Trunk-ated Stay: Thailand’s push to bring home abused elephant from Sri Lanka continues
by Mitch Connor 

 

Sak Surin, one of three elephants that Thailand gifted to Sri Lanka back in 2001. Picture courtesy of TNA-MCOT.

 

The Thai government continues to explore ways to repatriate Sak Surin, one of three elephants gifted to Sri Lanka by Thailand back in 2001. This follows reports last year by an animal rights organisation that the elephant had been subjected to mistreatment by its handlers. While the government is aware of Sak Surin’s situation, transporting the elephant back to Thailand has proven problematic due to its size and the nature of its injuries.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292914-trunk-ated-stay-thailand’s-push-to-bring-home-abused-elephant-from-sri-lanka-continues/

 

Vote wisely: PM Chan-o-cha’s election appeal
by Mitch Connor

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party’s candidate for prime minister, has called on voters to think carefully before casting their ballots, cautioning that electing the wrong politicians could have disastrous consequences for the country.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292915-vote-wisely-pm-chan-o-cha’s-election-appeal/

 

After wedding, birth and reality show, Thailand bids farewell to its last giant panda

 

 

The recent death of Lin Hui, the last giant panda in Thailand, brought not just sadness but also cherished memories of her two decades here.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292917-after-wedding-birth-and-reality-show-thailand-bids-farewell-to-its-last-giant-panda/

 

Thai government acts fast to evacuate nationals from Sudan
by Mitch Connor

 

File photo

The government of Thailand is making arrangements to evacuate Thai citizens from Sudan as swiftly as possible, utilising nearby airports such as Cairo Airport in Egypt and the American Air Force Base in Djibouti.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292918-thai-government-acts-fast-to-evacuate-nationals-from-sudan/

 

Floating restaurant blown across river from Laos to Thailand during thunderstorm
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via Facebook/ สำนักงานประชาสัมพันธ์จังหวัดมุกดาหาร

A thunderstorm and hail hit the Isaan region of Thailand and the neighbouring country of Laos, yesterday evening. The strong winds of the storm caused damage to a local restaurant and houses in the Mukdaharn province, leading to the roofs being blown off.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292919-floating-restaurant-blown-across-river-from-laos-to-thailand-during-thunderstorm/

 

Jordanian attacks Thai singer’s brother at condo in Thailand
Photo of Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Instagram/ lulaandlulis

A Jordanian man allegedly attacked the brother of a Thai singer, Kanyarat “Lula” Tatiyaporn, at a condominium in Thailand. The victim sustained a ruptured eardrum and multiple wounds all over his body.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292921-jordanian-attacks-thai-singer’s-brother-at-condo-in-thailand/

 

Chiang Mai’s haze crisis: Health and tourism at risk
by Mitch Connor

 

PHOTO: Ma Limone Facebook Page

The ongoing severe haze pollution in Chiang Mai has not only increased health risks for the inhabitants but has also negatively impacted its tourism industry.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292923-chiang-mai’s-haze-crisis-health-and-tourism-at-risk/

 

UPDATE:

 

Thailand’s Tourist Police under fire for carrying famous lawyer’s luggage (video)
by leah

 

Photo via ThaiRath

Thailand‘s police chief Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittipraphat ordered an urgent investigation into a video of Tourist Police officers assisting with the luggage of a famous lawyer at Suvarnabhumi Airport after the clip sparked concerns that the act was inappropriate and outside of the officers’ specified duties.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292897-police-commander-orders-urgent-investigation-into-tourist-police-clip-of-luggage-assistance/?do=findComment&comment=18038316

 

Why Pheu Thai handout pledge is election’s hottest topic

 

 

Will Pheu Thai’s controversial pledge to hand 10,000 baht to every Thai citizen aged 16 and over be the “killer policy” that secures a landslide victory in the May 14 general election?

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292925-why-pheu-thai-handout-pledge-is-election’s-hottest-topic/

 

U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group Visits Thailand for Joint Exercises
by Paul Rujopakarn

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The U.S. Navy Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG-11) is visiting Thailand from April 24-29, reaffirming the strong security partnership between the United States and Thailand. The visit was planned to coincide with the 190th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292927-us-navy-carrier-strike-group-visits-thailand-for-joint-exercises/

 

UPDATE:

 

 

Pattaya Police Raid Nightclub for Overstayers and Drugs, Find Neither
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — Pattaya Police raided a nightclub for overstayers at 10:30 PM last night, April 23rd.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292903-pattaya-police-and-immigration-authorities-inspect-entertainment-venues-for-illegal-foreigners-and-overstays/?do=findComment&comment=18038408

 

Pregnant elephant tramples mahout to death in northeast Thailand
by leah

 

Photo via Daily News

A pregnant elephant trampled its 60 year old mahout to death in Buriram province in northeast Thailand yesterday. The deceased’s wife said the elephant was moody because of the extreme hot weather.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292930-pregnant-elephant-tramples-mahout-to-death-in-northeast-thailand/

 

Breaking through Thailand’s current policy making hindrances

 

 

The classic challenge when developing policy is how to formulate government policies which respond to the specific needs of the people. Nowadays, the traditional ways of designing policies, exclusively by those in authority, are changing. There is more public participation, but the lack of platforms for collaboration between stakeholders, the inability to access the legislative process and budget data and a lack of forward thinking remain barriers to Thailand being able to develop a truly inclusive policy making process.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292964-breaking-through-thailand’s-current-policy-making-hindrances/

 

Thailand’s Industrial Confidence Reaches 10-Year High in March

 

Image: Google/NBT World

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has revealed that Thailand’s industrial confidence index saw a decade-high boost in March.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292968-thailand’s-industrial-confidence-reaches-10-year-high-in-march/

 

Thai Democrat Party Supports Sex Toy Legalization

 

 

The Thai Democrat Party said it supports sex toy legalization in Thailand, where they are currently illegal, as a controlled item to diminish sex crimes.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292969-thai-democrat-party-supports-sex-toy-legalization/

 

Malaysians urged to take out insurance before driving in Thailand

 

 

An activist is urging Malaysians who wish to drive while travelling in Thailand to take out full insurance coverage policies to reduce problems in the case of an accident.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292971-malaysians-urged-to-take-out-insurance-before-driving-in-thailand/

 

Grab Thailand relaunches premium services with ‘The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience’

 

 

Grab Thailand is ramping up its premium on-demand ride-hailing service by reintroducing “GrabCar Premium” with the concept of “The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience,” in collaboration with Spotify and Chol Aromatique. This strategic move is aimed at creating an impressive user experience through an astonishing ambience appealing to all five senses, targeting urban people – especially white-collar workers and foreign tourists – who are eager for premium and extraordinary travel experiences.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292972-grab-thailand-relaunches-premium-services-with-‘the-ultimate-5-senses-experience’/

 

Thai woman sets new record at London Marathon

 

Photos via Facebook @AmazingThailand

 

A woman from Thailand who ran the London Marathon in the UK yesterday set a unique new Guinness World Record for “the fastest marathon dressed in Thai traditional dress.”

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292973-thai-woman-sets-new-record-at-london-marathon/

 

Mitsubishi Power Starts Up Operations at Rayong Plant

 

 

RAYONG (NNT) - Mitsubishi Power, a subsidiary of Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has started operations of a natural gas turbine at a gas-fired power plant project in Thailand’s Rayong province on March 31.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292974-mitsubishi-power-starts-up-operations-at-rayong-plant/

 

Navy Releases Artificial Reefs to Help Protect Marine Wildlife

 

 

CHONBURI (NNT) - The Royal Thai Navy and its partners have successfully released 69 units of artificial coral reefs on the seabed of Koh Samae San in Sattahip district of Chonburi province.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292975-navy-releases-artificial-reefs-to-help-protect-marine-wildlife/

 

Domestic Thai Tourists Allegedly Duped by Fake Villa Rental Service in Pattaya

 

 

Many domestic Thai tourists were allegedly scammed out of tens of thousands of baht by a fake Pattaya pool villa Facebook page.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292976-domestic-thai-tourists-allegedly-duped-by-fake-villa-rental-service-in-pattaya/

 

Transwoman fined for dancing naked on Bang Saen Beach

 

Photo via Facebook/ Sawas Ponchiyapoom

 

Police fined a Thai transwoman 2,000 baht for dancing naked during Wan Lai along Bang Saen Beach Road last week.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292977-transwoman-fined-for-dancing-naked-on-bang-saen-beach/

 

Bangkok to Expand Khao San Water Splashing Zone in 2024

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to expand the Khao San water splashing zone to include Bang Lamphu and Ratchadamnoen for next year’s Songkran festival.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292978-bangkok-to-expand-khao-san-water-splashing-zone-in-2024/

 

Summer Storms Warned in Upper Thailand

 

 

BANGKOK, April 24 (TNA) – The government warns residents in the North, the Northeast, the East and the central region to beware of danger from summer storms.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292979-summer-storms-warned-in-upper-thailand/

 

Tour bus driver flees scene after crash in Thailand, 1 dead, 40 injured

 

 

A tour bus driver fled the scene after losing control and crashing in Maha Sahakham province in northeast Thailand this morning. One person was killed in the crash and 40 more people were injured.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292980-tour-bus-driver-flees-scene-after-crash-in-thailand-1-dead-40-injured/

 

Delivery rider finds ketamine in phone box, alerts police

 

PHOTO: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan (Bangkok Post)

 

This morning, a motorcycle delivery rider in Samut Prakan, made a surprising discovery when he opened a package that was meant to be an empty mobile phone box, only to find it contained a sachet of the illegal drug ketamine.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292981-delivery-rider-finds-ketamine-in-phone-box-alerts-police/

 

First court hearing in the murder case of Karen activist “Billy” on Monday

 

 

Thailand’s Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases is to hold its first hearing in the murder case of ethnic Karen human rights activist Porlajee Rakchongcharoen, aka “Billy”, on Monday.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292992-first-court-hearing-in-the-murder-case-of-karen-activist-“billy”-on-monday/

 

Overseas voting dates set for Thai election: Apr 25-May 5

 

PHOTO: Unsplash

 

Ahead of the Thai General Election set for May 14, eligible Thai voters who reside overseas will have the opportunity to cast their votes between April 25 and May 5. The specific date within this period on which Thais can vote will be determined by the Thai embassy and consulate in each respective country, according to Sawaeng Boonmee, secretary-general for the Election Commission (EC).

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292993-overseas-voting-dates-set-for-thai-election-apr-25-may-5/

 

Thailand is the biggest exporter of condoms in the world

 

 

Condoms are among five products that Thailand exports more than any other country in the world, according to data from the global trade insights website kidka.com, reports Prachachat.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292995-thailand-is-the-biggest-exporter-of-condoms-in-the-world/

 

Pattaya Taekwondo Championship Officially Wraps Up

 

PHOTO: PRPATTAYA

 

Pattaya officially wrapped up the Pattaya Open International Taekwondo Championship 2023 on Saturday, April 22nd.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292996-pattaya-taekwondo-championship-officially-wraps-up/