THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Saturday 5 April 2025

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Ghost Tower Defies Odds: Bangkok's Abandoned Icon Survives Quake

 

File photo.

 

The Sathorn Unique Tower, a 49-storey structure left in limbo for over thirty years, has become an unexpected symbol of resilience. Surviving a dramatic 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, it remains intact despite shockwaves striking regions as far as Bangkok, located over 1,000 kilometres from the epicentre. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1356817-ghost-tower-defies-odds-bangkoks-abandoned-icon-survives-quake/

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Tour Bus Crashes Off Road in Surat Thani – Multiple Injuries, Including Foreign Tourists

 

Pictured courtesy of Matichon.

 

A road crash occurred in Surat Thani, on 4 April, after a tour bus veered off the road and crashed, leaving dozens injured, including several foreign tourists. Emergency services rushed to the scene and engaged in a large-scale rescue operation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1356809-tour-bus-crashes-off-road-in-surat-thani-–-multiple-injuries-including-foreign-tourists/

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British Man's Urgent Plea to Save Dying Father in Thailand

 

Picture courtesy of The Standard

 

A distraught British man is fighting to bring his critically ill father back from Thailand to the UK for life-saving medical treatment. Reginald Leo, 77, once hoped to enjoy retirement in Pattaya, but a seemingly minor foot wound has escalated into a severe medical crisis.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1356822-british-mans-urgent-plea-to-save-dying-father-in-thailand/

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Thailand Accelerates Emergency Alert Overhaul Post-Earthquake

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod English

 

In response to the March 28 earthquake, Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has initiated a trial of a new Cell Broadcast alert system in Phuket. This move aims to upgrade the country's emergency alert infrastructure, addressing flaws exposed during the quake.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1356847-thailand-accelerates-emergency-alert-overhaul-post-earthquake/

[Georgealbert]

Rock Band Drummer Dies in Drink-Driving Crash in Chaiyaphum

 

 

A 20-year-old rock band drummer lost his life in a high-speed crash after reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol. The incident occurred late at night on a rural road in Mueang Chaiyaphum district.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356857-rock-band-drummer-dies-in-drink-driving-crash-in-chaiyaphum/

 

[Georgealbert]

French Tourist Rescued After Eight-Hour Ordeal in Karon Ravine

 

Picture courtesy of Phuket Express

 

A 72-year-old French tourist was rescued after spending more than eight hours trapped in a deep ravine in the Karon area of Phuket. The man, identified only as Mr Celou, reportedly slipped and fell into the ravine on the  morning of 4 April and was unable to climb out due to the steep and hazardous terrain.

 

Full story:

[Georgealbert]

Final-Year University Student Dies in Motorcycle Crash While Home to Defer Military Service

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 25-year-old university student returning home to process paperwork for military conscription deferment has died following a motorcycle accident in Phatthalung province.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356861-final-year-university-student-dies-in-motorcycle-crash-while-home-to-defer-military-service/

 

[Georgealbert]

Foreign Tourist Assaulted in Phuket Old Town, Prompting Safety Concerns

 

Picture captured from dash-cam.

 

A foreign female tourist was assaulted in broad daylight in Phuket Old Town by a Thai man, in an incident that has sparked widespread concern over public safety in one of the island’s busiest tourist areas.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356863-foreign-tourist-assaulted-in-phuket-old-town-prompting-safety-concerns/

 

[Georgealbert]

Woman Killed on Way Home from Market in Trang

 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A 52-year-old woman was killed in a road crash on the evening of 3 April, while returning home from the local market and just moments before reaching her destination. The collision, involving a car on its way to a funeral, left the victim dead at the scene, with her groceries scattered across the road.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356864-woman-killed-on-way-home-from-market-in-trang/

 

[Georgealbert]

25-Year-Old Man Dies After Apparent Suicide from Trang Condo

 

Picture courtesy of Khomchadluek.

 

A 25-year-old man lost his life after falling from the eighth floor of a condominium building in Mueang Trang district on the morning of 4 April. Authorities suspect the fall may have been the result of personal stress.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356866-25-year-old-man-dies-after-apparent-suicide-from-trang-condo/

 

[Georgealbert]

Thai Police Join International Operation to Tackle Child Abuse Material Online

 

Picture courtesy of CIB.

 

Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), through its Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), has joined forces with five other nations in “Operation Cyber Guardian 5”, in a major crackdown on child sexual abuse material online. The coordinated effort led to the search of 269 locations and the arrest of 544 individuals across 6 countries.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356868-thai-police-join-international-operation-to-tackle-child-abuse-material-online/

 

[Georgealbert]

Miraculous Escape After Car Plunges Off Bridge in Roi Et
 

 

A miraculous escape occurred in Roi Et province on the morning of 4 April, when a car veered off the side of a bridge ramp and plunged into a dry canal. Despite the severity of the crash, all four occupants survived, with minor injuries. 
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356869-miraculous-escape-after-car-plunges-off-bridge-in-roi-et/

 

[Georgealbert]

Authorities Seize 43,000 Tonnes of Hazardous Red Dust from Sin Ke Yuan Steel Factory

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

The Ministry of Industry in Thailand has launched an investigation into Sin Ke Yuan Steel Co., Ltd. after the company was found to have illegally stockpiled more than 43,000 tonnes of hazardous red dust (slag), a byproduct of steel smelting, in a significant violation of environmental and industrial regulations.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356870-authorities-seize-43000-tonnes-of-hazardous-red-dust-from-sin-ke-yuan-steel-factory/

 

[Georgealbert]

Motorcycle Collides with Trailer, Rider Dies at the Scene
 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A fatal crash occurred in Ayutthaya on the evening of 3 April when a motorcycle collided with a trailer truck, resulting in the death of a 23-year-old man.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356872-motorcycle-collides-with-trailer-rider-dies-at-the-scene/

 

[Georgealbert]

Teen Gunman Killed After Shooting at Pickup in Krabi, Three Others Injured
 

Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath.

 

A shocking incident in Krabi’s Ao Nang district left one teenage boy dead and three others injured after a group of youths reportedly opened fire on a pickup truck in the early hours of the morning of 4 April, only to be involved in a crash shortly afterwards.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356874-teen-gunman-killed-after-shooting-at-pickup-in-krabi-three-others-injured/

 

[Georgealbert]

Man in Only Boxer Shorts Killed by Train in Pathum Thani

 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A man wearing only boxer shorts was fatally struck by a train in an incident near the Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate in Pathum Thani on the morning of 4 April. The train driver reported seeing the man standing motionless on the tracks but was unable to stop the train in time.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356875-man-in-only-boxer-shorts-killed-by-train-in-pathum-thani/

 

[Georgealbert]

Speeding Lorry Slams into Parked Pickups Aiding Injured Man, 2 Dead, 5 Injured
 

 

A road crash in Suphan Buri province early morning on 4 April, claimed two lives and left five others injured after a speeding 10-wheeled lorry crashed into two parked pickup trucks that had stopped to assist an injured motorcyclist.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356876-speeding-lorry-slams-into-parked-pickups-aiding-injured-man-2-dead-5-injured/

 

[Georgealbert]

Thailand Post Confirms Major Data Breach, 19 Million Records Leaked to Dark Web
 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Thailand Post (Thailand Post Co., Ltd.) has confirmed a significant data breach in which 19 million user records were stolen and leaked onto the dark web. The organisation has since taken immediate action to seal the vulnerability and enhance its data protection measures.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356877-thailand-post-confirms-major-data-breach-19-million-records-leaked-to-dark-web/

 

[Georgealbert]

Falling Tree Branch Causes Crash in Nakhon Ratchasima, 1 Killed, 1 Seriously Injured
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A routine trip home from the hospital turned tragic when a pickup truck swerved to avoid a fallen tree branch and collided with another roadside tree, killing an elderly passenger and seriously injuring two others.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356878-falling-tree-branch-causes-crash-in-nakhon-ratchasima-1-killed-1-seriously-injured/

 

[Georgealbert]

Retired Man Shoots Neighbour Dead Over Dog Dispute in Lamphun

 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A 62-year-old retired man has surrendered to police after fatally shooting his neighbour during a heated dispute over a dog that had allegedly caused a previous accident.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356880-retired-man-shoots-neighbour-dead-over-dog-dispute-in-lamphun/

 

[Georgealbert]

Two Monks Electrocuted While Preparing for Songkran Festival in Buriram
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

An incident occurred on the afternoon of 4 April, at Wat Pho Yoi in Ban Yang Subdistrict, Lam Plai Mat District, Buriram Province, when three monks received electric shocks, while helping to set up decorations for an upcoming Songkran celebration. Two monks lost their lives, and one was injured.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356881-two-monks-electrocuted-while-preparing-for-songkran-festival-in-buriram/

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
6 Foreign Tourists Injured as Tour Bus Skids Off Highway in Surat Thani

 

 

Further details have emerged following the tour bus crashin Surat Thani, on 5 April, which left six foreign tourists injured while en route to Koh Samui.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356809-tour-bus-crashes-off-road-in-surat-thani-–-multiple-injuries-including-foreign-tourists/#findComment-19710513

 

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Thaksin's Medical Treatment Case Postponed Due to Late Documentation

 

Police General Hospital. Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

 

In an unexpected twist, the Medical Council has deferred its verdict on Thaksin Shinawatra's medical care at the Police General Hospital. The decision, originally slated for April 10, was postponed due to a tide of documentation pouring in at the final hour.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1356885-thaksins-medical-treatment-case-postponed-due-to-late-documentation/

 

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Weak Baht Fails to Spark Tourism Boom, Safety Concerns Prevail

 

Photo courtesy of Asean Post

 

Thailand's tourism industry faces an uphill battle despite a weakened baht, say experts. The national currency's recent drop, a result of US tariff announcements, isn’t attracting the hoped-for influx of tourists since similar economic trends affect other Asian currencies.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1356856-weak-baht-fails-to-spark-tourism-boom-safety-concerns-prevail/

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Thailand Eyes US Arms Deals to Slash Trade Surplus Amid Tariffs

 

File photo courtesy of Benar News

 

Thailand is urged to boost its purchase of US military technology to cut down a hefty trade surplus. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) suggests this could ease the sting of new US tariffs that President Donald Trump has slapped on Thai exports.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1356859-thailand-eyes-us-arms-deals-to-slash-trade-surplus-amid-tariffs/

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Anutin: Investigation into Bangkok Building Collapse to Take Months

 

 

A week after the collapse of a new government building in Chatuchak, authorities have announced that a definitive cause remains elusive, with investigations poised to extend for several months.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1356862-anutin-investigation-into-bangkok-building-collapse-to-take-months/

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USAR International  Rescue Teams Withdraw at Bangkok Building Collapse Site

 

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

 

International relief teams have begun to withdraw following a successful week-long mission to locate victims after the collapse of an office building in Bangkok. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt assures that future operations will continue seamlessly.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1356865-usar-international -rescue-teams-withdraw-at-bangkok-building-collapse-site/

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Bangkok Building Collapse: China Defends Its Companies

 

Heavy machineries are deployed to clear the rubble from an under construction high-rise building that collapsed after Friday's earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

 

The Chinese embassy implores against defaming Chinese firms following the collapse of an unfinished State Audit building during last week’s earthquake in Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1356867-bangkok-building-collapse-china-defends-its-companies/

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American Academic Faces Thai Royal Insult Charges in Legal Storm

 

Photo: Facebook Paul Chambers
 

Thailand's legal system is in the spotlight after an arrest warrant was issued for American academic Paul Chambers. Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University, is the target of lese majeste charges, a rare move against a foreigner under these stringent Thai laws.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1356887-american-academic-faces-thai-royal-insult-charges-in-legal-storm/