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PHOTO: ปรเมศวร์-เบียร์ งามพิเชษฐ์ Poramese “Beer” Ngampichese has officially been certified as the new Pattaya Mayor by the Election Commission and vows to fulfill his four major campaign promises. The Election Commission eventually verified the Pattaya mayor election yesterday, June 13th, saying that the election has been honest and fair in accordance with Section 17 of the Provincial Administrative Election Act of 2019. The No.1 candidate from the Rao Rak Pattaya team Poramese Ngampichese who obtained the most votes is, therefore, certified as the Pattaya Mayor, effective yesterday June 13th. Meanwhile Poramese after knowing this announcement told the Pattaya press that he would immediately start working on his four campaign promises: Fixing the tourism-reliant economy, uplifting overall living conditions including roadworks being finished, solving flooding problems, and improving education for youth in Pattaya. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/14/poramese-beer-ngampiches-officially-certified-as-pattaya-mayor-vows-to-fulfill-four-major-campaign-promises/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-06-14 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

A female motorcyclist and her passenger were injured in a hit and run with a sedan in Pattaya. Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rescuers responded to a hit-and-run report in front of the Pho Samphan temple on Pattaya Road in the Na Kluea subdistrict of Banglamung, Chonburi. The report came in the early morning of today, June 14th. Two female victims (name and age not provided) were found beside their damaged motorbike. The rider, according to The Pattaya News reporters, sustained broken wrists and tears in her knees while her passenger only sustained minor injuries. Rescuers also found a part of a car’s side-view mirror on the road and kept it as evidence. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/14/speeding-sedan-crashes-into-and-injures-two-young-woman-on-a-motorbike-in-pattaya-car-driver-flees/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-06-14 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has proposed to classify cannabis flowers as a controlled herb, to prevent misuse and curb recreational use following the decriminalisation of the plant, and pending deliberation of the Cannabis and Hemp Bill in parliament. The department’s director-general Dr. Yongyut Thammawut said today that Senator Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, in his Facebook post, proposed the use of the law to control the possession of cannabis flowers, to prevent them from being abused for recreational purpose while there is no specific law to control the possession and use of cannabis flowers. He said that the department will draft an announcement to place cannabis flowers under the traditional medicine protection and promotion law, expected to be completed in 3-5 days, after which it will be sent to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for approval and announced in the Royal Gazette for enforcement. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/cannabis-flowers-to-be-classified-as-controlled-herb-to-prevent-abuse/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-14 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

BANGKOK, June 14 (TNA) — Bangkok police have not found any case of cannabis smoking in public or traffic accident related to cannabis after the decriminalization of the plant on June 9. Pol Maj Gen Jirasant Kaewsaeng-ek, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the bureau had not received any report on cannabis smoking in public places or any traffic accident related to cannabis. He said that police had yet to see a notice from the Public Health Ministry on the impacts of cannabis smoke on the public and relevant complaint procedures. Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-960023 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-06-14 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Thailand’s inflation for this year is projected to rise from 4.9% to 5.9%, which would be the highest in 24 years. It may peak at 7% during the third quarter, before it starts to fall, in line with increasing domestic output and a global economic slowdown, according to the Siam Commercial Bank. The bank’s Economic Intelligence Centre (EIC) Chief Economist Somprawin Manprasert, said that the EIC has revised Thailand’s economic growth forecast, from 2.7% to 2.9%, thanks to the tourism economic engine, which is expected to see foreign arrivals increase from 5.7 million to 7.4 million by year end, as a result of the further relaxation of travel restrictions and improved performance of the service sector. Export growth, however, may fall from 6.1% to 5.8%. He added that the EIC expects the Thai Monetary Policy Committee to increase the benchmark policy rate from 0.5% to 0.75%, to slow inflation and reduce risks to price stability. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-inflation-could-reach-5-9-the-highest-for-24-years/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-14 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Four people were admitted to hospital for treatment after cannabis overdose and one later died of heart failure in the first known cases of hospitalisation after the decriminalisation of cannabis use in Thailand on June 9th, according to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The governor received a report today (Tuesday) from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Medical Services Department that a 17-year-old and a 25-year-old have been admitted to city-run hospitals for treatment of heart palpitations after consuming cannabis. A 16-year-old was admitted to intensive care, allegedly following a cannabis overdose. Additionally, a 51-year-old man suffered chest pains after using cannabis and later died of heart failure. The cases have prompted the BMA to consider measures to protect students at its 436 schools, including the idea of declaring schools and eateries in front of the schools to be cannabis-free zones, with signs erected in front of the schools, he said. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/four-admitted-to-hospital-one-dies-after-using-cannabis-following-decriminalisation/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-14 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

PHOTO: Pattaya Tourist Police One alleged gold necklace snatcher who committed crimes mostly against Indian tourists in Pattaya was finally arrested in Bangkok by Pattaya tourist police and Bangkok police. Pattaya tourist police partnered with investigators from the Pattaya Police Station to investigate successive similar pickpocketing and gold snatching thefts mostly against Indian tourists in the Pattaya area. The investigation took several weeks and finally led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for one suspect on June 10th. According to reports, the suspect, whose name was not revealed by the tourist police, was a transgender individual. The suspect was arrested at a rental room in the Onnut area in Bangkok by Phra Khanong police and was transferred back to the Pattaya Police Station for legal proceedings. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/13/suspect-in-gold-necklace-thefts-on-indian-tourists-in-pattaya-is-arrested-after-fleeing-to-bangkok/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-06-13 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

A police officer has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after he was found guilty, by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, of demanding and taking bribes, totalling 641,000 baht, from a soapy massage parlour in Bangkok. According the press release, issued by the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) today (Friday), the unnamed officer, attached to the Metropolitan Police Bureau, took 65 bribes from the parlour, in exchange for not taking legal action against it for alleged violations of the law. The court found him guilty on all 65 counts and imposed a five-year prison term for each of the counts, bringing the accumulated jail time to 325 years. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-policeman-sentenced-to-50-years-on-bribery-conviction/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-10 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Public Health Minister and Leader of Bhumjaithai Party Anutin Charnvirakul officiated at the opening of a cannabis exhibition today (Friday), at the Buriram International Circuit in the north-eastern province, to celebrate the success of the party’s policy to liberalise medical cannabis. About 30,000 people, including senior ministers from the Bhumjaithai party, senior public health officials, provincial officials, health volunteers and local residents, packed the stadium. Cannabis and hemp have been removed from the Category 5 narcotics list in Thailand, effective yesterday. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/buri-ram-holds-thailands-first-major-cannabis-exhibition/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-10 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

This year, there is a hum of anticipation for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) community in Thailand. In May, Bangkok elected a new governor in a landslide victory for Chadchart Sittipunt, who advocated for marriage equality on the campaign trail. A month later, the Cabinet endorsed the Civil Partnership Bill for same-sex unions. For Pride Month 2022, you’re cordially invited to take a step closer to understanding what it means to be LGBTQ+ in Thailand and how that is about to change. Context is key Thailand has a unique relationship with its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) community that’s difficult to understand through the Western spectrum of conservative versus progressive. As a majority Buddhist country, Thailand’s conservative elements aren’t associated with religious intolerance of LGBTQ+ identities. Consequently, the conversation around LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand tends to avoid drawing people into debates about faith. Like other Southeast Asian countries, Thai society and culture has traditionally held the view of there being three genders in existence: male, female, and male-female. This fundamental gender theory has helped to create space for the LGBTQ+ community in Thai society, and there is a growing appetite for LGBTQ-themed content. The transgender community in particular is strong voice in Thai society. The globally renowned Miss Tiffany’s Universe pageant has been recognizing transgender queens since 1975, and Thailand is often cited as a leading destination for gender reassignment procedures. More recently, Thailand’s first transgender prime ministerial candidate ran in the 2019 general election. The Mahachon Party’s Pauline Ngarmpring is seen as living proof of Thailand’s acceptance in the political arena. Pauline said, “In Thailand, conservative parties are not necessarily conservative in all aspects.” While LGBTQ+ people are very visible in Thai society, the country still has a lot of work to do on the legal front. Barriers to achieving full equality in terms of legislation remain. Recognizing same-sex unions The crowd at the first pride parade in Bangkok, Thailand. Source: Piyoros C / Shutterstock.com In recent years, LGBTQ+ rights have been actively advocated by both government and opposition parties, including the conservative Democrats, as well as the liberal Move Forward and center-left Kla parties. All agree in principle on the importance of equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community and see an urgency in pushing for gender equality. Two bills have emerged: the Civil Partnership Bill and the Marriage Equality Bill. The Civil Partnership Bill—proposed by the Ministry of Justice and approved by the Cabinet—defines a same-sex union as between two people of the same gender, both of whom must be at least 17 years of age and at least one must be a Thai national. The Marriage Equality Bill—which has not received Cabinet’s endorsement—proposes that the current marriage law be amended to use gender-neutral terminology like “spouse” instead of “husband” and “wife” and “person” instead of “man” and “woman.” If passed, the proposed amendments would allow individuals to be legally married regardless of gender and ensure that they receive equal rights, duties, and protection under the law. If either bill is passed into law, Thailand would become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex unions, after Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same sex marriage. The current civil partnership draft bill, proposed by the government, covers the registration and termination of partnerships between same-sex couples and rules for property sharing, adoption, and inheritance. However, the bill doesn’t yet fully grant rights in some areas, such as changing sexual identity, tax allowance, and government-related benefits as a couple before the law. These would involve amendments to other laws and will thus need to be done step-by-step. Regardless, the Overton window in Thailand has shifted irreversibly. The country’s political climate has never been more ready to tackle LGBTQ+ rights and gender inequalities. “There is no going back,” according to Nareeluc Pairchaiyapoom, Director of the International Human Rights Division at the Ministry of Justice. While Thai law has yet to guarantee full rights for LGBTQ+ couples, some companies are taking it upon themselves to address these issues for their employees. “In line with the employment policy of its Scandinavian parent company, telecom giant DTAC not only accepts and promotes gender diversity but also provides them with a non-discriminatory working environment. At the moment, DTAC is also working towards providing same-sex marriage welfare to their LGBT+ staff with common marriage rights.” – Sharad Mehrotra, CEO, DTAC Whole-of-society approach Source: Quality Stock Arts / Shutterstock.com The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has made efforts to increase the rights and freedom for the LGBT community. In July 2020, under the leadership of Juti Krailerk, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, 39 government agencies and private companies including education institutions jointly inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to reaffirm their commitments to prevent gender discrimination. “The issue of gender diversity matters and therefore everyone in society should be entitled to stand with dignity in society regardless of their sexual orientation. My wish is to see the gender equality become a norm in society.” – Juti Krailerk, Minister of Social Development and Human Security Under the MoU, signatories will strictly follow the guidelines of the Thai Gender Equality Act to create work, education environments, or opportunities that are indiscriminate and accessible to all. Under the MoU, they will: allow students or employees to dress according to their sexual orientation; provide public space that is safe and friendly for the LGBTQ+ community; ensure that job applications and candidate selections focus on ability and qualifications rather than gender; ensure use of words, gestures, and documents that are appropriate for all gender identities that do not stigmatize or label any gender that could lead to bullying or discrimination; be non-discriminant in the promotion and selection process of persons holding any positions in any agency, taking account of ability rather than gender; and prevent harassment or sexual harassment in the workplace. Despite lingering social stigma, signatories to the MoU have supported LGBTQ+ individuals to be able to dress according to their gender identity at universities and workplaces, changing what it means for LGBTQ+ individuals finding education and employment in Thailand. A step in the right direction Those observing on the sidelines may find themselves scratching their heads at the unique contradictions of Thai society’s at-once conservative and progressive attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. However, over the past few years, it feels like Thailand is finally putting its money where its mouth is as a bastion of gay pride. Whichever bill gets passed, however long it takes to achieve gender equality under law, it’s clear that the die has been cast, and the country can only move forward. Source: https://www.thailandnow.in.th/current-affairs/thai-lgbtq-community-hotly-anticipates-same-sex-union-bills/ -- © Copyright THAILAND NOW 2022-06-09 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

BANGKOK, June 1 (TNA) – Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he would propose to categorize COVID-19 as a communicable disease under surveillance and set aside a plan to declare it an endemic disease. After his meeting with pubic health executives, Mr Anutin said that each day the country logged less than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases and few than 50 new fatalities related to the disease. Besides, more than 140 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Mr Anutin said that although their reopening could raise the number of new COVID-19 cases, their illnesses would not be severe. Provincial communicable diseases committees would assess their COVID-19 situations in a few weeks, he said. Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-952791 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-06-01 - 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.

FILE / International visitors await instructions from health officials inside the arrival terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport / AFP Thailand has further eased COVID-19 restrictions by scrapping quarantine for international arrivals and allowing the partial reopening of pubs, bars and other entertainment venues, including soapy massage parlours, from today (Wednesday), amid declining infections and fatalities. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Under the new rules, fully-vaccinated foreign travellers must submit the required documents, including passport, certificate of vaccination and the proof of medical insurance cover of at least US$10,000. For unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign travellers, a COVID-19 RT-PCR or rapid antigen tests result, issued within the 72 hours before travel, is required. All land border crossing points will also be opened on June 1st. Quarantine has also been scrapped for those who are deemed to be at high-risk of infection following exposure. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/no-quarantine-on-entry-to-thailand-partial-reopening-of-bars-begins-wednesday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-01 - 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.

An inspector and three other Si Racha district police officers, in Thailand’s eastern province of Chon Buri, have been transferred to inactive posts at the operations centre for arresting a 56-year-old woman for having one cannabis plant in her apartment in Si Racha district. Commander of Chon Buri provincial police Pol Maj-Gen Attasit Kitjaharn, who ordered the transfer of the four officers yesterday (Tuesday), said that the four should have exercised better judgment, by taking into consideration both the legal and social aspects, before making the arrest. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He said that the Royal Thai Police have issued a directive for all police to follow regarding offences related to cannabis and hemp during the transition period, after an amendment to the Narcotics Bill which removed them both from Category 5 list of narcotics has been passed, but will only be effective from June 9. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/four-si-racha-cops-transferred-for-arresting-woman-with-one-cannabis-plant/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-01 - 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.

PHOTO: Kusoldharm rescue worker A 21-year-old Australian tourist fell from a hotel in Patong to his death last night (May 17th.) The Phuket Tourist Police reports they were notified of the body at 10:00 P.M. The 21-year-old male Australian tourist (The Pattaya News is withholding his name pending notification of his family and his embassy) came to Phuket with 11 friends, according to the Phuket Tourist Police. He checked in at the hotel on May 14th and was scheduled to return to Australia on May 28th. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe No signs of a struggle or altercation were found in the victim’s room, according to Phuket Tourist Police. The tourist was staying alone, said hotel staff and police, before falling out of his room. Several bottles of whisky were found on a table, some appearing to have been half-consumed, stated investigators present at the scene. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/18/21-year-old-australian-tourist-falls-from-hotel-to-his-death-in-patong-phuket/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-18 - 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.

An air-conditioning serviceman on Facebook allegedly deceived two victims in Sri Racha, causing them to lose 16,000 baht after the supposed repairman vanished. Today, May 17th, Ms. Chantisa Sap-anansuk (46) and Ms. Wannee Singkaew (35), contacted The Pattaya News about an alleged air-conditioning serviceman on Facebook involved in a reported scam that happened on May 2nd. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe According to Ms. Chantisa’s statement, she hired an air-conditioning service on Facebook on May 2nd to clean her air conditioner, but it broke again after a few days, so on May 9th, she contacted the same repairman who was later identified as Saharak Jiraphan, who requested a 3,000 baht deposit in advance for replacement parts. The repairman, however, deleted all of the Facebook posts about the air-conditioning service later and allegedly fled. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/17/alleged-air-conditioning-serviceman-scam-reported-in-sri-racha-with-two-victims-involved/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-17 - 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.

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thai universities were ranked highly in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022, with Mahidol University ranking among the top 50 universities in the performing arts discipline. Anek Laothamatas, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, stated that education and career consultant Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has published the rankings for top universities worldwide based on disciplines. This year, many Thai universities were ranked highly on its list, with Mahidol University ranking 47th out of 50 in the performing arts discipline. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Chulalongkorn University was ranked highly in four disciplines: performing arts, engineering-petroleum, development studies, and social policy and administration. Meanwhile, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang ranked high in the engineering-petroleum category while Kasetsart University was one of the top rankings in the agriculture & forestry category. According to QS rankings, institutions such as Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, Chiang Mai University, and Thammasat University were ranked for more subjects this year than the previous year. This demonstrates that Thai universities have worked hard to improve their education programs, which leads to global recognition and higher rankings on the QS list. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-22 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates