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Thai medical organisations ask government to rethink cannabis legalisation The Medical Council of Thailand, along with 16 other medical organisations and royal colleges, have signed a petition seeking to limit the use of cannabis to medical purposes and firmly opposing its use for recreational purposes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271263-thai-medical-organisations-ask-government-to-rethink-cannabis-legalisation/

The Medical Council of Thailand, along with 16 other medical organisations and royal colleges, have signed a petition seeking to limit the use of cannabis to medical purposes and firmly opposing its use for recreational purposes. They claim that the current policies, which do not consider cannabis to be a dangerous or illegal drug and allow people to grow and use cannabis for treatment by themselves, are causing problems which will lead to negative consequences in the near future. Therefore, they have offered five suggestions on the use of cannabis and its extracts for medical treatment, which are: The use of cannabis for medical treatment must be based on empirical evidence Cannabis must be of high quality and must be used under Thailand’s Drugs Act, to protect patients who are being treated with such plants. Any cannabis or its extracts used for treatment must not contain any contaminants. Doctors and pharmacists must be trained on how to use cannabis and its extracts All patients must be screened and evaluated before, during and after treatment with cannabis. Government authorities, such as the Thai Food and Drug Administration, should also regulate the use of cannabis for medical purposes. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-medical-organisations-ask-government-to-rethink-cannabis-legalisation/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-08 - 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!

DJ Man, Baitoey Summoned for Forex-3D Ponzi scheme BANGKOK, Sept 8 (TNA) – The Department of Special Investigation suspected celebrities DJ Man and Baitoey of involvement in the Forex-3D Ponzi scheme and summoned them to acknowledge charges. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271262-dj-man-baitoey-summoned-for-forex-3d-ponzi-scheme/

BANGKOK, Sept 8 (TNA) – The Department of Special Investigation suspected celebrities DJ Man and Baitoey of involvement in the Forex-3D Ponzi scheme and summoned them to acknowledge charges. Wisanu Chimtrakul, DSI's director for illegal financial business crime, said public prosecutors responsible for special litigation recommended the DSI question 16 more people in the case. They included Pattanapon 'DJ Man' Kunjara Na Ayudhaya and singer Suteewan “Baitoey” Taveesin. The DSI called them and two other people to be interrogated and also acknowledge charges on them at 10am on Sept 15. He said that officials found suspicious financial transactions. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news/line-today-english-news-1013483 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-09-08 - 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!

Herd of 100 wild elephants just four kms from settlements - 60 rai of crops destroyed in a week Daily News Thai Caption: Elephant herds trespassing Daily News reported that the authorities in Khonburi district of Nakhon Ratchasima in north eastern Thailand were meeting and surveying in an effort to tackle the problem of wild elephants encroaching on agricultural land and getting very close to villages. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271261-herd-of-100-wild-elephants-just-four-kms-from-settlements-60-rai-of-crops-destroyed-in-a-week/

Daily News Thai Caption: Elephant herds trespassing Daily News reported that the authorities in Khonburi district of Nakhon Ratchasima in north eastern Thailand were meeting and surveying in an effort to tackle the problem of wild elephants encroaching on agricultural land and getting very close to villages. The pachyderms are leaving the area of The Thap Lan national park especially at night when they come out to feed. Drones have been used to track the animals and there are thought to be up to one hundred in a herd that has got to within four kilometers of settlements. In just one week 60 rai of crops have been damaged or eaten by the herd. Yesterday Sitthikorn Hanlakhon of the Khonburi administration was coordinating efforts with forestry officials, provincial administration personnel and local community leaders in an effort to solve the problem. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-08 - 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

Bangkok to have "different looking Zebras" - but will people stop? Daily News Thai Caption: Making Zebras look more different The authorities in the Thai capital Bangkok continue to try and upgrade Zebra Crossings seeking new and fancy ways to try and make them more noticeable, reports ASEAN NOW. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271259-bangkok-to-have-different-looking-zebras-but-will-people-stop/

Daily News Thai Caption: Making Zebras look more different The authorities in the Thai capital Bangkok continue to try and upgrade Zebra Crossings seeking new and fancy ways to try and make them more noticeable, reports ASEAN NOW. But will motorists actually stop for pedestrians? That has always been the burning question ever since February when a speeding cop on a motorcycle ended the life of a young ophthalmologist creating soul searching about driving habits and upgrades nationwide for the crossings. The latest move coming from the head of the Office of Traffic and Transport of the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority is to use a special paint to make the crossings in the capital stand out. Praphat Leuangsirinapha favors coal tar red plastic paint. He said he'd done surveys and this will help make Zebras more visible. The red painted crossings with extra strips will be installed in 160 locations such as outside temples, mosques, markets and where there are a lot of people. Expect the work to be completed next month, reported Daily News. Despite it being a legal requirement to stop for pedestrians at Zebra Crossings in Thailand many if not most motorists still routinely ignore them and there appears little appetite to enforce the law from the RTP, suggests ASEAN NOW. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-08 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Thai TikToker builds following with tips on frugal living TikTok star Phattaradej ‘Top’ Luechai, 29, who became famous for sharing his extreme frugal monthly meal prep for himself and his partner due to inflation, poses next to stored food for one month to illustrate his tight budget grocery shopping under $109 on his channel, in Samut Prakan province, Thailand, August 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kwang Jiraporn Kuhakan A Thai TikToker‘s tips on grocery shopping on a budget of just 4,000 baht ($109) a month are attracting thousands of followers amid a global food crisis as the southeast Asian nation grapples with its highest inflation in more than a decade. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271257-thai-tiktoker-builds-following-with-tips-on-frugal-living/

TikTok star Phattaradej ‘Top’ Luechai, 29, who became famous for sharing his extreme frugal monthly meal prep for himself and his partner due to inflation, poses next to stored food for one month to illustrate his tight budget grocery shopping under $109 on his channel, in Samut Prakan province, Thailand, August 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kwang Jiraporn Kuhakan A Thai TikToker‘s tips on grocery shopping on a budget of just 4,000 baht ($109) a month are attracting thousands of followers amid a global food crisis as the southeast Asian nation grapples with its highest inflation in more than a decade. Phattaradej ‘Top’ Luechai, 29, creates bite-sized videos of himself buying cheap food in bulk, preparing it in small portions, and trying out different menus for his viewers. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-tiktoker-builds-following-with-tips-on-frugal-living/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-08 - 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!

Sexy lady goes "large size" in Pattaya - that's the snacks you understand! 77kaoded Thai Caption: Quails egg snacks - large size 77kaoded reported from The Market in Pattaya Klang where a sexy young lady is selling Khanom Khai Tao and fried quails eggs. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271256-sexy-lady-goes-large-size-in-pattaya-thats-the-snacks-you-understand/

77kaoded Thai Caption: Quails egg snacks - large size 77kaoded reported from The Market in Pattaya Klang where a sexy young lady is selling Khanom Khai Tao and fried quails eggs. The media made much of the fact that Nong Khwan's offerings were "big size" - that's the snacks you understand. Picture: 77kaoded Real name Pornsupha Riyotha, 24, Khwan sells her oversized snacks daily at the market in Soi Nern Plap Wan (the soi of mounds of sweet persimmon, large plums if you like). She recounted how she got fed up with rising early at the crack of dawn to do a factory job. So whe turned to recipes on YouTube and wowed her friends with her take on the popular Thai snacks. Picture: 77kaoded She does some of normal color and fashions others with a purple hue. A sign said each set was just 25 baht. But whatever color she always offered the "bigger than normal size", as she allowed herself to be photograped smiling above a plunging neckline. Picture: 77kaoded "My wares are delicious," she said, "But I also like to dress sexily and don't mind being flirted with." Khwan sells from 4pm to 10pm each day - or until her wares are all used up - and also goes to special events in the Pattaya area. Not surprisingly she is doing a roaring trade, noted 77kaoded. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-08 - 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 Picture: 77kaoded

"Monks these days are scarier than ghosts!" - second hand car dealer regrets trusting "Phra Moo" Sanook Thai Caption: Oh Buddha! Sanook reported on a story about a monk buying a second hand car from a dealer. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271252-monks-these-days-are-scarier-than-ghosts-second-hand-car-dealer-regrets-trusting-phra-moo/

Sanook Thai Caption: Oh Buddha! Sanook reported on a story about a monk buying a second hand car from a dealer. The dealer felt he could trust a man of the cloth. Wrong. When he went for a test drive he didn't come back. Now the police are looking for the rogue in saffron. The media investigated after a post on Facebook under the name Ihere Mike where a man reported that he was looking for his car. It turned out to be Sornram Unta, 29, a second hand car dealer in Tak Fa, Nakhon Sawan, central Thailand. He said that on Sunday a monk calling himself Moo (Pig) had agreed with him to buy the car with Chiang Mai plates for 20,000 baht. Picture: Sanook But he didn't have the money with him so he drove him to a temple in Saraburi to get it. However Phra Moo made the dealer wait all day then as dusk fell he said he'd like to take one more test drive. That's when he disappeared and Sornram decided to file a report for theft at the Muang Saraburi police. "It was only 20,000 baht and he was a monk", said Sonram when reporters asked him why he'd let his vehicle be taken so easily. "I thought I could trust him". Inquiries at the temple revealed that the monks there had no idea who Phra Moo really is; he'd just arrived and asked to stay for a couple of days. The dealer now just has CCTV with which to identify the thief. His final comment to Sanook formed the main part of their headline just like ours: "Monks are scarier than ghosts these days!" Picture: Sanook Investigations continue. If you see the battered old car it has the plate กค 7953 (Chiang Mai) A man in an orange robe may or may not be behind the wheel! -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-08 - 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 Picture: Sanook

A closer look at the Constitutional Court’s 9 judges as PM tenure ruling looms By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk Thailand’s Constitutional Court is poised to issue its ruling on the expiry date of suspended prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s eight-year tenure after a special meeting of the nine judges was called. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271249-a-closer-look-at-the-constitutional-court’s-9-judges-as-pm-tenure-ruling-looms/

By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk Thailand’s Constitutional Court is poised to issue its ruling on the expiry date of suspended prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s eight-year tenure after a special meeting of the nine judges was called. The quick move came as a surprise to many observers, who had expected a longer process. Only days ago on August 24, the court accepted the opposition’s petition for judicial review and ordered Gen Prayut to be suspended from duties as PM. At their meeting on Thursday (September 8), called by the court’s president Worawit Kangsasitiam, the nine judges are expected to look into written statements submitted by Gen Prayut, Meechai Ruchupan, the now-defunct Constitution Drafting Committee’s chairman, and the panel’s secretary Pakorn Nilprapunt, who is secretary-general of the Council of State, the government’s legal advisory agency. If the judges agree that they have enough information to make a ruling, the court will schedule a date to announce its decision. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/a-closer-look-at-the-constitutional-courts-9-judges-as-pm-tenure-ruling-looms/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-08 - 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 road carnage: Seventeen injured as pick-up slams into Chanthaburi noodle shop Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on a serious accident late last night when a pick-up with Rayong plates plowed into a noodle stand where diners were outside eating. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271248-thailand-road-carnage-seventeen-injured-as-pick-up-slams-into-chanthaburi-noodle-shop/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on a serious accident late last night when a pick-up with Rayong plates plowed into a noodle stand where diners were outside eating. Muang Chanthaburi police and rescue services arrived at the scene where a black Isuzu D-Max laden with fruit in baskets had mounted the footpath causing a front tire to burst. There was extensive damage to the shop and people were lying all about with serious and minor injuries. They were mostly diners but also pedestrians. The injured were taken to Phrapokklao Hospital and Sirivej Hospital. The incident occurred on Raksakchamoon Road heading out of Chanthaburi, an eastern seaboard city. A yam trader at a next door restaurant said that they heard a great noise late at night while they were upstairs and came down to see the carnage caused by the pick-up. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-08 - 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

Tim Newton Today - Sep 8: 33 dead in Karaoke bar fire, update on Krabi triple murder, local aviation news latest Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271247-tim-newton-today-sep-8-33-dead-in-karaoke-bar-fire-update-on-krabi-triple-murder-local-aviation-news-latest/

There's been another regional bar fire, this time killing at least 33 in Ho Chi Minh City, Air Asia speaks out against the proposed foreigner arrival tax, Jeststar's problem continue for Asia long hail flights and sad news about a sick dolphin. Thanks to our sponsor... https://5starmarinephuket.com

Live alone Thai man tasered after attacking neighbors' property Daily News Thai Caption: Hothead tasered Daily News reported from Phuket where a man who has previously been arrested for using yaba (meth amphetamine mixed with caffeine, known as Ya Narok or the "hell drug" in Thai) was going berserk. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271246-live-alone-thai-man-tasered-after-attacking-neighbors-property/

Daily News Thai Caption: Hothead tasered Daily News reported from Phuket where a man who has previously been arrested for using yaba (meth amphetamine mixed with caffeine, known as Ya Narok or the "hell drug" in Thai) was going berserk. Wichit police responded at a housing estate where the 35-40 year old Thai was smashing property including motor vehicles with an iron bar. He was also giving neighbors a tongue lashing. When police arrived he gave them a foul mouthed barrage as the situation only got worse and he refused to comply. Police took the decision to taser the man to get him into custody before he was taken to Vachira Hospital to be tested for drugs. The man is a yaba addict who frequently exhibits out of control behavior and has been convicted for criminal damage. He lives alone, reported the media, with relatives not wishing to have anything to do with him out of fear. The police asked for people who had suffered damaged to their property to come forward. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-08 - 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

Big Joke's rehabilitation continues: Former immigration chief will sit at the top table of RTP after reshuffle Daily News Thai Caption: Subject to royal consent An announcement in the Government Gazette yesterday, subject to royal approval, revealed the annual Royal Thai Police reshuffle. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271240-big-jokes-rehabilitation-continues-former-immigration-chief-will-sit-at-the-top-table-of-rtp-after-reshuffle/

Daily News Thai Caption: Subject to royal consent An announcement in the Government Gazette yesterday, subject to royal approval, revealed the annual Royal Thai Police reshuffle. Some 255 senior commanders will take up new positions come October 1st, reported Daily News who concentrated on the most important names. Top of the list was the new commander in chief of the RTP who will be confirmed as Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat - his nickname is Big Den, the notable one. He's the one on the left in the media's photo composite, minus his trademark glasses but with the prominent chin. On the right of the picture is Pol Lt-Gen Torsak Sukwimol - Big Tor - who moves up from assistant commander to deputy commander. Also following the same path - and easily the most recognisable face to both the Thai and non-Thai public - is the man in the center of the photo on the mike looking appropriately determined, suggests ASEAN NOW. That is none other than Pol Lt-Gen Surachate Hakpan, the poster boy cop of the RTP known wherever he goes - and he goes everywhere - as Big Joke (joke here means congee, a favorite dish of the Lt-Gen who hails from southern Thailand). The man is no joke in the other sense. Big Joke's spectacular rise and fall and rise again has led some to speculate that he is a chief of police in waiting. Others think that the charismatic cop who surrounds himself with a media savvy team may have a future in politics one day. The press and the public follow his every move. He rose to public attention as deputy commander of the tourist police and then the chief of immigration before he was sensationally sacked. It has been suggested that he got too big for his boots too quickly and for the best part of two years he was doing little more than shuffling paper at the PM's office. He even went on a sabbatical to India to take stock. Then his vehicle - a Lexus - was shot at while he was visiting a spa in Surawong, a downtown district of Bangkok. Fallout from that incident led to the demotion of a senior policeman under the command of then RTP chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda. The assailants on a motorcycle were never caught and the reasons for the potshots never ascertained. The reasons for his removal from immigration were equally shrouded in mystery. Though he was famous for trying to end the culture of "tips" in the organisation and, perhaps more tellingly, criticized the 2 billion baht implementation of the much vaunted Biometrics system. However, following his fall it didn't take too long before Prayuth Chan-ocha - who led the Police Commission before his sidelining recently amid suggestions he has completed his 8 year tenure as premier - named Surachate as an assistant commander with special roles. Once again Surachate was flying around the nation sorting out things from illegal fishing to human trafficking (both highly important for international recognition from other nations, especially the US). He was also put in charge by retiring RTP chief Pol Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk of his personal baby, the "Smart Safety Zone 4.0" community policing initiative. Where Surachate's new role takes him is anyone's guess but there is no doubting that now he is dining at the top table. Whether that means dining at the top trough - a common sly remark often aimed at the propensity of the RTP to engage in corrupt practices - rather depends on one's view of the Lt-Gen. He has detractors who dislike his media presence as well as supporters who find him a breath of fresh air. Some even think he could be the one to end alleged long standing corrution in the RTP. Skeptics say that is impossible, it is too deeply ingrained in an organisation more akin to a quasi-mafia organisation than a responsible police force. Also rising from assistant to deputy commander - but not pictured - were lesser known figures Pol Lt-Gen Chinnaphat Sarasin and Pol Lt-Gen Kittirat Panpetch. Daily News also reported on dozens of lesser lights who have been reshuffled in this latest round of appointments that occurs at this time of every year in Thailand. Extra reporting and analysis by ASEAN NOW's news team. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-08 - 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

NBTC reprimands telecom operators for laxing on rules as it looks to tackle call center scammers By Narudon Daisachulshu The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has come out to warn telecom operators in Thailand to get their act together or else face a fine of up to 1 million Baht per day for noncompliance. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1271238-nbtc-reprimands-telecom-operators-for-laxing-on-rules-as-it-looks-to-tackle-call-center-scammers/