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Dr Yong: Top Thai virologist doesn't mention China in online comments about Covid As several countries around the world moved to introduce Covid tests for incoming Chinese tourists a top Thai virologist has skirted round the issue. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282138-dr-yong-top-thai-virologist-doesnt-mention-china-in-online-comments-about-covid/

As several countries around the world moved to introduce Covid tests for incoming Chinese tourists a top Thai virologist has skirted round the issue. The question of Chinese people potentially spreading Covid after their country said they would abandon restrictions from January 8th is a hot topic around the world. Especially in Thailand as 20% of the country's pre-pandemic tourists (40 million) came from China. Tourism is picking up again with 10 million visiting in 2022 and more expected next year - especially Chinese. Dr Yong Poovoravan was reflecting on the latest stages of Covid infection in a Facebook post. He mentioned Japan and South Korea where there are large numbers of infections but avoided mentioning China by name. Instead he spoke of variants and the need for vigilance especially as only a small percentage of the world's population had received 3 jabs. He recognised that around 70% of the world's population had got a couple of jabs or acquired immunity through infection. He stressed the need for Thailand to maintain vigilance, monitoring new variants that might not have entered the Thai population before. His message was "follow the science". He stopped short of jumping on the bandwagon in demanding PCR tests for incoming tourists from China. The US, India and several countries in the EU have implimented these measures. Thailand is unlikely to follow suit as it attempts to get its struggling tourism industry - and those vital Chinese - back on side, notes ASEAN NOW. That might risk annoying the Chinese, a step too far for those keen to accelerate the pace of tourism in Thailand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-12-31 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Covid travel restrictions return, Top 10 stories for 2022 - TNT Dec 31 There will be new travel restrictions on people entering Thailand, including Chinese. Last TNT for the year and a recap of the biggest stories and a look at trends for 2023. Tell us what you think and join in - everyone is welcome. Best wishes for your happy new year, wherever you are. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282131-covid-travel-restrictions-return-top-10-stories-for-2022-tnt-dec-31/

New kind of thief: Thai man uses a knife to threaten convenience store staff into accepting online transfer New kind of thief - used knife to get online transfer at convenience store (Samut Prakan) SAMUT PRAKAN: -- 77kaoded reported that Bang Sao Thong police in Samut Prakan had uncovered what they called a new kind of crime and a new kind of thief. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282134-new-kind-of-thief-thai-man-uses-a-knife-to-threaten-convenience-store-staff-into-accepting-online-transfer/

New kind of thief - used knife to get online transfer at convenience store (Samut Prakan) SAMUT PRAKAN: -- 77kaoded reported that Bang Sao Thong police in Samut Prakan had uncovered what they called a new kind of crime and a new kind of thief. This one produced a knife to make staff at a convenience store accept his transfer of funds. He then fled in the direction of Chonburi in a pick-up. CCTV caught the man urinating while he waited for the coast to be clear at the store. He then went across the road to the store where he pretended to be a customer who wanted 16,800 baht added to his shop account. Staff processed the request but while they were waiting for the man to hand over the funds he produced a knife instead getting the staff to press "accept". As the man fled the staff called the police. The incident happened at 4 am on Wednesday morning. In latest developments the police managed to catch Ekkachai Charoensuk, 27, yesterday after a warrant for armed robbery using a conveyance was issued by the court. He was arrested in Phanat Nikhom. The knife used and his vehicle were taken into evidence. His iPhone was also seized and evidence was discovered of a transfer of funds to a Kasikorn account. The suspect said that he had run into gambling debts after betting on the World Cup. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-12-31 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Thai immigration chief says no truth to social media rumors his men are bent - thanks Chuwit BANGKOK: -- Thai Rath reported comments made by Thailand's chief of immigration Pol Lt-Gen Phakphoomphiphat Sajjaphan at RTP HQ yesterday. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282133-thai-immigration-chief-says-no-truth-to-social-media-rumors-his-men-are-bent-thanks-chuwit/

BANGKOK: -- Thai Rath reported comments made by Thailand's chief of immigration Pol Lt-Gen Phakphoomphiphat Sajjaphan at RTP HQ yesterday. The chief said there was absolutely no truth to rumors circulating online that immigration was pocketing Visa on Arrival money. These are 15 day visas that cost 2,500 baht. He said that with tourism picking up these visas are usually dealt with by companies online that get 500 baht for each applicant. The rest, 2,000 baht, goes to the Finance Ministry, he stated. It does not go into IB funds. The chief also addressed concerns circulating that Chinese people mixed up in the Jin Ling pub investigation had been let go back to China for money. This is untrue he said adding "We don't do that sort of thing". He said that deportation orders and the like were all being handled by the courts. He admitted that 180 suspects had been allowed to return home while 37 more were still under investigation. One of the main whistleblowers in this saga has been former politician and TV presenter Chuwit Kamolwisit. Phakphoomphiphat thanked Chuwit for his work on the case saying it was important that his comments were taken seriously as they could reflect badly on the immigration bureau. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-12-31 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

2022: The journey back to normality for Thailand after COVID-19 Life in Thailand began returning to normal at the start of this year after two years of COVID-19 crisis that turned lives, businesses and the education sector upside down. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282128-2022-the-journey-back-to-normality-for-thailand-after-covid-19/

Life in Thailand began returning to normal at the start of this year after two years of COVID-19 crisis that turned lives, businesses and the education sector upside down. Though the country has not yet managed to declare victory over the new coronavirus, life has normalized in nearly all aspects. Removal of restrictions Thailand started 2022 with serious concerns that fresh outbreaks of COVID-19 could send the country back into full lockdown with the emergence of highly transmissible Omicron variant. However, authorities insisted from the very beginning of the year that Thais must learn how to “live with” COVID-19 instead of resorting to drastic measures like lockdowns, weeks-long isolation and tough controls on travel and tourism. On April 1, authorities removed COVID-19 from the list of diseases eligible for free treatment under the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) scheme. Only COVID patients who develop serious symptoms can still use the scheme, while the majority will have to rely on social security or other welfare schemes they are entitled to. Also from April 1, the government scrapped the rule requiring fully vaccinated tourists to undergo an RT-PCR test in the 72 hours before their entry and again upon arrival. A month later in May, all schools in Thailand resumed onsite classes and relaxed their COVID-19 control policies. For instance, schools no longer have to shut down in their entirety for a small outbreak among staff or students. Schools were instead given the option of placing high-risk COVID-19 contacts in quarantine. Businesses adopted the same approach, nudging their employees to return to the office. The number of passengers on mass-transport systems has also soared from last year, and Bangkok’s famous traffic jams have returned. Unsurprisingly, the economy started rebounding quickly. From June, the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) stopped providing daily reports on new infections and began logging only cases that required hospitalization or were critical. On July 1, the mandatory facemask rule in public places was lifted and people were allowed to bare their faces in open-air venues like public parks. On the same day, the government scrapped the complicated Thailand Pass system for inbound foreign travelers. With Thais returning to pre-COVID lifestyles, the CCSA shut down permanently at the end of September. On October 1, the emergency decree on the COVID-19 situation was scrapped. That same month, health authorities began giving weekly rather than daily reports on the national COVID-19 situation. Living with COVID COVID-19 has become part of life in Thailand over the past year. Most residents of the country have either been infected themselves or seen their friends or family members recover from the disease. Many patients bought medicines and isolated themselves as soon as their ATK test showed two lines. Hearing that someone has contracted COVID-19 is no longer scary news. People can now be seen hanging out together at workplaces, shopping malls and restaurants. The scene is far different from the height of the pandemic when malls were either shut or deserted. Audiences have also started returning to cinemas, while organizers are now launching large public events including big concerts and fun fests for people to enjoy. Meanwhile, relaxation of entry restrictions has returned Thailand to its status as a star of global tourism. The country has welcomed more than 10 million tourists this year. CNN recently included Thailand in its list of 10 best places to enjoy the 2023 countdown. Caution still urged While it is good to see life getting back to normal despite the lingering threat of COVID-19, health authorities are still reminding people not to lower their guard. The week of December 18-24 saw 89 people die of the virus in Thailand. Hence, authorities have been calling on people in high-risk groups – the elderly, the overweight or those suffering from respiratory disorders and other chronic diseases – to get booster shots to reduce the risk of death from coronavirus. Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/2022-the-journey-back-to-normality-for-thailand-after-covid-19/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-12-31 - 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!

Multiple collision at Khao Talo intersection last night, one injured, long tailback Muang district police and rescue services were called to the Khao Talo crossroads heading for Sattahip after a Chevy Trailblazer collided with the back of a four wheel truck waiting to do a U-turn. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282127-multiple-collision-at-khao-talo-intersection-last-night-one-injured-long-tailback/

Muang district police and rescue services were called to the Khao Talo crossroads heading for Sattahip after a Chevy Trailblazer collided with the back of a four wheel truck waiting to do a U-turn. The Chevy SUV ended up on its roof with the driver, Panya, 57, unconscious. Rescue teams used cutting equipment to extricate the driver named who was taken to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, reported Thai Rath. Apart from the truck that apparently belongs to a mushroom company in Pathum Thani, a Pajero and a Camry were also damaged in the accident that caused 1 kilometer tailbacks around midnight last night. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-12-31 - 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! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

The festive mood hits Pattaya and Chiang Mai New Year’s celebrations started on Walking Street, around Balihai Bay in Pattaya, on Thursday and will run through the countdown to New Year tomorrow night. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282122-the-festive-mood-hits-pattaya-and-chiang-mai/

New Year’s celebrations started on Walking Street, around Balihai Bay in Pattaya, on Thursday and will run through the countdown to New Year tomorrow night. All the pubs and bars on the street are festooned with fairy lights, adding to the festive ambiance for the first time after three years of COVID-19 restrictions. A live concert, featuring several popular bands and a firework display, will be among highlights tomorrow night. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/the-festive-mood-hits-pattaya-and-chiang-mai/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-12-31 - 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!

Many people still choose trains to travel from Bangkok for New Year Trains remain a popular mode of transport for many Thai people during the New Year festive period, with about 89,000 passengers using the service on Thursday and about 70,000 today (Friday). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282106-many-people-still-choose-trains-to-travel-from-bangkok-for-new-year/

Trains remain a popular mode of transport for many Thai people during the New Year festive period, with about 89,000 passengers using the service on Thursday and about 70,000 today (Friday). According to the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) public relations office, the north-eastern route reported the highest number of passengers yesterday (25,408 PAX), followed by the southern route (25,327 PAX), northern route (21,677 PAX), eastern route (10,834 PAX), Mahachai route (5,936PAX) and the Mae Khlong route (684 PAX). Three additional trains were put into service yesterday, two for the north-eastern route and one for the northern route. More carriages were also added to each train to cope with the number of passengers. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/many-people-still-choose-trains-to-travel-from-bangkok-from-for-new-year/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-12-30 - 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!

Motorcyclist Crashes into a Minivan and Dies in Chonburi PHOTO: ข่าวคนชล A motorcyclist, who was trying to carry a television he received as a New Year’s gift home after work, died after crashing into a minivan in the Mueang district of Chonburi. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1282104-motorcyclist-crashes-into-a-minivan-and-dies-in-chonburi/

PHOTO: ข่าวคนชล A motorcyclist, who was trying to carry a television he received as a New Year’s gift home after work, died after crashing into a minivan in the Mueang district of Chonburi. The victim, Mr. Witoon Tuphet, was found deceased by Chonburi rescuers with severe facial injuries on Wednesday, December 28th. He was 39-years-old and was driving his Honda Wave 125 motorbike home while carrying a boxed LED television when he crashed into a white minivan in the opposite lane. The exact size of the television wasn’t given to the press. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/12/30/motorcyclist-carrying-tv-new-years-gift-home-crashes-into-a-minivan-and-dies-in-chonburi/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-12-30 - 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!

A syringe. Illustration photo by Pixabay A man in Hanoi was hospitalized after his penis enlargement surgery went dreadfully wrong. The patient was insecure due to the small size of his penis, so he turned to silicone injections to make it appear larger. However, a month after the injection, his genitalia began to hurt, and was bruised and he found it difficult to achieve erection, doctor Nguyen Van Duc of the Saint Paul general hospital said Thursday. Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient’s genitalia was swollen and necrotized. Doctors decided to remove the silicone and performed reconstructive surgery for the patient’s penis. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/hanoi-man-hospitalized-after-penis-necrotized-due-to-silicone-injection-4554218.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-30

Nguyen Thai Luyen stands before the HCMC People's Court, December 29, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van A Saigon real estate con man was sentenced to life in prison Thursday after swindling around VND2.4 trillion ($101.6 million) from 4,560 people. Nguyen Thai Luyen, 36, president of Alibaba, had conned thousands of unwitting Vietnamese citizens into buying fake real estate properties, the HCMC People’s Court said. Vo Thi Thanh Mai, Luyen’s wife, received 20 years in jail for the same charge and 12 years for money laundering. Her sentence, totaling at least 30 years in prison, is the maximum term for non-life imprisonment in Vietnam. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/saigon-real-estate-firm-president-gets-life-for-tricking-101m-from-thousands-with-fake-projects-4554311.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-30

A bus picks up passengers at Tan Son Nhat airport in HCMC in July 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Gia Minh Starting next February, connections to and from Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport will be boosted with 14 new bus routes. The city’s Department of Transport will launch the new routes on a pilot scheme. They will be operated by Hai Van International Transportation Joint Venture Company. Among the 14 routes, four will link the airport in Tan Binh District with the new Mien Dong Bus Station, from where passengers can leave HCMC for localities in the southeastern and central regions; two with the Mien Tay Bus Station that links with the Mekong Delta, and the rest with Thu Duc City, District 8, District 12, Hoc Mon District and Binh Chanh District. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/14-more-bus-routes-to-enter-service-at-tan-son-nhat-international-airport-4554221.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-30

Four men in central Nghe An Province stand trial for stealing dogs, December 29, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Khanh Son A court in the central Nghe An Province has handed jail terms to four local men for stealing 14 dogs. Following the trial Thursday, Nguyen Dinh Phong, 30, got 12 months for "property theft" and "illegal possession of military weapons." Vuong Van Hong, 36, got 24 months, Nguyen Dinh Quynh, 35, got seven months and Doan Chi Linh, 36, received a seven-month suspended sentence for "property theft." Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/4-men-get-jail-sentences-for-stealing-dogs-4554448.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-30

About 400 employees and patrons were in the Grand Diamond City casino and hotel in the town of Poipet when a fire broke out around midnight of December 28, 2022. Photo by AFP Several Vietnamese were among those injured or killed in a fire at a casino-hotel complex in Cambodia, a Cambodian official has confirmed. The fire broke out at about midnight on Wednesday at Grand Diamond City, a casino and hotel in the town of Poipet, near the border with Thailand, according to Cambodian police. By Friday morning, 19 people were confirmed dead and over 60 injured. Full Story: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnamese-among-victims-in-cambodia-casino-fire-4554585.html -- © Copyright VN Express 2022-12-30

A health worker prepares a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine booster at the Marikina Sports Complex on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. The STAR / Walter Bollozos MANILA, Philippines — The government can still continue the rollout of vaccines if President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. decides against the extension of the state of calamity due to COVID-19, but it cannot purchase additional doses, the Department of Health said Friday. The DOH sought to extend the declaration of the state of calamity, which is set to expire on December 31, to allow the continued implementation of measures to combat the pandemic. But on Thursday, Marcos said he was "very, very hesitant" to allow the extension "because we are not in a state of calamity anymore, technically speaking." Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/30/2234290/doh-we-cant-buy-more-covid-vaccine-doses-unless-state-calamity-extended -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-12-30

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. leads the country's commemoration of the 126th anniversary of the martyrdom of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal at the Rizal Park in Manila. via ONE News / RTVM MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday urged Filipinos embody the excellence, patriotism and perseverance of Dr. Jose Rizal as the nation commemorates the 126th anniversary of the hero’s death. "May Rizal’s determination to achieve real change empower the Filipinos of today to become vigilant of the social ills that may threaten our liberty," Marcos said in a message. "May he continue to become a role model to all of us who aspire to impart our knowledge and dedicate our abilities to the betterment of society," he added. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/30/2234277/filipinos-urged-emulate-rizals-excellence-perseverance -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-12-30

This June 15, 2020, photo shows health protocols being implemented at a restaurant and mall in Quezon City during the first day of allowing dine-in services amid the coronavirus pandemic. The STAR / Michael Varcas MANILA, Philippines (Updated 1:40 p.m.) — The National Privacy Commission has directed telecommunications companies to put options and tick boxes not related to SIM card registration on a separate page in telco registration portals over concerns that these were being used for marketing purposes unrelated to the law. In a release Friday, the NPC said it had met with representatives from Smart Communications Inc., Globe Telecom and Dito Telecommunity over tick boxes that were included in SIM card registration portals. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/30/2234291/telcos-told-put-marketing-options-separate-page-sim-card-reg-portals -- © Copyright Philstar 2022-12-30