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Thailand Reaffirms Close Cooperation with US Govt BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has informed the US Charg? d’Affaires, Michael Heath, that the Thai government will support and collaborate with the incoming US envoy to improve bilateral relations. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268588-thailand-reaffirms-close-cooperation-with-us-govt/

Tourism ministry to propose zoning for night spots to operate up to 4am The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will propose to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) next month the setting up of zones, in which pubs and bars would be allowed to operate up to 4am, instead of 2am currently. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268604-tourism-ministry-to-propose-zoning-for-night-spots-to-operate-up-to-4am/

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Another Mountain B nightclub fire victim dies, raising death toll to 16 while 16 people remain intubated By Tanakorn Panyadee Sri Racha — Another Mountain B fire victim died at Chonburi Hospital, raising the death toll to 16 people, while 16 of the 30 hospitalized victims are hanging onto a respiratory machine. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268564-another-mountain-b-nightclub-fire-victim-dies-raising-death-toll-to-16-while-16-people-remain-intubated/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Sri Racha — Another Mountain B fire victim died at Chonburi Hospital, raising the death toll to 16 people, while 16 of the 30 hospitalized victims are hanging onto a respiratory machine. The Chonburi Provincial Public Relations Office has announced today, August 10th, the death of Mr. Sittichai Ouilert, 23, at Chonburi Hospital, bringing the Mountain B fire death toll to 16 people. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/10/another-mountain-b-nightclub-fire-victim-dies-raising-death-toll-to-16-while-16-people-remain-intubated/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-11 - 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!

Tourists Lost At Koh Phangan and Koh Tao Forests Rescued TNR Staff The young couple after they were rescued from Koh Phangan hills last night. Photos courtesy of Koh Phangan-Koh Tao rescuers and published by Naewna RESCUE teams at two southern tourist islands, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, rescued a young foreign couple and another male tourist lost in the hilly forests last night, Naewna newspaper said this morning (August 11). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268563-tourists-lost-at-koh-phangan-koh-tao-forests-rescued/

The young couple after they were rescued from Koh Phangan hills last night. Photos courtesy of Koh Phangan-Koh Tao rescuers and published by Naewna TNR Staff RESCUE teams at two southern tourist islands, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, rescued a young foreign couple and another male tourist lost in the hilly forests last night, Naewna newspaper said this morning (August 11). Tourist police at Koh Phangan were alerted via the hotline number 1155 that a young foreign couple, Mr. Jaime Labaig Nunez, 25, from Spain, and Ms. Darya Pankova, 22, from Belarus, were lost in the forested Thong Nai Pan hills and sent a team of Tourist and local policemen accompanied by Than Sadet National Park officials and rescuers to search for them. The team was able to reach them via WhatApp messaging service but it was difficult to find them in the dark hilly area. After searching a five-kilometre zone they finally located the two of them at 10.20 p.m. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/08/11/tourists-lost-at-koh-phangan-koh-tao-forests-rescued/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-11 - 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!

TCC Opposes Pricey Fares for Green Line Extension by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) said it disagreed with the recent decision by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to start collecting variable fares beginning at 14 baht on the Green Line’s second-phase extensions. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268560-tcc-opposes-pricey-fares-for-green-line-extension/

by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) said it disagreed with the recent decision by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to start collecting variable fares beginning at 14 baht on the Green Line’s second-phase extensions. Assistant Secretary of the TCC’s public transportation subcommittee Kongsak Chuenkrailart stated that the announced fare range of 14 to 44 baht for the second-phase extension of the Green Line would raise the transportation burden on customers. Kongsak urged the BMA to implement a flat-rate fare of 10 to 15 baht per side for the second-phase extension to be affordable for low-income passengers. He added that the Bearing to Samut Prakan and Mo Chit to Khu Khot second-phase expansions pass through low-income neighborhoods. For many commuters, paying up to 44 baht for a Skytrain ride on the expansion would be prohibitively expensive. The Green Line, which is managed by Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), consists of two primary routes: Silom and Sukhumvit. On the Silom route, the first extension runs from Wong Wian Yai to Bang Wa, while the first extension on the Sukhumvit route extends from On Nut to Bearing. The TCC polled the opinions of 3,204 individuals and concluded that 96% of respondents believed that the initial cost of 14 baht plus 2 baht per station along the route from Ku Kot to Mo Chit would be too expensive for the majority of passengers, given that the route consists of 21 stations. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220811113631835 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-11 - 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!

Higher Fuel Tariffs Postponed to Next Month by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The government will postpone a fuel tariff increase scheduled for August as officials look for additional ways to relieve financial burdens on consumers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268559-higher-fuel-tariffs-postponed-to-next-month/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The government will postpone a fuel tariff increase scheduled for August as officials look for additional ways to relieve financial burdens on consumers. According to Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha recently discussed the fuel tariff hike with the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission. All parties have agreed that the new fuel tariff increases will take effect in September and continue until December, with relevant agencies instructed to find ways to subsidize electricity bills as much as possible, especially for households and vulnerable populations. The spokesperson also relayed the premier’s concerns about the impact of tariff hikes on consumers, adding that the government is working to mitigate the expected impact if the hikes become unavoidable. Energy prices have risen continuously as a result of sanctions imposed on Russia following the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, forcing authorities to make plans to adjust fuel tariffs to keep up with the soaring prices. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220810141522503 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-11 - 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!

Thailand’s Awkward Pursuit of American F-35As The Royal Thai Army is bent on acquiring the state-of-the-art U.S. stealth fighter. But is it worth the cost? By Tita Sanglee Credit: Depositphotos The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has taken a further step toward joining the F-35 club. After much bickering and several budget adjustments in response to the grim economic outlook, Thailand’s House Budget Scrutiny Committee recently approved a budget of 369 million baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268558-thailand’s-awkward-pursuit-of-american-f-35as/

Credit: Depositphotos The Royal Thai Army is bent on acquiring the state-of-the-art U.S. stealth fighter. But is it worth the cost? By Tita Sanglee The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has taken a further step toward joining the F-35 club. After much bickering and several budget adjustments in response to the grim economic outlook, Thailand’s House Budget Scrutiny Committee recently approved a budget of 369 million baht ($14.7 million) for the 2023 fiscal year to facilitate the RTAF’s procurement of two F-35s (variant A for conventional take-off and landing). These combat jets will cost 7.4 billion baht ($207 million) in total, and payments will be made in installments over a four-year period. Additionally, the Committee has given the Defense Ministry a green light to invest 171.6 million baht ($4.8 million) in building an ammunition plant in Lopburi – a historic province in central Thailand that has recently seen a soaring wild monkey population. From the perspective of ordinary Thais, who are more worried about deepening socioeconomic troubles, these new defense investments make little sense. Considering that Thailand has enjoyed cordial relations with all of its neighbors and major powers, the probability of an aggressive armed clash involving Thailand and another foreign military is very low. Besides, the RTAF is already well-equipped with a squadron of drones, a bunch of F-16 and modified F-5 jets, and 12 Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighters which are now undergoing MS20 configuration upgrades to enhance ground and air-to-air combat capabilities. Full story: https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/thailands-awkward-pursuit-of-american-f-35as/ -- © Copyright The Diplomat 2022-08-11 - 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!

Pick-up in five vehicle pile-up - 61 year old woman motorcyclist dead Picture: Naew Na Naew Na reported that the driver of a pick-up lost control slamming into four other vehicles before killing a 61 year old woman. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268557-pick-up-in-five-vehicle-pile-up-61-year-old-woman-motorcyclist-dead/

Picture: Naew Na Naew Na reported that the driver of a pick-up lost control slamming into four other vehicles before killing a 61 year old woman. Phra Samut Chedi police were called to the area of Suksawat Soi 67 outside a property sales office in Samut Prakan. They found five damaged vehicles including a motorcycle. Lamyong Srithawat was dead with multiple fractures. She'd been on a Honda Wave motorcycle. Picture: Naew Na A Mazda pick-up with a man called Srisuwan, 31, behind the wheel had caused the carnage. The driver was at the scene waiting to give evidence. He said he worked for a window company and had driven the vehicle to deposit money at a nearby ATM. He claimed that he was travelling fast and a vehicle in front braked suddenly causing him to lose control and hit a parked vehicle and the woman on the bike who was making a U-turn. He was taken away for questioning. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-11 - 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

"Mystery" death of wife in car outside house in Ratachaburi - husband says they were always drunk Picture: Siam Rath Chom Bung police in Ratchaburi, central Thailand, were called after a woman was found dead in the driver's seat of a Toyota Vios outside a house in Pak Chong sub-district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268556-mystery-death-of-wife-in-car-outside-house-in-ratachaburi-husband-says-they-were-always-drunk/

Picture: Siam Rath Chom Bung police in Ratchaburi, central Thailand, were called after a woman was found dead in the driver's seat of a Toyota Vios outside a house in Pak Chong sub-district. Siam Rath called it a mystery death. The deceased - in white shirt and pink trousers - had a blood stain on the left side of the chest. She was slumped to the left as though she had a broken neck. There were old wounds on her mouth where she had clearly required stitches. She was named as Thitiya. She'd been dead for at least 24 hours and was taken away for an autopsy. Uthen, her husband in the house, told police they loved to drink spirits every day and sometimes fought. But he had no idea when she had gone to the car to sleep. He said he had gone to bed the previous night because he was so drunk. When he saw her in the car in the morning he called out but there was no reply - he presumed she was just being standoffish and left her there. But at 2 pm he said he inquired further and found that she was dead and called police. There were many inconsistences in his story and he was taken away for further questioning at the police station. Investigators found dried blood by the front door and further bloodstains around the outside of the house. These were being examined for whom they belonged to. The local phu yai ban Wut Siriphin commented on the unusual injury that appeared to be a broken neck. He said that the couple were not known to him but were house sitting for relatives. They would always be seen drinking in the soi. He said he'd rather leave the investigation to the police than speculate. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-11 - 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

Pesky, peckish python preferred pigeon....points to profits! Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath published a story that was certainly not taking the "P" - they were deadly serious about the lottery. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268550-pesky-peckish-python-preferred-pigeonpoints-to-profits/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath published a story that was certainly not taking the "P" - they were deadly serious about the lottery. Snakecatchers in Suphanburi, central Thailand, got a call from a man called Sirawat, deputy mayor of Huay Wang Thong in Muang district, that a phython had got in and started eating pigeons in the municipal offices roof. Picture: Siam Rath It took 30 minutes before the 3.35 meter long pigeon fancier was in custody. He wasn't coming without a fight, however. One brave lady staffer advanced and gave the python a tickle declaring it lovely and soft. Picture: Siam Rath The deputy mayor didn't dare but reckoned lots of pigeons had been consumed. The numbers of the length of the snake - 335 - were deemed to be the answer to the next lottery draw, on Tuesday 16th August. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-11 - 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

Anutin stresses that MoPH still involved in supplying Covid drugs despite regulatory changes Picture: INN INN reported comments of the DPM and Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul after changes to regulations allowing state and private hospitals to organise their own procurement of anti-viral Covid-19 drugs. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268545-anutin-stresses-that-moph-still-involved-in-supplying-covid-drugs-despite-regulatory-changes/

Picture: INN INN reported comments of the DPM and Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul after changes to regulations allowing state and private hospitals to organise their own procurement of anti-viral Covid-19 drugs. Anutin stressed that the government would still be continuing to supply the drugs. But from September 1st hospitals could contact supplies and registered distributors themselves. This would provide added convenience to the public, he claimed. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-11 - 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

Bank staffer who stole 3 million baht arrested in NE - she'd become a NUN! Picture: INN INN reported that officers from Thailand's Economic Crime Division arrested a nun at a temple in Sakon Nakhon in the north eastern region. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268544-bank-staffer-who-stole-3-million-baht-arrested-in-ne-shed-become-a-nun/

Picture: INN INN reported that officers from Thailand's Economic Crime Division arrested a nun at a temple in Sakon Nakhon in the north eastern region. Thitikan, 42, from Rayong, used to be in charge of customer accounts at a bank before she fled three arrest warrants in 2015. Crimes committed in February, June and December of the previous year allege that she stole from her employer, falsified documents and defrauded customers. She was picked up at Wat Pa Nong Phai in Muang district. She denied everything. The media reported that in 2014 Thitikan often visited her clients at their homes to gain added credibility. She used to fill in their slips and make deposits so they didn't even need to go to the bank. But she was entering the wrong amounts and creaming money off the top, it is alleged. She also came up with some completely bogus slips, forging signatures. But when a customer went into the branch irregularities were found. The total missing was 3 million baht. She got wise to the investigation and fled in time. Until the ECD discovered she had ordained as a nun in the NE and went to arrest her, that is. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-11 - 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