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Some 20 baht banknotes. The Thai headline says, “Erroneous banknotes.” Photo: Sanook.com TNR Staff THE BANK of Thailand said today (Sept. 29) that an error was found in a batch of 20 baht banknotes with the Thai numeral not matching the Arabic one but the public could still use them as normal until they are fully removed from the system, Sanook.com said this evening (Sept. 29). Ms. Wachira Aromdee, the central bank’s deputy governor for administrative affairs, said further distribution of the misprinted banknotes was immediately halted. The error occurred in the printing process undertaken by De La Rue International Limited (DLR) that got a contract in 2020 to supply 100 million banknotes. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/09/29/misprinted-20-baht-polymer-banknotes-in-circulation/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-09-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Cha Am beach, file photo By Online Reporter Tourism officials are eyeing collaboration as a means to help promote creative and sustainable tourism in Phetchaburi and Hua Hin. On Wednesday (Sept 28) Ms. Eblarp Sripirom, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phetchaburi Office held a meeting with the governor of Phetchaburi Province, Petchaburi Sports Tourism, Phetchaburi Municipality, Cha-am Municipality, Thai Hotel Association : Western Chapter, Prachuap-Phetchaburi Golf Association, Phetchaburi Provincial Tourism Business Association and the Hua Hin-Cha-am Tourism Business Association to discuss ways on how they can work together to promote creative and sustainable tourism. According to Ms. Eblarp, the purpose of this meeting was to promote Phetchaburi province as a sustainable tourist destination. The area has a number of attractions for both Thai and foreign tourists, including Kaeng Krachan National Park, which is a world heritage site, and Cha Am’s famous beach, Ms. Eblarp said. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/officials-eye-collaboration-to-promote-tourism-in-phetchaburi-and-hua-hin/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-09-29 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

By Thanaphum Charoensombatpanich Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), the country’s leading airport operator with 6 airports under its management, came out to say that its fortunes were recovering and that it was looking to expand its main operating center – Suvarnabhumi. AOT came out to say that the statistics for its 11-months ending August 2022, showed that the number of passengers it was handling rose sharply as tourism industry has started to recover in Thailand since the country’s reopening from July this year. AOT, which operates 6 airports under its responsibility, namely Suvarnabhumi airport, Don Mueang airport, Chiang Mai airport, Mae Fah Luang airport, Chiang Rai airport, Phuket airport and Hat Yai airport, came out to say that Suvarnabhumi has seen a sharp increase in the number of passengers. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/44749/aot-sees-more-than-200-rise-in-traffic-looks-to-continue-expanding-concourses-and-runway-to-handle-passenger-uptick/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-09-29 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

The Livestock Development Department buried about 24 tonnes of frozen pork, which originated in Brazil and was smuggled into Thailand from a neighboring country, at a landfill in Phayuha Khiri district of Nakhon Sawan province. . The pork was seized from a cold storage facility in Samut Prakan on September 11th. It was delivered by truck to the department’s quarantine zone in Phayuha Khiri district for destruction, to prevent the possible spread of African swine fever (ASF). Officials from the department said that Brazil has no agreement for the export of pork to Thailand and it is a country in which ASF has been reported. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/24-tonnes-of-pork-smuggled-from-brazil-destroyed-to-prevent-spread-of-swine-flu-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-28 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE HEAD OF A PROVINCIAL administration endorsed by caretaker Prime Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath party leader Prawit Wongsuwan in his planned contest for MP might probably be banned from running due to the way in which he has advertised himself. Former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn posted on his Facebook page to allege that the Palang Pracharath contestant in question, namely Akhradet Thongjaisod, who currently performs as head of Petchaboon provincial administrative organisation, may have evidently broken the law by having a portrait of himself displayed on an advertising signboard which is evidently larger than legally allowed for use by any electoral candidates for the time being. The gigantic roadside sign spotted in Petchaboon’s Constituency 3 where the caretaker Premier-cum-Palang Pracharath leader officially visited yesterday features Akradet’s enlarged picture underneath that of Deputy Finance Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath secretary-general Santi Prompat on one side of the billboard whilst that of Prawit’s is ostensibly displayed on the other side. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/09/26/petchaboon-provincial-head-faces-election-ban-over-latest-prawit-billboard/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-09-27 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

BANGKOK, (TNA) – The Public Health Ministry will stop its daily reports on new COVID-19 cases and fatalities related to the disease on Oct 1 when COVID-19 will be defined as a communicable disease under surveillance instead of a dangerous communicable. disease. The ministry revealed its plan to end the daily COVID-19 figure reports as it announced measures to handle the disease after an end to the state of emergency imposed to cope with the pandemic and the dissolution of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration on Oct. 1. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered provincial communicable committees to work out action plans to handle COVID-19 as a communicable disease under surveillance. He said that his ministry would relax disease control measures to facilitate tourism like other countries did. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1025477 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-09-27 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

By Monica Miller & Peter Hoskins The pound has fallen to a record low against the dollar as markets react to the UK's biggest tax cuts in 50 years. In early Asia trade, sterling slipped just below $1.04 - the lowest level since decimalisation in 1971 - before regaining some ground to about $1.05. That came after Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng unveiled historic tax cuts funded by huge increases in borrowing. Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63030208 -- © Copyright BBC 2022-09-26

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that the Pak Chong police and rescue services were called to a U-turn on the Mitraphap Highway between KM markers 52 and 53 in the area of Mitraphap City at 1.30 pm yesterday after a collision. A tanker trailer driven by 52 year old Wiwat had collided head on with a Toyota van carrying ten monks on the other side of the road. The tanker was going from Rayong to Korat, the monks from Udon Thani to Nakhon Pathom. Picture: Thai Rath Three other vehicles, a Mercedes and two pick-ups were also involved in the pile-up. The driver of the van, Sirichai, died in Pak Chong Nana Hospital. Ten people were injured. Wiwat said that a truck carrying rocks had cut in front of him while making a U-turn and what with the rain and the slippery conditions he was unable to brake in time. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-22 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! 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

Daily News Thai Cap: Cop's history revealed Daily News reported on the colorful history of a former top Thai policeman who has just been stripped of 136 million baht in assets by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. This followed an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. They found that Pol Lt-Gen Somchai Nitayabowornkul, former deputy commissioner of Region 8 police, was "ruay pit pokati" - unusually wealthy. Somchai is known as "Big Uam" in the Thai press - it's a word that means 'terrible'. His assets were in his wife and daughter's names and include large amounts of land and vehicles and cash savings in police cooperative accounts. The court ordered 136 million baht of ownership documents be surrendered to the state. Somchai graduated from the police academy in the "Class of 34" and had some high profile friends in the form of Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) secretary Gen Chaya Siriamphankul as well as other Lt-Gens. He went from being called "Phee Uam" by reporters to the more respectful "Big Uam" for bigwigs in the force. From Samphran, Nakhon Pathom, Somchai started his career at Pak Phanang police station in Nakhon Sri Thammarat where he was involved in dealing with many acts of tour buses being held up for robbery in the early 1980s. He also rose to prominence as a police captain leading a patrol to resolve a bombing incident in 1986. By 1999 he was chief of police in Muang Ranong in the south and later a Maj-Gen in Chumphon in 2011 finally becoming deputy of Region 8 in 2013. He was instrumental in developing police use of firearms in Region 8 then was given a deputy commissioner role in Bangkok's met police before a stint in the legal office before retirement. Now following the court's decision he will be stripped of his assets in his wife's and daughter's names. ASEAN NOW notes that the Thai police are commonly referred to as a quasi-mafia organisation by many commentators though the Thai press - needful of their cooperation - usually show respect by publishing great reams of police names and ranks when cases get solved. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-22 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! 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

TNR Staff AS FLOODING in many parts of the country has led to people being exposed to various hazards particularly electric shock as happened to some students on Friday, Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda today (Sept. 18) ordered local administrative organisations nationwide to quickly get all installations checked for electrical leakage, Naewna newspaper said. Altogether five students suffered electric shock in Udon Thani on Friday with one of them having been saved by Mr. Atthachai Artudom, or Bass, 19, a vocational student who also works as a rider who himself got a shock from doing so. Gen. Anupong told Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and provincial administrative organisations to coordinate with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) or Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to quickly check all installations, particularly in flooded areas, for electrical leaks. This includes electric meters and large billboards and trees near power poles. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/09/18/interior-ministry-orders-nationwide-electrical-leakage-check/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-09-19 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

77kaoded Thai Caption: Foreigner in mystery plunge Pak Kret police and Ruam Katanya rescue services were called after a US man fell to his death from the 9th floor of a rental building in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi. Mr Campi, 43, was found dead with head injuries outside the building. He rented a storage unit on the eighth floor. Picture: 77kaoded A witness had seen him smoking a cigarette by the windows on the 9th floor before he fell. Natcha Phara, a security guard, said he heard a loud noise but what with the passing traffic he thought nothing of it. He was alerted to the incident by a van driver, reported 77kaoded. Picture: 77kaoded Police are contacting relatives and friends to try and understand what happened. They are keeping an open mind at the moment. The body was taken for autopsy at Thammasat Hospital in Rangsit. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-17 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! 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 Thai Supreme Court Division for Tax Cases has upheld the Appeals Court order for Toyota Motors (Thailand) to pay about 10 billion baht in customs duties and fees for the import of parts for the assembly of Toyota Prius hybrid cars in Thailand between 2010 and 2012. The court ruled that the parts, which were imported by Toyota Motors (Thailand) from Japan, were in a complete form which could be assembled into a car immediately and, therefore, were not eligible for 80% import duty and fee reductions. Toyota Motors claimed that its imported spare parts were eligible, citing the Japan Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA). Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/toyota-motors-thailand-ordered-to-pay-฿10bn-in-outstanding-import-taxes-and-fees/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-16 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

By Editor The most frequently asked question at the Be Well Medical Center is about Covid-19 vaccination boosts; to boost or not to boost. Should we get them? When? Which one? Dr Paemika Pidchayathanakorn, family doctor and partner at the Be Well Medical Center Dr. Paemika, general practitioner and family doctor, has some answers to these questions; her opinion follows. Dr Paemika Pidchayathanakorn, family doctor and partner at the Be Well Medical Center After consulting with colleagues in various countries, I must conclude that expert opinions and government directives on this matter globally differ; however, some conclusions are shared by many. Vaccinations have been crucial in containing Covid-19. Researchers are to be complimented for the speed in developing effective vaccines. While the immunization effect of the vaccines provides only limited protection for contracting and spreading of the virus, the real gain is that the risk of serious illness or death is significantly reduced; up to 10 times lower compared to unvaccinated persons as studies have shown. While all World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccines have proven to be effective, many studies across multiple populations have shown that mRNA vaccines (e.g. Pfizer, Moderna) create a higher level of efficacy than vector vaccines (e.g. Astra, Sinovac). Consequently, many governments (including Thailand) and health professionals have suggested prioritizing mRNA vaccines, despite the higher costs. However, there are also studies showing good results of people using combinations of mRNA and vector jabs. Immunity wears off and the speed at which this decline takes place depends on the virus, the vaccine, and the person. It occurs quicker in older individuals. As Covid-19 and all of its future mutations are likely to stay around for a long time, there is a need to keep the immunization level at an optimum level. That is where boosters come in. The science is still developing, but for now, it seems that 6 months after the last inoculation a booster is due. This holds true first of all for the elderly population and for those with multiple underlying health conditions. Hence my advice to high-risk persons is to get a booster after six months. But also for anyone else wishing to reduce the chance of serious illness, including pregnant women (as recently recommended by The Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), regular booster shots are to be considered. As far as children is concerned, we closely follow the government’s latest directions. The Royal College of Paediatricians of Thailand announced this week it will issue guidelines recommending mRNA- Covid-19 vaccine be given to children aged six months to five years. We now await confirmation of the Ministry of Public Health if this recommendation will be implemented. The U.S. FDA determined COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for kids 6 months and older. Surely many of you heard about the new shots from Pfizer and Moderna which are bivalent, meaning that they target both the original Covid strain and omicron’s BA.5 subvariant. These new vaccines, which are expected to show higher effectiveness, are already approved in other countries, including the EU, and we trust they will soon become available in Thailand as well. For some people this may be a reason to wait for the (next) booster, but I recommend high-risk persons not to delay and use the currently available vaccines. Billions of vaccinations have shown that the risks are greatly outweighed by the benefits. In case you have hesitations or questions about COVID vaccines, boosters, or side effects I propose that you consult your doctor. At the time of writing, boosters are available free of charge at both Hua Hin Hospital and the Hua Hin Red Cross. Hua Hin Hospital: Every Tuesday 9.00am to 11.30am Hua Hin Red Cross: Pfizer for above 12 years old; Monday to Friday 8.00am to 3.30pm -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-09-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Picture: 77kaoded A 63 year old motorcycle taxi rider called Subin Waitook got far less than he bargained for after agreeing to take a farang to Central Bang Na. The agreed fee was 300 baht but when they got there the foreigner changed the goalposts and said they wanted to be taken back to Bearing BTS. Expecting to be paid a newly agreed 450 baht Subin held out his hand. Instead of Thai money the foreigner handed him what he thought was a 20 Euro coin. That would more than cover the journey, thought Subin as the foreigner hurriedly went up the BTS staircase and out of sight. Picture: 77kaoded Subin went back to the rank as proud as Punch only to get the sucker punch when he inquired of a buddy how much the coin was really worth. He was informed that he had been a bit of a plonker. The coin was a 20 cent coin making his windfall worth not 700+ baht but precisely 7.36 baht at yesterday's rates. Not surprisingly the "win" advised people to only accept fares in baht: "How are we to know what foreign money is worth?", he lamented. Picture: 77kaoded Before relating another tale of woe as to how a separate farang had asked him to take her to Robinson's from her hotel, didn't pay, asked to be taken back, then only paid 70 baht rather than double for the round trip, reported 77kaoded. Now he has the picture of a 20 cent Euro coin on his phone for posterity. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-14 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! 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

By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand-Viral photos, included in this article, of what appears to be a young foreign man sitting on Pattaya Beach Road with beads and signs offering to sell them for one baht to fund his travel around the world have driven fierce debate on social media. The trend, which was common before Covid-19 but has been rarer in recent times, has been called “begpacking” by many. Essentially, it means that one is looking to either beg or sell small items, like the individual seen on Pattaya Beach, to fund their travel around the globe. In this particular case, the unidentified, young, long-haired foreign man was sitting not far from Mike’s shopping mall on Pattaya Beach in the evening of September 12th, selling one baht beads and necklaces. Signs asking to help support his travel were placed near him in Thai and English. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/09/13/viral-begpacker-photos-from-pattaya-beach-road-cause-polarizing-debate-on-social-media/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-09-13 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Photo credit: Russian Embassy Bangkok The Russian Foreign Minister noted Thailand's active role in integration processes in the Asia-Pacific region MOSCOW /TASS/. Russia is grateful to Thailand for an objective assessment of the events in Ukraine and understanding of the true causes of the situation in the international arena, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday at a news conference following talks with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. "We are grateful to our Thai colleagues for a balanced, objective and responsible position on what is happening in and around Ukraine, we are grateful for understanding the true causes of the current situation in the international arena and we’ve confirmed our willingness to share in detail our assessments of everything that is happening," the minister said. In addition, Lavrov noted Thailand's active role in integration processes in the Asia-Pacific region. "Given Bangkok's chairmanship in APEC (The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation - TASS) this year, we agreed to continue substantive dialogue on the broad agenda of this forum, including preparations for the APEC summit to be held this fall in Thailand," the Russian top diplomat added. Source: TASS

Paul Henstock, 54, was hoping for the holiday of his dreams (Image: Paul Henstock) He saved hard for this holiday - but now he struggled to get back home A Nottingham man has been left "trapped" in Thailand after his return ticket was cancelled two weeks before the flight. Paul Henstock, a taxi driver from Mapperley Park, was hoping to have the holiday of his dreams in Bangkok. But his dream holiday was ruined by a message he received on Wednesday (August 31), telling him that his flight back home was cancelled. The 54 year old, said he "woke up" to the news, and has immediately called the lastminute.com agency to arrange to get on another flight. He flew from the Gatwick Airport to Thailand on July 5, and was due to return home on September 11 on a flight provided by the Singaporean low-cost airline Scoot. He has spent £524.19 on his tickets purchased on lastminute.com. "I booked a ten week holiday to travel Thailand", Mr Henstock said. "I should fly home on September 11, which is just in a few days - but on Wednesday morning I woke up to a text from lastminute.com saying that my flight was cancelled." Full story: https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/nottingham-man-dumped-thailand-after-7549016 -- © Copyright Nottingham Post 2022-09-06 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Daily News Thai Caption: Totaled Daily News and many other Thai media reported on an appalling incident on the beach front at Ban Phe, Rayong, yesterday evening in which an apparently drunk British man in a pick-up killed and injured people before driving off and damaging four vehicles before overturning. Pol Capt Natthawat of the Phe Rayong police on the eastern seaboard was alerted to the incident yesterday evening and went with rescue services to the area near the Lotus store on the beach front road - Suan Son to Ban Phe Road - where they found an overturned four door pick-up. Inside was an apparently drunk Brtish man trapped in the driver's seat. Stephen P., 70, was given first aid. Picture; Daily News A police patrol nearby was giving CPR. But dead at the scene was Niran Pramuan, 53, and severly injured was 32 year old Chanasak. They were taken to Rayong Hospital. Witnesses reported seeing the foreigner reverse at high speed into the two men crushing them up against a lamppost. The driver then raced off colliding with two cars and two motorcycles before ending up on its side. Witnesses said that the British man lived locally and was a habitual drunkard who would drive in the wrong lane and that local people were fed up with his behavior. He was kept in custody while his injuries were treated as police prepared a breath test and for his subsequent prosecution. More on this as we hear of it. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-09-05 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! 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

By Online Reporter Thailand is now welcoming applications for its new 10 year Long-term Resident Visa (LTR Visa), which is aimed at attracting foreigners of “high potential” to live and work in the country. The LTR Visa formally came into effect on September 1, with the government seeing the program as a way to encourage new investment into the country. The 10 year LTR visa will be offered across four categories: Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Pensioners, Work-from-Thailand Professionals, and Highly-Skilled Professionals. Across each of the four categories, holders will need a personal income of USD 80,000/year. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/thailands-new-10-year-long-term-resident-visa-ltr-visa-is-now-available/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-09-02 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Pumpkin with the anti-Prawit photo. The Thai headline says, “I pity Thai people.” Image: TV Channel 7 TNR Staff A YOUNG German man displayed a photo of caretaker Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan with a red cross over it at the central traffic island in Taphong intersection, Mueang district of Rayong province, yesterday (Sept. 1) and upon being questioned said he did so because he felt sorry for the Thai people, TV Channel 7 said. Identified only as Pumpkin, 35, he had also yesterday displayed the same image at Orchid intersection on Sukhumvit road, Rayong’s Mueang district. Reporters went to interview him and he told them that he lives in Rayong with his Thai wife and the reason he displayed this photo of Gen. Prawit is because he pitied the Thai people who had to cope with a government that did not help. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/09/01/young-german-man-displays-anti-prayut-photo-in-rayong/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-09-02 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Daily News Thai Caption: Looking at a phone while riding a motorcycle A distraught father told how he had just given his daughter 60 baht on Sunday as she was going into school to practice some drama with friends. Just a short while later he got a call every parent dreads. His only daughter was dead - hit head on by a pick-up truck. She wasn't going in the direction of the school. She was off to pick up a friend. The driver of the Nissan Navaro said he saw her on the phone coming towards him. He braked coming to a halt but she rode into his lane on the two lane road and collided head on, reported Daily News. Pol Capt Chawanai Marasri and rescue services had rushed to the Udon Thani to Nong Saeng Ban Lupwai Road in Muang district of Udon Thani. The pick-up had severe damage to the front and the young lady's red Honda Wave was nearby on the ground. The driver said he was delivering jelly to Nong Saeng when he saw the teen on the phone coming towards him. A public health volunteer said this showed the danger of looking at phones while on motorcycles. Such behavior breaks concentration, they said. Police are investigating the cause of the accident. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-29 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! 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

by Joseph O' Connor A volatile currency market, a slowing world economy amid war in Europe and raised geopolitical tensions as well as a brush this week with political uncertainty means that Thai policymakers must be constantly on guard even to achieve the paltry 3% to 3.5% growth that is being pursued this year. A very comfortable foreign exchange reserve level has, so far, protected the kingdom but even this has been falling since March. Amid turmoil at Government House in Thailand this week with the suspension of Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan taking the reins as caretaker PM, officials were anxious to underscore that the kingdom’s economic recovery remains intact and on course for growth of between 3% and 3.5% for 2022. However, there are causes for concern such as a slowdown in export growth and significantly, lower expenditure per capita among incoming tourists as the country still appears to be running a current account deficit. Figures released on Friday show that the rate of growth of Thai exports slowed dramatically in July from the month before from 11.9% in June to 4.3%. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/08/27/low-tourist-spend-slowing-export-growth-economic-recovery-intact/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-08-29 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

As expats we are spoilt for choice living in SE Asia. You can still get your Western style hamburgers or roast beef dinners however Asian food is hard to resist. If you live in one of the major Asian cities like Bangkok, you can try a variety of Asian dishes whether from a street cart or a fancy air-conditioned restaurant. If you are new in the region here are five favorites that you might like to try when ordering your next Asian meal in Thailand. 1. Som Tam — Green Papaya Salad — Thailand Photo: Takeaway, Creative Commons The Thais are dedicated to exploring all the components of flavor in each dish, and they don’t skimp when it comes to their salads. This salad also isn’t your typical lettuce-based “rabbit food” The base of som tam is shredded unripe papaya. Despite this fruity base, the papaya really acts as a stand-in for lettuce — it’s not packing a load of flavor. What is packing in that flavor? The dressing — what else? Fish sauce and shrimp paste are giving you briny savory flavors, chili brings the heat, lime loads up tartness, and a little palm sugar tempers all of it with some sweetness. In Thailand, you can request a spice level that you’re comfortable with, so go big or go home. 2. Chili Crab — Whole Crab in Chili-Tomato Sauce — Singapore Photo: megawatts86, Creative Commons Despite its name, this Singaporean dish isn’t usually packing intense heat. The base of the sauce is tomato and chili, but just how much fire you’ll be getting depends on the restaurant and how you order. No matter where you go, one thing is certain: It’s going to get messy. Chili crab is whole mud crab (read: uncracked) drenched in a tomato-ginger-garlic-chili concoction so generous it’s almost like soup. You’ll reach in, crack your crab, and end up with fingers covered in the stuff. Fortunately, this sauce is so good that it’s served with loads of steamed Chinese buns to soak it all up. Note: It is perfectly acceptable to lick your fingers when the buns run out. 3. Crispy Pata — Deep-Fried Pork Knuckle — The Philippines If there is one Asian country that really knows how to cook a pig, it’s the Philippines. Another characteristic of Filipino food? They waste nothing. Every part of an animal is used, from its innards to its blood — just Google the street food Betamax. Fortunately, crispy pata is one of the more tantalizing variations of this resourcefulness: a deep-fried pork knuckle. It’s buttery goodness and crackly skin is complemented with an uber-Filipino soy-vinegar dip that sends the whole concoction rocketing into the stratosphere of deliciousness. 4. Bahn Mi — Pork and Paté Sandwich — Vietnam This beautiful mashup of French and Vietnamese cuisines results in nothing but wins for your tastebuds. Start with a pillowy, fresh-baked baguette, cut in half. Slather some rich, buttery paté generously on one side of the bread. Pile on plenty of juicy, smoky barbecued pork. Top this with fresh julienned carrots, daikon, cucumber, and cilantro. Then pop on a healthy amount of diced red chilies, sandwich it together, and get ready to get your mind blown. There are several variations of this throughout Vietnam, with chicken, egg, cheese, and more. But sometimes you just can’t beat the original. The best part? They’re cheap as chips — perfect for a budget traveler! 5. Beef Rendang — Caramelized Dry Beef Curry — Indonesia or Malaysia Photo: su-lin, Creative Commons The ingredients list for Rendang is half a mile long, and it shows in the complex all-star Indonesian curry. The inclusion of exotic spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon really bring a new level of depth to Indonesian all-stars like ginger, garlic, chili, and lemongrass. Ever-present coconut milk is generously heaped in with the spice paste. All these flavors are stewed down until they are completely absorbed by the beef – a process that takes hours. After the liquid evaporates, the exterior of the beef is caramelized, bringing the perfect smoky back note to the dish. You will never be happier to be a carnivore than when you take a bite of this one. OK this is just a brief list, and we are sure many of you will wish to add your personal favourite Asian dish too. Enjoy. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-25 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! 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

PHOTO: Pattaya City Hospital By Adam Judd ONE A DAY Editor’s note: The following is a submission by the American Legion Post TH02 in Pattaya Thailand. It focuses specifically on a US military combat veteran, however, gives a lot of insight behind the scenes into what happens in general when a foreign national passes away in Thailand. This is part one of four that we will post over the next week or so. -Adam Judd, Chief Editor, The Pattaya News English Chapter 1 On average one US citizen passes away in Thailand. ONE a day. This death begins a series of events that involve many different individuals from a variety of organizations. For us, that day was 25 July 2022. On that day the ONE individual who passed away was a US Navy Combat Veteran. ONE US Veteran of the hundreds that die daily. I want to try and share our experience and involvement with this ONE US Veteran. We are members of the American Legion Post TH02 in Pattaya Thailand. On the 25th of July, a US Navy Combat Veteran passed away quietly in his hotel room in Pattaya. That was the day the owner and wife of the hotel discovered our Veteran association. The hotel owners start this process with a call to the local Pattaya police. A Pattaya police officer responded to the hotel. He immediately secured the room and called for an ambulance. The ambulance responded and transported our veteran to the nearest public hospital. The veteran arrives at the hospital where the attending physician makes the declaration of death. The police officer in the meantime continues with his investigation. He searches through the personal possessions to establish an ID of the individual. He secures the veteran’s possessions and takes them to the police station to begin his task. The room is secured and the hotel staff is instructed to keep the room locked until he releases it. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/16/special-feature-one-a-day-part-one-what-happens-when-a-foreigner-dies-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-17 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk The US is the world’s largest economy and the US dollar is widely used worldwide, as a result, the actions and decisions of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) have a profound impact on the baht and other currencies. Thailand has a relatively small, open economy that is heavily dependent on the export of goods and services. So, any changes in the world’s largest economy create ripples in Thailand as well. The Fed has aggressively increased its benchmark rate this year to fight rapidly rising inflation. It effected a 0.75 percentage point interest hike in July as inflation soared to a 40-year high in June, hitting 9.1 percent. With the latest data suggesting strong new jobs growth in July, markets are predicting another hike by 0.75 percentage point when the Fed meets in September, the third straight hike of that magnitude. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-the-us-rate-hike-impacts-the-baht-and-thailands-economy/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-11 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!