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US to unveil new economic relations framework for Asia at ASEAN Summit as China warns of war by James Morris and Son Nguyen Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha (inset right) on his way to Washington DC on Wednesday where he will attend a two days US ASEAN summit which will see the leaders of eight of the countries in the 10 nation bloc interact with US President Biden (centre) in his first face to face engagement with them since taking office 17 months ago. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259370-us-to-unveil-new-economic-relations-framework-for-asia-at-asean-summit-as-china-warns-of-war/

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha (inset right) on his way to Washington DC on Wednesday where he will attend a two days US ASEAN summit which will see the leaders of eight of the countries in the 10 nation bloc interact with US President Biden (centre) in his first face to face engagement with them since taking office 17 months ago. by James Morris and Son Nguyen US ASEAN Summit is a contrast to the 2016 event with some tough talking expected behind the scenes as the United States continues to pursue a more robust line in countering China with both military alliances and pacts as well as a new economic framework to deepen bilateral engagement with countries within the increasingly significant 10 nation bloc. Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha is in Washington DC to attend the US ASEAN Summit with speculation the United States is set to unveil its new framework for economic engagement with the region. It comes as Thai and US officials have already met as part of the US-Thailand Strategic and Defence Dialogue process, a framework for deepening the US Thai relationship developed between the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Department. The summit comes as China has warned ASEAN countries that the United States is seeking to promote tensions and another cold war in East Asia as a means to impede its progress and counter the ‘trend of the times’ in a campaign that it claims is not in the region’s interests. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe It is already clear that this week’s US ASEAN summit will be a wide-ranging one which will see the participants engage in discussions on economic development, security as well as regional and geopolitical tensions with China as well as efforts by the 10 nation ASEAN bloc to recover from the pandemic. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/05/11/united-states-to-unveil-new-framework-at-asean-summit/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-05-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Prawit says Thailand should be upgraded in US human trafficking report By Erich Parpart Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said on Wednesday that he is confident Thailand will be upgraded back to Tier 2 of the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report in 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259369-prawit-says-thailand-should-be-upgraded-in-us-human-trafficking-report/

By Erich Parpart Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said on Wednesday that he is confident Thailand will be upgraded back to Tier 2 of the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report in 2022. The country was demoted from Tier 2 to Tier 2 Watchlist in 2021. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe “The results from all the anti-trafficking efforts showed the government’s clear intention to prevent and suppress human trafficking activities,” Prawit said while presiding over a meeting of the state committee on the prevention and suppression of human trafficking at government house. “I believe that Thailand should be promoted to Tier 2 in 2022,” he said. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/40050/prawit-says-thailand-should-be-upgraded-in-us-human-trafficking-report/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-05-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

to continue: Thailand Live Thursday 12 May 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1259368-thailand-live-thursday-12-may-2022/

Cannabis Treatments Added to Gold Card Scheme BANGKOK (NNT) - Three traditional cannabis-based medicines have been included in the government’s gold card scheme as additional hospital treatment options. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259312-cannabis-treatments-added-to-gold-card-scheme/

Thai children’s IQ levels on the rise, over 10% above 130 The average intelligence quotient (IQ) of Thai children is on the rise, from an average of 98.3 in 2016 to 102.8 in 2021, while 10.4% of the students surveyed have an IQ above 130, according to results of a nationwide survey released by the Ministry of Public Health’s Mental Health Department Wednesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259311-thai-children’s-iq-levels-on-the-rise-over-10-above-130/

Thailand is approaching Covid-19 redefinition as ‘endemic’ but with no exact timeframe, Public Health Minister says Thailand’s Covid-19 situation is improving and nearly calling the disease ‘endemic’ soon, the Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated May 11th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259317-thailand-is-approaching-covid-19-redefinition-as-‘endemic’-but-with-no-exact-timeframe-public-health-minister-says/

Driver escapes injury as iron girders come loose and smash into following car in downtown Bangkok Picture: Sanook Sanook reported on a scary incident earlier this morning in the Asoke - Phetchaburi area of downtown Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259295-driver-escapes-injury-as-iron-girders-come-loose-and-smash-into-following-car-in-downtown-bangkok/

Picture: Sanook Sanook reported on a scary incident earlier this morning in the Asoke - Phetchaburi area of downtown Bangkok. A cable snapped on the back of a 10 wheel truck carrying a 15 ton load of steel girders destined for a building site in the Lumpini area. A video and still pictures showed one of the girders having piereced the windshield of a Honda Jazz that was following. A crane was being used to clear the area. The incident at the area crossing the Saen Saeb canal caused three lanes to be closed resulting in horrendous rush hour traffic. Nimit, 27, the trucker - called a "chauffeur" in the Thai language - is helping Makkasan police with their inquiries. He said at the scene that it was lucky no one was hurt. Sanook didn't mention the identity of the Jazz driver in their report. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-11 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - 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

"The stress will kill my mum" says abbot after being caught taking yaba Naew Na Thai Caption: "Fine" behavior for a temple - abbot and monks arrested for yaba Naew Na reported that police in Muang Uthai Thani and provincial drugs officers went to a temple in the village of Ban Bung Fang after a drugs' bust. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259294-the-stress-will-kill-my-mum-says-abbot-after-being-caught-taking-yaba/

Naew Na Thai Caption: "Fine" behavior for a temple - abbot and monks arrested for yaba Naew Na reported that police in Muang Uthai Thani and provincial drugs officers went to a temple in the village of Ban Bung Fang after a drugs' bust. They had heard that monks there were being supplied with yaba - meth mixed with caffiene, a common illegal drug in Thailand. Urine tests were carried out on the abbot and two monks who all tested positive for the stimulant. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Naew Na The stressed out abbot kept repeating to the assembled gathering: "If my mum finds out about this the stress will kill her". He admitted to partaking of one yaba pill a day while his monks said they had been on a three day bender. After taking the drug they would have the energy to cut the grass and prune the trees. The local Buddhist authorities were in the process of defrocking the three clergy ahead of their prosecution for drug taking. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-11 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - 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

Video: Car smashes into back of parked resurfacing vehicle after collision with motorcycle taxi on Bang Na -Trat Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported on an accident on the Bang Na - Trat highway at KM marker 15 in the early hours of yesterday morning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259291-video-car-smashes-into-back-of-parked-resurfacing-vehicle-after-collision-with-motorcycle-taxi-on-bang-na-trat/

Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported on an accident on the Bang Na - Trat highway at KM marker 15 in the early hours of yesterday morning. A Suzuki Swift driven by 26 year old Patrathip had slammed into the back of an asphalt resurfacing trucked parked by the side of the local road. He had to be cut out and was then given first aid by Poh Teck Tung staff before being taken to Chularat Suwannaphum Hospital with serious injuries including a broken right arm and broken right leg. Phromdee, 57, a motorcycle taxi rider, said he had been in the left lane and moved slightly right to avoid cones. He was struck by the Swift and came off injuring his wrist. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: 77kaoded The car lost control and plowed into the back of the parked vehicle. Phlerngtalay, 43, said that he had been sleeping in another vehicle after completing asphalt work at 2.00 am. He said he had put out the required cones. Bang Plee police are investigating. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-11 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - 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

Gold shop robber in Chonburi shows gun in bag before stealing a whole tray of necklaces Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on the latest gold shop robbery in Thailand yesterday evening. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259287-gold-shop-robber-in-chonburi-shows-gun-in-bag-before-stealing-a-whole-tray-of-necklaces/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on the latest gold shop robbery in Thailand yesterday evening. This one was at the Pornphailin store in the Don Hua Lor police jurisdiction in Napa sub-district, Muang Chonburi. CCTV showed a man milling about outside the store going in and out. When in the store the man, dressed in black, asked to see one baht weight necklaces (worth a little over 31,000 baht at today's prices). He made as if to call a relative at one point to distract staff. Then he showed them a gun in his bag to frighten them. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath He then grabbed the whole tray and disappeared in the direction of Wat U-Tapao with six baht weight in gold, more than 180,000 baht's worth. He fled on a ladies' red and black motorcycle, plate unknown. Don Hua Lor and provincial police are on the case. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-11 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - 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

First Group of Myanmar Workers Legally Imported through Mae Sot TAK, May 11 (TNA) – The Labor Ministry welcomed fully vaccinated Myanmar migrants to Thailand to work for local employers without quarantine. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259286-first-group-of-myanmar-workers-legally-imported-through-mae-sot/

TAK, May 11 (TNA) – The Labor Ministry welcomed fully vaccinated Myanmar migrants to Thailand to work for local employers without quarantine. Labor inspector Onthep Intharasakul and employment inspector Patarawut Persaela on Tuesday supervised the arrival of 288 Myanmar workers who were imported under a bilateral memorandum of understanding. The migrants entered the country through the border checkpoint of Mae Sot district. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin who assigned both inspectors to the border checkpoint said the 288 workers arrived from Yangon via Myawaddy and they were the first group of imported workers after the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration had relaxed arrival rules on May 1. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-939752 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-05-11 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Amazing Thailand: Gate pinching thief on a bicycle nabbed by cops in Samut Prakan Picture: Siam Rath Thai social media was abuzz with comment after a man was caught on CCTV in Thai Ban Mai sub-district of Samut Prakan riding off with a gate on a bicycle. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259285-amazing-thailand-gate-pinching-thief-on-a-bicycle-nabbed-by-cops-in-samut-prakan/

Picture: Siam Rath Thai social media was abuzz with comment after a man was caught on CCTV in Thai Ban Mai sub-district of Samut Prakan riding off with a gate on a bicycle. The thief had seized on an opportunity to steal the large item in three parts during the night yesterday. It happened at a house being refurbished. The footage posted by the victim showed the thief riding off with the gate perched on the basket of his bicycle. Siam Rath reporters went to the area where the victim refused to say anything except " return my gate". Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath Muang district police chief Pol Col Termrat Jindawat went to the scene to gather evidence that soon pointed to local resident 37 year old Thassaphon or "Ton". He admitted everything and appeared to have been taken on something of a reenactment, if a picture on Siam Rath was anything to go by. He has been charged with theft at night using a conveyance. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-11 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - 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

UPDATE: "It's only a toy" says Thai man after threatening his 'terrified' ex with a gun in Pattaya Daily News Thai Cap: A toy gun A Thai man from Korat has surrendered to the Muang district police in Pattaya after a scary incident in the street. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259198-man-blatantly-points-gun-at-18-year-old-ex-girlfriend-in-public-with-multiple-eyewitnesses-in-pattaya-area/?do=findComment&comment=17352298

"It's only a toy" says Thai man after threatening his 'terrified' ex with a gun in Pattaya Daily News Thai Cap: A toy gun A Thai man from Korat has surrendered to the Muang district police in Pattaya after a scary incident in the street. The man was on a motorcycle when he pointed a gun at Rungrujee, 22, as she also rode a bike. This terrified her and other road users who saw the incident. One member of the public reported the incident on Monday to police but the man escaped. Chief Pol Col Kulachart Kulachai said his men had taken swift action and put pressure on the suspect to surrender. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe This he did yesterday. He is 25 year old Chanot Naknin, Rungrujee's former boyfriend. He arrived at the police station with the gun. He said that it was only a toy belonging to a relative and it just happened to be under his bike seat so he decided to threaten his ex with it. He said he was just playing around and that he didn't think it would be a big deal or taken seriously. The constabulary begged to differ and he was taken away to be charged, reported Daily News. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-11 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - 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

Second search at "Holy Father's" weird cult - Fermented fish covered in maggots "shocks" officials Daily News Thai Caption: Utterly sickening Daily News reported on the second search of the property of a strange cult headed by a 74 year old man referred to as Phra Bida or Holy Father in Chaiyaphum. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259281-second-search-at-holy-fathers-weird-cult-fermented-fish-covered-in-maggots-shocks-officials/

Daily News Thai Caption: Utterly sickening Daily News reported on the second search of the property of a strange cult headed by a 74 year old man referred to as Phra Bida or Holy Father in Chaiyaphum. The mystic has many disciples who believe that by ingesting such bodily secretions as phlegm, skin scrapings, urine and feces they can be healthy. Deputy governor Charnchai Sornsriwichai arrived yesterday with police and army personnel. He said they had found many shocking items being packaged up and distributed illegally as snacks and drinks for the faithful. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News He said that disciples of the cult were warned about staying in situ - they could be charged with encroachment on public land themselves, as the Holy Father has been. But the worst thing they found were vat after vat of fermenting Pla Ra - a kind of noxious sauce used to make dishes like som tam. The vats and pools of fermented fish were crawling with maggots and the stench was so appalling that investigators winced even behind their surgical masks. They had to cover their noses. ASEAN NOW suggests that the sensibilities of those present may have been a little over the top. Many people in the north east in particular ingest such food quite happily even if others might deem it to be rotten. In countless households in the north east the smelly condiment is made and the maggots are routinely scooped off the surface before it is consumed. Charnchai said that much evidence had been gathered and would inform the investigation into the affairs of the cult. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-11 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - 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

AIS and Vimut Hospital Launch Smart Hospital Campaign by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Vimut Hospital and Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) have launched their Smart Hospital campaign using the telecommunications company’s 5G solution and digital services. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259280-ais-and-vimut-hospital-launch-smart-hospital-campaign/