Jonathan Fairfield

BANGKOK(NNT) - Thailand’s Surat Thani province will continue the “Samui Plus” program to attract vaccinated foreign tourists, with Bangkok Airways set to resume flights between Phuket and Samui Island on 25 August. Surat Thani governor Witchawut Jinto said on 21 August, that 257 inoculated foreign tourists had traveled to Samui, after spending two weeks in Phuket under the “sandbox” scheme. However, flights between Phuket and Samut had been suspended from 3 August until the end of month. This means no tourists will arrive from “sandboxed” Phuket. He said that, after concerted lobbying, flights on the Phuket-Samui route would resume earlier. Bangkok Airways is scheduling flights between the two islands on 25, 27 and 30 August. This will boost the number of tourists arriving under the “Samui Plus” scheme, which encompasses Koh Samui, Koh Phan Ngan and Koh Tao. The governor said, from 15 August to November, 168 fully-vaccinated tourists had already made bookings on Samui, with reservations for 2,149 hotel nights, an average of 12.7 nights per visitor. The reservations were made by French, German, British, Austrian, American and Thai tourists. Samui Plus hotels to suit all budgets -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-22 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

2/3 of COVID-19 Fatalities in Thailand Were Unvaccinated Reuters file photo BANGKOK(NNT) - Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has revealed that about two-thirds of those who died recently after catching COVID-19 were not vaccinated against the disease. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228300-23-of-covid-19-fatalities-in-thailand-were-unvaccinated/

Reuters file photo BANGKOK(NNT) - Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has revealed that about two-thirds of those who died recently after catching COVID-19 were not vaccinated against the disease. CCSA assistant spokeswoman Dr Apisamai Srirangsan said on 20 August that, there were 4,656 COVID-19 fatalities nationwide between 25 July - 19 August. 63.8% of deaths had not been vaccinated. She said 316, or 7% of those who died had received a dose of AstraZeneca vaccine more than two weeks before falling ill and 118, or 2.6% had their first AstraZeneca dose more than four weeks before their illness. That meant not enough antibodies were not stimulated within two weeks of inoculation. Among those who had received the second dose up to two weeks before falling ill, there were 26 fatalities, or 0.6% of the total. Dr Apisamai added that a study of 125 people, by the Department of Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, found that using a combination of different COVID-19 vaccines over 2-3 doses better stimulated antibodies against the Delta variant. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-22 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Bank of Thailand Relaxes Debt Assistance Measures BANGKOK(NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has relaxed its debt assistance measures to help entrepreneurs and individual borrowers during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228299-bank-of-thailand-relaxes-debt-assistance-measures/

BANGKOK(NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has relaxed its debt assistance measures to help entrepreneurs and individual borrowers during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. BoT senior director of Regulatory Department II, Suwannee Jatsadasak, said the Financial Institution Policy Committee approved additional debt aid measures and adjusted other rules to respond better to the demands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual borrowers. She said the easing is in response to the continued outbreak and extensions of government lockdown measures to contain new infections. The BoT adjusted its soft loan scheme to support liquidity for both existing and new SME borrowers by expanding their credit lines. According to Ms. Suwannee, the central bank increased the maximum credit line from 20 million baht to 50 million baht per borrower for loans from any financial institution for new SME borrowers. For existing SME borrowers, the bank will maintain the previous rule, allowing a creditor to grant an additional credit line of up to 30% of the existing credit line, but no more than 150 million baht. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-22 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai Customs Department Will Launch Online Tax Compensation System in September BANGKOK(NNT) - Thailand’s Customs Department reports that its online payment system has been completed and the digital tax compensation system is set to begin on 21 September. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228298-thai-customs-department-will-launch-online-tax-compensation-system-in-september/

BANGKOK(NNT) - Thailand’s Customs Department reports that its online payment system has been completed and the digital tax compensation system is set to begin on 21 September. Department Director-General Patchara Anuntasilpa said the digital tax compensation system provides an electronic coupon which traders can use at their convenience. Importers and exporters can receive the e-coupons via an online channel from next month. He said the system should reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission between the public and customs officials. The department has already adopted electronic payment for many of its other processes, including the issuance of import permits for some products. Mr Patchara added that the department deploys X-ray and artificial intelligence systems to analyze products in containers, to determine if they match the declarations made by exporters and importers. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-22 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai Authorities to Distribute 8.5 Million Antigen Test Kits to Hospitals and Pharmacies BANGKOK(NNT) - Thailand’s National Health Security Office (NHSO) has partnered with the Public Health Ministry and the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) to distribute 8.5 million COVID-19 antigen test kits (ATK) to hospitals and pharmacies nationwide. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228297-thai-authorities-to-distribute-85-million-antigen-test-kits-to-hospitals-and-pharmacies/

BANGKOK(NNT) - Thailand’s National Health Security Office (NHSO) has partnered with the Public Health Ministry and the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) to distribute 8.5 million COVID-19 antigen test kits (ATK) to hospitals and pharmacies nationwide. Dr Kornkrit Limsommut, from the Public Health Ministry’s Office of the Permanent Secretary, said the ATKs will be distributed within a week of arrival. Each province should have at least 40,000 units by the end of September. Provinces with a larger population or higher prevalence of COVID-19 cases will get more kits. The NHSO has established a strong network of pharmacies and private clinics, which have participated in the organization’s previous schemes, including the medicine home delivery and home isolation programs. Of the 8.5 million kits imported, 1.5 million will be reserved for emergencies, such as the detection of new clusters, which requires the rapid dispatch of the kits to affected areas. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-22 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand Live Sunday 22 Aug: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228296-thailand-live-sunday-22-august-2021/

Foreigners bought 660 condos in Bangkok area this year: Average price 5M baht , Thais 3.8 M baht File photo: REUTERS Dr Sophon Pornchokchai of the Agency of Real Estate Affairs Co. Ltd (AREA) told the Thai media the data for condo purchases in Bangkok and surrounding provinces in the first half of 2021. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228245-foreigners-bought-660-condos-in-bangkok-area-this-year-average-price-5m-baht-thais-38-m-baht/

24 foreigners, Thais arrested after raid at luxury villa in Koh Samui Image: Bophut Police Twenty four people were arrested during a raid on a luxury villa in Koh Samui during the early hours of Saturday morning (Aug 21). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228264-24-foreigners-thais-arrested-after-raid-at-luxury-villa-in-koh-samui/

24 foreigners, Thais arrested after raid at luxury villa in Koh Samui Image: Bophut Police Twenty four people were arrested during a raid on a luxury villa in Koh Samui during the early hours of Saturday morning (Aug 21). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228264-24-foreigners-thais-arrested-after-raid-at-luxury-villa-in-koh-samui/

Image: Bophut Police Twenty four people were arrested during a raid on a luxury villa in Koh Samui during the early hours of Saturday morning (Aug 21). Officers from Bophut Police and Surat Thani Immigration carried out the raid after receiving a tip off a party was taking place. When officers went to investigate they found several motorcycles and cars parked outside and loud music coming from the property. Police said a party was being held in the basement of the villa. Image: Bophut Police Twenty four people were arrested - 11 foreigners and 13 Thais - for violating the the Emergency Decree and Communicable Disease Act put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. Police said that a French man and Filipino woman were charged with possession of cocaine. All 24 suspects were being held at Bophut Police. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-08-21 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Existing participants of the Malaysia My Second Home programme say they can’t meet stricter financial criteria to renew visas The scheme, which is popular with those from mainland China, has been revised to attract more wealthy foreigners but visa agents say the new rules are too prohibitive After Mansur and Moina Khan from Bangladesh secured long-term visas to reside in Malaysia in 2014, they bought a condo worth at least 1 million ringgit in the heart of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and moved there in 2017. “We invested our life savings in Malaysia,” said Mansur, who like his wife, is in his 60s and retired. “We loved living here, its multiracial people and food. We are law-abiding visa holders and wished to spend a hassle-free retirement in Malaysia,” he added. But for the past 14 months, they have been stuck in Dhaka, having gone there to attend to a family emergency. Despite being fully vaccinated and having made numerous appeals to the Immigration Department, the couple cannot return to Malaysia as the Southeast Asian nation has banned incoming travellers from 23 nations including Bangladesh due to their Covid-19 caseloads. Full story: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3145410/its-our-only-home-malaysias-changes-mm2h-visa-scheme-throw -- South China Morning Post - 19 Aug 2021

I haven't noticed any change in prices but definitely fewer items on the shelves and it taking longer for items to be re-stocked.

Lockdown measures in Thailand extended to Aug 31 Thailand on Monday confirmed the current lockdown measures will remain in place until August 31. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227676-lockdown-measures-in-thailand-extended-to-aug-31/

Thailand on Monday confirmed the current lockdown measures will remain in place until August 31. In a largely expected move, Thailand’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said the restrictions will remain in place until at least the end of the month. The only change to the current restrictions is that banks in shopping malls are now allowed to open. Restaurants must remain closed to dine visitors, while other restrictions such as the night time curfew between 21.00-04.00 hrs also remain in place. Monday’s announcement means that Bangkok and 28 other provinces remain so-called ‘dark red zones’. Dark red provinces in Thailand Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao,Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Narathiwat, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi,Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Songkhla, Suphan Buri, Tak and Yala. Red zone provinces Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chai Nat, Chanthaburi, Chaiyaphum, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chumphon, Kalasin,Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai, Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Ranong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Satun, Si Sa Ket, Sukhothai, Surin, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit and Yasothon Orange zone provinces Bueng Kan, Krabi, Mae Hong Son, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Phang Nga, Phayao, Phrae, Phuket and Surat Thani. This is a developing story. This post maybe updated without notice -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Khod Hein area and the whole Rayong City faced serious pollution problems due to large tons of garbage scattered everywhere in the city by factories in industrial areas and people’s activities. With the support of the SCG and the initiative of the head of the Khod Hin Monastery, Phra Maha Āggadhāmmo, a waste reduction and sorting project was started in the area, Āggadhāmmo stressed that Buddhist believe in the importance of preserving and caring for the environment, by persuading citizens to get rid of unwanted habits and pass on those principles to their children, adding that Khod Hin residents are trying to create a permanently waste-free environment, as a kind of paying back to the land that gives us its bounties. The residents of the area, in addition to school children, collect waste and plastic bags and sort them for recycling and also reduce the usage of materials which cannot be decomposed to benefit financially and present them to the temple. -- © Copyright A24 News Agency 2021-08-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

A man rides his bike on an almost empty road which is usually crowded with people, as lockdown and travel restrictions are imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand, July 12, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun Thailand's Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will decide on Monday (Aug 16) whether the current restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 need to be extended. The restrictions, which are reviewed every 14 days, have been in place since August 1, after the government announced an extension to the lockdown in Bangkok and 28 other so-called 'dark red' provinces. The current restrictions in place include the closure of restaurants and non-essential businesses, interprovincial travel restrictions and a night time curfew. On Friday, CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin said that even if the existing restrictions remain in place and remain as effective as they are currently, Thailand could reach 45,000 cases and 500 deaths per day. "The lockdown has been 20% effective but the infections continue to rise, projected to reach about 45,000 cases per day by the start of or mid September," spokesman Taweesin Wisanuyothin told a news conference. But without any lockdown measures in place, Thailand would see up to 70,000 cases and 800 deaths per day. If the lockdown measures remain in place but the effectiveness of the measures increases to 25%, as well as increasing the rate vaccinations are administered throughout the country, the number of daily infections will remain 20,000 cases with 200 deaths. Dr Taweesilp called for everyone in Thailand to work together to help "flatten the curve". He also urged everyone who is eligible to receive a vaccine to get one as soon as possible in order to help lessen the impact of their health should they become infected with the virus. On Monday, the CCSA will also consider relaxing some measures. The most notable of these will be a request by the Thai Shopping Centre Association to allow banks, IT stores, general stores and shops selling household goods in shopping malls and department stores to open. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-08-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) marked 109 new local COVID-19 infections on the island yesterday (Aug 14), bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 1,940. The PPHO report, marked as accurate as of 10:20pm last night, also marked zero Phuket Sandbox arrivals confirmed as newly infected, and zero new COVID patients brought to the island for treatment under the ‘Bring Phuket People Home’ campaign. The 109 new local infections bring the total number of new local infections on the island in the past seven days to 507, as follows: Aug 8 - 81 new cases Aug 9 - 61 new cases Aug 10 - 37 new cases Aug 11 - 104 new cases Aug 12 - 33 new cases Aug 13 - 82 new cases Aug 14 - 109 new cases Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-marks-109-new-local-infections-81056.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-08-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PHUKET: The Phuket City Municipality issued an order today (Aug 14) to close the Phuket City Fresh Market 2 for seven days. The market, located behind the Robinson department store on Ong Sim Phai Rd in Phuket Town, will be closed from today until Aug 20 or until the market has met the required sanitation standards and been assessed and approved safe by officers from the Disease Control Department. Authorities reported that several workers at the market had tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday (Aug 12) which prompted the closure. Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-fresh-market-ordered-closed-81052.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-08-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

BANGKOK (NNT) - Several free COVID-19 testing sites are in operation in Bangkok, as daily new case numbers remain the highest in Thailand. The city today operated six free testing sites across the capital, with walk-ins accepted at a testing site in Ratchathewi. The COVID-19 testing center at a sporting plaza on Rama VI road, Ratchathewi district is currently providing up to 500 COVID-19 tests a day, with 300 slots reserved for those who have made their appointments on the QueQ application, and 200 slots open for walk-ins. For walk-ins, daily test tickets are given out for the 200 available test slots on a first come first serve basis at 6:30 a.m. each day. A health official at the testing site said the venue sees many people coming to get COVID-19 tests each day, which is a good sign the general public is actively involved with the country’s COVID-19 prevention measures. People coming for their tests have praised the attentive work of health officials who help ensure orderliness and flow. They have thanked and expressed support for all involved in helping the people. The test center here provides free COVID-19 tests for anyone aged 5 years and above until 31st August. Tests are made using antigen test kits first, that provide results in up to 30 minutes. Those who have tested positive in their antigen test, or those with a negative result but with suspicious symptoms, are swabbed again in a confirmation test using the RT-PCR method. Health officials here can prescribe Favipiravir antiviral or green chiretta capsules for the patients, based on the discretion of an on-site doctor. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

BANGKOK (NNT) - Another potential COVID-19 vaccine developed in Thailand is entering clinical trials, this time a protein subunit vaccine produced from plants by a Thai pharmaceutical startup. If successful, the vaccine is expected to become available in Q3 next year. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul, together with the Department of Medical Sciences director and the director of the National Vaccine Institute, has inspected the model plant-based medicines and biological products manufacturing facility, at which a new type of COVID-19 vaccine made from the tobacco plant will be produced. The candidate vaccine, developed by a pharmaceutical startup Baiya Phytopharm, together with the Faculty of Pharmacy at Chulalongkorn University, has been in development since February 2020. Designed as a protein subunit vaccine, this vaccine will introduce selected SARS-CoV-2 antigens into the recipient’s body to stimulate an immune response, unlike the viral vector or mRNA technologies which require the body to express these antigens itself. The antigen will be grown and harvested in tobacco leaves, using a bacteria to transfer specific coronavirus genetic information into the plant. The modified tobacco plant which now carries the antigen will be farmed in a plantation. The plants will be harvested, the antigen extracted, then purified and made into a vaccine. The team plans to conduct the purification process at the Kingen Biotech’s facility, before bottling at the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute. The Chula-Baiya candidate vaccine will start Phase 1 of human trials early next month with around 100 subject, to establish the appropriate dosage, either 10, 50, or 100 micrograms. The team aims to introduce the vaccine for use by Thai people in Q3 2022, with production capacity at 60 million doses a year. They also say the plant-based technology allows the vaccine to be easily adapted for newer variants. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Defence is increasing the COVID-19 testing and treatment capacity of military medical facilities, to support the government’s COVID-19 mission. More military healthcare professionals are being deployed to support testing and treatment, while the army’s field hospital in Bangkok has so far tested and treated around 10,000 people. The Ministry of the Defence yesterday held a video conference with related agencies on the armed forces’ support for the government’s COVID-19 mission, with the Permanent Secretary of Defence Gen Chaichan Changmongkol, chairing the virtual meeting. According to the Ministry of Defence’s Spokesman Lt Gen Kongcheep Tantravanich, the Royal Thai Armed Forces have been increasing capacity at military hospitals and other military-run facilities to accommodate more COVID-19 patients, with 80 more ICU beds added for patients in critical condition, and 306 hospital beds added for patients exhibiting moderate symptoms. Armed forces units are now working to set up more field hospitals and community isolation centers in their areas across the country, in cooperation with provincial public health offices. The armed forces are now deploying 500 secondary military healthcare personnel to help support the operations. The Royal Thai Army has set up a field hospital and testing center at the 11th Military Circle in Bangkok. Works are in process to increase the daily capacity of its drive-thru COVID-19 testing to 500 tests. Meanwhile, the army testing and treatment facility at the Royal Thai Army Club has so far served around 10,000 people since its opening earlier this month. The facility here provides comprehensive services including testing, chest x-rays, doctors’ visits, hospitalization, prescriptions, and patient transport back home. The Permanent Secretary of Defence, emphasized that Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s policy is for all military units to help set up field hospitals and community isolation centers at military bases in dark-red provinces, as well as to support active case finding operations, and the transport of patients from home to treatment facilities. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates