Thailand & Pattaya News, from Fabulous 103fm (11 April 2022)

Thailand & Pattaya News, from Fabulous 103fm (11 April 2022)

Smog levels in the Pattaya region hit 170 over the weekend, and at 7am today were showing 152, with Bangkok reporting similar figures this level of pollution is positively dangerous to anyone with breathing issues, and exercise outdoors isn’t recommended. Pattaya on Sunday was reported as 18 times the safe level set by the WHO.  For anyone who experiences breathing difficulties, it’s essential that you visit hospitals or qualified clinics as simple medication is unlikely to rectify the issue.  More and more are buying air filtration devices for their homes and the levels of smog are not expected to dissipate any time soon.

 Traffic was already nose to tail at the weekend as many tried to leave early for the songkran holidays. All roads heading north were congested over the weekend and we can expect similar on the mass return next weekend.  It’s a week’s break for many, with 2 weekends, to visit home towns and villages and businesses in many cases CLOSE all week to allow staff to leave. The new motorway 6, toward Isaan and currently under construction , WILL be opened in some areas, and only at certain times, to reduce congestion.

In Samut prakan, two teenage lovers were in custody over the weekend after a 14 yr old girl is said to have persuaded her 16 year old boyfriend to stab her mother to death, after she had clamped down on the daughter going out and having a relationship. The daughter? Well, she has pled that she has mental health problems, but had failed several school class exams which had seen Mum insist she stay home and study, which, she says, made her angry.

Thailand’s continued relationship, however fractured, with neighbouring Burma has seen police there hand over one of Thailand’s most wanted drug dealers to the narcotics suppression division. Handed over at the Mai Sai checkpoint, his future is definitely behind bars.

 The justice ministry has revised the criteria applied to Prison term reductions for all in Thai jails. Until now, a prisoner could benefit from before trial from reductions given blanketly, seeing one recent case of a 48 year sentence reduced to under 11 very quickly.  NOW, the PM has ordered the implementation for recommendations of a legal committee that will see prisoners categorised based on their crime and in some cases not eligible for sentence reductions.

6 people were the first to be arrested following an investigation into a romance scam that targeted the well heeled, but older population.  With others in line for arrest too, including foreigners, they are said to have netted some 120 million baht, duping the loveless. So far, over 100 women have filed police complaints and more are expected.

In Ranong, some 145 burmese were sent back across the border to their home country after sneaking into Thailand, paying so-called guides to get them in.

And the 4 month old tiger cub, taken into veterinary care after being discovered during a sting on wild animal dealers, is said to be recovering well from its ordeal.  As those selling and buying wallow BEHIND Bars, the cub is said to have free roam of a secure area and be recovering from malnutrition and stomach issues. It won’t be long, we are told, before it is able to be put int a larger facility, to mature enough to be able to survive back in the wilds.

With military conscription underway still, and all of a certain age ordered to attend and draw cards to see if they must or don’t have to serve. A 23 yr old paid a fine this weekend. Nai, a ladyboy, had been living in France with her parents during covid and missed her due date to attend.  Attending this year, the small fine was paid before she was removed from the list of potential candidates as is practice. Due to her appearance being of a different gender than birth certificate.  She.. well she appeared in the uniform of a Scandinavian flight attendant, which is actually her job.. but, we are told, caused quite a stir.

Again anyone who contracts covid SHOULD now for sure contact medical services as combined with the smog it is proving a real issue, from children thru to adults.

Pattaya is prepping for extra visitors.  Despite very little on offer for songkran, Thai’s who do NOT travel to their homesteads regularly choose the city for their breaks and many hotels are reporting a fast trade in rooms.

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