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Daily News Thai Caption: One million baht bail Daily News reported that yesterday the Pattaya court had granted bail in the sum of one million baht to Somyot Panprasong or "Sia Yot". The father of Pongsiri or "Sia B" had initially been ordered held for 12 days. Earlier Sia B was named as the owner of Mountain B where a fire killed 19 people earlier this month. Speculation has been rife as to who the real owner is. Sia B is out on bail on a far lower sum. Sia Yot must wear an EM (electronic monitoring) band, not tamper with witnesses and must report to the court several times at the end of the second, fourth and seventh detention periods. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-18 - 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

Charming! Man stops to change his wiper blades only for a thief to steal pick-up Daily News Thai Caption: All over in a few seconds Daily News reported on a crime that took just a few seconds but has so far been unsolved. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269211-charming-man-stops-to-change-his-wiper-blades-only-for-a-thief-to-steal-pick-up/

Daily News Thai Caption: All over in a few seconds Daily News reported on a crime that took just a few seconds but has so far been unsolved. Juthaphol, 53, told the media that his elder brother had taken his pick-up to a roadside stall to change his wiper blades. After this was done the brother went to pay and get a receipt but left the keys in the ignition. Picture: Daily News The female trader had said: "Is there someone in your vehicle?" He turned in horror - someone was reversing and driving off in his Isuzu. Police were informed about the incident on the Asia Highway, KM marker 20 in Thanu sub-district of Ayutthaya. But so far there has been no arrest. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-18 - 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: New governor announces crackdown on illegal parking next month after "Traffy Fondue" study 77kaoded Thai Caption: Next month you'll be caught for sure! 77kaoded reported that new Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt was cracking down on illegal parking in the Thai capital from next month. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269210-bangkok-new-governor-announces-crackdown-on-illegal-parking-next-month-after-traffy-fondue-study/

77kaoded Thai Caption: Next month you'll be caught for sure! 77kaoded reported that new Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt was cracking down on illegal parking in the Thai capital from next month. He promised arrests, fines and clampings after meeting with deputy commander of the met police Pol Maj-Gen Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek. The top men and traffic experts were also discussing the implimentation of something called the ITMS - Intelligence Traffic Management System, according to the media. A committee of the BMA and the RTP is looking into that. Picture: 77kaoded The other issue was illegal parking causing traffic buildup. A scientific study had been ongoing for two months to identify problem areas. This was referred to as "Traffy Fondue" by the media. Picture: 77kaoded Whether this involved the use of melted cheese or chocolate was not explained, notes ASEAN NOW. Also on the governor's radar was making sure that department stores organised stopping places for taxis within their buildings. Some have not meaning that taxis tout for business out in the street creating further traffic buildup. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-18 - 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

Drunk security guard killed crossing the road for more booze Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported from Samut Prakan where a drunk security guard crossing the road for more booze was hit by a pick-up and died at the scene. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269209-drunk-security-guard-killed-crossing-the-road-for-more-booze/

Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported from Samut Prakan where a drunk security guard crossing the road for more booze was hit by a pick-up and died at the scene. It happened in front of the Torung Srisuk market on Thepparak Road, KM marker 10 in Bang Plee. Bang Kaew police had received notification of the accident at 11.30 pm last night. Prasit Inkaew, 61, with multiple injuries was given CPR for 15 minutes by rescue services to no avail. A damaged Vigo had stopped 100 meters down the road. Picture: 77kaoded Watcharaphol, 41, said he was delivering things when the pedestrian ran out into the road with his hand up. He tried to swerve but ended crossing the central reservation. It was lucky he didn't have a collision on the other side. A laab seller said that the deceased was a security man at a small factory who was always drinking. He came in for some lao khao (white spirit) but the laab seller didn't have any so he decided to run over the road and get some from a karaoke establishment. That proved to be a fateful decision. The deceased was taken away for autopsy while the Vigo driver was interviewed at the police station. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-18 - 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

Top Monk confused after Thai PM connects Buddhist suffering with electricity price increase Sanook Thai Caption: Monk confused - how can he connect the two? A top monk in Thailand said he was completely confused by comments made by Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as reported by ASEAN NOW yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269208-top-monk-confused-after-thai-pm-connects-buddhist-suffering-with-electricity-price-increase/

Sanook Thai Caption: Monk confused - how can he connect the two? A top monk in Thailand said he was completely confused by comments made by Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as reported by ASEAN NOW yesterday. Thailand's increasingly out of touch and belligerent former general who seized power in 2014 berated the press then went on a rant about the "Four Noble Truths" of Buddhism. These are central tenets about suffering that are key to Buddhist learning. Sanook went to see Phra Phayom Kanlayano, abbot of Wat Suan Kaew in Nonthaburi, who failed to see any connection with the Four Noble Truths and electricity prices. "We're suffering because we don't want to pay higher prices" said the monk drily. He noted that his temple's bills had gone from a monthly charge of 120,000 to 150,000 baht. Prayuth had lambasted the press for misrepresenting increases saying it was "only a few satang". This from a man who has 128 million baht in declared assets. The monk gave the benefit of his ideas on suffering and how to be economical and alleviate that. But he was completely "ngong" (confused) by the PM connecting Buddhism and electricity charges. As the rest of Thailand was. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-18 - 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

Top makeup artist claims she was blanked by former Miss Universe "Sugar" Sanook Thai Caption: "She doesn't want to speak to me" Sanook reported on a story from Thai celebrity circles that was amusing Thai netizens. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269205-top-makeup-artist-claims-she-was-blanked-by-former-miss-universe-sugar/

Sanook Thai Caption: "She doesn't want to speak to me" Sanook reported on a story from Thai celebrity circles that was amusing Thai netizens. Well known celebrity makeup artist and beauty consultant "Madam Pam" - also known as Winlaphat Srisakulmekhee - went online to say she was snubbed by a "top 6" Miss Universe Thailand contestant. Netizens in the know put two and two together and came up with four in the shape of Chalita Suansaneh or Namtan (Sugar) who won the crown in 2016. Picture: Sanook Madam Pam then went on Facebook live to confirm that it was indeed Namtan who had ignored her. Despite loving her and promoting her career, this was not reciprocated by the much younger woman. "She ignored me", said Madam Pam after the alleged snub at a TV show. Netizens were in two minds about whether Namtan would care less or even know the make-up artist. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-18 - 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

Famous Thai comedian on the scene as top brass investigate theft/attempted rape at salon Picture: INN INN reported that famous Thai comedian Mum Jokmok was on the scene at a beauty salon in Nonthaburi owned by a girlfriend where there was a robbery and attempted rape. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269204-famous-thai-comedian-on-the-scene-as-top-brass-investigate-theftattempted-rape-at-salon/

Picture: INN INN reported that famous Thai comedian Mum Jokmok was on the scene at a beauty salon in Nonthaburi owned by a girlfriend where there was a robbery and attempted rape. The salon is in Plai Bang sub-district. The robbery on Tuesday was described as brazen and police were determined to catch the person responsible for it as fast as possible as he was a danger to society. Nonthaburi police chief Phaisan Wongwatcharamongkhol said that the Plai Bang police know the identity of the man and were seeking a court warrant for his arrest yesterday on a charge of robbery. Police were studying CCTV and forensics officers were at the scene. The appearance of Mum Jokmok was the main interest for INN. Also known as Petchtai Wongkamlao - Mum Jokmok is one of the most recognizable celebrities in Thailand. The 57 year old hails from Yasothon and is a film director and actor as well as a top comedian. The owner of the salon is a singer in his group of stars. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-18 - 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 Odyssey continues: Back to human trafficking and fishing - poster boy cop in Samut Sakhon Picture: Siam Rath Thailand's charismatic cop Lt-Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakpan was in Samut Sakhon yesterday turning his attention back to human trafficking and fishing related issues. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269199-big-jokes-odyssey-continues-back-to-human-trafficking-and-fishing-poster-boy-cop-in-samut-sakhon/

Picture: Siam Rath Thailand's charismatic cop Lt-Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakpan was in Samut Sakhon yesterday turning his attention back to human trafficking and fishing related issues. Surachate has been examining all sorts of things recently. He was in Betong praising local police for their introduction of the much vaunted Smart Safety Zone 4.0 community policing plan, retiring RTP chief Pol Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk's baby. Then Pattaya got some bad marks for having a filthy police station. A few days ago in Phuket he ordered locals and police to get their fingers out to improve footpaths and a zebra crossing. Now Siam Rath reported he was in the central Thai port area of Samut Sakhon. Surachate has been tasked by PM Prayuth Chan-ocha to improve Thailand's human trafficking record getting the country taken off the TIP 2022 Tier 2 watchlist to Tier 2 itself. Part of this is how human trafficking relates to employment practices within Thailand's vast fishing industry. Also on Big Joke's ever expanding plate of responsibility is the matter of IUU or unreported and unregulated fishing that has seen Thailand criticized for illegal practices and facing sanctions. Siam Rath noted in their headline that Surachate was determined to see an end to Thai fishermen illegally adapting nets all over the country. Big Joke's rise and fall and rise again has been an odyssey of note. He was once a lowly southern cop, then head of immigration, then consigned to paper shuffling in the PM's office. Now he is all the rage again jetting around the country doing the bidding of top politicians and fellow RTP bigwigs for the good of the country. Some are even seeing a political career for the charismatic poster boy of the RTP, easily the most recognizable policeman for the Thai public, notes ASEAN NOW. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-18 - 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

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday August 18 2022 Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269196-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-august-18-2022/

Listen to the news: A court in Bangkok has dismissed a 10 year lawsuit brought by villagers that live along the Mekong river who wanted Thailand to cancel the purchase of electricity from a hydro dam in Laos, claiming the Xaya-buri dam negatively impacted the environment and their livelihoods. However the supreme court ruled the purchase of power agreement did not directly impact the plaintiffs or people in the Mekong basin. Thailand's health minister Anutin has said the new cannabis law could be opened further to permit its recreational use. This could be done if people agree that cannabis use is not harmful, adding he has not seen any negative social impact since the plant was taken off the country's narcotics list in June. Anutin has said he will stand in next year's general election. 3 passengers were killed and 5 others injured when a truck carrying Myanmar workers came off the road after a tyre burst in NAKHON SI THAMMARAT. The injured were taken to hospital, some of the others and a Thai driver fled before police arrived. Some were later caught. A 21 year old man, an Indian national, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport trying to smuggle protected wildlife out of the country, including a white desert fox, two iguanas, pythons --a raccoon, three monitor lizards and eight monkeys. Many were not native to Thailand, Officials were trying to find out where they had originated. Police arrested 2 couples in their 20s from Prachuap Khiri Khan in possession of 98,000 methamphetamine pills valued at some 10 million baht, Officers had earlier questioned another drugs agent who said the couple had supplied drugs, investigations lead to a further stash hidden in blue pvc pipes buried in a coconut plantation. Investigations continue. Region: Myanmar: A senior UN official said she had urged Myanmar's military ruler to release political prisoners and stop executions during a rare, high-profile visit. Noeleen Heyzer said "her visit was to convey the concern of the United Nations and propose concrete steps needed to reduce conflict and suffering of the people. UN engagement does not in any way confer legitimacy," China is currently in the grip of its longest heatwave since records began in 1961, at least four provinces are rationing electric power as consumption increased. The current heatwave has lasted for 66 days. Chiang Mai: A fine start, rain this afternoon 31C Bangkok: Bright becoming Cloudy with thundershowers 32C Pattaya and SE: Cloudy with isolated showers 30C Phuket and the South: Fine & Dry Partly cloudy 30C Hua Hin: Bright partly cloudy with rain likely this afternoon 32C 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 2022-08-18 - 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!

NCB chief says kratom regulations nearly ready - beg's the question "What about weed?" Siam Rath carried a report quoting the secretary of the Narcotics Control Board in relation to regulations in the pipeline about kratom. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269193-ncb-chief-says-kratom-regulations-nearly-ready-begs-the-question-what-about-weed/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath carried a report quoting the secretary of the Narcotics Control Board in relation to regulations in the pipeline about kratom. The plant was taken off the Class 5 narcotics list earlier than marijuana that followed in June. Regulations about the latter are expected to be announced next month though this report didn't mention that eagerly awaited day. Wichai Chaimongkhol said that kratom regulations would be announced shortly then in the Government Gazette, after which there will be a mandatory waiting period. He said that the main thrust of the rules will be to protect the Thai kratom industry from imports and ensure that vulnerable people - like children and pregnant women - are protected. Picture: Siam Rath There will also be statutes related to price protection for farmers. The media noted that the regulations have the support of the justice minister Somsak Thepsuthin. So what about marijuana that was legalized on June 9th when it was taken off the narcotics list too. This has left a limbo period when growers, sellers and consumers have been left in doubt as to what the future holds. The House committee forulating laws was expected to announce its findings by September and with that less than two weeks away many in Thailand and abroad will be anxiously waiting to see what happens. Far more foreigners - even tourists - are concerned about weed than kratom, notes ASEAN NOW. Picture: Siam Rath Like kratom, protection for Thai marijuana growers is a given but what price protections will there be for growers and consumers? Many are complaining that the price post legalization in Thailand is too high while others want to see stricter limits in many areas. Taxation is likely to feature as Thailand moves forward into uncharted territory regarding both kratom and marijuana. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-18 - 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 Chinese air drill likely to create turbulence in procurement of F35 fighter jets By Erich Parpart The announcement by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to undertake a joint air exercise with its Chinese counterpart will hamper Thailand’s chance of purchasing F-35 fighter jets from the United States, an academic told Thai Enquirer. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269191-thai-chinese-air-drill-likely-to-create-turbulence-in-procurement-of-f35-fighter-jets/

By Erich Parpart The announcement by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to undertake a joint air exercise with its Chinese counterpart will hamper Thailand’s chance of purchasing F-35 fighter jets from the United States, an academic told Thai Enquirer. “The US will be concerned about the F-35 technology being shared with China so when Thailand gets too close to China in a military exercise, its chances of buying F-35 is lower,” said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a director of the Institute of Security and International Studies a professor at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science. The RTAF launched a 12-day air exercise dubbed Falcon Strike 2022 in Udon Thani last Sunday. The drill is the 5th of its kind since 2015. The previous round was held in the province in 2019. The RTAF also conducts similar bilateral joint exercises with Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/42919/thai-chinese-air-drill-likely-to-create-turbulence-in-procurement-of-f35-fighter-jets/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-08-18 - 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!

Tourism minister determined to get 4 am nightlife so Thailand "won't be left behind" - it's all about money Daily News Thai Caption: Khao San checks Tourism and sports minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan was in Khao San Road last night promoting his idea to extend closing of the country's night life until 4 am. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269189-tourism-minister-determined-to-get-4-am-nightlife-so-thailand-wont-be-left-behind-its-all-about-money/

Daily News Thai Caption: Khao San checks Tourism and sports minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan was in Khao San Road last night promoting his idea to extend closing of the country's night life until 4 am. Khao San is seen as the ideal place for a pilot plan for this before it is rolled out to other tourism areas to take advantage of the next high season. His visit to the area was billed by Daily News as a fact finding mission to seek ways to get the late opening off the ground. But ASEAN NOW notes that the minister's comments show he is determined to push through with the plan despite opposition from some quarters. Picture: Daily News His message was quite clear - enough with the pandemic already, Thailand must not be left behind in ASEAN and the country's economy was more important than local concerns like noise or the opinion of doctors. This can be interpreted as "suck it up for the good of the country - we're going to allow late opening no matter what". In order to achieve this Pipat needs to convince the CCSA or Covid steering committee and the Interior Ministry who have the final say on matters of the law. Pipat was joined last night by metropolitan police bigwigs, the chief of the local police, the head of the local authority and TAT reps to help drive the message home. Some tourists even helped give the thumbs up in what was effectively a PR exercise for the minister's plans. He started with a conciliatory note saying that if Khao San residents disagree then he'll go along with that but then spoke of the suitability of the area for a pilot 4 am opening plan after 3 years of Covid. He noted that the area was especially busy on weekends with 60-70% of its clientele traditionally foreign tourists. Picture: Daily News He claimed that the police, the TAT and the local authority all back his plan. He said that 1 million foreign tourists or more are arriving each month and that from October to March this will increase as Thailand enjoys its high season and Europe, China, Japan and South Korea are in low season. "We have to open our eyes and mouths and be ready to get back to normal," he said. He could have said, open our wallets. He said he understood concerns coming from some in the medical community but his job was to get money into Thailand and get the economy moving upwards through tourism. He warned that without decisive action Thailand would be the slowest to reopen of the 11 ASEAN economies and it was vital to avoid that scenario. He noted that nightlife had been the last to reopen and needs all the help he can provide. Picture: Daily News He would be consulting on the plan with the CCSA in September - October at the latest - to get it pushed through though cautioned about the Interior Ministry having the final say. And he said that the TAT would be liaising with businesses in Pattaya, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Samui to see if they were ready for 4 am opening too. Businesses are likely to welcome the push and local opposition and that of other opponents is likely to be pushed aside for the benefits that late opening might bring. Namely money. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-18 - 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

World Sports News - Thursday 18 August by Chili Radio Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269185-world-sports-news-thursday-18-august-by-chili-radio/

Listen to the news: Football - In last night's UEFA Champions League qualifying matches first legs there were wins for Benfica and Maccabi Haifa. Qarabag and Viktoria Plzen drew 0-0. British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to buy Manchester United. News of the 69-year-old's interest follows a Bloomberg report that the Glazer family are willing to sell a minority stake in the club and United have also had a bid of 130m pounds turned down by Atletico Madrid for playmaker Joao Felix. Cricket - England were put under huge pressure by tremendous South Africa bowling before rain wiped out most of the opening day of the first Test at Lord's. Put in to bat in testing conditions, the home side were reduced to 116-6 by the relentless Proteas pace attack. Anrich Nortje claimed 3-43, while Kagiso Rabada got two wickets for 36. Tennis - British number one Emma Raducanu produced another eye-catching display as she thrashed former world number one Victoria Azarenka less than 24 hours after beating Serena Williams. Raducanu continued her preparations for the forthcoming defence of her US Open title with a 6-0 6-2 win in Cincinnati. Download the Chili Radio app : https://chiliradio.app for Chili Pop and Chili Classics. -- © Copyright Chili RADIO 2022-08-18 Chili Radio: https://chiliradiothailand.com Listen Live: https://chiliradio.asia - 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!