THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 4 January 2024

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A violent altercation involving a gun and a tuk tuk in Phuket led to the arrest of an English national. The incident, which occurred on the evening of January 1, involved the suspect, identified as 38 year old Jamie, hitting his co-passenger with a hidden firearm. The argument escalated within the tuk tuk while en route to a café in Kamala.

 

British man arrested in Phuket over violent tuk tuk altercation
by Nattapong Westwood

Photo courtesy of MGR Online

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316005-english-national-arrested-in-phuket-over-violent-tuk-tuk-altercation/

 

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Foreigner steals from renowned Thai designer’s store, Vatanika seeks online help (video)
by Samantha Rose 

 

 

Picture courtesy of vatanika Instamgram

Well-known fashion designer, Vatanika Patamasingha Na Ayudhaya, affectionately known as Prae, recently took to her personal Instagram account to seek help identifying a foreign man who allegedly stole glasses from her clothing store VATANIKA in Chidlom.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316002-foreigner-steals-from-renowned-thai-designer’s-store-vatanika-seeks-online-help-video/

 

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Scores of people die in road accidents on fifth of the seven dangerous days

 

 

Twenty-one more people were killed and 284 were injured in 266 road accidents on the 5th day of the New Year travel “Seven Dangerous Days” yesterday, increasing total fatalities and injuries to 212 and 1,860 respectively, according to the Command Centre for the Prevention and Reduction of Road Accidents.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316033-scores-of-people-die-in-road-accidents-on-fifth-of-the-seven-dangerous-days/

 

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Justice Minister Defends Thaksin Over Prolonged Stay Outside Prison
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong, right, and former deputy prime minister-cum-former commerce minister Jurin Laksanavisit, left, with an image of de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra being wheeled for a scan at Police Hospital in the background. Photo: Matichon

 

JUSTICE MINISTER THAWEE Sodsong today (Jan.3) defended de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict at large Thaksin Shinawatra from allegations surrounding his extended stay outside a prison.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316034-justice-minister-defends-thaksin-over-prolonged-stay-outside-prison/

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Chiang Mai Foreign Tourist Arrivals Recovering Slowly Post-COVID: 2023 Numbers at 58% Compared to Pre-Pandemic Levels
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Chiang Mai—On January 3rd, 2024, Mr. Worapong Muchaotai, an official from the Chiang Mai Office of Social Enterprise Promotion (Visit Chiang Mai), publicly revealed 2023 statistics of foreign tourists traveling to Chiang Mai airport with a total of 3.9 million individuals.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316035-chiang-mai-foreign-tourist-arrivals-recovering-slowly-post-covid-2023-numbers-at-58-compared-to-pre-pandemic-levels/

 

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Russian upper class take over Phuket properties
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Elite Havens

Phuket has become a playground for Russia’s wealthy elite, causing property prices to skyrocket by 15 to 20%.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316036-russian-upper-class-take-over-phuket-properties/

 

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Thailand’s airports vow to eliminate carbon emissions by 2032
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

Airports of Thailand (AOT) is gearing up to transform the aviation landscape by pledging to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and zero carbon emissions by 2032.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316037-thailand’s-airports-vow-to-eliminate-carbon-emissions-by-2032/

 

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Buriram man eager to pay off 200,000 baht truck debt, creditor mysteriously absent
by Nattapong Westwood

 

PHOTO: via pinterest

A peculiar situation has unfolded in Buriram where a debtor, 37 year old Wichai, is seeking to pay the remaining 200,000 baht owed on a ten-wheeler truck he purchased in 2022, but the creditor, 51 years old Supit, is allegedly avoiding him.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316039-buriram-man-eager-to-pay-off-200000-baht-truck-debt-creditor-mysteriously-absent/

 

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Thai woman challenges traditional roles with refusal to iron husband’s clothes
by Nattapong Westwood

 

PHOTO: via seventy four istock

A Thai woman has taken to an online forum to vent about her mother-in-law’s nagging over her refusal to iron her husband’s clothes. The woman, who works away from home and returns only on weekends, argues that her husband should be able to iron his clothes.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316044-thai-woman-challenges-traditional-roles-with-refusal-to-iron-husband’s-clothes/

 

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Thai government to stimulate economy with digital wallet scheme
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

The Thai government has reaffirmed its commitment to launch the digital wallet scheme in May, a key policy of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316045-thai-government-to-stimulate-economy-with-digital-wallet-scheme/

 

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Covert Human Trafficking Network Busted Transporting Bangladeshi Labor

 

 

The Immigration Bureau announced the successful apprehension of a covert human trafficking network responsible for smuggling Bangladeshi laborers into Malaysia through Thailand, charging them over 100,000 Baht per head.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316040-covert-human-trafficking-network-busted-transporting-bangladeshi-labor/

 

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Reckless Teenage Motorcyclist Blocks Rescue Vehicle, Arrested for Theft
 

 

In a shocking incident in Nattawi district, Songkhla province, a reckless teenager, nicknamed "Gunhead Kwuan," intentionally obstructed an ambulance on its way to the hospital.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316041-reckless-teenage-motorcyclist-blocks-rescue-vehicle-arrested-for-theft/

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Public health office urges pregnant women in Hua Hin to undergo Zika virus testing amid rising cases
By Online Reporter

 

 

In response to a rise in Zika virus cases in Hua Hin, the Public Health Office of Prachuap Khiri Khan is calling on pregnant women to get tested for the virus. The latest figures indicate a total of 25 confirmed cases in the area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316046-public-health-office-urges-pregnant-women-in-hua-hin-to-undergo-zika-virus-testing-amid-rising-cases/

 

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Thai baht predicted to appreciate amid expected US interest rate cuts
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Pornprom Satrabhaya

The Thai baht is predicted to appreciate to 33 against the US dollar in the near future, as the market anticipates an early start to US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, possibly as soon as March.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316048-thai-baht-predicted-to-appreciate-amid-expected-us-interest-rate-cuts/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday 4 January 2024

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316049-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-4-january-2024/

 

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Thailand’s tourism authority faces challenge to boost foreign arrivals
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Ragnar Vorel, Unsplash

With a significantly decreased budget from its 2019 benchmark, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) faces the daunting task of increasing foreign arrivals from 28 million in 2023 to 40 million in the span of just a year.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316052-thailand’s-tourism-authority-faces-challenge-to-boost-foreign-arrivals/

 

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Thalang Accident Leaves One Person Dead, Five Other People Injured
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Thalang – A 33-year-old male driver died after his pickup truck collided with another pickup truck and a sedan in Thalang, the first death reported in Phuket’s New Year’s Seven Day Road Safety Campaign.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316053-thalang-accident-leaves-one-person-dead-five-other-people-injured/

 

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Surin motorcyclist dies in elevated bridge collision: Thai police investigate
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of MGR Online

 

A Surin native riding a motorcycle had a fatal accident after colliding with a barrier on an elevated bridge. The police are investigating the cause before contacting the relatives to claim the body. The incident occurred today at 2.30am.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316054-surin-motorcyclist-dies-in-elevated-bridge-collision-thai-police-investigate/

 

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Thailand’s fruit exports projected to increase by 4% in 2024
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

Expectation for a 4% increase in the volume of fresh and processed fruit exports this year has been projected by the Commerce Ministry, driven by a strong demand. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, after a meeting with ministry officials and fruit-related representatives, expressed optimism about fruit exports.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316057-thailand’s-fruit-exports-projected-to-increase-by-4-in-2024/

 

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Motorbike Collision Kills Thai Man, Injures Foreign Man in Kathu
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Kathu – A Thai rider died and a foreign rider was injured after a big bike collided with a smaller motorbike in Kathu.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316058-motorbike-collision-kills-thai-man-injures-foreign-man-in-kathu/

 

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Nonthaburi’s Jack’s Waterfall Noodles stops free meals due to misuse
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

PHOTO: via healthline

 

Sakrapee Pathomthasaporn, known as Jack, owner of the popular noodle restaurant Jack’s Waterfall Noodles in Nonthaburi, has made a difficult decision to stop serving free meals.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316060-nonthaburi’s-jack’s-waterfall-noodles-stops-free-meals-due-to-misuse/

 

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New year sees considerable drop in road accidents across Thailand
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Prasit Tangprasert

The new year holiday period witnessed a significant drop in road accidents, with 212 fatalities and 1,860 injuries, according to statistics from the Department of Land Transport.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316061-new-year-sees-considerable-drop-in-road-accidents-across-thailand/

 

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China no longer Thailand's largest source of tourists in 2023
By Hoang Phong

 

Tourists visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan. 7, 2023. Photo by Reuters

Malaysia has surpassed China to become the biggest feeder market for Thailand tourism in 2023 with 4.56 million arrivals.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316063-china-no-longer-thailands-largest-source-of-tourists-in-2023/

 

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More transport deaths, mystery US orthodontist 'electrocuted' in Thailand - Tim Newton Today - Jan 4

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316064-more-transport-deaths-mystery-us-orthodontist-electrocuted-in-thailand-tim-newton-today-jan-4/

 

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US Orthodontist Says She Was Electrocuted In "Freak Accident" In Thailand
During her trip to Thailand, the woman was electrocuted by power lines, blacked out, and then was quickly rushed to the hospital.
Edited by Bhavya Sukheja

 

Ms Hodgson has over 25,600 Instagram followers.

 

A US-based orthodontist and well-known influencer recently said that she is "so grateful to be here" after suffering an electric shock from downed power lines during her trip to Thailand last month. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316066-us-orthodontist-says-she-was-electrocuted-in-freak-accident-in-thailand/

 

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Thai elderly in yellow aprons fight homelessness on Bangkok streets
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

The sight of elderly individuals in yellow aprons diligently cleaning pedestrian flyovers under the pelting sun may be disturbing to many. After all, most Thais have been raised to respect the elders and ensure they are well looked after.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316068-thai-elderly-in-yellow-aprons-fight-homelessness-on-bangkok-streets/

 

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Bangkok bust: Two Thai men arrested after 250,000 baht stolen from Thai consul’s home
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ ToKo

Bangkok police arrested two light-fingered Thai men for stealing assets worth more than 250,000 baht from the home of a Thai consul.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316069-bangkok-bust-two-thai-men-arrested-after-250000-baht-stolen-from-thai-consul’s-home/

 

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Air hostess interrogated over 20 million baht cocaine parcel to Australia
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo courtesy of FM91

A 30 year old air hostess yesterday was interrogated for over six hours following the discovery of her name on a parcel containing 7.5 kilogrammes of concealed cocaine intended for delivery to Australia.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316070-air-hostess-interrogated-over-20-million-baht-cocaine-parcel-to-australia/

 

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Government to follow up nearly 6,000 complaints about 4am closing times

By Peter Roche

 

A total of 5,785 noise-related complaints have been submitted by the Thai public since December 15, the start of a new rule allowing pubs, bars and entertainment venues in selected areas of Bangkok, Phuket, Chonburi, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui to stay open until 4 am.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316073-government-to-follow-up-nearly-6000-complaints-about-4am-closing-times/

 

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Gold rush con: Isaan pawnshop duo sparks heist, rakes in 170m baht bonanza
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ MGR Online ภาคเหนือ

 

Police arrested two Thai women, who worked at a pawnshop in the Isaan province of Nong Khai, for stealing gold accessories pawned by customers and hocked them again for more than 170 million baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316080-gold-rush-con-isaan-pawnshop-duo-sparks-heist-rakes-in-170m-baht-bonanza/