VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (13 June 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya
End of travel subsidy scheme takes a toll on Thai hotel occupancy
The Thai hoteliers association reports a huge drop in hotel occupancy across the country following the expiration of the subsidised program for Thai nationals in accommodation and food to encourage domestic travel. The domestic travel program certainly held the industry together while there were very few non thais coming here, but as the world, and of course Thailand recovers from the covid era, the program has been phased out. Poor timing in some ways, as the low season approaches and the number of tourists from overseas will drop. Of equal issue is the potential for authorities to again clamp down on unlicensed guest houses as they did, prior to covid, a move encouraged by those in the hotel industry. Across the country, guest houses are seen as the cheap accommodation alternative, and are likely to become MORE popular following the demise of the subsidy program.
Cyanide Sara’s cases to go to prosecutors on this week
Thailand’s Cyanide Sara, accused of being the nation’s most prolific of murderers, will see her case forwarded to the prosecutor’s office by week’s end. Real name Sara Rat, she is accused of poisoning over 15 people for financial gain and as documents are finalized for prosecutors, so too is the paperwork containing whatever evidence there is against her former husband, a NOW ex-police officer. She has been held in custody since April and it’s unlikely to see the light of day again, except through prison cell bars.
New Thai government pledges Same-Sex Marriage Legislation
All parties involved in the planned coalition government have confirmed support for a marriage equality bill which is expected to go into effect this year, once parliament reopens. The bill would allow same-gender marriages and thus give partners similar rights to traditional couples, such as inheritance, decision making and joint investment. What it doesn’t cover is the adoption of children or the right to surrogacy. Those rights may well be added at a later date. To date, same-gender couples could hold traditional marriage ceremonies, which are not legally recognized and give neither partner any legal rights. The change? Well, it could see long queues at amphurs as thousands are expected to formally get hitched.
Immigration clampdown in Southern Thailand
In Surat Thani, immigration police have continued their clamp down on illegal immigrants and those whose visas have expired. With address registration, information from locals and their own visa records the catch count is rising and includes landlords who didn’t register non Thai tenants with immigration, as is required by law, along with Americans, a Burmese, a German and a Russian on overstays.
Foreigner loses his life in Pattaya tragic motorbike accident
A foreigner, riding a 650cc motorbike lost his life this week on Second road. The 3 in the morning crash did not involve any other vehicles and witnesses say he was riding at an excess speed, didn’t take the slight bend and crashed instead into the kerb and then a signpost. No name is being released until family is notified and a full post mortem is being carried out in Bangkok as police review CCTV RECORDINGS.
Naklua homes gutted in early morning fire
A fire within a slum area in Naklua was being investigated this week. The closely built shanty town saw a fire start in a wooden house and quickly develop and spread. The fire brigade doused flames but nothing was left of the homes or contents, leaving many without any possessions. Representatives of the mayor’s office visited yesterday donating cash and goods to the family, as they too assessed the fire and potential of future fires in the area where homes are extremely close and poorly built.
Husband guns down wife in Pattaya for chatting with other men
Police arrested a 30 year old tattoo artist in the city after he lost his temper with his wife, after he discovered her messaging other men online. Seems he also spotted a photo of her on her phone with another man, which, according to reports, drove him to take out a gun, registered TO HER and shoot. By the time medics arrived she was beyond saving and he was found, alongside his two children, before being taken away by police.
No more poles on Pattaya’s Walking Street
Walking street is losing its poles, not the chrome type of course but the telegraph poles that have supported the photogenic mass of power and phone cables for decades. As cabling is now underground so the previously used cables are being removed and the poles will disappear over the next few weeks. All as a part of the underground cabling project which has been ongoing here in the city for years, slowly but surely its working.
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