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Thai Consumer Mood at 5-Month High in July by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thai consumer confidence rose for a second straight month in July, reaching a five-month high, boosted by improved economic activity following an easing of pandemic-era curbs, but high cost of living remained a concern. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268839-thai-consumer-mood-at-5-month-high-in-july/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thai consumer confidence rose for a second straight month in July, reaching a five-month high, boosted by improved economic activity following an easing of pandemic-era curbs, but high cost of living remained a concern. The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) increased to 42.4 in July from 41.6 in the previous month. University President Thanavath Phonvichai told a briefing that consumer spending is likely to gradually improve later this year as the economy gains more steam, helped by increased exports and a recovery in the vital tourism sector. He also said the economy is expected to grow 3.0% to 3.5% this year, with exports seen up 6% to 8% and foreign tourist arrivals expected at 8-10 million. There were nearly 40 million foreign tourists in 2019 before the pandemic. Thanavath said the central bank’s first interest rate hike in nearly four years on Wednesday should not have a big impact on the economy, as commercial banks will not rush to raise their interest rates. He added the Bank of Thailand (BOT) is expected to raise the key rate by a quarter point at each of the two remaining meetings this year, taking the rate to 1.25%. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220813170255890 -- © Copyright NNT 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!

Thailand’s free and accessible Women’s health care Thailand’s health care for women at government medical facilities is free of charge and quite comprehensive. The problem is that a lot of people are unaware that there are such services available for free, said Dr. Phanitra Maneeratprasert, Gynaecologist at Bang Bua Thong Hospital in Nonthaburi province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268838-thailand’s-free-and-accessible-women’s-health-care/

Thailand’s health care for women at government medical facilities is free of charge and quite comprehensive. The problem is that a lot of people are unaware that there are such services available for free, said Dr. Phanitra Maneeratprasert, Gynaecologist at Bang Bua Thong Hospital in Nonthaburi province. The women’s clinic at this hospital is one of over 130 service points available in Nonthaburi, providing women with the health care services they need, ranging from reproductive health and maternity care to breast and cervical cancer screening. In fact, it is one of over 7,000 facilities nationwide that provide such care. Anyone who holds the Universal Health Care card can access these services. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-free-and-accessible-womens-health-care/ -- © 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!

Thai opposition to petition Charter Court next week for ruling on PM’s term in office Somkid Chueakong, Pheu Thai MP and opposition deputy chief whip Thailand’s opposition parties have decided to submit a petition, through House Speaker Chuan Leekpai, to the Constitutional Court this Wednesday to seek a ruling on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s 8-year-term in office, according to Pheu Thai MP and opposition deputy chief whip Somkid Chueakong. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268837-thai-opposition-to-petition-charter-court-next-week-for-ruling-on-pm’s-term-in-office/

Somkid Chueakong, Pheu Thai MP and opposition deputy chief whip Thailand’s opposition parties have decided to submit a petition, through House Speaker Chuan Leekpai, to the Constitutional Court this Wednesday to seek a ruling on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s 8-year-term in office, according to Pheu Thai MP and opposition deputy chief whip Somkid Chueakong. He said that opposition parties will also ask the Constitutional Court to order the prime minister to cease performing his duties, adding that the move has a slim chance of resulting in the House being dissolved by the prime minister, but he did not completely rule out such a scenario. Somkid cited the case of the bill to amend the organic law on election, to revert the use of 500 as the basis for the calculation of party-list seats which, he said, should have been completed on August 10th. Chuan, in his capacity as president of the parliament, has, however, scheduled another joint sitting of the two Houses this Monday to vote on the controversial bill. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-opposition-to-petition-charter-court-next-week-for-ruling-on-pms-term-in-office/ -- © 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!

Pheu Thai Party will not attend special joint sitting of parliament to deliberate electoral bill Thailand’s core opposition party, Pheu Thai, will stay away from the joint special sitting of the House and Senate today (Monday), being convened to deliberate the final reading of the bill to amend the method used for thecalculation of party-list seats, the party’s spokesperson Teerarat Samretwanich said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268836-pheu-thai-party-will-not-attend-special-joint-sitting-of-parliament-to-deliberate-electoral-bill/

Thailand’s core opposition party, Pheu Thai, will stay away from the joint special sitting of the House and Senate today (Monday), being convened to deliberate the final reading of the bill to amend the method used for thecalculation of party-list seats, the party’s spokesperson Teerarat Samretwanich said. She also said, however, that, if there is a quorum for the joint sitting even if without the presence of Pheu Thai MPs, some Pheu Thai MPs will join the meeting to speak against the change in the calculation method and will then leave the chamber and refrain from voting. The Bangkok MP said that the Pheu Thai party cannot accept a legal amendment which may violate the Constitution, adding that the party has sympathy for the president of the parliament, Chuan Leekpai, who may have been pressured by government MPs to organise the meeting tomorrow to deliberate the bill. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pheu-thai-party-will-not-attend-special-joint-sitting-of-parliament-to-deliberate-electoral-bill/ -- © 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!

Father forced to kill his 37-year-old son in self-defence in yet another drug-related tragedy in Udon Thani by James Morris and Son Nguyen 57-year-old father used an illegal gas gun to fire two shots at his son in the early hours of Saturday morning after being ambushed by him as he launched another violent tirade demanding money for drugs. Son had returned home to Udon Thani from Bangkok in February after losing his job. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268835-father-forced-to-kill-his-37-year-old-son-in-self-defence-in-yet-another-drug-related-tragedy-in-udon-thani/

by James Morris and Son Nguyen 57-year-old father used an illegal gas gun to fire two shots at his son in the early hours of Saturday morning after being ambushed by him as he launched another violent tirade demanding money for drugs. Son had returned home to Udon Thani from Bangkok in February after losing his job. The tragedy and torment of Thailand’s ongoing drug addiction epidemic were brought home on Saturday when a 57-year-old man broke down and told police that he could not avoid shooting his 37-year-old son dead in the early hours of the morning as a homicide investigation got underway in the Kut Chap district of Udon Thani. Police in Udon Thani, in northeastern Thailand, on Saturday charged a 57-year-old man with killing his son after an early morning incident in which the younger man attacked his father with a knife while demanding money for drugs. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/08/14/father-kills-37-year-old-son-in-drug-tirade/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 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!

COVID Antiviral Use Requires Prescription by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Medical experts are reiterating that antivirals for treating COVID-19 must only be used with a doctor’s prescription, while also noting the potential risks associated with purchasing such drugs without a prescription. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268834-covid-antiviral-use-requires-prescription/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Medical experts are reiterating that antivirals for treating COVID-19 must only be used with a doctor’s prescription, while also noting the potential risks associated with purchasing such drugs without a prescription. Dr Somsak Akksilp, director-general of the Department of Medical Services (DMS), explained that COVID prescriptions generally fall into four categories. The first consists of patients who are asymptomatic and so will not be prescribed antivirals, although doctors may consider prescribing green chiretta pills. The second category comprises patients with mild symptoms, such as sore throat and coughs, who are not at risk of developing severe symptoms. This group may be prescribed favipiravir pills. The third category consists of the ‘608’ group of people at heightened risk of developing severe symptoms from COVID-19. These cases may exhibit mild symptoms and pneumonitis. Doctors will consider issuing one of several antivirals in these cases, such as favipiravir, molnupiravir, Paxlovid or remdesivir. The fourth category involves patients experiencing pneumonitis, high fever, coughing or low blood-oxygen levels. These patients must be admitted to hospital where a doctor will consider prescribing remdesivir for five days. Severe symptoms may prompt remdesivir to be prescribed for 10 days along with anti-inflammatories. Dr Kumthorn Malathum, deputy director of Ramathibodi Hospital, said Paxlovid cannot be issued to all patients as it may react with other medication. Migraine patients, for example, can suffer gangrene if taking migraine medication with Paxlovid. Prescribing Paxlovid to diabetic patients could also have harmful side effects. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220814162639050 -- © Copyright NNT 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!

Authorities to Help Victims of Tropical Storm Mulan by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has voiced concern for communities impacted by tropical storm Mulan, urging authorities to quickly inspect the damage after the water recedes and to assist affected residents. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268833-authorities-to-help-victims-of-tropical-storm-mulan/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has voiced concern for communities impacted by tropical storm Mulan, urging authorities to quickly inspect the damage after the water recedes and to assist affected residents. Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana disclosed that Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is closely monitoring the impact of tropical storm Mulan, which caused flooding in eleven provinces nationwide. Six provinces are still heavily inundated, including Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Nan and Phitsanulok, with approximately 1,885 households affected. According to the spokesperson, the premier has instructed the Ministry of Interior to work with local provincial offices, military units, and related departments to quickly provide assistance to residents in the affected areas. Gen Prayut also urged communities near the riverbanks, including Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani, to closely monitor the water situation after receiving reports that people in these areas could be affected by changes in water levels between August 14-18, 2022. The spokesperson added that the prime minister expressed his concern and support for residents in the affected areas, and he tasked authorities with inspecting the damage as soon as flood waters recede in order to provide victims with immediate assistance. He added that authorities will provide financial assistance as soon as possible. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220814163117056 -- © Copyright NNT 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!

China sending fighter jets to Thailand for joint exercises - Falcon Strike 2022 Kicks Off in Udon Thani by Natthaphon Sangpolsit UDON THANI (NNT) - The "Falcon Strike 2022" joint military exercise between Thailand and China began on Sunday (14 Aug) in Udon Thani province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268832-china-sending-fighter-jets-to-thailand-for-joint-exercises-falcon-strike-2022-kicks-off-in-udon-thani/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit UDON THANI (NNT) - The "Falcon Strike 2022" joint military exercise between Thailand and China began on Sunday (14 Aug) in Udon Thani province. The 10-day exercise between China’s People’s Liberation Army Airforce (PLAAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is the fifth annual drill between the two nations since 2015. The previous exercise was held in 2019 before being put on hold for two years due to the pandemic. During the exercise, the PLAAF is deploying six J-10C/S fighter jets, a JH-7AI fighter-bomber and a Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning (AEW) and control (AEW) aircraft. The RTAF will meanwhile send five Gripen fighters, three Alpha Jet attack planes and an AEW plane. Key training courses such as air support, strikes on ground targets and small- and large-scale troop deployments will be included. The joint training exercise aims to enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two air forces, deepen practical cooperation and promote the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220814162747053 -- © Copyright NNT 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!

Could you afford to live in the UK compared to Thailand? OPINION Many retired ex-pats here in Thailand have seen quite a few of their friends return home over the past couple of years. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268831-could-you-afford-to-live-in-the-uk-compared-to-thailand/

OPINION Many retired ex-pats here in Thailand have seen quite a few of their friends return home over the past couple of years. With the global cost of living rising, it is a topic that is being discussed daily as our pensions are shrinking, while the costs are rising like fuel, food, and electricity. We, therefore, decided to look at the comparisons between living in the UK and Thailand. As I currently live in Pattaya, I decided that if I moved back to the UK I would still want to be by the sea and not in a big city. Therefore, for this comparison, I selected Brighton in the UK. Both are busy seaside towns with large numbers of tourists, great restaurants, and hotels and both have beaches, even though Brighton’s is mainly pebbly. Many people like to retire to both towns and they both offer good facilities including healthcare as well. So, using the website Numbeo you can compare the actual monthly cost of living between any two towns. https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Brighton#:~:text=Summary about cost of living,New York (without rent) Numbeo states that you would need around THB177,085.54 (£4,127.19) in Brighton to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with THB79,000.00 in Pattaya (assuming you rent in both towns). This calculation uses our Cost of Living Plus Rent Index to compare the cost of living. This assumes net earnings (after income tax). Of course, if you are retired you probably do not pay tax. If you were a family of four your estimated monthly costs would be £2,619 without rent. For a single person, the estimated monthly costs are £756 without rent. The website says that Brighton is 33.60% less expensive than New York (without rent). However, Brighton is 74.91% more expensive than Pattaya. Now before you start saying these comparisons are not realistic, we are only going by Numbeo’s figures. Numbeo launched in 2009 is the world's largest cost of living database. Numbeo is also a crowd-sourced global database of quality-of-life data and housing indicators. Rentals As far as rentals are concerned, we also checked out the cost of renting a studio in both towns using the Rightmove Realtors websites, as they have offices in both Pattaya and Brighton. They showed a studio in central Pattaya at THB11,000 a month and in central Brighton a similar studio for £995. Both studios were in town and were furnished. On average rental prices in Brighton are 297.04% higher than in Pattaya. Restaurant Prices in Brighton are 212.06% higher than in Pattaya. Groceries Prices in Brighton are 37.03% higher than in Pattaya. Local Purchasing Power in Brighton is 272.01% higher than in Pattaya. Of course, if you were going to factor in the actual cost of returning from Thailand to the UK with extremely high airfares and freight costs, then it can become quite an expensive move. As a UK passport holder but with no UK address in the past few years, it may take time to re-register with a local doctor again before you can start getting free medical attention in the NHS hospitals. And bear in mind the waiting lists for operations is long, due to the backlog caused by the pandemic. OK Brighton is hotter this week than Pattaya, but personally I think I will save my monthly running costs and remain in the land of smiles. -- © 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

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 15 August 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1268830-thailand-live-monday-15-august-2022/

Thailand Ranked Among Top 5 Destinations for Chinese Travelers by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand is reported to be one of the top five destinations for Chinese tourists following the lifting of pandemic-era regulations, indicating an upbeat outlook for the nation’s tourism industry during the peak travel season. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268829-thailand-ranked-among-top-5-destinations-for-chinese-travelers/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand is reported to be one of the top five destinations for Chinese tourists following the lifting of pandemic-era regulations, indicating an upbeat outlook for the nation’s tourism industry during the peak travel season. According to Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, a report from Chinese media outlet The Global Times ranked Thailand fourth among the most popular destinations for mainland Chinese tourists. Coming in at first, second and third place are South Korea, Japan and the United States, respectively, with France ranking fifth in the data provided by Variflight civil aviation data service. So far this month, international flights out of China have increased by 200% over the same period last month and this trend is expected to continue over the remainder of the year. The spokesperson noted the arrival of more Chinese tourists will greatly benefit the Thai tourism industry, as Chinese visitors accounted for a quarter of all international visitors before the pandemic. International arrivals by all modes of transportation totaled 1.05 million last month, up 118% from a monthly average of 482,719 arrivals from January to June. An increase in international arrivals and signs of recovery in the aviation sector have been encouraging for the tourism industry and the overall Thai economy in the second half of the year. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220813170457896 -- © Copyright NNT 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!

Relatives of victims comfort each other at a crime scene after a mass shooting in Cetinje, Montenegro August 12, 2022. From Josh Pennington, Daniela Gonzalez-Roman, and Philip Wang, CNN (CNN)At least 11 people were killed, including two children, in a deadly mass shooting in Montenegro's southern city of Cetinje on Friday, according to state media RTCG. According to Montenegrin Police Chief Zoran Brđanin, the suspected shooter first attacked a family that was living in his house as tenants. "He killed two children, 8 and 11 years old, using a hunting rifle, and injured their mother, who later succumbed to her wounds in a medical facility," Brđanin said. Full story: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/12/europe/cetinje-shooting-montenegro-intl/index.html -- © Copyright CNN 2022-08-13 - 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!

Mother's Day in Thailand: Sukhothai gran aged 105 still in good health Picture: INN INN reported from Sawankhaloke district in Sukhothai in northern Thailand on the occasion of Mother's Day in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268751-mothers-day-in-thailand-sukhothai-gran-aged-105-still-in-good-health/

Picture: INN INN reported from Sawankhaloke district in Sukhothai in northern Thailand on the occasion of Mother's Day in Thailand. There in a modest house by the railway tracks, Sanga, 105, received the blessings of her youngest daughter Samphao, 71. Sanga was born in B.E. 2460 - that's 1917. It was in the era of King Rama VI. She has outlived him and three other Thai monarchs. She loves to look at the flowers outside their house that she and Samphao have planted. Samphao said that her mum had 10 children, most of whom have already died. She said her mum was a lively lady still in good health with a lovely smile. So what is Sanga's secret for such a long life? "Eat rice and vegetables, nam phrik and BBQ fish," she replied citing one of Thailand's most iconic combinations. Then she added somewhat unusually that she loved all kinds of milk. Also it was important to keep calm and enjoy music. To this day she likes to sing and still has a bit of a boogy. Samphao said they were poor and she didn't have money to present jasmine flowers to her mum. She would have to make do with a deep wai of respect and a hug and a kiss. For her own part Sanga gave her blessings to her daughter who cares for her wishing her a long life and prosperity. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-13 - 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

"Mystery death" in Ratchaburi partially explained: Husband charged Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath followed up on the death of a woman outside her house in the Chom Bung police jurisdiction of Ratchaburi, central Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268748-mystery-death-in-ratchaburi-partially-explained-husband-charged/