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Picture: Siam Rath Plapplachai 2 police in Bangkok took a dim view after a man was featured online "riding" a motorcycle in Yaowarat Road, the Thai capital's Chinatown. He was standing on the machine not holding onto anything. The only legal thing he was doing was wear a helmet! Krissadaporn, 27, was soon facing the law. He explained that his post was intended for the 50,000 people who follow him but the footage got out and was shared elsewhere. He said he'd taken it down now. He explained that he was a motorcycle stuntman who would appear at temple shows and the like. Police were unimpressed and charged him with five offences including negligent and scary driving, driving in an incorrect manner, having no thought for other road users and not having insurance or tax, reported Siam Rath. He faces 3 months in jail and/or a fine of between 2,000 and 10,000 baht. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Buriram couple in lucky escape after "Tank" the elephant destroys their house looking for jackfruit Daily News Caption: "Tank" destroyed my house A married couple in the North East of Thailand told how they had a lucky escape after an elephant called Tank demolished their house. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250848-buriram-couple-in-lucky-escape-after-tank-the-elephant-destroys-their-house-looking-for-jackfruit/

Daily News Caption: "Tank" destroyed my house A married couple in the North East of Thailand told how they had a lucky escape after an elephant called Tank demolished their house. Kanlaya, 55, related how she needed to relieve herself in the middle of the night so off she went to an outside toilet 10 meters from the house. There in the dark she encountered Tank. She dashed back to the house where her husband Prasit, 51, was still in the land of nod. "There's an elephant!" she said as she roused him from his slumbers. She crawled off leaving her husband to put on something decent and grab a few possessions. Too late. The elephant was bit by bit using its trunk to demolish the house and he seemed to be after Prasit. Luckily wood fell on Prasit covering him and protecting him from the pachyderm's advances. The pesky beast gave up after five minutes and fled the scene. The couple called it a miracle that they survived. It all went down in Ban Lam Nang Rong village in Non Din Daeng district of Buriram, as reported by Daily News. A local official confirmed the miscreant was Tank, a big 40 year old elephant that is one of 3 fitted with a GPS tracker. They think that Tank was attracted by the smell of ripe jackfruit. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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 Picture: Daily News

Hospitals of the Future (Photo courtesy of Ramathibodi hospital) Despite the disruptions COVID-19 has caused in the way healthcare is delivered in many countries, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250845-hospitals-of-the-future/

(Photo courtesy of Ramathibodi hospital) Despite the disruptions COVID-19 has caused in the way healthcare is delivered in many countries, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future. We have learned a great deal from the recent pandemic but perhaps the most important lesson is the necessity to rethink how healthcare is delivered to the people. One interesting insight derived from the experience, according to Sharon Zaide, a medical doctor, is that when healthcare systems are challenged, the need to adopt and accept modern forms of technology becomes more prominent.” Facilities overwhelmed During the latest outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant in the middle of 2021, Thailand’s health ministry sounded the alarm about Bangkok’s lack of hospital beds and isolation facilities. Even the Health Ministry’s Director General of the Department of Medical Services, Somsak Akkasip, was forced to admit in a news conference that “We do not have enough beds in hospitals. Even in big hospitals, intensive care units are filled.” 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/hospitals-of-the-future/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

Another old lady cyclist killed - pick-up driver flees scene but later surrenders to police Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on yet another grim accident on Thailand's roads last night in which a 66 year old lady wheeling her bicycle home was killed. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250843-another-old-lady-cyclist-killed-pick-up-driver-flees-scene-but-later-surrenders-to-police/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on yet another grim accident on Thailand's roads last night in which a 66 year old lady wheeling her bicycle home was killed. Witnesses reported seeing a Toyota pick-up hit a road sign on the Koh Riang to Nong Hua Ling Road in Muang district of Nakhon Nayok, central Thailand. The pick-up that had been travelling fast then slid into Janpee, 66, who was wheeling her bike home - she lived just 50 meters away. Police and rescue services found her with multiple injuries and the damaged bike in the undergrowth. The pick up fled the scene but a few hours later at 9.30 last night the driver and his damaged vehicle reported to Muang district police. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Online crime in Thailand goes through the roof - RTP set up special reporting system Picture Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that online crime in Thailand was sky-rocketing with more than 10,000 cases since the start of last year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250842-online-crime-in-thailand-goes-through-the-roof-rtp-set-up-special-reporting-system/

Picture Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that online crime in Thailand was sky-rocketing with more than 10,000 cases since the start of last year. Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha - who oversees the police - has demanded action from the RTP and its leader Pol Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk has made it a priority. Public awareness has been created about the dangers online, said the media, something that Suwat has mysteriously called "Cyber Vaccine". Yesterday Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat, RTP deputy and head of the PCT or Police Cyber Taskforce that tackles online crime spoke to the press. He said that since January 1st last year until now there had been 10,818 cases and 10,584 arrests with losses running into the billions of baht. He warned the public to beware and announced a new online reporting system at www.thaipoliceonline.com. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Skytrain poses challenges to next Bangkok governor Anticipating challenging decisions ahead, the four candidates running in the election for governor of Bangkok are strongly opposing the extension of concession for the core Skytrain sections of the Green Line. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250841-skytrain-poses-challenges-to-next-bangkok-governor/

Anticipating challenging decisions ahead, the four candidates running in the election for governor of Bangkok are strongly opposing the extension of concession for the core Skytrain sections of the Green Line. They were speaking on the controversial proposal in the course of a debate. The Interior Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have proposed extending the concession of operator Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) for another 30 years after it expires in 2029. Chadchart Sittipunt, Rosana Tositrakul, Suchatvee Suwansawat, and Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, contesting for the top BMA job, proposed their ideas at an online debate hosted by the Thailand Consumers Council on February 14. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/skytrain-poses-challenges-to-next-bangkok-governor/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

What a week for the monkhood! Now Ya Ba abbot is defrocked after breaking up his temple to sell Picture: Thai Rath It has been a decidedly rocky few weeks for Thailand's monks with seemingly one scandal after another featuring the men in saffron. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250838-what-a-week-for-the-monkhood-now-ya-ba-abbot-is-defrocked-after-breaking-up-his-temple-to-sell/

Picture: Thai Rath It has been a decidedly rocky few weeks for Thailand's monks with seemingly one scandal after another featuring the men in saffron. Now comes a story out of Sukhothai that surely tops the lot. Phra Wirot Phuangkhajorn, 48, was left alone at his temple, Wat Nern Krachai in Kongkrailat district after all his monks fled. They were fed up that their abbot was just a criminal who had stepped off the righteous path. Among his misdemeanors was cutting up the Buddhist images to get the gold to sell, though he denied this claiming it was repairs. This looked a tad shallow when eight were found destroyed. The final straw for the locals came when he ripped off the temple door and sold it for scrap metal. Picture: Thai Rath After all he needed the cash to pay for his meth addition - Ya Ba taking equipment was found in his quarters. Phra Wirot is now plain old Mr Wirot and in police custody for his temple antics and Ya Ba taking activity. The change in name is because he was ceremonially "defrocked". Now the hundreds of angry parishioners have to decide what to do about the electricity bill - he left 40,000 baht due to be paid! Picture: Thai Rath Thailand likes to think that its monks are paragons of virtue - but the Thai press is always after stories when they slip up. Thai Rath went to town on this one. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

No lottery win and just a waste of Fanta! Thai man torches his shrine and promises to build another Sanook Thai Caption: It's been there for ages and I've never won the lottery Great interest was not surprisingly garnered when a Thai man decided to burn down the shrine in his house and accompany the flames with music, all done on TikTok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250833-no-lottery-win-and-just-a-waste-of-fanta-thai-man-torches-his-shrine-and-promises-to-build-another/

Sanook Thai Caption: It's been there for ages and I've never won the lottery Great interest was not surprisingly garnered when a Thai man decided to burn down the shrine in his house and accompany the flames with music, all done on TikTok. He'd been putting out the "naam daeng" (usually red Fanta) on all the holy days but he'd never once won the lottery. So what was the point. However, that was not the end of the story after Sanook reporters went to investigate at the house in Isaan sub-district of Muang Buriram in Thailand's north east. They found just the remains of the shrine. Benjo, 27, the poster and relative of the owner said that steps were taken to make sure that the trees and house didn't burn down too. She said that in the three years it had been there the owner had not won the lottery. He always lit joss-sticks and put out the Fanta but the final straw came with the latest drawing when they divined the number as 537 and 957 came up. Nikorn, 40, the man at the center of the drama, said he'd be building a bigger and better shrine in its place with a modern design. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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 download.mp4

COVID-19: Thailand reports 18,885 new coronavirus cases, 29 deaths, 10,946 recoveries File photo Thailand on Saturday (February 19) reported 18,885 new COVID-19 cases, 10,946 recoveries and 29 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250832-covid-19-thailand-reports-18885-new-coronavirus-cases-29-deaths-10946-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

COVID-19: Thailand reports 18,885 new coronavirus cases, 29 deaths, 10,946 recoveries File photo Thailand on Saturday (February 19) reported 18,885 new COVID-19 cases, 10,946 recoveries and 29 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250832-covid-19-thailand-reports-18885-new-coronavirus-cases-29-deaths-10946-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Saturday (February 19) reported 18,885 new COVID-19 cases, 10,946 recoveries and 29 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 18,661. Prisons: 224 ▶︎ Recoveries: 10,946 Saturday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,693,362 with 22,594 deaths. The news comes as Thailand will consider a recommendation from an airline tycoon to reduce the steps required for international entry, by doing away the second COVID-19 test, currently required on the fifth day after arrival. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes, who suggested measures to improve the “Test & Go” scheme, specifically the removal of the second test requirement. *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 -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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: Thailand's handling of the pandemic "best in the world" Picture: INN A battling health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul came out all guns blazing yesterday when faced with a grilling by opposition MPs on the government's handling of the pandemic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250831-anutin-thailands-handling-of-the-pandemic-best-in-the-world/

Picture: INN A battling health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul came out all guns blazing yesterday when faced with a grilling by opposition MPs on the government's handling of the pandemic. INN quoted Anutin as saying that Thailand's response was as good as any country in the world. Everything that he and his excellent health services have done was for the benefit of the Thai people and others living in the country. He said that the vaccine program exemplified this and in response to questions about how long it will continue he pledged that the program will continue until Thailand is as safe as it can get. He reiterated that Thailand was being cautious in what age children received the vaccine; this was an example of the responsibility and standards shown by Thailand, he claimed. The comments come as his leader - PM Prayuth Chan-ocha - boasted of Thailand's economic prowess insisting that Thailand is better able to handle inflation and the rising cost of living than other countries. During Friday's general debate in the House opposition MPs blasted the government on several issues with the pandemic and the economy front and central. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Thai tourism sector calls for easing of COVID-19 requirements to boost arrivals Pichayada Promchertchoo Tourists visit the world-famous Maya Bay in southern Thailand. (Photo: CNA/Pichayada Promchertchoo) BANGKOK: Tourism organisations in Thailand have called on the government to ease the COVID-19 requirements for international visitors to boost arrivals in time for the Easter holidays in April. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250828-thai-tourism-sector-calls-for-easing-of-covid-19-requirements to-boost-arrivals/

Tourists visit the world-famous Maya Bay in southern Thailand. (Photo: CNA/Pichayada Promchertchoo) Pichayada Promchertchoo BANGKOK: Tourism organisations in Thailand have called on the government to ease the COVID-19 requirements for international visitors to boost arrivals in time for the Easter holidays in April. Presidents of 20 tourism associations and councils submitted a letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and related officials, asking for changes in the government’s COVID-19 protocols for overseas travellers. Gen Prayut heads the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), which determines Thailand’s directions to control the spread of the coronavirus. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thai-tourism-sector-wants-easing-covid-19-measures-2506581 -- © Copyright Channel NewsAsia 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

Bangkok’s China ties in focus as US-Thailand ‘Cobra Gold’ military drills return – but smaller -- The once-massive Cobra Gold exercises had to be scaled back again this year because of the pandemic, raising questions about their waning importance -- But analysts say the multinational drills are still a useful diplomatic tool for Washington, as Bangkok increasingly turns to Beijing for arms purchases Jitsiree Thongnoi in Bangkok US and Thai soldiers shake hands at the end of a live-fire exercise as part of Cobra Gold in 2017. Photo: AFP One of the Asia-Pacific’s longest-running military drills co-hosted by Thailand and the United States will take place from Sunday to March 5, but in scaled-down fashion given the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.v Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250827-bangkok’s-china-ties-in-focus-as-us-thailand-‘cobra-gold’-military-drills-return-–-but-smaller/

US and Thai soldiers shake hands at the end of a live-fire exercise as part of Cobra Gold in 2017. Photo: AFP -- The once-massive Cobra Gold exercises had to be scaled back again this year because of the pandemic, raising questions about their waning importance -- But analysts say the multinational drills are still a useful diplomatic tool for Washington, as Bangkok increasingly turns to Beijing for arms purchases Jitsiree Thongnoi in Bangkok One of the Asia-Pacific’s longest-running military drills co-hosted by Thailand and the United States will take place from Sunday to March 5, but in scaled-down fashion given the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. Some 3,460 personnel, about a third of the pre-pandemic figures, will take part in this year’s Cobra Gold, including 1,953 Thai troops and 1,296 Americans, it was announced at a Thai military press conference earlier this month joined by the US Chargé d’Affaires Michael Heath. Of the 20 countries involved, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and Malaysia will also send troops to join the exercises, while China, India and Australia will join humanitarian and civic projects like building school facilities in rural parts of Thailand. Full story: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3167485/bangkoks-china-ties-focus-us-thailand-cobra-gold-military-drills -- © Copyright South China Morning Post 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

Prachuap steps up fight against corruption By Online Reporter Prachuap officials this week stepped up efforts to fight corruption with the opening of a new learning centre. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250826-prachuap-steps-up-fight-against-corruption/