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Three Vietnamese fishermen (C) are rescued after their boat was hit by a Panama-flagged cargo ship, December 12, 2022. Photo by Vung Tau Maritime Administration A Panama-flagged cargo ship hit a Vietnamese fishing boat off the southern coast Monday, causing six fishermen to fall into the sea and one of them remains missing. The Lady Roxana ship left HCMC and hit the fishing boat at around 7:20 a.m. when they were more than 4.5 km off Vung Tau beach town, which borders HCMC. The fishing boat sank almost entirely, and six of its crew members fell into the sea. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnamese-fisherman-missing-after-boat-hit-by-panama-flagged-ship-4547293.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-13

La Thi Anh at a trial in Ho Chi Minh City, December 13, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Hai Duyen The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court sentenced a beauty queen to seven years in jail Tuesday for stealing a Rolex watch worth VND2 billion (US$84,600) from her boyfriend. La Thi Anh, 32, who won the 2018 Miss Viet Nam Continents pageant in the U.S. while studying at the New York Film Academy, and her boyfriend, Tuan, 25, got to know each other online. In August 2021 she spent a night at his house in HCMC when he showed her his luxury watch collection, including a Rolex Daytona. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/beauty-queen-jailed-for-stealing-lover-s-rolex-watch-facebook-gives-game-away-4547579.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-13

People drive motorbikes along trucks in District 7, HCMC, July 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Air monitoring indicates Ho Chi Minh City's fine dust volume has exceeded safety thresholds and threatens to cause respiratory ailments. Monitoring by the city Department of Natural Resources and Environment found fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeding Vietnam's prescribed safety limit of 50 µg/m3 for 24 hours and 25 µg/m3 over a year. The World Health Organization limits are 25 and 10. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/respiratory-diseases-alert-in-hcmc-as-fine-dust-exceeds-safety-limits-4547631.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-13

A traffic video captures the scene when a woman was hit by a car on the Hanoi-Lao Cai Expressway on December 9, 2022 A woman was killed when a car slammed into her while she was crossing an expressway in northern Vietnam. The accident happened at around 3:15 p.m. on December 9 when the woman was crossing the Hanoi-Lao Cai Expressway, which connects the Vietnamese capital with the mountainous resort town Sa Pa. A traffic video that was posted online on Monday showed the victim crossing the expressway just before she was struck. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/woman-killed-by-car-while-crossing-expressway-4547695.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-13

An ethnic family in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang cover themselves in warm clothes, February 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy Northern Vietnam is forecast to be hit by its strongest cold front this winter on Friday, when temperatures in mountainous areas are expected to drop below zero degrees Celsius. The temperature in Hanoi will be 13-19 degrees on Saturday and will fall to 8-17 degrees early next week, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. Places that are more than 1,500 meters above sea level, such as Mau Son and Sa Pa, may experience freezing temperatures of below zero that will bring frost to the areas early next week. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/northern-vietnam-braces-for-freezing-cold-front-4547704.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-13

Baguio-based journalist Frank Cimatu shows a copy of a court order at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Friday, after attending the promulgation of judgment on the cyber-libel complaint filed against him by former agriculture secretary Manny Piñol. The STAR / Michael Varcas MANILA, Philippines (Updated 12:56 p.m.) — A Quezon City court on Tuesday convicted Baguio journalist Frank Cimatu of cyber libel over a Facebook post pertaining to former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol. Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 93 sentenced Cimatu with imprisonment of six months and one day to five years, five months and 11 days and ordered him to pay Piñol P300,000 as moral damages. “Following a painstaking review of the pieces of evidence presented by both parties, the Court finds that the evidence of the prosecution satisfies the test of moral certainty and is sufficient to support a conviction,” Acting Presiding Judge Evangeline Cabochan-Santos said in her 19-page decision. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/13/2230568/court-convicts-baguio-journalist-frank-cimatu-cyber-libel -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-12-13

Subscriber identity module (SIM) cards. The STAR / File MANILA, Philippines — With the implementing rules and regulations of the SIM card registration law issued, the National Telecommunications Commission urged the public to register their SIM cards ahead of the deadline to avoid losing their numbers. Under the IRR released Monday, subscribers have 180 days from the effectivity of the law to register their SIM cards. The registration may be extended for a period not exceeding 120 days. In an interview aired over ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo, National Telecommunications Commission's consultant Edgardo Cabarrios said that failing to register within the given period will result in the deactivation of SIM cards, though the Department of Information and Communications Technology could still extend the deadline if later on if it deems necessary. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/13/2230560/ntc-register-sim-ahead-deadline-avoid-losing-mobile-number -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-12-13

Protestors with the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) enter the room as negotiators meet to discuss Target 3 (30x30 target) at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on December 10, 2022. Indigenous leaders hope to send a clear message to governments that the intentions of Target 3 cannot not be realized without respecting the full rights indigenous communities. Target 3 would need to include "Indigenous peoples' territories and customary lands and waters" as an alternate to “protected areas and OECMs.” “The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) underscores the importance of ensuring a rights-based approach in the implementation of Target 3 of the global biodiversity framework, specifically including “protecting and respecting” our rights,” said the IIFB in a statement sent to the press. AFP / Andrej Ivanov MONTREAL, Canada — The world had just eight days to seal a historic deal to stem the destruction of nature. But half way into the COP15 biodiversity talks, there has been no major progress either on increased funding for conservation in developing nations, or towards a pledge to protect 30 percent of the world's land and seas. The general view is that negotiations will get tough on Thursday, when the environment ministers of the 196 members of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will take over from their delegates in Montreal. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/climate-and-environment/2022/12/13/2230567/still-no-major-progress-toward-peace-pact-nature-cop15 -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-12-13

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Drugs Enforcement Unit seized illegal drugs worth of P173.4 million during a buy-bust operation along Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City on August 24, 2022. STAR / Michael Varcas MANILA, Philippines — A fifth of barangays in the Philippines are still listed by the government as being "drug-affected," the Department of the Interior and Local Government disclosed Tuesday. This comes after districts of the National Capital Region Police Office confiscated P39.6-million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 516 suspects from December 5 to 9. In a press conference at the rollout of the BIDA Program at the NCRPO headquarters in Taguig, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said 8,977 or 21.35% barangays are still drug affected in the country with 329 being classified as seriously affected; 6,623 as moderately affected and 2,635 as slightly affected. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/13/2230578/ncrpo-confiscates-p396-m-drugs-after-one-time-big-time-stings -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-12-13

Over 200 Filipino and foreign stakeholders adopted the Manila Declaration on Creating Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) systems in a conference, according to the US Embassy in the Philippines. US Embassy in Manila MANILA, Philippines — Groups have adopted the declaration that promotes the use of evidence-based health treatment for drug users while, at the same time, seek to have reforms in the country’s criminal justice system. Over 200 Filipino and foreign stakeholders adopted the Manila Declaration on Creating Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) systems in a conference, according to the US Embassy in the Philippines. “By spending our time to learn and share, we are making a sound investment and bridging pathways to ensure that friends, families, community members and society as a whole have what they need to not only survive, but to thrive,” US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Director Kelia Cummins said. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/13/2230571/over-200-groups-adopt-plan-promote-evidence-based-health-program-drug-users -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-12-13

Two thieves allegedly steal wallet and mobile phone from Indian ex-pat Two transgender thieves allegedly stole a wallet and mobile phone from an Indian man on Pattaya Beach Road. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280506-two-thieves-allegedly-steal-wallet-and-mobile-phone-from-indian-ex-pat/

Two transgender thieves allegedly stole a wallet and mobile phone from an Indian man on Pattaya Beach Road. A 50-year-old Indian man who also is a Pattaya restaurant owner filed a report to the Pattaya City Police at 3:30 A.M. early this morning (December 12th) before they went to the scene of the alleged crime. The name of the Indian man was withheld by Pattaya police. The Indian man told Pattaya police that he had stopped his motorbike before two transgender individuals tried to hug him. He stated to The Pattaya News that the two individuals took his wallet which had 2,000 baht cash and a mobile phone that cost about 10,000 baht from his pocket before speeding away. He tried to follow them but failed. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/12/13/two-thieves-allegedly-steal-wallet-and-mobile-phone-from-indian-ex-pat-and-business-owner-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-12-13 - 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!

138 Buddhist Temples in Thai South to Undergo Restoration and Repairs BANGKOK (NNT) - A total of 138 old Buddhist temples in the southern border provinces are set to undergo repairs and restoration work. The government is also launching a museum to promote harmony among the multicultural communities of the Deep South. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280505-138-buddhist-temples-in-thai-south-to-undergo-restoration-and-repairs/

BANGKOK (NNT) - A total of 138 old Buddhist temples in the southern border provinces are set to undergo repairs and restoration work. The government is also launching a museum to promote harmony among the multicultural communities of the Deep South. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek spoke of preparations to restore 138 old temples in the Deep South. She noted that the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) has been the primary agency overseeing the effort. Partner agencies include the Office of National Buddhism, the Fine Arts Department, the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4’s Forward Command and other organizations. Many of the temples slated for restoration are over a century old and have either deteriorated significantly or are located in remote, isolated areas. Their restoration is expected to serve the spiritual needs of local Buddhist communities in the Deep South and allow residents to carry out religious functions as normal. The temples will also serve as common areas for promoting harmony, with 10 aging temples and seven isolated ones to be restored in 2023. Ratchada said the government is also working to preserve old mosques while a museum for Islamic cultural heritage and a Koran learning center has been established in Narathiwat’s Yi Ngo district. These sites will serve as learning centers for studying the holy Koran and Islamic culture, while also promoting positive relations and harmonious coexistence within a multicultural society. The spokesperson added that the government is allocating a budget for Thai Buddhists to undertake a pilgrimage in India and Nepal early next year. The budget will also go towards funding the Hajj pilgrimage of Thai Muslims traveling to Saudi Arabia. Those participating in the program will be selected by a committee and must have participated in virtues-promoting activities in the southern border provinces. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221213132419485 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-12-13 - 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!

Thailand to Advance Soft Power via Thailand Halal Assembly 2022 BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand plans to advance its soft power in the field of halal science this week by hosting Thailand Halal Assembly 2022, given substantial growth prospects for the halal food market owing to rising demand for safe and traceable food. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280504-thailand-to-advance-soft-power-via-thailand-halal-assembly-2022/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand plans to advance its soft power in the field of halal science this week by hosting Thailand Halal Assembly 2022, given substantial growth prospects for the halal food market owing to rising demand for safe and traceable food. Halal Science Center Director Winai Dahlan said Thailand Halal Assembly 2022 is being organized under the concept of “Soft Powering of Halal Science, Technology and Innovation”. The aim is to advance global acknowledgment of Thailand’s soft power in the field of halal science. The assembly will also benefit efforts to develop a foundation for research in halal science, technology and innovations. Various sectors, including academia, business, industry and society, will be able to make use of this research in their digital transformations. Thailand Halal Assembly is co-organized by the Halal Science Center, the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand and the Halal Standard Institute of Thailand. Assoc Prof Winai said Thailand has an outstanding capacity to use science in support of halal certifications. Some 170,000 Thai food products have already been certified halal by the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand and are sold both domestically as well as abroad. The International Halal Science and Technology Conference 2022 and the 15th Halal Science Industry and Business will form part of the Thailand Halal Assembly 2022. Some 50 experts from Thailand and abroad will be delivering lectures and presenting works for publication in international academic journals. The 8th International Halal Standards and Certification Convention will also form part of Thailand Halal Assembly 2022 and feature an academic exhibition titled “Soft Powering of Halal Science, Technology, and Innovation”. Thailand Halal Assembly 2022 will take place December 15-16 at Chamchuri 10 building in Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221213102202429 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-12-13 - 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!

LTAT Mulls EV Replacement of Diesel Long Haul Trucks BANGKOK (NNT) - Following a series of successful tests, Thailand’s trucking industry is now considering whether to convert its fleet of 400,000 diesel trucks to electric vehicles (EVs) in April of next year. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280503-ltat-mulls-ev-replacement-of-diesel-long-haul-trucks/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Following a series of successful tests, Thailand’s trucking industry is now considering whether to convert its fleet of 400,000 diesel trucks to electric vehicles (EVs) in April of next year. According to Apichart Prairungruang, President of the Land Transport Association of Thailand (LTAT), the government’s new measures to support Thailand’s EV industry prompted moves to consider switching from diesel to electric trucks. Apichart said the association has assembled a team of engineers to perform a series of tests on each vehicle in order to ensure they meet all safety requirements before being put into service. The LTAT president added that the team has also been tasked with discussing future maintenance issues, after-sales service and the availability of charging stations along all service routes. Due to the shorter battery life of EV trucks, which is around six years compared to 7-10 years for diesel vehicles, and the higher cost to maintain the fleet, Apichart estimates the selling price of each EV truck at 5-6 million baht. This is at least twice the cost of regular diesel trucks that sell for around 2.5 million baht per unit. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221213114634455 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-12-13 - 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!

PM to Discuss Political Future After ASEAN-EU Summit BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has said he will clarify his political future after returning from the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Belgium. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280501-pm-to-discuss-political-future-after-asean-eu-summit/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has said he will clarify his political future after returning from the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Belgium. Before departing for the summit in Brussels, which is set to conclude on Thursday (15 Dec), Gen Prayut said he would discuss the matter upon his return. Akanat Promphan, secretary-general of the newly formed United Thai Nation Party (UTN), said on Monday (12 Dec) that his party could compete in the election and win enough seats to be a part of the government. The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) meanwhile announced it will welcome two former Democrats, Nipit Intarasombat and Anwar Salae, into its ranks, citing their extensive political experience and potential candidacy in the upcoming election. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221213104247436 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-12-13 - 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!

Cold Fronts Bringing Chills to Most of Thailand This Week BANGKOK (NNT) - The Meteorological Department has forecast that a strong cold front from China will cause temperatures to drop in most of the country from December 14-18, except for the southern region, where heavy rain is still expected. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280500-cold-fronts-bringing-chills-to-most-of-thailand-this-week/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Meteorological Department has forecast that a strong cold front from China will cause temperatures to drop in most of the country from December 14-18, except for the southern region, where heavy rain is still expected. The agency forecasts that the northeast will see temperatures drop 4-6 ?C, while the northern, eastern and central regions, including Bangkok, will experience a drop of 3-5 ?C. The weather service also expects another strong cold front to move over the North on Sunday (18 Dec) and continue southward to other regions for several days before weakening. Residents in the south should meanwhile brace themselves for heavy rain, which may cause flooding or overflows from natural waterways due to a low-pressure cell and moderate north-easterly monsoon covering the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Officials reported that cold weather over the long weekend also drove tourists to mountain retreats such as Chiang Mai’s Huai Nam Dang National Park and Phetchaburi’s Khao Phanoen Thung in Kaeng Krachan National Park. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221213134411490 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-12-13 - 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!

Thai police admission exam cheaters face criminal association charges Criminal association charges will be filed against those involved in cheating during the examination for admission to police academies for non-commissioned officers of the 5th and 9th provincial police bureaus, said Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat, the national police chief, today (Tuesday). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1280499-thai-police-admission-exam-cheaters-face-criminal-association-charges/

Criminal association charges will be filed against those involved in cheating during the examination for admission to police academies for non-commissioned officers of the 5th and 9th provincial police bureaus, said Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat, the national police chief, today (Tuesday). He said that police are investigating connections between the two admission examinations, because the same method forcheating was used in both. Some questions were leaked and their answers were distributed by the cheating gang to applicants who were willing to pay for them, adding that those who provided the answers are very knowledgeable and worked fast. He also said that the same group might be involved in the cheating in both admission exams. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-police-admission-exam-cheaters-face-criminal-association-charges/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-12-13 - 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!

A worker at a garment factory in HCMC's Nha Be District. Photo by VnExpress/An Phuong If the global economy bounces back next year and Vietnamese companies receive more orders, the city will need 300,000-320,000 more laborers, a government agency has said. The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labor Market Information (Falmi) has said that recruitment demands will depend on global economic growth scenarios. If the global economy continues to slow and Vietnam export orders remain short, 2023 labor demand may be for only 280,000-300,000 new workers. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/economic-upswing-could-see-hcmc-needing-300-000-more-workers-4545762.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-09