NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 25 October 2023

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin warned companies in Israel not to use delayed payment of salaries as leverage to keep thai employees in the country. 

 The PM said he had discuss the issue with the ambassador to Israel. After several companies had postponed payment until next month, some companies had offered a salary increase in order to tempt Thai workers to stay longer. 
The PM again advised Thai workers to return home.

The Defence Minister says  the navy would initiate negotiations with China aimed at lowering the price of purchasing a frigate which has a higher price tag than the submarine originally negotiated,  after the government decided to drop plans to acquire a submarine. 

The minister added it remains to be seen if China is ready to engage in discussions to revise the initial agreement. 
He gave assurances the government would not put the country at a disadvantage and would try to negotiate the best deal.
 
A well known racing driver and the former-husband of an actress, nicknamed Benz’ was released from prison in bangkok yesterday after serving 4 years behind bars.

His release came after the court dismissed allegations of abetting, assisting, or conspiring to smuggle drugs. He said he would discuss the possibility of compensation with his lawyer. 

A son-in-law of the Deputy Interior Minister was arrested in Uthai Thani province yesterday for allegedly extorting money from a tap water contractor. 

The 45 year old suspect is a mayor of a local district, two others who work with him at the local authorities were also arrested with 600 thousand baht in cash which had allegedly been given to them by a local contractor. 
All denied the charges. 

Around The Region:

China has dismissed it’s  defence minister, the second senior official to be ousted in the past three months with no explanation given.

This follows weeks of speculation over the fate of the US-sanctioned general who has not been seen in public since the end of August.

The Weather:  

Chiang Mai and the north: Bright partly Cloudy, 32C

Bangkok:, Cloudy, Thundershowers 33 C

Pattaya, Cloudy, thundershowers 31C

Phuket and the south: cloudy with thunder showers 30 C

Hua Hin : Cloudy with a good chance of rain this afternoon 31C. 

Credits: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Asean Now, Khaosod English,  Hua Hin Today, Royal Coast Review, Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn, Thainewsroom.com, The Pattaya News, Phuket News, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times. The Irrawaddy. Windy.com. Wunderground.com

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