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by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (Thai CC) expressed its view that Thailand’s economy will be able to grow by 3.3% this year. This would be due to exports and an improved tourism scene. Meanwhile, it cautioned that the global economy and conflicts between superpowers need to be monitored. Thai CC President Narongsak Putthapornmongkol revealed the results of a confidence survey by his organization. The survey of 305 business leaders’ confidence for the 4th quarter of 2022 found that respondents believe the economy will expand by 3.3% this year. Factors cited as hindrances to the Thai economy’s revival include the global economic slowdown, inflation, and domestic political stability. Other factors cited include household debt, economic crises faced by some trading partners, and conflicts between global superpowers. Mr. Narongsak noted survey respondents deem China to still be a reliable export market for Thailand. Thailand-China trade expanded by 7.34% in the first 7 months of this year. However, Thai exports to China declined by 2.62%. Prominent exports to China include computers and parts, plastics, rubber products, cassava, para rubber as well as fresh, chilled, and frozen fruit. The chamber president expressed his view that Thai exports to China, especially farm exports and agriculture industry products, can grow much further. He said freight costs are on the decline, the baht has weakened and China’s relaxation of Covid curbs is resulting in more demand for food. He said, however, that the private sector needs to monitor the global economic situation and the Chinese economy, as well as the conflicts between superpowers. Mr. Narongsak also expressed concern over the domestic political situation. He said interruptions that cause any delays to the APEC summit or make it unviable for APEC leaders to participate would impact Thailand’s credibility. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220901113408081 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-09-01 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Cooking Gas, Power Prices Rise on Sept 1 BANGKOK, Sept 1(TNA) – Energy prices rose on Sept 1 in accordance with a resolution of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270630-cooking-gas-power-prices-rise-on-sept-1/

BANGKOK, Sept 1(TNA) – Energy prices rose on Sept 1 in accordance with a resolution of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow. The cooking gas price increased by 1 baht per kilogram, resulting in the price of cooking gas in a 15kg cylinder going up by 15 baht from 393 to 408 baht. The government hands out 100 baht as a cooking gas subsidy to holders of government welfare cards. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news/line-today-english-news-1009149 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-09-01 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Does Homegrown Vaccine Still Matter An Article by Silada Rojratanakiat Inequity in vaccine distribution and protectionism drive Thailand to develop a homegrown vaccine. Producing homemade vaccines aims to achieve self-sufficiency, increase collaboration among research and development organizations, and boost national competency in COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270624-does-homegrown-vaccine-still-matter/

An Article by Silada Rojratanakiat Inequity in vaccine distribution and protectionism drive Thailand to develop a homegrown vaccine. Producing homemade vaccines aims to achieve self-sufficiency, increase collaboration among research and development organizations, and boost national competency in COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing. Private enterprises, investors, and public health authorities have avoided domestic vaccine development for decades. Despite the apparent advantages, cost concerns, irregular access to financing, uncertainty about demand, and other difficulties have hindered most nations and businesses from entering the vaccine production business. Thailand, like many other countries, is mainly reliant on vaccine imports. As a result, Thailand failed to get the appropriate vaccine supply on schedule in the first phase of this pandemic. Thus, COVID-19 has reignited a long-dormant concern and highlighted the critical necessity of indigenous manufacturing competence for Thailand’s security and health. Strong sovereign capability is essential. Homegrown vaccines will save lives, generate employment, and help Thailand maintain its position as Asia’s medical hub. A homegrown vaccine has several advantages, including increased public-health resilience in times like these; increased ability to respond quickly to Thailand-specific diseases; improved preparedness for the next epidemic or pandemic; and, on the economic side, less strain on trade balances, an increased in the skilled labor pool and a reduction in foreign-exchange requirements. Other emerging economies, particularly those with large domestic populations, such as India and Indonesia, have built substantial domestic vaccine enterprises. Due to a desire not to be reliant on the vagaries of global supply, imports, and donations, as well as uncertainty about the duration of the pandemic, Thailand decides to develop its own vaccine against COVID-19 apart from negotiating with pharmaceutical behemoths and joining the Covax vaccine sharing initiative. Beginning in early 2020, corporate and public organizations in the country began creating their own COVID-19 vaccines in the hopes that at least one would be successful. These Thai indigenous vaccine candidates result from cross-sector collaboration, with commercial pharmaceutical businesses collaborating with public health authorities or university labs. Thai vaccine candidates that have advanced to clinical trials include the Government Pharmaceutical Organization’s inactivated vaccine "HXP-GPOVac," Chulalongkorn University’s mRNA vaccine "Chulacov19," Bionet’s DNA vaccine "COVIGEN," and Baiya Phytopharm’s protein subunit vaccine "Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 1 Vaccine". Thailand also has an additional 20 vaccine candidates, which leverage multiple technologies and platforms in the earlier stages. These different tools in the toolbox are expected to ultimately function nicely. Nevertheless, none of the Thai-made COVID-19 vaccine candidates is yet approved. Some challenges to advancement include a lack of cooperation among academics, restricted access to money, insufficient regulatory frameworks, complicated market dynamics, and a scarcity of local talent. Furthermore, these vaccine candidates must undergo rigorous safety and effectiveness testing before they are approved for public use. Some worry that these vaccine candidates may be too slow to fill the gap in the market. Moreover, it needs to be seen whether Thailand’s indigenous vaccines can compete with existing vaccines, mainly if faith in homegrown vaccines is poor or if homegrown vaccines can effectively prevent new variants. Many believe using homemade vaccines is unnecessary, primarily because existing vaccines perform well. There are still unanswered questions about homemade vaccines. In any case, the knowledge and technologies gained can help Thailand prepare for future pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic is a once-in-a-generation challenge that provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come back stronger and better than before. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220901095032024 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-09-01 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Coyote dancers strut their stuff in back of pick-up at Thai lady's funeral - it was her dying wish! Sanook Thai Caption: Coyotes in a pick-up at funeral - what do you think of the chassis? Sanook reported from the funeral of a popular civil servant attached to the agricultural offices of the Nakhon Sri Thammarat provincial administration in southern Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270621-coyote-dancers-strut-their-stuff-in-back-of-pick-up-at-thai-ladys-funeral-it-was-her-dying-wish/

Sanook Thai Caption: Coyotes in a pick-up (at funeral) - what do you think of the chassis? Sanook reported from the funeral of a popular civil servant attached to the agricultural offices of the Nakhon Sri Thammarat provincial administration in southern Thailand. Kamonwan or "Aunty Lai", died aged 67. Her dying dish was to have coyote dancers at her funeral. On Tuesday evening in the funeral at her home in Tha Reua, Muang district she got her wish. The music was blaring in the tent housing the coffin as two coyote dancers strutted their stuff in the back of a pick-up. The sad atmosphere immediately changed to one of joy for a life well lived. Loads of adults and children started boogying along with the coyotes. Young and older men in the throng gave cash gifts to the dancers. Relatives said that "Pa Lai" was a grand lady who was kind to all and loved by everyone. She had said she wanted coyotes at her funeral so that was arranged for her for one night. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-01 - 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. 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

Bangkok taxi-meters: Fares set to rise - taxi drivers jubilant after 8 year wait Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that taxi drivers are jubilant that the authorities will be raising rates for rides in taxi-meter cabs in the Thai capital Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270617-bangkok-taxi-meters-fares-set-to-rise-taxi-drivers-jubilant-after-8-year-wait/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that taxi drivers are jubilant that the authorities will be raising rates for rides in taxi-meter cabs in the Thai capital Bangkok. Exactly how much remains to be seen but an official said that the increase would be in line with the increased cost of living and fair to both taxi drivers and the public. While the head of the Department of Land Transport has said that taxi drivers will need to play ball - and stop refusing fares. The media reported that taxi fares have not increased from 2014 to this year despite many pleas from drivers to raise charges. Flag fall in Bangkok remains at 35 baht. They have been concerned by the increased cost of living and fuel in particular. Sorapong Phaitoonpong from the Transport Ministry heads a committee that has comprised organisations such as the DLT, firms representing the drivers, various associations for consumer groups and the Thailand Development Reasearch Institute (TDRI). A TDRI survey suggested that people were taking shorter and fewer taxi trips and the number of vehicles on the roads had dropped from 80,000 to 60,000. Drivers were facing hardship as they had less custom and the rent of vehicles made up a larger proportion than previously. They concurred that there had not been increases for 8 years and that the cost of living had risen by 7%. The DLT had been using the TDRI data, looking at cabbies' demands and taking into account the opinions of the public after comments made on the DLT site on Facebook. Most agreed that the fares need to go up. The taxi drivers want too much and the public too little - some middle ground that is fair to all needs to be found. But the fares are definitely set to increase in a just capacity. Jirut Wisanjit, chief of the DLT, said that when the fares do increase the drivers must stop refusing fares. Or they will face points that could lead to their licences being suspended. Comments on the issue can be made to the DLT on Facebook on PR.DL.News. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-01 - 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. 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

Tim Newton Today - Sep 1: 'Nutty' gets away with US$55 million! Bikes on pavements in Bangkok, Taiwan tensions Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270616-tim-newton-today-sep-1-nutty-gets-away-with-us55-million-bikes-on-pavements-in-bangkok-taiwan-tensions/

A pretty Thai YouTuber has ripped off Thai investors to the tune of US$55 million, probably more. Where is she? Rounds fired in anger by Taiwan at a Chinese drone, APEC worries as Thailand has a PM problem, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority gets tough on motorbikes on pavements.

Creative Economy Agency empowers Thai creative business on the global stage With the goal of taking Thailand’s creative industry to another level and having a greater impact on GDP, the new leadership of the Creative Economy Agency (CEA) has unveiled a new vision and strategies that will elevate its role in promoting soft power. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270615-creative-economy-agency-empowers-thai-creative-business-on-the-global-stage/

With the goal of taking Thailand’s creative industry to another level and having a greater impact on GDP, the new leadership of the Creative Economy Agency (CEA) has unveiled a new vision and strategies that will elevate its role in promoting soft power. Newly appointed CEA Executive Director Dr. Chakrit Pichyangkul tells Thai PBS World that based on its new visionary plan, the CEA aims to drive the creative economy on the global market through outside-in strategies. To achieve this, the Agency has to transform itself into a more agile and creative organization to deal with key stakeholders – creative people, creative business, and creative district. The CEA has designed three operational processes to strengthen the creative economy. The first is to empower cultural assets and creative cities by exploring the identity that will best showcase the country’s competency and then drive it through the promotion of the creative city. Meanwhile, the CEA will extend the advantages of five existing five cities recognized by UNESCO Creative Cities Network, namely Bangkok (Creative City of Design), Phuket and Phetchaburi (Creative City of Gastronomy), Chiang Mai and Sukhothai (Creative City of Craft and Folk Art). Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/creative-economy-agency-empowers-thai-creative-business-on-the-global-stage/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-01 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Kids left on school vans: New RTP chief orders a crackdown Daily News Thai Caption: Crackdown on school vans Following the death of a young child in Chonburi who it appears was somehow left all day on a school van the man who will become the new Royal Thai Police chief at the end of this month has done what the RTP always do after a tragedy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270614-kids-left-on-school-vans-new-rtp-chief-orders-a-crackdown/

Daily News Thai Caption: Crackdown on school vans Following the death of a young child in Chonburi who it appears was somehow left all day on a school van the man who will become the new Royal Thai Police chief at the end of this month has done what the RTP always do after a tragedy. Have a crackdown. Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat - currently a deputy in charge of traffic matters - was commenting on the case of a 7 year old child found dead in a school van at a private school in Phan Thong on Tuesday. Damrongsak will be taking over from Gen Suwat Chaendyodsuk on September 30th. Daily News reported that Damrongsak had ordered the Chonburi provincial police and Phan Thong officers to fully investigate what happened. He admitted that the RTP had been involved in trying to prevent such tragedies multiple times in the past. Schools had been contacted by police with advice on all manner of ways to prevent accidents. These included training staff what to do and educating children who might find themselves left in a van in how to react. They included sounding horns and warning systems and using phones. Other safety measures like having stickers on vehicles and not allowing dark film were also part of other safety measures. But he admitted the tragedies continue and so he has ordered a nationwide crackdown by the police who will be contacting schools to demand safe practices are put in place. He said that safety of students comes under the Education Ministry and he will be working with them on the issue. In the latest case more details have emerged. Yesterday ASEAN NOW carried a report in which the mother of the child suggested that this was more than just forgetting a child. She thought her only daughter might have been assaulted. Damrongsak said that there were seven children on the van, five primary children and two from the kindergarten. Jeehun, the dead child was in the third row. One teacher was driving and another seated in the furthest back row was looking after the children. When the van reached the school the teacher in the back got out first, according to their evidence, then leant in and made sure all the children had alighted. Having ascertained this the teacher told the driver to go and park in the area for vans. The dead child was discovered at 4.30 pm when it was time to take the children home. How this was possible remains to be seen. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-01 - 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. 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

Bangchak announces 10 billion Baht investment plans to make aviation fuel from used cooking oil By Thanaphum Charoensombatpanich Bangckak Corporation Plc (BCP) said that it and its affiliate BBGI Plc along with Thanachok Oil Light Co., Ltd. signed a joint venture agreement to establish BSGF Company Limited to produce what it calls as ‘Sustainable Aviation Fuel made from used cooking oil. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270613-bangchak-announces-10-billion-baht-investment-plans-to-make-aviation-fuel-from-used-cooking-oil/

By Thanaphum Charoensombatpanich Bangckak Corporation Plc (BCP) said that it and its affiliate BBGI Plc along with Thanachok Oil Light Co., Ltd. signed a joint venture agreement to establish BSGF Company Limited to produce what it calls as ‘Sustainable Aviation Fuel made from used cooking oil. BCP said that this venture would be the only such venture to produce sustainable aviation fuel in Thailand and the venture would see an investment of 8-10 billion Baht, with BCP holding 51% stake, Thanachok Oil Light holding 29%, and BBGI holding 20% of the venture. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, Group Chief Executive Officer and President of BCP said that the venture should be operational as early as Q4 2024. The venture, he said was the amalgamation of the experience and expertise of the three partners to lay a solid foundation for BSGF in terms of the procurement of raw materials, production, and distribution. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/43602/bangchak-announces-10-billion-baht-investment-plans-to-make-aviation-fuel-from-used-cooking-oil/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-09-01 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Flooding in Thailand was three times worse in 2011 compared to this year, space agency data Daily News Thai Caption:Three times the difference Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270610-flooding-in-thailand-was-three-times-worse-in-2011-compared-to-this-year-space-agency-data/

Flooding in Thailand was three times worse in 2011 compared to this year, space agency data Daily News Thai Caption:Three times the difference Daily News reported data from a Thai space agency based in Bangkok that showed flooding in Thailand to be three times less serious this August compared to August 2011 when the so called Great Flood hit Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270610-flooding-in-thailand-was-three-times-worse-in-2011-compared-to-this-year-space-agency-data/

Daily News Thai Caption:Three times the difference Daily News reported data from a Thai space agency based in Bangkok that showed flooding in Thailand to be three times less serious this August compared to August 2011 when the so called Great Flood hit Thailand. Yesterday ASEAN NOW carried doom and gloom reports predicting that Bangkok and surrounding areas were highly likely to face a similar flooding event in 2022 compared to 2011. Data from GISTDA in August 2011 showed flooding of 5.59 million rai and this year 1.85 million rai. GISTDA, based in the government complex in Chaeng Wattana, is the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency responsible for remote sensing and technology development satellites according to its site. Further data suggested 2020 and 2021 were less serious than this year. There were droughts then. Very heavy rain has worsened the situation quickly this year. Things could get worse this year when Thailand experiences storms that directly hit the country, so far the country has only received the tail end of storms. Daily News cited several differences between 2011 and this year. Both years are the subject of La Nina weather systems. Some lessons have been learned from previous years but much will depend on storms in the coming months as to whether Thailand experiences another major event. Two or three major storms are expected to hit and the extent to which they do will determine how much trouble the country will face. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-01 - 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. 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

Opposition wants Constitutional Court to hear from more than just 2 experts before deciding on Prayut’s case By Erich Parpart The opposition parties are asking the Constitutional Court to seek for more expert opinion beside that of the drafters of the 2017 charter when it comes to the interpretation of General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s 8-year premiership term. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270609-opposition-wants-constitutional-court-to-hear-from-more-than-just-2-experts-before-deciding-on-prayut’s-case/

By Erich Parpart The opposition parties are asking the Constitutional Court to seek for more expert opinion beside that of the drafters of the 2017 charter when it comes to the interpretation of General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s 8-year premiership term. “The opposition parties believe that asking for opinion from 2 experts will not be enough,” Cholnan Srikaew, the leader of the opposition told Thai Enquirer via phone interview. “We will ask the House Speaker [Chuan Leekpai] to file the request for more experts and it will be up to the court whether they will consider this proposal or not,” he said. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/43599/opposition-wants-constitutional-court-to-hear-from-more-than-just-2-experts-before-deciding-on-prayuts-case/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-09-01 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Thai motorcyclist nearly loses his head in another hanging wire incident Daily News Thai Caption: Nearly decapitated A 40 year old motorcyclist called Somwang Khamkaew told Daily News how he was nearly decapitated by a wire stretching across the road in Chonburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270608-thai-motorcyclist-nearly-loses-his-head-in-another-hanging-wire-incident/

Daily News Thai Caption: Nearly decapitated A 40 year old motorcyclist called Somwang Khamkaew told Daily News how he was nearly decapitated by a wire stretching across the road in Chonburi. Somwang from Ban Bung was returning home from visiting relatives when he became entangled in the cable in a soi in Nong Chak sub-district. He said it took the skin off his neck and it was lucky he wasn't going very fast or he would be dead. Picture: Daily News After taking a picture at the scene he went back home where Silatham rescue services attended to his injury. Later he returned to the area. The cable had since been cut and piled on one side of the road. A report has been filed with the Ban Bung police. Accidents such as these have been reported regularly in the Thai press this year with victims usually being motorcyclists. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-01 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday September 1 2022 Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270606-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-thursday-september-1-2022/