On January 16th, 2024, FM91 Trafficpro of Chatuchak Police Communications Division, Royal Thai Police, witnessed the goodness of a kind taxi driver returning lost money of a total of 100,000 baht to a Mongolian passenger in Bangkok.

 

Honest Taxi Driver Returns 100,000 Baht Lost by Mongolian Passenger

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317419-honest-taxi-driver-returns-100000-baht-lost-by-mongolian-passenger/

Thai PM stays busy in Switzerland

 

 

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has kept Thais well-informed about his activities in Switzerland through numerous messages on his X account. He left Thailand for Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Monday and, as of Thursday, had posted nearly 20 messages and images.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317429-thai-pm-stays-busy-in-switzerland/

Construction worker killed in crane accident on Rama II, Bangkok
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

A construction worker was killed on the under-construction elevated road near Soi 72, heading towards Kanchanaphisek Road in the Samae Dam area, Bang Khun Thian District, Bangkok, at precisely 1.27pm today, January 18.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317448-construction-worker-killed-in-crane-accident-on-rama-ii-bangkok/

 

Thai Justice Officials Address Thaksin Shinawatra’s Medical Treatment and Potential Parole
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On January 17th, 2024, Mr. Somboon Muangklam, the advisor to the Thai Minister of Justice, and relevant officials held a press conference regarding Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra’s case in dispute.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317449-thai-justice-officials-address-thaksin-shinawatra’s-medical-treatment-and-potential-parole/

 

Foreigner and Six Thais Arrested Selling Baraku, E-Cigarettes, and Illegal Cigarettes on Bangla Road
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Patong – Officers arrested a foreigner and six Thai vendors after they were found selling Baraku, illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes on Bangla Road in Patong.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317450-foreigner-and-six-thais-arrested-selling-baraku-e-cigarettes-and-illegal-cigarettes-on-bangla-road/

 

Vietnamese duo arrested as police smash theft ring in Bangkok targeting foreign tourists at Grand Palace
by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Police Major General Noppasin Poolsawat of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and top officers with the force on Tuesday briefed the media. This was following the arrest of the Vietnamese pair (inset). Both entered Thailand on tourist visas, one by land from Cambodia and the other by air.

Vietnamese duo arrested for targeting tourists at the Grand Palace in Metropolitan Police crackdown.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317451-vietnamese-duo-arrested-as-police-smash-theft-ring-in-bangkok-targeting-foreign-tourists-at-grand-palace/

 

Former Thai boxer severely beats man trying to rape his daughter
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ เถ้าเเก่’ น้อย and Reporternews5.com/

A former Muay Thai boxer severely beat up a man who tried to rape his daughter at a house in the southern province of Songkhla in the early hours of this morning.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317452-former-thai-boxer-severely-beats-man-trying-to-rape-his-daughter/

Couple Seeks Protection After Falling Victim to Loan Shark Tactics

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

In a distressing incident on January 18, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the Central Police Investigation Center, Phaholyothin, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Mr. Kings Taengtim accompanied two victims, a married couple, to request assistance.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317453-couple-seeks-protection-after-falling-victim-to-loan-shark-tactics/

 

Believe in the Miracle of Naga! 'Aunt Uan' Lottery Vendor Hits 6 Million Baht Jackpot

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

On January 18, 2024, news broke in Nakhon Phanom province, turning the area into a hub of excitement once again. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317454-believe-in-the-miracle-of-naga-aunt-uan-lottery-vendor-hits-6-million-baht-jackpot/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 19 January 2024

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317456-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-19-january-2024/

 

Two Foreign Tourists Arrested on Pattaya Beach for Refusing to Pay for Beach Chairs
By Adam Judd

 

Pattaya Municipality officers reported on their social media channel an incident that took place on January 18th, 2024, in which two unidentified foreign tourists were arrested for violating the property of umbrella and beach bed operators.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317458-two-foreign-tourists-arrested-on-pattaya-beach-for-refusing-to-pay-for-beach-chairs/

 

Thailand’s discovery of lithium deposit brings with it tough questions

By Arun Saronchai

 

 

The recent discovery of substantial lithium deposits in Phang Nga, positioning Thailand as the world’s third-largest holder of this valuable resource, brings with it both immense potential and profound challenges.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317460-thailand’s-discovery-of-lithium-deposit-brings-with-it-tough-questions/

 

Two major lithium deposits discovered in Phang-nga province
 

Deputy Government Spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri

Two rich lithium deposits have been found in Phang-nga province, with potential for use in the production lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, Deputy Government Spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri said today.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317461-two-major-lithium-deposits-discovered-in-phang-nga-province/

 

Five Bangladeshi Men Arrested in Phuket Using Fake Visas
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – Five Bangladeshi men were arrested at Phuket International Airport after they were found to be using fake visa stamps.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317462-five-bangladeshi-men-arrested-in-phuket-using-fake-visas/

From threads to trends: Chiang Mai couple behind Thailand’s elephant pants phenomenon
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Puntid 

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod English

 

In Chiang Mai, a business duo are turning Thailand’s iconic elephant pants into a global trend.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317464-from-threads-to-trends-chiang-mai-couple-behind-thailand’s-elephant-pants-phenomenon/

 

Thailand uncovers human trafficking operation worth over 117 million baht

by Nattapong Westwood

 

PHOTO: via Thai Newsroom

 

A year-long investigation into human trafficking led by Thailand’s National Police Office, under the command of Police Lieutenant General Torsak Sukwimon and Pol. Lt. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn resulted in the arrest of a man from Bangladesh.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317465-thailand-uncovers-human-trafficking-operation-worth-over-117-million-baht/

 

Govt Urged To Get Ready For A Flood Of Myanmar Refugees
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

A representative image of refugees coming to Thailand and parliamentary debate. Credit: Matichon

 

THE GOVERNMENT WAS PRESSED today (Jan.18) to get prepared for a probable influx of refugees fleeing fighting across the border from the war-torn Myanmar where many townships have reportedly been seized by armed ethnic rebels.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317466-govt-urged-to-get-ready-for-a-flood-of-myanmar-refugees/

 

Police rescues Thai man clinging to wife’s car for 15 kilometres
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via KhaoSod

A police officer rescued a Thai man clinging to his wife’s car for 15 kilometres on the Asian Highway in the central province of Ayutthaya following a dispute fuelled by jealousy.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317467-police-rescues-thai-man-clinging-to-wife’s-car-for-15-kilometres/

 

Police general takes flight: Aims to soar Suvarnabhumi Airport into global top 50 in 2 years
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Aleliro.

The new chairman of Airports of Thailand (AoT), Police General Visanu Prasattongosoth, announced an ambitious plan to elevate Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the top 50 global airports within two years.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317469-police-general-takes-flight-aims-to-soar-suvarnabhumi-airport-into-global-top-50-in-2-years/

 

Thai PM hails Thailand as top Airbnb hotspot and UK Telegraph’s 6th best destination this year
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal 

 

Photo courtesy of TTG Asia

Thailand emerged as the ultimate getaway for Chinese tourists, clinching the top spot on Airbnb‘s coveted list and securing the 6th position in The Telegraph’s must-visit destinations for 2024.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317470-thai-pm-hails-thailand-as-top-airbnb-hotspot-and-uk-telegraph’s-6th-best-destination-this-year/

 

Phuket’s Cafe Del Mar faces police action over noise pollution
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Cafe del Mar.

Phuket’s much-loved entertainment hotspot Cafe Del Mar had a brush with the Kamala police recently over an issue of noise pollution disturbing residents.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317471-phuket’s-cafe-del-mar-faces-police-action-over-noise-pollution/

 

Fallout from fireworks explosion, public health mulls gay surrogacy - Tim Newton Today - Jan 19

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317474-fallout-from-fireworks-explosion-public-health-mulls-gay-surrogacy-tim-newton-today-jan-19/

 

Prosthetic police probe: Thai man accuses hopalong cop of wife’s murder confession coercion
by Petch Petpailin

 

Panya during the qestioning with Big Joke | Photo via Workpoint Today

A Thai man accused a hopalong cop with a prosthetic leg at Aranyaprathet Police Station in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo of torture and forcing him into confessing to the murder of his wife.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317475-prosthetic-police-probe-thai-man-accuses-hopalong-cop-of-wife’s-murder-confession-coercion/

 

Thai police to crackdown on overloaded trucks
byf Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) has been empowered to crack down on trucks exceeding legal weight limits.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317476-thai-police-to-crackdown-on-overloaded-trucks/

 

Thick haze shrouds Bangkok and vicinity this morning

 

 

Bangkok and its vicinity are shrouded in a thick haze on Friday morning, as the amount of PM2.5 dust in the atmosphere has exceeded the standard threshold in 79 areas of the capital and 11 areas in surrounding provinces.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317477-thick-haze-shrouds-bangkok-and-vicinity-this-morning/

 

Frenchman arrested in Chiang Mai for selling fake ID cards
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ ตำรวจไซเบอร์ – บช.สอท.

Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers arrested a Frenchman in the northern province of Chiang Mai for making and selling fake identification (ID) cards of French citizens. Unfortunately, another French suspect managed to evade the arrest.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317484-frenchman-arrested-in-chiang-mai-for-selling-fake-id-cards/

 

Thaksin and digital wallet can converge to form political tsunami

 

 

If Pheu Thai needs one good reason why it should back down from its flagship electoral promise, the party does not have to look beyond the 14th floor of the Police Hospital.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317510-thaksin-and-digital-wallet-can-converge-to-form-political-tsunami/

 

PM confirms delayed launch of digital wallet scheme

 

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed today a delay to the launch of the “digital wallet” scheme, but no cancellation, adding that he wants to receive official recommendations from the national anti-graft body first.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317511-pm-confirms-delayed-launch-of-digital-wallet-scheme/

 

Experts urge policy rethink as elephant population boom sparks escalating conflicts

 

 

2023 was a bloody 12 months in the ongoing saga of human-elephant conflicts in Thailand, marking the sixth consecutive year of escalating incidents. Records for 2023 show a disconcerting surge in encounters and casualties due to wild elephants across the country.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317512-experts-urge-policy-rethink-as-elephant-population-boom-sparks-escalating-conflicts/

 

Contractor suspended for 3 days after fatal crane accident

 

 

The Highways Department has ordered a contractor, undertaking construction work on the elevated expressway project on Rama II Road in Bangkok, to suspend work for three days after a worker was killed and another injured when the crane basket, in which they were being carried, fell to the ground on Friday.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1317448-construction-worker-killed-in-crane-accident-on-rama-ii-bangkok/?do=findComment&comment=18630068