THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 4 April 2024

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A video of a foreign man attacking a Thai taxi driver on a road in the Thalang district of Phuket this morning went viral on Thai social media. The physical assault was reportedly sparked after the driver asked the foreigner to stop smoking in the cab.

 

Smokin’ scuffle: Foreigner’s taxi tantrum goes viral in Phuket

 

By Petch Petpailin

Photo via Facebook/ MRT Online ภาคใต้ and Newshawk Phuket

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324056-smokin’-scuffle-foreigner’s-taxi-tantrum-goes-viral-in-phuket/

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Deputy PM supports regulated cannabis use in Thailand

 

Picture courtesy of Pattaya News

 

In a significant public announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul voiced his stance on the ongoing cannabis debate in Thailand, declaring he supports regulated use. This followed an interview with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on France 24, in which the leader suggested the reclassification of marijuana as an illicit substance due to its deemed harmful effects on Thai society.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324045-deputy-pm-supports-regulated-cannabis-use-in-thailand/

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Thai government plans 7% VAT on imported goods from May
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Thai government, under the directive of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is preparing to implement a 7% value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods valued at 1 baht and above, starting in May.

 

Full. story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324016-thai-government-plans-7-vat-on-imported-goods-from-may/

 

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British man dies after bathroom fall at Chon Buri residence
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A British businessman met a fatal end today at 7.10am after slipping and falling onto a glass sliding door in the bathroom at his Chon Buri residence, resulting in glass impaling his chest.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324076-british-man-dies-after-bathroom-fall-at-chon-buri-residence/

 

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Chon Buri to be featured in the Michelin Guide 2025
 

 

The Michelin Guide Thailand is to feature Chon Buri in its 2025 edition, marking both its eighth year and the inclusion of Bangkok’s nearest seaside province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324077-chon-buri-to-be-featured-in-the-michelin-guide-2025/

 

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PM, Govt Warned To Not Repeat Mock Jail Sentence For Yingluck
By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

Former Democrat leader Jurin Laksanavisit. Photo: Thai Rath

 

PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin and the Pheu Thai-led government have been warned today (Apr. 3) to not repeat the alleged compromising and flaunting of the country’s rules of law in favour of deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra who is reportedly looking to return home from self-exile abroad.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324080-pm-govt-warned-to-not-repeat-mock-jail-sentence-for-yingluck/

 

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Thai man runs naked after Buddha statue grants conscription exemption
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Ejan

A Thai man honoured his vow to a Buddha statue at a shrine in the central province of Ang Thong by running naked after the statue granted conscription exemption.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324081-thai-man-runs-naked-after-buddha-statue-grants-conscription-exemption/

 

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Thai Driver Fined after Driving Sedan on Kamala Beach – Video
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Kamala, Phuket –A Thai driver was fined 1,000 Baht after he drove a sedan on the Kamala Beach.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324082-thai-driver-fined-after-driving-sedan-on-kamala-beach-–-video/

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NBTC excludes World Cup from ‘must have’ broadcast rule
by Alex Morgan

 

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board yesterday unanimously decided to exclude the World Cup football tournament from its “must have” rule, effective immediately.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324083-nbtc-excludes-world-cup-from-‘must-have’-broadcast-rule/

 

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Rayong fisherman nets suspected ambergris worth millions of baht
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A fishing expedition near Hua Hin beach in Rayong province recently turned up an unexpected catch for a local fisherman, who netted what appeared to be a lump of ambergris, a valuable substance used in the production of perfume.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324086-rayong-fisherman-nets-suspected-ambergris-worth-millions-of-baht/

 

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Government Aims for Tourism Supremacy
by Krajangwit Johjit

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced Thailand's ambitious goal to become a regional tourism hub, with plans to impress tourists from their arrival and throughout their stay.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324089-government-aims-for-tourism-supremacy/

 

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Phuket court to revive tourist section amid rising crime against visitors
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Achadthaya Chuenniran

 

The Phuket Provincial Court is set to revive its tourist section in response to an increasing number of court cases involving tourists.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324091-phuket-court-to-revive-tourist-section-amid-rising-crime-against-visitors/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday 4 April 2024
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324092-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-4-april-2024/

 

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Thailand explores extending emergency coverage to foreign tourists
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The possibility of extending the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) programme to safeguard foreign tourists is being explored by the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the National Institute for Emergency Medicine. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324095-thailand-explores-extending-emergency-coverage-to-foreign-tourists/

 

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Drunken monk in Bangkok detained for lewd acts, heavy metal amulets (video)
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of tabasphoto TikTok

 

Bangkok’s bustling streets witnessed a bizarre incident recently when a 62 year old man was detained by police for inappropriate behavior. The incident occurred at 7.30pm yesterday, April 3, when Bangkaew police officers from Samut Prakan province were alerted to a man, clad in monk’s robes, exhibiting drunken behaviour and leering at women’s breasts and buttocks in Kingkhaew Market.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324098-drunken-monk-in-bangkok-detained-for-lewd-acts-heavy-metal-amulets-video/

 

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DNP denies plans to transfer Lop Buri macaques to Khao Yai
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) has dismissed allegations that it plans to transfer macaques from Lop Buri to Khao Yai National Park. Atthapol Charoenchansa, the Director-General of DNP, clarified this during a media briefing on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324102-dnp-denies-plans-to-transfer-lop-buri-macaques-to-khao-yai/

 

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Police misconduct alleged at Thai festival after brawl
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of matichon

 

An incident at a beer garden during the Thao Suranari Victory Celebration in Nakhon Ratchasima Province turned violent, resulting in allegations of police misconduct. On the evening of April 2, a group of teenagers became embroiled in a brawl, which inadvertently implicated an innocent bystander.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324104-police-misconduct-alleged-at-thai-festival-after-brawl/

 

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Foreigners and their overseas income: what next?
By Barry Kenyon
 

File photo for reference only.

Many non-working expats are currently concerned about having to deal with more Thai bureaucracies.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324106-foreigners-and-their-overseas-income-what-next/

 

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Mango madness: Online frenzy over black streaks yields revelation
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A social media user’s concern about strange black lines in a mango sparked a significant online dialogue, leading to a flurry of comments and a revelation that these lines are not harmful to humans.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324109-mango-madness-online-frenzy-over-black-streaks-yields-revelation/

 

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Foreign diver faces fine for touching whale shark in Thailand (video)
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ อรรถพล เจริญชันษา

 

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) fined a foreign tourist for touching a whale shark while diving at Mu Koh Surin National Park in the southern province of Phang Nga.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324110-foreign-diver-faces-fine-for-touching-whale-shark-in-thailand-video/

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Child swipes phone in swift snatch at Bangkok eatery (video)
by Samantha Rose

 

Picture courtesy of Red Panda Yakiniku Facebook

 

Popular Bangkok restaurant Red Panda Yakiniku took to social media to share CCTV footage of a child sprinting into their establishment, stealing a mobile phone from the cashier’s counter, and fleeing.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324111-child-swipes-phone-in-swift-snatch-at-bangkok-eatery-video/

 

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Big Joke still laughing: Royal Thai Police delay investigation
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Thairath

 

Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, the Deputy National Police Chief, remains in his position as the Royal Thai Police (RTP) has yet to form a committee to investigate the allegations against him, according to the acting National Police Chief, Police General Kitrat Panphet.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324112-big-joke-still-laughing-royal-thai-police-delay-investigation/

 

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Thai ferry fire: Authorities blaze into action saving all aboard (video)
by Petch Petpailin 

 

Photo via Facebook/ กระแสข่าวพัทลุง

 

The Thai authorities successfully rescued 97 passengers and 11 crew members after a fire broke out on an overnight ferry travelling from the mainland in the southern province of Surat Thani to Koh Tao.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324115-thai-ferry-fire-authorities-blaze-into-action-saving-all-aboard-video/

 

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Here’s when Immigration in Hua Hin and Cha-am will be closed over Songkran
By Online Reporter

 

Prachuap Khiri Khan immigration office in Thap Thai. File photo

Extended holiday closures for Immigration offices in Hua Hin, Cha-am, and across Thailand

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324116-here’s-when-immigration-in-hua-hin-and-cha-am-will-be-closed-over-songkran/

 

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Bangkok woman arrested for 360 million baht medical glove fraud
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Police arrested a 27 year old female sales representative for allegedly defrauding international companies through a fake medical glove business. The arrest took place yesterday at a residence in the Lat Phrao 71 Alley, Lat Phrao Road, Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324118-bangkok-woman-arrested-for-360-million-baht-medical-glove-fraud/

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Thai comedian’s monkhood plans pickled in debt controversy

 

Picture courtesy of Sanook

 

Controversy has erupted around a Thai comedian as he prepares to enter monkhood amid a storm of online criticism and debt claims from a pickled crab seller. The comedian’s decision to ordain follows a public dispute over unpaid debts, which has led to widespread condemnation from netizens and creditors alike.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324130-thai-comedian’s-monkhood-plans-pickled-in-debt-controversy/

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Dark history to exotic delights: Cambodia and Thailand tourist strategy

 

Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

In the race for international tourist supremacy, Thailand and Cambodia are deploying contrasting tactics. While Thai PM Srettha Thavisin opts for traditional methods, Cambodia is embracing a darker approach, urging visitors to explore its tragic past.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324133-dark-history-to-exotic-delights-cambodia-and-thailand-tourist-strategy/

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Thai PM hooked on Kaeng Tai Pla despite TasteAtlas critique

 

Photo via Facebook/ เศรษฐา ทวีสิน - Srettha Thavisin and ThaiRath

 

Kaeng Tai Pla may not have tickled the taste buds of international food critics on the TasteAtlas platform but it still won the hearts of the Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and many locals in Thailand. Surprisingly, its title as the world’s worst food sparked a surge in sales of the dish, particularly in Thailand’s southern provinces, proving that even in the culinary world, there’s no such thing as bad publicity.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324066-“kaeng-tai-pla”-rated-the-worst-dish-in-the-world-by-tasteatlas/?do=findComment&comment=18818784

 

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Counterfeit 1,000-baht notes found in central and east provinces

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Counterfeit 1,000-baht notes have hit businesses hard in two provinces, with shop owners in Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi reeling from the circulation of fake currency.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324134-counterfeit-1000-baht-notes-found-in-central-and-east-provinces/

 

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Analysts predict BoT to maintain policy rate despite weak baht

 

 

There’s a growing consensus among financial analysts that the Bank of Thailand (BoT) won’t lower its policy rate during its April 10 meeting, despite a weakening baht and economic outlook. This perspective is strongly held by Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research), according to Kanjana Chockpisansin, the head of research.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324136-analysts-predict-bot-to-maintain-policy-rate-despite-weak-baht/