Thailand enters the annual “seven dangerous days” today (Dec 28) with sirens already sounding over efforts to meet its 2027 goal of cutting the appalling death toll from traffic accidents.

 

Experts flag doubts over road-safety masterplan as Thailand braces for ‘Seven Dangerous Days’

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315680-experts-flag-doubts-over-road-safety-masterplan-as-thailand-braces-for-‘seven-dangerous-days’/

 

Thailand wants to see far more US and Canadian tourists as long-haul visitors spend twice as much
by James Morris and Son Nguyenin

 

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Deputy Governor Siripakorn Cheawsamoot explains how Thailand aims for more long-haul travellers in 2024. The tourism promotion agency will especially target the United States and Canadian markets.

Thailand aims to see more US and Canadian tourists in 2024, focusing on the long-haul market.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315665-thailand-wants-to-see-far-more-us-and-canadian-tourists-as-long-haul-visitors-spend-twice-as-much/

 

Indian Tourists Brawl with Thai People on Pattaya Beach Road
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

PHOTO: สยามชล นิวส์

Pattaya — Foreign tourists, reported to be of Indian nationality, engaged in a violent brawl with Thai people right on Pattaya Beach Road early today, sending shockwaves through the city just one day before its New Year’s celebration.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315713-indian-tourists-brawl-with-thai-people-on-pattaya-beach-road/

 

Pattaya Hotels See New Year Countdown Surge, Bookings Nearly Full Say Hoteliers
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

PHOTO: The Cop Seminar and Resort

Pattaya — Hotel bookings in Pattaya are booming as the city gears up for New Year’s celebrations. Beachfront properties have already been 85-90% booked, according to the Thai Hotel Association’s Eastern Chapter (THA).

 

Full story:  https://aseannow.com/topic/1315714-pattaya-hotels-see-new-year-countdown-surge-bookings-nearly-full-say-hoteliers/

UPDATE:

 

Thai Transport Minister Mulls 12-15 Year Prison Terms for DUI Fatalities Amid Safety Concerns
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

On December 27th, 2023, Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Thai Minister of Transport, publicly revealed consideration in increasing penalties in fatal accidents from DUIs, with up to 12 to 15 years of imprisonment.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315680-experts-flag-doubts-over-road-safety-masterplan-as-thailand-braces-for-‘seven-dangerous-days’/?do=findComment&comment=18583172

 

Thailand’s Louis Tussaud wax museum to unveil lifelike King Charles III figure
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Pattaya News

 

Following the resounding success of the Joe Biden wax figure debut last year, the Royal Dynasty room at Louis Tussaud’s is unveiling a life-size wax figure of the British monarch King Charles III.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315716-thailand’s-louis-tussaud-wax-museum-to-unveil-lifelike-king-charles-iii-figure/

 

Bangsaen Beach Prepares for Cosmic Countdown
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Bangsaen — Bangsaen Beach is gearing up for an extraordinary New Year’s event – the Bangsaen Space Countdown 2024. Scheduled for December 30th-31st, 2023, this cosmic extravaganza promises a stellar experience at Laan Laem Taen on Bangsaen Beach.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315717-bangsaen-beach-prepares-for-cosmic-countdown/

 

Man Dies from Stab Wound in Patong after Alleged Karaoke Fight
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Patong – A man was found dead with a stab wound in front of a karaoke in Patong.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315718-man-dies-from-stab-wound-in-patong-after-alleged-karaoke-fight/

 

Body Found Floating Near Island in Phang Nga
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phang Nga – A body was found floating near an island in Phang Nga.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315719-body-found-floating-near-island-in-phang-nga/

 

Phuket Immigration Confirms Russian Arrested for Allegedly Hiring Gunman to Shoot Russian in Cherng Talay
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Thalang-Phuket Immigration has confirmed that a Russian man who was arrested at the Phuket International Airport had allegedly hired a gunman to shoot another Russian man at Boat Avenue in Cherng Talay.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315720-phuket-immigration-confirmed-russian-arrested-allegedly-hired-gunman-to-shot-russian-in-cherng-talay/

 

PM Urged To Dissolve National Strategies Committee As Living Legacy Of Junta
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Move Forward MP Rangsiman Rome, left, and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, right. Both photos: Thai Rath

 

PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin was today (Dec.28) encouraged to disband the National Strategies Committee which could be otherwise virtually viewed as a living legacy of a former coup junta.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315722-pm-urged-to-dissolve-national-strategies-committee-as-living-legacy-of-junta/

 

10,000 Tourists Enjoy Full Moon Party At Koh Phangan
by TNR Staff

 

Scenes from the Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan. Photo: TV Channel 7

 

AS MANY AS 10,000 mostly young foreign and Thai tourists packed Haad Rin beach on Koh Phangan island to enjoy the Full Moon Party that continued all night till dawn yesterday (Dec. 28) in a lively atmosphere with DJs playing loud music amid energic vibes, Naewna newspaper said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315723-10000-tourists-enjoy-full-moon-party-at-koh-phangan/

Thai elderly woman abandoned by children struggles to survive
by Samantha Rose 

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

Abandoned and suffering from a medical condition requiring surgery, Orratai, 84 years old, was left to fend for herself, despite having four children. She had attempted to reach out to her daughter, living in a luxury house in the Ram 2 area, but was denied entry.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315724-thai-elderly-woman-abandoned-by-children-struggles-to-survive/

 

Thailand’s struggle with informal debt likened to modern-day slavery
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

The struggle with informal debt, described as a form of modern-day slavery, has been prioritised on a national level by Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315725-thailand’s-struggle-with-informal-debt-likened-to-modern-day-slavery/

 

Thailand tourism: 10 provinces elevated to first tier attractions
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

 

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has handpicked 10 second-tier provinces to be promoted as first-tier tourist hotspots on December 26.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315726-thailand-tourism-10-provinces-elevated-to-first-tier-attractions/

 

CAAT Officials Explain Complaints About Expensive Holiday Plane Tickets
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On December 28th, 2023, Mr. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, a list-MP from the United Thai Nation Party, publicly mentioned complaints regarding expensive plane tickets during holidays.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315727-caat-officials-explain-complaints-about-expensive-holiday-plane-tickets/

 

Hua Hin Marathon 2024: Registration opens Jan 1, 2024, here’s how to register
By Online Reporter 

 

A runner competes in the Hua Hin Marathon 2023. Image: Patrick Jacobs

Registration for the Hua Hin Marathon 2024 opens at 10am on Jan 1, 2024. Here’s all you need to know about the event and how to register.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315735-hua-hin-marathon-2024-registration-opens-jan-1-2024-here’s-how-to-register/

 

Thai Ministry of Transport Offers Complimentary Motorways and Expressways for New Year Celebrations

By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

On December 27th, 2023, Mrs. Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, publicly revealed a New Year gift from the Thai Ministry of Transport regarding complimentary travel on motorways and expressways.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315739-thai-ministry-of-transport-offers-complimentary-motorways-and-expressways-for-new-year-celebrations/

 

Chiang Mai: Thai scientists discover edible mushrooms
by Top

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod English

 

A team of scientists from the Center of Excellence for Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilisation at Chiang Mai University has unveiled two new species of mushrooms— Russula pseudomodesta and Russula sribuabanensis, in northern Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315740-chiang-mai-thai-scientists-discover-edible-mushrooms/

 

Udon Thani school coach and sponsor face further child abuse charges
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo via Freepik

An Udon Thani school football coach and a team sponsor are facing further legal action, as five more children aged between 10 and 13 have accused them of sexual abuse.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315742-udon-thani-school-coach-and-sponsor-face-further-child-abuse-charges/

 

Pregnant Thai woman with autism accuses father of raping her
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ ZOOM Rayong ซูมระยอง

A pregnant Thai woman with autism accused her biological father of raping her. The accused father denied the allegation, and other family members were not convinced.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315743-pregnant-thai-woman-with-autism-accuses-father-of-raping-her/

Thai politics 2023 in review: Challenges and changes
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

The landscape of Thai politics in 2023 was filled with suspense, surprises, and setbacks. The Move Forward Party, despite winning the most seats in the May election, couldn’t form a government.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315744-thai-politics-2023-in-review-challenges-and-changes/

 

Road safety appeal amid surge of New Year holidaymakers in Thailand
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Mick Haupt (Unsplash)

The People’s Safety Foundation has made an appeal to the government for stricter safety policies to mitigate road accidents as Thailand gears up for the New Year’s celebrations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315745-road-safety-appeal-amid-surge-of-new-year-holidaymakers-in-thailand/

 

Fatal car crash claims life of town clerk in Samut Songkhram
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of Khao Sod

A tragic accident occurred when the town clerk was driving home and collided with a sedan, resulting in his death. The police sent the body for an autopsy and are urgently investigating the cause. This incident took place at 11:30 pm yesterday (December 28).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315747-fatal-car-crash-claims-life-of-town-clerk-in-samut-songkhram/

 

Dispelling 'foreign tax' myths, Indians vs Thais in Pattaya - Tim Newton Today - Dec 29

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315748-dispelling-foreign-tax-myths-indians-vs-thais-in-pattaya-tim-newton-today-dec-29/

 

Chumphon teenager disappears in sea after wave mishap
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of Khao Sod

A tragic incident unfolded yesterday, as a 17 year old high school student, hailing from Chumphon’s capital district, disappeared into the sea while playing with friends near the Saphli pier in Chumphon province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315752-chumphon-teenager-disappears-in-sea-after-wave-mishap/

 

2023’s top stories: The ‘3Ps’ lose power as voters pull plug on junta legacy  

 

From left : Gen Anupong Paochinda, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha

After nine years in power, the once formidable alliance of Thailand’s three brothers-in-arms finally came to an end in 2023.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315753-2023’s-top-stories-the-‘3ps’-lose-power-as-voters-pull-plug-on-junta-legacy/

Perfect storm batters Loong Phol

 

Chaiyaphol Wipa or Loong Phol and his wife, Somporn, pose for photo after giving an interview to a television programmer in 2020.//sanook

 

Many believed that things would drastically change after the Criminal Court ruling on December 20, but even they had not expected that it would be such a spectacular free fall for Chaiyaphol Wipa, the key suspect in the Nong Chompoo case.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315773-perfect-storm-batters-loong-phol/

 

PM Visits Traffic Management Center Ahead New Year

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has visited the Traffic and Accident Management Center, part of the Ministry of Transport.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315774-pm-visits-traffic-management-center-ahead-new-year/

 

Public Warning: Caution during New Year Holidays and Dry Weather Conditions

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Government Spokesperson, Mr. Chai Wacharonke, has conveyed the government’s concern for public safety during the upcoming year-end festivities and the extended holiday period from December 29th, 2023, to January 1st, 2024. As many citizens plan to travel to various provinces during this time, special attention is urged regarding electrical safety within homes.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1315775-public-warning-caution-during-new-year-holidays-and-dry-weather-conditions/