Thailand & Pattaya LATEST NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (3 March 2023)

Thailand & Pattaya LATEST NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (3 March 2023)
(Visit www.alwayspattaya.com blog section for text news)

– New ‘Red Card/Yellow Card’ system for naughty foreigners
Phuket island area is seeing itself as a test centre for new regulations introduced to reduce the amount of crimes instigated by foreigners.  The new, so called, red card system sees anyone found to have committed a crime first processed by police, perhaps a court and then passed on to immigration who will yellow stamp their passports.  That’s like a final warning, as a further violation will see them deported, at their own expense and banned from returning to Thailand. Already at least two cases have seen non-Thais processed. One, a Frenchman,  for dangerously driving a big bike, for which he didn’t have a licence, and showing off with wheelies and skids. In that case the rental company was also fined AND another where CCTV revealed that a fight involving a tourist DIDN’T emanate from his being robbed, as he claimed, but from him kicking off a fight that spewed onto the beaches.  The yellow red carding system ISN’T new as years ago expats who were caught driving drunk were auto sent to immigration to get a warning. The difference is that with immigration now fully computerized, and even using a different passport now NOT working for them, the system is likely to spread quickly to other tourist areas such as Pattaya.  In each case where a warning is given on the island, the applicable embassy is informed too.

– Teaching assistant shot by ex-boyfriend outside school
No pupils were injured or involved in a school shooting in the North East this week, but a teaching assistant at a private school was left fighting for her life after her EX boyfriend pulled up on a motorbike and shot her three times as she entered the school.   Word is that she had taken a considerable time away from work, due to personal circumstances and only just restarted. Obviously, word reached the gunman who has since been arrested and is due to be arrested.

– 3-day weekend in Thailand for Makha Bucha Day
Monday is Makha Bucha Day, the first major Buddhist festival of the year,  celebrating the first teachings of the Lord Buddha to 1250 followers who were ordained and spread the principles of Buddhism.  A 3 day weekend in Thailand, as Monday is a national holiday, it’s also a day when alcohol is banned for sale from midnight Sunday through to the same on Monday, applying to all outlets from stores to bars and restaurants.

– Thai Navy asks for 200 million baht to recover sunken ship 
The Royal Thai Navy says it needs 200 million to cover the safe salvage of the Sukhothai ship which sunk in the gulf during storms, seeing 29 sailors either dead or missing.  Said to be 50 metres below sea level, the navy has asked the defence minister to cover the cost which would allow them to assess the true cause of the sinking which, to date, has never fully been explained.

– Justin Beiber cancels Thailand tour 
Fans of Justin Beiber who bought tickets for the then postponed concert in bank back in November, have been advised that the replacement date has also been cancelled and, with no plans for him to tour here, ticket refunds are available.  Organisers and vendors face huge losses for sure but for the fans – they can get their money back from Thai Ticket Major.

– Thai man arrested for online student visa fraud
A thai man who infiltrated an online parent group of children from a well known private school in the capital, has been arrested and charged with fraud after promising visas for the students to study abroad.  Once he received deposits, he cut off contact.

– Parking banned on oceanside of Beach Road 
Despite the wording of the notice issued by city hall, parking appears to BE allowed on the inner side of beach road, as parking has been BANNED on the oceanside.  Police have, we are told, been issuing tickets and clamping vehicles, no word on the treatment of coaches which had previously blocked lanes but speedboats HAVE been moved on to the Bali Hai area with only one or two sneaking in to beat the system.

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