Thailand video news | Thailand’s Prime Minister drives airport upgrades to boost tourism, Passenger’s disturbance on Korean Air flight ends in arrest

In today’s video news from Thailand, Alex was joined by DK to cover top stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. The stories included Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s initiative to upgrade Suvarnabhumi Airport, introducing biometric technology and expanding facilities to enhance the visitor experience. Safety concerns were raised in Phuket after a tourist was robbed of millions in cryptocurrency, while Bangkok witnessed a bizarre incident involving a passenger’s misbehaviour on a motorcycle. In Rayong, a health crisis emerged when ice packed in animal feed bags led to mass illness. Thailand also made strides in urban air mobility by hosting its first autonomous flying vehicle tests, and discussions are underway to bring Formula 1 racing to boost tourism. Internationally, Typhoon Toraji forced mass evacuations in the Philippines, a shocking church stabbing occurred in Singapore, and Vietnam issued compliance demands to e-commerce giants Shein and Temu.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Drives Airport Upgrades to Boost Tourism

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited Suvarnabhumi Airport to push for service upgrades ahead of the tourist season, aiming to boost Thailand’s tourism and economy. Joined by high-ranking officials, she called for improved visitor experiences, emphasising Thailand’s “Soft Power” approach, efficient check-ins, and advanced technology. Key upgrades include a Biometric Identification System and automated kiosks, which have already reduced wait times. Additionally, the new Midfield Satellite Concourse expands the airport’s capacity and strengthens its role as a travel hub.

 

Foreign Gang Steals Millions from Tourist in Phuket

A Ukrainian tourist in Phuket was robbed of 250,000 USD in cryptocurrency by a foreign gang. The victim, Mr. Viacheslav Liubov, was lured to a room by a friend, where he was attacked, bound, and threatened by masked assailants. Led by Arman Grigoryan from Armenia, the gang forced Mr. Liubov to transfer the funds, initially demanding 500,000 USD. After the gang left, Mr. Liubov gathered evidence and reported the crime to Kamala Police. Authorities are now investigating and raising concerns over tourist safety in Phuket.

Wee problem! Pun intended as a motorcycle passenger pulls a pee and runs on her driver

A Bangkok motorcycle rider shared a video of a passenger who urinated during a ride and refused to pay the 87 baht fare. Korn, the 32-year-old rider, warned fellow drivers, describing how the passenger ignored his payment demands and dared him to file a complaint. During the ride, Korn noticed unusual behaviour from the passenger, who had powder on her nose and frequently leaned on him before urinating on his motorcycle seat. Though angry, Korn stayed calm and opted not to take legal action but urged passengers to communicate their needs to avoid such incidents.

Re-used animal feed bags to store ice causes mass diarrhoea outbreak in Rayong

Over 1,400 students and teachers in Rayong were hit by a diarrhoea outbreak linked to ice packed in re-used animal feed bags. The contamination, attributed to norovirus and traces of harmful E.coli strains, affected schools in Klaeng district, with poor water quality and low chlorine levels compounding the issue. Officials found that the implicated ice factory used unsafe packaging practices, despite holding a valid license. Emergency measures include chlorinating school water supplies, halting ice sales from the factory, and improving hygiene protocols. Local authorities aim to restore safety and prevent future incidents.

A new pilotless autonomous flying vehicle took to the skies of Bangkok over the weekend

EHang Holdings recently conducted its first passenger flights in Thailand with the pilotless EH216-S electric flying vehicle at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, aiming for commercial operations in Phuket and Koh Samui by 2025. Approved by Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority, these flights are part of EHang’s global expansion in urban air mobility. EHang plans to use its autonomous vehicles for island-hopping and has tested its eVTOL in 17 countries. The company has partnerships worldwide, including for tourism in China, logistics in Abu Dhabi, and passenger flights in Brazil, emphasising its commitment to advancing aerial urban mobility.

Thailand is set to enter negotiations to bring Formula 1 to the land of smiles

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced plans to bring a Formula 1 race to Thailand as part of a strategy to boost tourism and solidify Thailand’s global reputation. This initiative, along with tourism campaigns like the “72 Styles of Happiness to Experience,” aims to drive significant visitor growth. Influencers will promote curated travel routes, enhancing Thailand’s appeal with unique cultural, culinary, and adventure experiences. The government expects a 7.5% rise in tourism revenue by year’s end, underscoring Thailand’s commitment to sustainable tourism and global events.

 

Passenger’s Disturbance on Korean Air Flight Ends in Arrest

A Korean Air passenger tried to open an emergency exit mid-flight from Bangkok to Seoul, sparking panic and requiring swift action from the crew. The man, seated near the exit in a crew jump seat, resisted when asked to return to his assigned seat and exhibited aggressive behaviour. Following security protocols, the crew restrained and subdued him until landing, where authorities took him into custody in Seoul. Korean Air emphasised its zero-tolerance policy for behaviour compromising safety and will fully cooperate in the investigation. Online footage captured the incident, showing the crew’s effective intervention.

Philippines Evacuates Thousands as Typhoon Toraji Hits

Typhoon Toraji struck the northeastern Philippines, prompting mass evacuations as the region reeled from three recent storms. With winds up to 130 kph (81 mph), the storm hit Aurora province and is set to weaken over Luzon before reaching the South China Sea. President Marcos, overseeing recovery efforts, cancelled his attendance at an APEC meeting. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla ordered forced evacuations in 2,500 villages due to high risks of floods and landslides. The military is on standby, while schools and transportation are suspended. The Philippines, prone to frequent natural disasters, received international aid following severe losses in recent storms.

 

Singaporean Man Charged with Stabbing Priest During Mass

A Singaporean man, Basnayake Keith Spencer, was charged after stabbing Catholic priest Christopher Lee Kwong Heng during Mass at St Joseph’s Church. Spencer, carrying multiple weapons, was subdued by congregants until police arrived. Authorities stated there’s no indication of religious or terror motives, though Spencer has a history of violent offences and drug use. The priest is recovering from facial injuries in the hospital. Religious leaders condemned the attack, urging vigilance, and police have increased patrols at worship sites.

 

Vietnam Demands Shein and Temu Register to Avoid Blocking

Vietnam has mandated that Chinese e-commerce platforms Shein and Temu must register with the government by the end of November or face blocking of their domains and apps. Vietnam’s concerns centre on these platforms’ impact on local markets through aggressive discounting and potential counterfeit sales. While Shein stated its commitment to complying with Vietnamese regulations, Temu has yet to respond. With the country’s e-commerce market growing to $22 billion, authorities are also considering removing the current tax exemption on imports under $40, which mainly benefit online purchases.

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