webfact

PHOTO: MAGR Online By Goongnang Suksawat Krabi – Two whale sharks were sighted near an island in Krabi, exciting locals and officials. The head of the Than Bok Khorini National Park Mr. Weersasak Srisajjang told the Phuket Express, “Two large whale sharks were spotted near Hong Island earlier this week while officers were patrolling on a boat about 500 meters from the shore. They are about five meters long. Officers found whale sharks in the nearby area about three times recently. The sea has plentiful marine resources.” Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/09/30/two-whale-sharks-sighted-in-krabi/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Encroaching structures on 50 billion baht worth of land on beach at Cherng Talay finally demolished By Goongnang Suksawat Thalang – Structures that have allegedly encroached on public areas worth 50 billion baht on the Lay Phang Beach in Cherng Talay, Thalang are finally demolished. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273414-encroaching-structures-on-50-billion-baht-worth-of-land-on-beach-at-cherng-talay-finally-demolished/

By Goongnang Suksawat Thalang – Structures that have allegedly encroached on public areas worth 50 billion baht on the Lay Phang Beach in Cherng Talay, Thalang are finally demolished. “Officials started the demolishing this morning (September 30th) on the Lay Phang Beach which is on 178 Rais of land. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/09/30/encroaching-structures-on-50-billion-baht-worth-of-land-on-beach-at-cherng-talay-finally-demolished/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Transferred Pattaya police chief is back at Pattaya police station By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — Transferred Pattaya Police chief Pol. Col. Kunlachart Kunlachai has been reinstated as Pattaya Police chief after being temporarily demoted to an inactive post, following the alleged forced prostitution of a Kyrgyzstani woman who filed a police report and later died from suicide. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273413-transferred-pattaya-police-chief-is-back-at-pattaya-police-station/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — Transferred Pattaya Police chief Pol. Col. Kunlachart Kunlachai has been reinstated as Pattaya Police chief after being temporarily demoted to an inactive post, following the alleged forced prostitution of a Kyrgyzstani woman who filed a police report and later died from suicide. Pol. Col. Kunlachart Kunlachai is set to return to the Pattaya Police station immediately after an order issued by Pol. Maj. Gen. Attasit Kitchahan, commander-in-chief of Chonburi province, went into effect yesterday, September 30th. Kunlachart had been transferred to an inactive post from September 18th-30th after a tragic incident of a Kyrgyzstani woman who plunged to her death allegedly after being forced into prostitution by a Chinese gangster. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/10/01/transferred-pattaya-police-chief-is-back-at-pattaya-police-station/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Bangkok - The greening of a city A replica of pocket park by we!park exhibits how one can enjoy a green space in their neighborhood. (Photo by Dae Warunee) Experts recently agreed that Bangkok is getting closer to becoming a green metropolis, though only if every stakeholder lends a hand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273411-bangkok-the-greening-of-a-city/

A replica of pocket park by we!park exhibits how one can enjoy a green space in their neighborhood. (Photo by Dae Warunee) Experts recently agreed that Bangkok is getting closer to becoming a green metropolis, though only if every stakeholder lends a hand. At the “Bangkok Green Link”, part of the Sustainability Expo 2022 (SX2022), a panel made up of Adisak Guntamueanglee from the Urban Design and Development Center (UDDC), landscape architect Yossapon Boonsom from we!park, Anunta Intra-aksorn from Big Trees Project, and Pareena Payukvong from Wastegetable discussed how to increase quality green spaces for every resident. Increasing green space for urban life “It’s been proved that green space is essential for urban life and Bangkok is in urgent need of it,” said Adisak, an assistant director at UDDC, as he opened the afternoon session. To have a good quality of life, a resident should be able to access a park within 15 minutes or 400 meters from their residence. As it stands now, the average distance for most Bangkok residents to reach a green space is around 5km or 45 minutes. According to UDDC, the overall green space per person in Bangkok is around 7.6 sqm, compared to 13 sqm in Paris. The availability of green space in Bangkok is still lower than that recommended by the World Health Organization of a minimum of 9sqm per person. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/the-greening-of-a-city/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Prayut survives, so what’s next? – Thai PBS World Special (September 30th 2022) October 1, 2022 video screenshot The Constitutional Court has ruled that Prayut Chan-o-cha can stay on as prime minister until his current term of office ends. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273408-prayut-survives-so-what’s-next-–-thai-pbs-world-special-september-30th-2022/

video screenshot October 1, 2022 The Constitutional Court has ruled that Prayut Chan-o-cha can stay on as prime minister until his current term of office ends. However, the court determined that his premiership commenced in 2017 – the year the present Constitution was promulgated, meaning that if Prayut is re-elected as prime minister after the next general elections, he could serve for only two more years. So what’s next for PM Prayut and the future of Thai politics? Find out in this special program where Assoc.Prof.Dr.Jade Donavanik from College of Asian Scholars analyses the issue. Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/prayut-survives-so-whats-next-september-30th-2022/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Joe Biden said his Russian counterpart would not scare the US and its allies//REUTERS By George Wright President Joe Biden has warned Russia that the United States will not be intimidated by reckless threats after Vladimir Putin annexed four occupied regions of Ukraine. Mr Putin appeared to make a veiled threat to use nuclear weapons to defend the new annexed territories. He declared that the regions would "forever" be part of Russia. Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the annexation "the most serious escalation since the start of the war". Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63098651 -- © Copyright BBC 2022-10-01

Flood woes continue in Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Ratchasima The Royal Irrigation Department has installed about 200 water pumps to accelerate the discharge of water from the Mun River, in Khong Chiam district in of Ubon Ratchathani, into the Mekong River. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273399-flood-woes-continue-in-ubon-ratchathani-and-nakhon-ratchasima/

The Royal Irrigation Department has installed about 200 water pumps to accelerate the discharge of water from the Mun River, in Khong Chiam district in of Ubon Ratchathani, into the Mekong River. The water level in the Mekong is still about 60cm below that of the Mun, making it possible to discharge more than 390 million cubic metres per day into the Mekong, according to Udomsak Nuansiri, the chief district officer of Khong Chiam. The water level in the Mun River in Ubon Ratchathani yesterday (Friday) was 9.57 metres, an approximately 36cm increase from Thursday. In Warin Chamrap district, army helicopters airdropped relief supplies into heavily flooded villages which are inaccessible by road. More than 10 riverside communities in Muang district have been advised by officials to evacuate to temporary shelters being provided by provincial administration. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/flood-woes-continue-in-ubon-ratchathani-and-nakhon-ratchasima/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Thailand starts trials of D11A rocket launcher by Jon Grevatt Thailand's D11A, the prototype of which is pictured above, is a local version of Elbit Systems' multicalibre Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS). (Janes/Jon Grevatt) Thailand's Defense Technology Institute (DTI) has started trials of a locally produced version of Elbit Systems' multicalibre Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273398-thailand-starts-trials-of-d11a-rocket-launcher/

Thailand's D11A, the prototype of which is pictured above, is a local version of Elbit Systems' multicalibre Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS). (Janes/Jon Grevatt) by Jon Grevatt Thailand's Defense Technology Institute (DTI) has started trials of a locally produced version of Elbit Systems' multicalibre Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS). The DTI said on 27 September 2022 that trials of the prototype platform – named the D11A Multi-Purpose Rocket and Missile Launcher – took place recently at the Royal Thai Army's (RTA's) artillery firing range in Lopburi, central Thailand. The DTI, the Ministry of Defence's research and development arm, said initial trials were focused on testing the D11A's performance and stability, and its ability to meet the Thai armed forces' “tactical requirements”. Full story: https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/thailand-starts-trials-of-d11a-rocket-launcher -- © Copyright JANES 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Opinion – Prayut’s victory could spell boon to the opposition come general elections By Thanaphum Charoensombatpanich Effective today 2014 coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha is set to return to his old job of being the Prime Minister after the Constitutional Court votes 6:3 to allow him to return to the position saying that his term as the Prime Minister started after the 2016 constitution was implemented on April 6, 2017. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273396-opinion-–-prayut’s-victory-could-spell-boon-to-the-opposition-come-general-elections/

By Thanaphum Charoensombatpanich Effective today 2014 coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha is set to return to his old job of being the Prime Minister after the Constitutional Court votes 6:3 to allow him to return to the position saying that his term as the Prime Minister started after the 2016 constitution was implemented on April 6, 2017. The judgment by the court was anything but expected, as the court has in the past made such justifications for things it wants to push though as was the case on May 5, 2021, when the same court allowed an ex-jailed convict to remain a minister despite the constitution specifically stipulating that a convict is not allowed to be Member of Parliament let alone a minister. The ‘justification’ that the Constitutional Court had given for the 1994 convicted drug dealer – Thammanat Prompao, was that he did not commit the crime in Thailand and therefore he was eligible to continue as the Deputy Agriculture Minister. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/44802/opinion-prayuts-victory-could-spell-boon-to-the-opposition-come-general-elections/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Thailand fully reopens from 1 October 2022 Vaccination proof/ATK test result no longer needed, while period of stay in the kingdom is extended to 45 days for tourists entitled to visa exemption and to 30 days for Visa on Arrival. TAT Newsroom The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to advise that as of today international travellers to Thailand will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination or ATK test results, and a longer length of stay will be on offer, signalling the completion of the kingdom’s full reopening to international tourism. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273390-thailand-fully-reopens-from-1-october-2022/

Vaccination proof/ATK test result no longer needed, while period of stay in the kingdom is extended to 45 days for tourists entitled to visa exemption and to 30 days for Visa on Arrival. TAT Newsroom The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to advise that as of today international travellers to Thailand will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination or ATK test results, and a longer length of stay will be on offer, signalling the completion of the kingdom’s full reopening to international tourism. Effective from today through until 31 March, 2023, the period of stay in Thailand will be extended to 45 days (from 30 days) for tourists from countries/territories entitled for visa exemption, and to 30 days (from 15 days) for those eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA). Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “Thailand has fully reopened to the world’s tourists with the message, through the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign, that our fascinating destination offers something for everyone under the ‘From A-Z: Amazing Thailand Has It All’ concept. We invite tourists to come and experience the existing and new tourism offerings in Thailand which, together with the kingdom’s increasing move towards sustainable and responsible tourism, will make for a truly memorable holiday.” Thailand began a carefully planned gradual reopening to international tourism from 1 July, 2021, with the Phuket Sandbox, Samui Plus, and 7+7 Extension programmes. This was followed by a four-phase reopening timeline from October 2021 to January 2022 in which destinations throughout the country reopened to tourists. On 1 July, 2022, came the removal of the Thailand Pass registration scheme, and foreign nationals as of then only had to show proof of vaccination or a negative ATK test result within 72 hours of travel. Now, with the kingdom fully reopened, international visitor arrivals are on the rise, international events and local festivals are being held, and major international and regional airlines are resuming flights from countries around the world. Thai Airways International (THAI) in its recently announced 2022-2023 winter schedule (30 October, 2022 – 25 March, 2023) is operating flights on 34 European, Australian, and Asian routes with increased frequencies on selected routes. This includes daily flights between Bangkok and London, Paris, Zurich, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Manila, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Mumbai, Dhaka, and Karachi. On the event scene, as the host of APEC 2022, a number of APEC meetings are taking place in Thailand, most recently the SME Ministerial Meeting (SMM), from 5-10 September, 2022, in Phuket. The 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 60th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting took place from 14-20 August, 2022, in Bangkok. Next, the APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) is scheduled from 19-21 October, 2022, and the high-profile APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) is from 14-19 November, 2022. The OR Thailand Grand Prix 2022 – the third edition in Thailand of this MotoGP world championship motorcycle racing event – is on this weekend from 30 September-2 October, 2022, at the Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram province; the immensely popular Vegetarian Festival is taking place from 24 September to 5 October, 2022, in different locations throughout the country; and the Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB 2022) will be held from 22 October, 2022, to 23 February, 2023, at various locations across Bangkok featuring works by 73 local and international artists. The world’s first fully-branded Columbia Pictures movie theme park featuring rides and attractions from Ghostbusters, Jumanji, Hotel Transylvania and other blockbusters – Columbia Pictures’ Aquaverse – is set to open in Bang Saray, short drive from Pattaya, on 12 October, this year. Furthering Thailand’s standing as a world-class gastronomy destination, the sixth edition of the MICHELIN Guide Thailand is due for release at the end of 2022. It will feature for the first time Northeast Thailand or Isan in addition to Bangkok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Phang-Nga. The resumption of flights to Thailand from all over the world, together with the return to pre-pandemic entry requirements, and the extension of stay periods for tourists, have all come in time for the kingdom’s high season which runs from October to March. As one of the world’s favourite holiday destinations, Thailand is pleased to be welcoming tourists back. While they can once again enjoy a fun, fascinating and rewarding holiday, they are asked to please remain vigilant and to continue to abide by health and safety standards. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/10/thailand-fully-reopens-from-1-october-2022/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Please continue: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273337-pm-prayut-still-holds-office/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Goodbye Emergency Decree and Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, an era comes to an end in Thailand By Adam Judd After over two-and-a-half-years an era that for many people was deeply unpleasant and life changing will come to an end in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273380-goodbye-emergency-decree-and-center-for-covid-19-situation-administration-an-era-comes-to-an-end-in-thailand/

By Adam Judd After over two-and-a-half-years an era that for many people was deeply unpleasant and life changing will come to an end in Thailand. After today, September 30th, the emergency decree in place to control Covid-19, which came into effect in March of 2020, will be eliminated. Additionally, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration or CCSA that handled the rules and regulations during the Covid era and centralized all administration will be dissolved. Nearly all remaining Covid measures, such as random checks to see if someone is vaccinated or has covid on entering Thailand are dropped. Yes, masks are still being recommended and some venues and services based on the business may still require them but the mandate has been dropped for months and it’s mostly a personal decision now if someone wishes to wear a mask. The duties of the CCSA will be moved to the Ministry of Public Health which has also downgraded Covid-19 to a disease being monitored, similar to many regularly occuring sicknesses and diseases in Thailand. In a sign of changing times even some Thai media has stopped publishing daily Covid-19 statistics, English language media, including us, in Thailand mostly stopped months ago after continued negative feedback from readers. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/09/30/goodbye-emergency-decree-and-center-for-covid-19-situation-administration-an-era-comes-to-an-end-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Unidentified female body found stuffed in luggage floating along Mekong River By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: Thairath Nakhon Panom – An unidentified female body, aged between 25-30 years old, was found stuffed in luggage floating along the Mekong River and stuck near a line of patrol boats in the That Phanom District of Nakhon Phanom on Wednesday, September 28th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273379-unidentified-female-body-found-stuffed-in-luggage-floating-along-mekong-river/

PHOTO: Thairath By Nop Meechukhun Nakhon Panom – An unidentified female body, aged between 25-30 years old, was found stuffed in luggage floating along the Mekong River and stuck near a line of patrol boats in the That Phanom District of Nakhon Phanom on Wednesday, September 28th. According to the initial examination, the body was 160 centimeters tall and reportedly brutally murdered before being stuffed in a black suitcase. She was reportedly wearing luxurious brand-named clothing, so the police estimated that she was somewhat wealthy. Her body was sent for autopsy to Khon Kaen’s forensic institute. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/09/30/unidentified-female-body-found-stuffed-in-luggage-floating-along-mekong-river-possible-lao-relatives-to-visit-thailand-for-body-verification/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Pattaya Tourist Police check on 10-year-old American-Chinese girl previously found wandering on Chonburi road By Tanakorn Panyadee Hotel clerks have told local Thai media that the American father of a 10-year-old Chinese-American girl who tried to trudge from Chonburi to Bangkok to see her mother, who is apparently in China, was strict but fair and never showed any signs of domestic or physical abuse. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273378-pattaya-tourist-police-check-on-10-year-old-american-chinese-girl-previously-found-wandering-on-chonburi-road/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Hotel clerks have told local Thai media that the American father of a 10-year-old Chinese-American girl who tried to trudge from Chonburi to Bangkok to see her mother, who is apparently in China, was strict but fair and never showed any signs of domestic or physical abuse. Pattaya Tourist Police went to check on the girl who was found walking alone on a dimly-lit road on September 28th by a Thai Good Samaritan. Tourist Police said they went to visit the girl and her family following numerous concerns from netizens asking for law enforcement to discover why the girl tried to leave her father. Pol. Lt. Col. Pitchaya Khewplueng, head of the Tourist Police at the Pattaya Police station, told The Pattaya News that he went to an undisclosed longstay hotel and apartment building in the Jomtien area in Pattaya to try to investigate deeper. He said: “The American father was not so cooperative, and the girl was at school. We tried talking with the hotel clerks, who notified us that the father and his daughter had stayed at the hotel for more than three years. The father was quite strict and talked very little according to the hotel staff.” Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/09/30/update-pattaya-tourist-police-check-on-10-year-old-american-chinese-girl-previously-found-wandering-on-chonburi-road/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-10-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!