The Cabinet agreed today to exempt Japanese businessmen making business trips to Thailand, of no longer than 30 days, from requiring a visa.

 

Cabinet approves visa exemption for Japanese businessmen

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314161-cabinet-approves-visa-exemption-for-japanese-businessmen/

 

Top: File photo : Deputy Government spokesman Kharom Phonpornklang

Seven police transferred pending investigation of rape and bribery allegations

 

Image: unsplash.com

 

Seven Pathum Thani provincial police officers have been transferred to inactive posts at the provincial police command, pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations that they raped a drug suspect and demanded 300,000 baht in bribes from her in exchange for dropping drug dealing charges.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314160-seven-police-transferred-pending-investigation-of-rape-and-bribery-allegations/

Hospital Being Probed For Allegedly Turning Away Taiwanese Tourist Leading To His Death
by TNR Staff

 

Rescuers helping the Taiwanese tourist and an entrance to the emergency room. Photos: Matichon

 

PUBLIC Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew ordered an investigation of a private hospital in Pattanakarn area that allegedly refused to treated a badly injured Taiwanese tourist leading to rescuers taking him to a state hospital much further away and him dying on way, TV Channel 7 said this evening (Dec. 12).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314177-hospital-being-probed-for-allegedly-turning-away-taiwanese-tourist-leading-to-his-death/

 

Another Populist Campaign Provided For 10 Million Licitly Indebted People
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Representative images of debts. Credit: Matichon

 

ABOUT 10 MILLION LICITLY indebted people nationwide are going to be salvaged under another populist campaign launched by the Pheu Thai-led government, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314178-another-populist-campaign-provided-for-10-million-licitly-indebted-people/

 

PM Shrugs Off Questions About Corrections Dept’s Latest Regulation For Thaksin
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin talking to reportersat Government House. Picture: Thai Rath

 

PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin today (Dec.12) sidestepped an inquiry into the latest regulation of the Corrections Department which may have been allegedly practically issued for the sake of de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict at large Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314179-pm-shrugs-off-questions-about-corrections-dept’s-latest-regulation-for-thaksin/

Hotel CCTV Shows Somrak And Teen Girl Walking In Hand In Hand
by TNR Staff 

 

Olympic gold medalist Somrak Khamsing. Top photo: Matichon

 

SURVEILLANCE camera clips at a hotel in Khon Kaen where famous former boxing champ Mr. Somrak Khamsing took a teen girl from a pub they earlier met show them walking in hand in hand and the girl not asking for help even though she later accused him of sexual assault, Matichon and Khao Sod newspapers said today (Dec. 12).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314180-hotel-cctv-shows-somrak-and-teen-girl-walking-in-hand-in-hand/

Thailand to move away from foreign tourism and rely more on home travellers in the latest TAT masterplan
by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s new governor, Thapanee Kiatpaiboon, faces a challenging role as she guides the country’s tourism industry in the aftermath of the pandemic era. Last week, she signalled a shift away from dependence on foreign tourism and popular hotspots in a move towards domestic tourism and secondary destinations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314181-thailand-to-move-away-from-foreign-tourism-and-rely-more-on-home-travellers-in-the-latest-tat-masterplan/

 

Pattaya Police Bust Marijuana Shop Selling Laughing Gas Balloons to Tourists
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — Pattaya police conducted a raid on a marijuana shop on December 11th, after receiving complaints that the shop was reportedly brazenly selling laughing gas balloons to tourists.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314182-pattaya-police-bust-marijuana-shop-selling-laughing-gas-balloons-to-tourists/

 

Phuket Welcomes 40,000 Passengers at Airport Per Day Currently
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – Phuket is currently welcoming more than 40,000 passengers at the airport per day before the New Year.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314183-phuket-welcomes-40000-passengers-at-airport-per-day-currently/

 

Boeing 787 emergency dive: Gulf Air flight’s shocking diversion to Bangkok sparks panic
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Aviation Source News

 

A Gulf Air routine flight GF250 took an unexpected detour from Bahrain to Dhaka, diving into an emergency landing in Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314184-boeing-787-emergency-dive-gulf-air-flight’s-shocking-diversion-to-bangkok-sparks-panic/

 

Health officials issue Zika virus warning in Hua Hin after six confirmed cases
By Online Reporter

 

File photo

The Prachuap Khiri Khan Public Health Department has issued a health warning following the confirmation of six Zika virus infections in Hua Hin.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314185-health-officials-issue-zika-virus-warning-in-hua-hin-after-six-confirmed-cases/

 

Boat Captain Jumps Into Sea in Chalong to Escape Possible Mutiny Attempt by Crew Member
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Chalong – A boat captain jumped into the sea to escape after a crew member allegedly tried to attack him with a knife on a boat in Rawai.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314186-boat-captain-jumps-into-sea-in-chalong-to-escape-possible-mutiny-attempt-by-crew-member/

 

Belgian Tourist Injured in Robbery Suspect Apprehended by Thai Police

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

In a recent incident, Thai police, led by Lieutenant Colonel Thananoth Athipansri, Deputy Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, successfully apprehended Mr. Nirand, a 51-year-old man, at his residence in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314188-belgian-tourist-injured-in-robbery-suspect-apprehended-by-thai-police/

Immigration Police Revoke Permission for Chinese National to Stay in the Kingdom

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On December 12, 2023, the Immigration Bureau made an official announcement, led by Lieutenant General Itthipol Itthisarnratchai, the Director of Immigration, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Phanthana Nuchnanat, the Deputy Director.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314187-immigration-police-revoke-permission-for-chinese-national-to-stay-in-the-kingdom/

 

Russian Man Causing a Public Nuisance Briefly Detained at Phuket International Airport
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – A Russian man who was shirtless and shoeless was found walking around the Phuket International Airport in a daze, climbing onto shops, causing a public nuisance, and appearing to have mental issues. He was later briefly detained to get him assistance from friends.

 

Full. story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314193-russian-man-causing-a-public-nuisance-briefly-detained-at-phuket-international-airport/

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 13 December 2023

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314195-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-wednesday-13-december-2023/

 

PM2.5 crisis first major test for Srettha’s government
By Arun Saronchai

 

 

The air pollution crisis in Thailand, specifically the hazardous PM2.5 particles, presents a formidable challenge to new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his cabinet.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314197-pm25-crisis-first-major-test-for-srettha’s-government/

 

Police Involved After Thief Steals from Tourist at Beach in Thalang
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Thalang – Police were working on tracking down a thief after they stole from a tourist who was swimming at a beach in Sakoo.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314204-police-involved-after-thief-steals-from-tourist-at-beach-in-thalang/

Driver Survives after Van Catches Fire in ChalongBy By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Chalong – A driver has escaped injuries after fire gutted a van in Chalong.

 

Full story:  https://aseannow.com/topic/1314205-driver-survives-after-van-catches-fire-in-chalong/

 

Thirty Air Conditioning Compressors Stolen from a Hotel in Thalang
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Thalang – Thirty air conditioning compressors and two huge water pumps were reported stolen from a hotel in Cherng Talay.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314206-thirty-air-conditioning-compressors-stolen-from-a-hotel-in-thalang/

 

Prisoner Escapes from Nonthaburi Prison’s Welfare Coffee Shop, Arrested Hours Later
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Nonthaburi—On December 11th, 2023, a 44-year-old prisoner escaped while working at a prison welfare coffee shop at the Nonthaburi Provincial Prison.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314207-prisoner-escapes-from-nonthaburi-prison’s-welfare-coffee-shop-arrested-hours-later/

 

Thai Immigration Apprehends Cambodian Suspect for Discharging Firearm at Soccer Field in Pathum Thani
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Pathum Thani—At 4:00 PM, on December 11th, 2023, Thai immigration officers captured a Cambodian suspect who allegedly discharged a firearm in the soccer field in Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314208-thai-immigration-apprehends-cambodian-suspect-for-discharging-firearm-at-soccer-field-in-pathum-thani/

 

Thailand DSI files charges in major pork smuggling case
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Thairath

 

Charges have been filed against 22 suspects, inclusive of 12 individuals and 10 legal entities, by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Thailand, following their involvement in a significant pork smuggling operation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314210-thailand-dsi-files-charges-in-major-pork-smuggling-case/

 

DOC denies policy to detain prisoners outside prison favours ex-PM Thaksin
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post.

The Department of Corrections (DOC) refuted allegations that its latest policy, permitting the detention of prisoners outside of prison, is designed to favour Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister. The 74 year old former PM was recently sentenced to eight years for three separate cases and was immediately moved to a police hospital.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314211-doc-denies-policy-to-detain-prisoners-outside-prison-favours-ex-pm-thaksin/

 

Thai taxi turmoil: Fare fight leaves traveller abandoned on road to Pattaya (video)
bty Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via TikTok/ @maimumu56

A Thai woman took to social media to share her experience with another one of Thailand’s notorious taxi drivers who abandoned her in the middle of the journey to Pattaya after she refused to pay more when he tried to hike the fare mid-journey.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314212-thai-taxi-turmoil-fare-fight-leaves-traveller-abandoned-on-road-to-pattaya-video/

 

Transgender woman accused of 200,000 baht gold theft in Pattaya

by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

Pattaya police recorded yet another transgender magpie thief case involving some gold and an Indian man in Sin City. This time a 39 year old transgender woman was apprehended at a condominium in Pattaya’s Nong Prue district, following allegations of theft in the middle of the night. The victim, a 40 year old Indian tourist, reported the loss of a gold bracelet worth 200,000 baht.

 

Full story:  https://aseannow.com/topic/1314214-transgender-woman-accused-of-200000-baht-gold-theft-in-pattaya/

 

Tourist dies after being refused treatment at BKK private hospital - Tim Newton Today - Dec 13

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314216-tourist-dies-after-being-refused-treatment-at-bkk-private-hospital-tim-newton-today-dec-13/

 

Italian man rescued after attempted suicide in Chon Buri Police Station
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวคนชล

Sriracha Police Station officers in Chon Buri province rescued an Italian man who tried to commit suicide in a detention room. It was his second suicide attempt.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314217-italian-man-rescued-after-attempted-suicide-in-chon-buri-police-station/

 

Thai restaurant owner loses 600,000 baht during family trip to France
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

A 30 year old restaurant owner from Nonthaburi suffered a loss of over 600,000 baht during his recent family trip to France. He has shared his harrowing experience to alert others and prevent them from becoming victims.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314218-thai-restaurant-owner-loses-600000-baht-during-family-trip-to-france/

Wealthy Thai man arrested for gold shop robbery in Chiang Mai
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via ThaiRath

Police arrested a wealthy Thai man for robbing a gold shop in the northern province of Chiang Mai after a two-week investigation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314219-wealthy-thai-man-arrested-for-gold-shop-robbery-in-chiang-mai/