The Thai Prime Minister’s support for the Quad defence initiative between the United States, Japan, India and Australia, seen as a bulwark against China, as well as the AUKUS pact between the United States, United Kingdom and Australia is significant. It appears to indicate a shift in Thailand’s stance in that it acknowledges that the region does require such defensive pacts to maintain peace and stability.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/13/pm-prayut-supports-stronger-asean-us-partnership-biden-cambodia/

Joseph O' Connor reports from Phnom Penh.

Definitive US inflation data showing lower inflation figures interpreted by the markets this time as meaning the Federal Reserve might be more inclined to reduce the level of future interest rate hikes. This and signs of life from China that its economy may be ready to relaunch after a disturbing shutdown imposed by authorities to fight the pandemic, has been enough to send the baht surging against the US dollar since October 19th last.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/12/soaring-baht-as-thai-economic-spirit-rises/

James Morris reports from Bangkok.

Thailand is expected to move faster towards a 2023 General Election after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit ends on the 19th of November next with a realignment at the top as Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha is all set to join a new political party and take MPs from coalition parties with him on a new political journey as a politician.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/11/election-laws-decision-due-on-november-30th/

Joseph O' Connor reports from Provincial Phnom Penh and Bangkok.

Bizarre discovery by police securing the city centre of Bangkok for the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit comes as police continue to track down and seize assets linked to 5 Chinese Triad gang leaders with the national police commissioner ordering a root and branch investigation into the threat which officers are still pursuing with reports that they are likely to give a public briefing in two or three weeks.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/10/fake-chinese-embassy-car-and-police-escort/

Carla Boonkong reports from Bangkok.

The US dollar has fallen by 3.7% against the baht in the last 3 weeks as the number of foreign tourists entering the country is ticking back up with the Airports of Thailand (AOT), this week, suggesting that numbers are at 60% of pre-pandemic levels based on taxi service demand.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/09/world-cup-free-to-air-a-boost-for-tourism/

James Morris reports from Bangkok and Phuket.

Arrest of the three Thai nationals in Malaysia and their deportation to Thailand sends a strong signal to any cross-border traffickers thinking of targeting young Thai women and girls. When alerted by a young Thai girl’s family in the summer, the initial priority for a special unit within the anti-trafficking unit was her rescue then the police, with the cooperation of their Malaysian counterparts, had all involved hunted down.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/08/thais-in-malaysia-face-thai-court-for-trafficking/

Carla Boonkong reports from Kuala Lumpur.

Minister of the Interior General Anupong argues that there are other options for foreigners seeking to acquire property in Thailand and that the new 10-year Long Term Visa proposal is already an attractive proposition for investors and wealthy people across the globe seeking a better lifestyle.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/07/land-for-foreign-high-flyers-plan-to-be-axed/

Joseph O' Connor reports from Bangkok.

Thai law imposes duties on the owners of dogs to keep them under restraint at all times. There is growing concern about the spike in incidents linked to pit bull dogs in Thailand with a long list of deaths and horrific injuries linked to the breed or crossbreeds of this type of dog.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/06/warning-to-dog-owners-after-pitbull-attacks/

James Morris reports from Bangkok and Samut Songkhram.

Spat between deputy prime ministers Anutin Charnvirakul and Jurin Laksanawisit over the issue as tensions mount. The Democrat Party and the opposition are adamant that the programme ushered in by Minister Anutin must be reversed amid claims that the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in some commercial products is not being measured and may be far higher than the legal limit allowed while over 90% of the crop being grown by farmers ends up being sold for recreational use for the same reason. A top government agency has also revealed that the number of young people under 20 now using the drug has doubled since it was decriminalised in June.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/05/emergency-admissions-for-cannabis-up-566-per-cent/

Carla Boonkong reports from Bangkok and Nong Khai.

Pilot study on the Bangla Road in Phuket carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports shows that 2 am to 3 am is the most profitable period for nightlife venues with foreign tourists only leaving their hotels at 11 pm. Minister Phiphat said it is important to bring all nightlife venues under the supervision of authorities as illegal establishments pose a risk.

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/04/4-am-nightlife-closing-time-pushed-again/

Joseph O' Connor reports from Bangkok and Phuket.