VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (29 June 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya

VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (29 June 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya

– Rows continue over Thai House Speaker position 
There is a lot to be sorted out before any new government can competently take over the reigns here in Thailand.  Much to the chagrin of most Thais, fighting continues between the two major parties in the planned coalition, and at least one senator has laid claim to the fact that K. Pita, leader of the winning party will NOT be endorsed by senators as the next PM.    As Phua thai, who still rub their wounds after coming second to the Future forward party still DEMAND that their candidate take the parliamentary speakers position, so meetings set for this week have been called off, and discussions take place in the wings ahead of a planned FINAL meeting between coalition parties, now set for Sunday.  The speaker position is a key one AND were K. Pita NOT to be elected as PM, it is indeed a position he might just take as a consolation prize.  The whole future of the new parliament now, though, is up in the air with fans of the previous ruling leaders rubbing hands with glee.    Meanwhile political fallouts are being blamed for the 7 month low for the Thai baht and a stale trade in investments here.

K. Pita is obviously the choice for most voters in Thailand, that was made abundantly clear in the election, but the complex method of internal parliamentary  election combined with the NEED to have coalition with Phua thai and others has left most in a WAIT and SEE state.  And those ON THE WIRE senators who have yet to decide how to vote will be watching to see just how strong this coalition really is and whether it can work together on these initial but important decisions before taking the reins and controlling the major decisions required of a parliament.  Yesterday, one senator told the media that he doubted very much that even FIVE senators would vote for K. Pita as PM. That could lead to problems for sure.

– Toyota to produce hydrogen from CP’s chicken poop
The  Toyota Motor CO in conjunction with CP foods will begin producing hydrogen in Thailand by year end in a project designed to supply energy for vehicles and other engineering programs.   A Biogas generation plant is being set up to extract gasses from chicken droppings.  With Toyota technicians already well versed on the benefits of using hydrogen as a future power for vehicles, and CP owning huge poultry farms, the partnership hopes to see up to 1000 litres of hydrogen produced hourly and used for delivery trucks that would service CP food deliveries.  With many globally seeing Hydrogen as a more viable alternative to battery power, the project is being watched closely by global experts.

– Thai protesters acquitted over run-in with queen’s motorcade
The Thai criminal court, Wednesday, acquitted the 5 anti government demonstrators who were arrested during a demonstration that saw HM the Queen’s cavalcade pass through the same area, being held up by the protests and some arrested charged with defiance.  The 2020 incident appears to have taken protesters, authorities and on site security by surprise as none were prepared for the proximity of the cavalcade to the demonstration.  Without doubt it would have been extraordinarily uncomfortable for HM in the very secure vehicle as Police HADN’T cleared a path for the vehicles, but on realizing DID get up close to protect the cars from any untoward behavior and the court accepted that there had been no malicious behavior or intent by those charged.
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– Phuket radio presenter passes away at Glastonbury Music Festival 
In the Uk, at the Glastonbury music festival last weekend, reports emanated of the death of a music fan there.  It’s now been confirmed that the 48 year old who, according to reports, passed away from natural causes, was a well known English radio presenter who worked for years on Phuket airwaves.  Jason Winder, known as Wilder, collapsed on a footpath area and his passing will sadden listeners who enjoyed his well versed banter.

– Earthquake shakes Thai province, storms & floods predicted this week
Thunderstorms are set to see flooding in upward of 60% of the nation over the next few days.  As usual storms have, for the most part, bi-passed the Pattaya area but in other parts of our region there has been heavy rain and and in the north, flooding already.   And the MET office recorded  an earthquake , registering 4.5 on the Richter scale in the Phitsanulok  region just after midnight this morning.  No damage was reported to buildings but the tremor was felt by residents far and wide and came as a shock, waking many from their slumbers.

– Bangkok schools relax school uniform and hairstyle rules 
And in the capital, authorities have moved toward allowing school children a little freedom of expression as  the BMA  has asked schools to allow pupils ONE day a week to wear clothing as they please and NOT uniforms AND to lessen control on hair styles.  The non uniform day would allow them to wear pretty much what they want within reason, and children who chose NOT to take advantage of that can choose to wear their uniforms.  As to hair style, well in the past there have been reports of teachers acting as barbers on children who’s style didn’t adhere to regulations, often in front of other pupils as a lesson to all. THAT is to stop and instead other methods can and will be adopted.  The changes result from complaints from older students who have in the past protested against the uniform regulations.  Uniforms though, we are told, do literally see all children dressed informally and as a result dressed equally too, which benefits the majority AND school uniforms here are very very inexpensive, meaning that the well heeled can’t show off to those from lower income families.

 – Hawker ban on Pattaya’s Walking Street 
Meanwhile at home and city hall has sent out a letter to businesses registered in walking streets to inform them that street hawkers will be banned from the pedestrian main thoroughfare as of Monday.  Any hawker, with or without a stall will be removed by authorities in a bid to clean up the area.  No word on whether this will extend to the side sois, popular with food vendors but so far that seems unlikely.

– Grand Prix kicks off in Bang Saen
In neighbouring Bang Saen, the Grand Prix series is now underway seeing pro drivers racing through the city roads on races from now through to Sunday.  A great event for all, best to get there early if you want a place with a view and take plenty of fluids to drink.  So far reports are that it’s been amazing.

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