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New Bangkok terminal opens, and looks like they need it! PHOTO: New SAT-1 terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport - Richard Barrow The new SAT-1 satellite terminal is now set to open at Suvarnabhumi on September 28, a key component of the Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Phase-2 development. The new terminal adds 250,000 square metres of new gates, seating areas and refreshment stores. The new Midfield Satellite Building will increase the BKK airport’s annual passenger total throughput from 45 million to 60 million passengers. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307623-new-bangkok-terminal-opens-and-looks-like-they-need-it/

The new SAT-1 satellite terminal is now set to open at Suvarnabhumi on September 28, a key component of the Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Phase-2 development. The new terminal adds 250,000 square metres of new gates, seating areas and refreshment stores. The new Midfield Satellite Building will increase the BKK airport’s annual passenger total throughput from 45 million to 60 million passengers. The timing co-incides with the first day of the new visa-waiver travel for Chinese and Kazakh travellers – an initiative from the new Thai PM. Today’s introduction of visa-free travel for citizens from the two countries is hoped to increase tourism as Thailand battles to woo back tourists in the post-pandemic era. The visa-waiver for the two counties will run until the end of February next year and allows them an initial stay for up to 30 days. By Peter Roche Caption: PHOTO: New SAT-1 terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport - Richard Barrow Full story: Phuket GO 2023-09-26 - 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

Taekwondo Star Panipak Wins Gold at Asian Games BANGKOK, Sept 23 (TNA) – Panipak “Tennis” Wongpattanakit has secured back-to-back gold medals in the Asian Games defeating China’s Guo Qing in the women’s 49kg taekwondo championship match, packed with drama. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307621-taekwondo-star-panipak-wins-gold-at-asian-games/

BANGKOK, Sept 23 (TNA) – Panipak “Tennis” Wongpattanakit has secured back-to-back gold medals in the Asian Games defeating China’s Guo Qing in the women’s 49kg taekwondo championship match, packed with drama. Yesterday, Panipak reclaimed her championship by defeating Guo, the host athlete with a score of 12-6 in the third round, taking the gold medal for the second consecutive time. Defending the championship this time was particularly challenging, especially in the third round. Full story: Thai News Agency 2023-09-26 - 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

Palm Sugar: Thailand’s More Delicious Alternative to Refined Sugar Source: NilaSito / Shutterstock.com Sugar is one of those things that many of us just can’t get enough of. After all, it’s chemically designed to stimulate the brain’s dopamine system. Most of us are predominantly presented with one of two options: brown sugar and white sugar. But what if there was a better, more tasty sugar? Enter palm sugar — Thailand’s delicious natural sweetener. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307620-palm-sugar-thailand’s-more-delicious-alternative-to-refined-sugar/

Sugar is one of those things that many of us just can’t get enough of. After all, it’s chemically designed to stimulate the brain’s dopamine system. Most of us are predominantly presented with one of two options: brown sugar and white sugar. But what if there was a better, more tasty sugar? Enter palm sugar — Thailand’s delicious natural sweetener. Read on to learn exactly what is palm sugar, what it tastes like, which Thai dishes use palm sugar, and some surprising facts about this crop. What is palm sugar? Palm sugar or nam taan tanod is actually very similar to maple syrup in many ways. It’s made by collecting the sap of the toddy palm flowers. The sap is then boiled until it thickens — first into a syrup and then eventually into solid sugar crystals. These crystals are collected and often sold as bricks or cakes in Thailand, which are sometimes called jaggery. In other countries, you might be able to find palm sugar as a paste. Palm sugar should not be confused with coconut sugar (nam taan maprao), which is made in much the same way but from coconut trees instead of toddy palms. While Thailand has lush palm trees all over the country, Phetchaburi province is the best known for the toddy palms that are used to make sugar. The tree is also called a fan palm, as its leaves look a bit like a handheld fan or a rake. Incidentally, the fruit of the tree is also quite delicious, with sweet jelly seed sockets that have an enticing floral coconut flavor. Toddy palms grow exceedingly well in this region of the country and it’s no wonder that palm sugar found in Phetchaburi is considered some of the best in the world. In fact, the province was recently recognized as a City of Gastronomy, partly due to its sweet, not-so-secret ingredient. Why does palm sugar hit different? Here, it’s important to understand the difference between white and brown sugar. White sugar is usually made from the juices of sugar cane or sugar beets. The juices are processed into crystals and spun to remove all the liquid, which become molasses. Brown sugar, on the other hand, still contains some of these molasses. This is why brown sugar often has more of a flavor than white sugar and why it often clumps up in the box (higher moisture content). Palm sugar is what’s called raw or unrefined sugar because it contains most of the original molasses. This means it isn’t nearly as sweet as refined sugar. Good palm sugar tastes like coconut fudge. You can eat it right off of a spoon and you would be forgiven for thinking it was a delectable dessert unto itself. For those who are a fan of coconuts, palm sugar is undoubtedly an excellent alternative to other more common sugars. How is palm sugar used? Palm sugar is used in all sorts of famous Thai dishes. As you might expect, it’s used in many Thai desserts like khanom tuay and khanom taan. However, it’s also commonly seen in papaya salad (som tam), green curry (kaeng khiew waan), Pad Thai, and chili dipping sauce (nam jim jaew) – just to name a few. After all, Thai cuisine is all about a balance of flavors, so perhaps it’s no surprise that savory spicy dishes benefit from a bit of sweetness. In fact, if you’ve had authentic Thai food, there’s a good chance you’ve already tasted palm sugar! Unlike some other exotic ingredients, palm sugar is actually very affordable. In Thailand, you can probably pick up a ½ kg cake for just 100 baht at your local market. It also makes for an excellent gift for friends who take a little sugar with their coffee or love to bake. Palm sugar has that hint of coconut which pairs excellently with Southeast Asian ingredients, but has the potential to yield new flavor combinations in Western dishes. Try it out for yourself and let us know how it goes! A greener crop The sugar palm is quite sustainable, particularly in its ability to produce an incredible amount of useful bio-product, even when planted in degraded soil. Perhaps the best way to illustrate this is to compare the sugar palm with another tree that’s famous for producing sugary substances: the maple tree. While the sugar collection between toddy palms and maple trees is similar, there are some big key differences that really set the toddy palm apart as the more sustainable option. Sugar palms begin to produce flowers once they are 15 years old. Maple trees are rarely tapped until they are 40 years old. The toddy palm can be harvested for 4-5 months out of the year at an average of 4.5kg of sap per day or about 108 kg of sugar per year. Compare that to a maple tree, which produces 45 liters of tapped sap per year or just 1 liter of maple syrup (1.33 kg) per year. A Food and Agriculture Organization report finds that palm sugar, when harvested using traditional techniques, is a largely sustainable industry with minimal environmental impact, even when compared to traditional sugar cane farming. For the foodies out there who love to experience new ingredients or simply for those with a sweet tooth — alternative sweeteners like palm sugar can open up a whole new world of flavor. By Michael Sopon New Caption 1: Source: NilaSito / Shutterstock.com Caption 2: Left: Khanom tuay, Source: Vassamon Anansukk / Shutterstock.com. Right: Khanom taan, Source: Kritchai7752 / Shutterstock.com Caption 3: Source: Agave Photo Studio / Shutterstock.com Caption 4: Source: K.Decha / Shutterstock.com Caption 5: Source: Browneye / Shutterstock.com Full story: THAILAND NOW 2023-09-26 - 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

Navigating Thailand Towards the New Horizon Numerous unprecedented business opportunities are emerging within the Thai economy that will further propel growth, persistent global challenges notwithstanding, said panelists at Thailand Focus 2023, the annual investment conference hosted by the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) during August 23–25, 2023. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307618-navigating-thailand-towards-the-new-horizon/

Numerous unprecedented business opportunities are emerging within the Thai economy that will further propel growth, persistent global challenges notwithstanding, said panelists at Thailand Focus 2023, the annual investment conference hosted by the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) during August 23–25, 2023. The conference attracted over 200 global institutional investors from 96 leading institutions, as well as representatives from government, financial and capital markets, and senior business executives, both domestic and international. In his welcome address, SET President Pakorn Peetathawatchai invited all participants to explore the “uncharted territories” at the 17th Thailand Focus, held under the theme of “The New Horizon,” and witness the continuing robustness of the Thai economy and capital market, which has rebounded and surpassed the pre-COVID era, thanks to strong macroeconomic foundations, advancements in technology, and evolutions in the financial landscape. In his opening address, SET Chairman Dr. Prasarn Trairatvorakul said the Thai economy presents numerous advantages including the robust and diversified existing sectors and new sectors for growth, as well as a strong culture and hospitality-driven tourism sector. This is reflected in the huge value of initial public offerings (IPOs) worth US$3.5 billion and secondary offerings worth US$3.8 billion in 2022, and more IPOs in the pipeline for 2023 and 2024. SET supports future growth with continuous infrastructure improvement, with Thai Digital Assets Exchange (TDX) and depositary receipts (DRs) for investment in global trading stocks. To demonstrate Thai companies’ efforts on sustainability, 26 companies are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability (DJSI) and 42 on FTSE4Good indices, while SET itself is launching ESG instruments, the carbon market, and ESG rating, as profitability is no longer the sole measurement of success. “The ongoing global shift in supply chains presents certain opportunities. Thailand’s geographical location, infrastructure, and expertise in high-value sectors place it in a strategic position,” he said. In the session titled “Laying the foundations for sustainable recovery,” Bank of Thailand Governor Dr. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput highlighted medium-term plans to get Thailand’s economic growth back to its long-term potential (3-4 percent, from 2.6 percent in 2022), keep inflation within the target range of 1-3 percent, and limit financial imbalances to lessen the chance of high debt and risk-taking activities that may be caused by the policy rate rise. He expressed concerns about household debt, which is “too high” at 90.6 percent of GDP and should be brought down to 80 percent or lower. “We are now at a more advanced stage of normalization. As a result, our policy objective has changed – from trying to ensure a smooth take-off, now the focus is on getting the landing right,” he said. In the following session, on “Thai capital market towards the new horizon,” Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations Chairman Dr. Kobsak Pootrakool expressed his confidence that Thailand’s massive investments in infrastructure, subways, ports, amongst others, would fuel economic growth, coupled with its standing in ASEAN. He urged the Government to come up with four sets of policies concerning: technology that supports Thailand’s ‘Soft Power’; building new industries on top of present strengths such as medical tourism, logistics, and digital animation; support for Thai companies’ expansion into the wider region; and refocusing infrastructure investments to particular areas such as the coastal areas, both eastern and western. JP Morgan Asset Management Portfolio Manager Chate Benchavitvilai compared Thailand to an aging athlete that still can remain competitive if she knows how and where to compete and how to enhance the value of her strengths, which are focused on the services sector, such as medical tourism. Likewise, concerning Thai listed companies, investors still see selective, not broad-based, opportunity sets. On the radar are companies that focus on sound investment choices, maximize returns, and prudent resource allocation, he said, adding that corporate governance (CG) is as important as profitability and business longevity when the companies interact with stakeholders. CG – fairness, transparency, and accountability – is more important than ever as more Thai companies invest abroad and seek to better allocate resources. “This is not just about calling for better rules and regulations… but I believe it’s the responsibility of collective stakeholders to create the culture where we ask the right questions, to be more demanding than other stakeholders in order to capitalise on opportunities,” he said. On governance, Kiatnakin Phatra Securities PCL President Supachoke Supabundit said that both preventive and deterrent measures should be applied when handling wrongdoing.“On the preventive side, we cannot overreact because all preventive measures have costs,” he said, adding that Thailand needs to deter prohibited acts with effective, quick, and severe repercussions. The legal process should be expedited and punishment should be more severe. He cited KKP Research which compared that a person convicted of insider trading in the United States could receive up to 20 years’ imprisonment, whereas in Thailand, the sentence would be a maximum of two years. During the session on “The next S-curve of Thai tourism,” Airports of Thailand PCL (AOT) Executive Vice President Latchida Apaphant called for the Thai government to support expanding the main gateways and provincial airports as well as rail and road connectivity so as to promote travel in main and second-tier cities. Government support is also needed in expanding bilateral flight quotas with countries such as India and Saudi Arabia as well as data analytics to assist with planning. The AOT’s six airports accommodated more than 143 million visitors in 2019 and expected the numbers to surpass the pre-COVID era in 2024. BDMS Wellness Clinic Chief Executive Officer Dr.Tanupol Virunhagarun expressed confidence that Thailand would benefit from the boom in the global wellness economy following the rapid rise in non-communicable diseases, with various selling points like nature, food, hospitality, and medical infrastructure. When the global wellness economy hit US$4.9 trillion in 2019 (expecting to hit US$6.9 trillion in 2025), Thailand received 7.3 million inbound wellness trips and expenditure averaged US$15,054 in 2019. With wellness clinics at 50 hospitals, BDMS Wellness Clinic is on its path to being a jigsaw piece in stimulating Thailand’s medical tourism. Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) Deputy Director-General Dr. Chuwit Mitrchob said Thailand places globally recognized sustainability standards like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Criteria as top priorities, as the country targets 30 million inbound visitors and 200 million domestic trips in 2023, in line with global travellers’ willingness to pay more for sustainable options. Thailand’s Sustainable Tourism Management Standard, Sustainable Tourism Goals, and zero carbon application are also in place to ensure the sustainability of listed tourist attractions. During the Session, Electric Vehicle (EV) industries were also highlighted as another promising industry for Thailand, the largest auto exporter in ASEAN, and the 15th in the world. At the session titled “Benefits from supply chain relocation and renewed investments: EV industries,” Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi revealed that in the first half of this year, 891 applications for investment promotion worth US$10.72 billion* were submitted to the BOI, an 18 percent increase from the same period last year, thanks to relocations in light of geopolitical risks. While big names including Pringles and Agoda are among the newcomers, in total, 80 projects worth US$577.32 million* belonged to the auto industry. In the EV arena, investors granted approvals in the past three years included the projects of automakers MG, Great Wall Motor, and BYD,and 13 battery-manufacturing projects. He foresees a bright outlook for EV, given the initiatives to introduce the complete ecosystem for all types of EVs from parts, components, batteries, and charging stations to swapping stations as well as subsidies for domestic sales, which has boosted the number of registered EVs to more than 70,000 as of June 2023. “Thailand is the right place for EV in the next decade,” he said. Pratarnporn Phornprapha, Vice Chief Executive Officer, Rever Automotive Co., Ltd. – the sole distributor of BYD in Thailand – said her company sold 22,000 EVs in 2022 and expected to close 2023 with a 400 percent-plus increase as global EV market will grow 30 percent to 14 million units. She attributed the brisk sales to government subsidies, consumers’ commitment to help fight climate change in light of natural disasters globally, as well as persistently high oil prices. In the following session: “The potential of Thailand’s thriving Soft Power,” Narun Wiwattanakrai, Chief Marketing Officer, Siam Wellness Group PCL a company which has operated the spa business for 25 years, stressed the importance of unique concepts, deeper customer experiences, and varieties of services to remain appealing to both local and foreign customers. At present, foreign customers contribute toward 60 percent of the company’s revenue, and the group eyes further expansion through joint ventures and partnerships. At the end, Narun expressed his wish that Thai massage, listed as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, lives up to its standards and become more famous globally. S&P Syndicate PCL Chief Executive Officer Vitoon Sila-On attributed S&P’s five-decade-long success story to authentic ingredients and readiness to adjust operations to suit customer preferences. Wherever it goes, menus are designed according to customer research, and adjustments are considered based on customer feedback. Looking forward, Thailand’s food industry could benefit from improvements in the ecosystem that encompasses standards, and an academy for training chefs. Global Sport Ventures Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Thainchai Pisitwuttinan charted an active plan to make Rajadamnern Stadium the global Muay Thai hub. The stadium business, consisting of ticketing, food & beverages, and merchandising, now earns 80 percent of revenue from foreigners, drawn to the Stadium by Muay Thai’s core identity and its architectural appeal. Growth is expected once the museum and training academy are completed, along with minor changes — including easier-to-understand rules and an open scoring system — that will make Rajadamnern a world-class stadium where people can come and learn about the globally-renowned sport. For the final session, on “World-class practices in sustainability,” Thai Union Group PCL (TU), SCG Group, and PTT Global Chemical PCL (PTTGC) showcased their sustainability initiatives that will not only help the environment, but also ensure sustainable growth for their companies. TU Chief Sustainability Officer Adam Brennan described the SeaChange 2030 Strategy that binds the US$200 million investment over an eight-year period to “bring unified solutions for people and the planet.” The strategy is shaped around the group’s commitment towards net zero emissions by 2050, reduction in ocean plastics, ecosystem restoration, and responsible wild-caught seafood. That demands engagement through NGOs with all vessels in the supply chain, outsiders, and global universities. At SCG Group, ESG4Plus is the mantra, to achieve net zero emissions, green products and production processes, reduced inequality, collaboration, and eventually trust through transparency in all operations. According to SCG Group Chief Sustainability Officer Chana Poomee, the transition can be faster with the introduction of low-carbon technology and improvement in ESG standards. SCG Group has joined a public-private sandbox project in Saraburi province where initiatives are tested to improve cross-ministerial cooperation and prepare Thailand for the green funding pool offered by developed-country partners. PTTGC Executive Vice President – Sustainability Dr. Chaya Chandavasu said ESG has been integrated into the company’s operations for 10 years, and climate change has been the company’s emphasis. PTTGC has set out to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and short-term, medium-term, and long-term processes have been laid out. Investors can lend support through financial products for ESG investment that help companies achieve smooth transitions and engagement with ecosystem improvements. “Hydrocarbons will stay for a long time, but we have to find ways to reduce emissions.” Due to carbon offsetting, PTTGC is eyeing the adoption of carbon capture, storage, and utilization, he said. Full story: THAILAND NOW 2023-09-26 - 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

Thailand’s golf siblings Moriya, Ariya receive Public Diplomacy Award Thailand’s terrific golf siblings Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn have been named the dual recipients of the Public Diplomacy Award 2023 from the Thai Foreign Ministry and Thailand Foundation. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307617-thailand’s-golf-siblings-moriya-ariya-receive-public-diplomacy-award/

Thailand’s terrific golf siblings Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn have been named the dual recipients of the Public Diplomacy Award 2023 from the Thai Foreign Ministry and Thailand Foundation. Thailand Foundation said the sisters were awarded due to their continuous contributions in the promotion of Thailand through their outstanding achievements in international ladies’ golf arena. “Their successes have also inspired new generations of professional golfers to follow in their footsteps and become champions in their own rights,” Thailand Foundation said in a press statement. Full story: Thai PBS 2023-09-26 - 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

Probe launched into 200,000 litres of diesel missing from military base Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has ordered an investigation into a report that 200,000 litres of diesel went missing from an Ordnance Materiel Rebuild Centre in Saraburi province last year. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307616-probe-launched-into-200000-litres-of-diesel-missing-from-military-base/

Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has ordered an investigation into a report that 200,000 litres of diesel went missing from an Ordnance Materiel Rebuild Centre in Saraburi province last year. Sutin said he was briefed about the incident and has already ordered the finding of those responsible. “This happened in an army unit and we will look into whether our personnel were involved, Sutin said. The matter came to light after ThaiPBS online released a document that showed that a large amount of diesel had disappeared from the unit last year. Full story: Thai PBS 2023-09-26 - 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

PM appoints retired officials to probe police involvement in online gambling Three retired senior government officials have been appointed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to investigate the scandal in which at least eight police officers, including a division commander, are suspected of involvement in an online gambling business. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307615-pm-appoints-retired-officials-to-probe-police-involvement-in-online-gambling/

Three retired senior government officials have been appointed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to investigate the scandal in which at least eight police officers, including a division commander, are suspected of involvement in an online gambling business. The retired officials are Chatchai Promlert, former interior permanent secretary, as head of the probe panel, former deputy attorney-general Chartpong Jiraphan and Pol Lt-Gen Winai Thongsong, a former deputy national police chief. The appointment order, issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, said that the scandal has attracted widespread public interest and has seriously affected public confidence in the justice system in Thailand, at a time when the government is trying to crack down on Mafia-type influential figures and illegal activities, especially online gambling business. Full story: Thai PBS 2023-09-26 - 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

Phuket Warmly Welcomes First Group of Visa-Free Tourists from Kazakhstan PHUKET, Sept 25 (TNA) – Tourists from Kazakhstan, who are exempt from visas to visit Thailand, arrived at Phuket International Airport and received a warm welcome from both government agencies and the local tourism sector in Phuket. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307532-phuket-warmly-welcomes-first-group-of-visa-free-tourists-from-kazakhstan/

PHUKET, Sept 25 (TNA) – Tourists from Kazakhstan, who are exempt from visas to visit Thailand, arrived at Phuket International Airport and received a warm welcome from both government agencies and the local tourism sector in Phuket. A total of 135 tourists from Kazakhstan, who traveled on flight KC563 operated by Air Astana, arrived at Phuket International Airport. This group is considered the first from Kazakhstan to enter Thailand under the visa exemption policy. Full story: Thai News Agency 2023-09-25 - 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

“Big Joke” Denies Involvement in Online Gambling BANGKOK, Sept 25 (TNA) – Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn aka Big Joke has asserted that he is not associated with online gambling. Instead, he believes that what has occurred is a political maneuver within the Royal Thai Police, aimed at tarnishing his reputation. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307493-cyber-police-raid-‘big-joke’s’-residence/?do=findComment&comment=18374386

“Big Joke” Denies Involvement in Online Gambling BANGKOK, Sept 25 (TNA) – Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn aka Big Joke has asserted that he is not associated with online gambling. Instead, he believes that what has occurred is a political maneuver within the Royal Thai Police, aimed at tarnishing his reputation. He spoke to the media after his house in Soi Wipawadi 60 was searched by the police from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau Police and arrest warrants were issued for his subordinates. Full story: Thai News Agency 2023-09-25 - 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

Deputy Police Chief’s Close Aides Allegedly Involving in Online Gambling Activities BANGKOK, Sept 25 (TNA) – Eight close aides of the deputy national police chief are allegedly involved in online gambling, said Pol Lt Gen Triarong Piewphan, head of the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307493-cyber-police-raid-‘big-joke’s’-residence/?do=findComment&comment=18374380

Deputy Police Chief’s Close Aides Allegedly Involving in Online Gambling Activities BANGKOK, Sept 25 (TNA) – Eight close aides of the deputy national police chief are allegedly involved in online gambling, said Pol Lt Gen Triarong Piewphan, head of the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT). The police on Monday morning conducted search operations at 30 locations in six provinces to crack down on 12 illegal online gambling websites. Among those locations was a house of Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief in Bangkok. Full story: Thai News Agency 2023-09-25 - 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

Digital wallet scheme to be funded by borrowing from GSB : Move Forward MP Sirikanya Move Forward deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul Move Forward party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul claimed today (Monday) that the money to fund the government’s 560-billion baht digital wallet scheme will be come in the form of loans from the Government Savings Bank (GSB). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307530-digital-wallet-scheme-to-be-funded-by-borrowing-from-gsb-move-forward-mp-sirikanya/

Move Forward party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul claimed today (Monday) that the money to fund the government’s 560-billion baht digital wallet scheme will be come in the form of loans from the Government Savings Bank (GSB). In her Facebook post today, the party-list MP claims she has found the answer to the big puzzle about the source of funding for the scheme, which is the GSB, not from the national budget, because borrowing from a state-owned bank is not regarded as public debt. She explained that borrowing from the GSB can be done by expanding the limits of the fiscal discipline framework in the 2024 budget, from 32% to 45%. Caption: Move Forward deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul Full story: Thai PBS 2023-09-25 - 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

Permanent border Thai-Cambodian checkpoint mooted for Sa Kaeo To boost bilateral trade and communications between Thailand and Cambodia, Sa Kaeo authorities have asked for the opening of a permanent checkpoint, linking Sa Kaeo province with Banteay Meanchey of Cambodia. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307529-permanent-border-thai-cambodian-checkpoint-mooted-for-sa-kaeo/

To boost bilateral trade and communications between Thailand and Cambodia, Sa Kaeo authorities have asked for the opening of a permanent checkpoint, linking Sa Kaeo province with Banteay Meanchey of Cambodia. The request was made during a visit by Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara who is also foreign minister to Sa Kaeo on Monday. Parnpree went to observe the progress of the building of the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge, linking Ban Nong Ian in Aranyaprathet district with Cambodia’s Ban Stung Bot in Oddar Meanchey district. Full story: Thai PBS 2023-09-25 - 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

Ex-Democrat deputy leader Prinn sentenced to two years for sexual harassment File photo : Prinn Panitchpakdi Former Democrat party deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi was sentenced to two years in prison today (Monday), after he was found guilty of sexually harassing an underage girl. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307528-ex-democrat-deputy-leader-prinn-sentenced-to-two-years-for-sexual-harassment/