Thailand unveils new culinary gem: Koh Yao sea cucumber
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) unveiled the coveted Koh Yao sea cucumber, freshly adorned with a prestigious geographical indication (GI) stamp.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321485-thailand-unveils-new-culinary-gem-koh-yao-sea-cucumber/

 

Thai surrogacy revolution: Foreign couples welcome
by Samantha Rose

 

Photo courtesy of Freepik

 

Authorities in Thailand are on the brink of a groundbreaking change in surrogacy laws, poised to welcome foreign couples into the country for surrogate births, reveals the Department of Health Service Support.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321486-thai-surrogacy-revolution-foreign-couples-welcome/

 

Bangkok joins forces with Netherlands for eco-friendly urban mobility
by Thaiger

 

ACTIVE Workshop in Bangkok.

Bangkok has coordinated with the Dutch concept to design Bangkok into a walkable and cycling city.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321487-bangkok-joins-forces-with-netherlands-for-eco-friendly-urban-mobility/

 

OAG rules in favor of DNP in Nang Rong waterfall tourism dispute
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A recent ruling by a committee from the Office of Attorney-General (OAG) has settled a long-standing dispute between the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321488-oag-rules-in-favor-of-dnp-in-nang-rong-waterfall-tourism-dispute/

Thailand on fire, new airlines, hunger strikers - LIVE TNT March 4

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321489-thailand-on-fire-new-airlines-hunger-strikers-live-tnt-march-4/

 

Thai committee urges Pheu Thai to expedite political amnesty
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Committee of Relatives of the 1992 Black May Heroes, led by Adul Khiewboriboon, publicly requested the ruling Pheu Thai Party to expedite the process of granting amnesty for all political offenders, a promise made by the party. The group believes that political conflicts pose a significant risk to both economic and national security and could potentially impede Thailand’s progress.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321491-thai-committee-urges-pheu-thai-to-expedite-political-amnesty/

 

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul Addresses Alleged Foreign Mafia in Phuket, Vows to Take Serious Action
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket—On March 3rd, 2024, Mr. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the Deputy leader of the United Thai Nation, publicly revealed after visiting Phuket last week to inspect and gather information regarding an allegation of foreign mafia gangs in the area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321464-deputy-prime-minister-anutin-charnvirakul-addresses-alleged-foreign-mafia-in-phuket/

 

Woman dies in Lamphun as pickup crashes into tree

by Nattapong Westwood

 

PHOTO: via Chiang mai city life

A tragic road accident claimed the life of a 35 year old woman when her pickup truck veered off the road and crashed into a tree in Lamphun province. The victim, identified as Parichat Kunapong, was pinned behind the wheel, necessitating the use of rescue equipment to extricate her body.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321497-woman-dies-in-lamphun-as-pickup-crashes-into-tree/

 

UPDATE:

 

Swiss man targeted by Phuket locals demanding beach access restoration
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo courtesy of Phuket Info Centre

 

A Swiss man living in Phuket has been the target of a protest by over 500 locals and activists who gathered on Yamu beach in Thalang district.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321447-public-anger-boils-over-in-protests-in-phuket-against-swiss-man-mr-uli-and-private-beaches/?do=findComment&comment=18739140

Ex-PM Thaksin unlikely to take on advisory role in Thai govt
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo via Instagram/ @ingshin21

 

Former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has shown no inclination to take up an advisory role within the government following his release on parole, as reported by current Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. PM Srettha, who met Thaksin at his Bangkok residence last week, suggested that the former prime minister might prefer spending time with his family and focusing on his health, having spent the last 17-18 years away from Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321502-ex-pm-thaksin-unlikely-to-take-on-advisory-role-in-thai-govt/

 

UPDATE:

 

British man throws glass at Thai woman in anger over dog barking
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via Facebook/ Amavalee Tongfark

 

A Thai woman demanded a British man to apologise to her in public after he threw a glass at her in a fit of rage over a barking dog on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya on Saturday, March 2.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321451-foreign-man-throws-glass-at-a-thai-woman-in-a-dog-cafe/?do=findComment&comment=18739243

Swiss “doctor kicker” previously verbally assaulted an ambulance driver

By Peter Roche

 

PHOTO: Amarin TV

A Swiss man accused of kicking a female Thai doctor in the back also allegedly obstructed an ambulance and verbally assaulted its driver.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321505-swiss-“doctor-kicker”-previously-verbally-assaulted-an-ambulance-driver/

 

UPDATE:

 

Foreign mafia concerns raised in Phuket by UTN deputy
by Top 

 

Photo courtesy of The Pattaya News

 

In the stunning tourist hotspot of Phuket, a concerning situation has surfaced. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the Deputy leader of the United Thai Nation, has brought to light allegations of foreign mafia gangs operating within the area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321464-deputy-prime-minister-anutin-charnvirakul-addresses-alleged-foreign-mafia-in-phuket/?do=findComment&comment=18739442

Fatal crash on Chon Buri motorway claims Chinese, Malaysian lives
by Petch Petpailin 
 

Photo by แจ้งข่าวด่วนชลบุรี(ห้องสนทนา), เรื่องเล่าชาวชล, and มอเตอร์เวย์ via Facebook/ JS100 Radio

 

A Malaysian man and two Chinese nationals died while one Chinese woman was injured in a car accident on the Chon Buri motorway.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321509-fatal-crash-on-chon-buri-motorway-claims-chinese-malaysian-lives/

British National Detained at Phuket Airport for Alleged Reckless Driving in Phang Nga
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket-A British man, who was wanted by authorities, has been apprehended at the Phuket International Airport. He is suspected of being involved in a reckless driving accident that resulted in severe injuries in Phang Nga.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321510-british-national-detained-at-phuket-airport-for-alleged-reckless-driving-in-phang-nga/

Thai Swifties fall victims to e-ticket scams

 

 

Chopluem Thammapunya, a well-known social media influencer, planned her trip and chose her attire carefully, to ensure she could fully enjoy Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” concert in Singapore on Sunday.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321520-thai-swifties-fall-victims-to-e-ticket-scams/

 

Air Force to surrender golf course at Don Mueang airport to AoT

 

 

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has agreed, in principle, to hand over the Kantarat golf course, located between the two runways of Don Mueang airport, to Airports of Thailand Public Company (AoT) for the expansion of the airport.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321521-air-force-to-surrender-golf-course-at-don-mueang-airport-to-aot/

 

Former-PM Yingluck acquitted by Supreme Court

 

 

The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Offices acquitted former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and five other co-defendants today, from charges of abuse of authority over the bidding for the “Thailand 2022 Roadshow” project, worth 240 million baht.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321522-former-pm-yingluck-acquitted-by-supreme-court/

 

Staircase in Phuket where doctor was assaulted now a tourist attraction

 

Photo by Phuket Info Center

 

If you go to Phuket Island this summer, you should not miss taking photos with the stairway where a Swiss man allegedly kicked a Thai female doctor. People were seen queuing up at the spot, which is in front of a luxurious villa rented by the Swiss man.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321523-staircase-in-phuket-where-doctor-was-assaulted-now-a-tourist-attraction/

 

Ministries set to settle Khao Yai land dispute with an MoU

 

 

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is to be drafted, between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, to settle the land dispute related to areas for the land reform scheme and forest protection.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321525-ministries-set-to-settle-khao-yai-land-dispute-with-an-mou/

Khao Phra Viharn National Park Remain Closed Due to Forest Fire

 

 

SISAKET, March 4 (TNA) – Khao Phra Viharn National Park in Sisaket Province, has announced the extension of the closure of tourism and accommodation in the park area until March 8.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321526-khao-phra-viharn-national-park-remain-closed-due-to-forest-fire/

 

Flights cancelled due to power outage at Krabi Airport

 

PHOTO: MGR Online

 

A power outage at Krabi International Airport at the weekend resulted in several flight cancellations and hundreds of stranded passengers. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit called for the power to be restored urgently, following a short circuit on Saturday, March 2.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321527-flights-cancelled-due-to-power-outage-at-krabi-airport/

Indian man escapes after hitting Thai boy with motorcycle on footpath

 

Photo via Channel 7

 

An Indian man finally surrendered to police and paid 5,000 baht in compensation after he hit a six year old Thai boy with a motorcycle on a footpath in the Lat Krabang district of Bangkok on February 29.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321528-indian-man-escapes-after-hitting-thai-boy-with-motorcycle-on-footpath/

Thai pilot turns midwife to deliver baby on Taiwan to Bangkok flight

 

Picture courtesy of Reuters

 

In a tale straight out of a gripping Hollywood movie, a Thai airline pilot stepped up to the plate as the heroic Bruce Willis/John McClane-type protagonist to deliver a baby after a pregnant mother went into labour on a flight from Taiwan to Bangkok.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321529-thai-pilot-turns-midwife-to-deliver-baby-on-taiwan-to-bangkok-flight/

Thailand gov urges bank to cut interest rate amid economic crisis

 

Photo courtesy of Bank of Thailand

 

The ongoing feud between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput regarding interest rates remains the focus of media attention. Meetings of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) have been closely watched as elements of the government and business sector believe the central bank needs to reduce the policy rate. The MPC is set to meet six times in 2024, with the first meeting on Feb 7 concluding with the decision to keep the rate at 2.5%.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321530-thailand-gov-urges-bank-to-cut-interest-rate-amid-economic-crisis/

 

Checks ordered on foreigners in Phuket for possible links to organized crime

 

File photo : Phuket Deputy Governor Adul Chuthong//poc.phuket.go.th

 

The Phuket provincial administration has instructed all district officers to check the backgrounds and conduct of foreigners living on the resort island, including the Swiss man who allegedly assaulted a female Thai doctor, to ascertain whether they are members of extortion gangs or involved in organised crime.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321532-checks-ordered-on-foreigners-in-phuket-for-possible-links-to-organized-crime/

 

Chinese tourist’s beach drive ends in Phuket sand trap

 

Photo via Facebook/ Phuket Smart News

 

A Chinese national on holiday ignored a warning sign advising against driving on the beach and subsequently ended up getting his car stuck in the sand at Kamala Beach in Phuket province.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321533-chinese-tourist’s-beach-drive-ends-in-phuket-sand-trap/

 

Phuket road tragedy: Two vendors killed by speeding car

 

PHOTO: via KatarzynaBialasiewicz istock

 

A road tragedy in Phuket claimed the lives of two street vendors when a car, driven at high speed by an airline employee, collided with their motorcycle. The incident happened early in the morning on a local road in Thalang district.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321534-phuket-road-tragedy-two-vendors-killed-by-speeding-car/

 

Thai cop spills beans on bid to hush British backpacker’s drugs dealing bust

 

Picture of British backpaker Andrew Brett courtesy of Daily Mail

 

An unnamed Thai police officer revealed that his superiors attempted to suppress a story about the arrest of a British backpacker for selling Category 1 drugs on a notorious island in Thailand.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321535-thai-cop-spills-beans-on-bid-to-hush-british-backpacker’s-drugs-dealing-bust/

Thai minister ready to battle over funding for Russian helicopter

 

PHOTO: via Alessia Pierdomenico from flickr

 

Thai Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, is set to challenge the parliamentary subcommittee’s refusal to approve funding for a new Russian-made helicopter. The helicopter is intended to augment the capabilities of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), particularly in dealing with the country’s increasing wildfires and haze pollution.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321536-thai-minister-ready-to-battle-over-funding-for-russian-helicopter/