Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand to face legal consequences because he is a peacemaker who wants to see reconciliation in Thailand, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong claimed in parliament during the debate on the government’s budget bill on Wednesday.

 

Justice minister praises Thaksin as a “peacemaker”

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316136-justice-minister-praises-thaksin-as-a-“peacemaker”/

 

Government’s Stance on Cabinet Reshuffle and Role of Paetongtarn Shinawatra

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, commented on the recent speculations about a cabinet reshuffle involving Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Leader of the Pheu Thai Party. He dismissed these as expectations or attempts to create political issues, leading to confusion.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316100-government’s-stance-on-cabinet-reshuffle-and-role-of-paetongtarn-shinawatra/

Corrections panel to consider rules for convicts to serve terms outside prison
 

 

The Justice Ministry will call a meeting of the corrections committee on January 11th, to consider the rules for screening convicts who are qualified to serve their remaining terms outside a prison, according to a well-informed source in the Justice Ministry.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316136-justice-minister-praises-thaksin-as-a-“peacemaker”/?do=findComment&comment=18596143

 

City Hall city sweeps streets, leaves residents puzzled: 200 abandoned cars vanish
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

City Hall successfully wiped over 200 abandoned cars off the streets of Bangkok, leaving residents baffled.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316129-city-hall-city-sweeps-streets-leaves-residents-puzzled-200-abandoned-cars-vanish/

 

British tourist’s lost wallet returned by Thai hotel worker
by Mitch Connor

 

PHOTO: forbes

 

A British holidaymaker on Koh Samui Island in Thailand is set to return home with a pleasant memory following a hotel worker’s return of his lost wallet during the new year celebrations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316130-british-tourist’s-lost-wallet-returned-by-thai-hotel-worker/

 

Govt Urged To Cancel Chinese Submarine Deal
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang with a Chinese-built S26T submarine in the background. Photo: Matichon

 

THE PHEU THAI-LED GOVERNMENT was yesterday (Jan.4) encouraged to cancel the navy’s Chinese submarine purchase deal since the Chinese shipbuilder has already failed to deliver it.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316131-govt-urged-to-cancel-chinese-submarine-deal/

 

Government accused by Move Forward of fiddling calculation of GDP

 

 

Move Forward party-list MP Sirikanya Tansakul has questioned the government’s budgeting for the 2024 fiscal year, saying that it does not reflect the government’s claim that Thailand is facing several crises.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316144-government-accused-by-move-forward-of-fiddling-calculation-of-gdp/

 

Starbucks steams up with price hike, now costlier than Thailand’s minimum wage

by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ Starbucks Thailand

 

Starbucks, one of Thailand’s most popular coffee chains, announced that the prices of its beverages will be increased by 5 baht at all of its stores across the country from today. One cup of coffee from Starbucks is now more expensive than Thailand’s national minimum wage.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316145-starbucks-steams-up-with-price-hike-now-costlier-than-thailand’s-minimum-wage/

Thailand’s tourism operators question 40 million visitors target
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

The government’s ambitious target of attracting 40 million foreign visitors is viewed as daunting by Thailand tourism operators, considering factors such as high travel costs, diminished demand in big markets such as China and Russia, and competition from surrounding nations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316146-thailand’s-tourism-operators-question-40-million-visitors-target/

 

Chemical Leak from 200-Liter Pickup Prompts Emergency Response in Samut Prakan
 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

The Facebook page "ข่าวสารเมืองปราการ v2" brought attention to an incident involving a 200-liter pickup truck transporting chemical containers that had experienced a leak. Authorities are currently addressing the situation in the vicinity of Soi Phrasawang 12.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316141-chemical-leak-from-200-liter-pickup-prompts-emergency-response-in-samut-prakan/

 

Closure Order Issued for "Happy Club" - Khon Kaen Entertainment Venue Shut Down for 5 Years

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The provincial authorities in Khon Kaen have ordered the closure of the entertainment venue, "Happy Club," for a period of 5 years.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316142-closure-order-issued-for-happy-club-khon-kaen-entertainment-venue-shut-down-for-5-years/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 5 January 2024
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316147-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-5-january-2024/

 

Teenagers arrested in Phitsanulok for gunfight over love dispute
by Nattapong Westwood

Photo courtesy of Daily News

Yesterday (January 4) two 18 year old male teenagers were apprehended by the Phitsanulok City Police, along with a six-chambered firearm and a quantity of ammunition. The arrest took place at a residence in Ban Pa Subdistrict, Phitsanulok City.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316148-teenagers-arrested-in-phitsanulok-for-gunfight-over-love-dispute/

 

Five Phuket Boat Drivers Test Positive for Illegal Drugs
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – Five boat drivers tested positive for illegal drugs recently at a pier in Thalang after a random check.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316149-five-phuket-boat-drivers-test-positive-for-illegal-drugs/

 

Thailand’s deputy police chief set for National Security Council role
by Mitch Connor 

 

 PHOTO: via

 

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin approved the appointment of Deputy National Police Chief Police General Roy Inkhapairote as the Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316153-thailand’s-deputy-police-chief-set-for-national-security-council-role/

 

Thai driver’s fueling video in Malaysia sparks digital outcry, prompts complaints to Malaysian PM

 

 

A video, showing a woman believed to be Thai, filling her car’s tank with benzene 95 at a gas station, has gone viral in Malaysia. The car bore Surat Thani license plates and the gas station is reported to be in Rawang, in Malaysia’s Selangor state.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316154-thai-driver’s-fueling-video-in-malaysia-sparks-digital-outcry-prompts-complaints-to-malaysian-pm/

 

PM to launch new free medical service in Roi-et this Sunday
 

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will preside over the launch of a new and free medical service scheme in the north-eastern province of Roi-et this Sunday, under which only an ID card is needed.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316157-pm-to-launch-new-free-medical-service-in-roi-et-this-sunday/

 

Covid-19 Subvariant JN.1 Being Monitored

 

 

BANGKOK, Jan 5 (TNA) – Thailand is monitoring the new Covid-19 subvariant JN.1, which can better evade immunity, but the symptoms are not different from the previous subvariants.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316159-covid-19-subvariant-jn1-being-monitored/

 

Burmese boxing coach killed in Tak, murderers remain at large
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via KaojorleukPhoto via Kaojorleuk

 

Police are searching for the murderers of a Burmese boxing coach in the Mae Sot district in the northern province of Tak.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316161-burmese-boxing-coach-killed-in-tak-murderers-remain-at-large/

 

Drug-fuelled party raided in Sattahip, teens arrested
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Pattaya News

Sattahip Police Station orchestrated a shutdown of a raucous drug party at an undisclosed pool villa in the Bang Sare subdistrict of Chon Buri province yesterday, January 4. The villa’s name remains under wraps as authorities delve into the aftermath of the wild revelry.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316162-drug-fuelled-party-raided-in-sattahip-teens-arrested/

 

Rare cinereous vulture found in Kamphaeng Phet now under specialised care
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post.

 

A juvenile cinereous vulture, discovered on a road in the Lan Krabue district of Kamphaeng Phet last Sunday, is currently under the care of a team of veterinarians from the neighbouring Nakhon Sawan.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316163-rare-cinereous-vulture-found-in-kamphaeng-phet-now-under-specialised-care/

 

256 people killed during road safety campaign, Phuket boat safety shake-up - Tim Newton Today - Jan 5

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316164-256-people-killed-during-road-safety-campaign-phuket-boat-safety-shake-up-tim-newton-today-jan-5/

 

New innovation in credit cards for 2024

 

 

The state-run Krungthai Bank has launched a new translucent, numberless credit card without a magnetic stripe, visible CVV number or expiration date.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316167-new-innovation-in-credit-cards-for-2024/

 

Foreign man arrested for sexually harassing teenage Thai girl
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via Channel 7

Police today arrested a foreign man for the sexual harassment and attempted rape of a 16 year old Thai girl at a hotel in the Asoke neighbourhood of Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316168-foreign-man-arrested-for-sexually-harassing-teenage-thai-girl/

 

AOT Ready for Visa-Free Thailand-China Policy, Expects Boost in Chinese Tourism
by Namo Vananupong

 

    
BANGKOK (NNT) - Following the Thai government’s approval of a permanent visa-free arrangement with China, Airports of Thailand (AOT) is prepared to support the VISA FREE policy.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316169-aot-ready-for-visa-free-thailand-china-policy-expects-boost-in-chinese-tourism/

 

Stage set for chaotic 2024

By Tulsathit Taptim

 

 

Don’t let the drone-painted skies during the New Year countdowns fool you. That is as beautiful as 2024 can ever get, because this year is going to be the most problematic in years, not just for Thailand but also the rest of the world.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316170-stage-set-for-chaotic-2024/

 

Transport Ministry plans to replace Mor Chit 2 bus terminal

 

 

The Transport Ministry has a plan to build a new bus terminal to replace Mor Chit 2, which was intended for temporary use, Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit told parliament on the second day of the 2024 fiscal year budget bill debate.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316171-transport-ministry-plans-to-replace-mor-chit-2-bus-terminal/

 

Bangkok woman’s unexpected fall in lift shaft sparks high-rise rescue

by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of NAKON45 อัญวุฒิ โพธิ์อำไพ (Facebook)

A Facebook user named NAKON45, also known as Anyawut Po-ampai, reported an alarming incident today. A woman had unexpectedly fallen into a lift shaft within a building located in the Bang Na district of Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316172-bangkok-woman’s-unexpected-fall-in-lift-shaft-sparks-high-rise-rescue/

 

Thailand Sums Up In Total 284 Deaths in New Year Seven Days of Road Safety Campaign
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Thailand – The Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported on Friday (January 5th), a total of 284 deaths, 2,307 injuries, and 2,288 road accidents in seven days (December 29th, 2023 – January 4th, 2024) of the New Year Seven Days Road Safety campaign in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316175-thailand-sums-up-in-total-284-deaths-in-new-year-seven-days-of-road-safety-campaign/

 

Thai woman shot with crossbow after saving neighbour from rape attempt

by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via PPTV HD

A Thai woman is seeking help and justice after a man shot her with a crossbow for saving her neighbour from his rape attempt in the central province of Sing Buri.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316176-thai-woman-shot-with-crossbow-after-saving-neighbour-from-rape-attempt/