Thailand video news | Tourist bus fire in Pak Chong: No injuries reported, Bahrain refuses to play in Indonesia over safety concerns
Tourist Bus Fire in Pak Chong: No Injuries Reported
A tourist bus carrying 50 Indonesian tourists caught fire in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, on October 16. Fortunately, no one was injured, as the passengers had exited the bus moments earlier for dinner. The fire, which broke out along the old Mittraphap Road, was extinguished after 30 minutes. Local authorities, including fire crews, responded swiftly. While the bus was severely damaged, the cause of the fire remains unknown. Most of the tourists’ belongings were unharmed. Alternative transport was arranged, and authorities are investigating the incident with the help of forensic experts.
Cyanide Serial Killer Cases Near Conclusion in Thailand
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) will submit a summary of 14 cyanide poisoning cases tied to serial killer suspect Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn by the end of October, with sentencing expected for one major case in November. Sararat, accused of 14 murders and 1 attempted murder, remains imprisoned but legally innocent until the court rules. The case emerged after the death of Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong, with cyanide found in her system and Sararat suspected of involvement. More families then came forward, linking Sararat to financial dealings and the deaths of their loved ones.
Woman Seeks Justice After Man Defecates Outside Her Home
A Thai woman named Mew, from Udon Thani, is seeking accountability after a man defecated outside her home. Mew shared CCTV footage of the incident on social media, which showed a man in black trousers defecating in front of her house before driving away. The incident occurred around 1 am on October 16, and Mew discovered the mess while cleaning the next morning. Despite her neighbours helping with the cleanup, the unpleasant smell persisted. Mew believes the man, who appears wealthy, is a partygoer and publicly calls on him to take responsibility for his actions.
Ratchaburi Police Raid Illegal Cockfighting Ring
Ratchaburi police raided an illegal cockfighting ring hidden in a forest, arresting 25 gamblers after locals reported the activity. The raid, led by Mueang Ratchaburi’s special operations team, uncovered a makeshift arena with ongoing cockfights. Authorities seized fighting roosters, cages, a cockfighting ring, and a digital timer, though some suspects managed to flee. The arrested individuals, mostly locals, were charged with organising illegal gambling and participating in illegal cockfighting. Police have issued summonses for those who escaped, and further legal proceedings are underway.
Luxury Hotels in Thailand Plan Rate Hikes Amid Tourist Surge
As Thailand’s tourism sector anticipates a strong high season, luxury hotels plan modest rate hikes amid increased tourist demand, while budget hotels struggle. September’s average occupancy dropped to 55%, lower than pre-pandemic levels. High-end accommodations saw a 58.7% occupancy rate, while budget hotels only reached 45%. Regional disparities were notable, with northern hotels suffering from flooding. Luxury hotels expect rate increases of less than 10%, while four-star hotels anticipate over 20% rises. October occupancy rates stand at 55.6%, with a 5-10% tourist increase predicted. Hoteliers also seek government relief for flood recovery.
BLACKPINK’s Lisa Shines at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
BLACKPINK’s Lisa captivated audiences at the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York with her electrifying performances. Opening the show with her hit single “Rockstar” while riding a suspended motorbike, she dazzled in a leather two-piece. Later, she returned in gold angel wings and a lacy catsuit to perform her new track “Moonlit Floor.” Lisa expressed her excitement at being part of Victoria’s Secret’s grand comeback. The show featured five segments transitioning from light to dark, with additional performances by Cher and Tyla. Lisa’s performance was a standout, blending music and fashion seamlessly.
Bahrain Refuses to Play in Indonesia Over Safety Concerns
Bahrain’s national football team has decided not to play a World Cup qualifying match in Indonesia next March due to safety concerns after receiving online death threats from Indonesian fans. The threats followed a controversial 2-2 draw between the teams, where Bahrain scored a 99th-minute equaliser, sparking protests and allegations of biased refereeing by Indonesia. The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) has requested FIFA to move the match outside Indonesia to ensure the team’s safety. Crowd violence has been a recurring issue in Indonesian football, with authorities struggling to manage it.
Hong Kong Reclaims Top Spot as World’s Freest Economy
Hong Kong has reclaimed the top spot as the world’s freest economy in the 2024 “Economic Freedom of the World” report by Canada’s Fraser Institute, scoring 8.58. Singapore ranked second with 8.55, followed by Switzerland, New Zealand, and the U.S. The report assessed 165 jurisdictions based on factors like regulation, international trade, and government size. Hong Kong excelled in trade freedom and regulation but ranked lower in legal systems and government size. The city had previously lost its top position to Singapore in 2023 but regained it due to its strong market advantages and “one country, two systems” governance.
Vietnamese Tycoon Receives Life Sentence in Financial Fraud Case
Vietnamese real estate tycoon Truong My Lan has been sentenced to life imprisonment on financial fraud charges, following a prior death sentence from April for embezzlement and bribery. As chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Holdings, Lan was found guilty of raising $1.2 billion illegally through bond issuance, laundering $18.1 billion, and transferring $4.5 billion in and out of Vietnam. Her arrest in 2022 led to a bank run on Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB), which was linked to her fraud. The central bank intervened with $24 billion in loans to stabilise SCB.
BTS’s J-Hope Completes Military Service, Exciting Fans for Possible Reunion
J-Hope, a member of the K-pop group BTS, completed his 18-month mandatory military service in South Korea on October 17, 2024. He is the second BTS member to finish, following Jin’s discharge in June. Fans and investors are excited about a potential BTS reunion in 2025, once all members complete their service. Shares of HYBE, BTS’s label, rose by 7% following J-Hope’s discharge. BTS, one of the best-selling artists of all time, has sold over 56 million albums and singles and achieved six No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200.
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