ETDA plugs in: Powering up Thailand’s digital economy for 2024

Phuket, Thailand’s picturesque island getaway, has earned the unfortunate distinction of being the world’s most overcrowded destination. Once renowned for its serene beaches and tranquil atmosphere, Phuket now sees tourists outnumbering locals by an astonishing 118 to one.

 

Phuket Named World’s Most Overcrowded Destination Amid Tourism Boom

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338016-phuket-named-world’s-most-overcrowded-destination-amid-tourism-boom/

Thai Hotels Struggle as Mid-Priced Rooms Fail to Attract Tourists

File photo

 

Thailand's hotel industry grappled with occupancy challenges in August, particularly within the budget and mid-priced segments. Despite a nationwide average occupancy rate improvement to 61.8% from 58.4% year-on-year, levels still lagged behind the pre-pandemic figure of 64.7%.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338003-thai-hotels-struggle-as-mid-priced-rooms-fail-to-attract-tourists/

Court Issues Arrest Warrants for Tak Bai Massacre Defendants After No-Shows

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

The Narathiwat Court has issued arrest warrants for six defendants linked to the tragic "Tak Bai massacre" following their failure to attend their court hearings. The high-profile case revisits a dark chapter in Thailand’s history, nearly two decades after the deadly event took place.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338035-court-issues-arrest-warrants-for-tak-bai-massacre-defendants-after-no-shows/

 

Alleged Drunk Driver Causes Traffic Jam in Pattaya After Refusing to Exit Car Following Collision
By Aim Tanakorn

 

 

Pattaya — An allegedly heavily intoxicated Thai driver in Pattaya caused a traffic jam after refusing to exit her car following a minor collision.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338037-alleged-drunk-driver-causes-traffic-jam-in-pattaya-after-refusing-to-exit-car/

 

Construction Crane Collapses Nakhon Sawan, Leaving One Dead and Homes Damaged

 

 

A construction site incident occurred in Nakhon Sawan province, resulting in the death of one person and significant damage to nearby homes.

 

Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1338038-construction-crane-collapses-nakhon-sawan-leaving-one-dead-and-homes-damaged/

 

Man Shoots and Kills Brother-in-Law Over Land Inheritance Dispute

 

A fatal family feud over inherited land led to the death of a 57-year-old man who was shot and killed by his brother-in-law in Phatthalung province.

 

Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1338039-man-shoots-and-kills-brother-in-law-over-land-inheritance-dispute/

 

Helicopter Rescue for Elderly Flood Victims in Mae Sai

 

 

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), deployed a helicopter to rescue three elderly individuals, including one bedridden patient, who were trapped in their single-story home in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai.

 

 

Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1338040-helicopter-rescue-for-elderly-flood-victims-in-mae-sai/

 

Crane Collapse in Thonburi Injures Motorcyclist, Suspected Cause Ground Subsidence

 

 

A construction crane toppled over near a subway construction site in Thonburi, injuring a motorcyclist passing through the area.

 

 

Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1338041-crane-collapse-in-thonburi-injures-motorcyclist-suspected-cause-ground-subsidence/

 

PM Paetongtarn's Policy Statement critisised as Echo of Thaksin’s Vision

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra makes the policy statement at parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

During the parliamentary debate on the policy statement delivered by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, People’s Party MP Sirikanya Tansakul criticised the newly unveiled plans, arguing they largely mirror the ideas previously promoted by Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338042-pm-paetongtarns-policy-statement-critisised-as-echo-of-thaksin’s-vision/

 

Storm Wreaks Havoc in Nonthaburi: Canopy Blown Away, Power Poles Collapse on Vehicles

 

 

Nonthaburi was hit by a severe thunderstorm causing significant damage throughout the area. A commercial building’s parking roof covering collapsed and was blown into the street, taking down power poles and crushing vehicles. The local hospital, Phra Nang Klao, had to rely on backup generators.

 

Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1338043-storm-wreaks-havoc-in-nonthaburi-canopy-blown-away-power-poles-collapse-on-vehicles/

 

Man Attacks Store Owner with Iron Pipe in Samut Prakan

 

 

BANGKOK - September 13th, police officers from Mueang Samut Prakan Station, together with rescue teams from Samut Prakan Hospital and Ruam Kuson Samut Prakan Foundation, responded to an assault in front of a grocery store on the main path of Soi Tai Baan 17, Tai Baan Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Prakan.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338045-man-attacks-store-owner-with-iron-pipe-in-samut-prakan/

 

Aussie Arrested in Koh Phangan for 15 Sexual Assault Cases in Australia

 

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

Surat Thani Immigration Police have apprehended an Australian fugitive wanted for 15 cases of sexual assault and rape, who was hiding in Thailand for retirement.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338048-aussie-arrested-in-koh-phangan-for-15-sexual-assault-cases-in-australia/

 

Suphan Buri: Subdistrict Administrative Member Caught Exploiting 12-Year-Old Girl

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

In a disturbing case from Suphan Buri, a 12-year-old girl fled to seek help after being forced into prostitution by her aunt to serve a local official in Doembang Nangbuat District. The aunt received 2,000 baht, giving only 1,000 baht to the girl.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338050-suphan-buri-subdistrict-administrative-member-caught-exploiting-12-year-old-girl/

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday 13 September 2024
     

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338051-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-13-september-2024/

 

Incident in Udon Ratchathani: Child Drowns After Being Swept Away by Floodwaters

 

 

Three children who were swept away by floodwaters at a weir in Ubon Ratchathani. Two of the children were rescued, but one, identified as an 11-year-old boy was tragically pulled under the water and believed drowned.

 

Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1338052-incident-in-udon-ratchathani-child-drowns-after-being-swept-away-by-floodwaters/

 

World’s best hotel: Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental steals the show
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of MICHELIN Guide

Bangkok’s iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel has officially snagged the prestigious title of the Best Hotel in Asia and the World, according to The Telegraph’s Hotel Awards.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338053-world’s-best-hotel-bangkok’s-mandarin-oriental-steals-the-show/

 

Van Collides with Trailer Truck on Motorway 7, Four Injured Including Three Chinese

 

 

A crash occurred on Motorway Route 7 heading towards Pattaya in the Surasak subdistrict of Si Racha, Chonburi province. A van rear-ended a trailer truck, resulting in four individuals sustaining injuries, with one trapped inside the vehicle.

 

Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1338055-van-collides-with-trailer-truck-on-motorway-7-four-injured-including-three-chinese/

 

Pigeon Feeding Blamed for Thai Man’s Lung Illness

 

 

A Thai woman is seeking urgent help after her 80-year-old father developed a severe lung infection and tuberculosis, allegedly due to a neighbour feeding over 100 pigeons daily in Nakhon Pathom.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338056-pigeon-feeding-blamed-for-thai-man’s-lung-illness/

 

Torrential trouble: Thailand braces for flood of rain until Tuesday
by Bright Choomanee

 

Picture courtesy of Dominik QN, Unsplash

Heavy rain and potential flash floods have been forecasted across Thailand until Tuesday, September 17, warns the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The announcement, issued at 5pm yesterday, cautioned that several regions would experience increased rainfall and strong winds in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338059-torrential-trouble-thailand-braces-for-flood-of-rain-until-tuesday/

 

Ubon Ratchathani: 81-Year-Old Woman and Two Dogs Perish in House Fire

 

 

An 81-year-old woman and her two dogs tragically died in a house fire that burned for over two hours in Ubon Ratchathani. The elderly woman was unable to escape the flames.

 

Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1338077-ubon-ratchathani-81-year-old-woman-and-two-dogs-perish-in-house-fire/

ETDA plugs in: Powering up Thailand’s digital economy for 2024

 

Picture courtesy of 123RF

 

Thailand’s Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) unveiled plans to further its role as a co-creation regulator and promoter next year, aiming to boost the digital economy’s value and generate positive social impact.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338096-etda-plugs-in-powering-up-thailand’s-digital-economy-for-2024/

 

Grab Thailand launches new cash loans for partner merchants

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Grab Thailand announced a revamped portfolio of cash loans aimed at its partner merchants, offering three distinct loan products to cater to businesses of all sizes. The new offerings include loan amounts up to 10 million baht with interest rates capped at 1% per month for larger businesses.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338097-grab-thailand-launches-new-cash-loans-for-partner-merchants/

 

Bangkok taxi driver berates passenger over travel distance

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A taxi passenger in Bangkok shared a harrowing experience where the driver shouted and insulted him, even refusing to stop the car. The passenger complained to the taxi company, only to be told there was no driver by that name.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338099-bangkok-taxi-driver-berates-passenger-over-travel-distance/

 

Scammers arrested in Bangkok for conning elderly woman

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Thai police arrested a group involved in a romance scam targeting an elderly woman. The scammer, posing as a discharged soldier from Yemen, promised to transfer her US dollars but asked if she could pay currency tax on the money first, leading to the victim losing 23,000 baht.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338100-scammers-arrested-in-bangkok-for-conning-elderly-woman/

 

Squat’s going on: Thai couple trash house in Chiang Mai

 

Photo via Chiang Mai News

 

Police officers are searching for a Thai ladyboy and her boyfriend after the couple took over a house in the northern province of Chiang Mai, living there like homeowners for nearly a month.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338101-squat’s-going-on-thai-couple-trash-house-in-chiang-mai/

 

Thai Consumers Shift to Essential Goods Amid Economic Concerns

 

File photo for reference only

 

In the face of growing economic uncertainty, Thai consumers are adjusting their spending habits significantly, as revealed by PricewaterhouseCoopers' (PwC) latest survey. With 54% of respondents expressing significant concern over macroeconomic volatility, a cautionary trend towards essentials spending is evident.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338102-thai-consumers-shift-to-essential-goods-amid-economic-concerns/

 

Thailand Launches Charming 5 Regions Tour to Revive Tourism Industry

 

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Today, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to rejuvenate the nation’s tourism sector with its “Charming Thailand: 5 Regions” event series. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool announced that this campaign aims to spotlight Thailand’s cultural richness and modern attractions, projecting to draw over 147,000 visitors and generate upwards of 800 million baht in revenue.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338103-thailand-launches-charming-5-regions-tour-to-revive-tourism-industry/

 

Sukhothai Leader Arrested for Job Bribe Scandal, Admits Guilt

 

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In Sukhothai, local administrative leader Narong (surname withheld) was apprehended yesterday for allegedly accepting bribes to secure job placements for residents' relatives but failing to deliver on his promises. This arrest follows an intensive investigation prompted by a complaint lodged with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338104-sukhothai-leader-arrested-for-job-bribe-scandal-admits-guilt/

 

Scammers Impersonate Nonthaburi Police, Alarm Residents

 

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Nonthaburi, 5 October 2023 — A troubling wave of scam calls has swept through Nonthaburi, as individuals posing as police officers target residents. Over the past day, the Nonthaburi City Police Station has been inundated with calls from citizens confused and concerned about requests to verify their bank accounts.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338105-scammers-impersonate-nonthaburi-police-alarm-residents/

 

Toddler Rescued from Locked Car in Chon Buri After Heart-stopping Incident

 

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On Wednesday, panic erupted at Rin Thong Kindergarten in Chon Buri when a two-year-old girl was accidentally locked inside her mother’s car, with the engine still running. The incident occurred shortly after 24-year-old Pimlapas stepped out briefly to collect another child from a nearby house. Upon her return, she was horrified to find her daughter, Michel, trapped inside the vehicle.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338106-toddler-rescued-from-locked-car-in-chon-buri-after-heart-stopping-incident/