PATTAYA & THAILAND News, from Fabulous 103fm (9th November 2022)
Well, we had the warning last year as Paypal made life intolerable for its business customers here. NOW, the online payment processor is, according to Thai media, soon to block non-thai users here WITH OR WITHOUT accounts presently. All have to requalify and to do that, you will need your THAI ID card which, of course, you don’t have. That’s you and every other expat OUT from Paypal. Meanwhile, we recommend transferwise, now rebranded WISE. At wise.com. Its easier to use than paypal, has excellent exchange rates and will pay into anyone’s bank account overseas.
A draft proposal to allow expats to purchase up to 1 rai of land here in Thailand, has been withdrawn from the list of proposals due to be discussed by the cabinet yesterday. Those proposing faced an uphill battle with nationalists who didn’t want to see 1 sq cm of Thailand owned by non-thais. For expats then, it’s condos in the non-Thai accolation, or alternative plans. One issue that was never discussed was the subsequent ownership of land, had foeign ownership become legal, in other words who could or could not inherit. All moot points now as the chances of us buying go back to zero unless the proposal can be revived.
Thonburis district court yesterday saw a police doctor’s DUI sentence reduced to just 3 years , suspended, despite 2 being killed and one seriously injured in the crash he caused last year. It was 6 years, but he received the standard 50% discount as he pleaded guilty. Quite how a police captain, albeit a doctor, afforded a Porsche, was never clarified. The family of the dead plan to appeal despite an offer of 2.5 million cash between them.
Thailand is considering an effort to cut their power usage following increased costs in generating electricity due to world fuel prices. High consumption businesses may be targeted, seeing many ordered to close early. A law is in place to allow demands to be made of all consumers and goes back to the fuel crisis of the 70s. This as the peak time of annual use will begin in March as temperatures rise, seeing AC used across the country. For many businesses, operating without AC is impossible. Thailand is already working to keep prices affordable by increasing its demand on Laos suppliers AND continuing with the coal fired generators, due to be decommissioned, that work well, and are impervious to world oil prices BUT, of course, generate more pollutant gases. Prices here are ONLY capped until the end of December, at 4.72 baht and could well rise again after that.
Chinese or Hong Kong Chinese gang leaders have been put on the Thai blacklist by the deputy national police chief Surchat hakparn as of yesterday. Described as the heads of 5 families, 2 are now in custody, and 3 fled in their private planes ahead of the warrants being issued. All are charged with multiple crimes involving the drug trade and operation of clubs illegally in the capital AND here in Pattaya.
Thailand’s detective Numero Uno has certainly got the hots for Chinese gangs. Not unsurprising as raids on several clubs saw some boasting of their protection connections here and others fleeing. Now police are busy seizing assets as a request went out to Interpol to put all 5 on the Red Notice program and China’s Ambassador to Thailand has promised cooperation.
Meanwhile at home, and the poster for Pattaya’s Rotary Fashion night Friday is on our website. It’s a fundraiser, monies go to aid for abused minors and women. A fun night, banquet, shows, dancing and more.
A german expat, nabbed Monday after threatening suicide, remains in police and medical custody after a standoff following attempts to arrest him on visa overstays. The 47 year old held a knife to his own neck at the rented home he shared with his German 35 yr old wife. At one point he set fire to rubbish in the car porch where he hid amid vehicles and other refuse. Authorities quickly doused that but threats to them, combined with 3 vicious dogs saw them prefer to take a back seat whilst the wife talked him down. Both face deportation and word is that locals reported them for allowing the three muts to wander in the Soi, scaring locals, and chasing children.
A lunatic pickup truck driver is being sought in the Sriracha area as on Monday night he attacked people enjoying the evening beach, allegedly, for no reason whatsoever. Confirmed as a Thai national, driving a white pickup, he slashed at least one passerby before driving off, colliding with several pedestrians as he did so. The frontage is covered with CCTV cameras and so it’s expected he will be quickly nabbed.
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