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by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has expressed concern over seasonal dengue fever and other risks that come with summer thunderstorms this year. According to Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha voiced his concerns about people’s health due to volatile weather caused by summer thunderstorms. He said flooding and rainstorms have created stagnant water in many areas, which have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit viruses, such as the type that cause dengue, malaria and other vector-borne diseases. The prime minister has instructed officials to be on alert for any potential outbreaks while eliminating mosquito breeding grounds in their respective areas. The general public is meanwhile advised to remain vigilant and closely monitor their health amid ongoing COVID-19 and influenza outbreaks. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe People experiencing high fever or fatigue should take an ATK test and monitor for any symptoms. If the ATK results come back negative but the symptoms persist after 48 hours, authorities recommend seeing a doctor as soon as possible. The spokesperson also stressed other risks that came with summer thunderstorms, such as venomous animals fleeing inundated areas into residential zones or parasites coming in with the floods. He added that Gen Prayut was aware of the situation and has instructed relevant agencies to be ready to provide immediate assistance to affected residents. He also requested cooperation from all sides maintaining measures and guidelines to ensure public safety. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-28 - 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

15 students involved in recent fatal hazing ritual at Thai university expelled The Rajamangala University of Technology Isan-Nakhon Ratchasima has decided to expel 15 second-year students, after finding that they organised an illegal hazing ritual, after which a first-year student died. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254844-15-students-involved-in-recent-fatal-hazing-ritual-at-thai-university-expelled/

The Rajamangala University of Technology Isan-Nakhon Ratchasima has decided to expel 15 second-year students, after finding that they organised an illegal hazing ritual, after which a first-year student died. 10 other second-year students, who were involved in the ritual but not in the assault, have had the results of their first semester examinations invalidated. 5 other second-year students and 37 first-year students have had their behavioural scores cut by ten points for allegedly supporting the illegal activity. The disciplinary action was ordered by the rector of the university, following a probe into an assault on a first-year student outside the campus on March 13th. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/15-students-involved-in-recent-fatal-hazing-ritual-at-thai-university-expelled/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-28 - 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

Bangkok administration urged to manage its own educational system The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) should be independent of the Ministry of Education in the management of primary education in Bangkok, said Prof. Dr. Somphong Chitradub, a board advisor of the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), at a panel discussion jointly held Saturday by the EEF and Thai PBS. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254843-bangkok-administration-urged-to-manage-its-own-educational-system/

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) should be independent of the Ministry of Education in the management of primary education in Bangkok, said Prof. Dr. Somphong Chitradub, a board advisor of the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), at a panel discussion jointly held Saturday by the EEF and Thai PBS. Candidates running in the Bangkok gubernatorial election or their representatives also joined the discussion. Dr. Somphong pointed out that the learning opportunities for children in Bangkok, which help to promote their development, have been constrained by various rules and regulations imposed by the Education Ministry. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bangkok-administration-urged-to-manage-its-own-educational-system/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-28 - 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

Move Forward party leader most popular candidate for prime minister – NIDA Poll Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat has taken the lead as the candidate most favoured by the public as the next Thai prime minister, according to the latest opinion survey conducted by NIDA Poll. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254842-move-forward-party-leader-most-popular-candidate-for-prime-minister-–-nida-poll/

Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat has taken the lead as the candidate most favoured by the public as the next Thai prime minister, according to the latest opinion survey conducted by NIDA Poll. The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) gauged the opinions, by phone, of 2,020 respondents, aged 18 and over, in various occupations and of differing educational backgrounds nationwide between March 10th and 15th. The margin of error is +/- 3%. The respondents were asked whom they support as to become the next prime minister. The findings show 27.62% are undecided. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/move-forward-party-leader-most-popular-candidate-for-prime-minister-nida-poll/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-28 - 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

Police impound 3 trucks of Chinese-made COVID test kits bound for Cambodia Thai police stopped three pickup trucks today (Sunday), loaded with Chinese-made rapid antigen test kits, as they were heading for Cambodia via a border crossing in the eastern province of Sa Kaeo. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254841-police-impound-3-trucks-of-chinese-made-covid-test-kits-bound-for-cambodia/

Thai police stopped three pickup trucks today (Sunday), loaded with Chinese-made rapid antigen test kits, as they were heading for Cambodia via a border crossing in the eastern province of Sa Kaeo. Police said they decided to impound all the test kits after the drivers of the three trucks could not produce any documentation to prove their origin or a letter certifying the quality of the kits, issued by the Thai Food and Drugs Administration. Pol Col Niwatchai Sukthayarak, superintendent of Khlong Hat police station in Sa Kaeo province, said today that a Cambodian national, who claimed to be the owner of the kits,had presented some documents to the police, which are now being examined to determine their authenticity. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/police-impound-3-trucks-of-chinese-made-covid-test-kits-bound-for-cambodia/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-28 - 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

Mukdahan anti-corruption watchdog has reservations over budget to repair “fancy” lamp posts and weir The Mukdahan provincial office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has expressed reservations over a provincial civil works and town planning officeproposal to secure 40-million baht to repair damaged “fancy”lamp posts, a weir and a wind-powered water storage tank in the municipal area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254840-mukdahan-anti-corruption-watchdog-has-reservations-over-budget-to-repair-“fancy”-lamp-posts-and-weir/

The Mukdahan provincial office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has expressed reservations over a provincial civil works and town planning officeproposal to secure 40-million baht to repair damaged “fancy”lamp posts, a weir and a wind-powered water storage tank in the municipal area. Head of the provincial NACC office, Anucha Poengboonsri, and director of the civil works and town planning office, Vinai Seethiangtham, visited the site of the damaged facilities, close to Sila Wiwek monastery, on Thursday for a field inspection,following call by civil society for a reinvestigation of the projects. Anucha told the media during the trip that, before additional budget can be granted, the civil works and town planning office must make sure that the projects will be accepted by the Muang district municipality, after it has completed the repair work, and that the municipality will take care of future maintenance. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/mukdahan-anti-corruption-watchdog-has-reservations-over-budget-to-repair-fancy-lamp-posts-and-weir/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-28 - 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

Crew member dies and 3 injured in oil tanker explosion on Chao Phraya River A member of the crew of an oil tanker died and three others were injured in an explosion yesterday afternoon (Sunday) on the Chao Phraya River, as the tanker was mooring to unload oil at the Bangchak depot in Phra Khanong district of Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254839-crew-member-dies-and-3-injured-in-oil-tanker-explosion-on-chao-phraya-river/

A member of the crew of an oil tanker died and three others were injured in an explosion yesterday afternoon (Sunday) on the Chao Phraya River, as the tanker was mooring to unload oil at the Bangchak depot in Phra Khanong district of Bangkok. The tanker, Ampar 8 Bangkok, was loaded with about three million litres of crude oil from Si Chang Island in Chon Buri province. According to initial police findings, sparks erupted in the anchor windlass room, at the bow of the tanker, before the explosion and resulting fire. Police said that the fire was confined to the anchor windlass room. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/crew-member-dies-and-3-injured-in-oil-tanker-explosion-on-chao-phraya-river/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-28 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 28 March 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1254838-thailand-live-monday-28-march-2022/

Will tourism in Thailand bounce back from Covid differently? by Michael Bridge Thailand will never lose its charm with fabulous beaches, temples, cultures, and mouthwatering food. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254837-will-tourism-in-thailand-bounce-back-from-covid-differently/

by Michael Bridge Thailand will never lose its charm with fabulous beaches, temples, cultures, and mouthwatering food. The lure of the land of smiles also attracts golfers, scuba divers, medical tourists, and of course holidaymakers after the crazy nightlife. That said, it has been clear for all to see that currently during the pandemic life has not been all smiles. It has been hard to get a drink in a restaurant, nightlife has been closed and everything shuts down at 11 pm. Ok, these restrictions will eventually be lifted as the country beats the Covid curve, however, will everything be the same. Nightlife will be back but differently? Take the nightlife and the hospitality industry which was really hit during the pandemic. Thousands of hotel staff and restaurant and bar staff lost their jobs, and will they return. Many go-go bars shut up shop over two years ago with landlords owed massive unpaid rent. Will enterprising entrepreneurs be willing to take the risk of re-opening, and will their landlords charge reasonable rents? The bar girls headed back to their families long ago, and may have settled back into country life, so will they be tempted back? With fewer European, American, and Aussie ex-pats traveling due to the global recession, will the expected Indians and Arabs be able to fill the void as customers? Where will tourists go? Bangkok will always exist as it is one of the great cities of the world, however, resorts like Pattaya and Phuket will have to alter their appeal to attract a new type of tourist. Pattaya is perhaps in better shape in the long run, as it will inevitably benefit from the new high-speed rail links and the expansion of the Eastern corridor. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Already more emphasis is on family-orientated attractions including waterparks and shopping experiences are starting to change the city’s seedier image. Phuket still has a wonderful coastline and is the second-largest airport in the country, so it should bounce back too. Massive competition The TAT now has a huge job of attracting visitors who now have a wider choice when coming to SE Asia. Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore are now all competing for these vacationers, so Thailand has to work even harder to attract the millions who used to spend time here in the past. Medical tourism is extremely popular, as Thailand offers a cheaper alternative to many Western hospitals. Some think with the relaxing of the Cannabis laws, people will be attracted to sit and get stoned on a cup of Cannabis tea!! Eco back to nature resorts should also prosper, as the world adjusts to saving the planet. The bottom line is if the Thai baht weakens, then foreigners will return if they get more for their currency. However it will still be a few years without any more pandemics to get Thailand back on track, so let us hope the government and the country’s hospitality industry can wait that long. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-28 - 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

Health Officials Advise Against Arbitrary ATK and RT-PCR Tests by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Health authorities are now advising against the arbitrary use of ATK and RT-PCR tests, while also assuring that four COVID vaccine doses are enough for now and there are no plans to administer fifth doses. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254764-health-officials-advise-against-arbitrary-atk-and-rt-pcr-tests/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Health authorities are now advising against the arbitrary use of ATK and RT-PCR tests, while also assuring that four COVID vaccine doses are enough for now and there are no plans to administer fifth doses. Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences, recently reported on efforts to monitor for new COVID-19 variants. He said the Ministry of Public Health has set a target for preventing COVID deaths, with adequate vaccination in risk groups to contribute to this end. Dr Supakit explained that the healthcare system remains adequate, but fatality rates will inevitably rise alongside infection rates. He added that if members of the "608" group of people at high risk of severe COVID symptoms can be protected, the number of deaths can be limited. Dr Supakit also urged people to refrain from risky activities such as attending gatherings and not wearing masks. He noted that normal life will be difficult if daily infection numbers hit 100,000-200,000. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The department’s deputy chief, Dr Banlang Uppapong, said ATK and RT-PCR tests should be used only when individuals have been exposed to COVID risks. Tests are appropriate for use within 14 days after traveling from locations with high infection rates or after contact with someone who contracted COVID-19. Use of ATKs are not recommended when no symptoms or risks are present. The senior health officials further noted that people who have received their third vaccine dose should make preparations for receiving their fourth. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-26 - 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

Songkran Water Splashing Allowed at Certain Festival Venues by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has said water splashing events for this year’s Songkran Festival will be allowed at some venues, but not in open areas. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254763-songkran-water-splashing-allowed-at-certain-festival-venues/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has said water splashing events for this year’s Songkran Festival will be allowed at some venues, but not in open areas. Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said authorities will allow splashing events under strict precautionary measures in order to prevent COVID-19 transmissions. Such events must be held at dedicated venues without allowing for the consumption of alcohol or the use of talcum powder. Water splashing in public areas is also prohibited this year. Thanakorn added that Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha had expressed concern about potential COVID transmissions during the long holiday, as a large number of people are expected to travel back to their home provinces. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He urged the general public, particularly senior citizens, to get vaccinated for their safety. People who plan to reunite with their families are meanwhile encouraged to adhere to personal protective measures and to take an antigen test prior to traveling. Additionally, business operators at popular walking streets in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya will request that the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) allow water splashing at their venues. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-26 - 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 Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Business Association, said the proposal will include event plans and safety measures such as screening and capacity control.

Ministries Establish Life-Long Learning Strategies by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Seven ministries have established a cooperative framework to promote life-long learning among the Thai people. The campaign aims to improve people’s livelihoods, in line with the government’s national strategy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254762-ministries-establish-life-long-learning-strategies/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Seven ministries have established a cooperative framework to promote life-long learning among the Thai people. The campaign aims to improve people’s livelihoods, in line with the government’s national strategy. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the signing ceremony of an agreement between seven ministries to promote lifelong learning. The framework was first initiated in 2017 between the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Education. The new agreement signed on Thursday (24 Apr) further expanded this cooperation to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, and the Ministry of Labor. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The life-long learning campaign aims to enhance human resources at all levels and ages. The plan for young children will involve the 5H concept comprising Heart, Head, Hand, Health, and Hi-tech. Meanwhile, the plan for senior citizens will involve the 4S concept, which comprises Social Participation, Social Security, Strong Health and Smart Digital and Innovation. The prime minister on this occasion delivered his remarks to encourage self-sufficiency, while also expressing his appreciation for government officials and the general public for actively cooperating to achieve sustainable solutions. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-26 - 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

Thailand slides down the happiness index - but personal relationships and mutual respect remains strong OPINION by Rooster "The Week That Was" started six years ago this week on March 20th 2016 when the site was known as Thaivisa. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254756-thailand-slides-down-the-happiness-index-but-personal-relationships-and-mutual-respect-remains-strong/

OPINION by Rooster "The Week That Was" started six years ago this week on March 20th 2016 when the site was known as Thaivisa. Some 313 consecutive editions later Rooster hasn’t flown the coop. I’m proud of it, hoping that my writing has brought some smiles and even happiness. Goodness knows Thailand needs that these days…. The very first subject matter was the fact that Thailand had just been rated 33rd in the World Happiness Report 2016. Admittedly it was up from 36th when Prayut and his cronies decided what was best for us in 2014. But that proved to be the briefest of honeymoons. Lung Too - our father who art in khaki, hollow be thy name - banged on about returning happiness to the people. He penned a song and entertained us - I use the term loosely - with a Friday address that was even translated into English. Now he could do damage in an international context. Whoopee! However, in the latest World Happiness rankings Thailand is now languishing in 61st place and can’t even beat the Philippines and is miles behind the police state that is Singapore (27th). As ASEAN NOW observed this week, the Land of Smiles is now more akin to the Land of Scowls. (Well at least according to some. I still find bags of silver lining from living in Thailand despite the chaos of life here sometimes - explained later). Finland - famous for its wondrous education system and equality - topped the list again, followed by Denmark and Iceland. New Zealand made 10th with the Aussies, Canada, US and the UK in reasonably close pursuit. Afghanistan was last in 146th. So why is Thailand fast dropping off the precipice of happiness? Dropping faster than Singha beer singlet-ed pale skinned foreigners toppling sideways off low guarded Pattaya condo balconies, even. We can’t blame the pandemic or can we? I mean hasn’t every country suffered. Maybe the kingdom has suffered more than most because of the shutdowns of the tourism and nightlife industries. Millions have been thrown out of work and despite so much positivity on the international horizon Thailand continues to drag its feet post pandemic with a series of half hearted returns to a post pandemic normal. Leaders with some oomph are sorely lacking. Unless you think dinosaurs have oomph. So often in the past you would hear Thais talking about the freedom in their country - the freedom to go anywhere, eat anything, do anything. Whether true or not they believed it and were happy to share that fact with the tens of millions of visitors who brought 25% of GDP. Now that golden goose has been strangled and the Thais are not smiling much, still less behind their masks. The country has taken some knocks since 1997 - but the pandemic has been a doozy. More people seem to be walking round with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Noses in phones like most anywhere. I’m afraid to say that were Thailand not my home I’m not sure I’d be rushing to visit anymore. Frankly, it is a shadow of its former self - at least temporarily. A shadow of the country that I fell in love with in the 1980s. A shadow, even of the country, that kept my love in buckets even after the turn of the century. Can it recover? Yes, I think it can because the inherent nature of the Thais is that of a positive, bright, happy-go-lucky live-for-today don’t worry about ‘manana’ kind of people. If they are supported the smiles could return perhaps along with the tourists. I’m staying put. Government change is needed and the people need to make their voices heard. Easier said than done, yes, especially with how the ruling elite has changed the make-up of the senate and shifted the goal posts to their own advantage. This week it was interesting to see Paetongtarn Shinawatra - now the flavor of the month in the Pheu Thai party - not rule out a run for PM if and when the dinos dissolve the House. She’ll have no problem getting elected and the people in the north and the countryside will vote Pheu Thai in droves. But will the urban elites speak with enough force to turn a tide into a torrent? I do hope so because my homeland is suffering. I’m not a citizen, just a resident but what it doesn’t say in my little white book is how much I love this country. Like many of my friends, that has never wavered. I’m not going anywhere but I want to see change. I want to see more happiness and less angst. I want to see the glorious smiles on the faces of my five and nine year old daughters not ground down as they develop. I want to see them thrive and be encouraged to contribute meaningfully to their nation. And not feel that the only future for them is to get a UK passport and head to Western climes as my older children inevitably decided. Back in 1998 when Ms Shinawatra was a young teen she came to spend a day at Harrow International School where I worked. That’s how long she lasted, a day. About the same time as her job in McDonalds. Just time to get a selfie. I do hope she has matured and if she can get elected, establish a new order for the benefit of Thais and the country as a whole and not just her dad’s and aunty’s freedom to walk the land of their birth. Here’s hoping because something needs to give or the Afghans will one day be calling their once happy land happier than Prathet Thai! Over in Europe Vlad the Impaler Mark 2 has been doing his best to make the Europeans miserable but there are some promising signs. His invasion is clearly stalling amid the bravery of the Ukrainians. Maybe a face saving deal can be ironed out. The US under Biden - not faultless but an improvement of the absurdities of the previous incumbent - are developing less MAGA and more humility especially in their international relations. Left leaning liberalism is alive and kicking despite the bashing it has taken in recent years. Now it’s time for the western allies to realise that it wasn’t all bad Mr Putin but mistakes of their own making that led to this almighty world-happiness-threatening mess. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson continued to behave like the meaning of his surname. Goodness knows why, but he has wanted to be like his hero Churchill. That’s not hard; for all his literary prowess and wartime statesmanship a brief perusal of the greatest cock-ups in political decision making as well as appalling gaffes were committed by Churchill. Many Brits have been indoctrinated otherwise; Rooster has been to places like India and listened and read up on history. Boris got a brilliant rebuke at the end of last week after HIS latest gaffe in comparing the heroic struggle in Ukraine to that of the pitiful disaster that was Brexit. Liberal Democrat leaded Sir Ed Davey said of BJ: “He is no Churchill. (so far so good) “He is Basil Fawlty.” (perfect!) The archetypal, blundering, lying and rude Torquay hotel proprietor is a fair comparison. Though I suspect that Boris would find it hard to do the funny walk. Continuing the analogy, I think the UK would be better off if Manuel was in charge, or Sybil…certainly Polly! In Ratchayothin my sympathies are with my wife who faced a daunting phone call from a nurse in Loei looking after her ailing mother. “Khun Yai” (mum, here) has been in and out of hospital for months with ever increasing complications from diabetes. But this call was different, only veiled slightly in euphemism. It was plain that the nurse was telling the daughter to come quickly, be prepared and hope for the best. As Mrs R packed up all the things necessary to take the kids on the long drive to Loei a close friend of ours tested positive for Covid. With my interaction with him making it highly likely I’d contracted the virus, I went into Covid isolation at home so as not to potentially infect my daughters and wife who will be in close proximity to the dying old lady in Loei. The reason I can’t drive is that I require emergency dental care after a slightly botched tooth extraction earlier in the week. And all that’s if I don't have Covid. When it rains in Ratchayothin, it pours…..as the story goes! The plus side is that when you read this I will have started a 5 week period of being on my own. I’ll bike it to Loei if things take a further turn for the worse. Ever since I first met my M-I-L twenty years ago she has been nothing but kind to me. She sometimes even batted my corner in mild disputes with Mrs R. I respect her enormously and have told her that. My wife and young children are facing a difficult and challenging April. Here are some of the other stories that caught Rooster’s beady eye this week: A householder was left fuming after ordering a fiberglass swimming pool in Petchaburi to ease their pandemic hibernation woes. But the cowboys who installed it clearly didn’t know their stirrups from their jodhpurs and she ended up with a pool with several kinks in it. As in all such cases the issue of naming and shaming and contravening Thailand’s draconian defamation laws raised its head. Similar sensibilities were in the story about a mum whose daughter found a centipede in tinned fish. At least she won’t be legless, mum. Anutin went to Bung Kan on the Mekong Riviera to open a ganja symposium. That was just days after a 600 kilo ganja bust in the same NE location. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe And in the same week that overzealous cops locked up a 70 year old granny and her neighbor for each having one ganja plant. Rooster was quick to point out the incongruity of these matters all coming at the same time like London buses.. Along with Daily News calling ganja the “Hell Drug” - yaa narok, usually reserved for yaba (A Scrabble word no less). It was truly “Reefer Madness” all over again as Anutin burbled about ganja riches for those who don’t break the THC 0.2% rule, while grannie languished in clink for needing something for her bad back. PM Prayuth was praised for going into work on his 68th birthday. When he was told that it was expected of workers to engage in employment on birthdays he shrugged, sulked and went back to the barracks to look up the word “worker” in the dictionary. Parents were told not to allow their children to spend too long on phones. A survey suggested an hour was too long. Believe me, I’d be doing cartwheels if I could get my kids down to just an hour a day. The kids themselves would call only one hour child abuse and threaten dad with exposure on TikTok. Top video of the week was just 15 seconds long and featured a house invasion by three Pitbulls from a temple. Fortunately they lost interest in the fleeing kid but unfortunately they turned their attention to the family cat. Rooster said this was “torn to shreds”. Last week a poster in the comments admonished me for banging on about loathing dogs and I have promised to tone down the rhetoric. Let’s hope that a wonderful, caring and suitably qualified animal lover can look after the adorable Pitties. Finally, in crime news the forestry official who shot and killed his ex lover’s son, was found hanged in the woods by colleagues. A hunt had been going on for about two weeks. The story was spiced up for ASEAN NOW consumption because of the fact that 37 year old Kanya - the mother of the slain youth - has a new foreign love interest who was staying at the house when the murder occurred. She said she would “graap sop” (show respect to the corpse) but not attend the funeral of her former lover. Fair enough. Rooster -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-26 - 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

More than 60 illegal Myanmar people arrested in South - they'd paid 150,000 baht each to go to Malaysia Daily News Thai Caption: 150K per head Daily News reported that military, police and protection authorities raided a resort in Hat Yai, Songkhla. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254755-more-than-60-illegal-myanmar-people-arrested-in-south-theyd-paid-150000-baht-each-to-go-to-malaysia/