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A pond in Hanoi's Chuong My District, January 16, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Gia Chinh Temperatures in the north of Vietnam droped as low as 0 degree Celsius on Monday morning, with Hanoi recording temperatures of 13 degrees. Nine northern Vietnam localities saw temperatures dropping below 10 degrees, with the peaks of Mau Son Mountain in Lang Son dropping to 0 degrees, while other areas in Ha Giang, Vinh Phuc, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Bac Kan, Cao Bang and Dien Bien Provinces recorded temperatures of between 2-9 degrees, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. In Hanoi, temperatures were recorded at around 12-13 degrees, a drop of 5-7 degrees from Sunday. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/northern-vietnam-regions-see-freezing-temperatures-4560641.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-16

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong at a Senate hearing The STAR / Geremy Pintolo MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:37 a.m.) — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong issued Monday a thinly-veiled threat of legal action against red-taggers as he was once again baselessly accused of being part of the armed underground communist insurgency. Magalong directed his warning to controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy, former anti-communist task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy-Partosa and self-proclaimed former communist rebel Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz who red-tagged him on programs on Quiboloy’s SMNI network. “In relation to the above-mentioned personalities who have acquired the habit of incessantly defaming people without an iota of evidence, be reminded that no one is above the law,” Magalong said in a statement. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/16/2237983/red-tagged-anew-baguios-magalong-warns-legal-action -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-16

Satellite image as of 7:30 a.m. on January 16, 2023. PAGASA MANILA, Philippines — A low-pressure area will trigger rain in parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, state weather bureau PAGASA said on Monday. The LPA was last spotted 180 kilometers east of Butuan City in Agusan del Norte. Weather specialist Obet Bandrina said the weather disturbance has a low chance of developing into a tropical cyclone, and may dissipate in the next 48 hours. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/16/2237976/lpa-dumps-rain-metro-manila-other-parts-luzon -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-16

Overseas Filipino workers arrive on Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Kuwait through the government’s repatriation program. Rudy Santos MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers is assisting hundreds of Kuwait-based overseas Filipino workers come home while it is also looking to "upgrade" its migrant workers shelters that were previously under the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices. In a press briefing on Monday, Migrant Workers Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services Hans Cacdac said there are currently 421 OFWs cramped inside a "Kalinga" (care) shelter in Kuwait. Majority of the OFWs are awaiting clearance from their employers to go back home with no issue, while a number have pending cases. "We are looking at the possibility of repatriating more than half or around 300 at most in the next two weeks," Cacdac said. "Realistically – in the next two weeks, we are aiming for around 200." Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/16/2238007/migrant-workers-department-seeks-repatriation-300-distressed-ofws-kuwait -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-16

Photos shows of senators in opening of the 19th congress at the Senate on July 25, 2022. STAR / Mong Pintolo MANILA, Philippines — It would be premature to tout the proposed Maharlika Wealth Fund to potential investors at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland when legislation to create it has yet to be passed, the two-member Senate minority bloc said. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is in the resort town of Davos for the WEF, where the Department of Foreign Affairs said he is set to "soft launch", or introduce, the proposed wealth fund to world and business leaders. "A soft launch is premature. There is nothing to present. The bill establishing such a sovereign wealth fund has not yet been deliberated at the Senate — isn't it jumping the gun to be talking about it in front of world economic leaders?," Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Monday. She added the president "might look like an amateur" if he discusses a fund that has yet to be created. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/16/2238004/senate-minority-no-maharlika-fund-soft-launch-while-bill-still-pending -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-16

Mae Sot Border Reopens After Three-Year Closure TAK (NNT) - A Thailand-Myanmar border point at Mae Sot has finally reopened after closing for three years due to the pandemic and political situation in Myanmar. Local officials hope the reopening will help rejuvenate trade and tourism in the area. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283664-mae-sot-border-reopens-after-three-year-closure/

TAK (NNT) - A Thailand-Myanmar border point at Mae Sot has finally reopened after closing for three years due to the pandemic and political situation in Myanmar. Local officials hope the reopening will help rejuvenate trade and tourism in the area. Thai and Myanmar nationals can once again cross the border between Thailand’s Tak province and Myanmar’s Myawaddy town through the 1st Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge at the Mae Sot border crossing. The reopening ceremony was presided over by Tak Governor Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj and his Myawaddy counterpart U Zaw Tin. The decision to reopen the border at the 1st Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge was reached following an announced ceasefire by Myanmar’s military earlier this month, along with corresponding peace negotiations. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230116144139567 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-01-16 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Phuket’s new year tourist surge levels off Figures from Phuket’s Immigration Office indicate that the huge surge of tourists into Phuket has levelled off after the Christmas/New Year holiday period. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283660-phuket’s-new-year-tourist-surge-levels-off/

Figures from Phuket’s Immigration Office indicate that the huge surge of tourists into Phuket has levelled off after the Christmas/New Year holiday period. From December 25 to this week, the daily arrival numbers have hovered between 9,500 and 12,900 people. But the average has ‘flatlined’ since December 15 last year although there is no clear sign of the daily arrivals dropping at this stage, although the graph at the bottom of the information suggests a mild softening in demand since New Year. Again, the Russian arrivals are, by far, the most numbers of the nationalities flying into Phuket at this time, almost three times more numerous as the second highest population of arrivals from India. The figures, below, show arrival numbers from the start of November up to January 14. The next populous countries visiting Phuket are British, Australians, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Germany and Malaysia. From this month Phuket expects to see the return of Chinese travellers, starting with Chinese New Year which will start seeing arrivals for this holiday starting this week, culminating on January 22, the start of the Chinese Year of the Rabbit. An average of the numbers coming to Phuket, in the period from November 1 – January 14 indicates just under a third of the tourist traffic Phuket was experiencing pre-2020, the last full year of travel before the Covid-19 pandemic. Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-travel/phukets-new-year-tourist-surge-levels-off/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-16 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Scam! Cheap motorbike and car licenses on offer Beware of the latest scam to not only remove money from your pocket but also put you in a potentially precarious position with insurance and Thai traffic laws. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283659-scam-cheap-motorbike-and-car-licenses-on-offer/

Beware of the latest scam to not only remove money from your pocket but also put you in a potentially precarious position with insurance and Thai traffic laws. The Department of Land Transport Office in Phuket is warning people about illegal driving licenses that are being offered on social media. Current delays for booking in for driving tests and licensing in Phuket – up to three months – is forcing some people to look at an alternative to procure a license so they can drive in Thailand. The posts guarantee a “100 percent legal driving license” with “no need to go to the Land Transport Office” It also states that you don’t have to take any exams, test or other qualification requirements. Even taking a few shortcuts, everyone is required to attend a series of videos and lectures, all in Thai language, do a multi-question exam and a basic driving test. People with an exiting, current, driving license from their home country can get issued with a Thai license but still have to visit a Land Transport Office for the paperwork and new plastic license. This scam claims a cost of only 2,000 for a motorbike driving license and a mere 3,000 for a car license. But officials from Phuket Land Transport Office have made it clear they are not involved in the posts or offers of cheap or instant licenses. “That is a scam. We have filed a report to the Phuket City Police and are trying to find those responsible. Any license got through this process would be fake or you would lose money to scammers.” If caught with one of these licenses you would considered unlicensed and be fined accordingly. Also, if you have an accident you would considered unlicensed which would void any insurances. Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-news/scam-cheap-motorbike-and-car-licenses-on-offer/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-16 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Thailand’s northeast to remain cold until Thursday Temperatures in Thailand’s north-eastern provinces are forecast to drop by 4-6oC from today (Monday) through Thursday while, in Bangkok and its suburbs, northern, central and eastern regions they will fall by 2-4oC over the same period, the Meteorological Department reports. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283658-thailand’s-northeast-to-remain-cold-until-thursday/

Temperatures in Thailand’s north-eastern provinces are forecast to drop by 4-6oC from today (Monday) through Thursday while, in Bangkok and its suburbs, northern, central and eastern regions they will fall by 2-4oC over the same period, the Meteorological Department reports. The cold weather is attributable to the arrival of a strong cold front over northern Thailand and the South China Sea. Meanwhile, those living in southern Thailand are advised to brace for flash floods at the bases of mountains and river overflows, as heavy rain is forecast due to the north-easterly monsoon, which is covering the Gulf of Thailand and the south. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-northeast-to-remain-cold-until-thursday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-16 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

20 students in Samut Prakan sent to hospital with suspected food poisoning About 20 students at a school in Thailand’s Samut Prakan province have been rushed to hospitals with symptoms associated with food poisoning. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283468-20-students-in-samut-prakan-sent-to-hospital-with-suspected-food-poisoning/

About 20 students at a school in Thailand’s Samut Prakan province have been rushed to hospitals with symptoms associated with food poisoning. The school, located on Soi Suksawat 8, was holding held a “pre-Children’s Day” celebration today (Friday), with several parents bringing food to the school for free distribution to students. At about 10am, six young students fell sick, experiencing stomach aches, dizziness and vomiting, prompting the school’s administrator to alert the emergency services. An ambulance and medics rushed to the school. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/20-students-in-samut-prakan-sent-to-hospital-with-suspected-food-poisoning/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-13 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Prawit vows return Palang Pracharath party to power in General Election DPM Prawit Wongsuwan / AFP Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has vowed to lead the Palang Pracharath Party into the next election, to become the core party in the formation of the next government. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283467-prawit-vows-return-palang-pracharath-party-to-power-in-general-election/

DPM Prawit Wongsuwan / AFP Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has vowed to lead the Palang Pracharath Party into the next election, to become the core party in the formation of the next government. He also admitted for the first time, in his revealing letter publicly released on Friday, that he did not have the words to explain his feelings when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha formally announced, on January 9th, his decision to leave Palang Pracharath to join the United Thai Nation (Ruam Thai Sang Chart) Party. DPM Prawit, also leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, said that the relationship between him, PM Prayut and Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda remains unchanged, adding that he wishes Prayut success in his future political career. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/prawit-vows-return-palang-pracharath-party-to-power-in-general-election/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-13 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Only Prayut, Prawit and Paetongtarn can realistically gun for PM post The old “three Ps” were united. The new “three Ps” are anything but, yet there are scenarios where two would join hands and leave the other out cold. After the next election, get ready for two clashing possibilities. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283466-only-prayut-prawit-and-paetongtarn-can-realistically-gun-for-pm-post/

The old “three Ps” were united. The new “three Ps” are anything but, yet there are scenarios where two would join hands and leave the other out cold. After the next election, get ready for two clashing possibilities. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prawit Wongsuwan and Paetongtarn Shinawatra will vie for the premiership this year. Analysts cannot back any of them with absolute certainty, simply because there are too many variables. One big factor is the Senate’s provisional power to work with the House of Representatives in selecting the new prime minister. The nonelected chamber is a huge 250-strong parliamentary entity wanting to wield its special authority for the last time, and street protests interspersed with violence over the past two years have failed to get it out of the way. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/only-prayut-prawit-and-paetongtarn-can-realistically-gun-for-pm-post/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-13 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

New Year greetings cards from students to PM on display The Prime Minister’s Office has placed some of the New Year greetings cards, sent to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha by students across the country, on display at Government House. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283465-new-year-greetings-cards-from-students-to-pm-on-display/

The Prime Minister’s Office has placed some of the New Year greetings cards, sent to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha by students across the country, on display at Government House. According to the office of the government spokespersons, fewer greeting cards were displayed this year, mostly received from students in southern provinces. Many of the cards express good health wishes for the prime minister. Some, however, have other messages. For example, one card wishes that the prime minister would stay with the people longer, while urging him to fight on and telling his critics to stop trying to remove him from the office. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/new-year-greetings-cards-from-students-to-pm-on-display/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-13 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Bangchak to become Thailand’s second largest oil retailer after Esso buyout The acquisition of Esso (Thailand) Public Company will make Bangchak Corporation Public Company (BCP) the oil company with the second largest market share in Thailand, 29.1%, behind PTT Public Company’s 39%. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283464-bangchak-to-become-thailand’s-second-largest-oil-retailer-after-esso-buyout/

The acquisition of Esso (Thailand) Public Company will make Bangchak Corporation Public Company (BCP) the oil company with the second largest market share in Thailand, 29.1%, behind PTT Public Company’s 39%. According to BCP, the takeover deal, which was concluded on Wednesday between BCP and ExxonMobil, the parent company of Esso (Thailand) Pcl, will increase the oil refining capacity of BCP to 290,000 barrels per day and increase the number of service stations across the country to 2,100, from about 700. BCP has assured that the 2,000 staff of Esso Thailand will not be laid off and will be employed under BCP’s management. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bangchak-to-become-thailands-second-largest-oil-retailer-after-esso-buyout/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-13 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Bangkok to Host 16th WCEC in June BANGKOK (NNT) - The 16th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) is set to take place in Bangkok in June, with over 4,000 Chinese business leaders expected to attend. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1283458-bangkok-to-host-16th-wcec-in-june/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The 16th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) is set to take place in Bangkok in June, with over 4,000 Chinese business leaders expected to attend. The event, which is being organized by the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, will be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from June 24 to 26. Founding members of the WCEC, including Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong, take turns hosting the meeting every two years. However, this year’s meeting, which was originally scheduled to be held in Malaysia in 2021, had to be canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, the President of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, stated that the gathering is expected to help expedite the country’s recovery from the pandemic and promote Thailand among Chinese businesses worldwide. He added that a reception will be organized on June 24 to welcome attendees, with popular Thai dishes being served to guests. Dhanin Chearavanont, the Senior Chairman of the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, will also be invited to speak at the meeting. According to Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Advisor Lin Wei, guests will include Chinese nationals and members of civic and governmental groups from nations worldwide. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230113112202661 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-13 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!