VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (22 August 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya
– Pheu Thai party leader plans to resign
The official leader, not PM candidate of the Pheu Thai party has, in advance of the vote , told the press that he plans to resign, after actively supporting plans to welcome several parties that ousted former governments and ran the state, despite his election pledge never to work with them. Frankly, as is the origin of many, if not most Thais, the PM vote in parliament has become a soap opera with so many twists, turns, halts and reboots that many are wondering HOW they would perform if they get through at all. If they DO get their candidate chosen, well, it’s another turn to the tale, if not then several others will be quick to jump into their boots, with the media suggesting both K Anutin and K Pravit would be quick to a new start line. Catch 22 really as alone, Pheu thai, who were stunned to come second in the general election and not first, CANT make up the numbers required in an in house vote. To Win, well they need the votes of pretty much every other elected MP and a whole bunch of senators, as they have effectively severed their ties with the winning Move forward party and K Peta. The vote outcome is anyone’s guess, all the stops have been pulled out but there is always an elephant in the room, and only after a vote count will we know who or what that elephant is.
– Firework blast victims seek justice
In Narathiwat, where nearly 700 homes were damaged by an explosion at an illegal firework storage building, residents are complaining that even those with insurance WON’T see full rebuild costs paid to them. As is common, many have insurance BUT have insured to a maximum value which is less than the rebuild costs. The state HAS helped rebuild many homes that were repairable but a mere 3K baht a month is being paid to families who have to rent elsewhere. Many now plan to sue the store owners, no word on their assets other than a now levelled plot of land.
– Monkeypox warning as outbreak spreads in Thailand
Gay Men are being advised BY the Department of disease control to avoid casual encounters and practice safe methods following an outbreak of Monkeypox covering 19 provinces and affecting 217 people known to have the illness – ALL of those, being men, with over 30 being non-thais. We report directly from their statements.
– Will Facebook be blocked in Thailand?
In a surprise statement, the CARETAKER minister for Digital Economy and Society has told the press that his department will seek a court order to block SOME social media, specifically Facebook from Thai service providers and thus users. He claims that facebook has ignored numerous requests to block scammers who PAY to promote their wares which, despite appearing to be genuine, are in fact just a way to separate this from their money. From vehicles to hotel bookings, from pharmacy to clothing, FB encourages paid advertising but, according to him, they do little if anything to screen or qualify their selling customers. A banned profile simply sees a new profile created. And the advisory remains NOT to buy anything on social media that requires payment before delivery and NOT to entertain the idea of investments, even through so called influencers. The issue is, according to him, massive as some 200K people have reported being scammed, with an expected similar number not reporting their losses.
– Kuwaiti tourist saved from burning locked room
Meanwhile at home an advisory has been given to all NOT to allow yourself to be locked in, in condos or rented rooms. This as a young Kuwaiti had a close shave with death after the building he, and his girlfriend, were staying in caught fire. The fire, small but smokey, was extinguished by the fire brigade. Only then did others tell them of one man who they thought was still in his room. When the team went back inside, they got no reply from the outside, broke into the room and recovered him in just the nick of time. Seems they had only one key for the room, and his girlfriend had gone off to work, LOCKING him in as he slept.
– Transformer explosion destroys parked motorbikes in Pattaya
Investigators were working yesterday to establish whether a power transformer was responsible for a freak fire that saw 6 motorbikes burned out on Soi 4, close to Pattaya beach. Either way the carcasses of 6 bikes remained at the site through the day as checks were carried out and the PEA asked to inspect the transformer and surrounding cables. Chances are that the overnight storm affected supply to it.. either way all 6 are total losses to their owners.
– Heavy rain & poor road surfaces see early morning accident in Pattaya
Yesterday’s early morning accident on the railway road junction with Soi Khao Talo has highlighted the dangers of the poorly finished road which is used as a rat run to bi pass the Sukhumvit by locals. Shoddy road surfaces have already caused accidents involving bikes weaving across lanes to avoid holes and cracks. Yesterday’s accident between two cars just before dawn, has highlighted a bigger issue, the who dares wins school of motoring. Most junctions have or had single white lines on the railway road at all junctions, indicating, some say that vehicles travelling from cross sois, Nern plub wan, Khao talo and Khao noi, have right of way. Reality is that most of the lines are, if ever there, worn out and almost invisible. And many are suggesting that right of way signs or stop signs be put at all junctions.
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