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Thailand Presents Peace Initiative at ASEAN-EU Summit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union to constructively interact with all sides for humanitarian purposes. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280824-thailand-presents-peace-initiative-at-asean-eu-summit/

Thailand and EU Sign Partnership and Cooperation Agreement BANGKOK (NNT) - An agreement between Thailand and the European Union (EU) has been signed to increase bilateral cooperation in social, economic, and security areas. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280823-thailand-and-eu-sign-partnership-and-cooperation-agreement/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union to constructively interact with all sides for humanitarian purposes. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha participated in the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Brussels, Belgium, where leaders from 9 ASEAN member states and 27 EU member states gather to discuss and celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations between the two blocs. At this meeting, the Prime Minister presented Thailand’s peace initiative for humanitarian and economic aid that is not affected by ongoing conflicts. Thailand has asked the EU to join the United Nations and related countries to push forward a resolution that provides humanitarian operations and assistance to Ukraine. The Prime Minister said he hopes environmental standards will not be used as an obstacle against trade, which would undermine the ASEAN’s efforts. He said Thailand is ready to support the works on food security and is willing to invite all leaders to a meeting on this topic. The Prime Minister in this meeting congratulated the EU’s Global Gateway project and expressed Thailand’s support for an ASEAN-EU workshop on artificial intelligence. He also expressed the wish for ASEAN countries to support the EU’s manufacturing sector, and for Thailand and ASEAN to establish their Free Trade Agreements with the EU. Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha on this occasion joined a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala, where both leaders discussed the upcoming celebration of Thailand-Czech Republic’s 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024. With the bilateral trade value between Thailand and the Czech Republic worth more than 1 billion U.S. dollars last year, the Thai PM stated his wish to further expand trade and investments with the Czech Republic, while inviting investors from the Czech Republic to invest in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The Thai Prime Minister later joined a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, as Gen Prayut expressed his wish for Thailand and the Netherlands to join hands in the pursuit of the Bangkok Declaration on Bio-Circular-Green Economy, and invited investors from the Netherlands to invest in Thailands’ EEC project. Thailand and the Netherlands will celebrate their 420th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024. Both countries share a common goal of becoming a low-carbon society. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221216090027450 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-12-16 - 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!

BANGKOK (NNT) - An agreement between Thailand and the European Union (EU) has been signed to increase bilateral cooperation in social, economic, and security areas. The Thai-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) was signed on Wednesday (Dec 14) by representatives from both sides. Thailand was represented by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, while the EU was represented by Vice President and High Representative Josep Borrell, and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. This agreement is set to strengthen political dialogue and expand opportunities for cooperation in various fields such as transportation, the environment, trade, education, anti-corruption, counter-terrorism and other areas. The pact will also serve as a framework for negotiations to establish a Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement between Thailand and the EU, as well as a knowledge-sharing platform for such projects as the universal healthcare program. Borrell stated the signing of the PCA represents the importance and potential of their bilateral relations. He emphasized that both sides are committed to working together to promote regional growth and stability while also supporting the rules-based international order. The PCA will become effective once it is ratified by Thailand and EU member states. A provisional application is anticipated after both parties have followed the processes outlined in the Thai-EU agreement. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221216143516568 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-12-16 - 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!

NESDC Reports Job Creation Recovers in Q3 BANGKOK (NNT) - The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has reported that job creation in the country improved during the third quarter (Q3). Still, the primary workforce continued to contribute to a high rate of non-performing loans (NPLs). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280822-nesdc-reports-job-creation-recovers-in-q3/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has reported that job creation in the country improved during the third quarter (Q3). Still, the primary workforce continued to contribute to a high rate of non-performing loans (NPLs). According to the NESDC’s report on employment and society in Thailand, approximately 39.6 million people were employed in the third quarter, a 2.1% increase from last year. A total of 27.2 million jobs were created in the agricultural sector during the third quarter, representing a 4.3% increase in employment. Employment also increased by 4.5% in the retail sector, 8.3% in hotels and restaurants, and 1.4% in manufacturing. Concerning NPLs, the agency reported that the Credit Bureau monitored 25 million debtors in the loan system during the third quarter, with total NPLs amounting to 1.09 trillion, or 8.4%, a decrease from 8.6% (1.1 trillion baht) during the same period last year. The NESDC Office stated that auto loans had an NPL rate of 6.5%, similar to the previous quarter and that people aged 25-42 comprised the largest group of NPL debtors with 340 billion baht of NPLs, or 92,000 NPL accounts. As the NPLs for this group indicated rising costs and interest rates, the agency recommended that the government considers implementing additional economic stimulus measures to increase the income of this group of debtors. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221216105112498 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-12-16 - 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!

Deputy PM Endorses Massive Plan to Combat Flooding and Drought BANGKOK (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has endorsed a government plan to address flooding and drought issues across the country. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280821-deputy-pm-endorses-massive-plan-to-combat-flooding-and-drought/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has endorsed a government plan to address flooding and drought issues across the country. The massive plan for water resource management consists of 63,589 projects that will require a total of 337.7 billion baht in funding to implement by 2024. The deputy prime minister gave his approval while presiding over a meeting of the government subcommittees responsible for implementing the water management master plan and the development of water resources. The large-scale undertaking entails increasing reservoir capacity by 1.4 billion cubic meters to cover 6.23 million rai of land, which could benefit up to 5.64 million households and protect 5.37 million rai of residential and agricultural areas from severe flooding. Officials said the funds would also be spent to ensure adequate water supplies for consumption and industrial production, combat flooding, and preserve and restore ecosystems that support water resources. During the meeting, Gen Prawit instructed the Royal Irrigation Department and other related state agencies to look into potential risk factors to prevent a delay in the plan’s implementation and an increase in funding requirements. The meeting also approved a project to improve the irrigation system on the eastern side of the lower Chao Phraya River from Ayutthaya to Samut Prakan province and on the western side of the same river from Ayutthaya to Samut Sakon province. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221216101437487 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-12-16 - 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!

40 former and active MPs from various parties join Bhumjaithai About 40 former and active MPs from various parties showed up at the newly-renovated head office of the Bhumjaithai Party today (Friday) to join formally. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280820-40-former-and-active-mps-from-various-parties-join-bhumjaithai/

About 40 former and active MPs from various parties showed up at the newly-renovated head office of the Bhumjaithai Party today (Friday) to join formally. They were from the Palang Pracharath, Pheu Thai, Move Forward, Thai Economic and People Progressive parties. Among them were Chakkrapan Pornnimit and Srihadet Kraikupt of Palang Pracharath and Niyom Changpinit from Pheu Thai Party. Srihadet Kraikupt was accompanied by his younger sister, former Palang Pracharath MP Pareena, who lost her parliamentary status and was banned from politics for life. She was found guilty of gross ethical misconduct by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders in April this year for encroachment on 113.76 hectares of state land in Ratchaburi Province, which was partially turned into a poultry farm. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/40-former-and-active-mps-from-various-parties-join-bhumjaithai/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-12-16 - 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!

Pheu Thai Party cancels political activities in Samut Sakhon this Sunday Photo from FB page: นายณัฐวุฒิ ใสยเกื้อ The opposition Pheu Thai Party has cancelled its political activities in Samut Sakhon Province this Sunday, which they will resume in the New Year, according to a statement on the party’s Facebook page today (Friday). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280819-pheu-thai-party-cancels-political-activities-in-samut-sakhon-this-sunday/

Photo from FB page: นายณัฐวุฒิ ใสยเกื้อ The opposition Pheu Thai Party has cancelled its political activities in Samut Sakhon Province this Sunday, which they will resume in the New Year, according to a statement on the party’s Facebook page today (Friday). No reason was given for the abrupt cancellation of the event. Nattawut Saikua, director of the “Pheu Thai Family”, simply said in his Facebook post that the political event on Sunday is postponed until after New Year. The party had planned to hold a “meet the people” event in the multi-purpose conference room of Om Noi Municipality in the morning, during which party leader Chonlanan Srikaew and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, head of the “Pheu Thai Family”, and other key members of the party would meet their supporters and address the party’s proposal for a 600-baht minimum wage and 25,000 baht minimum salary for university graduates. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pheu-thai-party-cancels-political-activities-in-samut-sakhon-this-sunday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-12-16 - 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!

Intoxicated man left on roadside after “friend” reportedly abandoned him An intoxicated man was found on a roadside with a damaged motorbike after his friend allegedly left him in Pattaya. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280752-intoxicated-man-left-on-roadside-after-“friend”-reportedly-abandoned-him/

An intoxicated man was found on a roadside with a damaged motorbike after his friend allegedly left him in Pattaya. The Pattaya City Police were notified of an intoxicated man on Pattaya Third Road opposite Soi Korpai in Nongprue early yesterday morning (December 14th). They and the Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find a man identified only as Mr. Direk, 53, who was heavily intoxicated and highly emotional. Nearby, police found a damaged motorbike. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/12/15/intoxicated-man-found-left-on-roadside-in-pattaya-after-friend-reportedly-abandoned-him/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-12-15 - 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!

Notorious Thai gambling “businessman” sentenced to 20 years in prison PHOTO: MGR Online Mr. Po Arnon, 30, well known as ‘Sia Po’ was sentenced to 20 years in prison yesterday (December 14th) for promoting online gambling and money laundering. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280751-notorious-thai-gambling-“businessman”-sentenced-to-20-years-in-prison/

PHOTO: MGR Online Mr. Po Arnon, 30, well known as ‘Sia Po’ was sentenced to 20 years in prison yesterday (December 14th) for promoting online gambling and money laundering. The Criminal Court read the judgment yesterday morning and stated that Sia Po and 20 others in his business were violating the Money Laundering Act and the Gambling Act. There was in total 1,760,970,545 million baht (1.7 billion baht) made from financial transactions from online gambling with 841,678,523 million baht in money laundering. The court sentenced Sia Po, who was the main operator, to 54 years. However, Sia Po was finally sentenced to 20 years in prison as Thailand’s imprisonment sentences are set at a maximum of 20 years. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/12/15/notorious-thai-gambling-businessman-sentenced-to-20-years-in-prison/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-12-15 - 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 Election Commission allots free air time for party political broadcasts The Election Commission (EC) has allocated free air time on state-run radio and television stations for political parties which won House seats in the last election to proclaim their achievements. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280750-thailand’s-election-commission-allots-free-air-time-for-party-political-broadcasts/

The Election Commission (EC) has allocated free air time on state-run radio and television stations for political parties which won House seats in the last election to proclaim their achievements. So far, 14 parties have applied for the free air time, which will begin on Monday and continue until Friday at prearranged times between 7am and 10pm. Those interested can check the timetable of the broadcasts on the EC’s website. Parties which have 70 seats or fewer in the House will each have 10-minutes of air time, while those which have more than 70 seats will be have 20 minutes each. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-election-commission-allots-free-air-time-for-party-political-broadcasts/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-12-15 - 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!

Police raid major online gambling operations in Bangkok and Chanthaburi Police from Thailand’s Cyber Task Force (PCT) raided eight locations in Bangkok and the eastern province of Chanthaburi on Wednesday and arrested 31 suspects accused of operating online illegal gambling services. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280745-police-raid-major-online-gambling-operations-in-bangkok-and-chanthaburi/

Police from Thailand’s Cyber Task Force (PCT) raided eight locations in Bangkok and the eastern province of Chanthaburi on Wednesday and arrested 31 suspects accused of operating online illegal gambling services. 21 bank books, money counting machines, three cars, 31 computer monitors, 19 computer notebooks, several smart phones and nine desk-top computers were also seized during their raids of two venues in Bangkok and six in Chanthaburi. Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat, the national police chief, said that these major online illegal gambling operations hadmany customers, including numerous youths. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/police-raid-major-online-gambling-operations-in-bangkok-and-chanthaburi/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-12-15 - 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!

Motorbike sidecar catches fire while turning into gas station A motorbike sidecar caught fire while a driver was turning into a gas station in Pattaya. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280744-motorbike-sidecar-catches-fire-while-turning-into-gas-station/

A motorbike sidecar caught fire while a driver was turning into a gas station in Pattaya. Emergency responders were notified of the accident Tuesday night (December 13th) in front of a gas station in Baan Nawang, Banglamung. Firefighters, emergency responders, and the Pattaya News team arrived at the scene to find an injured man, Mr. Chockchai Chaipinit, 25, who had sustained burn injuries on his right arm while fleeing the burning vehicle. He was rushed to a local hospital for medical assistance. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/12/15/motorbike-sidecar-catches-fire-while-turning-into-gas-station-in-pattaya-driver-injured/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-12-15 - 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!

Da Nang chairman Le Trung Chinh. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong Da Nang Chairman Le Trung Chinh and Deputy Chairman Ho Ky Minh have been reprimanded by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for violations and shortcomings in the discharge of their duties. Former Da Nang Chairman Huynh Duc Tho and former Deputy Chairman Tran Van Mien were also reprimanded for their violations in the 2016-2021 term, according to a decision by the prime minister issued Wednesday. Deputy Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kiem Yen received a warning. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/da-nang-leaders-punished-for-misconduct-4548302.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-15

Image: Google Police in central Vietnam are investigating a case in which a sixth grade female student said she had been raped by three eighth graders. The incident allegedly happened at the Nghia Thang Secondary School in Tu Nghia District, Quang Ngai Province, according to Nguyen Dang Vinh, the district's chairman, who was interviewed by Giao Thong newspaper on Wednesday. The official said that the police investigation into the incident is still underway and that there is still no conclusion. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/teen-boys-investigated-for-allegedly-raping-girl-at-school-4548640.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-15

A woman works with a laptop in an office. Illustration photo by Shutterstock People in Vietnam have lost VND21.2 trillion ($902 million) in 2022 due to malware, according to a security report by Vietnamese IT firm Bkav announced Wednesday. The report said around 180,000 computers in Vietnam had been infected with Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) over the past year, mainly through infected emails, local media reported. The malware would activate itself the moment an infected file is open, allowing data to be stolen and systems to be remote controlled, among other ways. Bkav experts said there have been large-scaled ransomware attacks on servers over the past year. In 2022, ransomware attacks have targeted over 14,500 computers, while in 2021, the number was only around 1,000 computers. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnamese-lose-902m-to-malware-in-2022-report-4548650.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-15