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Former Miss Universe contestant in hospital after Benz smash in Bangkok - passenger dead, no charges yet Picture:: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on an accident involving a Mercedes Benz being driven by a former 2015 Miss Universe Thailand beauty contestant. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249840-former-miss-universe-contestant-in-hospital-after-benz-smash-in-bangkok-passenger-dead-no-charges-yet/

Picture:: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on an accident involving a Mercedes Benz being driven by a former 2015 Miss Universe Thailand beauty contestant. She is Patcharada Monthathip aged 27 also known as Ploy. She was driving the car that slammed into a six wheel truck carrying empty yoghurt bottles on the Ekkamai North bridge crossing Petchaburi Road in Huay Khwang, Bangkok yesterday. Police said she was taken to hospital and has not been able to give evidence yet. No charges have yet been filed. Dead in the passenger seat was a 33 year old who is a business person arranging for migrants to come and work in Thailand and who is connected to "The Media New Normal" media group. The gender of this person was not reported. Ploy is also the owner of a well known beauty business catering to many celebrities. Makkasan police are studying CCTV to try to ascertain what happened. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-10 - 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

Heavily armed commandos take 39 year old paedophile on reenactment - he admits molesting boys aged 6 and 9 Picture: Sim Rath Siam Rath reported on the developments in a case of abduction and sexual molestation of a nine year old boy in Surat Thani, southern Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249838-heavily-armed-commandos-take-39-year-old-paedophile-on-reenactment-he-admits-molesting-boys-aged-6-and-9/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on the developments in a case of abduction and sexual molestation of a nine year old boy in Surat Thani, southern Thailand. They had a picture of 39 year old Chainat "Lek" Huangjing from Trang being taken on a reenactment by Bang Sawan police and heavily armed commandos. The arrested paedophile was in a helmet, face mask and wearing flip-flops and a flak jacket. The case stemmed from Monday when a woman called Siri-amporn went to the police to say that her nine year old son had been taken away by Chainat on a motorcycle. Chainat had been staying with the family and was known to the boy. Investigatiors discovered that the boy was taken to several locations including a road bridge along route 41 in Wiang Sa district then to Trang where the suspect stayed with relatives. The boy was found there and taken into protective care. The suspect had dumped the motorcycle at a mechanic's then changed to a motorcycle taxi with the victim. He has been charged with abducting and molesting a minor under 13 and has reportedly admitted to sexually abusing two boys aged 6 and 9 on at least ten occasions. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-10 - 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

UPDATE: Famous footballer’s wife says she was robbed, brutally attacked during her stay in Phuket By Panithan Onthaworn Cathy Hummels, a German TV presenter and the wife of German International and Dortmund centerback Mats Hummels, said she was robbed and brutally attacked while walking on the beach in Phuket. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249805-police-investigating-after-wife-of-top-german-defender-mats-hummels-reportedly-attacked-and-robbed-while-in-phuket/?do=findComment&comment=17178866

Famous footballer’s wife says she was robbed, brutally attacked during her stay in Phuket By Panithan Onthaworn Cathy Hummels, a German TV presenter and the wife of German International and Dortmund centerback Mats Hummels, said she was robbed and brutally attacked while walking on the beach in Phuket. Hummels was in Thailand to film her TV show Battle of the Reality Stars. After completing production last week, the attack occurred while she was relaxing on the beach before her return flight. “Something bad happened … the most horrible experience in my life,” she wrote on her latest post on Instagram. “I did not know if I would survive this.” Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37389/famous-footballers-wife-says-she-was-robbed-brutally-attacked-during-her-stay-in-phuket/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-02-10 - 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

From Thaksin’s crooner to Prayut’s promoter – the pinball political career of Seksakol Atthawong Once a red-shirt leader dubbed “Isan Rambo”, Seksakol Atthawong has made yet another political pivot, leaving the ruling Palang Pracharath to join a new party aiming to secure Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return to power after the next general election. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249836-from-thaksin’s-crooner-to-prayut’s-promoter-–-the-pinball-political-career-of-seksakol-atthawong/

Once a red-shirt leader dubbed “Isan Rambo”, Seksakol Atthawong has made yet another political pivot, leaving the ruling Palang Pracharath to join a new party aiming to secure Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return to power after the next general election. Currently a vice-minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Seksakol disclosed on Monday (Jan 7) that his new party —Ruamthai Sarngchart — would support Gen Prayut in his bid for another term regardless of whether Palang Pracharath or another party nominates him as its PM candidate. Seksakol said the party’s name, which means Uniting Thais to Build the Nation, was inspired by a phrase used often by Prayut. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/from-thaksins-crooner-to-prayuts-promoter-the-pinball-political-career-of-seksakol-atthawong/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-10 - 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

Monk busted with half dressed woman and booze; claims hair band was for his own use! Daily News Thai Caption: Hiding a woman in the monk's quarters Daily News reported on a hilarious encounter with a randy and boozy abbot in Phrapradaeng near Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249835-monk-busted-with-half-dressed-woman-and-booze-claims-hair-band-was-for-his-own-use/

Daily News Thai Caption: Hiding a woman in the monk's quarters Daily News reported on a hilarious encounter with a randy and boozy abbot in Phrapradaeng near Bangkok. "Phra Khru" P.M. had an answer for everything that was found. Including saying that a woman's hairband was for his own use! Monks of course have shaven heads. The raid on the temple of Wat Bang Phraek in the Bangkok suburbs came after famous crime buster Jiraphan Petkhao - known in the Thai media as Dr Plaa (Dr Fish) - received complaints from locals about their abbot who they said was drinking alcohol and entertaining women in his quarters. Picture: Daily News He was even keeping one woman "long time". Dr Plaa said he was investigating a legitimate complaint and was not being vindictive. He had come all the way from Nakhon Sawan. The press entourage including Daily News tagged along and were not disappointed. Initially knocks on the door of the monk's quarters went unanswered. The police were also called as dozens of expectant locals gathered. Eventually the door was opened to reveal a woman clad only in shorts and a monk's saffron robes dashing for cover under the stairs. Picture: Daily News Under the stairs a bra was found discarded. Soon a whole box of what looked like Spy Wine Coolers was found with a few missing. Picture: Daily News The abbot's explanation for this? "Er....I use them in important religious ceremonies for sacred rituals while praying". Then to top it all off a woman's hairband was found in his room. The monk's explanation?: "Oh, that's mine" It helps with my migraines, he added, as he showed how he wore it on his shaven head. Busted! Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-10 - 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

Pedestrian killed on Ping River bridge - "tramp" was hit by woman and propelled into the back of a pick-up Thai Rath reported on a grisly accident on the bridge crossing the Ping River in Muang district of Kamphaeng Phet in north west Thailand last night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249819-pedestrian-killed-on-ping-river-bridge-tramp-was-hit-by-woman-and-propelled-into-the-back-of-a-pick-up/

Thai Rath reported on a grisly accident on the bridge crossing the Ping River in Muang district of Kamphaeng Phet in north west Thailand last night. Lt-Col Phaisan Wannachai of the Muang district police found a red Toyota with damage to the front parked on the bridge. Beside it was 56 year old Maliwan from Satun, distraught and in tears. Twenty meters away in the back of a pick-up was the unidentified female victim aged about 60. She was described as a "raeron" or tramp. The people associated with the pick-up were fixing lights on the bridge for a singing festival. A witness said that the woman in the car hit the homeless person who was walking in the road propelling the woman into the back of their vehicle. The victim had multiple injuries but no ID. The corpse was taken to Kamphaeng Phet hospital as police took in the driver of the Toyota to further their inquiries. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-10 - 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

Video: "No justice" for Thai motorcycle delivery guy after collision with American driving golf buggy in luxury housing estate Sanook Thai Caption: There has been no justice The father of a teenage motorcycle delivery rider seriously injured in a collision with a golf buggy being driven by an American man in a luxury housing estate in the Bangkok suburbs has gone to the media for justice. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249810-video-no-justice-for-thai-motorcycle-delivery-guy-after-collision-with-american-driving-golf-buggy-in-luxury-housing-estate/

Sanook Thai Caption: There has been no justice The father of a teenage motorcycle delivery rider seriously injured in a collision with a golf buggy being driven by an American man in a luxury housing estate in the Bangkok suburbs has gone to the media for justice. A video showed the collision at a crossing in the estate in Soi Samakhee 29 on May 1st last year. The American was behind the wheel of the left hand drive buggy that appeared to be starting a right turn. The rider Chettha Phakphianphairoj, 19, went flying. A woman is seen getting out from the front passenger seat next to the driver. She appears to be telling the man to stay where he is. Chettha needed plates in both arms after they were both broken. In the nine months since, the American has made no attempt to contact the Thai family, said the victim's father Phisit Chokesermsap, 44, an ice delivery man. He said he wanted justice for his son. To add insult to injury, he said, the Pak Kret police charged his son with negligence causing damage to another person's vehicle. The father said the American's sudden turn to go right caused the accident. The only good thing was that his son was wearing a helmet and didn't have head injuries. He said the family were suffering without the income generated by their son while he recovered. He said he had already appealed to Pol Col Pongjak Preechaakarunpong, chief of police at Pak Kret, only to see his son summonsed to face charges himself. Now he wants an investigation higher up the RTP chain of command. ASEAN NOW notes that whether the rider should have been overtaking on a clearly marked crossing was not mentioned in the Sanook article. Though whether the buggy should have been turning in such a place also seemed irregular. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-10 - 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 is unlikely to lockdown again or close its borders despite increased infections By Cod Satrusayang Despite increasing covid infection numbers due to the Omicron variant, Thailand is unlikely reimplement a nationwide lockdown or close its borders to international travelers, a senior doctor told Thai Enquirer on Thursday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249807-thailand-is-unlikely-to-lockdown-again-or-close-its-borders-despite-increased-infections/

By Cod Satrusayang Despite increasing covid infection numbers due to the Omicron variant, Thailand is unlikely reimplement a nationwide lockdown or close its borders to international travelers, a senior doctor told Thai Enquirer on Thursday. Covid numbers have climbed back over 10,000 cases per day over the past week with the daily death toll approaching some 20 fatalities per day. On Thursday, that number shot up to 14,822 new cases, fueled mainly by the highly infectious Omicron variant. Though the infection numbers will likely continue to grow higher, doctors say that the death toll should remain low thanks in part to the country’s vaccination number. The country has now vaccinated 70 per cent of the population with at least two doses. The number of booster doses administered also continues to climb daily. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-02-10 - 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

Police investigating after wife of top German defender Mats Hummels reportedly attacked and robbed while in Phuket The wife of German national defender and center back for Bundesliga team Borussia Dortmund Mats Hummels,33, said in an interview that she was attacked and robbed while visiting Phuket, reported Thai Rath. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249805-police-investigating-after-wife-of-top-german-defender-mats-hummels-reportedly-attacked-and-robbed-while-in-phuket/

Picture: Thai Rath The wife of German national defender and center back for Bundesliga team Borussia Dortmund Mats Hummels,33, said in an interview that she was attacked and robbed while visiting Phuket, reported Thai Rath. Cathy Hummels (nee Fischer) was giving an interview to a sports site when she spoke of the incident. In the interview it was not mentioned exactly where and when the incident occurred. She said that she was attacked from behind and hit many times thinking she might die. She told the robber to take whatever he wanted, just let her live. The man fled with her iPhone and Cathy ran back to the hotel. She said that she immediately called the police and gave a description of her attacker then that evening flew to see her son Ludwig in Dubai. The story has not been in the Thai news. Thai Rath contacted the chief of Phuket police Pol Maj-Gen Sermphan Sirikhong who said that the first he heard of the incident was from the media who contacted him. He promised to find out where and when it happened and get to the bottom of the incident. Stay tuned to ASEAN NOW for updates. Thai Rath noted that this was the latest bad press for the southern Thai holiday island famous for its "sandbox reopening" to foreign tourists. Just last week a gangland hit saw a man murdered by two hitmen. Police are still investigating that brazen crime in Rawai. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-10 - 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

Orchid Palm Homes donates 30 footballs to Thai schools (from l-r) Kru Chavuarid Huthip, Stephen Ayling, Kru Veerasak Thongpom, Gary Stevens, Jennifer Ayling Orchid Palm Homes have donated 30 footballs to Wang Bost School and Nong Hieng School. They were handed to the sports teachers from the two government run schools in Hin Lek Fai last Friday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249802-orchid-palm-homes-donates-30-footballs-to-thai-schools/

(from l-r) Kru Chavuarid Huthip, Stephen Ayling, Kru Veerasak Thongpom, Gary Stevens, Jennifer Ayling Orchid Palm Homes have donated 30 footballs to Wang Bost School and Nong Hieng School. They were handed to the sports teachers from the two government run schools in Hin Lek Fai last Friday. Kru Veerasak Thongpom from Nong Hieng School and Kru Chavuarid Huthip from Wang Bost School received 15 footballs each. Also present was Black Mountain Hua Hin Football Academy Head Coach Gary Stevens. He thinks the donated footballs will help the schools to offer better coaching to the children, “As a coach I know how important it is to have enough balls to give every child one each. We have fantastic facilities at Black Mountain, thanks to the Hua Hin International School, but some of the local schools aren’t so fortunate and it is good to be able to help them out in this way.” Stephen Ayling, the owner of Orchid Palm Homes, said, “We are proud to support local, grass roots football through sponsoring children from impoverished backgrounds to train at Black Mountain Hua Hin Football Academy and sponsoring local tournaments and competitions. We hope donating these balls will help the two schools to offer a better level of training to their pupils.” Orchid Palm Homes also sponsors ten children from Nong Hieng and Want Bost schools to train on scholarships at the Black Mountain Hua Hin Football Academy. They get free training, free kits, free boots and are able to train four times per week at the Hua Hin International School. -- 2022-02-10

Government is in its death throes as divisions multiply with July likely to be a decisive month by Joseph O' Connor A disappointed looking Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha, on Wednesday, thanked the public for its cooperation during the COVID-19 crisis. What should have been a moment of triumph was anything but as it appears that his government is now living on borrowed time with fractures and divisions opening up on all fronts among the 18 party coalition. The non-attendance by 7 Bhumjaithai Party ministers on Tuesday over a dispute between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of the Interior is increasingly becoming a challenge to the government’s integrity even with the ruling party already in turmoil with the prospect of the government surviving a July motion of no confidence looking extremely tenuous. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249799-government-is-in-its-death-throes-as-divisions-multiply-with-july-likely-to-be-a-decisive-month/

A disappointed looking Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha, on Wednesday, thanked the public for its cooperation during the COVID-19 crisis. What should have been a moment of triumph was anything but as it appears that his government is now living on borrowed time with fractures and divisions opening up on all fronts among the 18 party coalition. The non-attendance by 7 Bhumjaithai Party ministers on Tuesday over a dispute between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of the Interior is increasingly becoming a challenge to the government’s integrity even with the ruling party already in turmoil with the prospect of the government surviving a July motion of no confidence looking extremely tenuous. by Joseph O' Connor Thailand may not only be facing a General Election in 2022 but also another political crisis if the government does not successfully see the passage of two organic laws on the voting process successfully guided through parliament. The likelihood of this happening is also receding in line with the fortunes of the administration with disturbing failures in parliament during this session to reach a quorum. A General Election looks increasingly likely in Thailand this year after Tuesday’s boycott of cabinet proceedings by the second-largest party in the unwieldy 18 party coalition which has already been severely weakened by infighting within the ruling Palang Pracharat Party, bye-election losses as well as an inability to control and direct proceedings in parliament. The deadline for the government increasingly appears to be July ahead of the tabling of a no-confidence motion in the government expected that month which it is increasingly looking unlikely to survive. The prospects for the government serving out its final 12 months looked decidedly slimmer on Tuesday after a boycott of the weekly cabinet meeting by the Bhumjaithai Party took place over a contract extension to the BTS Group, the operators of Bangkok’s popular Skytrain system. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/02/09/government-in-its-political-death-throes-election-likely/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-02-10 - 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

Mystery woman found cut up and floating in the Chao Praya river in four locations has been identified Picture: Thai Rath Police in Bangkok investigating the death of a woman found cut up and floating in four places in three separate police jurisdictions now know who she is. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249793-mystery-woman-found-cut-up-and-floating-in-the-chao-praya-river-in-four-locations-has-been-identified/

Picture: Thai Rath Police in Bangkok investigating the death of a woman found cut up and floating in four places in three separate police jurisdictions now know who she is. The grisly remains were found in the Chao Phraya River - Bangkok's main river - in Taling Chan, Buppharam and Bangkok Noi yesterday. Following media reports of the finds relatives of the woman contacted police to say they recognized tattoos on her back, the color of her nails and accessories on the corpse. She is Maneerat Krajokphap, a 28 year old woman who last contacted relatives on Monday. Thai Rath reported their sources telling them that Maneerat lived in Soi Hatairat 33 (Bang Chan) with her family and other relatives. But since taking a job in Ramkhamhaeng she was not often at home. A Facebook post from relatives said: "May Paeng be in a better place". Paeng appears to be the deceased's nickname. On her own Facebook page of Por Paeng she had left a mournful and somewhat cryptic message that translates as: "One day you will all miss me". Police are studying CCTV in all three areas to try and get a lead in the case. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-10 - 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