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Malaysian suspect wanted by US officials arrested in Thailand for alleged illegal global wildlife trafficking By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – A Malaysian national, 58, was arrested in Bangkok yesterday, June 30th, after being wanted by United States of America officials for reportedly operating illegal rhino horns and elephant ivory trafficking globally before escaping arrest to Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264576-malaysian-suspect-wanted-by-us-officials-arrested-in-thailand-for-alleged-illegal-global-wildlife-trafficking/

By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – A Malaysian national, 58, was arrested in Bangkok yesterday, June 30th, after being wanted by United States of America officials for reportedly operating illegal rhino horns and elephant ivory trafficking globally before escaping arrest to Thailand. Lieutenant General Jirapob Phuridet, Commander of the Central Investigation Police, along with Thai police and US wildlife protection officials have captured Boon Ching Teo at a hotel in the Wang Thonglang district following the Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for the charges of conspiracy to commit wildlife trafficking, and disguising money laundering. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/07/01/malaysian-suspect-wanted-by-us-officials-arrested-in-thailand-for-alleged-illegal-global-wildlife-trafficking/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-07-01 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Pattaya police step up overnight Beach Road patrols after multiple reports of thefts from Indian tourists By Adam Judd Pattaya-Pattaya Police and tourist police have stepped up overnight patrols on Beach Road following recent reports of theft from Indian tourists in the Pattaya area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264574-pattaya-police-step-up-overnight-beach-road-patrols-after-multiple-reports-of-thefts-from-indian-tourists/

By Adam Judd Pattaya-Pattaya Police and tourist police have stepped up overnight patrols on Beach Road following recent reports of theft from Indian tourists in the Pattaya area. Early this morning, July 1st, 2022, patrols of police were seen walking up and down Beach Road while officials from the Pattaya Police Department promised to continue to keep the patrols running. According to Police Lieutenant Thanaphat Klebe-Udom from the Pattaya Tourist Police, officers were interviewing “suspiciously” loitering individuals at random, especially transgenders, and ensuring they had no criminal history and questioning why these people were loitering in the area. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/07/01/pattaya-police-step-up-overnight-beach-road-patrols-after-multiple-reports-of-thefts-from-indian-tourists/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-07-01 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

MoPH: No increase in adverse reactions to marijuana since law change - but don't use it recreationally 77kaoded Thai Caption: Medical weed has side effects in 1% of cases Dr Kiatphoom Wongjarit of the Thai Ministry of Public Health said that there had been no increase in adverse reactions to marijuana since the change in the law earlier last month. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264573-moph-no-increase-in-adverse-reactions-to-marijuana-since-law-change-but-dont-use-it-recreationally/

77kaoded Thai Caption: Medical weed has side effects in 1% of cases Dr Kiatphoom Wongjarit of the Thai Ministry of Public Health said that there had been no increase in adverse reactions to marijuana since the change in the law earlier last month. This included mental health episodes. Studies have shown that when used for medical reasons the drug has side effects in just 1% of cases and those are invariably just minor. When used properly it is safe though the doctor stressed that the MopH was advising only medical use not for recreational purposes. In a report on his comments 77kaoded said that the MoPH was advising the public how to use the drug and are carrying out public awareness campaigns to improve education and understanding of its uses. One thing that was stressed was that people should not smoke it in public as this might be a cause of annoyance from the smell and smoke. Also the under 20s, pregnant and breast feeding women should avoid it. Precise laws are currently being looked at for the upcoming Cannabis Act. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-01 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - 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

Calls to make Khao San Road a "Marijuana Hub of Thailand" - but hawker leader disagrees Thai Rath reported on the visit of Suphachai Jaisamut to Khao San Road in Bangkok last night. Suphachai heads the committee looking into the provisions of the Cannabis Act that is due to specify the law regarding marijuana in the coming months. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264572-calls-to-make-khao-san-road-a-marijuana-hub-of-thailand-but-hawker-leader-disagrees/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on the visit of Suphachai Jaisamut to Khao San Road in Bangkok last night. Suphachai heads the committee looking into the provisions of the Cannabis Act that is due to specify the law regarding marijuana in the coming months. The drug and hemp was legalized on June 9th and since then dispensaries, street stall and vans have popped up in many places not least of all the popular tourist area of Khao San Road. But as Suphachai made his tour of places selling marijuana and putting it in food he was confronted by Yada Pornpetchrampha who heads the Khao San Road Hawkers' Association. She said that she disagreed with the head of the Khao San Traders' Association Sanga Reuangrattanakul who reportedly stated that he wants the area to be a "Ganja Hub" of Thailand. Suphachai assured her that the new law will look into all aspects of "Free Marijuana" throughout the country and that creating a hub "would not be easy". Earlier the committee chairman had said that the laws being formulated would satisfy all concerns expressed by people in Thai society and foreigners looking in from abroad. He stressed that nothing is free of regulation. He pointed to the smoking of regular cigarettes that are banned in many places and whose sale is restricted to the under 20s. "You even need to use a Zebra crossing to cross the road," he observed. That off-the-cuff analogy may not have been the best in the circumstances, suggests ASEAN NOW. Zebra crossing laws are almost universally flouted in Thailand. He said that total marijuana freedom was a misnomer as he advised businesses in the area that they must not sell to teens or pregnant women and those putting the drug in food need to clearly state what they are doing with signage. The overriding message from Suphachai, for now at least, was not to abuse the new freedoms surrounding marijuana, not to rock the boat and be sensible. He suggested that one of the laws is likely to be specific licences for "marijuana vans" selling the drug on the streets. He continued with the rhetoric that marijuana is for medical and economic reasons in Thailand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-01 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - 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 - Friday July 1 2022 Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264571-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-friday-july-1-2022/

Listen to the news: Thailand scrambled Two F-16 fighter jets near its border with Myanmar in Tak province yesterday and ordered its defense attache to issue a warning to the military government. Following what it called an airspace violation during a combat operation. Myanmar’s military had been carrying out airstrikes against resistance forces next to the border. A leading medical expert says all hospitals have seen a marked increase in covid 19 patients and that plans to regard Thailand as ‘post-pandemic’ from today should be delayed until the situation improves. A group of doctors yesterday submitted a statement to government on working hours, saying many doctors are working over 100 hours a week. Long hours have resulted in many leaving the profession which has impacted patient care. The ministry of public health has notified restaurants that they must inform customers if cannabis is included in food. They are required to list all items that contain cannabis as an ingredient as well as the amount used in each dish. Private bus operators that run intercity services are due to reduce their frequency of services from today due to the increase in gasoline prices. Some fairs will also increase from Monday. Region: China where the Microsoft operating system has been dominant until now, several private tech companies have collaborated with a state enterprise to develop an open source Chinese computer operating system called “openKylin” The collaboration is part of China’s efforts to reduce its dependency on Western technologies. Chiang Mai: Cloudy with rain very heavy at times 28C Bangkok: Becoming cloudy with rain 33C Pattaya and SE: Bright but cloudy expect showers this afternoon 31C Phuket and the South: Bright, Cloudy with rain this afternoon 30C Hua Hin: Bright becoming cloudy with some rain likely this afternoon, 33C Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 -- © Copyright SURF 102.5 FM 2022-07-01 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Arrest warrants for two British executives over fire at luxury Koh Kood resort - Thai surrenders Picture: Thai Rath Former head of immigration Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang - now a top aide to the Royal Thai Police - was in Trad, eastern Thailand, yesterday to check up on developments in the case against the owners of Soneva Kiri Resort on the holiday island of Koh Kood. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264566-arrest-warrants-for-two-british-executives-over-fire-at-luxury-koh-kood-resort-thai-surrenders/

Picture: Thai Rath Former head of immigration Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang - now a top aide to the Royal Thai Police - was in Trad, eastern Thailand, yesterday to check up on developments in the case against the owners of Soneva Kiri Resort on the holiday island of Koh Kood. A fire at the resort on March 6th that started in Pool Villa #63 destroyed much of the facility and caused injury. Sompong said that RTP chief Pol Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk had put him in charge of following up on the case that was an important one for tourism confidence. Action is being taken against the juristic person of the company that runs the resort, namely Tropical Island Co. Ltd. Arrest warrants have been issued on June 17th for two British nationals - Sonashah Shivdasani, 45 and 40 year old Karl French. A Thai woman who represented the juristic person responded to a summons and spoke to investigators on Wednesday. She is Paphatchaya Awaiyanon, 37. All are charged with negligence over the fire causing injury and danger to life and not having the required licences to operate. Thai Rath did not speculate on the location of the British nationals named in the warrants. Sompong said that he wanted the case resolved quickly to ensure confidence among both Thai and foreign tourists and assured there would be fairness to all sides. A representative of the victims of the fire called Chainan - who is also the elder brother of a Thai doctor (Dr O) who suffered a back injury as a result of the blaze - presented a gift basket to the police for their work so far on the case. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-01 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - 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

World Sports News - Friday 1 July by Chili Radio Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264560-world-sports-news-friday-1-july-by-chili-radio/

Listen to the news: Tennis - Nick Kyrgios is through to the third round of Wimbledon after winning 6-2 6-3 6-1 against Filip Krajinovic and plays Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas next. He was also fined $10,000 for his conduct in his opening match. Rafael Nadal continued his pursuit of a third successive Grand Slam title with a four-set win over Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-3 and he will play Italian 27th seed Lorenzo Sonego next. Iga Swiatek battled her way to victory over Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove in her second round match to extend her winning streak to 37 matches. 6-4 4-6 6-3 was the score. Football - Paris St-Germain have signed midfielder Vitinha from Porto for a reported 40m Euros on a five-year deal.The 22-year-old spent the 2020-21 campaign on-loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League. He returned to Porto last season and played 47 times as the side clinched the Portuguese league and cup double. EPL side Chelsea's new owners have appointed an "external review team" to investigate allegations of bullying at the club. According to a report in the New York Times it alleges that former employee Richard Bignell took his own life in January, with the coroner's report linking it to "despair following the loss of his job". Chelsea will now "investigate the allegations that have been made under previous ownership". Download the Chili Radio app : https://chiliradio.app for Chili Pop and Chili Classics. -- © Copyright Chili RADIO 2022-07-01 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Wissanu: Ask Constitutional Court About Prayut’s Eight-Year Tenure By Thai Newsroom Reporters Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. Photo: NNT DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Wissanu Krea-ngam today (June 30) encouraged those who may wonder whether Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will have spent a maximum of eight years in power by the upcoming August to call on the Constitutional Court for judgement. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264558-wissanu-ask-constitutional-court-about-prayut’s-eight-year-tenure/

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. Photo: NNT By Thai Newsroom Reporters DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Wissanu Krea-ngam today (June 30) encouraged those who may wonder whether Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will have spent a maximum of eight years in power by the upcoming August to call on the Constitutional Court for judgement. Wissanu told reporters at Government House that Prayut’s eight-year tenure as maximally provided by law will almost certainly raise a bone of contention, thus prompting those who may have doubts about it to file a petition to the Constitutional Court to judge. The deputy premier in charge of legal affairs said he would rather not ask the Constitutional Court to settle such a legal controversy though he himself is among the doubters. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/06/30/wissanu-ask-constitutional-court-about-prayuts-eight-year-tenure/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-07-01 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Danish Embassy in Bangkok hopes visa rush will be over by September by Gregers Møller The landslide of Thai people applying for visa to Denmark and Iceland is causing severe distress among the applicants. Most complaints are about being left in the dark with no means to find out, if their application will be approved – or rejected – before their planned departure date. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264556-danish-embassy-in-bangkok-hopes-visa-rush-will-be-over-by-september/

by Gregers Møller The landslide of Thai people applying for visa to Denmark and Iceland is causing severe distress among the applicants. Most complaints are about being left in the dark with no means to find out, if their application will be approved – or rejected – before their planned departure date. According to the Danish Embassy in Bangkok, there is, however, light at the end of the tunnel. “The Danish embassy hopes to have increased capacity by the end of the third quarter of 2022, and thereby reduce the general waiting times,” says the embassy. This is three months into the future, but increasing the capacity takes this long time because – although the new staff has been selected – they still need to pass a lengthy security clearance process and – if passed – be trained in doing the job. Full story: https://scandasia.com/danish-embassy-in-bangkoks-hopes-visa-rush-will-be-over-by-september/ -- © Copyright ScandAsia 2022-07-01 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Underground wire project on Pattaya Walking Street to possibly be completed by March 2023 By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — The ongoing wire-burying project on Pattaya Walking Street that has been operating for a year is possibly set to be completed by March 2023. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264555-underground-wire-project-on-pattaya-walking-street-to-possibly-be-completed-by-march-2023/

Pattaya — The ongoing wire-burying project on Pattaya Walking Street that has been operating for a year is possibly set to be completed by March 2023. By Tanakorn Panyadee A meeting was held today, June 30th, with representatives from the Provincial Electricity Authority, the National Telecommunications Commission, the Provincial Waterworks Authority, and Pattaya mayor Poramese Ngampiches to provide an update on the unfinished wire-burying project on Pattaya Walking Street. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/30/underground-wire-project-on-pattaya-walking-street-to-possibly-be-completed-by-march-2023/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-07-01 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

UPDATE: Thai pulmonologist suggests government to delay its Covid-19 announcement as endemic as daily infections continues to increase By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: Dr. Manoon Leechawengwongs Bangkok –Thailand’s prominent doctor Manoon Leechawengwongs suggested the government to postpone its Covid-19 announcement as endemic from July 1st, stating that the number of daily infections is still increasing. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264536-thailand-sees-rise-in-severe-covid-19-cases-after-easing-of-restrictions/?do=findComment&comment=17453720

Thai pulmonologist suggests government to delay its Covid-19 announcement as endemic as daily infections continues to increase By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: Dr. Manoon Leechawengwongs Bangkok –Thailand’s prominent doctor Manoon Leechawengwongs suggested the government to postpone its Covid-19 announcement as endemic from July 1st, stating that the number of daily infections is still increasing. The pulmonologist wrote his statement online today, June 30th, that it would be better if the announcement of the virus being endemic was postponed for a while until the situation is resolved. He wrote: “Now, all hospitals in Bangkok are accepting more Covid-19 patients. Vichaiyut Hospital has to reopen one more ward for Covid-19 patients after it was closed for a while. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/30/thai-pulmonologist-suggests-government-to-delay-its-covid-19-announcement-as-endemic-as-daily-infections-continues-to-increase/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-07-01 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Call to not make cannabis sales ’too obvious’ By Editor The chairman of a special House panel vetting a cannabis-regulation bill on Thursday urged vendors “not to make sales too obvious” during the transitional period before promulgation of a new law. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264554-call-to-not-to-make-cannabis-sales-’too-obvious’/

By Editor The chairman of a special House panel vetting a cannabis-regulation bill on Thursday urged vendors “not to make sales too obvious” during the transitional period before promulgation of a new law. Bhumjaithai Party-list MP Supachai Jaisamut, chairman of the panel vetting the marijuana and hemp regulation bill, said once the new law is enacted, no one will be allowed to sell ganja for recreational use. The MP was referring to reports that vendors have been seen openly selling marijuana wrapped in cigarette paper along Khaosan Road for tourists to buy and smoke. Police have admitted there is no law for them to take legal action after marijuana was delisted from the Category 5 Narcotics List. Supachai said he had learned that some vendors opened shops to sell marijuana in cigarette form, with buyers arriving at the shop from dawn to late at night. “When the new law is enacted, this practice cannot go on because all marijuana-based goods must first be approved by the authorities. However, we are in a vacuum period right now and we cannot control it,” Supachai admitted. He is requesting the Chana Songkram police to monitor Khaosan Road activities to prevent such trade. “And I would like to call on those who are selling it to make it less obvious. Please move back to the appropriate places instead of making it too obvious,” Supachai reiterated. “During this vacuum period, I would also like to ask society and families to join hands [to prevent the buying and sale of marijuana for recreation] as I don’t want to see the appropriate use of marijuana disrupted because of these practices.” Supachai said he would try to have the vetting of the bill done within next month so that it can be sent back to the House for the second and third readings in early August. The bill is aimed at allowing marijuana and hemp to be used for medical purposes and for making cash products, not for recreational use, he made it clear. The bill has been drafted based on public opinions from all sectors so that the new law brings about benefits for the country, Supachai said “the issues that have been happening now, including the sale of marijuana in cigarette form, would be adapted under the new law so that society is protected as much as possible,” he said. Regarding the concern that some food shops are mixing cannabis ingredients into meals without informing buyers, Supachai said the shops must comply with an earlier announcement by the Health Department that requires all shops to inform consumers beforehand that marijuana has been used in the dishes. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/06/call-to-not-to-make-cannabis-sales-too-obvious/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-07-01 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

How can we save money living in Thailand? OPINION | by Michael Bridge file photo for reference only The pandemic, along with the Russian-Ukraine conflict and rising fuel costs is making the rising inflation difficult for many. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264552-how-can-we-save-money-living-in-thailand/