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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Photo: INN News By Thai Newsroom Reporters PRIME MINISTER PRAYUT Chan-o-cha who has been ordered by court to stop performing as of yesterday is no longer politically righteous to come back as head of government, commented academics today (August 25). National Institute of Development Administration’s (NIDA) Political and Development Strategies Project director Pichai Ratanadilok suggested Prayut call it quits now that he is no longer politically justifiable to return as head of government, given the fact that he has already run the country for eight years as maximumly provided by law. Pichai encouraged Prayut to step down now though the Constitutional Court which has ordered him to immediately stop performing his duties is yet to deliver a ruling on his eight-year rule within next month. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/08/25/prayut-no-longer-politically-righteous-to-come-back-academics/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-26 - 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!

Move To Clear Dead Cables In Bangkok With 50% Useless TNR Staff Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt overseeing the removal of dead cables on Thonglor road. Photos: Naewna BANGKOK Governor Chadchart Sittiphan supervised the removal of dead cables at Thonglor road today (August 25) to speed up a project to tidy up communication lines running through 800 kilometres of the metropolis within two years, Naewna newspaper said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270011-move-to-clear-dead-cables-in-bangkok-with-50-useless/

to continue: Thailand Live Friday 26 August 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1270009-thailand-live-friday-26-august-2022/

Where does Bangkok figure on the Asian pollution index? Pollution is one of the main causes of global warming and it is a concern for everyone around the world. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270010-where-does-bangkok-figure-on-the-asian-pollution-index/

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt overseeing the removal of dead cables on Thonglor road. Photos: Naewna TNR Staff BANGKOK Governor Chadchart Sittiphan supervised the removal of dead cables at Thonglor road today (August 25) to speed up a project to tidy up communication lines running through 800 kilometres of the metropolis within two years, Naewna newspaper said. He was accompanied by Mrs. Pirongrong Ramsut, secretary-general National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, with this being the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’s (NBTC) project. “NBTC is the host and many agencies are cooperating including Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) ,the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), entrepreneurs, commissioners and MPs who have been pushing this project all along. It’s a good sign that NBTC has a project to tidy up messy communication lines with 50% being unused. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/08/25/move-to-clear-dead-cables-in-bangkok-with-50-useless/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-26 - 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!

Pollution is one of the main causes of global warming and it is a concern for everyone around the world. Those of us who live and work in an Asian city often must suffer, which is of course not good for our health. If you are unable to escape to the coast or the countryside, what cities have the lowest pollution figures in the region? We used Numbeo’s website who is the world’s largest online data source to find out. Numbeo.com was launched in April 2009 and all the research and available data are not influenced by any governmental organization. Numbeo’s Pollution Index is an estimation of the overall pollution in the city. The biggest weight is given to air pollution, then to water pollution/accessibility, the two main pollution factors. Small weight is given to other pollution types. Pollution Exp Scale is using an exponential scale to show extremely high numbers for very polluted cities, and exceptionally low numbers for unpolluted cities. Therefore, to calculate formula it uses the exponential function to calculate the index. Here is the list of 19 SE Asian cities. POLLUTION INDEX 1 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 92.18 2 Yangon, Myanmar 91.76 3 Manila, Philippines 89.92 4 Hanoi, Vietnam 89.60 5 Pattaya, Thailand 88.21 6 Jakarta, Indonesia 84.72 7 Cebu, Philippines 84.33 8 Quezon City, Philippines 82.89 9 Phnom Penh, Cambodia 80.50 10 Chiang Mai, Thailand 76.97 11 Bangkok, Thailand 76.78 12 Bali, Indonesia 75.96 13 Baguio, Philippines 72.14 14 Makati, Philippines 69.03 15 Bandung, Indonesia 67.11 16 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 66.68 17 Davao, Philippines 55.92 18 Surabaya, Indonesia 54.58 19 Singapore, Singapore 33.13 Bangkok rates 11th on the list and surprisingly they are lower than Pattaya!!! Earlier in the year, the daily air pollution figures were showing the Pattaya was often at danger levels, so maybe it is understandable. If you still need to work or live in a city, then Singapore has the lowest pollution record on the current Numbeo pollution index. The city to avoid has to be Hotan in Xinjiang, China, which became Asia's and the world's most polluted city in 2020. Who has best air quality in the world? The air quality in Finland is the best in the world, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). Altogether the WHO compiled fine particulate measurement data from its database of more than 4 000 cities in 108 countries. So, head for Helsinki near the Arctic if you want clean air! -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-26 - 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

What power does Prawit have as acting PM? Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan The decision by the Constitutional Court to suspend Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from active duty might have fallen short of the expectations of the opposition bloc and anti-government demonstrators, but should help lower the political temperature — at least for the time being, according to political analysts. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269991-what-power-does-prawit-have-as-acting-pm/

Weeks of tension, tightropes and looking over shoulders A major political suspense is materializing following Wednesday’s Constitutional Court decision to suspend Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from duty. But it will also a period when everyone is restless, has to be extremely careful, and can never really trust anybody else, be it friends or foes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269993-weeks-of-tension-tightropes-and-looking-over-shoulders/

Picture: Thai Rath "Thanks to everyone from the bottom of this little girl's heart" - HIV girl overwhelmed by generosity The 17 year old girl in Chainat who has had HIV since she was in her mother's womb, been bullied and faced stigma has been overwhelmed by the generosity of Thais and foreigners alike. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269988-thanks-to-everyone-from-the-bottom-of-this-little-girls-heart-hiv-girl-overwhelmed-by-generosity/

Weeks of tension, tightropes and looking over shoulders A major political suspense is materializing following Wednesday’s Constitutional Court decision to suspend Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from duty. But it will also a period when everyone is restless, has to be extremely careful, and can never really trust anybody else, be it friends or foes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269993-weeks-of-tension-tightropes-and-looking-over-shoulders/

A major political suspense is materializing following Wednesday’s Constitutional Court decision to suspend Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from duty. But it will also a period when everyone is restless, has to be extremely careful, and can never really trust anybody else, be it friends or foes. Can Prayut fully trust Prawit Wongsuwan, the deputy prime minister who is now assuming the caretaking prime ministerial role? What should street protesters do and how should they do it? Is it wise and necessary for every political party to get a good election campaign head start immediately? How should opposition MPs behave, now that the matter is in the court’s hands? What should be the strategy of Prayut’s opponents _ upping the ante or applying the brake to prevent him from getting too much sympathy from the fickle section of the populace? Also, how should they view Wednesday’s development? Is it something to celebrate, or must they be very wary? These are the questions that will keep everyone on a tightrope and fully alert to the possibility of backstabbing and reversal of fortune. Prawit will have considerable administrative powers and his preferred “projects” or “appointments” now get a good or better chance. He also will have a great opportunity to prove that he “can do it at the highest level without Prayut”, who has become a weak link of the coalition in many people’s eyes. Prawit, after all, is a political party leader and, despite being a big target of the parliamentary opposition and protesters himself, does not have a constitutional problem. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/weeks-of-tension-tightropes-and-looking-over-shoulders/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-25 - 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 finance minister says committed investment projects unaffected by political risks Wednesday’s suspension of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from his duties by Thailand’s charter court may raise questions over whether investor confidence and public investments are being affected. The country’s finance minister has, however, insisted that investment projects, to which the government has already committed, will continue. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269992-thai-finance-minister-says-committed-investment-projects-unaffected-by-political-risks/

Wednesday’s suspension of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from his duties by Thailand’s charter court may raise questions over whether investor confidence and public investments are being affected. The country’s finance minister has, however, insisted that investment projects, to which the government has already committed, will continue. Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said yesterday (Wednesday) that “projects already committed are to be implemented in accordance with the government’s policies, all aimed at accelerating investment, stable growth and continuity of economic recovery.” President of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Pakorn Peetathawatchai stated that Thailand’s economic development and investments continue to grow, regardless of Thai politics. Looking back 20-30 years, one can see that the Thai business sector, including Thai listed companies, both domestically and internationally, have always developed, he said. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-finance-minister-says-committed-investment-projects-unaffected-by-political-risks/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-25 - 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!

What power does Prawit have as acting PM? Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan The decision by the Constitutional Court to suspend Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from active duty might have fallen short of the expectations of the opposition bloc and anti-government demonstrators, but should help lower the political temperature — at least for the time being, according to political analysts. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269991-what-power-does-prawit-have-as-acting-pm/

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan The decision by the Constitutional Court to suspend Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from active duty might have fallen short of the expectations of the opposition bloc and anti-government demonstrators, but should help lower the political temperature — at least for the time being, according to political analysts. Businessmen and industrialists, meanwhile, expressed confidence that the current political uncertainty should not have serious effect on the economy as the country begins to recover from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. The Constitutional Court on Wednesday voted unanimously to accept a petition submitted by the opposition bloc for it to rule on Gen Prayut’s term of office as prime minister. The court also issued an injunction that prohibits Prayut from performing his prime ministerial duty, pending its final ruling. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/what-power-does-prawit-have-as-acting-pm/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-25 - 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!

UPDATE: "Thanks to everyone from the bottom of this little girl's heart" - HIV girl overwhelmed by generosity Picture: Thai Rath The 17 year old girl in Chainat who has had HIV since she was in her mother's womb, been bullied and faced stigma has been overwhelmed by the generosity of Thais and foreigners alike. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269988-thanks-to-everyone-from-the-bottom-of-this-little-girls-heart-hiv-girl-overwhelmed-by-generosity/

"Thanks to everyone from the bottom of this little girl's heart" - HIV girl overwhelmed by generosity Picture: Thai Rath The 17 year old girl in Chainat who has had HIV since she was in her mother's womb, been bullied and faced stigma has been overwhelmed by the generosity of Thais and foreigners alike. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269988-thanks-to-everyone-from-the-bottom-of-this-little-girls-heart-hiv-girl-overwhelmed-by-generosity/

Picture: Thai Rath The 17 year old girl in Chainat who has had HIV since she was in her mother's womb, been bullied and faced stigma has been overwhelmed by the generosity of Thais and foreigners alike. Nong Jaa's mum died, her father was sent to prison and her and her grandfather barely had 3,000 baht a month to make ends meet. Now she just wanted to finish school and get to university and make a life for herself and her grandfather. Thai Rath and local officials recognised her plight and an appeal was started with donations being sent to Jaa's GSB bank account. Within just one day the donations had reached 948,248 baht, reported Thai Rath who were at the school in Sankhaburi, Chainat, central Thailand where Jaa studies and is a competent and dilligent student. "Wow" said an amazed Jaa after two teachers who are managing her account came back with the good news while she was doing her homework. ""I never thought people would be so kind, I've never seen so much money in my whole life". Jaa thanked Thailand's reporters, news organisations, her teachers, provincial reps and most of all the huge number of people who had donated. She promised that all the money would be spent wisely and appropriately. ASEAN NOW readers joined in with the donations sending tens of thousands of baht according to posts. And that was just the people who reported sending money and the amounts. Jaa added: "Thanks from this little girl from the bottom of my heart". Picture: Thai Rath One of the teacher's who has helped set up the account, Naowarat Sricham said that it would not be linked to an ATM card. She said that the school director had set up a committee of trustees who will make sure that the money is spent properly. Apart from the cost of university it will be used to make Jaa and her grandfather's living conditions better as well as pay daily, monthly and yearly expenses as appropriate. Another of the teacher advisors, Chuleekorn Pinkaew, said that teachers had addressed the problem of Jaa being bullied. "There are no bullies now," she said. "It was explained to the children that this virus is not something that can be passed on easily and that everyone should live together in a spirit of harmony and not cause stress to others". ASEAN NOW would like to thank all our expatriate readers who responded positively to the story and of course those who made donations. The news team is thrilled that our members have played their part in making Jaa's life better and giving her a future that she can look forward to with renewed hope for herself and her grandfather. Well done to everybody! -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-25 - 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

Satellite images show widespread flooding in Thailand’s northeast The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has released images, taken on August 24th by the Sentinel-1 satellite, of flooding covering 20,800 hectares of land in the north-eastern region of Thailand. More than 11,200 hectares of rice fields have been affected. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269966-satellite-images-show-widespread-flooding-in-thailand’s-northeast/

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has released images, taken on August 24th by the Sentinel-1 satellite, of flooding covering 20,800 hectares of land in the north-eastern region of Thailand. More than 11,200 hectares of rice fields have been affected. The data from the satellite, which is monitoring the flood situation in the northeast, show that the areas affected are mainly located on both sides of the Chi and the Mun River basins, in parts of Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Maha Sarakham, Buri Ram and Roi Et. To support GISTDA’s mission, the images and data from the satellite have been sent to various other agencies and adjustment of the satellite’s sensors will be undertaken by GISTDA, to enable even more accurate analysis and monitoring of areas prone to ongoing flooding. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/satellite-images-show-widespread-flooding-in-thailands-northeast/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-25 - 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!

Constitution drafter scoffs at plans by DPM Wissanu’s call for Prayut to return as ‘caretaker’ PM By Erich Parpart Thailand’s embattled Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha cannot take over as caretaker prime minister if other deputy prime minister refused to accept the position as the move would be against the Constitutional Court’s order, a former adviser to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) Jade Donavanik said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269961-constitution-drafter-scoffs-at-plans-by-dpm-wissanu’s-call-for-prayut-to-return-as-‘caretaker’-pm/

By Erich Parpart Thailand’s embattled Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha cannot take over as caretaker prime minister if other deputy prime minister refused to accept the position as the move would be against the Constitutional Court’s order, a former adviser to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) Jade Donavanik said. “The court ordered to suspend your premiership duty but then you come back as caretaker prime minister? How would that be any different from being a prime minister?” he asked rhetorically while on a television program. “I do not think that it would be possible,” Jade added. Jade was one of the advisors for the 2017 CDC that drafted the charter which has been at the centre of debate over the past few months, especially on Article 158 that forbids anyone from holding office for more than 8 years. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/43348/constitution-drafter-scoffs-at-plans-by-dpm-wissanus-call-for-prayut-to-return-as-caretaker-pm/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-08-25 - 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 tourism continues to recover with 4 million arrivals already this year International visitors await instructions from health officials inside the arrival terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport as Thailand welcomes the first group of vaccinated tourists without quarantine in Bangkok on November 1, 2021./ AFP The number of foreign tourists entering Thailand so far this year has now exceeded 4 million in a positive sign, reflecting the continuing recovery of Thailand’s tourism sector. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269959-thai-tourism-continues-to-recover-with-4-million-arrivals-already-this-year/

International visitors await instructions from health officials inside the arrival terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport as Thailand welcomes the first group of vaccinated tourists without quarantine in Bangkok on November 1, 2021./ AFP The number of foreign tourists entering Thailand so far this year has now exceeded 4 million in a positive sign, reflecting the continuing recovery of Thailand’s tourism sector. It is also a result of the relaxation of tourist entry procedures and proactive tourism promotion, according to Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri. The end-of-year government target for the arrival of foreign tourists is 10 million, with just four months left. Pre-COVID, the numbers of tourists were on the rise each year, from 38.2 million in 2018 to almost 40 million in 2019. Anucha said that, according to statistics from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the cumulative number of foreign tourists entering Thailand between January 1st andAugust 16th was 4,015,504, of which most were from Malaysia, India, the Lao PDR, Singapore and the United Kingdom, in descending order. Full: story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-tourism-continues-to-recover-with-4-million-arrivals-already-this-year/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-25 - 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!

Wendy – a whirlwind of a woman | People of Hua Hin By Felicitee Lawrie In the interests of transparency, I have to admit I have known Wendy Herbert for a while now, and am proud to call her my friend. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269958-wendy-–-a-whirlwind-of-a-woman-people-of-hua-hin/