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Biden’s APEC no-show seen as a blow to Thai government’s credibility By Thai PBS World’s Regional Desk (FILE) US President Joe Biden disembarks from Air Force One upon arrival at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland, Ohio, July 6, 2022, as he travels to speak about the economy. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) US President Joe Biden’s decision to skip the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand in November is a reflection of the Thai government’s weak international image and the fallout of a democracy deficit, many political observers believe. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273304-biden’s-apec-no-show-seen-as-a-blow-to-thai-government’s-credibility/

(FILE) US President Joe Biden disembarks from Air Force One upon arrival at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland, Ohio, July 6, 2022, as he travels to speak about the economy. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) By Thai PBS World’s Regional Desk US President Joe Biden’s decision to skip the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand in November is a reflection of the Thai government’s weak international image and the fallout of a democracy deficit, many political observers believe. “The decision comes as a bolt from the blue, destroying the dream of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who had hoped to exploit the presence of world leaders at the APEC Summit for political gains,” says Prof Ukrist Pathmanand from Chulalongkorn University’s Institute of Asian Studies. Biden reportedly informed the Thai embassy in Washington that Vice President Kamala Harris would represent the US at the summit on November 18-19 in Bangkok. Biden’s absence could be viewed as pressure on Thailand over the state of domestic democracy, according to a senior official at the Foreign Ministry who spoke on condition of anonymity. The US administration has made clear that it wants to see Thailand make progress in democracy development to become a role model in the region, but the hearing in the Constitutional Court regarding Prayut’s tenure as prime minister under the new charter was not what Washington would have liked to see, he said. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bidens-apec-no-show-seen-as-a-blow-to-thai-governments-credibility/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-30 - 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!

D-Day arrives for suspended Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, will Constitutional Court rule that his term limit is reached or not? By Adam Judd After weeks of the Thai Constitutional Court mulling behind the scenes over a challenge by opposition politicians to Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha about his legal term limit, D-Day has arrived. In short, Prayut Chan-O-Cha was suspended from his duties as Prime Minister on August 24th by the Thai Constitutional Court pending their legal decision on the matter of his term limit. He remained active, however, as Defense Minister. The opposition believes that Prayut has reached the constitutional term limit of eight years, having taken over power in 2014 after leading a military coup. The sitting government, however, believes that the current constitution was only ratified in 2017 and made official in terms of Prayut’s role, thus in their opinion they believe Prayut has not reached eight years in power. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/09/29/d-day-arrives-for-suspended-thai-prime-minister-prayut-chan-o-cha-will-constitutional-court-rule-that-his-term-limit-is-reached-or-not/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-09-30 - 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!

Security tight at Constitutional Court ahead of Prayut’s premiership term ruling today Friday Thailand’s Constitutional Court and its offices have been declared restricted areas from 7pm Thursday night until 6am on Monday, ahead of the court’s ruling on the 8-year term in office of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday afternoon. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273299-security-tight-at-constitutional-court-ahead-of-prayut’s-premiership-term-ruling-today-friday/

Thailand’s Constitutional Court and its offices have been declared restricted areas from 7pm Thursday night until 6am on Monday, ahead of the court’s ruling on the 8-year term in office of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday afternoon. Only authorised persons and their vehicles are currently allowed entry to the restricted areas and they are subject to checks by guards. The security measure was ordered by president of the Constitutional Court, Worawit Kangsasitiam, after they wereinformed by security agencies of potential disturbances related to the court’s ruling. About 300 police officers will be at the Constitutional Court today (Friday) to maintain peace and order. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/security-tight-at-constitutional-court-ahead-of-prayuts-premiership-term-ruling-today-friday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-30 - 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!

Tim Newton Today - Sep 30: Former Thai PM Prayut learns his fate today, fallout from storms Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273296-tim-newton-today-sep-30-former-thai-pm-prayut-learns-his-fate-today-fallout-from-storms/

Today the constitutional court in Thailand hands down its decision about Prayut and his tenure as Thai prime minister, there's a LOT of rain and water heading towards Bangkok, the latest on the Samui crypto theft story, 20 Thai baht bills recalled. Join me for the LIVE program on Saturday at 9am, Thai time. With thanks to our sponsors... https://5starmarinephuket.com

Noru weakens into low pressure cell, more rain for Bangkok and 23 other provinces Friday Tropical depression Noru has weakened to a low pressure cell,with its centre located in the Muang district of Thailand’snorth-eastern province of Chaiyaphum, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273294-noru-weakens-into-low-pressure-cell-more-rain-for-bangkok-and-23-other-provinces-friday/

Tropical depression Noru has weakened to a low pressure cell,with its centre located in the Muang district of Thailand’snorth-eastern province of Chaiyaphum, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. In its 7pm bulletin last night (Thursday), the department also warned that the low pressure cell, compounded by the intensifying south-westerly monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, will cause heavy rain in the 24 provinces today (Friday), including Bangkok and its peripherals, which may result in flash floods at the feet of mountains and waterway overflows. Rough seas and strong winds are forecast for the Andaman Sea and the Gulf, with waves between 2m and 3m and over 3m in stormy areas. Small vessels are advised to remain ashore until Sunday, said the department. Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/noru-weakens-into-low-pressure-cell-more-rain-for-bangkok-and-23-other-provinces-friday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-30 - 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!

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday September 30 2022 Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273292-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-september-30-2022/

Listen to the news: Nine judges at the constitutional court are due to announce their ruling on the fate of suspended Prime Minister Prayut, Security is tight with much of the court area closed off to all but essential visitors. The judges will read their ruling at 3pm on the eight-year term of Gen Prayut under the 2017 constitution, which will be televised. Caretaker Prime Minister Prawit dismissed fears of pro-Prayut protesters clashing following the ruling. The Department of Health has announced the requirement for people to wear facemasks on public transport and in cinemas will continue after tomorrow's re classification of Covid 19 from a ‘dangerous’ to a ‘communicable’ disease. The department advised the public to continue to be cautious and maintain social distancing where possible. Two men in their 20’s were arrested in Bangkok for selling firearms online to a group of more than 4,000 followers during the past two years. Both confessed to charges of unauthorized production, repair, import, and possession of firearms for sale. An official at the land office in Pattani has been arrested for allegedly demanding a 120,000-baht kick back in exchange for issuing land title deeds. Anti-Corruption officers responded to a property developer who filed a complaint by noting numbers on bank notes which were then given to the suspect, the man was then arrested with the bank notes in his possession. The Bank of Thailand has stopped distributing 20 baht banknotes after it found that the Thai and Arabic numerals of some of the bills did not match. The Bank is consulting with the printing company, the notes are valid although they urge people to return them to the bank. Region: A Hong Kong court sentenced a pro-democracy activist and former lawmaker, Ted Hui, to 3 1/2 years in jail for "criminal contempt" after he failed to show up for trial in several criminal cases. Mr Hui, aged 40, fled Hong Kong in December 2020, several months after China imposed it’s national security law. Chiang Mai: Cloudy with rain 29 C Bangkok: Cloudy Rain 30C Pattaya and SE: Cloudy with rain 29C. Phuket: Bright, Cloudy with rain 28C. Hua Hin: Cloudy with isolated showers 30 C 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 2022-09-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Thai marijuana entrepreneurs and farmers urge government to assure marijuana law due to fear over its first withdrawal By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: Thansettakij Local entrepreneurs of marijuana businesses are urging the Thai government to reiterate its support on cannabis and hemp laws due to fears over the withdrawal of the first draft law by the House of Representatives. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273282-thai-marijuana-entrepreneurs-and-farmers-urge-government-to-assure-marijuana-law-due-to-fear-over-its-first-withdrawal/

PHOTO: Thansettakij By Nop Meechukhun Local entrepreneurs of marijuana businesses are urging the Thai government to reiterate its support on cannabis and hemp laws due to fears over the withdrawal of the first draft law by the House of Representatives. The rejection showed disagreement among the coalition government as well as triggered fears among health associations, cannabis investors, and the public as the law may be delayed without notice and cause significant financial loss among investors and negative consequences among society. Sittichai Daengprasert, chairman of the Dietary Supplement Industry Club and Herbal Industry Club under the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), stated that the withdrawal caused confusion among small entrepreneurs and concerns that the drug may be recategorized as an illegal narcotic drug again. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/09/29/thai-marijuana-entrepreneurs-and-farmers-urge-government-to-assure-marijuana-law-due-to-fear-over-its-first-withdrawal/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-09-30 - 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!

Pagoda At Chiang Mai Temple Collapses After Days Of Rain TNR Staff AN HISTORIC pagoda at Wat Srisuphan Silver Temple in Chiang Mai collapsed after several days of torrential rain. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273280-pagoda-at-chiang-mai-temple-collapses-after-days-of-rain/

TNR Staff AN HISTORIC pagoda at Wat Srisuphan Silver Temple in Chiang Mai collapsed after several days of torrential rain today (Sept. 29) with this following the collapse of a part of the historic city wall near Chang Puak gate that has been standing for 750 years last Saturday (Sept 24), Matichon newspaper said this evening. However monks of this temple said on the Facebook page that a miracle occurred because this 500-year-old sacred pagoda is taller than a three-storey building but in collapsing did not hit the adjacent school. An hour before its collapse the temple’s monks had alerted on their page that cracks had now appeared in the pagoda and they had to be careful. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/09/29/pagoda-at-chiang-mai-temple-collapses-after-days-of-rain/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-09-30 - 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 clarifies after passengers asked to get out of minivan By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – The Phuket International Airport has clarified after a story of passengers who were asked to get out of a minivan has gone viral in social media. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273279-phuket-airport-clarifies-after-passengers-asked-to-get-out-of-minivan/

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – The Phuket International Airport has clarified after a story of passengers who were asked to get out of a minivan has gone viral in social media. The story went viral in social media this morning (September 29th) with a video and a message, “A minivan driver arrived at the airport to pick up customers who booked online. Airport staffers stopped the minivan at the airport exit before they asked the passengers who had booked online to get out of the minivan and take a registered taxi from the airport directly.” The Phuket International Airport has issued a press release this afternoon which concluded, “Yesterday (September 28th) a minivan taxi arrived at the domestic terminal to pick up passengers who booked via an online application.” Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/09/29/phuket-airport-clarifies-after-passengers-asked-to-get-out-of-minivan/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-09-30 - 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!

Misprinted 20 Baht Polymer Banknotes In Circulation TNR Staff Some 20 baht banknotes. The Thai headline says, “Erroneous banknotes.” Photo: Sanook.com THE BANK of Thailand said today (Sept. 29) that an error was found in a batch of 20 baht banknotes with the Thai numeral not matching the Arabic one. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273278-misprinted-20-baht-polymer-banknotes-in-circulation/

Some 20 baht banknotes. The Thai headline says, “Erroneous banknotes.” Photo: Sanook.com TNR Staff THE BANK of Thailand said today (Sept. 29) that an error was found in a batch of 20 baht banknotes with the Thai numeral not matching the Arabic one but the public could still use them as normal until they are fully removed from the system, Sanook.com said this evening (Sept. 29). Ms. Wachira Aromdee, the central bank’s deputy governor for administrative affairs, said further distribution of the misprinted banknotes was immediately halted. The error occurred in the printing process undertaken by De La Rue International Limited (DLR) that got a contract in 2020 to supply 100 million banknotes. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/09/29/misprinted-20-baht-polymer-banknotes-in-circulation/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-09-30 - 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!

Smart Visa to Cover More Target Industries for Foreigners with High Potential By Online Reporter File photo The Cabinet has approved extending the “smart visa” scheme issued for foreigners with high potential and skills and startup entrepreneurs. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273277-smart-visa-to-cover-more-target-industries-for-foreigners-with-high-potential/

File photo By Online Reporter The Cabinet has approved extending the “smart visa” scheme issued for foreigners with high potential and skills and startup entrepreneurs. The number of target industries will be expanded from 13 to 18. The 18 industries include 1) automotive industry, 2) electronics Industry, 3) affluent tourism industry, 4) agriculture, food, and biotechnology industry, 5) automation and robotics industry, 6) transportation and logistics industry, 7) petrochemical and chemical industry, 8 digital industry, 9) medical industry, 10) national defense industry, 11) industries that facilitate the Circular Economy directly and significantly e.g. fuel production from waste, water resources management, etc., 12) aviation and aerospace industry, 13) human resource development in science and technology, 14) environmental management and renewable energy, 15) technology innovation and startup ecosystem management, 16) targeted technology development, 17) international business center, and 18) alternative dispute resolution. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/smart-visa-to-cover-more-target-industries-for-foreigners-with-high-potential/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=smart-visa-to-cover-more-target-industries-for-foreigners-with-high-potential -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-09-30 - 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 Named the Best Country in the World for Wellness Retreats By Online Reporter Thailand ranks first among the best countries in the world for wellness retreats, according to the Travel Daily News website, which is daily travel and tourism news portal for the Asia-Pacific market. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273276-thailand-named-the-best-country-in-the-world-for-wellness-retreats/

By Online Reporter Thailand ranks first among the best countries in the world for wellness retreats, according to the Travel Daily News website, which is daily travel and tourism news portal for the Asia-Pacific market. The list of the countries that are best for going on a wellness retreat is based on research into Tripadvisor reviews by leisure website Slingo. Thailand, with a total wellness retreat score of 9.5/10, is cited as the ideal destination for anyone in search of a wellness retreat. Often known as the spa capital of Asia, Thailand is home to some of the most therapeutic and luxurious retreats in the world. In second place is Indonesia with a total wellness retreat score of 8.5/10, followed by the Maldives, Mexico, and India. The research also looked at countries with the highest-rated wellness activities. Maldives comes first on this list. In terms of sheer numbers, there were 29 total spa and wellness activities. However, 88.73 percent of those were rated four stars and higher. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/thailand-named-the-best-country-in-the-world-for-wellness-retreats/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-09-30 - 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!

Intimidated Russian couple ask Royal Thai police to join Thailand’s Witness Protection Programme by James Morris and Son Nguyen 37-year-old Kazakh national Andrey Nizhegorodtsev (right centre) was arrested by the Royal Thai Police on Wednesday afternoon in the Bang Lamung district of Chonburi and brought to Ko Samui, on foot of a Provincial Court arrest warrant. He was positively identified by 31-year-old Evgenii Abdullin as one of six men who extorted $50,000 from the Russian and his wife at a café in the Taling-ngam area of Ko Samui (inset bottom) by transferring cryptocurrency on Thursday, September 15th (inset). The six-member gang, driving a black van, later cashed in the cryptocurrency at a foreign exchange kiosk on the island (inset). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273275-intimidated-russian-couple-ask-royal-thai-police-to-join-thailand’s-witness-protection-programme/

37-year-old Kazakh national Andrey Nizhegorodtsev (right centre) was arrested by the Royal Thai Police on Wednesday afternoon in the Bang Lamung district of Chonburi and brought to Ko Samui, on foot of a Provincial Court arrest warrant. He was positively identified by 31-year-old Evgenii Abdullin as one of six men who extorted $50,000 from the Russian and his wife at a café in the Taling-ngam area of Ko Samui (inset bottom) by transferring cryptocurrency on Thursday, September 15th (inset). The six-member gang, driving a black van, later cashed in the cryptocurrency at a foreign exchange kiosk on the island (inset). by James Morris and Son Nguyen Ongoing investigation in Ko Samui but the arrested suspect brought from Chonburi is reported to be tight-lipped and unwilling to give police further information. The request by the victims for protection under the Witness Protection Programme is thought to be linked to suspected Russian mafia involvement in the intimidation and extortion of Mr and Mrs Abdullin. A Russian couple who were extorted by what is thought to have been a gang with links to the Russian mafia has applied to join Thailand’s Witness Protection Programme even as police revealed the arrest of two people in connection with the extortion of $50,000 from 31-year-old Mr Evgenii Abdullin and his wife Ekaterina on Ko Samui on September 15th last and subsequent intimidation. One of those arrested is a Kazakh national detained by police on Wednesday afternoon in Chonburi while a 35-year-old Ukrainian man was also arrested on the island in Surat Thani. The Russian couple who reported being extorted by a gang of six men to Ko Samui police on Monday has applied to Thailand’s Ministry of Justice looking to join the country’s witness protection programme. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/09/29/russian-couple-ask-for-witness-protection-ko-samui-evgenii-abdullin/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-09-30 - 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!