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By Online Reporter As more people embrace flexible working environments and set their sights on their next ‘workation’ (AKA, a vacation that blends leisure and remote working), KAYAK, the world’s leading travel search engine, reveals the best countries in the world to work remotely from, with Portugal topping the list. Thailand landed in an impressive 4th place in the Asia-Pacific ranking and 16th globally. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe KAYAK’s first Work from Wherever Index is the ultimate source for those looking to set up a new office away from home temporarily or for a longer period of time. To develop the index, KAYAK closely analysed 111 countries and ranked each against 22 factors across six categories: travel costs and accessibility; local prices; health & safety; remote working capabilities; social life; and weather. Ultimately, the index reveals the countries that are easiest to work from while having a lot of fun in your off hours. -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-03-11 - 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

Health Department Warns Pregnant Women “Don’t Take Favipiravir” Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Health has advised pregnant women who have Covid-19 not to take the antiviral medicine “Favipiravir,” saying that the drug may harm fetuses, especially during the first trimester. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253109-health-department-warns-pregnant-women-“don’t-take-favipiravir”/

Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Health has advised pregnant women who have Covid-19 not to take the antiviral medicine “Favipiravir,” saying that the drug may harm fetuses, especially during the first trimester. According to experts, the medicine is normally only administered on a case-by-case basis during the last quarter of pregnancy. The health agency advised pregnant women, who are asymptomatic, experience moderate symptoms, and are not at high risk of miscarriage, to stay home. It also suggested that they refrain from taking part in any activity with other family members, and use separate restrooms. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe According to the department, 70-80 percent of infected pregnant women exhibit minor or no symptoms, and only 10% to 20% experience severe symptoms. Expectant women, who experience difficulty breathing, exhaustion, a high temperature, as well as frequent coughing, or chest pain, are urged to immediately seek medical attention or call the 1330 hotline. The health department asked that mothers with Covid-19 remain cautious when feeding their children to prevent an infection from taking place. Women in this group should always wear masks, wash hands before and after handling their children, and clean frequently touched surfaces around the house. The agency went on to suggest that Covid positive women seek help from non-infected relatives to help care for their newborns and to feed them using a bottle. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-11 - 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

Double murderer of ex wife and friend surrenders to police - the cops don't believe his story Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that a man called Lertlaphit Yaemchumporn, aged 60, had surrendered to police for the double murder of his ex wife Suchada Tri-Ot, 53, and her friend Janukit Pongyaphat, 49. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253108-double-murderer-of-ex-wife-and-friend-surrenders-to-police-the-cops-dont-believe-his-story/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that a man called Lertlaphit Yaemchumporn, aged 60, had surrendered to police for the double murder of his ex wife Suchada Tri-Ot, 53, and her friend Janukit Pongyaphat, 49. The pair were killed in a shooting incident in Soi Praditcharoen 28, Muang district of Pathum Thani in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Relatives in Lopburi persuaded the supect to give himself up to police there and he was taken back to Pak Khlong Rangsit police for questioning. A warrant had been issued Wednesday. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He provided a tale about how they were all drinking and he got annoyed and produced his gun and fired indiscriminately not knowing who he hit. Police dispute this version of event and have charged him with premeditated murder and say they have plenty of evidence. However, the gun has not yet been found where the suspect said he discarded it. A reenactment of the crime is set to go ahead today. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-11 - 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

Thailand sees "kratom" as export crop now that narcotics laws have changed Picture: Thai Rath It would have been something unthinkable a few years ago. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253105-thailand-sees-kratom-as-export-crop-now-that-narcotics-laws-have-changed/

Picture: Thai Rath It would have been something unthinkable a few years ago. The justice minister promoting the growing sale and export of kratom, a mild narcotic used to make tea. In fact he was busy locking people up for it in their thousands. Now Somsak Thepsuthin has released many of these people and is expounding the economic value of the plant he previously demonized. Yesterday Somsak and ministerial aides were at the Narcotics Control Board in Din Daeng, Bangkok, promoting a series of seminars and symposiums that are to be held over the coming months in Songkhla, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Phatthalung and Surat Thani. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe It's something that people have been waiting for for 78 years, reported Thai Rath. It was noted that the crop can become a multi billion baht industry. A famous songwriter set to perform at the seminars has even written a song called "The Day We've been Waiting For" - "Wan Thee Ror Khoi". Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-11 - 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

Thailand to donate 2 million Thai baht for humanitarian aid in Ukraine By Adam Judd Thailand- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Tanee Sangrat, confirmed yesterday on his social media accounts that Thailand will be sending 2 million Thai baht for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253091-thailand-to-donate-2-million-thai-baht-for-humanitarian-aid-in-ukraine/

By Adam Judd Thailand- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Tanee Sangrat, confirmed yesterday on his social media accounts that Thailand will be sending 2 million Thai baht for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. The 2 million baht (about 60,000 USD) will be given to the Thai embassy in Poland to provide aid through relevant emergency organizations to those in need. The budget had been approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this week. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/11/thailand-to-donate-2-million-thai-baht-for-humanitarian-aid-in-ukraine/ Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-11 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

COVID-19: Thailand reports 24,792 new coronavirus cases, 63 deaths, 22,065 recoveries File photo Thailand on Friday (March 11) reported 24,792 new COVID-19 cases, 22,065 recoveries and 63 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253090-covid-19-thailand-reports-24792-new-coronavirus-cases-63-deaths-22065-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

COVID-19: Thailand reports 24,792 new coronavirus cases, 63 deaths, 22,065 recoveries File photo Thailand on Friday (March 11) reported 24,792 new COVID-19 cases, 22,065 recoveries and 63 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253090-covid-19-thailand-reports-24792-new-coronavirus-cases-63-deaths-22065-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Friday (March 11) reported 24,792 new COVID-19 cases, 22,065 recoveries and 63 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Friday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 3,136,649 with 23,575 deaths. The news comes as the Central Vaccination Centre (CVC) at Bang Sue Grand Station is offering Covid-19 vaccines on a walk-in basis to both Thais and foreign nationals, regardless of which dose it is. The center said appointments are no longer required, as Covid-19 caseloads continue to rise across the country. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The CVC stated that the center was instructed last month to quickly provide required vaccine protection against Covid-19 for people suffering from lung infections, the unprotected elderly, and those who have yet to receive their booster shots. According to the CVC, senior citizens who have received booster shots are 41 percent less likely to die from Covid-19 than the unvaccinated, citing a study that showed immunity works best against the virus after 7-14 days after being vaccinated. *NNT contributed 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 2022-03-11 - 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

Thailand’s Chinese submarine order hits snag after Germany’s export embargo on MTU engines ● The first Yuan Class S26T worth US$408 million is being assembled without German engines as promised, said a Thai opposition lawmaker ● German military attaché says German engines cannot be used in Chinese military and defence items Jitsiree Thongnoi A military model of S-26T submarine. Photo: Handout Thailand’s purchase of a Chinese-made Yuan Class S26T submarine worth 13.5 billion baht (US$408 million) has stalled over the manufacturer’s failure to obtain German-made diesel engines as stipulated in the contract. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253078-thailand’s-chinese-submarine-order-hits-snag-after-germany’s-export-embargo-on-mtu-engines/

A military model of S-26T submarine. Photo: Handout ● The first Yuan Class S26T worth US$408 million is being assembled without German engines as promised, said a Thai opposition lawmaker ● German military attaché says German engines cannot be used in Chinese military and defence items Jitsiree Thongnoi Thailand’s purchase of a Chinese-made Yuan Class S26T submarine worth 13.5 billion baht (US$408 million) has stalled over the manufacturer’s failure to obtain German-made diesel engines as stipulated in the contract. State-owned conglomerate China Shipbuilding & Offshore International signed an agreement with Thailand’s Navy in 2017 for the submarine. The Thai navy said the deal was a government-to-government type, however, it bypassed any approval from the military-backed appointed parliament or the office of the auditor general. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The first vessel is expected to arrive in 2024, but a Thai opposition lawmaker – who was on the parliamentary subcommittee scrutinising the navy’s budget for the 2021-22 financial year – revealed last month that the submarine was being assembled without the engines. Yutthapong Charasathien of Pheu Thai, the party linked to exiled premier Thaksin Shinawatra, told a press conference on February 27 that China was currently facing a problem in obtaining engines made by German manufacturer MTU. Full story: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3169959/thailands-chinese-submarine-order-hits-snag-after-germanys -- © Copyright South China Morning Post 2022-03-11 - 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

30,000 people in Prachuap Khiri Khan yet to receive first COVID-19 vaccine dose By Online Reporter Health officials are aiming to vaccinate more than 30,000 people in Prachuap Khiri Khan who are yet to receive a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253077-30000-people-in-prachuap-khiri-khan-yet-to-receive-first-covid-19-vaccine-dose/

By Online Reporter Health officials are aiming to vaccinate more than 30,000 people in Prachuap Khiri Khan who are yet to receive a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Officials from Prachuap Province Public Health Office have told all relevant agencies to expedite the rollout of the vaccine in the run up to the Songkran holidays. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Officials say they will set up new vaccination centres in every district, as well as setting up secondary vaccination points at sub-district hospitals. In addition, staff from hospitals throughout the province will provide vaccination services to people at home or in various locations within different communities on a weekly basis. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/local-news/30000-people-in-prachuap-khiri-khan-yet-to-receive-first-covid-19-vaccine-dose/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-03-11 - 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

Hua Hin Mayor receives award for drowning prevention advocacy By Online Reporter Hua Hin’s mayor has received an award in recognition of the work done locally on preventing incidents of drowning among children and adults. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253076-hua-hin-mayor-receives-award-for-drowning-prevention-advocacy/

By Online Reporter Hua Hin’s mayor has received an award in recognition of the work done locally on preventing incidents of drowning among children and adults. The ‘Merit Maker’ award was presented to Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, who presided over the award ceremony in Bangkok. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Mayor Nopporn was one of four Gold Award Winners (Excellent Level) and three Gold Award Winners (Good Level) to those who contributed to reducing drowning deaths in 2021. The project to reduce the number of deaths by drowning was rolled out by the Ministry of Public Health in accordance with United Nations’ Resolution on Global Drowning Prevention. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/hua-hin-mayor-receives-award-for-drowning-prevention-advocacy/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-03-11 - 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

Korean company offers to help Hua Hin become a ‘smart city’ By Online Reporter Officials from Hua Hin municipality, including Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul, have met with a group representing Korean business interests in Thailand to discuss Hua Hin’s Smart City project. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253075-korean-company-offers-to-help-hua-hin-become-a-‘smart-city’/

By Online Reporter Officials from Hua Hin municipality, including Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul, have met with a group representing Korean business interests in Thailand to discuss Hua Hin’s Smart City project. Mr. Lee Sangiun, Center Manager Korea Gyeonggi Business Centre (GBC) Bangkok Interchange 21 and Ms. Kanokwon Wanichthada, Sales Manager told municipal officials that Korean businesses are ready and able to assist Hua Hin in its further development. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Mr. Lee stated that two cities in Korea, Songdo and Busan, have already designated their cities as “Smart Cities”. Both cities include traffic and transportation management systems, the use of clean energy such as wind and sunlight, flood protection systems, burying electric cables, and preserving the city’s environment, all in accordance with the Korean government’s policy – much of which is similar to the plans put forward to develop Hua Hin into a ‘smart city’. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/korean-company-offers-to-make-hua-hin-become-a-smart-city/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-03-11 - 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 tourism emphasises its neutrality in the Ukraine war, calls for a review of payment systems by James Morris and Son Nguyen Russian tourists holidaying in Phuket last week as Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn (right) tells tourism sector operators that everything must be done for stranded Russian tourists and that more are on the way. At the same time, Mr Yuthasak dismissed fears over an American advisory to its nationals not to travel to Thailand. Due to sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, both Visa and MasterCard have suspended operations in the country leading industry bosses in Thailand to call for greater access to non-western networks including the Chinese Union Pay service headquartered in Shanghai. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253074-thai-tourism-emphasises-its-neutrality-in-the-ukraine-war-calls-for-a-review-of-payment-systems/

Russian tourists holidaying in Phuket last week as Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn (right) tells tourism sector operators that everything must be done for stranded Russian tourists and that more are on the way. At the same time, Mr Yuthasak dismissed fears over an American advisory to its nationals not to travel to Thailand. Due to sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, both Visa and MasterCard have suspended operations in the country leading industry bosses in Thailand to call for greater access to non-western networks including the Chinese Union Pay service headquartered in Shanghai. by James Morris and Son Nguyen The rising emergency and disruption to prospects for tourism come amid plummeting consumer and business confidence as the overall Thai economy has been hit with a record high consumer price index for February and faltering business activity. Thailand’s tourism promotion agency will be attending a fair in Moscow over the coming days to drum up more tourism activity between the kingdom and Russia. Officials from the tourism promotion agency’s Moscow office will be attending the Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition from March 15th to 17th even as stranded tourists in places like Phuket and Ko Samui have experienced difficulty in paying their bills. The ongoing war in Ukraine has led many senior figures within the foreign tourism sector across the country to emphasise that the kingdom remains a neutral party to the conflict with calls for Thailand to explore its payments infrastructure which has been found to be at the mercy of western sanctions. Thailand’s tourism supremo and Tourism Authority of Thailand boss, Governor Yuthasak Supasorn, has cautioned that foreign tourism numbers may be off by 30% in the first quarter of 2022 due to rising inflation and global insecurity caused by the war in Ukraine. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/03/11/thai-tourism-emphasises-ukraine-war-neutrality/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-03-11 - 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

Explanation Sought on Alleged Cut in Tangmo’s Head BANGKOK, March 10 (TNA) – The commander of the Institute of Forensic Medicine will convene the doctor who conducted the autopsy of actress Pattaratida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong to clarify a suspected cut in her head, admitting it was a new issue. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253073-explanation-sought-on-alleged-cut-in-tangmo’s-head/

BANGKOK, March 10 (TNA) – The commander of the Institute of Forensic Medicine will convene the doctor who conducted the autopsy of actress Pattaratida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong to clarify a suspected cut in her head, admitting it was a new issue. Pol Maj Gen Supichai Limsiwawong, commander of the institute, said that he needed additional information from the doctor responsible for the autopsy after the report that there was a cut in the actress’s head. The doctor earlier reported only that there were many wounds on the body and the biggest one was in the inner side of her right thigh, the commander said. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright TNA 2022-03-11 - 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 Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-899471