THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 26 December 2023

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Former Thai prime ministerial candidate and ex-Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat poses for a photograph during an interview with AFP in Bangkok on November 9, 2023. Thwarted Thai election winner Pita Limjaroenrat vowed November 9 to run for prime minister again, defying conservative forces that blocked him from the job earlier in the year and despite a looming court case. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP)

Former Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat is the most favoured politician, among respondents to NIDA poll, to become prime minister, while the Move Forward party was the most popular.

 

Pita most preferred politician to become Thai PM in NIDA poll

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315436-pita-most-preferred-politician-to-become-thai-pm-in-nida-poll/

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Seven boats sink in Gulf and Andaman Sea in four days, eight people still missing

 

 

Six tour boats and a fishing vessel have sunk in the Gulf and the Andaman Sea in the past four days. Two passengers, a skipper and five crew are still missing.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315438-seven-boats-sink-in-gulf-and-andaman-sea-in-four-days-eight-people-still-missing/

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Thai Tourism Bounds Ahead After Post-Covid Surge
by TNR Staff 

 

 

 

SINCE the 2021 end of the Covid-19 crisis, the Thai tourism industry has enjoyed a healthy revival and is likely to end 2023 just a little shy of 30 million visitors.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315439-thai-tourism-bounds-ahead-after-post-covid-surge/

 

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Medical Council Asked To Probe Thaksin’s Doctors
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Former Democrat MP Watchara Petthong, left in above photo and right in Front Page photo, handing over his petition to Medical Council Secretary-General Itthaporn Khanacharoen with an image of de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra inset above. Photo: Amarin TV

 

THE MEDICAL COUNCIL was today (Dec.25) petitioned to investigate allegations that certain doctors had violated a professional code of ethics to keep de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict Thaksin Shinawatra from jail.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315440-medical-council-asked-to-probe-thaksin’s-doctors/

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Russian Tourists Rescued After Huge Waves Split Boat In Half Off Pattaya
by TNR Staff

 

Russian tourists after they were rescued from the sea off Na Jomtien beach. Photo: Matichon

 

A BIG GROUP of Russian tourists and Thai divers and crew were all safely rescued after huge waves broke their catamaran in two as it was sailing back to Pattaya from a trip to Koh Larn this evening (Dec. 23), Matichon newspaper said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315441-russian-tourists-rescued-after-huge-waves-split-boat-in-half-off-pattaya/

 

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Minister Shuts Pink Line For Seven Days After Accident
by TNR Staff

 

 

TRANSPORT Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit inspected the spot in Nonthaburi where three kilometres of MRT Pink Line’s conductor rail fell on the road before dawn this morning (Dec. 24) and ordered the closure of service on this route for seven days, Naewna newspaper said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315442-minister-shuts-pink-line-for-seven-days-after-accident/

 

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Search continues for British woman, Thai crew following dive boat sinking

By Peter Roche

 

PHOTO: Facebook/Andaman Snorkel Discovery

Following the sinking of a dive boat in Phang Nga, a British tourist and a Thai woman, understood to have been a member of the crew, remain missing.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315443-search-continues-for-british-woman-thai-crew-following-dive-boat-sinking/

 

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Government Tightens Kratom and Alcohol Sale Rules

by: Krajangwit Johjit

 

  

File photo for reference only

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Public Health Ministry has implemented a new regulation requiring vendors of food and drinks containing kratom to display a warning sign at their point of sale.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315444-government-tightens-kratom-and-alcohol-sale-rules/

 

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Seventy Three Tourists Rescued after Speedboat Capsized in Satun
By Goongnang Suksawat

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

A tourist speedboat, “Bandaya 19,” capsized near Bubu Island, about 3 km from Satun’s Lipe Island, Sunday (Dec 24). The boat carried 73 tourists, including 3 children and 4 crew members.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315445-seventy-three-tourists-rescued-after-speedboat-capsized-in-satun/

 

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Worker Killed in Bangkok Crane Accident
By Goongnang Suksawat

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

Officials have confirmed that a construction worker was killed on Sunday (Dec 24) in a crane accident at the Wong Wian Yai station site of Bangkok’s Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority’s (MRT) Purple Line.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315446-worker-killed-in-bangkok-crane-accident/

 

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Russian Arrested at Phuket Airport Allegedly Involved in Attempted Murder
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – A Russian man was arrested at the Phuket International Airport after he has allegedly been involved in the attempted murder of a foreign man.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315447-russian-arrested-at-phuket-airport-allegedly-involved-in-attempted-murder/

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Brutal assault at Chon Buri nightclub leaves young men seriously injured
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of Khao Sod

Tan, a 21 year old victim of a brutal assault at a well-known nightclub in Chon Buri was dragged out from the bathroom and beaten, leaving him and a friend seriously injured. The incident, which happened in the early hours yesterday, was sparked by a misunderstanding that the young men were using drugs in the club’s bathroom.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315448-brutal-assault-at-chon-buri-nightclub-leaves-young-men-seriously-injured/

 

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Bangkok taxi driver arrested for stealing million-baht wristwatch
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

A 44 year old Bangkok taxi driver was apprehended on Monday morning, accused of delaying his journey for several hours in wait for a Japanese passenger, who was inebriated, to fall asleep. The motive behind this delay was allegedly to pilfer a wristwatch worth a million baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315449-bangkok-taxi-driver-arrested-for-stealing-million-baht-wristwatch/

 

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Thai woman arrested for fraudulent Facebook charity scam in Rayong
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

A 23 year old woman from Khon Kaen, Juthamas Poolmee, was apprehended by the Anti-Trafficking Police squad for fraudulently using Facebook to deceive charitable individuals into donating money.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315450-thai-woman-arrested-for-fraudulent-facebook-charity-scam-in-rayong/

 

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Female ranger survives rape attempt but faces resignation pressure
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ กองทัพบก Royal Thai Army

A female Thai ranger faced resignation pressure from her superior after she filed a complaint against a soldier who attempted to rape her with the Royal Thai Army (RTA).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315451-female-ranger-survives-rape-attempt-but-faces-resignation-pressure/

 

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Bangkok driver warns of aggressive young windscreen washer
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ คนกรุงเทพ เหลา

A Thai driver issued a warning to other motorists after a young windscreen washer showed violent behaviour and threatened him for refusing his windscreen washing service at Asoke Intersection in Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315452-bangkok-driver-warns-of-aggressive-young-windscreen-washer/

 

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Public has not forgotten the backroom deals in August. Move Forward Party is even more popular
by Joseph O' Connor

 

Thailand ends 2023 with an unpopular government that faces many challenges. It is the fallout from a backroom deal in the summer. In the meantime, the Move Forward Party gains popularity but faces dangerous Constitutional Court hurdles. The latest NIDA Poll shows strong support for Pita Limjaroenrat. However, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has also grown in popularity. This is despite a poor economy and the unpopular political deal now in power.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315453-public-has-not-forgotten-the-backroom-deals-in-august-move-forward-party-is-even-more-popular/

 

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Pang Nanode gets life in prison for attempted murder

 

 

The Phatthalung Provincial Court sentenced Chavalit Thongduang, aka Pang Nanode, and four other co-defendants to life in prison today after being found guilty of assaulting and attempting to murder a police assistant.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315455-pang-nanode-gets-life-in-prison-for-attempted-murder/

 

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Collection of train fares on Pink Line may be postponed
 

Image Courtesy: MRT

Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said Monday that the commercial launch of the Pink Line monorail service, originally scheduled for January 3rd, may be postponed if the replacement parts for the detached conductor rail are not delivered in time.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315456-collection-of-train-fares-on-pink-line-may-be-postponed/

 

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Thailand in 2023: Conservatism in Disarray
by Ken Mathis Lohatepanont

 

When Prayut Chan-o-cha was prime minister, he penned at least ten singles. None, of course, was more famous than his debut with “Returning Happiness to the People,” a song that was endlessly played on the airwaves in the aftermath of the 2014 military coup. His other singles garnered relatively little attention.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315458-thailand-in-2023-conservatism-in-disarray/

 

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Thailand’s new approach to Myanmar crisis a shot in the dark

By Thai PBS World’s Regional Desk

 

File photo : Thai PM Srettha Thavisin

 

The Thai government led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is employing a new approach to the ongoing crisis in neighboring Myanmar, focusing on humanitarian assistance, but analysts doubt if it will be effective.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315459-thailand’s-new-approach-to-myanmar-crisis-a-shot-in-the-dark/

 

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Thai man arrested with 60,000 files of spycam pornography
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via ThaiRath

 

Officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau arrested a Thai man in the southern province of Prachub KirKhan for possessing and selling spycam pornography and found 60,000 files of pornography in his possession.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315464-thai-man-arrested-with-60000-files-of-spycam-pornography/

 

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Pregnant vendor in Surat Thani killed in tragic road accident: leaves two children orphaned
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of Red Skull (X)

 

A tragic road accident claimed the life of a pregnant vendor in Surat Thani, leaving her two children orphaned. The driver, a young woman, lost control of her pickup truck, crashing into the roadside vendor and causing significant property damage. Witnesses claim that following the accident, the driver showed no remorse and didn’t check on the injured, instead, she fled to a nearby lodge.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315465-pregnant-vendor-in-surat-thani-killed-in-tragic-road-accident-leaves-two-children-orphaned/

 

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340 tonnes of seized narcotics to be burnt, says government
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

In an unprecedented move to combat the soaring drug crisis, 340 tonnes of seized narcotics are set to go up in flames at the Bang Pu Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan over a two-week operation commencing today, December 26.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315467-340-tonnes-of-seized-narcotics-to-be-burnt-says-government/

 

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Seven boats sink, eight people still missing - Tim Newton Today - Dec 26

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315468-seven-boats-sink-eight-people-still-missing-tim-newton-today-dec-26/

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Japan revs up Thai automotive industry: Major automakers inject 150 billion baht boost
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

In a move set to ignite Thailand‘s automotive industry, four major Japanese car giants are gearing up to pump a staggering 150 billion baht into manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315469-japan-revs-up-thai-automotive-industry-major-automakers-inject-150-billion-baht-boost/

 

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Pink line monorail’s free trial period may extend after conductor rail failure
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีชมพู (Facebook)

The Pink Line monorail system‘s operator will be approached by the Transport Ministry to extend the free trial period after a section of the line was forced to shut down on Sunday due to a failure of the track’s conductor rail.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315470-pink-line-monorail’s-free-trial-period-may-extend-after-conductor-rail-failure/

 

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Phuket taxi driver drives away foreign woman over air conditioning dispute
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต

A Thai taxi driver faced criticism for a viral video of him chasing away a foreign passenger by pulling her out of his cab. The driver defended himself saying the foreign woman kicked his car door over an air conditioning dispute.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315472-phuket-taxi-driver-drives-away-foreign-woman-over-air-conditioning-dispute/

 

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Thailand tightens border control to curb illegal wildlife smuggling
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

A concerted effort to tighten borders and stifle illegal wildlife trafficking is underway in Thailand, led by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315474-thailand-tightens-border-control-to-curb-illegal-wildlife-smuggling/

 

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Thai industries battle tide of cheap imports: Government gears up for tough measures
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

In a bid to rescue Thailand‘s floundering manufacturing sector, the Thai government is gearing up for a fierce showdown against a deluge of low-priced imports that threaten to drown local industries.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315476-thai-industries-battle-tide-of-cheap-imports-government-gears-up-for-tough-measures/