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File photo The senior diplomats have been flying around Asia this month as China ramped up its muscles with a huge display of military hardware close to Taiwan. This was at a time when Nancy Pelosi an American politician serving as speaker of the United States House of Representatives decided to pay a visit on the President of Taiwan. Some would say her timing was not helpful, however, tensions have been rumbling in the region for some time. Apart from China declaring they want to reclaim Taiwan, there have also been several conflicts in the South China Sea involving Vietnamese and Filipinos commercial vessels being stopped by Chinese navy gunboats. File photo The Philippines has been told it needs to foster long-term cooperation with like-minded nations to protect its strategic interests and become a "constructive" player in the region amid a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, a political analyst from the Stratbase ADR Institute said this week. Sounds like the superpowers are ganging up to set up alliances and in the Philippine’s case, they are the piggy in the middle of this potentially delicate situation. It is not surprising that although China has re-opened talks with the Marcos government over investments, that the US sent its top diplomat to Manila. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was the first major overseas top diplomat to actually sit down and hold serious talks with the newly elected President. Bangkok Visit Meanwhile, Blinken attended the G20 Foreign Minister in Indonesia and came to Bangkok for meetings with the Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. They had met previously in Washington back in May. The message posted by the US Department of State stated how important it was to push our cooperation, not only between Thailand and the United States but between ASEAN and the United States, into tangible cooperation in areas such as public health and climate change, as well. The two countries signed a Communiqué on the Strategic Alliance and Partnership between the two countries. Bangkok will be hosting the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting later in the year and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to attend. China has also confirmed that President Xi Jinping will visit Thailand for the APEC summit in November. This will be the first time President Xi has been to Thailand. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha is keen to chair this prestigious meeting maybe before he is forced to step down from office. Meanwhile if US China relations don’t improve the Thai government like the Philippine government will have to decide if they can continue to stay neutral for much longer. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-22 - 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

Background to the Forex-3D swindle Forex-3D is the name of the foreign exchange futures investment scheme created by a forex brokerage company, “RMS Familia”. It was established in 2015, with a young man, named Apiruk Kothi, as the chief executive officer. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269515-background-to-the-forex-3d-swindle/

Forex-3D is the name of the foreign exchange futures investment scheme created by a forex brokerage company, “RMS Familia”. It was established in 2015, with a young man, named Apiruk Kothi, as the chief executive officer. The company advertised, inviting members of the public to invest in forex futures by offering returns of about 10% per month on a required minimum investment of 5,000 baht. Due to the attractive returns, many were attracted and invested in the scheme. Like all previous Ponzi schemes, it crashed due to liquidity problems. The investors were initially paid handsomely, as promised, prompting them to invest more. At the same time, the investors were promised another 5% commission if they managed to persuade new investors to join the Forex-3D scheme. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/background-to-the-forex-3d-swindle/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-22 - 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!

Two men fall into deep well in Pattaya after cover breaks, one killed By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: รักสยาม นิวส์ Pattaya — Two Thai men fell into an extremely deep well after its cover, on which they were sitting and chatting, broke, killing one 47-year-old man while the other 60-year-old man miraculously survived. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269514-two-men-fall-into-deep-well-in-pattaya-after-cover-breaks-one-killed/

PHOTO: รักสยาม นิวส์ By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — Two Thai men fell into an extremely deep well after its cover, on which they were sitting and chatting, broke, killing one 47-year-old man while the other 60-year-old man miraculously survived. Nongprue Police and Sawang Boriboon Thammasatan emergency responders rushed to a residence on Soi 1 in the Nong Pla Lai subdistrict of Banglamung today, August 20th, to rescue two men who had fallen into a well. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/20/two-men-fall-into-deep-well-in-pattaya-after-cover-breaks-one-killed/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-22 - 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!

Justice Minister gives compensation worth two million baht to families of 19 deceased victims of Mountain B nightclub fire By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: ข่าวคนชล Sattahip — Justice Minister gave compensation worth two million baht to the families of the 19 deceased victims of the Mountain B nightclub fire, saying he would consider asking the Department of the Special Investigation (DSI) to treat this case as a special case. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269513-justice-minister-gives-compensation-worth-two-million-baht-to-families-of-19-deceased-victims-of-mountain-b-nightclub-fire/

PHOTO: ข่าวคนชล By Tanakorn Panyadee Sattahip — Justice Minister gave compensation worth two million baht to the families of the 19 deceased victims of the Mountain B nightclub fire, saying he would consider asking the Department of the Special Investigation (DSI) to treat this case as a special case. Somsak Thepsutin, Minister of Justice, on Friday, August 19th, delivered compensation worth 2,090,000 baht in total to the families of the 19 victims who lost their lives in the Mountain B nightclub fire, which took place in Chonburi’s Sattahip district on August 5th. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/20/justice-minister-gives-compensation-worth-two-million-baht-to-families-of-19-deceased-victims-of-mountain-b-nightclub-fire/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-22 - 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!

UPDATE: Salon owner surrendered to Pathum Thani police after allegedly stabbing couple to death over bad haircut quarrel By Nop Meechukhun Pathum Thani – A salon owner, 50, has turned himself in to Pak Khlong Rangsit District Police Station after reportedly stabbing an extra actress and her husband to death at a salon located in Tesco Lotus Department Store in Pathum Thani on Saturday, August 20th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269507-couple-stabbed-to-death-at-mall-in-pathum-thani/?do=findComment&comment=17557215

Salon owner surrendered to Pathum Thani police after allegedly stabbing couple to death over bad haircut quarrel By Nop Meechukhun Pathum Thani – A salon owner, 50, has turned himself in to Pak Khlong Rangsit District Police Station after reportedly stabbing an extra actress and her husband to death at a salon located in Tesco Lotus Department Store in Pathum Thani on Saturday, August 20th. Local police arrived at the department store after being alerted to the attack on Saturday. There, two bodies of the Thai couple were found – whose names were revealed as Nok,41, and Pop, 40. According to local witnesses, the couple came to get their hair done at the salon but the hairdresser could not make the hairstyle as they needed. So, both parties agreed to revisit later for the correction but the couple was still not satisfied with the hairstyle. Therefore, they came back again on Saturday with their 8-year-old daughter to negotiate with the shop owner. However, the negotiation reportedly turned into a quarrel as the customers allegedly claimed that they would sue the shop. The owner, who was later identified as Lek, reportedly grabbed a knife and stabbed the woman before turning to attack her husband. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/21/salon-owner-surrendered-to-pathum-thani-police-after-allegedly-stabbing-couple-to-death-over-bad-haircut-quarrel/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-22 - 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!

Flights Between Thailand and China Likely to Increase in September by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Passenger flights between Thailand and China could see a five-fold increase in September, as authorities discuss adding more scheduled flights between the two nations. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269512-flights-between-thailand-and-china-likely-to-increase-in-september/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Passenger flights between Thailand and China could see a five-fold increase in September, as authorities discuss adding more scheduled flights between the two nations. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) recently contacted the authority about the possibility of increasing passenger flights between China and Thailand. The CAAC proposed increasing the number of flights from three to fifteen per week. The CAAC also requested a list of Thai airlines interested in flying to China so that Chinese airports could prepare for increased traffic. In response to this request, the CAAT met with Thai airline operators to assess their interest, with the intention of submitting the flight plan to the CAAC by this week. The CAAT acknowledges that China is still maintaining strict disease control measures and that additional flights would prioritize business or necessary trips between the two countries. However, the CAAT said Thai authorities are preparing for more arrivals when China relaxes its travel restrictions. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220821154026520 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-22 - 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!

Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Rohypnol Sales by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Government agencies have been instructed to crack down on manufacturers and vendors who illegally produce or sell Rohypnol in order to help prevent drug abuse among teenagers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269511-authorities-crack-down-on-illegal-rohypnol-sales/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Government agencies have been instructed to crack down on manufacturers and vendors who illegally produce or sell Rohypnol in order to help prevent drug abuse among teenagers. According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed concern about illegal Rohypnol sales on online platforms and has instructed authorities to address the issue. He requested that the Royal Thai Police collaborate with the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to track down drug sources and suppress criminal activity on online platforms. The premier made the remarks following reports that the drug has been used illegally by teenagers as an alternative to illegal narcotics. Some users would keep the drug in their mouths until they become intoxicated while others mix it with alcohol to use as a date rape drug. The Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment (PMNIDAT) warned that Rohypnol is a controlled psychotropic substance. Under the Psychotropic Substances Act 2016, the drug must be taken under the supervision of a doctor, dentist or veterinarian and cannot be purchased in general stores. The spokesperson warned that anyone caught selling the drug without permission from the Ministry of Public Health could face up to 5-20 years in prison and/or fines ranging from 100,000-400,000 baht. Any health office that possesses Rohypnol without a permit faces up to 1-5 years in prison and/or fines of 20,000-100,000 baht. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220821154432523 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-22 - 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!

Local massage vendors in Phuket protest over foreign investors allegedly operating shops at much lower prices By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – About 80 local massage vendors in Phuket protested at the Phuket City Hall complaining about massage shops which were allegedly being invested in by foreigners operating with much lower prices, hurting their business. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269510-local-massage-vendors-in-phuket-protest-over-foreign-investors-allegedly-operating-shops-at-much-lower-prices/

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – About 80 local massage vendors in Phuket protested at the Phuket City Hall complaining about massage shops which were allegedly being invested in by foreigners operating with much lower prices, hurting their business. The protest Friday morning (August 19th) was led by Mr. Tansiwit Klaichaem from local massage vendors associations. They filed a letter to the Phuket Governor. Mr. Tansiwit told The Phuket Express, “There is a massage shop chain which has been invested in by foreigners but operated by Thais. They have many shops in Phuket, all essentially a copy of each other. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/08/20/local-massage-vendors-in-phuket-protest-over-foreign-investors-allegedly-operating-shops-at-much-lower-prices/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-08-22 - 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!

Intoxicated woman bites off part of a tourist’s ear on a baht bus in Pattaya By Nop Meechukhun Banglamung, Chonburi – A Thai-American tourist was rushed to a local hospital after reportedly being bitten on his ear by a Thai intoxicated woman at the intersection of the Second Road, South Pattaya. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269509-intoxicated-woman-bites-off-part-of-a-tourist’s-ear-on-a-baht-bus-in-pattaya/

By Nop Meechukhun Banglamung, Chonburi – A Thai-American tourist was rushed to a local hospital after reportedly being bitten on his ear by a Thai intoxicated woman at the intersection of the Second Road, South Pattaya, in Banglamung district on Saturday evening, August 20th. Pattaya City police arrived at the scene after receiving a report of a Thai woman who reportedly jumped on a Songthaew and attacked a male tourist by punching his mouth, giving him a headlock, and biting off a portion of his ear before swallowing it. At the scene, an alleged female attacker, who was later identified as Kannika Khamthon, was found in a heavy state of intoxication. The 55-year-old injured man, Charoen Sae-Lim, was also found nearby with clear signs of a bite on his right ear. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/21/intoxicated-woman-bites-off-part-of-a-tourists-ear-on-a-baht-bus-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-22 - 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!

Accident at Skytrain Station not caused by escalator malfunction, but by overcrowding, according to BTS Skytrain’s statement By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – BTS Skytrain released a statement regarding a reported malfunctioned escalator at BTS Surasak station on Saturday evening, August 20th, which injured nearly 30 people, stating that the accident was not caused by the malfunction but by overcrowding at the escalator. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269508-accident-at-skytrain-station-not-caused-by-escalator-malfunction-but-by-overcrowding-according-to-bts-skytrain’s-statement/

By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – BTS Skytrain released a statement regarding a reported malfunctioned escalator at BTS Surasak station on Saturday evening, August 20th, which injured nearly 30 people, stating that the accident was not caused by the malfunction but by overcrowding at the escalator. Online footage that was shared widely on social media captures the moment when a large number of passengers were seen taking the escalator up to the Surasak Station to use the Skytrain service during heavy rain as of 6:38 PM. on Saturday, but some people at the top of the escalator seemed to lose their balance and caused others behind them to stumble and fall on top of one another. About 28 people reportedly suffered minor injuries and wounds from the accident. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/21/accident-at-skytrain-station-not-caused-by-escalator-malfunction-but-by-overcrowding-according-to-bts-skytrains-statement/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-22 - 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!

Couple stabbed to death at mall in Pathum Thani A couple were stabbed to death at a shopping mall in Thailand’s Pathum Thani province last Saturday, following a heated argument and a brawl with the owner of a beauty salon, according to the Facebook page of the Ruamkatanyu Volunteer Association. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269507-couple-stabbed-to-death-at-mall-in-pathum-thani/

A couple were stabbed to death at a shopping mall in Thailand’s Pathum Thani province last Saturday, following a heated argument and a brawl with the owner of a beauty salon, according to the Facebook page of the Ruamkatanyu Volunteer Association. The couple and their 5-year-old child arrived at the mall and the mother went into a beauty salon, while her husband and their child went shopping. The woman later left the salon, only to return shortly after with her husband. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/couple-stabbed-to-death-at-mall-in-pathum-thani/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-22 - 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!

Enforcement of Thailand’s new safety belt law pending edict from police Thailand’s Land Traffic Act B.E. 2565 (2022AD), which mandates that all passengers in private and public transport vehicles, except buses, wear safety belts, will be enforced once the Royal Thai Police have issued an edict. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269506-enforcement-of-thailand’s-new-safety-belt-law-pending-edict-from-police/

Thailand’s Land Traffic Act B.E. 2565 (2022AD), which mandates that all passengers in private and public transport vehicles, except buses, wear safety belts, will be enforced once the Royal Thai Police have issued an edict within 90 days of the act coming into effect on September 5th, according to Land Transport Department Director-General Chirute Visalachitra. Chirute’s statement today (Saturday) was intended to address social media hype claiming that, from September 5th, passengers in all pickup trucks, including those sitting in the rear seats, will be required to wear safety belts or face a fine of 2,000 baht each. Chirute said the department will consult the Royal Thai Police over the drafting of an edict regarding the mandatory wearing of safety belts, including exceptions, adding that, once the draft is completed, it will have to be approved by a committee before it is promulgated. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/enforcement-of-thailands-new-safety-belt-law-pending-edict-from-police/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-22 - 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!

House Committee Reveals Key Cannabis & Hemp Bill Features By Editor The National News Bureau of Thailand (NBT) has reported that Committee spokesperson Parnthep Pourpongpan has revealed key points of the cannabis and hemp usage bill, which will soon be heard in parliament for a second reading. The Bill is described as being to help ensure that these plants do not impact public safety. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269505-house-committee-reveals-key-cannabis-hemp-bill-features/

By Editor The National News Bureau of Thailand (NBT) has reported that Committee spokesperson Parnthep Pourpongpan has revealed key points of the cannabis and hemp usage bill, which will soon be heard in parliament for a second reading. The Bill is described as being to help ensure that these plants do not impact public safety. The Bill will need official approval of Parliament with amendments or changes before being published in the Royal Gazette. Some of these key points include: – People who want to grow cannabis plants for personal use will be limited to 15 plants per household. They can register in one day and pay no registration fees. – People would also be permitted to grow no more than five rai of hemp plants for personal use. – Hospitals, medical practitioners, dental practitioners, Thai traditional medicine practitioners, applied Thai traditional medicine practitioners, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, government agencies, the Thai Red Cross Society, and animal hospitals will also be able to register for growing these plants. – People who want to grow these plants for business and commercial purposes must seek permission from authorities and follow the required regulations. Those who fail to seek permission will be liable to a jail term of no more than one year and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht. – Those who illegally export cannabis face up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to 500,000 baht. – Section 37 prohibits the sale of cannabis and hemp, their extracts, and food containing cannabis and hemp to people under the age of 20, pregnant women, and women who breastfeed their children. Violators face up to a year in prison and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht. It also prohibits the online and vending machine sale of cannabis and hemp, their extracts, and food containing cannabis and hemp, as well as promotional and marketing campaigns. The spokesperson added that, under the bill, cannabis sales would be prohibited in religious premises, educational institutes, public parks, and other areas designated by the Public Health Ministry. It will also declare certain areas, such as temples, public parks, and restaurants, off-limits to cannabis smoking. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/08/house-committee-reveals-key-cannabis-hemp-bill-features/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-08-22 - 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!