VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (31 October 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya
– Heaviest storm in years causes severe flooding & damage in Pattaya
From late last night and at dawn this morning, much of the region was in clear up mode after some of the heaviest storms in recent years blighted the region. Far from the usual downpour, the torrential rains saw canals overflowing from the east side, where they overran bridges on Nernplubwan and Soi Siam Country Club, to the newly cleared huge canals in the city which, whilst usually a trickle, almost overran high bridges. Needless to say, the main roads, from the railway, through the Sukhumvit and onto Third road were overrun with water, traffic in many places was at a standstill and emergency pumps worked desperately to try, and beat nature. Alongside the beaches, where flooding spewed over the footpaths, it also made a Beeline for the beaches, where heavy machinery today will repair damage to the sands. Thousands of homes and businesses saw water ingress, in many buildings to considerable depths, whilst many flimsy roofs and awnings were ripped up, as were numerous trees, more so on the east side where flooding stretched to the other side of the lake and saw even major highways impassable. The outlook? Well, weather mass this morning showed the whole of the bay with heavy storm clouds, and the warning is out of high waves of up to 3 metres in height. Seeing many commenting that whilst the monsoon season seemed to never appear here, it has now, and with full force.
– Will casinos be legalised in Thailand?
In other news, the government has set up a 60 man committee to review proposals that Thailand might host casinos in the future. With all forms of gambling illegal here, this is seen as a complete about turn by those who fear the damage that casino could cause to local breadwinners. There is no doubt that numerous illegal gambling houses have and do exist nationally, despite police action, and the committee has to decide whether to recommend legitimising gambling here.
– Radio presenter found bound in forest
In Pitchit, a 68 year old THAI radio presenter was found bound and gagged in a forest area. Medics reported her beyond resuscitation after being called to the scene, as police sought one of her tenants who, it is believed, rowed with her after she discovered that he had stolen money. He subsequently dumped her in a rural area and duly pawned her car for cash. A presenter on local radio for decades, K Jutatip enjoyed an amazingly large local following of listeners and had won several broadcasting awards.
– Bank employee arrested for scamming customers
In Min buri, a 36 year old bank employee has been arrested after developing a scam phone app that encouraged bank customers to take advantage of exclusive VIP investments, but actually sent their deposits.. to his own bank account. Over 100 Million hit his balance before it was reported by bank customers and an investigation quickly tracked him down. Himself a financial services advisor, he gained the trust of account holders, who trusted their bank and it was expected that the bank would make good on any amounts that cannot be recovered from his own accounts. All are warned NOT to use an app called EXNESS.
– Later bar & club opening hours still under consideration
As we reported earlier, the proposal, not plan, to allow later opening for entertainment venues is NOT something that will be approved in the next few days. Far from it as it has now been confirmed that the proposal will be discussed in cabinet around the 16th of December. Were it to be approved, it’s ikelty now to only apply to registered entertainment zones within tourist regions, such as our own, Phuket, Bangkok and Chiang mai. Essentially then for Pattaya, at least, that would limit it to the walking street area.
– Omura whales spotted in Thai waters
For nature lovers, some good news this week as experts report the existence of Omura whales in Thai waters surrounding the Surin Islands, off the Thai coast in the Andaman sea. National park officials released information after it was confirmed that several of the mammals, which can grow to 20 metres in length, have now been spotted. Lucky for them, perhaps, the islands a considerable distance from the mainland and NOT a major tourist area.
– Pattaya hotel blaze
At dusk yesterday, a fire broke out in a hotel in Central Pattaya, seeing several fire engines attending a blaze that occurred in a function room. As thick smoke billowed from the rooms, so officers doused the flames but had problems extracting the smoke because, as with many function rooms, it has no windows. Huge blowers and ducts were employed to clear the smoke as some hotel residents, despite an efficient emergency exit program, chose in many cases to stand on their room balconies and watch. NO ONE was in any way injured and the hotel emergency procedure was, we are told, flawless.
– Regents School evening program tomorrow
A reminder that the evening program for all parents looking at further education for their children after GCSEs takes place tomorrow, Wednesday at Regents school. A clear guide to the various avenues toward achieving the requirement for international universities will be available during the event which is free of charge to all, not just existing pupil parents.
– ‘Undertaker’ movie becomes highest ticket seller in a decade
Pattaya movie lovers are enjoying the recent release of the UNDERTAKER, now showing at a cinema near you. Sapareer is a thai movie, released this month that has taken the nation by storm, seeing it grossing over 700 MILLION baht in three weeks. Must be worth watching as, we are told, it is one of the highest ticket sellers in a decade.
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