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The unofficial results of the Pattaya mayoral and council elections yesterday (Sunday), the first such election in a decade, have been withdrawn pending an investigation into the mysterious absence of two ballot sheets and one case of a ballot sheet being issued to a person who is ineligible to vote. The late night decision to withdraw the results, by, Permanent Secretary of Pattaya city and Director of the Pattaya mayoral and council elections Pramote Taptim came a few hours after he had announced the results at city hall, in which Poramet Ngampichet, of the “We Love Pattaya” team, apparently won the mayoral election. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Speaking at a press conference at 11pm, Pramote said that it had been discovered that a ballot sheet for the mayoral election was missing from polling station 2 in Constituency 1 and one from polling station 20 in Constituency 4, rendering it impossible to announce formally the unofficial result of the election. Meanwhile, at either polling station 29 in Constituency 2 or at polling station 5 in Constituency 3, a ballot sheet for the council election was mistakenly issued to an eligible voter. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/results-of-pattaya-mayor-council-elections-withdrawn-pending-probe/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-23 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment,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.

Folks pop out to Big C and return to their house on fire - it's completely burnt to the ground - short circuit blamed A 60 year old man called Sunthorn told 77kaoded that he and his wife and a younger relative had just popped out to a Mini Big C store last night in Samut Prakan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260426-folks-pop-out-to-big-c-and-return-to-their-house-on-fire-its-completely-burnt-to-the-ground-short-circuit-blamed/

A 60 year old man called Sunthorn told 77kaoded that he and his wife and a younger relative had just popped out to a Mini Big C store last night in Samut Prakan. When they returned they saw from a distance that their one story wooden house was ablaze. Neighbors tried to put out the fire without success utilizing buckets of water. There were fears it would spread to a dozen other properties in the nearby vicinity. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Firemen and police were called and the blaze was brought under control in an hour but by that time the property in Soi Thessaban Bang Po 55 had been completely destroyed. Three other properties suffered some damage. A short circuit is believed to have caused the fire that was featured on a dramatic four and a half minute video posted by the media. Repeated explosions could be heard. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-23 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Big School Drop-Out Rate Post-Covid By Editor The reopening of schools in Thailand last week revealed a huge number of children missing from class. “We estimate that up to 120,000 children have left school during Covid-19 and are unable to continue their education after lockdowns were lifted due to family problems and other factors,” said Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260425-big-school-drop-out-rate-post-covid/

By Editor The reopening of schools in Thailand last week revealed a huge number of children missing from class. “We estimate that up to 120,000 children have left school during Covid-19 and are unable to continue their education after lockdowns were lifted due to family problems and other factors,” said Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong. She said her ministry is working with related agencies including the police to get as many dropouts back to school as possible. “So far, we have reached out to about 95,000 children and expect to convince them to come back to schools by June to continue their education,” she added. The ministry is also collaborating with the Vocational Education Commission to provide free boarding and tuition for rural students at 88 vocational schools nationwide. The program, which is aimed at cutting the dropout rate, serves 5,000 students per year. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Meanwhile, to prevent dropouts due to problems in school, the ministry has established the MOE Safety Centre helpline contactable by phone and social media apps like Line. “Parents and students can use these channels to directly alert the ministry of problems at schools such as bullying, harassment, or other safety issues, and officials will investigate promptly,” Trinuch said. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/05/big-school-drop-out-rate-post-covid/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-05-23 - 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.

Parents with two year old boy on motorcycle tank come off at bridge in Chonburi - GPS blamed 77kaoded reported on an accident at a bridge in Bang Bo, Chonburi when a family on a GPX Demon 200R came off their bike. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260424-parents-with-two-year-old-boy-on-motorcycle-tank-come-off-at-bridge-in-chonburi-gps-blamed/

77kaoded reported on an accident at a bridge in Bang Bo, Chonburi when a family on a GPX Demon 200R came off their bike. The two parents were seriously injured but a two year old boy - who was perched on the tank - survived with minor injuries. Anuchit said he was riding on another bike. They were all going between Suphanburi and Chonburi last night. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He said it was lucky they were not going fast. They were unfamiliar with the road so were following GPS that took them to a poorly lit area where the accident occurred in Soi Kiat Thanee. The injured parents were taken to hospital. -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-23 - 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.

Staggering victory that requires careful reading Chatchard Sittipunt’s stunning landslide may have hidden scrambled messages voters in the capital delivered on Sunday in the Bangkok gubernatorial election, but arguably the real nightmare for the shaken powers-that-be was in the outcome of the city assembly votes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260423-staggering-victory-that-requires-careful-reading/

Staggering victory that requires careful reading Chatchard Sittipunt’s stunning landslide may have hidden scrambled messages voters in the capital delivered on Sunday in the Bangkok gubernatorial election, but arguably the real nightmare for the shaken powers-that-be was in the outcome of the city assembly votes. He won competing as an independent, leaving the question of “what if?”. How many votes represented the Pheu Thai Party’s power base? How many of the other votes did he earn for himself through a reputation as a hard-working professional with technical abilities? How many votes were cast by those satisfied that he had, seemingly at least, distanced himself from a highly-controversial figure, or Thaksin Shinawatra to be exact? How many votes were pro-Thaksin ones? Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Former Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang was snubbed, losing to even his ex-deputy Sakoltee Phattiyakul. But if votes for the two Prayut appointees were combined, the number must have worried the second and third places. Is it possible that Aswin and Sakoltee took votes off each other and thus narrowly lost to Suchatvee Suwansawas and Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, who both must have enjoyed solid “loyal” bases? A TV commentator asked whether Suchatvee and Wiroj in fact won far fewer votes than they were supposed to, considering what the Democrat and Future Forward (now Move Forward) parties got in the capital in the 2019 election. Future Forward actually emerged as Bangkok’s champion in 2019 in terms of “popular votes” in the capital, garnering more than 804,000 votes. The Democrats got over 474,000 votes. On Sunday, Democrat Suchatvee and Move Forward Wiroj were neck and neck, but neither won more than 26,000 votes. -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-23 - 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.

Foreign investment in Thailand up to 36 billion baht in first four months of 2022 Picture: Siam Rath Deputy government spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek cited Commerce ministry figures for investment by foreign firms mostly in the tech sector. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260422-foreign-investment-in-thailand-up-to-36-billion-baht-in-first-four-months-of-2022/

Picture: Siam Rath Deputy government spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek cited Commerce ministry figures for investment by foreign firms mostly in the tech sector. In the first four months of the year around 200 individuals and companies had availed themselves of special privileges investing 36 billion baht. In January there were 49 investors for 9.7 billion baht, February 44 at 5.7 billion, March 53 at 10.8 bilion and April 50 at 9.9 billion baht. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Investment was in transport and cargo, petrochemicals, medical supplies and electric vehicle charging stations in particular, reported Siam Rath. Despite the continuing downturn caused by the pandemic the economy was expected to grow 2.3-3.5%. The BOI are conducting roadshows abroad in Europe, the US, South Korea and Japan to encourage investment in Thailand and just concluded the latest APEC 2022 cooperation meeting. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-23 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Bangkok Governor-elect Chadchart begins his day jogging in Lumpini Park Chadchart Sittipunt, the winner of the 2022 Bangkok gubernatorial election, according to unofficial results which show him attracting a record-high of over 1.38 million votes, began his first day as Bangkok Governor-elect by jogging with his team in Lumpini Park at dawn this morning (Monday). Chadchart started jogging at 5.30am, with many other fitness fans coming to take photos with him. The politician, dubbed by some as “The Hulk” for his physical fitness and dynamism, revealed that he usually runs 10 kilometres around Lumpini Park each day. He explained that jogging is part of his daily routine and it is that which inspired him to run for governor of Bangkok, aiming to improve the city after he made new friends and exchanged views with the people in the park. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Chadchart also said that he is ready to start work as the new governor by taking a look at the existing problems in each area. Asked whether flooding will be the first thing he will fix, Chadchart responded that, even though flooding is a huge problem for Bangkok, we must not forget other issues, such as pedestrian crossings and road safety. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bangkok-governor-elect-chadchart-began-his-day-jogging-in-lumpini-park/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-23 - 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.

Large water monitor causes a stir at Saraburi furniture store Saraburi rescue services were called to the Siam Chai furniture shop in Sutbanthat Road in Muang district after a large water monitor came in the store. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260419-large-water-monitor-causes-a-stir-at-saraburi-furniture-store/

Saraburi rescue services were called to the Siam Chai furniture shop in Sutbanthat Road in Muang district after a large water monitor came in the store. Parichart or Fon, 24, said it caused quite a kerfuffle with staffers fleeing in panic. As the rescue arrived the creature - a protected species in Thailand known politely as tua ngern tua thong and more colloqually as "tua hia" - was going upstairs. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe It didn't go quietly either. It was fighting with swishes of its tail as the rescue teams tried to lasso it. Eventually its tail was grabbed and it was blindfolded with a bag before the mouth was taped up. The creature was released into a nearby klong. The story on Siam Rath's site featured two surprising things - the frequent mention of the word "hia", usually avoided in press reports and no mention of the lottery, notes ASEAN NOW. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-23 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information Picture: Siam Rath Picture: Siam Rath Picture: Siam Rath

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Road Rage: Food delivery rider threatened with a two foot long knife - films encounter after beating Picture: Siam Rath A 34 second clip posted to Yak Dang Diaw Jat Hai Return Part 3 showed an altercation between a food delivery motorcyclist and a pick-up driver, reported Siam Rath. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260417-road-rage-food-delivery-rider-threatened-with-a-two-foot-long-knife-films-encounter-after-beating/

Picture: Siam Rath A 34 second clip posted to Yak Dang Diaw Jat Hai Return Part 3 showed an altercation between a food delivery motorcyclist and a pick-up driver, reported Siam Rath. It happened at the lights in Samsian, Samut Prakan on Saturday. Siam Rath found Nopparat, 26, bruised and beaten yesterday with a smashed phone. He said he had slowed on amber at the lights only to be accosted by a man in a Vigo pick-up who claimed he had cut in front of him. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Nopparat denied this and said "look at your dashcam". He was repeatedly hit and only the intervention of a fellow rider saved him from worse injury. Then the pick-up driver retrieved a two foot long Sparta knife and Nopparat started filming for evidence purposes. The driver fled the scene. Nopparat reported the matter to the Muang district police who said that today he should go to the police station to sort out the matter with the assailant. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-23 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

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Husband and wife yaba dealers make huge profits - drug bought on Line for 2 baht, sold for up to 100! Picture: Daily News Daily News reported on the arrest of a married couple in Lamphun in northern Thailand by Division 2 of the Region 5 police. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260412-husband-and-wife-yaba-dealers-make-huge-profits-drug-bought-on-line-for-2-baht-sold-for-up-to-100/

Daily News Thai Caption: Yaba for 2 baht a pill Daily News reported on the arrest of a married couple in Lamphun in northern Thailand by Division 2 of the Region 5 police. Suphakrit or Khom, 38 and his wife Sirilak or Orm, 42, were arrested in a sting at a longan orchard in Meuang Nga district, Lamphun on Saturday. 7,600 yaba pills were in their Chevrolet vehicle. The suspects said that they had no jobs and needed money during the pandemic. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe They said they bought the drugs on a Line app by the name of "Tiger J.". The drugs were left by the side of the road for collection. They bought 8,000 pills for just 2 baht each then sold them for between 30 and 100 baht each. They had been doing this for a long time and had made a handy profit. Police are expanding the inquiry to get to the suppliers. The suspects in this case were charged with attempted dealing and possession of the yaba, a kind of methamphetamine mixed with caffeine that is highly popular in Thailand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-23 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Five gang members in custody after 2.5 million baht gold shop robbery at Tesco Lotus Bang Pa-in Picture: Thai Rath Region 1 police and officers of the Bang Pa-in constabulary in Ayuthaya announced the arrest of five people in connection with a 2.5 million baht armed gold shop robbery at the Yaowarat Asia gold shop in Tesco Lotus (Rojana) last Tuesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260409-five-gang-members-in-custody-after-25-million-baht-gold-shop-robbery-at-tesco-lotus-bang-pa-in/

Picture: Thai Rath Region 1 police and officers of the Bang Pa-in constabulary in Ayuthaya announced the arrest of five people in connection with a 2.5 million baht armed gold shop robbery at the Yaowarat Asia gold shop in Tesco Lotus (Rojana) last Tuesday. One suspect was pictured with a gun doing a reenactment of the crime that saw 86 baht weight of gold stolen. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Thai Rath Arrested were Lek, 38, the man with the gun, Jiap, 45, a rider, Rin, 37, a getaway driver as well as two females called Thip, 33, and Kep, 26, who received the stolen goods. A pick up, motorcycle, and 28 baht weight of gold were recovered and taken into evidence. The first three suspects were charged with armed robbery using a conveyance and weapons offences. The last two with fencing stolen property. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-23 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Brazen shooting of Grab rider in southern Thailand - patrons at coffee shop scatter in fear Picture: Thai Rath Police in Trang in southern Thailand said that jealousy was the motive behind a brazen shooting at a coffee van parked at the entrance to Chinta Walking Street market yesterday, reported Thai Rath. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260408-brazen-shooting-of-grab-rider-in-southern-thailand-patrons-at-coffee-shop-scatter-in-fear/

Picture: Thai Rath Police in Trang in southern Thailand said that jealousy was the motive behind a brazen shooting at a coffee van parked at the entrance to Chinta Walking Street market yesterday, reported Thai Rath. Anucha Anuwongsakul, 31, a Grab rider working in Phuket, was shot twice in the arm and shoulder and is now out of danger in hospital after being taken in by friends. Around thirty patrons of the coffee van were in a state of shock at the scene. Big - a friend of the victim - said that two men had arrived in a Toyota Revo pick-up and parked at a grassy area. They came over to talk to Anucha who was back visiting family in the area with his girlfriend Gip, 27, a graphic designer who works at a Phuket hotel. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe After an initial conversation the two men - known as Fak and Bow - went to get 9 mm guns from their souped up pick-up. Several shots were fired with no one hit until the victim was got in a headlock then shot twice. The assailants fled. Both are from Nayong district of Trang. Fak is the ex boyfriend of Gip. Police know who the suspects are and an arrest is thought to be imminent. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-23 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information