Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has told parliament that the bulk of the 460 billion baht allocated to the Interior Ministry in the 2024 fiscal year will be used to increase opportunities, improve social equality and eradicate poverty.

 

Interior minister promises to spend budget wisely

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316195-interior-minister-promises-to-spend-budget-wisely/

Chinese online travel giant reveals 90% surge in searches about Thailand
 

 

Following the announcement of pre-travel visa exemptions for Chinese and Thai tourists starting March 1st, searches using Thailand-related keywords surged by 90% within an hour.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316178-chinese-online-travel-giant-reveals-90-surge-in-searches-about-thailand/

Move Forward MP weeps during debate in parliament

 

 

Move Forward MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn broke into tears during a debate over the budget bill in parliament today, as she complained that the Public Health Ministry has ignored psychiatric patients, such as those suffering from depression, by allocating only a small budget to address this health problem.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316223-move-forward-mp-weeps-during-debate-in-parliament/

 

2024 Budget Bill Smoothly Sails Through House
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is all smiles after the 2024 budget bill was approved in the House of Representatives this evening, Jan. 5, 2024. Photo: Thai Rath

 

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES today (Jan.5) cast an overwhelming approval in principle for the 2024 budget bill.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316224-2024-budget-bill-smoothly-sails-through-house/

Film and creative revolution being brewed by ‘Ung Ing’ to transform Thailand’s global soft power
by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

On Thursday, Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra outlined plans including legislation and budget plans for a new agency to usher in a new era of creative production in Thailand. In brief, the plan will virtually eliminate film censorship except related to the monarchy and the lèse-majesté laws. It forms part of an overarching new foreign policy to project Thailand as a player on the world stage.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316150-thai-film-censorship-guidelines-revamped-for-creative-freedom/?do=findComment&comment=18598591

 

Thai student suffers brutal punishment for playing game in computer lab
by Nattapong Westwood

 

PHOTO: via BROOKING institution

A 12 year old Thai student in Lam Plai Mat, Buriram Province, was reportedly beaten by a 40 year old mathematics teacher for playing a game called Takraw in the computer room.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316225-thai-student-suffers-brutal-punishment-for-playing-game-in-computer-lab/

 

Transgender Woman Arrested for Stealing 300,000 Baht Gold Necklace From Chinese Tourist in Pattaya
By Adam Judd

 

 

Pattaya, Thailand-A 29-year-old transgender woman was arrested in Pattaya after stealing a 300,000 baht gold necklace from a Chinese tourist on Christmas Day. The suspect admitted to the theft and has paid the tourist back for the worth of the stolen necklace.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316226-transgender-woman-arrested-for-stealing-300000-baht-gold-necklace-from-chinese-tourist-in-pattaya/

 

Phuket Sum Up Seven Days with Two Deaths over New Year Road Safety Campaign
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket has announced in total 2 deaths with 40 injuries and 41 accidents in seven days (December 29th, 2023 – January 4th, 2024) of the New Year Seven Day Road Safety campaign.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316227-phuket-sum-up-seven-days-with-two-deaths-over-new-year-road-safety-campaign/

 

Two Injured as Motorcycle Collides at Pattaya Intersection

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

In an incident at 01:10 on January 5, 2023, two individuals sustained injuries in a motorcycle collision at the Pattaya Central intersection, located on Sukhumvit Pattaya Middle Road, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316228-two-injured-as-motorcycle-collides-at-pattaya-intersection/

 

Malaysian Man Arrested for Illegal Entry into Thailand

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

In accordance with the policies of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), a joint operation led by Colonel Itthipon Itthisarnranchai, the SBPAC commander, along with Colonel Panumas Boonyalak, and Colonel Thanaphon Nuchnanatharoeng, the deputy commanders, was conducted to apprehend a Malaysian man who had illegally entered the town.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316229-malaysian-man-arrested-for-illegal-entry-into-thailand/

 

Thai Police Investigate Residence Hosting Nearly 100 Foreign Workers in Samut Sakhon
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Samut Sakhon—At 10:30 AM, on January 5th, 2024, Mueang Samut Sakhon police officers and relevant agencies performed an inspection at a townhouse in Baan Suan Rangsi, Mueang, Samut Sakhon, after a local reported almost a hundred foreign workers staying inside the residence.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316231-thai-police-investigate-residence-hosting-nearly-100-foreign-workers-in-samut-sakhon/

Part of Jomtien Beach Road to Become One-Way Starting in Early March During Construction Project
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya —A major part of Jomtien Beach Road will transform temporarily into a one-way street starting in early March of this year to facilitate a landscape improvement project.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316233-part-of-jomtien-beach-road-to-become-one-way-starting-in-early-march-during-construction-project/

 

Bangsaen Koff Fest to Take Place from Jan 20th-21st
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Chonburi — Mark your calendars! The “Bangsaen Koff Fest” is brewing up something special again, this time happening from January 20th to the 21st, 2024, on the idyllic sands of Bangsaen Beach.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316235-bangsaen-koff-fest-to-take-place-from-jan-20th-21st/

 

Nongprue Police Bust Stall Selling Kratom Drinks Mixed with Cough Syrup
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya

Pattaya — Nongprue police arrested the owner of a stall in the Pattaya area for selling Kratom drinks laced with cough syrup to young people.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316236-nongprue-police-bust-stall-selling-kratom-drinks-mixed-with-cough-syrup/

 

Opinion Editorial: What’s in Store for Pattaya in 2024
By Adam Judd

 

 

2023 is in the rear view window and here we are, at the start of a fresh new year, a brand new slate, and plenty of ambitious promises and goals from Thai government officials.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316237-opinion-editorial-what’s-in-store-for-pattaya-in-2024/

 

Thailand hopes to launch NARIT Cube-1 satellite into space by 2024
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Thairath

 

Dr Saran Posayajinda, Director of the National Astronomical Research Institute (NARIT), revealed that this year Thailand will build a world-class astronomical infrastructure, the NARIT Cube-1 satellite.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316240-thailand-hopes-to-launch-narit-cube-1-satellite-into-space-by-2024/

 

Thai influencer Sebow faces charges for promoting online gambling
by Nattapong Westwood

 

 PHOTO: via wikipedia

The Thai Police Technology Crime Suppression Division 2 (TCSD), based in Thong Thani, questioned a popular 24 year old social media influencer, who confessed to promoting online gambling sites.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316241-thai-influencer-sebow-faces-charges-for-promoting-online-gambling/

 

Prachuap Khiri Khan experiences 90-100% hotel occupancy and economic growth over New Year
By Online Reporter 

 

Tourists at Ao Manao beach during New Year

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Prachuap Khiri Khan Office has released data indicating a significant upsurge in tourism activity and economic gains during the New Year 2024 celebrations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316242-prachuap-khiri-khan-experiences-90-100-hotel-occupancy-and-economic-growth-over-new-year/

 

Vietnam fines TikTok influencer suggesting Cambodia's Angkor Wat is in Thailand
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Puntid

 

Photo courtesy of Nikkei Asia

 

In a 90-second TikTok clip that shook the social media scene, Vietnamese influencer Hua Quoc Anh found himself in hot waters after overlaying the Thai flag on an image of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316243-vietnam-fines-tiktok-influencer-suggesting-cambodias-angkor-wat-is-in-thailand/ 

 

Chinese Tourist Dies after Snorkeling in Phang Nga
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phang Nga – A Chinese tourist from Phuket died after a snorkeling accident near an island in the Khura Buri district.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316244-chinese-tourist-dies-after-snorkeling-in-phang-nga/

 

In Total 7,864 Drunk Driving Cases Reported in Seven Days of Thailand New Year Road Safety Campaign
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

The Thai Department of Probation reported in total 7,864 cases of drunk driving in Thailand in seven days (December 29th, 2023 – January 4th, 2024) of the New Year Seven Days Road Safety campaign.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316245-in-total-7864-drunk-driving-cases-reported-in-seven-days-of-thailand-new-year-road-safety-campaign/

 

Two decades on from a watershed year, peace still eludes Thailand’s Deep South
Mariyam Ahmad and Nontarat Phaicharoen
Pattani, Thailand, and Bangkok


Thai school children visit Krue Se Mosque in Pattani to learn about the history of conflict in the region, Dec. 25, 2018. Yostorn Triyos/BenarNews

Imron Yusoh’s voice cracks with weariness as he speaks. 

 

“Seven members of my family have been killed in violence – shot or bombed. Yet, the authorities still suspect me, as if we who suffer the most are somehow complicit,” the resident of Yala, one of the provinces in Thailand’s Deep South, told BenarNews.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316246-two-decades-on-from-a-watershed-year-peace-still-eludes-thailand’s-deep-south/

 

Thailand’s Central Retail eyes potential investment in Selfridges
by Alex Morgan 

 

Photo courtesy of Central Retail (Facebook)

 

Central Retail Corp., a leading retailer in Thailand, indicated potential interest in investing in Selfridges, the renowned department store, given the right circumstances.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316247-thailand’s-central-retail-eyes-potential-investment-in-selfridges/

 

NACC probes Narathiwat flood aftermath with 173 logs found
by Sugandhi Batra 

 

PHOTO: via RNZ

 

In the wake of recent floods in Narathiwat Province, an alarming discovery was made as a substantial number of logs were swept down from Mount Mo Tae, situated within the Sipo Waterfall National Park.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316248-nacc-probes-narathiwat-flood-aftermath-with-173-logs-found/

 

Thailand’s headline CPI sees unanticipated drop in December
by Alex Morgan 

 

Photo via Freepik

 

Thailand’s Commerce Ministry announced today that the country’s headline consumer price index (CPI) experienced a 0.83% decrease in December compared to the same period a year earlier.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316249-thailand’s-headline-cpi-sees-unanticipated-drop-in-december/

 

PM Prioritizes Higher Education and Innovation
by Tanakorn Sangiam

 

    
BANGKOK (NNT) - The Prime Minister recently chaired the first meeting this year of the National Council for Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316251-pm-prioritizes-higher-education-and-innovation/

 

Nakhon Pathom: Special Forces seize 69 tonnes of illegal pork
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

The Special Forces unit of Phraya Nakhon Ratchasima seized 69 tonnes of illegal pork yesterday, January 5, and more than half of the transportation permits were found to be counterfeit.

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316253-nakhon-pathom-special-forces-seize-69-tonnes-of-illegal-pork/

 

Pattaya taxi operator finds and returns 64800 Thai baht left on street
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A taxi service operator in Pattaya found a bag containing a substantial amount of money at around 8.30pm yesterday, January 5.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316254-pattaya-taxi-operator-finds-and-returns-64800-thai-baht-left-on-street/

 

Thai mother-in-law fatally stabs abusive daughter-in-law in Pathum Thani
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Sanook

 

A mother-in-law fatally stabbed her daughter-in-law after enduring verbal abuse on a daily basis.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316255-thai-mother-in-law-fatally-stabs-abusive-daughter-in-law-in-pathum-thani/

Chon Buri: Essilor Thailand opens job applications with daily wage of 361 baht
by Samantha Rose

 

Photo courtesy of Sanook

 

Essilor Optical Laboratory (Thailand) Co., Ltd, located in the Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate, Chon Buri, has announced openings for new employees.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316257-chon-buri-essilor-thailand-opens-job-applications-with-daily-wage-of-361-baht/