The Corrections Department has granted permission for convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to continue to receive medical treatment at the Police General Hospital after the expiration of the 120-day limit.

 

Corrections Dept allows Thaksin to remain at Police General Hospital

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316814-corrections-dept-allows-thaksin-to-remain-at-police-general-hospital/

What does Thaksin have to do to get sister Yingluck home?

 

File photo : Yingluck and Thaksin Shinawatra

 

After former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to face prison following 15 years of self-exile and managed to spend the last four months in hospital, many people are wondering if his sister Yingluck is set to follow suit.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316813-what-does-thaksin-have-to-do-to-get-sister-yingluck-home/

House Committee Members Barred From Visiting Thaksin In Person
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra next to a sign showing the 14th floor of the Police Hospital where he has been staying since his return to Thailand in August last year. Photo: Thai Rath

 

NO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE on Police Affairs are being allowed to visit de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict Thaksin Shinawatra at Police Hospital as planned for Friday (Jan.12).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316855-house-committee-members-barred-from-visiting-thaksin-in-person/

 

Questions asked about the Thai Chinese visa waiver scheme ahead of high profile visit to Beijing
by Joseph O' Connor

 

Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nu-Kara is preparing to travel to Beijing in February. At length, he expects to sign the permanent visa waiver scheme announced last week between Thailand and China. However, questions arise about the ongoing Chinese submarine contract. At the same time, trade figures in 2023 showed Thailand running a massive trade deficit with Beijing.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316856-questions-asked-about-the-thai-chinese-visa-waiver-scheme-ahead-of-high-profile-visit-to-beijing/

 

Srettha Vows To Run Country Throughout Four-Year Term
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Photo: Thai Rath

 

PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin said today (Jan.11) he unfalteringly intends to run the country throughout a four-year term of the executive branch rather than be possibly replaced by Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316859-srettha-vows-to-run-country-throughout-four-year-term/

 

Farmers Now Forbidden From Drying Rice On Roads
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Rice spread out on the road to dry. Photo: Matichon

 

RICE FARMERS ARE NO LONGER allowed to literally put their product to dry on the surface of rural roads anywhere or else they could be immediately arrested, a government official confirmed.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316860-farmers-now-forbidden-from-drying-rice-on-roads/

 

Chonburi Man with Mental Illness Apprehended After Car Vandalism and Police Standoff
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya

Chonburi — Thai man exhibiting signs of mental illness was apprehended in Ban Bueng municipality on Wednesday after vandalizing cars and engaging in a tense standoff with police.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316861-chonburi-man-with-mental-illness-apprehended-after-car-vandalism-and-police-standoff/

 

Thai Government Debates Alcohol Advertising, Sales Hours
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On January 10th, 2024, Mr. Thaophiphob Limchitrakorn, Bangkok MP from the Move Forward Party, proposed reconsideration of a stricter Alcohol Control bill regarding advertising alcoholic products during a recent parliamentary meeting.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316862-thai-government-debates-alcohol-advertising-sales-hours/

 

Safety Concerns Surge in Pattaya as Low-Hanging Signs Pose Threat to Tourists

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On January 11, 2024, news broke of an incident in which more than 10 foreign tourists were injured while walking in Pattaya due to a collision with a low-hanging warning sign.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316857-safety-concerns-surge-in-pattaya-as-low-hanging-signs-pose-threat-to-tourists/

 

American Expat Succumbs to Hit-and-Run Chaos

 

Picture: Daily News

 

In a harrowing incident that transpired during the night of January 11th, a high-speed pursuit took a dark turn, resulting in the untimely demise of Gregory George Ludwig, a 60-year-old American expatriate and former Director of Recreation at a lavish 5-star Phuket hotel

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316858-american-expat-succumbs-to-hit-and-run-chaos/

 

Thai Prime Minister Signs Clean Air Bill During Visit to Chiang Mai to Tackle Air Pollution
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

At 9:30 AM, on January 11th, 2024, Srettha Thavisin, Thai Prime Minister, signed a Clean Air bill while visiting Chiang Mai to follow up on public transportation networks and air pollution problems.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316865-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-12-january-2024/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 12 January 2024

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316865-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-12-january-2024/

 

Thai Woman Robbed of 32,000-Baht Gold Necklace on Pattaya Walking Street
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

A 25-year-old woman of Thai nationality said she was robbed of her gold necklace on Wednesday night while walking on the popular Walking Street in Pattaya.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316866-thai-woman-robbed-of-32000-baht-gold-necklace-on-pattaya-walking-street/

 

Will Srettha’s administration have the political will to stop smog problem?
By Arun Saronchai

 

Bangkok, a city famed for its cultural vibrancy and bustling street life, is now grappling with a persistent and dangerous environmental crisis: severe air pollution.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316868-will-srettha’s-administration-have-the-political-will-to-stop-smog-problem/

 

Experts warn of ‘lost generation’ as Thailand marks Children’s Day
 

File photo

Since 1956, Thailand has celebrated National Children’s Day with fun activities and impressive speeches about how important kids are to the country’s future.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316873-experts-warn-of-‘lost-generation’-as-thailand-marks-children’s-day/

Pattaya: Pathway hazard caused by parked cars, potholes, and uneven tiles
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

Locals and tourists found themselves grappling with perilous pathways along Pattaya‘s Second Road, turning the once-bustling path into a hazardous route.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316875-pattaya-pathway-hazard-caused-by-parked-cars-potholes-and-uneven-tiles/

State Railway of Thailand introduces advance booking service for Songkran
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal 

 

Photo courtesy of Coconuts

 

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) rolled out a game-changing 90-day advance booking service for CNR express trains on key routes, just in time for the upcoming Songkran festivities.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316877-state-railway-of-thailand-introduces-advance-booking-service-for-songkran/

 

UPDATE:

 

Thai PM sparks a brighter future: Electric mass transit pledge to zap pollution in Chiang Mai
by Mitch Connor 

 

Thai PM Srettha Thavisin examines an electric songtaew in Chiang Mai on Thursday, January 11. Picture courtesy of Pattarayut Fakpol.

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to foster the development of electric mass transit systems as a solution to the persistent air pollution issues plaguing the northern province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316863-thai-prime-minister-signs-clean-air-bill-during-visit-to-chiang-mai-to-tackle-air-pollution/?do=findComment&comment=18613378

2 Indian men arrested near Bangkok for offering high-interest loans
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via Naewna

Immigration Bureau (IB) officers announced a successful operation to arrest two Indian men illegally offering high-interest loans to Thai people in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316881-2-indian-men-arrested-near-bangkok-for-offering-high-interest-loans/

13 deaths at Chiang Mai Night Safari, American dies in Phuket - Tim Newton Today - Jan 12
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316883-13-deaths-at-chiang-mai-night-safari-american-dies-in-phuket-tim-newton-today-jan-12/

 

Phuket: Motorcycle taxi rider fatally stabbed during brawl, another injured
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Phuket News

Two motorcycle taxi riders got embroiled in a brawl in Patong, Phuket, yesterday, leading to one fatality at the scene, while the other sustained serious injuries.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316884-phuket-motorcycle-taxi-rider-fatally-stabbed-during-brawl-another-injured/

 

Double-down drama: DOPA crackdown sees 200 gamblers dealt a losing hand in southern Thailand
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ พิกัดข่าว24

Officers from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) yesterday swooped on a gambling den in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat and arrested 200 gamblers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316886-double-down-drama-dopa-crackdown-sees-200-gamblers-dealt-a-losing-hand-in-southern-thailand/

 

Three ex-Bhumjaithai MPs banned by Supreme Court
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Transcontinental Times

The Supreme Court delivered a harsh blow to three former Bhumjaithai MPs, slamming them with a 10-year ban from contesting elections. Chalong Thirdweerapong, Phumisak Kongmee, and Natee Ratchakitprakarn were all found guilty of a severe breach of parliamentary ethics.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316887-three-ex-bhumjaithai-mps-banned-by-supreme-court/

 

Thai Airways soars back to Milan and Oslo after a four-year break
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Simple Flying

 

Thai Airways (THAI) is ready to conquer the European skies, reviving services to Milan Malpensa Airport and Oslo Gardermoen Airport after a four-year hiatus.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316897-thai-airways-soars-back-to-milan-and-oslo-after-a-four-year-break/

 

Senior labour official denies DSI’s allegation of human trafficking
 

Labour Permanent Secretary, Pairoj Chotikasathien

Labour Permanent Secretary Pairoj Chotikasathien has categorically denied the Department of Special Investigation’s allegation that he was involved in the trafficking of thousands of Thai workers to Finland, to work as wild berry and strawberry pickers, and promised to cooperate with the DSI in its investigation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316900-senior-labour-official-denies-dsi’s-allegation-of-human-trafficking/

 

Council of State makes digital wallet look even harder
By Tulsathit Taptim

 

 

The government’s legal advisers have issued a very polite warning about the massive borrowing plan which is necessary if the ruling Pheu Thai Party is to keep its controversial election promise. Problem is “being nice” can always be misinterpreted and that is exactly what happened over the past few days.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316901-council-of-state-makes-digital-wallet-look-even-harder/

 

Thai-llywood lights, camera, baht! 2023 sees record of 6.6 billion baht roll in from film shoots in Thailand
by Alex Morgan

 

PHOTO: via Greenlight films

A record-breaking 6.6 billion baht was generated by over 466 film shoots in Thailand in 2023, marking an impressive 40% increase in revenue from the previous year. This remarkable upturn was largely credited to the production of high-budget films, including a blockbuster with a budget of 3 billion baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316902-thai-llywood-lights-camera-baht-2023-sees-record-of-66-billion-baht-roll-in-from-film-shoots-in-thailand/

 

Alleged Malaysian drug lord in Thai police custody

 

 

Thai anti-narcotics officers have taken a Malaysian, alleged to be a major drug trafficker with connections in Thailand, Laos, China, Myanmar and Malaysia, into custody.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316903-alleged-malaysian-drug-lord-in-thai-police-custody/

 

Assets worth over ฺBt1.2Bn seized from a major online scam gang

 

 

Thai cyber police have seized assets worth more 1.2 billion baht from a major online scamming gang and have arrested three suspects, including the alleged ring leader, during raids on 13 locations in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Nonthaburi.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316921-assets-worth-over-ฺbt12bn-seized-from-a-major-online-scam-gang/

 

Thaksin suffers heart valve disease and rarely has visitors : Chaichana

 

File photo : Former PM Thaksin ShinawatrFile photo: Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra returns to Bangkok last year in his private jet.a return to Bangkok last year by his private jet.

 

Convicted ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra is suffering from heart valve disease and rarely has visitors, said Chaichana Detdecho, chairman of the House Police Affairs committee.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1316922-thaksin-suffers-heart-valve-disease-and-rarely-has-visitors-chaichana/