BANGKOK  - Bangkok is gearing up for the upcoming Songkran festival, with over 1,600 officials and volunteers, including firefighters and medical personnel, preparing to ensure the safety of tourists in Phra Nakhon district's popular spots such as Khao San and Silom roads. The “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024” will take place at Sanam Luang, while the Songkran beauty pageant is scheduled at Santi Chai Prakan Park on Phra Athit road.

 

Bangkok Boosts Safety for Songkran Festival

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324455-bangkok-boosts-safety-for-songkran-festival/

 

 

PM to host special meeting on Myanmar situation on Tuesday

 

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will host a special meeting tomorrow to discuss the situation in Myanmar, particularly focusing on the recent developments in Myawaddy township, which has fallen into the hands of rebel forces.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324463-pm-to-host-special-meeting-on-myanmar-situation-on-tuesday/

Cases of Legionnaires’ disease found among foreign tourists in Hua Hin
By Online Reporter

 

 

Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan have intensified their surveillance of Legionnaires’ disease after identifying five cases among foreign nationals in the region.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324469-cases-of-legionnaires’-disease-found-among-foreign-tourists-in-hua-hin/

 

Myanmar Junta Used Chartered Plane To Fly Cash From Mae Sot To Yangon
by TNR Staff

 

The chartered flight that landed at Mae Sot airport last night and the pick-up truck believed to be carrying cash next to it. Photo: Thai Rath

AFTER Karen National Union (KNU) and People’s Defence Force (PDF) fighters yesterday (Apr. 7) captured Myawaddy town, just across the border from Thailand’s Mae Sot town, Myanmar authorities used a chartered plane to fly things, believed to be cash, plus officials from Mae Sot airport to Yangon with Thai government’s permission , Thai Rath and Matichon newspapers said today.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324470-myanmar-junta-used-chartered-plane-to-fly-cash-from-mae-sot-to-yangon/

 

Monk’s naked beach dip in Phuket sparks misunderstanding
by Mitch Connor 

 

PHOTO VIA:ROMAN ODINTSOV FROM:Pexels.com

The Karon Municipality in Phuket has put to rest concerns raised by locals over an incident involving a 67 year old monk, Phra Manop Nonthakho, who was believed to have stripped naked at Karon Beach.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324471-monk’s-naked-beach-dip-in-phuket-sparks-misunderstanding/

 

Chiang Mai declares more districts as disaster zones amid wildfires
by Mitch Connor

 

PHOTO VIA:icon0 com FROM:Pexels.com

 

Wildfires continue to blaze through Chiang Mai, leading the local authority yesterday to declare three additional districts as disaster zones.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324472-chiang-mai-declares-more-districts-as-disaster-zones-amid-wildfires/

Gunfire Erupts Near Pattaya Walking Street, Women Assaulted
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya —Two Thai women filed a complaint to Pattaya police after being allegedly assaulted and threatened with a gun by a group of teenagers near Pattaya Walking Street last weekend. The group also fired a gun on the street, terrifying tourists, the victims said.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324473-gunfire-erupts-near-pattaya-walking-street-women-assaulted/

 

Chonburi Merchant Loses One-Million-Baht in Life Savings in House Fire
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Chonburi — A female merchant in Chonburi lost her life savings worth over one million baht after it was incinerated along with her rented house in a fire that occurred early Monday morning, April 8th, 2024.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324474-chonburi-merchant-loses-one-million-baht-in-life-savings-in-house-fire/

 

Hua Hin hosts thrilling Thai Jet Ski Championship
By Online Reporter 

 

 

The shores of Don Hua Beach in Khao Takiab became a battleground for speed and skill last weekend as the Thai Jet Ski Championship kicked off its 2024 season with the “Vana Nava Water Jungle – Toyota Waterjet Pro Tour Thailand.”

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324475-hua-hin-hosts-thrilling-thai-jet-ski-championship/

 

Bangkok Police Arrest Six Members of Local Gang Involved in Illegal Firearms Trade and Felony Crimes
By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

 

Bangkok—At 3:30 AM, on April 8th, 2024, the Thai metropolitan police officers captured six local gang members who allegedly conspired to commit felony crimes including attempting murder, illegally selling firearms, and other offenses, at a residence in Nong Chok, Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324476-bangkok-police-arrest-six-members-of-local-gang-involved-in-illegal-firearms-trade/

Pattaya Police Stop Suspicious Motorcyclist, Find Drugs and Gun
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya — Pattaya police arrested a Thai motorcyclist whom they decided to pull over due to his suspicious demeanor. However, the suspect fled but was later arrested with illegal drugs and a gun.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324477-pattaya-police-stop-suspicious-motorcyclist-find-drugs-and-gun/

65-year-old lady shocked as 'Giant Python' creeps into house

 

Picture: Daily News

A massive python slithering into the home of a 65-year-old lady left her nearly shocked to the core. She promptly called for rescue assistance, speculating whether the serpent sneaked in seeking warmth or perhaps to offer a stroke of luck, not missing the chance to test her home's lottery numbers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324478-65-year-old-lady-shocked-as-giant-python-creeps-into-house/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Tuesday 9 April 2024
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324480-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-tuesday-9-april-2024/

 

 

8 Lao women arrested in Thailand for prostitution
The sex trade is technically illegal in Thailand, but laws against it are rarely enforced
By RFA Lao

 

Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau raid a karaoke shop April 4, 2024 in Bang Pakong district, Thailand. Manager Online

Authorities in Thailand have arrested eight Lao women, seven of whom entered the country illegally to work as prostitutes, and one who worked as their madam, Radio Free Asia has learned.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324481-8-lao-women-arrested-in-thailand-for-prostitution/

 

Bangkok Port relocation set to combat pollution and congestion
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Bnagkok Port Centre

 

The Bangkok Port, a 32-rai facility located next to the Chao Phraya River in the Klong Toey district, is slated for relocation as per government orders. The decision aims to repurpose the area for public advantage.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324482-bangkok-port-relocation-set-to-combat-pollution-and-congestion/

 

Northern Thailand prepares for severe summer storms
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Thailand is currently bracing for a series of summer storms that are expected to unleash heavy rains, hail, and strong winds across the northern regions of the country.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324484-northern-thailand-prepares-for-severe-summer-storms/

 

Bank of Thailand likely to cut policy rate, predicts CIMB Thai Bank
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of Bank of Thailand

 

The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is predicted to lower its policy rate tomorrow, providing a short-term stimulus to the nation’s economy, which has been hampered by budget disbursement delays. Amonthep Chawla, lead economist at CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT), believes the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will favour a reduction in the policy rate at the upcoming meeting, with a predicted 4-3 vote.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324487-bank-of-thailand-likely-to-cut-policy-rate-predicts-cimb-thai-bank/

 

Government Clarifies Songkran Celebration Confusion for Chinese Tourist
by Naark Rojanasuvan

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has offered an explanation about a Chinese tourist who was under the impression that Bangkok would be hosting continuous water fights during the Songkran festival, based on the government's 21-day celebration announcement.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324490-government-clarifies-songkran-celebration-confusion-for-chinese-tourist/

 

Tourist turmoil: DoT’s legal action unfolds in online saga #คัลแลนพี่จอง
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

The Department of Tourism (DoT) is set to take legal action against a tour company and an unlicensed guide involved in a recent online drama that escalated under the hashtag #คัลแลนพี่จอง. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324493-tourist-turmoil-dot’s-legal-action-unfolds-in-online-saga-คัลแลนพี่จอง/

 

Karenni Army Mounts Fierce Attack On Town Opposite Mae Hong Son
by TNR Staff

 

Aerial view of fighting along the border in Myanmar. Photo: Naewna

 

AFTER Karen National Union (KNU) and People’s Defence Force (PDF) fighters almost fully seized Myawaddy town, oppositie Thailand’s Mae Sot town, with one Myanmar junta battalion holding out, the Karenni Army (KA) and their allies stepped up their attacks at two townships and Pha Song town opposite Mae Hong Son province’s Mueang district, Naewna newspaper said this morning (Apr. 9).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324494-karenni-army-mounts-fierce-attack-on-town-opposite-mae-hong-son/

 

Bangkok Council joins in exchanging opinions on planning and creating the Bangkok City Plan
by Thaiger

 

Council meeting for the Bangkok City Plan (4th Revision) | Photo via Bangkok

Wirat Meenchainunt, Chairman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) attended the meeting with a delegation from the Office of Urban Planning and Development to jointly determine guidelines for improving the regulations and recommending other appropriate city planning measures in planning and creating the Bangkok City Plan at the Bangkok Council meeting room, Bangkok City Hall 2 (Din Daeng).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324495-bangkok-council-joins-in-exchanging-opinions-on-planning-and-creating-the-bangkok-city-plan/

 

Fraud frenzy: Thai police reveal Internet scam’s billion-baht blow
by Mitch Connor

 

Picture courtesy of Herald Sun

 

Online consumer fraud, the leading Internet scam, has resulted in damages exceeding 1 billion baht in the initial quarter of the year, as disclosed by the Royal Thai Police (RTP).

 

Full story:: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324496-fraud-frenzy-thai-police-reveal-internet-scam’s-billion-baht-blow/

Thailand seeks more flight routes from Laos and China
by Mitch Connor 

 

The Government of Thailand has its sights set on elevating the country’s aviation industry, with plans in the pipeline to request additional flight routes from Laos and China within the next two years. The move is part of a broader “Ignite Thailand” vision, articulated by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, aiming to position Thailand as a hub in eight key sectors, including aviation, by the year 2030.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324499-thailand-seeks-more-flight-routes-from-laos-and-china/

 

Chinese investors linked to cadmium tailings trade in Thailand
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ กระทรวงทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม-ประเทศไทย

 

The Thai authorities have confirmed that Chinese investors were accountable for the trading of 13,832 tonnes of cadmium tailings in Thailand. Further cadmium waste has been uncovered in the provinces of Samut Sakhon and Chon Buri, with 5,358 tonnes of the chemical waste still unaccounted for.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324500-chinese-investors-linked-to-cadmium-tailings-trade-in-thailand/

 

Maybank’s bet: Thailand casinos could hit jackpot, boosting GDP
by Alex Morgan

 

Picture courtesy of The San Diego Union-Tribune

 

Maybank Securities, a unit of Malaysia-based Maybank, forecasts that the potential introduction of casinos in Thailand with gambling facilities could yield an annual revenue of 187 billion baht, equivalent to about 1% of Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324502-maybank’s-bet-thailand-casinos-could-hit-jackpot-boosting-gdp/

 

Singkhon border checkpoint may become permanent crossing
By Online Reporter

 

 

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Thamanat Prompow, has begun steps to upgrade the Singkhon border crossing in Prachuap Khiri Khan to a permanent checkpoint.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324503-singkhon-border-checkpoint-may-become-permanent-crossing/

 

Phuket hotel evicts foreigner who threatened taxi driver with knives

By Peter Roche

 

PHOTO: Khaosod English

A Ukrainian-Portuguese woman who threatened a Phuket taxi driver while holding knives behind her back has been evicted from her hotel. But not from the province (at this stage anyway).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324504-phuket-hotel-evicts-foreigner-who-threatened-taxi-driver-with-knives/

 

Local health director fatally stabbed at charity concert in Loei
by Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Tragedy struck at a charity concert hosted by a renowned school when the director of a local health promotion hospital was fatally stabbed. The incident occurred today, April 9, when 54 year old Boonkua (surname withheld) was seen walking behind the stage to urinate in the bushes at around 4.30am, only to emerge running before collapsing.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324505-local-health-director-fatally-stabbed-at-charity-concert-in-loei/

 

NZ PM Luxon visits Thailand next week
 

File photo : New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon//AFP

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is scheduled to make a three-day official visit to Thailand next week, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324506-nz-pm-luxon-visits-thailand-next-week/

 

UPDATE:

 

Thai staff seek justice after German attack in Farang Bar, Pattaya

Photo of Petch Petpailin

Photo via Facebook/ หนังสือพิมพ์รายวัน.สยามประชา

 

Another day in Thailand and yet another day where a foreigner behaves badly, ironically, this time in Pattaya’s Farang Bar. Two Thai female employees are seeking justice after a German man attacked them at a bar where they worked on Sunday, April 7. The German accused the bar of overcharging him.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324382-western-engineer-assaults-pattaya-bar-women-in-row-over-bill/?do=findComment&comment=18829998