PCT Thailand's Thai News and Information

British couple fights Bangkok airport extortionists
Two tourists were held by an airport gang until they paid up £8,000
Stephen Ingram and Xi Lin were falsely accused
of stealing from a shop at Bangkok airport.
A British couple who were falsely accused of shoplifting in Bangkok airport and were forced to pay £8,000 in bribes to secure their release [...]

Province declares war on dengue
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: — As dengue fever grips more than 17,000 nationwide, Nakhon Ratchasima, with nearly 200 patients and one death, has toughened control measures.
In Pimai district, Tambon Pimai Municipality officials fumigated houses and incubation grounds after continuous rainfall exacerbated the dengue situation.
Provincial health official Dr Wichai Khattiyawittayakul said yesterday the province’s [...]

Bigger fines proposed for drug traffickers
BANGKOK: — The Justice Ministry plans a 10 fold increase in fines for people charged with conspiring to traffic drugs – from Bt50,000 to Bt500,000.
And people found guilty of obstructing police investigations could face double punishment, of up to a year in jail and a fine of Bt20,000.
A source at [...]

Democrats consider going it alone
The Nation June 19, 2009
Coalition partners face ejection over unreasonable bargaining demands
Leaders of the ruling Democrat Party are thinking seriously about remaining as a slim majority or even a minority government as they prepare to oust some coalition allies, says a party source.
The leaders are reportedly fed up with political bargaining [...]

Law review needed to ease overcrowded jails
BANGKOK: — The Department of Corrections met yesterday to find ways of dealing with overcrowded prisons, especially since the number of inmates nationwide is expected to increase beyond the current 200,000 in two years.
One of the suggestions was that petty criminals be subjected to other punishment, with jail sentences [...]

New regulations to tackle soaring alcohol sales to underage drinkers
BANGKOK: — Following news reports of soaring alcohol sales to youths, the Public Health Ministry will propose a ban on the sale of cocktail smoothies near schools and colleges to the July 25 meeting of the National Alcohol Policy Committee (NAPC), a senior official said yesterday.
Two [...]