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Space Technology Lab Project Initiated in Chiang Rai BANGKOK, (TNA) – The House committee on telecommunications and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) are pushing for a space technology laboratory in Wiang Pa Pao district of Chiang Rai province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269406-space-technology-lab-project-initiated-in-chiang-rai/

BANGKOK, (TNA) – The House committee on telecommunications and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) are pushing for a space technology laboratory in Wiang Pa Pao district of Chiang Rai province. The planned facility can be a learning center and support forest protection and the planning of resources. Col Settapong Malisuwan, vice chairman of the House committee on communications, telecommunications and digital economy and society, said that this week the committee considered the project to establish the Space Technology Laboratory at Wiang Pa Pao Technical College in Chiang Rai. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1001061 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-08-20 - 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!

Constitutional Court Hacker Gets One Year And Six Months In Jail by TNR Staff A hacker. Photo: Richard Patterson http://www.comparitech.co (CC BY 2.0) THE HACKER who broke into the Constitutional Court website and changed the name to kangaroo court was jailed for one year and six months and fined 87,227 baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269405-constitutional-court-hacker-gets-one-year-and-six-months-in-jail/

A hacker. Photo: Richard Patterson http://www.comparitech.co (CC BY 2.0) by TNR Staff THE HACKER who broke into the Constitutional Court website and changed the name to kangaroo court was jailed for one year and six months and fined 87,227 baht, Naewna newspaper said. The Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek said in its verdict that the defendant, Mr. Wachira Suphathien, 34, had pleaded guilty on the charges of illegally hacking the Constitutional Court’s website and changing the name to kangaroo court. In doing so the defendant had illegally accessed a protected computer system and data with the intention of damaging, destroying, modifying, altering or supplementing in part or the whole system so that it halts, slows down, is interrupted or disrupted. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/08/18/constitutional-court-hacker-gets-one-year-and-six-months-in-jail/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-20 - 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!

Rural Doctors Again Urge Prayut To Step Down After 8-Year Rule By Thai Newsroom Reporters Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Photo: INN News THE RURAL DOCTOR Society has today (August 19) repeated their calls for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step down now that his eight years in power is allegedly ending on upcoming Wednesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269404-rural-doctors-again-urge-prayut-to-step-down-after-8-year-rule/

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Photo: INN News By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE RURAL DOCTOR Society has today (August 19) repeated their calls for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step down now that his eight years in power is allegedly ending on upcoming Wednesday. The Rural Doctor Society has issued an essentially repeated statement on its urging for Prayut to learn to have got enough and step down ahead of August 24, the date on which his eight years in power maximumly provided by law will end. That date in August of 2014 marked the event in which Prayut was named at the order of His Majesty late King Rama IX as head of a military-installed government following a coup which he himself orchestrated as army chief earlier that year. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/08/19/rural-doctors-again-urge-prayut-to-step-down-after-8-year-rule/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-20 - 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!

Wine has now become a real luxury in Thailand File photo for reference only International tourists and new arrivals into Thailand are usually shocked by how much more expensive wine is in Thailand compared with their home country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269403-wine-has-now-become-a-real-luxury-in-thailand/

File photo for reference only ANALYSIS International tourists and new arrivals into Thailand are usually shocked by how much more expensive wine is in Thailand compared with their home country. It is typically sold in supermarkets and wine stores at a local equivalent retail price range of 300 baht (c. US$10) to 600 baht (c. US$20) – and upwards. When ordered in a restaurant these retail prices can be more than doubled. This is almost entirely due to Thailand's heavy and complex alcohol excise and tax regime. In Thailand for wine there is a tariff of 60 percent on imports. All other taxes compound off from the imports cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) plus the tariff cost. Domestic wine taxes are calculated just on the cost and not the remaining values of the CIF and import tariff. Although some local wines are drinkable of course imported wines are hard to beat. With people’s budgets being hit by the cost of living and as we are still experiencing high freight costs it is not surprising that bringing in a crate of imported wine is expensive even before the wholesale must add the high Thai taxes. Of course, if you are flying into Thailand, you could bring your friends some wine from Australia or Europe however you can only bring in 1 litre tax free. How much is tax and duty on wine? According to online figures the Wine Duty and VAT is £2.23 per 75cl bottle of still wine. £2.86 per 75cl bottle of sparkling wine. £2.89 per 75cl bottle of fortified Port wine. One of our AseanNow viewers posted this comment recently, “I think in general it is clear that Thailand is not a traditional wine drinking culture and most wine is imported, so it is in the country's interest to tax it heavily as a luxury to discourage more foreign debt. Also, perhaps, it is seen as a farang thing and a way to soak farangs, who when push comes to shove, will buy wine when they need it, no matter the ridiculous price.” I think he has a fair point as most Thais would prefer a bottle of whisky rather than a good bottle of wine as a birthday gift. Useful tip According to a wine expert if you understand and appreciate wine and live in Thailand, you would most likely buy imported labels mostly available in supermarkets or even 7-11 stores across the country. These imported wines are on supermarket shelves with a blue excise stamp on the cap. Your choices are abundant with wines from Australia, France, South Africa and other countries. If you are a tourist coming to visit this country on a tight budget and would like a cheap bottle for lunch you would invariably go for those local blends with an orange excise stamp sticking across the top of the cap. A keen eye can tell you which one is imported and which is a local blend. Although most of you might not know that local blends are made from about half real wine (in international terms of wine that is made from Vitis vinifera) and the other half fruit wine in order to reduce the tax from 60 % to 25 %. The reason that you didn’t know is that on the label nothing is written in English to inform you about this. Only the word FRUIT WINE at the back with a small font-size that aroused your suspicion. Legally the label must state the fruit to which the wine is blended and this is actually written in Thai so as to conform to the law perfectly. So many of us will just have to buy a decent bottle of wine to drink for a special occasion or hope that all their mates coming over to the Land of Smiles soon will include a decent litre bottle of a good vintage. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-20 - 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

Harold's Ex "Nat Ketsarin" still wowing foreign men - sexy model appears in lingerie on desk Picture: Thai Rath Thai mainstream media Thai Rath featured many pictures of top sexy porn star Ketsarin "Nat" Chaichalermpol from her official instagram account. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269402-harolds-ex-nat-ketsarin-still-wowing-foreign-men-sexy-model-appears-in-lingerie-on-desk/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai mainstream media Thai Rath featured many pictures of top sexy porn star Ketsarin "Nat" Chaichalermpol from her official instagram account. They said that Nat was especially wowing her foreign fans after her latest lingerie shoot. They said that Nat "never disappoints" and always "gets pulses racing". One picture showed her in a provocative pose on a desk advising her fans not to zoom in "I've just got leg cramps". Picture: Thai Rath 17,000 liked that with comments of "suay" and "sexy" abounding. Nat famously had an on-again off- again relationship with aging and bald US millionaire Harold 5/6 years ago before the couple split. File photo Harold used to cater to her every whim though critics thought their relationship was less about love and more about money. Perhaps echoing famous US comic Redd Foxx who quipped of his young Korean wife when asked how he met her: "She showed up every time I opened my wallet". Nat, from Saraburi and now 37, always said she loved Harold and it was not about his cash. Wikipedia says that Nat is a porn actress known under a lot of names such as Nong Natt and Natt Chanapa. She did not finish high school and at a young age joined the adult movie business after working in her aunt's salon. The best part of 20 years ago Nat was arrested by the Thai police for porn videos released outside Thailand and got a six month suspended sentence and probation, according to Wiki. Picture: Thai Rath She married Harold Jennings Nesland Jr in 2012 though they divorced in 2017. Thaivisa - ASEAN NOW's old name - carried many stories of their shenanigans in 2016 and 2017. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-20 - 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

Pattaya police arrest prime suspect in recent pickpocketing thefts of Indian tourists By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand-Pattaya police in conjunction with Tourist Police Division One informed the Pattaya News and other local media today, August 19th, 2022, that a prime suspect in recent thefts on Indian tourists in Pattaya was arrested. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269401-pattaya-police-arrest-prime-suspect-in-recent-pickpocketing-thefts-of-indian-tourists/

By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand-Pattaya police in conjunction with Tourist Police Division One informed the Pattaya News and other local media today, August 19th, 2022, that a prime suspect in recent thefts on Indian tourists in Pattaya was arrested. For months now there have been regular reports of late night pickpocketing of Indian tourists walking alone or in small groups around Pattaya. In most of the cases the incident involved snatching gold chains from Indian tourists. The incidents caused enormous public interest as well as social media discussion with the Indian Community putting pressure on authorities to capture any suspects. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/19/pattaya-police-arrest-prime-suspect-in-recent-pickpocketing-thefts-of-indian-tourists/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-20 - 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!

Recreational cannabis use can be legalised under the current law being passed through parliament by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Bullish Anutin, this week, argued that social problems caused by his campaign to decriminalise marijuana were negligible and even pointed to a provision in the new Cannabis Act which could see recreational use of the drug fully legalised by a parliamentary amendment in the future Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269399-recreational-cannabis-use-can-be-legalised-under-the-current-law-being-passed-through-parliament/

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Bullish Anutin, this week, argued that social problems caused by his campaign to decriminalise marijuana were negligible and even pointed to a provision in the new Cannabis Act which could see recreational use of the drug fully legalised by a parliamentary amendment in the future although some of his most senior officials within the Ministry of Public Health are on record in forceful opposition to such a move and even the current free for all where secondary laws and regulations are being used to enforce minimal controls that allow the drug to be sold on the street. Thailand’s Minister of Health Anutin Charnvirakul has revealed that the Cannabis Act, a law promised in parliament last July to regulate and control the use of cannabis following a free for all since June 9th last with only the use of secondary laws and ministerial regulations to protect the public from smoke and other effects, can, at some future point, be used to usher in a new era of open recreational use of the drug in the kingdom by amendment through a committee. It comes as the minister, responsible for pushing what appears to be a conflicting or opaque government policy, also warned this week that foreign tourists seeking to smoke marijuana freely in the kingdom were not welcome. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/08/19/recreational-cannabis-use-can-be-legalised/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-08-20 - 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!

[VIDEO]: Pattaya Report August 2022 - Appreciating what we've got, Club fires, Dog hotel, masks, ganja cafes video screenshot Another topic filled report on Pattaya: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269398-video-pattaya-report-august-2022-appreciating-what-weve-got-club-fires-dog-hotel-masks-ganja-cafes/

video screenshot Another topic filled report on Pattaya. 00:00 Appreciating what we have in Thailand. 03:26 Mountain B Sattahip Club fires. 07:00 Pattaya Dog hotel 07:55 More footfall 12:04 Cannabis cafes 16:12 Wearing masks in Thailand --2022-08-20

NSC: Dropping Emergency Decree Depends On Covid Situation by TNR Staff THE Secretary-general of the National Security Council said today (August 19) that the Covid situation and a certainty that there will not be another crisis would determine whether the emergency decree is cancelled at the end of next month, Naewna newspaper said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269397-nsc-dropping-emergency-decree-depends-on-covid-situation/

by TNR Staff THE Secretary-general of the National Security Council said today (August 19) that the Covid situation and a certainty that there will not be another crisis would determine whether the emergency decree is cancelled at the end of next month, Naewna newspaper said. Gen. Supot Malaniyom, NSC’s secretary-general, aired his views on this key issue after Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam had said extension of the emergency decree is up to NSC and the Public Health Ministry. He pointed out that it is now clear that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had approved plans for Covid-19 to be declared an endemic disease. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/08/19/nsc-dropping-emergency-decree-depends-on-covid-situation/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-20 - 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!

50 Students, Teachers Plunge Into Water After Bridge Collapse by TNR Staff A NATURE field trip by fifth graders and their teachers in Nakhon Si Thammarat province turned into a disaster after the bridge they were all crossing suddenly collapsed under their weight plunging them all into the pool of water below injuring six of them, Matichon said yesterday (August 19). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269395-50-students-teachers-plunge-into-water-after-bridge-collapse/

by TNR Staff A NATURE field trip by fifth graders and their teachers in Nakhon Si Thammarat province turned into a disaster after the bridge they were all crossing suddenly collapsed under their weight plunging them all into the pool of water below injuring six of them, Matichon said yesterday (August 19). At 2 p.m. the National Institution of Emergency Medicine had initially been alerted that 50 students and teachers had been injured in this accident at Suan Karaket village in Karaket subdistrict, Chian Yai district, and a high-level emergency operation unit quickly went there as did medical teams from Chian Yai, Chaloem Phrakiat and Hua Sai hospitals. However after the whole party was rescued six students needed hospitalisation with three each being sent to Chian Yai and Chaloem Phrakiat hospitals. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/08/19/50-students-teachers-plunge-into-water-after-bridge-collapse/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-20 - 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 Prayut looks to lift emergency decree, extend visa exemption and visa on arrival to boost tourism By Erich Parpart The Thai government said it is considering the lifting of the nationwide emergency decree that has been in place since 2020. It also decided to extend the visa exemption for up to 45 days along with visa on arrival for up to 30 days for a period of six months to help boost tourism. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269361-thai-covid-center-approves-visa-period-extensions-for-foreign-tourists/?do=findComment&comment=17553521

Prayut looks to lift emergency decree, extend visa exemption and visa on arrival to boost tourism By Erich Parpart The Thai government said it is considering the lifting of the nationwide emergency decree that has been in place since 2020. It also decided to extend the visa exemption for up to 45 days along with visa on arrival for up to 30 days for a period of six months to help boost tourism. The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), a body set up by the government to handle the Covid-19 related issues, said that it has approved a proposal to extend the visa exemption and the visa on arrival for 15 days over a period of six months. “The extensions for tourists would increase tourism income and encourage tourists to travel around the country,” said Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, CCSA’s spokesman. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/43057/prayut-looks-to-lift-emergency-decree-extend-visa-exemption-and-visa-on-arrival-to-boost-tourism/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-08-20 - 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!

16 more people to be questioned over Forex-3D Ponzi scam Sixteen more people are to be summoned for questioning in connection with the Forex-3D foreign exchange futures scam, according to Pol Maj Woranan Srilam, spokesman for the Department of Special Investigation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269392-16-more-people-to-be-questioned-over-forex-3d-ponzi-scam/

Sixteen more people are to be summoned for questioning in connection with the Forex-3D foreign exchange futures scam, according to Pol Maj Woranan Srilam, spokesman for the Department of Special Investigation. He said Friday that the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) has recommended that there are 16 more people, who were suspected of being involved in the Ponzi scheme, against whom the DSI should take legal action. He explained, however, that procedure requires that the 16 people named by the OAG will be summoned for questioning first, after which DSI investigators will decide whether any of them should be charged with defrauding the public and/or violations of the Computer Crime Act, depending on the evidence available. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/16-more-people-to-be-questioned-over-forex-3d-ponzi-scam/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-20 - 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!

to continue: Thailand Live Saturday 20 August 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1269390-thailand-live-saturday-20-august-2022/