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Pol Maj-Gen Paween Pongsirin, former deputy commissioner of the 8th Provincial Police Bureau, who led an investigation into a Rohingya human trafficking network over six years ago, said last night that he feels relieved after his side of the story was revealed in parliament, by Move Forward MP Rangsiman Rome, during the general debate yesterday. Currently living in exile in Australia, after escaping with his life more than six years ago, Pol Maj-Gen Paween led an investigation into human trafficking activities in Thailand’s southern border provinces. His work led to the arrest and prosecution of 75 suspects, including three army officers and one naval officer. A few others, including an army lieutenant general, who was then a special advisor to the Royal Thai Army, later surrendered and were eventually indicted. The probe was launched after security forces stumbled on a jungle camp in Sadao district of Songkhla in August 2015, where hundreds of illegal Rohingya immigrants, victims of a human trafficking gang, were being detained. The remains of dozens of Rohingya were also found buried around the camp. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/story-of-thai-policeman-in-exile-and-victims-of-human-trafficking-revealed-in-parliament/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-21 - 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

The week got off to a particularly controversial start as Monday was Valentine’s Day. A day when newbies in Thailand think they can impress their Thai wives and girlfriends with flowers. That may wash in Farangistan but has little merit in Thailand. No, the only way to truly impress a Thai wife is with cash, gold or both. Love is also quite unnecessary especially when compared to what the British refer to as “a good old rogering”. To wit, Rooster is always reminded of a scene in the wartime movie The Great Escape when the commandant finds it amusing that the POWs are planting flowers. The Nazi is reminded that these are potatoes and that “you can’t eat flowers, colonel”. Yes, the way to a Thai woman’s heart is either via the ATM or through something she can eat. And it is said that the way to a Thai husband’s heart is through a woman who can cook - if the proverb about putting a spell on the ladle is to be believed! (เสน่ห์ปลายจวักผัวรักจนตาย - saneh plai jawak phua rak jon tai - Put magic on the end of the ladle and hubby will love you to the end). In Bang Khun Thian the district chief decided to pull a publicity stunt by offering cute, non-legal certificates of marriage to LGBTQ+ couples, many of whom were outraged and pointed out it was time that legally binding marriages were offered to their community in Thailand. Too true. The way that gays and transgenders are portrayed on the soaps must make them mince, I mean wince. If you think that attitudes are liberal then you haven’t been in Thailand long enough to appreciate the official and cultural undercurrents to the contrary. One activist called the certificates a “waste of time”; the same could also be said of marriage. Valentine’s - except for a fence at the Grand National steeplechase - always reminds me of my first wedding back in July 1990. I’d woken bleary eyed to a phone call from a woman 12 years my senior who reminded me we were meant to be getting hitched that day. We raced off to the local district office on my Honda Rebel only to be told that all my meticulously prepared paperwork was not in order, we should try Bang Rak. We argued in the car park about who was to blame - not an auspicious start to a married life but par for the course after the two year courtship that we’d both endured as much as enjoyed. Then we belted off to the District of Love registry office, handily located near Patpong. Here we were at each other's throats again after being made to wait all day then being told at 4 pm the office was shutting. This was remedied with the sweetening effect of what we all used to call “a purple” that ensured the office remained open till 6. As the national anthem played and we stood, well apart, we clutched our “tabian somrots” and went for a McDonald’s (or I did) followed by a couple of photos on a bar hopping tout’s Polaroid at Superstar. Yes, with Rooster it is all about the romance. Doubtless such stories will be doing the rounds today when my grown children, from the union of a mean, Scrabble playing Brit and a schizophrenic Thai who falls asleep if given chili, arrive in Thailand. The nippers, aged 29 and 27 and based in London and Liverpool, have not set foot in their Asian homeland for 3 years because of Covid. And they nearly didn’t this time. They both had the same Thailand Pass application but while my son’s was approved my daughter’s was turned down because the zillion baht Covid insurance was in pounds not dollars. How petty and pedantic can you get? (A rhetorical question). They should scrap the whole thing, not just tweak it as they suggested this week. For goodness sake just insist on vaccinated travelers for now. It’s not that there will be many tourists - “high” season (oxymoron alert) is done and dusted. Scrap the need to even be vaxxed come next October when more people might be thinking of long haul again. Wednesday was Makha Bucha Day. Thailand insists on having alcohol bans whenever possible for no reason that I have ever been able to fathom. Fortunately Mrs Rooster - Mark 2 or should that be Mach 2 - has a convenient relationship with Buddha meaning that we both got absolutely paralytic without a sliver of guilt (something that Christians and Muslims seem to be weighed down by). Phuket continued to feature heavily in the news. The two foreign men who dispatched Jimi “The Slice” Singh the other week were named as Thai plod pretended they were going to nab them with help from the Canadians. Predictably everyone online made comparisons with Red Bull Boss whose name may well be a ‘tonic’ for clickathons on news sites but who this columnist has had a bellyful of. Also on the “Pearl of the Andaman”, tourist plod was jumping up and down in glee after a bunch of Thais helped a Russian tourist find her heirloom necklace in the surf. They clearly couldn’t find an honest taxi driver to give back half a million baht he found on the back seat. Oh the humanity! Tourism was saved and the good name of the kingdom restored to all its glory by the finding of a bit of sentimental Rusky tat. Rooster went to town putting the gushing praise of Thai officialdom into appropriately flowery English. Cue the predictable backlash of the resident Thai bashers on the forum and Facebook who wait by their keyboard with nothing better to do than pounce when the opportunity arises. Smell the roses guys, just don’t buy them for the missus. Yes, I’m guilty too, but my excuse is I get paid for ranting. Top crime of the week featured a 17 year old Toraphee - the ungrateful buffalo child of Ramakien fame. This one found out that her dear gran who had looked after her since the cradle actually had 100K in her account, discovered when the granddaughter went to the ATM to withdraw a lottery win. Unfortunately for gran the lottery of life was to disappoint her as the teen and her new online lover decided that she was worth more dead than alive so they connived to strangle her. Then wrap her up, bind her in a blanket, shove her in a plastic trash drum with compost and drive all the way from Korat to Suphanburi to find a suitable burial site. News of the body being found spooked them and they were arrested doing what Thai criminals always seem to do - going home to mother, the boyfriend's in this case. The sentence for the teen should reflect her young age - just 100 years please. Main drama of the week started with a request by the Royal Society to officially call Bangkok by the name all Thais use Krung Thep plus the Maha Nakhon bit for good measure. A surprising number of posters had barely heard of Krung Thep that some of us have been using in our Thai language for decades. The Thai press largely got it all wrong - leading ASEAN NOW to follow suit. The name Krung Thep Maha Nakhon - used officially for 21 years - was of course nothing new. It was all about punctuation, said the society, after an excrement storm from Thais and foreigners online fearful that Bangkok would disappear before global warming and flood waters do the trick in 2050. The old name was Krung Thep Maha Nakhon; Bangkok. The new one Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok). Brackets instead of a semi-colon. The society said that it didn’t really matter what name was used so long as people stopped calling them to complain. I really would encourage any non-Thai to learn the full name of the greatest city on earth that can stretch to 150 characters in English. Listen to the Asanee/Wasan song on YouTube a few dozen times to get the cadence and then enjoy how many free beers you get when performing your party-piece after a few beverages. Doing a party-piece at a restaurant was a Thai man out with his missus. CCTV showed him suddenly keel back and start gagging. I thought chicken bones and Heimlich maneuver until I read the headline. It was none other than that essential accompaniment to virtually any food - Wasabi. But as anyone should know, and the man involved now surely does, it should be consumed in moderation. Try having too much and compare it to a Covid nose swab and tell me which one is worse. In international news His Royal Horniness Andrew settled his civil underage sex case with a reported £12 million. No charities want to touch him with a barge-pole and tax payers are asking if their money was used in the settlement. The man formerly known as Prince should replace his name with some symbol. Might I humbly suggest an emoji pile of steaming plop….sir. Australia is opening up to fully vaxxed visitors next week, even if they play tennis. With all the negative stories coming out of Down Under over the last few years I think I’d prefer to go to North Korea, Victoria Bitter or no VB. In New Zealand the authorities came up with a novel idea to disperse crowds of protesters - Barry Manilow on loop on loudspeakers. This has given me an idea for the Thai police; time to get my Max Bygraves greatest hits album out. Just a few bars would have Penguin, Mike and Rung begging for mercy. In sports the Los Angeles Rams scored a late touchdown to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl 56. Eminem took time off from making chocolates to perform at halftime controversially ‘taking the knee’ towards the end of his performance. Lord’s announced that the annual cricket matches between Oxford and Cambridge and Eton and Harrow would end from next year. Yet more damning evidence that elitist Britain is becoming more damn egalitarian. Back in Thailand elephants were in the news almost daily. Two got married on Valentine’s Day at a camp in Chiang Mai (food featured heavily) while a video of an anti-vax pachyderm who hid underwater from a vet’s needle went viral. Monks also continued to make all the bad headlines. One behind the wheel lost control and killed two students in Surin while another was defrocked in Sattahip after doing a runner on his restaurant and booze bill. Top gut wrenching photo of the week featured a Thai driver “graaping” the feet of a deaf 82 year old “tuat”. The ‘graaper’ with his head to the tarmac had just killed the old man’s daughter and sent his great grandson to hospital hitting them as they cycled home in Udon Thani. Incredibly Nonwat was on his way to another province to pay a speeding fine. This was one of many accidents in the last seven days blamed on the unseasonal rain that sent temperatures in the kingdom plummeting to below 30C. Next week it’ll be back to faulty brakes again. Down in Pattaya a two year old boy tragically died in the swimming pool at a villa. As someone who nearly lost their precious child last year, I would urge all parents to teach their children to swim from the earliest age and even then never take your eyes off them around water. Drowning reportedly takes as many young lives as motorcycle accidents in Thailand and neither activity should be taken lightly. Some good news came at last on the green baize from Sheffield, England, where Thai cueist Nutcharat Wongharuthai won the women’s world snooker crown beating Belgium’s Wendy Hans 6-5 in the final. Mink will now get a tour card and a chance to play the men next season. I hope to interview her - and maybe get a game - when she returns to Thailand. On Friday another talented young Thai woman - Pol Lt Patarasaya or Lieutenant Viking - went online to slam conservatives in Thai society after pictures of her in a sexy swimsuit were posted. The RTP stunner, who is a police spokeswoman, reminded her detractors that this is 2022 and it’s not how you look but how well you do your job that matters. Good luck with that in beauty obsessed Thailand! Earlier, the comely lass - as Bangkok Post legend Bernard Trink used to refer to Thai bar girls in his weekly columns - had appeared at the mike in the case against Ferrari Joe. He has had his assets seized and many on the forum would like to do that to Ms Viking, if comments were anything to go by. Another charismatic cop - Lt-Gen Surachate Big Joke Hakparn - then appeared in Surat Thani. BJ is going after not just the procurers and madams for underage sex but the men who sleep with the victims. This is a worthwhile crusade and hopefully one that with the help of the high profile cop will see the arrest of influential men who prey on teen children. In this case a politician’s son and a doctor, among others, are facing arrest. Finally ASEAN NOW had a feature story asking the question: Could it be Covid safer to take the train rather than the plane? Unfortunately the article didn’t answer the question as to whether you were more likely to catch the dreaded lurgy on the railway or in the air. But Rooster for one would recommend the train over domestic flying any time. Get a good book, enjoy the view and the far superior food! You may get to your destination the next day - maybe 12 hours late but you can always get a sleeper bunk and thoroughly enjoy the journey. Letting the train take the Covid strain. Rooster -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-19 - 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

(Left) A horrific photo of 23-year-old Bew Jirajariyawetch, a recent immigrant from Thailand to New York, was taken by the New York City Police Department after she was attacked in the early hours of November 22nd last. Now, following a December appearance on the city’s Crime Stoppers TV show, the attacker, 40-year-old Kevin Douglas has been charged with assault and robbery of the woman. He had been arrested just hours later and was in custody at Rikers Island Prison at the time of the show appealing for help from the public. However, it has also emerged that the suspect sexually assaulted Ms Bew during the attack on her (inset). 40-year-old Kevin Douglas was arrested over eight hours after the assault last November when he barged his way into a woman’s home in the Queens area of New York and punched her in the face in what police say was a random attack. The attack on the Thai woman comes amid a crime wave in New York and a sharp rise in attacks targeting Asian Americans in the United States and the Big Apple where such incidents were up fivefold in 2021. A 40-year-old African American man was charged before a Manhattan court in New York last Thursday with a vicious attack on a 23-year-old Thai woman in the city last year which was the subject of an appeal to the public for help. In the course of the attack, which left Bew Jirajariyawetch bloodied and bruised, it has now also been revealed that the young woman, who only emigrated to the US months before from Thailand, was also sexually assaulted by the perpetrator. 23-year-old Thai woman Bew Jirajariyawetch who emigrated to New York last year and who was the subject of a violent attack in November was praised this week by her lawyer after the man who attacked her was charged before the courts in relation to the incident. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/02/16/thai-woman-attacker-appears-before-new-york-court/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-02-17 - 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

file photo 65% of Expats in Thailand say unvaccinated passengers should sit in separate areas on aeroplanes according to a survey by ASEAN NOW. 570 Expats across Thailand completed the ASEAN NOW survey on vaccinations, which also revealed more interesting insights. In fact, 74% agreed that governments should have the right to impose restrictions on arrival for unvaccinated people. Surprisingly was that 65% also wanted airlines to place unvaccinated passengers in separate areas in the cabin. Of course, it is not unusual to catch a virus on a plane when there is little social distancing. The survey which was posted on forums in several Asian countries including Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines shows how expats view the current situation. Here are the full results. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-16 - 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

By Online Reporter All overhead cables in Bangkok will be buried underground within the next three years, it has been revealed. According to Palang Pracharath Party MP Korranit Ngamsukonratana, who chairs the sub-committee on the organisation of electrical cables, work will be begin later this year to bury almost 1,400 kilometres of cables in the capital. Some 456 kilometres of cables will be buried underground this year, while the remaining 936 kilometres of cables will be moved underground by 2025. Ms Korranit said all relevant agencies including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Metropolitan Electricity Authority and National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission will work together to ensure the work is completed. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/bangkok-to-bury-all-overhead-cables-underground-within-3-years/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-02-15 - 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

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

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

Passengers at Suvarnabhumi airport. File photo By Online Reporter Thailand is set to delay the collection of a proposed tourist fee from all international visitors for at least two months. The 300 baht tourist fee was set to be collected from all foreign tourists from April 1. However, implementation of the fee will likely be delayed because details of how the fee will actually be collected are yet to be finalised. The delay is due to two main issues. For tourists arriving by air, the fee is expected to be added as a form of tax when purchasing an airline ticket. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/thailand-set-to-delay-collection-of-300-baht-tourist-fee/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 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

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

Thailand and its islands have been attracting all types of tourists from backpackers to celebrities with mega-yachts for many years. Great food, exceptional hotels, ancient history, and of course endless beaches have all helped Thailand win many travel awards in the past. Bangkok is often in the top five cities to visit on many travel lists. Reasonable cheap and regular flights from Europe and the States made it possible to fly here for a week or longer. In fact, many ended up enjoying their holiday lifestyle so much, they decided to move here permanently. Is it still all smiles? As we all know since the pandemic hit Asia, the smile disappeared from the country known as simply the “Land of Smiles.” The Tourism Authority of Thailand now has an uphill battle to attract international vacationers, as governments and airlines around the globe put restrictions on travel. Firstly, actually obtaining reliable travel information is difficult, not only for individual travelers but even travel agents, who are struggling as regulations are passed out daily, often by social media. For example, who in the right mind would consider booking a three-week holiday, when there is a good chance if you test positive, you will be carted off to a Thai hospital costing up to THB10,000 a day for two weeks. Apart from the rising cost of flying due to increased fuel costs, you are also required to be insured to the hilt as well. Competition There are now also other options to get a tan during the winter months back home. Vietnam is shortly to reopen its borders again. Over the past few years, they have been beavering away building great resorts, creating many new golf courses, and they have mountains and miles of superb beaches to explore as well. Oh, and of course, HCMC and Hanoi are also fun cities to hang out too. Add in Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia and even the Philippines, and Thailand now has fierce competition right on its doorstep. Bling Bling City We should not forget Dubai which attracts a staggering sixteen million visitors a year to an area a quarter the size of Thailand. And for Europeans, it is only five hours away! So, it may take Thailand’s charm, its medical tourism, and even its fledgling Cannabis industry to still lure western travellers here in the future. I am sure many retirees will think twice before settling here in the future as visa and insurance regulations are making it harder to make ends meet. At least enjoying a cannabis cup of tea might put a smile back on their faces!!! Let us know what you see as the future for Thailand? -- © 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

The crypto tax will cover five sources of gains: sales or exchange of digital assets, crypto mining, receiving crypto as wages, getting digital assets as gifts or rewards, and benefits or investment returns from holding crypto and digital tokens. (Photo by olieman.eth) Investors are worried about their tax liability and the method of calculation after the Revenue Department issued on January 31 tax guidelines for individuals engaging in crypto and digital token activities. Thais and expats (subject to double-taxation agreements) are required to file annual personal income tax returns by March 31 based on their income earned in the previous year. The tax handbook is the result of extensive discussions between revenue officials and representatives from the crypto community who had strongly objected to levying capital gains tax on crypto investment. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/the-taxman-comes-calling-for-crypto-investors/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-08 - 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

Seems a long time ago that tennis star Novak Djokovic had his visa to enter Australia dramatically revoked and he was deported. Djokovic has not spoken about his vaccination status in detail, but last year he said he was "opposed to vaccination". You may remember that most governments last year, at the height of the pandemic were all playing it tough. For example, in Thailand, it became difficult to enter a restaurant or hotel without showing your full vaccination information on a government app. Last December Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for punishing people who refuse to be vaccinated without valid reasons. At a meeting with the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, he said authorities should convince people to get immunized, and consider banning people from leaving their home or making them pay the treatment fees if they contract Covid if they refuse the shots. In the Philippines, they adopted a No Vax No Ride POLICY IN Manila, and the President was quoted saying if the unvaccinated did not stay at home they would be jailed. “Our goals were for a safe adaptation to the pandemic with a focus on reducing community transmission and severe cases and death”, he said. With the world trying to cope with this unique pandemic, should we risk letting people like Novak Djokovic continue to stick to his principles of not being vaccinated, while still wishing to roam free? Certainly, with most countries starting to stockpile vaccines, one assumes they are a lot better prepared for any further Covid waves. I can also understand why many have decided not to sit in line and take a vaccine that is still awaiting long-term test results. Naturally, society may be able to accept their position, however, it will be a lot more expensive for some time for unvaccinated people to move around, check into hotels or board a plane. It will be up to immigration at airports, hotels, or airlines policies if they can stay or fly. It is a difficult dilemma. What do you think is the correct route to take? Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-04 - 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

By Adam Judd The following is an alert from the Animal Army Facebook page on social media. Their opinions and statements are entirely their own. ☣️ IMPORTANT: RABIES ALERT ⚠️ Confirmed Case #2 : The Lake – Huay Yai, Bang Lamung ⚠️ Confirmed Case #1 : Suan Lalana Village, Pattaya City Tragically a second rabies case has been confirmed, the 4 month old female puppy was from The Lake Huay Yai, Bang Lamung. The victim has five siblings, who have been collected and are in the Animal Army Hospital’s new quarantine facility. The puppy presented on 26/01/2022, died 27/02/2022 and was officially confirmed positive today 28/02/2022. This alert follows on from a positive case in Suan Lalana Village, Pattaya City a week ago, on 19/01/2022. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/29/animal-army-announces-second-recent-confirmed-case-of-rabies-in-a-stray-dog-in-banglamung/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-29 - 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

Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) said that the financially-troubled Southeast Life Insurance Company cannot just shut down, as it has to receive a permission from the OIC first, amid concern among millions of the company’s clients. On Wednesday, Thai Group Holdings, the parent company of Southeast Life Insurance, notified the Stock Exchange of Thailand of the board’s decision to close the insurance company and to return its operating license to the insurance registrar, after it sustained heavy losses from claims by customers who have taken out insurance coverage for COVID-19 infections. Citing Section 57 of the Non-Life Insurance Act B.E, 2535 (1992), the OIC said in a letter of clarification yesterday that that an insurance company which wants to cease operations must seek permission from the Insurance Commission, in order to protect the interests of the insured, the beneficiaries of the insurance policies and other stakeholders. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/regulator-says-insurer-suffering-massive-loss-over-covid-claims-cannot-close-down-yet/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-27 - 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

File photo Thailand's Anti-Fake News Center warned the public that using a phone or communication device while driving is illegal and warrants a 400-1000 baht fine. The only exception is using something like Small Talk or Bluetooth. Even when stopped in traffic or at red lights it is illegal to call out or answer your phone, play games or text, reported Siam Rath. You are driving and the engine is on even though you are not moving, said the media. You should go to a gas station or park somewhere if you need to use the phone. Looking at online information is also a no-no while driving. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-26 - 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: Siam Rath

Picture: Naew Na Muang Kanchanaburi police and rescue services were called after two British tourists were attacked by a local resident wielding a scythe. Face down and dead at the scene with multiple wounds and dressed only in shorts was 49 year old Marcus John (as reported by Naew Na). He was lying in a pool of blood and had almost been decapitated. Picture: Naew Na Grievously wounded next to him was a man named as Shrun Kevin, 55, also British. He was rushed to hospital. A bloody scythe was recovered. The incident happened outside some rented rooms on Soi Sri Lanka in the Muang district police jurisdiction. Many beer bottles were in place on a marble table. The Thai media reported that a group of tourists had been drinking since 9 pm annoying the residents with loud noise from music. Picture: Naew Na Some time after 3 am this morning (police responded at 3.50 am) one man could take the disturbance no longer and attacked the two tourists then fled the scene. He was believed to be a local resident. Some while later Muang Kanchanaburi police chief Pol Col Somkiat Chomchai announced that a local resident called Tom, 22, was helping police with their inquiries. Picture: Naew Na Naew Na said the suspect had mental health issues. More on this breaking story as we hear of it. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-22 - 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

By Adam Judd The following is an alert from the Animal Army Facebook here. Their statements are their own. https://www.facebook.com/AnimalArmyTH/ RABIES ALERT Confirmed Case #1 : Suan Lalana Village, Pattaya City Tragically a confirmed rabies case has been discovered in Suan Lalana Village, Pattaya City on 19/01/2022. The person to alert city authorities was Andrew Boyes, after he became concerned by a group of individuals trying to beat a dog with sticks and stones. The dog had unfortunately bitten 5-6 people and is confirmed positive for rabies. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/22/animal-army-issues-rabies-alert-in-pattaya-after-one-confirmed-case-in-a-stray-dog/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-22 - 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

By Cod Satrusayang The news that 21 MPs would be leaving the ruling party after internal disagreements has kickstarted the slumbering Thai political landscapes. Coalition partners on Thursday made calls and rushed meetings to ensure that their positions were secured. The ruling party called financial and political backers to ensure them that power still belong with them. The opposition meanwhile kickstarted election protocols, with many foreseeing or predicting the demise of the Prayut Chan-ocha government. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/36777/is-thailands-opposition-ready-for-an-election/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-01-21 - 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

John Higgins at the Care Resort Chiang Mai in northern Thailand; a British-run facility which caters for hotel guests as well as the elderly Would YOU send a loved one to live in a care home 6,000 miles away in Thailand? It may sound callous, until you read about the £42,000-a-year, 5-star service in the sun and loving attention of staff (at a fraction of UK costs) A growing number of Brits are sending loved ones to care resorts in Thailand Residents at Care Resort Chiang Mai in Thailand enjoy good weather and care The average UK residential nursing home costs nearly £50,000 a year or more Rates at Care Resort Chiang Mai, with 48 full-time carers, start at £1,100 a month By BARBARA DAVIES FOR THE DAILY MAIL Thousands of miles away from the depths of the murky British winter, the view from the patio of Mary Inman's villa in Thailand is beautiful indeed. Luscious gardens replete with fragrant flowers and birdsong, two glistening swimming pools; anyone watching the 83-year-old sitting outside in the evening sunshine might think she was enjoying a five-star holiday. But Mary, who has severe dementia and needs round-the-clock care, is one of a small but growing number of elderly Britons being sent halfway around the world by families who have turned their backs on the UK's beleaguered, expensive care system and embraced the care 'resorts' that have sprung up across Thailand. Full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10404681/Would-send-loved-one-live-care-home-6-000-miles-away-Thailand.html -- © Copyright DAILY MAIL 2022-01-15 - 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

Picture: INN INN reported that the health minister and DPM Anutin Charvirakul chaired a meeting of almost every relevant government ministry yesterday as they continued to wrangle about the high speed train from Thailand to China via Laos. While the Chinese and the Laotians have swiftly agreed matters and got the line built to Vientiane already, the Thais have been criticized for dallying at every turn. Anutin pressed all ministries to work together in a spitit of cooperation. He said that the project would be of great benefit to the Thai people and the nation as a whole. Present were representatives of the Transport, Finance, Foreign, Agriculture and Co-operatives, Industry and Commerce ministries. This large commitee agreed to set up another committee and work on something called a "Framework Agreement". Principal matter on the table yesterday was the connection from Nong Khai to Vientiane that they have wrangled over for years. Some small parts of the track from the Bangkok area have been completed but the project is mired in delays, notes ASEAN NOW. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-14 - 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

Daily News Thai Caption: Marijuana freedom Thailand's health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul has thrown the whole question about the precise legality of marijuana into utter confusion. The Bhumjaithai party leader was swept to power on the back of a manifesto promising that every household would be free to grow several plants. Now he has ranted on the issue to the Thai media and is adamant that the new laws mean that marijuana is NOT a narcotic. He said that no one should stand in the way of people wanting to grow it to earn a living. The "intent of the law was to make it free to grow" he insisted. The interpretation of the law was another matter. But his comments left observers more confused than enlightened. Still he was adamant that people were free to grow the plant for medicinal use providing it had less than 0.2% THC. This would still mean that regular plants that make the user high would be illegal - though Anutin chose not to be precise about that - a situation that could see growers and users wind up in jail. Instead he promised that Bhumjaithai party list MP and lawyer Suphachaijai Samutjai would defend anyone charged with growing the plant. The rant - reported in Daily News - came as Thai print media reported the arrest of a 32 year old Briton on Koh Samui for possession of marijuana. ASEAN NOW advises extreme caution on recreational use of marijuana in Thailand. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-13 - 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

A Thai customer has been threatened with a costly lawsuit by a hotel in Khao Yai, in Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, after she complained about the hotel on a travel agency website and gave it a low rating following her stay there last year. Secretary-general of the Lawyers for the People Foundation, Sittra Biabangkerd, wrote on Facebook on Thursday that he had been contacted by the customer about the lawsuit. On December 19th last year, she rated the hotel as 6/10 and wrote about her poor experience there. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-hotel-threatens-customer-with-฿3m-lawsuit-over-bad-review/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-07 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

File photo for reference only Taxing cryptocurrency profits must be at the top of most Revenue Departments across the World with the staggering profits made over the past couple of years. Here in Thailand, the country’s Revenue Department is now discussing with digital asset exchanges on ways to collect withholding taxes on cryptocurrency profits. Department spokesperson Sommai Siriudomset said the move is intended to make trading more convenient. Cryptocurrency buyers currently have a duty to collect the 15% withholding tax from the profit gained by the sellers in every transaction. Of course, with huge debts mounting due to the collapse of the hospitality industry and the ongoing cost of managing the pandemic, the Revenue department is keen to explore ways of gathering the tax. Many people know that most tax agencies expect tax of some kind to be paid on cryptocurrencies -- and that tax agencies are actively looking for those who are evading taxes. There are, however, a few countries where cryptocurrencies are not taxed under some or all circumstances, notably for those who buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies -- where it is completely legal and state-sanctioned not to pay taxes on cryptocurrency investment gains. They include Germany, Portugal, Malta, and Switzerland in Europe and Singapore and Malaysia in Asia. Inorganic law Mrs. Sommai explained to the media that the Thai Revenue department is working to introduce an inorganic law to collect the 15% capital gains tax on the profits from cryptocurrency trading. They have the authority to collect taxes from cryptocurrency trading because profits from such activity can be considered assessable income under Section 40 of the Royal Decree amending Revenue Code No.19. She did however confirm that the department would calculate the tax from only profitable transactions, not losses. This means sellers must record all profitable transactions to determine which require withholding tax. The tax also covers Bitcoin mining transactions and the dividend or interest from cryptocurrency investment. Apparently, Bitcoin mining is considered the same as ore mining, Mrs. Sommai said. Therefore, any gains from Bitcoin mining are considered income from commercial, agricultural, and industrial operations, which are subject to the tax under Section 40 (8). However, Bitcoin miners may claim expenses incurred during the mining for a tax deduction. Dividends or interest gained from investment in cryptocurrencies are considered to be income under Section 40 (4) and are subject to tax. One trader, Sanjay Popli, who is the co-founder of Cryptomind, and owner of Merkle Capital, said that a large number of investors are still unsure about how the Revenue Department will calculate profits and losses from crypto trading. He added that it is extremely hard to actually track gains from cryptocurrencies as most crypto traders are speculators. Many usually keep the coins for very short periods, before selling to take profits. Many Thais and Expats across the country are sitting on huge gains from buying and selling bitcoins and will be watching what happens with interest. Until the Thai government makes clear its regulations on taxation, traders will just have to wait and be prepared to allow for some form of payments to the Revenue departments. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-07 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - 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

The owner of a zoo in Thailand’s Khon Kaen province has posted disturbing pictures, on the zoo’s official Facebook page, of a Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) being abused, urging visitors not to harm them as such creatures are friendly and do not harm others. The owner of the Khon Kaen Exotic Pets & The Fountain Show zoo, located in Sila sub-district in Muang district of Khon Kaen, told a reporter that, on New Year’s Day, many visitors flocked to the zoo and were all given baskets of vegetables with which to feed the animals. One visitor, however, was surprised when a Capybara approached them. The visitor struck the creature with the basket until the creature bled. Staff members at the zoo quickly treated the animal’s wounds after the shocking incident. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/abused-capybara-in-khon-kaen-sparks-outcry-on-social-media/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-04 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Erich Parpart The government said on Tuesday that it would consider reimplementing work from home and online schooling if the spread of the Omicron variant is uncontained after the New Year break. “The ministry is proposing the work from home measure, and it will be considered on January 4,” said Sathit Pitutecha, the Deputy Minister of Public Health. The government is set to introduce new quarantine and restriction measures on the day. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/36138/government-to-reconsider-work-from-home-and-online-classes-mandate-after-new-year/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-12-28 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates