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OFFO Board Approves 2-Baht Reduction of Diesel Price Following Excise Cut By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The board of the Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO) has approved a 2-baht reduction of the price of diesel. The move came in response to a Cabinet resolution to slash the excise rate on diesel oil. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250946-offo-board-approves-2-baht-reduction-of-diesel-price-following-excise-cut/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The board of the Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO) has approved a 2-baht reduction of the price of diesel. The move came in response to a Cabinet resolution to slash the excise rate on diesel oil. OFFO Director Wisak Watanasap revealed that the most recent OFFO board meeting discussed management of the retail price of diesel fuel. The meeting was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow. The board acknowledged the Cabinet’s reduction of the diesel excise from 5.99 baht per liter to 3.20 baht per liter. The reduction will remain in effect until May of this year. The OFFO board resolved to reduce the price of diesel fuel by 2 baht per liter to alleviate the public burden. The retail price of diesel has subsequently dropped to 27 baht, 94 satang per liter. The remaining difference will be used to add liquidity to the Oil Fund so it can keep diesel from exceeding 30 baht per liter. Wisak noted that global oil prices are still on the rise and that the Oil Fund is currently spending 8.191 billion baht per month, 6.117 billion of which is being used to subsidize oil prices and 2.075 billion for the LPG price. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-02-19 - 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

Excise Department Will Not Introduce Salt Tax This Year By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Excise Department has confirmed it will not introduce a salinity tax on high-sodium foods this year, in order to help alleviate the burden on Thai businesses. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250945-excise-department-will-not-introduce-salt-tax-this-year/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Excise Department has confirmed it will not introduce a salinity tax on high-sodium foods this year, in order to help alleviate the burden on Thai businesses. According to the Department, the new tax will not be implemented this year soas to allow the Thai economy to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the higher cost of living. The move comes after the government reduced the diesel excise tax by 3 baht per liter this week, relieving pressure on the Oil Fund, which had been impacted by subsidizing energy prices driven up by global market situations. The salinity tax was previously proposed as a means of encouraging people to live healthier lifestyles. Thais on average consume about 1.8 teaspoons of salt per day, which is about twice the daily amount recommended by the World Health Organization. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-02-19 - 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

Foreign Ministry Pushes for Constructive ASEAN Engagement By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs has called on ASEAN members to engage more in efforts to promote peace and prosperity in the region during a recent virtual ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250944-foreign-ministry-pushes-for-constructive-asean-engagement/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs has called on ASEAN members to engage more in efforts to promote peace and prosperity in the region during a recent virtual ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai participated in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) via video conference. The event was the first of its kind under Cambodia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN. Minister Don urged ASEAN members to be more assertive in urging major powers to avoid increasing global tensions. He also called for a strengthening of the bloc’s solidarity to maintain its unity, cohesiveness and leadership. The meeting expressed full support for Cambodia and Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, who has been named special envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar. The envoy is tasked with facilitating the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus agreed upon by ASEAN Leaders on April 24, 2021. On this occasion, the Thai Foreign Minister updated the meeting on Thailand’s efforts as the ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable Development Cooperation. He also asked member states to expedite the implementation through the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-02-19 - 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 Tea to be Marketed as “Face of ASEAN” Product By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Efforts are underway to elevate Thai tea at the international level by marketing it as one of the remarkable products of ASEAN. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250943-thai-tea-to-be-marketed-as-“face-of-asean”-product/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Efforts are underway to elevate Thai tea at the international level by marketing it as one of the remarkable products of ASEAN. Due to increasing consumer demand for tea products among ASEAN member states and China, and with local production unable to sufficiently keep pace, alternatives are being sought that include importing tea products from other countries. This has in turn prompted increased interest in Thai tea products. The tea plant is cultivated in Thailand’s northern region, particularly the provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and is currently dominating the export market to neighboring countries due to its unique fragrance, high quality and exotic taste. Processed tea from the Cha Tra Mue company has subsequently turned into one of the kingdom’s best-selling brand products. It has since started expanding its franchises to other countries in the Asia-Pacific, including China and South Korea. To support Thai products in making greater inroads with the international market, the government is encouraging local companies to make the most of existing free trade agreements. Representatives from the Department of Trade Negotiations recently visited Cha Tra Mue factory on February 18 to provide advice on the use of FTAs in facilitating exports and promoting the importance of international buyers. Department Director-General Auramon Sapthaweetham said Thailand currently enjoys many existing FTAs that can bring a wealth of benefits to local companies, including the ASEAN-China FTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). These can help to elevate the popularity of Thai tea mix products, with the department also working on another FTA to market Thai tea to the Middle Eastern markets. She added that if Thai tea products are able to maximize the benefit of FTAs, they could potentially become one of ASEAN’s representative products. Thai tea mix is often used in various beverages such as milk and iced tea. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-02-19 - 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

Story of Thai policeman in exile and victims of human trafficking revealed in parliament Pol Maj-Gen Paween Pongsirin, former deputy commissioner of the 8th Provincial Police Bureau, who led an investigation into a Rohingya human trafficking network over six years ago, said last night that he feels relieved after his side of the story was revealed in parliament, by Move Forward MP Rangsiman Rome, during the general debate yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250942-story-of-thai-policeman-in-exile-and-victims-of-human-trafficking-revealed-in-parliament/

Pol Maj-Gen Paween Pongsirin, former deputy commissioner of the 8th Provincial Police Bureau, who led an investigation into a Rohingya human trafficking network over six years ago, said last night that he feels relieved after his side of the story was revealed in parliament, by Move Forward MP Rangsiman Rome, during the general debate yesterday. Currently living in exile in Australia, after escaping with his life more than six years ago, Pol Maj-Gen Paween led an investigation into human trafficking activities in Thailand’s southern border provinces. His work led to the arrest and prosecution of 75 suspects, including three army officers and one naval officer. A few others, including an army lieutenant general, who was then a special advisor to the Royal Thai Army, later surrendered and were eventually indicted. The probe was launched after security forces stumbled on a jungle camp in Sadao district of Songkhla in August 2015, where hundreds of illegal Rohingya immigrants, victims of a human trafficking gang, were being detained. The remains of dozens of Rohingya were also found buried around the camp. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/story-of-thai-policeman-in-exile-and-victims-of-human-trafficking-revealed-in-parliament/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-21 - 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

Cobra Gold 2022: Scaled-down and no cobra sacrifices A Thai Marine demonstrated how to handle a cobra to the US Marines during a jungle survival training as part of the Cobra Gold military exercise in Ban Chantaklem, Chantaburi in February 2020. (Photo by Royal Thai navy) Hosted by Thailand for the past four decades, the Indo-Pacific multination war games known as Cobra Gold make headlines every year – not just for military affairs but also for their history, politics and wildlife conservation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250941-cobra-gold-2022-scaled-down-and-no-cobra-sacrifices/

A Thai Marine demonstrated how to handle a cobra to the US Marines during a jungle survival training as part of the Cobra Gold military exercise in Ban Chantaklem, Chantaburi in February 2020. (Photo by Royal Thai navy) Hosted by Thailand for the past four decades, the Indo-Pacific multination war games known as Cobra Gold make headlines every year – not just for military affairs but also for their history, politics and wildlife conservation. The upcoming Cobra Gold 2022 is in the news because it has been scaled down for a second year running and military-ruled Myanmar has been left out. Formally launched in 1982, these wargames have their roots in 1956 when the Thai Navy and the US Marines held a joint amphibious landing to forge military ties between the two countries. The exercises back then were known as “Operation Teamwork”. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/cobra-gold-2022-scaled-down-and-no-cobra-sacrifices/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-21 - 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’s hospitals and ‘hospitels’ half full again as COVID-19 continues to spread (Photo courtesy of Ramathibodi hospital) Almost half of the beds in general hospitals and ‘hospitels’ nationwide are now occupied, as the Medical Services Department urges cooperation from those with asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 infections by getting treated at home or in community isolation facilities, to free up hospital beds for serious cases. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250939-thailand’s-hospitals-and-‘hospitels’-half-full-again-as-covid-19-continues-to-spread/

(Photo courtesy of Ramathibodi hospital) Almost half of the beds in general hospitals and ‘hospitels’ nationwide are now occupied, as the Medical Services Department urges cooperation from those with asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 infections by getting treated at home or in community isolation facilities, to free up hospital beds for serious cases. Of the 174,029 beds in general hospitals and ‘hospitels’ throughout the country, with the exception of Bangkok, 80,756 are occupied. In Bangkok, 25,359 of the 55,369 beds are occupied. In some provinces, such as Nakhon Ratchasima, hospital beds designated for “green” patients are fully occupied, according to Dr. Somsak Akksilp, head of the Medical Services Department. He also said that there are more cases of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and gastrointestinal bleeding developing among those originally diagnosed as asymptomatic and who now need hospital beds. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-hospitals-and-hospitels-half-full-again-as-covid-19-continues-to-spread/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-21 - 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

Cold weather forecast for most of Thailand until Tuesday Downtown Bangkok. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) As a result of the arrival of a cold front from China, temperatures in Bangkok, central and eastern provinces are forecast to fall by 3-5oC and by 5-9oC in northern and north-eastern provinces until Tuesday, according to the Meteorological Department. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250938-cold-weather-forecast-for-most-of-thailand-until-tuesday/

Downtown Bangkok. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) As a result of the arrival of a cold front from China, temperatures in Bangkok, central and eastern provinces are forecast to fall by 3-5oC and by 5-9oC in northern and north-eastern provinces until Tuesday, according to the Meteorological Department. Temperatures will start to drop, especially in northern and north-eastern provinces, from tomorrow and continue to fall by a further 5-9oC over the following 48 hours. The average temperatures will be 14-15oC. In Bangkok, its surroundings and in other central and eastern provinces, the average temperatures will be 20-21oC. There may be rain in the affected regions and this may make it feel even cooler. Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/cold-weather-forecast-for-most-of-thailand-until-tuesday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-21 - 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

Bangkok governor election: Candidates, their policies, and the daunting tasks awaiting winner A ballot box at a polling station for Bangkok governor on March 3, 2013. (Photo by Pornchai Kittiwongsakul / AFP) Bangkok governor elections used to be held once every four years until the 2014 coup saw national and local votes suspended. Now, expectations are rising ahead of the first gubernatorial election in nine years, as voters scrutinize several strong contenders who have already announced their intentions to join the race. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250937-bangkok-governor-election-candidates-their-policies-and-the-daunting-tasks-awaiting-winner/

A ballot box at a polling station for Bangkok governor on March 3, 2013. (Photo by Pornchai Kittiwongsakul / AFP) Bangkok governor elections used to be held once every four years until the 2014 coup saw national and local votes suspended. Now, expectations are rising ahead of the first gubernatorial election in nine years, as voters scrutinize several strong contenders who have already announced their intentions to join the race. The election is tentatively scheduled for May, according to Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam. Thai PBS World takes a look at the candidates, their campaign promises, and the challenges that lie ahead if they win the vote to become Bangkok’s most powerful official. Election policies of strong contenders Independent candidate Chadchart Sittipunt, who according to the latest public survey is the overwhelming favorite to win, has delivered a policy platform with four main pillars – people, technology, environment, and the economy. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bangkok-governor-election-candidates-their-policies-and-the-daunting-tasks-awaiting-winner/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-21 - 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 Marine Department approves oil pipeline repair plan Thailand’s Marine Department has finally granted permission for Star Petroleum Refining Plc (SPRC) to start repairing the ruptured submarine oil pipeline at the offshore mooring platform off Rayong province.v Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250936-thai-marine-department-approves-oil-pipeline-repair-plan/

Thailand’s Marine Department has finally granted permission for Star Petroleum Refining Plc (SPRC) to start repairing the ruptured submarine oil pipeline at the offshore mooring platform off Rayong province. The decision, after several days’ delay, was reached during an urgent Zoom meeting today (Sunday), which was attended by representatives of the oil company, the Marine Department, the Council of Engineers of Thailand, the Engineering Institute of Thailand, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Department of Pollution Control and Map Ta Phut police. The approved maintenance plan will consist of applying leak stopping compounds, pumping residual oil out of the pipeline and the use of special adhesive material wrapped around the two points of rupture in the pipeline. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-marine-department-approves-oil-pipeline-repair-plan/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-21 - 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 virologist Dr. Yong predicts daily COVID-19 infections may reach 100,000 Respected virologist Dr. Yong Poovorawan said Sunday that COVID-19 Omicron variant infections are on the steady rise across Thailand, averaging 25,000 cases a day and the number may surge to 100,000 cases a day in the future. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250935-thai-virologist-dr-yong-predicts-daily-covid-19-infections-may-reach-100000/

Respected virologist Dr. Yong Poovorawan said Sunday that COVID-19 Omicron variant infections are on the steady rise across Thailand, averaging 25,000 cases a day and the number may surge to 100,000 cases a day in the future. Judging by the rapid transmissibility of the BA.2 sub variant of the Omicron variant reported in Singapore, where daily infections average about 15,000 in a population one tenth the size of Thailand’s, Japan’s or South Korea’s, he said that Thailand may soon fall into the same pattern. Dr. Yong, head of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine of Chulalongkorn University, pointed out that the current rate of infection is ten times that of the four previous waves in the country. “We saw a two-digit daily infection rate in the first wave, a three-digit rate in the second wave, a four-digit rate in the third wave and a five-digit daily infection rate in the fourth wave, which was dominated by the Delta variant,” he said, adding that “now, we are in the 5th wave and I am not sure whether infections will surge to six digits but I don’t want to see such figures.” Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-virologist-dr-yong-predicts-daily-covid-19-infections-may-reach-100000/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-21 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 21 Feb 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1250934-thailand-live-monday-21-feb-2022/

Can we ever rely on high season weather again? Here in Thailand, February has normally been one of the best months to enjoy no rain, with warm sunshine and cool breezes, all ideal for a great vacation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250933-can-we-ever-rely-on-high-season-weather-again/

Here in Thailand, February has normally been one of the best months to enjoy no rain, with warm sunshine and cool breezes, all ideal for a great vacation. Almost like clockwork we got used to celebrating Songkran in mid-April, which signaled the start of the rainy season. Well, all that seems to have changed as Thailand is currently experiencing a change in seasons. In Pattaya, for the past week, we have woken up to find dark clouds and no sunshine. Then around mid-day, the heavens have opened, and it has been raining constantly for at least 4-5 hrs. Thunderstorms follow and today we have received a drenching before sunrise. The forecast for the next ten days predicts thunderstorms, rain mixed with a bit of sun but mainly cloudy. Changing patterns Apparently, Thailand has seen a marked increase in temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns over the past thirty years. Both changes have a significant effect on food production, particularly rice—the yields of which are essential to national food security. Thailand is exceptionally vulnerable to minor changes in climate: slightly warmer surface temperatures will destroy the rice crops. And it is common knowledge that a few centimeters of sea-level rise will submerge the capital city Bangkok and devastate coastal tourism. Climate Change Impacts The impacts of climate change are already evident around the world. Thailand, as part of the Mekong River Basin, is struggling to deal with these impacts, which result in part from ecological pressures introduced by large hydropower dams, deforestation, coastal erosion, and urbanization. In Southeast Asia, Jakarta and Bangkok are sinking fast. In fact, the capital of Indonesia is the fastest sinking city in the world—it is sinking at the rate of 6.7 inches per year. By 2050, 95% of North Jakarta will be submerged, according to researchers. The region has already sunk 2.5 meters in 10 years and almost half the city is below sea level, which is why they are creating a new capital city elsewhere. Meanwhile, Bangkok, located 0.5–2 metres above sea level, is sinking at a rate of 2–3 centimetres each year. It is predicted that a large part of the capital city will be underwater by 2030, 2050, or the conservative estimate of 2100. Are we already experiencing the worst? The effects of climate change, include higher surface temperatures, floods, droughts, severe storms, and sea level rises. The damage to agriculture, coastal tourism, and the capital city as consequences of climate change will have enormous economic, cultural, and environmental impacts on Thailand. Just one degree of warming will destroy the rice crops that are central to the economy, and a few centimeters of sea level rise will submerge the capital city and devastate coastal tourism. Thailand’s mitigation and adaptation efforts include a slow shift to organic agriculture, a tsunami warning system along the Andaman Sea, the construction of a flood prevention wall around Bangkok, and an Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and energy use. Is it enough though? And will the intrepid international vacationer still want to fly away from colder Western climates in the winter, just to arrive to find a lack of sunshine and February downpours in Thailand? Could be a great time to set up a shop selling wellington boots, rain capes, and umbrellas! -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-21 - 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