THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 4 May 2023

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Paetongtarn insists Thaksin has no PM ambition

 

Pheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidate, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on Wednesday tried to play down remarks by her father, former prime minister Thaksin, that he is yearning to end his self-exile and return to be his family in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293835-paetongtarn-insists-thaksin-has-no-pm-ambition/

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Tyson Fury in Bangkok for One Night Only!

 

 

WBC Heavyweight boxing champion of the world Tyson Fury will be in Bangkok on the 8th June to be the main event for a Gala Dinner at the Millennium Hilton Hotel.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1291199-tyson-fury-in-bangkok-for-one-night-only/

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Spirit or doll’s house? Foreign woman goes viral for Barbie doll photoshoot in northern Thailand

 

 

Thai netizens were amused by a viral clip of a foreign woman snapping a pic of her Barbie doll inside a spirit house outside the White Temple in Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand on Monday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293842-spirit-or-doll’s-house-foreign-woman-goes-viral-for-barbie-doll-photoshoot-in-northern-thailand/

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Crackdown on crime wave against Chinese tourists in Bangkok as concerns also raised on cannabis 
by James Morris and Son Nguyen
 

Police Major General Teeradej Thumsutee, the Head of Investigation for the Metropolitan Police Bureau in the capital which has launched the crackdown as Thailand moves to make the country more secure and safe for genuine incoming Chinese tourists.

The Royal Thai Police has launched a campaign to root out dangerous criminal elements from among the growing number of Chinese visitors with the screening of incoming travellers for prior criminal histories and the more extensive monitoring of Chinese arrivals in tourist hotspots such as Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. At the same time, a crackdown against Chinese mafia networks in Bangkok was also launched in April.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293857-crackdown-on-crime-wave-against-chinese-tourists-in-bangkok-as-concerns-also-raised-on-cannabis/

 

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Palang Pracharath Likely Joining Pheu Thai-Led Coalition: Academic
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

A composite photo of Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan, rear, Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, left, and Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, right. Credit: Matichon

 

THE PALANG PRACHARATH will be the most likely party to join a Pheu Thai-led coalition government after the May 14 general election, predicted a noted academic Wednesday (May 3).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293858-palang-pracharath-likely-joining-pheu-thai-led-coalition-academic/

 

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Armed gang robs Chinese home, binds occupants, and steals over 1 million in property

 

Picture: Daily News

 

On May 3, Pol. Lt. Col. Tatchasak Jiratikulchai, an inspector at the Pattaya City Police Station's Khong Dong Tan branch in Chonburi province, was informed of an armed robbery at a Chinese tourist's residence in Pattaya Muang Mai Village, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293864-armed-gang-robs-chinese-home-binds-occupants-and-steals-over-1-million-in-property/

 

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Chuwit opens "anti-marijuana center" in final push to prevent cannabis legalization

 

Picture: INN

 

On May 3, 2023, at the Davis Sukhumvit Hotel, Mr. Chuwit Kamolwisit announced the official opening of the Center for Anti-Cannabis (CAC). He shared that the site previously housed a marijuana shop within the hotel area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293867-chuwit-opens-anti-marijuana-center-in-final-push-to-prevent-cannabis-legalization/

 

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Profile: Srettha Thavisin, Thailand’s next prime minister?
By Thai Enquirer

 

Srettha Thavisin is a prominent Thai businessman and was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sansiri Public Company Limited, a leading real estate developer in Thailand. He resigned from his position in Sansiri to seek the prime minister’s chair as one of the PM candidates for the Pheu Thai Party.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293868-profile-srettha-thavisin-thailand’s-next-prime-minister/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday 4 May 2023

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293869-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-4-may-2023/

 

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Police raid condo of German tax fraud suspect hiding in Thailand

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On May 3, the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) of the Central Investigation Bureau, led by Police Lieutenant General Puttidet Boonkrapue, Deputy Superintendent Police Colonel Wat, and other officers, conducted a search at a condominium on South Sathorn Road, Thung Mahamek Subdistrict, Sathorn District, Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293871-police-raid-condo-of-german-tax-fraud-suspect-hiding-in-thailand/

 

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Unhinged Bangkok taxi driver threatens to murder passenger
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo by lan Fuller via Flick and @toeyly.n via TikTok

A Thai woman took to social media to reveal that a seemingly unhinged taxi driver in Bangkok threatened to murder her because her destination was too far.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293881-unhinged-bangkok-taxi-driver-threatens-to-murder-passenger/

 

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MFP’s popularity rising as election looms, new poll reveals
by Mitch Connor

 

 

The Move Forward Party (MFP) is gaining momentum as Thailand’s General Election approaches, according to a recent pre-election poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). While the Pheu Thai Party continues to lead in terms of constituency and party-list Members of Parliament (MPs), the MFP is rapidly gaining popularity.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293882-mfp’s-popularity-rising-as-election-looms-new-poll-reveals/

 

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Political parties fighting shy of strong stance on much-needed public sector reform  

 

 

Most of the major political parties campaigning for the general election on May 14 are focusing heavily on reaching out to voters through populist platforms, such as cash handouts, farm and energy subsidies and short-term measures to deal with issues requiring immediate attention.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293883-political-parties-fighting-shy-of-strong-stance-on-much-needed-public-sector-reform/

 

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Private sector concerned El Nino may impact availability of water for agriculture and industry
by Namo Vananupong

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Increased tourist numbers have allowed the Thai economy to recover to a greater extent. However, the private sector remains worried about elevated production costs and the electricity price.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293885-private-sector-concerned-el-nino-may-impact-availability-of-water-for-agriculture-and-industry/

 

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Inflation rate hits 16-month low
by Tanakorn Sangiam

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s inflation rate has continued to recede, with the latest rate hitting a 16-month low at 2.67%, while prices of many items have however increased.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293886-inflation-rate-hits-16-month-low/

 

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BMA installs CCTV cameras to guard boxes containing early voters’ ballots
by Namo Vananupong

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has asserted it is prepared for this month’s general election, including for this Sunday’s early voting. It said CCTVs and motion detectors will be used to guard early voters’ ballots after they are cast.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293887-bma-installs-cctv-cameras-to-guard-boxes-containing-early-voters’-ballots/

 

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Coronation Day, long weekends and throwing refrigerators off balconies : Tim Newton Today - May 4

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293892-coronation-day-long-weekends-and-throwing-refrigerators-off-balconies-tim-newton-today-may-4/

 

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RTN defends 50 million baht drone procurement amid transparency concerns
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post.

On Wednesday, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) defended a nearly 50 million baht drone training procurement after critics raised concerns regarding the project’s transparency.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293894-rtn-defends-50-million-baht-drone-procurement-amid-transparency-concerns/

 

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NHSO seeks funds for additional flu vaccine doses amid rising Covid-19 cases
by Mitch Connor

 

 

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) plans to purchase an additional 860,000 influenza vaccine doses, increasing the stockpile to 5.26 million doses to protect vulnerable groups.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293898-nhso-seeks-funds-for-additional-flu-vaccine-doses-amid-rising-covid-19-cases/

 

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Phuket marine office warns boat operators ahead of four-day weekend
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Phuket News.

Ahead of the four-day weekend, Phuket Marine Office Chief Natchaphong Pranit today released a series of safety notices urging boat operators to adhere to safety regulations. These notices come in the wake of an expected influx of tourists visiting Phuket from May 4-7.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293901-phuket-marine-office-warns-boat-operators-ahead-of-four-day-weekend/

 

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Pattaya Anticipates 600,000 Indian Tourists This Year

by Krajangwit Johjit

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has forecast that around 600,000 Indian tourists will visit Pattaya this year, a number similar to pre-pandemic levels.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293906-pattaya-anticipates-600000-indian-tourists-this-year/

 

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Google Pledges Support for Upcoming General Election

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Google has pledged to support the upcoming Thai general election on May 14, affirming its commitment to providing Thais with the necessary tools to participate and stay informed about the democratic process.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293917-google-pledges-support-for-upcoming-general-election/

 

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Airline crew stranded in Phuket & Bangkok as carrier goes bankrupt

 

PHOTO: Facebook/Phuket International Airport - HKT

 

Crew from the stricken low-cost carrier Go First, originally founded as GoAir, are stuck in Phuket and several other locations after their employer went bankrupt.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293918-airline-crew-stranded-in-phuket-bangkok-as-carrier-goes-bankrupt/

 

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Thailand accelerates shift to renewables amid global energy crisis fallout

 

 

The global energy crisis has prompted Thailand to accelerate its transition to renewable energy after years of hesitation, joining other countries in adopting wind and solar power to reduce dependency on imported fuels.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293919-thailand-accelerates-shift-to-renewables-amid-global-energy-crisis-fallout/

 

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Driver blames brake failure after truck smashes into pharmacy

 

PHOTO: MGR Online

 

Those pesky brakes again… A truck driver is pointing the finger at his faulty brakes after crashing his lorry into a Krabi pharmacy. The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon, May 2, in the Mueang district of Krabi, according to a Phuket Express report.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293921-driver-blames-brake-failure-after-truck-smashes-into-pharmacy/

 

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Proposal for more free legal advice at Phuket police stations

 

Picture courtesy of Phuket News.

 

During a recent visit to Phuket, Chatchawan Suksomchit, the chairman of the Senate Standing Commission on Law, Justice and Police, reviewed a proposal aimed at increasing the availability of free legal advice at local police stations. The proposal was initiated by Rungnapha Putkaew, the President of the Phuket branch of the Lawyers Council of Thailand.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293922-proposal-for-more-free-legal-advice-at-phuket-police-stations/

 

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Teenager kills cousin, buries him and turns himself in after feeling guilty

 

Picture courtesy of Sanook.

 

A teenager killed his 35 year old cousin and buried him in a field after a dispute before turning himself into the police.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293923-teenager-kills-cousin-buries-him-and-turns-himself-in-after-feeling-guilty/

 

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Video of drunken transgender woman urinating by roadside sparks online backlash

 

 

A video that has garnered heavy criticism in the online world features a drunken woman, later revealed to be a transgender, caught urinating by the roadside near Lumpini Police Station. The friend who recorded the incident did so with amusement before posting it on Facebook. Toward the end of the clip, two police officers are seen escorting the two individuals away.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293924-video-of-drunken-transgender-woman-urinating-by-roadside-sparks-online-backlash/

 

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Devastated mother mourns loss of son, fatally stabbed by mentally ill man

 

Picture courtesy of Sanook.

 

A mentally ill young man with an ankle monitor fatally stabbed a security officer, leaving the officer’s mother devastated. The incident occurred near the Bang Talat Canal in Tha Sai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province. The police, accompanied by a forensic doctor and a foundation officer, quickly arrived to investigate.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293925-devastated-mother-mourns-loss-of-son-fatally-stabbed-by-mentally-ill-man/

 

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Will passing Progressive Liquor Bill help small producers and consumers?

 

 

Thailand not only ranks first in the alcoholic beverage market in South East Asia, but is also the first among ASEAN countries with highest consumption per capita, at 8.3 litres/year. Even though there are numerous brands of alcohol on the supermarket shelves and annual sales are 300 billion baht, 93% of the brands are owned by few giant corporations, namely Boon Rawd Breweries (Leo, Singha), Thai Beverage (Chang, Archa) and Thai Asia Pacific Breweries (Tiger, Cheers). Other smaller local producers and imported beer account for a less than 1% market share.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1293929-will-passing-progressive-liquor-bill-help-small-producers-and-consumers/