THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 17 July 2023

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Deputy National Police Chief General Surachate Hakparn, or Big Joke, has ordered a survey of organised crime activity in Pattaya, a crackdown and stricter screening of visas for foreigners in the wake of chilling details emerging related to the murder of 62-year-old Hans Peter Ralter Mack at the hands of an extortion gang led by 52-year-old Olaf Thorsten Brinkmann (inset right).

Pattaya Hell: police believe that Hans Peter Ralter Mack was tortured and may have died from either horrific injuries at the hands of his tormentors or a heart attack due to the terror inflicted upon the 62-year-old German businessman.

 

Crackdown ordered on organised crime in Pattaya, stricter visa screening after Ralter Mack murder
by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300804-crackdown-ordered-on-organised-crime-in-pattaya-stricter-visa-screening-after-ralter-mack-murder/

 

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Kuwaiti Motorbike Racer in Pattaya Nearly Loses His Leg in Motorbike Accident
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — A 19-year-old Kuwaiti man sustained a severe leg injury after the motorbike he was riding as a pillion grazed against a street barrier on South Pattaya Road early this morning.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300805-kuwaiti-motorbike-racer-in-pattaya-nearly-loses-his-leg-in-motorbike-accident/

 

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Swinging into trouble: Golfer faces prosecution for ‘fore’-bidden activity in Thai national park (video)
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Varawut Silpa-archa, Facebook

 

In a bid to uphold the sanctity of national parks, Thai authorities at Khao Yai National Park are preparing to prosecute a golfer who dared to engage in sporting activity such as illegal golfing within the protected vicinity of Sai Sorn Reservoir.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300807-swinging-into-trouble-golfer-faces-prosecution-for-‘fore’-bidden-activity-in-thai-national-park-video/

 

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Probe ordered into large amount of missing Navy ammunition

 

 

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has ordered an investigation into tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition and grenades missing from a Marine Corps armoury at the Sattahip naval base.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300809-probe-ordered-into-large-amount-of-missing-navy-ammunition/

 

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Pita ready to step aside if his party fails to win senators’ hearts

 

Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said today (Saturday) that he is ready to step aside and let the Pheu Thai party take the lead in forming the next government, if his party fails, after trying their utmost, to get him selected as prime minister or to amend the Constitution to clip senators’ wings.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300810-pita-ready-to-step-aside-if-his-party-fails-to-win-senators’-hearts/

 

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Chada Thaised: Ferocious opponent of Pita’s PM bid has a dark and violence-racked history

 

 

Bhumjaithai MP Chada Thaised stole the limelight from Thailand’s top PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat during the joint parliamentary meeting to elect a new prime minister on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300811-chada-thaised-ferocious-opponent-of-pita’s-pm-bid-has-a-dark-and-violence-racked-history/

 

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Woman’s body found under Tha Phra BTS station
 

 

Police are investigating the death of a 27-year-old woman, whose body was discovered under Tha Phra sky train station on Friday night.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300812-woman’s-body-found-under-tha-phra-bts-station/

 

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TAT Promotes Thai Soft Power via Tourism Booster Shot Campaign
by Natthaphon Sangpolsit

 

    
BANGKOK (NNT) - To promote Thailand’s soft power as an export commodity that can contribute Thai tourism growth, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently launched the Soft Power Tourism Booster Shot campaign.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300813-tat-promotes-thai-soft-power-via-tourism-booster-shot-campaign/

 

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Russian foreign minister arrives in Phuket
by Mitch Connor 

 

Image courtesy of The Phuket News

 

Sergey Lavrov, the acting Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, was warmly received at Phuket International Airport by a welcoming committee spearheaded by Amnuay Pinsuwan, Phuket’s Vice Governor.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300814-russian-foreign-minister-arrives-in-phuket/

 

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Thai cybercrime bureau busts personal data trader in Phuket
by Mitch Connor 

 

Image courtesy of The Phuket News

 

In Phuket, there has been an arrest in relation to the sale of personal data extracted from gambling websites. This dramatic event unfolded yesterday, as Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers yesterday swooped down on their unsuspecting target at about 12.30pm.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300815-thai-cybercrime-bureau-busts-personal-data-trader-in-phuket/

 

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Murder suspect of Hans Peter Mack case pleads innocence
by Top 

 

Image courtesy of The Pattaya News

 

Pattaya City was recently shocked by the brutal murder of 62 year old Hans Peter Mack, where a Pakistani-Thai man says he was implicated in a gruesome act against his will.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300816-murder-suspect-of-hans-peter-mack-case-pleads-innocence/

 

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Man Dies After Being Hit by Falling Glass in Thalang
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Thalang – A trailer truck driver died after glass sheets carried by a crane fell down on him.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300817-man-dies-after-being-hit-by-falling-glass-in-thalang/

 

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EC defends actions amid criticism over Thai MP Pita Limjaroenrat’s eligibility debacle
by Top

 

Photo by Sakchai Lalit via AP

 

Engulfed in the turmoil stirred by criticism over the eligibility of Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat, the Election Commission (EC) staunchly defends its actions. Critics, including Pita, have insinuated that he was not given the rightful opportunity to counter the allegations before the case saw its day in court.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300818-ec-defends-actions-amid-criticism-over-thai-mp-pita-limjaroenrat’s-eligibility-debacle/

 

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Myanmar crisis exposes gaps in Thai care for migrant children

 

 

The recent deportation of at least 59 children to Myanmar – which has been engulfed in violence since the 2021 military coup – has brought to light many problems in Thailand. The country is still struggling with how to efficiently handle kids fleeing from its strife-torn neighbor, manage its small schools, and more.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300819-myanmar-crisis-exposes-gaps-in-thai-care-for-migrant-children/

 

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Online call to find information on senators’ mistresses trends in Thailand

 

 

Thai social media is seeing the hashtag #เมียน้อยสว (senator’s mistress) trending, calling on people to gather information on senators’ extramarital affairs.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300820-online-call-to-find-information-on-senators’-mistresses-trends-in-thailand/

 

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BMA Targets Year-End Completion of Phadung Krung Kasem Renovation
by Natthaphon Sangpolsit

 

    
BANGKOK (NNT) - Work to improve the ambience along the banks of Bangkok’s Phadung Krung Kasem canal is ongoing, with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) planning to complete the project by the end of the year.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300821-bma-targets-year-end-completion-of-phadung-krung-kasem-renovation/

 

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Phuket water supply tests could leave residents dry for days
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

In a recent announcement, the Phuket arm of the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) outlined water supply test plans to execute a series of step tests over the upcoming three days.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300822-phuket-water-supply-tests-could-leave-residents-dry-for-days/

 

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Thai women cautioned over marriage scams with Chinese nationals
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

Police cautioned Thai women considering marriage to Chinese nationals against possible legal infringements in both Thailand and China.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300823-thai-women-cautioned-over-marriage-scams-with-chinese-nationals/

 

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Analysis: Thailand’s Next Prime Minister Still Uncertain: Our Take on the Current Situation
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Thailand-Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward Party Prime Minister candidate, says if he and his party fails to form the next Thai government, he will give the chance to his coalition partners the Pheu Thai Party.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300824-analysis-thailand’s-next-prime-minister-still-uncertain-our-take-on-the-current-situation/

 

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Most People Still Prefer Pita For PM Regardless Of How Long It Takes: NIDA Poll
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

 

MOST PEOPLE HAVE BEEN found to still endorse Move Forward leader/prime minister-designate Pita Limjaroenrat’s attempted rise to power, no matter how many rounds of voting in his support from legislators it could possibly take.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300825-most-people-still-prefer-pita-for-pm-regardless-of-how-long-it-takes-nida-poll/

 

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Over 9,000 refugees from Myanmar sheltering in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son
 

 

Over 9,000 refugees from Myanmar, who have escaped the ongoing fighting, are now taking shelter in five villages in Mueang, Mae Sariang and Khun Yuan districts of Thailand’s northernmost province of Mae Hong Son.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300826-over-9000-refugees-from-myanmar-sheltering-in-thailand’s-mae-hong-son/

 

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Senators who abstained from voting told to quit, coalition parties told to stay together

 

 

Supporters of the Move Forward party have issued a statement, urging senators, who abstained from voting in last Thursday’s joint sitting of the parliament to select the prime minister, to resign and calling on the eight coalition parties to remain united to fulfill their pledges to the people.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300827-senators-who-abstained-from-voting-told-to-quit-coalition-parties-told-to-stay-together/

 

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Four “influencers” charged with promoting online gambling

 

 

Four online influencers reported to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) yesterday (Sunday), to acknowledge charges of advertising or attempting to persuade people, directly or indirectly, to engage in online gambling.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300828-four-“influencers”-charged-with-promoting-online-gambling/

 

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Crackdown Success: Foreign Nationals Arrested in Thailand

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Surat Thani Provincial Police have announced the arrest of foreign nationals involved in fraud and unauthorized Vietnamese workers operating in Thailand. These individuals posed a threat to both Thai and foreign nationals through their deceptive practices.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300830-crackdown-success-foreign-nationals-arrested-in-thailand/

 

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Unidentified Man's Body Found in '22 July Circle' Pond in Bangkok

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On July 16th, authorities received a report at 11:00 am about an unidentified male corpse found in a pond located in 22 July Circle, Pom Prap district, Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300831-unidentified-mans-body-found-in-22-july circle-pond-in-bangkok/

 

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Elderly Woman Assaulted over Mango Theft Dispute

 

 

Police in Samut Prakan, Thailand, received a report of an assault on an elderly woman, Sawalak, aged 67. The incident took place in Soi Wat Dan Samrong 48, where Sawalak was found bleeding profusely from her head.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300832-elderly-woman-assaulted-over-mango-theft-dispute/

 

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Overcharging Phuket Motorbike Taxi Driver Attacks Foreign Tourist

 

Picture: Daily News

 

On July 16, a motorbike taxi driver in Patong Beach, Phuket, attracted controversy. Accused of overcharging a foreign tourist, the driver attempted to charge 100 Baht for a ride which was supposed to cost 56 Baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300834-overcharging-phuket-motorbike-taxi-driver-attacks-foreign-tourist/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Monday 17 July 2023
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300839-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-monday-17-july-2023/

 

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Demonstrators Protest Police Chief’s Absence From Voting For PM
by TNR Staff

 

The demonstrators at the national police headquarters Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023. Photos: Matichon

 

A “CAR MOB” procession of automobiles and motorcycles showed up at national police headquarters on Rama 1 road to ask why National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittipraphat did not attend the joint House/senate meeting last Thursday to vote for Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister, Matichon newspaper said Sunday afternoon (July 16).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300850-demonstrators-protest-police-chief’s-absence-from-voting-for-pm/

 

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Opinion: Thailand is at a crossroads because of unelected, unaccountable bodies
By Volthai

 

We stand at a pivotal juncture in our political journey. The triumph of the Move Forward party, a manifestation of our collective will, finds itself precariously on the brink of being undone.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1300853-opinion-thailand-is-at-a-crossroads-because-of-unelected-unaccountable-bodies/