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Picture: Naew Na Naew Na continued to report on everything to do with the state lottery with two stories yesterday. Like most Thai media they can't get enough of them. ASEAN NOW brings them to you as part of our cultural service. In the first they reported that Muang Rayong police in eastern Thailand were called after a woman called Kanda, 60, got a fake lottery ticket from a Surin woman called Noojan, a construction worker aged 38. Kanda is a lady who buys winning lottery tickets for a commission and spotted straight away that the first three numbers on the 4,000 baht "winning" ticket from the June 16th draw had been altered. "I've seen everything in my time," she told Sen Sgt Major Mangkhang as he charged Noojan with falsifying documents and fraud. Noojan was in tears and had plenty of excuses as the lottery lady did the damning pointing. She claimed she had no idea it was a fake, a fellow construction worker had given it to her to claim the prize and she waited so long because she was busy. Meanwhile the appearance of a kind of large spider called a "Phaya Beung" was attracting the attention of lottery "experts" in Ang Thong, central Thailand. After doing some obligatory praying with joss-sticks and candles, numbers were put on bits of paper by the spider's hole and they waited, reported Naew Na. The numbers selected in the creature's fangs would be used to win the next lottery draw on July 1st. You heard it here on ASEAN NOW.... -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-24 - 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

Malaysian tourists in Thailand expected to outnumber those from India Tourists entering Thailand from Malaysia are expected to outnumber Indian tourists after the scrapping of the “Thailand Pass” requirement from July 1st, said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn yesterday (Thursday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263836-malaysian-tourists-in-thailand-expected-to-outnumber-those-from-india/

Tourists entering Thailand from Malaysia are expected to outnumber Indian tourists after the scrapping of the “Thailand Pass” requirement from July 1st, said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn yesterday (Thursday). According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, 123,606 Indian tourists arrived in the country in the first five months of this year, followed by 96,323 from Britain, 78,523 from Malaysia, 77,707 from Germany and 72,482 from the United States. Total arrivals in that period were 1,336,068. He admitted that he had hoped that the removal of “Thailand Pass” requirement would attract more tourists to Thailand, estimated at about 900,000 a month, up from between 400,000-500,000 in May and about 700,000 this month. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/malaysian-tourists-in-thailand-expected-to-outnumber-those-from-india/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-24 - 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!

Thailand's roads: The carnage continues, in fact it's getting worse - 40 dead "at scene" yesterday Daily News continued their campaign to raise awareness about the continuing carnage on Thailand's roads - as if people didn't know. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263833-thailands-roads-the-carnage-continues-in-fact-its-getting-worse-40-dead-at-scene-yesterday/

Daily News continued their campaign to raise awareness about the continuing carnage on Thailand's roads - as if people didn't know. Some of the most dangerous roads in the world had 40 dead at the scene yesterday. The number will go up when all agencies report the casualties in their jurisdiction and those who succumb on and in hospitals are added. Dr Thaejing Siriphanich of the Anti Drink Driving Foundation said this brought the June total up to the 23rd to 914 dead. For the year to date that's 7,091 fatalities - UP from last year's 7,067 for the same period. Picture: Daily News It appears that with more traffic on the roads post pandemic the figures are just going up and up. Despite police and government rhetoric to do something. Daily News went with a headline that suggested DUI not only hurts drivers but other road users and people as well. As evidence of this they reported on an accident in which an MG flew off the road at a bend in Nakhon Nayok province into a house. Graphic: Daily News The female passenger was killed and the male driver refused to take a breathalyzer at the scene. He was taken away to have a DUI test. The house owner said they too were injured by flying glass. The bend is a notorious accident blackspot. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-24 - 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

Pointing fest! Locals furious as "foreign" company piling is bringing their houses down Picture: 77kaoded Locals near a temple on Route 304 between Chachoengsao and Kabinburi turned to media 77kaoded after being ignored by the local authority. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263831-pointing-fest-locals-furious-as-foreign-company-piling-is-bringing-their-houses-down/

Picture: 77kaoded Locals near a temple on Route 304 between Chachoengsao and Kabinburi turned to media 77kaoded after being ignored by the local authority. They are furious that piling work at a Taiwanese warehouse under construction is literally bringing their houses down. The locals went on a pointing extravaganza as they showed subsidence and cracks allegedly caused by the piling, driving 387 poles into the ground. Picture: 77kaoded There were cracks to walls and floors going vertically and horizontally. The pointing left little doubt where the cracks were. Picture: 77kaoded Not just that - the noise was unbearable. The local authority couldn't care less according to the locals who said they levy taxes then ignore justified complaints. Picture: 77kaoded Picture: 77kaoded

Locals on southern islands call for a brake on ferry increases as Thailand welcomes back foreign tourists Picture: Siam Rath Just when the Royal Thai Police were preparing to welcome back foreign tourists with smiles on their faces and open arms - the private sector was getting ready to gouge them for the privilege of coming to Thailand, notes ASEAN NOW. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263830-locals-on-southern-islands-call-for-a-brake-on-ferry-increases-as-thailand-welcomes-back-foreign-tourists/

Picture: Siam Rath Just when the Royal Thai Police were preparing to welcome back foreign tourists with smiles on their faces and open arms - the private sector was getting ready to gouge them for the privilege of coming to Thailand, notes ASEAN NOW. Seatran and Raja ferry have just announced fares increases across the board for their services from Don Sak on the mainland to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan islands. The increased fares - some over 25% - are coming in on July 1st. The very "D-Day" when the PM and the police are saying welcome back with a big smile on their faces as regulations are eased. It's that famous Thai smile accompanied by relieving tourists of a little more of their hard earned cash. The ferry companies say its because of the rocketing price of fuel. There's no denying that. But locals on the islands are furious and have presented a letter to district chief Chayaphol Intharasupha to put a brake on the fare rises to help the economy get back on its feet - they feel they have suffered enough in the pandemic. Picture: Siam Rath Seatran and Raja plan to raise the price of foot passengers for return trips to Samui from 150 to 170 baht. Motorcycles will go up from 200-230 baht and cars 470-550 baht. To Koh Phangan foot passengers would pay 300 instead of 220 baht - an increase of more than a third. Cars are going up from 620 to 730 baht. Other increases are commensurate, reported Siam Rath. Chayaphol promised to take the letter of complaint to the Surat Thani authorities for consideration. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-24 - 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

UPDATE: Wearing face masks is now voluntary in Thailand From Thursday June 23rd, the wearing of a face masks outdoors and in public places is no longer mandatory and people are free to choose whether to wear one, according to an announcement published in the Royal Gazette yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263800-thailand-officially-drops-mask-mandate-in-late-night-royal-gazette-order/?do=findComment&comment=17439423

Wearing face masks is now voluntary in Thailand From Thursday June 23rd, the wearing of a face masks outdoors and in public places is no longer mandatory and people are free to choose whether to wear one, according to an announcement published in the Royal Gazette yesterday. The relaxation is in line with the improvement in the COVID-19 situation, which has seen the number of new infections, severe cases and fatalities steadily decline in recent weeks, enabling people to resume a life close to normal. Although mask wearing is voluntary, the Ministry of Public Health recommends that people consider the benefits of wearing them, which can reduce the risks of contracting COVID-19 or other respiratory diseases when they are in a crowded venue, where air circulation is poor or where social distancing is not possible. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/wearing-face-masks-is-now-voluntary-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-24 - 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!

RTP message to tourists flooding back: We're gonna impress you and make you feel all fuzzy inside Picture: Siam Rath A deputy commander of the Royal Thai Police said that the force's many long arms would be embracing the arrival of foreign tourists and making them feel super welcome. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263824-rtp-message-to-tourists-flooding-back-were-gonna-impress-you-and-make-you-feel-all-fuzzy-inside/

Picture: Siam Rath A deputy commander of the Royal Thai Police said that the force's many long arms would be embracing the arrival of foreign tourists and making them feel super welcome. From July 1st Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat said that many more tourists are expected to arrive due to PM Prayuth Chan-ocha's easing of regulations. At the five international airports they would be met by 2,000 immigration officers smiling and giving great service. Scowls were out and that famous Thai smile was back - bigtime. Tourists could expect to be whizzed through immigration and soon enjoying a holiday of a lifetime. Picture: Siam Rath But it won't end there - throughout their stay the tourist police are on standby 24/7 nationwide. With the help of the "I lert u" app and the 1155 hotline (30 lines no less) tourists can report any difficulties and get an instant response. Safety and health was the force's number one priority, said Damrongsak, while saying that the force will be making sure that all tourists register at hotels - 100%. Yes, it's all part of the RTP's "Op Un Prathap Jai" welcome - making tourists feel all fuzzy inside and highly impressed. The upbeat comments came as bespectacled Pol Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk, RTP chief, inaugurated a new building for tourist police on the grounds of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok's main hub. He came bearing gifts for 2,000 tourist cops reminding them they were part of the front line now that Thailand was opening up again, reported Siam Rath. Damrongsak further urged all Thais to follow the force's lead in making sure that all foreign tourists are made welcome to the Land of Smiles. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-24 - 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

CANNABIS CONFUSION – Legalising Before Setting The Boundaries By Editor Thailand is facing major issues after legalising cannabis before putting regulations in place with comments suggesting it won’t be easy to ‘put the genie back in the bottle.’ Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263821-cannabis-confusion-–-legalising-before-setting-the-boundaries/

By Editor Thailand is facing major issues after legalising cannabis before putting regulations in place with comments suggesting it won’t be easy to ‘put the genie back in the bottle.’ Marking a first for Asia, Thailand removed cannabis from its list of narcotics on June 9th, making its import, export, production, distribution, consumption and possession legal. Anyone can now grow the plant at home, after registering with the government via a mobile app, though commercial growers still need to apply for permits. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who championed the plan, has tried to dissuade people from lighting up for fun, stressing the plant’s medical virtues and its potential as a cash crop. His ministry warns that anyone smoking cannabis in public can still be charged with causing a “nuisance,” and either fined or imprisoned for up to three months. “Problems occur due to the abuse of cannabis. This is not the aim of liberalising the use of the plant; we want to promote medical use and boost the income of growers,” said Anutin. But others in the government, and in his own ministry, say the move was premature. Somsak Akksilp, who heads Thailand’s Medical Services Department under Anutin, said he worried that legalising cannabis without laws actually restricting it to medical use, and even then to adults only, could spur the recreational use he opposes. “That’s why I [have] said other authorities should try to issue the regulations as soon as possible [to] try to restrict the use of cannabis for medical cannabis,” he says. “Because we know that there is two sides of the coin, the good and the bad,” he added. “We don’t know enough about cannabis, so we have to learn.” In a June 14th, Mana Nimitmongkol, the head of the Thai government’s Anti-Corruption Organisation, complained of the move to legalise cannabis without any controls “other than word of mouth.” Much of the concern has focused a coming tide of cannabis use among children and adolescents. The day after cannabis went legal, Thailand’s Royal College of Pediatricians issued an open letter urging the government to ban the use of cannabis and cannabis-laced products among those under 20 years of age without a physician’s approval. Anutin has signed an order adding cannabis to Thailand’s Traditional Medical Wisdom Protection and Promotion Act, denying the plant to not only adolescents but also pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. The Ministry of Education has also issued regulations aimed at preventing abuse of cannabis and hemp among students and teaching staff. Somsak said the piecemeal steps can help, to a degree. “This is not through the law itself; it’s a kind of … canton regulation,” he said. “If you want it to be the full regulation by law, you have to issue [it] by the parliament.” A Cannabis and Hemp Bill meant to limit the plant’s use passed its first reading in parliament on June 8th but may have to wait weeks or months for the second and third readings it will need to become law. The various rules agencies are imposing may help clear up what people now can and can’t do with cannabis. “But … it’s still confusing,” said Rasmon Kalayasiri, director of the Center for Addiction Studies at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University. By legalising cannabis use before legislating its boundaries, “it’s like we’re chasing the problem” instead of “preventing the problem,” she added. Rasmon said her center’s own research suggests recreational cannabis use among 18 to 19-year-olds has doubled to about 2% of the age group since 2019. With the government now vigorously pushing the herb’s health benefits, she worries it will keep rising among adolescents and adults alike, and with it the health problems that afflict up to 1 in 10 habitual users, including addiction and psychosis. “I think the public is very confused by this for sure,” Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a lawmaker for the opposition Move Forward party, said of the government’s cannabis rollout. Taopiphop says he supports laws that would ban access to children and adolescents and force edible cannabis venders to display the doses of intoxicating tetrahydrocannabinol in their products. But he also favours recreational use, and doubts the government can now expect to rein it in having legalised cannabis before putting any strong checks in place. “If you release the tiger to the jungle, it’s hard [to make it] come back,” he said. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/06/cannabis-confusion-legalising-before-setting-the-boundaries/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-06-24 - 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!

Teacher murdered by ex in lunchtime attack at NE school - assailant breaks his leg fleeing Picture: Thai Rath Police and rescue services in Prasat district of Surin in Thailand's NE were called after a teacher was murdered by her ex husband at Wat Suwan Wijit Withaya school in Kang-en sub-district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263820-teacher-murdered-by-ex-in-lunchtime-attack-at-ne-school-assailant-breaks-his-leg-fleeing/

Picture: Thai Rath Police and rescue services in Prasat district of Surin in Thailand's NE were called after a teacher was murdered by her ex husband at Wat Suwan Wijit Withaya school in Kang-en sub-district. Police found Ankhana, 29, with a 10 cm gash under her ear. The assailant, her ex husband, had arrived to attempt a reconciliation. When that failed he argued with her and attacked her, reported Thai Rath. As a security guard arrived he jumped from the second floor and broke his right leg. He was taken to Prasat Hospital. The director closed the school and sent its many pupils home. The assailant and the victim both worked at a delivery company before the lady changed careers and became a teacher a year ago. The assailant - named as Worapong or Bow, 26, was drunk. He is unemployed. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-24 - 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

Warning to tourists about elephants on the highways - "Chipped Tusk" is chased back after late night snack Daily News Thai Caption: The stealthy huge one cometh! Tourists in the area between the Khao Yai national park and Wang Nam Khiaw, Nakhon Ratchasima, NE Thailand, have been warned about elephants on the highways. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263818-warning-to-tourists-about-elephants-on-the-highways-chipped-tusk-is-chased-back-after-late-night-snack/

Daily News Thai Caption: The stealthy huge one cometh! Tourists in the area between the Khao Yai national park and Wang Nam Khiaw, Nakhon Ratchasima, NE Thailand, have been warned about elephants on the highways. On Thursday one 25 year old bull elephant with the name "Chao Nga Bin" (the one with the chipped tusk) was helping himself to a snack of corn, banana trees and bamboo near the village of Ban Sankamphaeng, reported Daily News. Picture: Daily News Rescue teams spent an hour trying to coax him back to the forests of Khao Yai. Phu Yai Ban Arun Kaewsamakhee said that five elephants were loooking for crops to eat every night from 9 pm. Tourists on the highways should be particularly careful as the pachyderms cross the roads. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-24 - 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

UPDATE: Thailand ends compulsory mask wearing with immediate effect By Jonathan Fairfield File photo Thailand has ended its mandate for people to wear face masks when out in public. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263800-thailand-officially-drops-mask-mandate-in-late-night-royal-gazette-order/?do=findComment&comment=17439220

Thailand ends compulsory mask wearing with immediate effect By Jonathan Fairfield File photo Thailand has ended its mandate for people to wear face masks when out in public. With immediate effect, the wearing of masks in Thailand will be “on a voluntary basis”, according to a notice published in the Royal Gazette. However, the notice, which was released on Thursday evening (June 23) recommends people continue to wear masks in “crowded” or “poorly ventilated” areas or in places where social distancing is not possible. The notice also states that private businesses and public transport operators can insist people continue to wear masks when on their premises. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/thailand-ends-compulsory-mask-wearing-with-immediate-effect/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-06-24 - 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!

Typical Thailand: No sooner has Jomtien beach been made beautiful traders take over - But NO MORE! Daily News Thai Caption: Getting the beach back The authorities in Na Jomtien, Pattaya, have decided enough is enough and are giving traders their marching orders. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263816-typical-thailand-no-sooner-has-jomtien-beach-been-made-beautiful-traders-take-over-but-no-more/

Daily News Thai Caption: Getting the beach back The authorities in Na Jomtien, Pattaya, have decided enough is enough and are giving traders their marching orders. In what is typical of Thailand - and particularly lawless Pattaya - as soon as something was made nice it was ruined by traders encroaching. In this case the local Harbor Department spent 600 million baht on sand to widen the once narrow beach. Picture: Daily News The pristine sands were then taken over by traders flogging food and drink and paying bribes to bent officials, it was claimed. There had been many arguments over this. Daily News had pictures of the beach before and after and how it was being populated especially at night. Picture: Daily News Now five local authorities including the Na Jomtien municipality, Sattahip authority, police, Harbor Dept and Navy have held a meeting. The traders have to clear off from the sands, footpaths and roads blocking traffic by Monday or they will be arrested. The media said June 27th was D-Day when the sands would be returned to the people. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-24 - 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 Picture: Daily News

Like "diving for a needle in the ocean": Rescue team finds Thai and "farang's" diamond in NE pond Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath were full of praise for a team of rescue divers from Udon Thani who found a Thai woman's much treasured diamond that fell into a pond in NE Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263815-like-diving-for-a-needle-in-the-ocean-rescue -team-finds-thai-and-farangs-diamond-in-ne-pond/