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By Erich Parpart The historic Progressive Liquor Bill could become law before the end of 2022, a parliamentarian who introduced the new Bill told Thai Enquirer on Monday. Move Forward MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, one of the key proponent of the bill, told Thai Enquirer by phone that the draft still had to make its way through a committee before a second and third reading but that he was feeling ’positive.’ A 25-member committee was set up to scrutinise the Bill after it passed its first reading last week. If passed, the Progressive Liquor Bill would allow Thais to practice homebrewing and for small and medium breweries to enter the alcohol market. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/41006/progressive-liquor-bill-moves-a-step-closer-to-passing-says-move-forward-mp/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Thailand's Roads: The carnage continues as drunk piles into parked cars; "700 dead in June" Picture: Daily News Daily News - who have been running a campaign to raise awareness about the perils of the Thai roads for several years - reported 27 fatalities "at the scene" on Saturday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263314-thailands-roads-the-carnage-continues-as-drunk-piles-into-parked-cars-700-dead-in-june/

Picture: Daily News Daily News - who have been running a campaign to raise awareness about the perils of the Thai roads for several years - reported 27 fatalities "at the scene" on Saturday. This brought the total to 700 deaths so far this month (June 1st to 18th) according to Dr Thaejing Siriphanich of the Thai Anti-Drink Driving Foundation. The number did not tally with Daily News' monthly figures. The media cautioned that the number was low due to multiple agencies not reporting the numbers at the weekend until Tuesday. Picture: Daily News The media reported that so far this year there have been 6,877 deaths. This compares to 6,909 in the same period last year. To highlight awareness Daily News chose to mention a pick-up driven by a drunk driver that plowed into around half a dozen vehicles parked by the side of the road in Bang Plee, Samut Prakan, reported elsewhere on ASEAN NOW. Picture: Daily News ASEAN NOW notes that the country is once again heading for about 14,000 annual at the scene deaths. The reality when fatalities on the way to and at hospitals are added the figure is well in excess of 20,000 per year. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - 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

World Sports News - Monday 20 June 2022 by Chili Radio Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263313-world-sports-news-monday-20-june-2022-by-chili-radio/

Listen to the news: Golf - Britain's Matt Fitzpatrick has won the US Open at The Country Club Brookline finishing on 6 under 68 in his final round. The 27 year old who is from Sheffield Yorkshire, not only earned his first championship title but also won his first victory on a PGA Tour. Scotty Scheffler and Will Zalatoris tied for 2nd. F1 - Red Bull's Max Verstappen held off a late challenge from Ferrari's Carlos Sainz to win the Canadian Grand Prix. The two started the final 15 laps nose to tail after a late safety car but, despite heavy pressure from Sainz, Verstappen held on with older tyres. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell took third and fourth for Mercedes as Ferrari's Charles Leclerc recovered to fifth from the back of the grid. Verstappen extended his championship lead over Leclerc to 49 points. Athletics - Britain's double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes has revealed she is gay, The 52-year-old, who won gold in the 800 and 1,500 metres at the 2004 Games in Athens, said she had known she was gay since she was 17. Swimming - Fina, swimming's world governing body, has voted to stop transgender athletes from competing in women's elite races if they have gone through any part of the process of male puberty. Fina will also aim to establish an 'open' category at competitions for swimmers whose gender identity is different than their birth sex. Download the Chili Radio app : https://chiliradio.app for Chili Pop and Chili Classics. -- © Copyright Chili RADIO 2022-06-20 Chili Radio: https://chiliradiothailand.com Listen Live: https://chiliradio.asia - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Thai vet becomes first person in the world to get Covid from a cat, Thai media Daily News Caption: Because the cat sneezed in (the vet's) face Thai media Daily News reported yesterday that a Thai vet is the first reported case in the world to get Covid-19 from a cat. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263311-thai-vet-becomes-first-person-in-the-world-to-get-covid-from-a-cat-thai-media/

Daily News Caption: Because the cat sneezed in (the vet's) face Thai media Daily News reported yesterday that a Thai vet is the first reported case in the world to get Covid-19 from a cat. The cat sneezed in the vet's face after getting the virus from its owner. The case has been reported in the New York Times after a study by Songkhla University in the south of Thailand published on June 6th. It started on August 4th last year when a father aged 64 and child aged 32 were tested positive for Covid in Bangkok and went for treatment at Songkhla University on the 8th. They took along their pet cat who had no symptoms. The cat was tested by a 32 year old female vet with nasal and anal swabs. The cat sneezed in the face of the vet who was wearing gloves and a surgical mask but no eye or face shield protection. On the 13th of August after five days the vet who had no previous sickness started coughing and had a fever and was diagnosed with Covid on August 15th. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - 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

Majority of Thai people concerned about inappropriate use of cannabis among children and youth, NIDA Poll reports By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: Bright TV Bangkok – Thailand’s leading survey center “NIDA Poll” of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) revealed its results on public opinions about decriminalizing cannabis and hemp and said that the majority is highly concerned about the inappropriate/illegal use of cannabis among children and youth. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263309-majority-of-thai-people-concerned-about-inappropriate-use-of-cannabis-among-children-and-youth-nida-poll-reports/

PHOTO: Bright TV By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – Thailand’s leading survey center “NIDA Poll” of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) revealed its results on public opinions about decriminalizing cannabis and hemp and said that the majority is highly concerned about the inappropriate/illegal use of cannabis among children and youth. The survey was done between June 13th and the 15th by a group of 1,310 Thai people aged more than 15 years old in all regions with different careers and incomes nationwide. When asked if parts of cannabis and hemp containing THC less than 0.2 percent should be removed from the narcotics list and be able to cultivate legally for domestic use, 34.81 percent said that they strongly agree because marijuana is an economic plant and is a Thai traditional medicine that can generate income while 24.89 percent strongly disagreed because the plant contains substances that is not good for children and youth. Some of them specified that the public does not have much knowledge and information about cannabis and hemp and the government cannot effectively control the use of marijuana. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/19/majority-of-thai-people-concerned-about-inappropriate-use-of-cannabis-among-children-and-youth-nida-poll-reports/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Foreign man injured after being attacked with a sharp weapon in a fight with second foreigner near Walking Street By Adam Judd South Pattaya-An unidentified foreign man suffered at least two slash wounds from a sharp weapon this morning near Walking Street after what eyewitnesses called a physical confrontation between two foreign men. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263308-foreign-man-injured-after-being-attacked-with-a-sharp-weapon-in-a-fight-with-second-foreigner-near-walking-street/

By Adam Judd South Pattaya-An unidentified foreign man suffered at least two slash wounds from a sharp weapon this morning near Walking Street after what eyewitnesses called a physical confrontation between two foreign men. The incident took place after 1:00 A.M. in a beer bar area located on a side soi off of Walking Street in South Pattaya. According to an eyewitness who spoke with Sawang Boriboon rescue workers, tourist police, and Pattaya Police, the incident stemmed from a confrontation between two unidentified foreign men. The men began a verbal argument outside a series of beer bars on the street which escalated to a physical argument. The cause of the debate, according to eyewitnesses, was uncertain. One man used a weapon similar to a knife to slash the arms of the second man, who then made his way to the main Walking Street to seek assistance. The second man involved in the incident fled and friends of the victim helped assist him to get basic medical assistance with tourist police and rescue workers at a tourist assistance booth on Walking Street. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/19/foreign-man-injured-after-being-attacked-with-a-sharp-weapon-in-a-fight-with-second-foreigner-near-walking-street/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

German man allegedly physically assaulted by two men in Banglamung, but dispute arises over who started the fight By Tanakorn Panyadee Banglamung, Chonburi — A 57-year-old German man was allegedly physically assaulted by two unidentified men in Banglamung, but an eyewitness claimed that the German man initiated the fight, causing a dispute to arise. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263307-german-man-allegedly-physically-assaulted-by-two-men-in-banglamung-but-dispute-arises-over-who-started-the-fight/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Banglamung, Chonburi — A 57-year-old German man was allegedly physically assaulted by two unidentified men in Banglamung, but an eyewitness claimed that the German man initiated the fight, causing a dispute to arise. Pol. Col. Kulchat Kulchai, Superintendent of the Pattaya Police Station, responded to a physical assault against a male foreigner at 7:00 A.M., June 18th, on Soi Bongkot 16/1 in the Nong Prue subdistrict of Banglamung, Chonburi. The male victim, Yurk W., a 57-year-old German national, was found with a facial wound and a blood-stained shirt, according to The Pattaya News reporters. He also reportedly seemed groggy. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/06/18/german-man-allegedly-physically-assaulted-by-two-men-in-banglamung-but-dispute-arises-over-who-started-the-fight/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Permit needed for selling cannabis in Thailand to minors under 20, breastfeeding women, and pregnant women, Cannabis Public Relations Spokesperson says By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: Post Today National — Mr. Panthep Puaphongphan, Spokesperson for the Health Ministry’s Public Relations on Cannabis, stated on Facebook, June 18th, that the sale of cannabis to minors under the age of 20, breastfeeding women, and pregnant women must be granted permission from the Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263306-permit-needed-for-selling-cannabis-in-thailand-to-minors-under-20-breastfeeding-women-and-pregnant-women-cannabis-public-relations-spokesperson-says/

PHOTO: Post Today By Tanakorn Panyadee National — Mr. Panthep Puaphongphan, Spokesperson for the Health Ministry’s Public Relations on Cannabis, stated on Facebook, June 18th, that the sale of cannabis to minors under the age of 20, breastfeeding women, and pregnant women must be granted permission from the Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. He clarified that cannabis is initially classified as a “controlled herb” in the 1999 Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Act. Therefore, the possession of cannabis, usage, storage, transportation, export, research, and sale, must be approved prematurely to proceed with the act. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/06/18/permit-needed-for-selling-cannabis-in-thailand-to-minors-under-20-breastfeeding-women-and-pregnant-women-cannabis-public-relations-spokesperson-says/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Google Says Thai Tourism Shows Clear Signs of Recovery by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Google has indicated that tourism in Thailand is regaining interest among the international community, prompting Thai authorities to urge relevant agencies to adjust their strategies in line with current travel trends. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263305-google-says-thai-tourism-shows-clear-signs-of-recovery/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Google has indicated that tourism in Thailand is regaining interest among the international community, prompting Thai authorities to urge relevant agencies to adjust their strategies in line with current travel trends. Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked all related parties for cooperating in working to support the Thai tourism industry. He added that due to their tireless efforts, Google recently noted a surge in user searches for Thailand. During this year’s Google Hotelier Summit, held on June 16 at the Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, Google’s chief of Travel Vertical Search for Asia-Pacific, Laura Marie Arens, said Thailand’s tourism industry is seeing clear signs of recovery following the suspension of the Test & Go scheme on May 1, with the number of searches for Thailand steadily increasing since the beginning of May. According to the government spokesperson, the Tourism Authority of Thailand found that tourism trends are currently leaning towards workation activities, in which people travel abroad while working remotely. Tourists are also becoming more interested in sustainable tourism, environmentally friendly innovations and digital technology. The spokesperson said these recovery indicators reflect the government’s successful tourism policy, which supports revitalizing the industry while continuing to observe public health measures based on the current pandemic situation. He added that the prime minister has advised agencies to adjust and adapt their strategies to keep pace with current and emerging trends, as well as to support tourism research and development, improve supply chains and utilize digital transformations. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Thailand Presents Bid to Host World Specialized Expo 2028 by Natthaphon Sangpolsit PARIS (NNT) - Thailand has launched its bid to host the World Specialized Expo 2028. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263304-thailand-presents-bid-to-host-world-specialized-expo-2028/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit PARIS (NNT) - Thailand has launched its bid to host the World Specialized Expo 2028. According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, together with delegates from various agencies, presented to the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) in Paris on Sunday (June 19) Thailand’s bid to host the Specialized Expo. The government submitted its letter of candidature to host the event to the BIE on January 7. The deputy spokesperson said Phuket province has been designated as the proposed location for the Special Expo, as officials intend to promote the island province as well as the nation as both a medical hub and medical tourism destination. Thai delegates will compete with representatives from Argentina, Serbia, Spain and the United States to host the international event, with the winner to be announced in June 2024. If Thailand is chosen to host the World Specialized Expo 2028, the event will be held from March 20 to June 17, 2028. It is expected to attract 4.93 million domestic and international visitors, which will further boost the kingdom’s economy and tourism industry. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Public Advised to Maintain Measures As Authorities Lower Alert Level by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health is urging members of the public, especially those in “608” risk groups, to maintain COVID-19 prevention measures even as regulations ease in the kingdom. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263303-public-advised-to-maintain-measures-as-authorities-lower-alert-level/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health is urging members of the public, especially those in “608” risk groups, to maintain COVID-19 prevention measures even as regulations ease in the kingdom. Dr Kiatiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for Public Health, said figures for new COVID infections and fatalities have declined in most provinces, adding that there have been no reports of new infection clusters despite the reopening of entertainment venues due to businesses strictly adhering to the COVID Free Setting measures. Preparations have also been made to ensure sufficient medical supplies and beds for services and treatment. The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) general meeting has subsequently decided to declare all provinces in Thailand "surveillance areas" or "green areas" in its COVID color-coded zoning system, while the Ministry of Public Health lowered the COVID alert level for all provinces from 3 to 2. Under Alert Level 2, the general public can go about their daily lives as normal but are advised to continue observing universal prevention and universal vaccination measures. People in the 608 group comprising the elderly, those with underlying health problems, pregnant women and those who have not been fully vaccinated are meanwhile advised to avoid densely populated areas, entertainment venues and international travel. The permanent secretary urged the public, particularly people in risk groups, to get booster shots in order to strengthen their immunity against COVID-19. He also requested that businesses continue following COVID Free Setting measures. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Harrowing scene as Canadian cries for his dead wife at early morning accident in Kanchanaburi by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Police at the scene with 50-year-old Canadian Joseph S. on Saturday morning after his 49-year-old wife was killed tragically in a freak road traffic accident when a pickup driver, travelling at speed, hit Mrs Marine S. as she cycled after her husband while crossing the road near a resort they were staying at in Kanchanaburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263302-harrowing-scene-as-canadian-cries-for-his-dead-wife-at-early-morning-accident-in-kanchanaburi/

Police at the scene with 50-year-old Canadian Joseph S. on Saturday morning after his 49-year-old wife was killed tragically in a freak road traffic accident when a pickup driver, travelling at speed, hit Mrs Marine S. as she cycled after her husband while crossing the road near a resort they were staying at in Kanchanaburi. Death again highlights the danger of Thailand’s roads for foreigners including pedestrians, car drivers, motorcyclists and bicyclists due to reckless driving and a lack of the same sense of care and caution that is seen in other countries making Thailand’s roads the ninth most deadly in the world. Police officers in Kanchanaburi were greeted with a harrowing scene early on Saturday morning when they arrived to find a 50-year-old man crying over the shocking demise of his wife minutes earlier after the pair decided to take an early bicycle ride from a nearby resort. The woman was hit by a pickup driver travelling at speed who failed to stop on time after honking at the woman as she cycled her bike across the road behind her husband. Police in the centre of Kanchanaburi have arrested a 23-year-old pickup driver following a road traffic fatality on Saturday morning in the centre of Kanchanaburi in which a female foreign tourist lost her life. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/06/18/canadian-cries-for-his-dead-wife-joseph-michael-scott/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Phuket Zoo closes with a new life for rescued tigers at Phetchaburi’s WFFT by Editor Surya Tanthavevong, owner of the Phuket Zoo, said it was unlikely he would ever return to running the zoo, even if tourists returned in large numbers. “Phuket Zoo is closed. We are now planting coconut trees in the area to change the use of the land. The area of the former zoo was 30 rai [4.8 hectares]. We are turning the whole area into a coconut plantation,” Surya stated. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1263301-phuket-zoo-closes-with-a-new-life-for-rescued-tigers-at-phetchaburi’s-wfft/

by Editor Surya Tanthavevong, owner of the Phuket Zoo, said it was unlikely he would ever return to running the zoo, even if tourists returned in large numbers. “Phuket Zoo is closed. We are now planting coconut trees in the area to change the use of the land. The area of the former zoo was 30 rai [4.8 hectares]. We are turning the whole area into a coconut plantation,” Surya stated. “There aren’t any animals left there. We’ve already found new homes for all the animals and will probably never go back to running the zoo again. The Phuket Zoo had been operating since 1996. The main reason for its closure was the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. We closed in 2020 and could not pay the bills due to lack of income from visiting tourists”, said the zoo owner. Over the years, the zoo has gained a sad reputation among animal lovers around the world because of the conditions in which the animals were kept. Surya said he didn’t want to remember the past. “Let’s just adapt to the current situation”, he added. The removal of the cages and demolition of the buildings came after the Friends of Wildlife Foundation of Thailand (WFFT), led by Edwin Wiek, successfully rescued 11 tigers and two bears from the zoo. “All of them are now in our facilities. However, we have six more macaques and one gibbon to rescue, for which we need to raise funds, said Wiek. “Right now, all the enclosures for the tigers are ready and open for the animals to explore, but we also need to build another enclosure in case some of them don’t get along together. Now all the tigers live in four enclosures.”. Preparations for the operation to rescue 11 tigers from the zoo, described as the largest ever in Thailand’s history, began earlier this year. Staff at WFFT, based in Phetchaburi, made two enclosures of 9 and 10 rai (1.44 and 1.6 hectares), each with ponds, trees and a place for the tigers to walk. Celebrating the rescue of a 19-year-old Bengal tigress named Mukda, who was rescued by the foundation from Phuket Zoo last Sunday (June 13), Wiek said: “This is the first time Mukda has been outside in his natural habitat. It’s a magical difference we make together! The life story of this Bengal tigress is a bit of a mystery, but we can only assume she was born in a zoo and only knew concrete cages. Just look how mesmerized she is by her newfound freedom.” Mukda is one of three tigers safely rescued from Phuket Zoo earlier this month. The other two, Baitong and Mena, have also enthusiastically accepted their new home. At WFFT, they have swimming pools to swim in, an area where they can hide, and extensive habitat where animals can re-learn their natural behavior and experience freedom, the wildlife organization said. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/06/phuket-zoo-closes-with-a-new-life-for-rescued-tigers-at-phetchaburis-wfft/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-06-20 - 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. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!