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Photo from apec.org Two Thai engineers won the 2022 APEC App Challenge, held in Thailand, early this week during the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting. The winners are Palakon Kotchapansompote and Peerawit Tungwongsin as they beat 28 developers from across the Asia-Pacific region with an app that can help reduce food waste. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The duo created Kitchen@Venture, a digital tool designed for consumers and restaurant owners that offers healthy meal choices from local, high-value producers and suggests quality meals. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-engineers-win-apec-2022-app-challenge/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-25 - 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.

UPDATE: Thailand’s new air quality standard to become effective in June 2023 The National Environmental Board has approved the Pollution Control Department’s proposal to tighten the air quality safety standard by reducing the safe amount of PM2.5 dust in the atmosphere from an average 50 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) to 37.5 μg/m3 in any 24 hour period. The new standard will become effective on June 1st next year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260556-air-safety-threshold-adjusted/?do=findComment&comment=17377395

Thailand’s new air quality standard to become effective in June 2023 The National Environmental Board has approved the Pollution Control Department’s proposal to tighten the air quality safety standard by reducing the safe amount of PM2.5 dust in the atmosphere from an average 50 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) to 37.5 μg/m3 in any 24 hour period. The new standard will become effective on June 1st next year. Pollution Control Department Director-General Attapol Charoenchansa said today (Tuesday) that the 50μg/m3 safety standard has been in use for more than ten years and it is about time to tighten standard, by being more stringent with emission controls, to improve the air quality and environment in Thailand for the sake public health. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The safe average amount of PM2.5 in the atmosphere over a period of one year will be reduced from 25μg/m3 to 15μg/m3, expected to become effective in the next 2-3 months when the change is published in the Royal Gazette. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-new-air-quality-standard-to-become-effective-in-june-2023/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-25 - 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.

Anti-Monkeypox measures introduced at Thai airports Overseas arrivals, from countries where Monkeypox infections have been detected, are now screened for symptoms, such as blisters, by health officials as they walk through the scanners at Thailand’s international airports. They are then issued with a “health beware” notice, in QR code form, as the country steps up measures to prevent the import of the disease from overseas. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260588-anti-monkeypox-measures-introduced-at-thai-airports/

Overseas arrivals, from countries where Monkeypox infections have been detected, are now screened for symptoms, such as blisters, by health officials as they walk through the scanners at Thailand’s international airports. They are then issued with a “health beware” notice, in QR code form, as the country steps up measures to prevent the import of the disease from overseas. According to the Department of Disease Control, all travellers arriving from abroad are advised to see a doctor immediately if they develop a fever and blisters. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Hospitals are required to take samples from the traveller with a suspected infection and send them to the Department of Medical Sciences for analysis. A report must also be filed. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/anti-monkeypox-measures-introduced-at-thai-airports/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-25 - 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.

Are your passwords safe in Thailand and the World? ASEAN NOW Op-Ed As we keep reading in the media, crimes committed in the virtual world have intensified in both form and their frequency. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260587-are-your-passwords-safe-in-thailand-and-the-world/

ASEAN NOW Op-Ed As we keep reading in the media, crimes committed in the virtual world have intensified in both form and their frequency. Apparently, Cybercrimes could cost the Thai economy BTH $286 billion, which is a worrying 2.2% of the country’s total GDP. The dramatic rise in damage costs demonstrates just how we are all attacks in Thailand. In fact, Thailand is facing a cyber-security expert shortage right now. Its digital economy is developing too fast with few experts to compensate for the change. This leaves companies and the public wide open to cyber threats. The Thai government set up their CCIB in September last year and equipped the Royal Thai Police with some advanced crime-busting weaponry. Constantly on the lookout for cyber-crimes, the bureau's jobs include keeping a step ahead of cybercriminals, trying to gather clues in criminal cases, both on- and offline, and acting fast to catch the culprits in the real world. Already the CCIB is working on 2,480 cases involving 3,020 suspects. On average however, this bureau only manages to arrest just ten suspects cases a day which is really just a drop in the ocean. The CCIB's tasks can be summed up in five areas: online fraud and call-center frauds, illegal trade of prohibited items, violation of cyber security, exploitation of children and women and pornography, and online gambling. So, are you doing enough? Many ex-pats also need to ramp up online security, so here's how to pick strong passwords As most of us Expats now rely on online transactions to run our daily lives, are we taking unnecessary risks security-wise? Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Many of us are still behind the times when it comes to our own security, even though experts have been warning us for years about the dangers of bad digital behavior. Research into common passwords worldwide, for instance, reveals that many people still use known, popular passwords, which are the digital equivalent of sitting ducks. Poor passwords So how do weak passwords put you at enhanced risk review a few password essentials? Weak passwords represent a significant security risk. Threat actors have a vast array of tools at their disposal, including brute force and dictionary attacks, which can easily crack weak passwords and passphrases. Once these passwords are cracked, cybercriminals have access to your accounts, which may include sensitive financial or personal information. It doesn’t matter where the criminals are from, either. You can be attacked from anywhere in the world. Economic loss is just one part of the story: identity theft remains a persistent threat. Online repositories containing email addresses and account usernames are posted online, and then shared among criminals. From there, it’s just a few extra steps and a malicious actor can gain access to your online life. Passwords that are too simple or common can be cracked in as little as one second. So, if you’re using “123456”, “qwerty”, “iloveyou”, or even your birth date for any of your accounts, it’s definitely time to ramp up your password game to avoid becoming just another sad statistic. How to Pick Strong Passwords Strong passwords should be Long, Complex, and Unique. Hitting one of these goals isn’t enough though. Aim for all three in each of your passwords, and your digital security status will improve significantly. Let’s look at each of the factors in a strong password now. Consider Length Remember that statistically, it’s far easier to crack a short password than a long one. Anything less than 12 characters should be avoided. One way to ensure you’re using long passwords is to create passphrases instead - a tactic recommended by The Electronic Frontier Foundation and many others. Passphrases should comprise four to five random words for added security and you can substitute a few letters for numerals or special characters. For example, “8ate cat pOny g0ld opal” comes in at 23 characters and is easy to remember. If memorizing passwords or passphrases is any issue, you may be tempted to use known phrases, such as “like a rolling stone.” However, these do not afford anywhere near the same amount of protection. Prioritize Complexity Complexity now matters as much as length. The best way to ensure your passwords are complex is to use a random mix of upper and lowercase letters, numerals, and special characters. You can also use punctuation such as hyphens, em-dashes, periods, and colons as well. Generating complex (and lengthy) passwords is much easier with the help of a dedicated password tool. Your browser offers to generate and store these for you. However, there have been concerns raised over how well protected these in-built tools are. Instead, opt for a dedicated third-party tool such as LastPass, a password manager that stores, secures, and generates complex passwords. Good for the older expat who may have trouble remembering a new password or two. Try to avoid linking your accounts to another account for easier logins, for example, having numerous accounts linked to your Facebook or Google. Don’t allow your browser to store your passwords. You could try a dedicated third-party tool such as LastPass, https://www.lastpass.com/ Last Pass is a password manager that stores, secures, and generates complex passwords for you. Great for the older expat who may have trouble remembering a new password or two. Cybercrime may have in the past sounded like a Marvel movie story, however, these days taking precautions at least beats finding your saving account has been emptied. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-25 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Wednesday 25 May 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1260586-thailand-live-wednesday-25-may-2022/

Alleged Estonian drug dealer on Interpol’s red notice list caught after hiding for four years An alleged Estonian drug dealer on Interpol’s red notice list was arrested in Pattaya after being on the loose for four years, according to Chonburi Immigration officials. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260582-alleged-estonian-drug-dealer-on-interpol’s-red-notice-list-caught-after-hiding-for-four-years/

Thai Ministry of Public Health to propose ending mask mandates by mid June Dr. Kiatpoom Wongrachit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), announced this afternoon, May 24th, 2022, that the MOPH is planning to propose to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration or CCSA to end mask mandates in most situations across Thailand by mid June. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260581-thai-ministry-of-public-health-to-propose-ending-mask-mandates-by-mid-june/

ANNOUNCEMENT: ASEAN NOW will re-launch the World News Forum today, May 25. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260555-asean-now-re-launches-world-news-forum/

Soap opera outside the court! Thai celebs take defamation spat out into the street Picture: Sanook The TV cameras of multiple media outlets were running as two Thai celebrities took their differences out into the street. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260538-soap-opera-outside-the-court-thai-celebs-take-defamation-spat-out-into-the-street/

Picture: Sanook The TV cameras of multiple media outlets were running as two Thai celebrities took their differences out into the street. Present were Amonwan Sirikittirat - also known as Amy Maxim - and hearthrob male Mack the Star also known as Jirayuth Khanthayot. EXTERNAL video: https://www.sanook.com/video/clip/1500693/?jwsource=cl Mack was grovelling on his knees begging for forgiveness over a defamation suit filed with the Phrakhanong Court in Bangkok. Amy was giving him hell even telling him at one point to get off his knees. The press were hanging on every word. Until finally Mack put his arms round his fellow star. Asked by the press if she would accept money in the case, Amy said it was up to the lawyers and the court process. "I'm sorry if people think I'm a gold digger", she told Sanook. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-24 - 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. 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

Artificial reef is really beautiful - much better than environment damaging foreigners Daily News Thai Caption: Utterly beautiful! Natural resources and environment minister Varawut Silpa-archa and his entourage took a boat from Koh Samui to an area nearer Koh Phangan where Chevron have a drilling platform. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260535-artificial-reef-is-really-beautiful-much-better-than-environment-damaging-foreigners/

Daily News Thai Caption: Utterly beautiful! Natural resources and environment minister Varawut Silpa-archa and his entourage took a boat from Koh Samui to an area nearer Koh Phangan where Chevron have a drilling platform. The oil company have installed an artificial reef at the site that is helping the area recover its natural marine beauty. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News The minister was going to dive himself but high waves scuppered this but divers were still able to inspect the facility, a first of its kind in Thailand, reported Daily News. They found large amounts of coral and fish as well as turtles. The press called it utterly beautiful. The minister hailed the project's success. Picture: Daily News It was certainly better than a while back when the minister personally intervened to throw a couple of foreigners out of Thailand for filming themselves with sea slugs off Phangan. A Hungarian called Attila was deported and an Italian appeared in court too in a story that caused much debate at the time. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-24 - 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. 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 Picture: Daily News

Measures Stepped Up to Prevent Monkeypox Outbreak by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Additional screening measures are now in place for visitors traveling from countries where monkeypox has been reported. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260532-measures-stepped-up-to-prevent-monkeypox-outbreak/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Additional screening measures are now in place for visitors traveling from countries where monkeypox has been reported. According to the Department of Disease Control (DDC), travelers must now fill out and present a health declaration card upon arriving in Thailand. The card, which contains a QR code, allows officials to keep track of each passenger and provide appropriate medical care in the event of an emergency. The DDC has established an emergency operations center (EOC) to monitor the spread of monkeypox and instructed related units to be vigilant for travelers from Central and West Africa, the United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal, where the virus has been detected. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe According to DDC officials, any visitors exhibiting signs of illness will be transferred to the nearest hospital for testing. Dr Chakkarat Pitayowonganon, director of the department’s epidemiology division, said the EOC will assist in screening tourists who may have been exposed to the virus. He explained that during the incubation period, infected individuals may not exhibit visible symptoms such as rashes and raised spots that transform into blisters and scabs. Monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pains, backache, swollen glands, chills and fatigue. They also resemble those of smallpox, although the symptoms are typically less severe. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-05-24 - 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.

Amazing Thailand: Laotian "widow" leaves Thai husband after sexless wedding night - dowry and cash stuffed envelopes disappear Picture: 77kaoded Reporters from 77kaoded went to Loei province in the north east of Thailand where they heard a tale of woe of a just married Thai man and his sick mother. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260531-amazing-thailand-laotian-widow-leaves-thai-husband-after-sexless-wedding-night-dowry-and-cash-stuffed-envelopes-disappear/

Picture: 77kaoded Reporters from 77kaoded went to Loei province in the north east of Thailand where they heard a tale of woe of a just married Thai man and his sick mother. Sutthichai Khaolat, 29 - sporting a t-shirt emblazoned with "Put Your Ass on Some Class" - in Tha Li district, explained that he had married See Utthum, 23, a divorcee with a 5 year old son. (The media called her a widow). The small wedding at home took place last Wednesday. However, next day See and her mum Nian plus the little boy all disappeared with a 25,009 baht dowry and all the cash envelopes that had been given at the wedding. Now he can't contact them and has gone to the police. Sutthichai explained that he is a farmer growing corn, cassava and is involved in rubber production and left school after primary education. Being the only son his mother wanted him to marry but he had no one in mind. However, ten days ago he met the woman who was to become his wife. She was the daughter of a woman called Nian who had married and been living with a neighbor in their village for two years. Picture: 77kaoded Both Sutthichai and See liked each other immediately and the elders declared this was perfect match and the wedding was hurriedly arranged for next day. She had asked for the 25,009 baht dowry as well as one baht weight of gold (worth about 31,000 baht). On the wedding night in the marriage bed his new wife had her son sleep between them. When the boy dropped off to sleep Sutthichai, not unreasonably, asked to consummate the marriage. She turned him down saying that in the morning she needed to go to sort out a school for her son. She asked him to wait to have sex. In the morning See and her mum and son went to town to transfer some money to relatives and get some nappies. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe When they came back they said they needed to go to Nakhon Phanom (also NE Thailand) on some business or other and would be back in two or three days. On the 20th he tried to call her but there was no answer. Then the phone was turned off. He decided to wait until yesterday before going to the police. Hak, his poor and sick mother, told the press that See had pestered her to allow her son to marry her. She agreed to the dowry - her life savings - and said that the gold would have to wait until they saved more from the rubber business. She said she forked out 10,000 baht on wedding day food and See just paid 1,000 baht for some meat. In total See has made off with 36,000 baht. Nian has also removed all the cash and valuables from the house she shared with the neighbor. The penny now dropped that they had all been conned. The police were contacted yesterday but advised the family to wait for up to a week before filing a formal complaint. Hak said about the Laotian pair: "It's a sin - watch out for them". -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-24 - 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. 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

Thailand ranks high in Airbnb’s latest survey By TTR WEEKLY BANGKOK, 24 May 2022: Encouraged by the ongoing India-Thailand air travel bubble and the easing of entry rules, more Indians are heading for Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260530-thailand-ranks-high-in-airbnb’s-latest-survey/

By TTR WEEKLY BANGKOK, 24 May 2022: Encouraged by the ongoing India-Thailand air travel bubble and the easing of entry rules, more Indians are heading for Thailand. The latest YouGov research commissioned by Airbnb reveals that more than 70% of Indians polled said they were excited about being able to travel internationally, and almost 50% are considering travelling to Asia Pacific destinations. Thailand is one of the most searched destinations. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Indians are ready to travel internationally again, with 75% of those surveyed claiming they would book a trip in the foreseeable future. More than a third are planning to do this within the next six months. Almost three-quarters of working Indians say they’d consider combining work and travel, underscoring the fundamental changes in how people are living and working since the pandemic. Full story: https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2022/05/thailand-ranks-high-in-airbnbs-latest-survey/ -- © Copyright TTR Weekly 2022-05-24 - 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.

Joint Thai - US naval exercises to enhance maritime cooperation Picture: INN INN reported on joint military exercises being carried out in the gulf of Thailand this week between the Thai and US navies. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260521-joint-thai-us-naval-exercises-to-enhance-maritime-cooperation/

Picture: INN INN reported on joint military exercises being carried out in the gulf of Thailand this week between the Thai and US navies. It's called Carat 2022 and runs until Friday and is centered around Sattahip and Koh Samui. Both land based and naval exercises will be carried out featuring P-8A Poseidon aircraft and ships called Naresuan, Bang Pakong and Kraburi of the Thai navy. Divers will also take part in training. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: INN Yesterday Admiral Phaisan Meesri of the Thai navy and Commander Brian Bangay (name transliterated from Thai and possibly incorrect) of the USS Jackson met at the navy base in Sattahip to discuss the exercises. The exercises have been run since 1995, this being the 28th year. Commander Bangay gave the opening address in front of a large sign saying "openning", notes ASEAN NOW. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-24 - 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. 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

New Committee Formed to Address Household Debt by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has set up a committee to address the issue of household debt. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260519-new-committee-formed-to-address-household-debt/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has set up a committee to address the issue of household debt. FPO Director-General Pornchai Thiraveja said the committee is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow. The director-general noted that most debts stem from student loans; loans from teacher cooperatives; personal loans and credit cards; auto and motorbike loans; and informal debts as well as other general debts. Related governmental units have already launched several programs to mitigate the problem, with a focus on helping debtors generate more income. These campaigns include loans that can be used to start businesses or invest in agricultural innovation to help reduce costs and increase yields. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Pornchai said the Ministry of Finance is now working to connect the State Welfare database with related agencies such as the Ministries of Labor, Interior, and Education, and the Bank of Thailand. The move is expected to enable units to collaborate more effectively. The government is also promoting the importance of savings. The Ministry of Finance previously established the National Savings Fund and proposed to the Cabinet a bill for a national retirement fund to provide capital to those in need. To address the issue of chronic household debt, the administration will educate people of all ages and professions on financial literacy and monetary management. The government will also carefully review its policy to better prevent citizens from falling into unnecessary debt. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-05-24 - 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.