THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 20 August 2025

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Thailand to Mandate Tax Declarations for All Citizens by 2027

 

File photo for reference only

 

In a move set to overhaul Thailand's welfare and tax system, the Ministry of Finance has announced that from 2027, every Thai citizen must file a personal income tax return. This initiative, part of a broader reform effort, aims to enhance fairness and efficiency under the new 'Negative Income Tax' scheme.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1370248-thailand-to-mandate-tax-declarations-for-all-citizens-by-2027/

 

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Thailand's Tourism Faces Setback with 7% Arrival Drop

 

Photo courtesy of The Investor

 

Thailand’s tourism sector has encountered a stumbling block as the Tourism and Sports Ministry announced a 7% drop in foreign arrivals this year. This unexpected decrease has prompted officials to once again adjust their growth forecasts downwards.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1370247-thailands-tourism-faces-setback-with-7-arrival-drop/

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Man Thought to Be British Accused of Car Theft Attempt in Phuket

 

Picture courtesy of Facebook/Mewadi Dokmai

 

A daring theft in Phuket unfolds as a foreign man attempts to steal a car and makes off with a mobile phone, leaving a local woman and her community on edge.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1370209-man-thought-to-be-british-accused-of-car-theft-attempt-in-phuket/

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Mysterious Cave Found in Phitsanulok's Wilderness

 

Picture courtesy of Department of National Parks Facebook

 

Thailand's archaeological landscape has been enriched with a remarkable discovery in the remote wilderness of Phitsanulok province. During a routine patrol in the Khwae Noi forest watershed, forest rangers uncovered a mysterious cave, now poised to become a focal point for historical research.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1370260-mysterious-cave-found-in-phitsanuloks-wilderness/

 

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Hun Sen Threatens Arrest of Thai Leaders Amid Border Dispute

 

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

In a dramatic twist, Cambodia's Senate President Hun Sen has threatened to arrest Thai leaders for invading Cambodian territory and causing the deaths of its citizens. This bold statement was made on Hun Sen’s Facebook page, responding to Thailand's legal action threats against him and his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, over alleged fatal attacks on Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1370280-hun-sen-threatens-arrest-of-thai-leaders-amid-border-dispute/

 

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Thailand's Free Flight Bonanza: Gift for 200,000 Foreign Tourists

 

File photo courtesy of TTG Asia

 

Thailand is rolling out the red carpet with a generous offer of free domestic flights for 200,000 tourists, aiming to boost travel from September to November. The Tourism and Sports Ministry hopes this initiative will rake in 8.8 billion baht by luring travellers to explore lesser-known gems across the country.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1370281-thailands-free-flight-bonanza-gift-for-200000-foreign-tourist/

 

[Georgealbert]

Illegal Chinese Cosmetics Factory Busted, Fake Products Seized

 

Picture courtesy of Naewna.

 

Police have raided a cosmetics factory in Chachoengsao province, seizing more than 230,000 illegally produced items with an estimated market value of over 20 million baht.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1370282-illegal-chinese-cosmetics-factory-busted-fake-products-seized/

 

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Thailand Tightens Mobile Banking to Curb Scams

 

File photo for reference only

 

The Bank of Thailand has announced strict new mobile banking transfer limits to combat rising financial fraud, capping daily transfers at 50,000 baht for children under 15 and seniors over 65 opening new accounts.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1370283-thailand-tightens-mobile-banking-to-curb-scams/

[Georgealbert]

Bangkok Tightens Security After Fire Attack on Tourists

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Police have ordered increased vigilance over homeless individuals and beggars in Bangkok’s business districts following a shocking incident in which two Malaysian tourists were set on fire.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1370284-bangkok-tightens-security-after-fire-attack-on-tourists/

 

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Collision at Sa Kaeo Intersection Leaves One Dead and 11 Injured
 

Picture courtesy of NBT

 

A traffic collision at the intersection near Ban Nong Hua Chang, in Chong Kum Subdistrict, Watthana Nakhon District, Sa Kaeo, has left one person dead and 11 others injured.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1370285-collision-at-sa-kaeo-intersection-leaves-one-dead-and-11-injured/

 

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5 Arrested in ‘Money Mule’ Network Linked to Call Centre Scams

 

Picture courtesy of Naewna.

 

Police in northern Thailand have dismantled a Chiang Rai-based network accused of laundering millions of baht for international call centre fraud gangs. Five suspects were arrested in coordinated raids across Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi and Bangkok.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1370286-5-arrested-in-‘money-mule’-network-linked-to-call-centre-scams/

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

Mother Leaps from Second Floor with Child to Escape Blaze

Pictures courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A mother and her young son narrowly escaped with their lives after leaping from the second floor of a school residence when a fierce blaze engulfed the building in Samut Sakhon’s Krathum Baen district.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1370287-mother-leaps-from-second-floor-with-child-to-escape-blaze/

 

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Sri Lankans Replace Cambodians As Thai Workforce Shifts

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

Thousands of Cambodian workers have returned home amid rising tensions following clashes on the Thai-Cambodian border. In response, Thailand is bringing in Sri Lankan workers to fill the gap left by the departure of these migrants. Labour Minister Pongkawin Juangroongruangkit confirmed the cabinet’s approval of a pact to recruit from Sri Lanka, with 10,000 workers ready and 30,000 more registered to come.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1370288-sri-lankans-replace-cambodians-as-thai-workforce-shifts/

 

[Georgealbert]

Drug Gang Busted in Hua Hin Villa
 

Picture courtesy of SiamRath.

 

Police have arrested members of the infamous “Sergeant M16” drug trafficking network, a syndicate accused of moving more than 10 million methamphetamine pills, during a raid on a pool villa in Hua Hin.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1370289-drug-gang-busted-in-hua-hin-villa/

 

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Thai Hospitals in Hot Water Over Fake Health Certificates

 

Picture courtesy of Department of Mental Health

 

Allegations against some private hospitals for issuing fake health certificates to migrant workers have put Thailand's healthcare credibility in jeopardy. Deputy Public Health Minister Chaichana Dechdecho has accused a few rogue institutions of issuing these certificates without the necessary health checks.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1370290-thai-hospitals-in-hot-water-over-fake-health-certificates/

 

[Georgealbert]

Business Tycoon to Donate Mine-Clearing Robot to Army
 

Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

A prominent Thai entrepreneur has announced plans to donate a state-of-the-art remote-controlled mine-clearing robot to the Royal Thai Army in a move aimed at improving safety along the country’s border regions.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1370291-business-tycoon-to-donate-mine-clearing-robot-to-army/

 

[Georgealbert]

Fraudster Posing as State Project Boss Dupes Victim
 

Picture courtesy of Daily News.

 

Bangkok police have arrested a 57-year-old man accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scam involving fake state projects, swindling a victim out of more than 7.8 million baht.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1370292-fraudster-posing-as-state-project-boss-dupes-victim/