THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 12 December 2023

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The Immigration Bureau (IB) announced that Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s automated channels are now accessible to foreigners to alleviate congestion for outbound travel. This decision, effective from December 15, aligns with the Prime Minister’s directive, enforced by Srettha Thavasin, to enhance the outbound immigration system.

 

Suvarnabhumi Airport opens automated channels to foreign travellers

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314045-suvarnabhumi-airport-opens-automated-channels-to-foreign-travellers/

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Four Danish tourists and van driver injured in incident near airport

 

 

On Monday morning at 9:30 am, a group of four Danish tourists and their Thai driver faced a scary accident shortly after arriving at Phuket Airport. The tourists had just touched down in Phuket and rented the van to their accommodation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314052-four-danish-tourists-and-van-driver-injured-in-incident-near-airport/

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Corrections Dept, Police Hospital Representatives Face House Panel Grilling On Thaksin
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

File photos of de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra. Top photo: BBC

 

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CORRECTIONS Department and Police Hospital are scheduled on the upcoming Thursday to testify before the House Committee on Police Affairs over the extended stay of the “sickly” de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict at large Thaksin Shinawatra at the hospital.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314084-corrections-dept-police-hospital-representatives-face-house-panel-grilling-on-thaksin/

 

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Tourism vs conservation: The controversial cable car plan dividing Thailand

 

 

The government has revived controversial plans to build a cable car in Phu Kradeung National Park, a hidden gem whose pristine mountains have long been accessible to hikers only.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314085-tourism-vs-conservation-the-controversial-cable-car-plan-dividing-thailand/

 

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Foreign Tourist Found Staying in a Tent on Patong Beach
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – Police inspected after a foreign tourist was found staying in a tent on Patong Beach.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314086-foreign-tourist-found-staying-in-a-tent-on-patong-beach/

 

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Giant Light Towers Installed on Na Jomtien Beach to Please Visitors
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — Ten massive light towers have been put up on Na Jomtien Beach to increase visibility at night and please beachgoers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314087-giant-light-towers-installed-on-na-jomtien-beach-to-please-visitors/

 

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Thai Authorities Give Update On Sexual Assault Case Involving German Backpacker in Koh Chang
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Thai authorities have acted decisively in response to a sexual assault case involving a 24-year-old German backpacker in Koh Chang, Trat province, to protect the country’s tourism reputation and reassure travelers. The incident, which garnered widespread media coverage, has spurred action from various governmental agencies.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314088-thai-authorities-give-update-on-sexual-assault-case-involving-german-backpacker-in-koh-chang/

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57-Year-Old Woman Hit by Alleged Drunk Driver Near Pattaya
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Chonburi — A middle-aged woman was seriously injured when her motorbike was struck by a sedan driven by an alleged drunk driver on December 10th.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314089-57-year-old-woman-hit-by-alleged-drunk-driver-near-pattaya/

 

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Thai widow pleads for help as loan sharks tighten grip after husband’s suicide
by Samantha Rose

 

 

The recent suicide of a 60 year old woman’s husband due to mounting debt led her to plead for assistance to deal with aggressive loan sharks.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314090-thai-widow-pleads-for-help-as-loan-sharks-tighten-grip-after-husband’s-suicide/

 

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Air Canada flight revival: Bangkok to Vancouver route takes off for a holiday high
by Bob Scott 

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post.

 

Great news for holidaymakers in North America and Thailand, as Air Canada today announced the reinstatement of direct flights between Bangkok and Vancouver.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314091-air-canada-flight-revival-bangkok-to-vancouver-route-takes-off-for-a-holiday-high/

 

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Police Bust Major Meth Smuggling Ring in Mukdahan
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Mukdahan — Region 4 Police successfully intercepted a drug trafficking gang in the province of Mukdahan on Sunday, December 10th, seizing over 600,000 methamphetamine pills.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314092-police-bust-major-meth-smuggling-ring-in-mukdahan/

 

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German accused faces criminal charges at home over under-age liaison with a 17-year-old Pattaya bar girl

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Deputy National Police Chief General Surachate Hakparn or Big Joke at a press conference on December 8th when he updated reporters on the case. The senior police officer plans to travel to Germany in January 2024 as German suspect 55-year-old Jens Kirch is cooperating with German prosecutors who may charge him with offences relating to his activities in Pattaya in September last year.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314099-german-accused-faces-criminal-charges-at-home-over-under-age-liaison-with-a-17-year-old-pattaya-bar-girl/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Tuesday 12 December 2023

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314101-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-tuesday-12-december-2023/

 

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Arrest on Rama 2: Police Detain Woman Driving Luxury Car
 

Picture: Daily News

 

In a significant operation along Rama 2 Road, highway police apprehended an attractive woman behind the wheel of a Porsche. The vehicle, adorned with a fake license plate bearing the number N 8899, was intercepted at the entrance of the Ratchaburi 2-kilometer 83+400 expressway. Authorities disclosed that the upscale car had been legitimately purchased from a renowned car center in the Rama 9 area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314093-arrest-on-rama-2-police-detain-woman-driving-luxury-car/

 

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Mice Wreak Havoc, Damaging Tens of Thousands of Baht

 

Picture: Daily News

 

In a tragic turn of events, a sorrowful tale unfolded as a hidden stash of money concealed in the ceiling for ten years was discovered damaged by mice, resulting in a loss of over 30,000 baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314094-mice-wreak-havoc-damaging-tens-of-thousands-of-baht/

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Surat Thani’s hidden gems captivate American tourists

by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of @TheSarojin.

 

Tourism operators within the southern province of Surat Thani are pivoting their attention to the US market, showcasing the distinctive local attractions.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314104-surat-thani’s-hidden-gems-captivate-american-tourists/

 

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Bangkok haze kicks in early, travel trends ‘sluggish’  - Tim Newton Today - Dec 12

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314112-bangkok-haze-kicks-in-early-travel-trends-‘sluggish’- -tim-newton-today-dec-12/

 

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Thailand’s Democrat Party in crisis following mass leadership change
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Democrat Party in Thailand teeters on the brink of a crisis, following an overwhelming loss of members due to a recent change in leadership, according to the party’s former leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Chalermchai Sri-on, the ninth elected leader of the Democrats, took over the reins amidst internal turmoil.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314114-thailand’s-democrat-party-in-crisis-following-mass-leadership-change/

 

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Bangchak enters oil tanker business with its first 180,000 tons of Suezmax tanker
By Enquistock

 

Bangchak Corporation Plc (BCP) has announced that it has undertaken a move to buy a 180,000 ton ship in order to enhance its capacity and expand its production of oil refinery.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314116-bangchak-enters-oil-tanker-business-with-its-first-180000-tons-of-suezmax-tanker/

 

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Drug suspect accuses police of 300,000 baht extortion and rape
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ ปทุมธานี นิวส์ Pathum Thani News

 

A Thai drug suspect accused Pathum Thani Provincial Police officers of illegally reducing her sentence, extorting 300,000 baht and raping her.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314118-drug-suspect-accuses-police-of-300000-baht-extortion-and-rape/

 

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Thai labour minister takes wages for a spin: Cabinet gears up for minimum wage review

by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of @BHRRC.

 

Thai Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that the Cabinet will be looking into a review of the new daily minimum wage rates. This comes after several business organisations urged the government to uphold the decision made by a tripartite wage committee regarding the increase in wages.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314121-thai-labour-minister-takes-wages-for-a-spin-cabinet-gears-up-for-minimum-wage-review/

 

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Military Doctor Surrenders After 5-Hour Standoff

 

 

SAMUT PRAKAN, Dec 12 (TNA) – A military doctor who fired three shots at a contractor and construction workers building a swimming pool in an upscale village in Samut Prakan province surrendered after a five-hour standoff.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314122-military-doctor-surrenders-after-5-hour-standoff/

 

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Parent’s tutor requirements spark online debate over Rajabhat University
by Samantha Rose

 

Photo courtesy of Free-Apply.com

 

Social media users have been divided over a post by a parent seeking a tutor for their seven year old child but specifying that they mustn’t be a graduate from Rajabhat University.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314123-parent’s-tutor-requirements-spark-online-debate-over-rajabhat-university/

 

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Thai minister heats up COP28 with climate change commitment
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

At the COP28 climate talks in Dubai, Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Police General Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, took centre stage, making bold declarations and unveiling ambitious plans to combat climate change.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314128-thai-minister-heats-up-cop28-with-climate-change-commitment/

 

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Unjust arrest sparks outrage over police corruption in Thailand

by Nattapong Westwood

 

A 50 year old Thai man aired his grievances about police corruption after being unjustly arrested for illegal possession of a gun that was not his. The police demanded a 50,000 baht bail fee, which was eventually negotiated to 20,000 baht, in exchange for his release.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314129-unjust-arrest-sparks-outrage-over-police-corruption-in-thailand/

 

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China’s outbound tourism surges due to strategic visa policies and AI use
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The increase in China‘s outbound tourism can be linked to the strategic visa policies and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in travel assistants, as stated by Trip.com Group, China’s leading online travel platform.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314131-china’s-outbound-tourism-surges-due-to-strategic-visa-policies-and-ai-use/

 

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Family of five drown in the Mun River in Surin

 

 

Five family members drowned in the Mun River in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Surin on Monday evening, after they reportedly went to collect sand for use in the construction of their house.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314132-family-of-five-drown-in-the-mun-river-in-surin/

 

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Children should stay indoors, use face masks outside as PM2.5 remains high in Bangkok
 

File photo

The Medical Services Department is advising parents to avoid taking young children outdoors due to the excessive levels of PM2.5 dust in the atmosphere of many areas of Bangkok and its suburbs.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314139-children-should-stay-indoors-use-face-masks-outside-as-pm25-remains-high-in-bangkok/

 

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Commerce Minister to Lead Trade Delegation to China

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has been scheduled to lead a trade delegation to Kunming on December 17-18, aiming to boost trade between Thailand and China.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314151-commerce-minister-to-lead-trade-delegation-to-china/

 

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PM to Boost EV Industry Ties in Japan Visit

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to visit Japan this coming weekend with a focus on strengthening ties in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The trip is geared towards meetings with top Japanese automakers to discuss and support their transition to EV production in Thailand.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314152-pm-to-boost-ev-industry-ties-in-japan-visit/