THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 13 March 2025

[webfact]

Altercation Erupts Between Tourist and Ladyboys in Phuket

 

 

A late-night confrontation on Phuket's Bangla Road between a group of ladyboys and a tourist escalated into a street brawl, before police intervened to prevent further chaos.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1354468-altercation-erupts-between-tourists-and-ladyboys-in-phuket/

 

[snoop1130]

British TikTok Star Jailed in Thailand Over Visa and Benefit Fraud

 

Picture courtesy of The Daily Mail

 

Ellis Matthews, a British TikTok influencer from Lancashire, has found herself in a Thai prison for overstaying her visa. Known online as @mumontheruninasia, Ellis attracted attention for sharing her lavish lifestyle, funded by UK benefits allegedly. The 32-year-old moved to Thailand four years ago, documenting her life to over 16,000 followers. However, her controversial tips on claiming benefits while living abroad backfired, leading to a police raid at her Pattaya home.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1354493-british-tiktok-star-jailed-in-thailand-over-visa-and-benefit-fraud/

 

[snoop1130]

British Retirees Escape Thai Jail After Violent Land Dispute

 

Picture courtesy of The BBC

 

Des and Mary Byrne, a British couple, have narrowly avoided a prison sentence in Thailand, receiving fines of 9,000 baht (£200) instead. Their ordeal began in 2020 when they retired to Thailand’s Thai Riviera, only to be embroiled in a violent dispute over land access, shattering their dream retirement.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1354494-british-retirees-escape-thai-jail-after-violent-land-dispute/

 

[snoop1130]

Cannabis Bust at Koh Samui Airport: Brits and Malaysian Nabbed

 

File photo for reference only

 

In a major drug bust at Koh Samui International Airport, Thai authorities seized 140 kilograms of dried cannabis flowers from seven suitcases belonging to five foreign passengers. The haul, valued at around 4 million baht, was en route to Singapore, with plans to continue onto the UK.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1354496-cannabis-bust-at-koh-samui-airport-brits-and-malaysian-nabbed/

 

[snoop1130]

Uncertainty Over Thailand's Proposed 400 Baht Minimum Wage Hike

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The proposed plan to implement a 400 baht national minimum wage by May 1 remains uncertain, as Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, Labour Ministry’s permanent secretary, confirmed the issue is not on the current agenda. Despite Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn’s initiative to benefit workers, discussions at the final meeting of the current Wage Board lacked focus on this proposal.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1354497-uncertainty-over-thailands-proposed-400-baht-minimum-wage-hike/

 

[snoop1130]

Songkran Travel Deals: AirAsia Increases Flights and Discounts

 

Photo courtesy of Brand Inside

 

Thai AirAsia is celebrating the Songkran festival by offering a 30% discount on flights, available for direct bookings from March 11 to 20. This special offer coincides with the Ministry of Transport’s policy to manage peak travel demand effectively.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1354498-songkran-travel-deals-airasia-increases-flights-and-discounts/

 

[snoop1130]

Mixed Reactions to Viral Video of Phuket Police Restraining Foreigner - video

 

Photo via Facebook/ Brenin DeOliveira

 

A viral video showing two Thai police officers restraining a foreign man who allegedly attacked a woman in Phuket has sparked mixed reactions on social media. The video, posted by a foreign user named Brenin DeOliveira on March 12, shows officers using force against the man after he reportedly claimed that no man could control him.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1354499-mixed-reactions-to-viral-video-of-phuket-police-restraining-foreigner-video/

 

[snoop1130]

 Phuket Tourist Faces Unwanted 100-Baht Surcharge in Grab Dispute

 

Photos provided to The Thaiger

 

A foreign tourist in Phuket has expressed frustration after a recent incident with a Grab ride left him with an unexpected 100-baht surcharge. The incident took place on March 12 during a trip booked from Bangtao to Patong via the popular ride-hailing app, initially at a fixed price of 264 baht.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1354500-phuket-tourist-faces-unwanted-100-baht-surcharge-in-grab-dispute/

 

[snoop1130]

Phuket Sees Surge in Lifestyle Property Investments Amid Tourism Boom

 

Sudara Residences Phuket

 

As tourism in Thailand continues to thrive, the nation is witnessing a significant increase in lifestyle property investments, driven by visitors turning brief stays into longer commitments. Phuket, in particular, is experiencing a 23% rise in tourist arrivals in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to a report by C9 Hotelworks. This trend is fueling an unprecedented boom in the island's rental market, especially for resort-style condominium units in popular areas such as Bangtao.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1354501-phuket-sees-surge-in-lifestyle-property-investments-amid-tourism-boom/