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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 20 May 2025
Cash Handout Pause Shock: Phase III Delayed Indefinitely Picture courtesy of THai PBS World In a surprising turn of events, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced today that the much-anticipated phase three of the cash handout scheme is postponed indefinitely. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361146-cash-handout-pause-shock-phase-iii-delayed-indefinitely/ -
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Transfer of 800K using Wise for 1 Year Extension Visa
I am not sure what the OP will do but It is all very easy and straightforward to deal with one way or the other. Move money as described ablove. Print all of the bank statements for the year from your bank account to your printer at home for free. Scan and copy all of the bank book print outs for the year. (ATM printout). I nip around the corner to my local bank and get a letter from them which takes five minutes. 100 baht. Off to the immigration in Phuket and "Bobs Your Uncle" as we Brits say, all done in an hour, go back the next day to pickup the passport. If we also want a multiple re-entry permit at the same time then hand all the forms over as well at the same time as applying for the visa extension, (with a 'secret' little extra 700 baht service charge), pick up the passport the next day with the visa extension and the re entry visa. -
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Economy Cash Handout Pause Shock: Phase III Delayed Indefinitely
Picture courtesy of THai PBS World In a surprising turn of events, Thailand's Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced today that the much-anticipated phase three of the cash handout scheme is postponed indefinitely. Despite the delay, the Minister reassured the public that the scheme would resume once conditions improve. The primary reason cited for the postponement is the looming economic challenges, including the threat of steep tariffs on Thai exports to the US, which could climb as high as 36%. This tax increase could hit Thai businesses hard, especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are already in need of government assistance. The delay affects 2.7 million Thais, aged between 16 to 60, who were expecting a financial boost of 10,000 baht each. The government aimed to bolster the economy through these handouts, but tight financial constraints have pushed the plans aside for now. To counterbalance the halting of cash distribution, Pichai shared that the Economic Stimulation Board held a meeting to reassess their current financial strategies. They discussed redirecting an estimated 157 billion baht from the Central Fund into more immediate projects, focusing on water management, public transport, and improvement of public facilities aimed at boosting tourism, alongside educational promotions. While the cash handout scheme is on hold, the government implores financial institutions to issue more soft loans, equipped with low-interest rates, to aid struggling SMEs. This move intends to prevent a dramatic dip in GDP growth, keeping it above the critical 1% threshold. Looking ahead, Pichai indicated that the government would leverage parliamentary procedures to scrutinise spending and investments for the next fiscal years, placing priority on enhancing the production sector, logistics, and water management. Despite the indefinite pause of the cash handout scheme, actions are still being taken to support the economy in other essential areas. The focus remains squarely on safeguarding businesses and ensuring sustainable growth during these challenging times. Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-05-20 -
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Trump’s Call for Ukraine Ceasefire Meets Putin’s Cold Resolve
Trump’s Call for Ukraine Ceasefire Meets Putin’s Cold Resolve President Donald Trump emerged from a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday with optimism and declarations of imminent peace in Ukraine. Yet, as Trump touted the call as a breakthrough moment, Putin remained unmoved, signaling little to no shift in Russia’s hardened stance. The two leaders spoke for the third time this year, a conversation that Trump presented as pivotal. From the Oval Office, Trump declared ahead of the call in capital letters on social media that a major moment was coming. Afterward, he announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to “immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire.” But that statement stood in stark contrast to Putin’s more muted response. The Russian leader made the call from a school for gifted children in Sochi, sandwiched between a tour of the facility, and described the exchange as “meaningful and frank,” giving no indication that he had shifted from his prior demands. Despite the lack of concrete progress, Trump remained upbeat. He told reporters later that day, “I do,” when asked whether he believed Putin wanted peace, though he offered no further detail. His social media summary focused more on tone than substance, highlighting what he called an excellent “tone and spirit” during the discussion. Putin, however, gave no ground. Even as Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, Russia refused, and recent escalations—including a new wave of drone and missile strikes on Kyiv over the weekend—suggest Moscow’s strategy remains unchanged. Trump did not mention the latest attacks while recounting his call, though he has previously labeled such assaults as counterproductive. Trump’s aides have reportedly begun to question whether Putin is using the American leader’s eagerness for peace to stall or manipulate the process. Trump himself has previously raised that concern, but showed no signs of skepticism after Monday’s call. Instead, he emphasized the potential for future economic cooperation as an incentive. “Russia wants to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over, and I agree. There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED,” Trump wrote. He added that Ukraine “can be a great beneficiary on Trade.” Although Trump previously insisted that only he could bring the war to an end, he seemed to retreat from that position on Monday, saying that “the conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.” There was no mention of an upcoming summit between Trump and Putin in either side’s official readouts of the call. Still, Trump said he had briefed several global leaders on the conversation, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and the Pope. Zelensky confirmed he spoke with Trump both before and after the call with Putin. Following the conversation, European leaders renewed discussions about imposing further sanctions on Russia, with Zelensky stating that the U.S. still needed to be “pressured” into action on that front. Talks about a location for the next round of peace negotiations are ongoing, with Turkey, Switzerland, and the Vatican all mentioned as possible hosts. “The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations. Let the process begin!” Trump declared. Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-05-20 -
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Community Police Sergeant Found Dead in Phatthalung Quarters After Days Unseen
Picture courtesy of khaosod. A police sergeant was found dead in his official residence behind the Kong Ra Police Station, Phatthalung province, after colleagues became concerned when he had not been seen for several days and a foul odour was detected emanating from his room. At approximately 13:00 on 19 May, Pol.Lt. Nathacharong Inkhaw of Kong Ra Police Station responded to a report from fellow officers who discovered the body of the deceased, identified as Pol.Sgt.Maj. Somsak, a member of the station’s crime prevention unit. The discovery was made in the officer’s private quarters located behind the station. Upon entering the room, police found the body with a gunshot wound to the temple. A 9mm service pistol was found nearby, along with a spent casing and bullet. Unused rounds remained in the magazine. Investigators documented the scene and collected evidence for further examination. According to colleagues, the deceased officer was known to be a quiet and private individual who often kept to himself. He was last seen in the evening of 16 May. On the morning of 19 May, a fellow officer became alarmed by a strong odour coming from the room and made the grim discovery. Pol.Col. Natthawut Techato, Superintendent of Kong Ra Police Station, stated that initial indications suggest the officer took his own life, likely due to personal stress. “He was a reserved man who didn’t interact much with others,” he said. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have not ruled out further possibilities as they await autopsy results. If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek out help. Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-20.
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