NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 24 May 2023

Protesters gathered outside parliament last night, urging the appointed senators to vote for Pita Lim-jaroen-rat to be Prime Minister. They held up banners calling for senators to respect the people's choice.They also emphasized the importance of forming a government in the best interest of the country and its people,  however several people expressed  disagreement with the groups pressure on senators.

Four Chinese nationals were arrested in Bangkok and two other provinces. Among them, a 35-year-old man suspected of being involved in a major Ponzi scheme in China was apprehended in a condominium in Huai Khwang, Bangkok. Authorities seized mobile phones and computers from the location. Additionally, a 35-year-old woman wanted for evading tax in China, amounting to 25 million yuan (approximately 125 million baht), was also arrested. Two other individuals were apprehended for smuggling plastic waste.

The MRTA is studying the feasibility of the Brown Line monorail, that will connect Nonthaburi and Lam Sali in east Bangkok. The study was approved by the MRTA board and will cost    49.8 billion baht. Results will be sent to the government for approval in December. If given the green light, construction is likely to begin in 2025.

The death toll following the collapse of a sports facility at a school in pitchit reached 7 with 18 others injured,  
A gust of wind hit the 15 meter high sports structure, causing its metal roof and concrete poles to collapse on the students sheltering from the storm. 

And a storm hit Chaiyaphum Hospital, yesterday causing the roof to collapse, glass windows to shatter, scattering debris on parked cars. Medical staff had to move several patients to safety.

The director of Chiang Mai Zoo says after conducting an autopsy and examining around 50 tissue samples, Experts, have determined that the giant panda Lin Hui, who passed away last month, died of old age. 

Around the region….
Hong Kong: A watch that was once owned by the last emperor of China’s Qing Dynasty, whose life formed the basis of Oscar-winning film The Last Emperor, sold for a record HK$40 million HK dollars or over $5 million U.S dollars at a Hong Kong auction house yesterday. It easily beat a pre-sale estimate of US$3 million

WhatsApp has granted users one of its most awaited features – senders will be able to edit and modify their messages within 15 minutes of hitting send. The feature is rolling out globally in the coming weeks.

The weather: 

Chiang Mai and the north:  sunny,  some thundershowers 36C                    
Bangkok: sunny,  some thundershowers 36C. 
Pattaya, Sunny, partly cloudy   34,
Phuket and the south:  Sunny, partly cloudy 31C                                                                                               
‘Hua Hin’ : Bright, becoming cloudy, good chance of thundershowers this afternoon. 34,

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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