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FILE PHOTO: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he delivers his 6th State of the Nation Address (SONA), at the House of Representative in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 26, 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seeking a record 5.024 trillion pesos ($99.13 billion) budget for 2022 to help the country recover from the coronavirus pandemic, the presidential spokesperson said on Tuesday. The government is facing multiple challenges including reviving a pandemic-hit economy, containing the spread of more infectious coronavirus variants, and creating jobs through its infrastructure programme. The proposed budget, 11.5% higher than the 2021 allotment, will be submitted to congress on Monday, Harry Roque, Duterte's spokesperson, told a news conference. The social services sector, which includes COVID-19 vaccine procurement and universal healthcare, will receive the highest allocation at 1.92 trillion pesos, followed by 1.47 trillion pesos for the economic service sector that involves key infrastructure projects, Roque said. It is the final budget for Duterte, who will end his single six-year term in June, 2022. The Southeast Asian nation, which was among the fastest growing economies in Asia before the pandemic, exited recession in the second quarter https://www.reuters.com/article/philippines-economy-gdp-idUSL1N2PH04H after five consecutive quarters of contraction. A renewed surge in COVID-19 cases, driven by the virulent Delta variant, has brought total infections to 1.75 million and deaths to 30,366, government data show. Duterte's proposed budget will likely face tough scrutiny from lawmakers after state auditors flagged inefficiencies and deficiencies https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippine-health-ministry-says-no-corruption-13-bln-pandemic-funds-2021-08-14 in the use of government funds, including those meant to fund pandemic measures. The health ministry is under fire for not paying risk allowances to overworked nurses, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/overwhelmed-philippines-hospitals-hit-by-staff-resignations-2021-08-16 and "deficiencies" involving $1.3 billion, casting doubt on the country's pandemic response. Health Secretary Francisco Duque, who has faced calls to resign, at the weekend denied that any money had been stolen and Duterte on Monday backed the minister. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-17

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has revealed that the Philippines has scrapped plans to impose tariffs on cars imported from Thailand, after Thai officials ramped up attempts to resolve the trade dispute. Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said the Philippines started the collection of import duties on passenger cars and pickup trucks from Thailand on Feb 1st this year. The duty has been charged at 42,000 baht per passenger car and 66,000 baht per pickup truck. He said the Philippines also agreed to return to importers 1.2 billion baht worth of safeguard duty charged on the two types of imported cars. Mr. Jurin said the Philippines’ decision will help Thailand retain market share in two vehicle categories in the Philippine market, worth 60-70 billion baht a year. Pickup trucks imported from Thailand control up to 99% of that particular automotive niche in the Philippines, while Thai passenger cars control 20%. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-17

Bank of Thailand Suggests Additional State Borrowing to Address COVID-19 Economic Impacts BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is urging the government to borrow an additional 1 trillion baht to address the severe economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to boost the country’s long-term growth prospects. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227820-bank-of-thailand-suggests-additional-state-borrowing-to-address-covid-19-economic-impacts/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is urging the government to borrow an additional 1 trillion baht to address the severe economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to boost the country’s long-term growth prospects. BoT Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said he considers such state borrowing to be reasonable as the economic impacts of the pandemic are expected to be harder and last longer than the BoT’s earlier assessments and fiscal policy should play a key role in ameliorating lockdown pain and supporting the economy. He said the BoT sees it as reasonable to borrow an additional 1 trillion baht, as lower household incomes and higher unemployment, caused by the outbreak, are the areas which need fiscal support. Such a move would increase the country’s public debt ratio to 70% of GDP by 2024. Mr. Sethaput also said the government should use additional borrowing to boost economic multipliers, such as the existing co-payment and loan guarantee schemes and other subsidy measures, to provide relief from the hardships of the pandemic. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-17 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai Health Ministry Approves Procurement of 8.5 Million Antigen Test Kits from Lepu BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has approved the Government Pharmaceutical Organization’s (GPO) purchase of 8.5 million antigen test kit (ATK) sets from China’s Lepu Medical Technology, following the completion of the bidding to import the product. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227819-thai-health-ministry-approves-procurement-of-85-million-antigen-test-kits-from-lepu/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has approved the Government Pharmaceutical Organization’s (GPO) purchase of 8.5 million antigen test kit (ATK) sets from China’s Lepu Medical Technology, following the completion of the bidding to import the product. Public Health Ministry deputy permanent secretary Dr. Sura Visetsak said the GPO can now sign a procurement contract with the winning bidder, as tests had confirmed that the kits were of an acceptable standard and the procurement process meets all necessary legal requirements. He added that the quality of the product has been confirmed by all the required agencies and that there would have to be a good reason to cancel the deal now. The next step is for the GPO to sign the contract and receive the ATKs as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Dr. Mongkol Kunakorn, chief of the Department of Pathology at the Faculty of Medicine of Ramathibodi Hospital at Mahidol University, said the test results at the faculty’s laboratory show that there is no significant difference between Lepu Medical Technology’s kits and other brands, which have already been tested and met the quality guidelines set by the TFDA. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-17 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Higher risk of Bell's Palsy after Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine - study FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker prepares a dose of China's Sinovac Biotech vaccine for the coronavirus disease in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 5, 2021. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan (Reuters) - The risk of Bell's Palsy, a type of facial paralysis, is higher after Sinovac Biotech Ltd's COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac, but should not be a deterrent to vaccination, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227817-higher-risk-of-bells-palsy-after-sinovacs-covid-19-vaccine-study/

FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker prepares a dose of China's Sinovac Biotech vaccine for the coronavirus disease in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 5, 2021. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan (Reuters) - The risk of Bell's Palsy, a type of facial paralysis, is higher after Sinovac Biotech Ltd's COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac, but should not be a deterrent to vaccination, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal. "The beneficial and protective effects of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh the risk of this generally self-limiting adverse event," the study mentioned. The study involved 28 clinically confirmed cases of Bell's Palsy after Sinovac's CoronaVac shot reported among nearly 452,000 individuals who received first dose of the vaccine, and 16 cases after Pfizer/BioNtech's vaccine detected from more than 537,000 individuals. "Our findings suggest an overall increased risk of Bell's palsy after CoronaVac vaccination," according to the study. The study performed in Hong Kong assessed the risk of the adverse event within 42 days of vaccination. The mechanism of Bell's palsy in patients after vaccination is unclear, the study acknowledged, calling for further investigation. "Bell's Palsy after vaccination is rare, and most symptoms were mild and got better on their own," Sinovac representative Liu Peicheng said in an written response. Liu said Sinovac has not detected Bell's Palsy risk in its analysis of data from Chinese disease control authorities, the Uppsala Monitoring Centre of the World Health Organisation, or its unit's database for adverse events after immunization. "According to the current data, the benefits and protection of CoronaVac far outweigh the possible risks," Liu said. "The public should be fully vaccinated in time with CoronaVac to prevent COVID-19 infection and block virus transmission." Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-17 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai GPO launches 2nd phase of clinical trials of inactivated chimeric vaccine Thailand’s Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) launched the second phase of human trials of its COVIC-19 HXP-GPOVac vaccine candidate on Monday, after the completion of the first-phase trials which show satisfactory immune responses in human specimens. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227815-thai-gpo-launches-2nd-phase-of-clinical-trials-of-inactivated-chimeric-vaccine/

Thailand’s Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) launched the second phase of human trials of its COVIC-19 HXP-GPOVac vaccine candidate on Monday, after the completion of the first-phase trials which show satisfactory immune responses in human specimens. GPO Director Dr. Withoon Danwiboon said yesterday that the new clinical trials, conducted by the Faculty of Tropical Medicine of Mahidol University and commissioned by the GPO, will involve 250 volunteers who are in good health, have not been inoculated with any COVID-19 vaccine and are not infected by COVID-19. The GPO’s vaccine development project is supported by PATH, a global non-profit health organization, which has provided the Thai organization with a prototype vaccine, jointly developed by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the University of Texas at Austin, in the United States. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-gpo-launches-2nd-phase-of-clinical-trials-of-inactivated-chimeric-vaccine/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-08-17 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai protester comatose with bullet lodged in head after clashes Demonstrators attend a protest over the government's handling of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 16, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai anti-government protester is in a coma with a bullet lodged in his head, a hospital said on Tuesday, as police denied use of live ammunition to disperse demonstrations against the country's prime minister. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227752-video-police-deny-shooting-with-live-round-film-shows-shot-and-sound-coming-from-din-daeng-police-station/?do=findComment&comment=16749052

Thai protester comatose with bullet lodged in head after clashes Demonstrators attend a protest over the government's handling of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 16, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai anti-government protester is in a coma with a bullet lodged in his head, a hospital said on Tuesday, as police denied use of live ammunition to disperse demonstrations against the country's prime minister. A 20-year-old man was rushed to hospital on Monday with a gunshot wound to his neck and needed reviving, Bangkok's Ratchawithi hospital said in a statement. He was now in a coma and an X-ray examination showed a bullet lodged close to his brain, it said. At least six people were injured in clashes between the protesters and police on Monday https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/clashes-thailand-pressure-builds-pm-over-coronavirus-crisis-2021-08-16 near the residence of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, Bangkok's emergency service said. It was the sixth time in the past 10 days that police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse demonstrations, which have mounted against Prayuth over his handling of the country's COVID-19 epidemic. Another demonstration was planned for later on Tuesday. A 14-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound on the shoulder, said a voluntary paramedic working with the protesters. Demonstrations have gained momentum in recent weeks as groups who sought Prayuth's removal last year have returned, drawing broader support from people angered by a worsening coronavirus situation. Thailand has recorded over 948,000 coronavirus cases, the vast majority of those since April, and reported a record 239 deaths on Tuesday. Police said they would investigate the violence, adding officers used non-lethal means to maintain law and order, because all forms of public gatherings were banned under coronavirus restrictions. "The police did not use real guns," Bangkok police chief Pakapong Pongpetra told reporters. Thirteen people were arrested on Monday. More than 150 protesters have been charged over demonstrations since July. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-17 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

In Thailand, an army of volunteers fights coronavirus Buddhist monk Phrompong Kaino puts on personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing in a community near his temple in Bangkok, Thailand August 4, 2021. Picture taken August 4, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun BANGKOK (Reuters) - Monk Phrompong Kaino, 33, works around the clock providing free COVID-19 swab tests for vulnerable people in high-risk Bangkok communities, part of a project by his temple that has reached more than 2,000 people in just over a month. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227814-in-thailand-an-army-of-volunteers-fights-coronavirus/

Buddhist monk Phrompong Kaino puts on personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing in a community near his temple in Bangkok, Thailand August 4, 2021. Picture taken August 4, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun BANGKOK (Reuters) - Monk Phrompong Kaino, 33, works around the clock providing free COVID-19 swab tests for vulnerable people in high-risk Bangkok communities, part of a project by his temple that has reached more than 2,000 people in just over a month. He is one of thousands of ordinary people who have pitched in to try to help Thailand get out of its worst coronavirus crisis to date, which has strained hospitals and health services in the capital Bangkok. One in five of those tested by the project Kaino's temple runs were positive for COVID-19 and were offered care at the temple in community isolation, or found hospital beds. "Medical teams cannot meet the demand," Phrompong said. "No matter if they are Buddhist, Christian or Muslim communities, we are all human beings and citizens who deserve to get treated fairly and immediately." Thailand is on course to pass the 1 million mark in coronavirus cases this week, with 7,700 deaths so far, including a record 239 on Tuesday. Vaccination rates are low due to supply shortages and temples are inundated with bodies to cremate. Pairuch Sudtoop is a volunteer for a foundation funded by donations that has provided free undertaking and cremation services for about 350 people in recent months. "The nation is in crisis now, I've never seen Thais suffer this much," Pairuch said. He volunteers on top of his job as a business owner and church worker. "As the last person at the gate between the human world and the afterlife, it's hard to control our emotions not to be sad." The government has hotlines for infected people to call for help, but has been criticised for failing to cope with a surge in demand. A group of aerospace engineers has created a platform to connect volunteers with infected people needing assistance, tracking their locations and waiting times. It also provides information like available community isolation centres and places to refill oxygen tanks. Volunteer developer Wasanchai Vongsantivanich points to red dots on a screen showing a Bangkok map and those awaiting help. "You can see the situation is pretty bad," he said, adding 9,000 volunteers signed up in the first three weeks. "They are just trying to help people in the community. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-17 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Russian man loses gold necklace worth 20,000 baht after it was allegedly stolen on Beach Road by two women A Russian man has reported to police that his 20,000 baht white-gold necklace has been stolen by what he believed were two female prostitutes in Pattaya last night (August 16th). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227812-russian-man-loses-gold-necklace-worth-20000-baht-after-it-was-allegedly-stolen-on-beach-road-by-two-women/

A Russian man has reported to police that his 20,000 baht white-gold necklace has been stolen by what he believed were two female prostitutes in Pattaya last night (August 16th). At 8:00 P.M. Mr. Dennis Nidovacom, 38, a Russian national, filed a report to the Pattaya City Police. Police went to the scene near a shopping mall on Beach Road. He told Pattaya police via an interpreter, “While I was walking near Pattaya beach, two females, who I believe were prostitutes, came to me and tried to hug me and offer sexual services. I refused them before I walked away. I later discovered that my white gold necklace had disappeared.” Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/08/17/russian-man-loses-gold-necklace-worth-20000-baht-after-it-was-allegedly-stolen-on-beach-road-by-two-women/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-08-17 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Short on vaccines, Thailand seeks to borrow from Bhutan FILE PHOTO: A health worker prepares a dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Central Vaccination Center, inside the Bang Sue Grand Station, Thailand, June 21, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand, a regional manufacturer of AstraZeneca's coronavirus shots, is seeking to borrow 150,000 doses of the same vaccine from the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, an official said on Monday, amid a Thai supply shortage. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227719-short-on-vaccines-thailand-seeks-to-borrow-from-bhutan/

FILE PHOTO: A health worker prepares a dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Central Vaccination Center, inside the Bang Sue Grand Station, Thailand, June 21, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand, a regional manufacturer of AstraZeneca's coronavirus shots, is seeking to borrow 150,000 doses of the same vaccine from the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, an official said on Monday, amid a Thai supply shortage. Thailand has been racing to boost its stocks after being hit by its worst wave of coronavirus infections, just two months before it started its mass immunisation drive in June. The request to tap vaccines from Bhutan, a country of less than 1 million people, reflects efforts to plug gaps in Thailand's chaotic vaccine rollout, after AstraZeneca said it could supply the country with about five to six million monthly doses, about half of what the government had targeted. Thailand produces AstraZeneca's vaccine for regional distribution but has managed to fully inoculate just 7.1% of its population so far, with new daily infections projected to double next month. By contrast, Bhutan started its vaccinations in March and has administered over 1 million doses, a number sufficient to have immunised about two-thirds of its population. It has recorded less than 3,000 cases and just three deaths. "The vaccine swap arrangement between Bhutan and Thailand ... is on basis that Thailand will send back vaccines to Bhutan later on," said Natapanu Nopakun, a foreign ministry spokesperson. "At the moment, the agreement is being reviewed and considered by the government." Bhutan's embassy in Bangkok did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Thailand reported 21,157 new infections on Monday bringing the total to 928,314. There were 182 new deaths, among 7,734 fatalities overall. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Sandbox Express Bus extended, private vans now available to help tourists get off-island The Phuket Sandbox Express Bus will conttinue operating until at least Aug 30, while private vans are now available for hire. Image: Phuket Info Center PHUKET: The ‘Sandbox Express Bus’, which was to cease operations today (Aug 16), has been extended to continue taking Sandbox tourists from Phuket to Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok until at least Aug 30, and Sandbox tourists can now also choose to take a private minivan to the capital, officials confirmed today. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227718-sandbox-express-bus-extended-private-vans-now-available-to-help-tourists-get-off-island/

The Phuket Sandbox Express Bus will conttinue operating until at least Aug 30, while private vans are now available for hire. Image: Phuket Info Center PHUKET: The ‘Sandbox Express Bus’, which was to cease operations today (Aug 16), has been extended to continue taking Sandbox tourists from Phuket to Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok until at least Aug 30, and Sandbox tourists can now also choose to take a private minivan to the capital, officials confirmed today. The extended and expanded services were announced through the “Official Phuket Information Center’, operated by the Phuket office of the Ministry of Interior. The bus will continue to operate every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, costing B1,800 per person per trip. You may find a full directory of the SHA Plus+ Phuket Sandbox hotels here Full Story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/sandbox-express-bus-extended-private-vans-now-available-to-help-tourists-get-off-island-81073.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand a favourite golfing destination for Indian golfers Alpine Golf & Sports Club (File Photo) Bangkok, 16 August, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that Thailand has again been rated one of the best golfing destinations by an overwhelming 97% of respondents in a nationwide survey of golfers in India. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227717-thailand-a-favourite-golfing-destination-for-indian-golfers/

Phuket extends COVID-19 domestic travel screening, control measures until 31 August 2021 Bangkok, 16 August, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update on the COVID-19 domestic travel screening and control measures for Phuket, which were to expire today, in that these have now been extended through to 31 August, 2021. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227716-phuket-extends-covid-19-domestic-travel-screening-control-measures-until-31-august-2021/

Bangkok, 16 August, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update on the COVID-19 domestic travel screening and control measures for Phuket, which were to expire today, in that these have now been extended through to 31 August, 2021. The new Phuket Provincial Orders No. 4626/2564 and No. 4627/2564 will be in effect from 17-31 August, 2021. The Orders extended the upgraded screening measures for domestic travel to the island and the tightened rules for business and activities prone to the spread of the disease. The existing measures in place essentially remain unchanged for the extension. However, an amendment has been made that allows Phuket residents and those who work in Phuket permanently to enter the island from 17 August, 2021. Residents must be registered as such and have a Phuket listed address, while those working in Phuket have to show a confirmation document issued by their company to the checkpoint officials. Fully vaccinated international tourists visiting under the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ programme, who do not need to quarantine, can still enter and exit Phuket per the existing rules and regulations. Phuket Provincial Order No. 4627/2564: Screening for domestic arrivals 1. People and drivers of all kinds of vehicles are banned from entering Phuket via the Tha Chatchai mainland gateway, by water via every marina and pier, and by domestic air travel via Phuket International Airport, except for: Medical emergency vehicles carrying patients and medical personnel, or volunteers; Vehicles transporting medical supplies; Vehicles transporting consumable goods, agricultural products, livestock, and animal feed; Vehicles transporting cooking gas fuel; Banking and finance vehicles; Logistics vehicles for the post and newspapers; Vehicles transporting construction materials, engine and spare parts for maintenance; Shippers of import-export products at the Phuket Deep Sea Port, oil depot port (PTT Phuket) and other cargo areas; Vehicles transporting materials, raw materials, telecommunications, energy, automotive, aircraft and other industrial basic maintenance components; Residents and permanent workers in Phuket (must have documentation proof); People travelling under the Phuket Sandbox and their vehicle driver (must have documentation proof); Personnel officially assigned in charge of communicable disease control; Any government officials with the necessity to travel to and from Phuket; People with an international air ticket out of Phuket on the actual date of travelling only (must have documentation proof); People who are required to appear in the courts; Any other cases with substantial reasons to enter Phuket upon consideration of the officials at Phuket’s checkpoints. *People and vehicles mentioned above will only be allowed to enter Phuket under the conditions that they must: – Have received 2 doses of the Sinovac or Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before arrival, OR – Have received the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine as the first dose and AstraZeneca as the second dose at least 14 days before arrival, OR – Have received 1 dose of AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 14 days before arrival, OR – Have recovered from COVID-19 for less than 90 days, AND – Have received a negative test by an RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen test no more than 72 hours from the test date. Children and adolescents aged 6 to under 18 years who are unable to be vaccinated must have received a negative test by an RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen test no more than 72 hours before arrival. Students under 18 years old who are unable to be vaccinated but need to commute in and out of Phuket for education must have an identification card as proof. They are required to contact the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office for a COVID-19 test by an RT-PCR method. The certificate for the test result can be used up to 1 month from the test date. People with a valid appointment certificate for the 2nd dose of inoculation in Phuket must have received a negative test by an RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen test no more than 72 hours before arrival. All travellers into Phuket must register their entry in advance via the website www.gophuget.com and be ready to show their registration to a disease control officer before entering Phuket. Travelling by land transport through the Tha Chatchai checkpoint CANNOT be done during the hours of 23.00-04.00 Hrs. Phuket Provincial Order No. 4626/2564: COVID-19 Control Measures Extension of the closure order for businesses and venues prone to the spread of disease Entertainment businesses and venues; such as, pubs, bars, karaoke, massage parlours, and bath venues; Fighting cock/bull/fish venues, horse racetracks, and racetracks of all types; Snooker and billiard venues; Game stations, and games and Internet shops; Boxing stadiums, boxing gyms, and martial art gyms; Public and private swimming pools or other similar locations and all types of pools (SHA+ hotels are allowed to open their pools for guests only); Educational institutions of all types, except private schools where the number of attendees per class not exceed 5 people., Ban on the gatherings of people Gatherings of more than 50 people, except events organised by authorities; Drinking liquor or alcoholic beverages in public areas, beaches, parks, playgrounds, roads along canals, roads around reservoirs, or public waterways. Restrictions on organising events and ceremonies Organising of parties, carnivals, housewarming and large celebrations are NOT allowed, except traditional ceremonies which are unable to be postponed; such as, funeral ceremonies, ordination ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, religious days. Integrated control measures for businesses and venues prone to the spread of disease Department stores, shopping malls, community malls, convenience stores, and similar are allowed to open per normal hours, except for games machines and amusement parks; Restaurants and eateries are allowed to open per normal hours, and offer dine-in services without the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages; Fresh markets, flea markets and walking streets can open under strict disease control measures, but must operate at only 1 customer per 4 square metres of the area capacity; Convenience stores can open from 04.00 – 23.00 Hrs. (must close from 23.00 – 04.00 Hrs.); Sports venues are allowed to open until 21.00 Hrs., but are not allowed to conduct any kind of sport with physical contact. Audiences and gatherings are also banned; All kinds of indoor sports venues, gyms, fitness centres, yoga centres, aerobic classes, and badminton clubs can open until 21.00 Hrs. TAT would like to remind all travellers to continue with the D-M-H-T-T-A precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2021/08/phuket-extends-covid-19-domestic-travel-screening-control-measures-until-31-august-2021/

Department of Disease Control: Pfizer doses for priority groups only BANGKOK (NNT) - In response to information on social media that some of the 1.5 million Pfizer vaccine doses, donated by the United States government, were not given to priority groups but were administered to back office staff before medical workers on the frontline against COVID-19 in Surin province, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, has insisted that the Pfizer doses be administered to priority groups, and provincial communicable disease committees will look into such matters. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227714-department-of-disease-control-pfizer-doses-for-priority-groups-only/

BANGKOK (NNT) - In response to information on social media that some of the 1.5 million Pfizer vaccine doses, donated by the United States government, were not given to priority groups but were administered to back office staff before medical workers on the frontline against COVID-19 in Surin province, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, has insisted that the Pfizer doses be administered to priority groups, and provincial communicable disease committees will look into such matters. Dr. Opas said that the Department of Disease Control had allocated the Pfizer vaccine in accordance with the number of recipients in the priority groups, following a survey conducted by officials. After the doses are delivered to different areas, they must be administered to priority groups first. Regarding complaints about the doses being given to other groups, provincial communicable disease committees must investigate the issue quickly. After completion of the investigation, it will be forwarded to the Ministry of Public Health. It will be examined by a working group in charge of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine management. The batch of 1.5 million Pfizer doses must be administered to four priority groups, which are as follows: 1. Medical workers on the frontline against COVID-19 2. Senior citizens, people with any of seven chronic diseases who are over 12 years old and women who are more than 12 weeks pregnant 3. Foreigners living in Thailand, particularly those who are elderly and have chronic diseases 4. Those needing clearance for international travel, such as school and university students, athletes and diplomats -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates