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U.S. President Joe Biden poses for a group photograph with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during a special U.S.-ASEAN summit at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 12, 2022. REUTERS/Leah Millis In an unexpected diplomatic move, ASEAN has decided to delay the granting of “comprehensive strategic partnership”status, or CSP, to the US until November, according to an informed source. The source, who asked not be identified, said that, at the informal ASEAN foreign ministerial meeting on Wednesday night, they agreed that the US should wait until all procedural processes for the CSP have been completed. Washington has yet to apply officially and all the ASEAN members have yet to discuss and make assessments. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe India also has asked ASEAN for the new upgraded status of CSP. Last year, ASEAN granted CP status to both China and Australia. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/asean-puts-us-request-for-comprehensive-strategic-partnership-on-hold/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-14 - 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.

to continue: Thailand Live Saturday 14 May 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1259593-thailand-live-saturday-14-may-2022/

Long COVID clinics mushroom in Thailand as survivors tackle after-effects Data collected from 352 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital from September 2021 show that 82 percent had at least one long-COVID symptom. (Photo by Fusion Medical Animation) With more than 4 million COVID-19 infections recorded in Thailand since early 2020, it is no surprise that long-COVID support groups are popping up all around the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259557-long-covid-clinics-mushroom-in-thailand-as-survivors-tackle-after-effects/

Thai Health Ministry may propose lowering COVID Alert from Level 3 to 2 The Ministry of Public Health anticipates that COVID-19 infections in Thailand will be on a decline by the end of this month or in early June, which will enable it to propose further easing of restrictions, including the downgrading of the COVID Alert to Level 2, according to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259571-thai-health-ministry-may-propose-lowering-covid-alert-from-level-3-to-2/

Long COVID clinics mushroom in Thailand as survivors tackle after-effects Data collected from 352 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital from September 2021 show that 82 percent had at least one long-COVID symptom. (Photo by Fusion Medical Animation) With more than 4 million COVID-19 infections recorded in Thailand since early 2020, it is no surprise that long-COVID support groups are popping up all around the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259557-long-covid-clinics-mushroom-in-thailand-as-survivors-tackle-after-effects/

Data collected from 352 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital from September 2021 show that 82 percent had at least one long-COVID symptom. (Photo by Fusion Medical Animation) With more than 4 million COVID-19 infections recorded in Thailand since early 2020, it is no surprise that long-COVID support groups are popping up all around the country. Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry is setting up long-COVID clinics nationwide, while nine were launched on May 9 by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration at hospitals under its jurisdiction. Long COVID – or post-COVID-19 syndrome, as it is officially known – has become an issue of major concern worldwide. Studies show that up to 50 percent of COVID-19 survivors still experience physical and/or mental symptoms months after first being infected. Last November, a University of Michigan study estimated that more than 40 percent of COVID sufferers worldwide, or 100 million people, have had long COVID. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The most common symptoms were fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and cognitive dysfunction or brain fog, according to research led by University College London (UCL) and published in The Lancet. The study of 3,762 participants worldwide identified a total of 203 post-COVID-19 symptoms. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/long-covid-clinics-mushroom-in-thailand-as-survivors-tackle-after-effects/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-13 - 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.

Laotian woodcutter arrested in Ubon national park - ongoing measures hampered by low fines Daily News Thai Caption: Illegal woodcutter arrested Daily News reported on patrols by officials in the Phu Chong Na Yoi national park in Ubon Ratchathani. They are trying to stop illegal activity especially wood cutting. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259553-laotian-woodcutter-arrested-in-ubon-national-park-ongoing-measures-hampered-by-low-fines/

Daily News Thai Caption: Illegal woodcutter arrested Daily News reported on patrols by officials in the Phu Chong Na Yoi national park in Ubon Ratchathani. They are trying to stop illegal activity especially wood cutting. Park chief Jinna Samsri said they had arrested a 19 year old Lao national called Porn who was cutting wood in the protected area. A chainsaw, other tools and two Thai made cap guns with ammunition were taken into evidence. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The chief said that the patrols continued but the wood cutters kept coming. They were not put off by fines of 500-1000 baht if there was not sufficient other evidence to convict them of more. This Laotian guy appeared to be in deep trouble - he had been going after many of the protected trees for their valuable wood. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-13 - 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. 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

Monks behaving badly: "Camp" theologian exposed in temple toilet video clip Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath didn't hold back in reporting lurid details of a monk who it is claimed had paid for sex with novices in the toilet of a temple. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259551-monks-behaving-badly-camp-theologian-exposed-in-temple-toilet-video-clip/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath didn't hold back in reporting lurid details of a monk who it is claimed had paid for sex with novices in the toilet of a temple. A post online with a video clip showed two monks having sex. The monks were disparagingly called "The Carrot Gang" after their saffron robes. It was claimed that a "pervert" monk by the name of Jay who was studying theology, toured temples in the area of Nam Phong in Khon Kaen province looking for sexual encounters with male novices. Taking action against him was problematic, the post continued, because he was well connected. Yesterday the district chief of Nam Phong Chinnakorn Kenthong and Buddhist Affairs Office staff went to the temple of Wat Isan. They examined two toilets but the color of them was at odds with that in the clip. It didn't happen there. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Thai Rath Abbot Somworawut said that the monk in question had come there to request a stay in 2019 while he studied Buddhist theology. He didn't talk to him much as he would leave in the morning and come back after class. He stayed for just a year but the abbot had occasion to warn him about his camp behavior saying that monks must suppress their sexual urges. He has since reminded the monks under his care of their responsibilities to follow the precepts. Thai Rath were also cautious in their story telling their readers if they want to see the clip to find it elsewhere. They also avoid naming the monk stating only that he was 30, entered the priesthood in July 2012 in Korat and had been studying at the Maha Chulalongkoprn Rajavidyalaya institute in Khon Kaen. Investigations continue. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-13 - 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. 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

Bright Outlook for Thai Cosmetics Products by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s beauty industry this year has been anticipated to grow by nearly 4 percent, driven by hygiene products and the skincare category, especially children’s products and men’s grooming products fueled by the popularity of Korean television series. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259550-bright-outlook-for-thai-cosmetics-products/

by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s beauty industry this year has been anticipated to grow by nearly 4 percent, driven by hygiene products and the skincare category, especially children’s products and men’s grooming products fueled by the popularity of Korean television series. Kesmanee Lertkitcha, chairman of the health and beauty cluster of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), expressed optimism that the industry will maintain its growth momentum in 2022 after recovering to a 3 percent growth rate and generating 320 billion baht in sales in 2021. Kesmanee attributed 2021’s growth largely to the successful adjustment of business strategies by Thai manufacturers, who shifted to promote hygiene products that were in high demand during the pandemic and those aimed at addressing issues related to rising air pollution. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe In 2019, Thailand’s beauty industry expanded by 6.5%, outpacing the average growth of the global beauty market, which was 5.5%. Due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the market experienced its first 0.94 percent decline in 2020. Last year, skincare products accounted for the majority (39 percent) of the market’s total value of 320 billion baht, followed by haircare (15 percent), hygiene (12 percent), oral cosmetics (12 percent), make-up (11 percent), men’s grooming (7 percent), and fragrances (4 percent). ASEAN is the most important market for Thai exporters of beauty products, accounting for 43 percent of total exports, followed by South Korea (36 percent), Japan (16.3 percent), and China (7.7 percent), with the remainder going to other markets. According to the FTI, Thailand has the largest cosmetics industry in Southeast Asia and serves as a gateway to the ASEAN market. The country is also recognized as the center of the beauty industry in the region. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-05-13 - 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.

BMA Aims to Increase Air Quality in Bangkok by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) intends to address air pollution issues in all areas and elevate air quality to international standards. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259548-bma-aims-to-increase-air-quality-in-bangkok/

by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) intends to address air pollution issues in all areas and elevate air quality to international standards. According to BMA deputy permanent secretary Chatree Wattanakhajorn, the BMA is planning to raise the PM2.5 safety standard to 37.5 micrograms per cubic meter (?g/m3) from the current 50 ?g/m?. The agency also sets a goal of lowering the capital’s annual PM2.5 rating from 25 to 15 ?g/m?, aligning with World Health Organization standards. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe To meet these targets, BMA officials will work with other government agencies to prioritize addressing the underlying causes of air pollution. Pollution control operations will improve to meet new safety standards, and Bangkok residents will be encouraged to take steps such as car maintenance or reducing car usage to help improve air quality. BMA officials added that Euro 6 exhaust standards will be imposed on cars this year in order to reduce exhaust emissions. Authorities also intend to eliminate the use of oil fuel containing more than 10ppm in the Bangkok metropolitan region by 2024. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-05-13 - 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.

Alibaba Launches First Data Center in Thailand by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing division of Chinese e-commerce behemoth Alibaba Group, has launched its first data center in Thailand to capitalize on the country’s cloud market and support the country’s 20-year strategic plan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259547-alibaba-launches-first-data-center-in-thailand/

by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing division of Chinese e-commerce behemoth Alibaba Group, has launched its first data center in Thailand to capitalize on the country’s cloud market and support the country’s 20-year strategic plan. Tyler Qiu, Thailand country manager for Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, stated in a virtual news conference that with a registered capital of over 1 billion baht, Thailand is one of the strategic countries to provide the company’s cloud services. Bangkok is one of the 27 Alibaba Cloud Regions. Alibaba Cloud has 84 availability zones for cloud services that span over 200 countries. In ASEAN, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, and Manila also serve as Alibaba Cloud Regions. The Chinese company has not disclosed the size of its investment in the data center, which includes equipment, technology, business partnerships, and training for local workforces and solutions. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe According to Qiu, the cloud market in Thailand was valued at $620 million in 2020, with $430 million allocated to the platform- and software-as-a-service (PaaS and SaaS) system and the remainder to infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS). The market is projected to reach $2.4 billion by 2025, expanding by more than 40 percent annually beginning in 2022. This amount is anticipated to be comprised of $1.1 billion for IaaS and $1.3 billion for PaaS and SaaS. The digital media, finance, retail, and manufacturing industries are among the top cloud customers in the country. Alibaba said it intends to provide services related to environmental, social, and governance issues, in accordance with Thailand’s 20-year national strategic plan, which began in 2018 and aims to improve the country’s security, prosperity, and sustainability. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-05-13 - 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.

"Holy Father" found with disciples in NE woods - "we don't want that filthy lot here", say locals Picture: INN Police from the Phu Pha Man and Phu Kradung jurisdictions as well as park personnel descended on an area linking the provinces of Loei and Khon Kaen in Thailand's north east. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259545-holy-father-found-with-disciples-in-ne-woods-we-dont-want-that-filthy-lot-here-say-locals/

Picture: INN Police from the Phu Pha Man and Phu Kradung jurisdictions as well as park personnel descended on an area linking the provinces of Loei and Khon Kaen in Thailand's north east. They found a "No Entry" sign to a property with a sign "Yoo Yen Pen Suk" - happy retreat. Inside they found Phra Bida or the Holy Father - a man who until a few days ago was running a weird cult in a nearby province. They advocated ingesting body fluids including those of the Holy Father himself alleging that was good for health. The Holy Father went to this retreat - where dozens of his disciples were in residence - after his arrest and bail earlier. The authorities are trying to determine if this latest place is also a case of encroachment on park land. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe They got a mouthful of abuse from the Holy Father's followers for their trouble, reported INN. Other media in Thailand reported a contrite Holy Father saying he had given up on letting people eat his phlegm, skin scrapings, urine and feces. Local Phu Yai Ban, a man called Prachan, told the media that this filthy lot were not welcome in the area, especially now that details of what they are doing has emerged. The area is 2 kms from the Phu Kradung national park. According to sources dozens of disciples started arriving on Tuesday followed by the cult leader himself, a man with a long straggly white beard. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-13 - 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. 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 media claims "countless deaths" from wild elephants in Chachoengsao wildlife sanctuary Rath Rath Thai media Siam Rath reported on the death of a state employee in his cashew nut orchard in the area of the Khao Ang Rue Nai wildlife sanctuary in Chachoengsao, central/east Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259543-thai-media-claims-countless-deaths-from-wild-elephants-in-chachoengsao-wildlife-sanctuary/

Picture: Siam Rath Thai media Siam Rath reported on the death of a state employee in his cashew nut orchard in the area of the Khao Ang Rue Nai wildlife sanctuary in Chachoengsao, central/east Thailand. Tha Takiap police found 51 year old Siripong literally torn apart. The clothes and boots had been ripped from the body and one leg was detached. Coming across this grisly scene was the victim's wife who had gone out to look for him after he was late back from work. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe As police and forensic teams worked the complex scene, three wild elephants milled about nearby adding to the difficulty. The wildlife sanctuary stretches over a 1000 square kilometer area straddling several provinces, notes ASEAN NOW. Siam Rath said in their headline and opening paragraph that there had been countless deaths from attacks by elephants. They gave no evidence to support this claim. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-13 - 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. 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" shooting in Prachinburi - Pit Bulls guarding the corpse - a pick-up flees and a woman's screams are heard Picture: Siam Rath Muang district police in Prachinburi, central Thailand, were called to a house after a man was found shot dead. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259537-mystery-shooting-in-prachinburi-pit-bulls-guarding-the-corpse-a-pick-up-flees-and-a-womans-screams-are-heard/

Picture: Siam Rath Muang district police in Prachinburi, central Thailand, were called to a house after a man was found shot dead. Weeranat, 35, was found face down with four bullet wounds to his arm, ribs on both sides and abdomen. There was damage to the windows and two Pit Bull dogs were guarding the body. Of the two CCTV cameras in place one had been removed while the other had the plug pulled out. It happened in Soi Ban Don Krajai Soi 6. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Kamphol, 49, said he worked nearby and saw the victim lying down and thought he was playing with his dogs. But a few minutes later he was still there and realized he was dead; he called the police not daring to enter the property because of the Pit Bulls. A neighbor called Rattanaporn, 35, told Siam Rath that she had heard three shots and a woman's screams around midnight to 1 am yesterday morning. She also heard the sound of a pick-up fleeing the scene. While the media called it a mystery the police said that they know the identity of the shooter and expect an arrest to be made today. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-13 - 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. 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 van carrying cash collides with pick-up in NE - one dead, seven survive as Thai media mentions lottery Picture: Siam Rath Nong Han police in Udon Thani in Thailand's north east went to an accident in the rain on the Udon - Sakhon Nakhon Road yesterday afternoon. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259534-bank-van-carrying-cash-collides-with-pick-up-in-ne-one-dead-seven-survive-as-thai-media-mentions-lottery/

Picture: Siam Rath Nong Han police in Udon Thani in Thailand's north east went to an accident in the rain on the Udon - Sakhon Nakhon Road yesterday afternoon. A bank van carrying cash had been trying to overtake a pick-up on the bridge over the creek of Huay Nang Ngam. The driver lost control after going into a pothole and hit another pick-up then collided with the bridge wall. A bank employee called Sakol Suthowa who was a passenger in the van was dead at the scene. Driver Pongphitak, 39, said he was going from Sakon Nakhon to Udon and it had been raining the whole way. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath The other pick-up was carrying five family members back from Sakon Nakhon. They were all only slightly injured. Siam Rath reporting on the story mentioned that both vehicles that collided had licence plates ending in 63, a lottery omen according to the media. They also reported that the bank - not named - sent another vehicle to offload the cash from the stricken one on its side, though the quantity of the money was unknown. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-13 - 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. 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

Foundry workers arrested with 500 kilos of marijuana - they'd been paid 200K to transport drug from NE Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on the latest arrest of drug smugglers in Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259531-foundry-workers-arrested-with-500-kilos-of-marijuana-theyd-been-paid-200k-to-transport-drug-from-ne/