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Migrant Workers Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople comforts the mother of slain OFW Jullebee Ranaza, who was a domestic worker based in Kuwait. Department of Migrant Workers handout MANILA, Philippines — The remains of overseas Filipino worker Jullebee Ranara, whose burnt body was found in a desert in Kuwait, will be brought home on Friday night, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. In a press briefing on Thursday, DFA said Ranara’s former employers will be shouldering expenses for the repatriation of her remains. The 17-year-old son of Ranara’s employers, suspect behind her death, has since been under the custody of local authorities. The 35-year-old domestic helper’s burnt body was found in the desert over the weekend, Kuwaiti media reported. Arab Times Online reported that Ranara’s autopsy showed she was pregnant at the time of her death, but local authorities are still investigating the incident. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/26/2240380/slain-kuwait-ofws-remains-be-brought-home-friday-evening -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-26

Barangay health workers of Valenzuela City wear transparent full mask at the McArthur Highway, boundary of Valenzuela City and Bulacan province, during the implementation of Metro Manila community quarantine on April 15, 2020. The STAR / Michael Varcas MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. pushed for the Magna Carta for barangay health workers that would give incentives and benefits to those who deliver health care at the grassroots level. Marcos was elated over the passage of House Bill 6557 or the Magna Carta for BHWs at the lower chamber last December, the Presidential Communications Office said in a release on Wednesday. The proposal is one of the priority measures of the Marcos administration. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/26/2240370/marcos-pushes-magna-carta-village-health-workers -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-26

File photo shows online gaming AFP / File MANILA, Philippines — A recent Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the office of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian revealed that a majority of Filipinos found the operation of offshore gaming firms to be harmful to the country. The poll conducted from November 27 to December 1 but released Thursday by Gatchalian’s office to the media showed that among the 1,200 respondents, 58% said the operation of Philippine offshore gaming operators was harmful to the country. Of those, 40% said POGOs were “extremely harmful,” while 18% said these companies were “somewhat harmful.” Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/26/2240398/majority-filipinos-say-pogos-harmful-country-poll -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-26

Koh Samui welcomes first Taiwanese tour group in 3 years Ang Thong National Park, Thailand The first Taiwanese tour group has returned to Koh Samui after a near 3-year hiatus as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Phuket Express reports that 142 Taiwanese visitors arrived on the island according to the Samui Tourism Association. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284627-koh-samui-welcomes-first-taiwanese-tour-group-in-3-years/

Ang Thong National Park, Thailand The first Taiwanese tour group has returned to Koh Samui after a near 3-year hiatus as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Phuket Express reports that 142 Taiwanese visitors arrived on the island according to the Samui Tourism Association. Their trip will take them to Ang Thong national park, Koh Tao, and Nang Yuan over the course of 4 days and 3 nights, taking in the natural resources and temples and shrines of Surat Thani province. Traditionally, Taiwanese and Chinese visitors have a shorter stay during their trips in Thailand but rank high in their per diem spending. With tourism on the increase, from next month, Chinese and Russian airlines will begin flights to Surat Thani International Airport, meaning more visitors to the region’s islands. Since the start of the year, the airport has welcomed 86,507 passengers, while another 91,570 visitors have arrived by ferry. Bangkok Airways continues to maintain a monopoly on flights into the Koh Samui airport, with high prices for flights from Bangkok or Phuket into the privately owned Samui airport. Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/islands/koh-samui-welcomes-first-taiwanese-tour-group-in-3-years/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-26 - 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. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

22 children injured in school van accident in Nakhon Ratchasima Twenty-two school children were injured, mostly suffering bruises, in a road accident involving a school van in Non Thai district of Thailand’s north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima on Thursday morning. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284625-22-children-injured-in-school-van-accident-in-nakhon-ratchasima/

Twenty-two school children were injured, mostly suffering bruises, in a road accident involving a school van in Non Thai district of Thailand’s north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima on Thursday morning. The driver of the van said that he was picking up kindergarten and primary students of the Sai Mit Non Thai School in Kampang sub-district. As the van was approaching a bend in the road, he said that he suddenly lost control of the steering and the vehicle skidded off the road and tipped onto its side before mounting the verge. He claims that he was not speeding. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/22-children-injured-in-school-van-accident-in-nakhon-ratchasima/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-26 - 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. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Phitsanulok’s Nam Dok Mai Si Thong Mangoes Registered as GI Product BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has announced the registration of Nam Dok Mai Si Thong mangoes from Phitsanulok province as a new geographical indication (GI) product. The GI certification will add more market value to the fruit and generate more income for local farmers. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284624-phitsanulok’s-nam-dok-mai-si-thong-mangoes-registered-as-gi-product/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has announced the registration of Nam Dok Mai Si Thong mangoes from Phitsanulok province as a new geographical indication (GI) product. The GI certification will add more market value to the fruit and generate more income for local farmers. According to Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai, the Intellectual Property Department announced the registration of Nam Dok Mai Si Thong mangoes to add market value, in accordance with the government’s policy to strengthen Thailand’s local economy. The mango, grown in Phitsanulok’s Noen Maprang, Wang Thong, and Wat Bot districts, is widely known to consumers for its texture, fragrance, and taste. The fruit has generated more than 11 million baht in income as export products to Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan. A geographical indication (GI) is a certificate identifying products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that is due to that origin. This increases the product’s market value and protects the brand by establishing consumer trust in its quality, resulting in more income for local communities. The Intellectual Property Department has approved the registration of 22 new GI products in 2022. Some of these products include stinging catfish from Surat Thani, mini mangoes from Songkhla, and Thong Chai Thai silk from Nakhon Ratchasima province. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230126132545741 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-01-26 - 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. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Prime Minister Highlights Efforts to Advance Human Rights and Equity BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced new measures to enhance human rights protection in the country. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284623-prime-minister-highlights-efforts-to-advance-human-rights-and-equity/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced new measures to enhance human rights protection in the country. Speaking on Wednesday, the prime minister said the government is working to improve public health and pensions, reform prisons, and deter sexual assault and forced disappearances. Gen. Prayut stated that a project to strengthen the public health system utilizing cloud computing was recently approved by the Cabinet, citing the significance of human security as a critical factor for Thailand’s future. This enables hospitals to track each patient’s medical history, including diagnoses and treatments, allowing patients to receive care at their preferred locations. The Cabinet also approved ministerial regulations to increase the National Savings Fund’s pension scheme to encourage people to save more for retirement, as well as passing legislation to increase penalties for repeat sexual assault offenders and another law that increases penalties for those linked to forced disappearances. According to Gen Prayut, these laws aim to ensure safety in society and protect human rights in line with international principles. The prime minister noted that the legal system is also undergoing more reforms, including the acceleration of court proceedings and the reduction of prison terms for those convicted of minor offenses. -- © Copyright NNT 2023-01-26 - 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. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Thailand welcomed 11.15 million foreign arrivals in 2022, smashing 10 million target Mladen Antonov/Getty Images A total of 11.15 million foreign tourists visited Thailand during 2022, a huge increase on the 428,000 figure from 2021. Last year’s total arrivals have also exceeded the 10 million target set by the tourism and sports ministry in the middle of the year, with the top 3 source markets being Malaysia, India, and Singapore (and then Russia leading the way over the last 3 months of 2022). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284622-thailand-welcomed-1115-million-foreign-arrivals-in-2022-smashing-10-million-target/

Mladen Antonov/Getty Images A total of 11.15 million foreign tourists visited Thailand during 2022, a huge increase on the 428,000 figure from 2021. Last year’s total arrivals have also exceeded the 10 million target set by the tourism and sports ministry in the middle of the year, with the top 3 source markets being Malaysia, India, and Singapore (and then Russia leading the way over the last 3 months of 2022). In December alone, the kingdom welcomed 2.24 million foreign arrivals, a big jump on the 230,497 from the same period in 2021. According to a report from the National News Bureau of Thailand, tourism officials say this is a good indicator of the sector making a strong recovery. In pre-pandemic days, Thailand welcomed nearly 40 million foreign arrivals in 2019, but tourism in the kingdom was subsequently decimated by nearly 3 years of Covid-19 restrictions. This year, Thailand has set a target of 25 million foreign tourists. With China having lifted its travel restrictions, tourism officials hope to attract at least 5 million arrivals from China. And, by 2027, the tourism ministry is predicting arrival numbers to reach a staggering 80 million tourists in a single calendar year, double the number of the last full year of tourism before the pandemic in 2019. That arrival prediction would be more than Thailand’s total population. A budget of 3.95 billion baht has also been allocated to boost both international and domestic tourism in Thailand’s secondary cities. Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/thailand-welcomed-11-15-million-foreign-arrivals-in-2022-smashing-10-million-target/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-26 - 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. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Thailand, EU to resume FTA talks BRUSSELS, Jan 26 (TNA) — Thailand and the European Union (EU) have agreed to resume the talks over a free trade agreement after the negotiations were halted by a military coup in Thailand in 2014. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284619-thailand-eu-to-resume-fta-talks/

BRUSSELS, Jan 26 (TNA) — Thailand and the European Union (EU) have agreed to resume the talks over a free trade agreement after the negotiations were halted by a military coup in Thailand in 2014. Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said after a meeting with the EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis at Le Berlaymont in Brussels of Belgium on Wednesday that the two sides aim to re-launch talks within the first quarter of this year. Negotiations for an EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement were formally launched on 6 June 2013. Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1102794 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2023-01-26 - 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. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Thailand to send its first Earth exploration satellite into orbit this year Thailand plans to launch its first industrial-grade Earth exploration satellite this year, Deputy Government Spokesman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Thursday. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284618-thailand-to-send-its-first-earth-exploration-satellite-into-orbit-this-year/

Thailand plans to launch its first industrial-grade Earth exploration satellite this year, Deputy Government Spokesman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Thursday. The main satellite, THEOS-2, is the product of joint cooperation between 20 Thai satellite engineers, international organisations specialised in space technology and the Geo-Informatics Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand, she said. The THEOS-2 satellite weighs about 425kg and is equipped with a high resolution camera. It was designed to be used to explore the Earth, for public disaster management and security. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-to-send-its-first-earth-exploration-satellite-into-orbit-this-year/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-26 - 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. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

House meeting collapses yet again on Thursday due to lack of a quorum Thailand’s House of Representatives meeting collapsed again today (Thursday), as only 151 MPs were present in the chamber, which is 60 short of the required quorum. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284617-house-meeting-collapses-yet-again-on-thursday-due-to-lack-of-a-quorum/

Thailand’s House of Representatives meeting collapsed again today (Thursday), as only 151 MPs were present in the chamber, which is 60 short of the required quorum. Deputy House Speaker Supachai Phosu chaired the morning session, during which ten impromptu interpellations were submitted by opposition MPs, to be answered by relevant ministers, but only two interpellations were responded to. One of the interpellations was addressed to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha regarding “grey” Chinese owned businesses in Thailand. The prime minister was absent, but assigned Deputy Defence Minister Chaicharn Changmongkol to respond on his behalf, but the latter was not available either. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/house-meeting-collapses-yet-again-on-thursday-due-to-lack-of-a-quorum/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-26 - 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. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

6 million methamphetamine pills seized, five men arrested in Chiang Rai Officers from the office of Thailand’s Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) seized six million methamphetamine pills, hidden in three vehicles, and arrested five men in Wiang Pa Pao district of the northern province of Chiang Mai earlier this week. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284541-6-million-methamphetamine-pills-seized-five-men-arrested-in-chiang-rai/

Officers from the office of Thailand’s Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) seized six million methamphetamine pills, hidden in three vehicles, and arrested five men in Wiang Pa Pao district of the northern province of Chiang Mai earlier this week. Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said today (Wednesday) that anti-narcotics officers stopped a timber truck and two scout cars at a checkpoint in the district, after they had obtained information that a huge amount of drugs was to be transported, from storage in Mae Fah Luang district to two other storage places in Phrae and Ayutthaya provinces, before they were to be distributed in Bangkok and southern provinces. The officers found bags of the pills hidden in the timber truck and both scout cars. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/6-million-methamphetamine-pills-seized-five-men-arrested-in-chiang-rai/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-25 - 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. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Thai central bank increases key interest rate to 1.50% The Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee agreed unanimously on Wednesday to raise the key interest rate by 25 basis points, to 1.50%, with immediate effect. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284539-thai-central-bank-increases-key-interest-rate-to-150/

The Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee agreed unanimously on Wednesday to raise the key interest rate by 25 basis points, to 1.50%, with immediate effect. The central bank said in its statement that the Thai economy is continuing to recover, thanks to private sector consumption and the Chinese government allowing its citizens to travel abroad, adding that, although exports are contracting, they are expected to rebound next year. Inflation, in general, has slowed, but there is still a risk that it may increase, due to the economic recovery and increased production costs, said the central bank, adding that a consistent and gradual increase in interest rate is the appropriate approach. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-central-bank-increases-key-interest-rate-to-1-50/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-25 - 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. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

New head of Thailand’s National Parks Department appointed Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of Marine and Coastal Resources Department, was appointed the director-general of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on Wednesday, with immediate effect by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1284538-new-head-of-thailand’s-national-parks-department-appointed/

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of Marine and Coastal Resources Department, was appointed the director-general of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on Wednesday, with immediate effect by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa. Formerly director-general of Forest Department, Atthaphon replaces Rutchada Suriyakul Na Ayutya, who was arrested in December on corruption charges and transferred out of the department. Reacting to Atthaphon’s appointment, Sasin Chalermlarp, secretary-general of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, said he would like the new park chief to make two matters his top priority. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/new-head-of-thailands-national-parks-department-appointed/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-25 - 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. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.