THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 25 April 2025

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Pilot Hailed a Hero After Steering Failing Aircraft into the Sea to Avoid Civilian Casualties & is Now Reported to be Alive

 

 

A Thai police pilot has been praised for his extraordinary bravery after successfully diverting a malfunctioning aircraft away from a residential area and into the sea, avoiding what could have been a catastrophic tragedy for local civilians.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1358781-police-aircraft-crashes-into-sea-off-cha-am-leaving-four-dead/#findComment-19757412

 

[snoop1130]

Tornado Forces Flight to Abort Landing Amid Phuket Turbulence - video

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Earlier today, holidaymakers aboard a Thai AirAsia flight faced unimaginable peril as a sudden tornado forced their plane to abort its landing at Phuket. The drama unfolded when 38-year-old Thongchai, along with his family, was en route to the popular island destination. Known for sharing his travel experiences through his popular FocusKhonkaen page, Thongchai found himself documenting far more than a typical scenic descent.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358809-tornado-forces-flight-to-abort-landing-amid-phuket-turbulence-video/

 

[snoop1130]

Police Pursue Foreign Driver for Drifting Incident on Phu Thap Buek

 

Photo via One 31

 

A foreign man's daredevil driving has sparked a police investigation in Phetchabun, after a video of him drifting his luxury car on the winding roads of Phu Thap Buek mountain went viral on TikTok. The incident has ignited debate among the online community and drawn criticism for the potential safety hazards posed by the reckless stunt.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358811-police-pursue-foreign-driver-for-drifting-incident-on-phu-thap-buek/

 

[snoop1130]

Thaksin Urges Thailand to Revamp Policy Amidst US Tariff Threat

 

File photo for reference only

 

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is calling for major policy reforms in Thailand, spotlighting the need to revamp import regulations and investment strategies following the looming threat of a hefty 36% US tariff on exports. The proposed levy poses a significant risk to Thailand’s export-driven economy, hinging on reducing dependency on foreign manufacturers skirting local content requirements.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358812-thaksin-urges-thailand-to-revamp-policy-amidst-us-tariff-threat/

 

[snoop1130]

Ombudsman Probes Thaksin's Hospital Stay Amid Preferential Treatment Claims

 

File photo for reference only

 

Chief Ombudsman Somsak Suwansujarit has set a 30-day deadline for the Department of Corrections (DOC) and related agencies to justify their decision allowing former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's six-month hospital stay, bypassing standard prison time. This investigation follows a petition from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which urges scrutiny over alleged preferential treatment.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358814-ombudsman-probes-thaksins-hospital-stay-amid-preferential-treatment-claims/

 

[snoop1130]

Weak Baht Offers Pattaya Tourism Potential Boost Amid Low Season

 

Photo courtesy of Thailand News

 

As Pattaya braces for its typically quieter low season, a surprising opportunity has surfaced with the weakening of Thailand’s currency. The Thai baht dropped to 33.57 per US dollar on April 24, a decline from 33.39 just a day earlier, potentially turning the city into a more attractive destination for foreign tourists.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358815-weak-baht-offers-pattaya-tourism-potential-boost-amid-low-season/

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Pilot Dies After Police Aircraft Crash Near Hua Hin

 

 

Royal Thai Police pilot, Police Lieutenant Colonel Chaturong Watthanapraisarn, has succumbed to his injuries following the  aircraft crash earlier today. The police aircraft crashed into the sea near Bo Fai Airport in Hua Hin district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1358781-police-aircraft-crashes-into-sea-off-cha-am-leaving-four-dead/page/2/#findComment-19757795

 

[snoop1130]

Gun Jompalang Emerges as Public Champion in High-Profile Road Rage Case

 

Photo: Thai PBS World

 

In an unexpected turn of events, public figure Gun Jompalang, known off-screen as Gunnathat Pongpaiboonwet, has captured the hearts of many Thais amidst a heated road rage case that pits an average family against a powerful political clan in Pathum Thani.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358816-gun-jompalang-emerges-as-public-champion-in-high-profile-road-rage-case/

 

[snoop1130]

Thai Couple Urges Action After Near-Crash Involving Homeless Man - video

 

Photo via TikTok/ @ppalaploy.y

 

A harrowing incident in Nonthaburi, near Bangkok, has led a Thai couple to demand action regarding the presence of homeless individuals on a traffic island, after a near-fatal crash exposed the dangers posed by their unexpected presence on busy roads.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358817-thai-couple-urges-action-after-near-crash-involving-homeless-man-video/

 

[snoop1130]

Deadly Sandfly Disease Sparks Health Warning in Thailand

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

In an urgent health advisory, Thai authorities are warning residents and travellers about the resurgence of Leishmaniasis, a rare yet potentially fatal disease spread by common sandflies. This year, the disease has resulted in over 40 reported cases, claiming the lives of two individuals—one each in Bangkok and Songkhla—as confirmed by Thailand's Department of Disease Control.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358818-deadly-sandfly-disease-sparks-health-warning-in-thailand/

 

[snoop1130]

Bangkok Police Nab Suspects in Israeli Tourist’s Bicycle Theft

 

File photo for reference only

 

In a swift move, Bangkok police have arrested two suspects tied to the theft of a bicycle belonging to an Israeli tourist in the vibrant Chinatown district of Yaowarat. The suspects, including 45-year-old Sompoth, were apprehended following an investigation which unveiled attempts to sell the stolen bicycle on Facebook.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358819-bangkok-police-nab-suspects-in-israeli-tourist’s-bicycle-theft/

 

[snoop1130]

Panic as Knife-Wielding Man Causes Hospital Chaos in Chiang Mai

 

Pictures courtesy of KhaoSod

 

A state of panic ensued at Chiang Mai's McCormick Hospital today when a knife-wielding Thai man stormed the outpatient ward, threatening publicly to harm himself. The alarming incident unfolded at around 11:30 a.m. as the man, appearing distressed, burst into the hospital brandishing a knife against his neck.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358820-panic-as-knife-wielding-man-causes-hospital-chaos-in-chiang-mai/

 

[snoop1130]

Phuket Earthquake Rumour Dismissed as Baseless by Officials

 

Photo courtesy of PlanetWare

 

Rumours claiming that Phuket could sink into the sea following a major earthquake went viral this week, sparking unnecessary panic among residents and tourists. However, Thai officials and the Anti-Fake News Centre have dismissed these claims as nonsense.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358821-phuket-earthquake-rumour-dismissed-as-baseless-by-officials/

 

[snoop1130]

Tragic Wave at Laem Sing Beach Claims Life of Yala Fisherman

 

Photo courtesy of The Phuket News

 

A devastating accident at Laem Sing Beach claimed the life of 29-year-old Abdullah Saha from Yala province, after being swept into the sea by a large wave while fishing. The tragedy occurred yesterday, April 24, at around 3.40 p.m., as a foreign tourist witnessed the unfortunate event and urgently alerted nearby lifeguards.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358823-tragic-wave-at-laem-sing-beach-claims-life-of-yala-fisherman/

 

[snoop1130]

Thalang's Surprise Drug Operation Uncovers Meth Use in Phuket

 

Pictures courtesy of The Phuket News

 

In a proactive move to combat drug abuse in Phuket, Thalang district officials uncovered 20 cases of methamphetamine use during an unannounced drug screening operation in Pa Khlok. Conducted on April 23, this surprise intervention reflects ongoing efforts by authorities to address the growing meth crisis in the region.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358824-thalangs-surprise-drug-operation-uncovers-meth-use-in-phuket/

 

[snoop1130]

ASEAN Stays Firm on Diplomacy Amid US Tariff Pressures

 

Picture courtesy of ASEAN

 

In the face of rising US tariff threats, ASEAN has resolutely chosen diplomacy over retaliation, aiming to sustain strong trade ties with the US, its second-largest trading partner. This decisive stance was articulated by Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan following a virtual summit of ASEAN economic ministers, including Timor-Leste, held to address recent US trade measures announced on April 5.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358825-asean-stays-firm-on-diplomacy-amid-us-tariff-pressures/

 

[snoop1130]

Thailand Bans Underwater Photography for Diving Trainees to Protect Corals

 

File photo for reference only

 

In efforts to protect fragile marine ecosystems, Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has enacted a new regulation forbidding scuba-diving trainees and instructors from taking underwater photographs during training and examination dives. This directive, signed by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, was officially published in the Royal Gazette.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358826-thailand-bans-underwater-photography-for-diving-trainees-to-protect-corals/

 

[snoop1130]

BMA Vows to Locate Remaining Victims in Collapsed Chatuchak Building

 

File photo for reference only

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to finding all individuals trapped in the wreckage of the State Audit Office building as the rescue operation moves towards its final stages. The building, located in Chatuchak district, collapsed following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, resulting in a devastating loss of life.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358828-bma-vows-to-locate-remaining-victims-in-collapsed-chatuchak-building/

 

[snoop1130]

SAO Clarifies Wall Thickness Reduction in Collapsed Building Amid Probe

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The State Audit Office (SAO) has issued a statement explaining the decision to reduce the wall thickness of elevator shafts in its 30-storey building, which allegedly contributed to its collapse during a recent earthquake.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358830-sao-clarifies-wall-thickness-reduction-in-collapsed-building-amid-probe/

 

[snoop1130]

Twin Earthquakes Rattle Northern Thailand’s Pai District

 

Picture of earthquake effects in Chiang Rai courtesy of The Nation

 

Northern Thailand experienced a seismic jolt late last night with two earthquakes striking Mae Hong Son's picturesque Pai district, adding to a recent surge in regional seismic activity. The tremors, felt across Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai provinces, have left residents on edge.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358831-twin-earthquakes-rattle-northern-thailand’s-pai-district/

 

[snoop1130]

Thai Vietjet Launches Summer Promotions with Flights from 799 Baht

 

Pictures courtesy of Vietjet Thailand Facebook

 

Thai Vietjet is heating up the summer with an enticing promotional offer, featuring domestic flight fares starting at just 799 baht, inclusive of taxes and fees. Whether you're planning a beach holiday in Phuket, an urban retreat in Chiang Mai, or a cultural visit to Hat Yai, there's a deal waiting for you. International travel isn’t left behind, with fares beginning at 1,799 baht to destinations such as bustling Taipei and tranquil Phu Quoc.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358832-thai-vietjet-launches-summer-promotions-with-flights-from-799-baht/

 

[snoop1130]

DSI Uncovers Major Illegal Pork Import Operation Involving Thai and Chinese Investors

 

Pictures courtesy of KhaoSod

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has revealed a large-scale illegal pork import operation involving Thai and Chinese investors, as well as government officials. The announcement was made on April 24 at the DSI office in Chaeng Watthana Government Complex, revealing that a total of 161 containers of frozen pork had been illegally brought into Thailand.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358835-dsi-uncovers-major-illegal-pork-import-operation-involving-thai-and-chinese-investors/

 

[snoop1130]

Thai Woman Seeks Justice After Alleged Sexual Harassment by Sub-District Chief

 

Photo via Channel 7

 

A married Thai woman, identified only as Tuk, has come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against a sub-district chief in Nakhon Ratchasima's Isaan province. Tuk claims that during a restaurant gathering on December 9, the intoxicated official made explicit and inappropriate advances towards her in front of others, yet remains in his position despite her complaint.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1358836-thai-woman-seeks-justice-after-alleged-sexual-harassment-by-sub-district-chief/