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Thirty passengers flee burning bus outside Pantip Plaza - one injury as investigation underway Daily News Thai Caption: Jumping off to avoid death! Daily News reported that a Bangkok city air-conditioned bus - #522 - burst into flames last night outside Pantip Plaza on Ngam Wong Wan Road, Nonthaburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260492-thirty-passengers-flee-burning-bus-outside-pantip-plaza-one-injury-as-investigation-underway/

Daily News Thai Caption: Jumping off to avoid death! Daily News reported that a Bangkok city air-conditioned bus - #522 - burst into flames last night outside Pantip Plaza on Ngam Wong Wan Road, Nonthaburi. Around thirty pasengers managed to flee the bus. There was one injury - a woman suffered burns to her arm and was taken by Ruam Katanyu rescue services to Paolo Hospital in Kaset. The bus, travelling inbound, was completely destroyed in the fire. The driver was named as 47 year old Amnat. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News Conductress Natcha Phannuch, 54, said they had just stopped outside the shopping center when she heard a loud bang from the rear of the vehicle that she thought was a tire exploding. She quickly ordered everyone off as fire soon followed with the driver unable to put out the flames with the extinguisher. Picture: Daily News Fire services had the blaze under control after 30 minutes. An investigation is underway. The media said there were nine NGV tanks on the roof of the bus. -- © 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

Krabi Hospital Can’t Treat Patients After Thief Stole X-Ray Machine TNR Staff A screengrab image of the thief who stole the hospital’s X-ray machine. The Thai headline says, “Stole hospital’s X-ray machine.” Photo: Amarin TV A THIEF who pretended to be a patient stole an X-ray machine from a hospital in Krabi province which is now in serious trouble as doctors there do not have this essential equipment in treating their patients, Amarin TV said this afternoon (May 23). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260488-krabi-hospital-can’t-treat-patients-after-thief-stole-x-ray-machine/

A screengrab image of the thief who stole the hospital’s X-ray machine. The Thai headline says, “Stole hospital’s X-ray machine.” Photo: Amarin TV TNR Staff A THIEF who pretended to be a patient stole an X-ray machine from a hospital in Krabi province which is now in serious trouble as doctors there do not have this essential equipment in treating their patients, Amarin TV said this afternoon (May 23). Dr. Natthaphong Du-ngam, director of Plai Phraya Hospital Krabi, posted a message on his personal Facebook page asking people to help search for clues in tracking down this unscrupulous thief. He related that the thief, a masked man of around 30-40 years of age, came to the hospital at approximately 7 p.m. last evening wearing a large backpack on his chest and pretended to be sick and in need of medical treatment. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/05/23/krabi-hospital-cant-treat-patients-after-thief-stole-x-ray-machine/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 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.

Two Cambodian men die after crashing motorcycle into footpath in Jomtien By Tanakorn Panyadee Nong Prue sub-district, Chonburi — Two Cambodian men died after crashing their motorcycle crashed into a footpath in the Nong Prue sub-district, Chonburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260487-two-cambodian-men-die-after-crashing-motorcycle-into-footpath-in-jomtien/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Nong Prue sub-district, Chonburi — Two Cambodian men died after crashing their motorcycle crashed into a footpath in the Nong Prue sub-district, Chonburi. Around 6 p.m. yesterday, May 22nd, Pol. Lt . Col. Thatsak Chirattikulchai from the Pattaya Police Station responded to a road accident with two casualties on Jomtien Second Road, Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung, Chonburi. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The police found a black and white Yamaha R15 lying on the road alongside two casualties named Chan Suan, 35, and another unidentified man. Both were Cambodians. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/23/two-cambodian-men-die-after-crashing-motorcycle-into-footpath-in-jomtien/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 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.

Thailand and Saudi Arabia to Support Formation Joint Business Forum by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand and Saudi Arabia have agreed to support the establishment of the Thai-Saudi Business Forum, promote trade fairs in both countries and exchange useful information about trade and investment. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260486-thailand-and-saudi-arabia-to-support-formation-joint-business-forum/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand and Saudi Arabia have agreed to support the establishment of the Thai-Saudi Business Forum, promote trade fairs in both countries and exchange useful information about trade and investment. Sanan Angubolkul,chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), the TCC has invited Saudi firms to take part in the THAIFEX – Anuga Asia exhibition in Thailand being held from May 24-28. Both sides also agreed to further facilitate businesses to attract more investments and proposed that the Thailand-Saudi Arabia Free Trade Agreement be established in the near future. Additionally, Saudi firms showed interest in importing construction materials, automobiles and parts, and fruits from Thailand. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Saudi Arabia said it is also interested in improving tourism connectivity, particularly in the field of medical tourism. The Middle Eastern kingdom sees an average of 20 million tourists per year and wants to increase that number to 100 million by 2030. The Saudi economy in the first quarter grew by 9.6%. -- © 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.

PPRP Must Consider Its Election Loss BANGKOK, May 23 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon who is the leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) said that his party would consider reasons behind its loss in the Bangkok gubernatorial and council elections on May 22. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260485-pprp-must-consider-its-election-loss/

BANGKOK, May 23 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon who is the leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) said that his party would consider reasons behind its loss in the Bangkok gubernatorial and council elections on May 22. Reporters sought his comments on PPRP's victory of only two seats in the Bangkok Council and asked if the local election results would have any significance on the party's opportunities in the next general election. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe In response Gen Prawit said: “The Palang Pracharath Party will review its performance to find mistakes and must correct them. For the two Bangkok Council candidates of the party who won, I must congratulate them.” Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-946880 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 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.

Seems you need a master’s degree to handle Thai immigration rules ASEAN NOW Op-Ed Many of us expats still struggle to keep up to date with the latest news on Thailand’s immigration rules. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260484-seems-you-need-a-master’s-degree-to-handle-thai-immigration-rules/

ASEAN NOW Op-Ed Many of us expats still struggle to keep up to date with the latest news on Thailand’s immigration rules. Most of the news tends to start as rumours, often discussed amongst friends down at the bar. As most now know often what you read in the media is only suggestions or hearsay, as rules can only be officially confirmed once they are posted in the Royal Gazette. So where do we stand currently. Listed below are a few of the current rules and regulations, however, these can change regularly. If you are unsure suggest you get hold of an experienced Thai visa agent to sort you out. What is the Test and Go? Test and Go were the requirements to have pre-arrival and/or post-arrival Covid health checks. Thankfully, they discontinued Test and Go for fully vaccinated arrivals on May 1, 2022. So, what is the Thailand Pass? Thailand Pass, which is still required, is the compulsory online pre-arrival registration system that requires everyone to upload their vaccination proof and full evidence of insurance. Effective from June 1st as well Thai Nationals will no longer be required to register for the Thailand Pass. The Pass will only function as a pre-arrival registration system, not an approval system. For the latest info best check out https://tp.consular.go.th/ Will I still be able to stay here on a Covid extension of stay after May 24, 2022? Occording to media reports foreigners will now have until March 25th 2022to extend their special COVID extension stamp, as announced by the Bureau of Immigration. The COVID extension was supposed to end on January 25 but has been extended. The visa relief or extension grants 60 days of stay to those who apply. Originally these ongoing extensions of stay for up to 60 days were brought in by the Thai government two years ago. It was basically to help tourists and Asian workers who were unable to return home as borders were closed and there were no flights available. Many neighboring countries have already canceled this discretion. e.g., Cambodia is already telling overseas tourists, ex-pats, or foreign workers that anyone without a valid visa is in an overstay position and will be subject to overstay fines or worse. Maybe the same will be adopted by most Asian immigration authorities. Do all overseas travellers need medical insurance to enter Thailand? This is a tricky subject as the insurance companies naturally want to sell you their high-cost policies but are they vital? Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe According to Thailand Pass, everyone needs a minimum coverage of US$10,000 to cover hospitalization in case they catch Covid. The current exception seems to be if you hold a work permit. This stipulation also covers foreigners returning with a re-entry permit authorized before they left Thailand. Foreigners applying for some specific visas from Thai embassies abroad may require additional insurance cover. The visas needing extra insurance currently are the nine-month Special Tourist Visa (STV) and three visas based on retirement for those aged at least 50: O/X (10 years), O (3 months), and OA (12 months). The details are most Thai embassy websites. Do foreigners still require insurance to extend their stay at Thai immigration? Those with most visas or permission to enter do not require insurance to extend their stay. The current exceptions are the STV, the O/X, and the O/A: specifics vary at immigration offices. The three months O visa based on retirement, given by embassies, runs out after three months. However, it can normally be extended at immigration for a further twelve months without any insurance, but with specific bank deposits or income stipulations. With the majority of land borders now reopened, foreigners may now enter and depart. However, foreigners may not leave Thailand and return on the same day as the good old days. No more rushing down to the border in a minibus and back for tea! The reason being is they must register online after departure for Thailand Pass with at least 48 hours’ notice required to receive their all-important QR Code. It isn’t possible to apply for an advance Thailand Pass whilst still in this country. Lack of clear information We are still suffering from rumour and a lack of clear government statements. Covid-19 will not be declared an endemic disease on July 1, the health minister said last Friday, despite earlier suggestions that it would be. Senior members of the government have been telling the public over the past two months that the government is planning to declare Covid as an endemic disease in July without providing a timeline or specific criteria. Those claims were refuted by the health minister. “No one said that it would be declared on July 1,” Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters at the government house. Anutin said the current outbreak with the number of severe cases of around 1,000 patients and the declining number of daily Covid deaths are supporting the move to declare the disease as endemic. However, the steps toward the declaration will continue to be done gradually and the process currently involves the re-zoning of provinces and hard-hit areas to ease domestic restrictions. In the past some immigration offices have given different visas, so going to Phuket you had one visa stamp but a longer stay stamp elsewhere, so inconsistency continues. At the end of the day if it is all too bewildering contact a Visa Agency and let the professionals take over. -- © 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

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 24 May 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1260483-thailand-live-tuesday-24-may-2022/

Thailand hopes to be removed from Tier 2 Watch List in US trafficking report Thai police hope that the US State Department will remove Thailand from Tier 2 Watch List category in the Trafficking in Persons Report for 2022, due to improved performance in tackling human trafficking problems in the country and in helping victims of human trafficking gangs, said Assistant National Police Chief Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn, today (Monday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260442-thailand-hopes-to-be-removed-from-tier-2-watch-list-in-us-trafficking-report/

More than a million foreign tourists arrive in Thailand since January PHOTO: Post Today Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha was pleased with the number of incoming foreign tourists in Thailand after reaching more than one million since the country began to reopen from January, expecting tourism income to reach 1.8 trillion baht this year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260468-more-than-a-million-foreign-tourists-arrive-in-thailand-since-january/

Good Covid News – The End Of Restrictions In Sight By Editor File photo for reference only As daily COVID-19 infections continue to decline, optimism is growing that the disease will soon be designated as endemic, with the Ministry of Public Health now expecting the transition to occur half a month earlier than previously anticipated. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260432-good-covid-news-–-the-end-of-restrictions-in-sight/

File photo for reference only By Editor As daily COVID-19 infections continue to decline, optimism is growing that the disease will soon be designated as endemic, with the Ministry of Public Health now expecting the transition to occur half a month earlier than previously anticipated. Dr Kiatiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for Public Health, said the COVID situation is continuing to show improvement. Health agencies are therefore being asked to prepare plans for accommodating the disease’s transition into endemic status. Dr Kiatiphum also indicated that Omicron symptoms in Thailand have been less severe than seasonal flu, with most of the infected either being asymptomatic or exhibiting typical flu-like symptoms. He added that vaccination coverage has also been increasing at a constant rate. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The permanent secretary further noted that preparations are being made to look after patients with long COVID. The Department of Medical Services has established a preliminary screening and diagnosis guideline, as well as a system for following up on patients’ conditions. Dr Kiatiphum also said data on long COVID patients will be collected either on a weekly or monthly basis. Additionally, meetings with chief provincial public health officers and hospital directors will be held so that efforts on this front can proceed at a similar pace. Dr Kiatiphum added that more restrictions will be lifted so people can live almost as before, but under new normal requirements. Face masks will be required in poorly ventilated areas or crowded spaces, as well as while in contact with patients. Sanitation management at various sites will also remain subject to some disease control requirements. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/05/good-covid-news-the-end-of-restrictions-in-sight/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-05-23 - 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.

Thailand’s Q1 unemployment rate improves, but number of jobless graduates still high By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand’s unemployment rate fell in the first quarter of 2022, but the number of unemployed new graduates remained high, according to the latest report by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260430-thailand’s-q1-unemployment-rate-improves-but-number-of-jobless-graduates-still-high/

By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand’s unemployment rate fell in the first quarter of 2022, but the number of unemployed new graduates remained high, according to the latest report by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). The number of unemployed people in the first quarter stood at 610,000, representing the unemployment rate of 1.53 per cent. The figures are up from 1.64 percent in the previous quarter and 1.96 percent from a year ago. Although the NESDC said the first-quarter unemployment rate is the lowest since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rising number of jobless graduates is still one of the concerns for the job market ahead. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/40348/thailands-q1-unemployment-rate-improves-but-number-of-jobless-graduates-still-high/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-05-23 - 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.

Durian latest: Seven Vietnamese arrested for diddling the Thai public using dodgy scales Picture: Thai Rath Following complaints from the public, trading standards police and Department of Internal Trade officers went to a road in Taling Chan, Bangkok where Vietnamese traders were selling durian by the kilo for 150 baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260429-durian-latest-seven-vietnamese-arrested-for-diddling-the-thai-public-using-dodgy-scales/

Picture: Thai Rath Following complaints from the public, trading standards police and Department of Internal Trade officers went to a road in Taling Chan, Bangkok where Vietnamese traders were selling durian by the kilo for 150 baht. That's a reasonable price but what was amiss was that they were using wrongly calibrated spring scales to rip-off the public. A four kilogram weight registered 4.6 kilos and a 13.2 kilo weight came out at 15 kilos. Seven Vietnamese were arrested - their ages were 34-51. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe They face up to seven years in jail and/or fines of 280,000 baht. They were making 5,000 baht a day each at their stalls, reported Thai Rath. The suspects admitted their crime and were taken for prosecution to the Bang Sao Thong police station. Consumers can call 1135 to report such crime or use 1569, another hotline. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-23 - 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

More ancient leaf fossils found at Wang Nam Khiaw waterfall Picture: INN Ecologists from a university along with students at a school found many examples of what they believe to be leaf fossils that are 100,000 years old. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260428-more-ancient-leaf-fossils-found-at-wang-nam-khiaw-waterfall/

Picture: INN Ecologists from a university along with students at a school found many examples of what they believe to be leaf fossils that are 100,000 years old. An earlier find at the Pha Kao waterfall in Wang Nam Khiaw, Nakhon Ratchasima, was thought to be from the Pleistocene epoch that lasted from 2.6 million years ago to around 11,000 years ago, reported INN. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The specimen was thought to be at least 100,000 years old. Now the group clearing the area to help with tourism said they had found many other examples. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-23 - 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

Results of Pattaya mayor, council elections withdrawn pending probe The unofficial results of the Pattaya mayoral and council elections yesterday (Sunday), the first such election in a decade, have been withdrawn pending an investigation into the mysterious absence of two ballot sheets and one case of a ballot sheet being issued to a person who is ineligible to vote. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260427-results-of-pattaya-mayor-council-elections-withdrawn-pending-probe/

The unofficial results of the Pattaya mayoral and council elections yesterday (Sunday), the first such election in a decade, have been withdrawn pending an investigation into the mysterious absence of two ballot sheets and one case of a ballot sheet being issued to a person who is ineligible to vote. The late night decision to withdraw the results, by, Permanent Secretary of Pattaya city and Director of the Pattaya mayoral and council elections Pramote Taptim came a few hours after he had announced the results at city hall, in which Poramet Ngampichet, of the “We Love Pattaya” team, apparently won the mayoral election. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Speaking at a press conference at 11pm, Pramote said that it had been discovered that a ballot sheet for the mayoral election was missing from polling station 2 in Constituency 1 and one from polling station 20 in Constituency 4, rendering it impossible to announce formally the unofficial result of the election. Meanwhile, at either polling station 29 in Constituency 2 or at polling station 5 in Constituency 3, a ballot sheet for the council election was mistakenly issued to an eligible voter. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/results-of-pattaya-mayor-council-elections-withdrawn-pending-probe/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-23 - 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.