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topic runs here: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268877-baby-elephant-drowns-in-water-hole-after-large-herd-arrives-for-midnight-feast-locals-want-compensation/

Tourism Minister Supports Bridge Project to Koh Samui BANGKOK, Aug 15 (TNA) – Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn expressed his support for a project to build a bridge to Koh Samui island, Surat Thani, to promote tourism. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268888-tourism-minister-supports-bridge-project-to-koh-samui/

BANGKOK, Aug 15 (TNA) – Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn expressed his support for a project to build a bridge to Koh Samui island, Surat Thani, to promote tourism. He expressed his stance while attending a meeting with representatives of public and private sectors on Koh Samui and in Surat Thani province. Apart from the bridge project, the meeting also discussed local tourism development projects including an initiative to turn Koh Samui into a wellness and green destination. The Transport Ministry already studied the feasibility of a new bridge to Koh Samui from either Don Sak district of Surat Thani or Khanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province and the ministry found feasibility with the project. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-997806 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-08-15 - 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 sees losses narrow as tourism picks up By Pitchayapa Phiwpong Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), the country’s embattled national carrier, has come out to report a net loss of 3.2 billion Baht for its operations during the 2nd quarter of this year, a decrease of 113.8% from the same period last year as load factor picked up. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268887-thai-sees-losses-narrow-as-tourism-picks-up/

By Pitchayapa Phiwpong Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), the country’s embattled national carrier, has come out to report a net loss of 3.2 billion Baht for its operations during the 2nd quarter of this year, a decrease of 113.8% from the same period last year as load factor picked up. THAI said that for the first 6 months, its total losses were at 6.46 billion Baht, a decrease of 158.1%. THAI, which has been undergoing debt restructuring as the mountain of debts were unable to be serviced amid global shutdown in tourism industry during the peak of the pandemic, but things have started to pick up as the economy opens. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/42821/thai-sees-losses-narrow-as-tourism-picks-up/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-08-15 - 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!

Mum, 66, in ICU in Chonburi after cobra spits venom in her eye Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that a 66 year old mother is in ICU in hospital in Chonburi after suffering from cobra venom that a snake spat in her eye. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268884-mum-66-in-icu-in-chonburi-after-cobra-spits-venom-in-her-eye/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that a 66 year old mother is in ICU in hospital in Chonburi after suffering from cobra venom that a snake spat in her eye. In Na Pa sub-district Chanidapha, 39, said she screamed out for her mum when she was resting in her bedroom. Mum arrived with a stick but she was no match for the cobra. Local firemen managed to get the snake out from under a wardrobe in 20 minutes. Wattana, 66, remains in a serious condition in ICU. Noppaporn, 29, a fireman, said that experts should always be called to deal with snakes. Venom in the eye can cause blindness and if it induces seizures before medical help can be sought, even death. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-15 - 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

Justice minister says that studies are underway into "Magic Mushrooms" - could they be Thailand's next cash crop? Picture: Daily News Thailand's justice minister made comments about magic mushrooms, knows as "het khee khwai" (buffalo pooh mushrooms), reported Daily News. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268882-justice-minister-says-that-studies-are-underway-into-magic-mushrooms-could-they-be-thailands-next-cash-crop/

Picture: Daily News Thailand's justice minister made comments about magic mushrooms, knows as "het khee khwai" (buffalo pooh mushrooms), reported Daily News. Somsak Thepsuthin said that studies were underway into how extracts from the mushrooms (psilocybin) could be used in medicines. It is currently a Class 5 restricted narcotic despite growing all over Thailand. It has been used by country doctors to treat insomnia but only in small quantities - in large doses it is a psychedelic narcotic and users can "trip". Picture: Daily News Somsak said that the Narcotics Control Board are working with Khon Kaen university on studies and other universities are expected to get on board. Though the minister stopped short of saying it will be decriminalized - like krathom and marijuana have been recently - he pointed out that it could be a great cash crop and a way for people to earn a living. Especially as one kilo of "fresh 'shrooms" goes for 500 baht and 5,000 baht a kilo for dried. He said that many studies by Big Phama in the west have noted psilocybin is effective in the treatmemnt for depression as well as alcoholism and nicotine addiction. For now he warned people that selling it can land you in jail for up to 15 years and fines of 1.5 million baht. Users can be jailed for a year and fined 20,000 baht. Young people should stay away from consuming het khee khwai as it can be dangerous in the wrong doses inducing psychotic episodes and even death, he warned. ASEAN NOW notes that years ago Magic Mushrooms would appear on menus at tourist places like Chaweng on Koh Samui under the listing "No Name" for 50 baht an omelette (early 80s). Many people in Thailand still consume the mushrooms to get high. The idea that it could one day be legal - at least for medical use - is intriguing. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-15 - 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

Man sent back from Israel loses it after fleeing relatives who went to meet him 77kaoded Thai Caption: Cap: Man out of control after being sent back from Israel 77kaoded reported that a 25 year old man sent back from Israel due to war fled relatives who went to meet him at Bangkok's main airport. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268880-man-sent-back-from-israel-loses-it-after-fleeing-relatives-who-went-to-meet-him/

77kaoded Thai Caption: Cap: Man out of control after being sent back from Israel 77kaoded reported that a 25 year old man sent back from Israel due to war fled relatives who went to meet him at Bangkok's main airport. Rescue services had to help out to calm him down and persude him that they would help to see him home. Suvarnabhumi airport police were called after the man was babbling incoherently at exit four on the ground floor. Relatives were trying to calm him down and reason with him. He tried to run away to a car park as officials joined the chase. Picture: 77kaoded He said finally that he was Hmong and wanted to go to Chiang Rai. His mother said he was 25 and had gone to be a farmer in Israel for three months before "war broke out". He'd experienced explosions and she said he was "depressed". He'd been in rehab and apparently cured but going to Israel had set him off again. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-15 - 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

PM candidates: Prayuth is "petulant", "Ung Ing" is "inexperienced", Prawit "too old", Anutin "poor speaker", says poll Picture: INN INN reported on the Thai public's perception of the main candidates to be Thailand's next prime minister. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268879-pm-candidates-prayuth-is-petulant-ung-ing-is-inexperienced-prawit-too-old-anutin-poor-speaker-says-poll/

PM candidates: Prayuth is "petulant", "Ung Ing" is "inexperienced", Prawit "too old", Anutin "poor speaker", says poll Picture: INN INN reported on the Thai public's perception of the main candidates to be Thailand's next prime minister. Super Poll asked people to rank the candidates' strong and weak points. 2,025 people responded to the poll from 9th to 13th this month. Incumbent Prayuth Chan-ocha was seen as loyal by 45.1%, hardworking for the nation by 34.8% and good in that he opened the country to the Saudis by 34%. But 55% thought he lacked self-control and was easily angered or petulant, 51.5% thought he'd just been around too long and 48.4% thought he was hopeless at handling real issues. So what of fresh face Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of fugitive ex-PM Thaksin? She was given the thmbs up for loyalty by only 20.1% but came out well that she was a new face with 43.7% and 46.3 liked the fact she was Thaksin's daughter. She is known as "Ung Ing" in the Thai media. On the minus side 42.8 mentioned her inexperience in politics, 40% said she hadn't done anything of note and 32% said she was not proven under pressure. When it came to Prawit Wongsuwan, the current deputy PM and Prayuth's right hand man, was seen as well connected and able to do something about people of influence by 39.2% but 62.75% thought he was too old and 34.9% thought he lacked communications skills. Health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul was given a 41.3% thumbs up for loyalty, 45.9% for his Covid response and 40.7% for economic work. But he was criticized by 37.2% for his lack of self-promotion and 30.8% thought he was just a hopeless speaker. Finance minister and head of the democrats Jurin Laksanavisit and Move Forward party chief Phitha Limcharoenrat also featured in the poll. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-15 - 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

Prayut and his brothers-in-arms plot path back to power after election New political parties are being launched to extend the rule of the so-called “3Ps” – generals Prayut, Prawit and “Pock” – after the next election, say political analysts. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268878-prayut-and-his-brothers-in-arms-plot-path-back-to-power-after-election/

New political parties are being launched to extend the rule of the so-called “3Ps” – generals Prayut, Prawit and “Pock” – after the next election, say political analysts. Ruamthai Sarngchart (United Thai Nation), Thailand Together and Thoet Thai have been formed as apparent vehicles for a political comeback by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Premier Prawit Wongsuwan, and Interior Minister Anupong “Pock” Paochinda. Analysts say the former brothers-in-arms appear to have calculated that the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, which lifted them to power after the 2019 election, is suffering waning popularity after more than three years in government. Palang Pracharath was formed from the remnants of the military junta that ruled following the 2014 coup led by Prayut. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/prayut-and-his-brothers-in-arms-plot-path-back-to-power-after-election/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-15 - 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!

More pictures of special forces arrest of murder/theft spree brothers on eastern seaboard Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath carried a story and pictures regarding the arrest of two hoodlum brothers responsible for a string of thefts and a murder on the eastern seaboard in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268859-vicious-brothers-arrested-after-violent-murder-robbery-spree-on-eastern-seaboard-man-shot-for-resisting/?do=findComment&comment=17543691

More pictures of special forces arrest of murder/theft spree brothers on eastern seaboard Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath carried a story and pictures regarding the arrest of two hoodlum brothers responsible for a string of thefts and a murder on the eastern seaboard in Thailand. This has been reported elsewhere on ASEAN NEWS today and can be seen here. Siam Rath published the names of more than 30 Thai policemen who were involved in the hunt and ultimate arrest of two brothers. Picture: Siam Rath Their ranks were from general down to lieutenant colonel. Armed officers from special forces were pictured taking the men into custody. Picture: Siam Rath The media said that "Chalam Jor" took the men into custody. Heavily armed SWAT commandos were pictured taking the suspects for reenactments of the vicious crimes in which one man was shot in the head and another put in the boot of a car and driven away. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-15 - 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: Siam Rath Picture: Siam Rath

Baby elephant drowns in water hole after large herd arrives for midnight feast - locals want compensation Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that an eight month old male baby elephant had drowned in a water hole adjacent to the Khao Ang Rue Nai wildlife sanctuary that straddles five provinces in eastern/central Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268877-baby-elephant-drowns-in-water-hole-after-large-herd-arrives-for-midnight-feast-locals-want-compensation/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that an eight month old male baby elephant had drowned in a water hole adjacent to the Khao Ang Rue Nai wildlife sanctuary that straddles five provinces in eastern/central Thailand. The elephant was part of a large herd of about 40 pachyderms that had caused widespread damage to locals' orchards and crops after they arrived for a feast in the middle of the night on Saturday. Picture: Siam Rath A farmer pointed to where it happened in a 15x40m pond that is about 1.5 meters deep. The elephants left a great deal of destruction and their excrement. Locals want compensation for the damage to their livelihoods. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-15 - 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: Siam Rath

Nineteenth victim of Mountain B pub fire dies Monday A 23-year-old victim of the deadly fire at Sattahip district’s Mountain B pub on August 5th succumbed to her injuries early this morning (Monday) at Chonburi Hospital, becoming the 19th victim of the inferno. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268876-nineteenth-victim-of-mountain-b-pub-fire-dies-monday/

A 23-year-old victim of the deadly fire at Sattahip district’s Mountain B pub on August 5th succumbed to her injuries early this morning (Monday) at Chonburi Hospital, becoming the 19th victim of the inferno. Her boyfriend, the lead singer of a band performing at the pub, perished on the night of the fire, leaving behind a 5-year-old daughter. The victim’s mother, said in her Facebook post today “Even with one billion baht, but without a daughter to help spending it, Mom will not find happiness. For me, having my daughter is the happiest thing in my life.” Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/nineteenth-victim-of-mountain-b-pub-fire-dies-monday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-15 - 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!

Five people taken to hospital after shooting at downtown Bangkok wedding Sanook Thai Caption: Shooting during a wedding Sutthisan police were called to Soi Sutthipong 1/1 off Sutthisanwinitchai Road after many injuries in a shooting incident at a wedding, reported Sanook. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268875-five-people-taken-to-hospital-after-shooting-at-downtown-bangkok-wedding/

Sanook Thai Caption: Shooting during a wedding Sutthisan police were called to Soi Sutthipong 1/1 off Sutthisanwinitchai Road after many injuries in a shooting incident at a wedding, reported Sanook. They found bloodstains in the area of a house on 108 square wah where five tables had been set up for a wedding. Picture: Sanook Beer bottles were smashed and there were chairs lying about. Poh Teck Tung rescue services had ferried five victims to a nearby hospital. The groom was an alumni of the Rajamangala University of Technology (Eastern campus). Picture: Sanook It emerged that four men had arrived on two motorcycles and the pillion passengers had started shooting at the people at the wedding around 5pm as guests continued drinking after the ceremony. Sutthisan police are investigating. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-15 - 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

Pattaya: Hoodlum in BMW in custody after resisting arrest - early morning fracas was over a woman Daily News Thai Cap: Arrested after chase! Pattaya station chief Pol Col Kulachart Kulachai revealed details of an early morning chase of an armed man after an argument developed between two men and a woman in Phaniat Chang Soi 10. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268873-pattaya-hoodlum-in-bmw-in-custody-after-resisting-arrest-early-morning-fracas-was-over-a-woman/