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By Natcha Patanasophon Over Thursday night, Thai security forces evacuated Thai villagers and assisted more Myanmar refugees as the Myanmar army launched more air strikes in Karen state on the Thai border. The situation between the Myanmar military and ethnic insurgent groups has dramatically worsened at the Thailand-Myanmar border despite its temporary halt for over three days. At least 223 Myanmar refugees, mostly women and children, swam across the border to take temporary shelters in Mae Sot, Tak Province. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/36099/more-myanmar-refugees-make-it-across-thai-border-as-fighting-intensifies/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-12-25 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Namo Vananupong CHONBURI (NNT) - Organizers of the New Year’s Eve countdown in Pattaya City are now requiring eventgoers to present a negative Covid test result accompanied by a doctor’s note, and produce evidence on the Moh Promt application of having been fully inoculated against COVID-19. The increased requirements come as organizers of New Year’s festivities elsewhere are ramping up their disease prevention measures or canceling some of the planned events. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai said Pattaya City will be holding a countdown and celebrations for New Year’s and a large number of tourists are expected. The city has prepared measures to screen people who will partake in the countdown event. A participant will need to present evidence of a negative result from either an ATK or PCR-type of Covid test that is no older than 72 hours, together with a doctor’s note for the result. Each participant needs to be fully inoculated against COVID-19, and be able to present the evidence of vaccination through the Moh Promt application. Eventgoers must be able to produce their citizen identification cards, wear face masks at all times, have body temperatures that are lower than 37.5 degrees Celsius, and either register their entry via the Thai Chana platform or in writing at the venue entrance. The number of people in the concert area at the countdown venue will be limited to 2,500 people, as a precaution against the spread of Covid. Pattaya City has told sellers, especially seafood sellers in the Lan Pho and Na Kluea areas, not to take advantage of the countdown event to raise their prices. Prices must be clearly displayed for visitors to see. Sellers who do not abide by these requirements will be removed from the area. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-12-25 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Sirakij Pornbanggird BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine’s Deputy Director-General, Dr. Kwanchai Wisitthanon, said the department has gathered around 30 strains of local cannabis. Each strain’s DNA was thoroughly studied and recorded to identify where different strains are grown. The department aims to use the database to register them for geographical indications or GI. The department will ask the Ministry of Culture to list local cannabis strains as national heritage, a process that should be completed by March 2022. Furthermore, the department will ask the ministry to submit the list of local Thai cannabis strains to UNESCO to have them listed as intangible cultural heritage items. Dr. Kwanchai added that Thailand has been using cannabis to treat patients for more than 300 years as it has a wide range of medicinal properties such as increasing appetite, promoting good sleep habits, painkilling, balancing anxiety, curing epilepsy, and more. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-12-25 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has instructed all hospitals nationally to prepare staff and equipment, including isolation facilities, to cope with the mass movement of people back to their home provinces and the potential spread of COVID-19 over the festive season. CCSA Assistant Spokesperson Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan said today (Friday) that the public sector has increased precautions, due to concerns over the Omicron variant and its rapid transmissibility. She claimed some private businesses have underestimated the strain. The COVID Delta variant still remains dominant in Thailand, accounting for 83.89% of all COVID-19 infections diagnosed between December 20th and 23rd, while Omicron accounts for 16.2%. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-hospitals-prepare-for-covid-outbreaks-during-new-year-mass-exodus-from-cities/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-12-25 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand’s Disease Control Department (DCD) is in the process of obtaining information from Oxford University’s lab study, which shows that a three-dose course of AstraZeneca vaccine is effective against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant. Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, head of the DCD, said today (Friday) that Oxford University’s report will be studied by the immune enhancement committee, which comprises vaccine experts, to determine whether Thailand’s vaccination regimen should be adjusted to three AstraZeneca doses, instead of two, and a booster of Pfizer. Findings by Oxford University, which are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, match those from rivals Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, which have also found a third dose of their vaccines work against Omicron. The study on the AstraZeneca vaccine Vaxzevria showed that, three doses produced neutralizing levels against Omicron which are broadly similar to those against the Delta variant after two doses. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-considers-triple-astrazeneca-vaccine-regimen-to-fight-omicron-variant/ Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-12-25 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Photo: The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revealed today (Friday) that 205 Omicron cases have been confirmed in the country to date, with the husband-wife couple in Kalasin province, who recently returned from Belgium, being the origin of the most worrying cluster. The couple’s initial COVID-19 test results were negative and they travelled back to their hometown, before visiting their children in Udon Thani. Relatives who came in close contact with the couple subsequently tested positive for the Omicron variant, which is thought to have come from the couple. Based on the investigation, 22 people were in close contact them, including 19 restaurant staff and 3 members of the family. Another 100 people are also at risk. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/over-200-omicron-cases-confirmed-in-thailand-kalasin-udon-thani-cluster-of-concern/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-12-24 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Carl D. who went missing in December 2015 is now found inform the Nordic Liaison Office in Bangkok. by Lasse Sandholdt Danish citizen Carl D. who went missing in Phuket in December 2015 is now no longer missing. The joint office of the Nordic police forces in Bangkok informs ScandAsia that Carl has been located and is alive and well. The story began when Carl moved to Thailand from Denmark in 2014. Carl is a butcher of trade and used to work in Denmark on “Grøntorvet” (The green square), a wet market in central Copenhagen. He would often visit Thailand with a close friend and coworker. The two would usually stay in Phuket at the now closed “Big A Resort” in Rawai, Phuket. Carl and his friend enjoyed their time in Thailand very much and wanted to move there permanently. When the owner of the Big A Resort, Thomas Flindt, offered them a job at his restaurant “Rundetaarn” in Patong, they both accepted the offer, pulled up stakes and moved to Phuket in 2014. In Phuket, Carl was working in the kitchen of the Rundetaarn restaurant a popular hangout place for the Danish community in Phuket. In the beginning, all was going well but the temptations of the close by Bangla Road party street started affecting the work. According to Thomas, Carl began partying too much which eventually made him neglect his work at the restaurant. At the same time, Carl met a Thai woman, Sirikanya, that he entered into a relationship with. Together with her, Carl also started gambling. Ultimately, Carl’s lack of attention to his work forced his employer to terminate the employment. Full story: https://scandasia.com/danish-man-missing-since-2015-found-alive-and-well/ -- © Copyright ScandAsia 2021-12-24 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Cod Satrusayang The government’s decision to temporarily scrap test-and-go and cut down on new year celebrations has been met with derision from many sectors. After two years of the pandemic, economic collapse, and personal hardships, it is completely understandable why the country is facing collective pandemic fatigue. But if we rewind back to just April of this year when the government was roundly criticized for not shutting down the country for Songkran we can remind ourselves why being cautious is probably the right move. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/36073/opinion-the-right-thing-to-do/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-12-24 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PHUKET XTRA - December 23 || Brought to you by @PVC Phuket Wage relief demanded by ’high heels mob’ |:| Indoor venues can’t sell alcohol on NYE in Phuket past 11pm |:| MP kicked out for Thai conviction |:| Phuket COVID Update Hosted by: JP Mestanza || #Phuket #PhuketNews #Thailand By Jean-Pierre Mestanza Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-xtra-video-high-heels-mob-nightlife-workers-demand-govt-relief-as-bars-stay-shut-december-23-82488.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-12-24 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PHOTO: Wisarn Sangjaroen / Top News By Goong Nang(GN) Chonburi – Seven vehicles were damaged in a major crash after a trailer truck driver allegedly suffered a brake failure in Mueang Chonburi. The Mueang Chonburi Police were notified of the accident earlier this week in the Baan Suan sub-district. Police arrived at the scene to find a yellow trailer truck crashed into a silver sedan at the front of the truck with an additional five damaged vehicles behind the truck. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/12/23/seven-vehicles-damaged-in-chonburi-trailer-truck-accident-driver-blames-brake-failure/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-12-24 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is beginning to dismantling about 400 public water dispensing machines across the city, claiming that most of them are not working due to lack of maintenance, that they are an eyesore, obstructions on footpaths, and may contribute to the spread of COVID-19. The dispensers were installed on footpaths about two decades ago by the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA), in cooperation with the BMA and the private sector, to provide free drinking water to Bangkok residents and tourists. Most of them, however, no longer function. On November 22nd, the Traffic and Transport Office of the BMA asked the MWA to dismantle all the machines within 30 days, otherwise the city administration would remove them and bill the MWA. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/hundreds-of-public-water-dispensers-in-bangkok-to-be-removed/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-12-24 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Sanook Thailand's health minister and DPM Anutin Chanvirakul has once again been bigging up his own efforts and that of Thailand in general when it comes to Omicron and the pandemic in general. He told Sanook that strict entry requirements were in place. These were stricter than other countries. He also said that the Thai people were following the DMHT recommendations to 90% - again much better than abroad. This refers to things like mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing. In addition he said that Thailand had more than enough locally produced medications at its hospitals and plentiful supplies of vaccine. He was commenting after 104 cases of Omicron were found in Thailand. Dr Suphakij Sirilak, director general of the Department of Medical Sciences said all of these were connected to people who had come back from or from abroad. Anutin spoke of one such family who had been abroad then travelled between Kalasin, Udon then back to Bangkok. He said that everyone who was a close contact was being traced and said it was not a big deal. He noted that initial findings of Thai medical services indicated that Omicron was faster spreading but no more virulent than Delta. This mirrors information coming out of Europe so far, he noted, but that time will tell if in fact this is the case. He anticipated no major changes to the protocols and regulations in place in Thailand. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-23 - 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

People living in Bangkok and 14 other provinces have been advised to refrain from outdoor activities, such as exercise, from today (Thursday) until Monday, due to worsening air pollution caused by the accumulation of PM2.5 dust in the air. According to Pollution Control Department chief Atthapol Charoenchansa, the amount of PM2.5 exceeds the 50-micron standard level and is likely to peak this Saturday through Monday, when situation is expected to improve due to the arrival of north-easterly wind. The levels of PM2.5 dust in the capital and surrounding provinces today range from 54 to 102 microns, with Paknam sub-district in Samut Prakan logging 103 microns, which is considered to be hazardous to health. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/air-pollution-in-bangkok-14-other-provinces-exceed-standard-levels-to-peak-on-saturday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-12-23 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Phuket. File photo Deputy governor of Phuket Phichet Panapong admitted that many SHA+ hotels in Phuket were openly flouting the law by allowing foreign tourists to leave their premises before their Covid-19 test results came back. An example is being made of two such establishments who broke the rules. Manager called this "slaughtering the chicken in front of the monkey" - a Thai expression meaning to make an example so that others follow. Punishments to be announced shortly for SHA+ places breaking the rules are: 1st offence - can't accept tourists for one day. 2nd offence - banned from accepting tourists for a week. 3rd offence - SHA+ privileges removed. Under the third that would mean they couldn't accept tourists permanently. Phichet said this would be strictly enforced to maintain confidence of locals that the rules are being followed. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-23 - 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

Image: Daily News Daily News reported that comment from Thai netizens was rife after an education website called Khru Wandee Dot Com advertised a primary teacher assistant post at a measly 5,500 baht a month. The media did the math and said that would only be 183 baht a day, well short of minimum wage. It would only go up to 6,000 baht after a three month probationary period said the ad, from a school whose name was vaselined out. Image: Daily News This is probably due to defamation laws in sue happy Thailand. Netizens said this was like wages from decades ago. It should be at least 12,000 baht in the modern world, cried others. While others pointed out that it was illegal to offer less than minimum wage for a full time position that this appeared to be. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-23 - 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

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that the district chief of Klong Luang in Pathum Thani and DOPA officials arrested several students involved in marijuana dealing and use. The case started when people at a luxury condo building in Klong Luang complained about noise and people doing drugs. A sting was set up for just 500 baht. Arrested at the condo was fourth year student "at a well know uni" Tharit, 24, and Natthakan, 26. Two ganja plants and 46.26 grams of imported heads along with other evidence was seized. The 500 baht was also recovered. They assisted the investigation by leading investigators to a place a few kilometers away also in Pathum Thani where four people were doing drugs and 514 grams of compressed marijuana was seized. The operation also led to a delivery rider being stopped with 182 grams of marijuana that he was paid 280 baht to deliver. He said he had no idea it was drugs having been told by a woman who looked like she was a trader who said it was cakes. One other arrest was also made in the case. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-22 - 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

Picture: Daily News Ministry of Public Health official Dr Kiatphoom Wongjarit confirmed that there would be a 15 day suspension on Test and Go and Sandbox registrations from yesterday until January 4th. Phuket Sandbox and quarantine arrivals will remain in place. He said that there are 200,000 tourists who have already registered and received a QR code prior to the 21st who will be allowed to come under Test and Go and Sandbox, reported Daily News. But new testing requirements are in place. In addition to being required to have a RT-PCR test 72 hours before coming, two doses of vaccine and insurance they will now have to have TWO more RT-PCR tests in Thailand not just one. This means more expense and possibly waiting for tourists, notes ASEAN NOW. Asked if the country could cope with the Omicron situation regarding international arrivals the official said that hitherto only between 0.1% and 0.2% of foreign arrivals had Covid so they could easily handle an expected 100 cases in the 200,000. Asked if Thailand was effectively going into international lockdown again Dr Kiatphoom could only say that the suspension of new applications was temporary until January 4th. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-22 - 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

Picture: Thai Rath DPM and Health Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul assured the Thai media that the government/CCSA had not shut down the country to foreign travellers. He told Thai Rath that it was only a temporary suspension of new applications to visit from now until January 4th. When that day comes there will be a reassessment of the state of spread and situation surrounding the Omicron variant. Thai Rath reported that 200,000 tourists were in the system with 110,000 of those approved and 90,000 waiting for approval. Anutin confirmed that they could all come but must take two RT-PCR tests on days one and seven of their visit. He called this the safest option for Thailand. No new countries who can't come have been added to the list. He said the government had acted swiftly with PM Prayuth Chan-ocha calling the CCSA and acting decisively regarding Omicron. He recognised that this was high season for tourists but said acting now could mitigate the situation in the longer term. Any lockdown would be a final resort. He urged all those eligible to get their vaccine booster. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-22 - 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

by Gregers Møller Carl Drewsen a Danish citizen and Phuket resident has been missing for about 6 years. Ever since the day he disappeared in December 2015, neither family, friends nor colleagues have heard from him. There is no indication if he is still alive. Carl is a butcher of trade and used to work in Denmark on “Grøntorvet” (The green square), a wet market in central Copenhagen. He would often visit Thailand with a close friend and coworker. The two would usually stay in Phuket at the now closed “Big A Resort” in Rawai, Phuket. Carl and his friend enjoyed their time in Thailand very much and wanted to move there permanently. When the owner of the Big A Resort, Thomas Flindt, offered them a job at his restaurant “Rundetaarn” in Patong, they both accepted the offer, pulled up stakes and moved to Phuket in 2014. In Phuket, Carl was working in the kitchen of the Rundetaarn restaurant a popular hangout place for the Danish community in Phuket. In the beginning, all was going well but the temptations of the close by Bangla Road party street started affecting the work. Full story: https://scandasia.com/danish-man-missing-in-thailand-since-2015/ -- © Copyright ScandAsia 2021-12-22 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PHOTO: File photo / Sawang Prateep Thammasatan Si Racha Rescue Team / Siam Sea Port By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – The Pattaya City Police is preparing to set up multiple checkpoints for the annual ‘Seven Days of Danger’ road safety campaign for the New Year which will start next week. The Pattaya City Police Chief Colonel Kunlachart Kunlachai told The Pattaya News, “The seven days of danger for this New Year’s festival will be from December 28th to January 3rd.” “Pattaya City Police, Pattaya Tourist Police, Banglamung district officers, and volunteers will patrol around the Pattaya area.” “Multiple checkpoints will be set on the main roads. Our main checkpoint for this coming Seven Days of Danger campaign in Pattaya will be in front of the Big C store in South Pattaya on Sukhumvit.” Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/12/21/pattaya-preparing-for-new-years-seven-days-of-danger-traffic-program/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-12-22 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Channel 7 A British man was chased in the street by a knife wielding Thai man after he repeated asked for a beer and was refused and then was told to go home. The case reached Thai national TV news Channel 7 after a clip and information was posted by Mr Jack's wife Nalinnara, 28, on Facebook. In the Facebook post requesting information about the man in the video it was stated that the man approached a group of Thais and the foreigner drinking at a shop in Phraeksa Soi 10, Muang Samut Prakan, south east of the Thai capital Bangkok. The poster said her husband didn't have any money with him and turned down the man's request for a beer. But he wouldn't stop and asked "twenty plus" times for a beer creating annoyance. Eventually the Brit stood up and told the man to go home. To defuse the situation one of the Thais present fronted up the price of a beer. But the man came back 5 minutes later armed with a knife. The foreigner ran off leaving his motorcycle. The assailant chased him, couldn't find him then returned to the shop to ask where the foreigner lived. Apparently this was not the first time this man had done something like this. Reporters from Channel 7 went to the area and spoke to the owners of a grocer's opposite called Ms Neung who said it happened at about 10.30 pm on Saturday 18th December. She confirmed the Facebook details adding that there was a considerable commotion. She said that she knew the British man who was a frequent customer and that he was a polite and nice guy. When asked where he lived the other people present on the night in question said they didn't know. The Thai man had made trouble for someone else two months ago, she said. Nalinnara told the media that her husband had gone to the shop opposite to buy cigarettes then been invited over for a beer by some Thai friends. She said that Jack ran 200 meters to escape the man leaving his bike. He was now scared to leave the house. She provided the Muang Samut Prakan police with a clip and they are now investigating. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-21 - 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

Picture: Naew Na Naew Na reported that three foreign tourists had arrived on the holiday island of Koh Samui in southern Thailand with the Omicron variant. There were a British couple and a Belgian male. Close contacts on the plane or planes were all checked, Thais as well as foreigners. No other cases were found including Thai contacts on the ground after tests. District chief Theerapong Chauychu immediately put plans in place to open a local field hospital. Local official Pongthep Phumalee said everything was under control and all protocols and regulations were in place. Naew Na - well know for taking the comments of officialdom at face value notes ASEAN NOW - surprisingly sought out several locals for their opinion. There was no panic, quite the opposite. Rachanee Jongsuwanpong, a local bookseller, said she was calm. The foreigners were vaxxed and there are perfectly good screening protocols for both foreign and Thai domestic tourists. She expressed total confidence in the local health authority and noted her own mask wearing and rule following attitude. Market fruit seller Janthira Thepraksa echoed this saying the authorities and locals are used to every thing by now having open up the island long since. She pointed out the salient fact that the local economy needed tourists. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-21 - 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

By Paul Andrews Electric vehicle owners in Hua Hin now have a handy new location for rapid charging – Market Village Hua Hin. EleX by EGAT charging station is located in the outside car park and has been installed at Market Village as part of a collaboration between the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), HomePro and BMW. This station is equipped with a Fast Charger and a Normal Charger, 125 kW and 22 kW, 1 machine, 3 outlets, and can support charging two automobiles at the same time. It is available to the general public and visitors to Market Village Hua Hin shopping mall. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/new-electric-vehicle-charging-station-opens-at-market-village-hua-hin/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2021-12-21 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

“Ganja & Thai Traditional Medicine in the City” fair in Bangkok on March 18, 2021. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) Cannabis and kratom completed their long journeys to legalization this year, in what was seen as an uncharacteristically liberal move by conservative Thai authorities. Given that alcohol and cigarettes remain tightly controlled in Thailand, these once-banned herbs have come a long way in a short space of time. The newly amended Narcotics Code, which went into effect on December 9, lists neither cannabis nor kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) as illicit drugs. These herbs are now being touted for their huge potential in helping both patients and the Thai economy. The change in their status has much to do with the efforts of Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, whose Bhumjaithai Party made legalization of cannabis a key election promise. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/2021-the-year-cannabis-and-kratom-became-legal-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-12-20 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates