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Thailand receives United Nations Public Service Awards for five consecutive years for improving public services nationwide By Nop Meechukhun National – Thailand has won the United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) award for five consecutive years for improving public services and internal bureaucratic reforms nationwide, a deputy spokesperson announced today, March 4th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252368-thailand-receives-united-nations-public-service-awards-for-five-consecutive-years-for-improving-public-services-nationwide/

By Nop Meechukhun National – Thailand has won the United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) award for five consecutive years for improving public services and internal bureaucratic reforms nationwide, a deputy spokesperson announced today, March 4th. Ratchada Thanadirek of the government’s office revealed that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha had ordered all state agencies to continue to proceed with the country’s reforms in line with the government’s national strategies to improve people’s quality of life. She also added that over the past five years, the government had followed its policies that had developed changes in many dimensions and had improved public satisfaction, leading Thailand to receive the UNPSA award since 2017. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/04/thailand-receives-united-nations-public-service-awards-for-five-consecutive-years-for-improving-public-services-nationwide/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-05 - 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

Cricket legend Shane Warne passes away from suspected heart attack at Koh Samui villa in Thailand By Adam Judd Koh Samui, Thailand-Shane Warne, 52, from Australia, widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers of all time and who was well-known for his revival of the leg-spin in Cricket passed away at his villa from a suspected heart attack this morning, March 4th, in Koh Samui. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252367-cricket-legend-shane-warne-passes-away-from-suspected-heart-attack-at-koh-samui-villa-in-thailand/

By Adam Judd Koh Samui, Thailand-Shane Warne, 52, from Australia, widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers of all time and who was well-known for his revival of the leg-spin in Cricket passed away at his villa from a suspected heart attack this morning, March 4th, in Koh Samui. A statement from his management company MPC Entertainment read “It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand today, Friday 4 March,” Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/04/cricket-legend-shane-warne-passes-away-from-suspected-heart-attack-at-koh-samui-villa-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-05 - 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

Unidentified man drowns in Sri Racha lagoon while fishing, police suspect man was heavily intoxicated By Goong Nang(GN) PHOTO: Si Racha Newspaper Sri Racha-An unidentified man drowned in a lagoon in Sri Racha while fishing and drinking alcohol earlier this week. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252366-unidentified-man-drowns-in-sri-racha-lagoon-while-fishing-police-suspect-man-was-heavily-intoxicated/

PHOTO: Si Racha Newspaper By Goong Nang(GN) Sri Racha-An unidentified man drowned in a lagoon in Sri Racha while fishing and drinking alcohol earlier this week. Police were notified of the incident at a lagoon in Nong Tayoo in the Surasak sub-district yesterday afternoon, March 3rd, 2022. Police and rescue divers arrived at the scene to find the lagoon which is about five to ten meters deep. The body of an unidentified man was found floating face down in the lagoon. A fishing net and empty whisky bottles were found on land near the lagoon and assumed to have belonged to the man. His body was recovered from the lagoon by rescue workers who said there was no sign of suspicious activity, however, the man was entangled in a fishing net and Sri Racha police believe the man was likely heavily intoxicated while fishing, leaving to his accidental drowning after getting drunkenly stuck in his own net. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/04/unidentified-man-drowns-in-sri-racha-lagoon-while-fishing-police-suspect-man-was-heavily-intoxicated/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-05 - 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

Despite inflation, BOT to maintain record low rates until the second half of 2023 By Erich Parpart The market’s consensus on the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike is changing, but the Bank of Thailand (BOT) is still expected to hold its rates until the second half of 2023, according to Standard Chartered Bank. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252363-despite-inflation-bot-to-maintain-record-low-rates-until-the-second-half-of-2023/

By Erich Parpart The market’s consensus on the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike is changing, but the Bank of Thailand (BOT) is still expected to hold its rates until the second half of 2023, according to Standard Chartered Bank. “We expect a 25 basis point per hike for four times in a row this year, between March and July,” Tim Leelahaphan, Bangkok-based economist for Vietnam and Thailand at Standard Chartered Bank told Thai Enquirer via phone on Friday. “Some houses earlier saw more than four times this year, and some expect a 50 basis point increase at a time, but the consensus is changing, some even saw only three hikes this year,” he said. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38243/despite-inflation-bot-to-maintain-record-low-rates-until-the-second-half-of-2023/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-05 - 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

February’s inflation rises to highest since 2008 on energy surge By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) in February jumped beyond expectations by 5.28 per cent year-on-year, driven by a spike in energy prices, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252361-february’s-inflation-rises-to-highest-since-2008-on-energy-surge/

By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) in February jumped beyond expectations by 5.28 per cent year-on-year, driven by a spike in energy prices, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday. The figures exceeded market expectations of around a 4-per-cent rise, as global fuel prices continued to climb along with domestic food prices. In January, CPI rose by 3.2 per cent year-on-year. Ronnarong Phoolpipat, director-general of the ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office, said the headline inflation in February was the highest level seen since September 2008. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38227/februarys-inflation-rises-5-28-on-energy-surge/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-05 - 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 Saturday 5 March 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1252360-thailand-live-saturday-5-march-2022/

Thai Supreme Court judicial panel upholds sentence for ex-minister Wattana Muangsook A judicial panel of the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions upheld the 99-year prison term yesterday (Friday), which was imposed on former minister of Social Development and Human Security Watana Muangsook after he was found guilty of malfeasance in office and ten other offences in connection with the Eua-Arthorn housing project about 16 years ago. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252343-thai-supreme-court-judicial-panel-upholds-sentence-for-ex-minister-wattana-muangsook/

Thailand Windsurfing Championships 2022 and Pattaya International Windsurfing Cup 2022 is underway at Jomtien Beach Thailand Windsurfing Championships 2022 & Pattaya International Windsurfing Cup 2022 are being held until tomorrow (March 5th) on Jomtien Beach. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252312-thailand-windsurfing-championships-2022-and-pattaya-international-windsurfing-cup-2022-is-underway-at-jomtien-beach/

Thai court won’t let student activist on lèse majesté charge study in Germany The Bangkok South Criminal Court has rejected an application from a Thai student, currently facing a lèse majesté charge, seeking to be allowed to pursue her post-graduate studies in Germany under a scholarship program. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252294-thai-court-won’t-let-student-activist-on-lèse-majesté-charge-study-in-germany/

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The Bangkok South Criminal Court has rejected an application from a Thai student, currently facing a lèse majesté charge, seeking to be allowed to pursue her post-graduate studies in Germany under a scholarship program. According to Krisadang Nutcharat, a lawyer at Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), the decision is the second against Ravisara Eksgool, aka “Dear”, a graduate student of the Faculty of Arts at Chulalongkorn University. She has been awarded a scholarship by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), under the Helmut Schmidt program for postgraduate courses, to undertake Master of Management in Non-Profit Organizations, at the University of Applied Sciences and a preparatory language course in Germany from April 4th, 2022 until August 31st, 2024. Krisadang said that yesterday (Thursday) the Bangkok South Criminal Court issued an order rejecting Ravisara’s application, claiming that it could not be sure that she will be able to comply with the proposed conditions during her time in Germany and may try to evade a trial. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-court-wont-let-student-activist-on-lese-majeste-charge-study-in-germany/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-04 - 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

Taskforce mobilized to investigate deaths of two elephants in south at hands of ivory poachers The chief of the San Kila Khiri national park in Songkhla in the far south of Thailand said that a force of 90 people had been mobilized to investigate the death of two fully grown elephants. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252292-taskforce-mobilized-to-investigate-deaths-of-two-elephants-in-south-at-hands-of-ivory-poachers/

The chief of the San Kila Khiri national park in Songkhla in the far south of Thailand said that a force of 90 people had been mobilized to investigate the death of two fully grown elephants. They are believed to have been killed for their ivory tusks, Saksit Khunnarong told Thai PBS online. One was found apparently shot in the back with its tusks removed. It had been dead about a month and only bones remained. The other was near the Thai-Malaysian border raising the question that the poachers concerned had slipped over the border in the wild area where 25 elephants live in dense forests. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-04 - 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

Thai Prime Minister Stresses Cooperation At UNEP@50 by Thammarat Thadaphrom BANGKOK (NNT) - The Prime Minister stressed the importance of cooperation and promoted the Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model (BCG) in his statement at the Special Session to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP@50). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252291-thai-prime-minister-stresses-cooperation-at-unep50/

by Thammarat Thadaphrom BANGKOK (NNT) - The Prime Minister stressed the importance of cooperation and promoted the Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model (BCG) in his statement at the Special Session to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP@50). According to government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha gave a pre-recorded speech at the UNEP@50 special session. The session takes place on March 3-4, 2022 under the theme: “Strengthening UNEP for the implementation of the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Republic of Kenya presided over the opening ceremony and delivered the opening speech. The event was attended by national leaders and heads of international organizations such as UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres and UN Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen. Leaders of other countries across the world also delivered their pre-recorded statements at the event. In his statement, the Thai Prime Minister emphasized the need for UNEP to strengthen its role in collaborating with the secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) via UNEP regional offices in order to proactively address global environmental challenges. He hoped that UNEP would be the leading UN agency in supporting innovation and technology support, as well as other means of implementation to member states, based on their individual national circumstances. Gen Prayut stated that Thailand has strictly enforced environmental laws and policies based on scientific information as well as local wisdom and traditional knowledge. Environmental laws are continuously being developed, and the government is implementing relevant acts. He noted that, as the APEC chair this year, Thailand will promote the Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model (BCG), which focuses on "the balance of all things" through advancing technology and innovation, resulting in sustainable development. He believes that BCG is the key blueprint for driving economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-04 - 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

Fire at popular Ratchaburi market causes 10M baht damage Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported that fire broke out at the popular Kamnan Hluk market in Ratchaburi just after midnight this morning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252288-fire-at-popular-ratchaburi-market-causes-10m-baht-damage/

Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported that fire broke out at the popular Kamnan Hluk market in Ratchaburi just after midnight this morning. Twenty fire engines battled the blaze for two hours. The conflgration was fueled by the many clothes, shoes and bag shops in the market. Picture: 77kaoded It was estimated that half the market was destroyed causing 10 million baht in losses. Investigations were underway to determine the cause. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-04 - 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 Picture: 77kaoded

Lamppostgate! Local authority has spent "nearly a billion baht since 2013" Picture: Siam Rath A Facebook page called "Patibatkan Maa Fao Ban" claimed that the local authority in Ratchathewa district of Samut Prakan had spent almost a billion baht on fancy lampposts since 2013. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252286-lamppostgate-local-authority-has-spent-nearly-a-billion-baht-since-2013/

Picture: Siam Rath A Facebook page called "Patibatkan Maa Fao Ban" claimed that the local authority in Ratchathewa district of Samut Prakan had spent almost a billion baht on fancy lampposts since 2013. The district was at the center of a major scandal last year after administrators approved the spending of millions on yet more "kinarees" - Thai mythical figures that adorn the lampposts. "Lamppostgate" spread nationwide with many areas investigated but little done to stop the highly criticized spending amid the public hardships of the pandemic. Now the Facebook page said that Ratchathewa were planning to spend even more in the latest round. 720 more posts with kinarees are set to cost 94,821 baht each coming in at a whopping 68.2 million in total, reported Siam Rath. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-04 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Chonburi announces 1,320 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and two new deaths By Goong Nang(GN) Highlights: 1,320 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today 1,831 positive ATK (rapid antigen) tests were reported but all require a second confirmed PCR test before being counted as official cases. The ATK positive tests are just “possible” cases until confirmed by PCR. 926 (PCR) and 1,116 (ATK) recovered and were released from medical care Two new deaths Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252284-chonburi-announces-1320-new-and-confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-and-two-new-deaths/