THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 8 May 2023

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Thailand’s cannabis sellers say US growers are eating their lunch
Local cannabis growers say their business is being undercut by cheaper illegal imports from overseas.

By Vijitra Duangdee

 

Thailand decriminalised cannabis last year in a bid to cash in on the lucrative industry [Vijitra Duangdee/Al Jazeera]

 

Bangkok/Pattaya, Thailand — Nearly a year after Thailand decriminalised cannabis amid promises of an economic bonanza.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294208-thailand’s-cannabis-sellers-say-us-growers-are-eating-their-lunch/

 

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Man suffers heatstroke after drinking fizzy water in extreme heat
by Samantha Rose

 

Photo via Sanook

Heatstroke cases have surged amid a heatwave when the temperature index soared to 53 degrees Celsius, leading to the tragic death of a 50 year old man in Samut Sakhon province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294210-man-suffers-heatstroke-after-drinking-fizzy-water-in-extreme-heat/

 

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Rising electricity bills spark energy policy debate ahead of Thai general election
by Alex Morgan

 

Image courtesy of Bangkok Post

High electricity bills have become a significant concern for voters, leading political parties to focus on their energy policies as they look to gain support in the upcoming general election. This comes after a new power tariff of 4.70 baht per kilowatt-hour took effect, which has resulted in costlier electricity bills for consumers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294211-rising-electricity-bills-spark-energy-policy-debate-ahead-of-thai-general-election/

 

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Having a baby doesn’t mean you can’t be in politics

By Nad Bunnag, Thai PBS World

 

 

Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra gave birth to baby boy on May 1st, a happy piece of news amidst the intense campaigning ahead of the long-awaited general election on May 14th.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294213-having-a-baby-doesn’t-mean-you-can’t-be-in-politics/

 

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Today’s summer storm forecast, Thais warned of heavy rain, strong wind and hail
By Samantha Rose

 

PHOTO: Unsplash

Today, Thailand’s Meteorological Department forecasted a 24-hour weather outlook, with the northern region experiencing summer storms characterised by thunderstorms, strong winds, and isolated hail. Some areas may also experience lightning.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294218-today’s-summer-storm-forecast-thais-warned-of-heavy-rain-strong-wind-and-hail/

 

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Electoral fraud: Man alleges he was tricked into filming controversial video
by Samantha Rose

 

Photo Via Sanook

A man accused of manipulating electoral registration in a controversial video on the “Chuwit” Facebook page has filed a police report, alleging he was deceived into participating and was paid only 1,000 baht despite the agreed sum of 5,000 baht. He also revealed that someone wrote a script for him to recite in the footage.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294221-electoral-fraud-man-alleges-he-was-tricked-into-filming-controversial-video/

 

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Errors in Advance Voting Can Be Fixed: Election Commission

 

 

BANGKOK, May 8 (TNA) – The errors that occurred during the advance voting on May 7 can be fixed said Secretary-General of the Election Commission Sawaeng Boonmee following reports that election officials in Nonthaburi put wrong constituency code numbers on envelopes, containing ballot sheets.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294222-errors-in-advance-voting-can-be-fixed-election-commission/

 

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Heartwarming video of Thai father selling gold necklace for child’s milk goes viral
by Samantha Rose

 

Picture courtesy of Sanook.

A viral video on social media has captured the hearts of netizens as it shows a Thai father attempting to sell a gold necklace to buy milk for his child. The video was shared on a popular Facebook page, which revealed the CCTV footage of the incident occurring at a gold shop.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294223-heartwarming-video-of-thai-father-selling-gold-necklace-for-child’s-milk-goes-viral/

 

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No Departure Tax Being Implemented: Revenue Department
by TNR Staff

 

An airplane flying away from Phuket after taking off from the island’s airport. Photo:  [email protected] (CC BY 2.0)

 

THE REVENUE Department denied it is going to start collecting 1,000 baht air departure tax from Thais and foreign residents with the current online public hearings on this issue only being held to comply with a key law, Matichon newspaper said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294224-no-departure-tax-being-implemented-revenue-department/

 

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Pattaya taxi drivers avoid charges after harassing and frightening Bangkok driver
by Top 

 

Pattaya taxi driver was angry when being accused of harassing a Bangkok cabbie near Walking Street. Picture courtesy of Pattaya Mail.

A group of taxi drivers in Pattaya recently found themselves in hot water but avoided any charges or fines when they were caught harassing a Bangkok driver and frightening his passengers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294227-pattaya-taxi-drivers-avoid-charges-after-harassing-and-frightening-bangkok-driver/

 

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Why Thai education reform is a complete flop

By Jeerapa Boonyatus

 

 

The poor quality of Thai education has been a major national issue for decades. Many people in the education sector have attempted reform, by introducing a competency-based curriculum in the primary and secondary levels, instead of the 15-year-old, content-based curriculum.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294228-why-thai-education-reform-is-a-complete-flop/

 

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Crafty Thai woman allegedly steals British tourist’s Rolex in Pattaya
By leah

 

Photo via BangkokBizNews

A British man is warning tourists to keep their wits about them in Pattaya, Thailand, after he was allegedly deceived by a Thai woman who he claims stole his luxury Rolex watch worth almost one million baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294232-crafty-thai-woman-allegedly-steals-british-tourist’s-rolex-in-pattaya/

 

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UPDATE:

 

No plan to impose departure tax on outbound Thais – Revenue Department

 

 

Thailand’s Revenue Department has no intention of imposing a departure tax on Thai nationals and permanent foreign residents travelling out of Thailand, as has been widely misunderstood.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294224-no-departure-tax-being-implemented-revenue-department/?do=findComment&comment=18067977

 

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44 years of political development in Thailand

 

 

The upcoming 2023 General Election is taking place in a new political climate in various respects. This article focuses on a political party system that has changed over the years.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294239-44-years-of-political-development-in-thailand/

 

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Thailand to host BIMSTEC retreat in July

 

[FILE] Thailand’s deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister Don Pramudwinai (C) attends the 18th Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) ministerial meeting in Colombo on March 29, 2022. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)

 

Thailand is scheduled to host a retreat of BIMSTEC foreign ministers in July, to reinvigorate the 25-year-old intergovernmental organisation.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294240-thailand-to-host-bimstec-retreat-in-july/

 

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Thailand’s Foreign Minister to Attend 42nd ASEAN Summit

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to attend the 42nd ASEAN Summit this week in Indonesia to discuss regional and international issues.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294241-thailand’s-foreign-minister-to-attend-42nd-asean-summit/

 

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Chinese Look to Thai Property Market for Safe Investments Amid Uncertainty

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Chinese nationals have been seeking out property purchases in Thailand since Beijing opened its borders this year.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294242-chinese-look-to-thai-property-market-for-safe-investments-amid-uncertainty/

 

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Election commission provides Braille campaign guide for visually impaired voters

 

 

The Election Commission of Thailand has recently launched a Braille guidebook to assist visually impaired citizens in voting for the upcoming general election. This initiative, carried out by the Office of the Promotion of Citizenship, is designed to ensure that visually impaired individuals are well-informed about the election process and can exercise their democratic rights on Sunday, May 14. The voting process is set to take place from 8am until 5pm.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294243-election-commission-provides-braille-campaign-guide-for-visually-impaired-voters/

 

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Thai business leaders’ wishlist for first 100 days under new government

 

Image courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Business executives are contemplating Thailand’s prospects for the first 100 days under a new administration as the election approaches. Key areas of focus for the incoming government include the appointment of suitable ministers and the prioritisation of business sector policies.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294244-thai-business-leaders’-wishlist-for-first-100-days-under-new-government/

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Englishman fights for his life after motorbike crash in Phuket, Thailand

 

Photo via GoFundMe

 

A young Englishman is fighting for his life in the hospital after losing a significant amount of blood in a horror motorbike crash in Phuket, southern Thailand, on Monday, May 1.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294248-englishman-fights-for-his-life-after-motorbike-crash-in-phuket-thailand/

 

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Thai actress cleared of wrongdoing after buying cyanide to kill lizards

 

Photo via IG @icepreechaya

 

The Royal Thai Police found nothing criminal about a famous Thai actress’ online purchase of cyanide after calling her in for questioning last week, deputy national police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn said yesterday.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294175-thai-actress-reports-to-police-to-explain-her-purchase-of-cyanide/?do=findComment&comment=18068679

 

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Pattaya officials’ efforts to tackle city’s homeless issue show promise but lack results

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Jack.

 

Pattaya officials have demonstrated a consistent ability to sign agreements to address the city’s homeless issue, but have struggled to make substantial progress in resolving the problem. A new memorandum of understanding (MOU) is set to be signed later this month, which aims to establish a “protection system” for people living on the streets. This follows another MOU signed in August of the previous year.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294249-pattaya-officials’-efforts-to-tackle-city’s-homeless-issue-show-promise-but-lack-results/

 

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British boy, 16, is found dead with head wounds in a Thai forest: Police hunt for teenager's missing girlfriend
◼︎British teenager was found dead after going out with a girl on a motorbike
◼︎Thai police have said Ben may have been the victim of a phone robbery 
By JAMES REYNOLDS 

 

Woramet Ben Taota, 16, (pictured) went for a motorcycle ride with the girl named Yam, 16, in Lampang province on Sunday evening, but neither of them returned to their homes

A British teenager has been found dead with head wounds in a forest in Thailand as police begin the search for his missing girlfriend.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294251-british-boy-16-is-found-dead-with-head-wounds-in-a-thai-forest-police-hunt-for-teenagers-missing-girlfriend/

 

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Thai citizens swarm truck shop owner’s son’s ordination for chance to win over US$11,000

 

Picture courtesy of Sanook.

 

Crowds of Thai citizens gathered at the ordination ceremony of a prominent truck body shop owner’s son, hoping to win a cash prize exceeding US$11,000 (372,000 baht).

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294255-thai-citizens-swarm-truck-shop-owner’s-son’s-ordination-for-chance-to-win-over-us11000/

 

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Bank of Thailand predicted to raise policy rate to 2% this month

 

Image courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Economists anticipate that the Bank of Thailand will raise its policy rate to a terminal level of 2% this month, following their estimation that the Federal Reserve’s funds rate has reached its peak. The research centre of TMBThanachart Bank (ttb) suggests that the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will increase the policy benchmark rate by 0.25 percentage points during the meeting set for May 31, raising it from the current 1.75%.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294256-bank-of-thailand-predicted-to-raise-policy-rate-to-2-this-month/

 

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Thai organisations collaborate to develop AI-powered chatbot for multiple sectors

 

Image courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thai artificial intelligence (AI) engineers from public and private organisations have joined forces to create a Thai-language generative AI-powered chatbot, which is set to benefit various sectors such as education and business. The National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (Nectec) revealed its partnership with the Artificial Intelligence Entrepreneur Association of Thailand (AIEAT), the Artificial Intelligence Association of Thailand (AIAT) and the NSTDA Supercomputer Center (ThaiSC) to launch the OpenThaiGPT project.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294257-thai-organisations-collaborate-to-develop-ai-powered-chatbot-for-multiple-sectors/

 

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Thailand aims to finalise free-trade agreements with EFTA, Sri Lanka and UAE by mid-next year

 

Image courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand is keen to finalise free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by mid-next year, with the aim to boost trade and investment.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294258-thailand-aims-to-finalise-free-trade-agreements-with-efta-sri-lanka-and-uae-by-mid-next-year/

 

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Industrial Works Department to plug legal loophole on trading of cyanide

 

 

Thailand’s Industrial Works Department has promised to tighten regulations, making it compulsory for importers of cyanide to report to the authorities every sale of the lethal chemical, to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, Jullapong Thaveesri, director-general of the department, said today (Monday).

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294259-industrial-works-department-to-plug-legal-loophole-on-trading-of-cyanide/

 

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Phuket police arrest 15 gamblers in underground casino at abandoned mall

 

Photo courtesy of The Phuket News

 

In Phuket Town, an underground casino located in the basement of an abandoned shopping centre has been raided by police, resulting in the arrest of 15 gamblers. Officers executed the raid on Tilok-U-Thit 1 Road at approximately 10:50pm after receiving a tip-off about illegal gambling activities taking place beneath a snooker venue operating at street level.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294261-phuket-police-arrest-15-gamblers-in-underground-casino-at-abandoned-mall/

 

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Phuket Immigration discovers 186 visa overstayers in just 7 days

 

 

In a single week, 186 foreigners in Phuket, southern Thailand, were found to have overstayed their visas, Phuket Immigration reported this morning.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294262-phuket-immigration-discovers-186-visa-overstayers-in-just-7-days/