THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 19 June 2023

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Foreign Minister insists informal Myanmar talks are in Thailand’s interest

 

 

On Sunday, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai defended his country’s hosting of peace talks, which the foreign minister of Myanmar’s ruling junta is attending, which will be shunned by key ASEAN counterparts and which is attracting criticism of the incumbent Thai government.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298345-foreign-minister-insists-informal-myanmar-talks-are-in-thailand’s-interest/

 

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Household debt in Thailand soars to 86.9% of GDP, dampening consumer spending
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo Courtesy of Freepik

 

Thailand’s mounting household debt is raising concerns, as it continues to hinder consumer spending, affecting various industries and impeding economic growth.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298348-household-debt-in-thailand-soars-to-869-of-gdp-dampening-consumer-spending/

 

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Chiang Mai tourism: Haze issue risks long-stay senior tourist numbers
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo Courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Tourism operators in Chiang Mai are urging the new government to address the persistent haze issue to attract the return of long-stay senior tourists, whose absence has dealt a significant blow to the province’s economy.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298350-chiang-mai-tourism-haze-issue-risks-long-stay-senior-tourist-numbers/

 

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People flee high-rise buildings in Bangkok as Myanmar quake tremors felt

 

 

Many office workers in high-rise buildings in Bangkok and Nonthaburi province rushed into the streets after they felt their buildings shake this morning (Monday).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298354-people-flee-high-rise-buildings-in-bangkok-as-myanmar-quake-tremors-felt/

 

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Tourists beware of cannabis scam at Phuket’s Freedom Beach as couple falls victim
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

A couple visiting Freedom Beach in Phuket, Thailand, fell for a cannabis scam while enjoying their holiday. The scammers manipulated them into trying cannabis, causing them to lose control and become disorientated – they were rescued by a good samaritan before any harm was done.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298355-tourists-beware-of-cannabis-scam-at-phuket’s-freedom-beach-as-couple-falls-victim/

 

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Social Media Helps Find Missing Chinese Tourist in Phuket
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – A Chinese tourist in Phuket who had lost contact for more than 45 days with his family has been reunited with them once more after social media helped bring them together.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298356-social-media-helps-find-missing-chinese-tourist-in-phuket/

 

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Victims lost nearly 1 million baht at hotel, secret doors found in rooms
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ โจโฉ

 

Thai victims lost nearly one million baht in cash and assets to a thief at a hotel in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The secret and suspicious doors were discovered inside the room. The hotel owner claimed that the doors were an escape route for mistresses.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298357-victims-lost-nearly-1-million-baht-at-hotel-secret-doors-found-in-rooms/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Three arrest warrants issued in Thai 140m baht online gambling extortion case
Mitch Connor
 

Picture courtesy of Cop Hero Thailand Magazine Facebook

 

Arrest warrants have been issued for three individuals believed to be involved in the extortion of six suspects connected to an online gambling case. Deputy national police chief, Surachate Hakparn, confirmed the issuance of the warrants for Veera Nasab, his spouse, and Phisit Nakhisornpanee, on charges of bribery and theft.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298333-thai-police-seize-1000-million-baht-assets-in-embezzlement-case-linked-to-‘boy’/?do=findComment&comment=18153311

 

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Mae Sot officials probed for 30m baht bribes in migrant ID scandal
by Mitch Connor
 

Picture courtesy of ฐานเศรษฐกิจ

 

In Mae Sot district, Tak province, three Registration Department officials have come under scrutiny for allegedly accepting 30 million baht in bribes to issue identification cards to 700 Myanmar migrants over the last three months.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298358-mae-sot-officials-probed-for-30m-baht-bribes-in-migrant-id-scandal/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Officials create protected area for dugongs as tourists flock to Trang islands

By Peter Roche

 

PHOTO: Khunkay/Wikimedia

Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation has created a special protected area for dugongs in Trang province. The move is in response to concerns that the return of tourists could have a negative impact on the dugongs’ habitat.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298344-phuket-vies-for-hosting-specialised-expo-2028-promising-sustainability-and-harmony/?do=findComment&comment=18153382

 

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UPDATE:

 

CCTV Reveals Russian Tourist in Pattaya Got Attacked by Another Foreigner, Not Go-go Bar Guards

By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — CCTV footage inside a Pattaya Walking Street go-go bar where a Russian tourist was allegedly beaten revealed he was not attacked by the guards as initially reported but rather two unidentified foreign men. The guards were attempting to control the situation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298297-go-go-bar-guards-on-pattaya-walking-street-allegedly-attack-russian-man-who-refused-to-pay-his-bill/?do=findComment&comment=18153416

 

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Public Warehouse Organisation chief faces probe over missing tapioca

 

 

Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been asked to investigate the former acting director of the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) for alleged corruption concerning 30,000 tonnes of tapioca root, purchased by the PWO under the mortgage program to help tapioca farmers but which was stored in private sector warehouses.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298381-public-warehouse-organisation-chief-faces-probe-over-missing-tapioca/

 

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Whereabouts of the ฿140m online gambling extortion money a mystery

 

 

Police are still in the dark over the whereabouts of the 140 million baht, which is alleged to have been paid to police officers and civilians implicated in extorting money from an illegal online gambling network, but they will summon a key member of the gang for questioning, according to Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief who is overseeing the investigation.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298382-whereabouts-of-the-฿140m-online-gambling-extortion-money-a-mystery/

 

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House speakership issue expected to be resolved this week

 

 

The question of whether Move Forward or Pheu Thai will get the House speakership is expected to be answered this week, Move Forward secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon said today (Monday).

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298383-house-speakership-issue-expected-to-be-resolved-this-week/

 

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Bangkok hotels want BMA to postpone plan to charge for waste water treatment

 

 

Hotels in Bangkok want the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to postpone its plan to charge hotels for waste water treatment, claiming that most of them are not financially ready after having just recovered from three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298384-bangkok-hotels-want-bma-to-postpone-plan-to-charge-for-waste-water-treatment/

 

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Thailand Placed in Tier 2 of U.S. Trafficking Report

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand was placed in Tier 2 in the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report by the United States, reflecting the kingdom’s strong commitment in combating human trafficking.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298385-thailand-placed-in-tier-2-of-us-trafficking-report/

 

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Coalition Postpones Meeting Until After EC Confirmation

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The eight coalition parties, led by the Move Forward Party (MFP), have decided to postpone their meeting for discussing the formation of a new government until June 22, from June 20 previously.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298386-coalition-postpones-meeting-until-after-ec-confirmation/

 

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Govt Promotes Quality Thai Silk for Export to International Markets

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand is embarking on a campaign to promote premium silk products to attract young buyers in Japan, South Korea and Italy, enhancing the kingdom’s soft power and strengthening its position in the global textile market.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298387-govt-promotes-quality-thai-silk-for-export-to-international-markets/

 

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MFP to Seek Closure of Anti-Fake News Center

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Move Forward Party (MFP) has announced its intention to disband the Anti-Fake News Center and initiate a comprehensive restructuring of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society if it forms the next government.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298388-mfp-to-seek-closure-of-anti-fake-news-center/

 

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Bangkok to Use AI Cams to Curb Traffic Violations

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has unveiled plans to install artificial intelligence-assisted traffic cameras at more than 200 intersections throughout the capital as part of efforts to curb traffic violations.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298389-bangkok-to-use-ai-cams-to-curb-traffic-violations/

 

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Commercial Buildings to Pay Wastewater Treatment Fees

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced its intention to introduce wastewater treatment fees for commercial buildings in the capital, tentatively starting from the end of this year.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298390-commercial-buildings-to-pay-wastewater-treatment-fees/

 

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EC Endorses All MPs Elect

 

 

BANGKOK, June 19 (TNA) – The Election Commission (EC) has endorsed 500 winning election candidates in both party-list and constituency systems after the May 14 election.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298391-ec-endorses-all-mps-elect/

 

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Pattaya to Organize Two Amazing Parades and Giant Festival on June 24th

 

 

Pattaya city is gearing up to organize two parades on June 24th namely the Pattaya Pride Parade and the Colorful Pattaya Festival.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298392-pattaya-to-organize-two-amazing-parades-and-giant-festival-on-june-24th/

 

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Agoda says Thailand needs better attractions in the post-Covid travel world

 

Phuket Andamanda Water Theme Park

 

“Thailand ranked among the top three choices for travellers from 98 different countries, and it claimed the number one spot for visitors from 39 countries.”

 

During a media briefing on Thursday, Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern emphasised the need for Thailand to expand its offerings beyond just vacations and parties in order to elevate the country’s tourism industry to new heights. He provided an overview of the Asia Pacific tourism industry for the first five months of the year, drawing insights from data obtained through Agoda’s extensive online booking platform.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298393-agoda-says-thailand-needs-better-attractions-in-the-post-covid-travel-world/

 

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Man fatally shoots himself while examining homemade gun in Ratchaburi

 

Picture courtesy of tourthai news Facebook

 

A 54 year old man, Nakorn Mhodcrue, accidentally shot himself while examining his homemade gun in Ratchaburi province, Thailand. Family members rushed him to a hospital, but he died en route, collapsing on the road 100 metres from where the incident took place.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298394-man-fatally-shoots-himself-while-examining-homemade-gun-in-ratchaburi/

 

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Dream fulfilled: Rescue team arranges beach trip for boy battling cancer

 

Photo via Facebook/ มนตรี ไตรรักษ์ กำนันแมน

 

The Rassamee Maneerat Rescue Team in Chon Buri arranged a trip to the beach for a six year old boy who is bravely fighting sarcoma cancer. The boy is under palliative care but dreams to enjoy beach vibes at least once in his lifetime.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298395-dream-fulfilled-rescue-team-arranges-beach-trip-for-boy-battling-cancer/

 

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Illegally imported pork carcasses spark disease concerns in Thailand

 

Photo courtesy of The Pattaya News

 

At Laem Chabang port in Thailand‘s Chon Buri province, the Customs Department confiscated a total of 161 containers filled with frozen pork carcasses that had been illegally imported from various countries. The illegally imported pork shipments were found to lack proper documentation and certification, raising concerns about the potential spread of disease among both consumers and local livestock farmers. As a result of these risks, the Customs Department has taken extensive measures to address this issue.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298396-illegally-imported-pork-carcasses-spark-disease-concerns-in-thailand/

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Pattaya youths arrested after stealing motorbike for joyride

 

Picture courtesy of Siamrath

 

In Pattaya, two Thai youths, a 16 year old and a 12 year old, were apprehended following their theft of a motorbike belonging to a local female cashier. The Pattaya Police arrived at the scene of the crime after receiving the report of the stolen motorbike at around 3.40am this morning. The incident took place along the South Pattaya Road, Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, in front of the Wat Chai Market, The Pattaya News reported.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298397-pattaya-youths-arrested-after-stealing-motorbike-for-joyride/

 

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Barbecue restaurateur receives 500,000 baht donation for stray animal care + community support

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

Yutthaphum Kaewkhem, also known as Boom, owner of the Teay Ka Ta pork barbecue page and restaurant, received a surprising half a million baht from a fan during an event in Phuket. The generous fan wanted to support Boom’s efforts in helping stray dogs and cats, and the money will contribute to these charitable causes, among others.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298400-barbecue-restaurateur-receives-500000-baht-donation-for-stray-animal-care-community-support/

 

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Thai navy warns of demolishing illegal structures near Phuket Airport

 

Picture courtesy of Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command

 

The Commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, Vice Admiral Arpakorn Yookongkaew, has given a stern warning to individuals occupying land illegally in the Bang Khanun Forest near Phuket International Airport, stating that their structures will be demolished.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1298401-thai-navy-warns-of-demolishing-illegal-structures-near-phuket-airport/