THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 15 May 2023

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Elderly voters inadvertently tear ballot papers, violating Thai election law
by Mitch Connor

 

 

Instances of individuals tearing up ballot papers were reported in various provinces across Thailand. Most of those involved were elderly individuals who suffer from health conditions, and they maintained that they had no intention of damaging the papers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294890-elderly-voters-inadvertently-tear-ballot-papers-violating-thai-election-law/

 

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New government has room to spend 2 trillion baht on populist pledges
by Alex Morgan

 

Image courtesy of Bangkok Post

The upcoming government is expected to have around two trillion baht at its disposal for implementing its populist policies, according to an anonymous source from the Finance Ministry.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294892-new-government-has-room-to-spend-2-trillion-baht-on-populist-pledges/

 

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Vote-buying incidents highest in Bangkok during General Elections, says EC
by Mitch Connor

 

 

The Election Commission (EC) reported that the majority of vote-buying incidents during yesterday’s elections took place in Bangkok, which boasts the highest number of constituencies among all provinces. Despite this, the EC noted that the overall number of poll-related violations was lower than in previous elections.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294893-vote-buying-incidents-highest-in-bangkok-during-general-elections-says-ec/

 

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Funding populist policies: borrowing or tax hikes?
by Alex Morgan

 

Image courtesy of Bangkok Post

During the general election, political parties presented various populist pledges aimed at attracting voters. Among these were the controversial 10,000-baht digital wallet handout for individuals aged 16 and over, increasing minimum daily wages, raising minimum monthly salaries for university graduates, suspending debts for farmers, cutting electricity tariffs, and increasing the monthly allowance for people aged 60 and over.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294894-funding-populist-policies-borrowing-or-tax-hikes/

 

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Muslim man crowned Mr Gay World Thailand set to compete globally in October
by Mitch Connor

 

Nazmadih Mateem Nujan, centre, winner of this year's Mr Gay World Thailand. Picture courtesy of Mr Gay World Thailand Facebook.

A 30 year old Muslim man from southern Thailand has made history by winning the Mr Gay World Thailand competition and will represent the Thai LGBTQ+ community at the Mr Gay World 2023 contest in October later this year.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294895-muslim-man-crowned-mr-gay-world-thailand-set-to-compete-globally-in-october/

 

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Thailand Plus Package extension anticipated to attract 6 billion baht investment in three years
by Alex Morgan

 

Image courtesy of Bangkok Post

The Revenue Department anticipates that the tax measures designed to support the relocation of foreign investors’ production bases will generate investment of approximately 6 billion baht within three years, according to Deputy Director-General Vinit Visessuvanapoom.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294896-thailand-plus-package-extension-anticipated-to-attract-6-billion-baht-investment-in-three-years/

 

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Accessible tourism potential for Thailand’s post-pandemic resilience
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo Courtesy Bangkok Post

The World Tourism Organization emphasizes the importance of accessible tourism as the industry aims to recover post-pandemic.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294898-accessible-tourism-potential-for-thailand’s-post-pandemic-resilience/

 

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Unofficial EC Results Show Opposition in Election Lead
by Paul Rujopakarn

 

    
BANGKOK (NNT) - Opposition parties are expected to win the majority of seats in the lower house of parliament following the general election of Thailand on Sunday (14 May), according to unofficial results released by the Election Commission (EC).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294899-unofficial-ec-results-show-opposition-in-election-lead/

 

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Record breaking! Bangkok has highest turnout in voter history
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via Prachachat

The 2023 General Election witnessed the highest voter turnout in Bangkok’s history. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), over 74% of eligible voters cast their ballots in the election yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294901-record-breaking-bangkok-has-highest-turnout-in-voter-history/

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

UTN Says Prayut to Remain in Politics
by Paul Rujopakarn

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The leader of the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) has announced that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will continue his political career while adhering to established norms regarding the formation of a new government.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294880-prayut-says-he-respects-election-results/?do=findComment&comment=18083403

 

[webfact]

Pickup truck overturns and catches fire in Ban Lat district, killing two
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo Courtesy Bangkok Post

A tragic accident occurred in Ban Lat district, Phetchaburi, when a heavily laden pickup truck overturned and caught fire, resulting in the deaths of a man and a woman.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294905-pickup-truck-overturns-and-catches-fire-in-ban-lat-district-killing-two/

 

[webfact]

Legal obstacles await leader of victorious Move Forward party

 

A legal challenge is waiting for Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party, who is tipped to be the country’s next prime minister after his party emerged as the winner of Sunday’s general election.

 

Last week, political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), claiming that Pita is violating the Constitution, which prohibits owners or shareholders of media firms from running for political office.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294906-legal-obstacles-await-leader-of-victorious-move-forward-party/

 

[snoop1130]

Why the idealistic boy won, and why he has to keep his feet on the ground

 

 

A combination of the Thaksin factor, appeal of a youthful image and repellence of old-style politics has contributed to one of the biggest surprises in the modern Thai political history.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294922-why-the-idealistic-boy-won-and-why-he-has-to-keep-his-feet-on-the-ground/

 

[snoop1130]

Pheu Thai vows not to compete with Move Forward party to form new government

 

 

The Pheu Thai party issued a statement on Monday saying that it will not try to form a coalition in competition with the Move Forward party and will let the latter to do its duty as the core party in the formation of a new government.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294923-pheu-thai-vows-not-to-compete-with-move-forward-party-to-form-new-government/

 

[snoop1130]

Thai Q1 Growth Exceeds Forecast

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Data released on Monday (15 May) showed Thailand’s economy expanded faster than expected in the first quarter due to a recovery in tourism, even as investors brace for political uncertainty after Sunday’s elections.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294924-thai-q1-growth-exceeds-forecast/

 

[snoop1130]

Thai Airways make 41 billion baht in revenue in Q1, 2023

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Increased travel demand owing to the lifting of Covid restrictions in China and Japan has enabled Thai Airways Plc. to earn 41 billion baht in revenue in the first quarter of this year. Meanwhile, Thai Airways creditors will consider the company’s plan to merge with Thai Smile Airways next week.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294925-thai-airways-make-41-billion-baht-in-revenue-in-q1-2023/

 

[snoop1130]

Voters missing yesterday’s general election should submit reasons by this week

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Voting is the duty of all Thai citizens above the age of 18. Those who did not cast their ballots on Sunday are advised to notify local authorities this week.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294926-voters-missing-yesterday’s-general-election-should-submit-reasons-by-this-week/

 

[snoop1130]

Move Forward leader says he’s ready to be Thailand’s new PM

 

PHOTO: Flickr/Prachathai

 

Following a decisive defeat of Thailand’s old guard establishment in yesterday’s general election, the leader of the Move Forward Party says he’s ready to be PM. According to a Nation Thailand report, 42 year old Pita Limjaroenrat took to Twitter at 2am this morning to thank supporters.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294927-move-forward-leader-says-he’s-ready-to-be-thailand’s-new-pm/

 

[snoop1130]

Opposition parties deliver crushing defeat to military government

 

PHOTO: Facebook/พรรคก้าวไกล - Move Forward Party

 

With nearly all the votes counted, Thailand’s opposition parties have delivered a stunning blow to the military-backed incumbent government. The liberal Move Forward Party have taken the lead, followed by the populist Pheu Thai Party, amid murmurings of a coalition. This would end nearly 10 years of military-backed rule in the kingdom.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294929-opposition-parties-deliver-crushing-defeat-to-military-government/

 

[snoop1130]

Last bend before government lottery award: Popular numbers for May 16 draw

 

Photo Courtesy Sanook

 

As the final date draws near for the Government Lottery Awards’ session tomorrow, lottery enthusiasts are eagerly searching for the most appealing and successful numbers. In this round, let’s discern which numbers will be most sought after by gamblers, based on the top-selling numbers from Jumanee Lottery.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294930-last-bend-before-government-lottery-award-popular-numbers-for-may-16-draw/

 

[snoop1130]

Monk at polling station didn’t violate Thailand’s election rules

 

Photo via KhaoSod

 

The Governor of Lampang ordered the Chae Hom District Chief to investigate a potential election violation yesterday after photos circulated of a monk standing at a polling station in Lampang province in northern Thailand.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294932-monk-at-polling-station-didn’t-violate-thailand’s-election-rules/

 

[snoop1130]

Police report 38 election violations across Thailand

 

Photo via BangkokBizNews

 

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) reported 38 violations of election regulations across Thailand yesterday with a record high of 75% of the eligible population, or over 39 million people, exercising their right to vote.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294933-police-report-38-election-violations-across-thailand/

 

[snoop1130]

Prayut Chan-o-cha may leave politics – Thanakorn

 

Thai Prime Minister and United Thai Nation Party’s candidate Prayut Chan-O-Cha leaves the partyís headquarters as votes continue to be counted, during Thailand’s general election in Bangkok on May 14, 2023. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha may consider ending his political career, United Thai Nation Party’s deputy leader Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Monday.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294880-prayut-says-he-respects-election-results/?do=findComment&comment=18084323

 

[snoop1130]

Pattaya Festival to Bring Thrills and Excitement to the City in June

 

PHOTO: PRPATTAYA

 

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to enjoy your holiday in Pattaya, look no further than the Pattaya Festival!

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294935-pattaya-festival-to-bring-thrills-and-excitement-to-the-city-in-june/

 

[snoop1130]

Drone Airshow to Take Place on Jomtien Beach This Weekend!

 

PHOTO: PRPATTAYA

 

Pattaya City in partnership with the D Varee Jomtien Beach Hotel is set to arrange a spectacular drone airshow nightly on Jomtien Beach from May 19th to the 21st.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294936-drone-airshow-to-take-place-on-jomtien-beach-this-weekend/

 

[snoop1130]

Thai woman escapes abusive mafia ex-boyfriend

 

Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวคนชล

 

A Thai woman managed to file a complaint at Mueng Pattaya Police Station after escaping from her mafia ex-boyfriend who allegedly kidnapped, imprisoned, and abused her at a resort in the central province of Lob Buri.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294937-thai-woman-escapes-abusive-mafia-ex-boyfriend/

 

[snoop1130]

Move Forward Party wins in all 3 Phuket constituencies

 

PHOTO: Facebook/Somchat Techathavorncharoen

 

The Move Forward Party’s decisive success in yesterday’s general election has been reflected in Phuket, where the party took all 3 seats. The Phuket News reports that unofficial results have confirmed wins for the party in all 3 constituencies.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294938-move-forward-party-wins-in-all-3-phuket-constituencies/

 

[snoop1130]

Phuket power outage announced for Heroines Monument area

 

Photo Courtesy Phuket News

 

Phuket’s Thalang branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA Thalang) has announced a power outage scheduled south of the Heroines Monument. The disruption is expected to affect homes and businesses in the area.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294939-phuket-power-outage-announced-for-heroines-monument-area/

 

[snoop1130]

Determined 19 year old leaves ICU to cast vote in Thailand’s General Election

 

Photo via TikTok @mumphung.tara

 

The political drive of Thailand’s youth was exemplified by a resilient 19 year old who left the intensive care unit (ICU) at a hospital in Chanthaburi to exercise his right to vote in Thailand’s General Election yesterday.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294940-determined-19-year-old-leaves-icu-to-cast-vote-in-thailand’s-general-election/

 

[snoop1130]

Samut Prakan election turmoil as officials refuse recount amidst mismatched votes and cards

 

Image courtesy of Sanook

 

The District Chief of Samut Prakan, Somchak Kaewsena, visited the polling station located at the Daan Sam Rong Municipal District to oversee the vote counting process. Overall, everything went smoothly, and he expressed his gratitude to the Samut Prakan residents who exercised their voting rights. As of 10.30pm, the Move Forward Party (MFP) led in all eight districts.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294943-samut-prakan-election-turmoil-as-officials-refuse-recount-amidst-mismatched-votes-and-cards/