Thailand & Pattaya News, from Fabulous 103fm (2 June 2022)

Thailand & Pattaya News, from Fabulous 103fm (2 June 2022)

Covid is likely to be declassified as an epidemic or pandemic and listed as a Disease UNDER SURVEILLANCE according to the Health Ministry. Such a change would alleviate the state of responsibility for free treatment for all and see any patients rely on either their Thai national health cover OR private cover, either way, as globally figures diminish, it’s another step toward the end of a disastrous era and the beginning of a restart for all.

Following the report of a Russian woman falling from a Phuket balcony, three tourists have been arrested by police, all held on drug related charges, as authorities have to decide whether she fell by accident, suicidie or, perhaps, murder.  All three were staying in the same condo as the dead woman in Patong, where booze and drugs were found.  One of those arrested had pre empted his nabbing and attempted to flee the island, he was detained at the airport.

With the advent of the new personal data protection act in Thailand, authorities have clarified that posting photographs which include others, known or unknown, in the background is NOT illegal as long as the pictures do NOT damage any party.  The complicated law which went into effect yesterday is designed to protect personal data but has raised many questions, including the use of CCTV THAT, its been clarified, is perfectly legal and no signage is required to warn those passing through the lens. Personal data CAN be used too, if it meets legal requirements and is deemed to be protecting the public or that person, or in the public interest which means that, for example, in the news, naming names of escaped prisoners, or those who are charged with crimes is perfectly legal as is the use of photographs, since such reporting could bring forward information FROM the general public to assist in a case AND warn the public of any potential danger. The act is designed to protect the public from malicious intent and see their personal details NOT shared or sold on.

Pattaya city hall has authorized the installation of some 200 CCTV cameras on the island of Koh Larn to increase safety and security. With the most popular, and the most precarious of areas to be covered this will then link to a central office allowing monitoring and also recording in the event of local crime. The island, now an integral part of Pattaya’s tourism, is expected to to see increasing numbers of visitors with the covid restrictions now lifted.

Having a party in a home is fine of course, but increasing concern is being raised by Thais and non-Thais alike as some homeowners are renting their empty houses.. to party planners. The planners then list those houses as party houses and encourage people to rent them for a night or more, and hold karaoke parties with high volume equipment included in the rent prices. The fact that daily rental of homes is illegal here ASIDE, neighbours, who are regularly deafened by the noise, rightly complain that such activities are essentially banned in residential areas.  Police WILL accept and process complaints and it’s recommended that all voice their complaints on each and every occasion, so that the authorities have a record.  For landlords?  Well they are jointly responsible as they rent in the knowledge of proposed business use.  One example, in the sub district of Pong, has seen the warblings of wannabe singers travel half a KM, and for those who live close by, the nightly noise is so loud that it passes through the thickest of walls and windows.

The arrest and release of a woman growing a single marijuana plant has raised eyebrows here, as the lady in her late years WAS growing the plant for medicinal use. As a result, authorities have been updated with the latest regulations regarding marijuana and how to best treat individuals who grow for health reasons ONLY.  Recreational use remains illegal in Thailand yet amazingly, now, in the city outlets are opening and selling weed and more to the public. In Buakhao one shop appears to offer a full range of products and, we assume that, they have no THC in them. That may or may not be the case and the venue is now being reviewed by authorities.

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