NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 1 March 2024

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Thailand will ban recreational use of marijuana by the end of this year but continue to allow its use for medical purposes, according to the minister of health.

Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to free up medicinal use in 2018, and then recreational use in 2022, tens of thousands of cannabis shops have sprung up in an industry projected to be worth up to US$1.2 billion dollars by next year.

 

A  property tycoon faces charges of money laundering and alleged involvement in a Credit Union Cooperative fund embezzlement scandal,

The former chairman of Land and Houses Plc, is due to report to prosecutors on 2nd April.

The case involves the purchase and re-sale of three plots of land in Pathum Thani, which were investigated by the anti corruption commission. 

 

Customs officials at Suvarnabhumi airport intercepted two parcels bound for Australia containing moisturizing cream tubes stuffed with heroin  

The drugs were valued at around  21 million baht and weighed 7.2 kilograms,. This seizure adds to the 64 batches of illicit drugs valued at 351.3 million baht confiscated by customs officials from October 1st of last year to February 29th.

 

The government intends to boost tourism in the southern provinces, aiming to make them top tourist destinations. The Prime Minister is on a 3 day trip to the south where he emphasized the need for a well-planned development strategy and upgrading border checkpoints to attract more visitors and increase tourism revenues.

 

Six domestic airlines have agreed to 38 flights or around 13,000 additional seats during the Songkran holiday which should help reduce the price of tickets. 

The Civil Aviation Authority said the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic and a 30% increase in fuel excise taxes were the main reasons for  higher domestic ticket prices.. 

 

Around the region

    
China is taking measures to defend its sales of electric vehicles and batteries in Europe and the United States against growing challenges to its expansion. China's minister of commerce expressed“strong dissatisfaction” toward an ongoing European Union probe into China’s exports of EVs claiming “the investigation that lacked factual evidence”.

WEATHER 

 

Chiang Mai and the north: sunny, 38C

Bangkok: sunny partly cloudy, 35C

Pattaya: cloudy with showers  32C

Phuket and the south: Sunny, partly cloudy 33C

Hua Hin: Sunny partly cloudy, winds light from the South 33C

AQI Green to  yellow moderate, Orange High    
Green clear, yellow moderate, Orange High, Red unhealthy.  

Credits: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Asean Now, Khaosod English,  Hua Hin Today, Royal Coast Review, Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn, Thainewsroom.com, The Pattaya News, Phuket News, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times. The Irrawaddy. Windy.com. Wunderground.com
 

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- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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