Thailand & Pattaya LATEST NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (7 February 2023)

Thailand & Pattaya LATEST NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (7 February 2023)

Bare hope remains for a Burmese toddler who fell into an artesian well, a water bore hole Monday afternoon.  The toddler is thought NOT to have fallen the full 15 metre depth as cries were heard throughout last night by rescue workers.  With a sleeve inserted to protect soil from falling in, initially digging was by hand, subsequently a mechanical digger was used as the crying became louder and it was obvious that the infant was alive this morning.  Groundwater boreholes are common here for water supply, in this as in many cases the opening was uncovered and became a play area for the inquisitive youngster.  This morning rescue teams were thought to be just 8 feet away from reaching the child, critically that short distance is through rock and has to be hand dug to avoid injury.

According to Thailand’s Pol Gen Hakparn,  110 immigration police officers from generals down have been outed as issuing visas illegally to non-Thais and those cases WILL be passed to the state prosecutors this week.   Stemming from issues with illegal Chinese immigrants that began months ago, the investigation is said to have discovered a visa scandal which could affect numerous expats here.  All will be charged with taking money under the table in return for annual extensions of stay .  This was on the same day police announced the arrest of a visa agent who found an easy way to ensure visas for her clients. she simply printed her own.  Fake passports, visa stamps, pens and seals were all discovered in her business premises.

The body of a missing German tourist who leapt of his own volition from a ferry near Koh Phangan has been recovered by search teams.  His leap into rough seas, 8 days ago, saw rescue teams at the time search for him and yesterday initial identification from body tattoos were reported to the german embassy as he was removed and sent to BKK for autopsy.

 According to the election database there is NO single political party registered for election in all of the 400 convertible seats for the next election.  With so many small parties in Thailand , even the big 3 or 4 fall 5 short on covering all provinces, with those provinces  containing several constituencies.   As in most countries, the election can only play out well for the larger political parties, seeing the smaller ones sidelined by voters but perhaps making deals after votes are counted to side WITH others.

 In roi Et, Thailand’s modern day version of bonnie and clyde were nabbed this week.  The spousal team of safe crackers had become notorious for blowing safes in petrol stations, often holding staff at gunpoint but never, to our knowledge, shooting anyone. Both have admitted their crimes , which are estimated to have seen them glean 2 million baht, so far unrecovered, and in their statements said that they had been forced into crime to meet demands from mortgage and car loan companies when they fell behind.

Forensic teams were due yesterday to search the remains of a Nong prue house belonging to a 58 year old Canadian that burned out at the weekend.  The luxury home was destroyed in a raging fire before even the fire brigade could attend.  When they doused the flames, the owner and all inside were, by then, safe and away from the burning building. The damage, an estimated 20 million baht.

Today sees the final funeral ceremonies for Dr Iain Corness, perhaps the city’s best known expat physician.  Published as taking place today at 2pm, it is recommended that attendees arrive before one since timing is never exact at Thai funerals.  Last night saw mass attendance at pre-cremation rituals.

13 miles off Rayong’s coastline, a lonely 7 metre long whale shark has been spotted by diving teams.  Safe and well, but perhaps lost, other may soon join too as they are often spotted in the first few months of a year.

Now is the time to get your air conditioners serviced.  Why, you may ask, as temperatures are currently comfortable. WELL, The MET office is predicting a super hot dry season this year with temperatures up to 43 degrees within 6 -8 weeks. Far too many so-called engineers simply clean the indoor section of units and homeowners are advised to watch and see that the compressor of the outdoor component is also cleaned and fins pressure washed, else the heat simply can’t dissipate, and your bills will be sky high.

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