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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!

France’s President Macron invited to APEC meeting in November Thailand has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leader’s Meeting (APECLM) in November, Thai PBS World has learned. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273274-france’s-president-macron-invited-to-apec-meeting-in-november/

Thailand has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leader’s Meeting (APECLM) in November, Thai PBS World has learned. The invitation is special, because France is a leading member of the European Union and not a member of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). It would be Macron’s first visit to Thailand since he became France’s president in 2017. He is currently serving a second term. Several countries have shown interest in attending the Bangkok APEC leaders’ meeting because it is an opportunity to meet person-to-person for the first time in three years within the APEC framework. The EU, the United Kingdom and India are also countries which Thailand planned to invite, due to their close economic ties with Asia-Pacific nations. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/frances-president-macron-invited-to-apec-meeting-in-november/ -- © 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!

to continue: Thailand Live Friday 30 September 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1273273-thailand-live-friday-30-september-2022/

Election Commission asked to ease restrictions on MPs helping flood victims Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) has been asked to consider easing restrictions on the distribution of relief materials by political parties during the current widespread flooding. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273233-election-commission-asked-to-ease-restrictions-on-mps-helping-flood-victims/

Photo from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation One killed and two injured as tree crushes truck during heavy rain in Si Sa Ket One person died and two others were injured when a falling tree crushed their pick-up truck, during heavy rain in Huai Thap Than district of Thailand’s north-eastern province of Si Sa Ket yesterday (Wednesday), according to an initial report from the Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on damage being caused by Tropical Storm Noru. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273237-one-killed-and-two-injured-as-tree-crushes-truck-during-heavy-rain-in-si-sa-ket/

HOT Magazine, Issue 9, Volume 10 September View File Hot Magazine: Read the online issue 9, Volume 10, September 2022 by clicking on the green button or read the online version here HOT Magazine is a Thailand based luxury lifestyle magazine connecting with Asia’s wealthy, brand-conscious, high net worth individuals, through their chosen lifestyle activities. Submitter webfact Submitted 09/29/22 Category Thaivisa Members Files  

House Committee Studies Space Business BANGKOK, Sept 29 (TNA) – The House committee on communications, telecommunications and digital economy and society has set up a working group to study outer space launching business. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273219-house-committee-studies-space-business/

BANGKOK, Sept 29 (TNA) – The House committee on communications, telecommunications and digital economy and society has set up a working group to study outer space launching business. Col Settapong Malisuwan, deputy head of the House committee, said the working group consisted of relevant experts and would formulate a space economy plan for the country. His secretary, Dr Jesada Sivaraks, heads the working group. Col Settapong said the working group would examine the feasibilities of outer space launching service and the development of relevant infrastructures. The study would cover launching service to deliver satellites, payloads, research projects and people into orbits. The service could meet demand from local and international clients in public, military and private sectors, he said. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1027724 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-09-29 - 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!

Noru weakens to tropical depression as it heads west across Thailand Tropical storm Noru was located over the Kham Khoen Kaeo district of Thailand’s north-eastern province of Yasothon at 4am this morning (Thursday) and has already weakened to a tropical depression, as it continues to move west by north west at about 10kph, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273214-noru-weakens-to-tropical-depression-as-it-heads-west-across-thailand/

Tropical storm Noru was located over the Kham Khoen Kaeo district of Thailand’s north-eastern province of Yasothon at 4am this morning (Thursday) and has already weakened to a tropical depression, as it continues to move west by north west at about 10kph, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. Packing wind speeds of about 55kph at its centre, the department predicts that Noru will further weaken into a low pressure cell. The department has, however, advised people in 64 provinces across the country to brace for heavy to very heavy rainfall, which may cause flash flooding and waterway overflows, as the storm is sweeping from the north-east through the central plains and then north towards Myanmar today. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GITSDA) released satellite images yesterday, showing flooding in the Chi and Mun river basins covering over 65,000 hectares of land, including more than 38,000 hectares of rice fields in Si Sa Ket, Surin, Roi Et, Yasothon, Kalasin, Ubon Ratchathani, Maha Sarakham and Amnat Charoen provinces. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/noru-weakens-to-tropical-depression-as-it-heads-west-across-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-29 - 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 signs mini-FTA with Gyeonggi, South Korea by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has continued its efforts to improve Thailand’s export sector performance through the establishment of mini-FTAs with foreign markets, with Gyeonggi, South Korea now the latest partner of this trade promotion scheme. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273211-thailand-signs-mini-fta-with-gyeonggi-south-korea/

by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has continued its efforts to improve Thailand’s export sector performance through the establishment of mini-FTAs with foreign markets, with Gyeonggi, South Korea now the latest partner of this trade promotion scheme. Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and South Korea’s Gyeonggi Business and Science Accelerator (GBSA) have signed a mini-free trade agreement (FTA), aimed at promoting trade and the development of smaller businesses between both sides. This agreement is Thailand’s 6th partnership it formed with cities in 4 countries, and the second South Korean city after Busan. The agreement also seeks to promote Thailand’s soft power in creativity, arts, and culture. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit said South Korea is currently the 9th biggest export market for Thailand, with the trade value between both countries logging at 15.8 billion U.S. dollars last year. He said Gyeonggi is a major South Korean market with the highest GDP level and a sizable 13 million population. Trade value between Thailand and Gyeonggi last year was recorded at 3.2 billion U.S. dollars, while the trade value for the first 7 months of this year already reached 2 billion dollars. Thailand’s mini-FTA partners outside of South Korea include Hainan and Gansu, China; Telangana, India; and Kofu, Japan. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220929103116187 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-09-29 - 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!

Good Samaritan helps 10-year-old Chinese-American girl trudging on lonely road Police helped a 10-year-old Chinese-American girl found walking alone on a roadside in Chonburi province on Wednesday night on her way to Bangkok reunite with her father. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273209-good-samaritan-helps-10-year-old-chinese-american-girl-trudging-on-lonely-road/

Police helped a 10-year-old Chinese-American girl found walking alone on a roadside in Chonburi province on Wednesday night on her way to Bangkok reunite with her father. The girl said she was heading for Suvarnabhumi airport to try to catch a flight to see her mother in China, according to police. They said the girl was found by a good Samaritan, later identified as Poommiphat Chaichana who was driving on a dimly-lit road in Chonburi when she spotted her trudging alone with a knapsack on her back. Poommiphat later told reporters that he stopped the girl and tried unsuccessfully to communicate with her since she didn’t speak Thai. He later had his employer on his phone to talk to the girl who said she intended to walk all the way to Suvarnabhumi airport, which is about 70 kilometres away, hoping to catch a flight to China. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/good-samaritan-helps-10-year-old-chinese-american-girl-trudging-on-lonely-road/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-29 - 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 29: Noru dumps torrential rain into central Thailand, Thai army promises 'no coup' Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273208-tim-newton-today-sep-29-noru-dumps-torrential-rain-into-central-thailand-thai-army-promises-no-coup/

Thai media get the reporting of the tropical storm Noru mostly wrong, the Thai army promises there won't be a coup following the announcement on Friday about Prayut Chan-o-cha's future, Nok Air abandon flight.

Will Prayut return as PM? Ball in Constitutional Court All eyes across Thailand will be on the Constitutional Court on Friday (September 30), when it is scheduled to rule on whether General Prayut Chan-o-cha has completed eight years as prime minister. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273206-will-prayut-return-as-pm-ball-in-constitutional-court/

All eyes across Thailand will be on the Constitutional Court on Friday (September 30), when it is scheduled to rule on whether General Prayut Chan-o-cha has completed eight years as prime minister. Speculation and conspiracy theories have been rife for the past month, from the time the court accepted the opposition’s petition on August 24 and suspended Prayut from performing his duties as PM, pending its ruling. The opposition petition asked the court for a ruling on whether Prayut had reached the eight-year term limit fixed by the Constitution for prime minister, arguing that he had begun serving in the position on August 24, 2014, following the military coup that he had led three months earlier. What the Constitution says Unlike all the previous editions, the current Thai charter clearly stipulates the maximum time an individual can serve as PM. Article 158 states: “The prime minister shall not hold office for more than eight years in total, whether or not consecutively. However, this shall not include the period during which the prime minister carries out duties after vacating the office.” Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/will-prayut-return-as-pm-ball-in-constitutional-court/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-29 - 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!

Outspoken Myanmar beauty queen lands in Canada, granted asylum Myanmar Beauty queen Han Lay speaks by video call during her arrival at Toronto Pearson International Aiport while she waits for a conection fly to Charlottetown in Toronto, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Jorge Uzon / AFP) A Myanmar beauty queen who spoke out against the military coup in her homeland landed Wednesday in Canada, where she has been granted asylum after being stranded at an airport in Thailand for nearly a week. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273205-outspoken-myanmar-beauty-queen-lands-in-canada-granted-asylum/

Myanmar Beauty queen Han Lay speaks by video call during her arrival at Toronto Pearson International Aiport while she waits for a conection fly to Charlottetown in Toronto, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Jorge Uzon / AFP) A Myanmar beauty queen who spoke out against the military coup in her homeland landed Wednesday in Canada, where she has been granted asylum after being stranded at an airport in Thailand for nearly a week. Thaw Nandar Aung, better known by her professional moniker Han Lay, “has arrived safely in Toronto,” Tin Maung Htoo of the Burmese Canadian Action Network told AFP. “She’s now waiting for a (connecting) flight to Charlottetown” in eastern Canada, where she plans to settle and continue her activism against the coup that ousted Myanmar’s civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, he said. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/outspoken-myanmar-beauty-queen-lands-in-canada-granted-asylum/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-29 - 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!

Officials eye collaboration to promote tourism in Phetchaburi and Hua Hin By Online Reporter Cha Am beach, file photo Tourism officials are eyeing collaboration as a means to help promote creative and sustainable tourism in Phetchaburi and Hua Hin. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1273203-officials-eye-collaboration-to-promote-tourism-in-phetchaburi-and-hua-hin/

Cha Am beach, file photo By Online Reporter Tourism officials are eyeing collaboration as a means to help promote creative and sustainable tourism in Phetchaburi and Hua Hin. On Wednesday (Sept 28) Ms. Eblarp Sripirom, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phetchaburi Office held a meeting with the governor of Phetchaburi Province, Petchaburi Sports Tourism, Phetchaburi Municipality, Cha-am Municipality, Thai Hotel Association : Western Chapter, Prachuap-Phetchaburi Golf Association, Phetchaburi Provincial Tourism Business Association and the Hua Hin-Cha-am Tourism Business Association to discuss ways on how they can work together to promote creative and sustainable tourism. According to Ms. Eblarp, the purpose of this meeting was to promote Phetchaburi province as a sustainable tourist destination. The area has a number of attractions for both Thai and foreign tourists, including Kaeng Krachan National Park, which is a world heritage site, and Cha Am’s famous beach, Ms. Eblarp said. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/officials-eye-collaboration-to-promote-tourism-in-phetchaburi-and-hua-hin/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-09-29 - 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!