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Sanook Thai Cation: Materials ordered but no work done Most of us have been there with unreliable and absent tradesmen. Poor old Ton in Ban Laberk, Buriran, NE Thailand, was one such frustrated customer. Ton - real name Kittisak, 36 - had been waiting for months for some local builders to finish his house. He desperately wanted to move in for Songkran as he was fed up sleeping outside his half done home. But the builders made one excuse after another for not coming - even a Covid outbreak was used as an excuse to do nothing, reported Sanook. It was one long manana, manana. With nary a man in sight. Then yesterday - having consumed a little too much liquid refreshment Ton snapped. "Right that's enough," he said announcing to his mum who was within earshot: "Today is an auspicious day for a house fire!" Mum Yuan, 63, was in no noubt that her son meant what he was saying. She rushed to get help from her husband who was tending the buffalos. But not in time. Ton had bought some 91 and 95 gas and set fire to the builders' materials that Ton had bought himself and equipment in his house destroying stuff in a 40 minute blaze that spread to straw outside. Ton was taken away for questioning at the main pavilion. He admitted to being drunk and was was charged with that. The police said it wasn't arson. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-24 - 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

Anutin: Reaffirms Thailand's ganja policy - speaks of HUBS Picture: INN Anutin Charnvirakul's opening of a marijuana symposium in the NE of Thailand is all about hubs. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254505-anutin-reaffirms-thailands-ganja-policy-speaks-of-hubs/

Picture: INN Anutin Charnvirakul's opening of a marijuana symposium in the NE of Thailand is all about hubs. The DPM and health minister - not a medical man - was explaining how Thailand was a medical hub. In fact it was now a ganja medical hub. And a 4.0 hub as well. Picture: INN The stage was set at the show in Bung Kan. The familiar leaf of the plant was used like a logo for the country's drive to make ganja and hemp become an economic boon for the people, or so Anutin reckons. Meanwhile in Khon Kaen, a few hundred kilometers away an old granny was being locked up for having a plant in her front garden. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The Bung Kan show is all about the legal plants. No THC there just oils and other products that Anutin claims can cure every ill under the sun, it seems. Picture: INN An entourage of several dozen people in white coats eventually took to the stage in a grasping gesture, reported INN. What they were grasping for was not clear. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-24 - 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

Ganja grannie: I thought the police were coming about the pipes - jailed, without bail More details are emerging after police in Khok Soong village of Ubonrat district, Khon Kaen in the north east of Thailand locked up a sick granny for growing ONE marijuana plant. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254504-ganja-grannie-i-thought-the-police-were-coming-about-the-pipes-jailed-without-bail/

More details are emerging after police in Khok Soong village of Ubonrat district, Khon Kaen in the north east of Thailand locked up a sick granny for growing ONE marijuana plant. Nang, 70 told Channel 7 national news: "I thought the cops were coming about the pipe leading from the rice field. I thought they wanted to talk to someone else. Then they said: "Don't you know it's illegal to have that gran?" They were pointing at a 1 m 40 cm tall plant that Nang kept in her front herb garden. She quite calmly explained that she uses it to make a nice herbal tea that soothes her many ailments. The police showing a decided lack of tact took her in along with neighbor Bunleng, 48, who was found with one plant herself. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Ten people later rallied at the police station after the ladies were held for 24 hours without bail being approved. The case came at the same time that DPM Anutin Charnvirakul was opening a marijuana festival. But that is for medical marijuana. Despite Nang claiming her plant was for medical use it had a flowering head. That'll mean the presence of THC - the substance that makes you feel high that the Thai authorities are keeping back from the public. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-24 - 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

PRD and Xinhua to Enhance Cooperation on News and Mass Media by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Public Relations Department (PRD) and China’s Xinhua News Agency are working to enhance their cooperation on news and mass media, with the aim of fostering connectivity between the peoples of both nations. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254500-prd-and-xinhua-to-enhance-cooperation-on-news-and-mass-media/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Public Relations Department (PRD) and China’s Xinhua News Agency are working to enhance their cooperation on news and mass media, with the aim of fostering connectivity between the peoples of both nations. PRD and Xinhua News Agency officials recently met during a technical committee meeting chaired by PRD Deputy Director-General Sudruethai Lertkasem, with Xinhua’s Bangkok bureau head, Lin Hao, representing the Chinese news agency. The meeting started with a message of condolence for families of the victims of the China Eastern’s Boeing 737 aircraft that crashed in China. The deputy PRD chief said the meeting served as a platform for both sides to review their achievements over the past year, as well as discuss future content to help promote better understanding and relations. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Sudruethai also asked Xinhua to help report on the preparedness and capabilities of Thailand to host Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings this year. Additionally, the meeting discussed extending a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established between the PRD and Xinhua News Agency, which governs their ongoing cooperation. The meeting also discussed Thailand’s handling of the COVID-19 situation and in reopening the Kingdom to tourists. The signing of an MOU on agreed topics between the PRD and Xinhua will be held at the next official meeting. PRD Deputy Director-General Sudruethai later provided an overview of the meeting that focused on cooperation between members of the press from both countries, as well as the promotion of APEC affairs. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-24 - 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

Thailand trapped in a household debt quagmire In the third quarter of last year, household debt rose 4.2 percent year on year to Bt14.35 trillion, equivalent to 89.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the National Economic and Social Development Council. (Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya) Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254496-thailand-trapped-in-a-household-debt-quagmire/

In the third quarter of last year, household debt rose 4.2 percent year on year to Bt14.35 trillion, equivalent to 89.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the National Economic and Social Development Council. (Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya) Most Thai households have been bogged down by high debt even before COVID-19 struck in early 2020. For many years, the average Thai worker has been struggling to make ends meet, forcing dependence on borrowings. The latest crises of a global scale, such as the persisting pandemic and its plethora of variants, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have only made them fall into a deeper hole of debt. Political focal point In the third quarter of last year, household debt rose 4.2 percent year on year to Bt14.35 trillion ($434.8 billion), equivalent to 89.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). This dire situation has provided fodder for opposition politicians to attack the coalition government led by Palang Pracharath Party. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-trapped-in-a-household-debt-quagmire/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-24 - 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

Clan politics is bad for Thai democracy By Ken Lohatepanont The prospect that Paetongtarn Shinawatra is likely to be Pheu Thai’s nominee for prime minister at the next election brings with it a certain sense of déjà vu. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254493-clan-politics-is-bad-for-thai-democracy/

By Ken Lohatepanont The prospect that Paetongtarn Shinawatra is likely to be Pheu Thai’s nominee for prime minister at the next election brings with it a certain sense of déjà vu. Most obviously, it echoes their decision 11 years earlier to nominate Yingluck Shinawatra to run the country, and of its predecessor Palang Prachachon party to pick Somchai Wongsawat as premier. That all three share family ties with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra — a daughter, sister and brother in law — cannot escape notice. Lest we be accused of picking on Pheu Thai, however, we should also be reminded that this is a tradition not only within Pheu Thai, but also a very common practice across Thai political parties. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38873/clan-politics-is-bad-for-thai-democracy/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-24 - 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

Brilliant drone footage offers bird’s-eye view of Hua Hin’s new train line By Jonathan Fairfield Screenshot. Image: Mike's Tropical Tech The construction of Hua Hin’s new train line can be seen from a whole new angle thanks to brilliant footage filmed from a drone. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254489-brilliant-drone-footage-offers-bird’s-eye-view-of-hua-hin’s-new-train-line/

Screenshot. Image: Mike's Tropical Tech By Jonathan Fairfield The construction of Hua Hin’s new train line can be seen from a whole new angle thanks to brilliant footage filmed from a drone. Local drone enthusiast Michael Brown provides monthly updates on the progress of the constriction of the new dual track rail line on his YouTube channel Mike’s Tropical Tech. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Hua Hin Today recently spoke to Michael about his passion for drone flying and has shared several of his monthly updates in the past. However, this is the first update we have featured for a couple of months, and as always, it is interesting to see the development of the train line from a bird’s-eye perspective. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/brilliant-drone-footage-offers-birds-eye-view-of-hua-hins-new-train-line/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-03-24 - 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

COVID-19: Thailand reports 27,024 new coronavirus cases, 82 deaths, 23,721 recoveries File photo Thailand on Thursday (March 24) reported 27,024 new COVID-19 cases, 23,721 recoveries and 82 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254483-covid-19-thailand-reports-27024-new-coronavirus-cases-82-deaths-23721-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

COVID-19: Thailand reports 27,024 new coronavirus cases, 82 deaths, 23,721 recoveries File photo Thailand on Thursday (March 24) reported 27,024 new COVID-19 cases, 23,721 recoveries and 82 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254483-covid-19-thailand-reports-27024-new-coronavirus-cases-82-deaths-23721-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Thursday (March 24) reported 27,024 new COVID-19 cases, 23,721 recoveries and 82 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Thursday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 3,450,980 with 24,579 deaths. In December and January, Thailand detected 73 cases of suspected “Deltacron”, a broad name describing variants of the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) that contain a mixture of mutations found in Delta and Omicron, but all the patients have recovered, said Medical Sciences Department Director-General Dr. Supakit Sirilak today (Wednesday). He said virologists at the department have decoded the genetic makeup of all the 73 cases and found they could be Deltacron cases, but results of the findings have been sent to GISAID, a global science initiative and primary source headquartered in Germany, for confirmation.* *Thai PBS contributes to this report Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-24 - 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

Travel sector calls for endemic status, scrapping of Thailand Pass and full normality on entry by James Morris and Son Nguyen The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, in the last week made it clear that the country’s four-phase reopening plans which should see all current restrictions removed by July 1st including the unpopular Thailand Pass app, was dependent on incoming infection rates and approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO). This week, the boss of Emirates in Thailand, the Dubai based airline which flew 32% of all incoming passengers into the kingdom last year, described the abolition of Thailand Pass as a potential ‘golden moment’ for the travel industry and a lift-off point for the country’s tourism prospects. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254476-travel-sector-calls-for-endemic-status-scrapping-of-thailand-pass-and-full-normality-on-entry/

The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, in the last week made it clear that the country’s four-phase reopening plans which should see all current restrictions removed by July 1st including the unpopular Thailand Pass app, was dependent on incoming infection rates and approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO). This week, the boss of Emirates in Thailand, the Dubai based airline which flew 32% of all incoming passengers into the kingdom last year, described the abolition of Thailand Pass as a potential ‘golden moment’ for the travel industry and a lift-off point for the country’s tourism prospects. by James Morris and Son Nguyen Industry leaders from the Federation of Thai Industries to the Thai Chamber of Commerce have urged the government to expedite the plan to declare the COVID-19 virus as endemic with concerns that the country’s competitors in the foreign tourism industry have moved more decisively. There is also a view that the scrapping of the Thailand Pass application for incoming travellers will be the key move in the process, or as the country boss for Emirates, which brought 32% of all visitors to Thailand last year, described it this week, a potential ‘Golden Moment’ for the country’s foreign tourism sector. The boss of Emirates Airline which flew a large proportion of all arrivals into Thailand in 2021 has expressed caution about the country’s stated plans to fully cast aside all travel restrictions from July 1st next in a four-phase plan which is now underway. It comes as the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, has said the timetable is dependent on both approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and controlling incoming infection levels at below 1%. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Thailand’s tourism industry is entering into a critical period as the kingdom’s phased and careful reopening to foreign arrivals without restrictions targeted for July 1st next, finds itself challenged by moves from competitor destinations who have acted decisively to reopen their borders and attract visitors. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/03/23/calls-for-scrapping-of-thailand-pass-normal-entry/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-03-24 - 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 Approves Purchase of Paxlovid Antiviral Pills by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Cabinet has approved a 500-million-baht budget for the purchase of the Paxlovid antiviral medication for treating COVID-19 patients. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254475-cabinet-approves-purchase-of-paxlovid-antiviral-pills/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Cabinet has approved a 500-million-baht budget for the purchase of the Paxlovid antiviral medication for treating COVID-19 patients. Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul disclosed that the budget was approved as part of the Ministry of Public Health’s 8.4 billion baht proposal to combat the ongoing pandemic. The majority of the funds will be distributed to frontline medical workers and officials affiliated with the public health secretariat office who are working to prevent and contain the spread of the virus. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The procurement will allow public health officials to provide more COVID treatment options for patients. Green chiretta, favipiravir, molnupiravir and remdesivir are currently being used to treat those with mild conditions. Paxlovid has been shown to have one of the highest efficacy rates in combating the coronavirus, reducing the risk of hospitalization or death by around 88%. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-24 - 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

Great Wall Signs Deal With Thailand to Reduce EV Prices by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor has signed a deal with The Thai government to reduce the retail price of its electric vehicles, a move aimed at increasing domestic EV sales and production. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254474-great-wall-signs-deal-with-thailand-to-reduce-ev-prices/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor has signed a deal with The Thai government to reduce the retail price of its electric vehicles, a move aimed at increasing domestic EV sales and production. According to Michael Chong, General Manager of Great Wall Motor Thailand, the agreement, which includes a government subsidy and a reduction in value-added tax, could save customers up to 160,000 baht (US$4,779) per unit. A similar agreement was also signed on Monday (21 Mar) with Great Wall’s rival automaker, SAIC-CP Motor, the Thai subsidiary of SAIC Motor Corp. The signing comes as Thailand works to promote electric vehicle use and maintain its status as a major regional automaker. By 2030, the government intends to produce 725,000 electric vehicles per year or 30% of total production. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Chong added that other factors such as rising energy prices were also contributing to the growth of EV demand. Great Wall Motor acquired General Motors’ Thailand plant in 2020, Asia’s fourth-largest auto assembly and export hub. The firm intends to sell 20,000 units in Thailand in 2022 through its two brands, the BEV Ora Good Cat and Haval SUVs. In 2024, it intends to manufacture EVs on-site. However, analysts said the transition will take time, as Thailand registered fewer than 4,000 fully electric vehicles last year and manufacturing investments are still being made in conventional engines. Among them is Ford Motor Co, which recently invested $900 million in Thailand to upgrade factories that produce its Ranger pickup truck and Everest SUV. Andrea Cavallaro, Ford Operations Director, International Market Group, said internal combustion engine vehicles will continue to exist for some time, citing the fact that EV technology and infrastructure have yet to be adopted in Southeast Asia and other major economies worldwide. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-24 - 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

Vietnamese man on solo voyage to India rescued by Thai fishermen Facebook: Third Naval Area Command (3rdNAC) A Vietnamese man, on a solo voyage in an inflatable dinghy from Phuket across the Indian Ocean to search for his Indian wife in Mumbai, whom he has not seen for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been rescued from the sea by Thai fishermen. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254473-vietnamese-man-on-solo-voyage-to-india-rescued-by-thai-fishermen/

Facebook: Third Naval Area Command (3rdNAC) A Vietnamese man, on a solo voyage in an inflatable dinghy from Phuket across the Indian Ocean to search for his Indian wife in Mumbai, whom he has not seen for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been rescued from the sea by Thai fishermen. The marine security unit of the Third Fleet of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) received a radio report today (Wednesday) from the skipper of a Thai fishing trawler, reporting that they found a yellow and blue rubber dinghy, about 2.5 metres long, floating in the Andaman sea about 80 kilometres from the shore. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The skipper also reported that there was a man in the boat with some luggage, an almost empty tank of drinking water and some packs of instant noodles. He said that he was afraid that the unidentified sailor, who barely speaks English, might be in danger if left at sea and decided to tow him to safety. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/lovesick-vietnamese-man-on-solo-voyage-to-india-rescued-by-thai-fishermen/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-24 - 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