webfact

Confidence Higher After Earnings Report by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has voiced confidence that economic measures are on track, following reports that it collected 1.87 trillion baht in revenue in the first nine months of fiscal 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267575-confidence-higher-after-earnings-report/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has voiced confidence that economic measures are on track, following reports that it collected 1.87 trillion baht in revenue in the first nine months of fiscal 2022. According to Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked all agencies for their contributions to the nation’s post-pandemic economic recovery amid the ongoing global energy price crisis. He added that the data presented by the Ministry of Finance for the first nine months of the fiscal year 2022 (from October 2021 to June 2022) demonstrates that the government is on the right track in resolving economic issues. He also emphasized the importance of cooperating to enhance the nation’s potential so Thailand can fully recover and achieve long-term growth. The statement comes after the Ministry of Finance reported that the government collected 1.87 trillion baht in revenue in the first nine months of the fiscal year 2022, a 7.5% increase year-on-year. Funds disbursed during this period increased by 1.9% year-on-year to 2.43 trillion baht. Since the government borrowed 621.07 billion baht to cover the deficit, Thailand’s finances were 587.91 billion baht in surplus as of June 2022. The revenue, excise and customs departments meanwhile collected 2 trillion baht in taxes, an increase of 10.5 percent year on year. Earnings reported by state enterprises for the first nine months totaled 116.13 billion baht, a 10% increase year on year. However, revenue from other agencies was 109.71 billion baht, an 11.7 percent decrease year-on-year. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-01 - 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!

Economy to Improve Further On Consumption and Tourism by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s economy improved in June and the momentum is expected to continue into the second half of 2022 thanks to increased tourism and domestic consumption as pandemic curbs ease. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267574-economy-to-improve-further-on-consumption-and-tourism/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s economy improved in June and the momentum is expected to continue into the second half of 2022 thanks to increased tourism and domestic consumption as pandemic curbs ease. While the revitalized tourism sector has been a positive boost to the economy, Bank of Thailand (BOT) Senior Director Chayawadee Chai-Anant said officials are monitoring inflation, disease outbreaks and global economic issues. She said Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy improved in the second quarter from the previous quarter, with annual growth expected at 3% or slightly higher. Official second-quarter gross domestic product will be released by the state planning agency on August 15. In the first quarter, annual GDP growth was 2.2%. Chayawadee noted that the Thai baht and regional currencies are still on a weakening trend due to dollar strength. However, she said the baht depreciated more than its peers in July on concerns that China’s economy might recover slower than expected and that would affect Thailand. In June, the economy improved from the previous month. Exports rose 11.1% from a year while imports jumped 24.3%, resulting in a trade surplus in dollar terms of US$2.1 billion in the month. Meanwhile, the country recorded a current account deficit of $1.9 billion in June, down from a deficit of $3.7 billion in the previous month. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-01 - 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!

Recreational use of pot to be recriminalised as Minister warns abuses are undermining his plan by Joseph O' Connor The National Police Commissioner General Suwat Jang­yod­suk (right centre) has asked the Ministry of Public Health for time to have legal experts review a letter from the ministry calling for enforcement of a 1999 law which purports to control the use of cannabis as authorities scramble to find a way to rein in uncontrolled recreational use of the drug following the June 9th decriminalisation of marijuana and a growing backlash from influential groups including medical experts and the Muslim community in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267573-recreational-use-of-pot-to-be-recriminalised-as-minister-warns-abuses-are-undermining-his-plan/

The National Police Commissioner General Suwat Jang­yod­suk (right centre) has asked the Ministry of Public Health for time to have legal experts review a letter from the ministry calling for enforcement of a 1999 law which purports to control the use of cannabis as authorities scramble to find a way to rein in uncontrolled recreational use of the drug following the June 9th decriminalisation of marijuana and a growing backlash from influential groups including medical experts and the Muslim community in Thailand. On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul (inset left), emphatically announced that the recreational use of cannabis was still illegal in Thailand and would be controlled further with a new law before parliament which will criminalise smoking of the flower part of the cannabis plant and redesignate it as a narcotic substance. by Joseph O' Connor The decriminalisation of marijuana is turning into a major problem for the government with chaos in ministries and agencies responsible including an anxious request to police for enforcement of an older law. On Wednesday, Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul, the architect of the drive to decriminalise the drug, told reporters unequivocally that recreational use of cannabis was still illegal as his ministry attempted to get police to enforce a 1999 law while the minister himself promised that legislation before parliament would again make cannabis as a recreational drug strictly illegal and open the way to effective police enforcement. In the meantime, Mr Anutin warned those abusing the hiatus between legal measures, that they were undermining the signature project of his Bhumjaithai Party in government. Urgent efforts appear to be underway within the government to roll back the decriminalisation of cannabis in Thailand which came into effect on June 9th last and which is generating increased and heated opposition both within and outside the country’s halls of power with a letter signed by 851 medical practitioners this week and a powerful submission from the minority Muslim Community calling for the decriminalisation of the drug to be reversed. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/07/30/recreational-pot-cannabis-use-to-be-recriminalised/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-08-01 - 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!

Air Force Repeats Calls For Procurement Of F-35A Fighters By Thai Newsroom Reporters Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters. Photo: Lockheed Martin, US Army THE THAI AIR FORCE has repeatedly called for the planned purchase of a squadron of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters to get on par with others deployed by neighbouring countries. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267572-air-force-repeats-calls-for-procurement-of-f-35a-fighters/

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters. Photo: Lockheed Martin, US Army By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE THAI AIR FORCE has repeatedly called for the planned purchase of a squadron of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters to get on par with others deployed by neighbouring countries. Air force spokesman AM Prapat Sonjaidee insisted again today (July 31) that a dozen F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters were needed primarily to meet future challenges in high-technology air superiority and airborne weapon systems which may be procured or currently deployed by Vietnam, Malaysia and Myanmar. Those apparently refer to Russian-built Sukhoi Su-27 and Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker jets. AM Prapat said the air force has split up the one-seat, one-engine F-35A procurement plan into three phases, beginning in the upcoming fiscal 2023. Phase 1 calls for the planned purchase of a couple of F-35As during fiscal 2023 and 2025 for a combined price of 7.38 billion baht, followed by Phase 2 for four F-35As during fiscal 2026 and 2028 for a combined price of 14.62 billion baht and Phase 3 for six F-35As during fiscal 2029 and 2032 for a combined price of 21.92 billion baht. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/07/31/air-force-repeats-calls-for-procurement-of-f-35a-fighters/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-01 - 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!

Beware! Blocking An Ambulance Carries Heavier Penalty Than You Think by TNR Staff MOTORISTS should be careful to give way to an ambulance as not doing so and this leading to the patient dying could lead to a murder charge under Section 79 of the Land Traffic Act, TV Channel 7 said today (July 30). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267571-beware-blocking-an-ambulance-carries-heavier-penalty-than-you-think/

by TNR Staff MOTORISTS should be careful to give way to an ambulance as not doing so and this leading to the patient dying could lead to a murder charge under Section 79 of the Land Traffic Act, TV Channel 7 said today (July 30). The warning was issued after a young woman driving on the far right lane of a road blocked an ambulance’s way with this leading to the patient being rushed to the hospital dying. Crime Suppression Division police had on December 5, 2018 published a warning about such obstruction leading to a murder charge under the headline, “Intentionally not dodging an ambulance carrying a patient. Beware of murder charge!!” Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/07/30/beware-blocking-an-ambulance-carries-heavier-penalty-than-you-think/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-01 - 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!

The rags to riches story of the latest Miss Universe Thailand Photo: Miss Universe Thailand The latest Miss Universe Thailand, 23-year-old Anna Suengam-iam, was born into a family of garbage collectors. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267570-the-rags-to-riches-story-of-the-latest-miss-universe-thailand/

Photo: Miss Universe Thailand The latest Miss Universe Thailand, 23-year-old Anna Suengam-iam, was born into a family of garbage collectors. She was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2022 in the final of the pageant late last night (Saturday). She will represent Thailand at Miss Universe 2022. She unashamedly told the Thai media that both her parents worked as Bangkok Metropolitan Administration garbage collectors and that most of her toys as a child were salvaged from garbage and repaired by her parents. She said that she did not have the chance to play like other kids, because her parents normally left home at 3am to work and returned home at 7pm to sleep. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/the-rags-to-riches-story-of-the-latest-miss-universe-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-01 - 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!

Australian suspect in Harley Davidson Pattaya dealership shooting arrested By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — An Australian suspect in a Harley Davidson Pattaya dealership shooting from earlier this year was recently arrested after attempting to jump a border in the Sa Kaeo province. So far, two suspects have been arrested while the other two remain at large. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267569-australian-suspect-in-harley-davidson-pattaya-dealership-shooting-arrested/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — An Australian suspect in a Harley Davidson Pattaya dealership shooting from earlier this year was recently arrested after attempting to jump a border in the Sa Kaeo province. So far, two suspects have been arrested while the other two remain at large. Pol. Col. Damrong Iampairote, Chief of police at the Nongprue Police Station, revealed yesterday, July 29th, that Anthony L., one of four fugitives allegedly involved in the Harley Davidson Pattaya dealership shooting in April, was arrested and currently detained for attempted murder, illegally possessing a firearm, carrying a firearm in public, and trespassing. According to Officer Damrong, Anthony, a 61-year-old Australian male suspect, along with three other suspects bombarded AAS Harley-Davidson of Pattaya with gunshots in the middle of the night on April 19th over a business conflict allegedly connected to the “Hells Angels” biker group and fled. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/07/30/update-australian-suspect-in-harley-davidson-pattaya-dealership-shooting-arrested/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-01 - 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!

8 women on a pilgrimage die in a road accident in Khon Kaen province Eight women were killed and two others injured, including a 9-year-old girl, when a passenger van, in which they were travelling on a pilgrimage, flipped and ploughed into a roadside ditch in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Khon Kaen last night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267568-8-women-on-a-pilgrimage-die-in-a-road-accident-in-khon-kaen-province/

Eight women were killed and two others injured, including a 9-year-old girl, when a passenger van, in which they were travelling on a pilgrimage, flipped and ploughed into a roadside ditch in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Khon Kaen last night. Emergency services, who attended the scene of the accident on a bypass in the Muang district, said that six people were found dead at the scene. Four were injured and were rushed to a hospital in the district, where two were later pronounced dead. The driver of the van and a 9-year-old girl survived the accident with injuries. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/13-high-risk-people-in-isolation-to-monitor-for-monkeypox-symptoms/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-01 - 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!

13 “high risk” people in isolation to monitor for monkeypox symptoms Thirteen people have been isolated under observation for 21 days, after being identified as being at high risk, having had close physical contact with a 47-year-old Thai man, who has been confirmed as Thailand’s second monkeypox case, according to Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, director-general of Thailand’s Disease Control Department. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267567-13-“high-risk”-people-in-isolation-to-monitor-for-monkeypox-symptoms/

Thirteen people have been isolated under observation for 21 days, after being identified as being at high risk, having had close physical contact with a 47-year-old Thai man, who has been confirmed as Thailand’s second monkeypox case, according to Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, director-general of Thailand’s Disease Control Department. He said that the patient is now being treated in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) at Vajira Hospital in Bangkok, adding that specimens collected from those at high risk have been sent for lab tests and the results are awaited. The patient admitted to health officials that he had engaged in unsafe sex with a European man on July 12th and, three days later, developed a fever, followed by blisters emerging on his genitals. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/13-high-risk-people-in-isolation-to-monitor-for-monkeypox-symptoms/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-01 - 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 very unusual Thai festivals worth attending It gets a bit tedious to keep going to local music festivals which are mainly featuring young Thai bands, or food festivals. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267566-five-very-unusual-thai-festivals-worth-attending/

It gets a bit tedious to keep going to local music festivals which are mainly featuring young Thai bands, or food festivals. However, Thailand features several unique and weird events during the year which are definitely worth adding to the list. Here we feature a few of the quirkier events, which you can add to your diaries. Traditional Buffalo Racing in Chonburi Sunday, October 9th, 2022 Farmers in Chonburi province have been racing their water buffaloes since the 1800s at a muddy annual race on Sunday to mark the beginning of the new rice growing season. It is also timed at the start of the monsoon weather, allowing for a very muddy festival. Thousands of visitors can watch the racing on a 200-metre-long dirt track in this seaside province, just 80km southeast of Bangkok. Most Thai farmers no longer use water buffalo for farming, but many are still keen to keep the animals. The great mammals are dressed in colored clothes and are decorated with bouquets of flowers. In addition to the riding contests, other events like contests of the most beautiful buffalo wear, parades and various culture events take place. Burapha Bike Week Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th February 2023 It is actually a Motorbike show in aid of children’s charities, but there is a lot more to enjoy than just bikes at what has become Pattaya’s biggest public event. More than 50,000 people come from all around the world to join in the entertainment which includes several rock stages with local and international stars performing over the 3 days extravaganza. Masses of stalls selling Indian headdresses to jewelry and a vast number of food stalls and branded drink villages. Now Thailand has legalized Cannabis, expect to get high and enjoy the vibes. Pattaya’s own version of Glastonbury and Woodstock all rolled into one. It takes place over three days at the Soi Chaiapreuk Stadium. The Wat Bang Phra Tattoo Festival March 2023 The expertise of the monks of Wat Bang Phra shrine in creating tattoos is well known and revered all over Thailand. The actual shrine is located in Nakhon Chai Si region, around 50 km west of Bangkok. The shrine holds, every year in March an incredibly unique tattoo festival. During the festival days, thousands of believers – men only, reach the shrine to worship and conduct the special Thai ritual. In the festival, you can see groups of believers and monks tattoo the arms and backs of the visitors with long needles. The tattoos are mostly beasts of prey and dragons which according to the belief are sign of economic strength and protection against injuries from knives and bullets. So, if you are into your tattoos then this festival is for you. If you know of any unusual local events or festivals do share the information here. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-01 - 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 1 August 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1267564-thailand-live-monday-1-aug-2022/

Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai airport’s runway closed for three more days Thailand’s Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai international airport has announced that its runway will remain closed until Wednesday night at 10pm, as workers try to move a Nok Air aircraft, which is partially blocking the runway after it partially skidded off it in heavy rain on Saturday night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267563-mae-fah-luang-chiang-rai-airport’s-runway-closed-for-three-more-days/

Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai airport’s runway closed for three more days Thailand’s Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai international airport has announced that its runway will remain closed until Wednesday night at 10pm, as workers try to move a Nok Air aircraft, which is partially blocking the runway after it partially skidded off it in heavy rain on Saturday night. In the announcement, issued yesterday (Sunday), the airport said that passengers who have not yet claimed their baggage can contact the luggage section at the airport or the airline. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/mae-fah-luang-chiang-rai-airports-runway-closed-for-three-more-days/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-01 - 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!

Lead shot found in remains of elephant in Kanchanaburi wildlife sanctuary Kanchanaburi forensic police have found five shotgun pellets embedded in the remains of an elephant in Salak Phra wildlife sanctuary in the province, but they do not believe that they were the cause of the animal’s demise. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267488-lead-shot-found-in-remains-of-elephant-in-kanchanaburi-wildlife-sanctuary/

Kanchanaburi forensic police have found five shotgun pellets embedded in the remains of an elephant in Salak Phra wildlife sanctuary in the province, but they do not believe that they were the cause of the animal’s demise. Police used a metal detector to scan the remains of the elephant, which is thought to have died weeks ago, and detected the presence of metal pieces lodged 1-2cm under its skin. The five metal pieces were identified as lead shot from a 12-gauge shotgun cartridge, but police do not believe that they killed the elephant because the wounds had already healed. -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-30 - 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!