THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 21 August 2023

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Food delivery driver apologizes after refusing overweight customer due to bike damage
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Maligned for rejecting an overweight customer due to breaking suspension, a food delivery driver has issued a heartfelt apology. Initially voicing his frustration by sharing images of a broken motorcycle shock absorber, attributing its damage to heavy passengers, his comments now sit at the heart of a heated online debate.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304164-food-delivery-driver-apologizes-after-refusing-overweight-customer-due-to-bike-damage/

 

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EV sales in Thailand to hit 50,000 despite auto loan regulations
by Alex Morgan 

 

Photo courtesy of Freepik

 

The Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI) anticipates a surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales to 50,000 units this year. This comes despite challenges such as diminishing purchasing power, rampant household debt, and the implementation of stricter auto loan regulations by banks.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304166-ev-sales-in-thailand-to-hit-50000-despite-auto-loan-regulations/

 

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Family dispute sparks deadly manhunt in Chachoengsao over dog conflict
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of thelawyermag.com.

 

In an escalating family dispute, a man stormed into his relatives’ residence shooting dead one and injuring another yesterday, before fleeing the scene. Police have since launched an investigation to find the suspect, who had left with his partner and child.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304175-family-dispute-sparks-deadly-manhunt-in-chachoengsao-over-dog-conflict/

 

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Thai beauties and a few beasts, the return of Thaksin : Tim Newton Today - August 21

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304177-thai-beauties-and-a-few-beasts-the-return-of-thaksin-tim-newton-today-august-21/

 

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Awaiting arrest, ex-Prime Minister Thaksin returns to Thailand amidst political unrest
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of watchesbysjx.com

 

As Thailand anticipates the arrival of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, fresh from a self-imposed exile, arrest warrants are ready for viewing and inevitable jail time awaits him. His expected return is scheduled for tomorrow, incidentally, coinciding with parliamentary proceedings to elect the country’s 30th leader.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304180-awaiting-arrest-ex-prime-minister-thaksin-returns-to-thailand-amidst-political-unrest/

 

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BOT Says Key Rate Near Balanced Level

by Paul Rujopakarn

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BOT) recently said Thailand’s current level of the benchmark interest rate was nearly balanced, adding that monetary policy would not be affected by a delay in the formation of a new government.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304182-bot-says-key-rate-near-balanced-level/

 

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Teenage gang violence: Perpetrators accused of fatal schoolboy killing in Nakhon Phanom road chase
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod.

 

A gang of six teenagers have been apprehended for their alleged involvement in the death of a 14 year old boy, who was attacked with weapons on August 19. The teenage gang violence incident took place by the roadside of a dual carriageway in Nakhon Phanom province of northeast Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304183-teenage-gang-violence-perpetrators-accused-of-fatal-schoolboy-killing-in-nakhon-phanom-road-chase/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thaksin to Return Home Definitely on Aug 22, Says His Daughter

 

 

BANGKOK, Aug 21 (TNA) – Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra has confirmed her father Thaksin Shinawatra will definitely return to Thailand on August 22.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304180-awaiting-arrest-ex-prime-minister-thaksin-returns-to-thailand-amidst-political-unrest/?do=findComment&comment=18290250

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thai woman murdered on street outside restaurant in Germany
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวP-Newsออนไลน์

 

Local police officers are hunting for a suspect who murdered a 61 year old Thai restaurant owner on Kantstrasse Road in the city of Berlin in Germany.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304150-berlin-police-seek-to-track-down-a-brutal-attacker-who-used-a-glass-bottle-to-kill-a-thai-woman/?do=findComment&comment=18290299

 

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Rainfall reign: 46 provinces under threat as TMD predicts deluge and Bangkok braces for flash floods
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns that increased rainfall poses a threat to 46 provinces today, forecasting heavy rainfall in 70% of the areas while Bangkok is also at risk, with an abrupt flash floods warning issued due to tormenting forest runoffs.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304187-rainfall-reign-46-provinces-under-threat-as-tmd-predicts-deluge-and-bangkok-braces-for-flash-floods/

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Pheu Thai’s Paetongtarn confident Srettha will be prime minister

 

 

Head of the Pheu Thai “Family”, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is confident that the party’s prime ministerial candidate, former real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin, will be selected as prime minister in parliament tomorrow (Tuesday).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304188-pheu-thai’s-paetongtarn-confident-srettha-will-be-prime-minister/

 

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The EEC agenda for the next government
 

 

The new government will face serious challenges in accelerating the development of the country’s flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which was launched with the vision of creating a next-generation growth area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304191-the-eec-agenda-for-the-next-government/

 

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14 parties coalesce to form new Thai government
 

 

Fourteen parties, led by Pheu Thai, will hold a press conference at parliament at 1pm today (Monday) to announce their partnership in forming a new government.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304192-14-parties-coalesce-to-form-new-thai-government/

 

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Nattawut Ends His Role as Pheu Thai Family Director

 

 

BANGKOK, August 21 (TNA) – Pheu Thai family director Nattawut Saikuar has announced to end his role as the Pheu Thai family director after the Pheu Thai party decided to join forces with pro-military parties to form a coalition government.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304193-nattawut-ends-his-role-as-pheu-thai-family-director/

 

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The Political Theatre of a PM Vote: A Play in Three Acts
by Thai Enquirer

 

It feels like an unfathomably long time ago, but Thailand had an election on May 14 that has yet to produce a new prime minister and government. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304194-the-political-theatre-of-a-pm-vote-a-play-in-three-acts/

 

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Police Crack Down on Stations Assisting Illegal Call Centers

 

 

The Royal Thai Police and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) are cracking down on unauthorized communication antennas that have enabled call center gangs across the border to utilize Thai mobile phone and internet services.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304197-police-crack-down-on-stations-assisting-illegal-call-centers/

 

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Mpox Cases Soaring With Bangkok, 2 Adjacent Provinces On Red Alert
by TNR Staff

 

A graphic image of mpox cases. Image: The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

 

THE Public Health Ministry said today (Aug. 21) the number of mpox (monkeypox) cases will likely again reach hundreds this month similar to last month with Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Chonburi provinces now placed on red alert, Thai Rath newspaper said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304198-mpox-cases-soaring-with-bangkok-2-adjacent-provinces-on-red-alert/

 

 

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Police officer damages woman’s motorcycle, leaves note, pays for repair
by Neill Fronde Neill Fronde

 

A police officer restored faith when he damaged a woman's motorcycle and then left a note and paid for repairs. (via Sanook). Image via Sanook

 

A 29 year old woman named Supapan was angered when she returned home to find her motorcycle damaged but was pleasantly surprised to discover a letter of responsibility from a local police officer.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304199-police-officer-damages-woman’s-motorcycle-leaves-note-pays-for-repair/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Ex-red-shirt boss Nutthawut quits in protest
 

 

Former red-shirt leader and key member of the Pheu Thai party, Nutthawut Saikua, has ceased working for the party, in protest over the inclusion of the Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation parties in the current Pheu Thai-led 14-party coalition.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304193-nattawut-ends-his-role-as-pheu-thai-family-director/?do=findComment&comment=18290673

 

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No inmate visits at Bangkok Remand Prison the day Thaksin returns

 

 

For security reasons, Bangkok Remand Prison is suspending inmate visitations tomorrow (Tuesday), when fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to return to Thailand.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304214-no-inmate-visits-at-bangkok-remand-prison-the-day-thaksin-returns/

 

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Complaint filed against Deputy House Speaker

 

 

A political activist lodged a complaint with the national anti-graft body today (Monday), against Deputy House speaker Padipat Suntiphada’s use of parliamentary funds to host a buffet for maids working at the parliament complex.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304215-complaint-filed-against-deputy-house-speaker/

 

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TCC Calls for Restoration of Universal Pension Scheme

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) has urged the new government to reconsider a recently introduced regulation restricting certain elderly individuals from receiving monthly allowances. The council proposed restoring the universal pension scheme with an increased allowance of 3,000 baht per month.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304216-tcc-calls-for-restoration-of-universal-pension-scheme/

 

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Thai Q2 GDP Growth Below Forecast at 1.8%

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai economy expanded slower than expected in the second quarter, according to data released on Monday (21 Aug), with strength in tourism helping to counter weaker exports amid a slowdown in global demand.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304217-thai-q2-gdp-growth-below-forecast-at-18/

 

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Thaksin will be “escorted from plane to prison” when he arrives Tuesday

 

Facebook/Thaksin Shinawatra

 

Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra will be arrested as soon as he lands tomorrow, August 22, according to officials who say outstanding arrest warrants and the result of convictions during his exile will be executed when he steps foot in Thailand.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304218-thaksin-will-be-“escorted-from-plane-to-prison”-when-he-arrives-tuesday/

 

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Narathiwat residents affected by fireworks blast suing warehouse owners

 

PHOTO: Thai PBS

 

Residents who lost their homes in a fatal explosion at a fireworks warehouse in the southern province of Narathiwat plan to sue. Twelve people died and 389 were injured in the July 29 blast in the sub-district of Muno, in the Sungai Kolok district, right near the Malysian border.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304221-narathiwat-residents-affected-by-fireworks-blast-suing-warehouse-owners/

 

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Bangkok taxi driver bucks trend, returns 400,000 baht to passenger

 

Image via Khaosod

 

A Bangkok taxi driver put the breaks on the capital’s bad boy cabbie reputation after he returned nearly 400,000 baht to a Bangladeshi passenger.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304222-bangkok-taxi-driver-bucks-trend-returns-400000-baht-to-passenger/

 

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Taiwanese mastermind nabbed for global web of crime, money laundering

 

Photo via Facebook/ Saichon Chounchou

 

Thai police arrested a Taiwanese man behind a money laundering operation, a scam call centre and organising online gambling gangs across Asia and Europe. The 39 year old man was apprehended in a luxury condominium in Bangkok.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304224-taiwanese-mastermind-nabbed-for-global-web-of-crime-money-laundering/

 

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Rice prices spike threatens farmers in Thailand

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

An increase in rice prices is causing concern for local farmers and rice millers in Uttradit, Thailand. The Agricultural Cooperative of Uttradit City Limited, known for producing and selling the “Good Udom” brand of bagged rice, is currently facing a shortage of husked rice. This crisis is due to large-scale rice millers purchasing at high rates, causing the price of rice to increase substantially.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304226-rice-prices-spike-threatens-farmers-in-thailand/

 

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Mother seeks aid as son’s dark turn targets family cat

 

Photo via Facebook/ เจาะลึกทั่วไทย Inside Thailand

 

A Thai mother reached out to a non-profit organisation for help after her 10 year old son was exposed to methamphetamine, commonly known as Yaba, and attempted to kill the family’s pet cat.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304227-mother-seeks-aid-as-son’s-dark-turn-targets-family-cat/

 

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Thai businesses warned of ‘global boiling,’ rising power costs

 

Climate change is ushering in "global boil" with temperatures and power costs rising. Thai businesses must react. (via Eurasia Review)

 

The United Nations has warned of the global boiling – the intense rise in temperatures and associated power costs we are seeing now, which are predicted to only worsen in the future. Thailand witnessed an unprecedented rise in electricity bills and an all-time high average temperature in July.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304228-thai-businesses-warned-of-‘global-boiling’-rising-power-costs/