Thailand has been declared the “Best Destination Outside Europe” at a travel awards ceremony in Denmark. The Danish Travel Awards 2023 voted Thailand the winner of the category, the first time the award has been bestowed on the kingdom.

 

Danish travelers declare Thailand “Best Destination Outside Europe”

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310817-danish-travellers-declare-thailand-“best-destination-outside-europe”/

4am closing for nightlife will start New Year

 

PHOTO: Wikimedia

 

The government has confirmed that the country’s nightlife will be able to remain open until 4am, starting from the New Year holiday period. The decision was announced by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310816-4am-closing-for-nightlife-will-start-new-year/

Protesters Urge Govt To Return Thaksin To Jail
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Scenes from the protest outside Government House yesterday, Oct. 31, 2023. Photo: Thai Rath

 

A DOZEN POLITICAL activists yesterday (Oct.31) pressed the government to return de facto Pheu Thai boss/”sickly” inmate Thaksin Shinawatra from hospital to jail.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310849-protesters-urge-govt-to-return-thaksin-to-jail/

 

UPDATE:

 

Belgian Expat Allegedly Brutalized by Thai Man in Chonburi Road Rage Incident
By Tanakorn Panyadee 

 

PHOTO: TERO Entertainment

Chonburi — A 70-year-old Belgian expat was allegedly brutalized in a road rage incident involving a Thai man in Chonburi province. The incident was partially fueled by a language barrier and misunderstanding between the two parties.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310719-thai-woman-calls-justice-after-thai-man-attacks-her-belgian-husband/?do=findComment&comment=18465710

 

UPDATE:

 

Thai Government Moves Forward with Extending Nightlife Hours in Some Areas, Pattaya May Be Left Out of Trial
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister, revealed to Thai media an extension of the opening hours of entertainment venues in certain tourist locations to stimulate tourism during the high season.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310816-4am-closing-for-nightlife-will-start-new-year/?do=findComment&comment=18465716

 

Nothing Amiss Found During Sattahip Police Karaoke Inspection
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya

Sattahip — Sattahip police conducted an intensive inspection of karaoke venues in the area of the Tao Than Thong Thip Market on October 30th.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310851-nothing-amiss-found-during-sattahip-police-karaoke-inspection/

 

Army-Led ISOC Won’t Be Dissolved: PM
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin briefing the press about not dissolving Internal Security Operations Command. Photo: Thai Rath

 

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will the Internal Security Operations Command be dissolved as the army-led agency will be obliged to play more government-assisting roles, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310858-army-led-isoc-won’t-be-dissolved-pm/

 

28-year-old woman enslaved and beaten by her drug-dealing boyfriend in 3 months of living Hell
by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Deputy National Police Chief General Surachate Hakparn and the social media activist Kannarat ‘Gun’ Pongpaiboonwet or Gun Jom Palang on Sunday with the 28-year-old woman who escaped on Saturday night after being beaten and seriously injured over two days by her drug-dealing boyfriend in Nakhon Pathom.

Social media activist who in the last year has exposed misery and suffering beneath the surface of Thai society brings his latest victim to ‘Big Joke’ for help. The senior officer promised an investigation into her claims of abuse.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310859-28-year-old-woman-enslaved-and-beaten-by-her-drug-dealing-boyfriend-in-3-months-of-living-hell/

 

Sirens sour the silence: Silom hotel’s plea ignites global social media symphony
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo courtesy of Camilo Jimenez via Unsplash

 

An escalating drama unfolded as a hotel in the Silom area penned a letter to a foundation requesting the discontinuation of ambulance siren noise.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310860-sirens-sour-the-silence-silom-hotel’s-plea-ignites-global-social-media-symphony/

 

Man Injured After Falling from Pattaya Condo
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — A Thai man survived a fall from the second floor of a condominium complex in Pattaya with several injuries. The victim purposely jumped from his room after reportedly becoming upset with his girlfriend.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310861-man-injured-after-falling-from-pattaya-condo/

 

Thunderstorm warning: Meteorological department issues alert for 30 provinces, including Bangkok
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo: cdc.gov

 

The Meteorological Department has issued a thunderstorm warning in 30 provinces including Bangkok, with South Thailand being the hardest hit.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310863-thunderstorm-warning-meteorological-department-issues-alert-for-30-provinces-including-bangkok/

 

Lumpini Police Apprehend Cable Thief after Dramatic Chase
 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

At approximately 07:00 AM on October 31st, authorities at Lumpini Police Station received an urgent notification regarding a theft in progress near the Lumpini Park bus stop on Sarasin Road.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310852-lumpini-police-apprehend-cable-thief-after-dramatic-chase/

 

Tragic Motorcycle Accident Claims Life of 14-Year-Old in Khon Kaen
 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

At approximately 6:30 PM on October 31, 2023, authorities in Mueang Khon Kaen were notified of a fatal accident involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck on the Ban Pa Phu-Na Chan road, Khon Kaen province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310853-tragic-motorcycle-accident-claims-life-of-14-year-old-in-khon-kaen/

 

Violent Clash After Verbal Dispute in Samut Prakan Cannabis Shop
 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

A dispute in a Samut Prakan Cannabis shop escalated into violence when a group of teenagers returned armed with a gun and a knife, attacking a young man and his friend.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310854-violent-clash-after-verbal-dispute-in-samut-prakan-cannabis-shop/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 1 November 2023
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310868-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-wednesday-1-november-2023/

 

OPINION

It is time to abolish the death penalty in Thailand
by Arun Saronchai

 

In Thailand, the issue of the death penalty has long been a topic that sparks intense debate, provoking passionate arguments from both its proponents and detractors.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310871-it-is-time-to-abolish-the-death-penalty-in-thailand/

 

Unlicensed vet accused in Nonthaburi pet death scandal
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo: KhaoSod

 

A dog owner has lodged a complaint against a veterinary clinic in Nonthaburi, alleging that an unlicensed vet performed a sterilisation operation on his pet, which subsequently died.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310873-unlicensed-vet-accused-in-nonthaburi-pet-death-scandal/

 

American Tourists Leap 10 Feet Off an Out-of-Control Elephant in Thailand [Video]

 

 

A Utah couple is lucky to be alive after their Thailand vacation went from joy to terror.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310879-american-tourists-leap-10-feet-off-an-out-of-control-elephant-in-thailand-video/

 

Pattaya left out of 4am closing trial, more visa exempt countries : Tim Newton Today - Nov 1 

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310881-pattaya-left-out-of-4am-closing-trial-more-visa-exempt-countries-tim-newton-today-nov-1/

 

Durian vendor found dead in pond after business trip
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo: Freepik

 

The family of a durian vendor was left in shock upon discovering that the man had been found dead, his hands and feet bound, in a pond after he had returned from selling durians in the south.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310882-durian-vendor-found-dead-in-pond-after-business-trip/

 

Chiang Mai club raided in Pa Cha Tek operation for serving underage drinkers
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod.

 

In the early hours of today, a popular club in Chang Phueak, Chiang Mai, was raided as part of the Pa Cha Tek operation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310885-chiang-mai-club-raided-in-pa-cha-tek-operation-for-serving-underage-drinkers/

 

Thailand’s drug policy shift: Possession of 10 or fewer meth pills no longer means jail time
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo: medicalnewstoday.com

 

A significant shift in Thailand’s approach to drug possession is underway, as the Justice Ministry and the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) are supporting an initiative by the Public Health Ministry.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310886-thailand’s-drug-policy-shift-possession-of-10-or-fewer-meth-pills-no-longer-means-jail-time/

 

4 Chinese and 22 Thai scammers arrested for operating gold scam
by Petch Petpailin

Photo via Facebook/ กองบังคับการปราบปรามการกระทำความผิดเกี่ยวกับอาชญากรรมทางเศรษฐกิจ บก.ปอศ.

 

Officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) arrested 26 suspects, four Chinese and 22 Thai, for running a fake gold shop and luring victims to invest in counterfeit stock trading.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310887-4-chinese-and-22-thai-scammers-arrested-for-operating-gold-scam/

 

PM Srettha forms team to clarify digital wallet scheme amidst confusion
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Siamrath

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin agreed to establish a dedicated team to effectively communicate details about the government’s flagship digital wallet scheme.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310888-pm-srettha-forms-team-to-clarify-digital-wallet-scheme-amidst-confusion/

 

Thai tourists’ Korea travel ban outcry impacts agencies amid visa woes
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Thairath

 

Following a surge in posts under the hashtag #BanTravelToSouthKorea (#แบนเที่ยวเกาหลี) on the Twitter (X) platform, tourism agencies are being urged to pay heed to the concerns of Thai tourists

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310889-thai-tourists’-korea-travel-ban-outcry-impacts-agencies-amid-visa-woes/

 

Thai hostages may be the first released by Hamas – Qatar PM
 

 

Qatar and Iran have promised to help secure the release of 22 Thai hostages being held by Hamas, with the possibility that they will be the first foreign hostages to be released, according to a Facebook post by Thailand’s Foreign Ministry.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310890-thai-hostages-may-be-the-first-released-by-hamas-–-qatar-pm/

 

Ghostly police arrest suspected thief in Bangkok
 

Photo by Police News FB

Metropolitan police, dressed as ghosts, arrested a suspected thief, who had intended to celebrate Halloween with his girlfriend at a department store in Bangkok on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310896-ghostly-police-arrest-suspected-thief-in-bangkok/

 

Taxi, tuk-tuk drivers rally in Patong to protest “baht bus” plans

By Peter Roche

 

PHOTO: Facebook/Phuket Hotnews

Well, of course they will protest. Phuket’s taxi cabals have long protected the gangs and rackets that have trashed the island’s transport reputation for decades. This latest proposal for some competition is no different.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310898-taxi-tuk-tuk-drivers-rally-in-patong-to-protest-“baht-bus”-plans/

 

Intense efforts continue to secure the release of Thai hostages in Gaza

 

 

All those involved in Thailand and in the Middle East are working tirelessly to help free Thais held hostage by Hamas in Gaza and the latest information is quite optimistic, Areepen Utarasint, one of Thai negotiators, said in a press conference on Wednesday.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310908-intense-efforts-continue-to-secure-the-release-of-thai-hostages-in-gaza/

 

No more charter evacuation flights for Thais in Israel after today : govt spokesman

 

A picture shows rockets fired from the Gaza City (R) being intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defence missile system (L) on October 10, 2023. Israel said it recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas as the war’s death toll passed 3,000 on October 10, the fourth day of gruelling fighting since the Islamists launched a surprise attack.//AFP

 

The Thai government will not charter any more flights to bring Thais back from Israel after the last chartered evacuation flight today, unless there are enough passengers to fill an aircraft, Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said on Wednesday.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1310909-no-more-charter-evacuation-flights-for-thais-in-israel-after-today-govt-spokesman/