Brutal murder of Pattaya ride-hail driver sparks 18-kilometre police chase
by Nattapong Westwood

 

PHOTO: via EuroNews

A brutal murder in Pattaya led to a police chase spanning over 18 kilometres after a 31 year old Grab and Bolt driver, named Thanathip, was found dead from stab wounds before his body was burnt with four tyres in an apparent effort to cover the crime.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317194-brutal-murder-of-pattaya-ride-hail-driver-sparks-18-kilometre-police-chase/

 

Thailand to tackle declining birth rate as national issue
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of หมอชลน่านFcไม่มีดราม่า

Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, announced the government’s intent to prioritise the country’s dwindling birth rate as a national issue.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317195-thailand-to-tackle-declining-birth-rate-as-national-issue/

 

Leading Thai doctors raise 'long Covid' and vaccine complications - Tim Newton Today - Jan 16

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317196-leading-thai-doctors-raise-long-covid-and-vaccine-complications-tim-newton-today-jan-16/

 

Digital Wallet Committee Meeting Postponed

 

 

BANGKOK, Jan 16 (TNA) –  The Digital Wallet Committee meeting earlier scheduled for today has been deferred, awaiting comments on the 5-billion-baht loan bill from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), said Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317201-digital-wallet-committee-meeting-postponed/

 

Ongoing Debate Continues Over Draft Thai Cannabis Bill Banning Recreational Use, Prescription Certificates Proposed
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On January 15th, 2024, Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, the Thai Minister of Public Health, publicly revealed an issue with Mr. Prasitchai Noonuan, a member of the Thai cannabis network, who mentioned the Cannabis and Hemp draft bill was different from the previously proposed changes formed by a coalition of cannabis and health advocates.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317202-ongoing-debate-continues-over-draft-thai-cannabis-bill-banning-recreational-use-prescription-certificates-proposed/

 

Controversial Bikini Sunbathing by Foreign Tourists Sparks Cultural Debate in Bangkok and Chiang Mai; Authorities Respond
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On January 15th, 2024, the Phra Nakhon District Office stated to the public regarding viral images of two foreign tourists in a bikini sunbathing at Sanam Luang, Bangkok, causing controversy on Thai social media.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317203-controversial-bikini-sunbathing-by-foreign-tourists-sparks-cultural-debate-in-bangkok-and-chiang-mai-authorities-respond/

 

Thailand and Palestine to join forces to free Thai hostages
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Asia News Network

Thailand and Palestine promised to take their 12-year relationship to new heights with discussions on tourism and trade between Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and Walid Abu Ali, Ambassador of the State of Palestine.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317204-thailand-and-palestine-to-join-forces-to-free-thai-hostages/

 

Prominent Thai loan shark arrested for illegal pawnbroking business
by Nattapong Westwood

 

PHOTO: via Mint

A 66 year old Sunthorn from the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, known as a prominent loan shark, was arrested for running an illegal pawnbroking business, lending money with an annual interest rate of 36%. The authorities seized 31 vehicles, warning debtors that they could become criminal suspects.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317205-prominent-thai-loan-shark-arrested-for-illegal-pawnbroking-business/

 

97 year old woman’s 3.4 million baht stolen by assistant in Thailand
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of Khao Sod

 

A 24 year old man has been arrested for stealing over 3.4 million baht (US$96,840) from an 97 year old woman.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317206-97-year-old-woman’s-34-million-baht-stolen-by-assistant-in-thailand/

 

The Central bank defends its decision to increase policy rate

 

File photo : Piti Disyatat, assistant governor of the monetary policy group

 

The Bank of Thailand has defended the recent decision by the Monetary Policy Committee to maintain the policy rate at 2.50%, claiming that the decision was based on the principle that the policy rate must not pose an obstacle to economic growth, not affect financial stability or inflationary framework in the Thai economic context.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317222-the-central-bank-defends-its-decision-to-increase-policy-rate/

 

Former agriculture minister denies any involvement in illegal pork trade

 

 

Former Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Sri-on categorically denied today that he had anything to do with the illegal importation of frozen pork, in which his personal secretary has been implicated.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317223-former-agriculture-minister-denies-any-involvement-in-illegal-pork-trade/

 

PM Congratulates Farmers on Receiving Agricultural Land Titles

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has extended his congratulations to farmers who were granted agricultural land title deeds that will allow each household to augment their income by cultivating high-value crops and participating in the carbon credit market. This followed the conversion of their "Sor Por Kor 4-01" documents, initially distributed as permits for land use in reform areas, into official land titles.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317226-pm-congratulates-farmers-on-receiving-agricultural-land-titles/

 

Bangkok start-up aiming to change people’s recycling behaviour

 

 

Thai people are fond of lotteries, as over 61 percent of Thais regularly buy lottery tickets for the chance of winning a fortune.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317227-bangkok-start-up-aiming-to-change-people’s-recycling-behaviour/

 

Thunderstorms forecast for northern provinces today

 

 

Nine northern provinces of Thailand are experiencing thunderstorms, with strong winds and hail in some areas today, due to the westerly wind blowing from Myanmar over the northern region and northern Laos, the Meteorological Department reported Tuesday morning.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317230-thunderstorms-forecast-for-northern-provinces-today/

 

Zika Virus Cases Rise in Northeast Thailand

 

 

KORAT (NNT) - Public health authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima province are on alert for a potential Zika virus outbreak after 19 cases were reported in the lower Northeast region. The cases detected between January 1 and 3 included 14 in Surin and five in Nakhon Ratchasima, with most patients being under 14 years of age.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317232-zika-virus-cases-rise-in-northeast-thailand/

Deputy Police Chief Looks into Murder Case, Involving Son of Policeman

 

 

SA KAEO, Jan 16 (TNA) – An elder sister of a woman allegedly killed by teenagers in Sa Kaew province has requested Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn to look into the case to ensure fairness as one of the suspect is the son of a local policeman.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317233-deputy-police-chief-looks-into-murder-case-involving-son-of-policeman/

Several Chinese Tourists Injured in Phuket Bus Accident

 

 

PHUKET, Jan 16 (TNA) – A tour bus carrying Chinese tourists flipped onto its side in Phuket causing injuries to several passengers.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317234-several-chinese-tourists-injured-in-phuket-bus-accident/

 

Chonburi Couple Seriously Injured in Car Accident

 

PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya

 

A violent collision between a six-wheeled truck and a pickup truck left two individuals seriously injured on Highway 331, heading towards Rayong, in the Banglamung district of Chonburi province.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317235-chonburi-couple-seriously-injured-in-car-accident/

Pattaya Residents Dress up to Inspire Kids on Children’s Day

 

 

A Heartfelt Thanks from Paul Guthrie and Team for Celebrating a Magical Children’s Day at the Boonchoo Home for Special Children!

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317237-pattaya-residents-dress-up-to-inspire-kids-on-children’s-day/

 

Nonthaburi MPs’ New Year Brawl Unveils Over 20 Suspects Under Police Scrutiny

 

 

At 10:30 AM, on January 16th, 2024, Mr. Parit Wacharasindhu, the spokesman for the Move Forward Party, publicly revealed the progress of the investigation into the case of Nonthaburi MPs physically attacking each other at a New Year party on January 13th.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317244-nonthaburi-mps’-new-year-brawl-unveils-over-20-suspects-under-police-scrutiny/

 

Cabinet cuts excise tax on diesel by a baht per litre for three months

 

 

The cabinet agreed today to cut the excise tax on diesel by one baht per litre for three months, effective January 20 until April 19.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317245-cabinet-cuts-excise-tax-on-diesel-by-a-baht-per-litre-for-three-months/

 

Expiry date for five controlled products extended to June 29

 

Chicken meat

 

The cabinet agreed today to extend state price controls on five products until June 29, said Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317246-expiry-date-for-five-controlled-products-extended-to-june-29/

 

National Teacher’s Day on four legs

 

 

Today is Thailand’s national Teachers’ Day, which falls on January 16  each year and not only children took the opportunity to pay respect to their teachers, but also K-9 recruits at a border patrol police training centre in Cha-am district of Chon Buri province.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317247-national-teacher’s-day-on-four-legs/

 

Appeals Court adds prison terms for police officer involved in fatal zebra crossing accident

 

 

The Appeals Court changed the prison term imposed on a non-commissioned police officer today from just one year and 15 days to ten years and two months for crashing his big bike into an eye doctor while she was using a zebra crossing in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district in January 2022.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317248-appeals-court-adds-prison-terms-for-police-officer-involved-in-fatal-zebra-crossing-accident/

 

Man Found Dead After Being Attacked by Bees

 

PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya

 

A Thai man was found dead under a tree along Highway 331 in Chonburi on Monday, with authorities suspecting he may have fallen while attempting to cut a beehive and been stung by the bees.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317249-man-found-dead-after-being-attacked-by-bees/

 

to continue:

 

Thailand Live Wednesday 17 January 2024
https://aseannow.com/topic/1317262-thailand-live-wednesday-17-january-2024/