NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 8 February 2023

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The Thai government has offered  to send a rescue team and aid to help with search and rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria following the 7.8 earthquake. So far there were no reports of thai nationals being affected ,  however the World health organisation says some 23 million people may have been adversely impacted and may spark a new refugee crisis.

 

MPs from both government and opposition parties have criticized a bill aimed at advancing media ethics and professionalism, claiming it is outdated and should be withdrawn. The bill was drafted by the National Reform Steering Assembly (which no longer exists) about six or seven years ago, prior to the rise of popular apps such as TikTok. Additionally, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association released a statement expressing opposition to the bill.

 

Two female hunger strikers were granted bail yesterday after the hospital they are in applied to the court on health grounds. The hunger strike was to pressure authorities to release other political detainees who have not been sentenced. However The Court rejected bail requests for eight others being detained. Another protester who is also in hospital on hunger strike was also refused bail yesterday.

Police say a key suspect Mr Chai-wat is linked to an online gambling website and is expected to give himself up to police later today.

His lawyer said his client planned to defend himself in court.

Chai-wat left for Hong Kong last month before police carried out raids in search of evidence and assets. The suspect's former girlfriend informed police about his connection with the website. She and her family have left Thailand in fear for their safety.

 

Locally: traditional long boat racing is due to return to Hua HIn later this year, 
Communities have been racing long tail boats for several hundred years, this year's event is expected to be held at Khao Tao between the 17 to 19th of November.

Around the Region:

 

Taiwan’s top weapons builder has test-fired a missile believed to be capable of hitting deep into mainland China, as cross-strait tensions show no sign of abating.  It added:  it’s also working to develop five types of unmanned aerial vehicles to build up a fleet of drones and boost the military’s surveillance ability.

Rebel fighters in Indonesia’s Papua region have taken a New Zealand pilot hostage after setting a small commercial plane on fire when it landed in a remote highland area.                  

The pilot had been identified as Captain Philip Merthens, and it was unclear if the five passengers had also been abducted.

 
The weather:  Sunny with some light cloud.

Chiang Mai: Sunny, 33 Celcius
Bangkok: Sunny, 33. 
Pattaya: partly cloudy 32 degrees
Phuket and the far south: Sunny,  partly cloudy 31
Here in Hua Hin :  Sunny, 31 degrees . 

 

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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