Jonathan Fairfield

Phuket Sandbox arrivals well short of TAT target The Tourism Authority of Thailand has been obliged to admit that once again their targets for the return of foreign tourism have been way off. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233842-phuket-sandbox-arrivals-well-short-of-tat-target/

American man arrested for rape of massage worker in Khon Kaen Image: Khon Kaen Link Police on Saturday (Oct 2) announced the arrest of an American man wanted for allegedly raping a 45 year old Thai woman in Khon Kaen on Monday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233852-american-man-arrested-for-rape-of-massage-worker-in-khon-kaen/

American man arrested for rape of massage worker in Khon Kaen Image: Khon Kaen Link Police on Saturday (Oct 2) announced the arrest of an American man wanted for allegedly raping a 45 year old Thai woman in Khon Kaen on Monday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233852-american-man-arrested-for-rape-of-massage-worker-in-khon-kaen/

Image: Khon Kaen Link Police on Saturday (Oct 2) announced the arrest of an American man wanted for allegedly raping a 45 year old Thai woman in Khon Kaen on Monday. The 37 year old man was arrested at a condominium on Sukhumvit Soi 3 in the Nana area of Bangkok. Police said the man also attempted to attack and rape a 12 year old girl in Khon Kaen on the same day he carried out the attack on the 45 year old woman. According to Thai language news site Khon Kaen Link, the suspect was taken to Immigration Police Headquarters for interrogation and is due to be transferred to Khon Kaen province for prosecution. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-02 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

It may differ from province to province but there is a general list of businesses/services that are open here: https://aseannow.com/topic/1233694-cinemas-reopen-in-thailand-just-don’t-expect-any-popcorn/

There is support in English. They've been really helpful with me on a problem I had with a return recently. [email protected] - try that, it's the email I've been contacting them on in English.

Is it Bangkok Bank app? I'm on iOS 15 and haven't been able to connect to mine all day either

Terry, get yourself off to Boots in Market Village and pick up Nivea Dry Impact. No more embarrassing sweat patches even in the hottest of hot weather.

FILE PHOTO: Philippine boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao poses for photographers during a news conference with welterweight world title holder Lucas Matthysse (not pictured), for their upcoming WBA "regular" welterweight title fight, at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia April 20, 2018. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin/File Photo By Karen Lema MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines opens a week-long window on Friday for filing of candidacy for thousands of political posts, from the presidency down to town councillors, kicking off what is expected to be a hotly contested election in May next year. The process should put an end to months of speculation over who will vie to succeed firebrand President Rodrigo Duterte, 76, who under the constitution cannot seek reelection and will contest the vice presidency race instead. What is usually a festive event with big crowds will be more sober this year, with restrictions in place to fight one of Asia's deadliest COVID-19 epidemics. So far, just three contenders have declared their intention to run for president, the most famous, senator and newly retired Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, a former actor, and Senator Panfilo Lacson, an ex police chief, have also confirmed they will run. But the spotlight will be on Sara Duterte-Carpio, the president's daughter, despite her ruling out running for higher office next year. Duterte-Carpio, 43, replaced her father as Davao City mayor when he became president, and she remains by far the most popular presidential prospect, according to successive opinion polls this year. Analysts say it is crucial her father's successor is a loyalist, to insulate him from potential legal action at home or by the International Criminal Court, over the thousands of state killings in his war on drugs since 2016. Critics say his interest in the vice presidency is also a self-preservation move. Duterte says his motivation is public service, not power. Vice president, Leni Robredo, who leads the opposition, is also being urged by supporters to run for the top post. "In the coming days, please pray with me so that our decision will be what is best for our country," she said. More than 60 million Filipinos will vote in May 2022 for a new president, vice president, and more than 18,000 lawmakers and local government officials. Candidates have until Oct. 8 to register, but withdrawals and substitutions are allowed until Nov. 15, leaving scope for last-minute changes of heart, like the 11th hour entry of Duterte for the 2016 election, which he won by a huge margin. (Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty) -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-10-01

File photo The Special Tourist Visa scheme that allows tourists to stay up to 270 days in Thailand will be extended from 1st October this year until the end of September next year, reported Manager. Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said that 5,609 STV tourists had already spent 1.243 billion baht in Thailand. Most had stayed 90 days. Some 90% had renewed for a second spell of 90 days and 60% of the original number had extended for a third spell of ninety days. Whether those would be able to continue renewing indefinitely or whether the year extension referred to new applicants was not made clear in the Manager story. Taweesin spoke of the people who had visited Thailand on yachts saying that 50 more vessels are booked to come to Thailand. Earlier 271 people on yachts had reportedly spent 291 million baht. Taweesin said that Monday's CCSA meeting chaired by PM Prayuth Chan-ocha also called on the DES Ministry to simplify online visa applications and procedures to attract more tourists. The doctor thanked the public for their efforts in the pandemic. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-09-28 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

A British man, who was arrested earlier this year following firearms offences in Koh Samui, has been arrested in Hua Hin. The 33 year old man, who has previously been described as a wealthy cryptocurrency trader, allegedly went on a shooting spree while on board a speedboat in waters off Koh Samui. Police said the man, who was reportedly high on drugs, began firing from the speedboat in the direction of the Four Seasons Hotel on Koh Samui, sparking panic among people sitting on the adjacent beach. He was later arrested with police finding a 9mm Beretta pistol, 31 bullets and a revolver with 49 bullets inside his hotel room. It is not clear if he ever faced formal charges for the incident in Samui, which took place last February. On Monday, Immigration announced the man had recently been arrested at Hua Na Market in Hua Hin, Thai news site Naewna reported. Thai media said that the man was involved with a registered charity organisation and cryptocurrency when he was arrested. Thai media suggested he would be deported following his arrest in Hua Hin. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-09-28 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand will waive its mandatory quarantine requirement in Bangkok and nine regions from Nov. 1 to vaccinated arrivals, authorities said on Monday, as the country tries to boost its immunisation rate and revive its battered tourism sector. The regions include popular tourist areas Chiang Mai, Phangnga, Krabi, Hua Hin, Pattaya, and Cha-am, and follow the successful reopening of Phuket and Samui islands to vaccinated people in pilot schemes since July. The country is keen to welcome back foreign visitors, after nearly 18 months of strict entry policies that contributed to a collapse in tourism, a key sector that drew 40 million visitors in 2019. Authorities will also reduce the quarantine time nationwide for visitors arriving from Oct. 1, the COVID-19 task force said, halving it to seven days for vaccinated arrivals, and cutting it to 10 days for those not inoculated. It will also further ease restrictions from Friday in 29 "dark red" provinces under maximum control, including Bangkok, to allow more businesses and activities to reopen, such as spas, libraries, cinemas, indoor sports venues and nail salons. The easing of measures come as the country tries to increase the rate of vaccinations, after initial supply shortages. Less than a third of the population has been inoculated so far. The task force also approved a plan to procure a combined 3.35 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, although no delivery timeframe was provided. Pending Cabinet approval, Thailand will seek to buy 2.79 million doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines and 165,000 AstraZeneca shots from Spain and 400,000 AstraZeneca doses sourced from Hungary, a spokesperson said. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-09-27 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates (Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty)

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of a Digital Economy and Society, the telecom regulator, and the police are now cracking down on illegal gambling and loan scam websites, plus their SMS invitations sent to general phone users. Involved parties are now asked to block these messages from being sent, or face punishment should the fail to do so. Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek says the government is addressing complaints from the public on the spread of text messages sent to mobile phone users by unknown senders, with links to gambling, scam, or pornographic websites. Many mobile phone users in Thailand have recently received the text messages without having signed up or subscribed to any of these services, causing much annoyance and concern over data privacy. Ms Rachada said those who send out these messages are considered punishable by law, as their action is considered an economic crime. She said these operations are considered especially damaging to low-income people, who are already affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 23 September, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has urged network providers to block the scam messages from being sent. The commission has also outlined punishments for any licensed telecom operators found involved in sending out these messages, starting with a formal warning, and leading to fines, license suspension, or termination and legal charges. The Ministry of a Digital Economy and Society has opened a center to receive complaints about illegal websites and texts, including online gambling. Members of the public can submit a link to such websites on the DESMonitor page on Facebook, or call the ministry’s 24-hour call center 1212. Information gathered by the center will then be forwarded to the police for further investigation, which could lead to the termination of such websites. The Royal Thai Police has warned that people involved in online gambling websites, from site managers, players, inviters, as well as those involved in websites offering illegal loans are considered violators of the law. They are encouraging the general public to report any activities or people related to these websites by calling the Police Cyber Taskforce’s 1599 hotline. The deputy government spokesperson said the government is concerned that the general public might fall victim to these scammers, leading to the loss of their money. She said people seeking to take out loans should contact a legitimate financial institution, or first check the status of pico-finance and nano-finance loan providers on www.1359.go.th first. Ms Rachada added that the Prime Minister has ordered related agencies to proactively suppress illegal websites, and cut down the cycles of gambling debt and informal debt. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-09-26 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-09-26 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Of about 8.2 million people inoculated with China’s Sinopharm vaccine, 13 have died and 12 others suffered severe side effects, according to the Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA). The royal academy, under the patronage of HRH Princess Chulabhorn, was the first agency to import the Sinopharm vaccine from China, as alternative to address the government’s shortage of vaccines. According to the CRA’s information centre, of the 13 fatalities, 2 were linked to COVID-19 infection, 2 were due to myocardial ischemia, 2 suffered heart failure, 4 had other underlying diseases, 1 had untreated HIV, 1 suffered from cardiac arrhythmia and 1 suffered a cerebrovascular rupture. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/13-deaths-and-12-cases-of-severe-side-effects-after-8-2m-sinopharm-inoculations/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-09-26 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

KHON KAEN (NNT) - Khon Kaen Zoo has welcomed the latest member of the zoo’s animal family, with a newborn albino barking deer now ready to be admired by visitors. The male albino barking deer cub is the most recent arrival to join the animals at Khon Kaen Zoo, where visitors can now come and see just how adorable this rare animal is. The cub, who has yet to be named, was born into an albino barking deer family, consisting of a female “Mali” and male “Chokchai,” who are both the offspring of “Khun Petch,” who was royally bestowed on the zoo. The cub is now feeding on his mother’s milk, and is under close monitoring by the zoo’s veterinarian team. An albino barking deer has white hair, but shares other characteristics with common barking deers. Feeding on grass, leaves, and fruit, this type of deer normally lives independently and feeds at night, while typically resting under bushes during the day. When disturbed, these deers can vocalize sounds similar to a dog’s bark, hence the name barking deer. Albino barking deers start mating at around one and a half years of age during winter. A female albino barking deer gives birth after 6 months of pregnancy. Their life expectancy is around 15 years. The albino barking deer is a protected wildlife species under Thai law. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-09-26 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Foreign Affairs spokesperson has issued a clarification on the million Pfizer doses to be received from the U.S. Government. Mr. Tanee Sangrat, the MFA’s spokesperson and Director-General of the MFA’s Department of Information has clarified that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington D.C. have been closely coordinating the delivery of the second batch of Pfizer vaccine from the United States. At the moment, the US side is reportedly still working on the donation internally. The vaccine delivery has not yet been scheduled and the US has not coordinated with Thailand regarding documentation yet. Mr. Tanee insists that the Ministry attaches great importance to cooperation with other countries for more access to the COVID-19 vaccine, and is monitoring progress on this matter. Currently,Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs is attending the 76th Session of UN General Assembly in the US . He is scheduled to visit Washington to meet with high-level representatives , including Lieutenant Colonel Tammy Duckworth, the US Senator for Illinois, to discuss procurement of vaccines from the US. The US previously announced it would donate a total of 2.5 million doses, 1.5 million of which arrived in Thailand at the end of July 2021. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-09-26 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

File Photo Foreigners staying in Thailand on so-called 60 day ‘COVID extensions’ can now apply to extend their stay beyond November. On Monday (Sept 20) Immigration released an order to confirm the extension of the grace period given to foreigners stuck in Thailand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, the deadline for COVID extensions had been September 27, 2021. However, the new order confirms the grace period has been extended to November 26, 2021. This means that were someone to apply for a 60 extension towards the end of November, they would be granted permission to remain in Thailand into next year. The grace period for COVID extensions was launched last year to help foreigners stuck in Thailand and unable to return to their home country. While the vast majority of tourists have since returned home, there are still people who have remained in Thailand since the start of the pandemic. With many countries continuing to close borders or require anyone entering to show proof of vaccinations, the situation regarding international travel remains problematic for some. Therefore, the Thai government has announced another extension of the grace period. A COVID-19 extension costs 1,900 baht. Special thanks to Tod Daniels for the tip. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-09-21 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

BANGKOK (NNT) - With Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine expected to be available at private hospitals next month, some people who have received other vaccines are now planning to get a Moderna jab as their booster. The Department of Disease Control has however warned, that they should talk to their doctor first, as the combination of this mRNA vaccine with other types has not been widely performed. The Department of Diseases Control’s Deputy Director General Dr Sophon Iamsirithavorn, has recommended people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 seek advice from a doctor first, if they are thinking of getting a Moderna Spikevax booster shot. Many people have already pre-ordered the mRNA vaccine from private hospitals, which have placed orders for Moderna’s vaccine via the Government Pharmaceutical Organization in the alternative vaccine campaign, where recipients pay for their jabs. Dr Sophon said people who have yet to receive any COVID-19 vaccine can immediately get their Moderna jabs in normal circumstances, however those who have already received jabs of vaccine from other manufacturers, should talk to their doctor first. He said vaccines should not be given in excessive quantities, adding that there is insufficient data to support the efficacy of getting a Moderna jab after two doses of inactivate vaccine, a scenario that many Thai people who have already received Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines would face. There is however data supporting the notion that one dose of Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccine, also an mRNA vaccine similar to Moderna, can elicit a good immune response and protection among those who have received two shots of an inactivated virus vaccine before. Dr Sophon also recommended that people who have received two shots of AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines not get a booster at this time. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-09-19 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Image: Reuters file photo More than 41,000 expats in Thailand have registered for a COVID-19 vaccine using the Expatvac registration platform. According to stats released on Thursday (Aug 5) by Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Tanee Sangrat, a total of 41,616 expats in Thailand have registered for the vaccine using the Expatvac website. Of those who have registered, 32,563 are aged under 60, while 9,053 are over 60. Those suffering from underlying health conditions totalled 3,038, while 172 pregnant expats also registered. Mr Tanee said that over a third of those registering were located in Greater Bangkok. Earlier, Mr Tanee said that he expects people to start receiving vaccine appointment dates from August 10 and 11. Priority will be given to the over 60s, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions. It is understood 150,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which was recently donated to Thailand by the United States government will be used to vaccinate expats in Thailand. Expats in Thailand who have not yet registered to receive a vaccine are urged to do so here: https://expatvac.consular.go.th/ -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-08-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

A new vaccine registration website for foreigners in Thailand will open on August 1, it has been announced. According to a post on the Thai government's official Facebook page, the new registration website, which is available at: https://expatvac.consular.go.th/ will live go live on Sunday morning. "A new platform for COVID-19 vaccine registration for foreign residents of all age groups in all provinces in Thailand will be available on 1 August 2021 at 11.00 a.m" "Foreign nationals aged 60 - 74 who have already registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website will have their records moved to this new vaccination site soon", the post reads. No information on who will able to register for the vaccines, or if certain groups will be prioritised, was available at the time of posting. The schedule of when vaccines will be administered and which vaccine doses will be used was also not known. The news comes as the Prime Minister on Friday confirmed that some of the Pfizer vaccines recently donated by the United States will be given to foreigners in Thailand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-08-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Planning to Move to Laos – Five Reasons to Become an Expat in Laos Expats move abroad for many reasons. Some sign up for a new job, some move looking for a more affordable place, while others desire a relaxed and enjoyable retirement. The small Asian country of Laos ticks almost all the boxes when it comes to being a popular expat destination. Lets talk about some reasons to become an Expat in Laos. The beautiful and peaceful landlocked country of Laos was an overseas colony of the French until the 1950s. During the 1950s, a conflict broke out between the royal forces and the communist resistance, which went on for about 20 years. In the long struggle, the communist forces prevailed, leading to the establishment of a communist government that has continued to govern the country since. Over the years, Laos has become a part of several global organizations, including the World Trade Organization, which accepted the country’s membership in 2014. One of the few aspects that Laos still lags in is its not-so-efficient healthcare system. Those who wish to seek any major or complex medical care and treatment often cross the Mekong River to go to hospitals in Nong Khai or Bangkok in Thailand. However, that’s just one of the major things that expats have to forego after become an Expat in Laos. They may choose to overlook it because of the many amazing and distinct things about this beautiful country. The fact that Laos is one of the best countries for retirees and has a minimal crime rate, only makes it an even more preferable nation to settle in permanently. Continue reading: https://goexpat.com/5-reasons-to-become-an-expat-laos/ -- GoExpat.com

BY ANDREW NELSON Flavorful. Soulful. Beautiful. Head to Louangphabang to taste the best of Southeast Asia. Sometimes a portal isn’t a door. It’s a bowl of soup. Raise a spoonful of tom kha kai, a traditional Laotian coconut chicken soup, to your lips, and a tantalizing perfume of lemongrass, lime, and galangal wafts upward. Its scent is sublime and earthy, hot and sour. The fragrant plume comes with a peppery kick. The sensation is vivid, somehow poignant, and utterly transporting. The memory brings a smile as I stand in a line of passengers at Louangphabang airport, in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. I’ve traveled 9,000 miles to Southeast Asia inspired by Van Nolintha, a charismatic 32-year-old Laotian-American restaurateur in Raleigh, North Carolina, whose inventive renditions of his childhood dishes from his native land have earned the acclaim of diners and food critics alike. Now I’ve come for a taste of the real thing. Upon leaving the airport, my first views of Laos are the Phou Thao and Phou Nang mountain ranges, which surround the ancient royal city of Louangphabang like an embrace. The slopes are lush with trees that comb and catch the low-lying clouds. As I enter the city, a cluster of motorbikes overtakes my taxi, trailing fumes and impatience. A teenage girl, sitting sidesaddle in a Laotian silk tube skirt called a sinh, flashes past. Her face is inches from her smartphone. She’s texting furiously, oblivious to her young driver and the pushy traffic puddling up behind us, which includes four Toyota vans packed with Chinese tourists. Their wide-brimmed sun hats curl against the steamy windows. Continue reading: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-to-eat-and-where-in-luang-prabang -- National Geographic

Single Entry 30 days and 3-months visa to Cambodia 1. 3-months visa Source: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/ 2. 30-day tourist visa There is also a 30-day tourist visa available to travelers in advance or on arrival for most nationalities for a cost of $30 if you get it directly at the airport. The tourist visa is single entry only, and can be renewed once for an additional 30 days for a fee of between $30 and $50. The validity of the visa refers to the time you have to enter Cambodia. The visa is valid for 30 days from the actual date of entry into Cambodia. Make sure your passport is stamped on arrival, and keep the departure form. If you lose your departure form, you’ll need to contact immigration officials before you leave the country to make alternative arrangements. You can be fined, detained and deported if you overstay your visa. There is a fine of $10 per day for overstaying the validity term of your visa. There is no limit to this fine. Those who overstay more than 30 days will need to leave Cambodia in addition to paying the fine. Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cambodia/entry-requirements

No visa required for a stay not exceeding 59 days. Travelers must hold a valid ticket for return journey to the country of origin or next country of destination and a passport valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the stay in the Philippines. No visa required for a stay not exceeding 21 days. For more information on visa please read before you travel: https://www.philippineconsulatela.org/consular-services-2/visa/dont-know-if-you-need-a-visa-to-travel-check-here