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Flash floods in Mae Hong Son cause havoc, woman missing by Neill Fronde Flash floods in Mae Hong Son province have left one woman missing. (via FM91 Trafficpro) Thailand has been battered with extreme weather this year, from severe droughts to massive storms leading to rough seas and flooding. Now, the northern province of Mae Hong Son is grappling with the aftermath of severe flash floods triggered by hours of relentless rainfall. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306227-flash-floods-in-mae-hong-son-cause-havoc-woman-missing/

Thailand’s NHSO gears up for digital transformation and enhanced healthcare services by Mitch Connor Image via เศรษฐา ทวีสิน - Srettha Thavisin, Facebook Thailand‘s National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to improve its services in alignment with the new government‘s policy, according to the NHSO secretary-general, Jadet Thammathataree. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306226-thailand’s-nhso-gears-up-for-digital-transformation-and-enhanced-healthcare-services/

Thailand‘s National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to improve its services in alignment with the new government‘s policy, according to the NHSO secretary-general, Jadet Thammathataree. The planned modifications pertain to the universal healthcare package, commonly referred to as the gold card scheme and the digital transformation of the NHSO system. The NHSO has recently engaged in discussions with the newly appointed Public Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew, to explore policies requiring the agency’s cooperation. The primary concentration of these policies is on universal healthcare and the digital transformation of the system. The government is eager to make significant strides on the promises it made during its campaign, particularly in the health sector. The minister outlined policies concerning the enhancement of gold-card services, which cover three main areas: healthcare prevention, including the extension of free cervical cancer vaccinations to all girls aged 11 or older; mental health check-ups, which will now include services for transgender or LGBTQ+ individuals; and telemedicine services. by Mitch Connor Image via เศรษฐา ทวีสิน - Srettha Thavisin, Facebook -- The Thaiger 2023-09-11 - Cigna 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. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Former Village Headman ‘Ordered Policeman Shot Dead In The Middle Of The Party’: Police by TNR Staff CRIME SUPPRESSION Division (CSD) police Saturday (Sep. 9) told the Criminal Court during a bail hearing for former village headman Mr. Praween Chanklai, or Kamnan Nok, that the suspect had ordered his subordinate to kill a policeman in the middle of a party at his house attended by several other policemen, Naewna newspaper said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306225-former-village-headman-‘ordered-policeman-shot-dead-in-the-middle-of-the-party’-police/

Thai Sang Thai vows to monitor Srettha government closely The Thai Sang Thai party has declared that, in opposition, it will do its duty to debate and examine the details of government policies, with the full intention to protect the people and the country as part of the check and balance system. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306224-thai-sang-thai-vows-to-monitor-srettha-government-closely/

The Thai Sang Thai party has declared that, in opposition, it will do its duty to debate and examine the details of government policies, with the full intention to protect the people and the country as part of the check and balance system. The new government will deliver its policy statement to parliament on Monday and the ensuing debate will last two days. After the session, the government will be able to function officially, as the Cabinet took the oath of office before the King last week. Thai Sang Thai’s announcement, released on Saturday, states that, despite having only six MPs, the party promises that they are of high quality and hardworking. Thai Sang Thai was a member of the failed coalition led by the Move Forward party, which attempted to form a government after the May general election. Their hopes were, however, dashed, because Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat did not win enough support from parliament to form the government. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-sang-thai-vows-to-monitor-srettha-government-closely/ -- Thai PBS 2023-09-11 - Cigna 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. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Police Pledge to Cleanup Highway Mafias After Highway Policeman Shooting By Adam Judd Nakhon Pathom – General Surachet Hakparn, Deputy Police Commissioner and Thailand’s most well-known cop, has announced a plan to clean up mafia networks including those extorting bribes from overloaded trucks in Nakhon Pathom. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306223-thai-police-pledge-to-cleanup-highway-mafias-after-highway-policeman-shooting/

Pattaya Floating Market to Reopen September 12th By Goongnang Suksawat Pattaya – The Pattaya Floating Market is planning to reopen after a major and devastating fire on September 12th, 2023. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306222-pattaya-floating-market-to-reopen-september-12th/

Concerns raised about EV vehicles and batteries stored in Bangkok after intense Chatuchak fire by James Morris and Son Nguyen Scenes from Wednesday night’s fire in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, which at one stage led fire services to believe the structure was in danger of collapse. (Centre) Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has ordered a complete review of all premises storing EV vehicles and batteries. (Inset) Scene from Udon Thani this week when a 41-year-old man saw his ฿1 million electric car catch fire while charging. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306220-concerns-raised-about-ev-vehicles-and-batteries-stored-in-bangkok-after-intense-chatuchak-fire/

Sobering news for new Pheu Thai ministers as economic growth rate continues to weaken by Joseph O' Connor Newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai arrives at his ministerial office in Nonthaburi on Thursday. (Right) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Khon Kaen on Saturday as he toured Thailand’s northeastern provinces and addressed the concerns of the farming community. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306219-sobering-news-for-new-pheu-thai-ministers-as-economic-growth-rate-continues-to-weaken/

Newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai arrives at his ministerial office in Nonthaburi on Thursday. (Right) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Khon Kaen on Saturday as he toured Thailand’s northeastern provinces and addressed the concerns of the farming community. A claim that Thailand can return to a 5% GDP growth rate made by Srettha Thavisin in Khon Kaen on Saturday is at odds with the trend with the Bank of Thailand cutting back its projection to 3.6% for 2023 with even this moving out of reach amid flagging exports and a darker external environment with serious problems in China and rising geopolitical discord. Pheu Thai ministers taking up cabinet positions, this week, including the new Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin and Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai at the Ministry of Commerce have been greeted with sobering economic data showing that the kingdom’s economy, still reeling from the devastation of the pandemic, is struggling to achieve target growth rates for the year with the Bank of Thailand reducing projected growth to 3.6% while figures for the second quarter and the first half of the year show impaired GDP growth of between 1.8% to 2.2%. The new Minister of Commerce and Deputy Prime Minister Mr Phumtham Wechayachai took up his post on Thursday at the Commerce Ministry in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. by Joseph O' Connor Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/09/09/sobering-data-for-new-pheu-thai-ministers-srettha-thavisin-phumtham-wechayachai/ -- Thai Examiner 2023-09-11 - Cigna 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. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

PM refuses more funding for International Horticultural Expo in Udon Thani Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has rejected a request from the Udon Thani provincial administration for an additional 3 billion baht, on top of the 2.5 billion baht already approved by the cabinet, for the hosting of the International Horticultural Exposition in the province from November 1st, 2026 to March 17th, 2027. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306218-pm-refuses-more-funding-for-international-horticultural-expo-in-udon-thani/

Electricity consumption expected to surge in 2027 due to increased use of EVs Thailand’s Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) will shortly propose its power development plan (PDP) to Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, in the anticipation that electricity consumption in Thailand will be peaking sharply during the night by 2027, due to the increase in the number of electric vehicles in use. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306217-electricity-consumption-expected-to-surge-in-2027-due-to-increased-use-of-evs/

Thailand’s Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) will shortly propose its power development plan (PDP) to Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, in the anticipation that electricity consumption in Thailand will be peaking sharply during the night by 2027, due to the increase in the number of electric vehicles in use. EPPO Director Wattanapong Kurovat said, however, that the PDP will be subject to a final public hearing, after it is approved by the energy minister, before it is forwarded to the Cabinet for final approval. Power consumption this year has been estimated at 201,913 gigawatt hours (GWh), up about 2.4% year on year, reflecting economic expansion, estimated at 2.5-3% for the whole year, mainly due to tourism recovery, investment and private consumption expansion. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/electricity-consumption-expected-to-surge-in-2027-due-to-increased-use-of-evs/ -- Thai PBS 2023-09-11 - Cigna 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. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Gun thought to have been used in shooting of police officers found The 25 police officers who were at the house of Praween Chanklai, aka “Kamnan Nok”, were questioned Saturday by Crime Suppression Division officers, as another team located a handgun, believed to have been used by the now dead gunman in the murder of a highway police officer and the wounding of another at Praween’s house on Wednesday night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306216-gun-thought-to-have-been-used-in-shooting-of-police-officers-found/

No Plans to Shut Down Facebook in Thailand, Says New Digital Minister By Adam Judd Thailand – The New Minister of Digital Economy and Society has suspended any previous plan to shutdown Facebook in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306215-no-plans-to-shut-down-facebook-in-thailand-says-new-digital-minister/

Thailand – The New Minister of Digital Economy and Society has suspended any previous plan to shutdown Facebook in Thailand. In a late afternoon press conference on August 21st, 2023, former Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwat Thanakamanusorn stated that his ministry is planning to seek a court order to shut down Facebook in Thailand for allegedly failing to take action on numerous scams, frauds, and fake ads created by users. There have been over 200,000 victims of fraud on Facebook from various ads, fake marketplace scams, and other fraud. This totalled over ten billion baht in financial damages to users affected. The New Minister of the Digital Economy and Society Mr. Prasert Chantararuangthong told TPN media this week. “Many Thai people are benefitting from Facebook more than online scammers. There are more than 45 million Facebook users in Thailand. Many run small businesses and use Facebook live to market their products and services. It is the primary communication tool for many businesses as well.” By Adam Judd Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/09/10/no-plans-to-shut-down-facebook-in-thailand-says-new-digital-minister/ -- THE PATTAYA NEWS 2023-09-11 - Cigna 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. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Big Joke reported in the running to be Thailand’s next National Police Chief in coming weeks as decision looms by James Morris and Son Nguyen A decision is due in the coming weeks on the appointment of Thailand’s next police chief with General Surachate Hapkarn, the country’s best-known and loved policeman, asked to submit his vision for the role in writing to the Police Commission overseen by the new government. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306214-big-joke-reported-in-the-running-to-be-thailand’s-next-national-police-chief-in-coming-weeks-as-decision-looms/

A decision is due in the coming weeks on the appointment of Thailand’s next police chief with General Surachate Hapkarn, the country’s best-known and loved policeman, asked to submit his vision for the role in writing to the Police Commission overseen by the new government. From closing the kingdom’s biggest mass murder case to rescuing trapped Thai nationals abroad to leading delegations to foreign countries as well as rooting out corruption within the Royal Thai Police, General Surachate Hakparn has an impressive track record as he seeks the top job. General Surachate Hakparn who is also known in Thailand as ‘Big Joke’ is in the running to become the country’s next National Police Chief with the incoming government asking contenders to submit their vision for the role in the last week. It follows a reversal of course announced at the end of August when the outgoing government decided to leave the appointment for the new government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Thailand’s favourite top cop, Police General Surachate Hakparn, affectionately known as Big Joke, has been to the fore of countless newspaper reports over the past decade or so in a multitude of roles. by James Morris and Son Nguyen Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/09/10/big-joke-surachate-hapkarn-in-the-running-for-next-national-police-chief/ -- Thai Examiner 2023-09-11 - Cigna 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. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Defence minister denies appointing Shinawatra family members Thailand’s new defence minister Sutin Klungsang denied a report today (Sunday) that he has appointed two members of the Shinawatra family as his chief advisor and secretary. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1306213-defence-minister-denies-appointing-shinawatra-family-members/

Thailand’s new defence minister Sutin Klungsang denied a report today (Sunday) that he has appointed two members of the Shinawatra family as his chief advisor and secretary. The report was based on a leaked defence minister order, appointing six individuals to his staff, including Payap Shinawatra, younger brother of former prime minister Thaksin as chief of his advisors, and Porpong, Payap’s son, as his secretary. The order on which the report was based was not, however, signed. In his Facebook post today, Sutin claimed that the order is a fake, adding that he had not made any appointments at all because he has no authority to do so, until after the delivery of the government’s policy statement to parliament tomorrow. Yesterday, Sutin attended a workshop on “Thailand’s security under the new world order and geo-politics”, held at Rangsit University. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/defence-minister-denies-appointing-shinawatra-family-members/ -- Thai PBS 2023-09-11 - Cigna 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. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 11 September 2023 https://aseannow.com/topic/1306212-thailand-live-monday-11-september-2023/

Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsaeng, left in above photo and right in Front Page image, and a Chinese submarine. Photo: TV Channel 7 NEW DEFENCE Minister Suthin Khlangsaeng said today (Sep. 9) he is considering holding talks with China to allow the exchange of a submarine for which the sought-after German engine is unavailable while the Thai navy is reluctant to accept a Chinese engine for either surface ships or fertiliser, TV Channel 7 said Sep. 9. Suthin Wants To Exchange Chinese Sub For Either Surface Ships Or Fertiliser https://aseannow.com/topic/1306211-suthin-wants-to-exchange-chinese-sub-for-either-surface-ships-or-fertiliser/

Thailand considers barter trade with China for submarine amid procurement issues by Mitch Connor Image by 12019 from pixabay The Defence Minister of Thailand revealed that the government is considering various alternatives, including a barter trade arrangement or the purchase of fertilisers from China, to resolve the ongoing issues concerning the procurement of a submarine for the navy. Sutin Klungsang spoke on the matter at a seminar discussing Thai security and geopolitical challenges, hosted by Rangsit University’s College of Social Innovation. The debate comes as the Royal Thai Navy wraps up joint exercises with China today. Blue Streak 2023 aims to facilitate the sharing of naval expertise, prepare for potential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief situations, and strengthen military relations between the two countries and involved naval ships and submarines from China and Thailand. Sutin was questioned about the problematic submarine engine, to which he responded by advising the navy to assess the necessity of the procurement. He suggested that if the navy deems the Chinese-made engine unsuitable, further discussions with China should be initiated to explore potential solutions. These could include the purchase of a surface ship, or even abandoning the contract altogether and opting to import cheaper fertilisers from China instead. “Other options, such as a barter trade deal, should be considered. But we still have to look at whether these options are in line with the law.” Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-considers-barter-trade-with-china-for-submarine-amid-procurement-issues -- The Thaiger 2023-09-11 - Cigna 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. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsaeng, left in above photo and right in Front Page image, and a Chinese submarine. Photo: TV Channel 7 NEW DEFENCE Minister Suthin Khlangsaeng said today (Sep. 9) he is considering holding talks with China to allow the exchange of a submarine for which the sought-after German engine is unavailable while the Thai navy is reluctant to accept a Chinese engine for either surface ships or fertiliser, TV Channel 7 said Sep. 9. Suthin was questioned about the perplexing submarine deal at a discussion with Rangsit University’s doctorate programme students under the topic “Thailand’s security in the new world order and geographical challenge.” Germany has so far refused to sell its MTU396 engine for the Yuan-class S26T submarine being built by China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co. However it was earlier reported that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister Panpree Pahitthanukorn would again ask their counterparts to do so during the United Nations General Assembly session in New York later this month. The Chinese shipbuilding firm earlier insisted that a brand-new, Chinese-made CHD620 engine be installed aboard the S26T sub, a derivative of Russia’s Kilo-class sub, in lieu of the unavailable German engine. by TNR Staff TOP: Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsaeng, left in above photo and right in Front Page image, and a Chinese submarine. Photo: TV Channel 7 Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/09/09/suthin-wants-to-exchange-chinese-sub-for-either-surface-ships-or-fertiliser/ -- THAI NEWSROOM 2023-09-11 - Cigna 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. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe