Thai-China high-speed rail set to boost ASEAN connectivity
by Mitch Connor

 

Aerial photo shows a construction site of the China-Thailand railway in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. Picture courtesy of Xinhua

 

Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang projected a significant enhancement in the collaboration between Thailand and China upon the conclusion of the anticipated high-speed rail project.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323202-thai-china-high-speed-rail-set-to-boost-asean-connectivity/

 

Thai tensions thaw as peace talks resume between NSC and BRN
by Mitch Connor 

 

Peace Dialogue Panel members (from left): Chatchai Bangchuad, Thailand’s chief negotiator, General Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, Malaysian facilitator, and Anas Abdulrahman, announce progress in the talks to achieve peace in the Deep South. Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Peace talks between Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC) and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) are set to continue next month, despite recent setbacks, according to deputy spokeswoman Rudklao Suwankiri.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323204-thai-tensions-thaw-as-peace-talks-resume-between-nsc-and-brn/

 

Thailand grapples with surge in illegal foreign workers in tourism

by Alex Morgan

 

Picture of foreign workers courtesy of ASEAN Now

 

The Labour Ministry of Thailand has expressed worries over the persistent issue of foreigners being unlawfully employed within the country’s tourism sector.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323212-thailand-grapples-with-surge-in-illegal-foreign-workers-in-tourism/

 

Two Thai employees die, another injured in factory explosion in Taiwan

 

 

Two Thai workers were killed and another seriously injured in an explosion at an aluminium factory in Taiwan on Saturday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323213-two-thai-employees-die-another-injured-in-factory-explosion-in-taiwan/

 

Thailand govt releases 1.35 trillion baht from 2024 budget
by Alex Morgan

 

Comptroller-General Patricia Mongkhonvanit, courtesy of Embassy of Denmark in Thailand

 

Between October 1, 2023, and March 8, a whopping 1.35 trillion baht has been released from the 2024 fiscal budget by the Thailand government, according to data from the Comptroller-General’s Department.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323215-thailand-govt-releases-135-trillion-baht-from-2024-budget/

 

Transport ministry investigating 10,600+ complaints about taxis

By Peter Roche

 

FILE PHOTO

Thailand’s Transport Ministry says it’s considering new measures to address a raft of complaints about taxis after a huge number of complaints in a 6 month period.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323217-transport-ministry-investigating-10600-complaints-about-taxis/

Chinese EV investments in Thailand linked to zero dollar tours
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Unsplash

 

Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) makers’ investments in Thailand have sparked comparison with a notorious scam, the zero dollar tours, among some industry insiders. The scam, which came into the limelight in 2016, involved Chinese tourists being enticed with inexpensive tour packages in Thailand, only to be compelled to purchase overpriced souvenirs and services.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323218-chinese-ev-investments-in-thailand-linked-to-zero-dollar-tours/

 

UPDATE:

Metropolitan Police Bureau investigate Thai policewoman’s abuse
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture of Chontaros Sukdayotin courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A distressing online complaint from a Thai policewoman, newly inducted into the force, has prompted an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Bureau in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323187-police-officer-suffers-from-depression-after-enduring-abuse-during-training/?do=findComment&comment=18791724

 

Booze battle: Thailand still missing the middle path in alcohol control

 

 

No less than four draft laws on alcohol control will soon go before Parliament, but none appear to contain a middle path that will satisfy everyone.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323231-booze-battle-thailand-still-missing-the-middle-path-in-alcohol-control/

 

Senator begins debate against government today with scathing attack on PM

 

 

Senator Seree Suwanpanont kicked off the Senate’s general debate against the government today by criticising the premier for acting like a salesman during his overseas visits, eroding the justice system by applying the law of the land selectively and in favour of a certain individual and under-performing without any tangible achievements, among other failures.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323232-senator-begins-debate-against-government-today-with-scathing-attack-on-pm/

 

PM orders assurance of proper care for Thai workers killed and injured in Taiwan

 

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered the relevant authorities to ensure that the families of the two Thai workers killed in Taiwan are appropriately compensated, and that the third Thai worker, who was seriously injured, receives proper care, said Government Spokesman Chai Wacharonke today.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323233-pm-orders-assurance-of-proper-care-for-thai-workers-killed-and-injured-in-taiwan/

 

“Digital wallet” scheme disbursements to start in Q4 : Julapan

 

 

About 50 million Thai people, who are eligible to receive the 10,000 baht benefit under the digital wallet scheme, will receive the payments within the fourth quarter of this year, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced at a press conference this afternoon.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323234-“digital-wallet”-scheme-disbursements-to-start-in-q4-julapan/

 

SRT Launches Campaign to Promote Local Artisans

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced the launch of the “OTOP Products by the Railway” campaign, offering free space at train stations for local artisans to sell their products. The campaign recently kicked off at the Bangkok Apiwat Central Station, drawing the interest of commuters, long-distance travelers, and foreign tourists alike.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323235-srt-launches-campaign-to-promote-local-artisans/

 

TDRI Proposes National Action to Combat PM2.5 Crisis

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has called for the establishment of a national committee and an agency dedicated to combating the PM2.5 air pollution crisis, a pressing issue for both Bangkok and the northern regions of Thailand. In a recent academic publication, TDRI outlines a comprehensive strategy to tackle the fine particulate matter that plagues the nation's air.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323236-tdri-proposes-national-action-to-combat-pm25-crisis/

 

Thailand Delivers Aid to Myanmar

 

 

BANGKOK, March 25 (TNA) — Thai Red Cross Society hands over humanitarian assistance for the people of Myanmar to Myanmar Red Cross Society as part of effort to scale up assistance for affected population along the Thai-Myanmar border

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323237-thailand-delivers-aid-to-myanmar/

Thai PM to Raise Money to Inject Thai Footballers at FIFA World Cup Qualifier

 

 

BANGKOK, March 25 (TNA) — Mr. Srettha Thavisin, a football-loving Prime Minister, announced fundraising plans to inject 3 million baht per point to Thailand’s national football team, gearing up for a crucial World Cup qualifier against South Korea, set to take place at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium on Tuesday.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323238-thai-pm-to-raise-money-to-inject-thai-footballers-at-fifa-world-cup-qualifier/

 

New Tiger found at Kaeng Krachan National Park

 

 

Phetchaburi, March 25 (TNA) — Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi Province announced the finding of a new tiger in a forest at Khao Panoen Thung which is considered a valuable and beautiful natural heritage in the country.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323239-new-tiger-found-at-kaeng-krachan-national-park/

“Strictly screen foreigners entering and leaving the Kingdom”, Deputy Chief of police

 

 

As Thailand’s tourism industry roars back to full speed, and attracting many new nationalities to the Land of Smiles, there has been a noticeable uptick in cases reported involving foreigners violating the law. Statistically, the rise has not been significant, but the reporting and social media frenzy over recent incidents, is spurring the police and Thai immigration officials into a reactive stance.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323240-“strictly-screen-foreigners-entering-and-leaving-the-kingdom”-deputy-chief-of-police/

 

Elderly man arrested in Ayutthaya after fatal shooting of wife

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Police captured a 72 year old man following a cross-province manhunt after he fatally shot his 75 year old wife, and fled to his hometown in Ayutthaya with the murder weapon in hand. The arrest occurred after meticulous investigative work pinpointed his hiding place.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323241-elderly-man-arrested-in-ayutthaya-after-fatal-shooting-of-wife/

 

Surfs up as Patong Beach launches safety sandbox for tourists

 

Picture of Patong Beach courtesy of Vacanze Studio Phuket

 

Phuket’s esteemed Patong Beach hosted a riveting safety demonstration for the Minister of Health, yesterday. The demonstration, which included surf life-saving techniques and appropriate medical responses to common injuries, was part of the grand launch of the Phuket Island Safety Sandbox scheme.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323242-surfs-up-as-patong-beach-launches-safety-sandbox-for-tourists/

 

Foreigners condemned for spray-painting Phuket footpath

 

Photo via ThaiRath and Facebook/ โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต

 

Thai netizens condemned two foreign men for spray-painting graffiti on a footpath and several spots in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323243-foreigners-condemned-for-spray-painting-phuket-footpath/

 

Lower court ordered to accept petition challenging True-DTAC merger

 

 

The Supreme Administrative Court has overturned the lower Administrative Court’s ruling by ordering it to accept for consideration the petition by five consumers, seeking the revocation of the telecom regulator’s consent for the merger of CP Group’s True and Telenor’s DTAC.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323248-lower-court-ordered-to-accept-petition-challenging-true-dtac-merger/

 

PM responds to senators’ criticism during general debate

 

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin defended his overseas trips and visits to neighbouring countries as being necessary to boost foreign investment in Thailand and to forge closer relationships with its neighbours.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323249-pm-responds-to-senators’-criticism-during-general-debate/

 

Woman apologises for provocative photos at Rama I monument

 

Picture courtesy of Sanook

 

Social media erupted with controversy when a provocative, scantily-clad young woman, followed by over 200,000 people on Facebook, posted suggestive, racy images of herself with the monument of King Rama I, the Great Statue of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, in the background. Her caption, “Please come visit my city,” quickly drew criticism, particularly from the people of Buriram province.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323250-woman-apologises-for-provocative-photos-at-rama-i-monument/

Thai PM considers turning air force base into commercial airport

 

Picture of Wing 1 of the Royal Thai Air Force for commercial flights, courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been approached by provincial authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima to convert the local air force base into a commercial airport. The appeal was made during a meeting yesterday, March 24, to foster business growth and encourage tourism in the province, according to deputy spokesperson Kenika Ounjit.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323251-thai-pm-considers-turning-air-force-base-into-commercial-airport/

 

Suspected murderer of casino boss and woman arrested in Phuket

 

Picture courtesy of Phuket News

 

A joint operation by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Phuket Provincial Police culminated in the apprehension of the alleged murderer. Thanya “Bom” Wichaidit, is a suspect in the murder of a casino crime boss in Surat Thani in 2022 and the recent fatal shooting of a young woman near Don Sak Police Station.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323252-suspected-murderer-of-casino-boss-and-woman-arrested-in-phuket/

 

Bangkok tuk tuk driver and tailor shop scam British YouTuber

 

Photo via YouTube Channel/ Phil Bland

 

A British YouTuber warned foreign tourists of a transport scam in Bangkok, recounting his experience when a tuk tuk driver and a tailor shop attempted to swindle him out of money.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323253-bangkok-tuk-tuk-driver-and-tailor-shop-scam-british-youtuber/

 

Thai monk’s alms lid swipe has woman in stitches

 

Photo via Facebook/ อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 6

 

A violent Thai monk struck a local woman with the lid of his alms bowl, leaving the victim with four stitches to her head. The monk’s thuggish attack was reportedly prompted by the woman’s delay in helping him pack his food offerings.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1323255-thai-monk’s-alms-lid-swipe-has-woman-in-stitches/

 

to continue:

 

Thailand Live Tuesday 26 March 2024 
https://aseannow.com/topic/1323264-thailand-live-tuesday-26-march-2024/