Bangkok
PM backs Khao Kwan Foundation in cannabis research

PHOTO: Thai PBS
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is instructing the Public Health Ministry and leading tertiary educators to support the Khao Kwan Foundation in the research and development of cannabis oil for medical purposes. His support is a rebuke of over zealous Narcotics Control Board officials who raided the Foundation last week, seizing the cannabis and extract oils on the property.
Read The Thaiger story about the raid HERE.
The Deputy Agriculture Minister Vivat Salyakamthorn told Manager Online that both the PM and Deputy PM Prajin Jantong, who oversees the Office of Narcotics Control Board, agreed that the recent raid on the Khao Kwan Foundation and subsequent legal action would adversely affect many cancer patients who had been receiving cannabis oil free of charge.
He disclosed that Prajin recently called a meeting with executives of the ONCB, where it was made clear that marijuana extracts are likely efficacious in medical applications and that officials should refrain from taking action against those engaged in the research and development of medical marijuana.
The ONCB was, instead, told to focus on the abuse of marijuana among younger people.
The PM’s intervention in support of the Khao Kwan Foundation and its president Mr. Decha Siripat came about after several civic organisations, including the Foundation for Consumers and Biothai, expressed their support for the foundation and Decha.
Mr. Vivat said that the raid on the Khao Kwan Foundation was by local authorities and ONCB officials without the government’s consent.
It is reported that the ONCB has returned the seized marijuana plants and extracts to the foundation and has recommended that the foundation reorganise its distribution of cannabis oil into a proper research project, complete with records which could then be used in the certification of cannabis oil for medical use.
Mr. Decha, meanwhile, said he would submit a registration application to the Public Health Ministry on April 17.
SOURCE: Thai PBS
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Thailand
Man arrested for allegedly overstaying 60 day tourist visa by 7 years

Immigration police arrested a 40 year old Nigerian man for allegedly overstaying his visa by 2,683 days. The man entered Thailand in April 2014 on a 60 day tourist visa. He was arrested in in Ratchathewi district of Bangkok.
Illegal immigration is considered as a major factor of the second wave of Covid-19 after the outbreak Samut Sakhon seafood market affecting a large migrant population.
Thai Visa says immigration officers were “targeting Africans to check on their visa status as part of measures associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The penalties for overstaying in Thailand are as follows…
When surrendering at airport immigration when leaving Thailand…
- Overstay less than 90 Days = 500 Thai baht/day overstay fine (maximum 20,000 Thai baht)
- Overstay more than 90 Days = 1 year ban from Thailand and 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine
- Overstay more than 1 Year = 3 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine
- Overstay more than 3 Years = 5 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 baht overstay fine
- Overstay more than 5 Years = 10 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 baht overstay fine
When caught while overstaying…
- Overstay of 1 day to 1 Year = 5 years ban from Thailand and 500 to 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine.
- Overstay more than 1 Year = 10 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine.
SOURCES: True Crime Thailand | Thai Embassy| Thai Visa
Catch up with the latest daily “Thailand News Today” here on The Thaiger.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Thailand
BTS Skytrain’s Green Line maximum fare to rise, Rail Transport Department disagrees with the move

After the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration agreed to raise the maximum fare on the BTS Skytrain’s Green Line from 59 baht to 158 baht, the Rail Transport Department is calling on city officials to suspend the maximum fare ceiling, saying it would put an unfair burden on passengers.
Bangkok Governor Aswin announced earlier that the maximum fare of 158 baht is to be imposed on February 16, but a discount to 104 baht is offered during the Covid-19 outbreak. The City Hall needs to increase the fare rate because it can’t pay the debt to Bangkok Mass Transit System.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob says the BMA should halt its policy on the new BTS maximum fare and wait for other authorities to find proper solutions.
The Chairman of a House committee on transport, Sophon Sarum, a former transport minister, dismisses the BMA’s claim of its financial inability to repay the Green Line’s loans while suggesting the BMA to manage the Green Line’s finances by raising funds from banks and other financial institutions.
The Rail Department and BMA will meet to discuss the maximum fare ceiling this week.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post | Coconuts Bangkok
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Thailand
High demand for health insurance due to Covid-19 worries, premiums expected to rise

With the increasing demands for health insurance due to people’s worries over Covid-19, health insurance premiums are expected to grow 1.59% this year, according to the Insurance Commission.
Commission secretary-general Suthipol Taweechaikarn says total premiums will see 101 billion baht revenues this year, an increase from 99 billion baht last year. He adds that the Covid-19 situation is a major factor in higher demand for health insurance policies as medical expenses are likely to increase every year.
Some insurance companies in Thailand have also found an increasing demand for health coverage policies among their customers, especially those with high purchasing power.
Deputy CEO of Tokio Marine Life Insurance Thailand says the company will offer annual premiums starting at 15,000 baht.
“The company aims to increase health insurance premiums to 50% this year from 40% last year.”
Cigna Insurance CEO says the company will use digital technology for product and service development to meet customers’ demands in the new normal lifestyle.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
- Crime1 day ago
Australian man wanted for allegedly sexually abusing children in Thailand
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
Thailand threw a tourism party. No one arrived.
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
Thailand’s PM says he won’t let Thais become vaccine “guinea pigs”
- Bangkok2 days ago
BTS skytrain maximum fare rate increasing to 158 baht despite backlash
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days ago
Norway adjusts advice after 28 possible vaccine-related deaths of elderly people
- Bangkok1 day ago
Police raid Bangkok restaurant, more than 80 people face charges for violating Emergency Decree
- Air Pollution2 days ago
Thailand on fire – NASA satellite website tracks the country’s farm fires
- Crime2 days ago
Police say at least 2 people to be arrested in Bangkok bomb attack – UPDATE