Thailand & Pattaya HEADLINE NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (10 November 2022)

Thailand & Pattaya HEADLINE NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (10 November 2022)

The Immigration Bureau launched this week its trial version of ONLINE applications for extensions of stay in Thailand. Limited initially to certain areas, the online system is expected to reduce queuing in immigration offices and see approval turnaround much faster. From application, sending document copies, and online payment we are told that once fully operational the program will see process times reduced to a few minutes. The service will assist those extending tourist visas, through to those married or supporting families and will initially cover only the greater Bangkok area during initial trials before being launched nationwide. Once approved, the applicant will have a one time appointment set to show proof of ID and receive the relevant stamp in their passports at immigration.

As police advise that close to 30K officers, uniformed and non uniformed, will be on duty in the capital during next week​’​s APEC summit, so, we are told, some 60K suspects in crimes ranging from drug dealing thru to weapon related crimes have been rounded up nationwide in the past month to ensure a hassle free conference of international leaders hosted in Bangkok​ ​Center.

A man who fled to Thailand from the UK has this week been sentence​d​ in his absence there to 8 years jailtime​.​ Hotels and guest houses are asked to keep an eye out for 35 year old Michael Foster, said to be hiding out in Thailand still​,​ after a guilty verdict in a Pres​t​on Lancashire rape case. He absconded whilst on bail. Foster is likely in one of the tourist hotspots and has a distinguishable Lancashire accent. Immigration and police have been notified​.​

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?
Brit sought by police in Thailand

T​hai football fans will get to watch the world cup this month, this as the NBTC donated 600 mill baht toward the purchase of licensing by the sports authority, despite objections from several lobby groups and the purchase, we are told WILL include the final. With a majority IN FAVOUR VOTE by the NBTC board, we now wait for confirmation of the licence purchase and the news that it will be free world cup across the nation​.​

Meanwhile at home and in Pattaya, Chinese investors are likely liking their wounds as they invested millions in a third road venue, fitting it out with the best of furnishings and carpet along with.. a full set up as a casino. Known as ​B​ig ​J​oke, Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakphan, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police, ordered local police and immigration to arm themselves with a warrant to search, discovering a casino as luxurious as any abroad but as yet unused. All the ​e​equipment, from gaming tables to plush carpet was still in bubble wrap when cops arrived. The building had been converted from a mass entertainment emporium for coach bound tourists to a full on casino with gambling tables for all types of card games and even VIP rooms. The building and land had been leased to a Chinese GROUP​,​ headed up, we are told, by a man going under the name of Mr. Ming. The investigation followed a tip​-​off from a concerned member of the public and is seen as yet another clamp down here on Chinese gang operated businesses that flaunt the law.

Pattaya Police have CCTV recordings t​o​ assist them in an Aurora Gold shop raid ​w​within the south Pattaya Big C shopping mall yesterday.​ We HAVEN’T been advised as to the nationality of the thieves but police are well aware and Random ID with Passport checks have been heightened in the city. As a reminder​,​ it is the law here that all non​-​thais carry with them their passports AND visas. Recent amendments have allowed the substitution of original documents with copies and even good copies held in photos on phones but the law allows any non thai to be detained IF he or she has no proof of ID, so best to copy yours now.

Take extra care on the railway road this week as several sinkholes in the newly dug 3 lane highway have appeared and more are expected. At best they have barriers, at worst, no lighting. They are being filed by repair teams​.​

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