VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (16 October 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya
– Storm damage at Fabulous 103fm studios
Due to storm damage from Friday through to today, we have had to carry out numerous repairs and replacements at Pattaya’s Fabulous 103 FM. Whilst our transmission was back on quickly Friday morning, the remaining issue is damage to satellites on our roof, used to receive the BBC news LIVE. Despite what some listeners think, the news comes live from London. Currently, we are taking the news feed from the internet, however, that too causes problems due to inconsistent net latency. The BBC was with us at the weekend and back again today and we hope to have the fault rectified soon.
– Early morning storms flood Pattaya
The weekend, and this morning, saw huge storms in our region. At 6 am this morning the latest storm had flooded out the east side, seeing the railway road impassable for cars, along with the Sukhumvit, from Klang through to the Chaiyapreuk interectin. Third and second road to and all minor sois in between. The floods DO clear faster nowadays but any unwarranted journey is best delayed.
– More Thais return from Israel as fatality count rises to 28
At Utapao airport, adjacent to the Thai military bases, more escapees from the new war associated with Israel and the Gaza area have returned to Thailand, with air force flights promised daily that will see all who want to return safely back by the start of November. Four more Thais working in Israel are confirmed to have been killed during the Hamas attacks, bringing the Thai death toll to 28, with 16 wounded and a further 17 abducted. The number now asking for repatriation has risen to seven and a half thousand.
– Child’s foot gets stuck in mall escalator
A 4 year old child is reported to have got her foot stuck in an escalator at a Bang na mall this weekend. Though injured, her injuries were NOT similar to those of a woman who had her leg amputated after an incident months back in Don Muang. Concern though as it took a while for mall staff to stop the escalator and remove the correct panels to free her. And it’s been recommended that staff in building WITH moving walkways and escalators be trained on quick stop procedures.
– Wild elephants electrocuted by farmer
In Surat Thani, when a farmer, legally working land there, set up an electric fence to deter elephants, he may not have intended the outcome BUT 2 died from electrocution according to forest teams. Seems the man simply wired up to the mains, the two were found twisted in the wire and an investigation is underway. The fencing is common here as otherwise elephants simply destroy crops but for them, it’s their natural habitat since time immemorial.
– Over 300 acres of land flooded across Thailand
The government satellite agency released images of flooding across the nation that is said to cover around 300 thousand acres of land from Ayutthaya up to Phitsanulok and Chiang mai. Dams are expected to be opened further this week to allow overflowing water from the north to pass through, this in itself will see further riverbank breaches downstream. After a dismal start to the monsoon season, this year sees it continuing longer than normal and rainfall has been extremely heavy. In many areas, military continues to offer assistance and food aid to those affected, and so far no reprieve for those who have been forced to leave their homes and move into shelter on higher ground.
– Foreign couple found deceased in home
In AMNAT CHAROEN, the north east of Thailand, police are currently investigating the double passing of two westerners found with cut throats in their private home. A 47 year old Swiss man, along with his 40 year old Moldavian partner were found by neighbours and initial reports indicate a pact between the two. Police are investigating the deaths of a foreign couple at their rented house with the weapons and knives found and their pet dog also dead; a post mortem is underway.
– Pattaya bustling for long weekend
Despite the rain, the city was busy for the long weekend, seeing most venues welcoming large numbers of domestic tourists . The start of the Vegetarian festival saw crowds enjoying the fayre and entertainment and malls were very busy. Lower number perhaps travelling out to Koh Larn, but otherwise the traffic was proof positive. Best to avoid government offices today, such as immigration as they too closed on Friday so will see a tailback of customers.
– Teen drowns in East Pattaya lake
Saturday saw divers searching an East side small lake after two teenagers took a fisherman’s boat out on the water, allegedly one swayed the boat from side to side for fun and it sunk. One 14 yr old was beyond resuscitation, the other swam to shore but by the time he raised the alarm, it was too late.
– Poppy appeal launch in Pattaya
Now is the time to get those red poppies from outlets supporting the British Legion’s remembrance day program here in Thailand. From NEXT Saturday, they will go on sale with the official launch at the Queen Vic in Soi 6. That event sees rafles, prizes and more and welcomes all, whether ex-military or not. The Poppy appeal raises funds for distressed ex-military both in the UK and here in Thailand and supports those of all nations.
– Weekend storms flood Pattaya
The city endured severe flooding through the weekend at different times, often leaving flood waters over waist high and roads impassable. Whilst they do clear quickly once the rains stop, we are reminded that with most of the area covered in hardtop of one type or another, there is little in the way of natural drainage and no drains can cope with 5 inches in an hour or so.
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