THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 5 April 2024

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When does the 21-day Songkran Festival in Thailand begin? A Chinese tourist raised the question as he launched a video of himself getting ready for a water fight in Bangkok without any Songkran events, asking the Thai government when it would start.

 

Chinese tourist asks govt when 21-day Songkran Festival begins

By Petch Petpailin | Photo via Twitter/ @SleeplessBKK

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324146-chinese-tourist-asks-govt-when-21-day-songkran-festival-begins/

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UPDATE:

 

Drunk British motorist causes severe accident in Pattaya City
by Top Top

 

Picture courtesy of Pattaya News

 

Pattaya City police were alerted to a significant road accident involving an alleged drunk British man and a local motorbike taxi driver in front of Wat Chai, Banglamung, in Chon Buri

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324154-allegedly-intoxicated-british-man-on-motorbike-crashes-into-pattaya-taxi-injures-two-girls/?do=findComment&comment=18819517

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Thai police suspect Russian and Thai firms in money laundering

 

Picture of police questioning people at a raided location in Phuket courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Police in Phuket yesterday and today carried out a series of eight raids prompted by suspicions of a Russian man’s involvement in money laundering and the establishment of fraudulent companies by certain Thais.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324140-thai-police-suspect-russian-and-thai-firms-in-money-laundering/

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Deputy PM Anutin urges Phuket officials to get tough with foreign offenders. Time to be less considerate
by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Anutin Charnvirakul urged officials in Phuket to get tougher with misbehaving foreigners on the island. He said it was time to stop being considerate. Mr Anutin called for revoking the visa of any foreigner who harasses locals to make a living. His comments came a day after an Austrian tourist, 58-year-old Gernot Kuhberger, attacked his limousine driver after being told he could not smoke. The tourist had just arrived at Phuket International Airport. At length, he was being taken to his accommodation on the island.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324177-anutin-urges-phuket-officials-to-get-tough-with-foreign-offenders/

 

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Water crisis hits Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui, tap water rationed
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

On Koh Pha Ngan, a water crisis since late March has led to a stringent rationing of tap water which affected both locals and tourists.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324178-water-crisis-hits-koh-pha-ngan-and-koh-samui-tap-water-rationed/

 

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Jakrapob Penkair: Red-shirt founder on mission to repatriate Thailand’s political exiles
 

File photo : Jakrapob Penkair

 

Jakrapob Penkair, a former Prime Minister’s Office minister and red-shirt leader, is back in Thailand after 15 years in self-imposed exile under the shadow of lese majeste and other accusations following coups in 2006 and 2014.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324179-jakrapob-penkair-red-shirt-founder-on-mission-to-repatriate-thailand’s-political-exiles/

 

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Govt’s back against the wall over digital wallet scheme – Move Forward MP

 

 

The government now has its back against the wall over the the 500 billion baht needed to fund the “digital wallet” scheme, the timeline for which keeps moving back, said Move Forward MP Sirikanya Tansakul during the general debate on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324180-govt’s-back-against-the-wall-over-digital-wallet-scheme-–-move-forward-mp/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Portuguese Woman Arrested after Threatening Phuket Taxi Driver with a Knife
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Rawai-A Portuguese woman was arrested after she was caught on a viral video carrying a knife and allegedly threatening to assault a female taxi driver at a hotel in Rawai.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324181-portuguese-woman-arrested-after-threatening-phuket-taxi-driver-with-a-knife/

 

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Khon Kaen parents forced to pay ‘tea money’ for student admission
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Photo courtesy of Thailand News

 

Eight secondary schools in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen found themselves in hot water as officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) launched an investigation into alleged corruption practices.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324182-khon-kaen-parents-forced-to-pay-‘tea-money’-for-student-admission/

 

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Thai monk arrested for drinking alcohol and approaching nuns
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Channel 8

 

Thai police arrested a Thai monk last night and forced him to quit the monkhood after he was caught drinking alcohol and trying to enter the rooms of two nuns at a temple in the Isaan province of Buriram.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324183-thai-monk-arrested-for-drinking-alcohol-and-approaching-nuns/

 

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Two navy conscripts die in early morning Chachoengsao road crash
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A tragic road accident claimed the lives of two people early this morning when a van carrying navy conscripts collided with an 18-wheeler in Chachoengsao province. The van, which was hired by navy personnel returning to their homes for the Songkran holiday break, veered off course when the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324185-two-navy-conscripts-die-in-early-morning-chachoengsao-road-crash/

 

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Ex-Boyfriend of Passenger Mistakenly Attacks Pattaya Bolt Driver
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya — A Thai man mistakenly attacked a Bolt driver in Pattaya, thinking the driver was the new boyfriend of his former girlfriend.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324186-ex-boyfriend-of-passenger-mistakenly-attacks-pattaya-bolt-driver/

 

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Two Illegal Russian Tour Guides Arrested in Rawai and Karon
By Goongnang Suksawat

 

 

Phuket – Two male and female illegal Russian tour guides were arrested in Rawai and Karon on Wednesday (April 3rd).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324187-two-illegal-russian-tour-guides-arrested-in-rawai-and-karon/

 

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Immigration Inspections and Crime Awareness Drive Before Songkran Festival

 

 

Under the leadership of Pol. Lt. Gen. Chatchai Samniang, head of Chiang Rai Provincial Police, thorough inspections of hotel accommodations and public awareness campaigns regarding the reporting of residences under Article 38 of the Immigration Act, BE 2522, were carried out by the Chiang Rai Immigration Office on April 4th.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324192-immigration-inspections-and-crime-awareness-drive-before-songkran-festival/

 

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Online Loan Shark Gang Crushed: 2,000% Annual Interest!

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) dismantled a major online loan shark gang in Chai Nat province, imposing an exorbitant 2,000% annual interest rate and enforcing a 7-day repayment deadline.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324193-online-loan-shark-gang-crushed-2000-annual-interest/

 

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NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 5 April 2024
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324195-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-5-april-2024/

 

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Hua Hin News 04/24 - Events, Day trips, Death Railway, HH Sailing, Stateless people, property advice

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324196-hua-hin-news-0424-events-day-trips-death-railway-hh-sailing-property-advice/

 

 

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Thailand’s airports to see more than two million jet-setters
by Mitch Connor

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

The Transport Ministry anticipates a surge of 2.61 million travellers across Airports of Thailand (AOT)’s six international hubs during the seven-day Songkran festivities.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324197-thailand’s-airports-to-see-more-than-two-million-jet-setters/

 

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Thai condo market dominated by Chinese and Russian investors
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Expats

 

Foreign buyers from China and Russia dominated the Thai condominium market in 2023, as per data from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC). The report disclosed a total of 14,449 units, valued at 73.2 billion baht, were purchased by international buyers, marking a 25% increase from 2022.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324198-thai-condo-market-dominated-by-chinese-and-russian-investors/

 

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Reckless Handling of Gasoline Causes Pattaya Shop Fire, One Person Injured
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya — A man was filling bottles with gasoline while smoking a cigarette when the gasoline suddenly caught fire and burned the man and his house, causing him moderate injuries.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324199-reckless-handling-of-gasoline-causes-pattaya-shop-fire-one-person-injured/

 

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Governor warns of fuel station scams this Songkran
by Mitch Connor 

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

To safeguard consumers against potential exploitation during the upcoming Songkran festivities, Prachuap Khiri Khan’s provincial authorities have unleashed a new campaign. Led by Deputy Governor Komkrit Charoenpatanasombat, the crackdown aims to ensure fair pricing at fuel stations across the province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324201-governor-warns-of-fuel-station-scams-this-songkran/

 

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MFP alleges govt embezzlement in RTN frigate procurement
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture of Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand’s leading opposition group the Move Forward Party (MFP) has levelled charges at the government for alleged embezzlement about the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) planned acquisition of a new frigate.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324202-mfp-alleges-govt-embezzlement-in-rtn-frigate-procurement/

 

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Laem Phromthep’s sunset spectacle threatened by caterpillars
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture of the iconic palm trees on Laem Phromthep courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

 

Laem Phromthep, a popular sunset viewpoint in Phuket known for its iconic Palmyra palm trees, is under threat due to an infestation of black-headed caterpillars.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324203-laem-phromthep’s-sunset-spectacle-threatened-by-caterpillars/

 

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Thailand grapples with scorching 43C heatwave and health risks
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture of tourists neat the Grand Palace courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a health warning today as Thailand grapples with a heatwave as temperatures soar to extreme highs of up to 43 degrees Celsius in the north, northeast, and central regions, compounded by moderate to high levels of dust accumulation and smoke haze.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324204-thailand-grapples-with-scorching-43c-heatwave-and-health-risks/

 

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Thai student arrested for using AI to create explicit celebrity images
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Police in Chon Buri Province arrested a 25 year old man for allegedly creating and distributing explicit images of celebrities using artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324205-thai-student-arrested-for-using-ai-to-create-explicit-celebrity-images/

 

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Thai Tourists undeterred by Taiwan earthquakes for Songkran
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of China Daily

 

Despite Taiwan experiencing its most significant earthquake in a quarter of a century and a series of tremors in Japan, Thai tourists are undeterred and continue with their planned holidays during the Songkran period.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324206-thai-tourists-undeterred-by-taiwan-earthquakes-for-songkran/

 

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Teen gang fatally shoots boy in Udon Thani province
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A group of teenagers ruthlessly chased down and fatally shot a 14 year old boy in the Nong Han District, Udon Thani province, leaving two of his peers severely injured.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324207-teen-gang-fatally-shoots-boy-in-udon-thani-province/

 

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Bangkok repays 2.3 billion baht in debt owed to BTS Skytrain
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ กรุงเทพมหานคร

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced yesterday that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had repaid its 2.3 billion baht in debt to the Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS. It is hoped that this debt repayment will give the private sector confidence to invest in future projects with the BMA.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324208-bangkok-repays-23-billion-baht-in-debt-owed-to-bts-skytrain/

 

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Armed man shot by police at hospital in Phetchaburi after standoff
by Nattapong Westwood 

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A man armed with a gun and a knife caused havoc at Cha-am Hospital in Phetchaburi, resulting in a confrontation with the police that led to him being shot and injured.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324210-armed-man-shot-by-police-at-hospital-in-phetchaburi-after-standoff/

 

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AWC set to scoop jackpot from Thailand’s casino legalisation
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of REm Magazine

 

Tisco Securities indicated that Asset World Corporation (AWC), a luxury hotel and retail centre operator, stands to gain significantly from the government’s plan to legitimise casinos within entertainment complexes. This move is part of the government’s strategy to attract high-spending tourists and curb revenue losses from illicit gambling.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324211-awc-set-to-scoop-jackpot-from-thailand’s-casino-legalisation/