This week: snake sightings, bleak investment predictions, Thai K-pop win and YouTuber fraud
City of snakes
Bangkok is home to more snakes than you may think.
Staff at the 199 emergency hotline say they get a call for help with snakes on average every 15 minutes, with about 60,000 snake removals taking place each year.
Some 200 calls are made daily in Bangkok requesting assistance with pests such as snakes, water monitors and wasps.
Snakes make up about half of the calls.
No official numbers exist, but experts suggest each Bangkok district is home to around one thousand snakes.
The high population of snakes in Bangkok is attributed to its citizens not eating them, meaning the reptiles have no direct predators.
They do however have an abundance of prey such as dogs, cats and chickens.
Bleak investment outlook
While the Thai government declared foreign investment a key component in revitalising the country's fragile economy, analysts have their doubts as to whether Thailand can entice overseas investors.
A mix of factors, ranging from the economy to politics, is causing Thailand to lose out in attracting foreign investors, said the Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry.
Labour costs, land rents and total population make it difficult for Thailand to compete with Vietnam and Indonesia.
Meanwhile the Thai Board of Investment reiterated that the country remains an attractive destination for foreign investors, especially from China, the US and Taiwan.
Lisa makes history
Thai K-pop superstar Lalisa 'Lisa' Manoban made history this week at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Lisa won best K-pop artist, the first solo performer to receive the award.
Her group Blackpink's virtual concert, The Virtual, earned them the best metaverse performance at the event.
Lisa thanked the groups fans, known as Blinks, for their support.
Thai YouTuber fraud charge
Popular Thai YouTuber Natthamon 'Nutty' Khongchak allegedly cheated thousands of her followers to swindle about 2 billion baht through a foreign exchange trading scam.
More than 6,000 people gave Natthamon money to invest, lured by too-good-to-be-true promises of returns of as much as 35% on their investments.
Natthamon has not been seen on social media since June, with followers speculating she has fled the country, although immigration records suggest otherwise.
Natthamon attracted more than 847,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel by posting dance videos.
