Thailand video news | Thai PM expects fishermen’s return from Myanmar, South Korea declares and reverses martial law in an hour
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover key stories from Thailand and Asia. Highlights include a fire engulfing Koh Chang’s ship hotel, Thailand legalising same-sex marriage, and a Phuket woman exposing an underwear thief. Other stories touch on cannabis extortion allegations, detained Thai fishermen in Myanmar, and a monk’s clever welfare payment fix. Regional updates feature Indonesia’s $1 billion Apple investment, South Korea’s brief martial law declaration, and Cambodia’s crypto exchange crackdown.
Fire Destroys Iconic “Ship Hotel” on Koh Chang
A massive fire engulfed Koh Chang’s iconic abandoned ship hotel, the Koh Chang Grand Laguna, on December 3. The blaze, fuelled by wooden structures and strong winds, has consumed about 50% of the landmark, making containment efforts by over 50 responders challenging. Reportedly starting during welding repairs, the fire has spread from the ship’s stern to upper decks, with authorities estimating days to fully extinguish it. Built in 1992, the unique ship-like hotel once thrived but was abandoned due to financial issues. No casualties were reported, and investigations into the fire’s cause are pending.
Phuket Woman Exposes Underwear Thief
A Phuket woman has publicly called out a man for repeatedly stealing her underwear for inappropriate purposes and later returning it to her clothes rack. The victim, who resides in the Sam Kong neighbourhood, shared her ordeal with the Phuket Times, hoping to shame the perpetrator into stopping. A video shows the man stealing and concealing underwear before returning it. While some commenters mocked the thief’s audacity, others criticised the victim for drying her garments outside. Suggestions ranged from applying deterrents like pepper to taking legal action, though it’s unclear if authorities have been involved.
Thailand to Legalise Same-Sex Marriage
Thailand will officially legalise same-sex marriage next month, becoming the third region in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to do so. The Marriage Equality Bill, endorsed by the Royal Gazette on September 24, takes effect on January 22, 2024, granting same-sex couples the right to legally marry. Preparations include updating marriage registration systems, removing gender-specific terms, and training staff nationwide. The law applies to individuals aged 18 and older, with guardian consent required for those under 20. Broader legal revisions aim to ensure equal rights for same-sex couples in areas like surrogacy, nationality, and gender recognition.
Cannabis Retail Chain Faces Extortion Allegations
Two former employees of a cannabis retail chain in Thailand have accused managers and an HR officer of false embezzlement claims, extortion, and physical assault. CCTV footage shows the HR officer slapping a worker during a heated exchange, reportedly linked to allegations of embezzlement during a promotional campaign. Employees were allegedly forced to pay compensation of up to 100,000 baht or sign guilt-admitting documents under threat of resignation. The HR officer, defending her actions, claims she has evidence and denies coercion, asserting the payments were voluntary. The incident is under investigation, with no further updates from Thai authorities.
Thai PM Expects Fishermen’s Return from Myanmar
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated her government is negotiating with Myanmar for the release of four Thai fishermen captured for trespassing in Myanmar’s waters. The fishermen, detained alongside 27 Myanmar nationals, are reported safe. The Thai Navy acknowledged the incursion but criticised Myanmar’s use of force, which reportedly led to one death and two injuries. Myanmar’s military confirmed the detention, denying any intrusion into Thai waters, and emphasised ongoing diplomatic communication. Thailand maintains relatively warm relations with Myanmar despite the latter’s contentious human rights record.
Monk’s Clever Eyebrow Fix Enables Payment
A monk in Thailand overcame a welfare payment glitch when inventive store staff used black adhesive tape to create makeshift eyebrows, allowing a facial recognition system to verify his identity. The issue arose because the system couldn’t recognise the monk’s eyebrow-less appearance, a result of Buddhist practices. Shared on Facebook, the clever fix quickly went viral, amassing nearly 8,000 reactions. Photos of the incident, showing the monk’s temporarily taped eyebrows and staff laughing at the workaround, highlight the humorous yet serious challenges technology can pose for cultural practices.
Indonesia Secures $1 Billion Apple Investment
Indonesia has secured a $1 billion investment offer from Apple, aiming to lift the ban on iPhone 16 sales due to non-compliance with domestic content requirements. Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani revealed the deal as a first phase, marking a significant increase from Apple’s earlier bids. The government insists Apple invest more than in Vietnam, where it has allocated $15 billion for manufacturing. Indonesia seeks local production to boost jobs and attract related investments, aligning with President Prabowo Subianto’s goal of 8% economic growth. With 350 million mobile phones in use, Indonesia is a key growth market for Apple.
Exxon Considers Selling Singapore Fuel Stations
Exxon Mobil is considering selling its 59 Esso-branded petrol stations in Singapore, potentially raising $1 billion, according to Bloomberg News. This move aligns with Exxon’s strategy to redirect resources toward higher-growth areas. The company, which has been operating in Singapore for over 130 years, also manages significant local facilities, including a refinery and lubricant plant. This would mark Exxon’s second Southeast Asian divestiture recently, following its sale of Malaysian oil and gas assets to Petronas in July. Interest from energy players and investment funds has been noted.
South Korea Declares Martial Law Amid Political Crisis
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an unexpected late-night address, citing domestic political opponents as threats to constitutional order. He accused opposition parties of paralysing government functions and harbouring “pro-North Korean anti-state forces.” Martial law suspends parliament and places media under military control, marking the first such move since 1980. Critics warn of authoritarian regression, while the U.S. monitors the situation closely. Yoon’s decision follows heated political disputes, including calls for investigations into alleged fraud involving the first lady. Within hours the declaration was declared invalid by parliament and was reversed.
Cambodia Blocks Crypto Exchanges Amid Cleanup
Cambodia has blocked 16 crypto exchange websites, including Binance and Coinbase, as part of a crackdown on unlicensed digital asset platforms. While apps remain active, the action targets exchanges lacking approval from the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC). Despite the restrictions, crypto use in Cambodia remains high, with 70% of transactions conducted through centralised exchanges. The move responds to global scrutiny over crypto-related crimes, including a $49 billion fraud. Efforts to develop a robust regulatory framework continue, complicated by disagreements between national financial institutions.
