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"Daruma Sushi" executive's house searched - safe and Porsche taken away as AMLO investigates Thai Rath reported that 10 officers from the Consumer Protection Division police headed by Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Prasertsang went to the house of Daruma Sushi executive Metha Chalingsuk yesterday in Seri Villa 2, Prawes district of Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264463-daruma-sushi-executives-house-searched-safe-and-porsche-taken-away-as-amlo-investigates/

Thai Rath reported that 10 officers from the Consumer Protection Division police headed by Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Prasertsang went to the house of Daruma Sushi executive Metha Chalingsuk yesterday in Seri Villa 2, Prawes district of Bangkok. Metha, 39, is in custody facing charges of online fraud totalling 100 million baht. Officers took away a safe and a Porsche Cayenne from the property where they also found dozens of designer bags. The media said that the Anti Money Laudering Office would be examining the provenance of items seized after a search warrant was served yesterday. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. 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 - Thursday June 30 2022 Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264462-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-june-30-2022/

Listen to the news: Thailand national health office announced that from July 1st the country will enter a post-pandemic stage, and the government would no longer provide free hospital care for covid patients or and may stop distributing free antigen test kits. People will need to rely on their own health insurance coverage for medical services. Thai embassies in South Korea and Singapore have been notified to warn travellers from Thailand not to bring cannabis-based products or cannabis extracts with them. Possession and consumption of cannabis or hemp could lead to a lengthy jail term or the death penalty. Thai authorities in the southern province of Surin have returned 166 Myanmar nationals to their own country after they had entered Thailand without documents. 10 boats were used to transport the migrants who authorities say had volunteered to return. Authorities have impounded some 59 tonnes of pork, believed to have been smuggled from overseas then stored at a refrigeration facility in Nakhon Pathom. The owner of the cold storage facility has been given 15 days to produce documents permitting the import, or face legal action. Region: Hong Kong weather forecasters warned the first typhoon of the summer appears to be forming south of the island, threatening to bring heavy storms during President Xi Jinping’s Hong Kong visit tomorrow. Nearly 3,000 VIP guests and employees have entered quarantine at hotels, while police have thrown a security blanket around key locations. President Xi is in Hong kong to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1997 handover. Malaysia's top telecoms companies have agreed on terms to share ownership of the state-controlled company that will deploy the country's much-delayed 5G mobile network. A shareholders agreement is due to be inked early next month. Fine and sunny some cloud and showers this afternoon Chiang Mai: Bright with thundershowers 31C Bangkok: Sunny partly cloudy showers afternoon 34C Pattaya and SE: Bright but cloudy expect showers this afternoon 31C Phuket and the South: Bright, Cloudy isolated thundershowers 29C 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 2022-06-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Chiang Mai: Foreign tourists everywhere as hopes surge for post pandemic recovery Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath sent its reporters to the streets of Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand where they reported that there were foreign tourists "walking to and fro" everywhere. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264458-chiang-mai-foreign-tourists-everywhere-as-hopes-surge-for-post-pandemic-recovery/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath sent its reporters to the streets of Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand where they reported that there were foreign tourists "walking to and fro" everywhere. The picture near the Tha Pae gate, on Loi Khroh Road and around the moat in the old city was all the same - plenty of tourists especially Europeans. They had pictures of that, with faces "vaselined" out, perhaps mindful of new identity protection laws. Picture: Thai Rath Tour companies, bike rental firms, guest houses, shops and restaurants were all back in business, getting going again after more than two dire years of the pandemic. This was especially true of tour companies, they suggested. As evidence of this they spoke to Anchan Jirawatnakul of Patiothai Tour in Muang district who said she reopened in March after being shut for two years. She was starting to sell tours again to Europeans mostly with Brits and Germans top of the list. Picture: Thai Rath They were particularly interested in nature trails to Doi Inthanon - Thailand's highest peak - Doi Suthep, one day tours to Chiang Rai as well as rafting and elephant riding. "Thank goodness Covid is over," she enthused. "There is renewed hope now that we can make a full recovery and return to the kind of business we had before Covid". -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. 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

Khao San Road: Marijuana seller told to get a permit - officials confirm selling weed is legal Picture: Siam Rath Officials from the Phra Nakorn district office and Chanasongkram Police station were out in Khao San Road yesterday making sure that all traders had the required permits to sell on the street. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264454-khao-san-road-marijuana-seller-told-to-get-a-permit-officials-confirm-selling-weed-is-legal/

Picture: Siam Rath Officials from the Phra Nakorn district office and Chanasongkram Police station were out in Khao San Road yesterday making sure that all traders had the required permits to sell on the street. One that didn't was a marijuana trader who would roll up joints for his customers on the popular tourist street. Watthawee Thaweewat or "Dave", 36, was told that he needed a licence from the local office as all people did who sell anything on the street. He was told to go and get one and warned that he'd be fined 2,000 next time if he didn't have a licence. Local district director Wasan Bunmeaunwai said that there was no problem with people openly selling weed on the streets - it was all perfectly legal now but everyone needs to have a permit to sell no matter what it is. He was accompanied by Pol Col Tharadol Hemmaphat from the police station just around the corner who also took no action. Dave said as soon as weed was legalized he sold his organic marijuana in Pattaya for a day then moved to Khao San. He was moving around to several locations in the area so as not to annoy other male and female traders selling weed on the street. He said he had one strain called "Nock Charlotte" (transliterated from Thai and possibly incorrect) for 450 baht a gram and what he called Hang Krarok (Squirrel Tail) or Thai Stick for just 200 baht. He was happy to roll his wares up into joints for his customers free of charge. He then told Siam Rath that he was off to the district office to get a permit. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. 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

Thailand’s dual pricing still gets everyone posting by Michael Bridge file photo On June the 8th we posted an article about the resumption of dual pricing fees at national parks, forest parks, botanical gardens, and arboretums. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264450-thailand’s-dual-pricing-still-gets-everyone-posting/

file photo by Michael Bridge On June the 8th we posted an article about the resumption of dual pricing fees at national parks, forest parks, botanical gardens, and arboretums. The announcement showed a continuation of the long-standing dual pricing policy with foreigners being asked to pay higher fees, in this case, five times those asked of Thai people. In 2020 Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the TAT would discuss stopping dual pricing for expatriates with the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. Seems the National Parks ministry was not listening!!! Well, this post definitely seemed to hit home with a staggering 13.8k views and over 652 responses to date and still rising…. way above the normal response at AseanNow.com Here are just a few of the comments we received. If we thought of doing this in Australia, we would be branded racist and face fines. No matter where you come from even Thailand, here you pay the same as locals. "He said the agency wants to introduce an identity card for expats, helping to distinguish them from tourists so they will be charged the same price as locals" Don't overcomplicate it, just ask for a passport if they must Last week at Kalasin falls in Kanchanaburi I was charged 10 x's more than the girlfriend who they thought was Thai. Her 30 baht, me 300 baht, and then 30 baht for the car to enter. Tried to show my Pink ID card and was pointed to a sign confirming even non-Thai resident/expat IDS not accepted anymore. If you’re a foreigner you’re a tourist in their eyes. If you look Thai, like my GF from Myanmar they don't even blink. It is what it is, dual pricing, and a way to make money. Luckily, the vendors selling food don't charge the same way....... But does the government in fact make any money from this practice.... I mean, enough to really make a difference to the nation's finances. (I guess I am assuming I am like most ex-pats....visiting a National Park just once in a decade....) Just needs a bit of a PR update really. Charge everybody 100Bt and offer a generous 80% discount for Thai nationals and anyone over 70-year-old who brings their grandparents with them. Yes of course it's wrong but are you going to let a few baht stop you from enjoyment? Hopefully, if you have families here, you don't deny them just because you'll be paying a bit too much. Dual pricing in Thailand applies to many things not only national parks. You have to accept that a foreigner whether living in Thailand or a tourist will always be a foreigner no matter what and be charged accordingly even after you die. My Thai missus in Cambodia tried to dodge the $1 fee at a temple, they asked her to speak Cambodian. FAILED. I don’t have a problem with tax-funded attractions charging a premium for foreign visitors (not residents). What boils my blood is when private attractions follow the same policy, similar to the private hospitals charging foreigners much higher fees when receiving treatment I think tourists should keep all the receipts for food and beverage purchased on their trip then when leaving go to the VAT desk and demand all the VAT back. If you ever visit the Great Wall in China, you will experience a huge difference in charges between Chinese and foreigners. From memory about ten times when I was there in the year 2000!!! Just do as I do, stay away, and don’t go, their loss not mine. I find them well overpriced anyway Editor’s note: So, the debate continues and maybe the Minister for Thailand’s National Parks will change his mind and charge Thai’s more than tourists. Because with crazy airfares we may need to save our Thai baht to afford buy an ice cream at these parks! -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. 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 - Thursday 30 June 2022 by Chili Radio Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264448-world-sports-news-thursday-30-june-2022-by-chili-radio/

Listen to the news: Tennis - Day three of Wimbledon produced a couple of shocks. In the women's competition Estonia's Anett Kontaveit became the highest seed to be knocked out of Wimbledon so far as she was beaten in straight sets by German Jule Niemeier. World number 97 Niemeier overpowered the second seed to win 6-4 6-0. Ukrainian player Lesia Tsurenko said she feels "guilty" after reaching the Wimbledon third round while there is a war in her country. The 33-year-old says all she can do is keep playing and donating 10% of her prize money to help. She beat compatriot Anhelina Kalinina, who had earlier spoken of wanting to win more money to help rebuild her parents' home. In the men's Norwegian third seed Casper Ruud was stunned by Frenchman Ugo Humbert 3-6 6-2 7-5 6-4 , while number one seed Novak Djokovic advanced with ease as he beat Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-1 6-4 6-2. Football - Romelu Lukaku has returned to Inter Milan on a season-long loan, just a year after leaving for English Premier League side Chelsea. The Blues paid Inter a club-record £97.5m for the 29 year old. Inter have agreed to pay a loan fee of about 8m euros for Lukaku, who helped them win Serie A in 2020-21. Download the Chili Radio app : https://chiliradio.app for Chili Pop and Chili Classics. -- © Copyright Chili RADIO 2022-06-30 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!

Norwegian man stabs himself at Pattaya hotel, rushed to hospital By Adam Judd Pattaya-A 54-year-old Norwegian man stabbed himself at his Pattaya hotel late last night, June 29th, 2022, say Pattaya police. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264446-norwegian-man-stabs-himself-at-pattaya-hotel-rushed-to-hospital/

By Adam Judd Pattaya-A 54-year-old Norwegian man stabbed himself at his Pattaya hotel late last night, June 29th, 2022, say Pattaya police. At 11:30 PM Pattaya police led by Pol. Lt. Col. Yuttana Leungsakul, deputy police chief at Pattaya City Police Station, rushed to a hotel in South Pattaya after a staff member called for urgent assistance. Upon arrival, Pattaya Police, first responders from Sawang Boriboon, and Pattaya News reporters found a 54-year-old Norwegian national in his fourth floor room bleeding heavily from a deep stab wound to the middle of his chest. The name of the victim was withheld as is our editorial policy for possible self harm cases. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/30/norwegian-man-stabs-himself-at-pattaya-hotel-rushed-to-hospital/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-06-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more! The charity Samaritans is available around the clock for people who want to talk. If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health services, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand at their 24-hour hotline 02-713-6791 (English), 02713-6793 (Thai) or Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). http://www.samaritansthai.com/news/samaritans-of-thailand-english-hotline/

Thammanat Tells Prayut To Quit If Any Minister Targeted In Censure Debate Flounders By Thai Newsroom Reporters Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, right, and Thai Economic party leader Thammanat Prompao, left. Photo: Workpointtoday.com PRIME MINISTER PRAYUT Chan-o-cha was suggested yesterday (June 29) to consider stepping down if any individual cabinet members are intensely grilled for their alleged wrongdoings and barely given a yea vote in an approaching censure/no-confidence motion. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264445-thammanat-tells-prayut-to-quit-if-any-minister-targeted-in-censure-debate-flounders/

Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, right, and Thai Economic party leader Thammanat Prompao, left. Photo: Workpointtoday.com By Thai Newsroom Reporters PRIME MINISTER PRAYUT Chan-o-cha was suggested yesterday (June 29) to consider stepping down if any individual cabinet members are intensely grilled for their alleged wrongdoings and barely given a yea vote in an approaching censure/no-confidence motion. Thai Economic party leader Thammanat Prompao advised that Prayut claim full, prompt responsibility by resigning for possibilities that any of the 10 cabinet members targeted under the censure debate might barely survive with a subsequent vote of confidence in comparison to that of no confidence. The censure/no-confidence bid which is expected to last no less than four days in a row by the middle of next month will see the premier and 10 other cabinet members grilled for their allegedly error-ridden, corruption-prone or futile performances ranging from the economic slumps, the people’s soaring costs of living and the sustained pandemic situation to questionable arms purchase plans, among others. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/06/29/thammanat-tells-prayut-to-quit-if-any-minister-targeted-in-censure-debate-flounders/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-06-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Thai Embassy in South Korea warns Thai travelers not to carry cannabis and hemp to the country By Nop Meechukhun National – The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul of South Korea yesterday, June 28th, has warned Thai travelers not to carry any parts of cannabis and hemp to the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264444-thai-embassy-in-south-korea-warns-thai-travelers-not-to-carry-cannabis-and-hemp-to-the-country/

By Nop Meechukhun National – The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul of South Korea yesterday, June 28th, has warned Thai travelers not to carry any parts of cannabis and hemp to the country. Violators could be prosecuted according to the South Korean regulations and could face imprisonment, deportation, and hefty punishment as a travel ban, according to the Embassy. Smuggling such plants could face imprisonment for a minimum of 5 years or a maximum of life imprisonment. Planting or selling in the territory could face at least 1-year imprisonment. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/29/thai-embassy-in-south-korea-warns-thai-travelers-not-to-carry-cannabis-and-hemp-to-the-country/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-06-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Phuket plans to build a sky walk in Rawai and a glass terrace at Surin Beach By Goongnang Suksawat PHOTO: Phuket Info Center Phuket – Phuket is planning to build a sky walk in Rawai and a glass terrace at Surin Beach in Thalang. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264443-phuket-plans-to-build-a-sky-walk-in-rawai-and-a-glass-terrace-at-surin-beach/

PHOTO: Phuket Info Center By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – Phuket is planning to build a sky walk in Rawai and a glass terrace at Surin Beach in Thalang. The President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) Mr. Rewat Areerob told The Phuket Express, “We want to attract more tourists to Phuket with new places other than the famous places that some of them have already visited.” Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/06/29/phuket-plans-to-build-a-sky-walk-in-rawai-and-a-glass-terrace-at-surin-beach/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-06-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Phuket Police hold marine rescue drill as more tourists arrive By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket-The Phuket City Police held a marine rescue practice to upgrade safety as more tourists are visiting Phuket recently. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264442-phuket-police-hold-marine-rescue-drill-as-more-tourists-arrive/

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket-The Phuket City Police held a marine rescue practice to upgrade safety as more tourists are visiting Phuket recently. The practice was held this morning (June 29th) at Boat Lagoon Pier in the Koh Kaew sub-district, Mueang Phuket district. The practice was launched by the Region 8 Police Deputy Commander Major General Saksiraj Pueakam. -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-06-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

NNT and RTP Clarify on Previously Reported Issue by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Previously, some local media outlets, including the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT), presented a news piece under the headline “Royal Thai Police on Alert for Possible Iranian Spies” on June 6, 2022. We wish to clarify that the piece was factually inconsistent and may have created misunderstandings about the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian people. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264441-nnt-and-rtp-clarify-on-previously-reported-issue/

by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Previously, some local media outlets, including the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT), presented a news piece under the headline “Royal Thai Police on Alert for Possible Iranian Spies” on June 6, 2022. We wish to clarify that the piece was factually inconsistent and may have created misunderstandings about the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian people. The Royal Thai Police has stated that it did not issue any instructions for its authorities to monitor Iranian nationals or Thai Shia Muslims. This is in accordance with the “Police News” No. 155 dated June 8, 2022. Moreover, the Royal Thai Police has not shared or disclosed any information referenced in the aforementioned article. Meanwhile, after consulting with the Royal Thai Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand issued a statement, highlighting the fact that Thailand and Iran have always enjoyed close and cordial relations, based on dignity and mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty. The Iranian government has also reassured Thailand that it will do its utmost to prevent anything from undermining that mutual trust. The NNT values our service as a member of state media organizations and takes great pride in our work. The NNT does not take this incident lightly and views it as a valuable experience that will contribute to improving the quality of our offerings. The NNT also recognizes that inaccuracies in reporting fall short of responsible journalism and can be damaging bilateral relations. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-06-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Expensive “loyalty” dents world’s most popular sport By Tulsathit Taptim When Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard visited Thailand many years ago for a friendly game with the Thai national team, he said two things that probably can combine to form the crux of the Pimrypie controversy. Firstly, he remarked that when they landed, he couldn’t wait to see the faces of new Liverpool players who were first-time visitors to the country, because they all would be taken aback and blown away by the craze shown by Thai fans, who were about to make them feel like rock stars. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1264440-expensive-“loyalty”-dents-world’s-most-popular-sport/