Conservation factions call for review into Land Bridge initiative
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of ThaiPost

 

A call for a thorough investigation of the government’s Land Bridge initiative has been made by Chumphon and Ranong conservation factions, citing concerns about potential corruption and negative societal impacts.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321787-conservation-factions-call-for-review-into-land-bridge-initiative/

 

Thailand braces for intense heatwave and summer storms
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of Freepik

 

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for sweltering to intense heat this weekend across upper Thailand, with the risk of summer storms causing heavy rainfall, potential hail, and strong winds.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321789-thailand-braces-for-intense-heatwave-and-summer-storms/

 

Illegal migrant labour and sex work challenge Thailand’s tourism

Photo of Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Lin Kiu, Unsplash

 

Migrant workers, who have illegally entered Thailand by taking advantage of visa-free privileges, continue to pose a challenge in the country’s tourism sector, particularly within the sex industry. This issue has led to calls from operators for the government to legalise sex work.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321791-illegal-migrant-labour-and-sex-work-challenge-thailand’s-tourism/

 

UPDATE:

 

Drug dealing British backpacker celebrated wedding days before arrest
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Viral Press via Daily Mail

 

Andrew Brett, the British backpacker arrested for drug dealing in Koh Tao was reported to have just celebrated his wedding to a Thai-born wife just days before he was apprehended.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321469-british-man-arrested-for-allegedly-selling-lsd-and-ecstasy-on-turtle-island-in-surat-thani/?do=findComment&comment=18747734

Thai opposition parties call for debate over govt’s slow policy fulfilment
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of พรรคก้าวไกล - Move Forward Party (Facebook)

 

The six opposition parties in Thailand have decided to demand a general debate, alleging that the government has been slow to fulfil its core policies declared when it assumed office six months ago.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321793-thai-opposition-parties-call-for-debate-over-govt’s-slow-policy-fulfilment/

 

Purge on foreign 'owned' businesses, ‘Swissgate’ update - Tim Newton Today - March 7

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321794-purge-on-foreign-owned-businesses-‘swissgate’-update-tim-newton-today-march-7/

 

UPDATE:

 

Swiss man’s visa revoked after physical assault on Thai doctor
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via ThaiRath

 

The Immigration Bureau revoked the visa of the Swiss man involved in the physical assault on a female Thai doctor near Yamu Cape in Phuket last week.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321554-update-swiss-man’s-visa-revoked/?do=findComment&comment=18747788

 

Drug mule busted with 30 kg of cannabis at Manchester Airport
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo courtesy of Manchester Evening News

 

Manchester Crown Court witnessed a case where a 27 year old man was exposed as a drug mule caught with a staggering 30 kilogrammes of cannabis at Manchester Airport.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321797-drug-mule-busted-with-30-kg-of-cannabis-at-manchester-airport/

 

Bangkok Hospital to purge decade-old medical records

 

File photo

 

Bangkok Hospital Headquarters has announced a major purge of medical records for patients who haven't contacted them in over ten years.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321798-bangkok-hospital-to-purge-decade-old-medical-records/

 

Thailand’s revamped tax system promises economic boost
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In a bid to shield the public from economic turmoil, Thailand’s Finance and Interior Ministries have unleashed a slew of reforms, spearheaded by Paopoom Rojanasakul, secretary to the finance minister.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321799-thailand’s-revamped-tax-system-promises-economic-boost/

 

Trang locals vexed by PEA’s abrupt power cuts over minimal dues
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of Kapook

 

Residents in Trang province are experiencing a wave of frustration following a stringent new policy by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) that has led to the abrupt disconnection of electricity services and the removal of metres for overdue payments as low as 100 baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321800-trang-locals-vexed-by-pea’s-abrupt-power-cuts-over-minimal-dues/

 

Japan to consider increase in import quota for Hom Thong bananas

 

 

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries (MAFF) has asked Thailand to wait until the existing 8,000 tonnes import quota of Hom Tong banana is exhausted before applying for an increase.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321815-japan-to-consider-increase-in-import-quota-for-hom-thong-bananas/

Vacharaesorn back in Thailand on Wednesday

 

Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse//his FB

 

Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, aka “Than On” returned to Bangkok on Wednesday, according to his Facebook page. He is the second eldest son of HM the King and his former royal consort Sujarinee Vivacharawongse.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321817-vacharaesorn-back-in-thailand-on-wednesday/

 

Mae Sot braces for possible influx of refugees from Myanmar in April-Paithan

 

 

The Thai government should establish a safety zone or a humanitarian corridor at the Thai-Myanmar border, close to Mae Sot district of Tak province, in anticipation of a mass influx of refugees from Myanmar in March and April, when fighting between government troops and rebel forces is expected to intensify, said a security expert today.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321818-mae-sot-braces-for-possible-influx-of-refugees-from-myanmar-in-april-paithan/

Khon Kaen to develop light rail transit system next year

 

 

Construction of Thailand’s first light rail transit (LRT) system, in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen, is expected to commence early next year, scheduled for completion and public service in 2027, according to Suradej Thaveesangsakulthai, CEO of the CHO Thavee company.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321819-khon-kaen-to-develop-light-rail-transit-system-next-year/

 

PM Srettha to Address Wildfire Crisis Upon Return from Europe

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - During his mission abroad, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed concern after receiving reports about wildfires in the northern region of Thailand.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321820-pm-srettha-to-address-wildfire-crisis-upon-return-from-europe/

National Anti-Corruption Commission to Probe Deputy Police Chief Over Bribery Claims

 

 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has initiated an investigation into allegations against Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, also known as Big Joke, and four other police officers. The probe focuses on claims that they accepted bribes from a gambling website, leading to potential dereliction of duty.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321824-national-anti-corruption-commission-to-probe-deputy-police-chief-over-bribery-claims/

 

Medical Experts Warn Against LSD ‘Death Stamps’

 

 

The Department of Medical Services (DMS) has issued a warning about the dangers associated with “death stamps,” pieces of blotting paper infused with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), which can lead to severe mental health issues. These colorful papers, placed under the tongue, release the drug slowly, providing an initial euphoria that can swiftly turn into hallucinations, auditory issues, and distorted perceptions.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321825-medical-experts-warn-against-lsd-‘death-stamps’/

Pattaya Taxi Driver Allegedly Under the Influence Causes Car Crash

 

 

A female taxi driver in Pattaya reportedly admitted to being intoxicated after she had crashed her taxi into two cars on Khao Talo Road early Thursday morning, March 7th.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321826-pattaya-taxi-driver-allegedly-under-the-influence-causes-car-crash/

DSI to probe legitimacy of land certificates on Phuket’s Yamu peninsula

 

 

Officials from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will conduct a field inspection of the Yamu peninsula in Phuket next Tuesday, to investigate the legitimacy of the Nor Sor 3 Kor certificates issued for over 16 hectares of land on the peninsula.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321829-dsi-to-probe-legitimacy-of-land-certificates-on-phuket’s-yamu-peninsula/

 

Seven sexual assaults on women per day in Thailand – report

 

 

The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) has called for the promotion of gender equality across all sectors, as statistics reveal that seven women fall victim to sexual assault and abuse daily.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321831-seven-sexual-assaults-on-women-per-day-in-thailand-–-report/

 

Thaksin to visit Chiang Mai next week

 

 

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra is set to travel in his private jet to visit his home province of Chiang Mai next week, an informed source said today.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321832-thaksin-to-visit-chiang-mai-next-week/

 

Major Snake Trafficker Arrested

 

 

PHICHIT, March 7 (TNA) – The police on Thursday arrested a woman at her house in Phichit and seized a large number of Indo-Chinese Rat Snakes, a protected species.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1321833-major-snake-trafficker-arrested/

 

to continue:

 

Thailand Live Friday 8 March 2024
https://aseannow.com/topic/1321841-thailand-live-friday-8-march-2024/