THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 1 February 2024

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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.

 

TAT Proposes Extended Visa-Free Stays to Boost Tourism

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

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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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Drunk drivers in Thailand to face more testing

By Peter Roche

 

STOCK PHOTO: 77kaoded

 

The Royal Thai Police are introducing more options for testing drunk drivers, including more timely hospital testing. The new measures were endorsed by the Thai Cabinet yesterday, says deputy government spokesman Kharom Polpornklang.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318554-drunk-drivers-in-thailand-to-face-more-testing/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Court’s ruling will impact on democracy, rights and liberties of Thais

 

Move Forward party said it has no intention whatsoever to undermine the monarchy and the Constitutional Court’s ruling, today, will not only impact the party, but also democracy in Thailand as well as the rights and liberties of the people.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318540-court-rules-move-forward-attempted-to-topple-constitutional-monarchy/?do=findComment&comment=18660273

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thai Cabinet Considers New Alcohol Measurement Method for Drivers: Urine Tests Proposed by Royal Thai 
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

At 1:30 PM, on January 30th, 2024, Mr. Karom Phonphonklang, the Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson, publicly revealed the Thai Cabinet meeting results regarding a bill for alcohol measurement by adding a body fluid measurement such as urine.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318554-drunk-drivers-in-thailand-to-face-more-testing/?do=findComment&comment=18660276

 

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Foreigner Begging for Money in Bangkok Sparks Investigation
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Bangkok—On January 31st, 2024, Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, the Minister of Social Development and Human Security (SDHS), publicly revealed to the Thai media a complaint about a foreigner in elephant pants asking for money at the Mo Chit BTS station, in Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318573-foreigner-begging-for-money-in-bangkok-sparks-investigation/

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UPDATE:

 

Thai Tourism Authority Proposes 90-Day Visa-Free Stays for More Countries, Western Countries Targeted
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

National—On January 29th, 2024, Thai national media stated that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) requested the Thai government to extend the visa-free stay duration to 90 days for long-haul tourists, including those from the United States and Europe, to elevate long-haul national revenue to 40% in 2024.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318545-tat-proposes-extended-visa-free-stays-to-boost-tourism/?do=findComment&comment=18660282

 

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Phuket Airport Clarifies Over Viral Picture of Foreigners Wearing Swimwear
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket –The Phuket International Airport has clarified after a photo of two foreign tourists wearing only swimwear has gone viral on social media.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318574-phuket-airport-clarifies-over-viral-picture-of-foreigners-wearing-swimwear/

 

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Foreign Driver Fined after Viral Video Shows Passengers Sitting on Car Windows in Karon
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Karon – A foreign driver faced legal action after he allowed his foreign passengers to sit on a car’s windows in Karon.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318575-foreign-driver-fined-after-viral-video-shows-passengers-sitting-on-car-windows-in-karon/

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Murdered Thai Woman’s Family Searching For Her Cell Phone
by TNR Staff

 

The family of a murdered Thai woman searching for her mobile phone at the cornfield where her body was found. Photo: Amarin TV

 

THE FAMILY of a Thai woman whose second Swiss husband has confessed to having strangled her to death during an argument earlier this month searched for her mobile at the cornfield where her body was found, Amarin TV said today (Jan. 31).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318576-murdered-thai-woman’s-family-searching-for-her-cell-phone/

 

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Construction to Begin on Sukhumvit Road Drainage Improvement Project in Pattaya
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya —A major construction project to upgrade the drainage system along Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya is set to get underway, February 1st.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318577-construction-to-begin-on-sukhumvit-road-drainage-improvement-project-in-pattaya/

 

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Increasing Number of Migrant Beggars in Pattaya Raise Concerns Among Residents and Tourists
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya — Migrant people, including families with young children, disabled individuals, and elderly, have been spotted begging for money near Pattaya Beach, causing discomfort and concern among residents and tourists.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318578-increasing-number-of-migrant-beggars-in-pattaya-raise-concerns-among-residents-and-tourists/

 

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Pattaya Man Shot to Death Waiting at Traffic Light, Suspect Identified but At Large
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

Pattaya —A shooting incident at a North Pattaya traffic light intersection early Wednesday morning left one person dead.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318579-pattaya-man-shot-to-death-waiting-at-traffic-light-suspect-identified-but-at-large/

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Hua Hin’s rail developments: The differences between dual track and high-speed train lines
By Online Reporter 

 

High speed train. File photo

The opening of Hua Hin’s new elevated train station on December 15 marked a significant milestone in the region’s transportation development.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318580-hua-hin’s-rail-developments-the-differences-between-dual-track-and-high-speed-train-lines/

 

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Prachuap Khiri Khan’s chief abbot puts brakes on driving monks
By Online Reporter

 

 

The chief abbot of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phra Rajaratnavisudhis, has reiterated the prohibition against monks and novices driving cars and motorcycles in public spaces, with allowances only in emergency situations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318581-prachuap-khiri-khan’s-chief-abbot-puts-brakes-on-driving-monks/

 

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Honest bus driver returns lost wallet to French tourists

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

In the world of social media, praise is pouring in for the driver of Mini Bus No. 44 on the Kanchanaburi-Bangkok route, who not only collected the misplaced wallets of French tourists but also returned them. This heartwarming act, aimed at promoting tourism in Thailand, has gained significant attention online.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318582-honest-bus-driver-returns-lost-wallet-to-french-tourists/

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Govt steps up campaign targeting the Bank of Thailand on interest rates

by Joseph O' Connor

 

Popular Pheu Thai figure and Prime Ministerial advisor, Mr Pichai Naripthaphan, a former deputy minister of finance. He is among a number of senior officials this week who have been highly critical of the central bank.

 

Populist rhetoric rises as officials criticise the central bank’s monetary policy. The Government is pressuring the Bank of Thailand to cut rates, but its Governor stands firm.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318583-govt-steps-up-campaign-targeting-the-bank-of-thailand-on-interest-rates/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday 1 February 2024
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318586-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-1-february-2024/

 

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Khun Srettha, it is time to declare a national health emergency over smog
By Arun Saronchai

 

The escalating crisis of PM2.5 air pollution in Thailand has reached a critical juncture, demanding immediate and decisive action from the government led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318587-khun-srettha-it-is-time-to-declare-a-national-health-emergency-over-smog/

 

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Thailand’s steel industry suffers as cheap imports from China flood market
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

Steel industry capacity utilisation in Thailand is on a downward spiral, with Tata Steel Thailand Plc (TSTH), a subsidiary of India’s largest steelmaker, attributing this trend to the sluggish economic recovery and the influx of inexpensive steel from China.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318589-thailand’s-steel-industry-suffers-as-cheap-imports-from-china-flood-market/

 

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Good Samaritan injured aiding crash victims in Pathum Thani
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

In the early hours of today, February 1, a good Samaritan tragically became a victim himself while assisting at the scene of a crash involving two motorcycles in Pathum Thani Province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318591-good-samaritan-injured-aiding-crash-victims-in-pathum-thani/

 

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Potential rise in minimum wage to 400 baht in select provinces
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of ThaiPost

 

The anticipated increase in the daily minimum wage to 400 baht in select provinces is set for review by the tripartite wage committee in April, according to Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318593-potential-rise-in-minimum-wage-to-400-baht-in-select-provinces/

 

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TikTok user exposes taxi overcharge in Bangkok, fare hits 105 baht (video)
by Samantha Rose

 

Picture courtesy of namotasapakavato1 TikTok

A TikTok user sparked a conversation about taxi services after posting a video showing an unusually high fare for a short journey.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318596-tiktok-user-exposes-taxi-overcharge-in-bangkok-fare-hits-105-baht-video/

 

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Thailand’s tourism sector remains stable despite court ruling, says TCT president
by Mitch Connor 

 

Picture courtesy of MGR Online

 

The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) president, Chamnan Srisawat, has reassured that the Constitutional Court ruling will not destabilise the government or the country’s tourism sector. He confidently stated that international tourism demand would remain unaffected unless there was severe violence.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318597-thailand’s-tourism-sector-remains-stable-despite-court-ruling-says-tct-president/

 

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Thai transport ministry announces 652 billion baht for infrastructure projects
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of ThaiPost

The Thai Transport Ministry has recently announced a substantial investment of 652 billion baht (US$ 18,345,526,120). The funds are earmarked for around 150 transport projects to be initiated this year and the next, in a bid to bolster the country’s infrastructure.

 

Full story:  https://aseannow.com/topic/1318600-thai-transport-ministry-announces-652-billion-baht-for-infrastructure-projects/

 

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Man dies in high-speed motorcycle crash on Phuket road
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 33 year old man in Phuket early this morning after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed. Police and emergency services rushed to the scene, where they discovered the victim had suffered fatal head injuries.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318603-man-dies-in-high-speed-motorcycle-crash-on-phuket-road/

 

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Thai man arrested for repeated thefts at house of well-known celebrity manager
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Instagram/ @a_supachai1 and Facebook/ สืบนครบาล IDMB

A well-known Thai celebrity manager filed a complaint against a local man for repeatedly stealing designer brand products from her home.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318604-thai-man-arrested-for-repeated-thefts-at-house-of-well-known-celebrity-manager/

 

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Student Loan Fund recalculates debt repayment to reduce 100 billion baht bad debts
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

With a staggering 100 billion baht (US$2.8 billion) in bad debts, the Student Loan Fund (SLF) is set to see a decline in its debt pile following the implementation of a new debt repayment calculation method, according to SLF manager, Chainarong Kajchapanan.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318606-student-loan-fund-recalculates-debt-repayment-to-reduce-100-billion-baht-bad-debts/

 

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4 year old boy falls to his death from 23rd floor of Bangkok condo
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via SiamRath

Tragedy struck the Jomthong district of Bangkok yesterday when a four year old boy fell to his death from the balcony of a 23rd-floor condominium on Rama II Road. The family had only just moved into the condo on the day of the heartbreaking incident.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318609-4-year-old-boy-falls-to-his-death-from-23rd-floor-of-bangkok-condo/

 

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Move Forward and Pita face uncertain future in Thailand - Tim Newton Today - Feb 1

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318610-move-forward-and-pita-face-uncertain-future-in-thailand-tim-newton-today-feb-1/