The Ministry of Public Health has begun a program to increase the birth rate in Thailand, by encouraging Thai couples to have children, with possible financial incentives.

 

Health Ministry campaigns to encourage Thai couples to have children

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313543-health-ministry-campaigns-to-encourage-thai-couples-to-have-children/

Iranian boxer allegedly steals over 20 million baht assets from Burmese woman in Bangkok
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo by Soe Zeya Tun via Postjung

A Burmese woman filed a complaint against an Iranian boxer accusing him of stealing more than 20 million baht from her condominium in Bangkok before fleeing Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313534-iranian-boxer-allegedly-steals-over-20-million-baht-assets-from-burmese-woman-in-bangkok/

PM Charged With Breaking Law Over 6,000 Baht Gift To Paetongtarn
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra holding a piece of Mudee fabric that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had just given her. Photo: Thai Rath

 

A FRESH COMPLAINT WAS FILED today (Dec.6) against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for allegedly breaking the law by handing a personal gift worth over 6,000 baht to Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313576-pm-charged-with-breaking-law-over-6000-baht-gift-to-paetongtarn/

 

Australian Hells Angels Gang Leader Arrested In Thailand
by TNR Staff

 

The Australian suspect believed to be the head of the Hell’s Angels gang in his home country after being arrested by Thai Immigration Police. Photos: Naewna

 

IMMIGRATION Police arrested an Australian man said to be the leader of Hell’s Angels gang in his country and wanted there for a string of drug and firearm charges after he used an Italian man’s passport to enter the country, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon (Dec. 6).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313577-australian-hells-angels-gang-leader-arrested-in-thailand/

 

Justice Minister Not Empowered To Endorse Thaksin’s Extended Stay At Hospital
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Justice Minister Thavi Sodsong, right in above photo and left in Front Page photo, and de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra. Image: Thai Rath

 

JUSTICE MINISTER THAVI Sodsong said today (Dec.6) he is not legally empowered to allow the “sickly” de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict at large Thaksin Shinawatra to stay at Police Hospital beyond a 120-day period.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313578-justice-minister-not-empowered-to-endorse-thaksin’s-extended-stay-at-hospital/

 

German who skipped bail on sexual assault of a minor charge in Pattaya named by top cop
by Joseph O' Connor

 

Details of the case were given on Wednesday by General Surachate Hakparn, who confirmed that at least two officers are facing disciplinary action and potentially criminal charges over the handling of the case.

Top Cop launches disciplinary action: General Surachate Hakparn, known as Big Joke, confirms disciplinary action and a criminal investigation against police officers in response to Deutsche Welle TV’s shocking exposé on Pattaya sex tourism.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313579-german-who-skipped-bail-on-sexual-assault-of-a-minor-charge-in-pattaya-named-by-top-cop/

 

Rayong company sends new employees packing with a one-day notice
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A prominent company situated in Amata City Industrial Estate, Rayong, dismissed its newly recruited employees, providing only a single day’s notice. But the regular employees have not been spared either – they’ve been ordered to take a long leave of up to three months, receiving only 75% of their normal pay.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313582-rayong-company-sends-new-employees-packing-with-a-one-day-notice/

 

Myanmar Man Dies after Falling into a Canal in Phuket Town
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – A Myanmar man has died after falling into a canal in Phuket Town.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313583-myanmar-man-dies-after-falling-into-a-canal-in-phuket-town/

Underwear-clad party entertainer crashes and kills motorcycle rider
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ Page 3 News

 

A female party entertainer from Thailand claimed she was sleepy, not drunk, after crashing her car into a motorcycle rider and killing him on Phetchakasem Road in Cha-am district in the southern province of Phetchaburi.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313584-underwear-clad-party-entertainer-crashes-and-kills-motorcycle-rider/

 

Taiwanese man arrested for animal smuggling at Bangkok airport
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช

Officers from Suvarnabhumi Animal Quarantine at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok arrested a Taiwanese man for animal smuggling yesterday, December 5.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313585-taiwanese-man-arrested-for-animal-smuggling-at-bangkok-airport/

 

Lopburi, a Thai city in crisis as local monkeys force the local population to cage themselves in 

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

Some photos from a field trip this week by national Thai TV included interviews with local business owners, including Uncle Atthaphon Phaengphan, a motorcycle taxi driver (centre) who told them that a local shopping centre had to close because the monkeys had taken over its precincts.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313607-lopburi-a-thai-city-in-crisis-as-local-monkeys-force-the-local-population-to-cage-themselves-in/

 

Prime Minister Takes Swift Action Against "Fake News," Warns of Tourism Impact
 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On December 6, 2023, at 1:38 PM in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Prime Minister Seratha Thaweesin, who is also the Minister of Finance, addressed the media regarding a controversial incident involving Chinese tourists wearing Thai police uniforms.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313604-prime-minister-takes-swift-action-against-fake-news-warns-of-tourism-impact/

Nightlife Business Association in Pattaya Emphasizes Strict Compliance with the Law Following German Media Expose on Child Exploitation

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

The president of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association underscores the importance of strict adherence to the law after German media revealed the sale of child services in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313603-nightlife-business-association-in-pattaya-emphasizes-strict-compliance-with-the-law-following-german-media-expose-on-child-exploitation/

Thai Restaurant Owner in Sweden Gets Partial Refund from Hospital After High Medical Bill
 

Picture: Daily News

 

The hospital agrees to refund 100,000 Baht to the Thai restaurant owner in Sweden after an unexpected fever led to a staggering medical bill of 249,704 Baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313606-thai-restaurant-owner-in-sweden-gets-partial-refund-from-hospital-after-high-medical-bill/

 

Phuket extends pub and bar hours to boost tourism and employment
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Achadthaya Chuenniran

 

Phuket is set to extend the operating hours of its pubs and bars till 4am, with the new timing being tentatively scheduled to start on December 15. This decision was reached following a public hearing conducted by the Phuket Provincial Administration Office.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313608-phuket-extends-pub-and-bar-hours-to-boost-tourism-and-employment/

 

Investigation ongoing in Prachuap Khiri Khan bus tragedy; Compensation for victims announced
By Online Reporter

 

 

Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Surapong Piyachot, visited the scene of a catastrophic bus accident that happened in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313609-investigation-ongoing-in-prachuap-khiri-khan-bus-tragedy-compensation-for-victims-announced/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday 7 December 2023
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313611-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-7-december-2023/

 

 

Thailand’s tourism revenue falls short of annual target
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has projected a shortfall in its annual tourism revenue target, with this year’s earnings expected to reach 2.07 trillion baht (US$ 58,773,427,200) instead of the projected 2.38 trillion baht (US$ 67,575,244,800).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313613-thailand’s-tourism-revenue-falls-short-of-annual-target/

 

Tourist rubles ensure warm welcome for Russians in Thailand
Luna Pham for RFA

 

Shops catering to Russian tourists in Pattaya, Thailand, June 22, 2023. Tran Viet Duc/RFA

 

Ask any Russian person which country in Southeast Asia they have heard about and you’d probably hear “Thailand.” Russian tourists are crowding its beaches, bars and even its Orthodox churches.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313616-tourist-rubles-ensure-warm-welcome-for-russians-in-thailand/

 

NBTC plans to boost internet connectivity for impoverished Bangkok communities
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

In a bid to bridge the digital divide, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has announced plans to increase internet connectivity for impoverished communities in Bangkok. The initiative also includes the provision of WiFi service for districts nationwide. This move forms part of the NBTC’s fourth universal service obligation (USO) plan.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313618-nbtc-plans-to-boost-internet-connectivity-for-impoverished-bangkok-communities/

 

Thai Government Unveils Comprehensive Measures to Tackle Forest Fires and Air Pollution
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

National—On December 6th, 2023, Ms. Traisulee Traisanakul, the Secretary to the Thai Minister of the Interior, publicly revealed policies for preventing and solving problems of forest fires, smog, and PM 2.5 smoke proposed by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, to provincial governors.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313620-thai-government-unveils-comprehensive-measures-to-tackle-forest-fires-and-air-pollution/

 

Thai industry calls for retention of current power tariff amid hike fears
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Pattanapong Hirunard

 

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) is urging the Thai government to retain the current power tariff of 3.99 baht per kilowatt-hour.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313621-thai-industry-calls-for-retention-of-current-power-tariff-amid-hike-fears/

 

Undercover Raid Busts Tomboy Bar: 18 Tourists Found with Purple Urine
 

Picture: Daily News

 

In a joint operation, local authorities, in collaboration with the police, conducted a surprise raid on a Tomboy bar in Pattaya, discovering over a hundred tourists violating closing time regulations. Upon urine tests, 18 individuals tested positive for drug use, leading to legal action.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313625-undercover-raid-busts-tomboy-bar-18-tourists-found-with-purple-urine/

UPDATE:

 

Thai woman mistaken for foreigner and charged 100,000 baht more by hospital
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via DailyNews

 

A Thai woman asked a hospital located in the Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, to explain a 250,000 baht bill related to her four-day medical treatment. The hospital later returned 100,000 baht, acknowledging it had mistaken her for a foreigner.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313606-thai-restaurant-owner-in-sweden-gets-partial-refund-from-hospital-after-high-medical-bill/?do=findComment&comment=18535703

 

Fallout from DW 'Sex tourism' documentary, Thai population falling : Tim Newton Today - Dec 7 

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313626-fallout-from-dw-sex-tourism-documentary-thai-population-falling-tim-newton-today-dec-7/

 

Lorry crash in Pathum Thani injures 15 Burmese workers
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A lorry carrying 15 Burmese workers collided with a container truck in Pathum Thani province, injuring all the passengers. The incident occurred around 6am today. The Isuzu pickup truck, driven by an unidentified man, lost control and crashed into the container truck, leading to multiple casualties.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313628-lorry-crash-in-pathum-thani-injures-15-burmese-workers/

 

Thailand probes incident of Chinese tourist wearing Thai police uniform for fun
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin verified yesterday that the Royal Thai Police (RTP) is probing a social media incident involving a Chinese tourist seen donning the Thai police uniform, complete with a nameplate, rank insignia, and decorations. The uniform was worn for amusement, an act which the Thai PM condemned.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313629-thailand-probes-incident-of-chinese-tourist-wearing-thai-police-uniform-for-fun/

Drunk Thai man stabs 7-Eleven worker for refusing to sell alcohol after hours
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via PPTV HD

 

Police used a stun gun to subdue a drunk Thai man after he stabbed a 7-Eleven convenience store worker with a pair of scissors in the central province of Lop Buri because the victim refused to sell him alcohol.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313633-drunk-thai-man-stabs-7-eleven-worker-for-refusing-to-sell-alcohol-after-hours/

 

Survivor of fatal bus accident recounts harrowing experience
by Samantha Rose

 

Picture courtesy of Sanook

 

Mattikan, a recent graduate also known as King, narrowly escaped a fatal bus accident that claimed 14 lives in Huay Yang, Thap Sakae, Prachuap Khiri Khan.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313635-survivor-of-fatal-bus-accident-recounts-harrowing-experience/

 

Thai rice varieties will no longer enter world’s best rice competition

 

 

Thailand did not participate in the World’s Best Rice 2023 competition, held during the International World Rice Commission in Cebu, the Philippines, and will not do so in the coming years, Chukiat Opaswongse, honorary president of Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA), said yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1313637-thai-rice-varieties-will-no-longer-enter-world’s-best-rice-competition/