Thailand & Pattaya HEADLINE NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (17 November 2022)
The Thai government is determined to see the nation go virtually cashless faster than most countries, this as the Bank of Thailand announced plans to HALVE the amount of cash and notes in circulation within 4 years. With more and more paying via phone apps here, even credit and debit card machines are getting less use, for retail, it’s a good deal, instant confirmation of funds without having to have a machine… But, as countries work toward this no-cash plan.. so the black economy, which is key in most Asian countries, will see difficulties as, without doubt, at some point once the banking system gets on top of a cashless society.. transactions will more and more be reported to state authorities… Convenient? Yes. Safe? Mostly. Good for all? Certainly not.. but it’s the way of the future.
We have seen recommendations all week here in the news, that trips to the capital are best delayed until after the weekend, as the global conference of international leaders take place under full heightened security. Traffic reports indicate that the number of vehicles heading for BKK IS less than normal, with many heading here and elsewhere to avoid the predicted traffic jams. These recommendations are still in effect.
A Scottish man 46 year old William Dempster arrested her in Thailand back in May, has been found guilty in his home country of possession of in excess of 60K in appropriate images of youngsters, a charge brought against him originally 8 years ago before he fled here. Dempster was caught by Pattaya police, following a request from Scotland yard in London that reported him as possessing, CREATING and sharing his vile collection. And the court gave out a paltry sentence of 18 months, in a UK jail.
Thai media is reporting on the revitalisation of the tourist business on Koh Chang this week. An island economy once flattened by the covid era, Koh Chang is, we are told, bouncing back with a bang. 90% room occupancy is the tourist offices claim to fame, with numerous events planned over the coming months to keep travellers coming. The really good news is that with a few years of zero turism, nature on the island has returned to its glory, seeing the jungles and woodlands revitalised.
As floods continue to hit Phuket island and surrounding areas of the south so, as expected, along with flooding around the island, so yesterday saw experts finding more structural damage to the already beleaguered Kathu to Patong highway. With the underside of the hillside highway washed away, traffic had been allowed in one direction but as of yesterday, we are told, that was no longer an option. NO WORD on how engineers plan to repair the road which is essentially dangling in the air. Traffic, meanwhile, has been rerouted.
That interview, with a Thai barrister answering questions sent by expats, is now available on our youtube channel or via the website. Answering questions regarding wills, bills and debts, Khun Pira will be a regular guest on Fab 103 in the future.
Proving that even Pattaya police eventually get their man, or men.. 2 ex hotel cleaners have been arrested in their hometowns, on charges of robbing hotel guests… FIVE YEARS AGO. The 44 and 36 yr old were arrested in Ayutthaya and Samut Prakan and admitted to having robbed at least one tourist of 3 baht weight of gold along with other goods. All long since sold and spent. No word as to how or why THIS case came to the top of the cold case pile.
Flooding around the city again yesterday, but as waters finally washed away the railway road and others have been left with a HUGE amount of sand left all over the road. Sand here is like black ice in the west, it’s dangerous, especially for motorbikes and scooters. The city will, we assume, have a clean up later but until then take extra care.
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