This week, American Ambassador to Thailand, Robert Godec, rejected claims by conservative activists that the United States had interfered or swayed the May 14th General Election. He said the US stood ready to support any new incoming government, whatever its political background. The envoy restated his country’s respect for the Thai Monarchy. He also firmly rejected any suggestion that Washington has its sights on an American military base in the kingdom. It comes as polls show that already there is opposition to the new government as nearly 49.16% of people are convinced Thailand will see more political conflict on the street while 29.06% fear another coup is likely.

 

NIDA poll shows that political conflict is still on the horizon as US envoy denies interference
by Joseph O' Connor

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299529-nida-poll-shows-that-political-conflict-is-still-on-the-horizon-as-us-envoy-denies-interference/

 

Thai Mobile Banking Apps Crash On Payday, Transfers Put Off
by TNR Staff 

 

A customer using a mobile banking app and a list of banks facing problems. Photo: Matichon

 

THERE were loud complaints today (July 1) after mobile banking apps and online service of several Thai banks crashed with customers told that cash transfers made from 2 p.m onwards will reach the destination by 7 p.m. tomorrow, Matichon newspaper said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299530-thai-mobile-banking-apps-crash-on-payday-transfers-put-off/

 

Thailand’s tourism confidence slides amidst global economy concerns
by Alex Morgan

 

The second quarter of this year saw the Tourism Confidence Index remaining subdued, sliding from the previous quarter. The contributor to this drop was a blend of Thailand‘s low season and decreased earnings from tourism.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299531-thailand’s-tourism-confidence-slides-amidst-global-economy-concerns/

 

UPDATE:

 

Bangkok Bank Mobile App Continues to Have Widespread Issues Frustrating Customers
By Adam Judd

 

 

Thailand-The Bangkok Bank Mobile application has had a number of issues over this first weekend of July 2023, frustrating clients.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299530-thai-mobile-banking-apps-crash-on-payday-transfers-put-off/?do=findComment&comment=18178634

 

Airport capacity at Suvarnabhumi to increase with new terminal and tech upgrades
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo Courtesy of Arina Sofiah, humanresourcesonline.net

 

Influential airport operator, Airports of Thailand (AoT), is set to inaugurate a new satellite passenger terminal at the famed Suvarnabhumi Airport come this September.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299532-airport-capacity-at-suvarnabhumi-to-increase-with-new-terminal-and-tech-upgrades/

 

Bangkok food shop exposed as illegal pub, arrests made during surprise raid
by Top

 

Photo by Department of Provincial Administration.

 

An unlicensed pub masquerading as a food shop was inconspicuously hiding in plain sight in the Pathum Wan district of Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299533-bangkok-food-shop-exposed-as-illegal-pub-arrests-made-during-surprise-raid-by-top/

 

Banpu eyes free power trade system amidst rising Thai electricity costs
by Alex Morgan 

 

Photo by The Scientific World.

 

In the face of rising electricity bills, a new opportunity is emerging for a free power trade system in Thailand, as spotted by Banpu Power Plc, the power generation arm of energy conglomerate Banpu Plc.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299534-banpu-eyes-free-power-trade-system-amidst-rising-thai-electricity-costs/

 

Thailand’s Interior Ministry rolls out digital ID app in drive towards Thailand 4.0
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo by Bangkok Post.

 

In an effort to digitise various government-provided services and increase their accessibility, Thailand’s Interior Ministry officially rolled out a novel mobile application as part of its digital ID programme on Friday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299535-thailand’s-interior-ministry-rolls-out-digital-id-app-in-drive-towards-thailand-40/

 

Navy Officer In Shootout While Helping Woman Being Attacked
by TNR Staff

 

 

A THAI NAVY officer shot a man in self defence after moving in to help his former girlfriend just as he was attacking her upon being shot at first with the latter later dying at a hospital, Naewna newspaper said Saturday (July 1).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299536-navy-officer-in-shootout-while-helping-woman-being-attacked/

 

Video of Intoxicated Foreign Tourists in Phuket Brawling Goes Viral On Social Media – VIDEO
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – The Phuket Tourist Police have released a statement after a video of foreign tourists who were seemingly fighting has gone viral on social media.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299537-video-of-intoxicated-foreign-tourists-in-phuket-brawling-goes-viral-on-social-media-–-video/

 

Pickup Truck Crashes Into Home in Thalang, Driver Begs Not to Call Police
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Thalang – A pickup truck crashed into a home in the Thalang district.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299538-pickup-truck-crashes-into-home-in-thalang-driver-begs-not-to-call-police/

 

Motorbike Rider in Thalang Killed by Hit and Run Driver
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Thalang – A motorbike rider died after being hit by a car in Thalang.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299539-motorbike-rider-in-thalang-killed-by-hit-and-run-driver/

 

Water crisis grapples Koh Samui as rising tourist demands amplify freshwater shortage
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo Courtesy of digitalnomads.world

 

Koh Samui, a popular tourist resort island in Surat Thani province, is grappling with a significant water crisis as declining rainfall and amplified water demands take their toll.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299540-water-crisis-grapples-koh-samui-as-rising-tourist-demands-amplify-freshwater-shortage/

 

Thai philanthropist honoured with Vatican’s highest accolade
by Top 

 

Photo by Bangkok Post.

 

A remarkably significant occasion unfolded at as Somsak Leeswadtrakul, a Thai philanthropist and entrepreneur, was acknowledged by the Vatican for his unwavering commitment towards promoting peace and unity both nationally and globally.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299541-thai-philanthropist-honoured-with-vatican’s-highest-accolade/

 

Taking the insurgency by storm: Southern Thailand’s military withdrawal sets off in full swing
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The forthcoming military withdrawal in the southern region of Thailand, which has seen 19 years of insurgent unrest, is currently in its initial phase, according to Fourth Region Army commander, Lt. Gen. Santi Sakuntanak.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299543-taking-the-insurgency-by-storm-southern-thailand’s-military-withdrawal-sets-off-in-full-swing/

 

Collision on Pattaya Road Kills One Woman and Seriously Injures Another, Driver Admits to Drinking
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — On the morning of Sunday, July 2nd, a Thai man driving a pickup truck collided with two women who were crossing the road on a motorbike.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299544-collision-on-pattaya-road-kills-one-woman-and-seriously-injures-another-driver-admits-to-drinking/

 

Blind ex-Thai embassy employee alleges neglect, seeks compensation
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo Courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Countering accusations made by a former member of staff at the Thai embassy in Paris, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has refuted claims of embassy neglect following the irreversible loss of her eyesight.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299545-blind-ex-thai-embassy-employee-alleges-neglect-seeks-compensation/

 

Breakthrough deal could see either Pita or Srettha take job as Thailand’s 30th PM on July 13th
by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Observers believe that the pact reportedly brokered between the Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties on Thursday evening last may hold the key to avoiding a political stalemate with Move Forward agreeing to support a potential Pheu Thai Party nominee for Prime Minister if Mr Pita cannot command the required number of votes of MPs and Senators.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299546-breakthrough-deal-could-see-either-pita-or-srettha-take-job-as-thailand’s-30th-pm-on-july-13th/

 

Settha Calls Possibility Of Pheu Thai/Palang Pracharath Coalition A ‘Lunatic’ Idea
 

 

REAL ESTATE TYCOON Settha Taweesin today (July 1) called the possibility of a brand new Pheu Thai-led coalition with the Palang Pracharath and without the Move Forward a “lunatic” notion.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299547-settha-calls-possibility-of-pheu-thaipalang-pracharath-coalition-a-‘lunatic’-idea/

 

Monkeypox outbreak: Thailand witnesses spike in cases within the LGBTQ+ community
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo Courtesy of Freepik

 

A significant rise in monkeypox cases within Thailand was reported by health officials this week, issuing a stern warning for men within the gay community, who seemed to be at an increased risk, to exercise necessary precautions amidst the ongoing monkeypox outbreak.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299548-monkeypox-outbreak-thailand-witnesses-spike-in-cases-within-the-lgbtq-community/

 

Chonburi Police on the Hunt for Dangerous Serial Rapist
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Chonburi — Chonburi police have warned women in the province of a loose serial rapist who reportedly raped and robbed multiple victims using a dating application.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299549-chonburi-police-on-the-hunt-for-dangerous-serial-rapist/

 

Move Forward MP Inspects Nightspot Area in Pattaya to Boost Tourists’ Confidence
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — A diligent MP from the Move Forward Party Mr. Yodchai Phungporn visited a crowded nightspot area in Pattaya last night, June 1st, to uplift the tourists’ confidence about safety.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299550-move-forward-mp-inspects-nightspot-area-in-pattaya-to-boost-tourists’-confidence/

 

Drunken Police Officer Shoots Wife Dead After Argument in Chanthaburi

 

Photo: 77kaoded

 

CHANTABURI - In a shocking incident, an inebriated police officer named Wuttichai Thongmak shot and killed his wife, Amphaiphann Khongkrachang, following a domestic dispute in their home in Bang Ka Ja, Mueang District, Chanthaburi Province. Authorities found Amphaiphann, an immigration officer in Rayong Province, lying lifeless in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to her forehead.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299551-drunken-police-officer-shoots-wife-dead-after-argument-in-chanthaburi/

 

Popular Social Media Influencer and Pattaya Regular Joesthetics Dead at 30
By Adam Judd

 

 

Popular social media influencer and Pattaya regular Joesthetics has been confirmed by close friends and family to have passed away at the young age of 30.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299552-popular-social-media-influencer-and-pattaya-regular-joesthetics-dead-at-30/

 

Raid on Famous MADIX CLUB in Ratchada: No License, Operating Beyond Hours, Drug Usage Uncovered

 

 

Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) stormed the "MADIX CLUB" in Ratchada, Huai Khwang district, Bangkok. They discovered that the club was operating without a license, exceeding operating hours, and harboring three intoxicated tourists, leading to four serious charges.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299553-raid-on-famous-madix-club-in-ratchada-no-license-operating-beyond-hours-drug-usage-uncovered/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Monday 3 July 2023
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299565-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-monday-3-july-2023/

 

Thai healthcare crisis: Overworked medics spark reform debate as state hospitals struggle
by Mitch Connor
 

Photo courtesy of The Goal & Partners, Facebook

 

In a stark representation of the nationwide Thai healthcare concern regarding overburdened medical staff in Thailand’s public hospitals, a doctor-turned-actress recently utilised her social media platform to highlight her struggle with the strenuous work environment. Ultimately, she found the situation so unmanageable that she felt compelled to leave her public service role.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299568-thai-healthcare-crisis-overworked-medics-spark-reform-debate-as-state-hospitals-struggle/

 

Thai elephant Sak Surin safely repatriated after 22 years in Sri Lanka
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The enduring odyssey of Sak Surin, an elephant initially gifted by Thailand to Sri Lanka, took a homeward trajectory as the pachyderm touched down in Chiang Mai yesterday, ending a 22 year long overseas sojourn.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299570-thai-elephant-sak-surin-safely-repatriated-after-22-years-in-sri-lanka/

 

Thai tourism surge: 25 million visitors forecasted, boosting economy
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo courtesy of tatnews.org

 

In a recent announcement, the kingdom is on track to welcome a staggering 25 million tourists by the year end, offering a much-needed booster to the economy.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299571-thai-tourism-surge-25-million-visitors-forecasted-boosting-economy/

 

Bangkok demands urgent 16.5m Baht fire extinguisher overhaul to promote fire safety after fatality
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo: Rajavinit Mathayom School, Facebook

 

In a recent revelation that has sparked concern, almost 10,000 firewall safety units across 50 districts in Bangkok are in dire need of fire safety with instant replacements, following an inspection carried out by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1299574-bangkok-demands-urgent-165m-baht-fire-extinguisher-overhaul-to-promote-fire-safety-after-fatality/