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Thailand's businesses are feeling the knock-on effects of the war in the Ukraine and sanctions against Russia [File: Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters] Countries across Asia are bracing for rising inflation and supply chain disruptions amid sanctions against Russia. By Vijitra Duangdee Bangkok, Thailand – For Bangkok-based exporter Peyton Enloe, getting Thai fresh fruit and vegetables onto Russian supermarket shelves has become an almost impossible task. Russian consumers are cutting back on luxuries as the value of the rouble plummets to record lows. Not only that, the Aeroflot planes Enloe relies on to transport his produce are running out of space as flights fill up with Russian tourists cutting their holidays short. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe “We’ve basically lost market access to Russia,” Enloe, managing director of Purithai Produce, which ships fresh and frozen produce to Europe, America and Russia, told Al Jazeera. “My Russian customers told me people don’t have money to even buy the basics, let alone ‘exotic’ produce like mangos, durians, rambutans.” Full story: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/3/9/in-thailand-businesses-feel-economic-shock-of-ukraine-war -- © Copyright AL JAZEERA 2022-03-10 - 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

PE teacher repeatedly raped student from age 13 - he videoed sex to threaten her, she needed two abortions Sanook Thai Caption: He made the victim call him "daddy" Anti Human Trafficking police gathered evidence after a 21 year old woman from Kamphaeng Phet reported that she had been repeatedly raped by her PE teacher from the age of 13. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253005-pe-teacher-repeatedly-raped-student-from-age-13-he-videoed-sex-to-threaten-her-she-needed-two-abortions/

Sanook Thai Caption: He made the victim call him "daddy" Anti Human Trafficking police gathered evidence after a 21 year old woman from Kamphaeng Phet reported that she had been repeatedly raped by her PE teacher from the age of 13. A 52 year old man was arrested outside a restaurant in Nakhon Sawan as he walked with a companion to his vehicle. A sting involving a video clip had been conducted with a young person the media called "dek" without elaborating. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The victim of the rape - now 21 - left Kamphaeng Phet when she graduated and went to live with relatives in Bangkok. But when she went back up north in January her former tormentor again threatened to expose her with video evidence of their sexual encounters, attacked her and forced her to have sex with him. She'd had enough. She went to the human trafficking police. Sanook reported that over the years the teacher had repeatedly filmed their sex to threaten her and she even needed two abortions after getting pregnant. After the victim's mother died he had assumed the position of her step-father making her call him "daddy" to cover his activities. He faces charges of having sex with a child under 15, statutory rape. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-10 - 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

Thai Air Force Affirms New Fighter Jets Are a ’Necessity’ by Thammarat Thadaphrom File photo for reference only. Source: Wikipedia BANGKOK (NNT) - The Royal Thai Air Force has insisted on purchasing new fighter jets, saying the new fleet, which will replace the existing aircraft soon to be decommissioned, is needed to increase the country’s defense capabilities. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253004-thai-air-force-affirms-new-fighter-jets-are-a-’necessity’/

File photo for reference only. Source: Wikipedia by Thammarat Thadaphrom BANGKOK (NNT) - The Royal Thai Air Force has insisted on purchasing new fighter jets, saying the new fleet, which will replace the existing aircraft soon to be decommissioned, is needed to increase the country’s defense capabilities. Royal Thai Air Force spokesperson Air Vice-Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee stated that it is the air force’s responsibility to maintain full readiness for the sake of national security. He stated that the air force is expected to follow the Defense Ministry’s national security and defense operation plan to also ensure sufficient capability in response to any threats. Thailand’s fighter jet decommissioning process began in 2021 and is expected to be completed in 2031. The air force said the operation will see less than half the number of jets the country had previously by 2032, which is not enough to maintain air defense operations. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe According to Air Vice-Marshal Prapas, the air force also intends to purchase fifth-generation fighters with five core features: stealth, supercruise, sensor fusion, and super maneuverability, as well as avionics integration systems. These advanced fighter jets are also required for the air force’s security cooperation with other countries in the region, in addition to bolstering the nation’s air defense capabilities. Separately, an air-force panel is investigating the Tuesday crash of an F-16 A-ADF fighter plane in Chaiyaphum’s Chaturat region. As the investigation proceeds, the agency is seeking assistance from the United States in data extraction. The probe is anticipated to be completed in one week. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-10 - 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

Chonburi announces 978 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and three new deaths By Goong Nang(GN) Highlights: 978 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today via PCR 2,924 positive ATK (rapid antigen) tests were reported. The Thai Government considers these “suspected” cases. 1,275 (PCR) and 1,290 (ATK) recovered and were released from medical care Three new deaths Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253003-chonburi-announces-978-new-and-confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-and-three-new-deaths/

By Goong Nang(GN) Highlights: 978 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today via PCR 2,924 positive ATK (rapid antigen) tests were reported. The Thai Government considers these “suspected” cases. 1,275 (PCR) and 1,290 (ATK) recovered and were released from medical care Three new deaths The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 978 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with three new deaths, March 10th, 2022. This makes a total of 50,797 cases (PCR) and 49,027 cases (ATK) of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 10,660 (PCR) and 21,036 (ATK) people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 82 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections at the beginning of this year, January 2022. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Additionally, 1,275 (PCR) and 1,290 (ATK) people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 40,055 (PCR) and 27,991 (ATK) people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began at the beginning of this year, January 2022. Six people were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia. Two of them were not vaccinated. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/10/chonburi-announces-978-new-and-confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-and-three-new-deaths/ Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-10 - 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

Sky rocketing cost of fuel threatens boat tourism in Phuket Picture: Daily News A leading figure representing the pleasure boat industry in Phuket said that the rising cost of fuel threatens the industry. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253002-sky-rocketing-cost-of-fuel-threatens-boat-tourism-in-phuket/

Picture: Daily News A leading figure representing the pleasure boat industry in Phuket said that the rising cost of fuel threatens the industry. Wirintra Paphakityotphat, senior executive of Nikorn Marine Group told Daily News that tourists would stop using boats if the price went up. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe She said that a liter of fuel for boats had doubled from 20 baht to 40 in next to no time. Picture: Daily News But due to the dire state of the economy caused by the pandemic and the fact that tourists have far less money to spare these days the industry is unable to raise prices. She called on the government to introduce price caps to help the industry. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-10 - 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

Thai man has nasty experience with leeches - medics get to the bottom of matters Thai Rath Thai Rath went to Pho Thong district of Ang Thong in central Thailand after a man called Somchai, 41, was hired to clear a pond of weeds and vegetation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252995-thai-man-has-nasty-experience-with-leeches-medics-get-to-the-bottom-of-matters/

Thai Rath Thai Rath went to Pho Thong district of Ang Thong in central Thailand after a man called Somchai, 41, was hired to clear a pond of weeds and vegetation. Somchai said that he waded in in his underpants and was soon attacked by a large number of 'pling khwai'(literally buffalo leeches) and the smaller 'pling khem' (needle leeches) all over his legs. Worse was to come. One of the huge blood suckers actually went inside his bottom and he had to pull it out. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe When he took off his undies four leeches were present. Rescue services were called and he was taken to Pho Thong Hospital where doctors thankfully examined his rectum where no further leeches had entered. "That would have been terrible," recounted a very relieved Somchai as he began his recovery. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-10 - 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

Thailand agrees to buy more electricity from Laos Thai environmentalists say the move favors profits over nature and riparian communities. Électricité du Laos (EDL) power lines cross the rice fields on the outskirts of Vientiane, Laos in this file photo. Thailand has agreed in principle to buy more electricity from Laos after the two Southeast Asian neighbors signed an agreement that expands energy cooperation between the two Mekong River neighbors. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252994-thailand-agrees-to-buy-more-electricity-from-laos/

Électricité du Laos (EDL) power lines cross the rice fields on the outskirts of Vientiane, Laos in this file photo. Thai environmentalists say the move favors profits over nature and riparian communities. Thailand has agreed in principle to buy more electricity from Laos after the two Southeast Asian neighbors signed an agreement that expands energy cooperation between the two Mekong River neighbors. The memorandum of understanding, signed by both countries’ respective ministers of energy March 4, promotes clean energy, and creates more opportunities to invest in Laos’ energy sector, an official of the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines told RFA’s Lao Service Monday. Laos has staked its future on power generation in a controversial bid to become “The Battery of Southeast Asia,” exporting electricity from more than 50 large and small-scale dams on the Mekong River and its tributaries. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/laos/thailand-03092022145758.html -- © Copyright Radio Free Asia 2022-03-10 - 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

Shootout in downtown Suphan! Thai man picked wrong restaurant to take his girlfriend for dinner Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that luck ran out for a young Thai man who chose the wrong restaurant to take his girlfriend for dinner in downtown Suphanburi last night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252993-shootout-in-downtown-suphan-thai-man-picked-wrong-restaurant-to-take-his-girlfriend-for-dinner/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that luck ran out for a young Thai man who chose the wrong restaurant to take his girlfriend for dinner in downtown Suphanburi last night. When Anupong Chartdee or Bank, 23, and 21 year old Panatda Chomkun arrived also at the restaurant was an old rival who had a conflict with Bank. This was Phermphoon Siriwat or "Ome" aged 23 who was with several other people. An argument broke out after they left and many shots were fired. Muang Suphanburi police found Bank dead shot 7 times in the head and torso lying by a Vios. Police recovered several items of evidence at the scene including a belt buckle with evidence of having been hit by a bullet. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe They suspected that Ome had also been hit and so it proved when U-Thong police reported that he had gone to the hospital there with two bullet wounds to his ribs. He was taken into custody. Muang district police are interviewing all witnesses to ascertain what happened. Other people in the injured man's group were also injured. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-10 - 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

Municipality discusses plans for people in Hua Hin to separate their trash By Online Reporter File photo. People in Hua Hin may soon need to sort their trash into separate bags according to new proposals being discussed by municipal officials. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252992-municipality-discusses-plans-for-people-in-hua-hin-to-separate-their-trash/

File photo By Online Reporter People in Hua Hin may soon need to sort their trash into separate bags according to new proposals being discussed by municipal officials. The proposals regarding trash collection have been submitted as part of a move to establish guidelines for the growth and development of Hua Hin as a city. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Plans put forward by Mr. Theeraphan Jadpol, Director of the Department of Public Health and Environment in Hua Hin would see people in Hua Hin required to separate trash into “dry” (garbage), “wet” (waste), toxic waste, plastic and bottles. The requirement to separate trash would apply to all households and businesses. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/municipality-discusses-plans-for-people-in-hua-hin-to-separate-their-trash/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-03-10 - 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

UNICEF and Ministry of Public Health launch innovative platform to protect vulnerable children from violence in Thailand By Adam Judd BANGKOK, 10 March 2022 – The Regional Health 8th Office, Ministry of Public Health, and UNICEF signed an agreement to launch Primero, an innovative web platform for case management, in an Udon Thani Provincial hospital. With Primero, social workers will be able to better respond to cases of violence, abuse and neglect by providing timely and quality support to vulnerable children and families. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252989-unicef-and-ministry-of-public-health-launch-innovative-platform-to-protect-vulnerable-children-from-violence-in-thailand/

By Adam Judd BANGKOK, 10 March 2022 – The Regional Health 8th Office, Ministry of Public Health, and UNICEF signed an agreement to launch Primero, an innovative web platform for case management, in an Udon Thani Provincial hospital. With Primero, social workers will be able to better respond to cases of violence, abuse and neglect by providing timely and quality support to vulnerable children and families. Currently used in more than 40 countries and territories, the Primero web platform is a digital public good that aims to facilitate case management for the social service workforce. The platform provides user-friendly digital forms and clear workflows to assist social workers with managing and documenting cases, from identification and registration to assessment, case planning, referrals and transfers, and case closure. Case management involves working with children and families to plan, process, and monitor services and support for vulnerable children in need of care and protection. This involves navigating through a complicated and often disconnected set of services and support available within and outside of the hospital. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Primero will support social workers in the Udon Thani Provincial hospital in their case management role by moving documenting processes online and linking them with the hospital’s information system on patients and services. This will ensure case management processes are more efficient than in the slower, paper-based system and can meet the needs of children more fully, so children can be better protected and families better supported. With timely information on violation patterns and risk factors, social workers can help families detect early signs of violence and prevent serious cases. For example, information on children identified as at-risk of violence and abuse by Thailand’s innovative Child Shield system will be transferred to Primero, which will recommend preventative actions provided by One-Stop Crisis Centres in hospitals and monitor the results to prevent further risks. “Too many children are at risk of falling through the cracks when referred from one service provider to another due to a lack of social workers and efficient and user-friendly tools for providing timely and quality support,” said Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative for Thailand. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/10/unicef-and-ministry-of-public-health-launch-innovative-platform-to-protect-vulnerable-children-from-violence-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-10 - 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

Thai cop shot dead after arrest of hitman goes badly wrong in southern Thailand Picture: Thai Rath An arrest of a hitman - wanted on a warrant from the Phatthalung court for murder - went badly wrong yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252987-thai-cop-shot-dead-after-arrest-of-hitman-goes-badly-wrong-in-southern-thailand/

Picture: Thai Rath An arrest of a hitman - wanted on a warrant from the Phatthalung court for murder - went badly wrong yesterday. Crime Suppression Division police in a Ford chasing a Honda were fired at by men using an M-16. It happened in the area of Ban Tha Khwai, Phatthalung, where 100,000 baht a head hitman Jarat "Chui" Rakjan had been hiding out, reported Thai Rath. Pol Sen Sgt Maj Anan Meesaeng was hit in the head and died later in hospital. Pol Sen Sgt Maj Chatchai Sanyo was hit in the arm. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Backup was called from the Phatthalung police as three men in the car including the main suspect escaped in the confusion. A man still in the car continued to fire his weapon and was shot dead. He was 47 year old Watchara Rattanasuwan. A 9mm gun and an Uzi were recovered from the car. The three other suspects including Chui were soon arrested nearby. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-10 - 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

Another African smuggler with cocaine in his stomach nailed after arrival at Bangkok airport Picture: Thai Rath Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252986-another-african-smuggler-with-cocaine-in-his-stomach-nailed-after-arrival-at-bangkok-airport/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on customs activity of the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF) at Suvarnabhumi airport. Officials were suspicious of a 44 year old man from Guinea who arrived from Nigeria via Ethiopia on Saturday. A check of his luggage revealed nothing but he was watched at his hotel where he did the one night quarantine. When he left next morning he was arrested and taken back to the airport where an xray revealed mysterious packets in his stomach. Picture Siam Rath Siam Rath who also reported the story had a picture of the suspect having his bags searched. He appeared to have a distended stomach. By Tuesday he had evacuated these items from his system - there were 54 packets of cocaine weighing 1,080 grams worth 3,240,000 baht. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He has been charged with smuggling a Class 2 narcotic and detained. Thai Rath quoted a customs spokesman saying that since October 30 cases have been handled with a drug value of 883,966,250 baht. Recently ASEAN NOW had a report of a similar story about a Sierra Leone man who was found with cocaine in his luggage after a stay at a quarantine hotel. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-10 - 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

The race for Bangkok governor edges closer By Ken Lohatepanont Finally, a date to ponder. An event much speculated, oft-discussed but, it seemed, in the state of long term limbo, its certainty anything but certain. After years of deep freeze, partisan politics will be returning to Bangkok. The gubernatorial election, along with its associated local races, is soon to be officially scheduled. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252975-the-race-for-bangkok-governor-edges-closer/