webfact

OPINION: How a high-profile case reflects Thai society’s views on sexual harassment victims and offenders? While Thailand was enjoying the Songkran holidays, many people returned home to the shocking news that a former deputy leader of the Democrat party, Prinn Panitchpakdi, is the subject of a string of sexual assault allegations. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257026-opinion-how-a-high-profile-case-reflects-thai-society’s-views-on-sexual-harassment-victims-and-offenders/

While Thailand was enjoying the Songkran holidays, many people returned home to the shocking news that a former deputy leader of the Democrat party, Prinn Panitchpakdi, is the subject of a string of sexual assault allegations. Whether it’s because it involves a renowned politician and economist, or because a famous “people’s lawyer”, Sittra Biabungkerd, exposed the case on Facebook, it has become the biggest high-profile #MeToo case in Thailand so far. -Victims vs The Powerful- Tales of sexual harassment involving well-known and powerful figures are nothing new in Thai culture, and are often underreported. In this case, however, with a well-known lawyer urging more victims to come out to report their assaults and the extensive reporting in the Thai media, a serious investigation into the case appears to be underway. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe On the other hand, this makes one wonder why such incidents in Thailand are so ubiquitous? Why so many women, who fall victim to rape, are still afraid to report to the police? Why is it so difficult to hold these well-respected public figures accountable for their wrongdoing? Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/opinion-how-a-high-profile-case-reflects-thai-societys-views-on-sexual-harassment-victims-and-offenders/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-18 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai Defence Ministry dismisses report of arms and drug trafficking by Privy Council president’s son The spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Defence, General Kongcheep Tantravanich, has dismissed as fake news a report that one of the three Thai nationals arrested in New York, on charges of arms and narcotics trafficking, is the son of the president of the Privy Council, General Surayud Chulanont. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257025-thai-defence-ministry-dismisses-report-of-arms-and-drug-trafficking-by-privy-council-president’s-son/

The spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Defence, General Kongcheep Tantravanich, has dismissed as fake news a report that one of the three Thai nationals arrested in New York, on charges of arms and narcotics trafficking, is the son of the president of the Privy Council, General Surayud Chulanont. He said that one of the Thai suspects has been identified by New York police as Suksan Jullanan, who also claimed to be a Thai army general, while General Surayud’s son’s name is Sant Chulanont. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He said that the people who disseminated the fake news, due to the close similarity of the two names, intended to link the arms and trafficking gang with General Surayud’s son, to tarnish the reputation of General Surayud. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-defence-ministry-dismisses-report-of-arms-and-drug-trafficking-byprivy-council-presidents-son/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-18 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Female rapper Milli becomes first Thai artist to perform at Coachella Festival Image Credit: Coachella Famous female rapper, Danupha “Milli” Khanatheerakul, has become the first Thai artist to perform at the world famous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2022, with the hashtag #MILLILiveatCoachella trending top on Thai Twitter. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257024-female-rapper-milli-becomes-first-thai-artist-to-perform-at-coachella-festival/

Image Credit: Coachella Famous female rapper, Danupha “Milli” Khanatheerakul, has become the first Thai artist to perform at the world famous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2022, with the hashtag #MILLILiveatCoachella trending top on Thai Twitter. The 19-year-old rapper rocked the Coachella stage in a red suit on Saturday (local time), performing her smash hits, such as “Sudpang” and “Mirror”. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe One of the highlights, which prompted much praise and excitement among fans, was when Milli was seen eating a famous Thai dessert, mango sticky rice, towards the end of her show. Another highlight was when Milli said “One thing… I didn’t ride an elephant” during her rap performance. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/female-rapper-milli-becomes-first-thai-artist-to-perform-at-coachella-festival/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-18 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Mass vaccine booster shots for students aged 12-17 in Thailand in May The Public Health Ministry will, in May, start administering booster shots of Pfizer vaccine to students aged 12-17 who received their second dose 4-6 months prior. The move is to boost their immunity before the opening of the new school semester, said Disease Control Department Director-General Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong yesterday (Sunday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257023-mass-vaccine-booster-shots-for-students-aged-12-17-in-thailand-in-may/

The Public Health Ministry will, in May, start administering booster shots of Pfizer vaccine to students aged 12-17 who received their second dose 4-6 months prior. The move is to boost their immunity before the opening of the new school semester, said Disease Control Department Director-General Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong yesterday (Sunday). The mass vaccination program, a joint operation between the Public Health and Education ministries, will be launched simultaneously in schools across the country. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Non-formal education or home school students in that age group, and students who have underlying diseases, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer, immune deficiency, diabetes or have genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome or severe neurological conditions, will receive their booster jabs at hospitals or other medical facilities. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/mass-vaccine-booster-shots-for-students-aged-12-17-in-thailand-in-may/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-18 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai court grants conditional bail for former Democrat deputy leader File Image The Bangkok South Criminal Court granted conditional bail this afternoon (Sunday) to former Democrat deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi, who is currently facing sexual assault charges. Prinn posted bail surety of 700,000 Baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257022-thai-court-grants-conditional-bail-for-former-democrat-deputy-leader/

File Image The Bangkok South Criminal Court granted conditional bail this afternoon (Sunday) to former Democrat deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi, who is currently facing sexual assault charges. Prinn posted bail surety of 700,000 Baht. Three charges have been filed against Prinn by Lumpini police, in response to complaints from three women who claim they were sexually assaulted by him. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe In granting bail, the court banned Prinn from leaving the country without the court’s permission. The Immigration Bureau will be informed of the court order. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-court-grants-conditional-bail-for-former-democrat-deputy-leader/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-18 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 18 April 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1257021-thailand-live-monday-18-april-2022/

Thailand reports 28 deaths in total from 241 road accidents on the sixth day of the “seven dangerous days” of Songkran period By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: Thai Post National – Road Safety Thailand from the Thai Ministry of the Interior reported a total of 241 road accidents with 28 deaths and 246 injuries on the sixth day of the “seven dangerous days” of the Songkran holiday period, on April 16th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257020-thailand-reports-28-deaths-in-total-from-241-road-accidents-on-the-sixth-day-of-the-“seven-dangerous-days”-of-songkran-period/

PHOTO: Thai Post By Nop Meechukhun National – Road Safety Thailand from the Thai Ministry of the Interior reported a total of 241 road accidents with 28 deaths and 246 injuries on the sixth day of the “seven dangerous days” of the Songkran holiday period, on April 16th. According to the reports, the most common causes of road accidents were over-speeding with 41.49 percent of total accidents, followed by drunk driving with 25.31 percent and poor vision with 18.26 percent. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The majority of 84.34 percent of accidents significantly involved motorcycles. Most of the accidents occurred on straight routes, accounting for 80.91 percent of total accidents. About 38.59 percent of them were recorded on national highways while 38.17 percent were in community villages. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/17/thailand-reports-28-deaths-in-total-from-241-road-accidents-on-the-sixth-day-of-the-seven-dangerous-days-of-songkran-period/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-18 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Police raid two ‘restaurants’ allegedly open after hours in Pattaya, warn about closing times By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – Police raided two ‘restaurants’ in Pattaya for allegedly violating the current legal closing time for alcohol serving venues of 11:00 P.M. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256953-police-raid-two-‘restaurants’-allegedly-open-after-hours-in-pattaya-warn-about-closing-times/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – Police raided two ‘restaurants’ in Pattaya for allegedly violating the current legal closing time for alcohol serving venues of 11:00 P.M. A team from the Pattaya City Police led by the Police Chief Colonel Kunlachart Kunlachai raided two ‘restaurants’ in Soi LK Metro Buakhao. Legally, bars and nightclubs are still closed in Thailand as part of Covid-19 measures but have been allowed to temporarily open as converted restaurants since December. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe They first venue raided police alleged most customers were foreigners found drinking alcohol well past the legal closing time with many staffers in sexy dresses and enjoying loud music. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/16/police-raid-two-restaurants-allegedly-open-after-hours-in-pattaya-warn-about-closing-times/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-16 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Former model hits motorcyclist then refuses to get out of her Benz for nearly five hours Picture: Thai Rath Trouble started in Soi 16 Nakniwat in the Lad Prao area of Bangkok when a woman was observed driving erratically in a white Mercedes Benz at 10 pm last night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256949-former-model-hits-motorcyclist-then-refuses-to-get-out-of-her-benz-for-nearly-five-hours/

Picture: Thai Rath Trouble started in Soi 16 Nakniwat in the Lad Prao area of Bangkok when a woman was observed driving erratically in a white Mercedes Benz at 10 pm last night. She was going forward and reversing. She then headed for the Lad Prao intersection where she hit a food delivery motorcyclist called Chaipanya, 31, who was taken to Paolo Memorial hospital with serious injuries. The female driver continued onto Viphavadee Highway inbound where she stopped for some time then onto Soi Mitmaitree. She was eventually persuaded to come out of her car by the Viphavadee police at 2.30 am. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe She was named as Siriporn, 30. There were documents indicating she was being treated for depression. She was taken to a hospital for a drugs test and mental health evaluation. She will face charges of negligent driving causing injury as well as fleeing the scene of an accident and not providing assistance at an accident. Thai Rath reported that Siriporn is a former model for the men's magazine Maxim. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-16 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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

"Ai Bass" arrested for multi million baht Korat gold shop robbery Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that Muang district police in Nakhon Ratchasima had arrested the man responsible for a large jewelry grab from a gold shop in Lotus Korat. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256948-ai-bass-arrested-for-multi-million-baht-korat-gold-shop-robbery/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that Muang district police in Nakhon Ratchasima had arrested the man responsible for a large jewelry grab from a gold shop in Lotus Korat. Kittipong Phaethaisong or Bass, 28, was hiding in a hotel in Pattaya in the early hours of yesterday when he was nabbed. He was taken on a reenactment. Most of the 4.5 million baht gold jewelry has been recovered. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Thai Rath Some 28 necklaces were buried in a hole at his wife's house in Korat, another two were recovered after being sold to a friend and two more were found by members of the public. The suspect also told police he had left another 11 items with a friend who the police are tracing. The robber said that he had no job or money. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-16 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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

Absence makes the Thai heart grow fonder - Rooster’s back crowing again! One of my favorite comedy scenes is from the classic Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin in which the star goes to his own memorial celebration after feigning suicide, pretending to be a friend of the deceased. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256947-absence-makes-the-thai-heart-grow-fonder-rooster’s-back-crowing-again/

One of my favorite comedy scenes is from the classic Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin in which the star goes to his own memorial celebration after feigning suicide, pretending to be a friend of the deceased. He is thoroughly dismayed at how few people have turned up to “see him off” and their casual dismissal of the recently departed “dear Reggie”. I felt a bit similar myself. Going AWOL on the column for the first time in six years I was half hoping the forum would be decent enough to send out a search party. Barely a dickie bird. Thanks to the one person who asked where I was. And the person who replied, I think. It’s that level of humanity that is keeping Thailand afloat in these difficult times. For the rest of you, I hope you enjoyed the break from Rooster’s Rants. There’s been a lot going on chez Rooster so rather than bore my readers with a file piece I decided to take a two week sojourn. But now I’m back in the month when I am celebrating 40 years exactly since arriving in Thailand. Sungei Kolok - Surat Thani - Samui - Bangkok, what happy and carefree days they were. For me the last few weeks have all been about health. I needed to go into isolation after a close friend tested positive and was quite unwell. This meant staying away from wife and children who were just about to go to Loei where gran appeared to be dying from diabetes related complications in hospital. A nurse had called to prepare Mrs Rooster for the worst but thankfully gran made it out of hospital and is now being cared for by younger sister at home. Then Mrs Rooster caught Covid and her dad - who recently had a heart attack - was admitted with the lurgy too - that was causing a lung infection. This made for some interesting video calls between Rooster in Ratchayothin and the missus up north. Like many Thai women I have known (and Thai men too) she has proved stoic and resolute and is laughing about all the goings-on. We both agreed that her mum feeling better was all that mattered and that her dad would pull through. Meanwhile, the children tested negative and moaned that they want to be back in Bangkok (Krung Thep=Air Con). I met Mrs Rooster 22 years ago, my second wife. In the very early days of our relationship I told her the meaning of the phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder”. For years as a childless couple then parents we have sought ways to spend several weeks apart at least a couple of times each year. Mrs R was reluctant at first - surely that cretinous hubby will just head to the fleshpots of upper Sukhumvit? - then gradually realised not being together all the time had positive benefits. It made the time you were together better…simple! Absence making the heart grow fonder also applied to a close friend from England, a Thai resident who finally made it back to Thailand after several years of pandemic wilderness. He spoke of how much he had missed Thailand and how much he had enjoyed his three weeks back. He’s not interested in tourism, or even the bars. He has a lovely house where tenants have now left and he is contemplating many happy years of semi and permanent retirement in the kingdom. His positivity was infectious and certainly came in stark contrast to some comments about Thailand on the forum. Some of us have and will always be in love with the country no matter what! The ‘what’ this week was the Songkran festival. Bangkok was delightfully deserted and unless you went looking for it, decidedly unwet. The police and local authority had to send in some force to Khao San Road after the tourists - Thai and foreign - started stepping out of Covid line. Armed with water guns! Chana Songkhram police station is at the end of the road and clearly they couldn’t care - until they were made to care by all that news and social media coverage! Some guns were confiscated and plod said firing water in the streets was just not on (who else conjured up an image in their mind of water cannon on the streets of Krung Thep in recent years?) Down in Phuket in Patong the tourists had water fights on Tuesday on the eve of New Year, fights that became more subdued as the week progressed. I wouldn’t bash plod on this. They were left between a rock and a hard place by the politicians and CCSA. By showing up but not making arrests - giving that “pracha samphan” (PR) - it looked like they struck the right note. Let’s face it; everyone is sick of the pandemic, sick of the mask wearing, sick of the closures, sick of everything; we just want to get back to normal again. Whatever that is. It’s been so long I can hardly remember. In Pattaya plod wielded the stick after several bouncers and a group of tourists had a battle in Soi Bua Khao. It was approximately the 456th time since I started work at ASEAN NOW that I have written “the image of Pattaya was tarnished”. Nationwide, plod had their usual crime crackdowns and were determined to prosecute everyone guilty of DUI. Oh yes, this year they really meant it, honest. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Health minister Anutin continued his “Ganja Everywhere Tour - We Encourage Economic Diversity” (GET WEED) in Sisaket. He’d already been to Bung Kan and Khon Kaen. Now he was saying that come June 9th everyone could grow as much weed as they liked for home consumption. Hemp for breakfast, lunch and tea, essentially. With a nice hemp toddy before bed… Try and grow a plant with THC and see what happens. While I expect plod to be less “proactive” in going after small time ganja growers and users they will still see it as part of their revenue stream. The best comment on the issue from mtls2005 mocked the very idea of legalized weed: “I’ll only believe it's legal when (it) is one of the offerings to the sacred oxen”. He was of course referring to the Royal Ploughing ceremony (to be held on May 13th this year) in which a Bhramin priest offers foodstuffs and even rice whisky to two oxen in an ancient ritual designed to inspire confidence and togetherness in the agricultural community. They often choose lao khao which as any self-respecting alcoholic will tell you is decidedly better than the other fare of rice, corn, green beans, sesame, hay and water. Court astrologers determine from the items selected what the future will hold - abundant rain is invariably predicted. And you know what, they’re always right….. The last word in the Anutin story was that the “minister was sinister”. This involves a nasty smelling request that while you don’t need to register officially to grow weed at home, you should still tell someone what you’re doing. If I was doing the former, which I’m not, i certainly wouldn’t be doing the latter! Friday’s Covid case figures topped 20,000 with a year high record of 119 daily deaths, a figure surpassed Saturday with 125. Despite such figures, and post-Songkran indications that things will only get worse, many stories this week were upbeat on the resurgence in tourism in places like Phi Phi and Samui. It’s good to see Thais getting out more and 10,000 foreign arrivals in Bangkok a day is at least a start if still a small fraction of pre-pandemic levels. And at Suwannaphum airport (my spelling) there was even that blast from the past - OVERCROWDING! With me back it feels like the good old days! Right? Rooster -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-16 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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

Pattaya follows the rules - no water splashing as families enjoy the beach Picture: INN INN reported that Pattaya was very busy yesterday on the last day of the Songkran holidays. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256945-pattaya-follows-the-rules-no-water-splashing-as-families-enjoy-the-beach/

Picture: INN INN reported that Pattaya was very busy yesterday on the last day of the Songkran holidays. They said there were large, slow moving traffic jams leading to the beach down North Pattaya road. There were many families on the beach enjoying the sea. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe But the resort looked very different from normal Songkran years when foreign tourists and Thais would engage in huge water fights. This year it was all quiet on that front as the vast majority obeyed the no splashing rules on main roads and even down sois. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-16 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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

Wife attacked with table leg then dragged home by jealous husband - police find her dead at his house Sanook Thai Caption: Attacked with a club - I didn't think I'd kill her Police Captain Phiphat Thongruang of the Thay Meuang police in Phangnga, southern Thailand, was called to a house after a murder in Bang Thong sub-district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256943-wife-attacked-with-table-leg-then-dragged-home-by-jealous-husband-police find-her-dead-at-his-house/

Sanook Thai Caption: Attacked with a club - I didn't think I'd kill her Police Captain Phiphat Thongruang of the Thay Meuang police in Phangnga, southern Thailand, was called to a house after a murder in Bang Thong sub-district. Dead at the house wrapped in a brown sarong was 29 year old Chattharika. Her jeans shorts were speckled with mud. She had several blunt force trauma wounds to the forehead and left side of her head among other injuries to her body. She had been drinking with Suriya, 34, the owner of the house with whom the victim had been living as man and wife for the last two years, reported Sanook. They had a big argument and Suriya attacked her. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The attack happened 200 meters away behind the property of a neighbor called Julin, 60, where bloodstains were found on a bed, floor and wall. There were signs of a fight and a table leg had come off. Suriya admitted attacking her but said he didn't mean to kill her. He said that after they had been drinking at home his wife disappeared and he went looking for her. He claimed he found her in bed with a neighbor. The neighbor was just in a pair of underpants. His wife was dressed but her bra was undone. He said he chased her then broke a table and used the leg to bash his wife 3 or four time then dragged her back home through the mud. Suriya's father Anudit, 61, said his son's marriage started well enough until his daughter in law and son started drinking heavily together. Suriya is a jealous man. This daily boozing caused them to neglect their rubber and palm farming work. He also questioned his daughter in law's fidelity and general character. Julin said the victim had fled to another house 100 meters away before she came to his house and was attacked by her husband outside. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-16 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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