Jonathan Fairfield

An Irish ex-pat and his wife have been arrested in Sattahip after allegedly offering to sell cheap iPhones and iPads online and not sending the products after payments were made. The damage is currently estimated at 500,000 baht, according to Consumer Protection Police familiar with the case. Colonel Neti Wongkularp from the Consumer Protection Police (CPP) told the associated Thai press, “We have arrested Ms. Kotchawan, 36, and Mr. Darragh, 43, an Irish national at a house in Sattahip earlier this week.” “Both suspects are facing multiple charges of defrauding the public including consumer fraud and entering false computer data.” Colonel Neti stated. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/02/irish-ex-pat-and-his-wife-arrested-in-sattahip-for-alleged-online-scams-to-the-tune-of-500000-baht/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

American man arrested in Bangkok after alleged raping of massage therapist and attempted sexual abuse of girl in Khon Kaen A 37-year-old American man who allegedly raped a female massage therapist and attempted to sexually abuse a 12-year-old girl in Khon Kaen has been arrested in Bangkok, according to the Royal Thai Police. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233852-american-man-arrested-for-rape-of-massage-worker-in-khon-kaen/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-16868094

American man arrested in Bangkok after alleged raping of massage therapist and attempted sexual abuse of girl in Khon Kaen A 37-year-old American man who allegedly raped a female massage therapist and attempted to sexually abuse a 12-year-old girl in Khon Kaen has been arrested in Bangkok, according to the Royal Thai Police. Major General Damronsak Kittiprapat, the Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police, told the press earlier today, October 2nd, 2021, “On September 27th A 37-year-old American man had been accused of attacking and raping a 45-year-old female massage therapist at a massage shop, leaving her bloodied and beaten, in Khon Kaen City before speeding away on a red sports-style motorbike.” “Shortly after the incident at the massage shop around 1:00 P.M., he attempted to commit sexual abuse to a 12-year-old girl (Some reports from Thai media have stated the victim was 13) who was helping her parents sell honey at a roadside stall on Mittraphap Road in Ban Pai during the daytime. He stopped his motorbike, which had no license plates, and assaulted the girl, exposing himself to her. The shocking incident was stopped by a passing oil tank driver as the girl’s parents were not immediately present. The oil truck driver beeped his horn several times, stopped his vehicle, and stepped out to attempt to forcefully stop the suspect, but the suspect fled on his motorbike. Following this incident and both police reports filed by the victims, we began to track down the foreign suspect, who showed no respect for Thai law or others.” Major General Damronsak stated. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/02/american-man-claiming-to-be-high-on-drugs-arrested-in-bangkok-after-alleged-raping-of-massage-therapist-and-attempted-sexual-abuse-of-young-girl-in-khon-kaen/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

UTCC expects subdued vegetarian festival this year BANGKOK (NNT) - The vegetarian festival observed by the Thai-Chinese community has always been a major drive in economic growth. However, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) is expecting this year’s festival not to be as lively as before due to economic strains from the COVID-19 pandemic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233888-utcc-expects-subdued-vegetarian-festival-this-year/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The vegetarian festival observed by the Thai-Chinese community has always been a major drive in economic growth. However, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) is expecting this year’s festival not to be as lively as before due to economic strains from the COVID-19 pandemic. The UTCC’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting has just released the results of its survey on consumers’ spending behavior for this year’s vegetarian festival, during which weaker economic activities can be expected. The survey, conducted with 1,208 participants across the country, shows that only 39.1% of the respondents would be observing this tradition this time around, with 62.9% of these people intending to observe the vegetarian diet for the entire festival, which lasts from 6 October to 14 October. Most people responded they would be making the same amount of spending for their grocery items, while some intended to leverage on the government’s aid campaigns, particularly the 50:50 co-pay campaign where up to half of their individual purchases could be subsidized. Only 10.1% of the respondents said they intended to visit places of worship this year, mostly within Bangkok and neighboring provinces. The UTCC President Thanawat Polvichai said total spending from this year’s vegetarian festival is expected to be around 41.15 billion baht, which is 14.5% lower than last year’s figure at 46.98 billion. This decrease in spending would be the first in 14 years since 2008. The center conducted another survey on the impacts of flooding in 36 provinces, with damages estimated at roughly 15.04 billion baht, or around 0.1-0.2% of the national growth domestic product (GDP). The center noted this year’s disaster has not turned out to be as devastating as the 2011 flood, where manufacturing and logistics were impaired. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Spaces at Bang Sue Grand Station to be returned to SRT on November 28 BANGKOK, 2 October 2021 (NNT) - Up to 1.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered at the Central Vaccination Center at Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok throughout its 130 days of service. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233887-spaces-at-bang-sue-grand-station-to-be-returned-to-srt-on-november-28/

BANGKOK, 2 October 2021 (NNT) - Up to 1.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered at the Central Vaccination Center at Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok throughout its 130 days of service. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health is planning to clear out and return the spaces of the central rail hub to the State Railway of Thailand on 28 November. Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob on Friday visited Bang Sue Grand Station to inspect its COVID-19 booster dose vaccination service, after which he said 1,948,160 doses of vaccine had been administered by the center since 24 May 2021. The shots were given to frontline personnel of the Ministry of Transport and staff involved in public transport operations, as well as members of the general public. The Central Vaccination Center was set up after the Ministry of Transport was assigned by the government to support the public health drive to care for COVID-19 patients and accommodate the national vaccination effort. In the meantime, the Ministry of Public Health is planning to return the spaces at Bang Sue Grand Station to the State Railway of Thailand on 28 November to accommodate the latter’s full-scale launch of the Red Line suburban train route and the commercialization of the area. However, the transport minister noted that clearing out the station was pending a decision from the prime minister or the Ministry of Public Health about the continuation of vaccination services there. If the services are to be maintained, some spaces at Bang Sue Grand Station will be allocated for the purpose of administering vaccines. Mr. Saksayam added that booster shots had been given to 70,000 people who worked in public transport, from a pool of about 150,000 people. The entire pool will receive booster doses by the end of October. Central Vaccination Center Director Dr. Mingkwan Vichaidith said the existing plan calls for the administering of 2nd and 3rd doses to conclude by 23 November. She said registration will open next week for people who have yet to receive any shot of the vaccine, with a target of inoculating 100,000 persons. Registration is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, 6 October 2021. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Nonthaburi Province braces for flood NONTHABURI (NNT) - Local authorities in Nonthaburi Province are now making preparations for potential flooding as dams and reservoirs upstream are increasing water discharge rates. Villagers are optimistic the situation will not be as bad as that of 2011. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233886-nonthaburi-province-braces-for-flood/

NONTHABURI (NNT) - Local authorities in Nonthaburi Province are now making preparations for potential flooding as dams and reservoirs upstream are increasing water discharge rates. Villagers are optimistic the situation will not be as bad as that of 2011. Officials from Nonthaburi City Municipality are fortifying flood barriers with extra sandbags. The province expects a high volume of water from northern provinces in the coming days. Areas along the banks of the Chao Phraya River are at a higher risk of flooding. Water from upstream provinces is flowing through this river and into the sea. Villages near Saeng Siritham Temple in Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi remain optimistic because the water level is still below the embankment during the day. However, minor overflows can be expected in the evening or during high tide. The small evening overflow has become a common occurance at villages behind Pranangklao Hospital. Residents have already moved their belongings to higher floors, and continuously monitoring water levels. In a related development, Deputy Minister of Public Health Satit Pitutacha on Friday led a team of medical professionals to assist bedridden patients inside the village behind Pranangklao Hospital, delivering essential supplies and medicines to affected households. He ordered the provincial public health office to tackle water-borne diseases such as athlete’s foot, conjunctivitis, leptospirosis, and diarrhea, by preparing medicinal supplies and proactively assisting patients in need. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

UK to open up more travel by scrapping hotel quarantine for dozens of countries -Telegraph Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a visit at Leeds General Infirmary, in Leeds, Britain October 2, 2021. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERS LONDON, Oct 2 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will open up more countries for hotel quarantine-free travel later this week, The Sunday Telegraph reported, saying that the UK's "red list" of destinations would be slashed to nine from 54. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233885-uk-to-open-up-more-travel-by-scrapping-hotel-quarantine-for-dozens-of-countries-telegraph/

Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a visit at Leeds General Infirmary, in Leeds, Britain October 2, 2021. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERS LONDON, Oct 2 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will open up more countries for hotel quarantine-free travel later this week, The Sunday Telegraph reported, saying that the UK's "red list" of destinations would be slashed to nine from 54. Fully vaccinated arrivals from countries including South Africa, Brazil, Mexico and Indonesia will no longer have to quarantine in a government-designated hotel for 10 days when they get to England from later in October, the newspaper said. The changes are set to be announced on Thursday, and will likely result in a surge of bookings, boosting airlines and travel companies that have been brought to their knees during the pandemic. The country's hotel quarantine policy for higher risk countries costs 2,285 pounds ($3,095) per adult, deterring global travel. Britain is already planning to relax its travel rules from Oct. 4 by scrapping its amber list for medium risk destinations and no longer requiring fully vaccinated passengers to take a COVID-19 test before they arrive in the country from places not on the red list. The government has said that from later in October, arrivals in England will no longer have to take a PCR test two days after arrival and can instead opt for the cheaper lateral flow test. ($1 = 0.7383 pounds) -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-10-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

People living adjacent to Chao Phraya River in Chainat province warned of possible flooding Thailand’s Royal Irrigation Department (RID) sent an urgent letter to Chainat’s provincial governor today (Saturday), asking him to warn people living on both banks of the Chao Phraya River to brace for a 20cm rise in water levels, due to the diversion of runoffs into the irrigation canal system instead of allowing the water to flow into the river. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233884-people-living-adjacent-to-chao-phraya-river-in-chainat-province-warned-of-possible-flooding/

Thailand’s Royal Irrigation Department (RID) sent an urgent letter to Chainat’s provincial governor today (Saturday), asking him to warn people living on both banks of the Chao Phraya River to brace for a 20cm rise in water levels, due to the diversion of runoffs into the irrigation canal system instead of allowing the water to flow into the river. RID Director-General Prapit Chanma explained that the diversion of water, at 376 cubic metres/second, is necessary because large areas downstream of the Chao Phraya Dam are heavily flooded, causing widespread hardship to people living there. He maintained that these people will need urgent help to protect them from more flooding if too much water is allowed to flow through the dam. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/people-living-adjacent-to-chao-phraya-river-in-chainat-province-warned-of-possible-flooding/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Body of missing boat skipper found 70km from his capsized tug in Ayutthaya The decomposing body of a man, believed by the driver of the tug boat which capsized in front of Wat Panang Choeng in Ayutthaya province on September 29th, was found this morning (Saturday) by another boatman at the base of a pillar of the Rama 8 Bridge in Bangkok, about 70 kilometres from the scene of the accident. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233883-body-of-missing-boat-skipper-found-70km-from-his-capsized-tug-in-ayutthaya/

The decomposing body of a man, believed by the driver of the tug boat which capsized in front of Wat Panang Choeng in Ayutthaya province on September 29th, was found this morning (Saturday) by another boatman at the base of a pillar of the Rama 8 Bridge in Bangkok, about 70 kilometres from the scene of the accident. The boatman, 60-year old Rattana Chumharuthai, told the police that he had alerted rescue workers after the finding of the body and then followed it as it was swept further downstream by the strong current in the Chao Phraya, until it approached Siriraj hospital’s pier, where waiting rescue workers used a rope to secure the body. Chuthatip Karnkasikhavithi, the daughter of the missing boatman, later arrived at the hospital’s pier to identify the body. After seeing the tiger tattoo on the chest and the wristwatch that she bought for her father as a birthday gift, she broke into tears as she confirmed that the body was that of her missing father. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/body-of-missing-boat-skipper-found-70km-from-his-capsized-tug-in-ayutthaya/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Cooperation is the driving force in surviving the pandemic Volunteers have been playing a crucial role in keeping Thailand’s health system working and have helped save lives, admitted Assistant Secretary-General of National Health Security Office, Dr. Yupadee Sirisinsuk. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233882-cooperation-is-the-driving-force-in-surviving-the-pandemic/

Volunteers have been playing a crucial role in keeping Thailand’s health system working and have helped save lives, admitted Assistant Secretary-General of National Health Security Office, Dr. Yupadee Sirisinsuk. She said that, when the COVID-19 outbreak was at its peak in July this year, the health service system in Thailand was close to collapse. The authorities decided they had to introduce a new model of care, home and community isolation (HI-CI). The volunteers, who had been helping vulnerable people long before that, also helped to close the gaps in the system. “The data shows that some patients were having to wait several days for treatment. As we saw in the news, some died in their homes because no one followed up on their condition. Volunteers filled this gap. They helped to monitor the symptoms, provide emotional support and even supply oxygen tanks for severe symptom patients.” Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/cooperation-is-the-driving-force-in-surviving-the-pandemic/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

144 teams of medics sent to help flood victims in 17 flooded provinces Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has sent 144 teams of medics to help flood victims in 17 provinces and they have already treated more than 8,000 people, mostly suffering from foot diseases, according to the ministry’s permanent secretary Dr. Kiattibhoom Vongrachit. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233881-144-teams-of-medics-sent-to-help-flood-victims-in-17-flooded-provinces/

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has sent 144 teams of medics to help flood victims in 17 provinces and they have already treated more than 8,000 people, mostly suffering from foot diseases, according to the ministry’s permanent secretary Dr. Kiattibhoom Vongrachit. The medics have visited 19,042 households, distributed 13,793 sets of medication for waterborne diseases and treated 8,597 other flood victims, including 5,295 with foot diseases. There are also 992 cases of skin infections and 894 of fatigue. Two were found to be suffering from stress, out of 7,395 whohad their mental health assessed. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/144-teams-of-medics-sent-to-help-flood-victims-in-17-flooded-provinces/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Foreign tourists can now apply to stay for up to nine months in Thailand Foreign tourists can now stay in Thailand for up to nine months without the need of travel abroad to have their visas extended, three months on the initial visa with two extensions of three months each. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233879-foreign-tourists-can-now-apply-to-stay-for-up-to-nine-months-in-thailand/

Foreign tourists can now stay in Thailand for up to nine months without the need of travel abroad to have their visas extended, three months on the initial visa with two extensions of three months each. Thailand’s Ministry of Interior says the new rules came into effect on October 1st, and are valid until September 30th next year, in a bid to boost the tourism industry. Foreign tourists will, however, have to meet certain requirements to qualify as long stayers. First of all, they must agree to a period of quarantine, as part of the Public Health Ministry’s measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, and must show booking receipts from the hotels in which they will isolate. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/foreign-tourists-can-now-apply-to-stay-for-up-to-nine-months-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand Live 3 Oct https://aseannow.com/topic/1233877-thailand-live-sunday-3-oct-2021/

No alcohol in restaurants is "crazy" says restaurateur - allowing music is not the answer Picture: Sanook A leading restaurateur who runs AREA 11 has slammed the CCSA decision to allow live music in restaurants but continue to ban alcohol. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233843-no-alcohol-in-restaurants-is-crazy-says-restaurateur-allowing-music-is-not-the-answer/

PEA apologize for sending business owner 120 million baht electricity bill Picture: Sanook Sanook reported that a "drama" that started on the Mor Lab Panda page online over an electricity bill had been resolved. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233837-pea-apologize-for-sending-business-owner-120-million-baht-electricity-bill/

Slow start to Phuket reopening By The Phuket News Photo: PR Phuket PHUKET: The reopening of Phuket to allow domestic visitors onto the island got off to a slow start yesterday (Oct 1), with no surge in the number of vehicles and people wanting to come onto the island. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233838-slow-start-to-phuket-reopening/