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Picture: Thai Rath You would face a jail term of one and a half years if you spend money wrongly transferred to your account. It falls under embezzlement and swindling in Article 352 and would also attract a 30,000 baht fine. RTP spokesman Pol Col Siriwat Deephor passed on a warning from his commanders that spending funds in your account that were not rightfully yours could mean jail. He said people in this situation should follow a four step plan. 1. Don't use the money. 2. Contact the bank. 3. On no account return the money yourself (it can be a ruse by gangs laundering money and get you in trouble). 4. Ensure that you work with the bank to ensure the money is returned by them. Apart from this members of the public can call the police on 191 and 1599, lines open 24/7. This Thai Rath story and another similar one by Siam Rath came on the same day a cabby received 253,000 baht by mistake. Neither media source drew any connection. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-22 - 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. 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

Thai Consumer Council and Move Forward Party seek probe of NBTC board conduct The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) and the opposition Move Forward Party will petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), seeking an investigation into the conduct of the 5-member board of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275524-thai-consumer-council-and-move-forward-party-seek-probe-of-nbtc-board-conduct/

The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) and the opposition Move Forward Party will petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), seeking an investigation into the conduct of the 5-member board of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) over its decision, by a majority vote on Friday, to “acknowledge” the merger between True Corporation and Total Access Communications (DTAC), but with strings attached. TCC Secretary-General Saree Aongsomwang said yesterday (Friday) that TCC will also ask the Administrative Court to issue an injunction to put the NBTC board’s decision on hold which, she added, is final. The 5-member board was evenly split on the merger plan with one abstention, claiming unclear legal interpretations. According to the NBTC rules, however, the board chairman has the authority to cast a deciding vote to end an impasse. Hence, the final vote was 3:2 in favour of the plan. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-consumer-council-and-move-forward-party-seek-probe-of-nbtc-board-conduct/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-22 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Praise for honest Thai cabby: He returned 250K after transfer blooper Picture: INN Praise has come for yet another honest Bangkok cabby. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275522-praise-for-honest-thai-cabby-he-returned-250k-after-transfer-blooper/

Picture: INN Praise has come for yet another honest Bangkok cabby. This time it was Thanasorn Thongdee who has a history of contacting a local radio station to get forgotten items returned to their rightful owners. In a recent case he made sure a passenger with Thai, US and Cambodian currency got his money back. Now Thanasorn has returned 253,000 baht. A passenger called Sakkarin Anprasert who was travelling to Pahonyothin Soi 64 on Thursday night meant to transfer 253 baht to the driver. By mistake he keyed in 253,303 and sent that. He flashed evidence of payment at the driver and they went their separate ways. In the morning Sakkarin had a nasty shock when he saw the state of his account that he needs to look after his sick mother, reported Siam Rath. He contacted the 1644 number and importantly a local radio station that handles things like this got involved and put two and two together. Thanasorn was praised also in pictures published by INN. Stay tuned for the next edition of Honest Cabby in Thailand brought to you by the hard working news team of ASEAN NOW via the Thai media. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-22 - 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. 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

Plans for the only gorilla in Thailand's German retirement hits 30 M baht stumbling block Sanook Thai Caption: Store selling for 30MB Sanook reported on the fate of a gorilla that has been held in a cage at a Pin Klao shopping center for 30 years for the public to gawk at. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275520-plans-for-the-only-gorilla-in-thailands-german-retirement-hits-30-m-baht-stumbling-block/

Sanook Thai Caption: Store selling for 30MB Sanook reported on the fate of a gorilla that has been held in a cage at a Pin Klao shopping center for 30 years for the public to gawk at. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment want to arrange for "Bua Noi" to be taken to a project in Germany where the gorilla could be with others from the same species. They are sure that would be a better way for Bua Noi to spend the golden years. Bua Noi has been cooped up alone with no fellow gorillas for three decades. Donations have been sought but a major stumbling block exists. The owner will only sell for 30 million baht. So unless someone comes up with that kind of money Bua Loi's retirement with relatives in Germany looks on hold. The owner brought Bua Noi legally to Thailand before legislation kicked in to protect such animals. The ministry has been powerless to do anything despite many complaints from the public and animal lovers about the condition of Bua Loi, the only gorilla in Thailand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-22 - 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. 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

Mushroom picker trampled to death by wild elephant in Kanchanaburi Picture: Thai Rath The chief of the Salak Phra forest reserve in Kanchanaburi in western Thailand revealed yesterday evening that a man had been killed by a wild elephant. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275518-mushroom-picker-trampled-to-death-by-wild-elephant-in-kanchanaburi/

Picture: Thai Rath The chief of the Salak Phra forest reserve in Kanchanaburi in western Thailand revealed yesterday evening that a man had been killed by a wild elephant. Phaitoon Inttharabutr said that the man was a 50 year old Kanchanaburi local called Buakhao Srikaew. He had been trampled in Moo 5 of Tha Kradan sub-district. Late afternoon it had been impossible to bring out the body that was found deep in the forest in an area inhabited by a herd of 20 elephants, reported Thai Rath. Later Srisawat police and medical teams reached the area and found the victim with his lower garment removed. His intestines had spilled out and there was further damage to his legs. Elephant footprints were found. It is believed that Buakhao was out picking wild mushrooms and had followed the path next to a electrified fence before he came up against the elephant that stamped on him. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-22 - 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. 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

Viral video: "Win" rider latest TikTok "Saving Celeb" after paying for gold in coins and 20s! Screams at shop! Daily News Thai Caption: What a great saver! Daily News reported on what seems to be a new craze in Thailand - saving money! Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275516-viral-video-win-rider-latest-tiktok-saving-celeb-after-paying-for-gold-in-coins-and-20s-screams-at-shop/

Daily News Thai Caption: What a great saver! Daily News reported on what seems to be a new craze in Thailand - saving money! Not in the normal way by making bank deposits but by stuffing coins and small notes in piggy banks. Earlier in the week a man paid for a down payment on a dream Isuzu pick-up in coins. Now comes news that a motorcycle taxi rider or "Win" in Thai has done even better. A viral video on the social media platform under the name of podjanee_900 showed the poster's dad with a large bag on his shoulder going to a gold shop. According to the post there were screams at the gold shop. That was the staff seeing the size of the man's package. Inside were five and ten baht coins to the tune of 23,500 baht. Plus a huge amount of 20 and 50 baht bills were dumped on the counter to count. It all came to enough to buy a five baht weight bracelet and a baht weight ring. Getting on for 200,000 baht in gold. Surely surpassing the 180K put down for the pick-up earlier in the week. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-22 - 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. 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

Thai tourist police explain their role as the country commits to the protection and welfare of tourists INN revealed that Thailand is now a signatory to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT) that has been promoted by the World Tourism Council. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275514-thai-tourist-police-explain-their-role-as-the-country-commits-to-the-protection-and-welfare-of-tourists/

Picture: INN INN revealed that Thailand is now a signatory to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT) that has been promoted by the World Tourism Council. They have promised to work towards ensuring the safety of all tourists and building tourism confidence. As Thailand enters High Season 2022-23 and pandemic angst begins to fade, a big seminar was arranged in Phuket called the Tourism Safety and Security Conference. On behalf of the Thai Tourist Police Pol Maj-Gen Apichart Suribunya, deputy and spokesman, explained the various roles of the tourist police. Picture: INN As well as crucially how they differ from the mainstream force and other sections. Apichart also explained how a swanky new online system operated by the tourist police will be unveiled for real time help to tourists from next year. Picture: INN The police had been invited by the British embassy to the conference that was also organized by the Australia embassy in Thailand. A further promise was made to listen to the views of tourists to make their experience better next time. INN's report was ideal for breakfast time - full of waffle and lacking in substance. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-22 - 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. 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

Heavy to very heavy rains to continue in parts of Southern Thailand by Namo Vananupong The weather bureau has warned that incessant rainfall will continue in parts of Southern Thailand and flashfloods may be expected in certain areas. Although tropical storm Nesat has dissipated, another potential storm is brewing and will likely exert a minor influence on Thailand at the end of the month. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275510-heavy-to-very-heavy-rains-to-continue-in-parts-of-southern-thailand/

by Namo Vananupong The weather bureau has warned that incessant rainfall will continue in parts of Southern Thailand and flashfloods may be expected in certain areas. Although tropical storm Nesat has dissipated, another potential storm is brewing and will likely exert a minor influence on Thailand at the end of the month. The Meteorological Department reported yesterday evening (20 October) tropical depression Nesat has been downgraded to a low-pressure cell. The cell prevailed over the coast of upper Vietnam before dissipating completely today after encountering a cold airmass in Vietnam. The department indicated a strong low-pressure trough moving in from the Pacific on October 27 could intensify into a storm. This would increase the amount of rain in Thailand’s Northeast at the end of the month. The effects will not be severe as a cold airmass is expected to extend downward to cover upper Thailand at the same time. For the time being, the Southern Region will continue to experience abundant rainfall. Continuous or heavy rain is expected in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phatthalung. Heavy to very heavy rains are expected in Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. Flash floods and forest runoffs will likely occur in some areas in these provinces. The weather bureau said waves in the upper parts of the Andaman Sea will be 2-3 meters high. Wave heights will exceed 3 meters in thunderstorm areas. In the lower Andaman and the Gulf of Thailand, waves will be 1-2 meters high but more than 2 meters high in thunderstorm areas. Small vessels in the upper parts of the Andaman are advised to keep ashore until October 22. The cold airmass which extended from China to cover upper Thailand has weakened, allowing southeasterly winds to prevail over many parts of Thailand. This is causing an increase in temperatures in upper Thailand as well as morning fog and rainfall in some areas. In Chiang Mai province, the ever-popular tourist attraction Doi Inthanon continues to draw in visitors with cool mountaintop weather. The low temperature recorded at the top of Doi Inthanon was just 10 degrees Celsius this morning. Holidaymakers had to brave the very thick fog, however, and visibility on some stretches of the road dropped to 5 meters or less. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221022091331117 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-10-22 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Bangkok announces air pollution curbing measures by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Bangkok city hall has announced a set of measures to curb air pollution this winter season, by focusing on emissions from vehicles and industrial plants. The city will provide air quality forecasts of up to 7 days in advance to allow residents to take appropriate precautionary measures. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275509-bangkok-announces-air-pollution-curbing-measures/

by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Bangkok city hall has announced a set of measures to curb air pollution this winter season, by focusing on emissions from vehicles and industrial plants. The city will provide air quality forecasts of up to 7 days in advance to allow residents to take appropriate precautionary measures. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said it would be taking stringent measures to control air pollution caused by fumes released from vehicles, factories, and farms, to mitigate the haze disaster that has become a seasonal occurrence in the capital city. The city today held a task force meeting on haze prevention and mitigation, particularly the accumulation of PM 2.5 airborne dust particles that can cause health complications. Governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt said the city hall will be taking a proactive approach to inspecting cars, trucks, and 6,000 factories located in the capital, as well as preventing the burning of agricultural waste. Related agencies are instructed to make daily reports on vehicle inspections for a period of two months, while city officials have been working with farmers to find alternative ways to dispose of agricultural biomass. The city currently has a list of 260 factories with high pollution risks. City officials from district offices will be working together with the Department of Industrial Works to inspect manufacturing plants in their respective areas. The BMA has received calls from farmers to help provide the fuel needed for stubble removal machines and to provide the equipment needed to turn farm biomass into fertilizers. Transport operators have suggested the city hall conduct stringent inspections of overloaded trucks which can emit more pollution. The BMA has set up a command center to tackle the haze disaster at its Din Daeng office to monitor and report air quality to residents. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) currently provides an air quality forecast of up to 7 days, but the accuracy rate is relatively higher for a forecast of 3 days. The Bangkok Governor said the BMA will need to coordinate with the PCD to address haze that originates from fire and other sources outside Thailand, and cooperation with neighboring countries will be required. He said these measures will be implemented more stringently from now on, including a campaign to educate children at schools on how to read the color-coded air pollution reports which include blue for excellent air, green for satisfactory air, yellow for moderate, orange for unhealthy, and red for very unhealthy air. Safe spaces will be designated at schools to accommodate children during an air quality crisis. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221022092255123 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-10-22 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Competition launched to find best Thai dishes for APEC leaders by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand launched the Future Food for Sustainability competition to find the best dishes that represent Thai cuisine and sustainability. The winning team will have their dishes served to nation leaders at the 2022 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week next month. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275508-competition-launched-to-find-best-thai-dishes-for-apec-leaders/

by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand launched the Future Food for Sustainability competition to find the best dishes that represent Thai cuisine and sustainability. The winning team will have their dishes served to nation leaders at the 2022 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week next month. Some 2,000 teams of contestants will have a chance to create new dishes, under the guidance of culinary experts. Mr. Anucha Nakasai, Minister attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, said this competition will give Thai chefs the opportunity to enhance their skills and expand their businesses, while further promoting Thai cuisine which has been recognized as the country’s key soft power. With the growing trend of sustainability, the competition aims to find dishes of the future that emphasize sustainability with a blend of Thai elements. The winning team will have their dishes served to world leaders at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, which will be taking place on 14-19 November in Thailand. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221022091752120 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-10-22 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Pink and Yellow lines monorail services to open for free public trial in December by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The government remains committed to improving Thailand’s transportation infrastructure, aiming to elevate people’s quality of life through better transport linkages. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275507-pink-and-yellow-lines-monorail-services-to-open-for-free-public-trial-in-december/

by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The government remains committed to improving Thailand’s transportation infrastructure, aiming to elevate people’s quality of life through better transport linkages. More progress has been made in the construction of the Pink and Yellow lines monorail rapid transit systems. Both lines will open for free public trial in December. The Pink Line monorail system runs from Khae Rai in Nonthaburi to Minburi in Bangkok. Classified as one of the “secondary” rapid transit routes, the Pink Line enables travel to and from the government complex on Chaeng Watthana Rd. The 34.5-kilometer line also enables commutes to and from Nonthaburi government complex. There are 30 stations along the route, with the first station located at Nonthaburi government complex on Rattanathibet Rd. The end station, Minburi Station, is situated near Ramkhamhaeng Soi 192 in Bangkok and will link to the Orange Line metro service. Users of the Pink Line will also be able to transit to the Purple Line metro system. The Yellow Line monorail system runs from the Ratchada-Lat Phrao intersection in Bangkok to the Samrong area of Samut Prakan. The 30-kilometer route services a number of Bangkok’s dense residential and commercial areas. There are 23 stations, with the first being Ratchadaphisek station. Users of the line will be able to transit to many other rapid transit services, including the Blue Line, Green Line, Gray Line, and Orange Line. The Yellow Line also links to the Airport Rail Link system at a junction on Rama 9 Rd. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221022090659114 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-10-22 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Streetscape Changes In Downtown Hua Hin By Editor The development of the dual-track rail line is prompting some changes to the adjoining streetscape and the demolishment and pending update of some structures. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275506-streetscape-changes-in-downtown-hua-hin/

By Editor The development of the dual-track rail line is prompting some changes to the adjoining streetscape and the demolishment and pending update of some structures. Most recently, municipality and railway officials have met with the operators of commercial premises to manage the need to widen the road adjacent to the new railway station entrance. Some 14 properties are affected and are to be demolished after an inspection of the area taking place of a 100 metre section of the road adjacent to the Railway Station. Reports indicate negotiations with the shop holders have been successful with the properties to be demolished before the end of this year. At the same time, designs for the construction of new buildings along the railway line have been approved. Mr. Nopporn Wutthikul, that Hua Hin Mayor has asked for the to be widened to be 11 metres wide as a secondary route from Phetchakasim Road for improved traffic management in the city. One building that has already been demolished is a 27 year old structure, previously a military building located at Sarsong intersection, not far from the market in downtown Hua Hin. The building has not been in use by the army for dome tome with its demise allowing for better traffic management at the intersection. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/10/streetscape-changes-in-downtown-hua-hin/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-10-22 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Unaffiliated Rooster has never voted - but reserves the right to speak up OPINION | by Rooster I’ve never understood people who say if you don’t vote you have no right to complain. What a load of baloney. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1275505-unaffiliated-rooster-has-never-voted-but-reserves-the-right-to-speak-up/

OPINION | by Rooster I’ve never understood people who say if you don’t vote you have no right to complain. What a load of baloney. I’ve never been near a polling station in my life. Not because I don’t have an opinion on the candidates but because ever since I was a teen I have subscribed to the view that anyone who seeks power is unworthy. So why bother. Also show me an election where it comes down to one vote. Even Bush beat Gore by more than that didn’t he? I just let the politicians get on with it and get on with my life. Whatever they do won’t really affect me much. Here in Thailand I’m not allowed to vote anyway. You have to be a citizen. I’m just a humble resident. Or “alien” as it says in my police book. Maybe I have rights in Alpha Centauri. No idea. I once announced my intention to become a citizen and stand for parliament. It was just a ruse. That’d be like cutting off your jamook to spite your naa. Not that I don’t have an interest in politics. Actually I find it fascinating and far more interesting than the decisions these numpties make. Thai politics is the ultimate smoke and mirrors act. Brazen lying. Uncontrolled corruption and misinformation under the guise of statehood. I have to follow it because it’s my job. Mrs Rooster’s got the right idea. She votes for the candidate with the number she likes. That’ll do. My real liking if for the shenanigans that go on in Westminster, in the land of my birth. I think I was once on the Electoral Roll there. I did jury service at 18 putting some fellow teens away for a few years. So I guess I must have been. As a young man I suppose I considered myself on the political right. These days I guess I’m more on the left. It’s called growing up. They say that a week is a long time in politics. In London this week things were changing about every seven minutes never mind seven days. At the time of writing this it appeared that Liz Truss - what a ghastly U-turning waste of space - might become the shortest serving PM since they were invented. She’d sacked her chancellor, over the mini-budget debacle then her home secretary resigned. Then MPs started getting assaulted in the House of Commons for daring to vote according to conscience over fracking. What a load of fracking nonsense! The main fun was at the weekly treat that is PM’s question time. That’s 6PM in Thailand on Wednesday’s, 7PM when the UK puts its clocks back. Even Al Jiz had it live this week. Labour leader Keir Starmer - at least he’s got a lawyerly way with words - had me rolling in the proverbial aisles with his opening remarks aimed at hapless Truss: “A book is being written about the PM’s time in office. Apparently it’s going to be out by Christmas. Is that the release date or the title?” Brilliant. All followed, of course, by those public schoolboy guffaws from the benches that so bemuse non-Brits (and many Brits who fail to appreciate their “place”). The only Tory I’d vote for if you held a gun to my head and denied me Marmite would be the new chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Some of his work on various House Committees seemed - dare I say it - almost verging on the sane. My other main interest in politics is political betting. I once won a packet on the Scottish Referendum at odds of 1-2 even though that was squeaky bum time. I was going to play up my winnings by backing Hilary to beat that orange haired thing thinking she couldn’t lose. I got cold feet for some reason. Call it divine intervention, not that the non-existent almighty did anyone any favors in the eventual result. Though increasing retirement penury has led me to wish my wagering ways goodbye, I love to check out the latest odds to try and gauge what might happen next. Currently on Betfair Drumph is about 4-1, Biden 5-1 and The Rock 90-1 to win the next US presidential election. In the UK to win most seats in the next election it’s 2-5 Labour and 5-2 the Tories. However did they let a landslide win lead to that! Perhaps we need to ask Boris, or Liz! YouGov said that Truss is “the most unpopular leader it has ever tracked” while three quarters of the entire UK population disapprove of the government according to the same organization. Priceless. They backed the wrong pony bigtime and that after Brexit - one of the biggest and deceitful disasters in UK history. Northern pensioners have got a lot to answer for. Then came news on Thursday evening Thai time (added here in a final edit) that Trussism was over. She’d resigned and a leadership race was on to shore up the party. With the real prospect that they only place for some MPs to turn was……Boris! You couldn't make it up. But best of all was a Daily Star stunt that live streamed a dressed up, iceberg lettuce to see if it would last longer than Truss. Though a bit browned it managed to do so! Oh, yes you gotta love UK politics. Far more snap crackle and pop politics than here in Thailand with its stodgy porridge. In the eastern Kingdom it doesn’t make any difference who you vote for. You’ll be shafted. Better just to get a magic marker and draw funny faces on the election posters. Job done. Not that I do. Though I’ve thought about gouging the eyes out. I guess I’d have voted for Anutin’s weed policy, but I never believed it would happen. This week the Cannabis Act continued its path into law. At least Thailand got that one right though the pointless war on other drugs continues. In Aranyaprathet the authorities all lined up to have their picture taken while Siam Rath sucked up to the police and military as usual. A lady had 0.6 grams of ketamine. Words fail me. All drugs need to be decriminalized immediately. Follow enlightened Portugal’s model. Spend money on rehab and weening addicts off the hard stuff. Will it happen? Of course it won’t. You couldn’t expect politicians to make a sensible decision when they have the RTP’s revenue streams to consider! The week on ASEAN NOW started promisingly on Monday with a couple of click-fests. There was the Canadian rollerblader risking life and limb on the streets of Krung Thep. He was fined 1,000 baht. I’d have given him a warning and let him go but fined him 5,000 for his shorts. Though charges would never stick in Pattaya (dressing badly there seems to be a badge of honor), there really ought to be fines for “sartorial inelegance in the hours of darkness and daylight” in a civilized place like Bangkok. There are no standards anymore particularly among the tourists that us residents have to tolerate stomping through our smog. Further evidence of this drop in fashion fiber was in the bare breasted flowery shorted French dude who hopped out of a red plate Porsche and had an altercation with a Thai who liked his mate’s motor. What really happened was the subject of much conjecture on the forum along the lines of “there must be more to the story”. Funny that there is not more to the story when the farang is the victim. Oh no! Bashing the Thai is what it’s all about eh fellahs. Meanwhile the fallout from the massacre at the nursery continued. The RTP concentrated on drugs and weapons to try and save some face. They handed over 12 million baht to the victims, donations from cops. There are so many police in Thailand that that was about 50 baht a person. In RTP terms that’s half a streetside fine for a biker without a helmet, less 'oop country'. The vinyl sign at the handover was sickening. New chief Damrongsak needs to spend less time on these face saving gestures and really stamp his mark on the next year. He will only serve one. Weed out some of the miscreants under your command, general. Pull back some of the corruption. We know there’s a mountain to climb but as they say at Tesco, “Every Little Helps”........ Just as you thought it couldn’t get worse for Damrongsak came news that a sergeant at Pak Kret had pinched 100 Glocks and Colt Carbines and scarpered. Not surprisingly it emerged that he was the trusted keeper of the armory. The fleeing cop was arrested in Nong Khai after waiting several days for a passport. Rooster has never had to flee to Laos though I did come close on one or two occasions. But if I did I would make sure I’d already got my visa. Midweek saw a weird story about two ladyboys - whoopee extra spice - who convinced some nurses they were in some weird Korean cult. (South Korea not North, they already have one). If you were confused by the story join the club. The translator was equally baffled. Another foreigner behaving badly was a New Zealand biker who was nabbed in Lat Krabang. He was wanted for coke and crystal meth dealing by NZ and the FBI. Why is it always bikers with those vile tattoos? And why are there always posters who come on and say they do marvelous things for charity. In Thai crime top billing this week went to the murder of a father at a temple in Ratchaburi in front of his kids. The villain was the boys’ mother’s new love interest. Then there was the shooting death in Ubon Ratchathani at a merit making event with Mor Lam singers because someone stepped on some toes while dancing. I find avoiding temples and making no merit whatsoever keeps me alive and a tad wealthier. In sleepy Bang Saray two naked slappers on a boat created some faux outrage and gave the forum curmudgeons something to drool over. The slappers were obliged to surrender to the good offices of the Sattahip constabulary whereupon they admitted it was a fair cop but all a misunderstanding. The men making a move for their minge on the boat were their better halves. And when they said “doo nom” and “chom hoi” they were referring to ‘milk’ and “admiring shellfish”, nothing saucy. Finally, in Nakhon Sri Thammarat - the murder capital of Thailand incidentally - a giant Ultraman fell over at the temple of “Ai Khai” - the mischievous spirit beloved of the loony faithful. The media declared that Ai Khai was not responsible. Apparently it was poor construction. Call me an atheist, but that I could believe. Rooster