Jonathan Fairfield

 

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health will conduct random COVID-19 tests, using rapid antigen test kits (ATKs), on 10-15% of students every two weeks to boost their confidence in vaccination, said Deputy Government Spokesperson Ms. Ratchada Dhnadirek today (Saturday).

 

The ministry began the mass vaccination of students, aged 12-18, using the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, on October 7th, targeting 71% of students in this age group. So far, 3.8 million have registered to be inoculated and, by yesterday, 150,190 had been received their first jab, accounting for 3.3%, and 1,825 had received their second.

 

Ms. Ratchada said that she expects more students to register for inoculation.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-health-ministry-to-conduct-random-covid-19-tests-on-students-every-two-weeks/

 

Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

 

 

 

Plant markets turn a new leaf amid pandemic

 

 

Gardening has bloomed during the lockdowns as people stuck at home have chosen to become plant parents. Instagram posts are full of green leaves and colorful flowers.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234851-plant-markets-turn-a-new-leaf-amid-pandemic/

 

 

Gardening has bloomed during the lockdowns as people stuck at home have chosen to become plant parents. Instagram posts are full of green leaves and colorful flowers.

 

Joining the trend are leading celebrities who have turned to this soothing hobby during the pandemic. That’s seen demand for particular kinds of house plants and their prices soar, with the most coveted plant now commanding an eyewatering million baht and more.

 

Two weeks ago, a 41-year-old seller from Bangkok agreed to sell his Musa Siam Ruby, a banana plant with variegated leaves, to a 50-year-old plant collector and grower from Rayong province for an astounding 10 million baht. According to a news report, the plant is 150 cm tall and has seven leaves and three suckers. Standing in a modest black pot, it comes with stunning red ruby variegation on every leaf which marks it as “very rare”.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/plant-markets-turn-a-new-leaf-amid-pandemic/

 

Thailand lacks annual flood assessment – climate change expert

 

 

Thailand lacks regular flood risk assessments, which should be carried out every one or two years, to see what has changed since the last flood, in terms of land use and whether it will affect the floodwaters, said Dr. Seree Supratid, the Director of the Climate Change Centre.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234850-thailand-lacks-annual-flood-assessment-–-climate-change-expert/

 

All provinces in Thailand told to brace for tropical storm “Lion Rock”

 

 

The Thai Ministry of Interior has ordered all provincial governors to be prepared for heavy rain from tropical storm “Lion Rock”, which is forecast to make landfall in northern Vietnam tomorrow or Monday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234849-all-provinces-in-thailand-told-to-brace-for-tropical-storm-“lion-rock”/

 

 

The Thai Ministry of Interior has ordered all provincial governors to be prepared for heavy rain from tropical storm “Lion Rock”, which is forecast to make landfall in northern Vietnam tomorrow or Monday.

 

According to the Thai Meteorological Department, “Lion Rock”, packing winds measured at 65kph at its centre, is moving in a north-westerly direction this morning (Saturday) into the Tonkin Bay, from Hainan Island, and is expected weaken to an atmospheric depression.

 

This will cause more rain to fall in the north-eastern region of Thailand.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/all-provinces-in-thailand-told-to-brace-for-tropical-storm-lion-rock/

 

Thailand Live 10 Oct: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234848-thailand-live-sunday-10-oct-2021/

 

FILE PHOTO: The bodies of Noberto Maderal and fellow pedicab driver George Avancena, killed during a drug-related police operation, are taken away by funeral parlour workers in Manila, Philippines October 19, 2016. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

 

MANILA (Reuters) -An initial investigation by the Philippine government has found 154 police officers could be criminally liable over their conduct in President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on drugs, in a rare admission by the state that abuses may have taken place.

 

The findings, announced by the Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday, come just a few weeks after the International Criminal Court (ICC) approved a formal investigation into thousands of state killings of alleged drug dealers since Duterte took office in 2016.

 

The government had said it will not cooperate with an international probe because the Philippines has a justice system that is functioning.

 

The popular Duterte, 76, has dared the ICC to put him on trial and publicly said he would happily "rot in jail" for killing people intent on destroying his country.

 

Duterte is stepping down as president in 2022, and political analysts expect him to anoint a successor who could insulate him from potential legal action at home or by the ICC, once he is out of power.

 

In a late night address on Monday, Duterte said he would wait for the cases to be filed against him, even as he insisted the ICC has no right to meddle in the country's affairs.

 

"I will prepare for my defence," Duterte said. "That ICC, just don't lie," he said.

 

Activists say systematic cover-ups and executions of thousands of users and pushers have not been prosecuted. Police have denied wrongdoing and say the killings were in self-defence.

 

"The police officers involved in these cases were not only administratively liable. The existing evidence pointed to their possible criminal liability as well," Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told reporters, without elaborating.

 

The review, according to the government, was part of Duterte's commitment before the United Nations General Assembly that police responsible for murder would be held accountable.

 

The police and justice ministry reviewed 52 cases where suspects were killed in what police recorded as anti-narcotics operations. Those would be sent to state investigators for further action, Guevarra said.

 

He said 100 more cases would be looked at, which were pending preliminary investigation or under court trial.

 

Officially, 6,200 drug suspects were killed in what police said were sting operations where suspects resisted arrest.

 

Activists say many thousands more people, mostly users or small-time dealers, were killed in slum communities by mystery gunmen. Police have denied involvement in those deaths.

 

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Additional reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty and Marguerita Choy)

 

FILE PHOTO: Sara Duterte, Davao City Mayor and daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, delivers a speech during a senatorial campaign caravan for Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HNP) in Davao City, southern Philippines on May 9, 2019. HNP is a regional political party chaired by Sara Duterte. Picture taken May 9, 2019 . REUTERS/Lean Daval Jr/File Photo

 

MANILA (Reuters) -Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's surprise retirement from politics after his term ends next year has cleared the way for his daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio's presidential run.

 

Below are five things to know about Duterte-Carpio.

 

WHO IS SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO?

 

Just as her father did, Duterte-Carpio, 43, trained as a lawyer before entering politics in 2007 when she was voted in as her father's vice mayor.

 

In 2010, she succeeded Duterte to become the first female mayor of Davao, a city of over 1.6 million people 1,000 km (600 miles) from the capital Manila, replacing her father who served as mayor for over two decades.

 

Her image is as down-to-Earth as that of her father in a country where tough plays well: She once punched a court official who challenged her; she rides big motorcycles; and her children are nicknamed Sharkie, Stingray and Stonefish.

 

She is also no stranger to presidential events and overseas trips, serving as first lady due to her father's annulled marriage.

 

WHAT IS SHE SAYING?

 

Duterte-Carpio last month said she was not yet a candidate for higher office because she and her father had agreed only one of them would run for a national role next year.

 

Reflecting that statement, she filed on Saturday to run for Davao mayor for a third time. The same day, however, her father announced his retirement from politics and said his daughter would run for president, with his closest loyalist, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go as vice president.

 

Her spokesperson told Reuters that she had no comment on the matter and knew only what was reported in local media.

In July, Duterte-Caprio launched a Facebook page with a video saying she wanted the public to get to know her, while "run, Sara, run" banners, posters and t-shirts have popped up across the archipelago of 110 million people.

 

Last month, she said several politicians had offered to be her running mate.

 

Duterte-Carpio told Reuters earlier this year she had decided not to extend the political dynasty to the presidency. "I made a chart where I listed the whys and why-nots before I decided that I am not going to run," she said, adding she had not told her father the reason.

 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

 

Political analysts said last-minute changes to the list of presidential candidates were possible, with the deadline for withdrawals and substitutions still more than a month a way.

 

They suspected father and daughter could be using the same tactic Duterte used in 2015 when he joined the presidential race at the eleventh-hour after repeatedly denying interest.

 

As such, a last-minute presidential entry by Duterte-Carpio could not be ruled out, analysts said.

 

Still, former political science professor Temario Rivera said a Duterte-Carpio-Go tandem would be "weak" because Go does not have a political base that could help bring in votes.

 

Candidates have until Oct. 8 to register, but the window for changes closes on Nov. 15.

 

WHO IS HER COMPETITION?

 

Though she has never held national office, Duterte-Carpio is by far the most popular presidential prospect, showed successive opinion polls this year.

 

But other potential candidates cut into her lead in a poll of 2,400 people in September by Pulse Asia, with her support dropping to 20% from 28%.

 

Boxer Manny Pacquiao, who has made his presidential run official after retiring from boxing, rose one notch to fourth, with 12% support from 8% previously.

 

Another potential contender is the namesake son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was just behind Duterte-Carpio in the poll. Analysts said Marcos may even run alongside Duterte-Carpio, either as president or as her vice president.

 

Two others have declared their intention to run: Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, a former actor, and Senator Panfilo Lacson, an ex-police chief - supporters of both expect them to file certificates of candidacy in coming days.

 

Vice President Leni Robredo, who was elected separately from Duterte in the last vote, is also expected to announce her decision to run for the presidency this week, her supporters have said. Like Pacquiao and Lacson, Robredo saw an increase in support in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

 

WOULD SHE BE A PROXY FOR HER FATHER?

 

Analysts said it is crucial Duterte's successor is a loyalist, to insulate him from potential legal action at home or by the International Criminal Court over thousands of killings since 2016 during his war on drugs.

 

For Carlos Conde, Philippines researcher for New York-based Human Rights Watch, no one can protect Duterte better than Duterte-Carpio.

 

But Duterte-Carpio showed her independence three years ago when she united political factions to oust a presidential ally as lower house speaker.

 

She has not been so outspoken on the drugs war that has been a centrepiece of Duterte's administration, but has said prevention and rehabilitation should be part of drug policy, and that "law enforcement should be quick to the draw".

 

She has also not been as close to China as her father - whose close ties to Beijing rattled the traditional alliance with the United States and a domestic security establishment with close U.S. ties.

 

In 2020, Duterte-Carpio visited the United States for State Department-sponsored leadership training.

 

"We should be a bystander in the China versus U.S. issue," she told Reuters. "We should collect friends outside of the two, so that if one turns their back on us, we still have nine. And if both forget about us, we still have eight. And if eight leave us, we should stand alone."

 

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

 

FILE PHOTO: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte arrives with daughter and first lady Sara Duterte-Carpio to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan October 22, 2019. Carl Court/Pool via REUTERS

 

MANILA (Reuters) -Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter will run for president in the 2022 election and her father's long-time aide, who has filed his vice presidential candidacy, will be her running mate, ABS-CBN news reported late on Saturday.

 

Sara Duterte-Carpio is currently mayor of Davao, the Philippines' third-largest city, and on Saturday filed her candidacy to run again for mayor. She has previously said she would not run for national office next year.

 

ABS-CBN news based its report on an interview that president Duterte had with a broadcast journalist right after he announced that he was retiring from politics on Saturday, while accompanying his closest loyalist Senator Christopher "Bong" Go to file his vice presidential candidacy.

 

He was asked: "So is it clear, Sara-Go?"

 

"It is Sara-Go," Duterte said in response.

 

When asked to confirm what the president said, Duterte-Carpio's spokesperson Mayor Christina Garcia Frasco told Reuters: "The extent of my knowledge is also what was reported in local news. We have no comment on the same."

 

Go did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

 

ABS-CBN news said it obtained permission from the broadcast journalist to use the video showing Duterte outside a hotel in Manila where the registration of candidates was taking place and that a transcript was also provided.

 

In the same clip, Duterte was asked when his daughter would file her candidacy for president, he said: "I really do not know. I do not have any idea at all".

 

Asked if he had given his daughter permission to run for president, he said: "Ah, no, actually we don't talk about politics, ever since we never talk about politics. I would say that it is for the better".

 

Duterte's political party has yet to officially nominate its presidential candidate and Duterte-Carpio belongs to a different party.

Retired political science professor Temario Rivera said while Duterte's daughter is winnable, the same could not be said about Go who has no political base, thus making a Duterte-Carpio-Go ticket "weak".

 

 

"It would be an unsound political decision because what can Bong Go add to Sara's candidacy?," Rivera said.

While Duterte-Carpio is by far the most popular presidential prospect, according to successive opinion polls this year, but Go, who was the president's long-time aide before he became senator, trails in opinion surveys on preferred vice presidential bets.

 

Duterte, 76, said on Saturday he was retiring from politics, a surprise move that fuelled speculation he was clearing the way for a presidential run by his daughter.

 

He had been expected to run for the No. 2 job, a plan most Filipinos oppose as violating the spirit of the constitution which sets a one-term limit for the president to stop power being abused.

 

Duterte-Carpio's mayorial re-election filing, did little to douse speculation she has her eye on the presidency.

 

Analysts say it is crucial for Duterte to have a loyal successor to insulate him from potential legal action - at home or by the International Criminal Court - over the thousands of state killings in his war on drugs since 2016.

 

Candidates have until Oct. 8 to register, but withdrawals and substitutions are allowed until Nov. 15, leaving scope for last-minute changes of heart.

 

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Sandra Maler and Michael Perry)

 

A pet owner carries her cat at a drive-through pet blessing a day before World Animal Day, at Eastwood Mall, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, October 3, 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

 

MANILA (Reuters) - Hundreds of animal lovers in the Philippines had their pets blessed via a drive-through ceremony on Sunday to mark World Animal Day and the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, forgoing the usual fanfare due to COVID-19.

 

This was the second straight year that organisers had to hold a drive-through ceremony to mark World Animal day - celebrated worldwide to recognise animal rights and welfare - to ensure the safety of the animals and owners.

 

The Philippines has recorded more than 2.5 million COVID-19 cases and more than 38,000 deaths and is one of Asia's worst-affected countries in terms of casualties and economic losses.

 

 

Among those who patiently waited in the long queue of vehicles was Maxine Mariano, who brought Cookie, her seven-year old Shih Tzu, to receive a blessing from the priest who sprayed and sprinkled holy water on her beloved pet.

 

"We believe that it's for the long life also of our dog, and then also as Catholics it's important to have them blessed as well just like us," Mariano said through the window of her car.

 

More than 500 animals of different shapes and sizes were blessed during the ceremony.

 

(Reporting by Adrian Portugal,; Writing by Karen Lema; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

 

FILE PHOTO: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte stands in between Senate President Aquilino Koko Pimentel (L) and Speaker of the House Pantaleon Alvarez (R) before Duterte speaks during his first State of the Nation Address at the Philippine Congress in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines July 25, 2016. REUTERS/Erik De Castro /File Photo

 

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has announced he will retire from politics, opening the way for his daughter to run for president in next year's election.

 

Here is a timeline of some of the key events in Duterte's term:

 

May 2016: Duterte, the former mayor of Davao City and nicknamed "The Punisher" for his anti-drug crusade in the city, is elected the Philippines' 16th president by focusing almost entirely on crime, drug abuse and corruption.

 

Once in power, Duterte backs a war on drugs by police that officials say kills more than 6,100 suspected drug dealers. The United Nations say tens of thousands of people in the Philippines may have been killed since mid-2016 amid "near impunity" for police and incitement to violence by top officials. Duterte's spokesperson says the "rehashed claims" of impunity are unfounded.

 

October 2016: On his first trip to China, Duterte turns his back on the Philippines' decades-long ties with the United States to court Beijing, announcing the separation from the United States by saying "America has lost".

 

Duterte says Manila and Beijing would resolve their South China Sea dispute through dialogue, a softening of the previous Philippine position. He describes the 2016 arbitration ruling on the South China Sea that went in the Philippines' favour as just a "piece of paper" he could throw in the trash.

 

May 2017: Duterte cuts short a visit to Moscow when clashes erupt in Marawi between Filipino troops and Islamist fighters. The seige of Marawi lasts five months. By September, the conflict has displaced around 350,000 people and resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000. Duterte declares a state of martial law covering the entire island of Mindanao, which lasts until the end of 2019, the longest period of martial law in the Philippines since the 1965-86 Marcos era.

 

July 2017: Under the government's "Build, Build, Build" initiative, Duterte pledges to usher in a golden age of infrastructure through a six-year, $180 billion spending spree to modernise and build airports, roads, railways and ports.

 

February 2018: The International Criminal Court (ICC) opens a preliminary investigation into the thousands of deaths that occurred during Duterte's war on drugs. The following month, Duterte announces his intention to withdraw the Philippines from the ICC. The withdrawal becomes official in March 2019.

 

May 2019: Elections result in Duterte maintaining his hold on the House of Representatives and see him take control of the Senate, the only effective check remaining on his administration.

 

January 2020: Duterte says he will end a 1998 pact that allows U.S troops to operate in the Philippines, however the withdrawal period is extended. In February 2021, he says the U.S. must "pay" to keep the deal and in July he restores it.

 

Sept. 8, 2021: Duterte accepts his party's nomination to run for vice president in next year's election. He is barred by the constitution from seeking a second term and his interest in the largely ceremonial post is dismissed by opponents as a bid to stay in office and avoid potential legal action against him. A prosecutor at the International Criminal Court is still investigating Duterte over his war on drugs.

 

Oct. 2, 2021: Duterte announces he will not run for vice president but will retire from politics.

 

(Reporting by Michael Perry; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

 

FILE PHOTO: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte attends the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit in Singapore, November 15, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

 

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday he was retiring from politics, a surprise move that fuelled speculation he was clearing the way for a presidential run by his daughter.

 

Sara Duterte-Carpio is currently mayor of Davao, the Philippines' third-largest city, and filed on Saturday to contest the role again. She has previously said she would not run for national office next year.

 

"Today, I announce my retirement from politics," Duterte said as he accompanied his ally Senator Christopher "Bong" Go of the ruling PDP-Laban party to register Go's candidacy for vice president in next year's election.

 

But political analysts were sceptical, noting that last-minute changes were still possible, as in 2015 when Duterte entered the presidential election race at the eleventh hour and won by a huge margin.

 

Duterte, 76, had been expected to run for the No. 2 job, a plan most Filipinos oppose as violating the spirit of the constitution, which sets a one-term limit for the president to stop power being abused.

 

"In obedience to the will of the people, who after all placed me in the presidency many years ago, I now say to my countrymen, I will follow your wish," Duterte said as he urged the public to back his longtime aide.

 

Analysts say it is crucial for Duterte to have a loyal successor to insulate him from potential legal action - at home or by the International Criminal Court - over the thousands of state killings in his war on drugs since 2016.

 

"I would take his announcement with a lot of salt," Carlos Conde, Philippines researcher for New York-based Human Rights Watch, told Reuters. "But assuming that he's really going to retire, that doesn't mean he won't get the protection from the ICC that he craves."

 

Duterte, a maverick leader famous for his embrace of China and disdain for the United States, traditionally a close ally of the Philippines, remains popular even though his opponents accuse him of being authoritarian and intolerant of dissent.

 

Activist and human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares also viewed Duterte's announcement sceptically, saying "he will still dictate (to) his political machinery".

 

"Unfortunately for him, he will not be spared from accountability. Retirement from politics will not save him from a prison sentence," said Colmenares, who is also providing legal assistance to drug war victims.

 

Authorities have killed more than 6,100 suspected drug dealers and users since Duterte took office in June 2016. Rights groups say the police summarily executed suspects, which the police deny, saying they acted in self-defence during sting operations.

 

'ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN'

 

More than 60 million Filipinos will vote in May for a new president, vice president and more than 18,000 lawmakers and local government officials.

 

Political observers had long suspected Duterte could spring a surprise, such as a presidential bid by his daughter next year.

Duterte-Carpio's re-election filing, shortly after her father announced his retirement, did little to douse speculation she has her eye on the presidency.

 

 

Mar Masanguid, who backed Duterte's 2016 run and has now founded a group to back Duterte-Carpio, said the signs still pointed to a run, which would mirror her father's last minute bid in 2016.

 

"In politics, anything can happen," he said.

 

Duterte-Carpio has topped opinion surveys on prospective candidates, but said last month she was not a candidate for higher office next year because she and her father had agreed only one of them would run for a national role in 2022.

 

The older Duterte's decision not to join the race next year would clear her way.

 

"This allows Sara Duterte to run," said Antonio La Vina, professor of law and politics at the Ateneo de Manila University. "She sees through the father's scheme or it is a drama to confuse everyone."

 

But La Vina said he could not rule out the possibility the firebrand leader might have a change of heart and be Go's substitute.

Candidates have until Friday to register, but withdrawals and substitutions are allowed until Nov. 15.

 

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by William Mallard and Catherine Evans)

 

Philippine senator and newly retired boxing icon Manny Pacquiao waves from his bus before filing his certificate of candidacy for president, in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, October 1, 2021. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

 

MANILA (Reuters) - Newly retired boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was the first to file his candidacy to be the next president of the Philippines at the start of registration for thousands of political posts in what is expected to be a hotly contested election in May next year.

 

The week-long registrations, usually a festive event with big crowds, will be more sober this year with restrictions in place to fight one of Asia's deadliest COVID-19 epidemics.

 

Pacquiao, who was joined by his wife and running mate, house deputy speaker Lito Atienza, submitted his certificate of candidacy to the poll body without fanfare, before saying a few words to the media about his plans should he get elected.

 

"My priority is to resolve the pandemic so we can drive the economy to recovery," said Pacquiao, who was wearing a maroon polo shirt and a white face mask with his and the Philippine flag's image.

 

On his way to the registration building, Pacquiao was greeted by dozens of supporters waiting by the roadside and waving banners that read "Fight, Pacman."

 

Pacquiao said he was unperturbed by the results of an opinion poll showing him in fourth spot among preferred presidential contenders, saying: "The voices of the poor have not been heard."

 

One of the greatest boxers of all time and the only man to hold world titles in eight different divisions, Pacquiao retired from boxing in September to run for the presidency. He is a two-term congressman and currently senator.

 

 

The registration process should put an end to months of speculation over who will vie to succeed firebrand President Rodrigo Duterte, 76, who under the constitution cannot seek re-election and will contest the vice presidency race instead.

 

Aside from Pacquiao, two other contenders have declared their intention to run for president. Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagosoa former actor, and Senator Panfilo Lacson, an ex police chief, were expected to file their certificates in the following days.

 

But the spotlight will be on Sara Duterte-Carpio, the president's daughter, despite her ruling out running for the office next year.

Duterte-Carpio, 43, replaced her father as Davao City mayor when he became president, and she remains by far the most popular presidential prospect, according to successive opinion polls this year.

 

Analysts say it is crucial her father's successor is a loyalist, to insulate him from potential legal action at home or by the International Criminal Court, over the thousands of state killings in his war on drugs since 2016.

 

Critics say his interest in the vice presidency is also a self-preservation move. Duterte says his motivation is public service, not power.

Vice president, Leni Robredo, who leads the opposition, is also being urged by supporters to run for the top post.

 

"In the coming days, please pray with me so that our decision will be what is best for our country," she said.

 

More than 60 million Filipinos will vote in May 2022 for a new president, vice president, and more than 18,000 lawmakers and local government officials.

 

Candidates have until Oct. 8 to register, but withdrawals and substitutions are allowed until Nov. 15, leaving scope for last-minute changes of heart, like the 11th hour entry of Duterte for the 2016 election, which he won by a huge margin.

 

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Additional reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Eloisa Lopez; Editing by Martin Petty and Raju Gopalakrishnan)

 

Thailand reports fewest COVID-19 deaths since July

 

A healthcare worker takes a nasal swab sample from a person for a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test, at a temple near Klong Toey slum community in Bangkok, Thailand, May 3, 2021. REUTERS/Juarawee Kittisilpa

The number of daily COVID-19 deaths in Thailand fell below 100 for the second successive day and with the country reporting fewest deaths since July 26, the Ministry of Public Health reported on Sunday (Oct 3). 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233895-thailand-reports-fewest-covid-19-deaths-since-july/

 

Elderly Chonburi man reportedly wins first prize in Thai lottery, 30 million baht

 

 

An elderly man, who so far has requested for his name to be withheld by local authorities, reportedly has won the first prize in the Thai national lottery yesterday (October 1st), receiving a prize of 30 million baht in Bo Thong, a Chonburi district located in the Northeast.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233891-elderly-chonburi-man-reportedly-wins-first-prize-in-thai-lottery-30-million-baht/

 

 

An elderly man, who so far has requested for his name to be withheld by local authorities, reportedly has won the first prize in the Thai national lottery yesterday (October 1st), receiving a prize of 30 million baht in Bo Thong, a Chonburi district located in the Northeast.

 

The Thai lottery is announced twice each month (the 1st and 16th of each month).

 

The seller of the winning lottery ticket, Ms. Passaya Tangtanachantakorn, who sells lottery tickets inside a gas station in Klong Mue Sai, in the That Thong sub-district, broke the news to Pattaya News reporters late yesterday afternoon.

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/02/elderly-chonburi-man-reportedly-wins-first-prize-in-thai-lottery-30-million-baht/

 

Irish ex-pat and his wife arrested in Sattahip for alleged online scams to the tune of 500,000 baht

 

 

An Irish ex-pat and his wife have been arrested in Sattahip after allegedly offering to sell cheap iPhones and iPads online and not sending the products after payments were made. The damage is currently estimated at 500,000 baht, according to Consumer Protection Police familiar with the case.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233890-irish-ex-pat-and-his-wife-arrested-in-sattahip-for-alleged-online-scams-to-the-tune-of-500000-baht/