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.

 

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

 

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

 

PM Srettha says he has no plan to meet with Thaksin yet
 

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said today that he has no immediate plan to meet with convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but wishes him a happy reunion with his family following his release on parole from the Police General Hospital this morning.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320248-pm-srettha-says-he-has-no-plan-to-meet-with-thaksin-yet/

Move Forward party calls for equal justice for all

 

The opposition Move Forward party has called for justice equality and an end to double standards, citing the privileges allegedly accorded to convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320249-move-forward-party-calls-for-equal-justice-for-all/

 

Parties or their members are behind political conflicts – NIDA Poll

  

52.60% of respondents to a NIDA Poll are most concerned that the current political situation may lead to a new round of political conflict in Thailand, while 71.91% believe that politicians, parties and political groups are involved in political conflict.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320250-parties-or-their-members-are-behind-political-conflicts-–-nida-poll- /

 

Dengue fever cases in Thailand on the rise

 

  

Dengue fever is on the rise, with a total of 13,126 cases, including 12 fatalities, being reported so far this year. This is a 2.2 fold increase over the same period last year, according to Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director-general of the Disease Control Department.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320251-dengue-fever-cases-in-thailand-on-the-rise/

 

Suvarnabhumi Adds More Staff To Prevent Malfunction
by TNR Staff

 

Photo: Matichon

 

AIRPORTS of Thailand (AOT) has rushed to add more staff to prevent malfunction at Suvarnabhumi Airport as ordered Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin with 200 additional officials joining the team manning the immigration counters from tomorrow, Matichon newspaper said late afternoon today (Feb. 18).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320252-suvarnabhumi-adds-more-staff-to-prevent-malfunction/

 

Paetongtarn Shares Photo Of Thaksin Sitting In The Sun At Residence
by TNR Staff

 

Photo of de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinwatra enjoying the fresh air at his residence. Published by Naewna

 

PHEU THAI leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of de facto party boss Thaksin Shinawatra who was released on parole early this morning (Feb. 18),  shared a photo of him sitting in the sun by the swimming pool at his Chan Song Lah residence this afternoon, Naewna newspaper and Amarin TV said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320253-paetongtarn-shares-photo-of-thaksin-sitting-in-the-sun-at-residence/

Thaksin Unlikely To Be Held In Custody For Lese Majeste Charges
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra returning home with his daughter, party leader, Paetongtarn Shinwatra, seated next to him. Top photo: Reuters/Arthit Perawongmetha,

 

IT WILL BE UNLIKELY FOR de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra to be held in custody by the authorities on lese majeste charges, said a partisan source said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320254-thaksin-unlikely-to-be-held-in-custody-for-lese-majeste-charges/

 

Air quality in most of the country to improve for a week

 

 

Bangkok and 37 other provinces are still facing high levels of PM2.5 airborne pollution, but the situation is expected to improve tomorrow through next Saturday, the Pollution Control Department reported yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320255-air-quality-in-most-of-the-country-to-improve-for-a-week/

 

Pharmacist dies after falling from MRT Tha Phra station
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of Thairath

 

A pharmacist tragically lost his life after falling from the third floor of the Tha Phra MRT station today at approximately 10.57am. The incident, which left witnesses in extreme shock, unfolded when a 62 year old pharmacist and manager of a medical supply company, was seen plummeting to his death right before their eyes.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320256-pharmacist-dies-after-falling-from-mrt-tha-phra-station/

 

Thailand tourism council study reveals surprising spending trends
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

In an investigation undertaken by the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), it has emerged that a significant portion of the Thai populace has adopted a more frugal approach to their expenditure in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320257-thailand-tourism-council-study-reveals-surprising-spending-trends/

 

Concerns rise as wild tiger lurks near Kamphaeng Phet village
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A wild tiger prowling the vicinity of a village in Kamphaeng Phet sparked serious concerns among locals, prompting the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to dispatch a team of officials and veterinarians to capture the big cat.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320258-concerns-rise-as-wild-tiger-lurks-near-kamphaeng-phet-village/

 

Content creator clash with gang leader goes viral in Bangkok
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A heated altercation escalated to a bout of fisticuffs between content creator Jack Papho and Melai Ratchada, leader of the notorious Unbathed Gang, following a dispute over damaged property. Jack, known for his humorous and sometimes controversial content, found himself at odds with the famed gang leader, leading to an incident that ended at the police station.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320259-content-creator-clash-with-gang-leader-goes-viral-in-bangkok/

 

Thailand’s democracy index ranking drops due to unelected govt
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of jcomp, Freepik

 

The yearly Democracy Index compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has seen Thailand’s ranking fall by eight places, a change largely ascribed to the latest government formation by unelected senators rather than voters.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320260-thailand’s-democracy-index-ranking-drops-due-to-unelected-govt/

Woman hijacks rescue truck in Bangkok, sparks police chaseby Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

In a bizarre incident this morning, a Japanese woman seized a rescue pickup truck in front of the Lumpini Police Station while the vehicle was assisting an injured foreign man.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320261-woman-hijacks-rescue-truck-in-bangkok-sparks-police-chase/

 

Drunk driver kills traffic officer in hit-and-run on Rama 4 Road
by Samantha Rose

 

Picture courtesy of Dailynews

 

A tragic incident unfolded on February 16, when a Chevrolet Captiva sped through a police checkpoint on Rama 4 Road, striking and fatally injuring a traffic police officer before fleeing the scene. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320262-drunk-driver-kills-traffic-officer-in-hit-and-run-on-rama-4-road/

 

Foreigner Detained After Causing Traffic Disruption in Pattaya
By Aim Tanakorn

 

PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya

Pattaya — On February 17th, 2024, Pattaya police responded to reports of a foreign man causing a public disturbance by walking into the middle of traffic at the intersection of Pattaya Klang Road.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320263-foreigner-detained-after-causing-traffic-disruption-in-pattaya/

 

Biking Group in Pattaya Raises Safety Concerns After Performing Stunts on Road
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya — A video showcasing a group of motorcyclists performing stunts on public streets in Pattaya has gone viral on social media, sparking concerns about safety and potential imitation among young viewers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320264-biking-group-in-pattaya-raises-safety-concerns-after-performing-stunts-on-road/

 

Unidentified Body Found at Beach in Thalang, Phuket
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Thalang – An unidentified body was found at a beach in Cherng Talay.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320265-unidentified-body-found-at-beach-in-thalang-phuket/

 

Transgender Person Allegedly Assaults Two Women on Pattaya Beach Over Dispute with Foreign Man
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Pattaya—At 4:36 AM, on February 17th, 2024, Sawang Boriboon Dhamma Sathan Rescue Foundation Radio Center, Pattaya City, received a physical assault report of a transgender person hurting two women with a sharp object at Soi 13, Pattaya Beach, Banglamung, Chonburi.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320266-transgender-person-allegedly-assaults-two-women-on-pattaya-beach/

 

Human Remains Discovered Charred in Khon Kaen Dumpsite

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

A disturbing find unfolded as a human skeleton was unearthed amidst the refuse of a trash pit in the precincts of Amphoe Waeng Noi, Khon Kaen Province. The remains, reduced to bare bones, have left investigators grappling with uncertainty regarding the deceased's identity.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320268-human-remains-discovered-charred-in-khon-kaen-dumpsite/

 

Thailand Launching Medical Coverage For Foreigners is Encouraging, But Won’t Apply to Many Incidents

OPIION by Adam Judd

 

 

Last week, the Thai government announced something that seemed to go under the radar of many of our readers and the media, perhaps drowned out a bit by the parole of Thaksin Shinawatra or neverending U-turns on the status of the Cannabis Draft Law.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320270-launching-medical-coverage-for-foreigners-is-encouraging-but-won’t-apply-to-many-incidents/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Monday 19 February 2024
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320271-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-monday-19-february-2024/

 

Chinese woman escapes deadly fire trap after Pattaya assault
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

A Chinese woman, allegedly lured and assaulted in a remote area near Pattaya, survived an attempt on her life after the assailant reportedly set the surrounding grassland on fire.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320273-chinese-woman-escapes-deadly-fire-trap-after-pattaya-assault/

 

Thaksin is free, can we finally move on?
By Arun Saronchai
 

Thailand’s political landscape has long been dominated by the saga of Thaksin Shinawatra, a figure who polarizes opinion like few others in the nation’s recent history.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320274-thaksin-is-free-can-we-finally-move-on/

 

Thailand’s private ownership of lions raises safety concerns
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

The private ownership of wild animals, notably lions, has come under scrutiny in Thailand following several incidents where these creatures were observed in public areas. The issue has sparked widespread concern among the public regarding safety and animal welfare.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320275-thailand’s-private-ownership-of-lions-raises-safety-concerns/

Thailand’s DNP refutes Khao Yai National Park farmland claims
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

Claims to farmland within Khao Yai National Park were strongly refuted by Thailand’s Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320276-thailand’s-dnp-refutes-khao-yai-national-park-farmland-claims/

 

Thailand battles highest bile duct cancer rate in Southeast Asia
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew has revealed that Thailand has the highest rate of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) among the Asean nations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320277-thailand-battles-highest-bile-duct-cancer-rate-in-southeast-asia/

 

Bangkok’s Mo Chit 2 bus terminal enhances safety with arrival area closure
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Tourist Bangkok

Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), or Mo Chit 2 as it is commonly referred to, has announced the closure of its arrival area from March 1.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320281-bangkok’s-mo-chit-2-bus-terminal-enhances-safety-with-arrival-area-closure/

 

Joint Thai-US operation to salvage sunken HTMS Sukhothai begins
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Royal Thai Navy

 

A joint operation to salvage HTMS Sukhothai, which tragically sank approximately 35 kilometres off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan on December 18, 2022, will kick off this Thursday, as announced by the Thai and US navies. The vessel was victim to a fierce storm that led to its sinking.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320282-joint-thai-us-operation-to-salvage-sunken-htms-sukhothai-begins/