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Oops! Hapless thief picks the wrong person to steal from - Big Joke's father in law! Picture: INN A hapless thief in the south of Thailand picked the wrong person to steal from. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270123-oops-hapless-thief-picks-the-wrong-person-to-steal-from-big-jokes-father-in-law/

Picture: INN A hapless thief in the south of Thailand picked the wrong person to steal from. It turned out to be the father-in-law of Thailand's most prominent and well know policeman Pol Lt-Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakpan, reported INN. Not surprisingly a large number of senior policemen including the provincial chief were named as having taken part in the arrest of the suspect who broke into the office of an NGV gas station in Muang district of Songkhla. The Lt-Gen hails from Songkhla. His father-in-law owns the gas station. Sitthichai, 22, was picked up in a room at a nearby resort. He admitted to stealing a gold ring, two amulets, 600 coins and 6 ten baht notes. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-27 - 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

Sixth monkeypox case in Thailand: Thai massage woman back from Qatar Thai health authorities announced the sixth case of monkeypox in the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270122-sixth-monkeypox-case-in-thailand-thai-massage-woman-back-from-qatar/

Thai health authorities announced the sixth case of monkeypox in the country. Dr Opas Kankawinpong said that it was a 21 year old Thai masseuse who had arrived back in Thailand from Qatar. She contracted the virus abroad. The virus was found after a check at a hospital in Mahasarakham in the NE of the country on Wednesday. There was the following timeline: 10th August -pustules appeared on the woman's sexual organs 21st August - she arrived back in Thailand and went to the NE 22nd August - she went to see a doctor and became a suspected monkeypox case 24th August - tests confirmed the case A total of 28 people came into contact with the woman - four closely and 24 considered at low risk. All are being monitored. Sanook gave details of worldwide cases of monkeypox saying their had been 46,047 cases and 15 deaths. The top five countries with cases are the US (16,603), Spain (6,318), Brazil (4,144), Germany (3,350) and the UK with 3,207 cases. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-27 - 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

Ladyboy aerobics teacher at center of sexual molestation charges at school in NE - alleged victims aged 10 Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath and other media reported on alarming allegations of sexual molestation and even rape against a 31 year old ladyboy who was employed by a school in Udon Thani to teach aerobics to young children. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270121-ladyboy-aerobics-teacher-at-center-of-sexual-molestation-charges-at-school-in-ne-alleged-victims-aged-10/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath and other media reported on alarming allegations of sexual molestation and even rape against a 31 year old ladyboy who was employed by a school in Udon Thani to teach aerobics to young children. There are many alleged victims in P4 and P5, aged just ten. Crime suppression police headed by Pol Col Panpetch Laokamnertpetch went to Nam Soam district after reports of indecent images of children and video clips on the internet. On the phone of a 31 year old man called Thanya Chaipanya they found 4,000 images of children and several video clips he had filmed of the sexual organs of 10 and 11 year old children. After a search warrant was enacted the apparent truth behind what Thanya had been doing began to emerge. An activities and PE teacher at a well known school called Prawech, 59, said that Thanya - also known as Art and Jane - was employed in 2021 to teach aerobics to children in P4 and P5 (primary grades). Picture: Thai Rath Thanya was an ex student at the school and well known as an exuberant ladybody with an ability to teach dance. The students were able to win a provincial competition under the ladyboy's tutelage. In 2022 in July and August Thanya was rehired and again nothing untoward surfaced. However after Thanya's arrest 12 children were interviewed and 7 said they had had pictures taken of their sexual organs and three had had video recorded. Three children named only as A, B and C are forming part of the case against Thanya that police said may constitute rape as well as sexual molestation and may be dealt with under human trafficking legislation. The grandmother of "A" , Lek 62, said that she thought there would be no problem with her granddaughter studying aerobics with "Art" because he was a ladyboy. Picture: Thai Rath But after his arrest it emerged that in mid-july he had taken A to his house and told her to undress and had touched her inappropriately. Her elder sister had arrived to take her home and Art had put his hand over the little girl's mouth telling her not to scream and warned her not to tell or worse things would happen. Lek intended to press charges to the limit now the truth has emerged. Noi, 32, said that she was a friend of Thanya and along with her 10 year old daughter "B" had enjoyed a meal at their house and all slept together. After Thanya's arrest B told her mum that during the night he had tried to rape her after he had stroked her sexual organs but she had resisted. "C"in P5 came up with even more disturbing allegations against Thanya. The ten year old said that at his house he had given her a drink and she had passed out. In the morning she suffered pain in her genitals and stomach. Investigations continue with the suspect initially being charged with profiting from pornographic images and now held by the police in the north east. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-27 - 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

Prayut Quietly Goes To Work At Defence Ministry TNR Staff His personal sedan, licence plate number 1881, parked at the ministry car park after his arrival. Photo: Naewna WITHOUT much ado Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is continuing in his role of defence minister after the Constitutional Court suspended him from premiership duties. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270116-prayut-quietly-goes-to-work-at-defence-ministry/

His personal sedan, licence plate number 1881, parked at the ministry car park after his arrival. Photo: Naewna TNR Staff WITHOUT much ado Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is continuing in his role of defence minister after the Constitutional Court suspended him from premiership duties pending a ruling on his eight-year rule, went to work at this ministry in a private car without giving prior notice this morning (August 26), Naewna newspaper and INN News said this afternoon. However he did inform Deputy Defence Minister Gen. Chaichan Changmongkol and Permanent Secretary Gen. Worakiat Rattananont that he was on his way and reached the ministry at 9.30 a.m. Earlier Defence Ministry spokesperson Gen. Kongcheep Tantravanich said Gen. Prayut had not given any information in advance and they were looking at it on a day by day basis. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/08/26/prayut-quietly-goes-to-work-at-defence-ministry/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-27 - 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!

At least 4 million foreign tourists have entered Thailand so far this year by Namo Vananupong All photos courtesy of Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s tourism scene is continually being reinvigorated, with the tally of foreign arrivals having now exceeded 4 million for the year. Relevant agencies are now considering tourism promotion measures that would attract travelers to the Kingdom for the rest of the year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270115-at-least-4-million-foreign-tourists-have-entered-thailand-so-far-this-year/

All photos courtesy of Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s tourism scene is continually being reinvigorated, with the tally of foreign arrivals having now exceeded 4 million for the year. Relevant agencies are now considering tourism promotion measures that would attract travelers to the Kingdom for the rest of the year. The current target is to realize 10 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2022. Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said more than 4 million foreign tourists have entered Thailand this year. This figure is expected to rise to 4.5 million within this month. The top 5 origin countries of tourists entering Thailand are, in respective order, Malaysia, India, Laos, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Mr. Anucha said the government has been employing various measures in keeping with global developments as well as the domestic situation. These efforts are aimed at stimulating and reviving the tourism industry and related industries. At the same time, public health measures have been carefully implemented. The spokesman said relevant agencies are rapidly considering tourism promotion measures for the rest of the year. This is so Thailand would be able to attract 10 million tourists for the whole of 2022, in accordance with the current target. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220827020851696 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-27 - 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!

Study backs efficacy of half-dosage mRNA booster by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - A new study from Chulalongkorn University indicates similarly immune responses between half and full dosage of mRNA vaccines, when given as boosters after inactivated jabs. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270113-study-backs-efficacy-of-half-dosage-mrna-booster/

by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - A new study from Chulalongkorn University indicates similarly immune responses between half and full dosage of mRNA vaccines, when given as boosters after inactivated jabs. The study also finds a similar level of protection in people receiving different types of vaccines, compared to those receiving the same jabs. In a Facebook post, Dr. Yong Poovorawan, head of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, said the levels of immune response between people receiving half and full dosage of either Pfizer or Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine are similarly high. This study, which has been published in the Vaccine journal, specifically looks at the immune response between different dosages of mRNA vaccines as boosters for people who have received Sinovac jabs as their two primary doses. The vaccines used in this study are the original versions targeting the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 virus. According to Dr. Yong, people who have received inactivated vaccines can elicit a similar level of immune response when boosted with vaccines from other platforms compared to those who have received only one type of vaccine. The study also finds a similar trajectory of waning immunity, regardless of their mRNA booster dosage. The use of half dosage mRNA vaccine as a booster has been a standard practice around the world for Moderna’s jab, where the dosage is reduced from 100 to 50 micrograms when given after the second dose. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220827015306693 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-27 - 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!

Pattaya City to rearrange advertising signs on Walking Street for easier firefighter access By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: PRPATTAYA Pattaya — Pattaya authorities are planning to rearrange advertising signs on Walking Street to provide better access to fire engines and their crews. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270111-pattaya-city-to-rearrange-advertising-signs-on-walking-street-for-easier-firefighter-access/

PHOTO: PRPATTAYA By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — Pattaya authorities are planning to rearrange advertising signs on Walking Street to provide better access to fire engines and their crews. A meeting to discuss the reorganization of the advertising signs was held at the Pattaya City Hall yesterday, August 25th, and was attended by Pattaya mayor Poramase Ngampiches and business operators from Walking Street. The meeting focused on ways to rearrange advertising signs that belonged to nightlife places without obstructing their businesses while also providing proper access to fire engines and their crews so that they could enter the area in time in the event of a fire. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/26/pattaya-city-to-rearrange-advertising-signs-on-walking-street-for-easier-firefighter-access/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-27 - 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!

Feature: A tourist’s guide to some of the biggest changes in Pattaya for visitors who have not been since before the Covid-19 pandemic By Adam Judd Haven’t been to Thailand since before the Covid-19 pandemic took place, say before March 2020? Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270109-feature-a-tourist’s-guide-to-some-of-the-biggest-changes-in-pattaya-for-visitors-who-have-not-been-since-before-the-covid-19-pandemic/

By Adam Judd Haven’t been to Thailand since before the Covid-19 pandemic took place, say before March 2020? We have you covered here at TPN media. The following article is designed for visitors and tourists, not expats, and is focused on some of the changes in venues, atmosphere, and the town in general since pre Covid. For the ease of use in this article we will call that period PC. AC will be after Covid. This article isn’t designed to list every single change, business opening, closure, etc. It’s only a general guide for those who haven’t been in a while, not meant to be all inclusive. We also aren’t covering requirements with visa, or covid vaccines etc. To come. This is more focused on Pattaya itself. We here in Pattaya have already seen many people returning for the first time in two years plus and the number of people returning will only likely increase as we move into Quarter Four and the first high season without strict border entry restrictions since 2019. Let’s begin. -Road construction may actually be worse now than PC, especially on Second Road. Be aware of potential traffic delays and roadworks. The city blames this on transitioning to a new mayor (see next point) and months of Covid-19 restrictions that saw construction workers locked down in their camps. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/26/feature-a-tourists-guide-to-some-of-the-biggest-changes-in-pattaya-for-visitors-who-have-not-been-since-before-the-covid-19-pandemic/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-27 - 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 Royal Gazette publishes Public Health announcement around cannabis in food products By Nop Meechukhun The Thai Royal Gazette published a Ministry of Public Health announcement on cannabis control on Friday, August 26th, requiring food distributors to attach a cannabis-infused label and attend a tutoring course. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270107-thai-royal-gazette-publishes-public-health-announcement-around-cannabis-in-food-products/

By Nop Meechukhun The Thai Royal Gazette published a Ministry of Public Health announcement on cannabis control on Friday, August 26th, requiring food distributors to attach a cannabis-infused label and attend a tutoring course. According to the notification, food distributors who added substances of cannabis or hemp to their products must explicitly attach a message or a sign indicating that their venues sell products that contain cannabis or hemp as a part of their ingredients. The sellers must also list all of their food menus that contain cannabis or hemp to the customers as well as provide safety recommendations for consuming cannabis or hemp-containing foods by showing the following statements from the public health’s recommendation: Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/26/thai-royal-gazette-publishes-public-health-announcement-around-cannabis-in-food-products/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-27 - 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!

DPM Prawit orders flood response forward commands established in 4 regions by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - Water management forward commands will now be set up in four regions of Thailand to ensure a rapid and effective response to floods. The forward command centers of the National Water Command will also perform the task of relaying relevant information to the public. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270106-dpm-prawit-orders-flood-response-forward-commands-established-in-4-regions/

by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - Water management forward commands will now be set up in four regions of Thailand to ensure a rapid and effective response to floods. The forward command centers of the National Water Command will also perform the task of relaying relevant information to the public. Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon has chaired a National Water Command (NWC) joint meeting with relevant agencies at Government House. In his capacity as NWC director, Gen. Prawit ordered relevant agencies to follow up on the situation during the current rainy season. The amount of rainfall is expected to be greater than usual and floods may occur in some areas. Therefore, relevant agencies have been told to strictly implement measures that have been devised so floods may be mitigated. The NWC meeting endorsed the structure and operational model of NWC forward commands that would enable fast and effective operations. The work of the forward commands is being split into 3 categories. The first, the administrative category, involves analysis of information, assessment of situations, and issuance of warnings. Work in this category also includes making reports and providing suggestions to a forward command director. The second category has to do with operations and response, as well as coordination of manpower, equipment, and plans for flood prevention and mitigation. The third category is labeled “support” and involves communications and public relations and the use of systems available from flood-related agencies. Gen. Prawit told those at the meeting to proceed with setting up forward commands in the Northern, Central, Northeastern and Southern regions. He said special attention is currently needed over the water situation in the Northern, Central, and Northeastern regions. On top of the NWC meeting, Gen. Prawit also presided over a remote meeting of the subcommittee for the administration of water resources. The subcommittee considered adjusting the water discharge rate at Chao Phraya dam. The meeting resolved the discharge rate might be increased as necessary to prepare the dam for water influx during periods of heavy rains. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220827005101660 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-27 - 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!

Acting PM Gen Prawit welcomes Malaysia’s Senior Minister by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has taken the position as acting Prime Minister, following the court’s suspension order for Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to cease duties. The acting Prime Minister today welcomed a Senior Minister from Malaysia, discussing both countries’ cooperation on the development of Thailand’s deep south. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270105-acting-pm-gen-prawit-welcomes-malaysia’s-senior-minister/

by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has taken the position as acting Prime Minister, following the court’s suspension order for Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to cease duties. The acting Prime Minister today welcomed a Senior Minister from Malaysia, discussing both countries’ cooperation on the development of Thailand’s deep south. Acting Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, serving as chair of the Meeting of the Strategic Committee on Development of the Southern Border Provinces, welcomed a visit from Malaysia’s Senior Minister of the Infrastructure Development Cluster and Minister of Works Fadillah Yusof, for a discussion regarding the developments of Thailand’s southern border provinces. The meeting comprised talks on border trade promotion in Narathiwat province’s Tak Bai and Su-ngai Kolok districts, Sadao district of Songkhla province, and the city district of Satun province; in line with the area’s trade and tourism development targets. Key infrastructure development projects were also on the table at this meeting, including the construction of Kolok river bridges in Tak Bai and Su-ngai Kolok, road construction linking the new Sadao customs checkpoint and Malaysia’s Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint, and a study for a new corridor between Satun and Malaysia’s Perlis state. Both sides have agreed to drive forward development campaigns along Thailand-Malaysia borders, for the mutual benefits of both countries. This meeting is considered one of the first duties Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has taken as the acting Prime Minister, following the Constitutional Court’s order to suspend Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha from office. The suspension order was made following the decision from the Constitutional Court to accept a petition to review whether the accumulated time Gen Prayut has spent as Prime Minister has exceeded the 8-year limit. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220827013557686 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-27 - 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!

Counterfeit Goods Worth 173 Million Baht Destroyed BANGKOK, (TNA) – The Commerce Ministry and agencies concerned on Friday destroyed counterfeit and pirated goods valued at more than 173 million baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270104-counterfeit-goods-worth-173-million-baht-destroyed/

BANGKOK, (TNA) – The Commerce Ministry and agencies concerned on Friday destroyed counterfeit and pirated goods valued at more than 173 million baht. Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai presided over the event at the First Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment in Don Mueang, witnessed by representatives from government agencies, private companies, intellectual property owners and trade partner countries. He said Thailand gives importance to tackle intellectual property infringements and the results of comprehensive crackdown and cooperation among related agencies can be seen in the US 2021 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy, which did not identify any notorious markets either physical or online markets in Thailand, selling counterfeit and pirated goods. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1005682 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-08-27 - 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!

Bangkok Police Chief Mediates between Rival Schools BANGKOK, (TNA) – Police were investigating a clash between students of Pathumwan Institute of Technology and Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok's Uthenthawai Campus while the Bangkok police chief invited their representatives to discuss long-term solutions to their long-standing conflict. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1270103-bangkok-police-chief-mediates-between-rival-schools/