Thailand & Pattaya LATEST NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (22 February 2023)
– Explosion on Chao Phraya River
Battery powered tour boats on the Chao Phraya river took a bashing yesterday as 4 of a large fleet burned out following an explosion and fire thought to have been caused by a charging system used to refill the batteries. As the battery on one boat exploded, so the fire spread quickly to three adjacent others. Fire departments finally separated the boats from another 8 to prevent further spread and managed to douse flames. With a security guard claiming that the battery literally exploded, concern has been raised as to the safety of these and other battery powered launches.

– Suspected b0mb builder killed in shootout
In the South of Thailand, a man considered the builder of several bombs used in attacks was killed during a shootout yesterday. During a pre-dawn police raid, officials first get the help of local and religious leaders to contact him. When those requests failed to persuade him, police called on him to come out with his hands up, instead he fired on them, a return of fire leading to his death. As his corpse was removed from the scene, family members seized it, refusing to allow officers to remove him and instead demanding that he receive their own religious rites.
– Thailand to ban all plastic waste imports
Some western countries will need to find new dumping grounds for their plastic waste. From January 2025, Thailand will have a total ban on imported plastic waste, seeing the current figures slashed in half by next year in preparation. Half a million tonnes of plastic garbage is estimated to be shipped here every year. Much is recycled.

– Car exports up following rise in chip supply
And good news for the car industry as, with the supply chain for computer chips now back to normal, between 80 and 90K vehicles were exported FROM production plants here in the month of January. The semiconductor shortage, which took manufacturing companies by storm, saw not only the automotive but many other manufacturing operations seriously affected. This includes the phone and computer makers along with engineering equipment and even washing machines, all of which rely on semiconductors to keep them working. Thailand now is on target to hit a million vehicle exports in 2023, good news for employees too and those seeking work.
– Shopkeepers face fines for restricting parking, public to receive 50% of fine
Shopkeepers who park traffic cones, flags or anything outside their businesses to stop the public parking NOW face fines of up to 10K baht, this according to the Central Bureau of investigation. For decades rows have broken out between shop operators and drivers over who can park where, but for once, the game is going in the favour of the DRIVER. Anyone reporting violations is entitled to 50% of the fine given. A sure fire winner for anyone shopping at the Naklua market and other local hotspots.

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