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Patches of a thin film of oil were found Saturday on Mae Ram Phueng beach and oil slicks have been detected floating in the sea near the beach. An oil sheen has also been spotted at the PTTLNG port, also in the Muang district of the eastern province of Rayong. Workers from Star Petroleum Refining (SPRC), the company responsible for two oil spills in the past three weeks, have been deployed to collect the oil film being washed ashore by using oil absorbents. Foam booms have also been installed at different points on the beaches and more vessels have put to sea in an effort to contain the oil before it is washed ashore. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/oil-found-on-mae-ram-phueng-beach-and-at-sea-as-containment-of-the-spill-continues/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-14 - 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 business delegation to visit Saudi Arabia on Feb 26th to explore trade expansion A high-level Thai business delegation will visit Saudi Arabia on February 26th, the first in many years, to promote trade and business between the two countries. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250193-thai-business-delegation-to-visit-saudi-arabia-on-feb-26th-to-explore-trade-expansion/

A high-level Thai business delegation will visit Saudi Arabia on February 26th, the first in many years, to promote trade and business between the two countries. Sanan Angubolkul, president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade, said that the delegation will visit Riyadh, the Saudi capital, and Neom. The delegation will meet with their Saudi counterparts and the government sector for discussions on the expansion of trade between Thailand and Saudi Arabia. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-business-delegation-to-visit-saudi-arabia-on-feb-26th-to-explore-trade-expansion/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-14 - 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

Two former Canadian servicemen wanted by Thai police for a murder on Phuket Island Phuket provincial court has issued warrants for the arrest of two Canadian nationals for alleged involvement in the murder of Indian underworld character, Jimi “Slice” Sandhu, at a beachfront villa on Rawai Beach on Phuket Island on February 4th, according to Pol Maj-Gen Sermphan Sirikhong, commander of Phuket provincial police. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250192-two-former-canadian-servicemen-wanted-by-thai-police-for-a-murder-on-phuket-island/

Phuket provincial court has issued warrants for the arrest of two Canadian nationals for alleged involvement in the murder of Indian underworld character, Jimi “Slice” Sandhu, at a beachfront villa on Rawai Beach on Phuket Island on February 4th, according to Pol Maj-Gen Sermphan Sirikhong, commander of Phuket provincial police. He did not provide the names of the two suspects, saying only that they are former Canadian military, both aged about 37 and that they left Thailand on February 6th. He said that the Thai branch of Interpol has already coordinated with Interpol HQ to trace the whereabouts of the two fugitives, so they can sent back to Thailand to stand trial. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/two-former-canadian-servicemen-wanted-by-thai-police-for-a-murder-on-phuket-island/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-14 - 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

French national, 59, arrested for alleged fraud stemming from seven arrest warrants issued in Pattaya By Nop Meechukhun Chonburi – A French national, 59, originally from Compiegne, was caught in Prachuap Khiri Khan and taken for legal proceedings at Pattaya City Police Station yesterday, February 12th, after being allegedly wanted for seven arrest warrants issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250191-french-national-59-arrested-for-alleged-fraud-stemming-from-seven-arrest-warrants-issued-in-pattaya/

By Nop Meechukhun Chonburi – A French national, 59, originally from Compiegne, was caught in Prachuap Khiri Khan and taken for legal proceedings at Pattaya City Police Station yesterday, February 12th, after being allegedly wanted for seven arrest warrants issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. According to officials, the suspect, identified by Pattaya Police and multiple media outlets such as Bangkok Post as Mr. Herve Leonard, 59, a long-term Thai ex-pat, was tracked down following a report and investigation from the French Embassy in Thailand, stating that many foreigners from multiple countries such as France, Belgium, and Australia filed complaints to the French Embassy that they were allegedly defrauded by the suspect with a total damage in value at about 6,333,677 baht and that the suspect had been allegedly evading arrest. According to Pol Maj Gen Atthasit Kijjaharn, the Chon Buri police chief, and Pattaya Police Chief Colonel Kunlachart Kunlachai, who jointly released this information to the media, the suspect would reportedly claim to foreign victims that he knew local officers who carried out various matters including the sale of big bikes and offering to assist people in trouble. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/02/13/french-national-59-arrested-for-alleged-fraud-stemming-from-seven-arrest-warrants-issued-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-02-14 - 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

Why Gen Prayut may have to switch parties to remain in power Three years after accepting Palang Pracharath’s invitation to stand as its candidate for prime minister, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha faces a stark choice: Remain with the ruling party and risk political oblivion, or switch to a new party in hope of winning another term. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250189-why-gen-prayut-may-have-to-switch-parties-to-remain-in-power/

Three years after accepting Palang Pracharath’s invitation to stand as its candidate for prime minister, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha faces a stark choice: Remain with the ruling party and risk political oblivion, or switch to a new party in hope of winning another term. As both he and Palang Pracharath suffer waning popularity and internal powerplays, Prayut has also lost control and influence in the ruling party. Meanwhile, other political parties have emerged as “reserves” for the premier in case he decides to ditch the Palang Pracharath banner – or it ditches him as PM candidate. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/why-gen-prayut-may-have-to-switch-parties-to-remain-in-power/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-14 - 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

Flower power takes a knock ahead Valentine’s Day The Covid-19 pandemic and a slow economic recovery is set to make the Day of Love more expensive this year, posing a challenge for florists and gift shops in the city. The same constraints are also affecting lovebirds’ celebration plans. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250188-flower-power-takes-a-knock-ahead-valentine’s-day/

The Covid-19 pandemic and a slow economic recovery is set to make the Day of Love more expensive this year, posing a challenge for florists and gift shops in the city. The same constraints are also affecting lovebirds’ celebration plans. A recent survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce predicts spending of around 2 billion baht on valentine’s Day this year, the lowest in 15 years, with average spending of 1,176 baht per person. More than half of respondents (51 %) said they expect their celebration will be low-key. The high price of goods, the Covid-19 pandemic, political uncertainty, and its effects have prompted caution in consumer spending. Reduced income, job loss, safety concerns, and fears of job loss are additional factors. About 83 % said they plan to celebrate this special occasion with their loved ones at home. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/flower-power-takes-a-knock-ahead-valentines-day/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-14 - 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 -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-14 - 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

Motorists covered by Southeast Insurance assured they will not be rejected by garages for accident repairs Motorists who have their cars insured by Thailand’s Southeast Insurance will have their cars repaired and the garages will be compensated by the company, according to the Insurance Commission’s Secretary-general Suttipol Taweechaikarn. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250187-motorists-covered-by-southeast-insurance-assured-they-will-not-be-rejected-by-garages-for-accident-repairs/

Motorists who have their cars insured by Thailand’s Southeast Insurance will have their cars repaired and the garages will be compensated by the company, according to the Insurance Commission’s Secretary-general Suttipol Taweechaikarn. The insurance commissioner offered the assurance after several garages have refused to work on cars covered by Southeast Insurance, for fear that they may not be paid by the struggling insurance firm, which is saddled with hefty claims for compensation from COVID-19 patients. The commissioner said that guidelines were worked out at a recent meeting, between the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC), Southeast Insurance, representatives of the Auto Repair Association of Thailand and the Association of Central Garage Insurance, held to ensure fair treatment for both the insured and the garages. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/motorists-covered-by-southeast-insurance-assured-they-will-not-be-rejected-by-garages-for-accident-repairs/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-14 - 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

Removal of COVID-19 from Thailand’s universal health coverage list may be postponed Thailand’s Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said today (Sunday) that he will discuss with Anutin Charnvirakul, the Minister of Public Health, the possibility of postponing, from March 1st to April 1st, the removal of COVID-19 from Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) list. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250186-removal-of-covid-19-from-thailand’s-universal-health-coverage-list-may-be-postponed/

Thailand’s Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said today (Sunday) that he will discuss with Anutin Charnvirakul, the Minister of Public Health, the possibility of postponing, from March 1st to April 1st, the removal of COVID-19 from Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) list. As Omicron variant infections have surged to over 10,000 a day in the past week, he said that time must be provided to communicate any changes to the public’s right of access to medical care and that the Medical Services Department must he consulted regarding COVID-19 patients who have underlying diseases which also require medical treatment. Despite the prospective removal of COVID-19 from UCEP list, he assured that COVID-19 patients, who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms and are being treated at home, are still covered by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) health security program or other schemes. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/removal-of-covid-19-from-thailands-universal-health-coverage-list-may-be-postponed/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-14 - 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 14 Feb 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1250185-thailand-live-monday-14-feb-2022/

Big Decision: Which Asian country is ideal for foreign retirees? After making the decision to retire overseas, the next big decision is where to settle. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250184-big-decision-which-asian-country-is-ideal-for-foreign-retirees/

After making the decision to retire overseas, the next big decision is where to settle. Asia is one of the most beautiful and culturally diverse regions in the world. Each Asian country offers unique and desirable traits for expats wanting to retire abroad. So which country should you select? Well according to International Living’s List, the top five countries in Asia to retire are Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam & Sri Lanka. The criteria they used to analyze each country are classified under thirteen categories: Buying and investing potential, renting abilities, benefits and seniors discounts, ability to obtain visas and residency, cost of living, assimilation, entertainment and amenities, healthcare, healthy lifestyle, level of country development, climate, opportunity & governance. 1. Malaysia There’s no wonder why Malaysia was named as the top Asian country to retire as an expatriate. Malaysia is located South of Thailand and is known for its vast and beautiful beaches, immaculate rainforests, and surroundings of its multitude wonderful islands. Although the countries official language is Malay, English has become an unofficial second language in the country. It is widely spoken, which will surely facilitate retirees in their relocation. Malaysia should also be a top priority for retirees looking for some adventure. The country is large, with a wide variety of terrain and adventures to explore. Also, due to its location, you will have most of Asia at your fingertips. Travelling between countries is extremely easy, allowing you to explore the full potential of Asia. 2. Thailand A close follow-up to Malaysia was Thailand. As Malaysia’s northern neighbour, there is no surprise that Thailand has landed in second as a desirable location for expatriates to retire. Known as “The Land of Smiles,” Thailand has much to offer in terms of retiree’s desires. The countries low-cost of living, warm-water coastlines, tropical climates, a tax-free system for income coming abroad for expats, a rich and untouched culture, and relatively standardized hospital care. Thailand also offers easily accessible yearly visa renewals for expatriates who have chosen to retire in Thailand, which allows Thailand to be a long-term retiring destination. 3. Cambodia Cambodia has long been on the rise for one of the most desired countries to retire. As the country continues to expand, Cambodia offers the benefit of beautiful scenery and a warm climate as well as the ease and comfort of a large international connection. One major benefit of retiring in Cambodia is the ability and ease to obtain long-term visas. Many Asian countries may require a stringent income requirement for a long-term visa to be approved, whereas Cambodia does not require these. 4. Vietnam While on the hunt for new experiences, a change in scenery while staying within your retiree budget, Vietnam should be well at the top of your list. Like its neighbouring countries, Vietnam is known for its exquisite scenery and warm climate, but also offers a variety of healthy and delicious foods. One reason why Vietnam is lower on the list than its neighbouring Asian countries is that they do not have a government placed retirement visa scheme yet. This may complicate long-term stay in the country. You can extend your visa while in the country, which facilitates the renewal process, however the longest visa in place now is a 3-month visa. 5. Sri Lanka Last on our list of top five countries in Asia to retire is Sri Lanka. No different to several other Asian countries when it comes to the beautiful and steady climate, Sri Lanka offers a steady and homogenous temperature year-round. Sri Lanka is also known as a multicultural country which allows expats to explore and diverge in a variety of cultures. Sri Lanka offers a “Dream Home Visa Programme” which allows retirees over the age of fifty-five who meet the countries financial minimum for expats, a 2-year visa with the potential to renew. These are the findings from International Living’s List. I would possibly include Indonesia’s Bali and the Philippines as well. However, we are sure you may wish to add to this information and help others make that all-important decision? -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-14 - 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

Celebrities everywhere in a bumper week of wacky Thai news on ASEAN NOW I suppose there has never been a better time to be a celebrity or to aspire to be one. Just as there has never been a worse time. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250102-celebrities-everywhere-in-a-bumper-week-of-wacky-thai-news-on-asean-now/

I suppose there has never been a better time to be a celebrity or to aspire to be one. Just as there has never been a worse time. Social media has seen to that. Celebrities only have to tweet something or post a picture and their fame and exposure increases plus sales of whatever they’re flogging. Their faces or products. Wannabe celebs can get instant or even long lasting fame through YouTube or Instagram. Just ask guys like “My Mate Nate” - in a past era just an English teacher nobody would have heard of - who lives off 8 million Thai teenagers waiting on his every word or any young child with a TikTok idea and a mobile phone. But just as it’s easy to acquire fame, it can also swiftly come crashing down as frauds are exposed and misdeeds are instantly flashed around the world resulting in ruin. Even if the celeb concerned is not guilty! Today’s world is filled with instant gratification, instant recognition and instant disgrace. No one is safe and everyone is invited to the party! In a bumper week of Thai news on the hallowed forums of ASEAN NOW celebrities were everywhere enjoying moments in the limelight and wishing that it never happened to them. As observers we can enjoy the feelings of Schadenfreude and pretend we are immune or don’t care. Top story of the week featured a female Thai boxer called Ploy who turned out to be a gem for news organizations’ clicks, as her name implies. Some guy - who subsequently lost his job thanks to the media backlash - tipped a beer over her head after she refused to clink glasses. Ploy aimed some tasty kicks at the miscreant outside the Khao Tom shop though I’ve married several Thai women who would have given her a run for her money. Both protagonists were fined 1,000 baht as Thai and foreign posters debated who was more in the wrong. I think the police got it about right - it was something and nothing. But while the guy was ruined Ploy will doubtless get plenty of boxing engagements; I suggest a new ring name like “Ploy Beer Glass” to cement her newfound status. In Bangkok a former Miss Universe Thailand contestant in 2015 - now a successful businesswoman - probably wished she’d invested in driving lessons. She drove her Benz (us wannabe Thais always say Benz to annoy Germans) into a truck on a bridge and killed her passenger. Up in Sakon Nakhon some buxom hairdressers got their five minutes of fame and wowed the ‘net’ doing some semi-naked blow-drying at their salon. Rooster called them a cut above the rest. What was surprising was that the Culture Minister didn’t call for a crackdown on non-Thai behavior. Maybe he’s just accepted that it’s too late to bother and he’d only look like a todger on social media. Lung Too could tell him all about that pitfall. Posters on ASEAN NOW generally agreed that this collection of what the British call “totty” were “a bit of alright” though when the finalists of Miss Thailand appeared in pink swimsuits (that Rooster called bikinis, I’m getting too old), the curmudgeons declared they were all ugly. I suggest putting down your beer glasses and looking at the world through regular specs, even if it might mean falling off your barstool. I met a Thai Miss Universe once, whose name meant to sleep soundly and fertilizer. “Bui” was delightful even if it was unclear whether she should be taken to bed or put on the roses. I taught her son to be more Thai than American. In fact Rooster has met quite a few celebs over the years, mostly in my role as a Thai teacher. My favorite encounters were with Yingluck Shinawatra who gave me an envelope with money in and another former PM in the shape of Abhisit Vejjajiva who pronounced “home” so elegantly I was made to feel like a right “saaf London slob”. Not really surprising as he went to Eton and Oxford, places Rooster’s only visited as a tourist. What I do have over “Mark” is that I wasn’t born in Wallsend and don’t support Newcastle-Upon-Mecca. I should have met John Noakes of Blue Peter fame but I went to Epsom races instead of a scheduled cub reporter assignment for a shop opening in Croydon. I wrote that Shep delighted the crowd only to be informed later that his famous dog wasn’t there. Oops. Enough name dropping - back to the Thai news, anyone would think I wanted to be a celeb. Becoming instantly famous - though only the RTP had their names - were two shoeless hitmen who shot Canadian/Indian Jimi Singh in Rawai 19 times. Bungling, flat-footed plod told the Thai press that they were definitely still in Thailand until footage emerged of them getting out of a taxi and on planes at Suwannaphum (my spelling). Methinks that Gen Suwat needs to go to specsavers for some new glasses. Whether he’ll have more luck with his arrest warrants than the debacle that is the Red Bull Boss saga remains to be seen. The assassins will have melted into Canada by now and my sources say it is quite a big place. Also attracting attention in the south was Cathy Hummels, wife of Borussia Dortmund’s Mats, who thought she was in Phuket when she was robbed of her iPhone in Phang Nga. An easy mistake to make when you’re been clobbered over the head while holidaying on the beach in Thailand. Big Joke - is there any bigger celebrity in Thailand at the moment outside the nightly soaps? - continued his meteoric rise back to stardom after the mother of all falls, was mentioned in the Hummels case and then had a perjury and defamation case against him dismissed. Was that a crafty smile behind the mask as Surachate exited the central criminal court? He had “no comment” for the press - another first for the usually loquacious Lt-Gen. In pandemic related news (sorry) Anutin Charnvirakul, the celebrity health minister, intimated that the nighttime entertainment sector would remain shut. I guess he’d rather everyone stay off the streets and light a non-THC hemp spliff at home while the country’s biggest Golden Goose continues to be half strangled for little good reason. One of the world biggest wannabe celebs - Mohammad bin Salman - will be visiting Thailand to cement “bilateral relations”. I wonder if some swanky Bangkok hotel will offer him a few floors to pitch his tent in and tend to the goats. The suspected murderer of Jamal Khashoggi should not even be considered for a visa though Prayut will probably get some cut priced gas for his Humvee. Being propelled into fame was a monk in Phrapradaeng who featured in the most hilarious story of the week. This randy robed rogue was investigated after the local faithful - who frequently reveal themselves as more on the straight and narrow than the saffron brigade - was seen entertaining women “short and long time”. The press, with a self-righteous social activist leading the baying mob, found a scantily clad lady hiding under the stairs with nary a stitch on her. A bra was discarded near the Spy coolers and a woman’s hair band was found in the Phra’s bedroom. The wine? Oh, that’s used in religious ceremonies, he claimed, (presumably like red Fanta). The hair band for a baldy monk? Oh, that’s mine, I wear it for migraine relief. With excuses like this I suggest that the abbot - after his defrocking - turns to the police or politics. He’ll be welcomed with open arms. In international news those celebrity footballers of the English Premier League were in the news though at least it wasn’t for rape this time. However, some commentators claimed the crime was just as bad after Kurt Zouma was caught on tape kicking his pet cat into touch. West Ham courted further controversy by selecting him for their next match. Boris Johnson lived up to his surname once again in comments about Ukraine. He said: “Our intelligence, I am afraid, remains grim”. Was he using the “royal we” to refer to himself? In the Philippines the celebrity obsessed population will have a number of interesting candidates in the May general election. There's the daughter of dodgy Duterte, Sara, son of dictator Marcos, Bongbong and Senator Manny Pacquiao. Hopefully he’ll box the others into submission in round one. Back in Thailand a three legged tiger has been getting famous after attacks on people and livestock in Kanchanaburi. Now park authorities want to trap him and take him into care. It’s interesting that there are now thought to be 180 tigers in the wild here - expect more stories about poachers and attacks in the coming years. Road accidents abounded with several involving rather foolish Pajero drivers. I love seeing those ugly cars and wonder if the drivers know what “pajero” means in Spanish. Gooly it, I mean Google, if unsure. A road accident from 2021 featured footage of a Thai delivery guy being thrown off his bike after a collision with an American driving a golf buggy in an estate in Soi Samakhee. A father was calling for “justice” - a rare commodity in Thailand. Cue much discussion on who was to blame and who should pay whom. I’ve ridden bikes in Thailand nearly 500,000 kms but I wouldn’t ride like that. That said, the American needs to look before turning and get his checkbook out. Doing just that was a woman at a bank in Nong Khai. Her accomplice was at a gold shop and the owner was conned into parting with 200 baht weight in gold jewelry after they thought 2.9 million baht had been transferred. Plod are looking for a man in black and a woman with previous. Now there was me thinking that all gold shops are owned by the most cautious Thai Chinese people on the planet. Norawich Buadok - the cop who killed Dr Kratai on a zebra crossing while riding his Ducati Monster was taken to face prosecutors. It would have been easier to list the traffic offences he hadn’t broken - no tax, no plates, no insurance, no mirrors, negligence etc etc… However, the one piece of documentation that may come to his rescue is the RTP get out of jail card. Worth its weight in gold. In Bangkok it emerged that a woman who the Thai press salivated over after she was found in bits in the Chao Phraya at several locations had not been murdered. CCTV showed her ending it all by jumping off the Rama 8 bridge. She was then sliced to pieces by boat propellers, plod reckoned. Very sad. In Pattaya the miscreant of the week - or any other week - had to be a nasty nurse who swiped a dying patient’s ATM card while he was in ICU at Banglamung Hospital. She then went to the cash machine to help clear some family debts, as you do. Finally and also in Pattaya there was a story about an intoxicated man stealing road signs. Facebook ASEAN NOW poster Jimmy Malone said it best with his witty observation about the thief: “He is a sign of Trouble Ahead”. A reminder to all of us wannabe celebrities. Rooster -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-12 - 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

Government Seeks Additional Loan to Cap Diesel Price By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government is in the process of seeking an additional 20-30 billion baht loan to maintain a ceiling on the price of diesel fuel. The Minister of Energy said the government is also considering new measures to help those affected. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250101-government-seeks-additional-loan-to-cap-diesel-price/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government is in the process of seeking an additional 20-30 billion baht loan to maintain a ceiling on the price of diesel fuel. The Minister of Energy said the government is also considering new measures to help those affected. During a parliamentary session, Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said 20-30 billion baht would be needed to keep a cap on pump prices. Elaborating on a query raised by Pheu Thai Party MP Kittikorn Lohsoonthorn, the minister said the government has already spent around 15 billion baht from the Oil Fuel Fund to maintain diesel rates. On a proposal to adjust the biofuel mixture, Supattanapong said the effort cannot proceed quickly as it affects oil palm farmers, adding that the government is now considering new measures. The Thai government has placed a 30 baht per liter cap on the retail price of diesel. According to the Ministry of Energy, it is 6th or 7th highest compared to those in eight ASEAN nations, with Singapore having the highest. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-02-12 - 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

Gold shop fraudsters try con at another shop - but this time the owner got wise Picture: Manager Following yesterday's story about a 2.9 million baht theft from a gold shop in Nong Khai involving a check fraud comes news about a similar scam. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250099-gold-shop-fraudsters-try-con-at-another-shop-but-this-time-the-owner-got-wise/

Picture: Manager Following yesterday's story about a 2.9 million baht theft from a gold shop in Nong Khai involving a check fraud comes news about a similar scam. This one was apparently attempted by the same fraudster - a man dressed all in black in a mask who went into the Yaowarat Lan Mae Kimki gold shop at a market in the Nang Rong police jurisdiction in Buriram, also in Thailand's north east. On this occasion the man said that he wanted to buy twice as much gold - 200 baht weight worth 5.8 million. Picture: Manager He claimed that the gold was being distributed by a wealthy employer at a firm to staff. A person claiming to be that man had called on the phone prior. The bank confirmed the transfer but the owner of the gold shop was cautious and sent staff to withdraw the money first. There it was discovered that the money had come in then been swiftly taken back, reported Manager. Meanwhile the man at the goldshop realised he'd be in trouble and fled in a Honda HRV not waiting for the return of the employees from the bank. Police found out that the licence plate of the vechicle was registered to another car. They believe it is the same gang who targeted the shop in Nong Khai. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-12 - 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

More Evidence Filed Against Bangkok Election Candidate By Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Parliament’s anti-corruption committee has received additional evidence on the unusual wealth of the Democrat Party’s candidate for the Bangkok gubernatorial election. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1250098-more-evidence-filed-against-bangkok-election-candidate/