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by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - The recovery of the tourism sector is expected to continue, with state agencies now expecting an international arrival figure of about 8 million this year. This has compelled the Ministry of Finance to retain its GDP growth forecast of 3.5% for 2022. The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) indicates that rising farmers’ income will support a recovery in consumption. FPO Director-General Pornchai Thiraveja said this will be a positive factor on top of the tourism sector’s continual recovery. Private sector consumption is expected to grow by 4.8% and private sector investment by 5.7%. The value of exports is predicted to expand by 7.7%. Inflation is expected to grow to 6.5% due to heightened energy prices. Mr. Pornchai said that owing to these factors, the Ministry of Finance is keeping its GDP growth projection for 2022 at 3.5%. He said one risk factor that may impact the Thai economy going forward is the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its effects on energy and commodity prices. Another is the volatility in the global financial market resulting from many central banks’ tightening of their monetary policy. This is especially true with the US Federal Reserve’s policy rate hike to suppress inflation. Uncertainties presented by the COVID-19 situation could also cause slowdowns in the economies of Thailand’s trading partners. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-07-27 - 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!

7.1-magnitude earthquake hits northern Philippines: USGS Residents evacuate their building after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, some 300 kilometers away, was felt in Manila on July 27, 2022. / AFP A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit the northern Philippines Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said, shattering windows of buildings at the epicentre and shaking high-rise towers more than 300 kilometres (185 miles) away in the capital Manila. The shallow but powerful quake struck the mountainous and lightly populated province of Abra on the main island of Luzon at 8:43 am (0043 GMT), the USGS said, after initially measuring the quake at 6.8 magnitude. Shallow earthquakes tend to cause more damage than deeper ones. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/7-1-magnitude-earthquake-hits-northern-philippines-usgs/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-27

Latest food drama: TikTok lady gets a surprise for her dinner Daily News Thai Caption: Thought it was a full load For years and years half of the posts on Facebook and other social media have been pictures of people's lunches and dinners. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267162-latest-food-drama-tiktok-lady-gets-a-surprise-for-her-dinner/

Daily News Thai Caption: Thought it was a full load For years and years half of the posts on Facebook and other social media have been pictures of people's lunches and dinners. Usually good ones. Now Thais are posting in droves about when they are shortchanged or annoyed by what they are delivered. And Thai media are scrambling to 'report' these dramas every day to a nation obsessed by their food. The latest is from a TikTok video under the name of 'khaidaw13' after a woman ordered "Phat Phrik" with prawns and rice, reported Daily News. When the meal arrived the lady thought it was great - all that rice and topping. But on closer inspection the topping was miniscule and underneath it was more rice. It was a bit like cheap packaging put in some food items to make it look like you're getting more than you actually are. The lady said: "Thanks for impressing me....but not in the way you think 5555". In comments the poster said that it tasted nice, but there wasn't much of it. Stay tuned for the latest food drama on ASEAN NOW..... -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-27 - 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

A closer look at the new education bill that will shape the future of Thailand By Thai PBS World’s General Desk The National Education Bill is set to enter the Parliament for further deliberation in September, sparking new hope for some but concern for others. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267155-a-closer-look-at-the-new-education-bill-that-will-shape-the-future-of-thailand/

By Thai PBS World’s General Desk The National Education Bill is set to enter the Parliament for further deliberation in September, sparking new hope for some but concern for others. The passage of this bill is likely to be concluded before the end of the year, and once it is enforced, it will affect not just students but also teachers and parents. Since education lies at the foundation of life, work and national prosperity, this bill will be responsible for shaping the future of everybody in Thailand. Does it offer hope? Education Minister Treenuch Thienthong says the bill, if passed, will be a key turning point for Thailand’s educational sector as it focuses on students’ performance and ability to apply their knowledge to real-life situations. It also aims to develop quality teachers who can educate children for a successful future. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/a-closer-look-at-the-new-education-bill-that-will-shape-the-future-of-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-27 - 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 Hanging Wires: Two motorcyclists injured - where are the police? 77kaoded Thai Caption: Cables all over the road 77kaoded reported with a video and still images after two people on a motorcycle were injured by hanging wires and cables in the South Samrong area of Phrapradaeng, Samut Prakan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267151-thailands-hanging-wires-two-motorcyclists-injured-where-are-the-police/

77kaoded Thai Caption: Cables all over the road 77kaoded reported with a video and still images after two people on a motorcycle were injured by hanging wires and cables in the South Samrong area of Phrapradaeng, Samut Prakan. Locals had been complaining about the dangerous nature of 200 meters of roads. There are cables hanging everywhere and a terrible mess of entangled wires higher up. Despite the warnings on Monday two motorcyclists came off after the wires became entangled around the handlebars. Picture: 77kaoded The media even had a long and uneventful video of traffic moving about the area amid the wires that mostly were hanging on what passed for a sidewalk. The media made no attempt to contact the authorities involved but they noted it was dangerous to road users and pedestrians alike. ASEAN NOW notes that Thailand has spent billions of baht burying cables but mostly on main streets in tourist areas. Back sois have been ignored and the Thai police are doing what they do best - precisely nothing. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-27 - 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

Food poisoning outbreak at well known homestay - 30 people affected, they received no help Picture: Sanook A very unhappy client of a well known homestay in Chanthaburi in Thailand's east went on Facebook to complain about a food poisoning outbreak. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267149-food-poisoning-outbreak-at-well-known-homestay-30-people-affected-they-received-no-help/

Sanook Thai Caption: Well known homestay poisoned (people) A very unhappy client of a well known homestay in Chanthaburi in Thailand's east went on Facebook to complain about a food poisoning outbreak. The poster said they had signed up for a package for meals on Saturday lunchtime, Saturday evening and Sunday morning breakfast. But by 11 pm Saturday they said that they were violently ill. No one was around to help with medications or electrolytes and then many other guests started getting sick with stomach pains and vomiting. At one point the poster thought the homestay was taking action but it was just other guests trying to organize river transport to hospital. Others were getting in cars to seek medical attention in the middle of the night. The poster said they arranged for an ambulance for themselves and two others. In total 20 people sought attention at Laemsingh Hospital. Ten others remained ill at the homestay. The poster said that at 8 am someone from the homestay finally arrived at the hospital to take people back but they behaved "as if this was a regular occurrence." The owner said they would only pay for medications. The guests said that despite difficulties they intended to prosecute. Sanook apparently made no attempt to contact the homestay and there was no mention in their rambling story as to what was on the menu that might have caused the food poisoning. And of course in defamation crazy Thailand, there was no mention of the name of the homestay. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-27 - 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 cabinet extends State of Emergency until end of September The cabinet agreed yesterday (Tuesday) to extend the State of Emergency, from August 1st to September 30th, citing the need to control the spread of COVID-19, especially the new Omicron sub-variants which are spreading rapidly. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267146-thai-cabinet-extends-state-of-emergency-until-end-of-september/

The cabinet agreed yesterday (Tuesday) to extend the State of Emergency, from August 1st to September 30th, citing the need to control the spread of COVID-19, especially the new Omicron sub-variants which are spreading rapidly. The current Emergency Decree is due to expire on July 31st and this new extension will be the 19th. The Emergency Decree was first imposed throughout the country on March 26th, 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-cabinet-extends-state-of-emergency-until-end-of-september/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-27 - 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!

Kid goes home with a sign stapled to his shirt - teacher is transferred and father is furious Picture: Sanook Sanook followed up on a story about a P1 pupil at Phetchabun Kindegergarten in the north east of Thailand who was sent home on Monday with an A4 'note' to parents advising them that Tuesday was Thai Language Day and the students needed to dress up specially. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267145-kid-goes-home-with-a-sign-stapled-to-his-shirt-teacher-is-transferred-and-father-is-furious/

Picture: Sanook Sanook followed up on a story about a P1 pupil at Phetchabun Kindegergarten in the north east of Thailand who was sent home on Monday with an A4 'note' to parents advising them that Tuesday was Thai Language Day and the students needed to dress up specially. It was stapled to the student's shirt. A parent was furious that their child was singled out like this and said that everyone was looking when he went to collect the child. He felt very sorry for the child and said there were far better ways to communicate with parents than this. Sanook suggested that the parents did not read a Line messages. Picture: Sanook The director of the school Weeraphon Thika said that following the furor on Monday he had transferred the teacher concerned from a special MEP class to a regular class at another branch of the school. He had also set up a committee of investigation. He said that the teacher had good intentions and was concerned that the child would not dress up like friends if the parents had not been informed. The teacher was worried that the child would be left out. The sign had called for the children to wear Thai dress or other options. The teacher said that a note inside the kid's bag may not be read so they stapled the A4 sheet on the child's shirt. The parent said they were reasonably happy with the action taken by the school but the most important thing is that the teacher never does such a thing again, potentially embarrassing other children and parents. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-27 - 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 tourist police praised as lost South Korean tourist is found and repatriated Daily News Thai Caption: Thanks to the Thai tourist police Daily News reported that the South Korean ambassador Kim Jun Yong had sent a letter to the chief of the Tourist Police praising the organization for helping a compatriot who got lost in Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267143-thai-tourist-police-praised-as-lost-south-korean-tourist-is-found-and-repatriated/

Daily News Thai Caption: Thanks to the Thai tourist police Daily News reported that the South Korean ambassador Kim Jun Yong had sent a letter to the chief of the Tourist Police praising the organization for helping a compatriot who got lost in Bangkok. Pol Col Piyarach Supharat explained that Park Yoo Son had arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport and went in a taxi to At Bangkok Hotel in Phayathai. From there he took a taxi to the Huay Khwang area and ended up seeking the assistance of the Huay Khwang police. Picture: Daily News However they couldn't work out what he was saying and he left the station and went by taxi to the Honey House in Sukhumvit Soi 22. Relatives had contacted the embassy saying that Mr Park suffered from mental health problems. The tourist police found Mr Park who was helped back home to South Korea. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-27 - 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

Customs seize illegally imported marijuana at airport under the name "Tom Kreuasophon" Picture: Thai Rath Thai customs and the Department of Agriculture held a joint press conference at the customs press center yesterday after a package was seized at Suvarnabhumi airport. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267140-customs-seize-illegally-imported-marijuana-at-airport-under-the-name-tom-kreuasophon/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai customs and the Department of Agriculture held a joint press conference at the customs press center yesterday after a package was seized at Suvarnabhumi airport. An express delivery parcel contained 5.3 kilograms of illegally imported marijuana flowers and hemp products. There was no description of the contents of the package that customs chief Pachorn Anantasin said was in violation of the law. In addition such products need approval of the department of agriculture which was not obtained. The name on the docket was that of "Julpaos Kresophon" a man more commonly known in Thailand as Tom Kreuasophon. He is a leading advocate for marijuana use and connected to political and journalist figures across the Thai spectrum reported Thai Rath. Customs said they would prosecute him for breaking the law regarding the importation of marijuana. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-27 - 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

Anutin: No U-turn on marijuana - minister pressing ahead with use of drug in "two trillion baht wellness tourism" Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on the latest comments of Thailand's health minister and DPM Anutin Charvirakul and senior doctors as the great marijuana debate in Thailand was racheted up. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267138-anutin-no-u-turn-on-marijuana-minister-pressing-ahead-with-use-of-drug-in-two-trillion-baht-wellness-tourism/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on the latest comments of Thailand's health minister and DPM Anutin Charvirakul and senior doctors as the great marijuana debate in Thailand was racheted up. Anutin was speaking at the Health Ministry in Nonthaburi where he sung the praises of marijuana for "wellness tourism" something that was described as a 2.3 trillion baht worldwide business post pandemic. Anutin - as leader of the Bhumjaithai political party - has been a key advocate of the decriminalization of marijuana and hemp that came in on June 9th. But groups ranging from Muslims in the south to a group of 851 doctors and medical personnel at Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok as well as the Forensic Physicians' Association have called for a suspension of the liberalization. They claim that youth are at risk despite bans on the drug being used by under 20s in legislation that already exists. Anutin was quoted in Thailand's English print media that the country has come too far to turn back now saying that marijuana will not be illegal again. He said that the committee scrutinising the change in the law and coming up with new guidelines will report at the end of next month and PM Prayuth Chan-ocha has promised to push through government, and subsequently Royal sssent, before the end of this parliament. Anutin said yesterday that marijuana products provide a great opportunity for people to make money in the health tourism arena and provide a "better quality of life" for sick people. Dr Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn, deputy at the MoPH, spoke of their use in health and beauty spas though stressed that must be legal. He said there are 11,543 wellness tourism facilities in Thailand that would use hemp and marijuana products. These comprised 1,051 spas, 10,248 health massage shops and 241 beauty massage establishments. Hemp oil from seeds would be used in the spas and compresses containing ganja would be allowed too. The drugs would also play a part in "spa cuisine" though this was not adequately explained in the Thai Rath story. The overriding message coming from Anutin and his doctors was that marijuana is here to stay in Thailand despite the furor over recreational use and worries about access by under age teens, notes ASEAN NOW. There is too much money involved to turn back now. But many will be eagerly anticipating the findings of the House committee due to report at the end of August. Their recommendations could shape the liberalization and industry for years to come. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-27 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Wednesday July 27 2022 Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267136-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-wednesday-july-27-2022/

Listen to the news: Health minister Anutin has refused to back down from the decision to decriminalise cannabis despite calls from hundreds of doctors. The minister said The plant is a useful form of medical treatment and will benefit the economy. The cannabis and hemp bill is due to be presented to parliament before the end of August. A sizable crowd of Myanmar nationals and many Thai’s gathered outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok to protest the executions of four anti-junta activists. Which has drawn criticism from governments around the globe, The Thai opposition Pheu Thai Party issued a statement opposing violence in any form against the civilian population of Myanmar." A teacher who stapled a note to a students shirt at a school in Phetchabun has been transferred temporarily on the orders of the minister for education. Responding to a facebook post from the childs mother, the minister said: The teacher may not have any ill intentions, but the communication method may upset parents," A man has been taken to hospital phuket with suspected monkeypox, he was transferred to another hospital where he has been undergoing tests. A package of tax incentives has been approved to promote the use of electric vehicles, these include: customs duty exemption for vehicles assembled here. A reduction in the excise tax from 8 to 2 per cent until 2025 and an 80 per cent reduction on the annual road tax. This new range of incentives come on top of subsidies introduced earlier this year. The government has allocated a budget to rebuild Dusit Zoo in Bangkok, the original Dusit zoo closed 4 years ago. the new zoo will be built on a 300 rai plot in Pathum Thani and is due to open in 2026. Region: Singapore: Former Sri Lankan President Gota-baya Raja-paksa is expected to return to Sri Lanka after spending nearly two weeks in Singapore, following violent protests in his home country. Protesters blame him for Sri Lanka’s economic meltdown, dwindling foreign-exchange reserves and soaring inflation. Chiang Mai: Fine Bright partly Cloudy 36C Bangkok: Sunny partly cloudy 33C Pattaya and SE: Partly Cloudy with showers this afternoon 31C Phuket and the South: Partly Cloudy, isolated showers 29C Hua Hin: Fine and sunny partly cloudy 32C Credits: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Asean Now, Khaosod English, Hua Hin Today, Royal Coast Review, Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn, Thainewsroom.com, The Pattaya News, Phuket News, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times. The Irrawaddy. Windy.com. Wunderground.com. Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 -- © Copyright SURF 102.5 FM 2022-07-27 - 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!

World Sports News - Wednesday 27 July by Chili Radio Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267129-world-sports-news-wednesday-27-july-by-chili-radio/

Listen to the news: Football - England reached their first major women's tournament final since 2009 in stunning fashion as they hammered Olympic finalists Sweden 4-0 at Euro 2022 in Sheffield. They will play either France or Germany who play their semi final tonight. Transfer News - Aaron Ramsey has left Juventus after the Serie A club announced that the Wales midfielder's contract has been "mutually terminated". Former Liverpool and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez says he has "a preliminary agreement" to rejoin his first club Nacional in his native Uruguay. The 35-year-old is a free agent after leaving Atletico Madrid when his contract expired this summer. Paris St-Germain have signed defender Nordi Mukiele from RB Leipzig on a five-year-deal and 17-year-old French forward Mathys Tel has joined Bayern Munich from Rennes. West Ham United have signed 23 year old Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca on a five year deal from Sassuolo for 35 m Euros. Rugby - Seven players in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) will boycott a key match over their team's decision to wear a gay pride jersey. The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will become the first team in the competition ever to don a kit which promotes LGBT inclusivity in the sport. But players weren't consulted and some object to the move on religious and cultural grounds.The club has since apologised for its handling of the situation. Download the Chili Radio app : https://chiliradio.app for Chili Pop and Chili Classics. -- © Copyright Chili RADIO 2022-07-27 Chili Radio: https://chiliradiothailand.com Listen Live: https://chiliradio.asia - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!