Corruption scandal hits the brakes: Thailand’s bus industry whistleblows dirty dealings
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Accident Pickup Truck Crashes While Rushing Injured Child to Hospital – One Dead, Six Injured
Picture courtesy of Khaosod. A crash occurred in the early hours of the morning of 21 May, in Pathum Thani province when a pickup truck driver, rushing a critically injured toddler to hospital, lost control on a curve and overturned, killing a 4-year-old boy and injuring six others, including a 2-year-old who had earlier been injured falling from a building. The incident took place around 01:00, on the Pathum Thani–Lat Lum Kaeo Road, near the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) office. Police investigators, forensic officers from the Ministry of Justice, and emergency rescue teams were dispatched to the scene immediately following reports of the crash. At the site, officers found a damaged Isuzu D-Max pickup truck, which had struck the central reservation before overturning and coming to rest on the opposite side of the road after skidding over 100 metres. Debris from the crash was scattered along the road. Some 50 metres from the vehicle, emergency responders discovered the body of a 4-year-old boy lying motionless in the street. A 2-year-old boy was found seriously injured, with five adult males inside the truck also sustained injuries and were transported to Pathum Thani Hospital for emergency care. According to Mr Phat 26, who was among the injured, the group had been en route to Pathum Thani Hospital after the 2-year-old had fallen from the second floor of an apartment block in Sam Khok district. Seven people were travelling in the vehicle, five adults and two children, when the driver lost control navigating a curve in the road, causing the vehicle to flip and eject the two children. The 4-year-old boy died at the scene, while the injured child received emergency CPR at the scene before being rushed to hospital in critical condition. The remaining five adults were treated for various injuries. Police, led by Pol. Sub Lt. Sirawit Chaiyawan, have launched a full investigation into the crash. Forensic teams recorded evidence from the scene and will examine CCTV footage in an effort to determine the exact cause of the accident. Authorities will question the driver and survivors as part of the ongoing inquiry. Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-05-22. -
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Report Police Clamp Down on Prostitution to Protect Pattaya’s Image
What they don't seem to understand is that you cannot protect Pattaya's image, you cannot worry about hurting the image of a place that already has a horrific reputation. -
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Tommy Robinson to be released from prison early
Apparently this latest court action was prompted after he was doxed by 2 Daily Mail reporters putting his safety at risk, so he turned the tables, returning the gesture. More here: -
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UK Inflation Spikes to 3.5% After April’s Surge in Household Bills
UK Inflation Spikes to 3.5% After April’s Surge in Household Bills UK inflation jumped to 3.5% in April, the highest rate since January 2024, driven largely by widespread hikes in essential household bills. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed the increase, up sharply from March’s rate of 2.6%, catching many economists off guard who had predicted a smaller rise to 3.3%. The ONS attributed the spike to what many are calling an "awful April" for consumers. “Significant increases in household bills” were the key factor, according to the report. Energy prices rose by 6.4% under the government’s energy price cap, council tax bills increased by approximately 5%, and water and sewerage costs saw a staggering 26.1% surge. This last figure marks the steepest rise in water bills since February 1988, just before the industry was privatised. Additionally, broadband, mobile, and TV licence fees all saw increases, compounding the pressure on UK households already stretched by years of high living costs. The renewed inflationary pressure is now raising serious questions about the timing of potential interest rate cuts by the Bank of England. The consumer prices index, a key measure used to monitor inflation, plays a major role in determining the Bank of England’s monetary policy. Since December 2021, the Bank aggressively raised interest rates to contain inflation during the early days of the cost-of-living crisis. However, as inflation eased, it implemented four cuts since August last year. Prior to the latest ONS data, financial markets had priced in two more rate cuts for this year, though none were expected at the next Bank meeting in mid-June. Following the unexpected inflation jump, mortgage brokers have warned that mortgage rates will “edge upwards” in the coming weeks. Hopes of an interest rate cut next month have all but vanished. “This increase is certainly going to stall the recent mortgage rate improvements, and with inflation due to stay above 3% for the rest of the year it may be too much to expect further base rate cuts in 2025,” said Justin Moy, managing director at EHF Mortgages, in comments to Newspage. Craig Fish, director at Lodestone Mortgages and Protection, echoed the sentiment. “This will hit mortgage borrowers hard, especially those coming off fixed rates or looking to buy,” he said, noting that swap rates—used by banks to set mortgage pricing—are expected to rise in response to the inflation figure. The UK now holds one of the highest inflation rates among G7 countries. In April, inflation in Canada, the US, France, Italy, and Germany all remained below the UK’s 3.5%. The Eurozone, by contrast, recorded an inflation rate of just 2.2%. Only Japan, which saw prices rise at 3.6% last month, appears to be on a similar trajectory, though its April data has not yet been published. Business leaders are also sounding the alarm. Stuart Morrison, research manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, warned of more price hikes to come. “Businesses are facing a perfect storm of cost pressures, which is fuelling inflation alongside rising household bills,” he said. “While April’s jump was expected, the scale, to 3.5%, is concerning.” He added that additional costs such as national insurance increases for employers, minimum wage rises, and global tariffs are likely to push prices even higher. “Our research shows 55% of businesses are expecting to put up prices in the coming months,” Morrison said. “Firms urgently need to see a clear tax roadmap identifying when the burdens of national insurance and business rates will ease,” he added. “Upcoming strategies on industry, trade and infrastructure must live up to business expectations and help drive investment.” As both consumers and businesses brace for more financial strain, April’s inflation data serves as a stark reminder that the UK’s economic recovery from the cost-of-living crisis may be more fragile than hoped. Adapted by ASEAN Now from Sky News 2025-05-22 -
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Driverless Cars Edge Closer in UK in 2027, But Uber Says It's Already Set to Roll
Driverless Cars Edge Closer in UK, But Uber Says It's Already Set to Roll Despite the UK government pushing back the expected rollout of fully autonomous vehicles to late 2027, Uber says it’s already prepared to launch driverless taxi services. While limited self-driving capabilities are currently allowed under UK law—with a human driver still legally responsible—companies like Uber argue that they are ready to take the leap as soon as regulations catch up. Uber's senior vice president of mobility, Andrew Macdonald, joined a test ride in an autonomous car in central London using technology developed by UK-based AI company Wayve. During the ride, Macdonald made it clear: “We're ready to launch robotaxis in the UK as soon as the regulatory environment is ready for us.” The car, a Ford Mach-E fitted with Wayve's self-driving system, navigated the busy streets of London with apparent ease. It used radar, seven cameras, and an AI computer housed in the boot to interpret and respond to road conditions in real time. Macdonald, alongside a BBC journalist on the ride, watched the vehicle smoothly handle heavy traffic, pedestrians, delivery bikes, and even temporary traffic lights without any intervention from the safety driver, who never touched the controls. While Uber already operates robotaxis in places like the US, China, the UAE, and Singapore, the UK has been more cautious. The Department for Transport now says that self-driving vehicle legislation will likely be ready in the second half of 2027. However, they’re also exploring pilot programs and short-term trials to prepare the ground. Macdonald refuted the idea that the UK is lagging behind, explaining that the US and China are ahead largely because the technology was first developed there. He also highlighted how robotaxis are already proving their value in American cities, operating up to 20 hours a day and offering the same fare rates as traditional Uber rides. Passengers can choose a robotaxi option in the app if one is available. Still, widespread adoption may face hurdles—not least public unease. A 2024 YouGov poll found that 37% of Britons would feel "very unsafe" riding in a driverless car. Macdonald believes this fear quickly fades. “It becomes the new normal,” he said, noting how users typically adapt after their first experience. Safety remains a key concern, however. Although studies in the US suggest autonomous vehicles are generally less accident-prone than human drivers, high-profile mishaps have drawn attention. In Arizona, one man reported being trapped inside a robotaxi as it drove in circles at an airport carpark. In San Francisco, General Motors paused its Cruise driverless taxi service due to safety concerns. “The reality is that one accident is too many,” Macdonald acknowledged. “That said, with EV [electric vehicles], human drivers… we operate in the real world and stuff happens.” In the UK, questions still linger around liability, insurance, and data transparency in the event of an accident. Tom Leggett of Thatcham Research emphasized the importance of a “safety-led” approach and ensuring relevant data is accessible to insurers and investigators. Beyond safety and logistics, there's also concern about the broader societal impact. Andy Prendergast, national secretary for the GMB union, warned of the “significant social implications” of driverless taxis, especially the risk of job losses for professional drivers. Yet Uber’s Macdonald remains optimistic, pointing to a generational shift already underway. “I’ve got young kids,” he said. “Do I think my daughters will necessarily get their drivers licences when they turn 16? No – I think the world is changing a lot.” The UK government believes that if implemented responsibly, self-driving technology could generate up to £42 billion and create 38,000 jobs by 2035. Whether the public is ready—or the legal groundwork laid—remains to be seen. Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-05-22 -
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Equality Watchdog: Birth Certificates May Be Requested to Protect Single-Sex Services
Equality Watchdog: Birth Certificates May Be Requested to Protect Single-Sex Services Hospitals, gyms, and sports centres may soon be permitted to request individuals' birth certificates to confirm their biological sex in order to uphold the integrity of single-sex services, according to new draft guidance released by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The proposal follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that legally defines “woman” based strictly on biological sex, prompting the EHRC to revise its interpretation of the Equality Act and open a public consultation on the matter. The draft guidance clarifies that it would be lawful for organisations to ask someone to provide a birth certificate or Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) when it is “necessary and proportionate” to determine eligibility for single-sex services. However, the EHRC stressed that such requests must be handled with sensitivity, as asking about birth sex in a disrespectful or public manner could amount to discrimination or harassment. Baroness Falkner of Margravine, chairwoman of the EHRC, emphasized the importance of clear and accurate legal guidance. “Since the judgment was handed down, the demand for authoritative guidance has been obvious. It’s our job to provide that,” she said. “It is important that our code is both an accurate interpretation of the law and clear to those who use it. So we want to hear views on the clarity of these updates and urge all interested parties to respond to the consultation over the next six weeks. We will consider every response carefully and amend the draft code where necessary.” The guidance proposes that the legal definition of sex be updated to refer only to biological sex recorded at birth, thereby excluding individuals who have legally changed their gender through a GRC. Consequently, services that admit transgender individuals of the opposite biological sex could not describe themselves as “single-sex.” In situations where biological sex is deemed essential — for example, in spaces where women may be undressed, feel vulnerable, or face limited alternatives — service providers may request documentation to verify eligibility. The EHRC warned, however, that if such information is shared without consent, it could constitute a criminal offence. The draft also states that transgender individuals may be excluded from services even if they are biologically aligned with the intended user group if their presence could “cause alarm or distress to other service users.” The regulator acknowledged that such policies are likely to disadvantage trans people compared to non-trans people but said that the legal balancing of rights may still justify such exclusions in certain contexts. “Where services are provided on a single-sex basis, that needs to be done in a way which is consistent with the law,” Falkner said. “We know that there are strongly held views across our society, both about how the law should be interpreted and whether it reflects the right balance between those rights.” On the subject of sport, the EHRC guidance allows for trans individuals to be excluded from gender-affected sporting events if their participation could confer an unfair advantage or pose safety risks. It also urges organisers to seek less intrusive ways to accommodate trans people while still protecting the single-sex nature of the activity. Maya Forstater, co-founder and chief executive of the charity Sex Matters, welcomed the draft, saying it “reflects the law as clarified by the Supreme Court, so there can be no more excuses for failing to follow it.” Falkner concluded by encouraging engagement with the consultation: “This is a complex area of law, which bears on the rights of people with the protected characteristics of sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment. So if everybody’s rights are to be protected — as the Supreme Court confirmed the law intends — service providers and their legal advisers need help to navigate these challenges. Please tell us if you think it could be clearer or more helpful. That way, whether you’re a shop owner or the chair of a local sports club; the manager of a hotel or a hospital; an HR professional or a solicitor — you will have guidance to follow so you can be confident that you’re upholding the law.” Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times 2025-05-22
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