THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 16 October 2023

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Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed authorities to charter an Airbus-380 aircraft to fly Thai evacuees out of Israel, in addition to over 30 flights arranged with Nok Air, Air Asia, Thai Airways International and China’s Spice Jet airlines.

 

Chartered Airbus-380 and 32 commercial flights to repatriate 5,000 Thais

https://aseannow.com/topic/1309349-chartered-airbus-380-and-32-commercial-flights-to-repatriate-5000-thais/

 

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MP Says Provincial Governors, Mayors Should Issue Night Venue Licences
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Bangla Road at Patong beach, Phuket. Photo: Nicolas Lannuzel (CC BY-SA 2.0)

 

MOVE FORWARD MP Thaopipop Limjitakorn suggested today (Oct.15) provincial governors, mayors and other local leaders be legally empowered to issue operating licences and set up the zoning for night entertainment venues in lieu of the central government.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309351-mp-says-provincial-governors-mayors-should-issue-night-venue-licences/

 

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Senior police officer granted bail on rape charges as his lawyer claims he is being intimidated 
by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

Police Lieutenant Natthanon Chaiyaphon following his arrest on Saturday morning. He was later granted bail on a surety of ฿300,000 when he appeared before the Criminal Court in Bangkok on three charges. His lawyer told reporters that his client strenuously denied the charges and described the case as linked with intimidation.

 

A Bangkok court on Saturday granted bail to a senior police officer after he was brought before it charged with being involved in the rape of his wife together with third parties at a resort in 2021.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309352-senior-police-officer-granted-bail-on-rape-charges-as-his-lawyer-claims-he-is-being-intimidated/

 

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Israel to pay ฿35k per month to wives of Thai workers killed in Hamas raid and child support
by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Minister of Labour Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn was also joined by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at the SC Park Hotel in Bangkok on Sunday to welcome the latest Thai returnees from Israel amid emotional and heart-rending scenes after they had flown in earlier on a Fly Dubai chartered flight to Utapao Airport.

The government is working with Israeli authorities to provide replacement and reserve passports to a growing number of Thais in Israel who want to return after witnessing the terror unleashed by Hamas in southern Israel on Saturday, October 7th. The repatriation operation is to be completed by early November. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309353-israel-to-pay-฿35k-per-month-to-wives-of-thai-workers-killed-in-hamas-raid-and-child-support/

 

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Four more Thais believed to have been killed in Israel, 17 held hostage

 

 

Four more Thais are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attacks in Israel last week, bringing the death toll to 28, with 17 still being held hostage and 16 injured, including some who have already been flown back to Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309354-four-more-thais-believed-to-have-been-killed-in-israel-17-held-hostage/

 

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Unyielding Japanese Passenger Creates Late-Night Taxi Standoff at Pattaya Police Station
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Pattaya — At 11:16 PM, on October 13th, 2023, Mr. Yutthapong Khunpini, a 35-year-old ride-hailing driver, picked up a 70-year-old Japanese passenger from a hotel in Pattaya City to the Pattaya City police station. However, the unidentified Japanese passenger refused to step out.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309355-unyielding-japanese-passenger-creates-late-night-taxi-standoff-at-pattaya-police-station/

 

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Walking Street Hit-and-Run Incident: Alleged Drunk Foreign Tourist Hits Thai Woman with Motorcycle
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Pattaya — On October 13th, 2023, Pattaya City police officers received a hit-and-run motorcycle report on a Thai woman at Walking Street, Pattaya.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309356-walking-street-hit-and-run-incident-alleged-drunk-foreign-tourist-hits-thai-woman-with-motorcycle/

 

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Thai People Are Not The Target Of Hamas: Ministry
by TNR Staff 

 

An image of Mr. Kriangsak Pansuri inset on a background of war raging along Gaza strip, above, and with family, insert. Photos: Naewna

 

AMID news that Hamas fighters spoke in Thai to lure Thai workers hiding in their camps along the Gaza border and take them hostage

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309357-thai-people-are-not-the-target-of-hamas-ministry/

 

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Thai PM urges supporters of “digital wallet” scheme to speak up
 

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has urged members of the public who agree with the government’s digital wallet scheme to speak out openly and to not let opponents drown out their voices.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309358-thai-pm-urges-supporters-of-“digital-wallet”-scheme-to-speak-up/

 

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Australia interested in investment in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor

 

 

Australia is interested in investing in infrastructure development projects, water resources in particular, in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), according to Thailand’s trade representative Nalinee Taveesin.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309359-australia-interested-in-investment-in-thailand’s-eastern-economic-corridor/

 

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Fugitive wanted for attempted murder captured after 20 years on the run
by Top 

 

Picture courtesy of MGR Online

 

A fugitive suspected of attempted murder and evading capture for nearly two decades was ultimately arrested by police In Nakhon Si Thammarat.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309360-fugitive-wanted-for-attempted-murder-captured-after-20-years-on-the-run/

 

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Bangkok father’s repeated sexual assault on daughter leads to pregnancy: Ongoing police investigation

by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A 14 year old girl was repeatedly sexually assaulted by her biological father until she fell pregnant, as revealed by the local police in Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309361-bangkok-father’s-repeated-sexual-assault-on-daughter-leads-to-pregnancy-ongoing-police-investigation/

 

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Swiss Honorary Consulate Officially Opens in Pattaya
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — The official opening ceremony of the new Swiss honorary consulate took place in Pattaya, Thailand on October 12th, 2023, and was attended by the Mayor of Pattaya, Poramese Ngampiches, as well as the Ambassador and Honorary Consul of the Swiss Confederation to Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309362-swiss-honorary-consulate-officially-opens-in-pattaya/

 

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Tracking the growing Shinawatra influence in new Thai government
By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk

 

 

Less than two months after taking power, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appears to be overshadowed by the Shinawatra family, judging from the people around him.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309363-tracking-the-growing-shinawatra-influence-in-new-thai-government/

 

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79% of Thais want digital wallet money to spend – NIDA Poll
 

 

About 79% of respondents to a National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) poll say that they will accept the 10,000 baht one-time subsidy from the government under the “digital wallet” scheme and will use it to buy goods and services

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309364-79-of-thais-want-digital-wallet-money-to-spend-–-nida-poll/

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Women’s and children’s rights groups urge action against sexual harassment

 

Parliament

Several women’s and children’s rights advocacy groups in Thailand have issued a joint statement urging Move Forward and other political parties to clearly announce their intention to end sexual harassment and to come up with tangible measures to deal with the problem.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309365-women’s-and-children’s-rights-groups-urge-action-against-sexual-harassment/

 

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Thai government denies charging 2,500 baht for airport transport for workers
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of prachachat

 

The government’s deputy spokesperson clarified that the Ministry of Labour has no policy to charge 2,500 baht for airport transport for workers to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Karom Polphonklang insisted that the travel expenses for working in Israel depended on the exchange rate at that time.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309366-thai-government-denies-charging-2500-baht-for-airport-transport-for-workers/

 

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Convenience store’s refusal to accept taped banknotes sparks online controversy
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A recent online controversy has erupted over a convenience store’s refusal to accept old banknotes, aggravating customers and sparking heated debate among netizens who pointed out that such notes remain legally valid unless damaged.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309367-convenience-store’s-refusal-to-accept-taped-banknotes-sparks-online-controversy/

 

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Thai workers question Israel’s safety following fatal Hamas attack
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of จักรพงษ์ แสงมณี - Jakkapong Sangmanee Facebook

 

The recent attack by Hamas in Israel, which caused the deaths of 24 Thai labourers, is leading to doubts about the suitability of Israel as a destination for workers seeking higher wages abroad.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309368-thai-workers-question-israel’s-safety-following-fatal-hamas-attack/

 

 

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Israelis in Thailand Determined to Get Home
by Tommy Walker

 

Chabad House in Bangkok usually is for Israeli tourists visiting the Thai capital. (Tommy Walker/VOA)

As the world watches the war in Gaza unfold, many Israelis in Thailand say they are desperate to get home to assist their country in its battle against Hamas. Israeli nationals are cutting short their Southeast Asia trips so they can aid their country’s war effort.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309369-israelis-in-thailand-determined-to-get-home/

 

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Thai Police Arrest Tour Company Owners for Allegedly Illegally Facilitating Employment Abroad
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

National — Thai police captured alleged illegal employment facilitators having a tour company as a facade business.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309370-thai-police-arrest-tour-company-owners-for-allegedly-illegally-facilitating-employment-abroad/

 

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Four People Dead After Phang Nga Accident, Victims Were Going to Phuket
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

PHOTO: Wat Kao Jaroen Tham Rescue Team

Phang Nga – Four people have been pronounced dead at the scene after a sedan lost control at a curve before careening across a central reservation and crashing into two large trucks on a main road in the Takua Thung district while they were heading to Phuket for a long holiday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309371-four-people-dead-after-phang-nga-accident-victims-were-going-to-phuket/

 

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Thai workers recount perilous experiences amid Gaza conflict
by Mitch Connor 

 

Picture courtesy of pptvhd36

 

Recently returned Thai workers from conflict-hit Israel conveyed their harrowing experiences, raising questions about the government’s decision to send workers to the conflict-ridden zones, notably areas near the Gaza Strip.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309375-thai-workers-recount-perilous-experiences-amid-gaza-conflict/

 

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What is a Thai life worth to the government?
by Arun Saronchai

 

In a world that often feels unsteady, buffeted by the winds of geopolitical strife, nations like Thailand are tempted to cling to a stance of neutrality like a lifeline.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309379-what-is-a-thai-life-worth-to-the-government/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Monday 16 October 2023
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309381-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-monday-16-october-2023/

 

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Felicia, 25, in a coma after accident on Samui - family struggling to bring her home

 

25-year-old Felicia was on a long trip in Thailand when the tragic accident occurred. Photo: Private

Felicia Cedergren, 25, is in a coma after a moped accident on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. Now the family has gone there to try to get her home.

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309382-felicia-25-in-a-coma-after-accident-on-samui-family-struggling-to-bring-her-home/

 

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Altercation with Ladyboys at Pattaya Beach Shocks Foreign Tourists

 

 

A recent incident that has captured the attention of social media revolves around a highly charged altercation, leaving international tourists astounded on the shores of South Pattaya Beach.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309377-altercation-with-ladyboys-at-pattaya-beach-shocks-foreign-tourists/

 

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Police Sweep Pattaya Beaches, Targeting Human Trafficking and Violence
 

 

On October 15th, Pol. Lt. Col. Thanapong Photi, the Chief of the Pattaya Police Station in Chonburi, led a team of officers in a comprehensive operation aimed at enhancing the security of Pattaya's beaches. The operation's goals included combating human trafficking, property theft, and violent incidents that may harm tourists.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309372-police-sweep-pattaya-beaches-targeting-human-trafficking-and-violence/

 

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Murder-suicide suspected as couple found dead in Thai rental home
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo: Istock

 

A chilling murder-suicide discovery was made in the Phana district of Amnat Charoen when a foreign couple, found dead in their rented house, sparked a police investigation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309384-murder-suicide-suspected-as-couple-found-dead-in-thai-rental-home/

 

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End of an Era: After 72 Years Disbandment of Railway Police

 

Picture: INN

 

Countdown to Closure: After a remarkable 72-year history of protecting Thailand's railway system, the "Railway Police" will cease operations on October 17th.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1309374-end-of-an-era-after-72-years-disbandment-of-railway-police/