A criminal court in Mukdahan province sentenced Chaiyaphol Wipa to 20 years in prison today, on two charges relating to the death of a three-year-old child who went missing in 2020.

 

“Loong Phol” gets 20 years in prison for death of toddler in Mukdahan

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314802-“loong-phol”-gets-20-years-in-prison-for-death-of-toddler-in-mukdahan/

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/

Pita Defends Himself in Media Shareholding Case

 

 

BANGKOK (TNA) – Former Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat has testified in court to defend himself in the media shareholding case in which he will be disqualified as an MP if he is found guilty.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314808-pita-defends-himself-in-media-shareholding-case/

 

Laotian and Iranian National Arrested in Phuket for Illegally Staying in Thailand
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – A Laotian and an Iranian national were arrested in Phuket after they were found being illegally staying foreigners in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315046-laotian-and-iranian-national-arrested-in-phuket-for-illegally-staying-in-thailand/

 

Ukrainian Man Seriously Injured after Crashing his Big Bike into a Taxi at a Phuket Intersection – VIDEO
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – A male Ukrainian has sustained severe injuries after his big bike crashed into a taxi at an intersection in Rassada, Mueang Phuket.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315051-ukrainian-man-seriously-injured-after-crashing-his-big-bike-into-a-taxi-at-a-phuket-intersection-–-video/

 

UPDATE:

 

Over 100 Tourists Allegedly Duped in Passport Scam, Agent in Pattaya Faces Legal Action
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — Over 100 foreign tourists in Pattaya were allegedly scammed by a visa agent who promised to handle their passport extensions.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314772-pattaya-visa-scam-leaves-hundreds-of-tourists-out-of-pocket-and-overstaying/?do=findComment&comment=18566316

Mysterious Accident Victim Found Decomposed on Expressway After 3 Days

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Chachoengsao – A mysterious young man met with an accident, and his body decomposed for three days on the expressway before locals discovered it. The body was found in a canal separating the dual lanes of the Bangna-Trat Highway.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315094-mysterious-accident-victim-found-decomposed-on-expressway-after-3-days/

Anutin Inspects Entertainment Venues in Chiang Mai, Considers Extending Alcohol Sales Hours

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul conducted a thorough inspection of entertainment venues in Chiang Mai, expressing satisfaction with the cooperation between business owners and tourists. Despite the ongoing rainfall, he aims to extend alcohol sales hours, provided all parties collaborate more extensively.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315090-anutin-inspects-entertainment-venues-in-chiang-mai-considers-extending-alcohol-sales-hours/

 

Young Thai Man Returns To Work In Israel To Clear Debt
by TNR Staff

 

 

A YOUNG THAI worker took the risk of returning to work in Israel near the Gaza strip battle zone to earn good income and clear a heavy family debt with there being no other way out, Naewna newspaper said this morning (Dec. 20).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315144-young-thai-man-returns-to-work-in-israel-to-clear-debt/

 

Phuket paradise beckons: TAT teams up with Saudia Airlines for tourism extravaganza
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joined forces with Saudia Airlines, setting their sights on a jaw-dropping target of 300,000 arrivals and a staggering 27.68 billion baht in revenue.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1314814-illegal-labour-crackdown-in-phuket-ensnares-30-chinese-men/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday 21 December 2023

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315158-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-21-december-2023/

 

 

Pattaya Beach Trees Off-Limits for Unauthorized Signage
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — The Pattaya City administration is calling for cooperation from both government agencies and private businesses to refrain from attaching or affixing any signs on trees along Pattaya and Jomtien beaches.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315159-pattaya-beach-trees-off-limits-for-unauthorized-signage/

 

Thailand Urged to Strengthen Enforcement
 

Photo: kikujungboy

Thailand should strengthen its monitoring and enforcement of e-cigarettes, according to World Health Organization representative Jos Vandelaer, reports The Nation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315166-thailand-urged-to-strengthen-enforcement/

 

China-built power transmission line inaugurated in S. Thailand
Source: Xinhua|Editor: huaxia
   

This aerial photo taken on Dec. 20, 2023 shows a view of the China-built Thung Song-Songkhla 500kV Transmission Line Project in Phatthalung, Thailand. A China-built power transmission line project was inaugurated on Tuesday in Thailand's southern Phatthalung province after two years of construction.

 

Phatthalung, Thailand, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- A China-built power transmission line project was inaugurated on Tuesday in Thailand's southern Phatthalung province after two years of construction.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315168-china-built-power-transmission-line-inaugurated-in-s-thailand/

 

Teenager caught using foreign currency at self-service kiosk
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A suspicious incident involving currency manipulation at a self-service payment kiosk was reported in Wichian Buri district, Phetchabun province, December 20.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315172-teenager-caught-using-foreign-currency-at-self-service-kiosk/

 

Thai TikToker condemned for encouraging cheating and partner manipulation
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via TikTok/ @kru_teesonjeebsaw

Thai netizens condemned a Thai TikToker for encouraging his followers to cheat on their partners and manipulate them for money and other benefits.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315173-thai-tiktoker-condemned-for-encouraging-cheating-and-partner-manipulation/

 

Cold wave from China hits Thailand: Significant temperature drop and heavy rain forecast
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of Eutah Mizushima, Unsplash

Thailand is currently under the influence of a new surge of high-pressure area or cold air mass from China, as declared by the Thai Meteorological Department.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315174-cold-wave-from-china-hits-thailand-significant-temperature-drop-and-heavy-rain-forecast/

 

Thai health charter chairman advocates for cannabis in wellness tourism
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Dr Kampon Sriwatanakul, chairman of the Thailand National Charter of Health, has called for the adoption of a holistic wellness technique to leverage the potential of cannabis in bolstering the nation‘s tourism.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315177-thai-health-charter-chairman-advocates-for-cannabis-in-wellness-tourism/

 

2023’s top stories: Rescuing Thais from war zones a tough early test for new government

 

 

Rescuing Thai nationals stuck in war zones in two different parts of the world became a huge challenge for the new government.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315179-2023’s-top-stories-rescuing-thais-from-war-zones-a-tough-early-test-for-new-government/

Thailand’s commerce ministry targets 2 trillion baht in cross-border trade by 2027
by Alex Morgan 

 

Picture courtesy of Patipat Janthong

Aiming to increase the value of cross-border and transit trade to 2 trillion baht by 2027, the Commerce Ministry is expediting the application of the cross-border trade strategy. The Ministry is establishing four dedicated task forces to tackle border trade-related issues.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315180-thailand’s-commerce-ministry-targets-2-trillion-baht-in-cross-border-trade-by-2027/

 

Unexplained death after tooth extraction sparks controversy in Phetchaburi
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A 25 year old woman‘s mysterious death following two tooth extractions has led to her distraught family seeking answers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315181-unexplained-death-after-tooth-extraction-sparks-controversy-in-phetchaburi/

 

Thailand government expands Red Line electric train to Ayutthaya and Nakhon Pathom
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of ThaiPost

 

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has received a directive from the government to broaden the Red Line electric train system to include Ayutthaya and Nakhon Pathom.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315182-thailand-government-expands-red-line-electric-train-to-ayutthaya-and-nakhon-pathom/

 

Stranded man sells appliances for 800 baht to visit ill sister
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A 56 year old man was deceived and abandoned by a van driver, leaving him stranded along Bang Na-Trat Road, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315184-stranded-man-sells-appliances-for-800-baht-to-visit-ill-sister/

 

Thailand eyes pre-pandemic tourism levels by 2024, revamps VAT refund process
by Alex Morgan 

 

Picture courtesy of Varuth Hirunyatheb

Thailand, a popular tropical destination, is anticipating a return to near pre-pandemic tourism levels by 2024. In 2019, the country welcomed nearly 40 million overseas visitors, contributing 12% to the nation’s GDP.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315185-thailand-eyes-pre-pandemic-tourism-levels-by-2024-revamps-vat-refund-process/

 

UPDATE:

Interior Minister Inspects Bars in Chiang Mai

 

 

CHIANG MAI, Dec 21 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul conducted an on-site inspection to ensure compliance with the policy of extending operating hours of nighttime entertainment venues to 4 AM.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315090-anutin-inspects-entertainment-venues-in-chiang-mai-considers-extending-alcohol-sales-hours/?do=findComment&comment=18567110

Thailand Winter Festival fuels tourism boom
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Travel Daily News

 

Thailand‘s vibrant cultural tapestry, woven with ancient traditions and modern spectacles, is driving a tourism surge, with the Thailand Winter Festival taking the spotlight as the grand finale of 2023.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315186-thailand-winter-festival-fuels-tourism-boom/

 

Thai man kills girlfriend in jealousy and refusal to convert to Islam
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via Thai Post

A Thai man killed his girlfriend in a luxury condominium in the Jana district in the southern province of Songkhla before taking his own life. The motives for the murder were reportedly jealousy and the woman’s refusal to convert to Islam.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315188-thai-man-kills-girlfriend-in-jealousy-and-refusal-to-convert-to-islam/

 

Visa agent steals money from 100 foreigners, more turtle eggs found - Tim Newton Today - Dec 21

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315191-visa-agent-steals-money-from-100-foreigners-more-turtle-eggs-found-tim-newton-today-dec-21/

Chilling chase forces Thai man to leap into canal, still missing
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A 25 year old man faced a chilling ordeal as he was chased by a man masquerading as a police officer, causing him to jump into the Mamuang Song Ton Canal in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315195-chilling-chase-forces-thai-man-to-leap-into-canal-still-missing/

 

Government to shoulder Covid-19 insurance claims as insurers buckle under 60 billion baht payouts
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo courtesy of thainews.prd.go.th

 

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has revealed that the Thai government may have to step in to assist with the hefty burden arising from Covid-19 insurance claims.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315197-government-to-shoulder-covid-19-insurance-claims-as-insurers-buckle-under-60-billion-baht-payouts/