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Picture: Facebook/Sanook Thais were at their teasing best as they commented in great numbers on a Facebook post by the site that translates as "Hey! These are Thailand's sidewalks". The site had posted a picture of a swanky newly painted Zebra crossing at the Chitlom intersection in downtown Bangkok. World leaders might pass it for the APEC 2022 meeting being held nearby at the end of next week. It seems to have been spruced up in a flash with the site leading the way saying facetiously how wonderful it was that road markings were now clear and precise. One netizen went with: "Are they worried that the world leaders will be hit crossing a Zebra?", reported Sanook. Another said: "They should have come in the rainy season - then they would have seen the Venice of the East" - a reference to the city's perennial flooding issues. Another said they should change the site of the meeting on a rolling basis to all 77 provinces - that way everyone might get a slice of Bangkok's beautification. Continuing in the vein that it was all about not losing that most valuable of Thai commodities - FACE - Move Forward MP in Bangkok Jorayuth Jaturapornprasit noted that all the unsightly wires around the Queen Sirikit National Convention center had miraculously been buried underground in a single day. It was great that the dignitaries eyes would not be offended by all those nasty wires and would be able to see the sky (pollution permitting!). It was just a pity that requests from all around the country to do likewise have stalled. It was all about face - and not losing it - when important foreigners were in town! -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-11-12 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Thailand’s crazy laws - it’s just as well many people just ignore them - they are “a ass” OPINION | by Rooster Every country has crazy laws that are still on the statute books but for which no one would ever be prosecuted. The UK is full of them as any Google search reveals. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277546-thailand’s-crazy-laws-it’s-just-as-well-many-people-just-ignore-them-they-are-“a-ass”/

OPINION | by Rooster Every country has crazy laws that are still on the statute books but for which no one would ever be prosecuted. The UK is full of them as any Google search reveals. The difference in Thailand is that some of the loopiest laws imaginable are mainstream, prosecuted regularly by the RTP. They help with their revenue streams, of course, protect high up personages and big companies. All the while thoroughly shafting the very people laws are meant to protect. Joe Soap or Somchai Saboo himself! Fortunately the Thais pick and choose what laws to obey as if it were a national sport. While this means they die in their thousands on the roads because they don’t give a hoot about the Highway Code, it also satisfies their general sense of freedom. Freedom to break the law and do exactly as one pleases if it suits you. It is both endearing and damaging. Both heartening and tragic in relatively equal measure. Fine if you’re not on the receiving end of bad justice. About as polar opposite to Germans and Japanese as you can get! A brief foray online found the following gems from the land of my birth. Apparently gambling in a library in the UK is illegal. As is flying a kite in public. Taxis can’t transport rabid dogs (maybe except politicians….) and drivers are required to ask if passengers have the plague. It is also illegal to be found drunk in a pub in England and Wales and whatever you do don’t walk down a street with a cow or a plank let alone shake your dusty rug in a road (doormats are exempt). And of course if you find a beached whale you must offer it to King Charles first. Icelanders, incidentally, have similar important rules on their books. And heaven forbid that you allow your pet to have his way with a Royal corgi. Very serious indeed. As bad as killing a swan, a 12th century misdemeanor that persists to the present day. Of course most of these would be laughed out of court but others exist in Blighty that have foreigners scratching their collective heads in disbelief. Pensioners are regularly prosecuted for not having a TV license, for example. Even if they just watch a paid for channel like Sky. No excuse - 1,000 sobs and jail if you can’t pay! In Thailand some of the most draconian and idiotic laws are associated with gambling, boozing and defamation (where the customer is invariably wrong no matter how bad the service they have received). Thais will gamble on anything yet they are officially told that all they can legally flutter on is the state lottery and horse racing in Bangkok. Gambling is rife at funerals, the illegal underground lottery, you name it. The RTP are implicit in allowing it one minute then two-facedly cracking down on it the next. Just watch what will happen at the upcoming World Cup if you have any doubts about that. Despite recent attempts to change the alcohol production laws you could still be carted off if caught making beer without asking first. Opening and closing times for boozing go up and down faster than a Nana whore’s drawers. Prostitution is of course illegal (even if it can be found, many officials have failed!). Even if several million people are actually engaged in the World’s Oldest Profession (apart from ‘begging for it’, that is). Defamation laws are vastly different to many countries where the truth matters. Oscar Wilde found out the hard way when he sued the Marquess of Queensberry who accused him of “posing as a sodomite” in a famous 1895 libel case. The Irish writer found himself jailed and broken rather than richer and vindicated. In Thailand face is more important than truth. If someone loses it they are awarded money and their accusers can lose their liberty even if what they say is genuine. This scandalously protects corrupt people, dodgy businesses and corporations and is completely unfair to the common man. Ask Andy Hall, an investigative journalist who reported the truth about migrants being mistreated at a pineapple factory. Goodbye Andy. Goodbye investigative journalism. Goodbye people’s rights. Hello, protection for the corrupt. Hello, a defense for wrong-doing. Other laws, with well known numbers, are used as political weapons to stifle dissent. In the UK few people batted an eyelid when the press asked “Has Fergie got a Big Arse or What?” Or when ‘important’ people were photographed on a boat in Phuket (that The Sun said was pronounced “Fuket”). This week on ASEAN NOW one of Thailand’s most ridiculous laws came under the spotlight. Namely the absurd banning of the sale of alcohol from 2 pm to 5pm. It’s caught Rooster out so many times over the years, mainly because I’m an infrequent boozer who sometimes fancies a bevvy from 7-Eleven in the afternoon. The reason for its introduction was given as a public moral thing, making sure that Thais worked a full day. As if that would make any difference. Very Victorian in its nature, treating people like kids. While I could see the merit of stopping alcohol sales at gas stations, this blanket law is just an absurd inconvenience. Another way that we are downtrodden and freedoms are ignored. It may be flouted in many stores but not where I live in Bangkok. Makros and Big C’s even tape off the booze like it’s some kind of afternoon crime scene! Maybe it is - if they were to sell they’d wind up in jail. This week the head of TABBA - an alcohol traders’ organization - called for it to be scrapped as well as extending opening hours to 4am for zoned areas like Patong, Khao San, Soi Cowboy and Patpong, 2am elsewhere. While it’s important to protect residents in places where pubs pop up illegally (or legally) it’s high time that responsible adults are not treated like children. And well overdue that restaurateurs, pub and karaoke owners who were hit so hard in the pandemic are given a chance to recoup substantial losses and take advantage of the increasing number of Thais going out and foreign tourists coming to the kingdom. More Thais going out was obvious when Rooster went with chicks and Mrs R in tow to Kaset University grounds for Loy Krathong on Tuesday. You could barely move. (Still disappointing that 98% were in masks but hey, you can’t have everything). Rooster also witnessed large numbers of foreign tourists a couple of weeks ago when going to upper Sukhumvit to score some brick-weed. It was also a Tuesday and for the first time since 2019 it was completely packed with foreign, non-mask wearing tourists and locals. Welcome back! (even if I only contributed to the weed economy in the sum of 200 baht, an extremely welcome law change that has met with my 100% approval). Thai Rath carried a sensible and well put together article about the return of tourists that Rooster translated for ASEAN NOW. It was noted that TAT targets of 10 million would likely be hit this year even if that’s a quarter of 2019 numbers when Mr and Mrs Woo followed their flags everywhere. The Chinese - only back it seems in small numbers to sample “Happy Water” in ‘Zero Baht’ pubs in Yannawa - have yet to be allowed out by Chairman Xi. But half a million Indians put them in second place to Malaysians and Brits were top of the Eurovision Charts just ahead of Septics from Across the Pond. Still put off by Covid are the fussy Koreans and the Japanese. The latter still apparently freaked out if they mistakenly get weed in their sushi and test positive on return to the Land of the Rising Sun where marijuana can still see them jailed for 5 years and fined 200,000 baht. The TABBA chief called for influencers and YouTubers to work their magic and explain that Covid is subsiding and there are actually sensible laws to stop people ingesting weed if they don’t want to. She also called for illegal businesses to be busted. Many, after all, have always flouted the law and are open until daylight. Any doubts about that go to the Thermae (though of course the famous Soi 13-15 establishment has people of rank as owners!!). I dropped in there the other week and it was like old times before it became inhabited by Japanese salarymen. The ‘farangs’ were back and the ladies were actually saying “hello” rather than “konbanwa”. It may take a few years - and be dependent on the Chinese and Indians - before Thailand reaches the heady heights of pre-pandemic tourism. But it’s started. My prediction is ten million more each year. But I would urge the Thais to use this experience to be chastened - stop the rip-offs and please ditch the masks and show those lovely smiles again (and ignore unpleasant people like billionaire Bill Heinecke who wants dual pricing at hotels to enrich himself, as we reported this week after he wrote to Prayut). Helping the tourists who might want to extend their stay is a new online system that immigration said would only take three minutes. This of course was slammed by the retired curmudgeons who screamed “what about us” and our 400/800K requirements. They're never happy. Thailand should have a law to tax their pensions if they complain. I jest, but having gone through years and years of visa applications and visa runs every three months I just feel that you must do what you have to do to live in someone else’s country. Suck it up. Fallout from the Yannawa raid on Chinese “investors” continued with multiple searches as Big Joke and Co. acted on Chuwit’s damning dossier. Highlight of those shenanigans had to be Chuwit squaring up to former cop and BFF Santhana. Chuwit removed his tie and created a new world record for saying “Ai Sat” (you feckin’ animal) multiple times. Priceless; a couple of old men giving each other a “bunch of fives” rather than a “bunch of thousands” that they paid off the authorities with in the past! In international news the midterm elections for Congress and the Senate in the US were generally seen as a victory for the Republicans but not as much as they had hoped for. It was also seen as a slap to Trump who was reportedly furious. His price on Betfair for becoming next president eased by two points giving this columnist some hope that his appearances on my TV screen will end well before 2024. It could also mean I won’t have to buy a new flat-screen after hurling things at it…. A rare pink diamond was bought by an Asian in Geneva - the hammer came down at a billion baht plus, a nice earner for Christie’s. The Crown (Series 5) - a wonderful drama with fantastic acting and a masterpiece of a script - hit Netflix midweek. Who cares if it may have some historical inaccuracies - it’s a drama and a brilliantly crafted one that is a great entry level insight into British history and the Royal Family. I thought the portrayal of the late Duke of Edinburgh in particular was amazing and I found the then Prince Charles and Diana both believable and engaging. Peter Morgan the writer is a genius. FIFA asked everyone to go easy on Qatar, sorry Cataarh, and concentrate on the football at the World Cup rather than migrants and gay rights. That’s not going to happen though back in Thailand it was those gambling laws rather than human rights (what are they?!) that took center stage. Big Den, RTP chief, promised crackdowns on online betting. Meanwhile an even bigger issue was the NBTC apparently using taxpayers’ money for the rights to show the games. This was shown to be just 600 million baht with the Sports Authority of Thailand chief saying they had to find a further billion from private investment. He cautioned that it might not be shown at all in Thailand. This kind of thing happens every four years so, football fans, don’t worry. There would be rioting in the streets if it wasn’t shown. Rooster suggests it is brinkmanship by the private sector who want to see how much the state fronts up before stepping in at the last minute to “save the day”. With audiences in the tens of millions they can make a fortune from advertising. But frankly, I’d really like to see a company like CP step in and do a bit of corporate philanthropy (if that’s not a Thai oxymoron). Maybe I’m naive but associating their name with something for the public good at their expense would be like a loss leader in supermarkets. They’d still claw back most of it in advertising. I fully expect the host nation to be kicking off against Ecuador next Sunday at 11 pm Thai time on Thai TV. There was predictably huge comment on the forum when a drunk Police Hospital doctor who drove his red-plate Porsche into a Civic killing two last year was given community service and a suspended three year sentence. As a surviving victim said it was a disgrace especially after all the hot air rhetoric spouted about getting serious on DUI. They are appealing the leniency shown by the court. Frankly a doctor with a police rank should do MORE time not less than Somchai Saboo. The laws are there (and they are good ones) so for goodness sake the courts should hand out proper custodial sentences. Make the time fit the crime. It’s no wonder that so many see the Thai judicial system as the biggest joke since Note Chern Yim started at Villa Cafe. (Apropos, I went there several times in the 1980s and on one occasion got a huge laugh from the audience after I responded to Note in Thai when he made a wisecrack about the “farang in the front row”. Thereafter I was mercilessly torn to shreds by the famous comic!). In Pattaya a German with a bratwurst in his bonnet went on his roof when the cops tried to arrest him. As many on the forum pointed out he’d probably have been shot in the US. It appeared that annoyance from his two Rottweilers started it all. Lovers of this vicious breed affectionately call them Rotties - a bit like calling Jimmy Savile “Savvers” or Ted Bundy “Bunders”. On the plus side it’s heartening that Germans are giving the Brits a run for their money when it comes to behaving badly in Thailand. Even a New Zealander in Phuket stepped up to the mark when 26 guns and 11 grenades were found at his house. I liked Sparktrader's comment who noted: “Deport him back to Bondi”. Others just mentioned “sheep shagging”. Top video of the week - apart from Chuwit - was of a train hitting a rice truck that had gone through a level crossing barrier in Lamphun. Quirkiest story was from a pond in Phetchabun where two plasticine voodoo dolls were found pierced with joss-sticks on styrofoam over hand-written messages wishing two people dead. The creepy float was found among Krathongs. Not surprisingly no one including the 77kaoded reporters would touch it! Finally, continuing huge news this week was the ongoing debate about allowing foreigners with a million bucks to own one rai of land for residential purposes. Thailand did an entirely predictable U-turn on the issue but a popular academic online said that the Chinese own half of Australia and Thaksin and Bangkok governor Sittipunt have properties abroad. It was all normal and part of globalization and should be allowed and encouraged. Atsadang said that selling land to foreigners is not “khai chart” - selling out the country - something opponents to the law spout as if it is un-Thai to suggest otherwise. The whole issue is wrapped up in Thai protectionism and political chicanery. It’s time for change and expansion of land ownership to people who have invested their lives as well as their money in Thailand. Yes, there needs to be safeguards but the current laws - like so many mentioned in this article - should be changed if not binned altogether. As Mr. Bumble said in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist: “The law is a ass, a idiot”. Rooster -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-11-12 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Video: "Thailand is amazing!" - ONE MILLIONTH visitor to south hailed by Thai tourism minister Picture: 77kaoded Thailand's tourism minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan was guest of honor as the southern province of Phangnga celebrated the return of foreign tourists in great numbers post-pandemic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277545-video-thailand-is-amazing-one-millionth-visitor-to-south-hailed-by-thai-tourism-minister/

Picture: 77kaoded Thailand's tourism minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan was guest of honor as the southern province of Phangnga celebrated the return of foreign tourists in great numbers post-pandemic. At an event called "Dive to the Nature" in Khao Lak there was great excitement as the crowd were kept waiting for the big announcement about who the one millionth visitor to the area would be. 77kaoded spoke of the one millionth foreigner, but the announcer seemed to indicate it could be a Thai. The audience were on tenterhooks. Then all was revealed. It was Veronika Labajova from Slovakia. Picture: 77kaoded She was presented with a bouquet by the minister and even got a 3,000 baht gift voucher. Ms Labajova said: "I feel very honored. I feel very lucky to be here. "It's an amazing country". -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-11-12 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Activists opposing proposal for entertainment venues being allowed to legally open later protest in Bangkok By Goongnang Suksawat Thailand – The Life Quantity Development Network is opposed to extending entertainment venues opening hours even in tourism only zones. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277532-activists-opposing-proposal-for-entertainment-venues-being-allowed-to-legally-open-later-protest-in-bangkok/

By Goongnang Suksawat Thailand – The Life Quantity Development Network is opposed to extending entertainment venues opening hours even in tourism only zones. The group was present near the Thai Government House today (November 11th) and was led by Ms. Krueamas Srijan. A letter was filed to the to the Prime Minister over the opposition of a proposal for entertainment venues opening hours to be extended to 4:00 A.M.. Joining the opposition were survivors and victim’s families and friends from drunk driving accidents. The group states they want to decrease road accidents and to support a campaign for stricter alcohol rules. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/11/11/activists-opposing-proposal-for-entertainment-venues-being-allowed-to-legally-open-later-protest-in-bangkok/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-11-12 - 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!

Road users advised to avoid Patong Hill Road during rush hours By Goongnang Suksawat Patong, Phuket – Road users are being advised to avoid using the Patong Hill Road during rush hour. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277531-road-users-advised-to-avoid-patong-hill-road-during-rush-hours/

By Goongnang Suksawat Patong, Phuket – Road users are being advised to avoid using the Patong Hill Road during rush hour. The Kathu Municipality official told the Phuket Express that road users are being advised to avoid the Patong Hill Road on both lanes during the rush hours from 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/11/11/road-users-advised-to-avoid-patong-hill-road-during-rush-hours/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-11-12 - 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!

How far can Thailand’s ambitious BCG push go in the APEC community? Thailand’s intention to push the Bio-Circular-Green economic model on the agenda of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings is mostly aimed at benefiting domestic big conglomerates, rather than driving regional economic development for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders, according to critics upset about being excluded from the implementation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277530-how-far-can-thailand’s-ambitious-bcg-push-go-in-the-apec-community/

Thailand’s intention to push the Bio-Circular-Green economic model on the agenda of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings is mostly aimed at benefiting domestic big conglomerates, rather than driving regional economic development for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders, according to critics upset about being excluded from the implementation. The Thai government, under its APEC theme — Open. Connect. Balance. — believes that the BCG economic model could be a paradigm shift to achieve a more balanced and sustainable post-COVID economic recovery. “At the core of the BCG model is a campaign to rally each and everyone to shift their behavior to balance all things. It reinforces continuing global efforts on climate change, and compounds those efforts to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals,” according to the official APEC 2022 website. The BCG, in Thailand’s local context, is a model to commercialize biodiversity and cultural richness as well as employ high technology and innovation to transform into a high-value economy, as the conventional strength of industrial production for export is running out of steam. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-far-can-thailands-ambitious-bcg-push-go-in-the-apec-community/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-11-12 - 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!

No Palang Pracharath MPs, Cabinet Members Hopping To A New Party: Prawit By Thai Newsroom Reporters Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan greeting party members at a seminar today. Photo: Matichon PALANG PRACHARATH top leader Prawit Wongsuwan today (Nov.11) confirmed that none of the ruling camp’s MPs and cabinet members will go party-hopping during a run-up to the next general election. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277529-no-palang-pracharath-mps-cabinet-members-hopping-to-a-new-party-prawit/

Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan greeting party members at a seminar today. Photo: Matichon By Thai Newsroom Reporters PALANG PRACHARATH top leader Prawit Wongsuwan today (Nov.11) confirmed that none of the ruling camp’s MPs and cabinet members will go party-hopping during a run-up to the next general election. Prawit who concurrently performs as deputy prime minister did not name names but assured that none of the Palang Pracharath rank and file including MPs and cabinet members will be defecting from the largest coalition partner for any other camps amidst speculation that some have already planned to go party-hopping sooner or later. Among the Palang Pracharath rank and file who might possibly defect from Prawit’s camp are Palang Pracharath secretary-general-cum-Deputy Finance Minister Santi Prompat, Digital Economy & Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn and Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin, among others. Those cabinet members concurrently perform as coalition MPs. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/11/11/no-palang-pracharath-mps-cabinet-members-hopping-to-a-new-party-prawit/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-11-12 - 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!

Ninth Grader Falls From School Building In Korat, Fourth Case This Year by TNR Staff A NINTH GRADE student in Nakhon Ratchasima province (Korat) died after falling from a building of a top high school in Mueang district last evening (Nov. 10) with this being the fourth such case in this province this year, Matichon newspaper said today. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277528-ninth-grader-falls-from-school-building-in-korat-fourth-case-this-year/

Teachers praying at the spot where the student’s body was found, top, and the window from where he fell to the ground, Front Page. Photos: Matichon by TNR Staff A NINTH GRADE student in Nakhon Ratchasima province (Korat) died after falling from a building of a top high school in Mueang district last evening (Nov. 10) with this being the fourth such case in this province this year, Matichon newspaper said today. The school was closed today to mourn for the unidentified 14-year-old teen boy. He lived with his father who is a state enterprise worker in Hua Thale subdistrict, Mueang district, and had completed sixth grade from a well-known private school before joining this high school. He was studying a special mathematics and science programme and got good grades, was fun-loving and cheerful. Upon getting a report of his death a police team from the provincial forensic centre came to inspect and collect evidence. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/11/11/ninth-grader-falls-from-school-building-in-korat-fourth-case-this-year/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-11-12 - 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!

to continue: Thailand Live Saturday 12 November 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1277527-thailand-live-saturday-12-november-2022/

Immigration Bureau: Foreigners considerably Arrive in the Country BANGKOK, (TNA) – The Immigration Bureau has mobilized its personnel to welcome visitors who are arriving considerably, to prevent congestion at airports. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277492-immigration-bureau-foreigners-considerably-arrive-in-the-country/

Defense minister, in response to House query, says Chinese gray businesses being investigated BANGKOK (NNT) - The House of Representatives today (10 November) discussed shady businesses run by Chinese nationals in Thailand. The defense minister responded to a query on this topic, saying these activities include investment scams, call center gangs, and illicit service venues. More clarity about recent arrests pertaining to these activities is expected next week. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277490-defense-minister-in-response-to-house-query-says-chinese-gray-businesses-being-investigated/

UPDATE: Negotiations held with FIFA to reduce cost of World Cup TV rights for Thailand A man takes a picture of a FIFA World Cup trophy replica in front of the Al-Bayt Stadium in al-Khor on November 10, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup football tournament. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) is negotiating with FIFA and its agent, seeking to reduce the US$36 million price tag for the World Cup broadcast rights for Thailand. The month long World Cup 2022 kicks off on November 20th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277450-fears-that-thais-will-not-get-to-watch-world-cup-on-tv-after-all-sat-go-cap-in-hand-to-fifa/?do=findComment&comment=17718201

Police seize nearly 30,000 SIM cards believed to be used by call centre gangs Police from Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division have seized nearly 30,000 SIM cards in recent house raids yesterday (Thursday), including raids in Bangkok and Nonthaburi Province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277467-police-seize-nearly-30000-sim-cards-believed-to-be-used-by-call-centre-gangs/

Negotiations held with FIFA to reduce cost of World Cup TV rights for Thailand A man takes a picture of a FIFA World Cup trophy replica in front of the Al-Bayt Stadium in al-Khor on November 10, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup football tournament. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) is negotiating with FIFA and its agent, seeking to reduce the US$36 million price tag for the World Cup broadcast rights for Thailand. The month long World Cup 2022 kicks off on November 20th. Meanwhile, a company executive, who claims to have had a previous World Cup broadcast rights deal, suggested that the government recheck the broadcast contract, to make sure that Thailand is not being overcharged by FIFA’s agent. SAT Governor Kongsak Yodmanee said yesterday (Thursday) that the 600-million baht, promised by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), covers just part of the 1.33 billion baht being sought by FIFA for the broadcast rights and that he is not sure that FIFA and its agent will agree to reduce the price further, because they have already discounted it from US$38 million to US$36 million. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/negotiations-held-with-fifa-to-reduce-cost-of-world-cup-tv-rights-for-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-11-11 - 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 from Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division have seized nearly 30,000 SIM cards in recent house raids yesterday (Thursday), including raids in Bangkok and Nonthaburi Province. Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, the deputy national police chief, said that the SIM cards will be checked, to ascertain whetherthey have been used by call centre scam gangs. He said that people who have sold their SIM cards to scammers or bought cards on their behalf may also face prosecution as accessories. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/police-seize-nearly-30000-sim-cards-believed-to-be-used-by-call-centre-gangs/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-11-11 - 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!

Teachers asked for good things at Loy Krathong - they got a python! Now lottery riches beckon! Daily News Thai Caption: 'Great (lottery) numbers at teachers' accommodation Snakecatchers were called to Juk Samet School in Sattahip, Chonburi on Thailand's eastern seaboard after teachers spotted a large python in the area of the teachers' accommodation, reported Daily News. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277465-teachers-asked-for-good-things-at-loy-krathong-they-got-a-python-now-lottery-riches-beckon/

Daily News Thai Caption: 'Great (lottery) numbers at teachers' accommodation Snakecatchers were called to Juk Samet School in Sattahip, Chonburi on Thailand's eastern seaboard after teachers spotted a large python in the area of the teachers' accommodation, reported Daily News. Teachers had been making wishes for good fortune at Tuesday's Loy Krathong celebration - they got the 4 meter long serpent! Picture: Daily News It was soon bagged and on its way back to nature. But the auspicious arrival of the snake is seen as a sign that they might win the lottery. They will be playing the number of the teachers' accommodation - 81. The next draw is on Wednesday next week, notes ASEAN NOW. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-11-11 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information Picture: Daily News Picture: Daily News

"Voodoo dolls" found among old Krathongs in NE - nobody dares touch it to find what's written Picture: 77kaoded Reporters from 77kaoded went to Phetchabun to investigate after a Facebook poster discovered what they said was clearly a case of the occult. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1277464-voodoo-dolls-found-among-old-krathongs-in-ne-nobody-dares-touch-it-to-find-whats-written/