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by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has praised Thailand’s leading role in South-South Cooperation and expressed its readiness to collaborate as the kingdom transitions into an aged society. UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Diene Keita recently paid a courtesy call to Chulamanee Chartsuwan, permanent secretary to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to exchange views on further cooperation between the fund and Thailand. She also praised the kingdom for being at the forefront of developmental cooperation through South-South and Triangular Cooperation, particularly the UNFPA and Thailand’s joint projects on Health System Development in Bhutan and Midwifery Education in Lao PDR. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The UNFPA expressed interest in exchanging knowledge and experiences on South-South Cooperation at the Global South-South Development Expo, which Thailand will co-host in September. On this occasion, the deputy permanent secretary reiterated Thailand’s readiness to work closely with the UNFPA in implementing the UNFPA Country Program Document for Thailand 2022-2026. The aim is to promote access to family planning, eliminate gender-based violence, strengthen population development policy, and prepare Thailand for becoming an aged society in 2023. Thailand will also be hosting this year’s International Conference on Family Planning in Pattaya in November. -- © Copyright NNT 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.

Economic Growth Expected Amid Inflation Crisis by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s economy is expected to continue growing amid the inflation crisis, as authorities reaffirm their commitment to addressing all existing challenges. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260389-economic-growth-expected-amid-inflation-crisis/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s economy is expected to continue growing amid the inflation crisis, as authorities reaffirm their commitment to addressing all existing challenges. Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said he was optimistic that the economy will see sustained growth. His remarks were delivered at the Better Thailand Open Dialogue, during a session focusing on the national and global economy. The minister said Thailand has seen increased investment over the past five years, particularly in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with exports remaining the nation’s primary driver for growth. He noted that growing consumption has led to a rapid increase in household debt at 15%, while the government works to keep the debt ratio at appropriate levels. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Supattanapong added that the government has been successful in reopening the kingdom to international tourists, starting with the Phuket Sandbox campaign on November 1, 2021. Since then, the nation has welcomed some 1.2 million international visitors. However, Thailand is now facing new challenges in the form of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and rising inflation, leading to a 10-year high in goods and energy pricing. Despite these challenges, the minister pointed out that the country continues to maintain favorable credit ratings. He also said the government has invested 2 trillion baht to improve infrastructure and support modern development, including the adoption of electric vehicles and modern industries in the EEC. -- © Copyright NNT 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 to Join Talks on U.S.-led Trade Pact by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand is set to join talks on a multilateral trade agreement proposed by the United States, known as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260388-thailand-to-join-talks-on-us-led-trade-pact/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand is set to join talks on a multilateral trade agreement proposed by the United States, known as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). The decision will allow Thailand to join other nations that have expressed an interest in negotiating rules and procedures for the IPEF. Some ASEAN members - such as Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia - have already indicated their intentions to become IPEF founding members. On Friday (20 May), Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit met with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai on the sidelines of the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting in Bangkok. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe According to Jurin, the U.S. asked Thailand to support the IPEF, which will be announced in France next month. He said he told Tai that the Cabinet on Tuesday agreed on a statement on the IPEF, which is not legally binding but expresses the kingdom’s intention to join the talks. The Cabinet also explained that the talks on the IPEF will focus on promoting regional economic security and sustainable development, with priorities that include trade, production chain resilience, clean energy, reduction of carbon dioxide, infrastructure, taxation and combating corruption. Thailand has seven free trade agreements. The latest and largest is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which was signed in 2021 and took effect in January of this year. -- © Copyright NNT 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 Requests Removal From U.S. Trade Watch List by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - With Thailand set to join the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT), it has urged that the United States remove the kingdom from its trade watchlist. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260387-thailand-requests-removal-from-us-trade-watch-list/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - With Thailand set to join the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT), it has urged that the United States remove the kingdom from its trade watchlist. The request was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit during bilateral talks with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai at this year’s APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting in Bangkok. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The deputy premier specifically cited significant progress made in strengthening the protection of intellectual property as grounds for removing Thailand from the watchlist. The U.S. recently recommended in its annual Special 301 Report that the Thai authorities continue stepping up enforcement while ensuring that amendments to its Copyright Act addressed concerns expressed by Washington and others. -- © Copyright NNT 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 Public Health Ministry to establish operation center to monitor spread of Monkeypox in the Kingdom By Nop Meechukhun National – The Ministry of Public Health is planning to establish an operation center to monitor the import and the spread of Monkeypox in the Kingdom. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260386-thailand’s-public-health-ministry-to-establish-operation-center-to-monitor-spread-of-monkeypox-in-the-kingdom/

By Nop Meechukhun National – The Ministry of Public Health is planning to establish an operation center to monitor the import and the spread of Monkeypox in the Kingdom. Dr .Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-general of the Department of Disease Control, told the Associated Press today, May 22nd, that the operation center will be established following public concern about the spread of Monkeypox in many countries around the world. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The center would monitor the situation and trends of the spread of the disease, as well as predict future situations in order for the authorities to prepare long-term and emergency plans while strengthening strategies and preventive measures. “Although Thailand has no reported cases of monkeypox, the country has just begun to allow more people to enter the country and is in the process of announcing Covid-19 as endemic. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/22/thailands-public-health-ministry-to-establish-operation-center-to-monitor-spread-of-monkeypox-in-the-kingdom/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 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.

37-year-old suspect who allegedly assaulted Russian tourist in Pattaya released by police due to lack of victim’s testimony By Tanakorn Panyadee Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung, Chonburi — Police released a prime 37-year-old male suspect in a brutal assault on a Russian female tourist yesterday because the victim could not provide positive testimony. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260385-37-year-old-suspect-who-allegedly-assaulted-russian-tourist-in-pattaya-released-by-police-due-to-lack-of-victim’s-testimony/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung, Chonburi — Police released a prime 37-year-old male suspect in a brutal assault on a Russian female tourist yesterday because the victim could not provide positive testimony. A 37-year-old male suspect, Kantheepob Thanachotsomboon, who allegedly followed the victim in his vehicle to the reservoir, was summoned to the Nong Prue Police Station yesterday, May 20th, to hear the charges. However, he was shortly released by police as the victim reportedly could not provide positive testimony or identification of the suspect. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Nongprue police told local media they couldn’t issue an arrest warrant without a positive testimony from the victim, who was still recovering from the traumatic experience, so they had to let the suspect go. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/21/update-37-year-old-suspect-who-allegedly-assaulted-russian-tourist-released-by-police-last-night-due-to-lack-of-victims-testimony/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 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.

Indian tourist’s gold necklace worth 50,000 baht stolen allegedly by transgender individuals on Pattaya Beach Road, sixth recent incident By Tanakorn Panyadee Central Pattaya — A 40-year-old Indian tourist had his gold necklace worth 50,000 baht stolen by what he believed were transgender individuals on Central Pattaya Road, marking the sixth such recent incident in the Pattaya area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260384-indian-tourist’s-gold-necklace-worth-50000-baht-stolen-allegedly-by-transgender-individuals-on-pattaya-beach-road-sixth-recent-incident/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Central Pattaya — A 40-year-old Indian tourist had his gold necklace worth 50,000 baht stolen by what he believed were transgender individuals on Central Pattaya Road, marking the sixth such recent incident in the Pattaya area. Earlier this morning, at 03.30 a.m. on May 21st, Pol. Maj. Gen. Thanya Udthong from the Pattaya Police Station was notified of a thief/thieves who snatched a gold necklace from an Indian tourist walking in front of a shopping mall on Pattaya Beach Road. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Mr. Santosh Gunda, a 40-year-old Indian victim, and his friends were waiting for the officers at the scene, perplexed by what had happened. He told police that his gold necklace, worth almost 50,000 baht, was snatched from his neck by what he believed was a group of two or three transgender individuals who approached him to offer a sexual service. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/21/indian-tourists-gold-necklace-worth-50000-baht-stolen-allegedly-by-transgender-individuals-on-pattaya-beach-road-sixth-recent-incident/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 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.

Poramase “Beer” Ngampiches looks set to be next Pattaya mayor after unofficial results have come in By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand- Poramase “Beer” Ngampiches looks set to be the next Pattaya mayor after unofficial, preliminary results with 98% of precincts reporting show him with a solid lead over his three opponents. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260383-poramase-“beer”-ngampiches-looks-set-to-be-next-pattaya-mayor-after-unofficial-results-have-come-in/

By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand- Poramase “Beer” Ngampiches looks set to be the next Pattaya mayor after unofficial, preliminary results with 98% of precincts reporting show him with a solid lead over his three opponents. According to the latest, as of press time, unofficial results, Poramase had 14,349 votes in the first place, with the second place person, Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn with 12,477 votes. Third place was “Bob” Kittisak with 8,759 votes and fourth place was Sakchai Taenghor with 990 votes. These unofficial counts were likely to slightly fluctuate but officials feel the overall order and results are clear. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The preliminary results show that Pattaya had about a 49.96 percent voter turnout, far less than the goal of 70%. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/22/poramase-beer-ngampiches-looks-set-to-be-next-pattaya-mayor-after-unofficial-results-have-come-in/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 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.

Vets investigate death of Bryde’s whale found in Bangkok’s Bang Khun Thian Image Credit: Manager Online A team of veterinarians from Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources was sent to a mangrove forest in Bang Khun Thian district yesterday (Saturday), to investigate the remains of a 10-metre Bryde’s whale. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260381-vets-investigate-death-of-bryde’s-whale-found-in-bangkok’s-bang-khun-thian/

Image Credit: Manager Online A team of veterinarians from Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources was sent to a mangrove forest in Bang Khun Thian district yesterday (Saturday), to investigate the remains of a 10-metre Bryde’s whale. The dead whale was spotted on Friday evening floating in the sea, opposite a seafood restaurant in Samut Sakhon province. Khok Kham district police were alerted. The whale’s bodywas later washed ashore in a mangrove forest in Bang Khun Thian. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The vets took samples from the dead mammal’s stomach, to take to the lab for analysis, in the hope of determining the cause of its death. Bruises were found on the belly of the mammal, but the vets could not determine whether they were inflicted pre or post mortem. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/vets-investigate-death-of-brydes-whale-found-in-bangkoks-bang-khun-thian/ -- © 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.

2 policemen transferred for allegedly assaulting 3 youths in Nakhon Pathom Two police officers in Nakhon Pathom province were transferred to “inactive posts” Friday at the operations centre of Nakhon Pathom provincial police office, pending an investigation into an incident in which they are accused of assaulting three youths. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260380-2-policemen-transferred-for-allegedly-assaulting-3-youths-in-nakhon-pathom/

Two police officers in Nakhon Pathom province were transferred to “inactive posts” Friday at the operations centre of Nakhon Pathom provincial police office, pending an investigation into an incident in which they are accused of assaulting three youths. The incident took place late at night of April 30th, in front of the Prueksa Ville 44 housing estate on Borommaratchachonnani Road in Sam Phran district. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The two officers, Pol Cpt Chaiyapote Kotesamran, a deputy inspector with the Sam Phran police, and his subordinate, Lance Corporal Panadon Changkhien, went to Borommaratchachonnani Road to investigate gangs of youths reported to have been in the area, after receiving a 191 call. Upon their arrival at the scene, they did not find any gangs, but decided to park the police pickup truck with the light flashing. A motorcycle headed towards them, travelling in the wrong lane, and it was stopped by the two policemen. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/2-policemen-transferred-for-allegedly-assaulting-3-youths-in-nakhon-pathom/ -- © 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.

Chadchart set to win Bangkok gubernatorial election in landslide With just over a million votes counted since the Bangkok local election polls closed at 5pm Sunday, Chadchart Sittipunt, an independent candidate, is looking likely to win the gubernatorial election by a landslide. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260379-chadchart-set-to-win-bangkok-gubernatorial-election-in-landslide/

With just over a million votes counted since the Bangkok local election polls closed at 5pm Sunday, Chadchart Sittipunt, an independent candidate, is looking likely to win the gubernatorial election by a landslide. Chadchart has maintained a significant lead throughout the evening, garnering more than 50% of the ballots counted. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe “I’m ready to be everyone’s governor. Whether you voted for me or not, I will serve all of you equally. I wish us to go forward together. We may have different points of view, but please don’t dislike or get mad with each other,” said Chadchart at the press conference 8:40pm. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/chadchart-set-to-win-bangkok-gubernatorial-election-in-landslide/ -- © 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.

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 23 May 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1260378-thailand-live-monday-23-may-2022/

Global price rises: Can we get by on local produce in Thailand? ASEAN NOW Op-Ed It is plainly obvious that walking around your local supermarket, the prices of the day-to-day items we need have risen. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260377-global-price-rises-can-we-get-by-on-local-produce-in-thailand/

ASEAN NOW Op-Ed It is plainly obvious that walking around your local supermarket, the prices of the day-to-day items we need have risen. As we are reading daily, after more than three months of the war in Ukraine, the media, economists and particularly aid agencies are telling us that the world is facing merging crises that could lead to a global food emergency. Fertilizers and food prices were already surging to record levels before the conflict, due to shipping constraints, high energy costs, the pandemic and natural disasters. Sanctions, import bans, destruction of infrastructure, a refugee crisis, and supply chain disruptions due to the conflict in Ukraine, are all adding to the global food prices and risking shortages. Importantly, higher prices and potentially falling inventories could mean greater food insecurity in the US and around the world. Cooking oil up by 50% Last week in Vietnam, they reported that a liter of the most affordable vegetable oil now costs $2.07-2.38. That is a whopping 50 percent higher than at the beginning of this year and double the price two years ago. Producers blame the rising prices on higher input costs. Price of palm oil, a leading edible oil, has quadrupled in the last two years. Rice Exporters worried too Thai media reported last week that rice exporters have expressed growing concerns about shipment prospects in the second quarter, as a sharp rise in domestic prices may lead importers to balk at buying Thai grains. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe India, the world’s top buyer of palm, soybean, and sunflower oil, is suffering from rising prices following supply disruptions caused by the conflict in Ukraine, adverse weather in South America and a labor shortage in Malaysia. 75 % from Ukraine and Russia Ukraine and Russia used to account more than 75 percent of global exports of sunflower oil, one of the world’s four leading edible oils, while Brazil and Argentina are among the largest soybean oil suppliers to India. The same shortage has happened in Europe, with British supermarkets rationing cooking oil and prices quadrupling in Spain following panic buying. Business website Trading Economics expects palm oil prices to scale a new high of $1,665 in the next 12 months. Ukraine is also unable to export wheat as their ships are stranded in ports. Thailand has a homegrown industry At least Thailand is the number one exporter of rice in the world with Vietnam second. One of Thais’ main staple diets is rice. We also produce Coconut oil which apparently you can substitute for cooking oil. Back in August 2021, the production volume of coconut oil in Thailand amounted to around 4,245 metric tons, which indicated an increase from previous years. Hopefully, we will be able to rely on homegrown items from Thailand, however certain imported products will surge, and stocks are likely to be scarce. So, it is back to the local markets to buy homegrown fruit, vegetables, chicken, and meat, and try to stay away from imported goods for the next few years. -- © 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

This week K, Nook heads to the beach just south of 'Cha Am' she caught up with Richard Vine who runs Hua Hin Sailing Club. Richard enjoyed an extensive life with Sailing and now offers classes for youngsters and the family.. Stream link: https://ices.surf1025.com:8000/surf1025