In a move to safeguard tourists’ wallets, Bangkok unveils an arsenal of measures to tackle the notorious tuk tuk and taxi overcharging crisis.

 

Tuk tuks and taxis: Bangkok’s solution to overcharging crisis

Photo courtesy of The Nation

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321195-tuk-tuks-and-taxis-bangkok’s-solution-to-overcharging-crisis/

Tourism Safety Measures Announced

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Puangpet Chunlaiad, Minister attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, presided over a meeting with network partner agencies to integrate work between the public and private sectors in tourism.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321175-tourism-safety-measures-announced/

Thailand’s hotels produce the most greenhouse gas in Asia

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

According to KResearch’s latest findings, Thai hotels are the leading culprits in greenhouse gas emissions, emitting a whopping 0.064 tonnes of carbon per guest each night, significantly higher than the regional and global averages of 0.057 and 0.019 tonnes respectively.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321179-thailand’s-hotels-produce-the-most-greenhouse-gas-in-asia/

Hua Hin News Feb 2024 - What's happening in Hua Hin and some property purchase advice

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321211-hua-hin-news-feb-2024-whats-happening-in-hua-hin-and-some-property-purchase-advice/

 

British Runner Completes 2,100 KM Fundraising Run Across Thailand

Raises Over 140,000 Baht for Orphans and Impoverished Schools in Thailand
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

On February 29th, 2024, Thai national media reported a British runner, Mr. Chris Russell, completed his fundraising campaign “Run Thailand 2,100 KM” from Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, to Betong, Yala, to aid orphans and impoverished schools in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321212-british-runner-completes-2100-km-fundraising-run-across-thailand/

 

Transport minister slashes prices with 38 more domestic flights
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

Amid escalating complaints over skyrocketing airfare prices, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced an additional 38 domestic flights and an estimated 13,000 seats for the upcoming Songkran holiday season in April.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321213-transport-minister-slashes-prices-with-38-more-domestic-flights/

Thai police arrest duo after violent mugging in Bangkok Noi

by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Bangkok police apprehended two young men following a violent assault and robbery in Bangkok Noi district.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321214-thai-police-arrest-duo-after-violent-mugging-in-bangkok-noi/

 

Chinese Man Sentenced for Using Fake ID, Operating Illegal Club in Pattaya
By Aim Tanakorn

 

A Chinese national, Mr. Nitipat Chokchaithanaphon (also known as Guo Ei Yao), was sentenced to two years in prison by the Pattaya Provincial Court on February 28th. He was found guilty of using a fake Thai ID card and operating an illegal nightclub in Pattaya.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321215-chinese-man-sentenced-for-using-fake-id-operating-illegal-club-in-pattaya/

Bolt Driver Shot Dead, Another Injured in Pattaya Shooting
By Aim Tanakorn

 

A shooting incident in Pattaya resulted in the death of a Bolt driver and injuries to another on February 28th, 2024.

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2024/03/01/bolt-driver-shot-dead-another-injured-in-pattaya-shooting/

 

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Highlights Progress of Drinking Tap Water Policy
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

On February 28, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnviraku and relevant agencies participated in the awards and honors ceremony for the 45th anniversary of the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) at Provincial Waterworks Authority Headquarters, Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321218-deputy-prime-minister-anutin-highlights-progress-of-drinking-tap-water-policy/

 

Father Dies, Daughter Survives after Truck Accident in Karon
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Karon – A father has been pronounced dead at the scene while his 12-year-old daughter has survived after a truck tumbled down a hill in Karon.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321219-father-dies-daughter-survives-after-truck-accident-in-karon/

 

Economic danger signals as PM pushes expansionary goals

Fears of a credit rating downgrade this year
by Joseph O' Connor

 

As economic growth projections for 2024 are cut, there are positive signs with rising consumer confidence and exports in January. Despite this, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin (centre) is still doggedly pursuing his expansionary economic agenda. However, the growing threat from rising levels of debt within the financial system is on the radar of economic analysts. This may lead to a credit downgrade for Thailand in 2024.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321220-economic-danger-signals-as-pm-pushes-expansionary-goals/

 

Patcharawat Grilled Over Repeated Absence From Weekly House Meeting
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Move Forward MP Chutipong Pipoppinyo showing a poster with a photo of Natural Resources & Environment Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan and headlined “Wanted Only Alive” during a meeting of the House of Representatives yesterday, Feb. 29, 2024. Photo: Naewna

 

NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan was yesterday (Feb 29) grilled on the House floor for his repeated failure to attend a weekly interpellation at parliament.

 

Full story:  https://aseannow.com/topic/1321224-patcharawat-grilled-over-repeated-absence-from-weekly-house-meeting/

 

Boxing camp owner arrested for assaulting young female boxers

by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Police have arrested a 54 year old boxing camp owner for allegedly using a firearm to intimidate and sexually assault two 12 year old female boxers at his facility.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321226-boxing-camp-owner-arrested-for-assaulting-young-female-boxers/

 

Thai immigration cracks down on misbehaving foreigners 

 

 

On February 29th, Colonel Thanana Nuchnanart, Deputy Commander of the Immigration Bureau, announced significant arrests made under the supervision of Major General Itthipol Itthisaranachai, the Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, following the policies set by the National Immigration Office.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321225-thai-immigration-cracks-down-on-misbehaving-foreigners /

 

Phachi chemical warehouse fire triggers emergency evacuation
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A chemical warehouse fire in Phachi, Ayutthaya, has prompted a swift evacuation as toxic fumes spread. On February 29, at around 10.30pm, a blaze broke out in a warehouse illegally storing chemicals, necessitating an urgent response from fire services due to ongoing explosions and noxious odours.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321227-phachi-chemical-warehouse-fire-triggers-emergency-evacuation/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 1 March 2024
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321228-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-1-march-2024/

 

Ayutthaya meth bust nets 10 million pills worth 500 million baht
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A major drug bust involving 10 million methamphetamine pills, valued at 500 million baht (US$13.9 million), was thwarted by authorities in Ayutthaya province. The capture was made possible after a meticulous tracking operation, leading to the arrest of two suspects who attempted to disguise the illicit cargo amidst vegetables on a six-wheeled truck.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321229-ayutthaya-meth-bust-nets-10-million-pills-worth-500-million-baht/

 

Weakening Thai baht forecast due to economic and freight cost factors
by Alex Morgan 

 

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

Analysts are forecasting a weakened Thai baht, the Thai currency, due to factors including poor economic performance, high freight costs, and disagreements over interest rate reductions.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321231-weakening-thai-baht-forecast-due-to-economic-and-freight-cost-factors/

 

Thai Consulate in Sydney, AU, launches eVisa from March 19, 2024
 

Info: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321230-thai-consulate-in-sydney-au-launches-evisa-from-march-19-2024/

 

Pattaya City Wins Asia Festival City and Night Festival Awards
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya — Pattaya City continued its reign as a leading tourism destination, securing two prestigious awards, the 2024 Asia Festival City and the Night Festival Awards, at the 2024 Pinnacle Awards and Asia Festival City Conference.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321233-pattaya-city-wins-asia-festival-city-and-night-festival-awards/

 

Bank of Thailand to accept virtual banking licences applications
by Alex Morgan

 

Photo courtesy of Bank of Thailand

 

This month, the Bank of Thailand is set to welcome applications for virtual banking licences, a move that has piqued the interest of numerous business operators. The finance ministry is currently in possession of a draft outlining the regulations for virtual banking, which is due to be made public in the Royal Gazette.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321234-bank-of-thailand-to-accept-virtual-banking-licences-applications/

 

Thailand PM unveils plan to become global cargo distribution hub
by Mitch Connor

 

FILE PHOTO: A Thai Airways Boeing 777-300ER plane takes off from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport February 23, 2015. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom/File Photo/File Photo

 

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin envisions the country as a regional aviation centre and one of the world’s top five cargo distribution hubs.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321237-thailand-pm-unveils-plan-to-become-global-cargo-distribution-hub/

 

Thailand Plans Year-End Ban on Recreational Cannabis

 

File photo for reference only

 

In a bid to assert greater control over recreational cannabis consumption, Thailand is set to impose a ban by the end of the year, according to statements from the country's health minister in an exclusive interview with Reuters.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321241-thailand-plans-year-end-ban-on-recreational-cannabis/

Chem-mess: Essex man and Thai girlfriend nabbed for flat folly
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Essex Live

 

An Essex man and his Thai girlfriend have been arrested for running a nefarious chemsex operation from her West London flat.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321245-chem-mess-essex-man-and-thai-girlfriend-nabbed-for-flat-folly/

 

Pakistani man arrested for posting nude pictures of Thai ex-wife
by Petch Petpailin

 

Immigration Bureau officers arrested a Pakistani man for posting nude pictures of his Thai ex-wife on social media platforms.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321246-pakistani-man-arrested-for-posting-nude-pictures-of-thai-ex-wife/

 

Don Mueang Airport combats congestion with designated drop lanes
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Skytrax

 

An initiative to combat heavy traffic congestion at Don Mueang International Airport‘s Terminal 2 will see the enforcement of designated passenger drop lanes for taxi drivers starting today, March 1.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321247-don-mueang-airport-combats-congestion-with-designated-drop-lanes/

 

Off-duty officer causes multiple collision in Samut Prakan
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A police officer driving under the influence of alcohol caused a multi-vehicle collision in Samut Prakan province, claiming a gearbox issue led to the crash.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321250-off-duty-officer-causes-multiple-collision-in-samut-prakan/

 

That tricky thing called no-confidence debate

 

 

One “tradition” that Move Forward will find hard to challenge concerns the parliamentary censure of the government. Although opposition MPs are not required to do it every time it is permissible, they do it every time it is possible nonetheless

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321274-that-tricky-thing-called-no-confidence-debate/

 

Thailand drafts landmark law opening surrogacy services to foreign couples

 

 

The Public Health Ministry is currently drafting an amendment, to the law on the protection of children born through the application of assisted reproductive technology, to allow foreign couples access to surrogacy services in Thailand, said Arkhom Praditsuwan, deputy director-general of the Health Service Support Department.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321275-thailand-drafts-landmark-law-opening-surrogacy-services-to-foreign-couples/