THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 19 February 2024

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Kanchanaburi to benefit from 12 billion baht water diversion project

by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Kanchanaburi’s five districts are set to benefit from a water diversion tunnel project that aims to alleviate drought problems.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320283-kanchanaburi-to-benefit-from-12-billion-baht-water-diversion-project/

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Thai security academic calls for transparency in government assets
by Mitch Connor Mitch

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

An independent security academic, Panitan Wattanayagorn, recently suggested a closer examination of the assets of military and government agencies in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320284-thai-security-academic-calls-for-transparency-in-government-assets/

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Fuel dispensers’ accuracy standards to tighten in Thailand
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

The Internal Trade Department of the Commerce Ministry is set to tighten the accuracy standards for fuel dispensers at petrol stations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320285-fuel-dispensers’-accuracy-standards-to-tighten-in-thailand/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Bangkok airport battles congestion with tech amid tourism recovery
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo courtesy of Apichit Jinakul

 

Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand’s busiest, is facing daily traffic congestion as vehicles compete for parking spaces. The problem is compounded by long queues at immigration and baggage claim areas due to inoperative kiosks and staff shortages.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320252-suvarnabhumi-adds-more-staff-to-prevent-malfunction/?do=findComment&comment=18705036

 

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Thailand’s economic challenge: short-term relief vs long-term structural woes
By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk

 

 

The 5:2 vote by the Thai central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to hold the key policy rate at 2.50 per cent is a hint of an impending rate cut at their next meeting, according to some economists. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320286-thailand’s-economic-challenge-short-term-relief-vs-long-term-structural-woes/

 

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Tour boat operator to be prosecuted for tying up to coral reef in Trang

By Peter Roche

 

FILE PHOTO: Koh Kradan

National Park officials are to take legal action against a tour boat company after one of their boats tied up to a coral reef in Trang province in southern Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320287-tour-boat-operator-to-be-prosecuted-for-tying-up-to-coral-reef-in-trang/

 

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Overstaying Russian Man Arrested in Patong
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Patong –An overstaying Russian man was arrested at a hotel in Patong.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320288-overstaying-russian-man-arrested-in-patong/

 

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Thaksin, Thaksin, Thaksin… yes, he’s out, more foreign income info - Tim Newton Today - Feb 19

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320289-thaksin-thaksin-thaksin…-yes-he’s-out-more-foreign-income-info-tim-newton-feb-19/

 

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“Thaksin’s parole is justified and legal” – Corrections Department

By Peter Roche

 

Facebook/Thaksin Shinawatra

The Corrections Department says the release on parole of Thaksin Shinawatra is in line with the law. The department issued a statement to clarify matters after the former PM’s release caused some raised eyebrows, to say the least.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320290-“thaksin’s-parole-is-justified-and-legal”-–-corrections-department/

 

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Thaksin sparks online debates for being released on parole
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo by Wason Wanichakorn via AP

 

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, was released on parole following six months in hospital. He returned to his home, Ban Chan Song La, in the Bang Phlat district of Bangkok yesterday, February 18. His parole sparked an online debate regarding his privilege and issues of inequality.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320292-thaksin-sparks-online-debates-for-being-released-on-parole/

 

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Delays to key infrastructure projects in EEC discourage foreign investors
 

Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi province. (Photo by EEC)

Foreign investors are reluctant to invest in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) because of delays in some major infrastructure projects, among them the high-speed train linking U-Tapao, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, according to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and government sources.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320294-delays-to-key-infrastructure-projects-in-eec-discourage-foreign-investors/

 

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Thailand teenager’s tragic stabbing leads to police pursuit
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ ข่าววันนี้

Police arrested a Thai man for fatally stabbing a 16 year old boy in the central province of Suphan Buri. Another suspect is still at large.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320296-thailand-teenager’s-tragic-stabbing-leads-to-police-pursuit/

 

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NESDC urges policy rate, credit card interest and lending-deposit spread cuts

 

Photo by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP

 

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has urged the Bank of Thailand to review its policy rate, cut the credit card interest rate, from 8% to 5%, and to narrow the spread between lending and deposit rates, to ease the financial burden on households and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320319-nesdc-urges-policy-rate-credit-card-interest-and-lending-deposit-spread-cuts/

 

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Defamation lawsuit threat against former Miss Universe brand owner

 

[FILE] (L-R) Miss Universe President Paula Shugart, CEO of JKN Global Group Jakapong Jakrajutatip, Miss Universe CEO Amy Emmerich stand on stage together during the Miss Universe Extravaganza, after JKN’s acquisition of the Miss Universe franchise, in Bangkok on November 7, 2022. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

 

A former president of the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) has threatened a defamation lawsuit against the former owner of the Miss Universe brand, Anne Jakrajutatip, for allegedly implying that she was involved in corruption and took “under the table” payments to secure placements in the Miss Universe pageant.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320320-defamation-lawsuit-threat-against-former-miss-universe-brand-owner/

 

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Liquor Policy Committee drops plan to extend liquor sale hours, for now

 

 

Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin promised members of an anti-liquor network today that the Liquor Policy Committee will not extend liquor sales hours.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320321-liquor-policy-committee-drops-plan-to-extend-liquor-sale-hours-for-now/

 

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Govt to Address Aging Population with March Workshop

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is set to address the country's aging population and declining birth rates with a targeted workshop next month. The event, titled “Enhancing the Security of Thai Families through Population Crisis Management,” is scheduled for March 7 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, signifying a major step towards national demographic rejuvenation.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320322-govt-to-address-aging-population-with-march-workshop/

 

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Bangkok Opens New Chao Phraya Bridge to Pedestrians

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Bangkok has introduced a new bridge over the Chao Phraya River, informally dubbed the second Rama IX bridge. This addition to the city's infrastructure runs alongside the existing Rama IX bridge and is designed to alleviate traffic congestion from central Bangkok to the developing outskirts near the Rama II area.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320323-bangkok-opens-new-chao-phraya-bridge-to-pedestrians/

 

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Irrawaddy Dolphin Found Dead in Songkhla

 

 

SONGKHLA (NNT) - A critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin has been found dead in Thailand's Songkhla Lake, worsening the ongoing struggle to protect this vulnerable species.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320324-irrawaddy-dolphin-found-dead-in-songkhla/

 

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DSI Offers Reward for Clues in Unsolved Murder

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is offering a reward of 2 million baht for information that could help solve the murder of a Japanese tourist in Sukhothai, which occurred 17 years ago.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320326-dsi-offers-reward-for-clues-in-unsolved-murder/

 

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PM Srettha Distributes Land Leases in Udon Thani

 

 

UDON THANI (NNT) - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, accompanied by Minister of Defense Sutin Klungsang, has led a ceremony in Nong Wua So district, Udon Thani province, to distribute land lease agreements for state properties. The agreements, part of the "Nong Wua So Model" project, allow local residents to legalize their residence on state land and enable these leases to serve as collateral for loans, thus supporting their livelihoods.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320327-pm-srettha-distributes-land-leases-in-udon-thani/

 

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Ready-to-Drink Fresh Milk Prices Approved to Increase

 

 

BANGKOK, Feb 19 (TNA) – The Department of Internal Trade has approved price increases for six producers of milk and dairy products.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320328-ready-to-drink-fresh-milk-prices-approved-to-increase/

 

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Thai police chief ordered to protect prosecutors in online gambling case

 

PHOTO: via The daily guardian

 

The national chief of police has been instructed by the attorney-general to prevent eight implicated officers in an online gambling case from intimidating two senior prosecutors, disclosed Prayut Phetcharakhun, spokesperson of the Office of the Attorney-General.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320333-thai-police-chief-ordered-to-protect-prosecutors-in-online-gambling-case/

 

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GSB asses terms for informal debtors in Thailand’s debt relief bid

 

PHOTO: via Huawei Enterprise

 

Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana announced that the Finance Ministry has tasked the Government Savings Bank (GSB) with reassessing conditions for informal debtors. This move is part of the government’s steadfast resolution to address economic issues, especially those concerning formal and informal debt.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320334-gsb-asses-terms-for-informal-debtors-in-thailand’s-debt-relief-bid/

 

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Thailand aims for top ASEAN agricultural exporter with new FTAs

 

PHOTO: via Moodie Davitt Report

 

A Government of Thailand spokesperson revealed plans to enhance economic cooperation and attract foreign trade and investment, which could propel the Thai nation to the top of the agricultural export rankings in ASEAN through the implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTA).

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320335-thailand-aims-for-top-asean-agricultural-exporter-with-new-ftas/

 

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Thailand’s fiery plight: 400+ hotspots spark concern

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Thailand is currently grappling with more than 400 hotspots, with the highest concentration in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lampang, and Mae Hong Son, each reporting over 40 incidents. In comparison, neighbouring countries are also facing significant challenges, with Myanmar recording 3,065 hotspots, Cambodia 1,341, Laos 704, and Vietnam 414 as of February 18.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320336-thailand’s-fiery-plight-400-hotspots-spark-concern/

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Sudden Udon Thani storm wreaks havoc, children injured

 

PHOTO: via Children health

 

A sudden storm ravaged the Udon Thani region, inflicting damage on nearly 20 homes within less than 15 minutes. The calamity left two children injured after tiles from a collapsing roof struck them as they played inside a house.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320338-sudden-udon-thani-storm-wreaks-havoc-children-injured/

 

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Phuket taxi drivers accused of threatening Grab driver

 

Picture courtesy of Phuket News

 

A fresh police complaint has been filed against a group of taxi drivers in Soi Cherng Talay 14, close to the Maya Beach Club, in Phuket. The drivers stand accused of intimidating a legally operating Grab taxi driver who was stationed to pick up passengers from the club.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320339-phuket-taxi-drivers-accused-of-threatening-grab-driver/

 

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Phuket passenger van drivers’ brawl sparks public outrage

 

Picture courtesy of Phuket News

 

A violent altercation between two passenger van drivers erupted at the Ratsada Pier exit in Phuket. The incident, which was captured on video, circulated rapidly on social media yesterday, February 18, sparking widespread outrage.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320340-phuket-passenger-van-drivers’-brawl-sparks-public-outrage/

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Teenage Thai girl accuses tattoo artist of sexual assault

 

Photo via Facebook/ Rawis Sangtawan

 

A 16 year old Thai girl filed a complaint against a male tattoo artist in Chon Buri province, accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting her during a tattoo session.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320341-teenage-thai-girl-accuses-tattoo-artist-of-sexual-assault/

 

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Chonburi Motorcycle Theft Caught on Camera

 

 

A 28-year-old Thai man in Chonburi is appealing for the return of his stolen motorbike, which he had purchased just one month ago.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320342-chonburi-motorcycle-theft-caught-on-camera/