VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (1 November 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya

VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (1 November 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya

– Police bust 1.2 billion baht gold scam
Following a considerable undercover investigation, Thai police raided 21 addresses this week, arresting 4 Chinese and 22 Thais on charges that they operated an investment gold scam that netted them over 1 and a quarter BILLION baht.  Operating from within the capital and provinces, the gang used fake facebook accounts to trick buyers into a scam that promised huge returns, and at the same time hijacking a well known trading name, Aurora, in order that gullible buyers would believe they were an established company.   Chatting with their victims, the promise continued as money came in but, in the now standard tradition, they quickly blocked people who asked for cash returns. Police believe that the Chinese hired the locals to set up 3 companies here and to transfer funds to them when received.

– More Thais to return from Israel today
Today will see the continued return of Thais from Israel thanks to the state recovery program that has been in place now for several weeks.  Sadly today too will see the return of 10 coffins.  To date, we are told that close to 8000 Thais have been safely returned home in an operation that has been hailed as highly successful.

– ‘Big Joke’ takes over Human Trafficking Suppression Centre
Thailand’s popular deputy police chief Hakparn has undertaken directorship of the Human Trafficking Suppression Centre in addition to his other duties, and as a part of a new delegation of responsibilities by the national police chief that will see several senior figures overseeing key areas of crime.  With Hakparn at the helm, those involved in human trafficking face heavy jail terms for sure.  In addition to forced trafficking, human trafficking also envelopes the employment of people under the legal age in bars and clubs as the law defines them as too young to take such a decision on their own, that in itself will inevitably lead to raids in the future.  With the vast majority of pleasure givers employed in businesses aimed at predominantly Thai custom,  many are surprised that the bars we see and hear about make up only a small fraction of the total adult entertainment industry and those, often run by mafia types, will be under the microscope for sure.

– Visa-free travel for more tourists in Thailand
Visitors over the next six months from both India and Taiwan will be afforded the same privilege as most westerners as a tourism incentive program will see them too allowed to arrive here without visas, staying for 30 days.  Normally nationals from both countries require visas ahead of travel.  The scheme is designed to support impulse travel for some and travel with ease for others.

– Sugar to be added to list of ‘controlled goods’ amid price clampdown
The price of sugar here in Thailand is to be frozen and added to the list of controlled goods, prohibiting price rises, according to a cabinet meeting yesterday.  With global prices rising, the fear was that demand would overrun supply and prices could soar form the now easily affordable 25 baht a kilo shop price.   Farmers had hoped for higher returns but for the population it’s good news, as in the same document, a ban on exports over 1 ton without approval has been implemented.

– Later opening hours for bars & clubs may be approved by New Year
Later opening hours in entertainment areas are, we are told, being considered for implementation on or after the new year celebrations. K Anutin and his team work labour over just how the new hours could be safely effected, concern has been for noise, combined with safety.  More than aware that currently many clubs flaunt the current opening hour regulations, they have, we are told, every intention of releasing full details for future plans by mid December.

– Pattaya bars clamp down on staff
A recent survey of bar and nighttime operators shows that most have clamped down on employment records.  Gone are the days of a lady walking into a bar and moving straight to a stool.  Now every operator we have spoken to is reading all emails of staff applying for work, including not only copies of ID cards, but photos of the females HOLDING the cards.  Evidence, if needed, that they had used that ID card to secure work.  The issue?  Age.  With more and more worried that youngsters are using fake ID to get work in adult oriented businesses,  most are aware of the consequences.

– Ghosts & ghouls come out to play in Pattaya 
The uglies ruled last night, seeing most night time businesses welcoming those with the worst looks, and Halloween celebrations galore.  For some, the fun began at the weekend, with many businesses choosing to have parties on Saturday, but not Sunday as it was a dry day.  For most tho, it was last night that the ghouls and ghosts came out to play.

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