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Somsak Downplays Hearsay Of Prayut, Prawit Taking 2-Year Turns To Run Country By Thai Newsroom Reporters Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, left in photo above and right in Front Page image, together with Deputy Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan. Credit: Matichon and Matichon Weekly JUSTICE MINISTER SOMSAK Thepsuthin Tuesday (Oct. 25) downplayed fresh speculation that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan might probably take turns between themselves to run the country for two years each after the next general election. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275828-somsak-downplays-hearsay-of-prayut-prawit-taking-2-year-turns-to-run-country/

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, left in photo above and right in Front Page image, together with Deputy Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan. Credit: Matichon and Matichon Weekly By Thai Newsroom Reporters JUSTICE MINISTER SOMSAK Thepsuthin Tuesday (Oct. 25) downplayed fresh speculation that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan might probably take turns between themselves to run the country for two years each after the next general election. Somsak, who concurrently acts as head of the Palang Pracharath strategic campaign team and leader of the Sam Mit Group inside the largest coalition partner, categorically denied that such hearsay surrounding Prayut’s plan to prolong his rule roughly for a two-year time after the next general election and possibilities of Prawit immediately succeeding him as prime minister has ever been discussed among the rank and file of the ruling party. His comments were apparently made in response to speculation that Prawit might probably succeed Prayut as head of government immediately after the latter has finished the first half of a four-year term following the nationwide election for MPs, expected early next year. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/10/25/somsak-downplays-hearsay-of-prayut-prawit-taking-2-year-turns-to-run-country/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-10-26 - 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 Moves To Block Booze Bill by TNR Staff Two people clinking glasses of beer before drinking it. Photo: Matichon PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha held a meeting with leaders of all coalition parties on the Progressive Liquor Bill proposed by Move Forward Party. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275827-prayut-moves-to-block-booze-bill/

Two people clinking glasses of beer before drinking it. Photo: Matichon by TNR Staff PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha held a meeting with leaders of all coalition parties on the Progressive Liquor Bill proposed by Move Forward Party with the conclusion being that the government should block its approval by the Lower House, Matichon newspaper said Tuesday (Oct. 25). In June this year the Lower House had approved this bill, which proposes amendments to the Excise Tax Act, in its first reading. It will now be considered in the second and third readings on Nov. 2. The bill was proposed by Move Forward MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a craft beer brewer who was once arrested for producing this alcoholic drink. It seeks to break the monopoly of corporate brewers and allow small- and medium-scale brewers and entrepreneurs to enter the market. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/10/25/prayut-moves-to-block-booze-bill/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-10-26 - 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 Doctor Kidnapped In Mali Safely Back Home by TNR Staff Dr. Nopparat hugging his family and weeping upon meeting them at Suvarnabhumi Airport after his arrival this morning, Oct. 25, 2022. Photo: Amarin TV A THAI doctor who was kidnapped in Mali and chained by his captors for over 25 days returned home today (Oct. 25) and burst into tears upon meeting his family at Suvarnabhumi airport, Amarin TV said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275825-thai-doctor-kidnapped-in-mali-safely-back-home/

Dr. Nopparat hugging his family and weeping upon meeting them at Suvarnabhumi Airport after his arrival this morning, Oct. 25, 2022. Photo: Amarin TV by TNR Staff A THAI doctor who was kidnapped in Mali and chained by his captors for over 25 days returned home today (Oct. 25) and burst into tears upon meeting his family at Suvarnabhumi airport, Amarin TV said. Dr. Nopparat Ratanawara, or Doctor Song, a well-known surgeon, was released after payment of over 100 million CFA franc (around 5.7 million baht) to the kidnappers. He flew in from Abu Dhabi aboard Etihad Airways flight number EY402 that touched down at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 7.36 a.m. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/10/25/thai-doctor-kidnapped-in-mali-safely-back-home/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-10-26 - 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 Guns and Drugs Plagues... Thailand's recent mass shooting exposes the government's flawed gun policy and the drug crisis facing Thai society. The military-dominated ruling coalition seems unwilling to enact meaningful reform on both issues. Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha pays his respects outside the day care centre which was the scene of a mass shooting, in the town of Uthai Sawan, Nong Bua Lam Phu province, Thailand, October 7, 2022. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters A mass killing by a former police officer at a child-care center earlier this month has forced Thailand to confront two of its main scourges. First, former members of the police and military have ready access to guns, even when there are questions about their mental health. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275824-thailands-guns-and-drugs-plagues/

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha pays his respects outside the day care centre which was the scene of a mass shooting, in the town of Uthai Sawan, Nong Bua Lam Phu province, Thailand, October 7, 2022. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters Thailand's recent mass shooting exposes the government's flawed gun policy and the drug crisis facing Thai society. The military-dominated ruling coalition seems unwilling to enact meaningful reform on both issues. by Joshua Kurlantzick A mass killing by a former police officer at a child-care center earlier this month has forced Thailand to confront two of its main scourges. First, former members of the police and military have ready access to guns, even when there are questions about their mental health. They can buy guns through the government, essentially from government gun sellers, and amass large stocks. This is, of course, designed to keep weapons in the hands of the police and military in what has primarily been an authoritarian state for the past seven decades. Regular Thais, instead, face very tough gun laws, in part to prevent Thai protestors from using deadly force when they revolt against various authoritarian governments. As a result, the country’s police and military are awash in guns, which do make it into the hands of disturbed or drugged individuals. In recent years, this has led not only to this tragedy but also to other killings in shopping malls, army bases, and other locations by soldiers and other authorities. As the New York Times reported, an army officer used a gun to murder two peers at the armed forces college in Bangkok last month. Yet Thai politicians, at least from the current ruling military party-dominated alliance, are not going to do anything to curb the military and police’s control of guns, even while maintaining strict gun laws on the general population. Imposing even mild rules on military and police officers, despite the occasional massacres by disturbed, angry, mentally ill, or drugged authorities, would set Thailand down the path of possible broader gun control for the armed forces and the police. This reform will never happen unless parliament is thoroughly controlled by a coalition of parties truly determined to enact military and police reform. The last few times such coalitions controlled parliament, in the early 2000s and the early 2010s, they were ousted in military coups. And although there will be an election next year in Thailand, and in a free and fair poll a pro-democracy, anti-military coalition would likely win, a genuinely free and fair election is improbable, as I recently wrote in World Politics Review. CFR fellows and other experts assess the latest issues emerging in Asia today. 1-3 times weekly. At the same time, Thailand has a serious problem with a massive influx of amphetamine/methamphetamine drugs coming over the border from Myanmar and Laos. A sizable percentage of the Thai population, many working low-paying jobs, has become addicted to these drugs. The killer at the daycare center had faced a drug charge, and Thailand certainly needs to address its severe amphetamines problem, partly due to the extreme inequality in Thai society. Yet the response from many politicians in this campaign season is to reprise disastrous ideas of a brutal, bloody crackdown on drug users. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra tried this approach in the early 2000s, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, many of them innocent. Thaksin’s party is pushing for a restoration of the brutal, useless drug war—even though former president Rodrigo Duterte tried a much larger version of this war in the Philippines, resulting in massive abuses and tens of thousands of deaths. Creative Commons: Some rights reserved. Source: https://www.cfr.org/blog/thailands-guns-and-drugs-plagues -- © CFR 2022-10-26

to continue: Thailand Live Wednesday 26 October 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1275823-thailand-live-wednesday-26-october-2022/

Low-hanging wire sweeps man off motorcycle in Sri Racha A 22-year-old motorcyclist was injured after he ran into a wire hanging at neck-level across the road in Sri Racha. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275808-low-hanging-wire-sweeps-man-off-motorcycle-in-sri-racha/

please continue: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275810-thai-fda-announces-amendments-related-to-marijuana-infused-food-product-regulations/ //CLOSED//

Police waiting for psychiatric report on Bangkok Book Fair attacker Police are waiting for a psychiatric report on the man who allegedly attacked Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit at the annual book fair at Queen Sirikit National Convention last week, before they can forward the case to the public prosecutors and court. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275805-police-waiting-for-psychiatric-report-on-bangkok-book-fair-attacker/

please continue:: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275773-trang-swat-policeman-kills-one-injures-two-in-pub-fight/ //COSED//

Trang SWAT Policeman Kills One, Injures Two In Pub Fight by TNR Staff Pol.Sgt.Maj.Chutiphon Nakkaew, inset, and the SWAT team searching for him today. Photos: Matichon OVER 50 Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) policemen in southern Trang province are hunting for one of their men after he shot dead a customer and injured two others during a pub fight in the wee hours of this morning (Oct. 25), Matichon newspaper said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275773-trang-swat-policeman-kills-one-injures-two-in-pub-fight/

Pol.Sgt.Maj.Chutiphon Nakkaew, inset, and the SWAT team searching for him today. Photos: Matichon by TNR Staff OVER 50 Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) policemen in southern Trang province are hunting for one of their men after he shot dead a customer and injured two others during a pub fight in the wee hours of this morning (Oct. 25), Matichon newspaper said. At 1.13 a.m. Pol. Sgt. Maj. Chutiphon Nakkaew, or Sergeant Bird, head of the defence and suppression unit at Ban Nong Aueang police station in Palian district and assistant to the provincial SWAT unit, was very drunk when he kicked a chair that hit a customer, identified at Mr. Chitkorn Kongchan, or Khao, 32, at a nearby table. The angry customer got up and pushed the SWAT officer who then fired 10 shots at him with his 9mm pistol, killing him on the spot. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/10/25/trang-swat-policeman-kills-one-injures-two-in-pub-fight/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-10-25 - 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!

By David Sadler Specialists have discovered a large shipwreck from the 17th century off Stockholm. Its story has to do with another ship that now forms the core of a world-renowned museum. Marine archaeologists have discovered a sunken 17th-century warship in Stockholm’s archipelago. It is the wreck of the “Äpplet” (The Apple), the sister ship of the “Vasa”, as the wreck museum “Vrak” announced. Among other things, technical details and wood samples have confirmed that the ship that was sunk in 1659 had actually been found. This is a discovery that is unique in the world. Full story: https://globeecho.com/news/europe/germany/sensational-find-in-sweden-sister-ship-of-the-vasa-discovered/ -- © Copyright Globe World News Echo 2022-10-25

Three arrested as Bangkok police target "Rang Phraram 2" drug gang Daily News Thai Caption: Action against the (drug) networks Daily News reported that deputy commander of the 9th met region Pol Col Thirachai Detkhat along with Tha Kham police and reps from the Narcotics Control Board mounted a search and arrest operation at 4 locations. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275771-three-arrested-as-bangkok-police-target-rang-phraram-2-drug-gang/

Daily News Thai Caption: Action against the (drug) networks Daily News reported that deputy commander of the 9th met region Pol Col Thirachai Detkhat along with Tha Kham police and reps from the Narcotics Control Board mounted a search and arrest operation at 4 locations. These were all in the Tha Kham jurisdiction in western Bangkok. Three arrests were made and quantities of yaba, ice, ketamine and ecstasy were taken into evidence along with 2 guns, some cash and 8 bank books. Although it was not formally announced who was arrested one could have been a 29 year old man called Jirarot who has the nickname "Rang Phraram 2". He was one of the people involved when a gang of 7/8 men shot up a car and attacked people at a Jomtien pool villa. Three people were injured in that case. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-25 - 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

Semi-naked thief plagues NE Thailand housing estate Daily News Thai Caption: Hunt for naked villain Daily News carried a story about a housing estate called Ban Nanuan in Sisaket, north eastern Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275770-semi-naked-thief-plagues-ne-thailand-housing-estate/

Daily News Thai Caption: Hunt for naked villain Daily News carried a story about a housing estate called Ban Nanuan in Sisaket, north eastern Thailand. Eight households have reported being the victim of a thief who is masked and shirted but naked from the waist down. He has been seen parading his penis for the cameras. One woman named only as A said that she was asleep when she was awoken by the sound of a cash drawer rattling. Picture: Daily News She shouted "Who's there!?" and the person ran off. She said she could clearly identify the thief's sexual organ from the CCTV. The experience of victim B, 43, was even more scary. She was asleep when she heard her 12 year old daughter scream out for help. The daughter in another room had been awoken by an intruder who likely gained access through an unlocked front door. He had grabbed her arm when she screamed out for her mum scaring him off. Picture: Daily News Victim C, 58, said that she noticed that 7,000 baht was missing from her purse. She questioned her husband who said he hadn't touched it. He checked his own wallet and found 2,000 baht missing from there. Other valuables in the home like phones were left untouched. Women on the estate understandably fear attack from this dangerous intruder and mothers have expressed grave concern for their children. They have called on the police to get cracking on solving the case. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-25 - 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

Study shows 13.4% of psychiatric patients commit repeated acts of violence About 13.4% of 3,815 psychiatric patients in Thailand were found to have committed acts of violence repeatedly, which means that members of the public need to help to keep an eye on their behaviour, according to Dr. Chumphot Phromsida, deputy director-general of the Department of Mental Health. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275769-study-shows-134-of-psychiatric-patients-commit-repeated-acts-of-violence/

About 13.4% of 3,815 psychiatric patients in Thailand were found to have committed acts of violence repeatedly, which means that members of the public need to help to keep an eye on their behaviour, according to Dr. Chumphot Phromsida, deputy director-general of the Department of Mental Health. His remark was in response to an incident at the annual book fair, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre last week, when a man with record of being treated for psychiatric problems, later identified as Kanespissanthep Jakkrapobmahadeja, aka “K Roi-laan”, attacked Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Progressive Movement, and claimed, falsely, that he had a bomb. Dr. Chumphot cited the 2008 Mental Health Act, which authorises officials to have an individual, with a suspected mental disorder and who is prone to violence, sent for psychiatric assessment. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/study-shows-13-4-of-psychiatric-patients-commit-repeated-acts-of-violence/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-25 - 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 now monitoring all arrivals from Africa to prevent spread of Ebola The Thai Ministry of Public Health has stepped up its monitoring of arrivals from African countries, especially Uganda, following an outbreak of Ebola in that country in September, said Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of Disease Control Department today (Tuesday). He said that, even though the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not yet issued a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) notice, he finds it necessary for Thailand to take the precaution, to prevent the disease from entering the country. Citing Ebola as a dangerous infectious disease, Dr. Tares said that all arrivals from Uganda are required to undergo health screening and to register their arrival at their port of entry, before they will be allowed into the country. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-now-monitoring-all-arrivals-from-africa-to-prevent-spread-of-ebola/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-25 - 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!

Ebola Alert Heightened since September BANGKOK, Oct 25 (TNA) – The Public Health Ministry has heightened its alert for Ebola at the international communicable disease control checkpoints since September due to its outbreaks in Africa, according to a government spokeswoman. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275768-ebola-alert-heightened-since-september/

BANGKOK, Oct 25 (TNA) – The Public Health Ministry has heightened its alert for Ebola at the international communicable disease control checkpoints since September due to its outbreaks in Africa, according to a government spokeswoman. Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said the alert was raised as Ebola was spreading in Africa and since September there have been about 90 cases in Uganda and 44 of them died. “Although cases are not high and the World Health Organization has not declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), the Thai Ministry of Public Health is not reckless. It is following the situation of the disease closely and has heightened measures at international disease checkpoints since September. This is because Ebola is a dangerous communicable disease,” Ms Traisuree said. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1044121 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-10-25 - 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!