THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 16 March 2022

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PM Says He Will Decide if House Should Be Dissolved

 

 

BANGKOK, March 15 (TNA) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said whether the House should be dissolved or not would depend on his decision and he would base it on situations.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253549-pm-says-he-will-decide-if-house-should-be-dissolved/

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Student dies during hazing ritual, university condemns fatal violation

 

 

A student has died during a hazing ritual at a university in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, despite the university’s ban on hazing. Police have yet to file any charges.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253550-student-dies-during-hazing-ritual-university-condemns-fatal-violation/

 

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Thai cabinet approves 3.18 trillion baht budget for 2023 fiscal year

 

 

The cabinet has approved a draft 3.18 trillion baht national budget for the 2023 fiscal year, an increase of 2.74%, or 85 billion baht, over the current year.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253582-thai-cabinet-approves-318-trillion-baht-budget-for-2023-fiscal-year/

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Thai elderly can choose half dose COVID vaccine boosters to reduce side effects

 

 

Elderly people who are reluctant to receive a third vaccine booster shot, out of concerns for possible side effects, will be given the option of half a dose, to encourage them to get their booster and reduce of the risk of severe symptoms or death if infected with COVID-19, said Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kiattibhoom Vongrachit yesterday (Tuesday).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253591-thai-elderly-can-choose-half-dose-covid-vaccine-boosters-to-reduce-side-effects/

 

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COVID-19 Policy Holders Protest against Default

 

 

BANGKOK, (TNA) – COVID-19 insurance policy holders rallied at the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) to seek help after their insurers have defaulted for over a month.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253592-covid-19-policy-holders-protest-against-default/

 

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Saudi Arabia Lifts Thai Poultry Ban

 

 

BANGKOK, (TNA) – Saudi Arabia lifts its 17-year-long ban on Thai poultry thanks to the prime minister's visit to restore bilateral relations, according to the agriculture minister.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253593-saudi-arabia-lifts-thai-poultry-ban/

 

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Help Young Expat Hit with Stage 4 Cancer

 

 

 

On February 8, 2022, Sam Cooledge (Son of Sandra and Steve Ramsey, brother of Chris Cooledge) learned that his life had been completely turned upside down. A simple MRI for a strained neck discovered multiple tumors in his brain as well as his lungs. He was quickly diagnosed with stage 4 brain and lung cancer. He is facing an estimated $240,000 total in medical costs over the next 36 months for outpatient care and the medicine that will help him defeat the cancer.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253594-help-young-expat-hit-with-stage-4-cancer/

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Sattahip officials provide assistance for 70 students infected with Covid-19 at Teacher Boonchoo Home for Special Children

By Goong Nang(GN)

 

 

Sattahip, Chonburi-Yesterday, the 14th of March 2022, Mr. Chatchai Sriphoon, District Chief Officer, along with many concerned authorities and government officials have delivered necessary items to students infected with Covid-19 at the Teacher Boonchoo Home for Special Children located at Plutaluang subdistrict, Sattahip district, Chonburi, with Teacher Bunchu Mungmai and other teachers giving a warm welcome to officials.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253596-sattahip-officials-provide-assistance-for-70-students-infected-with-covid-19-at-teacher-boonchoo-home-for-special-children/

 

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The quintessential French game of petanque has found legions of fans in Hua Hin

By Jonathan Fairfield

 

Bernard Laurent is one of many French expats playing petanque in Hua Hin.

 

Petanque might only have a niche following in Thailand, or indeed anywhere else outside of its native France, but in Hua Hin its popularity among expats and Thais is thriving.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253597-the-quintessential-french-game-of-petanque-has-found-legions-of-fans-in-hua-hin/

 

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Cool kiteboarding event to be held in Khao Kalok later this month

By Online Reporter

 

File photo

 

Watch some thrills on the water in Pranburi later this month when Khao Kalok hosts the Kiteboarding Festival #1 2022.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253598-cool-kiteboarding-event-to-be-held-in-khao-kalok-later-this-month/

 

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Thailand's electric vehicle sector to see demand surge amid strong oil prices: DBS

MICHELLE ZHU

 

DBS sees a potential shift in demand from internal combustion emission vehicles to electric vehicles.

PHOTO: PIXABAY

 

MORE affordable electric vehicle (EV) prices as well as rising crude oil and petroleum prices are set to prompt a surge in EV demand in Thailand, according to DBS Group Research.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253600-thailands-electric-vehicle-sector-to-see-demand-surge-amid-strong-oil-prices-dbs/

 

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Say goodbye to Big Carl as Carl’s Jr leaves Thailand by the end of March

By Porpor Leelasestaporn

 

 

More sad news for fast food burger lovers as Carl’s Jr plans to close all 6 branches in Thailand by the end of Mar. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253601-say-goodbye-to-big-carl-as-carl’s-jr-leaves-thailand-by-the-end-of-march/

 

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Thailand reports 23,945 new COVID-19 cases, 70 deaths, 23,339 recoveries

 

File photo Thai PBS

 

Thailand on Wednesday (March 16) reported 23,945 new COVID-19 cases, 23,339 recoveries and 70 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253604-thailand-reports-23945-new-covid-19-cases-70-deaths-23339-recoveries/

 

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Phuket: Handsome foreign backpacker steals from aging Thai baker - not once but twice

 

Daily News Thai Caption: Handsome thief

 

A Thai baker aged 70 has said that a handsome foreign man sporting a backpack twice stole several items from his shop in the Phuket old town.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253618-phuket-handsome-foreign-backpacker-steals-from-aging-thai-baker-not-once-but-twice/

 

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Phuket: Thai man sentenced to death for murder of Swiss woman; commuted to life in prison on admission

 

Daily News Caption: Life in prison!

 

The Phuket court handed down the death sentence for "Bangree" who murdered a Swiss woman at the Tone Ao Yon waterfall.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253621-phuket-thai-man-sentenced-to-death-for-murder-of-swiss-woman-commuted-to-life-in-prison-on-admission/

 

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Special ASEAN-US summit postponed until May

 

 

The second special ASEAN-US summit, which was scheduled to take place on March 28th and 29th, has been postponed until new dates can be arranged in May, according to Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253622-special-asean-us-summit-postponed-until-may/

 

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A guide to the UCEP Plus treatment scheme for COVID-19 patients

 

 

From March 16, people who test positive for COVID-19 will no longer be able to claim free treatment under Thailand’s Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP). However, those with serious COVID symptoms or significant underlying risks will still be able to turn to the new scheme, UCEP Plus, for free medical help.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253627-a-guide-to-the-ucep-plus-treatment-scheme-for-covid-19-patients/

 

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TAT partners with Hotelbeds to promote Thailand to US travel agents

First-ever partnership will promote thousands of Thai hotels to travel agents via world-leading bed bank’s extensive network.

 

TAT Newsroom

 

 

Los Angeles, USA, 16 March, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is partnering with world-leading bed bank, Hotelbeds to promote Thailand to travel agents across the USA, which is one of the kingdom’s most important visitor source markets.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253629-tat-partners-with-hotelbeds-to-promote-thailand-to-us-travel-agents/

 

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Protection agencies and police mount human trafficking raid at popular Nana bar area - 14 year old offered for sex

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

DOPA and NGO Operation Underground Railroad in conjunction with the Thai police raided a bar area off Soi 7 in the Nana area of upper Sukhumvit Road, downtown Bangkok last night.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253630-protection-agencies-and-police-mount-human-trafficking-raid-at-popular-nana-bar-area-14-year-old-offered-for-sex/

 

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CPF Welcomes Saudi Approval of Thai Poultry

by Paul Rujopakarn

 

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) has welcomed the recent move by Saudi Arabia to greenlight chicken imports from Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253633-cpf-welcomes-saudi-approval-of-thai-poultry/

 

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Thai media wakes up to the fact of war in Europe - No Ukrainians, less Russians as tourism hit again

 

 

Thai media seems to have finally woken up to the fact that there is a serious war going on in Europe, notes ASEAN NOW. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253635-thai-media-wakes-up-to-the-fact-of-war-in-europe-no-ukrainians-less-russians-as-tourism-hit-again/

 

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Chonburi announces 1,320 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and one new death

By Goong Nang(GN)

 

 

Highlights:

1,320 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today

4,775 positive ATK (rapid antigen) tests were reported but all require a second confirmed PCR test before being counted as official cases. The ATK positive tests are just “possible” cases until confirmed by PCR. TPN notes, however, that second confirmed tests are no longer mandatory except for high-risk groups.

882 (PCR) and 2,189 (ATK) recovered and were released from medical care

One new death

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253636-chonburi-announces-1320-new-and-confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-and-one-new-death/

 

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Pub bouncer hothead says: "I didn't think I'd kill anyone" - he shot 19 year old in the forehead in pick-up

 

Picture Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported on a horrendous case of uncontrolled rage that happened in Buriram in the north east of Thailand around 3 am Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253637-pub-bouncer-hothead-says-i-didnt-think-id-kill-anyone-he-shot-19-year-old-in-the-forehead-in-pick-up/

 

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Farmer burnt to death after going to tackle blaze in Chaiyaphum

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Police, rescue services and firemen were called to an area of agricultural land between the sub-districts of Na Siaw and Ban Lao in Muang district of Chaiyaphum, NE Thailand yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253638-farmer-burnt-to-death-after-going-to-tackle-blaze-in-chaiyaphum/

 

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Immigration Aid Offered to Russian, Ukrainian Tourists

 

 

PHUKET, March 16 (TNA) – Immigration police in Phuket set up a special unit to extend the visas of the Russian and Ukrainian tourists who cannot return to their homeland due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253639-immigration-aid-offered-to-russian-ukrainian-tourists/

 

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Pattaya Beach Tennis Open to take place this weekend, March 18th-20th

By Goong Nang(GN)

 

 

Jomtien, Pattaya-  Yesterday, (15th March 2022) at the Surf Kitchen Restaurant on Jomtien Beach, the Pattaya mayor Mr. Sonthaya Khunpluem appointed Mr. Worapot Pongphalee to participate in a preparation meeting for the Pattaya Beach Tennis Open 2022.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253641-pattaya-beach-tennis-open-to-take-place-this-weekend-march-18th-20th/

 

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"Ungrateful" son kills both parents in Ubon - then puts them in the oven

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Siam Rath reported on a ghastly double murder in Ubon Ratchathani in the NE of Thailand yesterday afternoon. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253642-ungrateful-son-kills-both-parents-in-ubon-then-puts-them-in-the-oven/

 

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Ferrari Joe: Last day of witness statements set for March 24th

 

Picture Siam Rath

 

The seven accused police officers including the former chief of the Nakhon Sawan police Thitisan Uthanaphon appeared via video link from Klong Prem jail during special Sunday proceedings at the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct cases. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253646-ferrari-joe-last-day-of-witness-statements-set-for-march-24th/

 

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Locals turn to bananas for the answer to the lottery

 

Sanook Thai Caption: Top numbers (for the lottery) will make you rich

 

Sanook went to Khok Mor sub-district in Ratchaburi in central Thailand where locals are convinced that an unusual banana tree will give them the numbers in the state lottery.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253649-locals-turn-to-bananas-for-the-answer-to-the-lottery/

 

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Betong flights cancelled just days after Prayut launches commercial operation

By Panithan Onthaworn

 

 

Nok Airline, one of Thailand’s low-cost carriers, has cancelled its flights to Betong International Airport just days after the Prime Minister’s opening of the first commercial flight. Officials said the event was prompted by marketing blunders.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1253651-betong-flights-cancelled-just-days-after-prayut-launches-commercial-operation/