NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 29 November 2023

2 Thai captives were released last night; they were among the latest group to be returned to Israel. Meanwhile 
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited released Thai captives in Tel Aviv yesterday, arrangements were being made to return those fit enough to travel at the earliest opportunity.

Public transport operators organized a demonstration urging the government to reduce the price of natural gas for vehicles from nearly 20 baht per kilogram to just under 13 baht. Almost 300 public transport vehicles were involved in the protest, with demonstrators converging outside Government House where a formal complaint was submitted to Prime Minister Thavasin.

130 police officers arrested nine suspects and confiscated 200,000 methamphetamine pills during seven raids across southern districts in Pathum Thani and Yala. The authorities plan to seize the suspects' assets, including apartments, houses, cars, and bank accounts, valued at around 100 million baht. The arrests included a drug-ring mastermind and three associates apprehended at a garage used as a cover for drug trafficking.

The cabinet has approved a salary raise of 20% over the next two years for newly recruited civil servants, the raise will see average pay rise from 15,000 to 18,000 baht per month starting in May next year.

Around The Region:

Jakarta: Campaigning for Indonesia’s presidential election got underway yesterday with 3 candidates aiming to win over more than 200 million eligible voters.

The hustings will run until Feb 10th with the election due to take place on the 14th. Current president Joko Widodo is serving his second term and is not allowed to seek another. 

The Weather:  

Chiang Mai and the north: Sunny 31

Bangkok: Sunny 31

Pattaya:  Sunny, partly cloudy 31

Phuket and the south:  Cloudy with thundershowers. 29C

Hua Hin: Bright cloudy 30

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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