THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 24 November 2023

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One of the globe’s leading expat networking and guide websites ranked the Big Mango, Bangkok, as the 9th best city to live and visit for expats in 2023. The ranking is down from last year when Bangkok was ranked 6th.

 

Photo by Hanny Naibaho via Unsplash

 

Bangkok ranked 9th in 2023 best cities for expats, down from 6th last year

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312411-bangkok-ranked-9th-in-2023-best-cities-for-expats-down-from-6th-last-year/

 

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Phuket officials accused of extorting Thai women and their foreign husbands

 

Photo via The Asian Parent

 

Multiple Thai women accused officials at district offices in Phuket of extorting money from them and their foreign husbands. The alleged malpractice involves overcharging them between 3,000 to 8,000 baht for marriage certificates, a substantial increase from the standard 200 baht fee.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312419-phuket-officials-accused-of-extorting-thai-women-and-their-foreign-husbands/

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Indian Tourist Falls to Death at Pattaya Condo

 

 

A young Indian tourist plunged to his death from the 45th floor of a condominium complex in south Pattaya on the night of November 22nd.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312430-indian-tourist-falls-to-death-at-pattaya-condo/

 

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Italian Fugitive Arrested in Thailand for Overstaying and Robbery Charges
 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On November 23, 2023, Thai Immigration Police successfully apprehended an Italian man, referred to as "Eddie", aged 63, for overstaying his visa and evading an international arrest warrant.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312442-italian-fugitive-arrested-in-thailand-for-overstaying-and-robbery-charges/

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Russian National Arrested for Illicit Financial Transactions

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On November 23, 2023, Thai authorities announced the arrest of a Russian man, identified as a key member of a group involved in illegal financial transactions. The arrest was a joint operation led by senior officials from various Thai law enforcement departments.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312441-russian-national-arrested-for-illicit-financial-transactions/

 

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Thai hospital chief issues warning on risky neck cracking habits for fatigue relief
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

The head of the New Accident Disease Health Science Centre at Chulalongkorn Hospital issued a public warning about the dangers of the common habit of neck cracking to alleviate tiredness.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312444-thai-hospital-chief-issues-warning-on-risky-neck-cracking-habits-for-fatigue-relief/

 

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Thai man loses pickup to woman after 2 weeks of dating

by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Channel 7

 

A Thai man lost an 800,000 baht pickup truck to a woman he met after only two weeks of dating. The woman is suspected of being a member of a car theft gang that stole vehicles in neighbouring countries.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312447-thai-man-loses-pickup-to-woman-after-2-weeks-of-dating/

 

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Pattaya Authorities Vow to Finish All Road Repairs by March 2024
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — In response to mounting complaints from businesses and tourists, Pattaya City officials came out to announce that all major road surface repair projects, which have been scattered around the city, will be completed by March 2024.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312449-pattaya-authorities-vow-to-finish-all-road-repairs-by-march-2024/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 24 November 2023
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312452-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-24-november-2023/

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Cannabis shop raid in Lampang: Teenagers found consuming marijuana
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo: KhaoSod

 

A cannabis shop raid resulted in the discovery of about ten students, including a 14 year old, consuming marijuana within the premises. Local residents, distressed by the situation, had reported the establishment, leading to an investigation and legal action against the shop owner.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312453-cannabis-shop-raid-in-lampang-teenagers-found-consuming-marijuana/

 

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Chinese tourists still prefer Thailand despite visa exemptions
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul/Bangkok Post

 

Despite increasing competition from countries offering visa exemptions to Chinese tourists, Thailand’s tourism industry remains secure due to its dominant market share and increased expenditure per trip, according to the country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312454-chinese-tourists-still-prefer-thailand-despite-visa-exemptions/

 

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Thai Highway Police Arrest Lorry Driver for Possession of Unregistered Firearm in Nakhon Pathom
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Nakhon Pathom—On November 22nd, 2023, Thai highway police officers captured a 22-wheel lorry driver for possession of firearms without permission in public areas on Phra Prathon-Ban Bo Road, Mueang Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Pathom.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312455-thai-highway-police-arrest-lorry-driver-for-possession-of-unregistered-firearm-in-nakhon-pathom/

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Bank account freeze scam strikes fear: Fraudsters use shocking new tactics in Thailand

by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Fraudsters have mastered the art of freezing bank accounts and fabricating account screenshots, leaving victims vulnerable to a financial nightmare.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312458-bank-account-freeze-scam-strikes-fear-fraudsters-use-shocking-new-tactics-in-thailand/

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23 Thai Nationals Expected to Be Freed by Hamas Following Iranian Brokerage
by Thai Enquirer

 

Hamas is likely to release 23 Thai hostages in a side agreement facilitated by Iran. This development was reported by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, a London-based pan-Arab news outlet, which stated that Tehran played a crucial role in mediating between Hamas and Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312462-23-thai-nationals-expected-to-be-freed-by-hamas-following-iranian-brokerage/

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Thai finance company’s handwritten debt recovery note sparks online debate
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A finance company‘s unconventional method of debt recovery has sparked an online debate.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312463-thai-finance-company’s-handwritten-debt-recovery-note-sparks-online-debate/

 

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Bogus baht bills bankrupt shopkeeper in costly counterfeit conundrum in northern Thailand
Photo of Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A significant financial loss was experienced by a 61 year old shopkeeper from Udon Thani, due to counterfeit banknotes.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312464-bogus-baht-bills-bankrupt-shopkeeper-in-costly-counterfeit-conundrum-in-northern-thailand/

 

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Hua Hin Municipality launches mosquito fogging campaign after confirmed Zika infection
By Online Reporter

 

File photo

The Public Health Services Department of Hua Hin Municipality has initiated a mosquito fogging campaign in the Petcharat Srasong community area, near Chomsin Market. This move follows a confirmed report of Zika virus infection within the area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312466-hua-hin-municipality-launches-mosquito-fogging-campaign-after-confirmed-zika-infection/

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Thai weather warning: Northeast bracing for strong winds
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo: Istock

 

The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a Thai weather warning today, indicating a drop in temperatures and strong winds, particularly in the northeastern region.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312468-thai-weather-warning-northeast-bracing-for-strong-winds/

 

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Thailand drops in expat world rankings, massive online betting raid : Tim Newton Today - Nov 24 

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312470-thailand-drops-in-expat-world-rankings-massive-online-betting-raid-tim-newton-today-nov-24/

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Street parking woes: Costly reminder as Thai condo car ignites
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo: KhaoSod

 

A car was set ablaze after being parked on the street due to a lack of parking spaces at a condominium in Pluak Daeng district, Rayong. The street parking incident serves as a costly reminder of the risks associated with street parking.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312471-street-parking-woes-costly-reminder-as-thai-condo-car-ignites/

 

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Bangkok bust: Thai woman’s hotel hustle unravels fake bills, triggers hunt for mysterious foreign accomplice
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ ตำรวจสอบสวนกลาง

 

The arrest of a Thai woman on fraud charges at a Bangkok hotel yesterday led to an investigation into the production of fake dollar bills and the search for a foreign man involved.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312473-bangkok-bust-thai-womans-hotel-hustle-unravels-fake-bills-triggers-hunt-for-mysterious-foreign-accomplice/

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American Tourist in Phuket Dies after Snorkeling in Phang Nga
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – An American tourist in Phuket has been pronounced dead after snorkeling at an island in Phang Nga.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312476-american-tourist-in-phuket-dies-after-snorkeling-in-phang-nga/

 

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Thanathorn puts Move Forward in awkward position

 

 

While he was in exile, Thaksin Shinawatra welcomed Thai visitors all the time, so it’s not such a big deal that Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has admitted to meeting him overseas during the hectic attempts to form a government after the May 14 election. It’s Thanathorn’s apparently-harmless statement about the Move Forward-Pheu Thai relationship that can do far-bigger damage.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312487-thanathorn-puts-move-forward-in-awkward-position/

 

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Former PM Prayut’s wealth increases by Bt1.5 million over nine years

 

 

Former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has declared his assets to the National Anti-Corruption Committee (NACC), revealing that he is now Bt1.5 million richer than when he first declared them nine years ago.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312488-former-pm-prayut’s-wealth-increases-by-bt15-million-over-nine-years/

 

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Two Thai tourists die in tour bus accident in Turkey

 

 

Two Thai tourists were killed in Turkey when their tour bus slammed into a roadside sign on Thursday (local time), according to Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kanchana Patarachoke today.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312489-two-thai-tourists-die-in-tour-bus-accident-in-turkey/

 

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Struggling for a breath of fresh air

 

 

It’s November and a cool breeze is blowing. While this should be welcomed as it heralds the cool season, instead it signals that burning season is making a comeback and smoke-laden haze that contains fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) is returning. Parts of Thailand are under threat again.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312490-struggling-for-a-breath-of-fresh-air/

 

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MDES Convenes Meeting to Kick Off Cybersecurity Plan

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - A key meeting was held to initiate cybersecurity operations under the 2019 Cybersecurity Act for the 2024 fiscal year.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312491-mdes-convenes-meeting-to-kick-off-cybersecurity-plan/

 

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Interior Min Warns Against Illicit Online Citizen ID Card Issuing Services

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - A recent investigation revealed a fraudulent operation involving the issuance of fake national ID cards. Authorities have conducted searches and arrests in various locations, uncovering materials and expanding the investigation due to potential links to other criminal activities.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312492-interior-min-warns-against-illicit-online-citizen-id-card-issuing-services/

 

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Govt Accelerates FTA Strategy Implementation

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government is urgently developing strategies for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with various countries, aligning with state policies. A focus on the potential impacts on Thai farmers is emphasized.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312493-govt-accelerates-fta-strategy-implementation/

 

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Diplomatic Engagement on Thai Hostage Situation in Israel

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives welcomed a high-ranking Iranian foreign ministry official to discuss the ongoing hostage situation in Israel. Talks focused on the status of Thai nationals involved and efforts to secure their safety amidst negotiations.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1312494-diplomatic-engagement-on-thai-hostage-situation-in-israel/