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US ambassador-nominee to Thailand Robert F. Godec during testimony at Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Biden administration’s nominee for US ambassador to Thailand said on Wednesday that he would press Bangkok to reduce its dependence on oil and gas from neighbouring Myanmar, where the ruling military junta is committing “horrifying atrocities.” Radio Free Asia reported that Robert F. Godec made the pledge in response to a question from a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who cited a statement from Human Rights Watch claiming Thailand receives 80 percent of oil and gas exported by Myanmar’s government. “We are seeking ways with the Thais to increase the pressure on the Burmese regime. All options are on the table, that includes further action in the oil and gas sector,” Godec told the Senate panel in Washington DC questioning him and three other nominees for ambassador posts in the Asia-Pacific region as well as a nominee to serve as the US representative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/us-ambassador-nominee-pledges-to-help-thais-pressure-myanmar-junta/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Schools drama: Bangkok primary school joins the "contest" for Thailand's worst lunch Sanook Thai Caption: Just this for 40 baht Sanook reported another post by a parent of a primary school student in Bang Khen in the Thai capital Bangkok who was complaining about the school lunch. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266009-schools-drama-bangkok-primary-school-joins-the-contest-for-thailands-worst-lunch/

Sanook Thai Caption: Just this for 40 baht Sanook reported another post by a parent of a primary school student in Bang Khen in the Thai capital Bangkok who was complaining about the school lunch. Yesterday ASEAN NOW reported on a measly meal costing 21 baht given to kindergarteners in Prachuab Khirikhan amid suggestions school authorities were creaming off budgets. Now on the "So you wanna be famous, we'll fix that for you" site came an equally bad post. There were pictures of "pad see iw' (fried noodles) and a few mangy strips of pork on rice with a sloppy looking soup. Picture: Sanook The poster said this was a BMA school. Now Bangkok was joining the contest for the worst school lunch. Kids who complained were told to just eat it" while teacher's were on the prowl watching for kids taking photos of their lunch, clearly worried that they'd be next to be named and shamed. These lunches cost around 40 baht said the mother who assured onliners that the snaps were taken on the 10th and 21st of June. She referred to other measly food reportedly given to her child and clearly also wanted an investigation. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

The Great Thai Mask debate: Dr Taveesin asks the public in Thailand to continue to wear masks in enclosed spaces Picture: Siam Rath Despite a midnight order a few weeks back to end mask wearing in most settings the issue continues to be raised again and again by various authorities in the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1266006-the-great-thai-mask-debate-dr-taveesin-asks-the-public-in-thailand-to-continue-to-wear-masks-in-enclosed-spaces/

Picture: Siam Rath Despite a midnight order a few weeks back to end mask wearing in most settings the issue continues to be raised again and again by various authorities in the country. And with online comment on the issue continuing to rage - especially as tourists and many expatriate locals take the issue of wearing masks generally less seriously than most Thais - it is becoming like "The Great Mask Debate". Yesterday Siam Rath quoted comments from Dr Taveesin Visanuyothin, the CCSA or Covid steering committee spokesman who became a household name throughout the pandemic, as saying that cases were on the rise again especially in Bangkok and surrounding areas and in "tourism provinces". This was fueled by the long holidays when people travel, like this week. It should be noted here that the word "tourist" here is not a dig at foreigners but principally Thai tourists moving about more. Dr Taveesin said that despite the earlier mask edict, face protections are still a good way to prevent infection of Covid and other lung diseases. Consequently even at open air places like concerts, outdoor movie screenings and sporting events and where social distancing is hard then people should continue to wear masks. In addition he said: "Please wear masks in enclosed spaces and where there is not good air flow especially to protect those with underlying health conditions and the elderly and pregnant women. "If you have not yet received three vaccination doses, are infected or have been in close proximity to an infected person please wear a mask at all times," he stressed. ASEAN NOW reports that in Bangkok the very great majority of Thais both in the main streets as well as inside shopping centers and stores are still wearing masks. For some it has become a bit of a fashion statement. Many were used to wearing masks because of pollution well before the pandemic struck in early 2020. Foreigners - or at least those identified as such by Caucasian looks - and coming from countries where mask wearing came in later in the pandemic and was abandoned earlier - are less likely to be seen wearing them in the Thai capital. It appears that the issue will not go away easily and will still stir up much debate in social circles and online. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

The dangers of ignoring red flags; two recent double drowning tragedies on Thai beaches By Editor In the wake of a double drowning at Koh Chang involving a Spanish woman and a French man, a British man and a Thai tourist have now been reported as drowning at a Phuket beach. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265983-british-tourist-on-honeymoon-in-phuket-and-thai-tourist-who-went-to-help-him-drown-they-ignored-red-flags/?do=findComment&comment=17481316

The dangers of ignoring red flags; two recent double drowning tragedies on Thai beaches By Editor In the wake of a double drowning at Koh Chang involving a Spanish woman and a French man, a British man and a Thai tourist have now been reported as drowning at a Phuket beach. In both tragedies, the deaths occurred when the swimmers ignored red flag warnings about dangerous conditions. In the most recent incident, which occurred on Thursday (14th July), a British citizen on his honeymoon ignored the red flag warning at Kata Noi Beach, before being washed away by the waves. He was identified as Mr. Ali Mohammed Mian, 34 years old. A Thai man who was swimming nearby, attempted to assist but also became a victim of the conditions. He was identified as Surasit Ponglauhaphan, aged 55 years, who had been traveling with wife and son. Both men had been staying at the same hotel. Before the incident at Kata Noi beach, officials had put red flags on beaches along the coast to dissuade tourists from swimming because of monsoonal conditions strong winds. A lifeguard, Mr. Teerawat Pachanthabutr, said he had warned both tourists not to swim, a warning that was apparently ignored. Lifeguards are on duty every day, however with they were unable to prevent the tragedy. Many foreign tourists simply ignore the no-swimming flags, often with tragic consequences, Phuket governor Noraphat Plodthong said on Wednesday. He was expressing his regret over the drowning of a Chinese tourist at Kamala beach on Tuesday. Mr Noraphat said red flags at beaches in Phuket to specifically warn tourists of the dangerous conditions at this time of year. He would call a meeting on Thursday to draw up additional measures to help prevent more drownings. Sadly this is not uncommon in the monsoon season with strong rip tides often present. Just because other people may be in the water apparently coping with the conditions doesn’t mean it is safe to swim. When the red flags are flying, stay in the swimming pool! Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/07/the-dangers-of-ignoring-red-flags-two-recent-double-drowning-tragedies-on-thai-beaches/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-07-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

RTP clarify how new regulations for paying traffic tickets will work - don't pay and eventually arrest warrants will be issued Daily News carried a story as the RTP clarified the procedure for paying traffic fines. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265998-rtp-clarify-how-new-regulations-for-paying-traffic-tickets-will-work-dont-pay-and-eventually-arrest-warrants-will-be-issued/

Daily News carried a story as the RTP clarified the procedure for paying traffic fines. Yesterday ASEAN Now reported on a change in the law whereby offenders will be deemed to have received fines 15 days after they are sent and a 1,000 baht "late fee" will be levied. This is all to limit the number of repeat offenders and people not paying fines at all, a perennial problem faced by the authorities in Thailand. At Royal Thai Police HQ yesterday deputy spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said that traffic violations spotted at the scene or via cameras will be dealt with in three ways: 1. The issuance of a ticket with the details filled in (an at the scene ticket) 2. A ticket from a camera delivered in the mail 3. An online E-ticket. Offenders need to pay within the time mentioned or a summons to pay will be sent in the mail 15 days after the due date. If still not paid the police will contact the Department of Land Transport with details of the offence to make it impossible for the offender to be able to renew their road tax and a summons will be issued to the offender as well. If they don't respond to two summonses the courts will be informed so that an arrest warrant can be issued. The RTP said that fines can be paid through every bank and cash terminals (tuu bunterm) as well as through the post and counter service locations with the sticker PTM as well as at all police stations. ASEAN NOW notes that many years ago traffic tickets were supposed to have been linked to the inability to pay tax at the DLT. But many people threatened with fines found that not to be the case and simply stopped bothering to pay as there was no sanction. This appears, on the face of it, to have now changed though only time will tell that the sytem actually works or that Thais will further decide to test the system and simple ignore payment. It also begs the question as to whether some people who don't bother to renew tax and/or who have moved from the address where they have registered their vehicles or themselves can actually be traced. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Video: INCREDIBLE Rescue of Baby Elephant and Mother in Thailand NBC New York video screenshot Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265997-video incredible-rescue-of-baby-elephant-and-mother-in-thailand/

video screenshot NBC New York A newly released video shows a team of volunteers, veterinarians and other park staff trying to rescue a baby elephant and its mother after they fell into a utility hole in Thailand's Khao Yai National Park.

Video: Three hour hostage drama ends after "homeless man" with grenade is shot by S.W.A.T. forces in Khon Kaen Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported with dramatic video footage as events unfolded at a hostage drama in downtown Khon Kaen, north eastern Thailand yesterday morning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265995-video-three-hour-hostage-drama-ends-after-homeless-man-with-grenade-is-shot-by-swat-forces-in-khon-kaen/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported with dramatic video footage as events unfolded at a hostage drama in downtown Khon Kaen, north eastern Thailand yesterday morning. The three minute Thai Rath video can be viewed by following the link here. It began at 9am when a police patrol investigated a report of theft by a man described as homeless who was touring around with a barrow collecting second hand items. It happed at the Tepparak community in the tessaban area of Khon Kaen. The man was found to be in possession of a Thai made gun that was taken from him. He then produced an M61 grenade in his hand and managed to run off. Backup was called as the man went into the home of a motorcycle repair mechanic and took the man's wife hostage. Police in the early stages of the drama were told by the man that he wanted to see his own wife. It soon emerged that he didn't actually have one. A robot device was sent in with a cool drink. The hostage taker took the drink and the four wheeled robot as the standoff continued. Prasop,54, the husband of the hostage told Thai Rath reporters present that the man had tried to get in several houses before choosing his. Picture: Thai Rath Initially he took two younger relatives hostage as well as his wife but they managed to get away. The drama came to an end around 12 noon when, with SWAT team operatives in position the hostage was given a signal to run when the hostage taker was distracted. He was shot in the left shoulder and the hostage managed to run away unhurt. Picture: Thai Rath Screams could be heard on the video as this played out. After the grenade was removed from the hostage taker's hand - he was now slumped in the road with just an arm moving - a team moved in to take him away to hospital by ambulance. Regional police chief Pol Maj-gen Noppakao Somnat said that there was no name or address of the hostage taker as yet. Questioned as to whether the man was in fact an army ranger the chief was non-committal. He confirmed that an 11 mm gun had initally been retrieved from him before he produced the grenade and took the hostage. More on the aftermath of this incident as we hear of it today. A video can also be viewed here but may need to perform a YouTube sign in. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Thai media catch up! Yes, plenty of people are going down the "non-annoying" vaping of weed route Sanook Thai Caption: Vaping marijuana!? Thai media have finally caught up to the fact that not everyone who uses marijuana recreationally smokes it in joints or uses a bong. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265993-thai-media-catch-up-yes-plenty-of-people-are-going-down-the-non-annoying-vaping-of-weed-route/

Sanook Thai Caption: Vaping marijuana!? Thai media have finally caught up to the fact that not everyone who uses marijuana recreationally smokes it in joints or uses a bong. There is a far more secretive and less annoying method. Sanook had a caption on a picture that indicated they were a little surprised that people were vaping marijuana. Their headline said that "rich kids and civil servants" in Chiang Mai were getting into vaping weed. In reality it is happening all over Thailand and has been well before the June 9th decriminalization of marijuana and hemp products. As Sanook correctly pointed out the advantage of using vaping devices to smoke THC laced fluid and oils is that there is no smell and no one will know. Devices can cost around 3,000 baht. ASEAN NOW notes that they can be a lot more than that - especially fancy ones that can control temperatures and be used for smoking loose marijuana. Sanook spoke to a 22 year old woman who said thjat vaping marijuana was easy to smoke and the devices were easy to carry. "We all use them" she said of her friends. The batteries could be charged and the devices used for 2-3 weeks, there was no smell or annoyance to others. In addition it was easier to regulate dosage rather than smoking joints or bongs that have caused some people, especially newbies, to have to seek hospital attention after overdoing it. A businessman told reporters that many civil servants were vaping because it was easier and relatively secret when done in private places because of the lack of odor. But he also said that many who vape miss the "bong hit" associated with the rush from using that device or smoking joints. ASEAN NOW notes that many new users of marijuana are now catching onto the use of devices previously used to smoke nicotine vapes but now for weed. In addition to devices that are used to smoke THC (tetrahyrocannabinol) oil there are also temperature regulating devices that can be used to directly smoke crushed ganja flowers or loose "brick weed". These burn substances within marijuana at different temperatures and can be used to regulate the effect from a mild midday hit - possibly at work - to a more sedating effect at the end of the day before bed. The residue from such vaping - called already vaped bud - can afterwards be used to infuse with butter or oils like coconut to create what is know as "cannabutter" that can be eaten. The green butter can also be made without first smoking the marijuana. The whole issue of using E-cigarettes to smoke marijuana also begs other questions as well. The devices are widely available but are still banned for import and sale and ASEAN NOW have had many stories of busts over the last few years at markets and specialist shops when the authorities decided on a crackdown or the Thai press decide to "investigate". However many people in Thailand use them relatively openly to smoke nicotine instead of cigarettes as it has been viewed as far less dangerous. We have carried few if any stories of people being arrested for using e-cigarettes in Thailand though technically it might be illegal. Now marijuana can be thrown into the mix, as it were, in the debate about e-cigarettes, that some Thai politicians want to see legalized, and the ongoing debate and law promulgation of weed itself. Look for many stories in the coming months where the two intertwine and become part of the new smoking culture that Thailand is finally catching up to. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

How does waste separation work in Bangkok? Chalanlak Chanwanpen, Thai PBS World When walking along a street in Bangkok, many may have witnessed trash collection underway and some might wonder whether separation and sorting of waste really works. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265988-how-does-waste-separation-work-in-bangkok/

Chalanlak Chanwanpen, Thai PBS World When walking along a street in Bangkok, many may have witnessed trash collection underway and some might wonder whether separation and sorting of waste really works. The sight of unsorted trash piled up and collectors putting everything together in a large compartment at the back of the garbage truck might discourage some from self-sorting their waste. The misleading and discouraging sight turns out, however, to be just one of the many steps in waste sorting by the collection staff. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-does-waste-separation-work-in-bangkok/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

‘Tourism fee’, now for all travellers to Thailand, ready to launch The planned 300-baht tourism fee is now expected to apply to all foreigners without exception, serving as insurance coverage of up to 500,000 baht per person in case of accidents. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265985-‘tourism-fee’-now-for-all-travellers-to-thailand-ready-to-launch/

The planned 300-baht tourism fee is now expected to apply to all foreigners without exception, serving as insurance coverage of up to 500,000 baht per person in case of accidents. Mongkon Wimonrat, assistant permanent secretary at the Tourism and Sports Ministry, said the collection method and system for those arriving by air is now ready to launch. However, he said the ministry needs to conduct further studies on land and sea entry, meaning the program will start when all ports of entry are equipped with feasible collection methods. The tourism fee was initially planned for collection from international arrivals, with the exception of diplomats and expatriates in Thailand. However, Mr Mongkon said exemptions for certain groups cannot be implemented as airline ticketing systems have to embed the fee, and airfares only recognise passenger information listed in passports. As a result, the fee collection will apply to all entrants who are not Thai citizens, regardless of nationality or visa type, he said. “The 300-baht fee will guarantee insurance coverage during foreigners’ stay in Thailand for up to 30 days,” said Mr Mongkon. For travellers encountering an accident, riot, terrorism attack, natural disaster or other incidents, coverage is restricted to a maximum of 500,000 baht, while coverage for any damage caused by emotional distress cannot exceed 20,000 baht, said the ministry. In the event of death, the insurance pays out 1 million baht per person, while coverage for crematory expenses is up to 150,000 baht per person. Covid-19 and other types of illness are excluded from this coverage, said the ministry. “The government has to reconsider the timeline to start this program,” said Mr Mongkon. “Some countries have not fully reopened, so we might have to wait for a more appropriate time to launch.” The fee has been repeatedly postponed since it was proposed in January this year, with an uncertain timeline for its launch. The entry fee for day-pass entrants will be reduced from 300 baht to facilitate cross-border trade and business, he said. The Airlines Association of Thailand last month raised concerns about the scheme as the fees applied to foreigners might be regarded as discriminatory. In June the ministry removed the program from the agenda of a cabinet meeting, saying the fee collection method for land entry had not yet been decided. If the program is approved by the cabinet, fee collection should start within 90 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/07/tourism-fee-now-for-all-travellers-to-thailand-ready-to-launch/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-07-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

British tourist on honeymoon in Phuket and Thai tourist who went to help him drown - they ignored red flags Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on a double tragedy in Phuket yesterday at Kata Noi beach. It marked the end of what has been a disastrous week on Thai beaches for both foreign and Thai tourists. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265983-british-tourist-on-honeymoon-in-phuket-and-thai-tourist-who-went-to-help-him-drown-they-ignored-red-flags/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on a double tragedy in Phuket yesterday at Kata Noi beach. It marked the end of what has been a disastrous week on Thai beaches for both foreign and Thai tourists. Yesterday British tourist on honeymoon on the holiday island and a Thai tourist who went to help him both drowned. They had both been warned not to swim by the life guard on duty and a red flag was flying. Lt-Col Ekkachai Siri of the tourist police was first to be informed. Mr AMM, 34, had arrived on honeymoon with his new wife Mrs AAD, 30. The couple were staying at the Kata Thani hotel and had arrived on Tuesday. The Thai tourist who went to help Mr AMM after he got into difficulty in big waves was named as 55 year old Surasit who had arrived at the Kata Thani with his wife and son yesterday. Life guards on duty at the 850 m long beach went to help but were too late. Red flags were flying warning people not to swim and there were four life guards on duty through yesterday. Theerawat, one of the guards had told both AMM and Surasit not to swim but they entered the water regardless. Pol Capt Kittipong Noopeng of the Karon police ordered autopsies and arranged for the embassy to be informed. Thai media 77kaoded had a slightly different version of events and reported several other near drownings on Phuket yesterday. Picture: 77kaoded They said that after CPR was performed on the beach both victims died on the way to hospital. They had pictures of the drama unfolding as other tourists looked on. They said that later two more tourists on Kata beach got into difficulties - a man and a woman aged 30-40. One was pulled from the water unconscious but still with a pulse. And on Patong beach lifeguards saved three people. Other foreign tourists from France and Spain have died this week in Koh Chang and a wealthy Thai doctor drowned in Rayong. Red flags have been flying in many places as it is the monsoon season with high winds and waves making swimming especially hazardous. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

A senior Israeli official on Tuesday said Israel hoped for a "start of the process of normalisation" with Saudi Arabia. (Reuters) The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has said that Saudi Arabia decided to open the Kingdom's airspace for all air carriers that meet the requirements of "the authority for overflying." Late Thursday's decision is "to complement the efforts aimed at consolidating the Kingdom's position as a global hub connecting three continents and to enhance international air connectivity," GACA added in a statement. The aviation announcement came after Israeli high-ranking officials said it does not have any objections to strategic two islands being transferred to Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. Full story: https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/s-arabia-opens-airspace-to-all-flights-as-israel-says-no-islands-objection-58855 -- © Copyright TRT WORLD 2022-07-15

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Friday July 15 2022 Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265971-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-july-15-2022/

Listen to the news: Civil groups called on political parties to enhance screening of potential election candidates after a councillor with the Move Forward Party was accused of being involved in a sex scandal. Arnu-parb Tarn-tong has denied accusations of sexual harassment brought by four women. Senior doctors at a leading hospital say the number of daily Covid infections could be between 20 to 50 thousand, many times more than official figures, their estimates were based on the number of antigen test kits sold. They said most people suffered mild symptoms and therefore chose not to report their results. Officers yesterday seized More than 2,100 gun that fire blank-cartridges, large quantities of cartridges, air rifles and bullets from two locations in Bangkok, the guns can be used as starting pistols and were being offered for sale online. One 50 year old man was arrested and charged with possessing selling the weapons without permission. A homeless man holding a hand grenade held a woman hostage for 3 hours at a motorcycle shop in Khon Kaen, yesterday. Police challenged the man who pulled out the grenade, after he refused to surrender officers eventually shot the man in the shoulder and the woman managed to run to safety. Two women and one man were arrested in Nakhon Sawan for attempting to sell lottery tickets online at an inflated price, despite government attempts to end the sale of overpriced tickets. The three had apparently bought 13 tickets at the market value of 80 baht and tried to sell them on at 100 baht each. Representatives from 45 countries are participating in the World RoboCup competition in Bangkok this week, some 3,000 robots and students are showing off their robotic skills at bitec, today and tomorrow. Region: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida yesterday blamed inadequate police protection and security measures for the death of former leader Shinzo Abe, who was shot last week while giving an outdoor campaign speech. He urged police to carry out a thorough investigation and ‘fix what needs to be fixed’ A considerable amount of Cloudy and rain coming in from the west… Chiang Mai: cloudy with rain 30C Bangkok: cloudy with thundershowers this afternoon 31C Pattaya and SE: cloudy with rain 30C Phuket and the South: cloudy thunder showers 29C Hua Hin: cloudy, with rain this afternoon 31C 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 2022-07-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!