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Bhumjaithai ‘should stop using marijuana policy to promote their party’ as it ‘confuses the public,’ former Democrat spokesman says ByErich Parpart Members from Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) should stop confusing the public with comments about marijuana laws after an elderly person was arrested for growing one marijuana plant, a lawyer and former spokesman of the Democrat Party said on Tuesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255105-bhumjaithai-‘should-stop-using-marijuana-policy-to-promote-their-party’-as-it-‘confuses-the-public’ former-democrat-spokesman-says/

ByErich Parpart Members from Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) should stop confusing the public with comments about marijuana laws after an elderly person was arrested for growing one marijuana plant, a lawyer and former spokesman of the Democrat Party said on Tuesday. “Supachai should stop providing information in this way because it is making people believe that growing marijuana is not illegal when the reality is that legalisation is not completed yet,” Chao Meekuad wrote on his social media page. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Chao was referring to when Supachai Jaisamut, BJT’s list-MP and party registrar, made a comment on Monday to the plant is no longer illegal while asking police officers to be more lenient when arresting and charging those who grow marijuana at home for medical purposes while the decriminalisation process of marijuana extracts for medical purposes is taking place. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/39021/bhumjaithai-should-stop-using-marijuana-policy-to-promote-their-party-as-it-confuses-the-public-former-democrat-spokesman-says/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-30 - 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 GDP unlikely to meet pre-pandemic levels until second half of 2023, analysts say By Panithan Onthaworn In light of the Russia-Ukraine war, Thailand’s Covid-battered economy will not return to pre-pandemic levels until the second half of next year, economists said on Tuesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255104-thai-gdp-unlikely-to-meet-pre-pandemic-levels-until-second-half-of-2023-analysts-say/

By Panithan Onthaworn In light of the Russia-Ukraine war, Thailand’s Covid-battered economy will not return to pre-pandemic levels until the second half of next year, economists said on Tuesday. The Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) has reassessed the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth projection for 2022 to 2.7 per cent from the previous 3.2 per cent. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Economists say that the cut was unavoidable considering the fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war. The conflict has led to worsening inflation and spiked energy prices that impaired household spending power and business sentiment in Thailand. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/39016/thai-gdp-unlikely-to-meet-pre-pandemic-levels-until-second-half-of-2023-analysts-say/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-30 - 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 cabinet rejects same sex marriage bill, pending parliamentary review The LGBTQ community in Thailand was dealt a serious setback today (Tuesday), when the cabinet rejected the Move Forward Party’s draft Marriage Equality Bill, which sought to legalise same-sex marriage in the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255103-thai-cabinet-rejects-same-sex-marriage-bill-pending-parliamentary-review/

The LGBTQ community in Thailand was dealt a serious setback today (Tuesday), when the cabinet rejected the Move Forward Party’s draft Marriage Equality Bill, which sought to legalise same-sex marriage in the country. This, however, does not mean that the draft will be completely rejected, explained the non-profit Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw), because it can still enter Parliament for a first reading. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek told the media, after the weekly cabinet meeting today, that the draft Marriage Equality Bill is similar to the government’s draft Civil Partnership Bill, which has already been approved by the cabinet. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-cabinet-rejects-same-sex-marriage-bill-pending-parliamentary-review/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-30 - 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

Do you believe in the weekly Covid case statistics anymore? by Michael Bridge If you look across the figures published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), even their figures must rely on stats sent in by each government. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255102-do-you-believe-in-the-weekly-covid-case-statistics-anymore/

by Michael Bridge If you look across the figures published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), even their figures must rely on stats sent in by each government. Here in Thailand, the average number of cases over the past seven days were 25,187 cases. During the same time, Vietnam has averaged 150,489 new cases. I cannot believe that we are getting the real picture regarding Covid cases? So why is Vietnam so far ahead? Naturally, Thailand is a bigger country at 513,120m2 compared to Vietnam at 331,690m2. However, Vietnam’s population is 97.34 million compared to Thailand’s at 69.8 million. So, you could argue that people in Vietnam are more clustered together., but many people are self-isolating and are not being registered with Covid. Thailand’s figures could be three times as much, but we will never know. What happens if you tested positive for Covid-19 in Vietnam? The official stance is if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in Vietnam, or present any symptoms such as fever, cough, and breathing difficulty, please contact the Ministry of Health hotline immediately at 1900 3228. The officials will give you instructions on whether to arrange a quarantine unit or hospital for treatment. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php Costs related to Covid-19 medical treatment in public hospitals are covered for Vietnamese nationals only. Foreigners must pay themselves or have a health insurance with Covid-19 coverage. And in Thailand? If you test positive for Covid-19 with no to mild symptoms, you can opt for home isolation or community isolation. If you have tested positive on the ATK test, please contact the National Health Security Office (NHSO) at 1330 or add Line @nhso. There will be officials to assess the symptom level. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Patients with no to mild symptoms and no other risk factors such as congenital diseases or serious chronic illnesses can undergo home isolation or community isolation, where officials will constantly check on the symptoms and provide medicine. The main reason that people are not willing to register is many people especially Expats would have to pay large hospital bills. And for Thais, another issue is that their employer does not need to pay wages to the employee during the quarantine period, under the principle of “no work no pay.” Test and trace also varies per country so we assume that Vietnam has a higher test and trace program than perhaps other SE Asian countries. Naturally as governments are desperate to re-open borders for business and tourism reasons, it helps to keep their figures artificially low. With the cases rising in China, soon most countries will have to face the fact that by fudging the figures, it may help in the short term but could become a major issue in the long term. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-30 - 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 30 March 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1255101-thailand-live-wednesday-30-march-2022/

Channel 5 chief removed after Russia news exchange plan The chief of TV Channel 5 was sacked, less than two weeks after he met the Russian ambassador to Thailand to discuss news cooperation between the army-run broadcaster and Russian news agencies. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255043-channel-5-chief-removed-after-russia-news-exchange-plan/

No Alcohol Allowed at Bangkok’s Songkran Venues BANGKOK (TNA) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will ban alcohol consumption at Songkran festive venues and require prior permission for crowded activities during the Thai New Year festival. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255087-no-alcohol-allowed-at-bangkok’s-songkran-venues/

Channel 5 chief removed after Russia news exchange plan The chief of TV Channel 5 was today sacked, less than two weeks after he met the Russian ambassador to Thailand to discuss news cooperation between the army-run broadcaster and Russian news agencies. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255043-channel-5-chief-removed-after-russia-news-exchange-plan/

The chief of TV Channel 5 was today sacked, less than two weeks after he met the Russian ambassador to Thailand to discuss news cooperation between the army-run broadcaster and Russian news agencies. However, General Rangsi Kitiyanasap insisted that he resigned on his own accord. “I submitted my resignation,” he said citing “personal reason” for his decision. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe It is not immediately clear if his removal was related to his initiative for news exchange with Russia. The move came one day after a news programme on Channel 5 was interrupted mid-air while the anchor was introducing a news story on the situation in Ukraine. The segment was immediately replaced with a commercial. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/channel-5-chief-removed-after-russia-news-exchange-plan/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-29 - 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

PTT Backs “Team Thailand” to Boost EV Sector by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - PTT Public Co Ltd, the state-owned oil and gas giant, has suggested that the government and private sector establish “Team Thailand” to promote the Electric Vehicle (EV) segment. The aim would be to help promote Thailand as the “Detroit of Asia” in EV production. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255039-ptt-backs-“team-thailand”-to-boost-ev-sector/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - PTT Public Co Ltd, the state-owned oil and gas giant, has suggested that the government and private sector establish “Team Thailand” to promote the Electric Vehicle (EV) segment. The aim would be to help promote Thailand as the “Detroit of Asia” in EV production. PTT President and CEO Auttapol Rerkpiboon made the proposal during the 2022 Nation Dinner Talk Thailand Future event. He explained that the move would involve cooperation from related sides in attracting foreign investors and penetrating foreign markets. He added that it was imperative for Thailand to quickly capitalize on the new EV trend, and recommended the establishment of EV manufacturing plants. The executive also acknowledged that PTT would have to continuously monitor EV developments, despite being an oil and gas company. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Additionally, Auttapol said Thailand should look into becoming a green economy hub for Asia by embracing green energy and environmentally-friendly products. He further noted that Thailand has the capacity to become a world class medical hub, an artificial intelligence center and a robotic industrial zone. These targets, however, would require participation from experts in their respective fields. The CEO said PTT will also look into clean energy, alternative energy and investment in EVs. PTT is planning to establish an EV factory in 2024, with more than 900 billion baht in investments over the next five years in related projects. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-299 - 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

Public Health Ministry confirms no shortage of Favipiravir in Thailand Thailand has a supply of Favipiravir anti-viral medicine which is sufficient to meet domestic demand, confirmed the Public Health Ministry, following a complaint over the drug’s shortage in the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255037-public-health-ministry-confirms-no-shortage-of-favipiravir-in-thailand/

Thailand has a supply of Favipiravir anti-viral medicine which is sufficient to meet domestic demand, confirmed the Public Health Ministry, following a complaint over the drug’s shortage in the country. Public Health Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn said today (Tuesday) that there are now 22.87 million Favipiravir tablets in stock in hospitals throughout the country and an additional 15 million tablets will be distributed this week. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He admitted, however, that some hospitals may experience temporary shortages because of the surge of COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, adding that these hospitals can contact the provincial health office to secure a further supply. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/public-health-ministry-confirms-no-shortage-of-favipiravir-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-29 - 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

Tangmo's Mother Don't Want Dr Porntip Now BANGKOK, March 29 (TNA) – The mother of late actress Pattaratida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong asked a senate committee to exclude its member Dr Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan from its probe into the death. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255035-tangmos-mother-dont-want-dr-porntip-now/

BANGKOK, March 29 (TNA) – The mother of late actress Pattaratida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong asked a senate committee to exclude its member Dr Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan from its probe into the death. Panida Sirayootyotin and her lawyer Decha Kittiwitthayanan arrived at the parliament to withdraw her previous request for Dr Khunying Porntip of the senate committee on human rights, liberty and consumer protection to take part in the investigation. Dr Khunying Porntip is a former director-general of the Central Institute of Forensic Science. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Mr Decha said that Dr Khunying Porntip intervened in police investigation, criticized police's storage of the speedboat that Tangmo had traveled and discussed autopsy outcomes in public although Ms Panida had asked her to only observe the investigation. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news/line-today-english-news-912209 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-03-29 - 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

Lopburi monkeys get a relocation reprieve Thai media Thai PBS reported that there are 9,300 wild monkeys in Lopburi province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255033-lopburi-monkeys-get-a-relocation-reprieve/

Thai media Thai PBS reported that there are 9,300 wild monkeys in Lopburi province. But 3,100 of them live in the downtown Muang district. Lopburi town center is famous for monkeys who are a tourist attraction as well as a bit of a pest. Their numbers have been increasing presenting problems for businesses and their customers in cohabiting amicably. Some families are considering moving out as its either them or the monkeys. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Others are putting their faith in a mass sterilization program. So far 900 animals have been treated but vets want to see 2,000 done to achieve 70% sterilization in the downtown population. It is felt that doing this will keep the population down and negate the necessity to relocate the animals elsewhere possibly creating new problems at their destination. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-29 - 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

Delivery rival stabbed to death outside electrical store - murderer claims self defence Picture: Siam Rath Bang Plee police and rescue services were called to an area outside an electrical appliances store in Soi Bang Pla 43, Samut Prakan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255030-delivery-rival-stabbed-to-death-outside-electrical-store-murderer-claims-self-defence/

Picture: Siam Rath Bang Plee police and rescue services were called to an area outside an electrical appliances store in Soi Bang Pla 43, Samut Prakan. There Piyaphol, 54, an employee of the store had been stabbed to death. He couldn't be saved despite 30 minutes of CPR. Natthaphat, 47, a colleague and friend from another store admitted killing him but said it was in self-defence. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath He and the victim had both come to a meeting to discuss a disagreement over deliveries, said the police. Both had weapons, in the case of Natthaphat a 30 cm knife and a screwdriver. Investigations continued at the station, reported Siam Rath. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-29 - 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

Deserter or victim of crime? Soldier's mystery disappearance Picture: Daily News Daily News continued to report on the disappearance of a conscript at a camp in Lopburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255027-deserter-or-victim-of-crime-soldiers-mystery-disappearance/

Picture: Daily News Daily News continued to report on the disappearance of a conscript at a camp in Lopburi. The 21 year old called Phana or "New" went AWOL on 11th March at 4.09 am. He left his entire military uniform, two phones and chargers in the undergrowth behind the camp. He hasn't been seen since. His mother has dismissed army claims the man is a simple deserter. She said he would call her - he does every day. And he cherished the iPhone she had given him. Surely he wouldn't leave that behind, said mum, fearing malice has visited her son. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Now the military have confirmed that the deserter, as they call him, had been caught taking 4 Yaba that he had bought for 50 baht each. He was reprimanded and ordered to get fit as a punishment just a couple of days before he absconded. He ran off leaving his military life behind. Or has his disappearance more sinister undertones? Investigations continue. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-29 - 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