VERY LATEST NEWS FROM THAILAND in English (8 September 2023) from Fabulous 103fm Pattaya
– Pattaya Market inferno
One of the most popular of tourists venues in the city, the Pattaya Floating Market was firmly ablaze yesterday just before 8 in the evening, and just after it had closed, seeing a major portion of it totally destroyed. Despite the best efforts of the fire departments, and engines were called in from around the region, the venue, bult of timber was beyond saving. As fire engines raced from all around to the scene and despite plenty of water FOR them on site, the best they could do was attempt to douse still standing buildings and extinguish fires in others. No reports of injuries but for vendors there, the early hours of this morning were spent trying to recover their wares. Reports indicate that the fire MAY have broken out in a wooden restroom area, with others citing older style wiring in many of the public areas. The buildings and bridges damaged are mainly to the front of the property, which actually stretches back all through to the railway road where buildings this morning appear intact.
– Expat flight deal scammers target Pattaya bars
The warning is out to expats and tourists NOT to purchase so called cheap flight deals from expats in bars. This as at least one former tout is again in the city, with a record of having sold numerous people fraudulent tickets on the promise that they were cheap because the sellers were bartering for air miles. In many cases, tickets have been booked using stolen credit card details, and subsequently cancelled by the card issuers. Tickets then.. only from authorized vendors or directly from airline website.
Following on from this, the continued social media blight of fake hotel pages is causing serious problems for local hotels here. This week has seen yet another major hotel, Movenpick, honestly publicizing the plight of potential customers who think they have paid for rooms on FACEBOOK pages that are, in fact, clones. The hotel points out that they don’t take deposits on facebook, nor use personal bank accounts and their team has noted that the cloned pages have one or two posts and few likes or comments, having only recently been set up. This issue is now becoming common in all areas and has seen people booking for the islands, Koh Samet as example, and even arriving expecting a room. Again. Book thru genuine websites OR well known sites such as agoda or booking.com
– Thai cabinet to meet next week
The hallways of the Thai government are spotless right now as the new brooms sweep them clean. A draft policy statement has been published ahead of next week’s all day debate on the subject that will afford equal time to both the coalition and opposition parties. The digital wallet program, a cut in energy costs, a cut in diesel costs and the review of the constitution are all on the list, along with proposals for other projects designed to stimulate the local economy. It’s also possible that the proposed increase in minimum wage wil be mooted too.
– Village headsman arrested for shooting cops
In Nakhon Phanom, a local big business man and village headsman are being held in police cells after a local high ranking policeman was shot in the kamnan’s home. Seems he called several local senior police to his house to discuss his nephew, a promotion and side move to a different post. The officers refused on the grounds that such moves are made based on merit – he got seriously angry, left their company and.. without warning, a close friend and employee of the kamnan shot both officers, killing one and maiming the other. With the gunman still unaccounted for, the disgruntled headsman denies involvement in the shooting but had not made bail by early this morning. The dead police man was shot.. seven times. National police are involved in the enquiry and it was noted that the headsman had boasted previously of high connections.
– Thailand & Cambodia to strengthen cooperation against border crime
Royal Thai Police Deputy Commissioner Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, considered now as a candidate for the most senior of police positions in the nation, has met with Cambodian counterparts to discuss cross border crime, together with the netting of criminals on both sides and potential risks of terrorism. With open land borders stretching the length of Thailand, the issue of criminals fleeing has long been impossible to properly resolve.
– Kenyan smugglers arrested for swallowing 6lbs of narcotics
No one knows HOW many drug mules may have passed through Phuket airport this week as SOMEONE reported three Kenyan women to authorities. Each was quickly caught as they entered the airport and a scan revealed that they had swallowed over 6 lbs of cocaine. As officials duly waited for nature to take its course, it’s believed that officers were on the lookout for others who might have thought it easier to pass through as all effort went into the arrest of the three.
– Kalasin locals stranded in trees following heavy floods
And in Kalasin, rescue teams have succeeded in rescuing numerous people stranded in TREES. The continued flooding of the area saw some finding it too late to get to higher ground and instead climbing up into branches hoping for rescue. The flooding, as in many areas, continues today.
– Thailand wins Asian World Volleyball Championship
Popular with Thais, many have been glued to their TVs this week as The Thai women’s volleyball team won their third Asian championship, beating China 3-2 in a 5 set match. Seen as the best in Asia, the Thai team saw the games go in favour of both sides until the end.
– Boat owner passes away in Jomtien beach tractor accident
The owner of several larger speed cruisers used to convey tourists in the bay DIED this week as he towed his vessels to trailers form the sea at Jomtien. The tractor without a roll bar, is said to have overturned as another was brought into IT and the boat, as both were stuck in the watery sands. The 73 yr old was freed by friends and passers by but had already passed away.
– Thai & Cambodian gangs clash in Pattaya
And a falling out between Thai and Cambodian youths in the Nong prue area is said to have resulted in the locals using an explosive and weapons to scare the Cambodians. Neighbours hid as police rushed into the area. It’s believed that the locals fled into the forests but, we are told, the names of many are known.
