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The Chon Buri Buffalo Racing Festival heralds the end of the Buddhist Lent. (Photo by TAT) Farmers in Chon Buri, an hour’s drive east of Bangkok, hold an annual buffalo racing festival in early October around the end of the Buddhist Lent to have some fun after a long season of hard work. And you don’t have to be a farmer to enjoy the festive event. The unique race always draws farmers and visitors to the eastern province to watch the beefy, skinny, old, and young buffaloes compete over a 200-meter-long race track. The race was called off last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, but 2020 saw 90 water buffalos competing for the trophies and cash. Fans of fast buffaloes can expect to see a large number of them on October 9. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/stand-well-clear-buffaloes-on-the-run/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-30 - 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 Google Maps screenshot of Phu Quoc Island near Cambodia. Seven corpses were found floating off Phu Quoc Island in the southern Kien Giang Province Thursday. At 11 a.m., locals saw the first two bodies drifting into the Bai Truong beach area of Phu Quoc. Five more bodies were found later in the vicinity. All the bodies were bloated and decomposing, their clothes tattered. An investigation is ongoing. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/six-dead-bodies-drift-into-phu-quoc-seas-4517360.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-09-30

Rubbles slide down a mountain side at Ha Tinh's Huong Son District, Sept. 29, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Hung A slice of a mountain alongside a National Highway 8A section in central Vietnam’s Ha Tinh Province crumbled Thursday morning, dumping 8,000 m3 of rubble and blocking traffic. The mountainside, located about 7 km away from Huong Son District’s Cau Treo border gate, saw a 50 m section slide down and fully cover a 10m wide section of National Highway 8A. The landslide has blocked traffic, preventing vehicles from going to Laos and districts like Vu Quang, Huong Khe and Duc Tho, and stopped vehicles from going towards National Highway 1. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/mountain-landslide-blocks-central-vietnam-s-national-highway-section-4517373.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-09-30

A house is heavily flooded in Nghe An's Thanh Chuong District, Sept. 29, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Hai The bodies of two of three people in central Vietnam's Nghe An Province who were swept away by floods triggered by storm Noru have been found. Nguyen Van Hue, 55, a Nghi Loc District resident, was swept away by floods in Nghi Cong Nam Commune Wednesday night, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control said. His body was found Thursday morning. In Ngoc Son Commune of Thanh Chuong District, Nguyen Huu Hoang, 38, was swept away while fishing at around 3 a.m. Thursday. His body was found at noon. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/two-dead-amid-central-vietnam-floods-after-storm-noru-4517383.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-09-30

Heavy rains lasting several hours have flooded over 7,300 houses in the central Nghe An Province. In this photo taken on Thursday afternoon, a part of Quynh Luu District in Nghe An is inundated. Storm Noru, one of the most powerful storms to hit Vietnam in two decades and which made landfall over the central region on Wednesday with winds of 133 kph, brought rainfall of 200-470 mm on Wednesday and Thursday, with Nghe An receiving most of the rains. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/photo/news/7300-houses-inundated-as-storm-noru-brings-heavy-rains-4517558.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-09-30

Gold bars smuggled from Cambodia to Vietnam are seized by the police, September 28, 2022. Photo by the police Anti-smuggling police have taken down a gang that bought dollars and took them to Cambodia to buy gold, which it then smuggled into Vietnam. The large gang had been operating for a long time and in many different localities, Lieutenant General To An Xo, the spokesman for the Ministry of Public Security, said. It was busted on Wednesday by the Department for Corruption, Smuggling and Economic Crimes (PC03) in collaboration with police in Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh Province on the Cambodia border, he said. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/police-bust-gang-smuggling-in-gold-from-cambodia-4517596.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-09-30

The Commission on Appointments (CA), presided over by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, confirmed on Wednesday the ad interim appointment of Amenah Pangandaman as Secretary of Budget and Management (DBM) and Enrique Manalo as the Foreign Affairs Secretary, along with 23 ambassadors .Mong Pintolo / The Philippine STAR MANILA, Philippines — Cabinet secretaries who failed to get the nod of the Commission on Appointments (CA) before the start of Congress’ first adjournment tomorrow would be considered bypassed and would have to be reappointed by President Marcos if he wishes to keep them, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said yesterday. The CA was unable to tackle the appointments of more than 10 Cabinet officials due to lack of time. Both Houses of Congress are set to adjourn on Oct. 1. The last day of plenary session is usually set on the last Wednesday before the scheduled adjournment. Considered technically bypassed were Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Trixie Angeles, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Human Settlements Secretary Jose Acuzar, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan Uy, Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, National Economic and Development Authority chief Arsenio Balisacan, and Commission on Audit Chairman Jose Calida. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/30/2213259/fresh-appointments-set-11-bypassed-cabinet-officials- -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-09-30

This handout image provided by the UAE Ministry Of Presidential Affairs, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman waving to the president of the United Arab Emirates as he departs from King Abdulaziz International Airport on July 16, 2022, after attending the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (GCC+3) in the Saudi city of Jeddah. UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs / AFP MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is preparing for the upcoming visit of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud this November or before the end of the year. “We’re working on the dates and we’re working on the deliverables,” Alfonso Ver, assistant secretary at the Middle East and African Affairs Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs, said in a press briefing on Friday. The Philippines is one of the countries included in Prince Mohammed’s regional tour, noting the crown prince’s “personal interest" in visiting Manila. Ver said the other countries included in the tour are Thailand, Malaysia and Brunei. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/30/2213376/preparations-underway-saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salmans-visit-dfa -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-09-30

Staunch opposition lawmaker Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay, 1st District) mingles with guests at the historic Club Filipino in San Juan City before the National Executive Council of the Liberal Party convenes on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Philstar.com / Xave Gregorio MANILA, Philippines (Updated 5:16 p.m.) — Staunch opposition lawmaker Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay, 1st District) on Friday took the helm of Liberal Party with a vow to resurrect the once-ruling party from the "ashes" of the last national elections. "I am not ready to incant the requiem of the Liberal Party," Lagman said after being elected as the party's new president during its National Executive Council meeting at the historic Club Filipino. "I assume the presidency to lift up the Liberal Party from the ashes of the May 2022 elections." Lagman now faces the daunting task of rebuilding a party that has been described by its erstwhile chairperson, former Vice President Leni Robredo, as “decimated” following a mass exodus of members in the wake of the 2016 elections that saw the election of Rodrigo Duterte as president. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/30/2213357/opposition-lawmaker-edcel-lagman-new-liberal-party-president -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-09-30

This file photo shows Lorraine Badoy-Partosa attending a congressional hearing. The STAR, file MANILA, Philippines — Lawyers and universities condemned the threats made by former anti-insurgency spokesperson Lorraine Badoy-Partosa against a Manila Regional Trial Court judge who dismissed the government’s case to judically declare communist rebels as terrorists. Some 485 lawyers signed a statement deploring the “grave and disturbing threats and scurrilous statements” that Badoy made against Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar. Badoy-Partosa insinuated that Malagar, whom she called communist cadre, as well as her husband University of the Philippines Cebu Chancellor Leo Malagar, and members of the National Union of People’s Lawyers are connected to the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/30/2213365/lawyers-universities-condemn-ex-palace-officials-threats-vs-judge -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-09-30

Health Ministry improving healthcare access nationwide BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health said its focus policy for fiscal 2023 will be improving public access to the healthcare system through the help of primary healthcare units and local communities. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273339-health-ministry-improving-healthcare-access-nationwide/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health said its focus policy for fiscal 2023 will be improving public access to the healthcare system through the help of primary healthcare units and local communities. In a speech delivered at the Ministry of Public Health, Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul said his ministry will place importance on people-centric approaches and better access to health services next fiscal year which starts October 2022. The Ministry of Public Health now aims to improve the coverage of the primary healthcare system, by ensuring that all households will have access to personal doctors and by providing more telemedicine services to patients so that they can reduce hospital bills and hospital visits. It will ensure that all senior citizens will be taken care of in a systemic and inclusive manner. The ministry will work to further promote the health of the Thai people by improving communications and making health-related content easy to understand. The ministry will make sure that all health data are made available through a certified digital platform that is linked to the national database. This service will allow a person to seek healthcare services at any place. The health ministry also looks to drive the economy through health products and services, such as alternative and traditional medicines and herbs including cannabis and hemp. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220930123524599 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-09-29 - 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 host Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum next month BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Parliament will be hosting the 30th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in October. Post-pandemic recovery and sustainable development will be among the topics discussed. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273338-thailand-to-host-asia-pacific-parliamentary-forum-next-month/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Parliament will be hosting the 30th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in October. Post-pandemic recovery and sustainable development will be among the topics discussed. The National Assembly of Thailand will be hosting this year’s Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) on 26-29 October at the new Parliament House in Bangkok, making this the first-ever international meeting held at this venue. At a press conference, House Speaker and Chair of the 30th APPF Annual Meeting Chuan Leekpai said this will be the first in-person APPF meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be held under the theme "Parliaments and the Post-COVID-19 Sustainable Development." So far, parliamentarians from 20 countries out of 28 invited have accepted the invitation. Mr. Chuan said this meeting will be a good opportunity for Thailand to push forward agendas that will benefit all. The meeting will serve as a platform for parliamentarians to exchange views and experiences on the roles of the legislative assemblies toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The House Speaker said Thailand will be playing an important role in pushing urgent motions that relate to the livelihoods of people in Asia-Pacific, and the mutual benefits between Thailand and other countries. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220930124931605 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-09-29 - 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 Prayut Still Holds Office BANGKOK, Sept 30 (TNA) — The Constitutional Court on Friday ruled that the premiership of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has not ended regarding Section 158’s Clause 4 of the Constitution which indicates that his tenure in office started on April 6, 2017, when the Constitution was promulgated. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273337-pm-prayut-still-holds-office/

BANGKOK, Sept 30 (TNA) — The Constitutional Court on Friday ruled that the premiership of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has not ended regarding Section 158’s Clause 4 of the Constitution which indicates that his tenure in office started on April 6, 2017, when the Constitution was promulgated. The court started to read its ruling at 3pm. The ruling was for the petition that the opposition had earlier filed through House Speaker Chuan Leekpai, asking the court to rule if the premiership of Gen Prayut already ended. On Aug 24 the Constitutional Court suspended Gen Prayut from the prime ministerial duties by 5 votes to 4 pending its ruling. Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1028807 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-09-30 - 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-baht Banknotes Have Production Flaw but Usable BANGKOK, Sept 30 (TNA) — Twenty-baht polymer banknotes show different serial numbers in Thai and Arabic digits on each bill due to a production flaw but owners can use them or exchange them at banks and financial institutions, according to the Bank of Thailand. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273336-20-baht-banknotes-have-production-flaw-but-usable/

BANGKOK, Sept 30 (TNA) — Twenty-baht polymer banknotes show different serial numbers in Thai and Arabic digits on each bill due to a production flaw but owners can use them or exchange them at banks and financial institutions, according to the Bank of Thailand. BOT deputy governor Vachira Aromdee said the defective banknotes were produced by De La Rue International Limited (DLR) and the central bank already stopped distributing the bills from the company. Initial investigation showed that normal quality control could not detect the mistake, she said. Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1028705 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-09-30 - 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!

Prayut vows to push ahead with mega-projects Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha attends a no-confidence debate at the Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, July 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) In his first reaction to the ruling by the Constitutional Court which reaffirms his premiership, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha pledged to forge ahead with mega-projects initiated by his government. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273335-prayut-vows-to-push-ahead-with-mega-projects/

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha attends a no-confidence debate at the Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, July 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) In his first reaction to the ruling by the Constitutional Court which reaffirms his premiership, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha pledged to forge ahead with mega-projects initiated by his government. In a post on his Facebook page, Prayut welcomed the ruling and thanked his supporters. “I want to convey my highest regards to the ruling of the Constitutional Court,” he said. Prayut said the one month during which he was suspended from active duty has given him time to reflect on himself. “It makes me realize that I need to spend the limited precious time that this government has left in following up and pushing all the mega-projects that I have initiated to bring prosperity to the country,” he said. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/prayut-vows-to-push-ahead-with-mega-projects/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-30 - 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!

Prayut given political lifeline — but what’s next? (File Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) The Constitutional Court has given Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha a political lifeline with a ruling that allows him to at least complete his current term of office. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273333-prayut-given-political-lifeline-—-but-what’s-next/

(File Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) The Constitutional Court has given Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha a political lifeline with a ruling that allows him to at least complete his current term of office. The big question, however, is what it means to his political future. In the much-awaited ruling, the court this afternoon determined that constitutionally speaking Prayut’s tenure as prime minister took effect beginning in 2017. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/prayut-given-political-lifeline-but-whats-next/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-30 - 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 Constitutional Court has ruled by a majority that, in accordance with the 2017 Constitution, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s 8-year term in office did not expire on August 24th. The court reasoned that the prime minister’s term should be calculated from the promulgation of that Constitution on April 6th, 2017. The court took less than 30 minutes to read theirruling, which was broadcast live nationwide. As a result of this afternoon’s ruling, Prime Minister Prayut, who was suspended from active duty by the court on August 23rd, will resume his position immediately and will be back in the premiere’s office in Government House on Monday. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/constitutional-court-rules-that-pm-prayuts-8-year-term-in-office-has-not-expired/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-30 - 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!

Health ministry revises criteria for UCEP Plus eligibility BANGKOK (NNT) - COVID-19’s status in Thailand is due to be downgraded to a communicable disease under monitoring from October 1 onward. Although Covid will no longer be considered a hazardous disease, the health ministry says critical patients are still entitled to emergency care under the UCEP Plus policy. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273258-health-ministry-revises-criteria-for-ucep-plus-eligibility/

BANGKOK (NNT) - COVID-19’s status in Thailand is due to be downgraded to a communicable disease under monitoring from October 1 onward. Although Covid will no longer be considered a hazardous disease, the health ministry says critical patients are still entitled to emergency care under the UCEP Plus policy. The health ministry reported it is adjusting the criteria for persons seeking treatment for Covid via the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) pathway. UCEP was implemented in 2017 to enable critical patients to receive treatment at any public or private hospital. The state shoulders all treatment costs during the first 72 hours. During previous rounds of Covid outbreaks, the government granted the UCEP right to all infected persons regardless of their condition. With the situation having improved in March this year, only Covid patients with moderate to severe symptoms were eligible for UCEP. The treatment pathway was renamed UCEP Plus to signify the lack of a 72-hour treatment time limit. From October 1, only critical Covid patients or those who have received the ‘red’ color code will be able to make use of UCEP Plus. Covid patients who do not fall under these criteria will still be able to receive treatment based on the health benefit program they have subscribed to. The National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM) will release detailed criteria for UCEP Plus eligibility tomorrow (30 September). Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health has announced it is closing the Public Health Emergency Operation Center (EOC) for COVID-19 at the ministerial level. The department-level EOC, set up at the Department of Disease Control, will carry on the task of monitoring COVID-19. However, a ministerial-level EOC could be reactivated in response to changes in the disease situation. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220929171207392 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-09-29 - 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!