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Listen to the news: Rugby League - New Zealand international Kevin Proctor has been sacked by National Rugby League side Gold Coast Titans after vaping in a toilet during their defeat by Canterbury on Sunday. The 33-year-old posted a video of himself vaping on social media. Proctor was not playing in the match, which the Titans lost 36-26, but was part of the game-day squad. A Titans statement said Proctor had been "released from his commitments for the remainder of the year". Football - Pitch invaders at English Premier League and English Football League matches will receive an automatic club ban under new measures to tackle fan behaviour. Concerns were raised about safety at grounds after a number of pitch invasions at the end of last season. Individuals who carry or use pyrotechnics or smoke bombs will also be banned and identified offenders will be reported to the police. English Premier League side Southampton have made a sixth signing of the summer by bringing in striker Sekou Mara from French club Bordeaux. The 19-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the south coast club. American Football - The Green Bay Police Department will review an incident in which one of its officers shoved Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon. The incident took place at Manchester City's friendly against Bayern Munich at Lambeau Field on Saturday. The NFL player was entertaining the crowd during a weather delay before being grabbed and shoved by the officer. He said after that it was "just miscommunication between parties". Download the Chili Radio app : https://chiliradio.app for Chili Pop and Chili Classics. -- © Copyright Chili RADIO 2022-07-26 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!

The expat photographer telling the stories of abandoned structures in Thailand By Jonathan Fairfield An abandoned village in Cha Am Image: Dax Ward American photographer Dax Ward spends a large amount of his free time going to places most of us are likely to avoid. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267002-the-expat-photographer-telling-the-stories-of-abandoned-structures-in-thailand/

An abandoned village in Cha Am Image: Dax Ward By Jonathan Fairfield American photographer Dax Ward spends a large amount of his free time going to places most of us are likely to avoid. When he isn’t teaching IT at an international school in Bangkok, he is out exploring abandoned buildings and other interesting forgotten sites. His passion for photography and urban exploration or ‘urbex’ has enabled him to take fascinating photographs of abandoned structures in Thailand and elsewhere. His photographs have been featured in CNN, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, The Sun, Lad Bible, the Weather Channel, Lonely Planet and many more. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/the-expat-photographer-telling-the-stories-of-abandoned-structures-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-07-26 - 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!

Russian billionaires super yacht “Cloudbreak” now in Jomtien and Pattaya, draws attention from local residents, but criticism as well By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand - Russian billionaire banker Alexander Alexandrovich Svetakov’s super yacht “Cloudbreak” has been spotted across the Pattaya area over the last day and as of this evening could easily be seen from Jomtien Beach in the Sattahip and Bang Sarah area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267001-russian-billionaires-super-yacht-“cloudbreak”-now-in-jomtien-and-pattaya-draws-attention-from-local-residents-but-criticism-as-well/

By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand - Russian billionaire banker Alexander Alexandrovich Svetakov’s super yacht “Cloudbreak” has been spotted across the Pattaya area over the last day and as of this evening could easily be seen from Jomtien Beach in the Sattahip and Bang Sarah area. The vessel made big press last week when it docked in Koh Samui, drawing divisive opinions from a variety of viewpoints, notes TPN. After going off the news radar for a bit, it now appears Cloudbreak has emerged in Pattaya as of this past weekend. Tourism industry experts and Koh Samui officials practically gushed over the visit, claiming it was the return of high-value tourists to Thailand. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/07/25/russian-billionaires-super-yacht-cloudbreak-now-in-jomtien-and-pattaya-draws-attention-from-local-residents-but-criticism-as-well/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-07-26 - 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!

BMA Watching Nana Area As Part Of Monkeypox Measures by TNR Staff BANGKOK Governor Chadchart Sittipunt today (July 25) unveiled measures to handle Monkeypox in the metropolis with one of them being monitoring Nana area where there are Nigerians living together and taking proactive action if need be, Naewna newspaper said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1267000-bma-watching-nana-area-as-part-of-monkeypox-measures/

by TNR Staff BANGKOK Governor Chadchart Sittipunt today (July 25) unveiled measures to handle Monkeypox in the metropolis with one of them being monitoring Nana area where there are Nigerians living together and taking proactive action if need be, Naewna newspaper said. The steps were taken after the World Health Organisation had activated its highest alert level for the growing Monkeypox outbreak, declaring the virus a public health emergency of international concern on Saturday July 23. It also follows the escape of a Monkeypox-infected Nigerian man from Phuket to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he was arrested on Saturday night and sent to Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital for treatment. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/07/25/bma-watching-nana-area-as-part-of-monkeypox-measures/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-07-26 - 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!

Monkeypox ‘A Mild Disease That Is Difficult To Control’ by TNR Staff Dr Yong Poovorawan. Photo: INN News A PROMINENT virologist said in a Facebook post today (July 25) that Monkeypox is a mild disease with mortality rate likely to be less than 3 in 10,000, especially among the most vulnerable, but difficult to control, INN News said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266999-monkeypox-‘a-mild-disease-that-is-difficult-to-control’/

Dr Yong Poovorawan. Photo: INN News by TNR Staff A PROMINENT virologist said in a Facebook post today (July 25) that Monkeypox is a mild disease with mortality rate likely to be less than 3 in 10,000, especially among the most vulnerable, but difficult to control, INN News said. Dr. Yong Poovorawan, head of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, mentioned that the World Health Organisation had activated its highest alert level for the growing Monkeypox outbreak, declaring the virus a public health emergency of international concern on Saturday July 23. All countries were urged to work together to bring this viral disease under control and reduce it spreading further across the globe. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/07/25/monkeypox-a-mild-disease-that-is-difficult-to-control/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-07-26 - 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!

Japanese remain the cornerstone investors in Thailand during H1 2022 with 26 bln in investments By Erich Parpart Japanese were once again the biggest investor in Thailand during the first half of 2022, bringing in more than 26-billion-baht worth of investments out of the total of nearly 65 billion baht, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266998-japanese-remain-the-cornerstone-investors-in-thailand-during-h1-2022-with-26-bln-in-investments/

By Erich Parpart Japanese were once again the biggest investor in Thailand during the first half of 2022, bringing in more than 26-billion-baht worth of investments out of the total of nearly 65 billion baht, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday. “The top three largest foreign investors were from Japan, Singapore and the United States who together invested more than 39.61 billion baht,” said Sinit Lertkrai, the Deputy Minister of Commerce. A total of 284 foreign investors were allowed to open a business in Thailand between January and June 2022, bringing in 64.95-billion-baht worth of investments and 3,164 Thai employees were employed. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/42084/japanese-remain-the-cornerstone-investors-in-thailand-during-h1-2022-with-65-bln-in-investments/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-07-26 - 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 Marijuana Act Consideration Committee rejects petitions for suspension of decriminalization, addresses concerns By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: Thaipost Bangkok – The Marijuana Act Consideration Committee has thanked the medical personnel of Ramathibodi Hospital and various groups like Islamic organizations in the South of Thailand after they raised concerns over the law-free period of marijuana decriminalization and urged the government’s action upon it. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266995-thai-marijuana-act-consideration-committee-rejects-petitions-for-suspension-of-decriminalization-addresses-concerns/

PHOTO: Thaipost By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – The Marijuana Act Consideration Committee has thanked the medical personnel of Ramathibodi Hospital and various groups like Islamic organizations in the South of Thailand after they raised concerns over the law-free period of marijuana decriminalization and urged the government’s action upon it. This followed Thailand’s Forensic Medical Association’s statement on Sunday, July 24th, which listed the names of 851 representatives from resident doctors, medical teachers, and medical alumni of the Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital to urge the government to immediately shut down the law-free status. Committee Chairman Supachai Jaisamut responded Monday, July 25th, that the Ministry of Public Health has always prioritized public safety and issued an announcement to protect public health, especially for teenagers under the age of 20. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/07/25/thai-marijuana-act-consideration-committee-rejects-petitions-for-suspension-of-decriminalization-addresses-concerns/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-07-26 - 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!

Loan Sharks are even harassing factory owners over workers’ debts by Michael Bridge File photo Thailand’s police revealed that some money lending rackets are charging interest at up to 60% per month on loans. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266994-loan-sharks-are-even-harassing-factory-owners-over-workers’-debts/

File photo by Michael Bridge Thailand’s police revealed that some money lending rackets are charging interest at up to 60% per month on loans. Rising household debt, coupled with soaring inflation has become one of Thailand’s most chronic problems. This coupled with weeks of no income due to the Pandemic has created a major problem for many low-income Thais. A crackdown across the country’s northeastern provinces led by top police officer General Surachate Hakparn urged anyone in the kingdom who finds themselves under duress from loan sharks not to hesitate to call in the police. The Anti-Money Laundering Office is targeting kingpins directing smashed illegal money lending networks. Also, the Revenue Department and the Anti-Money Laundering Office were initiating action against the heads of the networks to audit their finances and to seize assets believed to be the proceeds of illegal activity. Many people in Thailand have fallen by the wayside of traditional banking arrangements and have therefore developed poor credit scores. Or people who have never been able to obtain banking facilities at all, turn to street money lenders and a world that, in Thailand, has gotten more sinister over the last ten years. Even Factories owners targeted Loan sharks are being operated by sophisticated gangs from Malaysia, Korea and across Thailand. They will stop at nothing to get back bad debts. This week it was reported that loan sharks across Vietnam have resorted to new tactics, commercial harassment at businesses and factories. Predatory loan sharks there are now harassing the employers of workers who've defaulted on payments, threatening destructive action against their business as well as relatives. As an example, the hotline at HCMC-based logistics firm Long Rich Vietnam Co. Ltd has been ringing almost all day. The callers are loan sharks demanding that the company cooperates and "hands over" workers who have borrowed money from them. The usurers threaten that if the company, fails to cooperate, they will publicize harmful information about the company on social media or send gangsters over to damage its factory. The constant calling, starting early in the morning and going on until late in the night, makes it impossible for the company to receive calls from their customers or partners. And this is not all. The loan sharks also call company officials, including union heads and those working in its administrative office on their cell phones, making the same demands and threats. Long Rich Vietnam and Pouyuen Vietnam have not been able to hire new employees because their recruitment hotlines have also been disrupted by the loan sharks. This commercial harassment is also starting to spread across SE Asia. What can governments do? Apart from increasing the number of police and staff at the Anti-Money Laundering Offices, it would seem it is up to the banking system to act quickly to help these low-income workers. If the banks can offer low-interest loans without any major background checks, then many would not need to go to these loan sharks in the first place. Meanwhile, the loan shark gangs are making life miserable for the debtors and their employers and families. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-26 - 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 Tuesday 26 July 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1266991-thailand-live-tuesday-26-july-2022/

All 19 ‘high risk’ people in Phuket cleared of monkeypox infection All 19 “high risk” people, who in close contact with the Nigerian man, who is Thailand’s first and so far only confirmed monkeypox case, tested negative for the virus, said Phuket provincial health chief Dr. Kusak Kukiattikoon today (Monday), as he advised people not to panic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266948-all-19-‘high-risk’-people-in-phuket-cleared-of-monkeypox-infection/

Thai Researchers Test ‘Elixir of Life’ BANGKOK, (TNA) – Researchers at Chulalongkorn University are testing the world’s first rejuvenating genes it calls “Rejuvenating DNA by Genomic Stability Molecules” or RED-GEMs. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266966-thai-researchers-test-‘elixir-of-life’/

DMS says 4 decades old smallpox vaccine in storage still effective against monkeypox by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - No dedicated vaccine for monkeypox is currently available although health authorities have confirmed that smallpox vaccines may be used instead. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266917-dms-says-4-decades-old-smallpox-vaccine-in-storage-still-effective-against-monkeypox/

by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - No dedicated vaccine for monkeypox is currently available although health authorities have confirmed that smallpox vaccines may be used instead. Thailand possesses a stockpile of a smallpox vaccine which is 85% effective at protecting against monkeypox. This vaccine, based on old technology, provides Thailand with a backup option if newer types cannot be procured. The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) has smallpox vaccines that have been kept in storage for more than 40 years. Department of Medical Sciences (DMS) Director-General Supakit Sirilak revealed the vaccine doses were stored in powder form at 2-8 degrees Celsius. The doses were from a total of 13 production batches and were manufactured in 1979 and 1980. There are 10,000 vials in total, each containing 50 doses of the vaccine. The GPO stockpile, therefore, amounts to 500,000 doses. Dr. Supakit said all of the doses were of the live vaccine type. The DMS has inspected the quality of the vaccine and did not find any issues with acidity or basicity. No contaminations were detected. The vaccine’s efficacy remains at a good level and conforms with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. He said the vaccine is 85% effective at preventing monkeypox. The DMS is currently cultivating the monkeypox virus in its laboratory. If successful, it will discuss the potential production of a monkeypox vaccine with relevant agencies. Dr. Supakit explained there are 3 types of smallpox vaccines currently recommended by the WHO. These include 2nd-generation and 3rd-generation vaccines produced in the United States, and 4th-generation vaccines made in Japan. He added 3rd-generation vaccines are most likely to be put into use if the monkeypox situation necessitates it. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-07-25 - 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!

Yuck: Woman who owes loan sharks 4,000 baht rails at fermented fish splatter attack! Daily News Thai Caption: Rotting stench Reporters from Daily News hotfooted it to Phetchabun in the north east of Thailand after a Facebook post attracted widespread comment. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266916-yuck-woman-who-owes-loan-sharks-4000-baht-rails-at-fermented-fish-splatter-attack/

Daily News Thai Caption: Rotting stench Reporters from Daily News hotfooted it to Phetchabun in the north east of Thailand after a Facebook post attracted widespread comment. Phinanpha, 54, had gone on her page to report an attack on her property by loan sharks to whom she owes money. When she didn't pay she said the gang came to her house while she was out and splattered plaa raa (fermented fish - the smelly stuff used in dishes like som tam) all over her house. It was all over the floor but worse on clothes and bedding. Picture: Daily News She said she'd borrowed 4,000 baht but only got 3,600 baht. She then had to pay back 4,800 baht in daily payments of 200 baht for 24 days. The trouble was the rains hit and no one was buying her fish meaning she had no income. She said she is a single mum with three little mouths to feed. The intimidation from the gang meant friends and relatives are looking after the kids. Meanwhile Phinanpha said she had filed a police complaint on behalf of an aunt in similar circumstances and has also filed a complaint on her own behalf. Though she was unsure about the paperwork having actually been done. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-25 - 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

UPDATE: Thai medics call for immediate end to recreational use of cannabis Hundreds of doctors and alumni of the Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, have issued a statement demanding an immediate end to the recreational use of cannabis, claiming that it poses a threat to the public health system and to the short and long-term health of the people. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266891-thai-doctors-say-marijuana-is-a-danger-to-society-call-for-immediate-liberalization-u-turn/?do=findComment&comment=17500581

Thai medics call for immediate end to recreational use of cannabis Hundreds of doctors and alumni of the Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, have issued a statement demanding an immediate end to the recreational use of cannabis, claiming that it poses a threat to the public health system and to the short and long-term health of the people. The statement, which was signed by 851 medical personnel, said that the Public Health Ministry’s announcement removing cannabis and hemp from Category 5 of the illegal narcotics list came into force on June 9th, while there is no policy on how to control their use, resulting in widespread use of the plants for recreational purposes, including by the young. The results, said the statement, contradict claims that the decriminalisation was intended to increase public access to medicinal cannabis. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-medics-call-for-immediate-end-to-recreational-use-of-cannabis/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-25 - 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!

Video: No cobra but snakecatchers in south don't go home empty handed Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported with a video after a snakecatcher in Trang in southern Thailand was called to catch a snake. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266913-video-no-cobra-but-snakecatchers-in-south-dont-go-home-empty-handed/