Pattaya police arrested a Turkish tourist who reportedly refused to pay his food bill on Tuesday night. Authorities also discovered a sachet on the man, suspected to contain ketamine.

 

Pattaya Police Arrest Turkish Dine-and-Dash Suspect with Illegal Drugs

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310394-pattaya-police-arrest-turkish-dine-and-dash-suspect-with-illegal-drugs/

Thailand expected to have five new airlines operating next year

 

PHOTO: Really Cool Airlines

 

From 2024, Thailand is expected to have another 5 airlines operating, with a total investment of at least 3.85 billion baht. Thailand is already served with 6 domestic airlines, most whom also have services from Thailand into regional destinations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310383-thailand-expected-to-have-five-new-airlines-operating-next-year/

Wanted New Zealander Arrested in Phuket After 15 Year Absence, Had Drug Charges from Pattaya
By Goongnang Suksawat 

 

 

Phuket – A wanted New Zealander was arrested at Phuket International Airport after he escaped from Thailand 15 years ago and decided to risk returning.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310420-wanted-new-zealander-arrested-in-phuket-after-15-year-absence-had-drug-charges-from-pattaya/

 

Hearing Put Off In Koh Phangan Murder Case
by TNR Staff 

 

Spanish chef Daniel Jeronimo Sancho Bronchalo. Picture: NaewNa

 

KOH SAMUI Provincial Court today (Oct. 26) postponed a hearing of a Spanish chef who has been charged with murdering a Colombian surgeon on Koh Phangan last August with his body parts found packed in a suitcase and dumped in the sea and the  rest discarded at a garbage dump, Naewna newspaper said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310421-hearing-put-off-in-koh-phangan-murder-case/

 

 

Legal casinos and gambling in Thailand being weighed up carefully after Deputy PM’s backing 
by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

In September, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin suggested that the government should move to legalise online gambling sites to boost the economy and provide extra funds to vulnerable groups. It follows calls from Bhumjaithai Party MP Saritpong Kiewkhong on casinos. The MP wants to see the government move forward with recommendations issued by a panel of the last House of Representatives in 2022.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310427-legal-casinos-and-gambling-in-thailand-being-weighed-up-carefully-after-deputy-pm’s-backing/

 

Phuket Tourist Police Investigate Illegal Russian Tour Guide Allegations
 

 

Phuket – The Phuket Tourist Police inspected a famous temple in Phuket after they received many complaints from concerned citizens that there were allegedly Russian tour guides working there illegally.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310428-phuket-tourist-police-investigate-illegal-russian-tour-guide-allegations/

 

British Tourist Impressed by Thai Police Swift Assistance
 

 

On October 26th, police in Lopburi, Thailand, provided prompt assistance to Miss Mischa Pearson, a 37-year-old British national.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310422-british-tourist-impressed-by-thai-police-swift-assistance/

 

Temple Abbot Seeks Spiritual Help to Clear 1 Million Baht Debt, Receives Aid Unexpectedly
 

 

AYUTTHAYA - In a remarkable incident, the head monk of the Maenangpluem temple, Phra Palad Sawat Siriwotho, called for spiritual assistance to relieve the temple of a staggering debt of 1 million baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310426-temple-abbot-seeks-spiritual-help-to-clear-1-million-baht-debt-receives-aid-unexpectedly/

 

Foreign Gang Overstays Visa, Assaults Officers in Phuket Villa Raid
 

 

On October 26th, at 5:00 PM, a combined force of over 30 officers from the SWAT unit of the 8th region and Phuket Immigration Department surrounded and raided a luxurious beachside villa in Kamala, Phuket.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310425-foreign-gang-overstays-visa-assaults-officers-in-phuket-villa-raid/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 27 October 2023
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310432-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-27-october-2023/

 

Thai death toll in Israel conflict reaches 33, repatriation efforts underway
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo: BBC/Thai

 

The ongoing conflict in Israel has seen the death toll rise to 33 for Thai workers, with an additional 18 injured, as announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara on Wednesday. Furthermore, 18 Thai workers have been captured as hostages by the extremist group, Hamas. This figure was previously reported incorrectly as 19.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310434-thai-death-toll-in-israel-conflict-reaches-33-repatriation-efforts-underway/

 

Thai PM pledges fast-tracking marriage equality and transgender recognition laws
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

 

A pledge was made yesterday by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to accelerate the progress of three significant bills, inclusive of the “marriage equality” draft law. These proposed laws are scheduled for Cabinet deliberation next Tuesday before being forwarded to Parliament for further scrutiny.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310436-thai-pm-pledges-fast-tracking-marriage-equality-and-transgender-recognition-laws/

 

Thai PM to kickstart ‘Naga Fire: Miracle of Faith 2023’, boosting tourism
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo: nakaravillasandglamping.com

 

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to grace the grand opening of the “Naga Fire: Miracle of Faith 2023” event in Phon Phisai District, Nong Khai on October 29, according to the government’s spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310439-thai-pm-to-kickstart-‘naga-fire-miracle-of-faith-2023’-boosting-tourism/

 

Thailand intensifies fight against XDR-TB, targeting eradication by 2030
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo: medlineplus.gov

 

The battle against drug-resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is escalating in Thailand, as the Public Health Ministry pushes towards its objective of wiping out the disease by the conclusion of this decade.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310441-thailand-intensifies-fight-against-xdr-tb-targeting-eradication-by-2030/

 

Man tricked out of 2 million baht inheritance by wife seeks legal help
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of bangkokbiznews

 

A 34 year old man is seeking legal assistance after being tricked into marriage and deceived out of a 2 million-baht inheritance by a village headman’s daughter.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310445-man-tricked-out-of-2-million-baht-inheritance-by-wife-seeks-legal-help/

 

Monkeypox morphs: Thailand reports 535 ‘mpox’ cases in a year
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post.

 

A whopping 535 mpox cases (formerly monkeypox) have been reported across Thailand between May last year and October this year, according to the figures released by the Department of Disease Control (DDC).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310446-monkeypox-morphs-thailand-reports-535-‘mpox’-cases-in-a-year/

 

Telephone scammer posing as police officer busted by a real cop on TikTok video
by Samantha Rose

 

Photo courtesy of Sanook.

 

A viral video posted by TikTok user @champ_z9, showing a real-life confrontation between a police officer and a telephone scammer, racked up more than 7.7 million views.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310447-telephone-scammer-posing-as-police-officer-busted-by-a-real-cop-on-tiktok-video/

 

Same-sex marriage, casinos, later closing hours - changes on the way : Tim Newton Today - Oct 27 

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310448-same-sex-marriage-casinos-later-closing-hours-changes-on-the-way-tim-newton-today-oct-27/

 

Weather forecast: Thai downpour alert drenches 48 provinces, Bangkok braces for a washout
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo: Durango Herald.

 

A continuous rainfall weather forecast has been issued today for 48 provinces by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), with the capital Bangkok included.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310449-weather-forecast-thai-downpour-alert-drenches-48-provinces-bangkok-braces-for-a-washout/

 

4 foreigners arrested for stealing 300,000 baht of gold near Bangkok
Photo of Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Matichon.

 

Police arrested four foreigners from the Middle East yesterday for stealing gold necklaces worth nearly 300,000 baht from the Aurora gold shop in the Pantip Plaza shopping centre in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok.

 

Full stoory: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310450-4-foreigners-arrested-for-stealing-300000-baht-of-gold-near-bangkok/

 

Thai Airways sees surge in bookings despite pandemic and global conflict
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post.

 

Thai Airways International (THAI) reported a surge in bookings on its European and Australian routes for the fourth quarter of this year, signalling a robust recovery for the airline even amid an ongoing pandemic.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310452-thai-airways-sees-surge-in-bookings-despite-pandemic-and-global-conflict/

 

Nightlife extension in Pattaya to 4am could boost tourism, says city business chief
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo: cherrytaxiservice.com.

 

The president of the Pattaya City Night Business Association is optimistic about the potential of nightlife extension activities until 4am.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310453-nightlife-extension-in-pattaya-to-4am-could-boost-tourism-says-city-business-chief/

 

Thais are largest group of dead foreigners in Israel

By Peter Roche

 

PHOTO: AFP

Thai nationals make up the largest single group of foreigners killed or missing following the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310454-thais-are-largest-group-of-dead-foreigners-in-israel/

 

UPDATE:

 

6 overstaying foreigners clash violently with Thai cops in Phuket
Photo of Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ ศูนย์ข้อมูลภูเก็ต Phuket Info Centre.

 

More than 30 Thai police officers clashed violently with six overstaying foreigners at a luxury villa on Bang Tao Beach in Phuket during an arrest operation. Four Thai officers were injured in the incident.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310425-foreign-gang-overstays-visa-assaults-officers-in-phuket-villa-raid/?do=findComment&comment=18453569

 

NACC probes Thai government’s 10,000-baht digital handout amid corruption fears
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod English.

 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) initiated an in-depth study into the Thai government’s policy for a 10,000-baht digital currency handout. This step comes as the agency intensifies its examination of the key policies of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310459-nacc-probes-thai-government’s-10000-baht-digital-handout-amid-corruption-fears/

 

Thai woman arrested in Taiwan for prostitution in Taiwan

 Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via ETtoday.

 

Taiwanese authorities arrested a Thai woman for illegally engaging in prostitution while on a tourist visa in Taiwan. The woman openly confessed to her wrongdoing and attributed her actions to financial difficulties.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310460-thai-woman-arrested-in-taiwan-for-prostitution-in-taiwan/

 

Thai tourism bodies urge government to rebuild confidence with Chinese tourists
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo: Bangkok Post.

 

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) called on the government to restore confidence in Chinese tourists via mainland tour agents, emphasising that this approach can guarantee tourist safety.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310461-thai-tourism-bodies-urge-government-to-rebuild-confidence-with-chinese-tourists/

 

Electricity may exceed ฿4 per unit next year

 

 

The Energy Regulatory Commission of Thailand (ERCT) has warned that the price of electricity in Thailand may exceed 4 baht per unit next year, due to factors ranging from the escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas and the prolonged war in Ukraine to the weakening of the baht currency against the greenback.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310463-electricity-may-exceed-฿4-per-unit-next-year/

 

Kanchanaburi aims to become a top health tourism destination with its new Wellness Association
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo: th.hotels.com.

 

The Kanchanaburi province, in collaboration with the Kanchanaburi Wellness Association, has combined their health-focused soft power efforts to establish Kanchanaburi: City of Health and Happiness.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310464-kanchanaburi-aims-to-become-a-top-health-tourism-destination-with-its-new-wellness-association/

 

Paetongtarn becomes new leader of Pheu Thai

 

 

Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of Thaksin  Shinawatra, was elected new leader of the Pheu Thai party today (Friday).

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310479-paetongtarn-becomes-new-leader-of-pheu-thai/