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Russell Crowe visits Thailand sparking joy; thoughtful reflections from Thai netizens By Natcha Patanasophon Hollywood actor and aspiring rock star Russell Crowe is making waves on Thai social media as the first major celebrity to visit the country after two years of pandemic blues. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235534-russell-crowe-visits-thailand-sparking-joy-thoughtful-reflections-from-thai-netizens/

By Natcha Patanasophon Hollywood actor and aspiring rock star Russell Crowe is making waves on Thai social media as the first major celebrity to visit the country after two years of pandemic blues. Crowe, who is in town to shoot The Greatest Beer Run Ever, a Vietnam War Movie, has been traveling through Thailand and posting pictures on his official Twitter Page. The phrase “Welcome to Thailand” went viral on Wednesday morning as Thais eagerly welcomed the celebrity actor and his exploits. Some also used the opportunity to critique the country following some funny posts from the celebrity. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/33983/russell-crowe-visits-thailand-sparking-joy-thoughtful-reflections-from-thai-netizens/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-10-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

CP Group says Dhanin is a Thai national, not Chinese; threatens lawsuits By Panithan Onthaworn The Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) said in a press release that its chairman and founder Dhanin Chearavanont holds only Thai nationality, rather than Chinese nationality, as rumoured on social media over the past week. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235526-cp-group-says-dhanin-is-a-thai-national-not-chinese-threatens-lawsuits/

By Panithan Onthaworn The Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) said in a press release that its chairman and founder Dhanin Chearavanont holds only Thai nationality, rather than Chinese nationality, as rumoured on social media over the past week. The company said warning of legal action against spreading misinformation. “Dhanin is Thai as he was born in Thailand and holds Thai nationality,” said the statement. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/33973/cp-group-says-dhanin-is-a-thai-national-not-chinese-threatens-lawsuits/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-10-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai women conned into selling sex in Bahrain - woman arrested Picture: INN A press conference at the Crime Suppression Division presided over by Pol Lt-Gen Jiraphop Phuridech announced the arrest of a 55 woman who was named only as "A". Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235525-thai-women-conned-into-selling-sex-in-bahrain-woman-arrested/

Picture: INN A press conference at the Crime Suppression Division presided over by Pol Lt-Gen Jiraphop Phuridech announced the arrest of a 55 woman who was named only as "A". Jiraphop said she had been part of a bigger gang who invited Thai women to go and work in Bahrain in the massage and spa industry. But on arrival they were forced into providing sex for money. The suspect denies the charges. Jiraphop said that there are dozens of victims in cases over the last year or two that are being investigated under human trafficking legislation. Bahrain is one of two countries involved. INN didn't name the other. The suspect in this case was picked up in the Na Kleua sub-district of Samut Prakan, south east of the Thai capital Bangkok. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-15 - 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

Four Thai women - all friends - arrested with 200 kilos of marijuana in southern Thailand Picture: Daily News A press conference at Region 4 drugs' suppression police in southern Thailand announced the arrest of four Thai women, all close friends from Ratchaburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235523-four-thai-women-all-friends-arrested-with-200-kilos-of-marijuana-in-southern-thailand/

Picture: Daily News A press conference at Region 4 drugs' suppression police in southern Thailand announced the arrest of four Thai women, all close friends from Ratchaburi. They had transported 200 kilos of compressed marijuana worth 10 million baht from Saraburi to Hat Yai before they were arrested on the Punnakan-Thung Done Road in the Songkhla provincial city. They were named as Sawitri, 30, Wiphawan, 33, and 37 year olds Nuan-Anong and Nitaya. They said they had been paid 160,000 by an agent to transport the drugs and it was their first time. They had used an Isuzu pick-up with a Honda Jazz leading the way as lookout. The drugs were headed for "a neighboring country" said Daily News. That would likely be Malaysia, notes ASEAN NOW. All four have been charged with possessing with intent to sell a Class 5 drug. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-15 - 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

Mum, 71, is not sorry after stabbing her good-for-nothing, drunk son Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that at 4.30 am yesterday the U-Thong, Suphanburi police and local rescue services were called to a house in the area after a man was stabbed. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235521-mum-71-is-not-sorry-after-stabbing-her-good-for-nothing-drunk-son/

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that at 4.30 am yesterday the U-Thong, Suphanburi police and local rescue services were called to a house in the area after a man was stabbed. Manoon, 47, was moaning and lying in a pool of blood with a wound to the right of his ribcage. A four inch fruit paring knife was found covered in blood and taken into evidence. The person who stabbed him was his own mother, a 71 year old woman. She said that her son was drunk and had been banging on about a load of nonsense and she had told him to go to bed as she had to get up for work in the morning. Instead he entered her mosquito net as she slept and attempted to attack her with a fan. She said she grabbed the knife that was lying about and stuck it into him. She told investigators that she was not in the slightest bit sorry. Her son was a perpetually drunk wastrel and good-for-nothing that she had looked after for nearly 50 years. She surrendered to police and was taken away for prosecution. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-15 - 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

Family offer to sell their eyes and kidneys after trusting policeman and his wife Picture: Sanook A municipal council worker in the north east of Thailand went on a march with a banner offering to sell his family's eyes and kidneys after he acted as a guarantor to a close friend's wife. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235518-family-offer-to-sell-to-sell-their-eyes-and-kidneys-after-trusting-policeman-and-his-wife/

Picture: Sanook A municipal council worker in the north east of Thailand went on a march with a banner offering to sell his family's eyes and kidneys after he acted as a guarantor to a close friend's wife. Rakthewa, 48, in Kemmarat district of Ubon Ratchathani told Sanook that in 2014 he had put his house and land up to guarantee the purchase of a tractor for 860,725 baht. He had been asked by his childhood friend Pol Sen Sgt Manit of the Natan police to act as guarantor for his wife Jurairat. He was promised there would be no trouble. He agreed because, after all, what could be more trustworthy than a Thai policeman. It didn't turn out well. Jurairat reneged on installments and after several court judgments later Rakthewa is faced with having his house and a little over nine rai of land auctioned off to pay for the money owed. He lives there with his wife and two boys. They are now on a 100 km march to the town hall in central Ubon Ratchathani to meet the governor. They also hope to see Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha who is due in Ubon today. The vinyl sign they are carrying says they will sell their eyes and kidneys to get money to repay the 860,000 baht. Rakthewa said he was prepared to do that or sell any other body part people wanted. Sanook reported that many villagers turned out along the way to offer their support. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-15 - 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

COVID: Will European tourists return to Southeast Asia? Heavily reliant on tourism, Southeast Asian nations are looking into ways to kick-start the vital economic sector, which has been battered by the pandemic. Thailand in July launched a so-called sandbox scheme in Phuket, its most popular beach island It's little wonder Southeast Asia is now in a rush to welcome back tourists: In 2019, the tourism sector was worth $393 billion (€340 billion) for the regional economy. Tourism accounted for about a third of Cambodia's GDP and one-fifth of Thailand's. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235517-covid-will-european-tourists-return-to-southeast-asia/

Thailand in July launched a so-called sandbox scheme in Phuket, its most popular beach island Heavily reliant on tourism, Southeast Asian nations are looking into ways to kick-start the vital economic sector, which has been battered by the pandemic. It's little wonder Southeast Asia is now in a rush to welcome back tourists: In 2019, the tourism sector was worth $393 billion (€340 billion) for the regional economy. Tourism accounted for about a third of Cambodia's GDP and one-fifth of Thailand's. But the coronavirus pandemic has hit hard. The region welcomed 143 million tourists in 2019, but this collapsed by 81% last year, bringing down visitors to just 26.1 million, mostly from neighboring states, according to data from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc. In 2019, the UK accounted for the 13th-largest share of tourists in the region, with 3.1 million British travelers visiting Southeast Asia. Some 2.1 million Germans and 2 million French also visited the region, according to ASEAN data. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.dw.com/en/covid-will-european-tourists-return-to-southeast-asia/a-59489912 -- © Copyright DW 2021-10-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand’s 20 major dams, reservoirs are in danger of overflowing Irrigation officials have been advised by Thailand’s Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) to manage the discharge of excess water from Thailand’s 20 major dams and reservoirs properly, to reduce impacts on downstream communities and farm land, as they are in danger of overflowing due to heavy rain. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235514-thailand’s-20-major-dams-reservoirs-are-in-danger-of-overflowing/

Irrigation officials have been advised by Thailand’s Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) to manage the discharge of excess water from Thailand’s 20 major dams and reservoirs properly, to reduce impacts on downstream communities and farm land, as they are in danger of overflowing due to heavy rain. The officials were also instructed to warn people living downstream of the dams to brace for the possible impacts ofthe discharge of huge volumes of excess water, to ease pressure on the dams. The dams and reservoirs in danger of overflowing, listed by the ONWR, are: • In the northern region: Mae Mok, Kwae Noi BumrungDaen and Thap Salao dams • In the Northeast: Ubol Ratana, Chulabhorn, Lam Takong, Lam Phra Phloeng, Lam Mun Bon, Lam Sae, Lam Nang Rong and Sirindhorn dams. • In the central region: Pasak Jolasid and Kra Siew dams. • In the eastern region: Khun Dan Prakan Chon and Naruebodindrachinda dams and Nong Pla Lai reservoir. • In western region: Srinagarind, Vajiralongkorn, Kaeng Krachan and Pran Buri dams. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-20-major-dams-reservoirs-are-in-danger-of-overflowing/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Phuket Vegetarian Festival final night ablaze with firecrackers By Eakkapop Thongtub Photo: PR Phuket PHUKET: Crowds lined the streets of Phuket Town last night (Oct 14) as the Phuket Vegetarian Festival entered its final night of rituals for this year’s nine-day festival with ceremonies to call the Nine Emperor Gods back to the heavens. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235508-phuket-vegetarian-festival-final-night-ablaze-with-firecrackers/

Photo: PR Phuket By Eakkapop Thongtub PHUKET: Crowds lined the streets of Phuket Town last night (Oct 14) as the Phuket Vegetarian Festival entered its final night of rituals for this year’s nine-day festival with ceremonies to call the Nine Emperor Gods back to the heavens. The main gatherings of spectators were at the Clocktower Circle and the Standard Chartered Bank intersection, where devotees from each Chinese shrine taking part in the festival descended their motorcades and completed the final part of the journey to Saphan Hin on foot. The first shrine to make its way to the tip of Saphan Hin was the Bang Neow Shrine, with devotees departing the temple at 10:30pm. Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-vegetarian-festival-final-night-ablaze-with-firecrackers-81707.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Pirapan Salirathavibhaga: The ruling party peace-broker tipped for PM candidacy (Photo by Pirapan Salirathavibhaga’s Facebook) Former justice minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga is making waves in the ruling Palang Pracharath Party after being appointed as advisor to powerful party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235507-pirapan-salirathavibhaga-the-ruling-party-peace-broker-tipped-for-pm-candidacy/

(Photo by Pirapan Salirathavibhaga’s Facebook) Former justice minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga is making waves in the ruling Palang Pracharath Party after being appointed as advisor to powerful party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwan. Key party figures describe the political veteran – who is also an advisor to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha – as an important liaison between the PM and Gen Prawit, amid their souring ties. However, analysts view Pirapan as Prayut’s “eyes and ears” in the ruling party, since the premier is neither a member nor an executive of the party. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pirapan-salirathavibhaga-the-ruling-party-peace-broker-tipped-for-pm-candidacy/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Phuket marks 150 new COVID cases, no new deaths By The Phuket News Image: PPHO PHUKET: The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 150 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Oct 12) bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 13,459. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235505-phuket-marks-150-new-covid-cases-no-new-deaths/

Image: PPHO By The Phuket News PHUKET: The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 150 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Oct 12) bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 13,459. The PPHO report, marked as accurate as of 8pm last night, but posted online at 11:27pm, reported three new infections among Sandbox tourist arrivals but no new infection among non-Sandbox arrivals from abroad. The report also marked no new deaths attributed to COVID-19, leaving the total number of deaths in Phuket attributed to COVID-19 since Apr 3 at 91. After 55 COVID deaths in September, officials have marked 16 deaths already this month. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-marks-150-new-covid-cases-no-new-deaths-81703.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Mall car park floods after heavy rains hit Bangkok and surrounding areas yesterday Picture: Sanook Sanook reported that thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rain hit Bangkok and surrounding areas from yesterday afternoon until evening. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235503-mall-car-park-floods-after-heavy-rains-hit-bangkok-and-surrounding-areas-yesterday/

Picture: Sanook Sanook reported that thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rain hit Bangkok and surrounding areas from yesterday afternoon until evening. Many areas suffered severe flooding causing difficulties for the population. Medium to severe rains were reported in Bang Khun Thian, Bang Bon, Thung Khru, Jom Thong, Bang Sue, Chatuchak, Ladprao, Din Daeng, Huay Kwang, Wang Thong Lang, Bangkapi, Beung Kum, Khanayaw, Minburi, Klong Samwa and Nong Jork. Chatuchak had the most with 54 mm. There were 14-18 kilometer tailbacks in the Ngam Wong Wan Road - Khae Rai area during the evening rush hour causing even worse trouble for motorists attempting to leave expressway exits. Severe traffic was also reported at the Kaset underpass that was flooded. Nonthaburi Station posted pictures of vehicles at the nearby Tesco Lotus Mall, Khae Rai, that were in floodwaters. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-15 - 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