Thailand & Pattaya LATEST NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (13 January 2023)

Thailand & Pattaya LATEST NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (13 January 2023)

 720 thousand KG’s of illegally imported pork was destroyed this week as Thailand continues to clamp down on meat smuggled into the country despite strict rules designed to avoid the import of disease.  123 Million bahts worth of meat and offal was trucked to a disposal site in 350 10 wheel truck loads before being buried.  Over 1 MILL tons of illegal meat was seized in 2022.

Six police officers suspected of involvement with an alleged Chinese triad kingpin have been fired, according to the national police chief.  Those dismissed include the wife of the Chinaman, a police colonel and a police Sgt who appears to have worked as the Chinaman’s driver.   All are charged with numerous crimes including demands for 600K baht from owners of vehicles confiscated during raids on his nightclub. His wife was bailed, 2 mill baht, he remains in jail.

 Thailand offers FREE Covid 19 tests to visitors here who feel ill and show symptoms, AND will offer vaccination at what are described as FAIR prices too. Health insurance is a requirement for travelers who will be leaving here for India or China, where PCR testing is required before boarding, and the free testing is for those with symptoms, not those who need to test before travelling, for that, as always, there is a fee. Vaccinations for non thais are on offer in BKK, Chiang Mai Phuket and in Chonburi too, at the Pattaya Rak health unit.

Buskers in the capital will be required to obtain licenses as of this month.  The program will see THAIS able to register to play for the public, either solo or in groups but NOT to sell wares.  The 1 year permits will allow them to play in certain approved areas, take part in organized events and also see non Thais effectively banned from playing as, without the possibility of work permits, they will not be able to secure the new documentation.

Thai media is reporting on a luckless and perhaps odd 35 year old well heeled Thai man who claims that he went to his fitness club to work out, disposing of what he claims was 10 MILLION bahts worth of jewelry and watch in a locker before pumping his weights, only to return to find that.. only his clothing was left .. The valuables.. had gone.  No sign of forced entry according to police who are investigating, but who on earth leaves 10 Mill baht worth in a locker. Well, it seems he does on a regular basis which, according to investigators, probably made him an easy mark, and someone suddenly rich.   No CCTV in the locker room to avoid invasion of personal space.

That Bentley driver who rear ended a Pajero on the highway leaving a family of 6 injured, and WASN’T breathalyzed at the scene, well, he has told the media that he wasn’t drunk.  In fact had only drunk a quarter of a bottle of champagne before driving.   When questioned about empty wine bottles found in his vehicle he explained that away with ease.  Seems a pal’s girlfriend likes the look of the empty bottles so took them from a party as a souvenir.   Seems a lady passenger, who had just had a nose job, was also injured so in his words didn’t run away, but instead CHOSE to have a blood test while getting her to a hospital for treatment.  BUT a BKK court isn’t so sympathetic, they have accepted charges of DUI as it’s claimed he DID refuse a breathalyzer.. bail was set at 100K.  He is also reported to be willing to replace the damaged, brand new, Mitsubishi.

A Singaporean man who entered Thailand on a fake passport, at the land crossing in Sa Kaeo has been arrested after his home country police worked with Thai cops, together finding him in a BKK condo.  The 32 yr old is said to have fleeced personal accounts in Singapore using fake profiles on social media.  His Thai lady friend didn’t fare much better.  During the arrest, they found HER to have meth, ketamine and weighing scales.  So as he entered the immigration detention center, she remains in police custody.  Seems he was arrested before, last October, for using a fake passport, but allowed bail, he.. duly absconded.

 Meanwhile at one and a police raid on an online gambling operation here resulted in the closure of a 360 million baht turnover operation run by 3 women and a man in a condo. Paris 99 is no longer taking bets and for those who had balances in their credit, well they aren’t likely to put in claims for refunds.