VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (20 October 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya

VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (20 October 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya

– 10,000 baht cash handout delayed
Plans to launch the much debated 10K baht giveaway to all adult Thais have been slightly thwarted this week as  the finance ministry announced a DELAY.   As the ministry teams, we are told, are working to develop a secure phone app system to allow users to safely spend the money, so more time is needed. The good news appears to be that it will still come into effect next year, maybe March.  This as we have already been told that the spending power range will be extended from just a diameter of 4Km from the user’s registered home, to use within the district in which they registered. 560 Billion baht is estimated cost, but likely to be much less as many will not qualify if living away from their registered home HOWEVER usage may well increase as now the spend time is likely to extend to the Songkran period, when must return home, for the holidays.

– Thai’s bodies to be returned from Israel
Israel has agreed to the return of 8 bodies, just some of the Thai nationals who have died there, as the total number has risen to 20.  Those are expected to arrive here today and receive a respectful reception prior to funeral rites.  This as the state has upped the number of flight seats available for those returning and number syndicate that all those wanting to return home will be able to fly back by end of the month.  The huge exodus program has been well organised by the thai air force in conjunction with israeli authorities.

– Clampdown on mule bank accounts in Thailand
The anti money laundering office estimates that the number of so called MULE bank accounts used by scammers could reach the hundreds of thousands in Thailand. That in mind, new banking regulations are being rushed through a process that will see, from next month, all cash transfers via ATM requiring ID from the depositor.  ID Card and phone confirmation will be a part of the process which is intended to give authorities a quick link to identify scammers.   All too often people have opened accounts, passing the details to scam gangs in return for as little as 300 baht, unaware that they too risk arrest.  This week has seen one such account holder nabbed after a teen took her own life following a phone sales scam.

– Thai PM to propose visa-free entry for Chinese
On a visit to China this week, the Thai PM has told the press that he plans to propose a VISA FREE entry for Chinese tourists.  Recent changes allowed Chinese to visit for elongated periods and with visa on arrival offered too.  Thai tourism is doing well but needs the Chinese footfall to get back on track with figures from pre covid.  Not as easy as it sounds though as the Chinese internal economy has caused many there to tighten their belts.

– FREE English lessons for Thais
With a passion for improving the quality of English language taught here, the British ambassador, Mark Gooding, has been a key player in a program finally launched this week by the education ministry that will see an online language program available to all here,  Thai children anywhere, with internet, will be able to access online lessons as will teachers who, itls hoped, will also improve their ability to speak English, and improve their class work.  Inherently, teachers here have passed on numerous errors to their classes, errors that were passed to them too in class when they were young.

– Illegal Koh Larn buildings under threat
A legal complaint has been filed against several on Koh Larn this week, following claims that some have encroached on state owned land with building and developments.  Pattaya city hall now has full jurisdiction over the island after changes that transferred that power from the provincial offices.  NOW several businesses face charges and orders to remove structures.

–  Sausage munching thief nabbed
And if you went down to the woods today, you could have a big surprise, as bears  in Prachinburi appear to have got a taste for sausages.  Local authorities report that one Asian Black bear has been caught on CCTV repeatedly stealing from several homes where its favourite appears to be.. sausages.  And a lot of them too.   Local teams set up a trap to safely remove it and transport it into a jungle area…  she has now been released in a national park.

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