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Image Credit: เลี้ยงลูกนอกบ้าน A fire erupted on Sunday at a luxury resort on Koh Kut, off the coast of Thailand’s Trat province, with celebrities recounting their experience of having their narrow escapes and questioning why such an expensive resort did not have smoke detection, fire alarm or sprinkler system. Dr. Jiraporn Arunakul, a famous pediatrian at Ramathibodi Hospital, who runs a Facebook page @takekidswithus, decided to relate the story of her unexpected close call in the devastating fire at the resort where she and her family were holidaying during the weekend. The fire broke out at about 6am yesterday morning and the villa where the doctor’s group of 15 were staying for just one night was completely burned down. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/fire-erupts-at-luxury-koh-kut-resort-celebrities-have-narrow-escapes/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

Solidarity Concert for Ukraine - 10 March To show our support towards Ukrainians currently facing the Russian aggression. The Embassies of France and Germany together with the Goethe-Institut Thailand and the Alliance française Bangkok are organizing a solidarity concert at the Goethe Institute, on March 10, 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252663-solidarity-concert-for-ukraine-10-march/

To show our support towards Ukrainians currently facing the Russian aggression. The Embassies of France and Germany together with the Goethe-Institut Thailand and the Alliance française Bangkok are organizing a solidarity concert at the Goethe Institute, on March 10, 2022. Financial participation will be possible via an online platform and on-site and all profits raised by the event will be transferred to Ukrainian charities. Let us face this conflict as citizens of the world and remember to always stand for peace. Date and Time Thursday. 10 March 2022 6pm – 7:30pm Location: Goethe-Institute Thailand 18/1 Soi Sathon 1, Lane 2 Khet Sathon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120 Thailand Source: https://www.eventbrite.de/e/solidarity-concert-for-ukraine-tickets-291086386217 -- 2022-03-08

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 8 March 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1252662-thailand-live-tuesday-8-march-2022/

Pattaya City to expedite Jomtien Beach expansion project The Marine Department of Chonburi is planning, in conjunction with relevant agencies and officials, to move forward the timeline for the Jomtien Beach expansion after what they call the success of the project so far on Southern Na Jomtien Beach. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252647-pattaya-city-to-expedite-jomtien-beach-expansion-project/

Khon Kaen Set to Trial Light Rail Connecting Nong Khai and Bangkok BANGKOK (NNT) - Khon Kaen province has announced plans to trial a new light rail network to complement Thailand’s high-speed rail project, which will connect Nong Khai province and Bangkok, as well as the dual-track train network connecting Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252613-khon-kaen-set-to-trial-light-rail-connecting-nong-khai-and-bangkok/

BA.2 sub variant of Omicron becoming dominant strain in Thailand Photo: The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) The BA.2 sub variant of the COVID-19 Omicron variant is spreading rapidly across Thailand and is replacing the BA.1 as the dominant sub variant. Medicine which is effective against the Delta variant and BA.1 is not as effective against the BA.2, according to Director-General of the Medical Sciences Department Dr. Supakit Sirilak. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252642-ba2-sub-variant-of-omicron-becoming-dominant-strain-in-thailand/

Buriram: Thai driver submerged in a klong says amulets saved him Sanook Thai Caption: The amulet saved me Rescue services in Prakhonchai, Buriram, were called to the road by the old airport after reports that a driver was trapped in a submerged vehicle. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252565-buriram-thai-driver-submerged-in-a-klong-says-amulets-saved-him/

Sanook Thai Caption: The amulet saved me Rescue services in Prakhonchai, Buriram, were called to the road by the old airport after reports that a driver was trapped in a submerged vehicle. When they got there Nopparit, 48, - in a state of befuddlement - had already escaped. He told how he had been to a nursery to get some shrubs but it was shut so he headed off. Then his car - a Toyota Corona - developed some mechanical issue and starting wobbling uncontrollably. This caused him to plunge into the klong. Rescue services couldn't see the car - it was totally under water and took 30 minutes to tow out, reported Sanook. Nopparit said that as he entered the water he was soon submerged and calling out for his mummy. He tried to elbow out one window and use his fist on the windshield to no avail. The electrics were all out so that was not an option. Then he noticed that one window on the left was slightly ajar and some well aimed kicks smashed it. He then eased himself out and swam to the bank. In his opinion his miracle escape could be put down to the Luang Poo Sukh amulet from Wat Pho Sai Thong (B.E. 2500) around his neck and the Luang Poo Thuat one suspended in his car. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-07 - 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

"Jae Rose" busted in Kalasin offering underage girls for sex - now police home in on customers Picture: Daily News Thai police conducting sting operations in Kalasin in the north east of Thailand arrested three people who were running an underage prostitution ring on the Line application. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252561-jae-rose-busted-in-kalasin-offering-underage-girls-for-sex-now-police-home-in-on-customers/

Picture: Daily News Thai police conducting sting operations in Kalasin in the north east of Thailand arrested three people who were running an underage prostitution ring on the Line application. Married couple Supinya or "Jae Rose", 26, and Kiatsak, also 26, were arrested on the roadside in Somdej district. Arrested at a school in Yang Talat was one of their employees called Patcharee, aged 18. She found the girls. They were all charged with human trafficking in warrants issued on March 4th relating to offering girls between 15 and under 18 for sex. Picture: Daily News They had 40 girls on their books who were underage and over the age of 18. Customers would transfer money to the three suspects who would take a cut before handing the money to the girls. They had been working on this for the last 2-3 years and admitted what they were doing, reported Daily News. Now police intend to seek out the customers of the underage teens. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-07 - 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

Foreign tourists will flood into Thailand after marijuana law changes - Thai ganja called country's "secret weapon" Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported from the final day of a marijuana seminar and symposium at the Ratchamongkhol Isaan University in Surin, north east Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252560-foreign-tourists-will-flood-into-thailand-after-marijuana-law-changes-thai-ganja-called-countrys-secret-weapon/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported from the final day of a marijuana seminar and symposium at the Ratchamongkhol Isaan University in Surin, north east Thailand. The media said the third day was as busy as the rest on Sunday with people keen to find out how to grow marijuana for medical use legally. It was held under tha asupices of the Thai Ministry of Public Health whose leader and Bhumjai Thai party boss Anutin Charnvirakul has promoted ganja for health and economic benefits in his manifesto. Keynote speaker Chartchai Rotrungrangsri noted that Thailand would be involved in a battle for tourists as the pandemic eased. He described marijuana as Thailand's "secret weapon" noting that the country was the first in the region to relax laws. He claimed that tourists would flood in as a result giving the country an edge over other nations in Asia claiming that "nine out of ten tourists" would want to try ganja and hemp products, reported Siam Rath. He said that Thai ganja was highly regarded comparing it with Khao Horm Mali (Jasmine Rice) for its tourism pulling power. ASEAN NOW notes that the rhetoric and the reality are quite separate. Anyone who thinks they can light up a spliff in Thailand could be swiftly arrested. CBD oil will be widely available and people can get a ganja leaf on their rice. The latter is already a gimmick with no proven nutritional value or even a decent taste. And THC - the drug that makes the user high - is still strictly regulated and subject to prosecution. Tourists beware. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-07 - 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

Chuwit speaks out on "Tangmo": One million % not murder as media frenzy continues Picture: Siam Rath Thai media continued to follow every lead, every angle in the case of the death of celebrity Tangmo. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252557-chuwit-speaks-out-on-tangmo-one-million-not-murder-as-media-frenzy-continues/

Picture: Siam Rath Thai media continued to follow every lead, every angle in the case of the death of celebrity Tangmo. The superstar was found dead in the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok last week after falling off a boat and the Thai media has been on a feeding frenzy ever since. Now they have given column inches to the opinion of former soapy massage boss, politician and convicted felon Chuwut Kamolwisit who was interviewed on Facebook by top presenter Sorayuth Suthassanachinda. Chuwit said that in his opinion it was "one million percent" not an accident caused by her urinating over the side of the boat, reported Siam Rath. After all there were plenty of restaurants on the river to stop at. He also gave similar odds to it not being murder saying that it was surely negligence of some kind. Wouldn't you chose a quiet place to commit murder, he noted. He dismissed the notion that something untoward sexually was going on pointing out that it's easy to hire entertainment girls for such purposes. He also supported the mother of Tangmo who had asked for 30 million baht compensation. He said she shouldn't be blamed as she was now alone and was "striking while the iron was hot" to make money. "Who wouldn't," he stated matter of factly. "If you can't get money what can you get?" Chuwit is a popular figure in the Thai media well known for his often practical and insightful views on the nightlife industry and corruption issues, notes ASEAN NOW. It is no surprise to see him consulted in what has become a 24/7 media circus. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-07 - 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

Paralytic Thai man found sleeping on the motorway after he abandons his bike following ambush Ruam Katanyu rescue services were perplexed after finding a motorcycle on its side in the service road next to the Chonburi motorway, reported Thai Rath. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252554-paralytic-thai-man-found-sleeping-on-the-motorway-after-he-abandons-his-bike-following-ambush/

Picture: Thai Rath Ruam Katanyu rescue services were perplexed after finding a motorcycle on its side in the service road next to the Chonburi motorway, reported Thai Rath. They soon found out why. A man who they later identified as Prem, 30, had abandoned it and vaulted over the fence and was lying on the right lane of the motorway. He said that he was a factory worker and had been drinking with friends when there was a disagreement with workers from another factory on an adjoining table. He reckoned he said something that must have annoyed them but he couldn't recall what it was. After the session - and already very drunk - he took a friend home on his motorcycle and was going back along the service road when he and a colleague were ambushed. His friend escaped but he ditched his bike and jumped over to the motorway to escape. The media said that this was a very dangerous thing to do on the high speed road. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-07 - 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

Bangkok deputy governor resigns to run for governor Bangkok Deputy Governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul has resigned, effective today (Monday), to prepare to run in the forthcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election as an independent candidate, tentatively scheduled for May. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252553-bangkok-deputy-governor-resigns-to-run-for-governor/

Bangkok Deputy Governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul has resigned, effective today (Monday), to prepare to run in the forthcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election as an independent candidate, tentatively scheduled for May. The Bangkok governor election in May will be the first in nine years, as M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, from the Democrat Party, who won his second term in 2013, was removed from his position following the May 2014 coup, and was succeeded by current Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang who was appointed in October 2016. Sakoltee said in his Facebook post today (Monday) that he submitted his resignation letter to Governor Aswin Kwanmuang today. He said he will announce his team and his future plans for Bangkok soon. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bangkok-deputy-governor-resigns-to-run-for-governor/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-07 - 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

FTI Says Thailand Faces 700,000 Laborer Shortage by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has indicated that Thailand is facing a shortage of about 700,000 laborers. It is urging the government to facilitate international human movement and pardon employers who previously hired illegal labor. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252552-fti-says-thailand-faces-700000-laborer-shortage/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has indicated that Thailand is facing a shortage of about 700,000 laborers. It is urging the government to facilitate international human movement and pardon employers who previously hired illegal labor. The FTI explained that production businesses, as well as the export and construction sectors, are being acutely affected by the shortage. It also said in a letter to the Ministry of Labor in February that the issue is expected to impact the tourism and services sectors - and eventually the Thai economy as a whole - if left unaddressed. Many Thais are interested in labor-intensive work, leaving employers with no choice but to rely on migrant workers. There were previously more than 2 million foreign laborers in the country, but the COVID-19 pandemic saw that figure plummet by 500,000-600,000. The FTI has recommended that authorities quickly sign memoranda of understanding to import labor from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. It has also advised officials to establish a program for migrant workers similar to the “Test & Go” scheme, in order to reduce or remove quarantine requirements. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-07 - 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

Revenge! Teen stabs boy at school after two students told teachers about mobile phone use Picture: Thai Rath A 16 year old Thai boy is in custody in Buriram in north east Thailand after a premeditated revenge attack on a 17 year at a school dormitory in the Lamplaimat police jurisdiction on Saturday afternoon. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252551-revenge-teen-stabs-boy-at-school-after-two-students-told-teachers-about-mobile-phone-use/

Picture: Thai Rath A 16 year old Thai boy is in custody in Buriram in north east Thailand after a premeditated revenge attack on a 17 year at a school dormitory in the Lamplaimat police jurisdiction on Saturday afternoon. Police and rescue teams found "A" with a 25 cm knife stuck in his back. After getting treatment at a local hospital the M5 pupil was taken to Buriram medical center. The assailant was "B" from Chiang Mai who was arrested while waiting for a train at the Lamplaimat station. Police said that he was on his way to Nakhon Ratchasima where he would have changed for Udon Thani on his way to see his mother. He admitted the attack saying he had bought four knives 8 kms from the school then hired a motorcycle taxi to take him to the school gates, reported Thai Rath. Picture: Thai Rath He got the driver's phone number and told him to wait. He found the victim face down in bed and attacked him and was prevented from attacking another boy. He then fled the scene on the bike. The assailant had harbored a deep grudge after two boys reported a friend of his for mobile phone use contrary to school rules leading to his friend being expelled. He has been charged and detained. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-07 - 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 stocks extend losses over intensified Russian-Ukraine crisis By Panithan Onthaworn The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index tumbled over 33 points, down almost 2 per cent, on Monday, amid deepening crisis in Ukraine that has investors retreating from the market. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252550-thai-stocks-extend-losses-over-intensified-russian-ukraine-crisis/

By Panithan Onthaworn The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index tumbled over 33 points, down almost 2 per cent, on Monday, amid deepening crisis in Ukraine that has investors retreating from the market. The SET index stood at around 1,637.75 points during the morning session. The dip was in line with other regional markets, as the Russian-Ukraine crisis remains unresolved. Last Friday, the SET closed by falling over 24 points. Most analysts expect the market to still be under pressure on Monday, with the United States and allies mulling to put a ban on oil imports to Russia. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38266/thai-stocks-extend-losses-over-intensified-russian-ukraine-crisis/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-07 - 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