The current increase in COVID-19 infections is seasonal, like other respiratory diseases, and will continue until the end of January, returning to normal between February and May, according to Dr. Yong Poovorawan

 

Uptick in COVID-19 infections is seasonal, will drop in February

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314534-uptick-in-covid-19-infections-is-seasonal-will-drop-in-february/

People want single minimum wage for the whole country – NIDA Poll

 

 

Most respondents to a recent opinion poll want one minimum wage rate to be applied across the country, instead of several rates and that the Bt2-16 wage increase proposed by the Wage Committee is too low, according to the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314536-people-want-single-minimum-wage-for-the-whole-country-–-nida-poll/

Telco regulator asked to review TRUE’s service charges and quality

 

 

Four members of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Thailand’s broadcast and telecom regulator, have proposed that the commission consider the service charges and quality of True Corporation after the successful merger of Total Access Communications Company (DTAC) and True Corporation (TRUE) in March this year.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314537-telco-regulator-asked-to-review-true’s-service-charges-and-quality/

Informal lender hit by a car after demanding payment from borrower

 

 

A man crashed his pickup truck into an informal lender in Nonthaburi, to whom his wife was indebted, killing him instantly, after the lender refused to give his ailing wife more time to pay.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314538-informal-lender-hit-by-a-car-after-demanding-payment-from-borrower/

Capital’s governor wants to reduce smoke emitted from grilled pork stalls

 

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt says he would like the Environment Department to develop a device to trap smoke from the cooking of grilled pork skewers, after receiving many complaints about excessive smoke emitting from grilled pork stalls.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314539-capital’s-governor-wants-to-reduce-smoke-emitted-from-grilled-pork-stalls/

Analysis: ‘House Arrest’ For Privileged Convict Thaksin Imminent
by TNR Staff
By Out-Crowd

 

Composite images of de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra. Photo: Thai Rath

 

THE PRIVILEGED DE FACTO PHEU THAI boss-cum-convict at large Thaksin Shinawatra is currently speculated to be returned home from Police Hospital shortly and be held in sort of a “house arrest” there.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314540-analysis-‘house-arrest’-for-privileged-convict-thaksin-imminent/

Ghanaian Tourist DUI Crash: Fatal Accident in Chiang Mai on First Day of Extended Nightlife Hours to 4 AM
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Chiang Mai—At 3:55 AM, on December 16th, 2023, Mueang Chiang Mai police received a car accident report of a Ghanaian tourist driving a sedan colliding with construction workers in the old town of Mueang Chiang Mai. There was one casualty and two injuries reported.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314541-ghanaian-tourist-dui-crash-fatal-accident-in-chiang-mai-on-first-day-of-extended-nightlife-hours-to-4-am/

 

Pita Most Searched Person On Thailand Google For 2023
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Photo: Matichon Weekly

 

FORMER MOVE FORWARD leader Pita Limjaroenrat has been the most searched person on Thailand Google for 2023.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314542-pita-most-searched-person-on-thailand-google-for-2023/

Anutin Inspects Khao San Road Entertainment District After Nightlife Extension
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Bangkok—At 11:30 PM, on December 16th, 2023, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and relevant agencies conducted a field inspection on the entertainment district in Khao San Road, Bangkok after extending legal nightlife hours to 4 AM.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314543-anutin-inspects-khao-san-road-entertainment-district-after-nightlife-extension/

Restaurant Worker in Pattaya Finds 100,000 Baht in Foreign Currencies in Bag, Turns it in to Police to Find Proper Owners
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — In a heartwarming display of honesty, a staff member at the “Moom Aroi” restaurant in Naklua, Pattaya, gave a bag filled with over 100,000 baht in foreign currencies to police, in the hope to reunite it with the rightful owners.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314544-restaurant-worker-in-pattaya-finds-100000-baht-in-foreign-currencies-in-bag/

Wanted Chinese Man Arrested in Pattaya
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

PHOTO: Siamrath

Pattaya — A Chinese man wanted in China was arrested in Pattaya on Saturday, December 16th.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314545-wanted-chinese-man-arrested-in-pattaya/

Fire Damages Luxury Home in Pattaya
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — A fire destroyed rooms in a luxury home on Soi Sukhumvit Pattaya 54 yesterday evening, December 16th.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314546-fire-damages-luxury-home-in-pattaya/

Body of Foreigner Found in Sattahip Waters
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

PHOTO: Thairath

Sattahip — Sattahip authorities recovered the body of a foreign national in Sattahip waters on December 16th, 2023. They are looking into the possibility that the recovered body may be connected to four persons reportedly lost far off Jomtien Beach earlier this week.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314547-body-of-foreigner-found-in-sattahip-waters/

UPDATE:

Finnish Tourists Falsely Claim Kidnapping in Patong: Overstaying Charges Pressed
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Patong—At 1:00 AM, on December 15th, 2023, Thai tourist police received a missing person report from Finnish parents that they could not contact their son as an anonymous person allegedly impersonated a Phuket police officer and asked for 7,000 euros to release their son.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314437-missing-finnish-man-found-safe-in-patong-after-losing-contact-with-family-in-finland/?do=findComment&comment=18559158

 

Woman Arrested After Stealing Mobile Phone from German Tourist at Phuket Beach
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – A woman was arrested after stealing a mobile phone from a German tourist at a beach in Wichit.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314548-woman-arrested-after-stealing-mobile-phone-from-german-tourist-at-phuket-beach/

 

More Lifeguards At Patong Beach As 4 A.M. Night Venue Closing Rolls On
by TNR Staff 

 

 

WITH night venues at Phuket’s Patong beach zone now allowed to stay open till 4 a.m. provincial authorities have ordered lifeguards to closely watch Patong beach as they are afraid tourists might go swimming after they have shut, TV Channel 7 and Matichon newspaper said today (Dec. 17).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314550-more-lifeguards-at-patong-beach-as-4-am-night-venue-closing-rolls-on/

 

One Person Injured after Crane Truck Crashes into Homes and Vehicles in Patong – Video
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Patong – A crane truck crashed into at least two power poles, two homes, and at least six cars and four motorbikes before catching fire in Patong. One person has been injured.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314551-one-person-injured-after-crane-truck-crashes-into-homes-and-vehicles-in-patong-–-video/

 

Free entry to selected national parks across Thailand is now available for expats

 

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in partnership with True-DTAC is offering ‘Amazing Thailand Expat Privileges’ exclusively for expats to enjoy discounts on tourism products and services as well as free entry to national parks.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314552-free-entry-to-selected-national-parks-across-thailand-is-now-available-for-expats/

 

Here’s what Prachuap Khiri Khan is doing to improve road safety during New Year
By Online Reporter 

 

 

Prachuap Khiri Khan province is ramping up measures on both main and secondary roads ahead of the New Year celebration.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314553-here’s-what-prachuap-khiri-khan-is-doing-to-improve-road-safety-during-new-year/

 

Pheu Thai MPs urge talks on reopening Preah Vihear temple to tourists
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Wassana Nanuam

Seven MPs from Pheu Thai party in Si Sa Ket, a northeastern province of Thailand, have urged Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to initiate dialogue with the neighbouring Cambodian government.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314554-pheu-thai-mps-urge-talks-on-reopening-preah-vihear-temple-to-tourists/

 

Search for Beauty in Miss Grand Prachuap Khiri Khan 2024

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On December 17, 2023, at the delightful Im Im Jai Restaurant in Sam Roi Yot, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Mr. Kittipong Sukhaphakkul, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Mr. Atchawan Kongkanan, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Prachuap Khiri Khan Office, announced the upcoming Miss Grand Prachuap Khiri Khan 2024 beauty pageant. The event boasts prizes exceeding 2 million Baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314556-search-for-beauty-in-miss-grand-prachuap-khiri-khan-2024/

 

Thailand's Airports Implement Measures to Handle Over 150,000 Passengers Daily During New Year Festivities
 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On December 17, 2022, the Department of Airports (DoA) unveiled six measures to prepare for the influx of travelers during the upcoming New Year celebrations, expecting over 150,000 people daily.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314555-thailands-airports-implement-measures-to-handle-over-150000-passengers-daily-during-new-year-festivities/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Monday 18 December 2023
 

 

Thai Soldiers found 15 bodies and about 1.7 million meth pills near the border in Chaing Rai  following a shootout with soldiers on Saturday night, The Soldiers had approached a group of men in the forest who then opened fire.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314562-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-monday-18-december-2023/

Drunk man’s responsible decision to use tow service sparks discussion
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

A young man, after heavy drinking, wisely chose not to drive home due to the potential risk of an accident.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314569-drunk-man’s-responsible-decision-to-use-tow-service-sparks-discussion/

 

Fatal Accident Prompts Investigation: Construction Worker Killed by Falling Steel on Rama 2 in Bangkok, 262 Similar Accidents 
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Bangkok—At 10:30 AM, on December 16th, 2023, Bangkok engineering teams and relevant agencies launched a field inspection on an incident where a large amount of steel construction equipment fell on a worker leading to his death on Rama 2 road, Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314570-fatal-accident-prompts-investigation-construction-worker-killed-by-falling-steel-on-rama-2-in-bangkok-262-similar-accidents /

 

Tragic accident in Phayao: Police officer critically injured after truck brake failure
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of MGR Online

Yesterday, a serious road accident occurred in Phayao province in northern Thailand, leading to a police officer being critically injured. The accident occurred when a 10-wheeled truck lost control due to brake failure, colliding with a checkpoint and hitting the officer.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314571-tragic-accident-in-phayao-police-officer-critically-injured-after-truck-brake-failure/

 

Postgraduate student falls to death escaping drunken caretaker’s pounding
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of Survive - สายไหมต้องรอด Facebook

A tragic incident unfolded when a postgraduate student fell from the sixth floor of a mansion, allegedly in an attempt to escape after the property’s caretaker, under the influence of alcohol or possibly drugs, relentlessly pounded on her door. The event has sparked outrage and calls for justice.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314572-postgraduate-student-falls-to-death-escaping-drunken-caretaker’s-pounding/

 

Srettha invites Japan in development of digital economy, auto industry

 

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida during their meeting on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314574-srettha-invites-japan-in-development-of-digital-economy-auto-industry/

 

Covert Drug Operation Turns Violent: 15 Dead, 2 Million Pills Seized
 

 

In a daring drug trafficking operation along the border, a small army confronted military forces, resulting in 15 fatalities and the confiscation of over 2 million narcotics pills. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314573-covert-drug-operation-turns-violent-15-dead-2-million-pills-seized/

 

Thailand tackles household debt crisis: doubts over effectiveness
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo by Kostiantyn Li on Unsplash

To tackle the escalating household debt crisis in Thailand, the government has launched a series of measures aimed at combatting informal debt and loan sharks.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314576-thailand-tackles-household-debt-crisis-doubts-over-effectiveness/