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Foreigner Breaks Police Lock on Illegally Parked Bike in Phuket File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Wikipedia An unidentified foreign man has created a public uproar after being recorded in Phuket Old Town cutting a police chain from his motorbike, parked illicitly. The video, which surfaced on social media on April 26th, was taken on Phang Nga Road. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326055-foreigner-breaks-police-lock-on-illegally-parked-bike-in-phuket/

An unidentified foreign man has created a public uproar after being recorded in Phuket Old Town cutting a police chain from his motorbike, parked illicitly. The video, which surfaced on social media on April 26th, was taken on Phang Nga Road. The footage shows the man using a large cutter to break the chain placed on his wheel by the city authorities. After successfully removing the lock, he motions for silence to the person recording him and quickly drives off. The video's uploader indicated the man chose to buy a cutter from a nearby shop instead of paying the fine at the Phuket City Police Station, a decision that spurred public discussion due to the cutter price being higher than the fine. Phuket City Police Chief Colonel Pratueng Phonmana confirmed to The Phuket Express that the police are studying CCTV footage to identify and charge the man. The act of breaking the police chain equates to damaging government property, a crime carrying heavier penalties than the initial parking violation. According to Thai laws, penalties for such crimes can be severe, including fines, imprisonment or both. In extreme cases, punishments could range to ten years in jail, a fine of up to half a million baht, or a combination of both. Public reactions to the incident are mixed, with some admiring his boldness, and others criticizing his disregard for local laws. Calls for maximum punishment, including prison, a hefty fine, and deportation, have surfaced. As police continue with their investigation, they are encouraging anyone with information regarding the man's identity to come forward. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Wikipedia -- 2024-04-27 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

British Tourist Duped by Nonexistent Hotel on Thai Island Photo courtesy of Wikipedia A British tourist, Glen Parke, has been ensnared in a huge hotel scam while on holiday in Thailand. Parke booked a 59-night stay at the apparent Lek Lek Residence on Koh Samui through Booking.com, paying £282 (around 13,000 baht). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326051-british-tourist-duped-by-nonexistent-hotel-on-thai-island/

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia A British tourist, Glen Parke, has been ensnared in a huge hotel scam while on holiday in Thailand. Parke booked a 59-night stay at the apparent Lek Lek Residence on Koh Samui through Booking.com, paying £282 (around 13,000 baht). On arrival, he found that the supposed one-bedroom house was in fact just a small roadside shop. After this unpleasant surprise, Parke had to hastily arrange alternative accommodations, spending an enormous £3,044. However, due to high demand, Parke had to shift to a third hotel, costing him an additional £3,579. Despite their initial promises, Booking.com drew out the reimbursement process leading to Parke's expenditures escalating to £7,000 in the first two nights alone. After weeks of dispute, Parke finally received his refund after inquiries from media outlets. Booking.com expressed regret over the unfortunate incident, blaming procedural errors for the delay and ensuring measures for future prevention. -- 2024-04-27 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand Crowned Best Country to Visit in 2024 Picture courtesy of Wikipedia Thailand was named as the top country to visit in CEOWORLD Magazine's 2024 travel rankings. The list was compiled based on a survey of 295,000 respondents, setting a new engagement record for the online magazine. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326049-thailand-crowned-best-country-to-visit-in-2024/

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia Thailand was named as the top country to visit in CEOWORLD Magazine's 2024 travel rankings. The list was compiled based on a survey of 295,000 respondents, setting a new engagement record for the online magazine. Out of 67 countries listed, Thailand took the first spot with the highest score of 72.15. The Asian nation was recognized for its cultural diversity, nightlife, culinary delights, high-end shopping malls, and striking landscapes. Greece secured the second position with an overall score of 67.22. Known for its archaic sites, breathtaking islands, and rich heritage, Greece continues to be a top destination for world travelers. Following close behind in third place is Indonesia. With a score of 65.15, the island nation is celebrated for its golden beaches, verdant forests, and dynamic local culture. The magazine's list provides a useful tool for travel enthusiasts considering their next destination for 2024. -- 2024-04-27 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Phatthalung Man Accused of Molesting Minors Faces Arrest Source: Courtesy of Facebook Thai Police Vehicles An arrest warrant has been issued for a 67-year-old resident of Phatthalung, known as Charoen or Muang, for alleged child molestation. The case involves two 12-year-old girls who were reportedly assaulted while playing in the Ko Nangkham sub-district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326044-phatthalung-man-accused-of-molesting-minors-faces-arrest/

Source: Courtesy of Facebook Thai Police Vehicles An arrest warrant has been issued for a 67-year-old resident of Phatthalung, known as Charoen or Muang, for alleged child molestation. The case involves two 12-year-old girls who were reportedly assaulted while playing in the Ko Nangkham sub-district. The warrant was issued following pressure from the victims' mothers and the media as the initial investigation, launched in December 2022, failed to lead to any arrest. The accused avoided immediate arrest and sought refuge in a different province, but has communicated plans to surrender. Allegations also surfaced about procedural irregularities with the initial investigation, which was not reported to higher officials, causing unjust delays. This led to the transfer of the original investigator and the assignment of a new officer to the case. The local Police Commander criticised the delay and has formed a committee to investigate the conduct of the initial investigator. Meanwhile, welfare officials have been assigned to support the victims emotionally and guide them through the legal process. With the new development and the police's commitment to serve justice, the case is now progressing, while the community awaits the suspect’s surrender and the investigation's outcome. -- 2024-04-27 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Ex-Deputy PM's Wealth Revealed, Including Cars Worth 87M Baht Picture: Courtesy of Wikipedia Thailand's former Deputy PM and Sports Authority of Thailand Chairman, General Prawit Wongsuwon, has faced scrutiny following the exposure of his vast wealth and assets, including a collection of luxury cars worth 87 million Baht, by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326043-ex-deputy-pms-wealth-revealed-including-cars-worth-87m-baht/

Thailand's former Deputy PM and Sports Authority of Thailand Chairman, General Prawit Wongsuwon, has faced scrutiny following the exposure of his vast wealth and assets, including a collection of luxury cars worth 87 million Baht, by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The 78-year-old chief of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) declared in the triennial financial report- required by his position- that he was single and possessed total assets worth 87.84 million Baht, with a minor debt of 757 Baht. Gens Prawit's assets comprise of considerable bank deposits of 40.48 million Baht, investments of approximately 6.53 million Baht, prime real estate in Bangkok and Pathum Thani totalling around 10 million Baht, and a fleet of five luxury vehicles amounting to 13.6 million Baht, among others. Outstanding among his assets were his luxury vehicles, including a 4 million Baht Jaguar I-Pace AWD HSE and a 2.5 million Baht Mercedes Benz V250d. Also included in his declaration were a TW Steel watch, nine valuable rings, and three handguns. Gen. Prawit's comparatively modest annual income of 2.34 million Baht raised eyebrows, fuelling discussions about his wealth's actual magnitude. The disclosure becomes more significant considering previous controversies involving the General, including allegations of false asset declarations related to luxury items. Despite his refutations, the new revelations have again cast doubt on Gen. Prawit's true wealth and incited further public investigations into his alleged impropriety. Top Picture: Courtesy of Wikipedia -- 2024-04-27 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Bangkok Revamps Sidewalk Standards for Better Pedestrian Access File photo for reference only The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has rolled out new footpath standards aimed at improving the pedestrian experience. To achieve this, the BMA plans to expand the city's footpath network by adding 16 new routes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326042-bangkok-revamps-sidewalk-standards-for-better-pedestrian-access/

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has rolled out new footpath standards aimed at improving the pedestrian experience. To achieve this, the BMA plans to expand the city's footpath network by adding 16 new routes. Each sidewalk will be designed uniquely, in line with its neighborhood's specific identity, and will be robust enough to endure usual wear and tear. City Hall spokesperson, Ekwaranyu Amrapal, and Pathumwan District chief inspected some of these sidewalks on Ratchadamri and Phloen Chit Roads, both of which are part of the initial implementation of the new standards. They also checked the new designs of drainage covers, which will reflect the local identity of each area. The architectural layout of the sidewalks will be with a goal of ensuring a seamless interaction between the entrances and exits of adjacent buildings and the sidewalks. This step will guarantee easier and safer access for pedestrians. In the first phase of this project, 1,000 kilometers of footpaths will be renovated using three approaches: creation of entirely new sidewalks, urgent repairs of damaged spots, and the introduction of area-specific innovations. As of now, 16 routes are being remodeled according to these new standards, including Ratchadamri, Phloen Chit, and Udomsuk Roads. Top File photo for reference only -- 2024-04-27 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Songkran Festival Boosts Thai Economy by 140 Billion Baht Songkran. Picture courtesy of Wikimedia Commons The Songkran Festival, celebrated between April 1-21, led to a significant economic upturn in Thailand, raking in revenue of 140.335 billion baht, which exceeded the Ministry of Tourism's initial estimate of 132 billion baht. The numbers were shared by the country's Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326040-songkran-festival-boosts-thai-economy-by-140-billion-baht/

The Songkran Festival, celebrated between April 1-21, led to a significant economic upturn in Thailand, raking in revenue of 140.335 billion baht, which exceeded the Ministry of Tourism's initial estimate of 132 billion baht. The numbers were shared by the country's Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol. A total of 1,926,443 international tourists partook in the festival, contributing 90.208 billion baht to Thailand's economy. Local tourism also thrived with 13,897,988 domestic trips adding another 50.127 billion baht. The highest revenue on a five-day count from April 12-16 was 38.034 billion baht, marking a 37.54% spike from last year. Relaxed visa rules, abolished TM.6 forms, and government schemes fueled this surge. The mix of tourists was diverse, with visitors mostly from China, Malaysia, India, Russia, South Korea, Laos, the UK, Taiwan, USA, and Indonesia. Chinese tourists alone recorded an 89.16% surge compared to the previous year. The festival revenue largely streamed from various segments. Accommodation costs totaled to 42.069 billion baht, food and beverages followed with 33.069 billion, souvenir and merchandise costs were 26.839 billion, transportation expenses were 15.505 billion, while entertainment costs were 14.758 million. Tourist services amounted to 5.865 million, with 2.230 million baht spent on miscellaneous expenses. Songkran. Picture courtesy of Wikimedia Commons -- 2024-04-27 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Phuket Governor Supports Special Admin Status File photo courtesy of Thai PBS Phuket Governor, Sophon Suwannarat, has endorsed a proposal to grant the province special administrative status similar to those in Bangkok and Pattaya. Sophon communicated his stance at the 2024 Phuket Chamber of Commerce (PCC) Annual General Meeting at Phuket Merlin Hotel. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1326039-phuket-governor-supports-special-admin-status/