webfact

British diving instructor, Neil Gibin, from Birmingham was found dead in Thailand’s Koh Tao, also known as ‘Death Island’. By Rahmah Ghazali A British man was found dead on Thailand’s Koh Tao - notoriously known as Death Island - last week and circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery. The body of Neil Gibin, 48, was discovered in a rented bungalow in the small paradise island on Wednesday (January 18) after he failed to turn up to a diving lesson. Described as ‘fit and healthy’, Neil, from Birmingham, is believed to have died from natural causes. According to a report by a national newspaper, there was no sign of a struggle leading up to his death and that there was “nothing to investigate”. However, Neil is said to be the fifth instructor to die in the past few years on the island following a series of unexplained deaths and murders of backpackers and tourists, tainting its reputation. A friend told the newspaper that Neil was found in his underwear on his sofa with a blanket on him. The friend added: “The medics who showed up said there was nothing suspicious. I was told the police said straight away there was nothing to investigate. It happened so quickly. I don’t even think they did an autopsy. I talked to Neil about some of the deaths that happened here. Full story: https://www.birminghamworld.uk/read-this/british-diving-instructor-found-dead-on-thailands-koh-tao-under-mysterious-circumstances-3997303 -- © Copyright Birmingham World 2023-01-24 - 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 Thai based US TikTok star who went to see top lawyer Decha Kittiwithayaran of Thanai Khlai Thuk. Kyle Anderson, 39, had seen an ad on social media for a 2021 Miami Blue Porsche 911 that was being sold at a luxury showroom in Samphan Sung, Bangkok, just off the motorway. It was July 12th last year. He called the showroom and was told he could view the automobile and have a test drive that day. He loved the model and it was just what he wanted. He paid 250,000 baht deposit and went back to Pattaya with his Thai girlfriend. On 7th August he paid 5 million baht at the showroom and agreed three more payments to take the cost up to a round 13 million baht. But driving back to Pattaya he and the girlfriend got only as far as the motorway before the car conked out. He called the showroom who said to let it cool down a bit then restart. That didn't work and the motor was picked up and taken in for repairs by the showroom. After the repairs Kyle wanted to take his girlfriend to see some coastal views. That lasted half an hour before the Porsche broke down again. He thought about having it repaired himself. Then the registration book arrived. It was not a 2021 model but a 2020, not the one he wanted. When confronted about this the showroom said "oh, that was the year it was registered in Thailand, we put that in the ad". It was agreed that the showroom would buy back the car at 12.2 million baht but on the day of payment they allegedly reneged on that offering Kyle only 1.5 million baht saying they had to pay tax of 9 million baht on the deal. Kyle said he had been in Thailand for 12 years and had never conned anyone. He loves Thailand and everything about it and never thought he'd be a victim in a case like this. He urged the showroom concerned to stop their fraudulent practices and make sure their vehicles are roadworthy. Lawyer Decha said that he would press the matter via three separate charges under consumer and other laws. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2023-01-16 - 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. 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 [email protected] for more information

Picture: Thai Rath A British pensioner was shot multiple times in the back by an unknown assailant as he was returning home on a motorcycle in the Pattaya area. Neil Lewis Roger, 71, had told his close friend that he was off to have a drink with a friend in town. After buying some groceries he headed home to Huay Yai but was shot on the way at least 3 times. He died in a pool of blood 2 KM from his home. His friend called him a popular man who had no known enemies. First reports of the shooting in Soi Khao Makork 1 came in to Pol Maj Prakasit Paladech of the Huay Yai police who went to the scene with rescue services expecting to find an injured man. It was 9.45pm last night. It's a quiet soi and at the scene a red Scoopy Honda bike was found on its side. The victim had no pulse and was lying face down in a pool of blood. Medics tried to stem the flow of blood and perform CPR but it proved futile and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. He had been shot twice in the back and once under the waist with parts of the projectiles exiting shoulder and armpit. Evidence of shots from a 9 mm weapon were found 50 meters away. "Pop", 29, at the scene told Thai Rath that he had found the foreigner who was wearing a full face helmet. He thought he had merely fallen off his bike and it was only when rescue services arrived that they all realised he had been shot. "Em", 23, a hotel security man, said that he had been sleeping 300 meters away. He said he heard 3 shots within a ten second timeframe. Police managed to contact a close friend and carer of the deceased, 38 year old Thitiphan Kamlat from Mukdahan. She arrived at the scene and was distraught. Fighting back tears she said that the decesed was a retired engineer from the UK. They had been together for four years. On Christmas Eve he had flown back to the UK to be with his family and got back to Pattaya on Wednesday. At 4pm he said he was going for a drink with "Peter" in Soi Bua Khao in central Pattaya. She was invited but decided not to go. She said that the deceased had no issues with anyone and had lots of friends being a popular guy. Chonburi provincial police have determined that at 9.18 pm the victim was at a mini mart on Phra Tamnak hill. There he bought two tins of baked beans, a loaf of bread and half a roast chicken. He then went via Sukhumvit Road and Soi Chaiyapreuk towards his home in Huay Yai. Police have suggested no motive at present. They are studying CCTV to get a full picture of both the victim's movements and that of the assailant who shot him. More on this case as we hear of it at ASEAN NOW. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2023-01-06 - 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! 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

The spot where the New Zealand tourist plunged to the ground and his body being taken to the hospital. Photo: Naewna by TNR Staff A TOURIST from New Zealand slipped and fell from the train that had slowed down for passengers to take photos at Kanchanaburi’s Krasae Cave which was the camp of POWs in World War II, Naewna newspaper said Tuesday (Dec. 27). At 12.10 p.m. Pol. Lt. Col. Kiattisak Kerdchok, an investigator at Sai Yok police station, was notified of a foreigner having died after falling off a train at Krasae Cave in Lum Sum subdistrict and quickly went there together with Pitakarn Kanchanaburi Foundation rescuers. At the scene they found Mr. Patrick Ward, 45, lying on the ground after plunging seven to eight metres from the train. His body was taken to Sai Yok Hospital for an autopsy with the New Zealand embassy too contacted. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/12/27/new-zealander-dies-in-fall-from-kanchanaburi-train/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-12-28 - 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!

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that Pol Gen Surachate Hakpan - who they called Deputy Joke - was at the Muang Pattaya police station to announce developments in underage sex cases at the Cobra Beer Bar. Mr Michael, a Brit and Mr Jens, a German, paid 2,000 baht for sex with 14 and 15 year olds. The owner of the bar took 500 baht. The pair were arrested after the crime on September 24th. Also arrested was bar owner Ornthana, 43, after a search warrant was served at her address in Soi Chaiyapreuk 2. The names of ten underage girls were found on bills. She faces human trafficking charges. Surachate was in town to wrap up the investigation that was of great public interest as well as being followed closely in the media. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-11-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! 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

The Bank of Thailand has defended new rules for cash deposits through automated cash deposit machines (CDMs), introduced by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO). Bank of Thailand’s Payment Systems Policy Office’s senior director, Budsakorn Teerapunyachai, said today (Tuesday) that the new measure is in line with the AMLO law against money laundering and financial support for terrorism. She also said that the central bank will urge all commercial banks to modify their systems to accommodate the new requirement and other card-less identification services. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-central-bank-defends-new-controls-on-cash-deposits-via-cdms/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-19 - 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!

From November 15th, people who want to deposit cash via cash deposit machines (CDMs) in Thailand will be required to identify themselves by inserting their credit or debit cards and entering their Personal Identification Number (PIN) or password. The new measure has been introduced by the Anti-Money Laundering Office and will be applied to all commercial banks, to prevent the laundering of money earned from drug trafficking, illegal gambling or other criminal activity. According to AMLO, the alternative for those who do not have a credit or debit card PIN or password for their bank accounts is to deposit their money and show their ID cards tobank tellers in the branch, which will incur service charges. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/new-rule-for-cash-deposit-machines-from-november-15th/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-18 - 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!

We put on some jungle camo and went in search of the most original of Thai cannabis strains. The results are beyond the wildest dreams of everyone at PrikPot and the experienced smokers among our customer base. Our online shelves are now stocked with weed that embodies everything legendary that came out of the Southeast Asian cannabis scene during the Vietnam War Era. We are happy to introduce you to Vintage Thai. A strain that takes true dedication to produce, involving five months of growing followed by six months of curing. Buy Vintage Thai here: https://prikpot.co.th/product/vintage-thai-original-thai-stick/?tap_a=114340-911ad0&tap_s=2932157-79232a To be clear, the term Thai Stick does not refer to a particular strain, but a packaging method that involved compressing cannabis around thin bamboo sticks, wrapping it in cannabis fan leaves and securing it with string/thread. Technically, any cannabis can be packed using the Thai Stick technique, but we were not seeking the aesthetics of that era. We wanted the real thing. Our efforts led us to original seeds from the 60s, and with them we have produced cannabis that is: ● The original Thai strain that popularized Thai Stick ● A native landrace 100% Sativa ● Grown for 5 months and then cured for 6 months ● Grown organically in Chiang Mai Smoking or consuming Vintage Thai brings on a rapid high that feels invigorating and full, likely to make you look at the label again to check you really saw 18% THC concentration written there. We couldn’t believe it either. Vintage Thai is a beautiful and enjoyable Sativa whose innocuous appearance and relative lack of aroma hide its quality effects. PrikPot is offering Vintage Thai in 10 gram packs for 2,490 Baht each, which equates to fantastic value for money at 249 Baht per gram. Members of ASEAN NOW are entitled to a 10% discount on all orders. Just enter the discount code ASEAN10 at the time of checkout. Check out the PrikPot website or contact us directly to learn more. https://prikpot.co.th/product/vintage-thai-original-thai-stick/?tap_a=114340-911ad0&tap_s=2932157-79232a If you are located in Chiang Mai, PrikPot offers instant deliveries via Grab on Mon-Sat 11:00-20:00. You are also welcome to visit PrikPot Cafe, our own dispensary and lounge with discounts, a broad selection of pre-rolls and a dedicated smoking room. Location here: https://go.prikpot.co.th/map

The Livestock Development Department buried about 24 tonnes of frozen pork, which originated in Brazil and was smuggled into Thailand from a neighboring country, at a landfill in Phayuha Khiri district of Nakhon Sawan province. . The pork was seized from a cold storage facility in Samut Prakan on September 11th. It was delivered by truck to the department’s quarantine zone in Phayuha Khiri district for destruction, to prevent the possible spread of African swine fever (ASF). Officials from the department said that Brazil has no agreement for the export of pork to Thailand and it is a country in which ASF has been reported. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/24-tonnes-of-pork-smuggled-from-brazil-destroyed-to-prevent-spread-of-swine-flu-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-28 - 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!

77kaoded Thai Caption: Foreigner in mystery plunge Pak Kret police and Ruam Katanya rescue services were called after a US man fell to his death from the 9th floor of a rental building in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi. Mr Campi, 43, was found dead with head injuries outside the building. He rented a storage unit on the eighth floor. Picture: 77kaoded A witness had seen him smoking a cigarette by the windows on the 9th floor before he fell. Natcha Phara, a security guard, said he heard a loud noise but what with the passing traffic he thought nothing of it. He was alerted to the incident by a van driver, reported 77kaoded. Picture: 77kaoded Police are contacting relatives and friends to try and understand what happened. They are keeping an open mind at the moment. The body was taken for autopsy at Thammasat Hospital in Rangsit. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-17 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! 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

Daily News Thai Caption: Totaled Daily News and many other Thai media reported on an appalling incident on the beach front at Ban Phe, Rayong, yesterday evening in which an apparently drunk British man in a pick-up killed and injured people before driving off and damaging four vehicles before overturning. Pol Capt Natthawat of the Phe Rayong police on the eastern seaboard was alerted to the incident yesterday evening and went with rescue services to the area near the Lotus store on the beach front road - Suan Son to Ban Phe Road - where they found an overturned four door pick-up. Inside was an apparently drunk Brtish man trapped in the driver's seat. Stephen P., 70, was given first aid. Picture; Daily News A police patrol nearby was giving CPR. But dead at the scene was Niran Pramuan, 53, and severly injured was 32 year old Chanasak. They were taken to Rayong Hospital. Witnesses reported seeing the foreigner reverse at high speed into the two men crushing them up against a lamppost. The driver then raced off colliding with two cars and two motorcycles before ending up on its side. Witnesses said that the British man lived locally and was a habitual drunkard who would drive in the wrong lane and that local people were fed up with his behavior. He was kept in custody while his injuries were treated as police prepared a breath test and for his subsequent prosecution. More on this as we hear of it. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-05 - 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 [email protected] for more information

By Online Reporter Thailand is now welcoming applications for its new 10 year Long-term Resident Visa (LTR Visa), which is aimed at attracting foreigners of “high potential” to live and work in the country. The LTR Visa formally came into effect on September 1, with the government seeing the program as a way to encourage new investment into the country. The 10 year LTR visa will be offered across four categories: Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Pensioners, Work-from-Thailand Professionals, and Highly-Skilled Professionals. Across each of the four categories, holders will need a personal income of USD 80,000/year. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/thailands-new-10-year-long-term-resident-visa-ltr-visa-is-now-available/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-09-02 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

file photo for reference only OPINION | by Michael Bridge The pandemic, along with the Russian-Ukraine conflict and rising fuel costs is making the rising inflation difficult for many. Now everyone needs to look very carefully at their monthly outgoings. What was a simple trip in the car to the local city for shopping, is now expensive with rising fuel costs, which are likely to go up even more? Commuting to work is also getting exorbitant whether you drive or take public transport, which in most cases are cutting back due to lack of customers. So, what ways can we save on our monthly outgoings when living in Thailand? Some may be obvious while others may be a surprise. Travel Those of us driving around in a car will want to reduce our fuel consumption asap, as fuel prices are rising every week and it is now an expense to drive anywhere. Either downgrade to a smaller more economic vehicle, maybe a diesel model, or perhaps buy an old scooter for local trips. Join the locals and take the train wherever possible, especially for long trips up north. Travelling at night is not only cooler but also cheaper too. Also jumping on a baht bus or songtaew will be a lot cheaper than grabbing a taxi. Airfares are also going through the roof, so if you must travel internationally, avoid school or national holidays, and try an airline with multiple stops. It may be inconvenient, but the price should be a lot lower. Accommodation Those of us who are renting could look around and maybe consider moving away from the new flashy high-rise condominiums to an older building. Usually, you will get a lot more space and with a lick of paint, it will feel like new too. And you will be saving a lot each month too. Shopping Forget the flashy supermarkets with their expensive imported brands. Going to the local market will instantly save you money, and the product will be very fresh as well. Walking to a local store or market not only should be cheaper, but again you are not paying to fill up the tank. You are also getting some exercise as well. Macro is a great place to buy meat and chicken at extremely competitive rates. You can save on drinking water by simply refilling up a bottle for only a few baht at the many water machines around. Eating out at a local Thai restaurant is also a lot cheaper. ATMs Withdrawing cash every day is expensive as the banks charge us a withdrawal fee. Better to take out a lump sum at your bank branch and keep it for daily use at home. Most Thai banks will also help you out by reducing your monthly repayments on your ATM cards. If you don’t ask you don’t get!!!! Your Cashflow Finally, keep track of your expenses. Treat your outgoings like a business and run a cash flow on all your income and outgoings on an Excel sheet. List everything from going to the cinema to even having a foot massage. It is amazing how running a weekly cash flow can focus the mind. Cutting back on extras can also help. Look how many Netflix accounts have been canceled in the past few months. Maybe reading a good novel will make a comeback and you can go to a second-hand café to buy them!!! I am sure many of you will have some useful and helpful tips so do let us know? -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-01 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - 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 [email protected] for more information

By Online Reporter With so many brilliant restaurants in Hua Hin, we’re spoiled for choice. There really is something for everyone. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe It goes without saying that delicious Thai food can be found all over the city. Whether you’re in the mood for a good burger, Sunday lunch or authentic Italian food, you will likely find it and much more in Hua Hin. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/food-wine/the-10-best-restaurants-in-hua-hin-according-to-tripadvisor/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-05-17 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on the surprise closure of a major shopping center in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand. Promenada Chiang Mai in Muang district - home to a hundred outlets and hundreds of employees - has temporarily shut down from May 5th until further notice. A Filipino senior executive at Promenada said that the 42 employees had not lost their jobs, they were working from home for now. Employees in the 100 outlets were mostly from big chains that could absorb staff in other branches. Cashflow and the effect of the pandemic over the last two years has been blamed. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Deputy governor Weeraphan Dee-orn was meeting with officials from the Labour Ministry to work out how to help staff affected by the temporary closure. He didn't deny suggestions from sources that the shopping center had had their utilities cut off due to non-payment. He said it was incumbent on everyone to make sure they paid their bills on time. But he added that talks with the firm and its investors indicated that there would soon be good news on the way regarding the reopening of the shopping center. The center was built with a huge investment from abroad, said the media. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-07 - 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. - 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

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that a 48 year old Thai wife arranged to have her 63 year old Danish husband murdered in Thailand for 500,000 baht. Via an older friend it was arranged that a relative would drive into the foreigner as he rode his motorcycle by a field. But despite a serious collision that left a hole in a windshield - a picture in Thai Rath was published - Mr. Larsen survived with serious injuries. Picture: Thai Rath The plot to get 10 million baht in life insurance soon unravelled and three people are in custody. Mr Larsen remains in Srisawan Hospital in the central/northern province of Nakhon Sawan. Yesterday Pol Maj-Gen Attasit Sutsanguan, Region 6 deputy, gave details of the case. Now in custody after warrants were issued on charges of arranging murder are Mr Larsen's wife Pratheep Fang Larsen, 48, and Jemjan Khamkaew, 60. On Thursday of last week, 21st April, the small sub-police station of Nong Krot received a report of a collision between a car and a motorcycle in Beung Pla Thu sub-district of Ban Photphisai district. A grey Toyota with Lampang plates had collided with the bike ridden by Mr Larsen propelling him into a field. Driving the Toyota was Ekkasit Wichajan, 24. Ekkasit claimed it was an accident and it appeared that way at first, said Attasit. But soon there appeared inconsistencies and it became obvious this had been deliberate and was a staged accident. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News Under intense interrogation Ekkasit broke down and admitted that he was hired by his relative Jemjan to kill Mr Larsen but failed. It emerged that Pratheep Larsen had paid her friend 500,000 baht to arrange her husband's death so she could claim 10 million baht in life insurance. The Larsen's have two children and had been living in Denmark for many years. But they came back to Thailand and couldn't return because of the pandemic. They had purchased tens of rai of land for 20 million baht but a dispute arose. The wife wanted a divorce but the husband opposed this. They could not get back to Denmark because of the pandemic. It was also reported that ten years ago Jemjan was charged with organising someone's murder but was acquitted. Ekkasit was promised a new car for killing Mr Larsen but after he failed he was given just 10,000 baht for his trouble. All three are now in custody as Mr Larsen recovers in hospital. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-30 - 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. - 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

Image credit: Spencer Davis/Unsplash BY CHAYANIN THAIJONGRAK Despite some concern regarding the Covid-19 situation after the Songkran holiday, the Public Health Ministry’s plan to declare Covid-19 endemic by July still persists. Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is still looking forward to declaring the prolonged Covid-19 as an endemic by July 1, 2022. Although it has been predicted that we could see a spike in cases and death rates after the Songkran festival, Dr Chakkarat Pitayowonganon from the Department of Disease Control states that it will take roughly two to four weeks to conclude. As of today’s prediction, the worst-case scenario can reach over 100,000 cases per day, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Fortunately, we’re now seeing a decline in the number of infections, from about 30,000 PCR tests per day before Songkran to 16,000 cases at the time of writing. Dr Chakkarat mentions that he is not much worried about the after-festival situation, for the risk group is mostly working people who already received booster vaccines and are likely to develop only mild symptoms. Full story: https://www.prestigeonline.com/th/travel/destinations/thailand-covid-endemic-july/ -- © Copyright PRESTIGE 2022-04-20 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Arun Saronchai Thailand finally released its long anticipated response to the ongoing Ukrainian crisis this week in an address to the plenary at the United Nations. Here is what we said to the diplomats gathered at the United Nations General Assembly. We might as well recall our UN ambassador and shut down the diplomatic corps. The fact that our Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes itself so seriously is a joke propped up by delusions of grandeur. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38024/opinion-thailands-foreign-service-fails-on-ukraine-where-singapore-succeeds/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-01 - Aetna 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

Sanook caption:"We've split up" Controversial US YouTuber and content creator Nathan Bartling - who has 11 million followers on his "My Mate Nate" channel - appeared on a teary-eyed video with his Thai wife yesterday to announce they are splitting up. Utah born Nate and his wife, Look Mee Wannabe Mee, or Mee spoke in Thai with their fans after Mee said a few words in English. According to Sanook they said the decision wasn't easy, it was complicated, but this was the best way forward. So why the split? That was a private matter within their families, they said. They felt that their direction and destination were diverging. They had not intended to say anything but out of respect for their fan base they had decided to go public. Nate has reportedly made a lot of money on YouTube, notes ASEAN NOW, but has courted controversy. Back in 2017 when aged 24 a petition for his deportation was started after he put coins on a railtrack and was interview by the authorities and apologized. He appeared at a police station in a suit and along with a friend was fined 5,000 baht. On another occasion he was accused of animal cruelty after what some saw as a particularly crass video. Picture: Thai Rath It featured a cat and a scorpion though Nate claimed the scorpion's stinger had been removed. Others criticized him for making videos with Thai teenagers that humiliated their lack of English though Nate said it was all a jolly good laugh. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-19 - Aetna 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

(Left) 23-year-old Bew or Ms Jirajariyawetch from police photographs which were taken in the aftermath of the horrific attack which she suffered in the early hours of Monday, November 22nd last after she was assaulted by a man at the 34th Street Herald Square subway station in New York. (Inset lower right) The attacker escaped by jumping over turnstiles at the station. (Top right) A picture of Ms Jirajariyawetch, a fashion model who emigrated to the United States this summer. Thai woman in New York appeals for tip offs to police on a mugger who sexually assaulted her by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor A lawyer for Ms Jirajariyawetch said his client was left traumatised by the incident which occurred in the early hours of November 22nd last and which has been linked to a 500% rise in attacks on Asian Americans in the United States this year. A young Thai woman has come forward in New York this week to encourage city residents to provide police with information about a man who robbed and sexually assaulted her in late November saying she feared someone else may become a victim of the same attacker. A young Thai woman who recently moved to New York was attacked and mugged in the early hours of Monday morning November 22nd in another violent incident in a growing pattern which has seen attacks on the Asian community across the United States rise by 500% since 2020. In New York City alone, the number of violent attacks on Asian people in the city has increased to 128 reported incidents compared to 28 in 2020. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2021/12/16/thai-woman-sexually-assaulted-by-mugger-new-york/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2021-12-17 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Goral (Naemothedus) and serow (Caprycomis Sumatraensis), two endangered wildlife species, only seen on steep mountain cliffs, have recently been separately spotted by Thai park rangers on the Kew Mae Pan natural jungle trail in the Don Inthanon national park, in Chom Thong district of Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Mai. Mr. Kritsayam Kongsatri, director of national park affairs at the 16th conservation area management office, said today (Monday) that this was the first time that rangers were able to take pictures of a goral on a steep and narrow cliff, after claims of sightings of the rare animal by some villagers. He said that park rangers also managed to take pictures of a serow, foraging along the same jungle trail. -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-05-10 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai tourism in trouble: And competitor Vietnam is "scary" for Pattaya File photo Reports from the government that Thai tourism is up were disputed today. By the government themselves! As one ministry appears to disagree with another a business leader says that tourism on the ground in Pattaya is much worse than the figures suggest. Whatever those figures are. In fact the outlook is terrible - with Vietnam presenting a "scary" proposition as a competitor for the tourism dollar. Earlier the Ministry of Tourism and Sports had said that tourism was up 0.89% in June year on year. Now the National Economics and Social Development Council - a ministerial body - has said that first quarter results in Thailand showed an across the board slowdown in tourism. From an increase of 4.3% in the last quarter this plummeted to 1.8%. Tourists from Oceania, Europe and the middle east were not coming as expected. Tourism from China was faring better but was still in decline from 10.5% down to 1.7%. Pattaya business and tourism leader Ekkasit Ngamphichet - who two weeks ago said that tourism in Pattaya was going down the pan - has not changed his mind in a new interview with the Thai media. If anything he is even more pessimistic than before. He said that from his analysis of local businesses it was hard to find any reason to be positive. He said there were few Europeans. Yes, the Russians had returned in some numbers but it was not a great deal. The Chinese tourism market was "rather quiet". Chinese New Year back in February had been a mere shadow of previous years and by April and May there were less and less Chinese - far fewer than could be expected on previous year's results. He suggested that the figures coming out of government spin doctors were not being shown on the ground. He described Vietnam as "naa glua" - meaning scary. He said that Vietnam was increasingly a rival of Thailand for tourist cash. Vietnam has lots of unexplored and new tourism locations and many people are choosing to go there instead of Pattaya in particular and Thailand in general. -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-07-23 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

Trump to visit families of victims of Texas school shooting The memorial for victims of the Santa Fe High School shooting lays outside the school as students return on the first day of class since the mass shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, U.S., May 29, 2018. REUTERS/Pu Ying Huang WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump will meet with the families of victims of the Santa Fe High School shooting on a visit to Texas on Thursday, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Wednesday. Eight students and two teachers were killed at the Santa Fe High School near Houston when a teenage student opened fire in a classroom on May 18. The president had been previously scheduled to attend campaign fundraisers in Houston and Dallas on Thursday. Sanders said that while in Houston, Trump will meet with victims' families "to personally offer his condolences and support." After the shootings, Trump said his administration "is determined to do everything in our power to protect our students, secure our schools and do everything we can to keep weapons out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves and to others." The White House reactivated a school-safety commission that was formed after the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, in February that left 17 dead. Sanders said that the commission is meeting again this week to determine "the best ways forward and how we can do every single thing within our power to protect kids in our schools and to make them feel safe and make their parents feel good about dropping them off." In March, the administration released a safety plan that, among other things, pledged to provide funds for firearms training for some school personnel. Trump supports a bill in Congress that would strengthen the federal system that checks the background of gun buyers, but the legislation remains stalled in the Senate. (Reporting by Steve Holland; writing by David Alexander and James Oliphant; editing by Eric Walsh and Tom Brown) -- © Copyright Reuters 2018-05-31

Thai "opportunists" following ambulances through traffic acting illegally Picture: TNews Following news of an ambulance being driven illegally Thai media have reminded motorists about their own responsibilities when they hear a siren or see flashing lights behind them. Tnews said that most people know that they should get out of the way by creating a path for the ambulance. But they commented that many Thai "opportunists" use the situation to get one up on their fellow drivers by following the emergency vehicle through heavy traffic. This they said is illegal as the law states that no one can follow within 50 meters of an emergency vehicle. A 500 baht fine exists under section 76 of the 1979 traffic law for not getting out of the way. Motorists can also be fined for following in the slipstream of an emergency vehicle, they said. An ambulance crew in Nonthaburi are in the news after being featured on Facebook going the wrong way down a road in a non-emergency situation. Source: TNews -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-11-28

High-rise buildings in Bangkok resistant to earthquake BANGKOK: -- High-rise buildings built after 2007 in Bangkok can withstand shaking from earthquake of 6.3 magnitude, according to the Building Control Division of the Department of Public Works of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Assurance from the Building Control Division came as there is rising concern among people living in high-rise buildings after the devastating 7.8 earthquake hit Nepal last week. It said that it had collected information from over 70 high-rise buildings of which occupants reported feeling the shaking after the 6.3 earthquake struck Phan district of Chiang Rai on May 5, 2014. These tall buildings are not pronged to risk from earthquake but merely could feel shaking from the quake, It said after the 6.3 quake that hit Chiang Rai and high-rise buildings in Bangkok felt the shaking, preventive regulations were issued requiring all high-rise buildings must be designed to be earthquake resistant to such magnitude. This was to ensure that all high-rise buildings built after 2007 will meet international safety standard to cope with the quake. Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/high-rise-buildings-in-bangkok-resistant-to-earthquake -- Thai PBS 2015-04-30