On June 16, 2024, a tragic incident marred the annual Rocket Festival at Ban Sang Bu Temple in Roi Et Province. The normally joyous event, which attracts numerous locals and visitors to Phon Sai Sawang Subdistrict, Phon Thong District, ended in disaster when a rocket explosion caused significant injuries among the attendees.

 

Explosion strikes annual rocket festival in Roi Et: 30 injured

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329912-explosion-strikes-annual-rocket-festival-in-roi-et-30-injured/

 

New COVID Sub-variant KP.2 on the Rise in Thailand

 

File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Thailand is witnessing a swift rise in cases of the COVID-19 KP.2 sub-variant, a mutation overtaking the previously prevalent JN.1 strain. Dr Yong Poovorawan, leading the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, highlighted the situation on his Facebook page earlier today.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329918-new-covid-sub-variant-kp2-on-the-rise-in-thailand/

 

PM Tests Positive for Covid-19, Set to Return Wednesday

 

Srettha Thavisin. FIle photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has tested positive for Covid-19 and is advised to rest until next Wednesday, June 19. The Prime Minister's Office confirmed the diagnosis late last night, revealing that Srettha has been feeling unwell since Friday, June 14.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329919-pm-tests-positive-for-covid-19-set-to-return-wednesday/

 

Macau Casino Company Considers Major Investment in Thailand’s Entertainment Sector

 

File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

In a move that could revolutionise Thailand's entertainment landscape, MGM China Holdings recently indicated its interest in making a significant investment in the country.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329920-macau-casino-company considers-major-investment-in-thailand’s-entertainment-sector/

 

Russian Man Arrested in Phuket Over 50 Stolen Coral Rocks

 

Picture courtesy: MGR online

 

Police in Phuket have detained a Russian man accused of stealing more than 50 pieces of coral rock from the sea. The arrest took place yesterday following a coordinated effort between local police and tourist police.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329921-russian-man-arrested-in-phuket-over-50-stolen-coral-rocks/

 

No Link Found Between Cannabis Decriminalisation and Psychiatric Cases

 

File photo courtesy: Daily News

 

Professor Panthep Puapongphan, Dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, addressed recent concerns regarding the alleged increase in psychiatric patients following the decriminalisation of cannabis on June 9, 2022. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329922-no-link-found-between-cannabis-decriminalisation-and-psychiatric-cases/

 

Thailand Tourism Industry Slumps: Urgent Reforms Needed

 

Picture courtesy: Kapook

 

Thailand's tourism industry has hit a significant roadblock, plummeting 11 places in the latest World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel and Tourism Development Index, a call for urgent reforms and innovation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329923-thailand-tourism-industry-slumps-urgent-reforms-needed/

 

Thailand Poised to Make History with Marriage Equality Bill

 

File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Thailand is on the verge of a momentous milestone with the impending approval of the Marriage Equality Bill. This legislation, which is set for its final round of Senate voting later this month, has the potential to make Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to recognise and uphold marriage equality.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329924-thailand-poised-to-make-history-with-marriage-equality-bill/

 

Thaksin's Indictment Could be Delayed Again Due to Hospitalisation

 

File photo courtesy: Siam Rath

 

Warong Dechgitvigrom, chairman of the Thai Pakdee Party, has suggested that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra might use illness as a reason to avoid facing indictment in a lese majeste case.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329925-thaksins-indictment-could-be-delayed-again-due-to-hospitalisation/

 

Pattaya Bay Water Turns Black Due to Wastewater Discharge

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

A startling sight of blackened seawater in Pattaya Bay has alarmed residents and tourists, yet city officials have quickly clarified the source of the pollution. 

 

Full story:  https://aseannow.com/topic/1329926-pattaya-bay-water-turns-black-due-to-wastewater-discharge/

 

Drug Bust at Newly Opened NASA Pub in Chonburi

 

Picture courtesy: Amarin TV

 

An early morning raid on the newly-opened NASA pub in Chonburi resulted in the arrest of 157 revellers for drug use, according to reports. Simultaneously, authorities found numerous sachets of narcotics discarded on the floor, Amarin TV revealed.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329927-drug-bust-at-newly-opened-nasa-pub-in-chonburi/

 

Pattaya Mayor Strengthens Ties with Irish Tourism

 

Picture courtesy: Pattaya Mail

 

In a significant push to boost international tourism, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet welcomed H.E. Patrick Bourne, Ambassador of Ireland to the Kingdom of Thailand, and his delegation. The high-profile visit centred on strengthening tourism ties and implementing measures to support Irish tourists in Pattaya.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329928-pattaya-mayor-strengthens-ties-with-irish-tourism/

 

Survey Reveals Pollution as Thai Citizens’ Biggest Worry

 

Picture courtesy: MGR online

 

A survey by Marketbuzzz reveals that Thais have named pollution and other environmental issues as their top public concern for 2024, with 30% of respondents prioritising it, closely followed by rising prices at 28%.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329929-survey-reveals-pollution-as-thai-citizens’-biggest-worry/

 

Pattaya Residents Protest Motorcycle Rentals Taking Over Parking Spaces

 

Picture courtesy: Matichon

 

Pattaya residents are expressing frustration over motorcycle rental businesses dominating public parking spaces along Beach Road, causing significant inconvenience for both locals and tourists.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329930-pattaya-residents-protest-motorcycle-rentals-taking-over-parking-spaces/

 

Italian Footballer Mario Balotelli Spotted Training Muay Thai in Phuket

 

Picture courtesy: Sanook

 

In an unexpected turn of events, Italian football sensation Mario Balotelli has been spotted training at a Muay Thai camp in Phuket, Thailand. Photos of Balotelli, who is 33, were posted by the ‘Kamala Muay Thai’ gym, capturing the attention of fans worldwide.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329931-italian-footballer-mario-balotelli-spotted-training-muay-thai-in-phuket/

 

Pheu Thai’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra Aims to Reclaim Bangkok Seats

 

Paetongtarn Shinawatra. File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Pheu Thai’s leader, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is stepping up to revive her party's fortunes in Bangkok after last year's crushing defeat by the Move Forward Party (MFP).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329932-pheu-thai’s-paetongtarn-shinawatra-aims-to-reclaim-bangkok-seats/

 

PM Visits Renowned Hua Hin Station to Bolster Regional Tourism

 

Picture courtesy: National News Bureau of Thailand

 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made headlines today as he paid a visit to the newly renovated Hua Hin Railway Station in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329935-pm-visits-renowned-hua-hin-station-to-bolster-regional-tourism/

 

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Monday 17 June 2024
 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329936-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-monday-17-june-2024/

 

Filipina Woman Overstays in Thailand for Over 4 Years

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

A Filipino woman who had entered and exited Thailand 26 times has been caught overstaying in the country for over four years. Thai police discovered her during a routine inspection aimed at curbing immigration-related offences.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329937-filipina-woman-overstays-in-thailand-for-over-4-years/

 

Thailand Climbs 11 Spots to 75th in Global Peace Index 2024

 

Picture courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Thailand's standing in the Global Peace Index (GPI) has seen a notable improvement, with the nation advancing 11 slots to secure the 75th position.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329938-thailand-climbs-11-spots-to-75th-in-global-peace-index-2024/

Sweden Pitches Gripen Fighter Jets to Thailand  

 

File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

SAAB, the renowned aviation and defence company, has made a strong case for selling its state-of-the-art Gripen fighter jets to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329939-sweden-pitches-gripen-fighter-jets-to-thailand/

 

Thailand Raises Concerns Over Ukrainian Food Security Amid Conflict

 

File photo courtesy: Wikimedia

 

Thailand has voiced concerns about the ongoing disruption of food supply chains due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by spokesman Nikorndej Balandura, highlighted these issues in a recent statement.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329940-thailand-raises-concerns-over-ukrainian-food-security-amid-conflict/

 

EC Pushes for Move Forward Party Dissolution Amid Controversy

 

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

The Election Commission (EC) has stepped up its legal efforts to dissolve the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) by submitting additional documents to the Constitutional Court.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329941-ec-pushes-for-move-forward-party-dissolution-amid-controversy/

 

Ancient Skeletons Revealed: Excavations to Resume Post-Rainy Season

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Post

 

Further archaeological excavation is set to continue at a site in downtown Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima, where three ancient human skeletons were discovered last month.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329942-ancient-skeletons-revealed-excavations-to-resume-post-rainy-season/

 

Phuket Enhances Tourism Safety with Comprehensive Lifeguard Training

 

Picture courtesy: Thai News

 

Phuket’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS Phuket) is spearheading a workshop to bolster water tourism safety in the Andaman Tourism Development Zone. The Generation 1 project commenced on June 14 and continues today at the Nai Yang Beach Resort & Spa and Sirinat National Park.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329943-phuket-enhances-tourism-safety-with-comprehensive-lifeguard-training/

 

RTN Delivers 154 Tons of Water to Drought-Hit Koh Larn

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) vessel HTMS Ravi delivered more than 154 tonnes of fresh water to residents of Koh Larn in Pattaya, addressing an ongoing drought.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329944-rtn-delivers-154-tons-of-water-to-drought-hit-koh-larn/

 

3,000 Candidates Reach National-Level Senatorial Election
by TNR Staff

 

The provincial level senatorial election that took place yesterday, June 16, 2024. Photo: Naewna

 

THE second stage of the senatorial election that took place at the district level nationwide yesterday (June 16) saw 3,000 candidates elected to join the final round scheduled for June 26, Naewna newspaper said this morning (June 17).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329946-3000-candidates-reach-national-level-senatorial-election/

 

Red-shirts rally at court to support Thaksin amid lese majeste case
by Ryan Turner

 

Image: AP/Sakchai Lalit

Supporters of the red-shirt movement are set to gather at the Criminal Court tomorrow morning to show their support for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is due to hear the Office of the Attorney-General’s (OAG) decision on a lese majeste case against him.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329947-red-shirts-rally-at-court-to-support-thaksin-amid-lese-majeste-case/

 

Chumphon Tour Bus Crash Leaves Two Dead, Many Injured

 

Picture courtesy: Siam News

 

A tour bus and a truck carrying rubber wood logs collided yesterday, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries. The collision took place in Chumphon province, causing significant disruption and distress.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329948-chumphon-tour-bus-crash-leaves-two-dead-many-injured/

 

Russian Tourist Drowns Ignoring Warnings at Surin Beach, Phuket

 

Picture via Facebook/ Speednews ภูเก็ต

 

A Russian man tragically drowned on June 16th after swimming in rough seas at Surin Beach in Phuket, defying a red flag warning signalling dangerous conditions. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1329949-russian-tourist-drowns-ignoring-warnings-at-surin-beach-phuket/