THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Saturday 12 August 2023

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Chinese have taken over from Russian visitors as the most numerous to come through the Thai immigration turnstiles at the moment. Nationally, Russian visitors are not even in the top 5 anymore, whilst in Phuket the arrival numbers have dropped off drastically, compared to the influx from December 2022 to February 2023.

 

Chinese take over from Russians as Phuket’s most frequent visitors

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303318-chinese-take-over-from-russians-as-phuket’s-most-frequent-visitors/

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Thai tourism embraces easier visa rules, faster approvals for Chinese tourists
by Mitch Connor

 

Chinese tourists in Thailand, courtesy of Taweechai Tawatpakorn, Bangkok Post.

 

In a move geared towards promoting Thai tourism, the government has implemented policy changes that lessen the rules for obtaining a tourist visa and slashes approval time for Chinese visitors.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303292-thai-tourism-embraces-easier-visa-rules-faster-approvals-for-chinese-tourists/

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Pita speaks out on PM vote, claims his re-nomination was valid

By Peter Roche

 

PHOTO: Facebook/Pita Limjaroenrat - พิธา ลิ้มเจริญรัตน์

The leader of the Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in the May 14 general election, says there was no reason to block his re-nomination as PM at his second attempt.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303339-pita-speaks-out-on-pm-vote-claims-his-re-nomination-was-valid/

 

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Australian Tourist Causes Havoc at Pattaya Temple, Cannabis Blamed by Some Thai Media
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

PHOTO: รักสยาม นิวส์

 

Chonburi — An Australian tourist, reported by some Thai media to allegedly be under the influence of cannabis, wreaked havoc at Wai Chai temple in South Pattaya on Friday morning, August 11th.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303340-australian-tourist-causes-havoc-at-pattaya-temple-cannabis-blamed-by-some-thai-media/

 

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Indian Tourist Fights with Group of Pattaya Transgender People
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya

Pattaya — A lone Indian tourist engaged in a physical altercation with a group of transgender people on the Pattaya beachfront Thursday night, August 10th.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303341-indian-tourist-fights-with-group-of-pattaya-transgender-people/

 

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"Big Joke" Joins Ceremony to Destroy 70,000 Confiscated Firearms

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On August 11, at the Millcon Steel Group factory, Rayong Province, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Surachet "Big Joke" Hakparn, led the ceremony to destroy confiscated firearms.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303343-big-joke-joins-ceremony-to-destroy-70000-confiscated-firearms/

 

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Villagers Discover 5-Meter King Cobra Near Seaside Home

 

Picture: Sanook

 

In a rare coastal encounter, villagers stumbled upon a colossal 5-meter long king cobra entangled near their residence.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303344-villagers-discover-5-meter-king-cobra-near-seaside-home/

 

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Russian Man Found Dead After Falling from High-rise Condo in Bangkok

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

In Bangkok's Chatuchak district, a young Russian man was found deceased following a fall from a high-rise apartment.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303345-russian-man-found-dead-after-falling-from-high-rise-condo-in-bangkok/

 

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Tourist Police Explain "Skateboard Incident" at Don Mueang airport
 

 

In a video clip released on August 10, 2023, from Don Mueang Airport, a foreign tourist caused a disturbance, leading three Tourist Police officers to intervene.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303347-tourist-police-explain-skateboard-incident-at-don-mueang-airport/

 

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Highway Patrol arrests foreign smuggling gang

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

The Highway Patrol has arrested a foreign smuggling gang that managed to break through checkpoints but didn't manage to evade arrest in Nakhon Pathom.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303348-highway-patrol-arrests-foreign-smuggling-gang/

 

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Customs concludes the case of counterfeit luxury watch auctions

Director General of the Customs Department's Announcement: Closure of Counterfeit Luxury Watch Auctions; Intent to Sue Agent for Claiming Significant Damages

 

Picture courtesy  of Siam Rath

 

Mr. Pachara Anantasilp, Director General of the Customs Department, announced the closure of the Customs Department's counterfeit watch auction case. He admitted that this was the first time in history and it had been an expensive lesson, emphasizing that such an incident would not recur.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303354-customs-concludes-the-case-of-counterfeit-luxury-watch-auctions/

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Police Raid Luxurious Urban Village Gathering of 9 Nationalities

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Bang Chan police apprehended 9 individuals of various nationalities in a chaotic drug-fueled party within an upscale urban enclave, responding to repeated complaints by disgruntled locals.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303355-police-raid-luxurious-urban-village-gathering-of-9-nationalities/

 

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Generous Thai woman’s trust shattered as couple she sheltered steals assets worth over 100,000 baht
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Channel 3

 

A Thai woman shared the heartbreaking story of a couple she employed, fed and put a roof over their heads for free, only to discover that they had stolen assets from her totalling more than 100,000 baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303358-generous-thai-woman’s-trust-shattered-as-couple-she-sheltered-steals-assets-worth-over-100000-baht/

 

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Happy Mothers Day and Happy Birthday to The Queen Mother
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

National — In Thailand, August 12th is a day of double celebration, intertwining the significance of motherhood and royal admiration.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303361-happy-mothers-day-and-happy-birthday-to-the-queen-mother/

 

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DSI freezes assets worth 220 million baht in Stark Corp scandal
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of MGR Online

 

In a recent development that unfolded yesterday, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has placed a freeze on a staggering 220 million baht (US$ 6,273,168) held in the bank account of Chanin Yensudchai, the erstwhile chairman of the beleaguered Stark Corp.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303362-dsi-freezes-assets-worth-220-million-baht-in-stark-corp-scandal/

 

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‘Main customers’: Russians fleeing Putin’s war find a home in Phuket
Thai island has had influx of those either trying to avoid fighting in Ukraine or feel unwelcome in Europe

Rebecca Ratcliffe in Phuket

 

People walk along Kamala beach at sunset on Phuket. The island has proved a hotspot for Russians fleeing the war. Photograph: Jack Taylor/The Guardian

In the humid evenings on the Thai island of Phuket, Aleksei* often sits alone on his balcony, and wonders if the past 18 months have been a strange dream.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303363-‘main-customers’-russians-fleeing-putin’s-war-find-a-home-in-phuket/

 

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Central Retail partners with Ant Group to launch Alipay+ for Asian tourists in Thailand
by Alex Morgan 

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post.

 

For the convenience of Asian tourists from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea, Central Retail Corporation (CRC) has announced its partnership with Ant Group, introducing Alipay+ a comprehensive solution for international digital payments.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303364-central-retail-partners-with-ant-group-to-launch-alipay-for-asian-tourists-in-thailand/

 

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Pattaya Police Raid Major Nightclub for Drugs and Overstayers, But Find Nothing Wrong
By Adam Judd

 

 

Pattaya, Thailand-Pattaya police raided a major nightclub catering mostly to Thai nationals on Third Road around 1:00 A.M. this morning, August 12th, 2023, but despite disrupting an evening of partying and fun for over a hundred people found nothing wrong.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303365-pattaya-police-raid-major-nightclub-for-drugs-and-overstayers-but-find-nothing-wrong/

 

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Thailand’s tourism sector anticipates fall as China lifts tour group restrictions
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Prachachat

 

In the wake of China’s announcement to allow tour groups to visit Japan and several other nations for the first time since 2020, Thailand’s tourism industry braces itself for a sharp fall in Chinese tourists.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303368-thailand’s-tourism-sector-anticipates-fall-as-china-lifts-tour-group-restrictions/

 

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Rayong’s by-election to be held on September 10
 

 

Election Commission (EC) has announced that the by-election in Constituency 3 of the eastern province of Rayong will be held on September 10. Candidacies must be registered from August 15 to 19t inclusively.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303376-rayong’s-by-election-to-be-held-on-september-10/

 

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THAI expects to exit rehabilitation plan mid 2024

 

 

Thai Airways International (THAI) is expected to exit the court sanctioned rehabilitation plan three months ahead of schedule, in the middle of next year, as the airline’s performance has been improving steadily, in line with tourism recovery, according to CEO Chai Eamsiri.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303377-thai-expects-to-exit-rehabilitation-plan-mid-2024/

 

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Umphang hospital grapples with 40 million baht deficit due to Myanmar crisis
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of โรงพยาบาลอุ้มผาง Facebook

 

The Thai-Myanmar frontier healthcare services face a financial crisis as a result of the current political turmoil in Myanmar.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303378-umphang-hospital-grapples-with-40-million-baht-deficit-due-to-myanmar-crisis/

 

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Banglamung Officials Tour Jomtien Beach After Proposals for Overnight Closing
By Adam Judd

 

 

Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand-Following proposals from some restaurant and bar owners as well as business and tourism associations to consider closing Jomtien Beach overnight.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303379-banglamung-officials-tour-jomtien-beach-after-proposals-for-overnight-closing/

 

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to continue:

 

Thailand Live Monday 14 August 2023 
https://aseannow.com/topic/1303466-thailand-live-monday-14-august-2023/