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First half-Thai crowned 53rd ‘Miss Thailand’ “Manita Duangkham Farmer” became the latest Miss Thailand last night (Sunday), also becoming an ambassador for the country’s tourism and culture. The newly-crowned Manita is a Thai-American, born and raised in Phuket, who graduated from Bangkok University in Communication Arts. The 25-year-old beauty queen is apparently the first half-Thai to win the title of Miss Thailand, which was held for the 53rd time. Although several Thais of mixed race parentage have won pageants, such as “Miss Universe Thailand”, over the years, Miss Thailand, known locally as “Nang Sao Thai”, is different. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/first-half-thai-crowned-53rd-miss-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-07 - 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

Video: The perils of booze; alcoholic wife dies after husband claims she fell out of song thaew A Thai husband told investigators about his alcoholic wife's frequent bouts with booze, reported 77kaoded yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249392-video-the-perils-of-booze-alcoholic-wife-dies-after-husband-claims-she-fell-out-of-song-thaew/

A Thai husband told investigators about his alcoholic wife's frequent bouts with booze, reported 77kaoded yesterday. Police were called to condominium A3 in Thai Ban, Muang Samut Prakarn south east of the Thai capital Bangkok. Dead in a room on the second floor was 43 year old Somjai Phimsorn from Prachuap Khirikhan. He husband Liang, 49, a song thaew driver said that he lived with her and his 18 year old son. He said that his wife was an alcoholic whom he needed to pick up regularly after her drinking exploits. He went to a friend's house on Saturday night to do just that and after some difficulty managed to get her in the song thaew for the ride home. She was paralytic. On getting back to the condo she was leaning against the door and fell out to the ground banging her head. He managed to get her up to the room and she turned down a trip to the hospital. But next morning - when she should have been getting up to continue her boozing, as was her usual routine, she was unresponsive. Police think she suffered a brain hemorrhage but called for an autopsy to make sure. The husband was adamant that no one had attacked his wife. All this was recorded on a video posted to YouTube. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-07 - 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

Samut Prakan: Fight in workers camp - 10 injuries Daily News Caption: Fight among three nationalities of workers at camp Around ten people were injured after workers at a site in Bang Pla Samut Prakan south east of the Thai capital Bangkok threw spirit and beer bottles at each other, reported Daily News. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249389-samut-prakan fight-in-workers-camp-10-injuries/

Daily News Caption: Fight among three nationalities of workers at camp Around ten people were injured after workers at a site in Bang Pla Samut Prakan south east of the Thai capital Bangkok threw spirit and beer bottles at each other, reported Daily News. Around 20 officers of the Bang Phlee constabulary attended as 50 rioters from Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar battled it out. It took the police 20 minutes to restore order. Picture: Daily News One construction worker from Buriram said he was boozing with his Cambodian mates when the Myanmar guys attacked them. His mates were not sure what it was all about. Police are investigating. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-07 - 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

Thief who stole Euros from Greek man arrested in Phuket Chief of the Phuket provincial police Pol Maj-Gen Sermphan Sirikhong announced the arrest of a serial thief who stole Euros from the car of a Greek man at a condominium car park. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249388-thief-who-stole-euros-from-greek-man-arrested-in-phuket/

Chief of the Phuket provincial police Pol Maj-Gen Sermphan Sirikhong announced the arrest of a serial thief who stole Euros from the car of a Greek man at a condominium car park. Alexandros Alexiadis had reported 4,900 Euros - worth a little under 200,000 baht - was taken from his car on the night of 25th/26th January. It happened in the Karon police jurisdiction. Arrested was 24 year old Khanapong "First" Sakhoncharoen who was found with 500 Euros. A motorcycle and the clothes he wore when stealing the money were taken into evidence. He admitted everything saying that on the night in question he was driving around looking for something to steal when he saw lights on inside a car and discovered it was unlocked. He found the stash of Euros and went to exchange most of them. He was found to have a record of theft and drugs charges in the Wichit and Chalong areas in both 2020 and 2021 (twice). Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-07 - 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

"Top class pointing" at a thief who targeted taxis Picture: Siam Rath Thailand's penchant for pointing - unusual in a country where the gesture is often vilified - was up close and personal at the weekend. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249386-top-class-pointing-at-a-thief-who-targeted-taxis/

Picture: Siam Rath Thailand's penchant for pointing - unusual in a country where the gesture is often vilified - was up close and personal at the weekend. Khanna Yao police chief in Bangkok Pol Col Maren Kreaungsanuk proudly announced the arrest of Thanaphol, 23, at some market toilets in Klong 2 in Bang Chan. Five taxi drivers who were victims of the thief went to the station to identify the villain - lest there be any doubt. One of the taxi drivers also pointed to where a theft occurred. Picture: Siam Rath Thanaphol also played his part - dressed in a Joker t-shirt - by pointing at some of his ill-gotten gains, three phones and an amulet. His modus operandi was to pretend to be a passenger before leading taxi drivers down quiet sois and robbing them. Picture: Siam Rath One driver reported going to such a place before the thief produced what looked like a gun and robbed him of 1,000 baht and his phone. A press conference about the thefts was due today at 11 am, reported Siam Rath. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-07 - 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

Miss Thailand: Pretty in pink bikini babes beg the question - Are Thai women really the most beautiful in the world? Picture: Daily News Daily News reported on an event that many people - especially men - had been waiting for. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249381-miss-thailand-pretty-in-pink-bikini-babes-beg-the-question-are-thai-women-really-the-most-beautiful-in-the-world/

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported on an event that many people - especially men - had been waiting for. The bikini section of this year's Miss Thailand beauty pageant. It was held live at Central World and broadcast via True 24. Famous presenters Arm and Praew - herself a former Miss Universe contestant - were in charge. Picture: Daily News The bevy of beauties all strutted their stuff in pink bathing costumes. Despite claiming to have some of the most beautiful women in the world, success on the international stage has largely eluded Thailand in recent years. There has never been a Thai Miss World since the competition started in 1951. There have been two Thai Miss Universes - Apasra Honksakula in 1965 and Porntip "Bui" Nakhirunkanok in 1988. Apasra's name became synonymous with beauty and she later married - and divorced - the owner of Central Group of shops. Bui whose name is pronounced more like Pui means to "sleep like a baby". It also means fertilizer. An interviewer was criticized for making a play on this fact on Thai TV back in the 80's when Bui's Thai language skill was a little shaky. She later married Indian Pacers basketball team owner Herbert Simon and lived in the US and became a Goodwill Ambassador for children's rights. But since 1988 there has been no repeat of her success in either of the two major beauty pageants. So what do you think of the latest crop of Thai beauties? Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-07 - 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 PICTURES: Daily News

Hanging Wires: Fire in Thong Lo - NBTC to hold meeting Friday Picture: Thai Rath Thailand's infamous hanging wires and cables are in the news again. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249379-hanging-wires-fire-in-thong-lo-nbtc-to-hold-meeting-friday/

Picture: Thai Rath Thailand's infamous hanging wires and cables are in the news again. Thai Rath reported that there was a fire among the wires and internet cables on Sunday morning in the area at the end of Soi 4 on Thong Lo, Sukhumvit Soi 55 in Bangkok. The blaze outside the Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri) was quickly brought under control. National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission deputy director Suthisak Tantayothin said that there was no damage to private property or injuries. Internet was out for 2-3 hours. He said that the NBTC would be meeting with relevant authorities on Friday February 11th to discuss actions related to the wires on 60 roads in 16 areas of the Thai capital. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-07 - 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

Taiwan warns against importing marijuana-laced products from Thailand People bringing in cannabis goods legal in Thailand but banned in Taiwan face tough punishment By Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer Cannabis-derived products in Thailand. (CNA photo) TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — People in Taiwan are cautioned against importing goods containing cannabis from Thailand, the first Southeast Asian country to have legalized the plant. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249378-taiwan-warns-against-importing-marijuana-laced-products-from-thailand/

Cannabis-derived products in Thailand. (CNA photo) People bringing in cannabis goods legal in Thailand but banned in Taiwan face tough punishment By Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — People in Taiwan are cautioned against importing goods containing cannabis from Thailand, the first Southeast Asian country to have legalized the plant. Taiwan Customs has seized many parcels from Thailand found to have been laced with marijuana recently, from cosmetics, snacks, to ointments. This follows the legalization of the use of hemp and cannabidiol (CBD) in Thailand’s foods and cosmetics in February 2021. Businesses in the country have jumped on the bandwagon by introducing cannabis-derived products, spanning beverages, essential oils, candles, among others. -- © Copyright Taiwan News 2022-02-07 - 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

How does Thailand’s 300 baht tourism tax compare to other countries? By Jonathan Fairfield Tourists and locals walk along popular backpacker destination Khao San Road. File photo. The Thai government recently announced plans to collect a 300 baht fee from each international visitor. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249377-how-does-thailand’s-300-baht-tourism-tax-compare-to-other-countries/

Tourists and locals walk along popular backpacker destination Khao San Road. File photo. By Jonathan Fairfield The Thai government recently announced plans to collect a 300 baht fee from each international visitor. The fee will be collected from April and will be added to the tax when a visitor purchases an airline ticket to Thailand. The revenue generated from the fee will be used for infrastructure improvements and tourist insurance coverage. The insurance coverage will be provided in the way of a central fund which will be used in the event a tourist gets sick, has an accident or requires medical treatment in the event they do not have private medical insurance. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/how-does-thailands-300-baht-tourism-tax-compare-to-other-countries/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-02-07 - 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

Oil Spill: Trader criticizes officials guzzling seafood - says the damage to health is long term Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reporters went to Mae Ram Pheung beach in Rayong and found some very angry people who were not taken in by the official rhetoric that eating seafood in the area was safe after the devastating oil spill in the area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249373-oil-spill-trader-criticizes-officials-guzzling-seafood-says-the-damage-to-health-is-long-term/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reporters went to Mae Ram Pheung beach in Rayong and found some very angry people who were not taken in by the official rhetoric that eating seafood in the area was safe after the devastating oil spill in the area. Their story - in the biggest media in Thailand - featured a woman seafood restaurant owner who was scathing of officials happily guzzling seafood in an apparent effort to inspire consumer confidence. Baitong Seafood owner Samruay, 46, said you could eat the seafood once and not get sick. But better than a PR picture was to tell the truth that continued eating of seafood affected by the oil spill would surely cause longer term health problems. For now her and other traders were losing 1,500 - 2,000 baht a day but longer term was what she was more concerned about. The authorities could bang on about providing temporary help but the company responsible for the spill - SPRC - needed to be held accountable for everything. She claimed that harmful substances would build up in the body of people eating infected seafood. Local fisherman Nattapong, 50, said that he'd been fishing there was 25 years. He said that the adverse results of the chemicals sprayed in the area would be seen for 10 years, a hundred years to come. His colleagues were losing income now as no fishing was possible. Picture: Thai Rath The media found tourists on the beach ignoring red flags as the waves crashed in. A 200 meter long "beach boom" was not in the sea but washed up on the shore. There were many dead shellfish. A quick glance at the area revealed no immediate evidence of oil but as the trader and fisherman said, that may be a false conclusion that everything was okay. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-07 - 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

Big Joke announces results of southern region crime crackdown - child paedo ring busted Picture: Tai Rath Top cop Lt-Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakpan presented the results of a crime crackdown from Wednesday at Friday last week in seven southern Thailand provinces. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249367-big-joke-announces-results-of-southern-region-crime-crackdown-child-paedo-ring-busted/

Picture: Tai Rath Top cop Lt-Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakpan presented the results of a crime crackdown from Wednesday at Friday last week in seven southern Thailand provinces. The Lt-Gen said that he had worked with Region 8 to investigate 285 places over crime related to human trafficking in children, guns and hitmen, people of influence and clear up those on existing warrants. There were 44 raids in Krabi, Chumphon 38, Nakhon Sri Thammarat 51, Phannga 34, Phuket 22, Ranong, 26 and 70 in Surat Thani. Speaking in Surat Thani on Saturday where guns and ammunition seized were displayed Big Joke said he was acting on orders from RTP chief Gen Suwat Chaenyodsuk to get tough on crime and bring confidence to the people, reported Thai Rath. Picture: Thai Rath Twenty five registered guns and 37 unregistered weapons were seized along with 274 rounds of ammunition. There were connections to unrest in three far south provinces. 115 drugs cases, 15 warrants and 12 others (including one of explosives use) were cleared up. 277 people were investigated and 254 DNA samples were taken. One of the top cases was the smashing of a child prostitution gang known as "Jay Nam" after the main woman who offered girls under 15 for sex to men at night for 1,500 baht a time. Arrested along aith Jay Nam, 38, were female associates Saa, 19, Opor, 20, and Fay, 28. All admitted their involvement. The case was the conclusion of an investigation after a 13 year old was taken in by social services after being offered for sex at the Grand Garden Hotel in Surat Thani in November. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-07 - 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: Monk and novice flee for their lives as just repaired car burns out on outer ring road Picture: Sanook Sanook had a video of a car burning on the Kanchanapisek outer ring road in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi heading for Bang Pa-In. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249363-video-monk-and-novice-flee-for-their-lives-as-just-repaired-car-burns-out-on-outer-ring-road/

Picture: Sanook Sanook had a video of a car burning on the Kanchanapisek outer ring road in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi heading for Bang Pa-In. A monk called Panya, 67, based at Wat Bang Phoot Nork, Pak Kret and a five year old novice had just fled for their lives after the fire started in the engine area and quickly spread. Panya said he was sitting in the front passenger seat of his car. It was lucky that it was a diesel otherwise it might have exploded, went the report. Driver Sarawut had noticed smoke and pulled over around 2 pm Saturday afternoon. He burned his hands and arms slightly as he lifted the hood then called police. It all caused a considerable traffic jam on the busy road. He said that the car was still relatively new and the monks' installments had not been paid off yet. The car had just been in for a three day service and 30,000 baht spent and he was hopeful of the garage paying for the damage. He has filed a report with the Bang Bua Thong police. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-07 - 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 reports 10,470 new COVID-19 cases, 12 deaths, 8,711 recoveries File photo Thailand on Monday (February 7) reported 10,470 new COVID-19 cases, 8,711 recoveries and 12 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249361-thailand-reports-10470-new-covid-19-cases-12-deaths-8711-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin