Koh Samui police are intensifying security measures to ensure the safety of tourists on the island after the government introduced the "Free Visa" policy, aiming to boost traveler confidence.

Since the government's urgent tourism stimulus plan, offering free visas to visitors from China and Kazakhstan from September 25, 2023, until February 29, 2024, Koh Samui has seen a surge in tourist arrivals, even during the low season, reported Daily News.

Picture: Daily News

At Chaweng Beach, a renowned tourist spot on the island, Pol. Lt. Yutthanat Sirisombat, the Bo Phud Police Superintendent, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Charoen Gekkeaw, Deputy Superintendent, and Pol. Lt. Col. Wicheet Boonchit, Tourist Police Inspector on Koh Samui, met with jet ski rental operators and hotel lifeguards to discuss safety protocols and provide assistance to tourists enjoying the beach and water activities.

Picture: Daily News

Furthermore, police officers from Bo Phut Police Station and Tourist Police on Koh Samui were dispatched to patrol and ensure the safety of tourists in local communities, Samui Airport, and other popular tourist destinations.

Picture: Daily News

Despite the prevailing cloudy weather and occasional rain associated with the monsoon season in the Gulf of Thailand, both Thai and foreign tourists continue to flock to Chaweng Beach for relaxation and seaside fun.

Authorities have issued warnings to ensure that tourists exercise caution and avoid swimming when red flags are raised, prioritizing safety above all else.

Top Picture: Daily News

-- ASEAN NOW 2023-09-28

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email sales@aseannow.com for more information

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

The Surat Thani Immigration Bureau arrested Zak Smith, a British national, who was hiding in Thailand while evading a fraud case involving damages of £7 million.

Under the command of regional and provincial police chiefs, investigations were carried out to apprehend foreigners staying beyond their visa limit or illegally residing in the Kingdom. This was particularly focused on popular tourist spots like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao as part of the mission to "clean the house."

Picture: Siam Rath

The breakthrough in the case occurred on July 8, when authorities discovered that Smith had overstayed his visa and was residing in Koh Samui. Once located, he was found living with his Thai girlfriend in a rental home, reported Siam Rath.

Picture: Siam Rath

Smith, aged 30, had been part of a group of six people who illegally streamed Premier League football and other TV shows in the UK, resulting in damages to the copyright owner of approximately £7 million or 315 million Thai Baht over the past five years. Five of the accused had been sentenced to 30 years imprisonment each, but Smith, the sixth defendant, had fled to Thailand.

Smith was found to have overstayed his visa by 16 days. After proceedings, he will be returned to the UK, blacklisted from reentering Thailand, and further action will be coordinated with the UK police.

Picture: Siam Rath

The Surat Thani Immigration Bureau encourages the public to report any crimes or unlawful activities by foreigners at their hotline 1178 or call 0993039889.

Top Picture: Siam Rath

#news

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/swedish-drug-trafficker-nabbed-in-koh-samui-after-two-years-on-the-run

Samui International Airport in the southern province of Surat Thani turned into a scene from a Western movie after a minibus driver shot a Grab driver following a heated dispute.

Bophut Police Station officers rushed to a parking area of the arrival passenger terminal in the airport to investigate the shooting scene. Officers discovered travellers were shocked by the incident while the victim, a 30 year old man named Boy, was transferred to Bangkok Samui Hospital before police arrived at the scene.

During their initial examination of the scene, officers uncovered three bullet shells and traces of blood near the parking fee collection counter.

Photo of Petch Petpailin 

Photo via ThaiRath.

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-14

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

The royal battleships Su Phairin and Han Hak Satru just took their last splash as they were submerged undersea to form refinement ambassadors. Rear Admiral Charasakiat Chaiphan, commander of the 2nd naval area, led the initiative, all part of the underwater learning park project to take the plunge into underwater tourism.

The two decommissioned vessels found their new home off the picturesque coast of Koh Tao, nestled within Surat Thani province. This venture was the result of a collaborative effort between the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. It holds the promise of serving as a captivating diving site while actively contributing to the preservation and rejuvenation of marine and coastal ecosystems in the region.

It’s noteworthy that these battleships aren’t the pioneers in transitioning into aquatic sanctuaries around Koh Tao. Back in 2011, the RTN had generously bestowed the retired Sattakut battleship upon the island. This vessel found its final berth near the White Rock, on the western shores of Koh Tao, effectively birthing the inaugural Underwater Learning Park.

By Samantha Rose

Caption: Photo courtesy of Sanook

Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thai-navy-sinks-decommissioned-battleships-to-boost-koh-taos-underwater-tourism

On September 13, in Surat Thani province, members of the Turtle Conservation Association on Koh Pha Ngan received a report from staff at the Koh Tao Resort, Nai Thon Beach, Group 2, Koh Tao, that the first baby turtles from Mother Thongdee's second nest had emerged from their eggs since the morning of September 11, 2023, from a total of 3 nests.

Picture: Siam Rath

This followed the predictions of marine veterinarians and marine biologists. Members of the Turtle Conservation Association, municipal officials of Koh Tao, and volunteers joined forces to monitor the turtle nest, attempting to allow the baby turtles to naturally make their way to the sea. On the evening of September 11, two baby turtles hatched at 7:09 PM, and another 12 at 10:01 PM.

Veterinarian Dr. Watchara Sakornwimon, a specialist in marine and coastal resources research in the central Gulf of Thailand, arrived at Koh Tao to inspect the turtle nest area, reported Siam Rath.

Picture: Siam Rath

She decided to gradually open the nest on the afternoon of September 12, ultimately releasing all 52 baby turtles from Mother Thongdee's second nest into the sea in the evening.

This increased their chances of survival as they swam together. Amidst cheers from foreign tourists visiting Koh Tao, all were deeply impressed, as they had never witnessed baby turtles hatching and crawling into the sea like this before.

For Mother Thongdee, who laid her eggs in the same area and released 42 baby turtles into the sea as the first nest on the night of August 30, 2023, this brings the total to 94 turtles from 2 nests, confirming the rich natural resources on Koh Tao.

Top Picture: Siam Rath

-- ASEAN NOW 2023-09-14

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email sales@aseannow.com for more information

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Koh Samui’s tourism sector has called for the government to extend stays for European travellers, arguing that the proposed visa-free travel for Chinese tourists will not significantly benefit the island.

This comes from Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, the president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, who noted that Chinese nationals only make up a small percentage (10%) of the island’s foreign tourist demographic.

The island primarily attracts independent travellers as opposed to large tour groups, a trend commonly seen elsewhere. Ratchaporn argues that if Thailand wishes to appeal to high-spending tourists, it should ease visa processes, ensure convenient travel, and extend the length of permitted stays. His suggestion is to increase the current 30-day stay to 60-90 days, targeting tourists from Europe, Israel, and Australia.

One major issue for Koh Samui in the fourth quarter is the lack of freshwater supply. The pipeline between the island and Surat Thani has been non-operational for months, leading to hotels and other service sectors resorting to sourcing water from other suppliers at a higher cost. The cost per litre is considerably high in comparison to major cities, and this is anticipated to become a critical issue with the expected influx of tourists, especially in the first quarter of 2024, which is Samui’s high season.

by Alex Morgan

Photo by Nehal Patel on Unsplash

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/koh-samui-tourism-seeks-extended-stays-for-european-travellers-amidst-water-crisis

-- The Thaiger 2023-09-13

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe