/

 

Maya Bay closes down for 2 days in January

By Peter Roche

 

Maya Bay Phi Phi islands Entrance to Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Leh

Popular Maya Bay, part of Koh Phi Phi Leh, will be closed for tourists on January 15 and 16. The announcement was made today by the management of the national park controlling the archipelago of Phi Phi islands. The reason for the closure has not been announced although speculation is that it could be the result of a visiting member of the Thai royal family.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281954-maya-bay-closes-down-for-2-days-in-january/

 

Poipet Casino Inferno Kills 11

 

 

POIPET, Dec 29 (TNA) – Fire was put under control at a casino complex in Poipet. Eleven people died, 53 were injured and eight went missing. Most victims were Thai employees.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281948-50-thais-trapped-in-burning-cambodian-casino-wednesday-night/?do=findComment&comment=17812923

 

Mass exodus from Bangkok for New Year celebrations begins

 

 

Over 60,000 passengers are expected to travel out of Bangkok today (Thursday) using bus services of the state-run Transport Company, managing director Dr. Sanlak Panwatanalikit said today.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281982-mass-exodus-from-bangkok-for-new-year-celebrations-begins/

 

Sarng Anakot Thai and Thai Sang Thai parties form political alliance

 

 

The Sarng Anakot Thai and the Thai Sang Thai parties have agreed to form political alliance, reportedly to find a way out of Thailand’s political quagmire.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281983-sarng-anakot-thai-and-thai-sang-thai-parties-form-political-alliance/

 

Mingkwan Saengsuwan quits Palang Pracharath Party

 

 

Former Commerce Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan, who joined the ruling Palang Pracharath Party just 22 days ago, has quit.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1281984-mingkwan-saengsuwan-quits-palang-pracharath-party/