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Phuket, Thailand – In a recent incident that unfolded in Phuket Town, a taxi motorbike rider has turned himself in to the local authorities after allegedly injuring another taxi rider during a dispute over a customer. The incident occurred on Sunday, April 21st, near the Fresh Market 1 (Baan San Market) on Ranong Road in the Talad Yai sub-district. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene on the day of the incident, where they found the victim, identified only as, Mr. Thiwa, a 65-year-old taxi motorbike rider, suffering from stab wounds to his chest and belly. He was bleeding profusely and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. The suspect, identified only as Mr. Jumphon, also a 65-year-old motorbike taxi rider, had already fled the scene. Later, Mr. Jumphon voluntarily surrendered to the police, bringing with him the knife allegedly used in the stabbing. During questioning, he explained that he operates a taxi motorbike stall. On the day of the incident, a loyal customer arrived, but Mr. Jumphon was not present at the stall. By Goongnang Suksawat Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai conscientious objector risks jail in rare refusal of military service Young men are forced to take part in conscript lottery, but the rich often avoid serving in army by Rebecca Ratcliffe Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal in 2016. Photograph: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA/Shutterstock Every April in Thailand young men take part in a lottery to determine whether they will be forced to do military service. Pull out a red card and you are drafted for up to two years. A black card means you are exempt. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325687-thai-conscientious-objector-risks-jail-in-rare-refusal-of-military-service/

Young men are forced to take part in conscript lottery, but the rich often avoid serving in army Every April in Thailand young men take part in a lottery to determine whether they will be forced to do military service. Pull out a red card and you are drafted for up to two years. A black card means you are exempt. When it was Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal’s turn to draw a card this month, he refused, making a rare protest as a conscientious objector. If prosecuted, it is believed he could become the first person in Thailand to be imprisoned for avoiding the draft through civil disobedience. The offence carries a maximum sentence of three years. “I’m very anxious. When I’m sleeping, I am thinking about whether I will have to go to jail. I will lose a lot of things – I already have a business now. I will lose everything,” Netiwit, 27, told the Observer. But he added: “I think someone has to do this, to show that we have a problem.” Netiwit said the system was outdated, ineffective and unfairly affected the poorest, who were less well placed to find ways to avoid the draft. It was also, he said, part of a wider system that undermined the country’s democracy. The prominent activist first announced his objection to military service as a teenager, after the military seized power in a coup in 2014. It was only last year that the former coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha, who later became prime minister, left office, after his party suffered a humiliating electoral defeat. by Rebecca Ratcliffe TOP: Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal in 2016. Photograph: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA/Shutterstock Full story: The Guardian 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Border Security Heightened Amid Myanmar Conflict Surge Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has affirmed his commitment to ensure the protection of Thai citizens amidst the latest round of military flare-ups along the Thai-Myanmar border. Recent clashes near the Second Friendship Bridge in Myawaddy, opposite Thailand's Mae Sot district, have prompted thousands of refugees to flee into Thailand since Friday (Apr 19). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325685-thai-border-security-heightened-amid-myanmar-conflict-surge/

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has affirmed his commitment to ensure the protection of Thai citizens amidst the latest round of military flare-ups along the Thai-Myanmar border. Recent clashes near the Second Friendship Bridge in Myawaddy, opposite Thailand's Mae Sot district, have prompted thousands of refugees to flee into Thailand since Friday (Apr 19). Emphasizing Thailand's readiness to act against any threats to its territorial integrity and sovereignty resulting from the Myanmar conflict, Srettha said the situation is being closely monitored, particularly movements near the Second Friendship Bridge. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through spokesman Nikorndej Balankura, also affirmed that Thai security forces have been stationed at various locations along the border to prevent any breach of Thailand’s sovereignty. The ministry is actively coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of people in the border areas and to restore peace and stability. Clashes in Myawaddy began intensifying on Friday evening as opposition forces attempted to take control of the city. The Myanmar military, with more than 200 soldiers currently entrenched near the Moei River checkpoint, has faced assaults from opposition drones dropping explosives. As the fighting rages on in Myawaddy, with Myanmar military forces utilizing helicopters and conducting air strikes against opposition groups, the situation remains critical. The Thai government has prepared disaster relief centers in Mae Sot, Phop Phra, and Mae Ramat districts to aid those affected by the ongoing violence. More than 1,200 people have since crossed over to Thailand since the escalation, seeking safety from the conflict. Source: NNT 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Tuesday 23 April 2024 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325682-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-tuesday-23-april-2024/

The deputy prime minister announced that the government is ready to endorse the idea of holding the first out of 3 referendums on amending the constitution, Approval of the idea is due to be given today with the first referendum likely to be held in August. The Department of National Parks, will relocate more than 2000 macaques which currently roam around the city of Lop Buri. A new facility is being prepared, officials plan to entice the cheeky monkeys into large cages with around 700 being moved first and the remaining 14 hundred due to be moved early next year. Water shortages continue in Huahin, local residents to the south can report water shortages to a police booth beside the roundabout at Kao Takiab where local authorities have stationed trucks to deliver water to residents the area. Air Asia will increase flights between hua hin and chaingmai from 3rd May until the end of august. Flights will depart daily from Huahin at 12:20 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and leave at 11am on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Around the region Chinese authorities remain on high alert in case of worsening weather, after four people died and 10 others went missing following heavy rain in parts of southern China. The manufacturing city of Guangdong with a population of 12.7 million was worst affected, more than 110 thousand people were re located . WEATHER Chiang Mai and the north: sunny 37C Bangkok: Sunny 37C Pattaya: sunny, partly cloudy 36C Phuket and the south: Sunny, also cloudy with thundershowers 33C Hua Hin: Sunny becoming cloudy this afternoon 35 - 36C AQI Orange High Green clear, yellow moderate, Orange High, Red unhealthy. Credits: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Asean Now, Khaosod English, Hua Hin Today, Royal Coast Review, Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn, Thainewsroom.com, The Pattaya News, Phuket News, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times. The Irrawaddy. Windy.com. Wunderground.com -- SURF 102.5 FM 2024-04-23 Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Motorbike Accident While Volunteering to Drive Blind Person Home By Aim Tanakorn Pattaya —Two public-spirited female teenagers and one blind person were injured when their motorbike was struck by a minivan on a Pattaya road early Monday morning, April 22nd, 2024. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325676-motorbike-accident-while-volunteering-to-drive-blind-person-home/

Pattaya —Two public-spirited female teenagers and one blind person were injured when their motorbike was struck by a minivan on a Pattaya road early Monday morning, April 22nd, 2024. The accident occurred at 2:36 AM in front of Pattaya School 7 on the inbound lane heading towards Sattahip. Local rescue workers urgently traveled to the scene to discover a Honda Scoopy I motorcycle carrying three people had been struck by a white minivan. The motorcycle driver, identified as 18-year-old Ms. Chalin Konrad, sustained minor abrasions to her body. The passenger, Ms. Chanyanuch Thanusorn, a 48-year-old blind person, suffered a large head wound. The third person on the motorcycle, a 17-year-old girl whose name was not released due to her age, also sustained abrasions. Ms. Chalin and the 17-year-old girl were friends. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand police bust fake pet medication ring by Nattapong Westwood PIcture courtesy of Artem Podrez from pexels.com Thailand police swooped to bust a clandestine operation producing counterfeit flea and tick treatments for pets, uncovering over 40,000 illicit products. The raid, which revealed a shocking use of termite poison in the mix, has potentially saved countless pets from life-threatening heart failure. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325675-thailand-police-bust-fake-pet-medication-ring/

Thailand police swooped to bust a clandestine operation producing counterfeit flea and tick treatments for pets, uncovering over 40,000 illicit products. The raid, which revealed a shocking use of termite poison in the mix, has potentially saved countless pets from life-threatening heart failure. The joint operation by Thailand’s Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) led to the seizure of counterfeit pet medications valued at over 500,000 baht. The investigation was sparked by online sales of substandard flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats. Prior to the raid, authorities had been tipped off about the underground sale of fake pet treatments. Online platforms were rife with these products, prompting a thorough investigation that eventually pinpointed the manufacturing network and its storage facilities in the Lat Krabang district. Upon inspection of two locations in the Thap Yao subdistrict of Lat Krabang, Bangkok, officers discovered a large cache of counterfeit products. The production process fell far short of any standards, with termite poison being mixed with alcohol, and then manually filled into containers without any proper measurement or sanitary consideration. The products were then sold online or through various pet shops across the country at prices ranging from 50 to 70 baht per bottle. An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 units were sold monthly over three years. The entire stock was confiscated and handed over for further investigation. It was found that the medication, which is not registered and thus illegal, would be applied to the back or neck of dogs. The chemical mixture, primarily termite poison combined with alcohol, was not precisely measured, posing a grave risk to pets. Extended use could lead to premature death in dogs and cats due to heart failure. Pet owners are advised to purchase treatments from licensed pharmacies or directly through certified veterinarians, avoiding online offers or unusually cheap products that deviate from the norm. The long-term health and safety of their pets demand vigilance against such hazardous counterfeit medications, reported Khaosod. by Nattapong Westwood PIcture courtesy of Artem Podrez from pexels.com Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

PM unveils plans to build world's tallest building (video) Full video: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325674-pm-unveils-plans-to-build-worlds-tallest-building-video/

Don Mueang Airport Recognized as Top Ten Budget Airline Terminals Globally Don Mueang International Airport has been recognized as one of the top ten budget airline terminals globally, securing the 10th position in the latest rankings by a UK-based consulting firm specializing in airline and airport reviews. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325672-don-mueang-airport-recognized-as-top-ten-budget-airline-terminals-globally/

Don Mueang International Airport has been recognized as one of the top ten budget airline terminals globally, securing the 10th position in the latest rankings by a UK-based consulting firm specializing in airline and airport reviews. The firm's World Airport Survey evaluates various aspects, including design, transportation, facilities, and service quality, specifically for terminals catering to low-cost carriers. Terminal 3 at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport in France claimed the top spot in these rankings, with Terminal 3 at Narita International Airport and Terminal 2 at Nagoya's Chubu Centrair International Airport in Japan taking second and third places, respectively. Don Mueang, which primarily serves domestic flights and is Bangkok’s secondary airport, is noted for its recent enhancements in passenger services and technology. Kirati Kitmanawat, director of Airports of Thailand (AOT), which oversees Don Mueang and five other major airports, including Suvarnabhumi Airport, noted that new systems such as Common Use Self-Service and Self-Bag Drop at the facility have streamlined the check-in process, cutting wait times and simplifying travel for passengers. The announcement was part of a broader release by Skytrax at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Frankfurt, Germany, where the 100 World's Best Airports of 2024 were unveiled. Qatar’s Hamad International Airport topped the list, with Singapore's Changi Airport and Seoul Incheon Airport following. Suvarnabhumi Airport rose ten places from last year to rank 58th globally. Source: NNT 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Concern Over Spread Of Covid-19, Nearly 10,000 Cases A Day by TNR Staff A representative image of Covid-19. Credit: Hindustan Times AN EMINENT professor is concerned about the spread of Covid-19 in Thailand as he estimates that currently there are nearly 10,000 cases a day, Amarin TV said this afternoon (Apr. 22). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325671-concern-over-spread-of-covid-19-nearly-10000-cases-a-day/

AN EMINENT professor is concerned about the spread of Covid-19 in Thailand as he estimates that currently there are nearly 10,000 cases a day, Amarin TV said this afternoon (Apr. 22). Assoc. Prof. Teera Worathanarat of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine said in a Facebook post that last week, Apr. 14-20, 2024, 1,004 Covid patients were hospitalised, three died, 292 had pneumonia and 101 were intubated. It was found that patients requiring hospital treatment increased by 18.26%, with this having risen continuously for six weeks in a row. The number of pneumonia cases increased by 20.66% while intubation rose by 17.44%. by TNR Staff A representative image of Covid-19. Credit: Hindustan Times Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

UPDATE: PM Accused Of Power Abuse Over Police/Money Laundering Scandals By Thai Newsroom Reporters Former deputy police chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn at the National Anti-Corruption Commission, April 22, 2024. Photos: Naewna PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin was today (Apr. 22) accused of perpetrating power abuse which has allegedly put the National Police headquarters in trouble and rendered injustice to former deputy police chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325644-embattled-deputy-police-chief-claims-pm-has-abused-authority/?do=findComment&comment=18862814

PM Accused Of Power Abuse Over Police/Money Laundering Scandals By Thai Newsroom Reporters Former deputy police chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn at the National Anti-Corruption Commission, April 22, 2024. Photos: Naewna PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin was today (Apr. 22) accused of perpetrating power abuse which has allegedly put the National Police headquarters in trouble and rendered injustice to former deputy police chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn. Pol. Gen. Surachate, nicknamed Big Joke, today filed a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission against the prime minister who recently ordered for his removal from the post of deputy police chief after he had been suspended from duty pending ongoing investigation into alleged involvement in money laundering charges. The Pheu Thai-backed prime minister had ordered acting police chief Pol. Gen. Kittrat Panpetch to immediately depose Pol. Gen. Surachate as deputy police chief. In his petition submitted to the NACC, Pol. Gen. Surachate has accused the prime minister of perpetrating power abuse by not only deposing him of the post of deputy police chief but having earlier named Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukwimon as police chief allegedly on nepotistic basis. Police chief Pol. Gen. Torsak and Pol. Gen. Surachate have been suspended from duty and transferred to inactive posts at Government House pending the in-depth probe into the money laundering charges pertaining to enormous sums of kickbacks allegedly extorted from illegal online gambling operators and allegedly funnelled millions of baht in bribe money to their relatives and former subordinate police officers on monthly basis. Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Phuket anticipates one million Chinese tourists post-Songkran by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of Lets Phuket The popular tourist resort island of Phuket is gearing up to welcome an additional influx of 1 million Chinese tourists this year. This forecast comes in the wake of a targeted tourism promotion that took place across three Chinese cities. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325670-phuket-anticipates-one-million-chinese-tourists-post-songkran/

The popular tourist resort island of Phuket is gearing up to welcome an additional influx of 1 million Chinese tourists this year. This forecast comes in the wake of a targeted tourism promotion that took place across three Chinese cities. Anupab Vejwanichsanong, who occupies the role of the vice president for the Phuket Administration Organisation, revealed today, April 22, that the roadshow’s organisers are confident that the event will bring an added one million Chinese vacationers to Phuket by the year’s end. The expected surge in visitor numbers is anticipated to have a positive impact on the local economy, with an estimated 40 billion baht in tourism-related revenue predicted to be generated. Last year, Phuket recorded approximately 1.7 million visitors journeying from China. However, this figure pales in comparison to the 3.1 million Chinese tourists that flocked to the island annually before the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a disruption in global travel. As part of the promotional efforts, Phuket’s local government officials and representatives from the tourism industry held meetings with Chinese travel agents. These meetings took place in the Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Chengdu between April 8-12. The Phuket Tourism Association remains hopeful that the number of Chinese tourists will rebound to pre-Covid figures by next year. In related news, a recent measure granting visa-free travel between Thailand and China has sparked a surge in tourism expectations. As per the reports collected by five Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) overseas offices located in Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, it’s predicted that tourism between the two nations could dramatically rise by the end of 2024. The visa-exemption agreement, which has been in effect since March 1, has already begun to influence travel forecasts. The People’s Daily Online, a leading Chinese news agency, along with data from several websites, has shared optimistic projections about the potential growth in cross-border tourism. by Alex Morgan Picture courtesy of Lets Phuket Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pattaya panic: Grenade scare rattles resident by Nattapong Westwood Image courtesy of Khaosod Online Panic spread through the Pattaya community yesterday following the discovery of an M26 grenade and live ammunition concealed in a residential area. Local authorities, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, were quickly alerted and dispatched to secure the area and defuse the potential threat. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325669-pattaya-panic-grenade-scare-rattles-resident/

Panic spread through the Pattaya community yesterday following the discovery of an M26 grenade and live ammunition concealed in a residential area. Local authorities, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, were quickly alerted and dispatched to secure the area and defuse the potential threat. The grenade, a lethal M26 fragmentation hand grenade, was found in pristine condition, tucked under a blue-grey multipurpose cleaning cloth beside a single-story concrete house. Beneath the cloth lay a black aluminium box containing two 9mm bullets. The alarming find was made by a 73 year old security guard working to clear rubbish and cut grass in the area. Upon uncovering the wrapped object and realizing it was a grenade, the guard, Prathum Chomsawat immediately notified the community leader and the police. The police cordoned off the area, instructing residents to evacuate a 200-metre radius around the site. To prevent any accidental detonation, a tyre was placed over the grenade while the EOD team worked to clear the area. The operation was led by the deputy station chief of Nong Prue Police Station, who reported that the grenade was fully functional with a potential blast radius of about 20 meters. Following the successful recovery, the explosive device and the ammunition were taken to the police station for documentation and will be disposed of safely. In related news, residents in a Chon Buri community acted swiftly to detain a heavily intoxicated man who, after becoming agitated during a Songkran celebration, returned home to fetch a gun and threaten his companions. Initial investigations suggest that the grenade and ammunition were likely hidden by local teenagers. The police are now conducting further inquiries to identify the individuals responsible for placing the deadly weapons in such a public and potentially dangerous location. This incident has raised concerns about public safety and the ease with which explosives can be found and transported into populated areas. The local community has been shaken by the event, prompting a renewed focus on surveillance and the importance of reporting suspicious activities to prevent similar occurrences in the future. In other news, Chaos erupted during the Songkran festivities as a teenager brandishing airsoft guns incited fear and panic in Soi 7, Central Pattaya, sending shockwaves through the crowd of over a thousand tourists on April 15. by Nattapong Westwood Image courtesy of Khaosod Online Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai woman claiming Steven Gerrard her father, arrested by Petch Petpailin Photo via DailyNews Police arrested a drug-addicted Thai woman for causing disturbances and scaring away customers at a petrol station in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. She previously gained attention on Thai social media last year for falsely claiming to be the daughter of Steven Gerrard. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1325667-thai-woman-claiming-steven-gerrard-her-father-arrested/

Police arrested a drug-addicted Thai woman for causing disturbances and scaring away customers at a petrol station in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. She previously gained attention on Thai social media last year for falsely claiming to be the daughter of Steven Gerrard.. Mueang Udon Thani Police Station officers were notified of the ensuing chaos at a PTT petrol station on Prachak Sinlapakhom Road at around 9.50am today and investigated the scene. They discovered the Thai woman, identified as 39 year old Jantima, inside the women’s bathroom. She was dressed in a Liverpool shirt and black shorts, muttering to herself while insisting that the police keep their distance. Jantima claimed to the police that she had come to the petrol station to study chemistry. The petrol station attendant, 23 year old Wissanu Khan-apha, informed Channel 7 that Jantima regularly came to the petrol station. She would often cause a commotion in front of the convenience store and dance on the sink in the women’s bathroom. Wissanu suspected Jantima of using drugs and suffering from a mental illness. He wanted police to arrest Jantima, fearing she might harm the station or customers. The police also suspected Jantima of drug use and questioned her but she did not respond directly. Instead, she asked the officers how many methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba, they could buy for her. Following the arrest, Jantima was taken to the police station for drug testing and a mental health evaluation. The police also planned to investigate whether she lived alone or with family members. According to Matichon, Jantima had a known history of drug abuse and had previously stirred trouble in August of last year. During that incident, she attempted suicide while under the influence of Yaba by setting fire to her rented room using a curtain and some paper. The room’s owner contacted the police and was able to intervene before the situation escalated. However, what drew widespread attention to her story was her assertion, when questioned by the police about her family, that the former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard was her father. Photo via DailyNews by Petch Petpailin Photo via DailyNews Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-23 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe