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OPINION | by Rooster An English idiom from the last century is “Anyone for tennis?” - a phrase used to invoke the stereotypical laziness of shallow upper class toffs who only had time for games on their immaculate lawns. It was also the title of a song by the British rock band Cream. However, this week in Bangkok as the heavens opened morning, noon and night Rooster was a million miles from getting out his battered rackets and having a rubber. It felt more like ”Anyone for Venice?” Krung Thep was famous for being called the Venice of the East - less for its charm and more for its propensity to slip below filthy floodwaters. Pictures from the middle of the last century recall a bygone era. But this week it was the future of the Thai capital that came into sharp focus. A well known scientist and climate change expert from Kaset - whose daily reports from the “2011 Great Flood” were called a “Horror Show” by The Nation - told us to expect the worst. Prof Seri Supharathit said that 11 years on there was a very real possibility of a 2022 repeat with heavy rain and many storms expected from September to November. He warned, citing international studies, that by 2100 the city will disappear unless the Thai government does something. Something except bicker among themselves about their future ignoring the plight of the capital’s residents and millions of others who depend on Bangkok’s GDP generation. He warned of much of the central region going under water for ever unless drastic action is taken. This includes building sea defences from Pattaya to Cha-Am creating a Gulf Lake of fresh water that will radically alter tourism and industry. Will the Thai government heed his warnings and start planning like Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands. Dream on. The chance of Thais listening to foreign expertise - something they ignored from the Dutch in 2011 - is close to zero. They are more likely to wait until Bangkok disappears before blaming foreign over-consumption for global warming while praising their own “sethakit phor phiang” (the economy of enough). Forward planning and listening to foreigners are generally not Thai traits. Scurrying after disaster and blaming Johnny Westerner are preferred ’sports’. They’ll probably have to relocate Bangkok in boatloads - then carry the bricks of Government House up to the top of Khao Yai on mules. Bangkok and its surrounding areas have suffered floods since the year dot. In more modern history and just before Rooster took up residence came the floods of 1983 when 55 died and 200,000 homes in the eastern suburbs were damaged. In 1995 from October to November came the worst flood in downtown areas in history. The water was 2.27 meters deep in places. Some 420 lives were lost across 73 of the then 76 provinces. At this time of the year Rooster always remembers two events - a deluge in 1986 and the events of 2011. On May 6th 1986 the most rain in recorded history was dumped on the capital in seven hours overnight. The next morning myself and a pal and a girlfriend had been due to go to Koh Samet. We resolutely stuck to our plan wading through waist deep waters to Ekkamai bus station. Forget a taxi. We saw one cab disgorge its passengers only for the water from a passing bus to fill it almost to the brim! People were eating noodles with waves lapping their knees. The Bangkok Post had pictures of people fishing in Rama IV after fish got out of Lumpini Park! We made it to Ban Phe where we had to persuade a fisherman to take us across. We so nearly capsized, but were “buoyed” by consuming a neat bottle of Mekong. Ten students died between the mainland and the island in two separate drowning incidents that day. The floods in Bangkok that time soon subsided but the same could not be said of 2011. The floodwaters that hit Bangkok on that occasion were runoff from dams, klong and fields further north. Like a reminder of Doctor Who episodes from my youth about foam seeping through the London Underground, the rain water came not from the sky but gurgled up via the drains. On site teachers at my school in Don Muang - closed for three months until January 2012 - needed kayaks to get about the campus. Within a day in October from a trickle to a torrent the whole area was submerged. My area in Ratchayothin followed in November. Off work and with lovely blue skies above the soi filled up one day and for five weeks we were marooned - thankfully 12 floors up. Maybe in 2100 we’ll still be ok…maybe. On school jobs I made it to Sukhumvit after wading down the soi and boarding the #39 bus that was still running. The flood only went as far as the first tunnel on Ratchadapisek inbound. The authorities had saved the central business area at the expense of the suburbs and places like Pathum Thani where my first wife had been living for two months already on the top floor of her house. Myself and the second Mrs Rooster decided to pay her a visit. There had always been acrimony to go with the alimony since our break-up and I persuaded the new Mrs Rooster that it was time to bury the hatchet, not in our heads. After a long roundabout journey by car in December we arrived at the housing estate in Sam Khok appropriate called The Lagoon. There we switched to rowboat and rowed ourselves two kilometers to the house where Mrs R1 was living on the top floor with newborn cats and a dog. What followed was one of the most memorable days of our lives. The wives ate together and found common interests - food, not me. I rowed them about the tree tops with both complaining about my lack of skills with an oar. There have been ups and downs since but I credit the flood with marking a watershed, pun intended, in our amicable lives and that of our children. Sometimes good comes out of a disaster. The January/February cleanup was a big operation and the 6,000 baht government handout got me a new fridge - whoopy do! You can still see some marks ten feet up - a reminder that it’ll probably happen again. 2022? We’ll see. A story the next day on ASEAN NOW suggested that satellite data from GISTDA (the Thai space agency) showed that flooding in 2011 was three times worse than now. But much depends on what happens up to November, according to the experts. Another major story this week came from Daily News who remembered that today, September 3rd marks the anniversary of the death of sergeant Wichian Klanpraset of the Thong Lo police. Red Bull Boss - who gallivants the globe smirking about the effectiveness of Thai justice - ended his life in a gray Ferrari, dragging him all around Sukhumvit Road while high on coke. The Boss story guarantees clicks for ASEAN NOW. It even guarantees clicks on other crime stories when poorer miscreants are arrested along the lines of “If you can get them, why not the Red Bull guy?” Boss is a click-a-thon that keeps giving. The fugitive was allowed to pay off the cop’s family and escape. A face-saving and pointless Red Notice sits gathering dust on some Interpol shelf. The RTP are waiting until the last statute of limitations on reckless driving causing death runs out in 5 years. A few low hanging fruit might be convicted in the cover ups and corruption mess that is the whole case but no one of serious rank will do time. The RTP has no appetite and politicians are too scared of the police. Pathetic really. It all means a guilty rich guy goes free, and the stereotypical poor mushroom pickers of Thailand do 20 years. That - despite the towering edifice of the Ministry of Justice building on Chaeng Wattana - is Thai justice. Pretending to get tough with the RTP this week was Prawit, Big Pom (who is not an Englishman living in Oz but admittedly is as fat as many Australians). Rooster went to town on the story about him “wagging his finger” getting away with “other orders on Prawit’s watch” and being well known for a “penchant for overindulgence in a culinary capacity”. (Thanks folks for the 60+ laughing emojis - it helps one get through the translation day!). Echoing pal Prayut’s belligerent style, he barked “no more corruption, no more back handers, no more favors, no more bribes…or else.” Or else the RTP would investigate their own men and decide there was no case to answer and everyone could go back to the station for some tea (money). The RTP are more like the MIB (Mafia in Brown) and Prawit has no chance in reining them in. None. Also in Bangkok (sorry to the country bumpkins that this week’s column is almost completely about the land of the living) it was announced that taxi drivers are jubilant that fares will soon be allowed to rise for the first time in 8 years. I happen to agree, but hopefully the fines for refusing passengers will increase too. In international news former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev died aged 91. Mr Gorbachev had a great press in the West for his “glasnost and perestroika” policies but was widely vilified at home. But he will go down in history as a man who helped end the Cold War peacefully and was the winner of a Nobel Peace Prize. Climate change also featured in a story on the BBC about English people growing exotic plants outdoors. They listed “watermelon, figs and avocados”. Now to hunt for some water from the standpipes. In lighter news a statistician suggested that it could cost around 833 quid to fill in the latest Panini sticker book if you wanted to collect all 670 shiny cards for this year’s World Cup. This was based on the cost of a packet of five being 90 pence rather than the 20p of some years ago…. and the odds of the time it will likely take. Rooster still has the 1970 “Soccer Stars” album that is full with names like Bobby Moore and Martin Peters…and Pele. I wonder how much the cards cost then - certainly not four shillings! Back in Thailand the weather theme had got the week off to a very menacing start. On Monday just after daybreak the Bangkok sky turned an extraordinary and menacing black that startled many residents. The storm lacked bite when push came to shove and soon dissipated but respected Marine Biologist Dr Thon said on Facebook that this was a clear sign of “extreme weather” and was a result of more vapor coming off warming seas. The moderators had a busy morning clearing out the assorted climate change deniers who really need to go and find a large rock to crawl under. Take a wetsuit and an umbrella just in case. While there is still some debate about the extent of climate change, the effect that mankind has had on the planet is undeniable as much as the moon landing, roundness of earth or the Holocaust. Holocaust deniers are rightfully jailed in many societies. Climate deniers need to be hounded, banned and where that is not possible, ignored. The science is overwhelming; every one of us must mend our overconsumption ways and press our elected representatives to act and rein in the corporations who continue to destroy our planet for their own profits. In my view it is probably almost too late but every little helps. Localized climate related conflicts have already begun. Before my young children are in their dotage world wars will be fought over the issue as land for the poorer nations is gobbled up, migration become worse than today and rich nations head for the cooler hills. I’m almost completely pessimistic for the future and am trying to make up for the bad choices I’ve made in the past. I’m now an unofficial member of Sweden’s “flygskam” (flight shame), refuse all manner of plastic and boycott products that use it, recycle everything I can and pedal or walk to places. It’s not much but it’s a start. Bangkok’s governor Chadchart - who generally is not doing a bad job since his landslide victory - appeared in Saudi garb as the rapprochement from the Blue Diamond Affair gathered pace. I remember when I stole the bedsheet from the residencia in Bilbao and went to the England vs Kuwait group match at the 1982 World Cup dressed as an Arab. Yes, sir, I looked like a stupid idiot too. A grim story was brewing in Chonburi that may prove even worse than leaving a child to bake all day in a locked school van. The mother of the dead 7 year old - her only daughter - thought that the child was killed then left in the van to cover the crime. I chastised my editor for sending me such horror to translate, I have six and nine year old daughters who I cherish far more than my own life. There should be twenty year sentences for negligence if that proves to be the case. If worse, then life without parole. And by the way parents, don’t think that leaving a child in a car is something that couldn't happen to you. It happens all around the world with parents leaving their own kids in car seats being distracted by this and that. Be vigilant with your kids at all times. I nearly lost one in a pool accident last year and the memory of that will haunt me to my dying day. Finally the new RTP chief has been confirmed. Police General Damrongsak Kittipraphat will replace the retiring Pol Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk on September 30th. Still in charge of traffic, Damrongsak ordered a crackdown after the school van death. He’ll be the 13th National Police Chief. Predictable crackdowns and the number 13. Methinks, that does not bode well. Rooster -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-03 - 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 sales@aseannow.com for more information

Thailand’s tourism is steadily recovering with almost two million foreign visitors in the first six months of 2022 By TTG Asia Thailand is seeing a steady tourism revival, with nearly two million foreign visitors coming on shore in the first six months of this year. As of August 5, international flight and hotel searches are up 164 per cent and 111 per cent respectively compared to the start of the year, noted Sojern. All global regions demonstrate positive uplift in the lead-up to Thailand’s high season from November, with Thailand on its way to meeting its goal of expected tourism revenue of up to US$65 billion next year as compared to the US$62 billion achieved pre-pandemic in 2019. Full story: https://www.ttgasia.com/2022/08/26/thailand-showing-strong-signs-of-travel-recovery-sojern/ -- © Copyright TTG ASIA 2022-09-03 - 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!

Moritz P. and the framed portrait of acting Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan which he used to stage a number of silent protests during the week in Rayong. The 35 year old told reporters on Friday that he received a visit from local police officers who checked his documentation. The German national says he was told that if he continued such activities, he ran the risk of losing his visa. by James Morris and Son Nguyen A German man living in Thailand with a Thai wife staged numerous silent protests this week in Rayong but was warned off by police officers on Thursday who visited his home. His case is similar to that of French man Yan Eric Marchal who hit the headlines in 2019 with a viral video targeting Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha. Mr Marchal, despite similar cautions and promises to discontinue his activities, remained controversial with numerous online incidents and outbursts against the government and higher authorities. He was ultimately deported and blacklisted from Thailand. A German man, on Friday, claimed he had been given a warning by Thai police officers not to continue his silent protest activities seen this week in Rayong in which he targeted the acting Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. Moritz P. told reporters that he had apologised to the officials concerned for his actions and would instead channel his political opinions into his art. Nonetheless, it is understood that the German and his Thai wife are planning to participate in this weekend’s protests against the government’s leadership being organised by Redshirt leader Jatuporn Prompan in Bangkok. A 35-year-old German man has revealed that he was visited by the Royal Thai Police on Thursday afternoon after news broke of his silent protest against the Thai government in Rayong province. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/09/02/police-warn-german-over-political-protests-moritz-pfoh/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-09-03 - 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!

A fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose can significantly reduce the risk of severe symptoms from lung inflammation, which often require the patient to be put on a ventilator, and the associated risk of dying, said Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, director-general of Disease Control Department, citing the latest assessment report on vaccinations administered between May and July, when the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of Omicron variant were spreading rapidly in Thailand. The assessment was conducted jointly by the public health emergency operations centre and the centre to assess the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines of the Disease Control Department. According to the findings, two vaccine doses can reduce the risk of lung inflammation requiring a ventilator by 60% and the risk of death by 72%. Three vaccine doses can reduce the risk of lung inflammation requiring a ventilator by 83% and the risk of death by 93% and the fourth dose can eliminate the risk of serious symptoms from lung inflation and death almost completely. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/4th-covid-vaccine-shot-substantially-reduces-risk-of-pneumonitis-and-death/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-02 - 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!

By Online Reporter Thailand is now welcoming applications for its new 10 year Long-term Resident Visa (LTR Visa), which is aimed at attracting foreigners of “high potential” to live and work in the country. The LTR Visa formally came into effect on September 1, with the government seeing the program as a way to encourage new investment into the country. The 10 year LTR visa will be offered across four categories: Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Pensioners, Work-from-Thailand Professionals, and Highly-Skilled Professionals. Across each of the four categories, holders will need a personal income of USD 80,000/year. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/thailands-new-10-year-long-term-resident-visa-ltr-visa-is-now-available/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-09-02 - 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!

Pumpkin with the anti-Prawit photo. The Thai headline says, “I pity Thai people.” Image: TV Channel 7 TNR Staff A YOUNG German man displayed a photo of caretaker Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan with a red cross over it at the central traffic island in Taphong intersection, Mueang district of Rayong province, yesterday (Sept. 1) and upon being questioned said he did so because he felt sorry for the Thai people, TV Channel 7 said. Identified only as Pumpkin, 35, he had also yesterday displayed the same image at Orchid intersection on Sukhumvit road, Rayong’s Mueang district. Reporters went to interview him and he told them that he lives in Rayong with his Thai wife and the reason he displayed this photo of Gen. Prawit is because he pitied the Thai people who had to cope with a government that did not help. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/09/01/young-german-man-displays-anti-prayut-photo-in-rayong/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-09-02 - 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!

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – A nine-year-old girl in Thalang has sustained severe hair loss after receiving a second Covid-19 vaccine two months ago and her family and the girl blame it on the vaccine. Her mother, Mrs. Jeeranan, whose last name was withheld to protect the identity of the child, told the Phuket Express, “My daughter likes to play sports. She is healthy. About two months ago she received a second dose of a Covid -19 vaccine before her hair started to fallout. She was infected with Covid-19 after receiving the vaccine too.” Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/08/31/nine-year-old-in-phuket-claims-to-suffer-sustained-severe-hair-loss-after-receiving-a-covid-19-vaccine-public-health-office-says-not-to-jump-to-conclusions/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-09-01 - 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!

(Left) French Tourism Minister Olivia Gregoire told a press conference in Paris this week that tourist spending in July and August nationally was 22% ahead of the level seen in 2019 and that foreign visitor numbers had already returned to 2019 levels. The situation is in marked contrast to Thailand where government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek emphasised that the country’s target in 2022 for foreign tourist numbers was 25% of the number seen in 2019 with figures released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) showing that from January to the end August 2022, the spend per foreign tourist was down by at least 11.5%. The situation raises disturbing questions about the setback suffered by the kingdom’s foreign tourism sector since 2020. by Joseph O' Connor Figures this week from Paris show a French foreign tourist industry achieving revenues nationally at 22% ahead of figures for 2019 while Thailand will be aiming to achieve, at best, only 33% of the numbers seen three years ago or a 67% loss. This news must be disturbing for the sector in Thailand and raises questions about the permanent damage inflicted on the Thai industry since 2020. Thailand’s foreign tourism sector appears to have suffered permanent damage due to the country’s emergency since 2020 with projected visitor numbers and a foreign tourism revenue stream this year which will be between 65% and 75% lower than that seen in 2019. The situation is in marked contrast to France which recorded bumper visitor numbers in July and August with expenditure in hotels up 22% on 2019 figures. On Tuesday, executives at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) talked up the possibility of targeting wealthy Indian families to come to Thailand to celebrate wedding events as the kingdom approaches the high season for the foreign tourism sector which begins in October. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/08/31/thailand-tourism-industry-damaged-contrast-to-france/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-09-01 - 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!

By Savannah Meacham An "unruly" Australian woman was kicked off a Jetstar flight from Thailand to Sydney after a fight erupted over a window seat. The incident took place on the JQ28 flight from Phuket in southern Thailand to Sydney on Sunday. The woman allegedly hurled verbal abuse at passengers and staff after losing her temper over being seated near the aisle. Full story: https://www.9news.com.au/national/jetstar-passenger-kicked-off-flight-phuket-thailand-to-sydney/4fb9135f-d33f-444b-b343-efc52ea59ee2 -- © Copyright 9NEWS 2022-08-31 - 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!

Picture: Siam Rath A top scientist in Thailand has predicted that the country is now entering the start of a period of "extreme weather". Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine scientist at Kaset university in the Thai capital, went on his personal Facebook page to make the warning after Bangkokian's woke to hellish looking clouds yesterday morning. People on social media posted video and pictures as scary and fast moving clouds rolled over Bangkok turning morning into night, reported Siam Rath. Though for many the storm's bark was worse than its bite, it dumped little rain in some areas and soon moved on, though the day remained unclear with intermittent showers until further evening light shows notes ASEAN NOW. The met office has predicted storms and lightning all week. Dr Thon said: "It turned Bangkok from morning into night. It was "maek loke rorn" (hot earth clouds)", he said. This resulted from a warming ocean, evaporation and hot weather meaning there was more vapor in the atmosphere, he noted. ASEAN NOW picture He said that the clouds contained a huge volume of water to dump but there was not much rain - this time. But wait for next time this happens or subsequent times. He called it the start of "extreme weather" - a term he used in English. This is due to climate change, he continued, with greehouse gases in the atmosphere that would cause "devastating consequences especially in countries that are economically fragile". He cited Pakistan as an example of this with great swathes of the country reportedly under water at this time after some of the most serious flooding there in memory. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-30 - 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 sales@aseannow.com for more information

Daily News Thai Caption: Looking at a phone while riding a motorcycle A distraught father told how he had just given his daughter 60 baht on Sunday as she was going into school to practice some drama with friends. Just a short while later he got a call every parent dreads. His only daughter was dead - hit head on by a pick-up truck. She wasn't going in the direction of the school. She was off to pick up a friend. The driver of the Nissan Navaro said he saw her on the phone coming towards him. He braked coming to a halt but she rode into his lane on the two lane road and collided head on, reported Daily News. Pol Capt Chawanai Marasri and rescue services had rushed to the Udon Thani to Nong Saeng Ban Lupwai Road in Muang district of Udon Thani. The pick-up had severe damage to the front and the young lady's red Honda Wave was nearby on the ground. The driver said he was delivering jelly to Nong Saeng when he saw the teen on the phone coming towards him. A public health volunteer said this showed the danger of looking at phones while on motorcycles. Such behavior breaks concentration, they said. Police are investigating the cause of the accident. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-29 - 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 sales@aseannow.com for more information

By Nop Meechukhun Phuket – Malaysia’s Firefly Airlines launched its first flight from Penang, Malaysia, to Phuket, Thailand, on Friday, August 26th, traveling four flights per day to accommodate tourists to the island. Nantasiri Ranasiri, Director of the TAT Phuket Office, along with Departmental Directors of Phuket International Airport welcomed and gave welcoming souvenirs to a total of 126 passengers traveling on the inaugural flight of Firefly Airlines, Flight Number FY3600, from Penang on Friday. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/08/28/malaysias-firefly-airlines-launches-its-first-penang-phuket-flight-on-friday-to-facilitate-malaysian-tourists-to-thailand/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-08-29 - 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!

by Joseph O' Connor A volatile currency market, a slowing world economy amid war in Europe and raised geopolitical tensions as well as a brush this week with political uncertainty means that Thai policymakers must be constantly on guard even to achieve the paltry 3% to 3.5% growth that is being pursued this year. A very comfortable foreign exchange reserve level has, so far, protected the kingdom but even this has been falling since March. Amid turmoil at Government House in Thailand this week with the suspension of Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan taking the reins as caretaker PM, officials were anxious to underscore that the kingdom’s economic recovery remains intact and on course for growth of between 3% and 3.5% for 2022. However, there are causes for concern such as a slowdown in export growth and significantly, lower expenditure per capita among incoming tourists as the country still appears to be running a current account deficit. Figures released on Friday show that the rate of growth of Thai exports slowed dramatically in July from the month before from 11.9% in June to 4.3%. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/08/27/low-tourist-spend-slowing-export-growth-economic-recovery-intact/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-08-29 - 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!

As expats we are spoilt for choice living in SE Asia. You can still get your Western style hamburgers or roast beef dinners however Asian food is hard to resist. If you live in one of the major Asian cities like Bangkok, you can try a variety of Asian dishes whether from a street cart or a fancy air-conditioned restaurant. If you are new in the region here are five favorites that you might like to try when ordering your next Asian meal in Thailand. 1. Som Tam — Green Papaya Salad — Thailand Photo: Takeaway, Creative Commons The Thais are dedicated to exploring all the components of flavor in each dish, and they don’t skimp when it comes to their salads. This salad also isn’t your typical lettuce-based “rabbit food” The base of som tam is shredded unripe papaya. Despite this fruity base, the papaya really acts as a stand-in for lettuce — it’s not packing a load of flavor. What is packing in that flavor? The dressing — what else? Fish sauce and shrimp paste are giving you briny savory flavors, chili brings the heat, lime loads up tartness, and a little palm sugar tempers all of it with some sweetness. In Thailand, you can request a spice level that you’re comfortable with, so go big or go home. 2. Chili Crab — Whole Crab in Chili-Tomato Sauce — Singapore Photo: megawatts86, Creative Commons Despite its name, this Singaporean dish isn’t usually packing intense heat. The base of the sauce is tomato and chili, but just how much fire you’ll be getting depends on the restaurant and how you order. No matter where you go, one thing is certain: It’s going to get messy. Chili crab is whole mud crab (read: uncracked) drenched in a tomato-ginger-garlic-chili concoction so generous it’s almost like soup. You’ll reach in, crack your crab, and end up with fingers covered in the stuff. Fortunately, this sauce is so good that it’s served with loads of steamed Chinese buns to soak it all up. Note: It is perfectly acceptable to lick your fingers when the buns run out. 3. Crispy Pata — Deep-Fried Pork Knuckle — The Philippines If there is one Asian country that really knows how to cook a pig, it’s the Philippines. Another characteristic of Filipino food? They waste nothing. Every part of an animal is used, from its innards to its blood — just Google the street food Betamax. Fortunately, crispy pata is one of the more tantalizing variations of this resourcefulness: a deep-fried pork knuckle. It’s buttery goodness and crackly skin is complemented with an uber-Filipino soy-vinegar dip that sends the whole concoction rocketing into the stratosphere of deliciousness. 4. Bahn Mi — Pork and Paté Sandwich — Vietnam This beautiful mashup of French and Vietnamese cuisines results in nothing but wins for your tastebuds. Start with a pillowy, fresh-baked baguette, cut in half. Slather some rich, buttery paté generously on one side of the bread. Pile on plenty of juicy, smoky barbecued pork. Top this with fresh julienned carrots, daikon, cucumber, and cilantro. Then pop on a healthy amount of diced red chilies, sandwich it together, and get ready to get your mind blown. There are several variations of this throughout Vietnam, with chicken, egg, cheese, and more. But sometimes you just can’t beat the original. The best part? They’re cheap as chips — perfect for a budget traveler! 5. Beef Rendang — Caramelized Dry Beef Curry — Indonesia or Malaysia Photo: su-lin, Creative Commons The ingredients list for Rendang is half a mile long, and it shows in the complex all-star Indonesian curry. The inclusion of exotic spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon really bring a new level of depth to Indonesian all-stars like ginger, garlic, chili, and lemongrass. Ever-present coconut milk is generously heaped in with the spice paste. All these flavors are stewed down until they are completely absorbed by the beef – a process that takes hours. After the liquid evaporates, the exterior of the beef is caramelized, bringing the perfect smoky back note to the dish. You will never be happier to be a carnivore than when you take a bite of this one. OK this is just a brief list, and we are sure many of you will wish to add your personal favourite Asian dish too. Enjoy. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-25 - 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 sales@aseannow.com for more information

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on the latest viral craze on the internet saying it was dangerous and illegal. People are filming children in vehicles and by the side of the road making three finger hand gestures encouraging truckers to sound three beeps on their horns. ASEAN NOW notes that this can be seen in the light of the gesture being connected with anti-government protests. Deputy at the RTP Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat who is in charge of traffic matters said it must stop NOW. It can cause accidents. He said that it was dangerous for children to be beside the road being filmed like this, caused truckers to lose concentration and could cause annoyance and distraction to other road users. He cited 1979 laws saying that beeping of the horn is only allowed when used to avoid accidents. He asked truckers not to comply with requests to beep as they would be breaking the law and could be fined 500 baht. The three finger gesture grew to prominence in 2014 after opposition to the coup mounted by current Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha who is still hanging on to power. It is a symbol of calls for more democracy in Thailand taken from resistance shown in the well know Hunger Games movie trilogy. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-22 - 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 sales@aseannow.com for more information

Buying Cannabis in Thailand - What you need to know Thailand's nascent cannabis industry has a flagship online retailer straight out of the legislative gates. 09 June 2022 was the dawning of a new age in Thailand. That is not hyperbole or exaggeration. As a nation, Thailand has become the first in Asia to legalize cannabis, leading the way with a modern take on an industry with huge potential, and taking down unwarranted stigma from a crop that has myriad benefits. This raises some very prevalent questions from the uninitiated and experienced enthusiast alike: ● Now that cannabis is legal, what sources are reliable, safe and high-quality? ● Now that cannabis is legal, can this product come to me rather than me to it? Undoubtedly, PrikPot has the right answers to those and many more thoughts on interested individual's minds. With two-and-a-half decades experience in digital marketing and social media, the company brings a consummate approach to quality of service and communication with anyone interested in their products. If you have any questions, feel free to chat live with us on our website: https://go.prikpot.com/aseannow The PrikPot Difference Alongside a line up that will turn heads, customers will have the added pleasure of great value for money as PrikPot’s prices are not only competitive but include free shipping to any destination in Thailand. Buying from the website is seamless, efficient, and convenient from the first page one sees until the final click to confirm your order. That’s all it takes, and the cannabis of a customer’s choosing is on its way. ● Premium 100% Organic Buds ● Free and fast delivery all over Thailand ● Rapid and friendly customer service A sample of our premium menu At the time of writing, PrikPot’s cannabis listings include Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid strains, with some Kief thrown in for good measure. There is also a good selection of pre-rolled 100% weed joints in different sizes and flavors. ● Acapulco Gold ● Big Bud ● Blue OG ● Cali Kush (hot) ● Caramelicious ● Chili Charlotte (promotion, 290 / gram) (hot) ● Gigabud (hot) ● GMO Cookies (hot) ● Green Crack ● GSC (Girl Scout Cookies) (hot) ● Silky Delight (hot) The product line-up is updated all the time, so make sure you follow us on our social media media channels and sign up for our newsletter on our website. https://go.prikpot.com/aseannow Cali Kush It’s time for some California Dreaming, but while you’re awake, because Cali Kush is an energizing and uplifting hybrid cannabis. They crossed Mendocino Purps and LA Confidential, producing a pale green plant with flashes of blue and purple. Nice to look at but even better to smoke, which brings out its floral and herbal smell, leaving an aftertaste with fruity accents. Its 16-20% THC content brings on a surprisingly balanced high that doesn’t bely its wholly-Indica parent line. There is a definite increase in focus with Cali Kush, but it is also known to relieve stress, melt away distracting thoughts and reduce bodily aches and pains. This is, believe it or not, an Indica that can be enjoyed at any time of day. Learn more: https://go.prikpot.com/aseannow Chili Charlotte The Charlotte lineup from PrikPot already brings you unprecedented value, but we don’t think you’ve ever seen anything like this. Now, for the meager cost of 2,900 Baht, you can buy 10 grams of Chili Charlotte and be stocked up for the foreseeable future. Chili Charlotte is a milder sativa strain great for beginners or cannabis enthusiasts after a calmer and gentler experience. There is nothing mild about this promotion however, bringing you 10 grams of this unique strain at just 290 Baht per gram! Learn more: https://go.prikpot.com/aseannow Blue OG Blue OG, also known as “Blue OG Kush,” is a flavorful hybrid marijuana strain from G13 Labs. Blue OG is bred by following the lineage of Blueberry F3, Blue Moonshine, and OG Kush. These dark, cone-shaped buds characteristic of OG genes emanate notes of berry and citrus, and leave its consumer feeling euphoric and relaxed. Though its effects are cerebrally targeted, Blue OG is known to also tackle pain, relax muscles, and relieve nausea. Learn more: https://go.prikpot.com/aseannow GMO Cookies It’s also called Garlic Cookies, but GMO Cookies sounds much more inviting, doesn’t it? Bred by crossing Girl Scout Cookies and Chemdawg, this strain has definitely inherited a rich and sticky consistency. Once you taste it, you’ll understand why some add the “garlic” to the name. GMO Cookies has a spiciness to its flavor, an edge that mimics the strength that comes with its average of 28% THC levels. GMO is slightly on the strong side, so it’s best to test the waters to find how much is right for you, but once you land in the zone, it will prove to be one of the most relaxing Indicas you can find. You’ll feel a quick wave of release through your joints and muscles before it moves to the head too and guides you into a completely relaxed state. This is a deep and long-lasting high that commonly flows naturally into great deep sleep. Learn more: https://go.prikpot.com/aseannow Why order from PrikPot? An impressive selection of entirely organic cannabis strains that will only grow from here. Making top-tier cannabis available to anyone in Thailand is not where PrikPot stops with their philosophy of quality over everything. Their ordering system allows for direct bank transfer or cash on delivery, the latter meaning a customer does not pay a single Baht until the courier hands them a package. Orders confirmed before 13:00 Monday through Friday will benefit from same day shipping and arrive at a customer’s door within 24-48 hours in most locations in Thailand. Even with a comprehensive website, stellar product, attractive pricing and customer-friendly shipping options, PrikPot knows there will still be questions on their customers’ minds and inquiries they wish to make directly. For that, the company has grabbed the bull by the horns, allowing anyone to send a message through their website, chat live with an associate, or send emails to clear up any questions a customer may have. This is the full-service cannabis retailer that Thailand didn’t know it needed. It’s here and ready to serve. Learn more at: https://go.prikpot.com/aseannow

PHOTO: Pattaya City Hospital By Adam Judd ONE A DAY Editor’s note: The following is a submission by the American Legion Post TH02 in Pattaya Thailand. It focuses specifically on a US military combat veteran, however, gives a lot of insight behind the scenes into what happens in general when a foreign national passes away in Thailand. This is part one of four that we will post over the next week or so. -Adam Judd, Chief Editor, The Pattaya News English Chapter 1 On average one US citizen passes away in Thailand. ONE a day. This death begins a series of events that involve many different individuals from a variety of organizations. For us, that day was 25 July 2022. On that day the ONE individual who passed away was a US Navy Combat Veteran. ONE US Veteran of the hundreds that die daily. I want to try and share our experience and involvement with this ONE US Veteran. We are members of the American Legion Post TH02 in Pattaya Thailand. On the 25th of July, a US Navy Combat Veteran passed away quietly in his hotel room in Pattaya. That was the day the owner and wife of the hotel discovered our Veteran association. The hotel owners start this process with a call to the local Pattaya police. A Pattaya police officer responded to the hotel. He immediately secured the room and called for an ambulance. The ambulance responded and transported our veteran to the nearest public hospital. The veteran arrives at the hospital where the attending physician makes the declaration of death. The police officer in the meantime continues with his investigation. He searches through the personal possessions to establish an ID of the individual. He secures the veteran’s possessions and takes them to the police station to begin his task. The room is secured and the hotel staff is instructed to keep the room locked until he releases it. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/16/special-feature-one-a-day-part-one-what-happens-when-a-foreigner-dies-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-17 - 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!

By Online Reporter The bus service that operates between Hua Hin and Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. With immediate effect, a total of six services per day will now operate between the two locations. The first departure from Hua Hin begins at 7:30, while the last departure is at 18:00. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/hua-hin-to-suvarnabhumi-airport-bus-service-updated/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-08-12 - 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!

By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk The US is the world’s largest economy and the US dollar is widely used worldwide, as a result, the actions and decisions of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) have a profound impact on the baht and other currencies. Thailand has a relatively small, open economy that is heavily dependent on the export of goods and services. So, any changes in the world’s largest economy create ripples in Thailand as well. The Fed has aggressively increased its benchmark rate this year to fight rapidly rising inflation. It effected a 0.75 percentage point interest hike in July as inflation soared to a 40-year high in June, hitting 9.1 percent. With the latest data suggesting strong new jobs growth in July, markets are predicting another hike by 0.75 percentage point when the Fed meets in September, the third straight hike of that magnitude. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-the-us-rate-hike-impacts-the-baht-and-thailands-economy/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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!

OPINION We reported this week that The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to propose extending the length of stay for tourist visas and visa on arrival (VOA) to a maximum of 45 days. According to TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn, a proposal will be presented to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) at a meeting due to be held on August 19. The proposal will call for the period of stay for tourist visas to be extended from the current 30 days to a maximum of 45 days, while the period of stay for visa on arrival extended from 15 days to a maximum of 45 days. The extension would be effective from the date of approval and run through to December 31, 2022. Of course, the idea is that the longer they stay the more money they will spend. But surely if they really want to encourage tourism, why not increase tourist visas to longer periods and why limit it to December when the supposed high season still has 4 months to run. Tourist visas or visas on arrival .....it is still confusing at the moment, so hopefully they will make it all clear soon. Vietnam is proposing expanded visas Over in Vietnam, their tourism minister was reported on Monday to have proposed expanding visa exemption for tourists from the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India to boost sector recovery. He also suggested the government consider simplifying immigration procedures to attract foreign tourists as Vietnam reopened after over two years of border closure, he said in a report submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Tuesday. Tax Cuts too The minister is also proposed extending tax cuts to tourism businesses until the end of 2023 to help them recover after the pandemic crisis. Though Vietnam reopened tourism and lifted most Covid restrictions, Hung said travel firms and those working in the tourism industry are grappling with difficulties and have not really benefited directly from current policies. The country welcomed 954,000 foreign arrivals in the first seven months this year, up nine times year-on-year. Singapore According to online information, the period of stay permitted is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer upon arrival at the Singapore Changi Airport. It is normally between 14 to 30 days. There is strictly no extension of visa validity or change of visa type. However, you can submit a fresh application upon the expiry or upon utilisation of your current visa. But please note that each visa application is assessed on its own merits. SE Asia is competitive Bottom line is Thailand is competing with Vietnam, Singapore and Cambodia and other countries in the region, so they need to make it easy for tourists to come here. Make the entry simple for passport holders and they should be able to decide whether they want a 30, 60 or even a 90-tourist visa on arrival. Even with flexible return tickets there should not be an issue. The idea of tax cuts for the tourist industry could potentially be a life safer for many small Thai businesses, especially those attractions that still have daily running costs whether one tourist or 50 arrive to say go on an elephant trek or safari. Bottom line is the TAT and government should have offered these longer visas long ago, but better late than never. People need to plan holidays in advance so the sooner the Government confirms any new regulations the better, then travel agents around the world can start confirming their clients’ bookings. -- © 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 sales@aseannow.com for more information

Sanook Thai Caption: Couldn't steal so takes a nap Sanook reported on the antics of a presumably drunk man who tried to steal from a sushi shop in Chiang Mai. Having failed to do that he slept all night in his shorts in the VIP room before leaving after 5am on his motorcycle dropping his licence in the car park. Clear CCTV at the Daiso Sushi restaurant on the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai stadium road revealed the incident that started around midnight Monday. After parking his bike beside the restaurant he broke in at the rear then tried and failed to smash his way into an accounts' office. He smashed a door leading upstairs in a rage then after sleeping for a while on a table removed his clothes except for his shorts and turned the air and light on in the VIP room where he spent the rest of the night as if it was his own home. At 5.10 am he turned the lights out and left. Sitthisak, 31, the manager discovered all this when he turned up for work in the morning and reviewed the CCTV. In addition a driving licence was found in the car park and when the picture was compared to the man on the CCTV it was clearly him. Mae Ping Muang police took that into evidence and dusted for prints before they issued a summons for trespass at night and attempted theft. Sitthisak said the man was clearly drunk adding that at one point he had relieved himself up against a door inside the restaurant. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-10 - 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 sales@aseannow.com for more information

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – Phuket is expecting more Indian tourists which will generate more than 7.5 billion baht this year, 2022, after a recent roadshow in India, according to relevant officials. The Vice President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) Mr. Arnuparb Wechwanichsanong told the Phuket Express, “The PPAO and the Phuket Toruism Association went to the roadshow tourism marketing event in India from August 1st to August 6th, 2022. The event marked the 75th anniversary of Thai and Indian relations.” “Indian tourists are Phuket’s top tourism market. From May this year until now there have been 87,292 Indian tourists who have visited Phuket. There are more than 40 direct flights per week from India in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore,” Mr. Arnuparb explained. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/08/09/phuket-expects-150000-more-indian-tourists-this-year-generating-more-than-7-5-billion-baht-after-roadshow-in-india/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-08-10 - 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!

Khao Soi. File photo By Online Reporter This will not come as a soup-rise to anyone who has ever tried the tasty northern Thai dish. Khao soi has been ranked as the world’s best soup, according to the online international food database TasteAtlas. The popular dish scored a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars in the website’s ranking of 50 best soups. The website described Khao soi as “a signature dish of Northern Thailand”, which is “a delicious coconut soup in which numerous regional influences were combined to create a truly spectacular dish. The base of the soup is a slightly spicy broth which combines coconut milk and red curry paste”. “The broth is served with flat egg noodles and a choice of meat, which usually includes chicken, beef, and pork. It is topped with a handful of crisp fried noodles and chopped cilantro. The dish is commonly served alongside a variety of condiments such as fresh lime, pickled cabbage, shallots, and chilis”. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/food-wine/khao-soi-ranked-worlds-best-soup-in-foodie-list/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-08-06 - 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!

By Editor The National Education Bill is set to enter the Parliament for further deliberation in September, sparking new hope for some but concern for others. The passage of this bill is likely to be concluded before the end of the year, and once it is enforced, it will affect not just students but also teachers and parents. Since education lies at the foundation of life, work and national prosperity, this bill will be responsible for shaping the future of everybody in Thailand. Education Minister Treenuch Thienthong says the bill, if passed, will be a key turning point for Thailand’s educational sector as it focuses on students’ performance and ability to apply their knowledge to real-life situations. It also aims to develop quality teachers who can educate children for a successful future. Tanawat Suwannapan, who represents the Kru Korsorn group of educators demanding to teach rather than focus on extracurricular activities, said he hopes the bill will ensure teachers can devote their attention and time to teaching and child-development activities. He hopes the new law will also allow teachers to function with efficiency and enjoy a better quality of life. “We want assurances,” he said, adding that he does not understand why teachers are expected to make sacrifices and not question anything. He said teachers are forced to accept the current system despite decades of talk about the need to promote critical/analytical thinking among children. Recently, many groups of teachers have been complaining loudly about the fact that teachers are often so overwhelmed with other tasks that they have no time to teach. In some places, teachers are having to cook for their students and sometimes even stand guard. When some teachers refuse to do tasks that are not related to their job, they are labeled selfish or inconsiderate. Their complaints, however, are not without merit. For instance, one teacher lamented online that his school principal was so desperate for awards that students and teachers are more busy preparing for contests than focusing on the curriculum or schoolwork. Many teachers say they barely have time to actually teach, given that there are so many other responsibilities to handle, including paperwork and support for special events. For instance, every time an important figure visits their town, students and teachers are required to show up and welcome these guests of honor. They are also expected to attend local cultural events or festivals. One young female teacher recently posted her resignation online, saying she preferred quitting because the current system does not let her teach. “Even when I do manage to find time to be present in class, I usually have not had time to prepare for the lesson,” she lamented. Dr Kanok Wongtrangan, an educator, said the Education Ministry is aware that many good teachers have given up their jobs for such reasons. Yet, it has no plans to get to the root of this problem. Amnart Witchayanuwat, a member of the House’s ad-hoc committee vetting the National Education Bill, said Article 14 (11) of the bill requires measures to stop teachers from being forced to carry out tasks, projects or activities that can prevent them from fulfilling their main duty. It also demands that students be given enough time to focus on their studies. Amnart was formerly secretary-general of the Office of Basic Education Commission. “This article [of the bill] also specifies that chiefs of relevant authorities will be punished with disciplinary action if they fail to support proper educational services,” Amnart said, pointing out the benefits of the draft legislation. Natthameth Dulkanit, an educational supervisor based in Bangkok, believes the bill is actually designed to ease teachers’ workload and not directly related to teaching. However, the problem does not end here. “The next question is, who will take over those tasks from the teachers?” he asks. “Big schools may have enough funds to hire staff to tend to jobs like school-supplies management, but small ones do not have such luxury.” Move Forward MP Kunthida Rungruengkiat, who is also a member of the ad-hoc committee overseeing the bill, said its content reflects distrust among parties concerned. “If you pore over the content, you find many questionable details,” Kunthida said. “Apparently, the drafters are afraid that people will not comply with the law and have tried to plug all loopholes.” For instance, this bill bans entrance exams for kindergartens but stipulates that all 7-year-olds be admitted to Pathom 1. “What happens if some children at that age are still unable to read or write?” Kunthida asked. In her view, the National Education Bill – which will eventually become the guiding law for the country’s educational sector – may not need to micromanage every aspect of teaching and education. Instead, she believes, it should just create a framework and leave the details to action plans or organic laws that can be amended more easily should any problem arise during implementation. Kunthida also voiced concern that “patriotism” is highlighted in many parts of the bill. Article 8, for instance, states that schools should ensure students recognise the importance of the nation, religion, monarchy, and constitutional monarchy. It also expects teachers to instill in them a sense of duty to the community, society and the country. “What if social context changes and these aims become irrelevant?” she said. The MP said she can’t help but feel that students and teachers working under this law will only be expected to obey orders. The House of Representatives has approved the National Education Bill in principle, and it is now being reviewed by the House ad-hoc committee that includes Kunthida, Amnart, and several other MPs. “Most committee members agree with 60 to 70 percent of the bill’s content,” Amnart said, adding that the remaining 30 to 40 percent may require some rewording or additions that ensure the educational service works efficiently for the benefit of learners and institutions. However, even if the committee makes changes, there is a possibility that the House of Representatives may vote against these amendments. “We will not have the final say,” he said. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/07/the-national-education-bill-shaping-the-future-of-thai-education/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-07-28 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. 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By Editor The Public Relations Department of Koh Samui is reporting that the Transport Minister, Saksayam Chidchop, has approved a project to construct the Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge connecting the island with the mainland of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. It was reported that Saksayam has given the green light for the Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge as one of five projects in which the Transport Ministry, Highways Department, Rural Roads Department, and Expressway Authority of Thailand will work together to study, plan, and design the bridge. A budget for 25 billion THB will be spent on the Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge which will be 17 kilometres long, connecting Phangka Beach in the southwest of Koh Samui in Surat Thani to the Khanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The bridge aims to solve the big queuing problems at the ferry piers, with delays of up to five hours for a ferry from Koh Samui to Khanom district during the long weekends. Additionally it was reported that some ferry companies have reduced their services from departures every hour to only six ferries available per day due to the decreasing number of tourists and rising fuel prices. The Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge was the idea of Virach Pongchababnapa, a local hotel owner on Koh Samui. He created a 3D model and proposed it to the Transport Ministry. Locals and officials agreed that the bridge would benefit both Koh Samui locals and tourists. The transportation between Koh Samui and Surat Thani will be more convenient and faster. One official added that the province and country could also earn more income by introducing a toll. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/07/approval-reported-for-a-bridge-between-koh-samui-and-the-mainland/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-07-20 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!