NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday 31 July 2024

The director of the governments Budget Bureau yesterday confirmed the government can fund its 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme by using the fiscal year 2025 budget, provided it reallocates funds from canceled projects. This response addressed the opposition Move Forward Party's concerns about the scheme's impact on economic growth.

At least 25 Bangkok local authority, BMA officials are suspected of colluding in a bidding scheme, inflating the purchase price of gym equipment  for seven projects to more than  77 million baht. One suspect resigned, and the rest are being transferred pending further investigation. Findings will be sent to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The BMA discovered an unjustifiable requirement for bidders to have won at least 40 previous contracts of similar value.

A high-ranking police officer who received several  scam phone calls, ordered an investigation, which lead to the arrest of three Chinese suspects in eastern Bangkok. Police seized a device called a SIMBOX with 32 SIM card slots and 37 other items. The suspects were traced through the phone number used in the scam.
Locally 

Hua Hin Airport is due to  conduct a live fire drill today  
in front of the airport's eastern tunnel. 

The airport advised local residents and drivers to expect a significant amount of smoke in the area between 4 and 6pm. 

Around the region.

Malaysia will spend 100 million ringgit to improve facilities in three states that border Thailand,  both countries have pledged to improve border security and increase trade. 

The announcement came ahead of prime minister Anwar ibrahims summit with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, due to take place in two border towns this weekend. 

Taiwan reached an agreement with China yesterday over the deaths of two Chinese fishermen in a maritime incident following months of negotiations, a move that could tone down tensions in the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan's coast guard said a settlement had been reached for the families of the fishermen, who died while trying to flee after their boat entered prohibited waters.

Todays  Weather

Chiang Mai and the north:  Cloudy with rain  28C degrees celsius

Bangkok:   Cloudy with Thunderstorms  32

Pattaya:  Cloudy with thunder showers  30

Phuket and the south: Cloudy thundershoweers 30

Hua Hin: bright but Cloudy with some showers this afternoon  32

Much the same over the weekend .

AQI: green which is good 
Green clear, yellow moderate, Orange High,  Red unhealthy.  

Credits: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Asean Now, Khaosod English,  Hua Hin  Today, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times. The Irrawaddy. Wunderground.com
The Pattaya News, Phuket News, Windy.com. 

-- SURF 102.5 FM 2024-07-31

Listen Live: Surf 102.5

Facebook:  Surf 102.5

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe