NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 22 March 2023

Thailand's election commission has set 14th May as the date of the next general election.

The announcement comes as parties step up campaigning for a battle between a pro-military conservative grouping, led by Prime Minister Prayut against the largest opposition Pheu Thai party, led by Paetongtarn Shinawat, who has topped opinion polls as a potential candidate for premier.

Four immigration police officers face arrest for the alleged abduction of a Chinese man and Thai female interpreter,   and extortion of crypto coins, worth around 1 million baht.

Three men that were arrested all denied involvement, Police general Surachate said other police officers are likely to have also been involved in the incident.

A social media influencer was arrested in Ayutthaya suspected of online fraud by selling random gift boxes, some of which she said would contain gold worth far more than what people paid. 

The 24 year old transgender influencer faces charges ranging from fraud, false advertising, to loading false data onto a computer.

Authorities in Phuket yesterday issued arrest warrants for a Swiss man and two Thai women who are suspected of being  involved in a bar that was raided by police,   uncovered cases of child sexual exploitation. The Swiss man is believed to have fled the country.

The Region:
A leaking oil tanker that sank in waters in the central Philippines three weeks ago was found yesterday,
A Japanese remote controlled underwater vehicle found the  The Princess Empress at a depth of 400 meters, close to islands south of Manila. 

The  Vessel was carrying 800,000 liters of fuel oil when it sank, Thick oil has now contaminated waters and beaches of nearby islands.

The weather: 

Chiang Mai:  Sunny 36
Bangkok:  Sunny 36
Pattaya: Sunny partly cloudy , 33 
Phuket and the far south: Sunny partly cloudy 32C                                                                                                        
Here in Hua Hin : Sunny, some cloud this afternoon 32C

The air quality index:  yellow  - moderate

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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