VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (25 October 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya
– Heavy storms flood Pattaya
The region around Pattaya last night, and early this morning saw some of the heaviest rain this year with huge storms pounding the city. As flood levels rose, so many homes and businesses gave up on trying to prevent filthy waters from entering. From the railway road, which was totally flooded in some places over a meter deep, to the Sukhumvit which saw even higher levels, on third and second road, storm drains spewed water backwards due to overload and perhaps blockages. In many areas, signs were ripped up and roves damaged and as teams rushed to clear most thoroughfares, the east side remained with many trees down and branches strewn across roads by sun up. A reminder too to vehicle owners to NOT try to travel through floods, especially if driving petrol driven cars. This as several tried, and failed to get through the waters last night. These storms WILL return again this week for sure . Finally, for those who were wading through the wet stuff, it’s not just water that you are walking through, as sewerage washes back through drains too, and it’s advisable to wash with disinfectant quickly. Drainage DID clear the waters several hours after the storms left and we can expect reports from the beach of significant albeit temporary damage as drainage pipes don’t appear to reach far enough out into the sea to disperse water without flooding the beach.
– Gasoline cost cut in Thailand
The government yesterday approved a cut in the price of Gasohol 91 by 2 and a half baht a litre next week, a move that will be welcomed by drivers. Diesel too will likely see a price cut. According to a government spokesman, and those cuts are expected to be effective for at least 3 months.
– Later closing hours for entertainment areas approved
This as plans have been, we are told, approved for an extension of licensing hours IN LISTED entertainment areas nationally. The changes to opening hours are expected to be formally announced today and will likely lead to a debate as to which areas ARE listed as entertainment zones and which, quickly, could be. Pattaya’s entertainment centres now sprawl across areas previously either scrubland or side sois and those are not zoned currently as entertainment. It will be up to city hall to decide whether changes can be made, otherwise any new licensing hours are likely to be restricted to the Walking St area. An alternative would be a blanket approval of extended hours for all licenced premises, however that would lead to complaints nationally from residents.
– Thai PM registers complaint with Israeli authorities
The Thai Prime Minister has registered a complaint with Israeli authorities after reports of employers there convincing Thai workers into staying, despite the conflict, with the promise of higher wages. This as many are reporting that they have NOT been paid up to date by their bosses. K. Srettha encouraged all Thais to return here quickly as the conflict is likely to escapade, and to date, nearly all those wanting to return HAVE, via flights organized by the Royal Thai air force. Those flights, 3 a day, will continue until demand drops.
– Manhunt continues for escaped convict
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, Police now believe that the so called local crime boss who escaped whilst in a hospital there DIDN’T flee to Myanmar but may well still be in the country. With other reports indicating that he aimed at the Malaysian border, authorities believe both stories to be red herrings, designed to mislead investigators who, to date, have issued 5 warrants for arrests of people who aided his escape from a ward where he was being treated after a dental operation. Reports now tell that at some point he was released from handcuffs and those replaced by chains, which were subsequently cut. Locals claim that he was for a long time PROTECTED by certain high powered local bigwigs before his incarceration, based on charges of murder, abduction, drug dealing, and coercion.
– New Year to see 4-day long holiday in Thailand
Plan now for the new year as new announcements show that THIS year will see national holidays making the new year weekend a 4 day break for all. Friday 29 December through to Monday midnight will be national holidays, and hotels are seeing booking numbers rising since the announcement.
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