THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 17 January 2024

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

 

Several Chinese Tourists Injured in Phuket Bus Accident

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

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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/

 

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Hua Hin Report Jan 2024: New year boon, tiger sanctuary, Zika virus testing, CPR training and news

 

 

Video: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317263-hua-hin-report-jan-2024-new-year-boon-tiger-sanctuary-zika-virus-testing-cpr-training-and-news/

 

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Snake Causes Chaos On Bangkok-Phuket Flight
by TNR Staff

 

A composite photo showing the snake on the airplane and startled passengers. Credit: Matichon

 

A VIDEO clip showing a snake slithering on an airplane flying from Bangkok to Phuket has gone viral with over a million views so far and questions being asked about how the critter got there in the first place, Matichon newspaper said today (Jan. 16).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317264-snake-causes-chaos-on-bangkok-phuket-flight/

 

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Young girl finds and returns gold bracelet worth 70,000 baht to owner
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Puntid

 

Photo courtesy of Daily News

 

A primary 4 girl returned a gold bracelet worth more than 70,000 baht to its owner.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317266-young-girl-finds-and-returns-gold-bracelet-worth-70000-baht-to-owner/

 

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Former Thai beauty queen faces fraud charges over bogus property rental
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of MGR Online

 

A beautiful businesswoman and former beauty queen stands accused of fraud and misleading the public after she allegedly rented out a house that she didn’t own. The arrest of Tetshinee (surname withheld) was made today, January 16, following orders from senior police officers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317267-former-thai-beauty-queen-faces-fraud-charges-over-bogus-property-rental/

 

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Thai AirAsia merger grounded till 2027
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal 

 

Photo courtesy of ch-aviation

 

The consolidation of AirAsia (AAB) and AirAsia X (AAX) might be a lengthy affair, extending up to 2027, according to Executive Chairman Tassapon Bijleveld.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317268-thai-airasia-merger-grounded-till-2027/

 

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Dengue fever claims lives in Songkhla province amid rising cases
by Nattapong Westwood

 

PHOTO: via India Today

A female doctor from Songkhla Province tragically succumbed to dengue fever, marking the latest fatality in a year that has seen 7,400 cases and 10 deaths in the area. Authorities issued a warning today as the dengue fever situation in the province remains concerning.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317269-dengue-fever-claims-lives-in-songkhla-province-amid-rising-cases/

 

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Danish Woman Injured by Waves in Phang Nga
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phang Nga – A Danish tourist has sustained injuries after she was hit by waves at a beach in Phang Nga.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317270-danish-woman-injured-by-waves-in-phang-nga/

 

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Dazzling International Pattaya Fireworks Show Set to Return in November 2024 Bigger Than Ever Before
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

Get ready to be dazzled once again! The Pattaya City administration has announced the return of the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival in 2024, promising even more breathtaking displays than ever before!

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317271-dazzling-international-pattaya-fireworks-show-set-to-return-in-november-2024-bigger-than-ever-before/

 

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Chiang Mai Night Safari confirms four zoo animals died, not 13
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Daily News

Kritsada Lapimon, Deputy Director of the Pinkanakorn Office and Director of the Central Administration Office performing duties on behalf of the Director of the Pinkanakorn Development Office, chaired a press conference to clarify the number of deaths of animals at the Chiang Mai Night Safari yesterday, January 15.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317272-chiang-mai-night-safari-confirms-four-zoo-animals-died-not-13/

 

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UPDATE: Mother, Son, and Girlfriend Arrested, Facing Potential Life in Prison for Murdering Pattaya Bolt Taxi Driver
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

A 23-year-old murder suspect, his mom, and girlfriend are being detained by Nongprue police after they colluded to murder a Pattaya-based Bolt driver and burn his body this past weekend.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317273-update-mother-son-and-girlfriend-arrested-facing-potential-life-in-prison-for-murdering-pattaya-bolt-taxi-driver/

 

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Move Forward Party Scandal: Nonthaburi MPs’ New Year Brawl Unveils Over 20 Suspects Under Police Scrutiny
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Nonthaburi—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/1317274-move-forward-party-scandal-nonthaburi-mps’-new-year-brawl-unveils-over-20-suspects-under-police-scrutiny/

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Japanese Police Delegation Explores Thai Tourist Police Operations

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On January 16, 2024, Lieutenant General Sak Siraphuekam, Commander-in-Chief of the Tourist Police, warmly received Mr. Doi Yuichiro, Secretary and Coordinator of the Aged Affairs Division at the Japanese Embassy in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317275-japanese-police-delegation-explores-thai-tourist-police-operations/

 

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Ladyboy-Led Heist: Korean Tourist Loses 200,000 Baht Gold Necklace in Pattaya

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

A 51-year-old tourist from Korea, Mr. Seongmu Heo, along with his 43-year-old Thai companion, Ms. Surat Konin, found themselves ensnared in a daring incident of theft in Pattaya.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317277-ladyboy-led-heist-korean-tourist-loses-200000-baht-gold-necklace-in-pattaya/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 17 January 2024
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317278-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-wednesday-17-january-2024/

 

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The cost, benefits, and implication of cash handout programs
By Arun Saronchai

 

Government cash handout programs, widely adopted as a quick response to economic downturns and crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, have spurred much debate regarding their effectiveness as a stimulus.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317279-the-cost-benefits-and-implication-of-cash-handout-programs/

 

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Thai air force to battle surging fine dust pollution crisis
by of Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

With fine dust pollution surging to alarming levels in Thailand, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has tasked the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) with spearheading the nation’s countermeasures. Air Force Chief, ACM Phanpakdee Pattanakul, confirmed the directive on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317280-thai-air-force-to-battle-surging-fine-dust-pollution-crisis/

 

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Thai government resists Israeli embassy’s call for hostage release in Gaza
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara (X)

A call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, initiated by the Israeli embassy, has met with opposition from the Thai government.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317281-thai-government-resists-israeli-embassy’s-call-for-hostage-release-in-gaza/

 

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Sa Kaeo murder sparks debate over police transparency and leniency on teenage murderers
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวเวิร์คพอยท์ 23

The murder of a Thai woman in the eastern province of Sa Kaeo sparked a debate about the lenient punishment handed out to teenage murderers and raised concerns about the transparency of the Thai police.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317285-sa-kaeo-murder-sparks-debate-over-police-transparency-and-leniency-on-teenage-murderers/

 

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Sports car driver caught drifting at Sukhumvit Road intersection
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

In a daring public display of automotive bravado, a sports car driver was caught on CCTV performing multiple drifts at a busy traffic light intersection on Sukhumvit Road, in the Bang Saen district of Chon Buri.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317286-sports-car-driver-caught-drifting-at-sukhumvit-road-intersection/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thai government’s 500 billion baht Digital Wallet Scheme hangs in the balance
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Thai PBS World

The eagerly anticipated meeting of the Digital Wallet Committee has been abruptly postponed. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai revealed that the delay hinges on the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) awaited verdict.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317201-digital-wallet-committee-meeting-postponed/?do=findComment&comment=18624052

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20 injured in Phuket bus crash, Airport ID check upgrade - Tim Newton Today - Jan 17

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317287-20-injured-in-phuket-bus-crash-airport-id-check-upgrade-tim-newton-today-jan-17/

 

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Thailand’s major negotiation tool to be AI at World Economic Forum
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to unleash Thailand’s secret weapon, artificial intelligence (AI), at the 54th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317288-thailand’s-major-negotiation-tool-to-be-ai-at-world-economic-forum/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Korean Tourist Reports 200,000 Baht Gold Necklace Stolen by Transwomen on Pattaya Beach
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

A Korean tourist in Pattaya is calling for justice after he claimed to be robbed of a nearly 200,000 Baht gold necklace by transgender suspects.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317277-ladyboy-led-heist-korean-tourist-loses-200000-baht-gold-necklace-in-pattaya/?do=findComment&comment=18624202

 

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Pattaya Joint Forces Raid Entertainment Venues in Anti-Drug Blitz
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Over 100 officers from the Provincial Police Region 2, Chonburi Provincial Police, and Pattaya Police, along with officials from the Office of Narcotics Control and Prevention Region 2, descended upon various entertainment venues in Pattaya early Wednesday morning, January 17th.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317290-pattaya-joint-forces-raid-entertainment-venues-in-anti-drug-blitz/

 

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Electricity unit price to be Bt4.20-Bt4.25 from May to August if Gulf gas supply increases

 

 

Household electricity consumers are being assured that their bills for May through August will not rise substantially and will be between 4.20-4.25 baht per unit, said Komkrit Tantravanich, secretary-general of the Energy Regulatory Commission.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317291-electricity-unit-price-to-be-bt420-bt425-from-may-to-august-if-gulf-gas-supply-increases/

 

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Unexpected black stream on Karon Beach due to natural sedimentation
by Mitch Connor 

 

Picture courtesy of Phuket Info Center

The sandy shores of Karon Beach in Phuket were unexpectedly marred by a stream of black water making its way from the beach into the sea.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317293-unexpected-black-stream-on-karon-beach-due-to-natural-sedimentation/

 

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Tragic domestic dispute ends in triple fatality in Khon Kaen
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

A gruesome incident unfolded in a house in Khon Kaen province when a man shot his wife and mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself. The incident, which occurred at midnight today, left three people dead.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317295-tragic-domestic-dispute-ends-in-triple-fatality-in-khon-kaen/

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JN.1 Covid-19 variant detected in Thailand: 40 cases and counting
by Samantha Rose

 

Picture courtesy of Fusion Medical Animation, Unsplash

The Covid-19 variant JN.1* has been detected in Thailand, with 40 cases reported so far. Thai health officials are closely monitoring the situation as it is speculated to replace the XBB variant as the dominant strain.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317302-jn1-covid-19-variant-detected-in-thailand-40-cases-and-counting/