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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!

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 sales@aseannow.com for more information

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!

Gotabaya Rajapaksa. File photo: Wikipedia Sri Lanka’s ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is due to arrive in Bangkok tomorrow (Thursday) from Singapore, after the Thai government agreed to allow him temporary shelter in the country, with the intention of onward travel. Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said that the former president holds a diplomatic passport, which was approved by the Sri Lankan government, and can stay in Thailand for up to 90 days in accordance with the Thai regulations. He said that the former president can stay in a hotel, a rented apartment or house, while admitting one potential issue, that being the Sri Lankan people in Thailand. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-agrees-to-allow-former-sri-lankan-president-to-take-temporary-shelter/ -- © 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

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that City Hall in Pattaya were doing something about the city's infamous hanging wires after a shaming on social media. They said that a video had been posted by a foreign tourist. It concerned a road leading to South Pattaya which has a leaning powerpole in the area of a Big C. Deputy mayor Manote Nongyai admitted it was a terrible mess. He said there were plans to bury cables and the leaning pole would be removed after checks to make sure it didn't represent an immediate danger to passing tourists. He added that there are plans to bury cables on nine roads in the resort before the end of this month. -- © 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

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!

OPINION Disrupted sleep has been a hallmark of the COVID-19 pandemic for many of us living in Thailand. Psychologists explain why it is so crucial for everyone to get back to a healthy routine. Maybe like a lot of us you find yourself asking "Why can't I sleep?" or "Why am I more tired when I wake up than when I went to bed?" There are many potential reasons why someone may be having trouble sleeping. So perhaps if you constantly having a tough time falling or also staying asleep, chances are the cause is something you’re doing. The obvious cause can be drinking coffee late in the day. Or something you’re not doing, like getting rid of the stress that keeps you awake. Brought on by the stress of living in a global pandemic and a recession, sleep experts have even labeled these sleep problems “Coronasomnia,” a portmanteau3 of coronavirus and insomnia. Currently, I have noticed that I tend to wake up earlier and after working in the morning, by mid-day I am already dozing off. I told a few of my friends and work colleagues about my problem and they were having the same issues too. One even thought it was a symptom of Covid even though he did not test positive. Could people who have had one of the many variants of Covid still keep a mild form of it in our systems and that could be a reason we keep running out of energy? Sleep disorders Since the pandemic began, researchers around the world have documented a surge in sleep disorders. Upended routines, more screen time, increased alcohol consumption, and dissolving boundaries between work and private life are just a few of the factors contributing to problems with sleep. And given the crucial role sleep plays in both physical and mental health, psychologists say it’s important to be proactive in addressing any issues. “Once sleep is disrupted, it can impact mental and physical health, which may in turn cause further sleep disruption,” said Athena Akrami, PhD, a neuroscientist at University College London, who is studying cognitive dysfunction in COVID-19, including sleep disturbances. “A vicious cycle may form that is very difficult to diagnose and treat properly.” Some people are sleeping more than ever, while others face shortened schedules, delayed schedules, or insomnia. Those suffering from post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or “long COVID syndrome,” where post-infection symptoms persist for months, are also reporting insomnia, sleep apnea, night sweats, and other problems. Even after a stressful experience ends, sleep disturbances may continue—so experts say problems with sleep could persist into the coming months as life begins to normalize. “The good news is there are treatments that work,” said psychologist James Maas, PhD, a retired professor at Cornell University and an international consultant on sleep. “For many of us spending time at home, this is a wonderful opportunity to regularize our sleep patterns and reap all the benefits that stem from a good night’s rest.” Aside from being a major life event, living in stay-at-home conditions also increases our exposure to minor hassles and frustrations, which are known to reduce sleep quality. In addition, less sunlight exposure, more screen time, irregular mealtimes, and increased alcohol use—all of which can interfere with circadian rhythm—are likely to exacerbate sleep problems in people working or learning from home. Establishing healthy routines Though many have turned to over-the-counter sleep aids such as melatonin, experts said the best defense against insomnia is to improve sleep hygiene or participate in cognitive behavioral therapy. Good sleep hygiene practices start with establishing a regular sleep-wake cycle. Go to bed around the same time each night, but not until you feel sleepy, and wake up at the same time each day. Establishing a daytime routine that includes exercise, regular mealtimes, and exposure to sunlight also helps calibrate the body’s circadian rhythm—as does avoiding caffeine within 10 hours and alcohol within 3 hours of bedtime. Luckily here in Thailand, we do get a fair bit of sunshine. Of course, if these routines don’t work you could always go back to the old methods of counting sheep or saying the Alphabet backward. -- © 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

Sanook Thai Caption: Teacher feels discouraged Sanook reported on yet another case of a teacher hitting a student in a Thai school. Some will say it's nothing - "I was given a clip around the ear as a child and it never did me any harm". Others will say a teacher should never raise their hand to a pupil EVER - it is a sign of a bad teacher who can't properly control a class with words. This case encapsulates the relationship between teachers, parents, students and directors in Thai schools. And the acceptance that casual violence against children is acceptable. Things are very different in international schools in Thailand, notes ASEAN NOW. It came to light after a post on social media in a clip that showed a computer studies class at a school in Sriracha, Chonburi, central Thailand. A female teacher hits a student around the ear. The poster said they shouldn't have done that. Sanook went to Thai Kasikorn Songkro school where they met acting director Sittichoke Sridee, Natcha, a computer science teacher and Wanwisa, 40, the parent of a M2 boy. They were later joined by the boy. It happen two weeks ago. The teacher said three boys had arrived late to class and couldn't remember their log in details and were told to go to the front of the class. One was hit - the teacher called it "just a slap". She didn't think anything of it, and she claimed neither did the boy. Then it was on social media after a fellow pupil filmed it - it was all very discouraging, she claimed. The director praised the teacher for being dedicated and able to control the class. The parent said that it was fine to hit her child to bring him into line. The boy said he didn't mind and it was nothing. A former teacher at an international school told ASEAN NOW: "If that happened at an international school the teacher would be sacked. Or at the very least not have their contract renewed after an investigation. "There is no place for any kind of violence in the classroom and someone who does this can't control a student with words and should not be teaching. Picture: Sanook "What goes on in Thai schools may be different but assault is assault no matter what. "What do you expect the boy in the incident to say except that he was in the wrong and it's okay. "He is powerless in the face of officialdom and deserves protection". The debate goes on about the role of teachers in schools in Thailand. In this story the media is sympathetic to the school and the teacher after hearing the explanations and the agreement of the parent. But should not the fundamental person who should be protected be the student no matter what they might have done in the class? What is your opinion? -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-09 - 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 Jonathan Fairfield Thailand is among the 10 best countries for expats, according to the annual Expat Insider Survey carried out by InterNations. The latest ranking sees Thailand move up to 8th place from its 14th place ranking in 2021. The survey gauges expat’s satisfaction with life in their country of residence across various different factors, such as: Quality of Life, Ease of Settling In, Working Abroad, and Personal Finance. In addition, this year’s survey included a new Expat Essentials Index which assessed people’s satisfaction with their Digital Life, Admin Topics, Housing and Language. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/thailand-among-the-top-10-countries-for-expats/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-08-08 - 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 representative of entertainment workers filed a letter to relevant officials to suppress alleged illegal foreign workers. Mr. Prompiriya Thamuppatam, 37, went to the Damrongtham Center Phuket Office (Ombudsman’s offices) with a letter on August 5th, in the early afternoon. Mr. Prampiriya stated via the letter, “There are many foreigners who are using tourist visas and working at entertainment venues in Phuket as DJs, singers, musicians, dancers, receptionists, waiters, waitresses, bartenders, and bar managers. They don’t have work permits. Many of them have overstayed for many years but no officers have checked on these issues. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/08/06/thai-entertainment-workers-complain-over-alleged-illegal-foreign-workers-in-phuket/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 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!

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 Erich Parpart Opposition parties will file a petition to ask the Constitutional Court to rule on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s premiership term in two weeks, the opposition leader said. Six opposition parties led by Cholnan Srikaew, leader of the main opposition Pheu Thai Party, said they will file the petition to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai to ask the court to rule on the premier’s term limit either on August 16 or 17, a week before August 24 when they believe Gen Prayut’s tenure should expire. “The reason why we did not file the petition before this was because we were waiting for the most opportune moment and now, we have a conclusion on when that will be,” he said. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/42440/opposition-set-to-file-petition-with-constitutional-court-on-the-8-year-term-limit-of-prayut-by-mid-august/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 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!

Picture: INN INN reported that police captain Sonthaya Khonsap responded to a call about a naked tourist walking in the area of third road in South Pattaya. The police arrived to find a large bodied man who looked like a European walking by the intersection heading down South Pattaya. He was wearing just a camera around his shoulder and a bumbag around his waist. The area was very busy with people staring in shock. Picture: INN Officers tried to talk to the man but he repeatedly spat at them and was incoherent. After some considerable time he was loaded into a police pick-up and taken to the Muang Pattaya police station where some clothes were found to make him more respectable. But he continued to be belligerent and noisy, shouting as he was taken to the cells to calm down. Police have no idea as to his name or nationality and are appealing for help from someone who might know him to come forward. Mental health issues are suspected. The INN report was timed at 5.46 pm yesterday, but it appeared dark at the time. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-05 - 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 Geo-informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) issued a warning today (Friday) concerning debris from a Chinese Long March 5B rocket, which will fall back to Earth this Sunday. Some of the rocket may fall on Thai territory, though the chance has been calculated at only about 1.2%. The debris is from the over 20-ton core stage of a rocket launched on July 24th to take the second module for China’s unfinished Tiangong space station. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/warning-about-chinese-rocket-debris-falling-back-to-earth-on-july-31st/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-30 - 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!

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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Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on a judgment from the Administrative Court in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, in a high profile forestry land encroachment case. The office of the Court of Justice took the Treasury Department to court over the construction of a housing estate on just over 143 rai of land in Don Kaeo, Mae Rim. It was alleged that houses and administrative offices were in part constructed on land belonging to the Doi Suthep national park. The court has decided that this is not the case and the land is in fact outside the park area and the Treasury Department were within their rights. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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. 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 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!

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on the actions of a Thai man from Lampang in the far north of Thailand. Ek, 21, (a ficticious name) had been to see his girlfriend but she was playing hard to get and he was unable to satisfy his carnal urges. He left her place still in a sexual tizzy and dropped in at the Anantayot Park to get out of the rain. Here he became further sexually aroused on seeing a brown Thai breed of dog - a bitch - and decided to take her into the toilets. He was seen doing this by a member of the public who was out feeding the strays and saw Ek with his trousers down clearly up to no good in the loos with the dog. The police arrived in the nick of time as Ek had only done some "helping of himself" (a Thai euphemism for masturbation). The dog's honor remained intact. Ek was taken away for questioning and would be let go if there was no evidence of a crime having been committed. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-19 - 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

PHOTO: Newshawk Phuket By Goongnang Suksawat Patong – Five foreign tourists have escaped serious injuries after a Tuk Tuk overturned in Patong on Friday evening (July 15th). The Patong Police were notified of the accident at 6:30 P.M. on a bridge road near the Tri Trang Beach in Patong. They arrived at the scene to find the overturned yellow Tuk Tuk taxi on the road. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/07/16/five-foreign-tourists-escape-serious-injuries-after-tuk-tuk-taxi-overturns-in-patong/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-07-18 - 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 Siam Rath reported on a collision between two pick-ups around midnight Saturday at the Nong Phak Nam intersection on Route 36 in Muang district of Rayong, central/east Thailand. A green Isuzu pick-up collided with a Ford. Two people in the Isuzu died - they were named as Jakkrapong, 60 and Chiang, a Cambodian. Three people in the Isuzu were taken to hospital. One is out of danger, two remain critical. They were all named as Cambodian nationals Teuang, 52, and Wenna, 22 and the driver of the vehicle, a Thai called Saichon. No one inside the Ford was hurt. The Isuzu was propelled into a central reservation lamppost and was completely destroyed. The Isuzu contained workers on their way home from a Pluak Daeng industrial estate. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-11 - 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

The Bang Sue vaccination centre is offering free booster shots of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for Thais and non-Thais from Monday July 11th until end of this month. Those interested in getting their third, fourth, fifth or sixth shot can make advance appointments, from tomorrow (Friday) at 9am, via the following channels: AIS True or press *707# and dial DTAC app NT On the day of the appointment, they must show their QR code/SMS/App “Vaccine Bang Sue” to the officials in order to facilitate the vaccination service. Alternatively, they can enter Bang Sue grand station, via Gate No 2, every day from 9am to 4pm and go through the normal registration process. They will be required to show their ID cards. Non-Thais, who include migrant workers, are required to show their “CID” number, starting with 60-, which was used to register for the Mor Prom app, or their passport number with their previous vaccination record. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/free-covid-booster-shot-on-offer-for-all-at-bang-sue-vaccination-centre/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-07 - 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!

MI5 head Ken McCallum (left) and FBI director Christopher Wray (right) made an unprecedented joint appearance in London. IMAGE SOURCE,UK POOL VIA ITN By Gordon Corera Security correspondent, BBC News The heads of UK and US security services have made an unprecedented joint appearance to warn of the threat from China. FBI director Christopher Wray said China was the "biggest long-term threat to our economic and national security" and had interfered in politics, including recent elections. MI5 head Ken McCallum said his service had more than doubled its work against Chinese activity in the last three years and would be doubling it again. Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-62064506 -- © Copyright BBC 2022-07-07

The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) has confirmed that applications for the new Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa will open on Sept 1, 2022. The LTR visa was first mooted in September 2021 and aimed to attract foreigners of “high potential” to live and work in Thailand. The Thai government saw the visa as a way to encourage investment into Thailand and stimulate the economy as part of the country’s post pandemic recovery. Despite being approved by the Cabinet last year, details about the LTR visa had been scarce. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/10-year-long-term-resident-ltr-visa-to-make-living-in-thailand-easier-and-less-bureaucratic/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-07-06 - 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!