THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 31 January 2024

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A video featuring a foreign man, using a stone to smash a lock and chain on his motorcycle after it got clamped by police in Phuket, has gone viral in Thailand. Thai netizens called on the police to clarify the charges the foreigner faces.

 

Foreign man caught damaging police wheel clamp

 

Photo via TikTok/ @_neung132 via Facebook/ MGR Online ภาคใต้

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318468-foreign-man-caught-damaging-police-wheel-clamp/

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Phuket Airport’s got trunks: Viral sensation as tourists make splash in speedos

 

Picture courtesy of Phuket News

 

A Facebook user sparked viral attention after sharing an image in the Thai Tourism group, Du Lịch Thái Lan, capturing the unusual sight of two foreign tourists clad in tiny speedo trunks at Phuket International Airport.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318467-phuket-airport’s-got-trunks-viral-sensation-as-tourists-make-splash-in-speedos/

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Dead Wife Caught Swiss Husband Having An Affair
by TNR Staff

 

Pol. Lt. Gen. Ittiphol Achariyapradit, right, and the suspect Mr. Roland, left. Photo: Amarin TV

 

A SWISS man who is the second husband of a Thai woman who inherited 13 million baht from her first Swiss husband upon his death in 2021 and had yesterday confessed to strangling her to death was having an affair with another woman, Amarin TV quoted police as saying today (Jan. 30).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318491-dead-wife-caught-swiss-husband-having-an-affair/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Drunk British Man Launches Brutal Attack on Pattaya Bolt Driver

But British Man Claims He Was The Victim and Was Only Defending Himself
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — A Bolt driver, Mr. Weeraphon Dwongsuwan, aged 30, was reportedly brutally assaulted in the early hours of Sunday, January 28th, by an allegedly heavily intoxicated British man in Pattaya.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318493-drunk-british-man-launches-brutal-attack-on-pattaya-bolt-driver-update/

 

 

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Air Force Seeks 19 Billion Baht In Funding For New Fighters
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

The Royal Bahraini Air Force took delivery of the first of 16 Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighter jets in March 2023. Photo: Lockheed Martin and published by Breaking Defense

 

THE AIR FORCE IS LOOKING FOR a sum of 19 billion baht in funding for next fiscal year for the planned procurement of new squadrons of fighters to replace the ageing ones scheduled to be decommissioned in the next four years, air force chief ACM Panpakdee Patanakul confirmed today (Jan.30).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318492-air-force-seeks-19-billion-baht-in-funding-for-new-fighters/

 

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Australian Who Overstayed in Phuket Finally Back Home
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket-An Australian man who overstayed his visa has finally returned back to his home after running into financial problems, say Phuket officials.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318494-australian-who-overstayed-in-phuket-finally-back-home/

 

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Altercation Turns Violent: Englishman and wife injured in Knife Duel

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

In a dramatic incident unfolding at a condominium in Wat Boonyakanchana Ram, Nongprue, Bang Lamung, Chonburi, an Englishman was reported to have sustained injuries in a scuffle with his partner at around 03:00 on January 30, 2023.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318496-altercation-turns-violent-englishman-and-wife-injured-in-knife-duel/

 

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Liverpool Fans Warned Of Money-Soliciting, Ludicrous Scam
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Liverpool fans in Thailand. Photo: Liverpool echo

 

LIVERPOOL FANS IN THAILAND are being cautioned to never fall prey to what appears to be a ridiculous, senseless scam soliciting money online to buy Bayer 04 Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso an air ticket to the English city.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318497-liverpool-fans-warned-of-money-soliciting-ludicrous-scam/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 31 January 2024

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318500-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-wednesday-31-january-2024/

 

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Taiwanese tourism in Thailand set to hit one million mark
by Alex Morgan 

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

The Taiwanese tourism market in Thailand is projected to reach a milestone of one million visitors this year, provided that Thailand’s government prolongs its visa-free scheme until the end of the year.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318501-taiwanese-tourism-in-thailand-set-to-hit-one-million-mark/

 

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Beijing says construction of multibillion-dollar China-Thailand rail must be sped up
Connectivity of the two countries with Laos also needs to be hastened, Chinese foreign minister said on Bangkok visit
By Nontarat Phaicharoen for BenarNews


File photo

China and Thailand need to speed up the construction of a delayed, high-speed railway to link their countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday at the end of a three-day visit to Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318504-beijing-says-construction-of-multibillion-dollar-china-thailand-rail-must-be-sped-up/

 

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Drastic fivefold rise in e-cigarette use among Thai schoolchildren
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Pratooyai School

E-cigarette usage amongst Thai schoolchildren has witnessed a drastic fivefold rise over the last seven years, with the majority of users starting their vaping journey during their primary school years, reveals a newly conducted study.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318505-drastic-fivefold-rise-in-e-cigarette-use-among-thai-schoolchildren/

 

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Royal project scam exposed with six arrests and 270 million baht loss
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

An illicit operation, exploiting the name of royal projects to defraud unsuspecting investors, has been exposed. Six individuals implicated in the scheme have been apprehended, with damages resulting from the con estimated at a staggering 270 million baht (US$7.6 million).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318509-royal-project-scam-exposed-with-six-arrests-and-270-million-baht-loss/

 

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Thai Police Warn Motorbike Riders Driving Under Trailer Truck in Thalang – Video

 

 

Thalang – Traffic Police warned reckless motorbike riders who rode under a trailer truck in Cherng Talay.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318511-thai-police-warn-motorbike-riders-driving-under-trailer-truck-in-thalang-–-video/

 

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Witchcraft whispers: Swiss man ensnared in black magic murder mystery

by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Naewna

 

Social media users accused a Swiss man of employing black magic as part of a plot to murder his Thai wife, following the discovery of a Jack of Hearts card in the dead woman’s mouth.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318491-dead-wife-caught-swiss-husband-having-an-affair/?do=findComment&comment=18658365

 

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Air quality concerns threaten Thailand's tourism growth

 

 

Minor International chairman William Heinecke emphasized the necessity for Thailand to collaborate with neighboring countries in finding practical and sustainable solutions to tackle the PM2.5 and air pollution issue. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318512-air-quality-concerns-threaten-thailands-tourism-growth/

 

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Teen dies in Bangkok after motorcycle chase ends in horror crash
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

A tragic accident in Bangkok claimed the life of a 17 year old teen after a motorcycle chase ended in a violent collision with a garbage truck.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318514-teen-dies-in-bangkok-after-motorcycle-chase-ends-in-horror-crash/

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Russian musicians still in BKK, a push for 90 day visa waivers - Tim Newton Today - Jan 31

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318515-russian-musicians-still-in-bkk-a-push-for-90-day-visa-waivers-tim-newton-today-jan-31/

 

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Thailand faces thunderstorms and high waves, north cools down
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of Erik Witsoe, Unsplash

Today’s weather update signals turbulent conditions across the country, with the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issuing an alert for thunderstorms in 20 provinces. The forecast warns of high waves exceeding 2 metres in the southern seas, while the northern region experiences a significant drop in temperature.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318516-thailand-faces-thunderstorms-and-high-waves-north-cools-down/

 

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Thai food vendor sparks debate after giving free food to foreign backpacker (video)
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via TikTok/ @aeowxx

 

A Thai food vendor sparked a debate on social media after giving free food to a foreign backpacker in the southern province of Surat Thani. Many netizens hailed the vendor’s gesture while others said the foreign woman just took advantage of Thais’ kindness.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318519-thai-food-vendor-sparks-debate-after-giving-free-food-to-foreign-backpacker/

 

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Online searches for Thailand up sevenfold in China

By Peter Roche

 

FILE PHOTO

There has been a significant rise in online searches for Thailand in China, since both countries signed a reciprocal visa waiver agreement. Google Trends is reporting a 7-fold increase in searches for “Thailand tourism” in China.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318520-online-searches-for-thailand-up-sevenfold-in-china/

 

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PP United win Orchid Palm Homes Cup IX

 

 
The Orchid Palm Homes Cup IX produced some late drama with PP United anxious spectators in the final match. The team was left hoping that top placed Black Mountain slipped to a defeat at Wat Nalom in the last game of the day.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318521-pp-united-win-orchid-palm-homes-cup-ix/

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Court rules Move Forward attempted to topple constitutional monarchy

 

 

The Constitutional Court today unanimously ruled that the  Move Forward Party and its former leader Pita Limjaroenrat have attempted to overthrow the constitutional monarchy by campaigning to amend the lese majeste law or Article 112 and ordered them to cease all activities related to it.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318540-court-rules-move-forward-attempted-to-topple-constitutional-monarchy/

 

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Will new air-quality laws cure Thailand’s smog-driven health crisis?

 

File photo : Chiang Rai

 

The ongoing push in Parliament to improve Thailand’s appalling record of air pollution offers hope that the decades-long threat to public health posed by PM2.5 smog could soon be curbed.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318541-will-new-air-quality-laws-cure-thailand’s-smog-driven-health-crisis/

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CU Radio’s new broadcasting hours spark outcry and disapproval

 

 

The decision by the Chulalongkorn Radio (CU Radio) station to reduce its broadcasting hours, from 6am to midnight to only 6am to 6pm, has drawn strong criticism from its listeners, who view it as a reliable source of knowledge for people in all walks of life.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318542-cu-radio’s-new-broadcasting-hours-spark-outcry-and-disapproval/

 

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NSC to probe arrests of dissident Russian musicians in Phuket – Panpree

 

 

National Security Council (NSC) is looking into a report that members of the Russian rock band “Bi-2”, known for their outspoken criticism of the Russian government, were arrested in Phuket for performing concerts without a permit in Phuket and may be deported to Russia.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318543-nsc-to-probe-arrests-of-dissident-russian-musicians-in-phuket-–-panpree/

 

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Suspected knife attacker moved to Bangkok remand home

 

 

The 14-year-old school boy, who allegedly stabbed his fellow student to death at their school in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district on Monday, has been moved to the juvenile observation and protection centre in Bangkok for detention, pending trial.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318544-suspected-knife-attacker-moved-to-bangkok-remand-home/

 

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TAT Proposes Extended Visa-Free Stays to Boost Tourism

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is urging the government to extend the visa-free stay period for long-haul tourists from the United States and Europe to 90 days to boost the country’s tourism revenue from these regions to 40% in 2024. The initiative, aimed at increasing the average duration of stay and spending per trip, comes as part of TAT's strategy to enhance the tourism sector's contribution to the economy.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318545-tat-proposes-extended-visa-free-stays-to-boost-tourism/

 

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Thai Banks Initiate Massive Debt Restructuring Effort

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai Bankers Association (TBA) has revealed that commercial banks in the country are currently in the process of restructuring 6.1 million outstanding loans totaling 3.4 trillion baht. The move allows repayment to become more manageable for debtors, thereby reducing the risk of defaults and enhancing the overall health of the country's banking sector.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318547-thai-banks-initiate-massive-debt-restructuring-effort/

 

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Chiang Mai Zoo Affirms Readiness for New Pandas

 

 

CHIANG MAI (NNT) - Chiang Mai Zoo has affirmed its readiness to welcome new pandas from China as part of "panda diplomacy" discussions between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318548-chiang-mai-zoo-affirms-readiness-for-new-pandas/