A British man was arrested in Bangkok on Saturday (Feb 3) charged with buying sex from underage girls in Hua Hin, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has announced.

 

British man arrested in Bangkok for buying sex from underage girls in Hua Hin

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318924-british-man-arrested-in-bangkok-for-buying-sex-from-underage-girls-in-hua-hin/

 

British Tourist Dies After Fall from Pattaya Hotel
By Aim Tanakorn

 

Pattaya police are investigating the death of a 69-year-old British man who fell from a fourth-floor hotel window on Sunday morning.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318958-british-tourist-dies-after-fall-from-pattaya-hotel/

 

Swedish Swim Coach Fatally Falls from Pattaya Hotel
By Aim Tanakorn

 

A 60-year-old Swedish swim coach tragically lost his life on Sunday morning after falling from the third floor of a hotel on Pattaya Third Road.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318959-swedish-swim-coach-fatally-falls-from-pattaya-hotel/

 

PM Annoyed 10,000 Baht Digital Wallet Scheme Stuck With Graft-Busters
by TNR Staff 

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin leaving for Sri Lanka this morning, Feb. 3, 2024, above, and talking to reporters before doing so. Photo: Matichon

 

PRIME MINISTER Srettha Thavisin said this morning (Feb. 3) at Don Mueang Airport before flying to Sri Lanka for an official visit that although the Thai people cannot wait any longer for the 10,000 baht digital wallet project to start, his government is still waiting for a recommendation from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Matichon newspaper said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318960-pm-annoyed-10000-baht-digital-wallet-scheme-stuck-with-graft-busters/

 

Company Bus Plunges Into Canal, 3 Dead, 22 Injured
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On February 3rd, 2024, Samut Prakan local media gave an update on a recent accident involving a company bus carrying more than 20 passengers that lost control and plunged into a canal on 200-years Rattanakosin Road, Bang Bo, Samut Prakan.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318961-company-bus-plunges-into-canal-3-dead-22-injured/

 

UNESCO certifies Songkran as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage

 

 

UNESCO has issued an official certificate inscribing Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year festival, as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage, following the intergovernmental convention for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in Botswana.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318962-unesco-certifies-songkran-as-part-of-humanity’s-intangible-cultural-heritage/

 

Thai government may lift afternoon alcohol sales ban to boost tourism
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

The Thai government is considering lifting the afternoon prohibition on alcohol sales in a bid to boost its tourism industry. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew is planning to ask the government’s alcohol control committee to discuss the appeal by the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (TABBA) to revoke the rule that restricts alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318963-thai-government-may-lift-afternoon-alcohol-sales-ban-to-boost-tourism/

 

US deploys over 4,000 for Cobra Gold 2024 military drills in Thailand
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Exercise Headquarters of Cobra Gold 2023

A deployment of over 4,000 personnel aboard the USS Somerset and USS Miguel Keith is on the horizon for the upcoming Cobra Gold 2024, a joint military exercise taking place in Thailand from February 26 to March 8.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318965-us-deploys-over-4000-for-cobra-gold-2024-military-drills-in-thailand/

 

Japanese firms urge Thai government to simplify customs and boost infrastructure
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

Japanese businesses based in Thailand have urged the government to simplify customs duty rules and enhance transport infrastructure, in addition to introducing economic strategies to increase public spending.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318966-japanese-firms-urge-thai-government-to-simplify-customs-and-boost-infrastructure/

 

Was elephant pant wearing record bid cause of fashion panel resignation?
 

 

A plan, conceived by the Tourism of Thailand (TAT), to set five Guinness world records, including wearing the most pairs of elephant pants in sixty seconds, expected to take place at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok from February 21st-27th, may have prompted the resignation of all 24 members of Thailand’s soft power fashion panel on February 1st.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318967-was-elephant-pant-wearing-record-bid-cause-of-fashion-panel-resignation/

 

256 Cases So Far Filed Against Stonewalling Loan Sharks
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Representative images of illicit money lending. Photo: Thai Rath 

 

A TOTAL OF 256 lawsuits have been so far filed on charges of illicit lending business against loan sharks who have allegedly stonewalled on debt settlement bids, according to a senior government official.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318968-256-cases-so-far-filed-against-stonewalling-loan-sharks/

 

PM Discusses Visas for Bordering Countries, Aiming to Establish Thailand as Tourism Hub
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On February 3rd, 2024, Mr. Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, publicly revealed after a discussion with Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Minister of Tourism and Sport, regarding a discussion about CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam) visas as well as Malaysia, aiming to have Thailand as a major tourism hub.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318969-pm-discusses-visas-for-bordering-countries-aiming-to-establish-thailand-as-tourism-hub/

 

Pattaya Hotels See High Occupancy Ahead of Chinese New Year
By Aim Tanakorn

 

Land and House Plc (LH) reported high occupancy rates at its Grand Center Point hotels in both Bangkok and Pattaya ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year festive period, according to Mr. Wit Tantivorawong, managing director for support division for LH.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318971-pattaya-hotels-see-high-occupancy-ahead-of-chinese-new-year/

 

Navy Shelves Project To Salvage Sunken Corvette Sukhothai
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

HTMS Sukhothai that sank in the Gulf of Thailand on Dec. 18, 2022. Photo: Sanook.com

 

THE NAVY HAS PUT an open bidding on hold for the planned retrieval of the sunken navy corvette HTMS Sukhothai (FSG-442) from under the sea off Prachuap Khiri Khan for the time being.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318974-navy-shelves-project-to-salvage-sunken-corvette-sukhothai/

 

Pattaya Motorcyclist Loses Life in Hit and Run Accident
By Aim Tanakorn

 

A Thai man tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya on the night of February 3rd, 2024.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318975-pattaya-motorcyclist-loses-life-in-hit-and-run-accident/

 

2nd phase of “30-Baht Plus” medical scheme to launch in March

 

 

The Public Health Ministry is ready to launch the second phase of the “30-Baht Plus” free health service scheme in March, in Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sing Buri, Sa Kaeo and Phang-nga provinces.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318976-2nd-phase-of-“30-baht-plus”-medical-scheme-to-launch-in-march/

 

Sixteen Gamblers Arrested in Thalang
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Sixteen gamblers were arrested at a local gambling den in the Thalang district.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318978-sixteen-gamblers-arrested-in-thalang/

 

Fire Breaks Out at Ministry of Agriculture Building in Bangkok

By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

At 7:20 PM, on February 3rd, 2024, Capt. Thamanat Prompow, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, rushed to the Ministry of Agriculture building, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, after receiving a fire report on the second floor of the building.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318979-fire-breaks-out-at-ministry-of-agriculture-building-in-bangkok/

 

Thai Police Crack Down on Drug Trafficking in Northeast Thailand
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On February 3rd, 2024, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sarayut Sa-nguanphokai, the Commander of Provincial Police Region 4, and relevant officials held a press conference at Kalasin Provincial Police Headquarters about the “No Place for Drugs” operation to eradicate drug trafficking networks in the northeast region of Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318980-thai-police-crack-down-on-drug-trafficking-in-northeast-thailand/

 

Power Poles Spark Fear of Fires in Yasothon

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Residents of Khonsai Village, Tambon Tad Thong, Yasothon Province, experienced a sleepless night on February 4th, 2024.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318981-power-poles-spark-fear-of-fires-in-yasothon/

 

Loan shark gang threatens 60-year-old debtor in Nakhon Si Thammarat

 

Picture: Daily News

 

In a chilling incident in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, the notorious loan shark gang, known as "Bao-LanSaka," showed no regard for the law as they brandished knives and guns, menacing a 60-year-old debtor in her village home.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318982-loan-shark-gang-threatens-60-year-old-debtor-in-nakhon-si-thammarat/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Monday 5 February 2024
 

 

Fill story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318985-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-monday-5-february-2024/

 

Equal Justice Under Law: The Case Against Expedited Parole for Thaksin: Opinion
by Lynn Sasinpong

 

 

(In response to this article Editorial: Thaksin Should Be Released)

 

We have only just passed January, and Thailand’s justice system is already not off to a great start this year. But releasing Thaksin on parole this month will only make it worse.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318987-equal-justice-under-law-the-case-against-expedited-parole-for-thaksin-opinion/

 

Phuket airport gears up for Lunar New Year influx of 49,000 daily visitors
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Achadthaya Chuenniran

 

Phuket International Airport is bracing for an influx of around 49,000 visitors each day throughout the Lunar New Year festival, which commenced on Sunday and extends till February 16.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318988-phuket-airport-gears-up-for-lunar-new-year-influx-of-49000-daily-visitors/

 

Thai Airways on track for Stock Exchange return amid rehabilitation success
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo by Cityswift via Flickr

 

Anticipations are high for Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) to make its comeback on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in the coming year, as disclosed by Tibordee Wattanakul, the director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office (Sepo).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318994-thai-airways-on-track-for-stock-exchange-return-amid-rehabilitation-success/

 

Balcony collapses at Chiang Mai resort injuring 13
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A tragic incident unfolded at a popular resort in Chiang Mai, Thailand, at 7.30am today, where a newly constructed balcony collapsed, leaving several attendees of a seminar injured amidst chaos and cries of pain.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318995-balcony-collapses-at-chiang-mai-resort-injuring-13/

 

Jarhusna Crowned Miss Thailand Chonburi 2024
By Aim Tanakorn

 

The highly anticipated Miss Thailand Chonburi 2024 pageant concluded on Saturday, with Jarhusna Worapatanakit, contestant MTCN07, crowned the new titleholder.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318997-jarhusna-crowned-miss-thailand-chonburi-2024/

 

No Easy Answers to Pattaya’s Homeless Problem
By Adam Judd

 

Over the past several days there have been multiple news articles from us covering both complaints by local residents and tourists and relevant authorities responses to what appears to be a growing homeless problem in the Pattaya and Jomtien area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318998-no-easy-answers-to-pattayas-homeless-problem/

Two People Injured in Phuket Pickup Truck Crash
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

PHOTO: Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation

Two people who have sustained injuries became stuck after a pickup truck crashed in Rassada.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1318999-two-people-injured-in-phuket-pickup-truck-crash/

 

Northern Thailand braces for cool weather and thunderstorms
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather alert for the northern part of the country, warning of cool to cold conditions with isolated thunderstorms.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1319000-northern-thailand-braces-for-cool-weather-and-thunderstorms/