THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 21 February 2024

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Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is gearing up to welcome a surge of Russian tourists to Thailand, unveiling plans to tackle the flight shortage bottleneck yesterday.

 

PM Srettha pledges to woo back Russian tourists with revived flights

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320402-pm-srettha-pledges-to-woo-back-russian-tourists-with-revived-flights/

Photo courtesy of KhaSod English

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Former Cambodian PM Hun Sen to visit Thaksin

 

 

Former Cambodian PM Hun Sen is scheduled to travel to Bangkok tomorrow to visit Thaksin Shinawatra, at the latter’s residence in Ban Chan Song La, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest daughter confirmed today.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320407-former-cambodian-pm-hun-sen-to-visit-thaksin-

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Thaksin Has Degenerative Bones In The Neck: Pheu Thai Spokesperson
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Composite photo of de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra leaving Police Hospital and sitting near a swimming pool at his residence. Credit: Matichon

 

DE FACTO PHEU THAI BOSS-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra is wearing a soft splint around his neck due to a degeneration of the bones within, said Pheu Thai spokesperson Danuporn Punnagun today (Feb.20).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320422-thaksin-has-degenerative-bones-in-the-neck-pheu-thai-spokesperson/

 

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THAI to acquire 45 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with option for 80 more
 

Photo : Boeing

Thai Airways International has entered into a deal to acquire a fleet of 45 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, plus an option on another 80, with the deal also offering the carrier a route to the new 777X.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320423-thai-to-acquire-45-boeing-787-dreamliners-with-option-for-80-more/

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Thai Transport Minister Addresses High Ticket Prices for Bangkok-Phuket Flights, Promises Reduction Before Songkran Festival
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

At 9:30 AM, on February 20th, 2024, Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Thai Minister of Transport, gave an interview before the Cabinet meeting regarding the issue of some airline passengers criticizing that ticket prices for Bangkok-Phuket flights were too high.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320425-thai-transport-minister-addresses-high-ticket-prices-for-bangkok-phuket-flights/

 

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Algerian Tourist Arrested for Alleged Theft of Gold Amulet in Bangkok
By Aim Tanakorn

 

PHOTO: siamrath

Bangkok — On February 20th, 2024, Bangkok police announced the arrest of a 56-year-old Algerian tourist, identified only as Mr. Garou, on charges of theft at a gold shop in the Phra Nakhon district.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320426-algerian-tourist-arrested-for-alleged-theft-of-gold-amulet-in-bangkok/

 

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Captain Dies after Long-Tail Boat Carrying 31 Foreign Tourists Crashes in Krabi
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

 

Krabi – A boat captain died after two long-tail boats which carried 31 foreign tourists crashed near an island in Krabi.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320427-captain-dies-after-long-tail-boat-carrying-31-foreign-tourists-crashes-in-krabi/

 

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Cumbria couple relocates to Thailand, goes off-grid
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Business Insider

 

In a tale of resilience and determination, a couple from Cumbria, in the United Kingdom made their dream of relocating to Thailand come true sooner than planned.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320428-cumbria-couple-relocates-to-thailand-goes-off-grid/

 

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Growing Thailand’s “Gross National Cool”
by Ken Mathis Lohatepanont

 

Of the policies that the various political parties campaigned on during the 2023 general election in Thailand, one that especially raised my eyebrow was Pheu Thai’s “One Family, One Soft Power” policy.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320433-growing-thailand’s-“gross-national-cool”/

 

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Over 20,000 Contraband Fresh Eggs Seized At Thai-Cambodia Border
by TNR Staff 

 

Over 20,000 smuggled fresh eggs, poultry meat and other items seized at Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province,Feb. 19, 2024. Photo: Naewna

 

MORE THAN 20,000 smuggled fresh eggs and poultry meat plus other items were seized from a pickup that had just crossed the border from Cambodia to Arayanprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, last night (Feb. 19), Naewna newspaper said today.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320434-over-20000-contraband-fresh-eggs-seized-at-thai-cambodia-border/

 

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Full steam ahead on LGBTQ rights in Thailand, new gender identity law ordered by the PM at cabinet
by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin after Tuesday’s cabinet meeting at Government House where the green light was given to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to introduce new legislation in parliament dealing with gender identity.

PM orders Gender recognition law. LGBTQ rights advancing rapidly in Thailand. The first Southeast Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage expected alongside recognition of alternative genders as a matter of human rights.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320435-full-steam-ahead-on-lgbtq-rights-in-thailand-new-gender-identity-law-ordered-by-pm/

 

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Four Taxi Drivers Charged after Threatening Mobile Application Taxi Driver in Phuket
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Cherng Talay – Four taxi drivers have been fined after they threatened a mobile application taxi driver in Cherng Talay.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320436-four-taxi-drivers-charged-after-threatening-mobile-application-taxi-driver-in-phuket/

 

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Myanmar Military Conscription Sparks Refugee Surge to Thailand
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On February 19th, 2024, Mr. Kannavee Suebsang, the FAIR Party MP, publicly revealed the case where the Myanmar government announced military conscription without gender discrimination, leaving uncertainty about whether it would escape scrutiny under international human rights law.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320437-myanmar-military-conscription-sparks-refugee-surge-to-thailand/

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Chonburi Pickup Truck Driver Rescued From Deep Pit After Drowsy Driving Incident
By Aim Tanakorn

 

PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya

 

Chonburi — A pickup truck driver narrowly escaped serious injury on Monday after reportedly falling asleep and veering off the road, plunging into a water-filled pit more than 10 meters deep.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320438-chonburi-pickup-truck-driver-rescued-from-deep-pit-after-drowsy-driving-incident/

 

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Burned human remains found, possible link to missing Prachinburi woman
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

Authorities in Prachinburi province are conducting a meticulous investigation after the discovery of human skeletal remains that had been burned in a rubber plantation. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320439-burned-human-remains-found-possible-link-to-missing-prachinburi-woman/

 

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Prohibition lifted on controversial film ‘Shakespeare Must Die’ after 11 years
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of MGR Online

The long-standing prohibition on the screening of the contentious film, Shakespeare Tong Tai (Shakespeare Must Die), was lifted by the Supreme Administrative Court on Tuesday, bringing an end to an 11-year ban.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320440-prohibition-lifted-on-controversial-film-‘shakespeare-must-die’-after-11-years/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 21 February 2024

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320441-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-wednesday-21-february-2024/

 

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Songkran holiday unlikely to boost outbound trips due to high airfares
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

Despite the extended Songkran holiday, a surge in outbound trips is not anticipated, mainly due to high airfares and deflation risk concerns. This perspective comes from travel agents who predict that the 21-day ‘Water Festival’ campaign is more likely to entice foreign tourists than the local market.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320445-songkran-holiday-unlikely-to-boost-outbound-trips-due-to-high-airfares/

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Thai Air Force faces a choice between F-16 and Gripen to replace aging fleet
 

File photo : Gripen//skiesmag.com

The Royal Thai Air Force plans to acquire 12 new fighter jets — either the US F-16 or the Swedish Gripen — to replace an aging fleet in the coming years after failing last year to procure its No. 1 choice: the most advanced US F-35.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320447-thai-air-force-faces-a-choice-between-f-16-and-gripen-to-replace-aging-fleet/

 

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Price-gouging on Phuket flights, heatwave on the way - Tim Newton Today - Feb 21

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320450-price-gouging-on-phuket-flights-heatwave-on-the-way-tim-newton-today-feb-21/

 

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UPDATE:

Thai man murders wife, hides her body in rubber plantation
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

A Thai man in Chachoengsao admitted to the brutal murder of his wife after her remains were found in a rubber plantation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320405-thai-woman-disappears-after-argument-with-her-husband/?do=findComment&comment=18709803

 

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Krabi rampage: Chinese woman blocks road, tries undress, bites cop
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via ThaiRath

A Chinese woman went on a rampage in the southern province of Krabi after breaking up with her boyfriend. She blocked the road, attempted to undress, and bit a police officer on the arm.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320454-krabi-rampage-chinese-woman-blocks-road-tries-undress-bites-cop/

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Satellite imagery to resolve Khao Yai National Park land dispute
by Mitch Connor 

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon

In a bid to resolve the ongoing dispute over Sor Por Kor rights for land located inside Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima, the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment ministries convened yesterday, February 20. They agreed to employ satellite imagery data from the Royal Thai Survey Department to determine the lawful owners of the contentious lands.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320455-satellite-imagery-to-resolve-khao-yai-national-park-land-dispute/

 

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Thai widow swindled in romance scam by fake college director
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

A 52 year old woman from Udon Thani has been swindled out of nearly 50,000 baht (US$1,386) in a romance scam by a man who claimed to be the director of a well-known vocational college. The man, who made first contact over Facebook, charmed and deceived her into a romantic entanglement before borrowing money and vanishing without a trace.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320456-thai-widow-swindled-in-romance-scam-by-fake-college-director/

 

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Thai man admits attempted rape of Chinese woman
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via SiamRath

Police arrested a Thai man for attempting to rape and murder a Chinese woman in Pattaya. The suspect confessed to the attempted rape charge but denied setting her on fire to kill her.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320457-thai-man-admits-attempted-rape-of-chinese-woman/

 

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Prime Minister of Thailand proposes pollution mitigation fund
by Mitch Connor 

 

Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

The Prime Minister of Thailand proposed the establishment of a pollution mitigation fund with the United Nations (UN).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320459-prime-minister-of-thailand-proposes-pollution-mitigation-fund/

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Hun Sen describes his reunion with Thaksin as “a meeting of brothers”

 

Photo : Hun Sen’s Facebook page

 

Former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen has described his relationship with his former Thai counterpart, Thaksin Shinawatra, as that of brothers and an excellent 32-year friendship.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320407-former-cambodian-pm-hun-sen-to-visit-thaksin-tomorrow/?do=findComment&comment=18710795

 

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Southern MPs complain about expensive air tickets to coastal provinces

 

 

Southern MPs of Bhumjaithai party have been airing their grievances over the high cost of domestic flights to the Andaman coastal provinces, such as Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Satun and Trang, which are popular among both local and foreign tourists.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320478-southern-mps-complain-about-expensive-air-tickets-to-coastal-provinces/

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Firefighters trying to control forest fires in three national parks in Chiang Mai

 

 

Park officials are trying hard to control forest fires raging in Don Inthanon, Mae Thjo and Ob Luang national parks in Chiang Mai province.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320479-firefighters-trying-to-control-forest-fires-in-three-national-parks-in-chiang-mai/

 

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Two Phuket van drivers charged with fighting at Rassada Pier

 

Phuket, Thailand - December 8 2017: Rassada Harbor, pier gate 3 less crowded for boarding to Phi Phi island. Phuket popular tourist location of Thailand for honeymoon and vacation

 

With lots of tourists at this time, comes the battle for the taxi and van fares. In the latest fracas, Phuket Police have charged two passenger van drivers, following an altercation at Rassada Pier on Sunday, February 18.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1320481-two-phuket-van-drivers-charged-with-fighting-at-rassada-pier/