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Picture: INN INN reported in their headline that the Chonburi authorities were cracking down on teens going to pubs. Under 20s are restricted. This after 14 were killed and dozens injured in the Mountain B fire. INN said that 8 relatives or the dead had filed requests for help with the Chonburi authorities. Naris Niramaiwong, deputy governor, said that a crisis center had been established. He said that measures were already in place to ensure safety in nightclubs in the province but that things would be stepped up. This included more safety checks, licence checks and ensuring that under 20s were not allowed to enter clubs. ASEAN NOW notes that the deputy governor was the former district chief of Banglamung, responsible for the Pattaya area. In an interview in the Pattaya Mail in 2017 he denied assertions made online that the police only raided places that didn't pay "tea money". At the time, he denied police or other authorities received any kind of weekly or monthly bribe. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-06 - 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 media draws connections to "unlucky 13" in aftermath of Mountain B fire Sanook Thai Caption: Creepy! Mystical number 13 Thai media Sanook - who are always publishing weird lottery news and numbers - made much of online speculation regarding the number 13 yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268119-thai-media-draws-connections-to-unlucky-13-in-aftermath-of-mountain-b-fire/

Sanook Thai Caption: Creepy! Mystical number 13 Thai media Sanook - who are always publishing weird lottery news and numbers - made much of online speculation regarding the number 13 yesterday. This in the aftermath of the horrific fire in Sattahip at the Mountain B pub. The media - saying it was locals and netizens who were speculating - said that the number 13 was known as "unlucky" and having mystical properties. As "evidence" of the misfortune and connections they said several things. Firstly, that 13 people died initially in the fire before another succumbed in hospital. Secondly, that it was 13 years since the last major tragedy of this kind at Santika pub at New Year 2009. Thirdly, that the Mountain B incident happened on the 5th of the 8th month - these add up to 13. And fourthly that the letter B in the name looks like 1 and 3 side by side. They also mentioned that in a promotional video for Mountain B back in June pyrotechnics were used. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-06 - 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

One law for Boss another for ordinary folk? "Win" rider nabbed for drugs after 16 years Daily News Thai Caption: On the run for 16 years In the same week that the statute of limitations ran out on Red Bull heir Boss on a cocaine taking charge comes news of an arrest of a less well connected suspect in Bangkok in a drugs case. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268115-one-law-for-boss-another-for-ordinary-folk-win-rider-nabbed-for-drugs-after-16-years/

Daily News Thai Caption: On the run for 16 years In the same week that the statute of limitations ran out on Red Bull heir Boss on a cocaine taking charge comes news of an arrest of a less well connected suspect in Bangkok in a drugs case. Daily News reported that Sanchai Darawong, now 42, was named in a warrant for possession and dealing in Ya Ba (meth mixed with caffeine, a Class 1 drug) back in 2006. He fled the case that involved 60,000 Ya ba pills from the north. Yesterday the Crime Suppression Division finally caught up with him after 16 years. He was a motorcycle taxi guy or "win" and was picked up in a soi in the Chanthakasem area of Chatuchak, norther Bangkok. He denied everything. Boss's cocaine taking charge was dropped after 10 years as the statute of limitations ran out. Sanchai's is clearly more serious, however, as it involves Class 1 and dealing. But it highlights the difference between the rich and the poor. Sanchai denied everything and was taken away to face the charges. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-06 - 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

RTP accepts that mass shootings are not just a US thing: Run-Hide-Fight advice from FBI Thai Rath reported the comments of the Royal Thai police spokesman yesterday regarding "active shooter" events. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268114-rtp-accepts-that-mass-shootings-are-not-just-a-us-thing-run-hide-fight-advice-from-fbi/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported the comments of the Royal Thai police spokesman yesterday regarding "active shooter" events. Pol Col Siriwat Deephor acknowledged that such events were not just a US phenomenon. It could happen in Thailand. He pointed to the Terminal 21 shootings in Korat in February 2020 as an example. Consequently Thais should know what to do if a gunman goes on the rampage. To train Thais he pointed to FBI advice in the US that refers to "Run - Hide - Fight". The strategies involved in helping people survive an "active shooter attack" can be found here in a video. https://www.fbi.gov/about/partnerships/office-of-partner-engagement/active-shooter-resources The FBI says on the site: "Learning these principles now will prepare and empower you to put them into practice - and survive - should the unthinkable happen". Even in Thailand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-06 - 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 entertainment workers complain over alleged illegal foreign workers in Phuket By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – A representative of entertainment workers filed a letter to relevant officials to suppress alleged illegal foreign workers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268113-thai-entertainment-workers-complain-over-alleged-illegal-foreign-workers-in-phuket/

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – A representative of entertainment workers filed a letter to relevant officials to suppress alleged illegal foreign workers. Mr. Prompiriya Thamuppatam, 37, went to the Damrongtham Center Phuket Office (Ombudsman’s offices) with a letter on August 5th, in the early afternoon. Mr. Prampiriya stated via the letter, “There are many foreigners who are using tourist visas and working at entertainment venues in Phuket as DJs, singers, musicians, dancers, receptionists, waiters, waitresses, bartenders, and bar managers. They don’t have work permits. Many of them have overstayed for many years but no officers have checked on these issues. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/08/06/thai-entertainment-workers-complain-over-alleged-illegal-foreign-workers-in-phuket/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-08-06 - 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 Public Health Minister Anutin visits Phuket giving seminar speeches to develop the public health care system By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Phuket yesterday, (August 5th), giving a speech at a major seminar to develop the public health system. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268112-thai-public-health-minister-anutin-visits-phuket-giving-seminar-speeches-to-develop-the-public-health-care-system/

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Phuket yesterday, (August 5th), giving a speech at a major seminar to develop the public health system. At Pamookkoo Resort Phuket, more than 400 doctors and public health officers joined Mr. Anutin and Doctor Somsak Akksilp, director-general of the Department of Medical Services (DMS) in the seminar. Mr. Anutin said at the seminar, “Our target is to provide the best health services for people in order to develop the economy and the country. We have done our best during the Covid-19 pandemic. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/08/06/thai-public-health-minister-anutin-visits-phuket-giving-seminar-speeches-to-develop-the-public-health-care-system/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-08-06 - 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!

Well known Phuket pub ordered shut for 30 days following shooting death Picture: Thai Rath The deputy governor and acting governor of Phuket Anuphap Rortkhwanyortrabam told Thai Rath that the Sod! pub in Muang district had been ordered to shut for 30 days. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268110-well-known-phuket-pub-ordered-shut-for-30-days-following-shooting-death/

Picture: Thai Rath The deputy governor and acting governor of Phuket Anuphap Rortkhwanyortrabam told Thai Rath that the Sod! pub in Muang district had been ordered to shut for 30 days. The pub was the scene of a fatal shooting on Monday when a bouncer opened fire in the car park. The suspension to operate order will run from yesterday to September 3rd. The bouncer has surrendered to police. There had been an argument outside after closing time. The pub is also at the center of allegations that it was operating illegally and had no right to serve alcohol. The shooting incident - in which there was also an injury - is being investigated along with the other allegations. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-06 - 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

Police to prosecute Mountain B owner for negligence over locked exits Picture: Sanook Sanook reported that the Thai police were gathering evidence to prosecute the owner of the Mountain B pub in Sattahip for negligence causing death because of locked exits. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268109-police-to-prosecute-mountain-b-owner-for-negligence-over-locked-exits/

Picture: SanookSanook reported that the Thai police were gathering evidence to prosecute the owner of the Mountain B pub in Sattahip for negligence causing death because of locked exits. This as the manageress claimed that the exits were not locked at the facility where 14 died and dozens were injured in a horrific fire on Thursday night. Former immigration chief and now RTP advisor Pol Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang went to the site of the tragedy and was told by investigators there that exits were indeed locked. The owner will face the negligence causing death charges and operating without a licence as well as illegally adapting the building. There could even be other charges, said the media. Sompong said a committee of investigation had been established. Civil engineers have already determied that Mountain B did not conform to standards. Sompong said he had no information about police being involved in illegal activity in relation to Mountain B but the committee would investigate that. He said all pub owners should think about the safety of customers and not flouting rules with backhanders to the authorities. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-06 - 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

Foreigners - young and old - can still be highly successful in Thailand: Wannabe celeb Rooster meets US YouTube sensation OPINION | by Rooster When I first came to Thailand Carabao’s “Made in Thailand” - an iconic song about Thais selling out to foreigners - was top of the hit parade. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268108-foreigners-young-and-old-can-still-be-highly-successful-in-thailand-wannabe-celeb-rooster-meets-us-youtube-sensation/

Foreigners - young and old - can still be highly successful in Thailand: Wannabe celeb Rooster meets US YouTube sensation OPINION | by Rooster When I first came to Thailand Carabao’s “Made in Thailand” - an iconic song about Thais selling out to foreigners - was top of the hit parade. I learned the lyrics to help me with the Thai language and I can sing it to this day, albeit atrociously. But this week's column is not about being made here but rather “Making It in Thailand”. I’ve heard it said a lot recently that things have been tightened up these days and younger visitors to Thailand don’t have the advantages of the older hands. There are more rules that the older crowd managed to circumvent, they claim. This is nonsense. Thailand is still a land of boundless opportunity especially if you can find a niche. Learning the language is often key and just as important is appealing to the Thai psyche. Moaning and overburdening Thais is a recipe for disaster. Appreciating this in bucket loads and getting very rich and famous as a consequence is YouTube sensation and content creator “My Mate Nate” whom Rooster caught up with this week at his filming warehouse and offices near the Rama 9 park in Prawes, eastern Bangkok. My kids have been glued to Nate’s channel for months so they tagged along too with Mrs R. The wacky videos featuring escapes, hide and seek, experiments and the like may not be to older people’s tastes but younger Thais are lapping up Nate’s work. And a slightly older crowd are appreciating his efforts in boxing and promotion of Thailand and foreign destinations. All done in the Thai language. Nate Bartling with the author's children Nate, now 29, was born Nathan Bartling the youngest of four siblings near Salt Lake City in Utah though he was brought up in California. He was a Mormon and although now lapsed he said he still believes in a higher power. That higher power may have helped him make it big….right now he is the second most popular YouTuber in Thailand with a staggering 12.2 million subscribers, about one in seven of the population. His videos have been viewed well over two billion times. Nate and Ava get Rooster's take Nate was at a loose end after high school in the US and so applied to a Mormon outreach program that teaches English and religion in the US and worldwide via a buddy system. “When I applied I had no idea where I'd be sent,” he said. “I’d heard of Laos because of the Vietnam War but not much about Thailand”. A course in Thai by American teachers and how to do missionary teaching followed and Nate found himself in Bangkok and then Yasothon in the NE aged just 19. It was a two year program but Nate soon fell in love with Thailand and particularly its people and ended up staying. After returning briefly to the States he found himself in Vientiane the Laotian capital where proselytizing is illegal. He started promoting an English school online with a colleague in the Lao language. Yes, he speaks that too though is a tad rusty. Numbers rocketed and Nate found himself asking for more than a salary - he wanted a cut! Returning to Thailand he taught himself how to operate a camera and make quality videos about travel and festivals in Thailand for foreigners in English along with some Thai language tips. This was a crowded marketplace so the idea for a dedicated content channel was born. Not surprisingly it was an Aussie friend who hit on the “My Mate Nate” name and the rest is history. “My top fan base is 18-35 year olds,” “followed by younger teens down to 13”, said Nate as he showed me around the large warehouse he rents and offices for editing and other merchandising that he has built himself. There’s a professional boxing ring where Nate trains after taking up the sport two years ago. Extremely fit as well as highly intelligent, the likable American’s had a couple of victories in the ring and will be taking on another celebrity in three months time. All for the channel of course. With his front of camera team of talented, mostly Thai men who are gaining stardom in their own right, Nate employs a total of 30 people. The channel nets him 2 million baht a month in Google ad fees and a further 2-3 million in sponsorship deals every month. Hanging on the walls were power tools from a company that sponsors his “breakout” videos. “It can be a little up and down but the overall business is an upward trend,” he said. “The pandemic didn’t affect us much”. He said that he has a lot of overheads and plows capital back into the business as well as donating money to charitable causes. He’s mindful that there is a lot of upcoming competition and no patent on what he does so he is sensibly seeking other revenue streams by starting a men’s cosmetic brand called Manly that he has invested 7million baht in already. He lives modestly in Thailand renting a house nearby and has a business visa and work permit. His next step is applying for Thai Citizenship that will enable him to purchase a large area of land opposite. He plans to build many warehouses for rent making a filming hub in the area. Diversification is the key and helping in this regard is his new love interest Pawornwan Verapuchong or Ava, 25. Ava remembered Rooster from her days at Harrow International School where I was head of the Thai department for 15 years. The pair are hoping to film there soon, promoting the school as well as their own interests. A professional business proposal outlined the multi million baht benefit the school could expect as well as customer and student interest. Ava is a well known celebrity actress and influencer and granddaughter of a Thai billionaire who owns hotels in Phuket, Krabi and Siam Reap, among others. They are a match made in heaven and as Mrs R said “pen gan eng” (friendly) and “may theu tua” (no airs and graces, just down to earth). How Thais - often criticized for ostentatiousness - warm to such attributes that come across in the videos! Ava is now a key player in the team. Nate didn’t mind at all when she took his modest Pajero sport and plastered it in her image - a real eye-popper for the Prawes locals! Nate's Pajero - not to everyone's taste! Rooster's achievements in Thailand have been more modest but I’m proud to say I could “retire” at 52 after coming here with nothing, have raised four Thai/British children and played sport for my adoptive homeland. Many of my friends have done similarly or better. Two former British teacher friends started a recruitment firm from nothing and recently sold a small portion for many millions (that’s pounds sterling!). But like everyone who has lived long term in Thailand there have been ups and downs along the way and the same is true for Nate. His first videos were more of the prank variety leading him to get into hot water after being criticized for belittling Thai students’ attempts to learn English - a story picked up by Rooster in Thaivisa days. Then there followed a scorpion and cat video - an accident according to Nate - that incurred the wrath of animal lovers. It was a learning curve. But one incident that threatened his very existence in Thailand was when he decided to film his team putting coins on the tracks behind his house. Those infamous coins flattened on the railway There was uproar even though Nate told me that the coins were collected abroad and did not have the picture of the Thai monarch. “I’m not that stupid” said a contrite Nate. But the railway authorities and then immigration called him in saying this was not the kind of behavior to be showing the public. Definitely “mai mohsom” (inappropriate). Nate learned his lesson and moved into less controversial and higher quality offerings that now have the potential to make him a very rich young man. A recent divorce from his wife Look Mee is now amicably settled and marriage and children with Ava could be on the cards. I knew the answer to my question about the key to his success before I asked it. “The Thai language”, he said. “As well as understanding what appeals to Thais and just enjoying what I do and the relationships I have with my staff.” He explained it was not about speaking Thai perfectly, in fact just like with Rooster some of our most memorable times are when we fall flat on our faces when it comes to the Thai language. My faux pas are in private, Nate’s get him online laughs and more subscribers. He said that he speaks English 70% of the time with Ava who is of native speaker standard after her expensive international school education. Next up for Nate is taking his entire team on a tour of the United States. There they will surely meet his parents who were initially skeptical about his YouTubing. His father wanted him to go to Brigham Young uni rather than waste his time online. Now they are converts watching all his content and admiring his success from afar. (Incidentally readers and fans of Survivor will spot Rooster’s t-shirt, observant Nate missed that! I post on AN under the name of Boston Rob, a star of the CBS show). So what was there in Thailand that the very positive and effusive Nate found negative. There was a lull, a glance of confusion to Ava as we sat on the floor, before he spoke of the toxic online environment that prevails everywhere. The internet has made this young man but like Rooster he is appalled by the trolls and negativity. (I’d told him that he’d get few customers from this forum, but my angle was more about foreigners achieving success. There would be detractors but mostly those are just losers, plainly envious of anyone doing well in Thailand). All smiles at Nate's warehouse in Prawes “Apart from that the Bangkok traffic,” he suggested as he struggled to find anything miserable to say about a city “where you can eat any kind of food imaginable”. A city that, like the author, he loves and that has been very kind to us both. Armed with signed hats and waving cheery goodbyes my kids had had a wonderful experience. So had I. Back in 2010 I had come very close to securing a deal for a daily segment teaching English using Thai on network TV after I made a pilot called “English Knockout”. I was paid an initial fee but ultimately this wannabe celeb was knocked back, one of few regrets in Thailand. I lacked the drive and youthful expertise that Nate clearly possesses and can see only success for this eminently likeable character who embraces all the characteristics and positivity towards Thailand that I hold so dear. Nate, you may not be teaching religion anymore but you have a new, older convert to go with the other 12 million! And so to a brief roundup of this week’s news: A U-turn bridge under maintenance collapsed on Rama 2 killing two last Sunday. It reminded me that the entire construction of the first phase of the Green Line BTS killed just one - a taxi driver. Big Joke - Lt-Gen Surachate Hakpan - was all over the news all week. He called the Pattaya police station dirty then featured on TikTok. He wasn’t mentioned in an INN report on the next RTP commander when Suwat retires in October. Three are in the frame but it is only a matter of time before BJ is considered. The face of the RTP needs him, no matter how many toes he’s stepped on. Thai media continued to bang on about the wonderful tourist police post-pandemic. They reunited a Japanese tourist with her phone. I wonder if Thai journalists are taking back-handers at times. Anna Suengam-iam won Miss Universe Thailand. Her parents were BMA garbage collectors creating “rags to riches” headlines. A Nok Air 737 flight skidded off the runway in heavy rain in Chiang Rai and got stuck in the mud. It took days and several cock-ups before it was removed. It also took 90 minutes to evacuate the passengers. Maybe they didn’t have enough umbrellas. A horrific fire after explosions were heard claimed the lives of at least 13 people and injured more than 30 at the Mountain B pub in Sattahip. It was one of the most devastating fires in recent years in Thailand. A “depressed” woman went on TikTok to advertise for three mia nois (mistresses) for her husband’s needs. Not surprisingly he seemed quite okay with the idea. The statute of limitations on Red Bull Boss’s cocaine charge ran out leaving only reckless driving that expires in 2027. Maybe he’ll come back arm in arm with Thaksin one day. In international news England’s ladies’ football team won the Euros beating the Germans 2-1 AET. The match winner Chloe Kelly removed her shirt revealing a sports bra in a move seen as empowering women. In my day they used to burn their bras, standards are slipping. A record (for 2022) UK TV audience peaking at 17.4 million tuned in. Rooster might have been a tad misogynistic in past columns. Fair play to the Lionesses, I might tune in next time. Liz Truss became a strong favorite (1-9 on Betfair) to be next UK PM. Rishi Sunak tried to woo Tory voters with a 4p tax cut. He’s getting desperate. Ms Truss is no Maggie….maybe that’s a good thing. A US drone strike with a couple of precision Hellfire missiles saw the end of terrorist Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama’s right hand man. He just went out on his balcony in Kabul. Well done to the Americans and good riddance to the Egyptian. CNN reported that virtual influencers using computer generated imagery are giving real people a run for their money. Especially a “comely lass” in South Korea called Rozy who earns millions. Maybe Nate and Ava need to be worried! Back in Thailand the ASEAN NOW forums went ballistic after a medical council member suggested that Thais should limit sex with foreigners to avoid getting monkeypox. So many posters, especially on Facebook got in a lather; relax people and stop screaming ‘xenophobia’ every time an idiot opens his mouth. English print media reported that wrestling entertainment along the lines of WWE is gaining traction in Thailand. In one bout a wrestler dressed in the orange of a motorcycle taxi guy hammed it up. What’s next? Probably a tag team event between a mia noi, mia luang (main wife) and a hapless hubby. Six people are facing charges in the death of actress Tangmo in the Chao Phraya back in February. Among the charges are recklessness and making false statements. Finally Mrs Rooster told me this week that a Loei relative who is forever asking to borrow money had won 84,000 baht in the lottery on Monday. “At least she won’t be contacting me for a while,” she said. Rooster -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-05 - 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

Locking the stable door after the horse has bolted: Police inspect Bang Saen nightclubs after Mountain B Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that the Thai authorities were doing what they always do after a major tragedy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268106-locking-the-stable-door-after-the-horse-has-bolted-police-inspect-bang-saen-nightclubs-after-mountain-b/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that the Thai authorities were doing what they always do after a major tragedy. Surrounding the pen after the cow has disappeared (in Thai) or locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. Acting only after the event. Santisuk police, local administration reps and the district chief in Bang Saen - a few dozen kilometers down the road from Sattahip where the Mountain B fire killed 14 on Thursday night - were out checking nightclubs on their patch last night. They didn't want a repeat of the devastating fire in Sattahip. They were checking restaurants, bars and pubs in the Bang Saen resort, a place especially popular with Thais. More than 10 places were checked. Nothing untoward was found and everyone cooperated. Pol Col Pattana Rorproo, Santisuk chief, said he had been instructed by higher authorities in Chonburi to make checks. This included checking IDs and for weapons as well as things like exits and safety. He noted that most places on his patch were open air and didn't represent a danger like at Mountain B. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-06 - 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

COVID still a killer for 500,000 vulnerable people – but Thailand has new defense Thailand is strengthening its defenses against COVID-19 for about 500,000 immunocompromised people who – vaccinated or otherwise – remain vulnerable. This extra protection comes in the form of AstraZeneca’s long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268104-covid-still-a-killer-for-500000-vulnerable-people-–-but-thailand-has-new-defense/

Thailand is strengthening its defenses against COVID-19 for about 500,000 immunocompromised people who – vaccinated or otherwise – remain vulnerable. This extra protection comes in the form of AstraZeneca’s long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination. The antibody combination is produced by AstraZeneca under the name Evusheld. It comprises tixagevimab and cilgavimab – a combination that helps protect immunocompromised individuals from developing symptomatic COVID-19. Although the virus is seldom lethal for healthy individuals outside of at-risk groups, it has already claimed more than 6.4 million lives worldwide. In Thailand, confirmed deaths from COVID-19 total 31,529. Most of those who succumbed to the disease had underlying health conditions that made them more vulnerable than others. Worried about these groups, the government has been seeking an extra layer of defense to keep them safe. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/covid-still-a-killer-for-500000-vulnerable-people-but-thailand-has-new-defense/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-06 - 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!

Hapless Austrian criminal gave his address on arrival in Thailand - deportation awaits Naew Na Thai Caption: Facing many charges - Austrian arrested hiding in Thailand Naew Na reported on a press briefing yesterday attended by immigration chief Pol Lt-Gen Phakphoomphiphat Sajjaphan at Suan Phlu HQ in Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268103-hapless-austrian-criminal-gave-his-address-on-arrival-in-thailand-deportation-awaits/

Naew Na Thai Caption: Facing many charges - Austrian arrested hiding in Thailand Naew Na reported on a press briefing yesterday attended by immigration chief Pol Lt-Gen Phakphoomphiphat Sajjaphan at Suan Phlu HQ in Bangkok. After mentioning the names of many minions the media got down to the story about an Austrian wanted by the authorities in Europe. Thai immigration had been contacted by the Austrian Embassy in Thailand about a man they called David (an assumed name), aged 37, who was wanted for drugs, fraud and weapons offences. Twelve cases in all. Picture: Naew Na His passport had been rescinded by the Austrians in December 2021 and an arrest warrant had been issued on May 25th. Immigration discovered that he had arrived in Thailand at Phuket international airport on June 7th and his visa was still valid. He'd given his address so it was a simple matter to go to a condominium in Rawai and pick up the criminal. He was arrested for not having a valid passport. David - dressed in a singlet - is being readied for deportation back from the Land of Smiles to Austria. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-06 - 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

Mountain B manageress says three exits not locked - Owner has not fled - he provided blankets, wreathes and initial compensation Picture: Thai Rath The manageress of the Mountain B pub in Sattahip where a fire killed 14 and injured 38 on Thursday night met with reporters at the venue yesterday evening, reported Thai Rath. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268102-mountain-b-manageress-says-three-exits-not-locked-owner-has-not-fled-he-provided-blankets-wreathes-and-initial-compensation/

Picture: Thai Rath The manageress of the Mountain B pub in Sattahip where a fire killed 14 and injured 38 on Thursday night met with reporters at the venue yesterday evening, reported Thai Rath. Suwadee Phuttaseutrong said that the owner would be providing compensation and had not fled. He'd been at the scene providing blankets to the injured before they were taken away by ambulance. At 2 am on Friday morning the owner had assisted police and had certainly not fled the scene. She said the facility had three zones - a restaurant, a pork barbecue and a bar and bistro. There were three exits, all were open and none were locked up. She said that the owner was providing wreathes for the relatives of the dead and initial compensation payments. The owner's name was not revealed. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-06 - 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