Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is genuinely sick and has not been granted any privileges while or by being treated on the 14th floor of Police General Hospital, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong told members of parliament today.

 

Thaksin is sick and not granted special privileges : Justice minister

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315212-thaksin-is-sick-and-not-granted-special-privileges-justice-minister/

Health Ministry aims to cut road accidents during New Year holidays by 5%

 

 

The Ministry of Public Health has set a target to reduce road accidents during New Year holidays by 5% this year, by emphasising no drinking and driving, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew announced today.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315220-health-ministry-aims-to-cut-road-accidents-during-new-year-holidays-by-5/

105bn Baht Cash Flow Expected During New Year Season
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

New Year fireworks show at Icon Siam. Photo: Matichon

 

 

ABOUT 105 BILLION BAHT in cash flow over the purchase of merchandise and services is expected across the country during the approaching New Year season, the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce’s (UTCC) Centre for Economic & Business Forecasting reported.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315231-105bn-baht-cash-flow-expected-during-new-year-season/

UPDATE:

 

Thaksin Likely Allowed To Stay On At Police Hospital
by TNR Staff

 

n image of de facto Pheu Thai boss/convict at large Thaksin Shinawatra placed over a picture of Police Hospital. Photo: Sanook.com

 

WITH de facto Pheu Thai boss/convict at large Thaksin Shinawatra’s stay at Police Hospital having reached 120 days today (Dec. 21) rumours have spread that the Corrections Department has approved his continued stay there with there being no official announcement on this issue, Matichon newspaper said this evening.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315212-thaksin-is-sick-and-not-granted-special-privileges-justice-minister/?do=findComment&comment=18568766

 

Number Of People Owing Illicit Debt Now Surpasses 100,000
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Representative images of debt. Credit: Matichon

 

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE indebted to loan sharks has now surpassed 100,000 over a three-week period, confirmed the Ministry of Interior’s undersecretary Sutthipong Chulcharoen today (Dec.21).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315232-number-of-people-owing-illicit-debt-now-surpasses-100000/

 

Peeraphan Stunned By Plan To Hike Petrol Tax To Incentivise Train Travel
by TNR Staff

 

An attendant prepares to refuel a car at a petrol station in Rome on January 4, 2012. File photo: Reuters/Max Rossi and published by CNA

 

DEPUTY Prime Minister-cum-Energy Minister  Peeraphan Saleerathaviphak said today (Dec. 21) he does not know where Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit got the idea to hike excise tax on petrol only in Bangkok and surrounding provinces to incentivise people to travel by train and it probably won’t materialise, Naewna newspaper said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315233-peeraphan-stunned-by-plan-to-hike-petrol-tax-to-incentivise-train-travel/

 

Thai Government Reminds Hospitals They Cannot Refuse Emergency Patients, Including Foreign Tourists
By Goongnang Suksawat

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

The National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEMS) has confirmed its readiness to handle an expected increase in accidents during the New Year festival. The organization has already conducted drills for emergency medical teams to ensure preparedness.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315234-thai-government-reminds-hospitals-they-cannot-refuse-emergency-patients-including-foreign-tourists/

 

Indian National Overstays for 6 Years, Arrested for Alleged Loan Shark Activities in Nonthaburi
By Kittisak Phalahar

 

 

Nonthaburi—On December 20th, 2023, Nonthaburi provincial immigration officers captured an Indian suspect who overstayed 2,366 days in Thailand and allegedly was involved in illegal loan shark activities in Mueang Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315235-indian-national-overstays-for-6-years-arrested-for-alleged-loan-shark-activities-in-nonthaburi/

 

Drunk British suspect refuses arrest and tries to injure Thai police
Photo of Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via ThaiRath

Police released a video of a drunk British man refusing to be arrested and attempting to assault Thai police after he crashed his pickup into another vehicle in Sattahip district, Chon Buri province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315236-drunk-british-suspect-refuses-arrest-and-tries-to-injure-thai-police/

 

Pattaya: Traffic chaos at Bali Hai Pier
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail

The picturesque road from Walking Street to Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya has transformed into a bustling bazaar, causing mayhem for both locals and tourists alike.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315237-pattaya-traffic-chaos-at-bali-hai-pier/

 

Thailand Welcomes 26.4 Million Foreign Tourists in 2023 After Long Nightlife Hours, Boasting Record-Breaking Income
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

On December 20th, 2023, Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, publicly revealed the cumulative number of foreign tourists from January 1st of 2023 to December 20th of 2023 was at 26,455,680 people, generating income of more than 1.1 trillion baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315238-thailand-welcomes-264-million-foreign-tourists-in-2023-after-long-nightlife-hours-boasting-record-breaking-income/

 

Brutal Pit Bull Attack Shocks Community; Victim Succumbs to Injuries
 

 

In an alarming incident that transpired within the serene vicinity of Ban Pa Mued Rungcharoen, Soi 23, Tambon Wiang Phang Kham, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai, two unrestrained pit bulls unleashed a violent assault on a 64-year-old man with a disability.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315241-brutal-pit-bull-attack-shocks-community-victim-succumbs-to-injuries/

 

Thai Immigration Boosts Tourist Confidence with Festive Welcome

 

 

On December 21, 2023, at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Pol. Lt. Gen. Itthipol Itthisarnratchai, the Commander of the Immigration Bureau, led a meeting of military personnel and customs officials at the immigration checkpoint.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315240-thai-immigration-boosts-tourist-confidence-with-festive-welcome/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 22 December 2023
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315246-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-22-december-2023/

 

Thai Authorities Raid Suspected Chinese-Owned Warehouses in Samut Sakhon, Confiscate Massive Substandard Products
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Samut Sakhon—On December 20th, 2023, Thai special investigative officers and relevant agencies launched a raid operation on three warehouses allegedly owned by Chinese people in Mueang Samut Sakhon, Samut Sakhon, according to a criminal warrant from the Samut Sakhon Provincial Court.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315255-thai-authorities-raid-suspected-chinese-owned-warehouses-in-samut-sakhon-confiscate-massive-substandard-products/

 

Temple Thief in Sri Racha Makes Off with 200,000 Baht
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Sri Racha —A heartless thief ransacked the donation room of Wat Tapotharam in the Sri Racha district, making off with over 200,000 baht in cash and several gold-framed Buddhist amulets.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315256-temple-thief-in-sri-racha-makes-off-with-200000-baht/

 

GO Wholesale Food Center Now Open in South Pattaya
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — “GO Wholesale”, an all-inclusive food wholesale center, has opened its doors at their brand new branch in South Pattaya, offering a haven of fresh, high-quality ingredients and unparalleled service.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315257-go-wholesale-food-center-now-open-in-south-pattaya/

 

Thai man arrested after failing to call on his invisible powers before robbery

by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via SiamRath

 

Police arrested a Thai man for repeated thefts in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat after he failed to invoke invisible powers before the robbery, and his theft showed on the CCTV footage.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315258-thai-man-arrested-after-failing-to-call-on-his-invisible-powers-before-robbery/

 

Human trafficking ring busted: Underage girls lured to sell virginity to Chinese investors for 200,000 baht
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

An investigation led by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) led to the arrest of seven individuals allegedly involved in a human trafficking ring today.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315259-human-trafficking-ring-busted-underage-girls-lured-to-sell-virginity-to-chinese-investors-for-200000-baht/

 

Climate crisis: Thailand promises to cut carbon emissions by 40%
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal 

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

Thailand has pledged a whopping 40% cut in carbon emissions, up from its initial 30%, following the resounding success of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315260-climate-crisis-thailand-promises-to-cut-carbon-emissions-by-40/

 

Thai traditional dress set to be listed on UNESCO
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Thai Style Studio 1984

The Ministry of Culture is gearing up to propose the inclusion of Thai traditional dress in UNESCO‘s prestigious intangible cultural heritage listings.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315261-thai-traditional-dress-set-to-be-listed-on-unesco/

 

Vietnamese man arrested for illegally operating beauty clinic in Bangkok condo
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวนกกระจอก

Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) arrested a Vietnamese man for turning a condominium in Bangkok into a beauty clinic and illegally providing beauty services without a permit.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315262-vietnamese-man-arrested-for-illegally-operating-beauty-clinic-in-bangkok-condo/

INS Kadmatt’s unprecedented naval move shakes South China Sea
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of DD News

In a sensational stride towards strengthening ties, India‘s naval gem, INS Kadmatt, stealthily docked in Bangkok on December 19.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315263-ins-kadmatt’s-unprecedented-naval-move-shakes-south-china-sea/

 

Six year visa overstay, two new Thai airports to go-ahead - Tim Newton Today - Dec 22

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315267-six-year-visa-overstay-two-new-thai-airports-to-go-ahead-tim-newton-today-dec-22/

Staggering investment of 150 billion baht in AOT airports
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of viajonarios

In a move set to revolutionise Thailand‘s air travel scene, Airports of Thailand (AOT) has unveiled ambitious plans for the construction of two new airports and a staggering investment of 150 billion baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315269-staggering-investment-of-150-billion-baht-in-aot-airports/

 

Thai economy set to boom with 106 billion baht splash with new year expenses
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Travel Triangle

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) predicts a staggering 106 billion baht surge in consumer spending during the upcoming New Year festivities – a four-year high that could inject new life into the nation’s financial veins.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315270-thai-economy-set-to-boom-with-106-billion-baht-splash-with-new-year-expenses/

 

Russian arrested after smashing car and attacking Thai man in Chon Buri
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via SiamRath

Police arrested a Russian man for smashing a car and attacking a Thai man in the Nong Prue district in Chon Buri province yesterday, December 21.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315271-russian-arrested-after-smashing-car-and-attacking-thai-man-in-chon-buri/

Anutin reveals new low-interest loan facility for informal borrowers with a good credit rating 
by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of the Interior Anutin Charnvirakul. The Bhumjaithai Party leader chairs the government committee pursuing a solution to the country’s chronic household debt problems. This week, he announced a new loan facility for borrowers with good credit ratings.

Thai government to the rescue: Deputy PM Anutin announces low-interest loans up to ฿50,000 for good credit borrowers outside the formal system. It comes amid rising concern for the safety of lenders as a top committee aims to curb informal debt, offering relief and legal protection to all parties.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315273-anutin-reveals-new-low-interest-loan-facility-for-informal-borrowers-with-a-good-credit-rating/

 

Phuket taxi drivers protest against rise of illegal taxi apps
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Phuket News

A sea of yellow and green licence plates flooded the grounds of Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, December 21, as taxi drivers from all over the province assembled in protest.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315275-phuket-taxi-drivers-protest-against-rise-of-illegal-taxi-apps/

 

Two former naval officers, Taiwanese national arrested on murder charges

 

 

Two retired naval officers were arrested in Bangkok this morning by Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police on murder charges, in connection with the death of a Taiwanese national.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315279-two-former-naval-officers-taiwanese-national-arrested-on-murder-charges/