The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced that a discount of roughly 20% will be applied to early morning and late-night domestic flights during the Songkran holiday. This move is aimed at providing an economical travel option for all holidaymakers.

 

Discounted domestic flights for Songkran announced by CAAT

Image courtesy of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Facebook

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322116-discounted-domestic-flights-for-songkran-announced-by-caat/

 

UPDATE:

 

Thai millionaire and her secretary found dead at house in Hua Hin

 

Photo via Naewna

 

Police are investigating the deaths of a millionaire and her secretary at a house in the Hua Hin district in the southern province of Prachuap Kiri Khan. A letter left at the scene suggested that the secretary accidentally shot her employer dead before committing suicide.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322118-thai-millionaire-and-her-secretary-found-dead-at-house-in-hua-hin/

 

Threat from contaminated fruit and vegetables from China part of a wider problem facing the kingdom
by Joseph O' Connor

 

Industry Minister Pimphattra Wichaikul has ordered the Customs Department to step up checks on imports from China. The plan is to ensure that all Chinese imports meet Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) requirements. It comes with rising concerns about cheap imported fruit and vegetables from China contaminated with pesticides.

Contaminated Chinese imports threaten Thai markets. Shift from China to India ahead. The Thai retail and manufacturing sector is under pressure from tainted imports. Government urged to tighten oversight. Manufacturing and agriculture are at risk.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322123-threat-from-contaminated-fruit-and-vegetables-from-china-part-of-a-wider-problem/

 

No Pheu Thai MPs To Skip House Meeting To See Thaksin: Chief Govt Whip
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra. Photo: Thai Rath

 

NO PHEU THAI MPs would skip a House meeting to see de facto party boss-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra in Chiang Mai on the upcoming Thursday, said chief government whip Wisut Chainarun today (Mar. 11).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322124-no-pheu-thai-mps-to-skip-house-meeting-to-see-thaksin-chief-govt-whip/

 

American Man Allegedly Sexually Assaults Pregnant Horse in Phuket
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Thalang – An 18-year-old American man allegedly sexually assaulted a pregnant horse in Thalang.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322125-american-man-allegedly-sexually-assaults-pregnant-horse-in-phuket/

 

Pattaya Tourist Police Patrol Walking Street to Ensure Tourist Safety
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya —Pol. Maj. Gen. Phongsayam Meekanthong, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Tourist Police, led a security patrol on Pattaya Walking Street yesterday in a display of commitment to tourist safety.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322126-pattaya-tourist-police-patrol-walking-street-to-ensure-tourist-safety/

 

The arrest of Norwegian woman part of bigger picture
by Lærke Kobberup

 

It was announced on 8 March 2024 that the Norwegian woman Ms. Unni had been arrested for operating as a taxi driver in Koh Phangan.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322127-the-arrest-of-norwegian-woman-part-of-bigger-picture/

 

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi soars to seventh heaven in luxury airport rankings
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo by Joy Presbitero via Unsplash

 

Travel magazine and website Travel + Leisure ranked Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok as the seventh place most luxurious airport in the world. It was also rated second in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322128-bangkok’s-suvarnabhumi-soars-to-seventh-heaven-in-luxury-airport-rankings/

 

Songkran Celebration: Health Ministry Sets Alcohol Sales Guidelines

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Today, at the Ministry of Public Health in Nonthaburi, Minister Cholnan Srikaew chaired a meeting of the Alcohol Control Committee, approving guidelines for alcohol control during the 2024 Songkran Festival.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322132-songkran-celebration-health-ministry-sets-alcohol-sales-guidelines/

 

Thai Muslims to Begin Ramadan
By Aim Tanakorn

 

Thai Muslims will begin observing Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, on Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 as announced by the Office of Chularajmontri.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322138-thai-muslims-to-begin-ramadan/

 

Thailand must prepare for a possible influx of Myanmar’s young people
by Kavi Chongkittavorn

 

People gather outside the embassy of Thailand to get visas in Yangon on February 16 after Myanmar’s military government said it would impose military service.//AFP

The State Administration Council’s (SAC) plans to draft more soldiers to fight the resistance forces poses serious challenges for Thailand’s volatile and porous border.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322139-thailand-must-prepare-for-a-possible-influx-of-myanmar’s-young-people/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Tuesday 12 March 2024

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322140-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-tuesday-12-march-2024/

 

True Corporation and AIS to review auction of key spectrum bands
by Alex Morgan 

 

Photo courtesy of Thanarak Khunton

 

True Corporation and Advanced Info Service (AIS), both leading mobile phone service operators, are gearing up to review a draft concerning the auction of three key spectrum bands, 850 megahertz, 2100MHz and 2300MHz.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322141-true-corporation-and-ais-to-review-auction-of-key-spectrum-bands/

 

UPDATE:

PM Given 139 Million Baht In Funding For World Tours In Fiscal 2024
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris Monday, March 11, 2024.  Photo: Thai Rath

 

THE GLOBETROTTING PRIME MINISTER Srettha Thavisin has been given a sum of 139 million baht in government funding at his disposal with which he may travel the world over for the current fiscal year, according to a government official.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322092-pm-srettha-sets-record-for-trips-overseas/?do=findComment&comment=18760101

 

Thai SEC approves private funds to invest in Bitcoin ETFs
by Alex Morgan 

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Asset management firms have been granted permission by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to initiate private funds that invest in Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322142-thai-sec-approves-private-funds-to-invest-in-bitcoin-etfs/

 

Investigation launched into alleged land encroachment at Khao Yai National Park
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo courtesy of Prasit Tangpresert

 

A probe has been set in motion regarding allegations of land encroachment at Khao Yai National Park, with a firm commitment from authorities to reclaim properties illegally built on plots meant for landless farmers and penalise all officials implicated in the scandal.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322145-investigation-launched-into-alleged-land-encroachment-at-khao-yai-national-park/

 

Chef Pam of “Potong” wins Asia’s Best Female Chef 2024
 

Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij //Photo by bychefpam.com

Thai gastronomic innovator and restaurant owner Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij has been named Asia’s Best Female Chef 2024 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322146-chef-pam-of-“potong”-wins-asia’s-best-female-chef-2024/

 

Transcending trouble: Thai transwomen tussle with tourists in Phuket

 

Photo via Instagram/ @phuketinsta
 

A video has gone viral in Thailand of two Thai transwomen physically assaulting some foreign men in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322147-transcending-trouble-thai-transwomen-tussle-with-tourists-in-phuket/

 

Sidecar saga: 70 year old's 600km epic journey to the seaside
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ TV5HD Online

 

A 70 year old Thai man was so determined to enjoy the seaside for the first time in his life that he successfully rode his sidecar motorcycle over 600 kilometers from the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani to Koh Chang, an island in the eastern province of Trat.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1322149-sidecar-saga-70-year-olds-600km-epic-journey-to-the-seaside/Full story: 

 

Indian passenger robbed by Chinese man on flight to Bangkok
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ Cop Hero Thailand Magazine

 

Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station officers arrested a Chinese man for stealing cash and a Rolex watch worth over 500,0000 baht from an Indian man on a flight from India to Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322150-indian-passenger-robbed-by-chinese-man-on-flight-to-bangkok/

 

Laundrygate: Defence Ministry of Thailand digs into laundry scandal
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

The Ministry of Defence launched an investigation in response to a viral video alleging a soldier was compelled to wash his commander’s wife’s underwear.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322152-laundrygate-defence-ministry-of-thailand-digs-into-laundry-scandal/

 

Spouses of Cabinet Ministers Visit Pattani to Boost Tourism Confidence
by Naark Rojanasuvan
 

Spouses of Cabinet members have visited the southern province of Pattani to build confidence in tourism.

PATTANI (NNT) - Leading the group were the Prime Minister's spouse, Pakpilai Thavisin, and Puangpet Chunlaiad, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office. The visit aimed to contribute to the role of women in generating income for the locals.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322153-spouses-of-cabinet-ministers-visit-pattani-to-boost-tourism-confidence/

 

UPDATE:

 

Alcohol sales to tighten up during Songkran festival

 

 

In a bid to reduce road accidents caused by drunk driving during the extended “World Songkran Festival”, which takes place between April 1st and 21st, the Ministry of Public Health has decided to tighten up controls on the sale of alcohol, especially to those who are under age.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322132-songkran-celebration-health-ministry-sets-alcohol-sales-guidelines/?do=findComment&comment=18760600

Phuket Beach Entrance Reopened After Local Protests
By Goongnang Suksawat

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

Public access to Phuket’s Laem Nga Beach has been restored after a resolution was reached between provincial authorities and Cape Nga Development Co.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322154-phuket-beach-entrance-reopened-after-local-protests/

 

Scandal hits Government House with 500,000 baht lawn
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

The eagerly awaited overhaul of Government House’s front lawn, allegedly costing a staggering 498,352 baht, is on the brink of completion, according to insider sources.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322155-scandal-hits-government-house-with-500000-baht-lawn/

 

‘Private’ beaches reclaimed, American assaults a pregnant horse in Phuket - Tim Newton Today - March 12

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322156-‘private’-beaches-reclaimed-american-assaults-a-pregnant-horse-in-phuket-tim-newton-toda/

 

DSI denies releasing Sanga Kungwan’s wife amid tax fraud probe
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) refutes allegations of releasing Sanga Kungwan’s wife from detention to reunite with her husband overseas.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322157-dsi-denies-releasing-sanga-kungwan’s-wife-amid-tax-fraud-probe/

 

Thai man survives black bear attack during ant egg hunt (video)

by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via KhaoSod

 

A Thai man survived an attack by an Asian black bear while hunting for ant eggs within the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary in the Isaan province of Buriram at the weekend.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322162-thai-man-survives-black-bear-attack-during-ant-egg-hunt-video/

Srettha’s enthusiastic outreach yet to bear fruit for Thailand’s economy

 

Photo : PM’s FB

 

In over six months in office, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has earned kudos for his efforts to win back the confidence of international investors, but there’s little else to show for all the travels and meetings.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322174-srettha’s-enthusiastic-outreach-yet-to-bear-fruit-for-thailand’s-economy/

 

GLO to launch digital lottery outlets on March 17th

 

 

The Government Lottery Office (GLO) is set to launch the sale of digital lottery tickets through registered lottery dealers on March 17th, to provide buyers with another channel through which to buy lotteries at the controlled price of 80 baht.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1322177-glo-to-launch-digital-lottery-outlets-on-march-17th/