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By Goongnang Suksawat Kamala – The Kamala Tambol Administrative Organisation will install nets to block garbage from flowing into the sea. A meeting was held yesterday (June 12th) for environmental plans. Mr. Jutha Dumluck, the Tambol Administrative Organisation Chief told the Phuket Express, “We will install large nets at three areas to prevent garbage flowing into the sea. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/06/13/nets-to-be-installed-to-block-garbage-from-flowing-into-the-kamala-sea/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-06-14 - 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!

Police on nationwide lookout for mayor of Prachin Buri administration Sunthorn Vilawan Police across Thailand have been told to look for Sunthorn Vilawan, mayor of the Prachin Buri provincial administrative organisation and father of Deputy Education Minister Kanokwan, who is wanted by the police and park officials for alleged land encroachment in Khao Yai National Park. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262709-police-on-nationwide-lookout-for-mayor-of-prachin-buri-administration/

Sunthorn Vilawan Police across Thailand have been told to look for Sunthorn Vilawan, mayor of the Prachin Buri provincial administrative organisation and father of Deputy Education Minister Kanokwan, who is wanted by the police and park officials for alleged land encroachment in Khao Yai National Park. National Police Chief, Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk, said today (Monday) that a countrywide arrest warrant has been issued for Sunthorn, which has also been sent to all immigration checkpoints to prevent him from fleeing out of the country. He said that, although the statute of limitations of the case is due to expire today, police can still arrest the suspect. He also warned that anyone assisting the suspect to evade arrest will face legal action. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/police-on-nationwide-lookout-for-mayor-of-prachin-buri-administration/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-14 - 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!

Loan Sharks are making a large profit across Thailand by Michael Bridge How many times do we read in the media that Police have arrested nine people during raids on premises believed used for illegal app-based loansharking in Bangkok and Chon Buri on Thursday morning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262707-loan-sharks-are-making-a-large-profit-across-thailand/

file photo for reference only by Michael Bridge How many times do we read in the media that Police have arrested nine people during raids on premises believed used for illegal app-based loansharking in Bangkok and Chon Buri on Thursday morning. Six of the suspects are Thai and the other three are Chinese nationals. The pandemic has exaggerated the situation with many struggling just to cover basic monthly expenses. The University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) recently revealed that the slowing economy has triggered a surge in household debt of 7.4 percent this year. The university's latest survey of 1,201 respondents during 11 to 23 November found that household debt averaged 340,053 baht (US$11,248) per household, compared with a year earlierat 316,623 baht (US$10,473), which was up 5.8 percent from November 2017. 40.8% of debt is underground loans One of the key findings, however, was that while some 59.2 percent of the debt was formal debt borrowed from legitimate financial institutions, 40.8 percent was what was considered underground debt, meaning debt owed to loan sharks. Loan sharks is a major problem in Thailand – as it is in many other places around the globe. Back in September 2018, it was reported that the then-military government – through its efforts to help those who had fallen victim to loan sharks – had succeeded in returning land and assets worth 3.25 billion baht (US$107.5 million) to borrowers in the Northeast. You may say it doesn’t affect the expat community, but how many expats have had girlfriends’ partners even Thai wife’s pleading to help as the loan shark is threatening them. The Thais often refer them to the mafia. Loan sharks may use intimidation and force if you don't pay back the loan, which authorised lenders would never do. Your loan never gets paid off Once loan sharks get you to borrow money once, they are likely to charge such high interest rates you won't ever repay. Any lender licensed or unlicensed, who harasses you is breaking the law. Officially you should report any loan shark to your local your local Trading Standards office and to the police if the loan shark threatens you or uses violence. However, the majority are too scared to make a complaint as the loan sharks are well connected in the community. Loan shark interest rates are extremely high, sometimes up to 300-400% interest on the loan. file photo for reference only Vietnam has the same problem This week, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the central bank and the Public Security Ministry to protect workers from loan sharks. An official with the trade union of New Apparel Far Eastern Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Binh Phuoc, said black-market lending was a critical issue facing many workers. She said that in recent times, many workers have been mired in financial difficulties due to the pandemic, but, unable to get loans from banks, they’ve had no choice but to turn to loan sharks. She said that in recent times, many workers have been mired in financial difficulties due to the pandemic, but, unable to get loans from banks, they’ve had no choice but to turn to loan sharks. In the past three years, the Vietnamese ministry has overseen more than 2,700 cases with 5,000 people involved and prosecuted 2,000 cases with 4,000 defendants. Of those cases, workers are victims in more than 1,000 cases. Some are calling for banks to take responsibility when workers must turn to loan sharks and cannot access the official sources. There the central bank will collaborate with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to make sure that workers with legitimate needs can get access to the loan package. Thailand’s slowing economy does not help matters Thailand’s slowing economy may further exasperate issues of inequality and, in effect, the problem of loan sharks. As Thanavath Phonvichai, vice-president for research at the UTCC was quoted as saying, the slowing economy has curbed people's income, prompting them to rely more on loans for daily spending. "The government should produce more stimulus measures to accelerate recovery as soon as possible. If the economic recovery fails to manifest by then, a surge in household debt is anticipated next year," he said. With rising prices, unfortunately, debt is likely to continue to rise and the loan sharks will continue to be in demand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-14 - 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

To continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 14 June 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1262704-thailand-live-tuesday-14-june-2022/

Taxis Granted Permission to Provide Meterless Services in Outer Provinces As a service flexibility measure, taxis registered in Bangkok are now permitted to provide services outside of seven provinces without using meters. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262654-taxis-granted-permission-to-provide-meterless-services-in-outer-provinces/

Over 35m logins for cannabis cultivation registration, uncontrolled use warned The Thai Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has reports that more than 35 million logins were recorded on its “Plookganja” application for cannabis and hemp cultivation registration between June 9th and 7am today (Monday), amid a cannabis boom following Thailand’s decriminalisation of the two plants last Thursday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262652-over-35m-logins-for-cannabis-cultivation-registration-uncontrolled-use-warned/

Thailand looks at easing visa rules in bid to boost tourism By Online Reporter File photo The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will propose a major easing of the visa rules for international travellers in a bid to boost tourism. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262636-thailand-looks-at-easing-visa-rules-in-bid-to-boost-tourism/

Thailand looks at easing visa rules in bid to boost tourism By Online Reporter File photo The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will propose a major easing of the visa rules for international travellers in a bid to boost tourism. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262636-thailand-looks-at-easing-visa-rules-in-bid-to-boost-tourism/

File photo By Online Reporter The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will propose a major easing of the visa rules for international travellers in a bid to boost tourism. The most significant of the proposals would see the 30 day visa exemption extended to 45 days. Currently a total of 56 countries are eligible for visa exemption – the stamp that grants tourists from countries such as the UK, USA, Germany, Singapore, Canada and others a stay of up to 30 days once they arrive in Thailand. But now the TAT will propose the visa exemption be extended by a further 15 days. The idea is that the longer tourists can stay in Thailand, the more they will spend. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/thailand-looks-at-easing-visa-rules-in-bid-to-boost-tourism/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-06-13 - 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 gaming community gets going again post pandemic - kids join adults including Bangkok Brit Thailand's word and maths gaming community have got going again after a long time in the pandemic doldrums. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262635-thailands-gaming-community-gets-going-again-post-pandemic-kids-join-adults-including-bangkok-brit/

Thailand's word and maths gaming community have got going again after a long time in the pandemic doldrums. Masks were still the order of the day along with ATK tests but children and adults alike had smiles on their faces as they competed in spelling events, maths games, Sudoku, quizzes and the world's most popular word game Scrabble - known for contractual reasons in Thailand as "Crossword Game". It was all taking place at the Pacific Park shopping center in downtown Sri Racha at the weekend with live streaming of the Max Ploys Ed-Sport Eastern and Central Championships event on Facebook. Next weekend the "crossword gaming circuit" presently called "ED- Sport" moves onto Chiang Mai in the north at the Airport Plaza then on 25th and 26th to Central in Had Yai in the south. Pre-pandemic, thousands of Thai children took part. Numbers are expected to rise as confidence increases in the kingdom. Domestic and international Scrabble and Sudoku events in Thailand are some of the best in the world attracting large corporate sponsors keen to associate their products with education. Thailand had two Scrabble world champions in the past in 2003 and 2009 and the best players in the world always came to Thailand for the "King's Cup" in June/July - an event that has been cancelled since 2020. Trophies and cash bursaries were handed out to the dozens of winners and runners' up at the weekend on the eastern seaboard. Winning the top prize in the Scrabble open division was ASEAN NOW's very own Rooster, a translator and Saturday columnist who lives in Bangkok and hails from the UK. He said he was very lucky to defeat fellow professional player Thitipol Barameemuang in the two game final on a giant board, much to the amusement and intrigue of Sunday afternoon shoppers. "My opponent played MITED and DOILIER which are not words," he said. "I challenged these off and it helped me to a fortunate win". The near 61 year old is the oldest winner of a Scrabble tournament in Thailand. Pictures show many young schoolchildren enjoying the event as well as one game between Rooster and Thitipol (note AREOLA was misplaced for the photo but played correctly in the real game, and Rooster got away with DAWTY that wasn't challenged; in that preliminary game Thitipol won 502-492 points). Teachers - especially expatriates in Thailand - are advised to contact the Crossword Game club on Facebook to get their children involved in this highly educational community. Pictures courtesy of Max Ploys Ed-Sport and Rooster. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-13 - 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

Netizens confused - Thai man goes on Facebook to show "the cheapest electric bill in Thailand" Sanook Thai Captiom: Really cheap electric bill A story published by news outlet Sanook had a real twist. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262627-netizens-confused-thai-man-goes-on-facebook-to-show-the-cheapest-electric-bill-in-thailand/

Sanook Thai Captiom: Really cheap electric bill A story published by news outlet Sanook had a real twist. It was not about electric bills or utilities being expensive or price gouging. One man went on Facebook to show his extraordinarily CHEAP electric bill. The monthly fee was just 11.67 baht. Yes, eleven and 67 satang! Reporters went to Muang district of Ranong where they found 39 year old Aphiwan living alone in a two story home on 5 rai of land. He turned on all his electrical appliances to show they were all working - such as TV, fridge, fans and washing machine. He said that when he got the bill he didn't notice how much it was. When he went to pay at the convenience store he was startled when the clerk said: "That'll be 11.67 please na kha". Following this he felt the only place he could go was Facebook saying this was probably the cheapest bill in Thailand. His post was met with widespread confusion and more than a little gentle teasing. One said "are you using candles?" while another suggested he must be using solar power while a third commented that his rice cooker must be broken. Whatever, he advised the public to only use what electricity you need and perhaps you too could have a bill about 10 baht! -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-13 - 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

Warning to tourists as "electric jellyfish" hit southern island Sanook Thai Caption: Electric jellyfish all over the beach Sanook reported that Weerasak Srisajjang, head of the Than Bok Khorani national park in Krabi, had ordered local officials to put flags out warning against swimming at this time because of electric jellyfish. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262624-warning-to-tourists-as-electric-jellyfish-hit-southern-island/

Sanook Thai Caption: Electric jellyfish all over the beach Sanook reported that Weerasak Srisajjang, head of the Than Bok Khorani national park in Krabi, had ordered local officials to put flags out warning against swimming at this time because of electric jellyfish. The small jellyfish had been found in large numbers riding in on waves at Koh Hong beach. The media said that they contain a nasty venom. Weerasak said they were also known as Maeng Kraphun Daeng in Thai (red jellyfish) and if touched can cause pain and heat. He said that changes in wind direction had brought the 3-4 centimeter long creatures to the popular beach. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-13 - 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

Victims of theft show compassion for young thief - one gives him food and drinks at reenactment Sanook Thai Caption: Victims still feel sorry for him Sanook reported that CCTV at two markets in downtown Trang in southern Thailand - Khuanpring and Ban Pho - caught multiple small thefts by the same man. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262619-victims-of-theft-show-compassion-for-young-thief-one-gives-him-food-and-drinks-at-reenactment/

Sanook Thai Caption: Victims still feel sorry for him Sanook reported that CCTV at two markets in downtown Trang in southern Thailand - Khuanpring and Ban Pho - caught multiple small thefts by the same man. It took police about ten days but at the weekend they had their man - 21 year old Danaidech - who was caught with a pawn ticket then taken on a reenactment to the Khuanpring market. When reporters asked what he had done he said he stole 39 baht to get some Mama noodles as he was hungry and had no work or money. Overhearing this one trader gave him food and drink. She felt sorry for him though she disapproved of stealing. However, 15 thefts were reported in total. Many other traders felt sorry for the desperate young man though others praised the police for a job well done in catching a thief. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-13 - 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

Korn: Thais Are Robbed through Soaring Oil Refinery Margin BANGKOK, June 13 (TNA) – Thai people are being robbed through the oil refinery margin that rose 10 times over the past year, KLA Party leader Korn Chatikavanij said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262618-korn-thais-are-robbed-through-soaring-oil-refinery-margin/

Confusion still as Thailand gets to grips with marijuana law changes - Thais flood 10M baht Buriram event Picture: Siam Rath Despite the fact that Thailand has had months to analyse the implications of last Thursday's changes to laws taking marijuana off the Class 5 narcotics list the country's authorities have been caught on the hop, suggests ASEAN NOW. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262616-confusion-still-as-thailand-gets-to-grips-with-marijuana-law-changes-thais-flood-10m-baht-buriram-event/

BANGKOK, June 13 (TNA) – Thai people are being robbed through the oil refinery margin that rose 10 times over the past year, KLA Party leader Korn Chatikavanij said. He proposed a ceiling on the margin to prevent profiteering. Mr Korn who is also a former finance minister held a press conference to discuss soaring oil prices. He said that local oil prices were lower than those in other Southeast Asian countries because of subsidies from the state's Oil Fuel Fund. The fund was already 86 billion baht in the red and the loss could exceed 100 billion baht at the end of this month, he said. Mr Korn said that the oil refinery margin was “robbing” Thai people. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-958719 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-06-13 - 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!

Picture: Siam Rath Despite the fact that Thailand has had months to analyse the implications of last Thursday's changes to laws taking marijuana off the Class 5 narcotics list the country's authorities have been caught on the hop, suggests ASEAN NOW. This was plain to see in a report of issues concerning driving under the influence of the drug's main psychoactive ingredient, reported Thai Rath Exactly how much THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in the blood should be allowed and what level should be prosecuted under DUI laws is completely unclear - even the police admit it. This all comes as a staggering 80,000 mostly Thai people visited a marijuana symposium and workshop on Sunday to find out all about growing and using weed and hemp, reported Siam Rath who said that 10 million baht was spent at the fair. One of the chief proponents of changes in the law - Thailand's flamboyant and controversial health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul opened the "360 Degree Ganja" event at the Chang International Circuit. His Bhumjaithai party promoted weed as part of their election manifesto in 2019 but even Anutin might be a little surprised by the interest the law changes have created. Though he has always said it would be a multi billion baht industry with many ordinary Thais benefitting. That level of surprise is being reflected by many online who have commented in droves about their amazement that Thailand has finally entered the modern era when it comes to cannabis. Many countries in the world have made the drug legal for recreational use as well as medical. Some are more cautious in their approach or have made no moves. But are the authorities in Thailand ready for the consequence? Clearly not if many of the stories circulating are to be believed. Thai Rath reported widespread confusion and concern. Leading the way was Anti-Drink Driving Foundation secretary Thaejing Siriphanich a tireless proponent of stopping alcohol DUI who has found little need to address DUI of drugs in the past. He said he was concerned that smoking weed impaired driving ability and in the past had contributed to accidents on Thailand's treacherous roads. He called being high and driving "very dangerous" and urged people not to smoke and get behind the wheel. He called on the government to get its act together so the appalling accidents stats on the Thai roads don't get worse. Law changes are a work in progress with the cabinet yet to announce definitive measures despite knowing for three months that weed was to come off the narcotics list. Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath contacted a leading figure in the police who has been responsible for a host of law changes - this is Region 6 deputy Pol Maj-Gen Ekkarak Limsangkat. Even he has been caught off guard. He said that the RTP only met on Friday the day after the law changes came into effect. Top brass officers were discussing exactly what level of THC in the blood could be prosecuted under DUI laws - namely Article 43 (2). He accepted that high levels of THC would be dangerous leading to considerable impairment to drive. But with many products now legal plenty of people would have THC in their systems maybe just from food or medical marijuana. Others who smoke it or take edibles (that are widely available in Thailand and have been for a long time) might have considerable quantities of THC in their system. Maybe even for weeks in smaller or trace amounts. He hinted at a law change being possible to decide what "mao" (drunk) on marijuana actually meant. Thaejing called the law "completely unclear". He was also concerned that little had been done to restrict weed products for under 18s up to now. Meanwhile mainstream online forums, news sites and specialist sites were now emboldened to freely promote weed and show what used to be undergound or at least partly hidden, notes ASEAN NOW. These include weed "dispensaries" in the Thai capital Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket where buds or flowers are being sold at high prices such as 650 baht a gram. Vendors are openly proud about their wares contained in see through jars before customers get their products weighed on sensitive balances. Many weed varieties with exotic names have THC content at a level of 17% - more than enough to get any user high. For those who have suggested that the law change was just about growing hemp and ganja products containing 0.2% THC, think again. The advice about illegality currently is that THC levels only refer to what is known as extracts. Many people are taking this as party time when it comes to smoking weed from buds or flowers or vaping the product, a more discrete way with little smell if any. And many potential tourists to Thailand are looking on amazed by the news. One told ASEAN NOW from the UK: "I like the basic guidance, you can smoke but don't flaunt it. "I think it will be aimed at foreigners given current prices - 650 baht a gram - I've never paid that much it's more than double than the UK." "It's a dream, silly money. Tourists will need to be discrete though or I guess will face fines. For those who vape discretion is everywhere". This further brings into question the whole issue of E-cigarettes and vaping devices that have been the subject of fines mainly for importers and vendors. Despite the fact that the DES Minister favors law changes in this area too. This remains a grey area especially when it comes to vaping in the street. Many are predicting that ultimately big players will control the market with tourists a target. "The average Thai will have to grow their own," suggested our contact. But he warned that the Thai government could make a U-turn at any moment before adding: "I think it will be great for tourism - most people love a "good blaze" on holiday". Such sentiments are now being widely expressed and openly discussed online. People are discovering friends, relatives and associates from their past who have "come out of the ganja closet" with many saying Happy Days in Thailand! This all comes with the caveat about what the cabinet will decide and how the police will firstly interpret the law and secondly make efforts to push for clarity and changes in its specifics. Thailand is entering a new era and it is fairly typical that the authorities have failed miserably to understand the implications, we suggest. But there is widespread interest and a lot of money involved. Many are in favor of complete liberalization but detractors are concerned especially when it comes to issues like DUI, youth smoking and possible annoyance to non-users. Based on Thai Rath, Siam Rath, online information and the ASEAN NOW news team's own investigations. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-06-13 - 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

Thai Exports Benefit From Baht Depreciation by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The weaker baht has been allowing Thailand to export more goods even as industries that rely on imports are being negatively impacted. As of Monday (June 13th), the Thai baht traded at 34.81 against the US dollar. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1262612-thai-exports-benefit-from-baht-depreciation/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The weaker baht has been allowing Thailand to export more goods even as industries that rely on imports are being negatively impacted. As of Monday (June 13th), the Thai baht traded at 34.81 against the US dollar. Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit made the announcement, citing information from the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). The minister noted that businesses which rely heavily on imports will especially feel the impact of the weakened Thai baht. He also suggested that operators exercise caution when dealing with exchange rates, adding that they should carefully manage their resources. Macroeconomic models indicate that a further baht depreciation of 5% will actually increase Thai Real GDP (RGDP) by 0.4%, and bump industrial sector RGDP by 0.35%. It will also help expand the export and import sectors by 2.14% and 1.94%, respectively. Private consumption and investment are meanwhile projected to increase by 0.21% and 0.31%, respectively, with the 5% depreciation also expected to cause inflation to rise by 0.57%. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-06-13 - 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!