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Listen to the news: Thai Prime Minister Prayut has ordered law enforcement agencies to tighten gun ownership rules and crack down on drug use following the mass killing by an ex-policeman at a daycare centre that has left the nation in shock. Firearms will be recalled from officials and police who have misused their firearms or have behaved aggressively on duty . Regular mental health checks will also be required for gun license applicants. Makeshift furnaces made of clay bricks were being built yesterday at Buddhist temples; the mostly young bodies would be cremated at the same time today so that families would not be kept waiting, bringing an end to 3 days of mourning. The two CNN staffers that reported from inside the children's care center after last week's shooting departed for Hong kong yesterday afternoon, Anna Coren and Daniel Hodge apologized for their actions. and were each fined 5,000. Bangkok police arrested a man from Buriram yesterday morning. The 31 year man was in possession of a 38 revolver and another firearm neither were registered. Ammunition was also found in the mans flat. Thailand's port authority is considering renovating the port area in the capital with a completely new design that would develop a modern community area with new shopping center and distribution facility. Construction is likely to start next year. Further flooding is expected close to the Chao Praya river and the capital over the next few days as water continues to be released from dams to the north and continued monsoon rains HRH Princess Sirindhorn paid respect to a new statue of her late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej which was installed at Rama 9 Memorial Park yesterday. The statue will be officially unveiled to the public on Thursday by HM The king. Oct 13 is the date King Bhumibol passed away and is a public holiday. REGION Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Yaakob announced that parliament has been dissolved, paving the way for national elections to be held before the end of the year. The PM said he sought consent from Malaysia’s king and his request was accepted. An election must be held within 60 days of the dissolution which means the upcoming vote should be held by the 9th of December. Cloudy rain and thundershowers Chiang Mai: Cloudy some thundershowers 30C Bangkok: Cloudy some thunderstorms 30C Pattaya and SE: Cloudy with rain 29C. Phuket: Bright but Cloudy DRY 29C. Hua Hin: Cloudy with rain clearing up this afternoon 29C Credits: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Asean Now, Khaosod English, Hua Hin Today, Royal Coast Review, Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn, Thainewsroom.com, The Pattaya News, Phuket News, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times. The Irrawaddy. Windy.com. Wunderground.com. Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 -- © Copyright SURF 102.5 FM 2022-10-11 - 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!

New self-drive tourism manual for ASEAN countries available for tourists Free-downloadable guidebook contains need-to-know information on driving in 10 ASEAN countries, along with suggested tour routes. TAT Newsroom The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to advise that a new self-drive tourism manual for ASEAN is now available containing important details and need-to-know information on driving in each of the region ’s member countries as well as suggested tour routes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274376-new-self-drive-tourism-manual-for-asean-countries-available-for-tourists/

Free-downloadable guidebook contains need-to-know information on driving in 10 ASEAN countries, along with suggested tour routes. TAT Newsroom The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to advise that a new self-drive tourism manual for ASEAN is now available containing important details and need-to-know information on driving in each of the region ’s member countries as well as suggested tour routes. Available for free download via this link, the guidebook was collectively produced by the 10 ASEAN countries, and is an initiative under the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2016-2025, with Thailand – through the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports – being the main coordinator. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “The self-drive tourism manual for ASEAN aims to provide self-drive tourists with everything they need to know about driving in ASEAN countries. We hope it will serve to inspire people to explore the many diverse cultures, attractions, and landscapes of this fascinating region, both intra-ASEAN travellers and tourists from across the globe like Europe and America who could, for example, combine a visit to Thailand with visits to Lao PDR., Myanmar, Cambodia, or Malaysia to be enjoyed at their own pace, along their own routes.” The self-drive guidebook is aimed at encouraging those tourists who would like to explore any or all of the ASEAN countries – Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR., Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam – by driving themselves, to do so and to do so safely and enjoyably. The guidebook collated information and ideas from ATSP-related seminars on self-driving tourism in ASEAN and covers various topics, rules, and regulations. There is per-country information and sections on visa and entry requirements, vehicle permits, border details and cross-border procedures, documentation requirements, COVID-19 situation and vaccine passport website links, speed limits, code of conduct, and dos and don’ts for self-drive tourism, emergency and contact numbers, and useful links. There is also a map showing which countries are left-side driving and which are right-side driving. Recommended self-drive routes are provided for each country covering major highlights and second-tier destinations, and cross-border routes combining different countries. The information and details in the guidebook are also designed to help self-drive tourists create their own itineraries. For Thailand, for example, there are around 20 suggested routes that link the kingdom with either Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR., or Malaysia. These routes include: For Thailand and Myanmar: Tak-Mae Sot-Myawaddy, Chiang Rai-Mae Sai-Chiang Tung-Sipo, and Ranong-Myanmar Island; For Thailand and Cambodia: Chanthaburi-Battambang, Aranyaprathet-Tonle Sap-Angkor Wat-Angkor Thom, and Sea of Trat-Sea of Cambodia; For Thailand and Lao PDR.: Udon Thani-Vientiane-Luang Prabang, Ubon Ratchathani-Southern Lao PDR.-Khone Phapheng-Liphi-Wat Phou, Nakhon Phanom-Mukdahan-Savannakhet-Thakhek, and Loei-Luang Prabang; For Thailand and Malaysia: Hat Yai-Sadao-Kuala Lumpur-Melaka, Satun-Padang Besar-Perlis-Langkawi, and Hat Yai-Pattani-Yala-Betong-Pengkalan Hulu-Penang-Kedah. There are also 25 suggested routes within Thailand itself. Enticingly named, these include: ‘An Adventure-Packed Trip at the Andaman Sea (Krabi-Satun-Phang-nga), ‘View the Mountains and Drive Straight to Prachuap (Phetchaburi-Prachuap Khiri Khan), ‘Wander through the Embrace of the Mountains’ (Nakhon Ratchasima-Nakhon Nayok), ‘Road-a-Palooza to Southern Isan!’ (Buri Ram-Surin-Si Sa Ket), ‘The Route of Dharma and Nature’ (Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai), ‘The Mae Hong Son-Chiang Mai Loop and Sea of Mist’ (Mae Hong Son-Chiang Mai). Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/10/new-self-drive-tourism-manual-for-asean-countries-available-for-tourists/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-10-11 - 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!

Gen Prawit orders swift assistance for flood victims by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Government officials today met on water resources management. Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has ordered all agencies to urgently help affected communities in all flood-hit areas and to accelerate their efforts to mitigate the situation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274374-gen-prawit-orders-swift-assistance-for-flood-victims/

by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Government officials today met on water resources management. Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has ordered all agencies to urgently help affected communities in all flood-hit areas and to accelerate their efforts to mitigate the situation. Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan today urged all related agencies to expedite their flood mitigation efforts and quickly restore the situation, while ensuring proper management of reservoirs that currently hold water at 80% capacity or above. His instruction was made at a meeting of the Office of the National Water Resources’ (ONWR) administrative subcommittee on water resources management. The DPM asked agencies to inspect and ensure the structural integrity of levees and flood walls, which are the key components of the water management system; while urging them to increase the drainage capacity of flood water into the sea through main rivers. The DPM ordered the agencies to start reducing the discharge rate at reservoirs. This will help mitigate the implications faced by areas downstream. Also, agencies are to ensure that water in reservoirs will be sufficient for usage in the dry season. He said precipitation this year is close to that of 2011. However, the impact has been under control overall, thanks to effective planning. ONWR Secretary General Surasri Kidtimonton said the country is expected to see less rainfall after 11 October, while the water levels at rivers and the rate of water flowing into reservoirs have been stabilizing. He said many reservoirs have already stopped the water discharge to help mitigate the situation downstream and reserve the water for the dry season. Mr. Surasri said the overall situation is not concerning but areas beyond the irrigation network should be monitored. The subcommittee meeting today approved 10 proposed measures for the 2022-2033 dry season. These measures will be forwarded to the Cabinet early next month. Related agencies have been instructed to draw up action plans based on these measures, which shall be monitored and evaluated by the ONWR. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221011021836700 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-10-11 - 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!

Intoxicated armed man arrested after carrying a chicken around while walking all night on Coconut Island in Phuket By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – An intoxicated armed man has been arrested after he was carrying a chicken while walking around all night on Coconut Island in Phuket, scaring local residents. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274370-intoxicated-armed-man-arrested-after-carrying-a-chicken-around-while-walking-all-night-on-coconut-island-in-phuket/

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – An intoxicated armed man has been arrested after he was carrying a chicken while walking around all night on Coconut Island in Phuket, scaring local residents. The Mueang Phuket District Chief Mr. Suwit Suriyawong was notified yesterday morning (October 8th) of the incident from the village headman of the Coconut Island in the Koh Kaew sub-district, Mueang Phuket district. Officers and police went to the island which is about three kilometers from the land by a boat. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/10/09/intoxicated-armed-man-arrested-after-carrying-a-chicken-around-while-walking-all-night-on-coconut-island-in-phuket/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-10-11 - 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!

World Sports News - Tuesday 11 October by Chili Radio Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274369-world-sports-news-tuesday-11-october-by-chili-radio/

Listen to the news: Football - In the EPL last night Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Aston Villa at the City ground. Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu has been forced to retire from football at the age of 24 because of a hereditary heart condition. The Premier League club said Mwepu would be at an "extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event" if he continued playing. He had recently fallen ill on a trip with the Zambia national team to Mali. F1 - Red Bull have been found guilty of breaking Formula 1's budget cap by the sport's governing body, the FIA. Red Bull exceeded the $145m limit during 2021, the FIA said, adding that the offence was "minor", the lower of the two categories of breach. The FIA did not reveal the amount by which Red Bull exceeded the cap, how it had done so, or what penalties would be applied. It said it was "currently determining appropriate action". Golf - Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson has received $18m after being announced as the winner of the inaugural LIV Golf championship.The 38 year old American, claimed victory at the LIV Golf Invitational in Boston in September among five top-10 finishes in the six events of the series to date. Download the Chili Radio app : https://chiliradio.app for Chili Pop and Chili Classics. -- © Copyright Chili RADIO 2022-10-11 Chili Radio: https://chiliradiothailand.com Listen Live: https://chiliradio.asia - 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!

Reaching tourism targets may depend on Beijing as much as Bangkok decisions By Editor Senior government officials in Thailand have expressed confidence that the country’s economy has entered its recovery phase, after more than two years of anemic growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274368-reaching-tourism-targets-may-depend-on-beijing-as-much-as-bangkok-decisions/

By Editor Senior government officials in Thailand have expressed confidence that the country’s economy has entered its recovery phase, after more than two years of anemic growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary driver of this recovery is tourism, which has rebounded strongly after the devastation wrought by pandemic-induced travel bans and quarantines. According to a report by Reuters, government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said that the government expects to earn 2.38 trillion baht in tourism revenue next year. It is hoping that tourism arrivals jump back up to 32 million, or around 80 percent of their level in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic. Since Thailand has fully reopened to foreign travelers, dropping the requirement that they present a negative PCR test prior to departure, travelers have returned to Thailand in encouraging numbers. Anucha said that the government is targeting between 8 and 10 million visitors for 2022, which marks a massive increase on the paltry 428,000 foreign citizens who made it through the country’s maze of vaccination, visa, and quarantine requirements in 2021. In 2020, the country welcomed 6.7 million foreign visitors, most of them before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March. Thailand’s economy, the second largest among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is unusually dependent on tourism. While Thailand managed to contain COVID-19 with relative success for the first year of the pandemic, the shutdowns and collapse in international travel devastated the country’s tourism industry. In 2019, Thailand attracted nearly 40 million tourists, and the industry generated an estimated 20 percent of Thailand’s GDP. The stagnation in the tourism sector in 2021 was reflected in Thailand’s economy as a whole, which grew just 1.5 percent, among the slowest rates in the region, after negative growth in 2020. Conversely, the improved tourism numbers are aiding the economy as a whole. Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said that the Thai economy is expected to grow by 3-3.5 percent this year, and then between 3 percent and 4 percent in 2023, helped by the reopening of the country to visitors, as well as increased exports. In its latest Asian Development Outlook, released in July, the Asian Development Bank projected Thailand’s economy to grow by 2.9 percent in 2022, the slowest rate of the six largest ASEAN economies, and by 4.2 percent next year. Despite the recovery so far, the Thai government’s target of 30 million-plus visitors next year is optimistic. Prior to the pandemic, the country was heavily reliant on visitors from China. In 2019, Thailand welcomed 11 million Chines tourists, more than a quarter of the total for that year. However, the Chinese government’s “zero-COVID” policy has all but choked off outbound tourism, and despite the loosening of travel restrictions in certain cities, the immediate outlook is unclear. According to the Bangkok Post, Thailand received just 36,246 Chinese visitors in the first five months of this year, and Thai officials have expressed some confidence that this could rise to 500,000 by the end of 2022. But these are still anemic figures, compared to the pre-pandemic period. Whether the Thai government meets its tourism targets for 2023 may well depend on decisions made in Beijing as much as in Bangkok. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/10/tourism-targets-may-depend-on-beijing-as-much-as-bangkok-decisions/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-10-11 - 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!

PM orders preventive measures implemented at childcare centers; safety windows and doors to be installed by Tarin Angskul BANGKOK (NNT) - The tragedy in Nong Bua Lamphu has spurred discussions about incident prevention measures that could be employed at childcare centers and schools. The Ministry of Education is now aiming to install safety doors and windows at childcare centers nationwide. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274367-pm-orders-preventive-measures-implemented-at-childcare-centers-safety-windows-and-doors-to-be-installed/

by Tarin Angskul BANGKOK (NNT) - The tragedy in Nong Bua Lamphu has spurred discussions about incident prevention measures that could be employed at childcare centers and schools. The Ministry of Education is now aiming to install safety doors and windows at childcare centers nationwide. Prime Minister’s Office deputy spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana said the education minister had ordered the installation of safety doors at public childcare centers and preschools. The execution will be carried out by the Office of the Vocational Education Commission. The order was made in accordance with the prime minister’s policy to actively seek measures to prevent and monitor incidents at educational institutes. Ms. Tipanan added SOS buttons will be installed so aid requests can be sent to the local police station. Vocational colleges in each province will coordinate with preschools in their area as well as with private venues to determine the local demand for the SOS system. A vocational college will send its instructors and students to carry out the installation of the system at venues. The deputy spokesperson revealed Nakhon Ratchasima Technical College will pilot the prototype system. The aim is to integrate a full suite of safety windows and doors into the system, which will also contain alarms and cameras. The system will enable local police to be immediately informed of an incident. The prototype is expected to be released by next week. The prime minister is also placing emphasis on training school personnel and students about incident survival methods. This is aimed at reducing incident casualties. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221011013234685 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-10-11 - 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!

Tourism industry expects 620bn baht revenue this year by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The tourism industry has been seeing signs of recovery after being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector now expects around 11.7 million international visitors this year and a revenue of 620 billion baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274366-tourism-industry-expects-620bn-baht-revenue-this-year/

by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The tourism industry has been seeing signs of recovery after being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector now expects around 11.7 million international visitors this year and a revenue of 620 billion baht. Tourism businesses are hoping to see a recovery following the country’s border reopening to tourists. Mr. Chamnan Srisawat, President of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), said tourists from India will become key spenders, thanks to the population size, their eagerness to travel abroad, and their high purchasing power. Around 600,000 tourists from India have visited Thailand so far this year, making them the second largest group of visitors to the kingdom, after Malaysia. To accommodate growth in the high-spending group, the TCT has proposed a sustainable tourism development strategy that promotes a balance between key tourism destinations and lesser-known cities, enabling better income distribution to all corners. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221011020540694 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-10-11 - 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!

Phuket airport expected to be busy for last quarter of this year after 70 percent of flights are back to normal By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – The Phuket International Airport is expected to be busy for the end of this year after 70 percent of flights are back to normal services, said the airport director. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274364-phuket-airport-expected-to-be-busy-for-last-quarter-of-this-year-after-70-percent-of-flights-are-back-to-normal/

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – The Phuket International Airport is expected to be busy for the end of this year after 70 percent of flights are back to normal services, said the airport director. The Phuket International Airport Director Mr. Monchai Tamod told the Phuket Express over the past weekend (October 7th) on the 37 year anniversary of the Phuket International Airport, “From January to August this year there were in total 9,167 domestic and international flights with 849,406 passengers or about 7,400 passengers each day.” Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/10/09/phuket-airport-expected-to-be-busy-for-last-quarter-of-this-year-after-70-percent-of-flights-are-back-to-normal/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-10-11 - 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 Spokesman Who Laughed During Massacre Interview Dismissed TNR Staff THE Provincial Police Region 4’s spokesman was today (Oct. 10) dismissed from his duty after suddenly laughing during a telephone interview on the mass killing at the child care centre in Nong Bua Lamphu province, Amarin TV said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274363-police-spokesman-who-laughed-during-massacre-interview-dismissed/

TNR Staff THE Provincial Police Region 4’s spokesman was today (Oct. 10) dismissed from his duty after suddenly laughing during a telephone interview on the mass killing at the child care centre in Nong Bua Lamphu province, Amarin TV said. Pol. Lt. Gen. Yanyong Wech-osoth, commander of this regional police force, ordered the dismissal of Pol. Maj. Gen. Paisan Luesomboon, deputy chief of the same regional police force, from his post as spokesman. He was replaced by Pol. Maj. Gen. Puttipong Musikul, another deputy chief of Provincial Police Region 4. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/10/10/police-spokesman-who-laughed-during-massacre-interview-dismissed/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-10-11 - 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!

How safe is Thai society for children? An average of 7,631 Thais, aged under 14, died each year from 2017 to 2020 from illnesses and non-illness related causes, according to the Institute for Population and Social Research of Mahidol University. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274362-how-safe-is-thai-society-for-children/

An average of 7,631 Thais, aged under 14, died each year from 2017 to 2020 from illnesses and non-illness related causes, according to the Institute for Population and Social Research of Mahidol University. In an open letter, issued by staff at the institute, they asked all sectors of Thai society to give top priority to the safety of children and youth in the aftermath of the mass killings in Nong Bua Lam Phu province last Thursday. Citing public health statistics from 2017-2000, the institute said that 19,304 children aged from new born to four years, 4,545 children aged 5-9 and 6,766 children aged 10-14, have died from illnesses and non-illness related, or an average of 7,631 per year. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-safe-is-thai-society-for-children/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-11 - 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!

ASEAN NOW columnist Rooster wins Thai Scrabble Championship 2022 by avoiding bad words! Rooster and Atiruth shake hands ahead of the two game final ASEAN NOW's popular and sometimes controversial Saturday columnist Rooster has won the Open Scrabble section of the Thailand Championship 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274361-asean-now-columnist-rooster-wins-thai-scrabble-championship-2022-by-avoiding-bad-words/

Rooster and Atiruth shake hands ahead of the two game final ASEAN NOW's popular and sometimes controversial Saturday columnist Rooster has won the Open Scrabble section of the Thailand Championship 2022. More than 2000 participants - mostly schoolchildren - packed out the hall at the Fashion Island shopping center in Minburi, Northern Bangkok at the weekend. Rooster and Atiruth deep in thought in the final They were playing English language Scrabble - called Crossword Game for contractual reasons in Thailand - Sudoku, Kham Khom (Thai language Scrabble), the A-Math equations game and Connect 4. Everone was competing for trophies and cash prizes. The trophies were presented in the name of the recently elected new governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt. Rooster, a British born resident of Thailand, became the oldest winner of a Scrabble tournament in Thailand at 61. The winning board He qualified for the two game final after finishing second in the preliminaries behind Thai master player Atiruth Sakdiyakorn. Rooster revealed that the secret to victory was avoiding rude language - the tournament was played using an updated dictionary after more than 400 slurs were removed. Rooster said: "In one game I only won after I challenged off BINT that is no longer acceptable and my opponent missed a turn. "In the final game I messed up by allowing Atiruth to play ZAMBO (a racial term used in the colonies of the Americas) for which he scored 50 points. Thousands of participants - mostly Thai schoolchildren - attended the event "It had also been removed but in the pressure of the final I forgot. However, I managed to win in the endgame by avoiding YID (a rude word that's been taken out) and playing YIN instead." Rude words and slurs were taken out of the Scrabble dictionary after game makers Mattell and the US Scrabble authorities started a move to make the game more politically correct. Some of the tournaments in Thailand - where Scrabble is played by 10,000 people - use the old dictionary, some the new. Players have to remember which is which though most Thais don't know the meanings anyway. Rooster managed to play HAILERS, ENTICED, LIONIZER and ANTIMUON (all 50 point bonus plays) in this preliminary game against Atiruth. Banned words include ABO, LEZ and HONKY and the "N" word though F*** is still allowed. Thailand is home to tournaments throughout the kingdom that are used to promote the English language as well as math and Thai language skills. Though the face-to-face gaming community has been sorely hit by the pandemic things are getting moving again. Participants were all required to wear masks. Student winners at the weekend event in Fashion Island shopping center, Minburi The event was organized by EduPloys/MaxPloys who have promoted Scrabble and other games in Thailand for 35 years. The next tournaments are in Khon Kaen later this month and in Central Plaza Ayutthaya in November. Some events pre-pandemic attracted the best players from all over the world. The King's Cup was won multiple times in Bangkok by the undisputed GOAT from New Zealand called Nigel Richards. Nigel is a multiple world champion. The Thai Royal Family have sponsored trophies and big corporations and politicians want to sponsor events due to their connection with education. The final word we'll leave to Rooster who quipped: "My prize was a little less than the US $4.7 million won on Sunday at the LIV golf in Thailand. "But despite 5% tax I might still have enough to treat the wife and kids to a meal". -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-11 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 11 October 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1274359-thailand-live-tuesday-11-october-2022/

PM orders urgent and sweeping narcotics suppression drive BANGKOK (NNT) - Although the autopsy on the body of the perpetrator of last week’s mass shooting did not find substances, calls are being made for a scale-up of narcotics suppression. The prime minister has issued an urgent order for the suppression of individuals who commit drug offenses. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274319-pm-orders-urgent-and-sweeping-narcotics-suppression-drive/