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An influential Thai virologist said new Covid-19 strains from tourists traveling from the West are more worrisome than older strains from tourists traveling from China. Dr. Yong Poovorawan came out today, January 6th, to allay Thai people’s concerns over a surge in Covid-19 infections in light of China’s upcoming easing of travel restrictions from January 8th onwards. Dr. Yong, who is the chief of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, posted on his Facebook wall that, “The ongoing outbreak in China is primarily caused by the Omicron subvariant of Covid-19, known as BA.5, which has already spread in Thailand.” Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/01/06/thai-health-expert-says-covid-from-the-west-is-more-dangerous-than-from-china/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-01-06 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Man Kills Girl at Her School ROI ET, Jan 6 (TNA) – A student was fatally stabbed at Ban Lao Witthayakhan School in Nong Kaew sub-district of Muang district. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282731-man-kills-girl-at-her-school/

ROI ET, Jan 6 (TNA) – A student was fatally stabbed at Ban Lao Witthayakhan School in Nong Kaew sub-district of Muang district. The 14-year-old girl was stabbed once in her neck and twice in her chest. Rescue workers gave her first aid and sent her to Roi Et Hospital where she succumbed to her wounds. Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1089804 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2023-01-06 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Former Vietnam ambassador in Malaysia Tran Viet Thai. Photo by Baoquocte Former Vietnamese ambassador in Malaysia Tran Viet Thai has been detained to be investigated for power abuse in a Covid-19 repatriation flight bribery case. Thai, 49, was assigned to become the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Vietnam in Malaysia in 2020. At the end of 2022, he was dismissed from all Party positions for the 2020-2025 term. Nguyen Hoang Linh, 37, former employee of the Vietnam Embassy in Malaysia, is also being investigated for power abuse in the case, police announced Thursday. Linh has been put under house arrest. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/former-vietnam-ambassador-in-malaysia-arrested-over-covid-bribery-scandal-4556729.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-06

Crowds of passengers wait for check-in at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport, April 28, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh A passenger at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport left his wallet with VND130 million ($5,535) in luggage cart on Thursday. In a New Year's miracle, he got it back. The wallet was discovered by Nguyen Nhu Duong, a security employee at the airport, while he was directing traffic at the domestic terminal. Duong informed security personnel about the wallet so it could be checked for explosives, among other procedures. The wallet contained VND130 million in cash, a driver's license and other personal papers. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/passenger-leaves-wallet-with-vnd130m-at-hanoi-airport-4556731.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-06

Police inspect the scene where a fire truck flipped in Binh Phuoc Province, January 5, 2023. Photo by Van Tram Two firefighters died in southern Vietnam on Thursday afternoon when their truck flipped over while on duty. Colonel Bui Xuan Thang, director of the Binh Phuoc Province Police Department, announced the deaths of Lieutenant Ngo Quang Sang, 24, and Private Ho Kiet Tuong, 20, Friday. The tragic accident occurred when the fire truck arrived in Thuan Loi Commune in Dong Phu District to put out a fire, and the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to flip. It has not been confirmed if the truck hit anything. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/2-firefighters-killed-as-truck-flips-over-while-on-mission-4556876.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-06

High-speed boats that serve Phu Quoc services dock in Rach Gia Town, Kien Giang Province, January 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Phuong Ferry and high-speed boat services between Phu Quoc Island and the mainland have been suspended due to bad weather. Vo Minh Tuan, deputy director of Kien Giang Province’s Maritime Administration, said services between the mainland and Phu Quoc, Nam Du and Hon Son islands were halted at 6 a.m. Friday after wind speeds over the sea increased to 50-74 kph. On average, there are 30 daily ferry and boat trips carrying tourists from Kien Giang’s Rach Gia and Ha Tien towns to Phu Quoc, a tourist hotspot famous for its long beaches and luxury resorts. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/strong-winds-suspend-boat-service-to-phu-quoc-4556906.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-06

Rescuers and experts at the site where 10-year-old Thai Ly Hao Nam fell into a concrete pillar in Dong Thap Province, January 5, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Nam A group of Japanese experts has arrived in southern Dong Thap Province to help pull up a 35-m-deep pillar with the body of a dead boy inside. The experts have developed a plan to extricate the hollow pillar, which has a diameter of 25cm and is buried underground at the construction site of a bridge. However, due to a lack of machinery, the experts have yet to start work, said Doan Tan Buu, Dong Thap’s deputy chairman. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/japanese-experts-help-excavate-concrete-pillar-with-boy-inside-4557036.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2023-01-06

MANILA, Philippines — The shear line and the northeast monsoon or amihan are dumping rain over most of the Philippines on Friday, state meteorologists said. The shear line — or the weather system formed when cold and warm winds converge — will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms to Bicol region, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Caraga and Quezon province. PAGASA warned that floods or landslides may occur due to moderate to heavy with at times intense rain. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/06/2235724/rainy-friday-most-parts-philippines-due-shear-line-amihan -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-06

MANILA, Philippines (3rd update, 2:07 p.m.) — Juanito Jose Remulla III, son of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, was freed from detention Friday after a Las Piñas court acquitted him of possession of illegal drugs amounting to P1.3 million. The Las Piñas Regional Trial Court Branch 197 said the prosecution failed to provide evidence that the younger Remulla knew he was receiving a package of illegal drugs and that anti-drug agents committed lapses in the chain of custody of the nearly 900 grams of what authorities said was high-grade marijuana. “Wherefore, premises considered, accused Juanito Jose Remulla III y Diaz is acquitted of the crime of violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, on the ground of reasonable doubt,” read the 34-page decision penned by Acting Presiding Judge Ricardo Moldez II. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/06/2235728/remulla-son-acquitted-p13m-drug-possession-case -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-06

A passenger wearing a face shield and mask amid the Covid-19 pandemic boards a domestic flight at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on January 3, 2023. AFP / Hector Retamal MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the Philippines will “watch and wait” on the COVID-19 situation in China as he stressed that the government will employ a science-based approach when it comes to travel restrictions. “They said Chinese nationals will not be immediately allowed to travel. So maybe in the meantime, we just watch and wait and I’m sure that they (China) will not allow people who test positive to leave,” Marcos told reporters partly in Filipino in a news conference on Thursday. He said the country’s remaining COVID-19 restrictions have been based on “actual risk factors.” Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/06/2235756/marcos-says-philippines-watch-and-wait-chinas-covid-19-situation -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-06

Passengers crowd the departure lobby while others set up camp inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Monday midnight, Jan. 2, 2023 as the influx of passengers still builds up despite announcements made by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista that the airport is back to normal operations around 5:50 PM on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. Numerous flights were canceled earlier due to a technical glitch and the power outage at the Air Traffic Management Center of the NAIA. The STAR / Miguel de Guzman MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. apologized Friday over the technical failure that took the entire Philippine airspace offline just in time for the New Year’s Day travel rush affecting at least 56,000 passengers. “I’m sorry. Of course, we have to apologize to our countrymen, especially those who came from abroad because their vacation time is limited,” Marcos told reporters partly in Filipino after inspecting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. “We’re asking for your forgiveness, but we are doing everything so that this does not happen again,” he added. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/06/2235765/marcos-apologizes-over-philippine-airspace-outage -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-06

Police officers gather at the Manila Police District headquarters in UN Avenue, Manila during the flag raising and awarding ceremony. The STAR / Russell Palma MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. admitted Friday that his administration has long been planning to call on top cops to submit their courtesy resignations supposedly to cleanse their ranks of links to the illegal drug trade. Asked at the sidelines of his inspection of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport if Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos’ call for police officers to quit had his blessing, Marcos said, “We’ve been planning this for a while.” Marcos said calling for top cops to tender their resignations was his administration’s “different” approach to combating illegal drugs, which was a flagship project of his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/06/2235767/marcos-says-admin-planned-quit-call-top-cops-over-drugs -- © Copyright Philstar 2023-01-06

Local officials submit letter to PM to confirm Phuket is ready to host 2028 Expo Facebook/อบจ.ภูเก็ต - องค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัดภูเก็ต Yes we can! Phuket officials assembled at City Hall at the Provincial Office in Phuket Town yesterday to submit a letter to the Thai PM, confirming the island’s readiness to host the 2028 Specialised Expo. The group included representatives from 19 local administrative organisations, who’d put their name to a letter addressed to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282716-local-officials-submit-letter-to-pm-to-confirm-phuket-is-ready-to-host-2028-expo/

Facebook/อบจ.ภูเก็ต - องค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัดภูเก็ต Yes we can! Phuket officials assembled at City Hall at the Provincial Office in Phuket Town yesterday to submit a letter to the Thai PM, confirming the island’s readiness to host the 2028 Specialised Expo. The group included representatives from 19 local administrative organisations, who’d put their name to a letter addressed to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha. According to a Nation Thailand report, deputy governors Amnuay Pinsuwan and Anuphab Rodkwan both accepted the letter and told the group it would be forwarded to the PM. The letter was presented in response to recent comments by Interior Ministry permanent secretary Suttipong Juljarern, which had angered Phuket residents and officials alike. Suttipong had claimed the island was not ready to host an event such as the 2028 Expo and should withdraw its bid to do so because of alleged problems with rubbish removal and environment concerns. In response, Rewat Areerob from the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation says the island’s officials and communities have been working together for several months to ensure Phuket is ready to host the international event. “We submitted the letter because we wanted those in high positions to understand our dedication and readiness to host the 2028 Specialised Expo.” Rewat added that local residents were disappointed to hear a fellow Thai, particularly one in such a senior government role, making such disparaging comments about Phuket. Specialised Expos usually take place between World Expos and are held in response to specific challenges facing humanity. In January 2022, Cabinet approved a budget of 4.18 billion baht for the 2028 event to be held in Thailand. Phuket’s bid to host it was officially submitted in Paris last June, under the theme “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity”. The island is competing with the US, Argentina, Serbia, and Spain to host the event. The Bureau of International Exposition will announce the chosen country in June of this year. Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-news/local-officials-submit-letter-to-pm-to-confirm-phuket-is-ready-to-host-2028-expo/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-06 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Burglar allegedly creeps into Chinese man’s pool villa in Pattaya A Chinese man lost 60,000 in Thai cash and many valuables to a burglar at around 10 PM last night, January 5th. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282714-burglar-allegedly-creeps-into-chinese-man’s-pool-villa-in-pattaya/

A Chinese man lost 60,000 in Thai cash and many valuables to a burglar at around 10 PM last night, January 5th. The burglar sneaked into the victim’s pool villa in the Jomtien Second Road area in the Banglamung district’s Nongprue subdistrict and allegedly stole 60,000 baht cash, 8,000-baht in Hong Kong dollars, and a Marshall speaker. The thief crept in while the victim, Mr. Ng Ho Hin, had just gone upstairs to change his clothes after finishing dining with his friends on the first floor of the villa around 10 PM. The victim went to report the incident to Pattaya police at 2 AM. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/01/06/burglar-allegedly-creeps-into-chinese-mans-pool-villa-in-pattaya-and-steals-60000-baht-cash/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-01-06 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Fire Guts Auto Painting Plant, Damage at B100m CHONBURI, Jan 6 (TNA) – An automotive painting plant caught fire and its damage was estimated at about 100 million baht. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282712-fire-guts-auto-painting-plant-damage-at-b100m/

CHONBURI, Jan 6 (TNA) – An automotive painting plant caught fire and its damage was estimated at about 100 million baht. The fire erupted at the plant in Bang Lamung district at about 4am. About 100 firefighters and 20 fire trucks were deployed to control the blaze and prevent it from reaching a tank containing about 15,000 liters of oil in the same compound. Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1089684 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2023-01-06 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Central Terminal Station Undergoes Inspection before Service Launch BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport has instructed the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to ensure that Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station is ready for service on January 19. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282711-central-terminal-station-undergoes-inspection-before-service-launch/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport has instructed the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to ensure that Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station is ready for service on January 19. According to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, the SRT and related agencies have been instructed to ensure that services at the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, also known as Bang Sue Grand Station, operate smoothly during the launch. From the Central Terminal, 52 long-distance trains from the northern, southern, and northeastern routes will begin long-distance service on January 19. The minister said that officials planned for these long-distance routes to be transferred from Hua Lamphong Station to the Grand Station to help alleviate traffic congestion in Bangkok. Commuters can also take the SRT Dark Red Line to and from Don Meuang International Airport, and public buses have been improved to accommodate commuters traveling from the station to destinations throughout the capital city. The minister also added that a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority to launch the monthly joint-ticketing system for travelers, which is expected to be available this month. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230106144749700 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-06 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Thai Navy says Sukhothai underwent full repairs before being recommissioned Wikipedia The HTMS Sukhothai underwent a full process of repairs before being recommissioned, according to a statement from the Royal Thai Navy. Nation Thailand reports that the Navy has rebuffed a social media claim that the ill-fated vessel was not sea-worthy. The Facebook post alleges that the Sukhothai’s steel hull had eroded by about 25% in 13 different areas. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282710-thai-navy-says-sukhothai-underwent-full-repairs-before-being-recommissioned/

Wikipedia The HTMS Sukhothai underwent a full process of repairs before being recommissioned, according to a statement from the Royal Thai Navy. Nation Thailand reports that the Navy has rebuffed a social media claim that the ill-fated vessel was not sea-worthy. The Facebook post alleges that the Sukhothai’s steel hull had eroded by about 25% in 13 different areas. In response to the claim, the Royal Thai Naval says the ship was fully repaired and met all required standards before being recommissioned into the fleet on January 28, 2021. HTMS Sukhothai capsized then sank in stormy seas about 3 kilometres off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan on December 18. The ship was carrying 105 crew, 76 of whom were rescued. Another 24 crew members died and 5 remain missing. No further bodies have been recovered since December 29 and the search operation has now moved further south, from Chumphon to the islands and islets around Surat Thani. In response to the Facebook claims about the condition of the vessel’s hull, Vice Admiral Sutthisak Bunnag says the post does not give the full picture. He says the ship underwent maintenance at the Mahidol Adulyadej dry dock between July 12 and September 3, 2021. During that process, the 13 eroded spots on the hull were identified and work carried out to repair them. Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/thai-navy-says-sukhothai-underwent-full-repairs-before-being-recommissioned/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-06 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

KTB to Partner with AIS on Virtual Bank Investment BANGKOK (NNT) - Advanced Info Service (AIS) and Krungthai Bank (KTB) have teamed up to invest in a virtual bank that will serve both existing and new customers. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282709-ktb-to-partner-with-ais-on-virtual-bank-investment/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Advanced Info Service (AIS) and Krungthai Bank (KTB) have teamed up to invest in a virtual bank that will serve both existing and new customers. KTB president Payong Srivanich stated that KTB and AIS signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly invest in a virtual bank, which will offer regular banking services online without the need for physical branch offices. He said that the partnership reflects the business expansion for both parties. Currently, financial institutions are waiting for the Bank of Thailand to issue virtual bank regulations, which are likely to be announced soon. The Central Bank has been drafting licensing guidelines and researching virtual bank models in various countries, stressing that the guidelines would be in line with the Thai economy and market environment. The Bank of Thailand has stated that financial institutions with commercial banking licenses will not be permitted to apply for virtual bank licenses since such licenses should be focused on new unbanked and underbanked consumers rather than existing clients. However, other entities that are a part of a commercial bank group but lack banking licenses are eligible to apply for virtual bank licenses. Some commercial bank executives have previously shown interest in applying for virtual bank licenses pending the publication of regulations. They expect that licensing will enable them to explore more business opportunities in the digital era. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230106145708706 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-06 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!