THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Saturday 17 February 2024

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Phuket Provincial Police is intensifying its efforts to halt the illegal marijuana trade on the tropical paradise island. The move arrives in response to public grievances about foreigners unlawfully importing cannabis flowers and hosting impromptu gatherings.

 

Picture courtesy of Phuket Provincial Police

 

Phuket police weed out illegal marijuana trade

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320143-phuket-police-weed-out-illegal-marijuana-trade/

 

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PM Eyeing A-List Performers Amid Taylor Swift’s Singapore Shows
by TNR Staff

 

Taylor Swift, left, and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, right. Photo: Matichon

 

PRIME MINISTER Srettha Thavisin is moving to draw A-list performers to Thailand to boost tourism amid the upcoming shows by Taylor Swift in Singapore with the island republic being her only stop in Southeast Asia during The Eras Tour, Matichon newspaper said today (Feb. 16).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320163-pm-eyeing-a-list-performers-amid-taylor-swift’s-singapore-shows/

 

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Thaksin Exempt from EM Bracelet Due to Illness and Age

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Corrections has announced that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who will soon be paroled, is not required to wear an Electronic Monitoring (EM) bracelet when released. The agency explained that Thaksin is considered an ailing senior inmate over the age of 70.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320134-thaksin-exempt-from-em-bracelet-due-to-illness-and-age/

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Somsak Downplays Tale Of Two Prime Ministers
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, left, and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, right. Both photos: Thai Rath

 

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SOMSAK Thepsuthin yesterday (Feb.16) downplayed criticism that Thailand might be virtually, simultaneously run by two prime ministers – the current Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320164-somsak-downplays-tale-of-two-prime-ministers/

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PM Srettha wakes up to threat of cheap Chinese goods dumped on Thailand driven by misguided policies
by Joseph O' Connor

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered urgent action to tackle the influx of cheap imports from China into the kingdom, fueling a ballooning trade deficit with its northern neighbour. Officials are proposing to reimpose some regulations on tax charged at the point of entry, in addition to other measures. However, the threat posed by China’s state subsidies and economic policies to Thailand is also long-term. Of course, it has also been exacerbated by the policies pursued by the previous government.

Thai PM raises the alarm over Chinese product onslaught: Trade deficit balloons, economic future growth and well being is at risk.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320165-pm-srettha-wakes-up-to-threat-of-cheap-chinese-goods-dumped-on-thailand/

 

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Thai Govt Implements Measures to Combat Illegal Burning and Improve Air Quality
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

On February 15th, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul disclosed directives following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Governors were instructed to conduct field inspections and engage communities to halt illegal agricultural burning.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320166-thai-govt-implements-measures-to-combat-illegal-burning-and-improve-air-quality/

 

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Pattaya Announces Traffic Closures for Pattaya Music Festival 2024
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya — Get ready for vibrant tunes and lively crowds as the Pattaya Music Festival returns for four weekends in March 2024!

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320167-pattaya-announces-traffic-closures-for-pattaya-music-festival-2024/

 

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Police Pursue Foreign Murder Suspects Who Escaped to Turkey, International Collaboration Sought
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On February 15th, 2024, Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasin Poolsawat, the deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, publicly revealed the progress of a case involving a Myanmar national who was allegedly murdered by two foreign suspects.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320169-police-pursue-foreign-murder-suspects-who-escaped-to-turkey-intl-collaboration-sought/

 

 

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16-Year-Old Girl Allegedly Raped by Pattaya Ride-Sharing Driver
By Aim Tanakorn

 

PHOTO: 77kaoded

Pattaya — Na Jomtien police have arrested a 39-year-old Bolt driver for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320170-16-year-old-girl-allegedly-raped-by-pattaya-ride-sharing-driver/

 

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Sattahip Police Nab Major Drug Dealer “Angie Bird” in Massive Narcotics Bust
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Sattahip — Sattahip police arrested a major drug dealer nicknamed “Angie Bird” on Thursday, February 15th, along with a large cache of narcotics and firearms.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320171-sattahip-police-nab-major-drug-dealer-“angie-bird”-in-massive-narcotics-bust/

 

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Pakistani Arrested in Phuket for Using Thai ID Card
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – A wanted Pakistani man was arrested in Phuket for using a Thai Identification card.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320172-pakistani-arrested-in-phuket-for-using-thai-id-card/

 

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Big Joke Dismisses Involvement In Money-Laundering, Online Gambling Charges
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Deputy Police Chief Pol.Gen. Surachate Hakparn. Photo: Thai Rath

 

DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF Pol.Gen. Surachate Hakparn, nicknamed Big Joke, yesterday (Feb.16) dismissed allegations that he had been involved in money-laundering and running a gambling website.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320176-big-joke-dismisses-involvement-in-money-laundering-online-gambling-charges/

 

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Thai delegation, BRN hope to clinch peace deal by year-end
By Thepchai Yong

 

Chief of Thai peace delegation Chatchai Bangchuad (left) with head of BRN delegation Anas Abdulrahman and Malaysian facilitator Gen Zulkifli Zainal Abidin during a press conference after the latest round of peace talks in Kuala Lumpur on February 6-7.

After 10 years of on-and-off dialogue, Thailand’s peace negotiators and representatives of the biggest separatist group in southern Thailand finally hope to be able to reach a peace agreement by the end of this year, according to the head of the Thai delegation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320177-thai-delegation-brn-hope-to-clinch-peace-deal-by-year-end/

 

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Japanese pet shop owner arrested for smuggling fowl and fruit from Thailand
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A Japanese pet shop owner has been apprehended by local authorities in Tokyo for his alleged involvement in smuggling birds and mangosteen fruits into Japan from Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320178-japanese-pet-shop-owner-arrested-for-smuggling-fowl-and-fruit-from-thailand/

 

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Dead Oarfish found in the seas off Phuket

 

 

A rare deep-water Oarfish was caught in the net of a Thai trawler in the Andaman Sea, about 8 nautical miles from Phuket, on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320180-dead-oarfish-found-in-the-seas-off-phuket/

 

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Concerns over Khao Yai National Park land allocation plans
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of InThailand.Travel

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) has strongly opposed the Agricultural Land Reform Office’s (ALRO) plan to allocate portions of Khao Yai National Park to farmers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320181-concerns-over-khao-yai-national-park-land-allocation-plans/

 

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First challenge in 89 years to snooker’s gambling status in Thailand
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of Playo

The status of snooker as a Class B gambling game is set to be challenged for the first time in 89 years, as an agreement has been reached to propose its cancellation to the interior minister.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320182-first-challenge-in-89-years-to-snooker’s-gambling-status-in-thailand/

 

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Family leaps to safety from second-floor in Pathum Thani blaze
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

A family of four made a harrowing escape from their burning home in the early hours of yesterday, as flames engulfed the property in Chalida Village, Pathum Thani province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320184-family-leaps-to-safety-from-second-floor-in-pathum-thani-blaze/

 

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BREAKING - Sunday, 18 February

 

Thaksin freed on parole and returns to Ban Chan Song La residence

 

 

Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole and returned to his family mansion, Ban Chan Song La, in Bangkok this morning. This marks the first time the media has caught a glimpse of him since his 180 days at the Police General Hospital.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320212-thaksin-freed-on-parole-and-returns-to-ban-chan-song-la-residence/

 

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to continue:

 

Thailand Live Monday 19 February 2024 
https://aseannow.com/topic/1320247-thailand-live-monday-19-february-2024/