File photo: 

 

Former Democrat MP for Nakhon Nayok Charnchai Isarasenarak and activist lawyer, Nititorn Lamlua, plan to submit a petition this afternoon to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders seeking a probe into the enforcement of the verdict against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

Supreme Court asked to probe convicted Thaksin’s privileges

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314701-supreme-court-asked-to-probe-convicted-thaksin’s-privileges/

 

Police chief says too soon to determine impact of 4am closing times

By Peter Roche

 

PHOTO: Bangla Road nightlife in Phuket

Thailand’s national police chief says it’s too soon to determine the impact of extending closing time for nightlife venues.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314686-police-chief-says-too-soon-to-determine-impact-of-4am-closing-times/

Houses Near Three Pagodas Pass Suspected As Human Trafficking Channels
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Three pagodas standing side by side at the pass named after them. Photo: Thai Rath

 

CERTAIN HOUSES IN VICINITY OF Three Pagodas Pass border area in Kanchanaburi are suspected as clandestine passageways for human trafficking and goods smuggling scams.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314728-houses-near-three-pagodas-pass-suspected-as-human-trafficking-channels/

National crackdown underway as German spurned in love, is arrested for a 5-month visa overstay in Krabi
by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Immigration Bureau officers from Krabi arrested a 51-year-old German national identified as Mr Manuel on Ko Lanta on Monday, December 18th. He faces prosecution for a 5-month visa overstay and deportation.

Local police in Krabi confirm a national crackdown on overstaying tourists is underway. A heartbroken German, drowning his sorrows in beer, was arrested on Ko Lanta after being spurned in love.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314729-national-crackdown-underway-as-german-spurned-in-love-is-arrested-for-a-5-month-visa-overstay-in-krabi/

 

Thai Excise Department Eyes Alcohol Tax Reduction to Boost Tourism and Consumption
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

On December 18th, 2023, Mr. Lawan Saengsanit, the Director-General of the Revenue Department, publicly revealed the Thai Excise Department scrutinizing reducing the alcohol tax structure appropriately to support Thailand’s tourism sector.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314730-thai-excise-department-eyes-alcohol-tax-reduction-to-boost-tourism-and-consumption/

 

Sattahip Police Assist Intoxicated Foreign Man with Disruptive Behavior
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Sattahip — Sattahip police assisted a foreign man early Monday morning, December 18th, after receiving reports of him acting disorderly under the influence of alcohol.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314735-sattahip-police-assist-intoxicated-foreign-man-with-disruptive-behavior/

 

Young Hero in the Making: 6-Year-Old Extinguishes Forest Fire in Sri Racha
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Sri Racha — A heart-warming story of bravery and family came to light when a video of a 6-year-old boy named Peerapat extinguishing a forest fire in Chonburi went viral on social media.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314736-young-hero-in-the-making-6-year-old-extinguishes-forest-fire-in-sri-racha/

 

Dangling Wire Snags Pattaya Motorbike Taxi Driver by His Neck
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — A motorbike taxi driver in Pattaya narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation when he collided with a hanging cable on December 17th, resulting in a gruesome neck wound.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314737-dangling-wire-snags-pattaya-motorbike-taxi-driver-by-his-neck/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 20 December 2023

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314743-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-wednesday-20-december-2023/

 

Pattaya Tourist Police Collaborate with Local Community to Enhance Safety and Services
 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Pattaya - In a proactive move to bolster tourism safety and services, the Pattaya Tourist Police recently organized a training program for Walking Street guardians.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314733-pattaya-tourist-police-collaborate-with-local-community-to-enhance-safety-and-services/

 

Young Nurse Fatally Injured in Hit-and-Run Incident in Ratchaburi
 

 

At 8:00 AM on December 19, 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Chanaroditch Theentong, the on-duty officer at Ratchaburi City Police Station, received a report of a fatal collision involving a pickup truck and a motorcycle.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314732-young-nurse-fatally-injured-in-hit-and-run-incident in-ratchaburi/

 

2023’s top stories: Thailand anguishes over mass shootings, as boy goes berserk in Bangkok mall

By Thai PBS World’s General Desk

 

 

The trend of fatal shooting sprees in Thailand continued in 2023, with the country’s top luxury shopping mall becoming the latest killing field. Adding to the shock was the young age of the perpetrator, a 14-year-old schoolboy.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314748-2023’s-top-stories-thailand-anguishes-over-mass-shootings-as-boy-goes-berserk-in-bangkok-mall/

 

U-Tapao Airport Eyes Direct Flights from India to Lure Tourists
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — U-Tapao International Airport, located near Pattaya, is making an effort to attract direct flights from India, eyeing the vast potential of the Indian tourism market.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314749-u-tapao-airport-eyes-direct-flights-from-india-to-lure-tourists/

 

Woman Dies After Motorbike Accident With Pickup Truck in Karon
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Karon-A female motorbike rider died after she was struck and swept under a pickup truck in Karon.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314750-woman-dies-after-motorbike-accident-with-pickup-truck-in-karon/

 

State-owned company officer accused of age fraud to prolong retirement
by Petch Petpailin

 

Sittha Biabangkerd and the accused officer's birth certification | Photo via KhaoChad

A group of people calling themselves the State Enterprise Lover Club accused a deputy executive director of a state-owned telecommunications company in Thailand of committing age fraud to extend his retirement.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314751-state-owned-company-officer-accused-of-age-fraud-to-prolong-retirement/

 

Tragic car and motorcycle collision in Chachoengsao claims mother’s life, leaves daughter critically injured
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

An unfortunate collision between a car and a motorcycle resulted in the death of a mother and left her daughter seriously injured. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314753-tragic-car-and-motorcycle-collision-in-chachoengsao-claims-mother’s-life-leaves-daughter-critically-injured/

 

Thai man murders 2 year old stepdaughter while intoxicated
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via ThaiPost

A Thai man admitted to murdering his two year old stepdaughter at a house in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok while he was intoxicated. Police suspected a 16 year old caregiver of involvement in the murder.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314754-thai-man-murders-2-year-old-stepdaughter-while-intoxicated/

 

Air Arabia soars to new heights: Inaugural flight to Phuket unveils sky-high perks for budget travellers
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Aviation Week Network

Air Arabia, the leading low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, has launched its maiden flight to Phuket, Thailand, lifting off from the iconic Sharjah International Airport in the UAE.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314756-air-arabia-soars-to-new-heights-inaugural-flight-to-phuket-unveils-sky-high-perks-for-budget-travellers/

 

Thailand’s tripartite committee to reconsider new minimum daily wage
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Josue Isai Ramos Figueroa, Unsplash

 

A pivotal meeting is set to take place on Tuesday, led by the tripartite committee on minimum daily wages in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314758-thailand’s-tripartite-committee-to-reconsider-new-minimum-daily-wage/

 

The hidden struggle of Thailand’s overlooked workforce
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail

Thailand’s National Statistical Office (NSO) Director, Piyanut Wuthison, has exposed the stark reality of the nation’s labour force where 21 million workers in the informal sector constitute a staggering 52.3% of Thailand‘s workforce.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314759-the-hidden-struggle-of-thailand’s-overlooked-workforce/

 

Thailand and Cambodia to resume talks over disputed Gulf region
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Thairath Plus

February will see the reignition of talks between Thailand and Cambodia regarding a disputed region in the Gulf of Thailand, spanning 26,000 square kilometres. This area, rich in energy resources, is a matter of contention as both nations lay claim to it.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314761-thailand-and-cambodia-to-resume-talks-over-disputed-gulf-region/

 

Shocking discovery: Decomposed human legs unearthed in US cardboard shipment

 

 

At a recycling facility in Chon Buri‘s Si Racha district, diligent workers stumbled upon a nightmarish find—two human legs, reduced to bare bones, concealed within a consignment of recyclable cardboard paper imported from the United States.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314764-shocking-discovery-decomposed-human-legs-unearthed-in-us-cardboard-shipment/

 

300 baht tourist tax scrapped, China pressures Myanmar over online scams - Tim Newton Today - Dec 20

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314765-300-baht-tourist-tax-scrapped-china-pressures-myanmar-over-online-scams-tim-newton-today-dec-20/

 

Phatthalung highway police intercept 58 illegal immigrants from Bangladesh
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

Highway police in Phatthalung intercepted three pickup trucks carrying 58 illegal Bangladesh immigrants. The migrants were being smuggled into Hat Yai to work.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314767-phatthalung-highway-police-intercept-58-illegal-immigrants-from-bangladesh/

 

Dual-Track Railway Challenges: Delays and Upgrades Amid Minister’s Inspection

By Editorial Staff
 

Photos Courtesy : ข่าวนวัตกรรมขนส่งเดลินิวส์-Dailynews

In a recent development, Mr. Suraphong Piyachote, the Minister of Transport, conducted on-site inspections last week to evaluate the operational efficiency of the newly inaugurated dual-track railway spanning from Ban Kubua Station in Ratchaburi province to Sapli Station in Chumphon province, covering an extensive distance of 348 kilometers. The visit aimed to scrutinize the initial implementation of the revamped timetable accommodating 60 train services.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314769-dual-track-railway-challenges-delays-and-upgrades-amid-minister’s-inspection/

Revitalizing Pattaya Reefs: 3D-Printed Coral Homes Boost Marine Ecosystems
By Editorial Staff

 

 

In a concerted effort to restore Thailand’s marine ecosystems sustainably, a collaborative initiative led by SCG, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Chulalongkorn University, Earth Agenda Foundation, and Thai Cement Company Limited (SCG) recently implemented a groundbreaking project.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314771-revitalizing-pattaya-reefs-3d-printed-coral-homes-boost-marine-ecosystems/

 

Pattaya visa scam leaves hundreds of tourists out of pocket and overstaying
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of Top News

Hundreds of victims have been financially swindled by an unscrupulous visa extension agency in Pattaya, with some foreign victims being illegally overstayed in the Kingdom. Today, 36 year old Chanidapha Thowasakul, represented a group of more than 30 victims, including foreign nationals, and brought 33 year old Suphawadee (surname withheld) to the Pattaya City Police Station.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314772-pattaya-visa-scam-leaves-hundreds-of-tourists-out-of-pocket-and-overstaying/

 

Travel insurance to be arranged for all tourist arrivals over holiday season : Srettha

 

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to arrange travel insurance to cover accidents and death for all foreign tourists arriving in Thailand during the New Year holiday period.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314773-travel-insurance-to-be-arranged-for-all-tourist-arrivals-over-holiday-season-srettha/

 

Energy management giant calls for quicker green energy transition

 

 

Foreign investors warn that Thailand’s progress in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions falls short of expectations, despite the government’s commitment to carbon neutrality in and net zero emissions.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314800-energy-management-giant-calls-for-quicker-green-energy-transition/

 

Opposition leader welcomes government’s marriage equality bill

 

 

Opposition parties have welcomed the government’s move to submit a marriage equality bill to parliament, to be considered alongside a similar bill proposed by the Move Forward party, opposition leader Chaithawat Tulathon said on Tuesday.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314801-opposition-leader-welcomes-government’s-marriage-equality-bill/