Thailand & Pattaya News, from Fabulous 103fm (25 March 2022)

Thailand & Pattaya News, from Fabulous 103fm (25 March 2022)

Following the arrest and detention of a 70 year old ailing grandmother in Khon Kaen after being reported by yet another concerned citizen for growing a single marijuana plant for her own medical purposes, the local commissioner of police has ordered his force to use what’s described as “more considered judgement” in similar cases, after reports tell us that the she and another elderly person were actually held in a local jail. Seems the granny made tea from the plant, along with others in her small herb garden. Whilst technically she did of course break the law, she is far from being Thailand’s Pablo Escobar but was held for 24 hrs by police. Whilst the INFANT hasn’t been named but is probably known to locals, his or her future is probably less positive than that of the grandmother.

Household debt is rising in Thailand, this combined with a lower family income, in many cases is causing concern. Those with hire purchase and loans have, in many cases, applied during the covid era for loan extensions or holidays which now end, seeing payments and added interest due. Together with rises in the cost of living this contributed to a rise of 4.2%  in household debt, reported for the 3rd quarter of last year,  with no indication of improvement between then and now.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry is planning to propose the cancellation of the “Thailand Pass” scheme and introduce a single ATK test for international tourists on arrival.  Announced by the minister to a meeting of the Association of Thai Travel Agents , he said he hoped the proposal would be accepted by the CCSA and approved as early as June. IF or WHEN approved, that would be the end of the so called sandbox programs, no overnight quarantine for visitors and a return to the pre covid way of visiting Thailand.

59 Thais, along with a handful of Chinese have been arrested in Cambodia working in a call centre targeting Thais in Thailand with lies of packages due to be delivered to them, and held because they contained so called illegal goods.  Those called were then encouraged to send money to fake officers to see their non-existent packages released. Computer records will keep police busy on both sides of the border and Thailand’s authorities are being updated.

Sonthaya Khunplome, Pattaya’s mayor to date, announced that he will NOT be a candidate in the next election for mayor, celebrating his last day in the corner office yesterday, before leaving. With Khun Ronnakit, the previous long term deputy mayor having retired last year, the way is clear for Khun Poramase, a vice Minister of Culture and subordinate to the mayor’s brother Khun Ittipon, to head the election trail for the Rak Pattaya Group. Khun Sonthaya’s term of office saw numerous improvements in the city, along with the challenge of managing the effects and after effects of covid. He is likely to move on to the party leadership stakes ahead of any future national election. Both brothers, Sonthaya and the popular Ittipon were respected during their tenure and Ittipon especially did a great deal for the expat and tourist community.  Pattaya’s Mayoral election?  Well, it appears that three main parties and candidates will be trying, in addition to the Rak Pattaya, there is Pattaya Future and Pattaya Ruam Jai, and the race is, right now, without Khun Khunpluem at the helm… too close to call.

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