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Prayuth latest: Tells Thais to be economical with fuel usage - only use your cars if you have to Sanook Thai Caption: Only use vehicles when necessary Sanook reported on the latest pronouncements of Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha via his spokesman Thanakorn Wangbunkhongchana. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260755-prayuth-latest-tells-thais-to-be-economical-with-fuel-usage-only-use-your-cars-if-you-have-to/

Sanook Thai Caption: Only use vehicles when necessary Sanook reported on the latest pronouncements of Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha via his spokesman Thanakorn Wangbunkhongchana. The figures announced for costs of various fuel made Thailand look as though they had the cheapest fuel in SE Asia but ASEAN NOW checked the prices in Malaysia and found a very different story. He said that the PM was following the energy situation as people started using their private vehicles more now that schools have reopened. Diesel was now priced at 31.94 a liter until May 29th. Then the price would be reviewed by the Fuel Fund Management Committee. The latest increase was 2 baht on May 1st. World diesel prices were between 130-138 US dollars a barrel. 76.2 billion baht has been used from a fuel fund to keep the price lower, a figure expected to surpass 80 billion next week. This amounts to giving the public a saving of 5.73 baht per liter. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe On May 23rd a liter of premium fuel cost 81.11 baht a liter in Singapore, 61.68 baht in Laos, 48.42 baht in the Philippines, 47.90 baht in Cambodia, 44.58 and 42.95 in Thailand. Diesel prices were 75.62 baht in Singapore, 48.32 in the Philippines, 47.13 in Laos, 46.63 in Cambodia, 43.89 in Indonesia, 42.16 in Myanmar, 39.63 in Vietnam and 31.94 in Thailand, according to the spokesman. The spokesman outlined the reasons for these variations. These included different tax structures and price support measures. In Thailand gasohol was cheaper than premium fuel. The lockdown situation in China was thought to see the price of fuel rise further in the coming days. Thanakorn said that the Thai PM was keen to keep prices as low as possible for consumers to help with economic hardship. He wanted his compatriots to economise on fuel as much as they could by using private vehicles only for essential journeys because the price was rising daily due to the current situation in the world. ASEAN NOW notes that it was telling that the fuel prices in SE Asia as per the Thai government made it appear that Thailand was offering the cheapest fuel. This is not the case according to online information. Across the border in Mayalsia RON 97 (super unleaded) is 4.7 Ringgit this week until June 1st. That's 36.6 baht a liter. RON 95 (premium unleaded) is only 2.05 ringgit or 15.99 baht per liter. And diesel in Thailand's southern neighbor is 2.15 ringgit or 16.77 baht a liter. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-26 - 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. 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

Are Agricultural Crops On Unused Land Just A Tax Dodge? By Editor A Facebook post by a popular Bangkok property developer, apparently aimed at boosting its “green image”, appears to have backfired when it drew ridicule from many social networkers who commented in other words the company was allegedly trying to avoid paying land tax. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260753-are-agricultural-crops-on-unused-land-just-a-tax-dodge/

By Editor A Facebook post by a popular Bangkok property developer, apparently aimed at boosting its “green image”, appears to have backfired when it drew ridicule from many social networkers who commented in other words the company was allegedly trying to avoid paying land tax. Taking into account the lowest rate of the median land price of THB30,000 per square wah, the 50-rai plot in question should be valued at a minimum THB600 million. The tax for unused land is 0.3 per cent per year of the land value, so tax for this kind of plot should amount to around THB1.8 million. But agricultural land is taxed at only 0.01 per cent per year, so tax on the plot would be THB60,000. The government had announced that it would collect land tax on unused land in full without reduction this year. Bananas are one of nine crops allowed to be cited as a plantation eligible for the agricultural land tax rate. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The appearance of agricultural crops on unused land around the country is not unusual, posing the question; is this just a tax avoidance measure? Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/05/are-agricultural-crops-on-unused-land-just-a-tax-dodge/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-05-26 - 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.

'No need for preachers,' Chinese leader Xi Jinping tells UN human rights chief By Nectar Gan and CNN's Beijing bureau UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 3, 2021. (CNN)Chinese President Xi Jinping defended his country's human rights record on Wednesday, telling a visiting UN official there is "no need for 'preachers' to boss around other countries." Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260751-no-need-for-preachers-chinese-leader-xi-jinping-tells-un-human-rights-chief/

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 3, 2021. By Nectar Gan and CNN's Beijing bureau (CNN)Chinese President Xi Jinping defended his country's human rights record on Wednesday, telling a visiting UN official there is "no need for 'preachers' to boss around other countries." Xi's remarks, made in a video call with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, are likely to add to the controversy surrounding a trip that critics say risks becoming a propaganda tool for Beijing. Bachelet, who arrived in China on Monday for a six-day tour, is expected to visit the far-western region of Xinjiang, where the Chinese government faces accusations of mass internment, forced assimilation, forced labor and forced sterilization against Uyghur and other mostly Muslim minorities. Full story: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/25/china/china-xi-jinping-michelle-bachelet-intl-hnk/index.html -- © Copyright CNN 2022-05-26

Opinion: Thanakorn is wrong in his criticism of opposition parties By Erich Parpart The government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Wednesday that the main opposition, the Pheu Thai Party, should concentrate on passing the 2023 fiscal budget debate in parliament more than playing political games. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260748-opinion-thanakorn-is-wrong-in-his-criticism-of-opposition-parties/

By Erich Parpart The government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Wednesday that the main opposition, the Pheu Thai Party, should concentrate on passing the 2023 fiscal budget debate in parliament more than playing political games. His comments came after Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew said that if the fiscal budget was not approved by the parliament, the government must show responsibility by resigning or dissolving the parliament. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe What Thanakorn said does not make sense. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/40426/opinion-thanakorn-is-wrong-in-his-criticism-of-opposition-parties/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-05-26 - 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.

Teen "madam" and customer arrested at curtain hotel in Kanchanaburi - 14 and 15 year old girls report "sadistic" sex Thai Rath reported on the activities of Region 5 of the Anti Human Trafficking Police at a curtain (short time sex) hotel in Pak Phraek, Muang Kanchanaburi in western Thailand yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260747-teen-madam-and-customer-arrested-at-curtain-hotel-in-kanchanaburi-14-and-15-year-old-girls-report-sadistic-sex/

Thai Rath reported on the activities of Region 5 of the Anti Human Trafficking Police at a curtain (short time sex) hotel in Pak Phraek, Muang Kanchanaburi in western Thailand yesterday. The police had heard about the activities of a teen aged just 16 acting as a madam offering other young girls for sex. The police waited in a rented room. Soon Chairat, 27, arrived in a pick-up and he rented a room. Then a girl referred to as "Mew", 16, (an assumed name) arrived with a 15 year old girl named as "A". Money changed hands and the police moved in charging the customer Chairat with sexual offences against children between 15 and not yet 18 and human trafficking charges against Mew. Mew said that she had supplied "A" to the customer for 1,300 baht keeping 500 for her fee and giving the girl 800. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe They were taken away to Region 5 HQ for questioning after both admitting their guilt. In addition a 14 year old girl was found at the hotel who also said she had been offered for sex. Both young girls said they had been doing this for 800 baht a time over the last month. They said they they had been forced to take many kinds of drugs which knocked them out. Videos were made and sex was forced on them. They were handed over to social services. Thai Rath used the term "sadist" in their report alleging that the girls were videoed for blackmail purposes. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-26 - 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. 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

School for pupils with special needs to be built in Hua Hin By Jonathan Fairfield Work has begun to create a brand new school for children with special education needs or disabilities in Hua Hin. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260744-school-for-pupils-with-special-needs-to-be-built-in-hua-hin/

By Jonathan Fairfield Work has begun to create a brand new school for children with special education needs or disabilities in Hua Hin. The Special Children’s School is being built in order to provide new educational facilities for children who attend the Special Education Centre in Hua Hin. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The school provides educational and learning support to children who are deaf, blind or who have difficulty with speech and language learning, are on the autism spectrum or who have emotional and behavioral issues. The students currently study in a classroom which measures just 49 square meters, leaving conditions cramped, which makes learning difficult and has a negative impact in terms of the development of the children both physically and mentally, as well as emotionally. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/local-news/school-for-pupils-with-special-needs-to-be-built-in-hua-hin/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-05-26 - 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.

Motorcyclist gunned down in broad daylight in apparent random attack - anger at being looked at Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that the metropolitan police were looking for two men riding a motorcycle one of whom produced a gun and shot another motorcyclist in the back at a red light on Pahonyothin Road in Bang Khen, northern Bangkok yesterday afternoon. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260743-motorcyclist-gunned-down-in-broad-daylight-in-apparent-random-attack-anger-at-being-looked-at/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that the metropolitan police were looking for two men riding a motorcycle one of whom produced a gun and shot another motorcyclist in the back at a red light on Pahonyothin Road in Bang Khen, northern Bangkok yesterday afternoon. This followed an earlier incident in which the assailants were enraged that the victim looked at them. One of the men produced a knife. Bang Khen police and Ruam Katanyu rescue were first on the scene at the red lights on Pahonyothin Road near the end of Soi 50 around 3pm. Lying in the road barely alive was Natthakorn Maleewong, 28, a general repairman who had been shot once in the center of the back. After being given CPR at the scene he was taken to CGH Hospital where he was pronounced dead. At the scene was a toppled Honda Wave. The area was taped off as forensics began looking for clues. A trader at the scene said she had heard people arguing. The victim was alone on his bike. Two men on a white lady's bike were dressed in dark clothing in full face helmets. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe One shot rang out and the victim fell. The two men then fled "towards Thepparak Road". Jirasan Ariyasat, 26, a friend of the deceased said they were riding on two separate bikes going to do a job at a condo near CGH Hospital. At the end of Pahonyothin Soi 69 they came up against two men on a bike who asked the victim what he was looking at. One tried to slash the victim with a knife but didn't connect. The men then fled. Natthakorn chased after them. The men then did a U-turn and subsequently came up behind them at the lights at the end of Soi 50 when a further argument ensued and a gun of unknown caliber was produced by the pillion passenger and his friend was shot in the back. Jirasan said that he had no idea who the men were and that he and his buddy had no problems with anyone. It appeared to be a totally random attack, notes ASEAN NOW. Met deputy Pol Maj-Gen Chokchai Ngamwong at the scene said that the two men were dressed in black jackets with tracksuit bottoms with identical full face helmets. They were riding a white Honda PCX with no registration plate. Police are studying CCTV on the route before and after the altercation to get a lead in the case. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-26 - 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. 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

What risk to Thailand as monkeypox spreads across the world? This 2003 electron microscope image shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP, File) Less than a month after it lifted COVID-19 travel restrictions, Thailand is facing the threat of another virus causing outbreaks around the world. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260741-what-risk-to-thailand-as-monkeypox-spreads-across-the-world/

This 2003 electron microscope image shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP, File) Less than a month after it lifted COVID-19 travel restrictions, Thailand is facing the threat of another virus causing outbreaks around the world. The kingdom is now raising its guard against monkeypox, a disease that has never reached Thai shores but is spreading quickly in Europe, the United States, Australia and the Middle East – important tourism markets for Thailand. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe In the face of this growing threat to public health, the Disease Control Department (DCD) has set up an emergency operations center to monitor the global situation, tighten border controls, and plan for a possible monkeypox outbreak here. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/what-risk-to-thailand-as-monkeypox-spreads-across-the-world/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-26 - 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.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Russian leader Vladimir Putin: "I kill criminals, I don't kill children and the elderly" file photo Outgoing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sharply criticized Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the killings of innocent civilians in Ukraine, saying while the two of them have been tagged as killers, "I kill criminals, I don't kill children and the elderly." Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260740-philippine-president-rodrigo-duterte-on-russian-leader-vladimir-putin-i-kill-criminals-i-dont-kill-children-and-the-elderly/

file photo Outgoing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sharply criticized Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the killings of innocent civilians in Ukraine, saying while the two of them have been tagged as killers, "I kill criminals, I don't kill children and the elderly." Duterte, who openly calls Putin an idol and a friend, voiced his rebuke for the first time over Russia's invasion of Ukraine in remarks aired Tuesday where he blamed the three-month old war for the spike in global oil prices that has battered many countries, including the Philippines. While stressing he was not condemning the Russian president, Duterte disagreed with Putin's labeling of the invasion as a "special military operation," and said it was really a full-scale war waged against "a sovereign nation." Full story: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rodrigo-duterte-on-vladimir-putin-i-kill-criminals-i-dont-kill-children-elderly/ -- © Copyright CBS NEWS 2022-05-26

‘Everyday life now’: Sydney reels from organised crime turf war Police swoop on drug gangs in Australia’s biggest city but lawyers fear controversial law changes will leave minorities vulnerable. By Ian Lloyd Neubauer Sydney has been shocked by a series of assassinations and drive-by shootings amid a turf war between two organised crime gangs Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260738-‘everyday-life-now’-sydney-reels-from-organised-crime-turf-war/

Sydney has been shocked by a series of assassinations and drive-by shootings amid a turf war between two organised crime gangs – the Alameddine Family and the Hamzy clan. Mejid Hamzy, brother of Bassam Hamzy – the leader of the Brothers 4 Life gang, was shot outside a house in the city’s west in October 2020 [File: AAP Australia via EPA] Police swoop on drug gangs in Australia’s biggest city but lawyers fear controversial law changes will leave minorities vulnerable. By Ian Lloyd Neubauer Last week, a home in Sydney’s southwest was sprayed with bullets during a drive-by shooting. No one was injured, although it was the second time in six months the house had been targeted and came after three assassinations over three weeks and a total of 13 in two years. “What can you do? It’s everyday life now,” a neighbour who heard the shots told a local TV station. Full story: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/26/sydney-reels-from-organised-crime-turf-war -- © Copyright AL JAZEERA 2022-05-26

'We don't want UK-EU trade war' - Irish PM By Faisal Islam Economics editor Micheál Martin says Ireland and the EU don't want a trade war with the UK A UK-EU trade war would be "shocking" and "unnecessary", the Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260732-we-dont-want-uk-eu-trade-war-irish-pm/

Micheál Martin says Ireland and the EU don't want a trade war with the UK By Faisal Islam Economics editor A UK-EU trade war would be "shocking" and "unnecessary", the Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has said. He called on the UK government to "get into the tunnel and negotiate" over changes to the post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland. The Taoiseach told the BBC that Ireland and the European Union "do not want a trade war" with the UK. Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61583660 -- © Copyright BBC 2022-05-26

Thai airforce C-130 Hercules transport plane towed off Ubon airport runway after "incident" Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that a C-130 Hercules transport plane belonging to the Royal Thai Air Force was removed from the runway at the Ubon Ratchathani International Airport after an unspecified incident yesterday morning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260730-thai-airforce-c-130-hercules-transport-plane-towed-off-ubon-airport-runway-after-incident/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that a C-130 Hercules transport plane belonging to the Royal Thai Air Force was removed from the runway at the Ubon Ratchathani International Airport after an unspecified incident yesterday morning. They had a picture of the Lockheed aircraft being towed last night. Spokesman Air Vice Marshall Phrapas Sornjaidee said it was removed at 9.30 pm after the incident at 11.30 am. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The precise nature of the incident was not reported. All flight safety protocols were followed, said the AVM who further thanked airport users for their forbearance and airport authorities for their resolution of the problem. Wikipedia states that the American four-engined turboprop military aircraft was originally designed as a troop, medevac and cargo transport plane. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-26 - 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. 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