Thailand & Pattaya LATEST NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (1 February 2023)

Thailand & Pattaya LATEST NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (1 February 2023)

The current Deputy Prime Minister has expressed his wish that the cabinet review ideas of raising the minimum wage for skilled workers in 17 different job functions in order that more will take on those jobs which have become less popular, as Thais can earn more in factories.  A second list of some 112 occupations is also to be considered.  With the cost of living rising monthly here, as it has globally, concern is for sustainability of family life for many.  Mid last year, a similar action was passed to increase wages for plasterers, tillers, painters, concrete workers, jewelry makers, hotel receptionists and waitresses, caregivers, and hairdressers.  The rise, an estimated 5-8%.  The chances of it passing before an election.. no one is sure.

Elections here are set to take place in the next few months and the current PRIME minister may well dissolve parliament, the first step as soon as March 9th according to those close to him, that then would see voting with 60 days in all.  Then it’s all up in the air for Thailand’s political future as the current PM wants another 2 years, the deputy PM will be vying for the position AND the other major parties will be campaigning to take majority control and see off the current government completely.   Whichever it is, we could see change by mid-May.

Seven police officers from Bangkok’s Huay Kwang Police Station have been transferred and face charges of dereliction of duty after the continuing investigation into extortion of 27K baht from a Taiwanese woman caught vaping.  The story is dragging on now, as news outlets tout the ‘he says she says’ versions of events. One thing appears to be certain, the fine extracted from her.. wasn’t intended for the police coffers.  The police station chief has also been transferred.. to an inactive post.

Vehicle inspectors in the capital are out in force this week, checking the pollution rates of Diesel powered trucks and cars, this as pollution levels have reached and remain at a dangerous level. Public transport vehicles have been targeted for several months and drivers are being encouraged to check their own vehicle and make repairs. Whilst older vehicles in Thailand DO have to be tested annually, it is a cursory and quick test that appears more interested in the matching of vin numbers to books and whilst an emissions test IS carried out during those tests, unlike in the west, the tests are carried out at virtually idle speed.  In the west an engine RPM is raised to 3500 and held there, seeing the full impact of any smoke emissions.

On Samui island, a Burmese man is reported missing after he and two pals climbed rocks along the storm ridden shoreline.  Thai media claims the three were drunk , the one fell into the waters at a popular viewpoint and is assumed dead. Authorities HAD issued warnings to tourists to keep well back from the waves for safety reasons as much of the south is battered by storms.

In Pattaya, a full investigation is underway after an American youtuber was found dead in his rented home, with the rooms trashed.  The 34 year old is said to have kept himself pretty much to himself by neighbours and worked on creating an online image of  being able to teach his so-called followers how to enlarge their organs. Known as Leo Longevity, and not for his plan to live to an old age. He was discovered by a pal wearing only a t-shirt face down, bruised and bleeding.  Police reports indicate the presence of sleeping pills, steroids, cannabis and antidepressants found at the scene. His posts about exercise and food supplements garnered a small following, but those discussing how to add a few inches to tackle were popular online.  Foul play has not been ruled out and the US embassy has been notified.

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