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Downtown Hua Hin, file photo. By Jonathan Fairfield Sanctions targeting Russia’s largest banks and financial institutions in the wake of the country’s invasion of Ukraine are having an impact on Russian expats in Hua Hin. These expatriates aren’t wealthy oligarchs but ordinary people who, like many of us, have chosen Hua Hin as their home. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe They run small businesses or are parents with young children who attend local schools. Hua Hin has a growing Russian expatriate community of an estimated 1,500 people. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/what-do-sanctions-mean-for-russian-expats-in-hua-hin/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-03-09 - 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

Rights activist’s concern as the trial of Ferrari Joe begins in Bangkok for killing of a drugs suspect by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Forner police chief in Nakhon Sawan, Police Colonel Thitisan Utthanaphon before his arrest and dismissal from the police force, is on trial before the Criminal Court in Bangkok along with six other officers for torturing a drug suspect to death on August 5th last. The 30-year-old former high flying policeman known for his penchant for fast cars and with the nickname ‘Ferrari Joe’ was later reported to have amassed assets of up to ฿600 million through a secretive internal government scheme to detect and seize illegally imported luxury cars into Thailand. (Inset top right) Scene from the shocking video showing the torture of Jeerapong Thanapat by Colonel Thitisan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252818-rights-activist’s-concern-as-the-trial-of-ferrari-joe-begins-in-bangkok-for-killing-of-a-drugs-suspect/

Forner police chief in Nakhon Sawan, Police Colonel Thitisan Utthanaphon before his arrest and dismissal from the police force, is on trial before the Criminal Court in Bangkok along with six other officers for torturing a drug suspect to death on August 5th last. The 30-year-old former high flying policeman known for his penchant for fast cars and with the nickname ‘Ferrari Joe’ was later reported to have amassed assets of up to ฿600 million through a secretive internal government scheme to detect and seize illegally imported luxury cars into Thailand. (Inset top right) Scene from the shocking video showing the torture of Jeerapong Thanapat by Colonel Thitisan. by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor The trial comes as a new law, strengthening legal protections against torture and human rights abuses against people held in custody with more transparency provisions, makes its way through Thailand’s parliament. The case of the suffocation of 24-year-old drug-dealing suspect, Jeerapong Thanapat, shocked Thailand to the core last August when a video clip emerged showing the police chief in Nakhon Sawan, currently facing trial on a capital murder charge, placed plastic bags over the victim’s head and fastened them while other police officers looked on at the main police station in the city. A human rights activist has expressed unease at comments reportedly made by a lawyer for former police officer Colonel Thitisan Utthanaphon at his trial at the Criminal Court in Bangkok which began last weekend and is due to resume at the end of this week, suggesting that the alleged murder of a detainee, a suspected drug dealer, in detention last August in Nakhon Sawan was a matter related simply to the application of excessive physical violence. The lawyer also took exception to third parties monitoring the trial suggesting that there was a danger that evidence presented at the proceedings may serve to blacken the reputation of the police force. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe This week, it has emerged that a lawyer for Colonel Thitisan, also known in Thailand as ‘Ferrari Joe’, is asking the court to deny access to proceedings to human rights observers and activists who are anxious to hear details of the case and evidence linked with the alleged murder of a 24-year old drug-dealing suspect last August. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/03/08/activist-anxious-over-ferrari-joe-police-torture-trial/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-03-09 - 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

United States Center for Disease Control raises Thailand to its highest level of travel risk due to Covid-19 By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: BMA Health National – The United States’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added Thailand to its highest-risk Level 4 category for travel on Monday, March 7th, along with Hong Kong and New Zealand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252816-united-states-center-for-disease-control-raises-thailand-to-its-highest-level-of-travel-risk-due-to-covid-19/

PHOTO: BMA Health By Nop Meechukhun National – The United States’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added Thailand to its highest-risk Level 4 category for travel on Monday, March 7th, along with Hong Kong and New Zealand. The destinations were classified as “Level 4: Covid-19 Very High” risk when more than 500 cases per 100,000 people over 28 days were recorded, according to the CDC considerations. This means that it is recommended for all travelers from the US to avoid traveling to Thailand. If they must travel to the country, they are highly advised to be fully vaccinated and up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines before travel. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/08/united-states-center-for-disease-control-raises-thailand-to-its-highest-level-of-travel-risk-due-to-covid-19/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-09 - 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

Cabinet Discusses Help for Stranded Russian, Ukrainian Tourists BANGKOK, March 8 (TNA) – The cabinet discussed help for the Russian and Ukrainian tourists who were stranded in Thailand and whose financial transactions were stalled. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252815-cabinet-discusses-help-for-stranded-russian-ukrainian-tourists/

BANGKOK, March 8 (TNA) – The cabinet discussed help for the Russian and Ukrainian tourists who were stranded in Thailand and whose financial transactions were stalled. As the cabinet met and discussed the matter today, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said about 6,000-7,000 Russian and Ukrainian tourists were stranded in the country and their financial transactions, especially those through credit cards, were blocked. The minister said he would ask hoteliers' association to postpone their room charges on the tourists. Otherwise, the Tourism Authority of Thailand would find accommodations for them until the Russia-Ukraine conflict was settled. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-897709 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-03-09 - 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

Storm Topples Big Buddha Statue Building in Buri Ram BANGKOK, (TNA) – Summer storms injured two people and damaged 14 houses in Phetchabun province and tore down a building that housed a big reclining Buddha image in Buri Ram. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252814-storm-topples-big-buddha-statue-building-in-buri-ram/

BANGKOK, (TNA) – Summer storms injured two people and damaged 14 houses in Phetchabun province and tore down a building that housed a big reclining Buddha image in Buri Ram. Seksan Klinphun, chief of Lom Kao district in Phetchabun, said a storm slightly injured two people and damaged 14 houses and a stall in seven sub-districts. Local officials were surveying damage and would offer assistance to victims, he said. In Buri Ram, a big storm hit Chalerm Prakiat district yesterday evening and toppled a building that housed a large reclining Buddha image at Wat Khao Angkarn. The dome-shaped building was constructed in 2019 with donations worth nearly 5 million baht. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-897593 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-03-09 - 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

Women in modern Thailand still face obstacles, discrimination in the workplace By Natcha Patanasophon Women still face significant social pressures and ongoing challenges when it comes to equality in Thailand, according to activists. But despite many obstacles, women continue to break through social inequalities and thrive through existing barriers of employment. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252813-women-in-modern-thailand-still-face-obstacles-discrimination-in-the-workplace/

By Natcha Patanasophon Women still face significant social pressures and ongoing challenges when it comes to equality in Thailand, according to activists. But despite many obstacles, women continue to break through social inequalities and thrive through existing barriers of employment. “There’s limited space for women in leadership,” Darunee “Dada” told Thai Enquirer. “Our career advancement opportunities are limited.” The 27-year-old woman was rejected 17 times before landing her dream job as a civil engineer. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38325/women-in-modern-thailand-still-face-obstacles-discrimination-in-the-workplace/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-09 - 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 say no evidence yet to indicate Thai actress’s death was foul play, mother turns to Senate Evidence obtained by the police from various sources, including statements from witnesses, does not provide any indication that the death of the late TV actress Nida Patcharaveerapong, aka “Tangmo”, involved foul play, said spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police Pol Maj-Gen Yingyos Thepjumnong yesterday (Tuesday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252812-police-say-no-evidence-yet-to-indicate-thai-actress’s-death-was-foul-play-mother-turns-to-senate/

Evidence obtained by the police from various sources, including statements from witnesses, does not provide any indication that the death of the late TV actress Nida Patcharaveerapong, aka “Tangmo”, involved foul play, said spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police Pol Maj-Gen Yingyos Thepjumnong yesterday (Tuesday). The officer held a press conference with Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1 Pol Maj-Gen Udorn Yomcharoen, after an urgent meeting of the officers handling Nida’s case was held with National Police Chief Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk. The spokesman said, however, that at this stage all the evidence, oral and material, points to negligence, resulting in the death of Nida and that there is no evidence that suggesting that illicit substances were being used on the speed boat on the night Nida fell into the Chao Phraya river from the vessel. 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-say-no-evidence-yet-to-indicate-thai-actresss-death-was-foul-play-mother-turns-to-senate/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-09 - 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

What was it like to have a Cataract operation in Thailand By Mike Bridge Over the past twelve months, I started to have problems seeing the text on the TV, and reading a book was also becoming hard work. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252811-what-was-it-like-to-have-a-cataract-operation-in-thailand/

By Mike Bridge Over the past twelve months, I started to have problems seeing the text on the TV, and reading a book was also becoming hard work. I am 72 years old, and I had been wearing glasses for over 40 years and was only using them for long distances, but now my vision worsened. There was no point going to an regular optician this time, as I now needed to see an eye specialist. I Googled eye clinics and hospitals in the region, (I live in Pattaya) and soon realised that I would need to stay away from private hospitals as they were quite expensive, and my health insurance apparently did not cover eyes. Eventually, a friend suggested checking out the Pattaya Eye Center, where Dr Nattawat had been practicing there for over 12 years. In fact, before he set up his clinic near Big C Extra, he told me he had worked at several hospitals including Bangkok Pattaya. I booked an appointment and he carefully check out both eyes. Initially, he said I should take some eye drops and some capsules to stop any infection, although he did explain that my right eye may have a cataract problem. After a month I returned, and he confirmed that my right eye did need a cataract operation although the left eye was OK. The options were to either use a Monofocal lens costing THB55,000 or a Multifocal lens costing THB85,000. As I was on a tight budget, I settled for a Monofocal lens which would give me long-distance vision, but he said I may need reading glasses. I thought it over and living on a retirement pension felt to wait another few months to raise the money for the more expensive lens, was just too long. Therefore, the Doctor took various measurements and with his equipment was able to work out what lens to order. I paid the deposit of THB10,000 in December and the operation was scheduled for January. Then with the spike in Omicron, I decided to delay it for a few weeks and then they rescheduled the operation for March 1st. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The actual procedure I must admit I am not a great patient and therefore was fairly tense when I arrived on the day of the operation. The first step was to have drops put into my eye every ten minutes which went on for an hour. Then one of his nurses took me upstairs to a fairly large operating room that had a flatbed and various pieces of equipment. They told me to put on a surgical gown and told me to lie down. There were two nurses in attendance. They put a round pillow around my head and covered my face leaving a hole over my right eye. Then the Doctor gave me an injection just below my eye into my cheek which was a bit uncomfortable, but I assumed would numb my eye. After about 5 minutes they started to stretch the eye with tape and put a gauze over the eye. During the operation which takes about 20 minutes, they shine a bright light and all you see is a number of coloured lights, like going to a Pink Floyd concert. It was difficult to tell what was going on and you do not really feel much pain. In the end, they put a cotton eye patch over the right eye and told me to not touch it for 24 hours. A friend drove me home and I spent the time resting. The next day the Doctor took off the eye patch, checked my eyes, and gave me some drops which I should use every 2 hours during the day. My long vision seemed fine and although I could read, he showed me what new lenses for reading would be like and it did improve the vision. So after a couple of days I then went to an optician and ordered some reading glasses. Also, I had to wear UV sunglasses to protect the eye for a couple of weeks. No water on the eyes, no swimming or saunas, and no washing hair for a few weeks as well. After the operation, I did get a great black eye so wearing the sunglasses helped. Gradually my right eye settled although I did feel a bit itchy, however after a week that was getting better. A week after the operation I went back to see the Doctor for a checkup, and he told me that everything was healing as per schedule. Conclusion It is a very strange and wonderful feeling to get into the car and drive off without the need of wearing glasses. The bottom line is everyone especially over fifty should have regular checkups with a qualified eye specialist, as they can detect earlier enough if you do need a cataract operation. If you leave it too late, it may be impossible to remove your cataract and add a new lens. Other friends had had super sight procedures at local private hospitals which were successful, however at THB200,000 that was way over my budget. I hope my personal experience has given some of you hope that it is worth the stress and money to regain your sight. See you all soon! Pardon the pun. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-09 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Wednesday 9 March 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1252810-thailand-live-wednesday-9-march-2022/

Thai Covid-19 Center says final decisions on Songkran rules will come NEXT Friday, March 18th, still being debated PHOTO: Prachachat The Cabinet Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha, has approved the Bangkok governor and Pattaya Mayor elections today, March 8th, before the exact date could be finalized and announced by the Election Commission in a further step. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252797-thai-cabinet-committee-approves-elections-for-bangkok-governor-and-pattaya-mayor-date-still-to-be-finalized/

Thai Air Force F16 jet crashes while on training flight, pilot safely ejects A Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed while on a training flight in the north-eastern province of Chaiyaphum yesterday afternoon (Tuesday), but the pilot managed to eject safely, according to Spokesperson for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Air Vice Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252759-thai-air-force-f16-jet-crashes-while-on-training-flight-pilot-safely-ejects/

Committee Concludes Thailand Should Buy F-35 Jets From U.S. BANGKOK (NNT) - Royal Thai Air Force Spokesperson Air Vice-Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee has announced that a committee reviewing Thailand’s fighter aircraft acquisition plan has concluded that the Kingdom should purchase 5th-generation fighter jets, as they are best suited for current strategic demands. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252760-committee-concludes-thailand-should-buy-f-35-jets-from-us/

Disabled Thai man says "I've still got two legs and two hands"; Withoon's determined to help his family Picture: Siam Rath Thai media Siam Rath caught up with an inspirational man who has not let disability stand in his way of helping his young family. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252739-disabled-thai-man-says-ive-still-got-two-legs-and-two-hands-withoons-determined-to-help-his-family/

Picture: Siam Rath Thai media Siam Rath caught up with an inspirational man who has not let disability stand in his way of helping his young family. Despite having atrophied legs Withoon, 49, who has moved from his native Songkhla to Satun after marriage, works all day as a food delivery guy on a motorcycle for Food Panda and Lineman. He even hobbled up to the fifth floor on crutches to ensure his customer got their delivery. "I never give up," he said. "I have two young kids and it would be unfair of me to have the wife do all the work while I sat about". He said he needs to get 7,000 baht a month earning 500 baht a day to help make ends meet. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The doctors have warned him about getting his legs infected but he shrugs this off. He thanked his companies for giving him work. Neighbors told the media he is a shining example of hard work and is often seen doing household chores like cutting the grass and taking out the trash. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-08 - 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

Video: "Drunk" Thai man weaves all over the road before his ride comes to an end Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported on the video post of someone called Natchawarin, 40, who was following a motorcycle in Lopburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252738-video-drunk-thai-man-weaves-all-over-the-road-before-his-ride-comes-to-an-end/

Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported on the video post of someone called Natchawarin, 40, who was following a motorcycle in Lopburi. They thought it was a kid doing stunts until it was revealed that it was a 50 year old man called Liam who was apparently drunk. At 9.30 am. The 1 minute 42 second phone video showed the man weaving all over the road, narrowly missing oncoming traffic. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Just as the filmer said "he hasn't hit anyone, he hasn't fallen off" comes the moment when he drives headlong into the side of the road. The media had pictures of the result. They said he was "very seriously injured". Though the 'vaselined' shots tended to suggest that he was dead. no9.mp4 Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-08 - 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

Only EIGHT drivers of public vehicles have licences suspended in first 3 months of crackdown Thai PBS reported on the first three months of the crackdown on the standards of Thai drivers in the public transport sector. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252733-only-eight-drivers-of-public-vehicles-have-licences-suspended-in-first-3-months-of-crackdown/

Thai PBS reported on the first three months of the crackdown on the standards of Thai drivers in the public transport sector. Since the beginning of December the department of land transport (DLT) have been issuing points to sanction taxi drivers, tuk-tuks, buses, motorcycle taxis, vans and trucks. But only eight drivers have had their licences temprarily suspended from December through February. Drivers can easily get their points restored by doing a few hours of training. DLT deputy and transport ministry spokesman Seksom Akkraphan said yesterday that 3,310 drivers had had points issued. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The great majority of these were for speeding. The ones who had their licences suspended were for multiple speeding violations. The only other violations mentioned in the article were users of motorcyles offering a public service who had not properly registered their vehicles. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-08 - 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