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Thailand’s Basic Education Commission admits online learning had never worked well, says new school year will begin normally in May By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) insisted on school’s first semester nationwide starting on May 15th, 2022, as online courses had gradually affected children’s reading and writing abilities. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253654-thailand’s-basic-education-commission-admits-online-learning-had-never-worked-well-says-new-school-year-will-begin-normally-in-may/

By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) insisted on school’s first semester nationwide starting on May 15th, 2022, as online courses had gradually affected children’s reading and writing abilities. OBEC was responding, notes TPN, to rumors of yet another year of possible disrupted classes and schooling, stating that they believed children must be in school in-person, especially younger children, for proper learning. However, TPN also notes that individual provincial governors and local leaders could still “strengthen” rules, which has been a problem recently with some areas having school normally in Thailand but others disrupted due to provincial leaders having stricter regulations. OBEC secretary-general Amporn Pinasa said the office had continued to manage the education system under the Covid-19 situation in the 2022 academic year. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/16/thailands-basic-education-commission-admits-online-learning-had-never-worked-well-says-new-school-year-will-begin-normally-in-may/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-16 - 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

Betong flights cancelled just days after Prayut launches commercial operation By Panithan Onthaworn Nok Airline, one of Thailand’s low-cost carriers, has cancelled its flights to Betong International Airport just days after the Prime Minister’s opening of the first commercial flight. Officials said the event was prompted by marketing blunders. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253651-betong-flights-cancelled-just-days-after-prayut-launches-commercial-operation/

By Panithan Onthaworn Nok Airline, one of Thailand’s low-cost carriers, has cancelled its flights to Betong International Airport just days after the Prime Minister’s opening of the first commercial flight. Officials said the event was prompted by marketing blunders. On Monday, PM Prayut Chan-ocha and cabinet members joined the airport’s opening ceremony in Yala province by taking the first commercial flight operated by Nok Air, with goals to boost tourism and investment in the South. However, the Airport Department announced that the flights at Betong have been cancelled due to “errors in marketing plans,” and they have reached out to the airline to clarify the matter. Local media reported that there are insufficient bookings for each flight. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38616/betong-flights-cancelled-just-days-after-prayut-launches-commercial-operation/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-16 - 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

Locals turn to bananas for the answer to the lottery Sanook Thai Caption: Top numbers (for the lottery) will make you rich Sanook went to Khok Mor sub-district in Ratchaburi in central Thailand where locals are convinced that an unusual banana tree will give them the numbers in the state lottery. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253649-locals-turn-to-bananas-for-the-answer-to-the-lottery/

Sanook Thai Caption: Top numbers (for the lottery) will make you rich Sanook went to Khok Mor sub-district in Ratchaburi in central Thailand where locals are convinced that an unusual banana tree will give them the numbers in the state lottery. The tree was cut down but still sprouted six combs of bananas from the trunk. Locals have been praying to it and wrapping three colored cloth around it. Sunee at house number 19/3 in Moo 5 had cut it down but noted that the Kluay Horm (the big banana variety) refused to die. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The problem is that it has been hard to decide exactly how many bananas are there. So 6 is being touted as a likely number. One "expert" went for 986 or maybe 968. The lottery will be drawn this afternoon. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-16 - 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

Ferrari Joe: Last day of witness statements set for March 24th Picture Siam Rath The seven accused police officers including the former chief of the Nakhon Sawan police Thitisan Uthanaphon appeared via video link from Klong Prem jail during special Sunday proceedings at the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct cases. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253646-ferrari-joe-last-day-of-witness-statements-set-for-march-24th/

Picture Siam Rath The seven accused police officers including the former chief of the Nakhon Sawan police Thitisan Uthanaphon appeared via video link from Klong Prem jail during special Sunday proceedings at the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct cases. The plaintiffs are Janjira Thanaphat and Jakkrit Kandee, reported Siam Rath. The case relates to the death of a man in custody while under interrogation at the Nakhon Sawan police station. Thitisan is known as Ferrari Joe or Chief Joe. CCTV at the time showed a man being wrapped in layers of plastic bags. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He was being interrogated in a drugs case. It is alleged that extortion was taking place. Joe was revealed as owning dozens of high end cars in a subsequent investigation as the case consumed Thailand. The court heard evidence from defendants 2 and 3 in the morning and 4 and 5 in the afternoon. These are all lower ranking police officers. The court ran out of time and will reconvene on Thursday March 24th when defendants 6 and 7 will give evidence along with a medical professional. That will be the last day of witness statements. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-16 - 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

"Ungrateful" son kills both parents in Ubon - then puts them in the oven Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on a ghastly double murder in Ubon Ratchathani in the NE of Thailand yesterday afternoon. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253642-ungrateful-son-kills-both-parents-in-ubon-then-puts-them-in-the-oven/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on a ghastly double murder in Ubon Ratchathani in the NE of Thailand yesterday afternoon. It happened in Ban Phuwiang in Phosai district. Anek (surname withheld and age not reported) used a club to attack his own mother. He then tossed her in a charcoal oven along with the weapon. He then waited for his father to come home after tending to his buffaloes. His father was killed with a hoe. He was then tossed into the oven along with his mother. But the killer was seen fleeing on a motorcycle. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe DOPA and plain and uniformed police soon had him in custody in a rubber plantation nearby that he owned. He was quite calm and unaffected by what he had done. His urine returned a dark purple test result - indicating drug use. He was detained ahead of his prosecution. The media mentioned "luuk Thoraphee" several times. This relates to the story from the Ramakian legend about an ungrateful buffalo who kills his father. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-16 - 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

Pattaya Beach Tennis Open to take place this weekend, March 18th-20th By Goong Nang(GN) Jomtien, Pattaya- Yesterday, (15th March 2022) at the Surf Kitchen Restaurant on Jomtien Beach, the Pattaya mayor Mr. Sonthaya Khunpluem appointed Mr. Worapot Pongphalee to participate in a preparation meeting for the Pattaya Beach Tennis Open 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253641-pattaya-beach-tennis-open-to-take-place-this-weekend-march-18th-20th/

By Goong Nang(GN) Jomtien, Pattaya- Yesterday, (15th March 2022) at the Surf Kitchen Restaurant on Jomtien Beach, the Pattaya mayor Mr. Sonthaya Khunpluem appointed Mr. Worapot Pongphalee to participate in a preparation meeting for the Pattaya Beach Tennis Open 2022. The Director of the Office of Tourism and Sports Mr. Surat Thepchaito also attended the meeting to discuss the contest. Pattaya City, in the name of the Office of Tourism and Sports, has scheduled the Pattaya Beach Tennis Open 2022 between 18th to 20th March 2022 at the aquatic sports area near Soi 5 on Jomtien Beach, Pattaya. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/16/pattaya-beach-tennis-open-to-take-place-this-weekend-march-18th-20th/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-16 - 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

Immigration Aid Offered to Russian, Ukrainian Tourists PHUKET, March 16 (TNA) – Immigration police in Phuket set up a special unit to extend the visas of the Russian and Ukrainian tourists who cannot return to their homeland due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253639-immigration-aid-offered-to-russian-ukrainian-tourists/

PHUKET, March 16 (TNA) – Immigration police in Phuket set up a special unit to extend the visas of the Russian and Ukrainian tourists who cannot return to their homeland due to the Russia-Ukraine war. The special service targeted the tourists who did not want to return to their countries to avoid the impacts of the war and those whose direct flights to Russia were canceled. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe An immigration inspector of Phuket said that the law allowed foreigners facing such problems to have their visas extended for up to 60 days and more than 3,000 Russian and Ukrainian tourists sought their visa extension. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-903404 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-03-16 - 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

Farmer burnt to death after going to tackle blaze in Chaiyaphum Picture: Thai Rath Police, rescue services and firemen were called to an area of agricultural land between the sub-districts of Na Siaw and Ban Lao in Muang district of Chaiyaphum, NE Thailand yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253638-farmer-burnt-to-death-after-going-to-tackle-blaze-in-chaiyaphum/

Picture: Thai Rath Police, rescue services and firemen were called to an area of agricultural land between the sub-districts of Na Siaw and Ban Lao in Muang district of Chaiyaphum, NE Thailand yesterday. In an area near a shack in the fields they found the body of 65 year old Mala Khuwong. She had been burnt to a cinder, reported Thai Rath. Police think that Mala had tried to tackle a fire from the foot of hills that was approaching a bamboo thicket threatening her shack. They think she passed out from smoke inhalation then was consumed in the fire. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-16 - 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

Pub bouncer hothead says: "I didn't think I'd kill anyone" - he shot 19 year old in the forehead in pick-up Picture Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on a horrendous case of uncontrolled rage that happened in Buriram in the north east of Thailand around 3 am Tuesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253637-pub-bouncer-hothead-says-i-didnt-think-id-kill-anyone-he-shot-19-year-old-in-the-forehead-in-pick-up/

Picture Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on a horrendous case of uncontrolled rage that happened in Buriram in the north east of Thailand around 3 am Tuesday. A bouncer at a restaurant-cum-bar called Apa in the Nong Kee police jurisdiction was angry after a pick-up got too close as it was leaving. He chased after the vehicle on his motorcycle. When the driver wound down his window he smashed the guy in the face. The driver then fled. Still angry Niwat Thulia, 32, then fired his .38 at the fleeing Isuzu. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Sitting in the back facing the rear was 19 year old Krittaya or "Cake". She was killed outright after being hit square in the forehead. Picture: Thai Rath Niwat was yesterday taken on a reenactment. He said he left the gun with a friend and went home to sleep. He said that he didn't think that he would have killed anyone. Khwanjit, 45, the mother of Cake said she would not allow the shooter to apologize to the corpse (a standard practice in Thailand). She had zero forgiveness in her heart after her daughter was denied her bright future. The victim had dropped in at the restaurant with friends after attending a fair. Niwat has been charged with murder with intent and weapons offences and detained. He had only been out of prison for 5 months after being jailed for drugs' offences. He had then applied to become a bouncer at the restaurant. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-16 - 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

Chonburi announces 1,320 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and one new death By Goong Nang(GN) Highlights: 1,320 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today 4,775 positive ATK (rapid antigen) tests were reported but all require a second confirmed PCR test before being counted as official cases. The ATK positive tests are just “possible” cases until confirmed by PCR. TPN notes, however, that second confirmed tests are no longer mandatory except for high-risk groups. 882 (PCR) and 2,189 (ATK) recovered and were released from medical care One new death Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253636-chonburi-announces-1320-new-and-confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-and-one-new-death/

By Goong Nang(GN) Highlights: 1,320 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today 4,775 positive ATK (rapid antigen) tests were reported but all require a second confirmed PCR test before being counted as official cases. The ATK positive tests are just “possible” cases until confirmed by PCR. TPN notes, however, that second confirmed tests are no longer mandatory except for high-risk groups. 882 (PCR) and 2,189 (ATK) recovered and were released from medical care One new death The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,320 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with one new deaths, March 16th, 2022. This makes a total of 57,902 cases (PCR) and 69,405 cases (ATK) of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 10,810 (PCR) and 29,691 (ATK) people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 101 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections at the beginning of this year, January 2022. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Additionally, 882 (PCR) and 2,189 (ATK) people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 46,991 (PCR) and 39,714 (ATK) people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began at the beginning of this year, January 2022. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/16/chonburi-announces-1320-new-and-confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-and-one-new-death/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-16 - 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 media wakes up to the fact of war in Europe - No Ukrainians, less Russians as tourism hit again Thai media seems to have finally woken up to the fact that there is a serious war going on in Europe, notes ASEAN NOW. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253635-thai-media-wakes-up-to-the-fact-of-war-in-europe-no-ukrainians-less-russians-as-tourism-hit-again/

Thai media seems to have finally woken up to the fact that there is a serious war going on in Europe, notes ASEAN NOW. Especially now that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is affecting the Thai pocketbook. In a feature article by the Thai Rath news team reporters noted that pump prices are affecting everyone, but especially the transport sector. Tourism is being thoroughly affected despite it being low season. Ukrainians have stopped coming altogether and Russian tourists are considerably down, Sitthiwat Chiwaratanaporn of the Thai Tourism Business Association noted. In addition there are 1,000 Ukrainians stranded in Thailand with help underway to extend their visas. Sitthiwat noted that one in four tourists arriving in the country before the conflict were Russians. Now many are staying home. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He noted that only the very rich ones are coming due to the devastating effect that sanctions have had on the value of the rouble. He said that in 2019 - pre-pandemic - Russians made up 1.5 million tourists or in excess of 100,000 a month. Last year they were in fourth place in the leading visitors to the country. An infographic showed the figures for top five nationalities visiting Thailand in 2021: 1 Germans 45,874 2 British 38,663 3 Americans 37,880 4 Russians 30,759 5. French 23,461 Sitthiwat noted further that European tourism in general was down and that it is now the off-season. Meanwhile everyone in the industry has virtually stopped talking about the Chinese return to Thai shores. Covid outbreaks there have resulted in implementation of the "zero tolerance" policy meaning that tens of millions are under lockdown. Chinese tourism that accounted for around 25% of visitors to Thailand pre-pandemic still looks a long way off as the government there deters travel tours abroad. Generally speaking Sitthiwat said the pandemic was being well handled but he had little confidence of mass tourism returning any time soon, whether the government declares the disease endemic or not. That has been indicated as coming around June. He pointed to many countries suffering with Covid and people not having money to travel and picked out South Korea as a case in point. Visitors from there have little appetite to go to Thailand when a 14 day quarantine awaits them on returning home. Ten million from China among the 39 million who previously visited and a million from Singapore have disappeared altogether he lamented. The only bright spot on the horizon was the potential for Saudi Arabian visitors to Thailand. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-16 - 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

CPF Welcomes Saudi Approval of Thai Poultry by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) has welcomed the recent move by Saudi Arabia to greenlight chicken imports from Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253633-cpf-welcomes-saudi-approval-of-thai-poultry/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) has welcomed the recent move by Saudi Arabia to greenlight chicken imports from Thailand. Prasit Boondoungprasert, director and member of the CBF executive committee, said five of the 11 factories approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to import chilled, frozen and processed chicken are operated by CPF. He reiterated that Saudi Arabia is a high potential market with a population of more than 35.6 million. It is also a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, for which food makes up 52.7% of imports. According to the CPF executive, the Saudi population consumes about 1.5 million metric tons of chicken a year. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Prasit also noted that CPF was the number one Thai exporter to the country prior to an import ban. He said the company will be able to produce and export chicken to Saudi Arabia by the end of this month or the beginning of next month. The Middle Eastern kingdom has the capacity to import 590,000 tons of chicken annually. Prasit expressed gratitude to the Thai government and all relevant agencies for restoring relations with Saudi Arabia. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-16 - 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