webfact

Thailand’s first ‘virtual’ monk to preach Buddhism to new generation Thailand’s first self-styled ‘virtual’ monk, Phra Maha AI, aspires to propagate the Lord Buddha’s teachings using easily understandable language and good natured preaching, which is easily accessible to the new-generation of Thais. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246936-thailand’s-first-‘virtual’-monk-to-preach-buddhism-to-new-generation/

Thailand’s first self-styled ‘virtual’ monk, Phra Maha AI, aspires to propagate the Lord Buddha’s teachings using easily understandable language and good natured preaching, which is easily accessible to the new-generation of Thais. In his first ever interview with Thai media, Phra Maha AI told Thai PBS that he got the inspiration from a virtual influencer abroad and then started working with a team of computer programmers to create a 2-D computer generated animated cartoon character. The monk admitted, however, that elderly people may not understand what a ‘virtual’ monk is, but the majority of the young people love it because it is something new. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-first-virtual-monk-to-preach-buddhism-to-new-generation/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-17 - 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

House panel to clear confusion over the legal status of cannabis in Thailand The House Public Health Affairs committee has invited representatives of the Royal Thai Police, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the Ministry of Public Health and relevant agencies for a discussion this Thursday at parliament, to clear up the confusion over whether cannabis is still regarded as an illegal narcotic or is now a herbal drug which can be cultivated legally. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246934-house-panel-to-clear-confusion-over-the-legal-status-of-cannabis-in-thailand/

The House Public Health Affairs committee has invited representatives of the Royal Thai Police, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the Ministry of Public Health and relevant agencies for a discussion this Thursday at parliament, to clear up the confusion over whether cannabis is still regarded as an illegal narcotic or is now a herbal drug which can be cultivated legally. Opinions are split. On one side are the ONCB and other law enforcement agencies, which insist that cannabis is still regarded as a narcotic drug and the cultivation of cannabis is illegal. On the other side insist that the amended narcotics law, which came into effect on December 9th last year, has removed cannabis from Category 5. Pakorn Mungcharoenporn, chair of the House Public Health Affairs Committee and a Bhumjaithai MP for Surin province, said that the narcotics law has already been amended and came into effect in mid-December, yet some law enforcement officers still invoke the old law. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/house-panel-to-clear-confusion-over-the-legal-status-of-cannabis-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-17 - 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

Thailand’s first Omicron variant death reported in Songkhla province The health office in the southern province of Songkhla has reported its first fatality from Omicron variant today (Sunday). The patient died at the Hat Yai Hospital on Wednesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246933-thailand’s-first-omicron-variant-death-reported-in-songkhla-province/

The health office in the southern province of Songkhla has reported its first fatality from Omicron variant today (Sunday). The patient died at the Hat Yai Hospital on Wednesday. The patient was a bed-ridden 86 year old woman who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. She had received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine at Na Mom Hospital and was thought to have contracted COVID-19 from her grandson, who had returned from Phuket. According to the timeline, the woman had a fever and productive cough on January 6th. She tested positive, using an antigen test kit, and was sent to Hat Yai Hospital the following day, where a second test confirmed the infection. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-first-omicron-variant-death-reported-in-songkhla-province/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-17 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 17 Jan 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1246932-thailand-live-monday-17-jan-2022/

Public advised to be wary after Revenue Department’s Twitter account was hacked The Thai Revenue Department has warned the public to be extremely wary of information appearing on its Twitter account after it was attacked by unknown hackers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246931-public-advised-to-be-wary-after-revenue-department’s-twitter-account-was-hacked/

The Thai Revenue Department has warned the public to be extremely wary of information appearing on its Twitter account after it was attacked by unknown hackers. According to the Anti-Fake News Centre of Thailand, the hackers deleted almost all previous legitimate tweets by the Revenue Department and changed the name of the account to Revenue/NFT, leaving only one statement “I’m looking to collaborate with NFT projects. DM (direct message) me if you’re interested in paid promotion!” The Revenue Department has notified the Anti-Fake News Centre about the incident. The department is in the process of restoring the account and has asked the centre to track down the perpetrators. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/public-advised-to-be-wary-after-revenue-departments-twitter-account-was-hacked/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-17 - 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

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) 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 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. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246845-would-you-send-a-loved-one-to-live-in-a-care-home-6000-miles-away-in-thailand/

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

Bangkok Students Get Tested for COVID-19 Ahead of On-site Classes By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Schools nationwide are now issuing COVID-19 tests for their students as they prepare to resume on-site classes next week, after having moved classes online since the start of the year to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246841-bangkok-students-get-tested-for-covid-19-ahead-of-on-site-classes/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Schools nationwide are now issuing COVID-19 tests for their students as they prepare to resume on-site classes next week, after having moved classes online since the start of the year to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Students in Mathayom levels 4-6 at Bodindecha 2 (Sing Singhaseni) School in Bangkok were screened for using antigen test kits (ATKs) on Friday (14 Jan). The ATK tests were being administered to 2,312 students, teachers and staff at the school, with Mathayom 1-3 students and sellers at the school having already been tested the day before (13 Jan). Suphat Atcharit, acting director of Bodindecha 2 School, said the ATK tests will ensure readiness for the resumption of on-site classes on Monday (17 Jan). He added that the school will facilitate the transportation of persons with positive test results to the hospital so an RT-PCR test can be administered. Students at the school said they were in favor of the ATK test, believing it would help reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus when on-site learning resumes. The students also said they were observing public health measures currently in place on top of the prevention measures issued by the school. Bodindecha 2 School will implement a mixed format for holding classes from Monday onward. Students will only attend on-site classes once per week. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 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

Father had enough of his former son-in-law - shoots him when he breaks the door down Picture Thai Rath Warinchamrap police in Sasaming sub-district of Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand's north eastern region were called after a shooting at a house last night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246837-father-had-enough-of-his-former-son-in-law-shoots-him-when-he-breaks-the-door-down/

Picture Thai Rath Warinchamrap police in Sasaming sub-district of Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand's north eastern region were called after a shooting at a house last night. Ekachai, 33, had been shot in the stomach and was taken to hospital by rescue services. Sompong, 57, who had called the cops was waiting with a Thai made gun to surrender. Sompong told the police it was his house and the victim was his former son-in-law. He said that his 28 year old daughter "Naen" had had a relationship with Ekachai for three years before they split up after constant arguments. But Ekachai wouldn't accept this and was constantly coming to the house drunk and making trouble. On this occasion he again arrived drunk. Sompong ran inside and bolted the door but Ekachai broke it down and entered the property. Sompong said he had threatened to shoot him if he came in. He retrieved a gun from under his bed and did just that hitting him in the abdomen with one shot, then called the police. The cops have initially charged him with attempted murder, reported Thai Rath. The gun appears to be legally owned. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Understanding transgenders - ladyboy gets money for a wig after "being forced to have haircut" Picture Channel 7 Channel 7 news reported on the case of a ladyboy who was forced to have their haircut by a family member. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246833-understanding-transgenders-ladyboy-gets-money-for-a-wig-after-being-forced-to-have-haircut/

Picture: Channel 7 Channel 7 news reported on the case of a ladyboy who was forced to have their haircut by a family member. It caused much comment on Facebook. Now a person by the name of Nara Crepe Katoey has transferred 10,000 baht to the transgender to buy a wig. Nara Crepe Katoey has a YouTube channel and Twitter presence. The story was billed as transgenders understanding one another. Katoey means a transgender who are often referred to as "sao praphet song" - #2 women in Thai. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Phetchabun: Thai man hunted for murder of landlord and attack on his brother Police in the Nong Phai jurisdiction of Phetchabun in north eastern Thailand are hunting for an evil tenant who murdered a landlord and seriously injured his brother. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246832-phetchabun-thai-man-hunted-for-murder-of-landlord-and-attack-on-his-brother/

Police in the Nong Phai jurisdiction of Phetchabun in north eastern Thailand are hunting for an evil tenant who murdered a landlord and seriously injured his brother. On Wednesday police found Praphas, 64, dead from multiple wounds in a bedroom. He had been attacked with an axe, a hoe and a club by a 38-39 year old man called Ek who rented a small dwelling in the same compound. Ek also attacked the deceased's younger brother Somphot, 61, after he called the police. In addition to the murder a motorcycle was smashed up and there were bottles of 40 degree spirit also trashed. Relatives at the funeral of the victim called for Ek to give himself up. A warrant is out for his arrest. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Coach driver who fled the scene after causing mass carnage and death finally arrested in Bangkok Picture: Siam Rath Thailand's crime suppression division has finally caught up with a tour bus driver who caused many deaths and injuries on the Friendship Highway with negligent driving back in 2007. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246830-coach-driver-who-fled-the-scene-after-causing-mass-carnage-and-death-finally-arrested-in-bangkok/

Picture: Siam Rath Thailand's crime suppression division has finally caught up with a tour bus driver who caused many deaths and injuries on the Friendship Highway with negligent driving back in 2007. Chaiyo Namchaya, now 52, was arrested in Soi Pahonyothin 32 in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok. He was named in a Sikhio, Nakhon Ratchasima court warrant for negligent driving causing death and injury and fleeing the scene of an accident in May 2007. At the time Chaiyo was employed by a Sena Nikhom company to drive the Bangkok to Mahasarakham route. On the day in question heading towards the north east on the Friendship (Mitraphap) Highway a ten wheel truck pulled in front of him as he was speeding. He swerved to undertake the truck to the left but hit a trailer causing a pile-up with a passenger van and a pick-up. Siam Rath said there were many deaths and injuries in the coach and other vehicles. Chaiyo fled the scene but his arrest yesterday followed information received that he was now in Bangkok. The Thai media said he admitted to the crime and in their headline called him "chauffeur teen phee". Chauffeur is a term used in Thai to indicate the driver of a public vehicle and "teen phee" (undersole ghost) refers to a person who flees the scene. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Sore Thai loser put opponent in hospital after smashing him in the face with a snooker cue Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on the arrest of a 26 year old Thai man called Surasit Klinprathum. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246829-sore-thai-loser-put-opponent-in-hospital-after-smashing-him-in-the-face-with-a-snooker-cue/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported on the arrest of a 26 year old Thai man called Surasit Klinprathum. Lak Song police in Bang Khae, western Bangkok, picked him up at Sethakit Soi 31 in northern Bang Khae and charged him with causing grievous bodily harm. The case stemmed from an incident at a snooker club in the area on January 5th at 10 pm. The suspect had gone with his pals to the club to play snooker but when they left he refused to go home too. Instead he started playing with some people on an adjoining table whom he didn't know. He was soundly beaten by a man called Geng and didn't like losing. So he picked up a snooker cue and repeatedly smashed it into the face of his opponent breaking his nose, cheekbone and causing him to have to get 20 stitches and have eye surgery. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

150 flee for their lives as fire hits furniture factory in Trang Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that 150 Thai and Myanmar workers fled for their lives as fire broke out at a furniture factory in Trang, southern Thailand yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246828-150-flee-for-their-lives-as-fire-hits-furniture-factory-in-trang/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that 150 Thai and Myanmar workers fled for their lives as fire broke out at a furniture factory in Trang, southern Thailand yesterday. Fire services managed to bring the blaze under control after battling it for 3 hours. Picture: Thai Rath It happened at Interfurnitech on the Trang to Palian Road. Twenty fire engines fought the blaze that caused an estimated 30 million baht in damage. The structure of the factory is so badly damaged that it has been ordered shut for 30 days. Picture: Thai Rath Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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