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Thai digital minister to meet media representatives over much opposed gag order Photo from Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn Facebook Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said today (Monday) that he will invite media representatives for talks, to resolve misunderstandings about recent media gag orders issued by the government and possible cooperation between the two parties in tackling fake news. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226217-thai-digital-minister-to-meet-media-representatives-over-much-opposed-gag-order/

Photo from Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn Facebook Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said today (Monday) that he will invite media representatives for talks, to resolve misunderstandings about recent media gag orders issued by the government and possible cooperation between the two parties in tackling fake news. He explained that the measures, imposed under Section 9 of the Emergency Decree and deemed by the media as an infringement of free expression and media freedom, are intended to deal with disinformation or distorted information which may lead to public panic or misunderstanding and are not intended to be a gag on the media. The minister said that he trusts the professionalism of Thai media in the performance of their duties and in the media organizations in regulating the conduct of journalists, in line with the media’s code of conduct. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-digital-minister-to-meet-media-representatives-over-much-opposed-gag-order/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-08-02 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Donated Pfizer vaccine passed to Thai government on Monday, some medics eligible for shots 1.5 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, donated by the US government and which arrived in Thailand last Friday, were handed over to the Thai government this morning (Monday), with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha formally receiving it from the US Embassy in Thailand. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226216-donated-pfizer-vaccine-passed-to-thai-government-on-monday-some-medics-eligible-for-shots/

1.5 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, donated by the US government and which arrived in Thailand last Friday, were handed over to the Thai government this morning (Monday), with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha formally receiving it from the US Embassy in Thailand. 700,000 doses will be allocated to frontline medical personnel, which means that not all will receive shots from this batch. The Disease Control Department today defined who is eligible to receive the vaccine: Medics who have had two doses of either Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines can receive a Pfizer booster dose. Medics who have had only one dose of any vaccine can get Pfizer as second dose, with the interval determined by the type of vaccine used for the first shot. Medics who have yet to receive their first dose can get two doses of Pfizer. Medics who have been infected with COVID-19 and have yet to receive their first dose of vaccine can get one dose of Pfizer at least a month after their infection was diagnosed. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/donated-pfizer-vaccine-passed-to-thai-government-on-monday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-08-02 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Classmates of Thai PM’s daughters want her to ask her father to resign Former classmates, who studied at the Faculty of Communication Arts of Chulalongkorn University with, both twin daughters of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, have asked them to tell their father to step down, to take responsibility for his gross mismanagement of the COVID-19 situation, and pave the way for a more capable successor. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226215-classmates-of-thai-pm’s-daughters-want-her-to-ask-her-father-to-resign/

Former classmates, who studied at the Faculty of Communication Arts of Chulalongkorn University with, both twin daughters of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, have asked them to tell their father to step down, to take responsibility for his gross mismanagement of the COVID-19 situation, and pave the way for a more capable successor. The plea is contained in a joint letter, sent to Ms. Ploy and Ms. Ploen by members of Class 40 of the Communication Arts Faculty on Sunday. The group said that their mutual bond of friendship and fond memories, dating back 17 years, mean that it was not easy for them to write this letter to her, adding that many of them have been experiencing hardships over the past several years under her father’s premiership. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/classmates-of-thai-pms-daughter-want-her-to-ask-her-father-to-resign/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-08-02 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

The competition will run until 31 August 2021 Please note, there will no longer be a prize issued for the competition winner. Please note that by submitting an image in to this photo competition, you are giving your permission for that image to be potentially used in the annual Thaivisa Calendar. If you are not aware of the calendar, here is the 2021 calendar. Competition Rules - Contributing members may submit up to four of their own photos per month. (Members can re-submit an image in a following months competition providing it hasn't been a winner in a previous months competition.) - Please only one photo per post! - The photos must be Thailand related and also comply with thaivisa forum rules. https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/terms/ - A title, Basic Exif data, location and date may be added, but no extra comments to try and win more votes will be allowed. - All entries will be included in a gallery as posted and at the end of the month this gallery will then be sent to the judges who will choose the winner. - Please note that likes can still be given but will play no part in deciding what is presented for judging. - All entries will be considered regardless of the time of the month posted. How to post images Instructions on how to post images can be found here: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/942998-posting-images-on-to-a-thread/#comment-11149553 Please keep dropping by and give your support (likes) to the new images being posted. Those images gaining 10 likes or more will be added to the "Best Shots Gallery " for the month in question. This gallery is not part of the monthly competition and will also include images from across all the general photographic threads that accumulate 10 likes or more. Note.......We will drop by the thread every day or so to remove the posts not containing images, so please don't be annoyed if you see one of your posts is missing, thanks for your understanding. Please add your best shots, and contribute to the rest of the photo forum Other parts of the photo forum here: https://forum.thaivisa.com/forum/84-photography-and-the-arts/

FILE PHOTO: Syringe and vial are seen in front of displayed new Pfizer logo in this illustration taken, June 24, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand will order an additional 10 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, its health ministry said on Friday, as the Southeast Asian country battles its biggest COVID-19 outbreak to date. Since April, Thailand has been tackling a surge in infections driven by the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, pushing hospitals in the capital Bangkok to the brink. Thailand will take delivery of 20 million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine later this year, but also has plans to order an additional 10 million shots from the company, health ministry official Kiatiphum Wongrajit told reporters. Thailand's vaccine drive has so far depended on Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines and faced delays since it began last month. Just 5.6% of the country's 66 million population been fully vaccinated so far. Thailand manufacturers the AstraZeneca vaccine under license locally, but production has been much smaller than government expectations, contributing to a delay in its rollout. The country has received a donation of one million doses of the Sinovac vaccine from China and one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from Japan. Britain has also pledged 415,000 AstraZeneca shots. Thailand received its first batch of 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine donated by the U.S. government on Friday. U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Thailand Michael Heath said at a separate briefing that the United States would send one million doses of an unspecified COVID-19 vaccine in addition to that batch. The country's COVID-19 task force reported 17,345 new cases and 117 new deaths on Friday. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-07-30 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (L) and Philippines' Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (R) shake hands after a bilateral meeting at Camp Aguinaldo military camp in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 30, 2021. Rolex Dela Pena/Pool via Reuters MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has restored a crucial pact governing the presence of U.S. troops in the Southeast Asian nation, the two countries' defence ministers said on Friday, reversing a decision that had caused increasing concern in Washington and Manila. The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) provides rules for the rotation of thousands of U.S. troops in and out of the Philippines for war drills and exercises. It has assumed additional importance as the United States and its allies contend with an increasingly assertive China. Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he was unsure why Duterte had reversed himself but made the decision after meeting U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Manila on Thursday. Harry Roque, Duterte's spokesperson, later said the president's decision was "based on upholding the Philippines' strategic core interest...and clarity of U.S. position on its obligations and commitments under the MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty)." Duterte's decision won't change much on the ground as the pact had not been terminated but it provides stability for both countries. "This provides certainty for us going forward, we can do long-range planning and do different types of exercises," Austin said during a news conference with his Philippine counterpart. The Philippines is a U.S. treaty ally, and several military agreements are dependent on the VFA. Duterte vowed to terminate the pact after the United States denied a visa to a Philippine senator who is an ally of the president. But he had repeatedly pushed back the expiration date, the last time last month, maintaining it until the end of the year. For the United States, having the ability to rotate in troops is important not only for the defence of the Philippines, but strategically when it comes to countering China's assertive behaviour in the region. "(Duterte's decision) opens up significant possibilities for strengthening the alliance that were otherwise closed," said Greg Poling, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. There are long-standing tensions between the Philippines and China over disputed waters in the South China Sea. The United States this month repeated a warning to China that an attack on Philippine forces in the South China Sea would trigger a 1951 U.S.-Philippines mutual defence treaty. There are, however, still questions about Duterte's unpredictability. "Some of the celebration is premature... (the VFA) will continue to be under threat so long as Duterte remains president," said Aaron Connelly, with the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Philippine presidential elections are set for 2022 and while Duterte is barred by the constitution from seeking re-election, his party has been encouraging him to run again for office, as vice president. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-07-30

Knut Hauslo (77) has to travel from Thailand to Norway to get vaccinated. Photo: Private With infection rates increasing sharply in Thailand, a very slow rollout of vaccines and no vaccine assistance from the Norwegian Government, 77-year-old Knut Hauslo now has to travel back to Norway with his wife to be vaccinated. To Dagbladet, he says the infection situation in the country is difficult and he calls it a bit insane that thousands of Scandinavians should fly up and down to get vaccinated. Earlier this month Scandasia shared Dagbladet’s story of Knut Hauslo who is part of a group of elderly Norwegians permanently living in Thailand who hoped that the Norwegian Government would help them gain access to a vaccine. Full Story: https://scandasia.com/norwegian-in-infection-chaos-in-thailand-must-go-to-norway-for-vaccination/ -- © Copyright ScandAsia 2021-07-30 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said “sorry” over COVID-19 losses and that he is sympathizing with a lot of people suffering from the pandemic and its impacts, while hinting at a possible extension of semi-lockdown measures imposed in 13 provinces in the “Dark Red” zone, in a video interview with the government’s team of spokesperson yesterday (Thursday). “I sympathize. I’m sorry. I am trying to tackle all the many challenges. I’ll do my best as the prime minister. But cooperation is also needed in sharing the same facts, so problems can be solved. I’m not disheartened, but I’m sorry for all the losses and I’d like to boost the morale of the officials. This is something we need to do together, because we are Thais,” Mr. Prayut said. The prime minister also said the current semi-lockdown measures, imposed in Thailand’s 13 COVID-19 “Dark Red” provinces since July 20th, which include closures of many venues, a curfew between 9pm and 4 am, ban on gatherings of five people and more, ban on dining in, and interprovincial restrictions, which are due to expire on August 2nd, are likely to be extended until further notice, as recommended by medical experts. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pm-says-sorry-over-covid-losses-hints-at-semi-lockdown-extension-in-dark-red-zone/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-07-30 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Khajonsak Kaewjarat, Deputy Director of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), speaks to the press after the meeting at the Phuket EOC Command Centre today (July 29). Screenshot: PR Phuket PHUKET: The Phuket Sandbox scheme will continue for at least two more weeks while officials monitor the fallout from the rise in COVID-19 infections across the island, Dr Khajonsak Kaewjarat, Deputy Director of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), has confirmed. “From the evaluation under three criteria, Phuket Sandbox can continue, but we will spend the next two weeks monitoring to see whether Phuket is still able to control the number of new infections,” Dr Khajonsak explained after a meeting with Phuket officials today (July 29). “Regarding contact tracing, right now local people and tourists have given good cooperation to medical staff so they can identify which people were infected from which cases, as well as clusters in various areas. Phuket has done very good work on finding cases,” he said. You may find a full list of the ASQ/ALQ hotels here Full Story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-sandbox-on-two-week-watch-80856.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-07-29 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Volunteers walk as they prepare to convert an air cargo warehouse into a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) field hospital at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand July 28, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (Reuters) - Hospitals in Thailand's capital Bangkok and surrounding province are running out of beds due to a jump in COVID-19 patients, a health official said on Thursday, as the country reported a record number of infections for the fourth time this week. Thailand has in the last few months been struggling with its worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic, driven by the highly contagious Delta variant, first detected in India. The country's COVID-19 task force reported on Thursday 17,669 coronavirus cases and 165 deaths, both record highs, while it said 21 of the fatalities died at home. "We don't know where to put the sick people anymore, the ER (emergency room) units in many hospitals have to be temporarily closed because they no longer have bed spaces," Somsak Akksilp, head of the Department of Medical Services, told a news conference. In Bangkok and nearby provinces, more than 1,200 people were waiting for hospital beds and over 6,000 called a hot line over the past week requesting treatment, health authorities said. There are more than 37,000 hospital beds in Bangkok, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Earlier in the pandemic, all COVID-19 patients were admitted to hospitals, but Somsak said authorities last month brought in home isolation for more than 30,000 people in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. The government has also been converting public places in Bangkok into temporary field hospital for COVID-19 patients as the spike in cases strains the city's health system. The jump in infections has increased pressure on the government to boost the sluggish pace of vaccinations, with only 5.6% of Thailand's more than 66 million people fully vaccinated. Thailand won plaudits for containing the coronavirus for most of last year, but authorities have struggled to halt the wave of cases starting in April that has taken total infections to 561,030, with 4,562 fatalities. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-07-29 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) is warning against the use of alcohol spray guns, as their tiny droplets are ineffective at disinfecting surfaces and such spraying could cause any pathogens present to spread more widely. Recommending the use of alcohol gel to wipe surfaces, instead of spray guns, Deputy Secretary-General of TFDA Dr. Supatra Boonserm, revealed that alcohol spray guns are currently in high demand, due to the continuing spread of COVID-19. She also explained that, if the alcohol droplets get into someone’s eyes or nose, they can lead to eye irritation, dizziness, nausea and breathing issues and they are very dangerous for young children. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-fda-warns-against-use-of-disinfectant-spray-gun/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-07-29 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PHOTO: Wisarn Pu Chonburi Khaochad A female driver and her pickup truck full of durian got stuck under an overpass in Mueang Chonburi yesterday, blaming her GPS system, going viral on social media causing many comments and jokes. The Mueang Chonburi Police were notified of the accident under an overpass on Road Number 7, Section 2, in Baan Suan yesterday (July 27th). Police arrived at the scene to find the pickup truck which was full of durian stuck under an overpass with its front wheels up in the air. The incident caused traffic delays and to be backed up for a substantial distance. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/07/28/pickup-truck-full-of-durian-gets-stuck-under-chonburi-overpass-blames-gps-goes-viral-on-social-media/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-07-28 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PHUKET (NNT) - Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has revised the conditions of the Phuket "sandbox" program, reducing the duration of the mandatory stay in Phuket to seven days, while allowing tourists to spend the following seven days on "Sealed Routes" in five other provinces. Tourism and Sports Minister Phlipat Ratchakitprakarn said he has consulted the prime minister about launching the "Sealed Routes", using Phuket as a hub from which tourists can expand their travel to other provinces. He said tourists will have to spend seven days on Phuket and take the COVID-19 test twice, before they are allowed to travel through these sealed routes in Krabi, Phang-nga and Samui, which will open for tourists in August, while Chiang Mai and Lamphun will open in October. Mr. Phlipat added that Hua Hin district, in Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Cha-am in Phetchaburi province are expected to welcome foreign tourists from October 1st. Bangkok and Pattaya, which are still "dark red" zones, will remain closed until the fourth quarter. Buri Ram province will also remain closed, with the cancellation of the Thailand Motorcycle Grand Prix. Planning to visit Phuket? Book your Sandbox hotel here -- © Copyright NNT 2021-07-28 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Eleven foreigners and one Thai national have been arrested in an underground room during a Pattaya bar raid while allegedly drinking alcohol that Pattaya police stated was violating the current Thai emergency decree to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. Pattaya Police also stated the group was violating a variety of other rules and laws such as the communicable disease act, limits on gathering (The limit is five people, however, around drinking alcohol the limit is ONE person), and Chonburi provincial orders around Covid-19. A team from the Nongprue City Police led by Colonel Chitdaecha Songhong raided the ‘FAT BOYS BAR & GRILL’ at the entrance of Soi Boon Sampan 5/1 in Nongprue at about 8:00 P.M. last night, July 26th, 2021. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/07/27/twelve-people-arrested-at-pattaya-underground-bar-for-allegedly-drinking-alcohol-and-violating-covid-19-measurements/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-07-27 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

With the recent spike in Covid cases and deaths, the Thai government discussed how far it should go with restrictions. So far they haven't ruled out a Whuhan type lockdown. As of July 22, there have officially been 453,132 COVID-19 infections with 3,697 deaths. Health experts stated the rising Covid case and death tolls in Thailand have been spurred by the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus that’s now become dominant in the country. The pandemic has led to increased poverty, rising unemployment, and simmering protests against the government, particularly over a haphazard and lagging Covid vaccinations program that has seen only about 5% of the population fully vaccinated. The government has imposed strict measures, including a curfew, in Bangkok and five adjacent provinces for two weeks as the government attempts to curb the soaring number of new Covid-19 infections. All eateries to close at 8 pm, strict enforcement of social distancing measures, no public transport services from 9 pm to 4 am closure of public parks at 9 pm, closure of all infection-risk businesses such as salons, spas, and traditional massage parlors. -- © Copyright A24 News Agency 2021-07-26 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

The Thai baht, once the strongest-performing currency in Asia before the pandemic, has been steadily falling in 2021 and is this year’s worst-hit currency in the region, according to Mizuho Bank. The Japanese bank pointed to “uncharacteristic under-performance in the Thai Baht, rendering it the worst performer to date in 2021” in a note on Friday. The Thai baht has plunged more than 10% against the U.S. dollar year-to-date, as of Monday morning, according to Refinitiv Eikon data. Full Story: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/26/asian-currencies-thailand-covid-lack-of-tourism-hit-thai-baht.html

FILE PHOTO: A medical worker prepares a syringe at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination center in Singapore, March 8, 2021. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore is looking to allow quarantine-free travel for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from September, when 80% of the city-state's population should be inoculated, the government said on Monday. Singapore will establish travel corridors with countries or regions where COVID-19 is under control, and those who are vaccinated may not have to quarantine or may be allowed to isolate at home, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said. The city-state is also set to review whether to loosen curbs in early August, when two-thirds of its population would be fully inoculated. "The easing will be differentiated and extended to only vaccinated persons, because they are much better protected against the effects of the virus," Wong said. "If you want to go out to dine in the restaurant or workout in the gym, you have to be fully vaccinated." Last week, the country tightened social curbs, including halting restaurant dining and banning gatherings of more than two people for one month, after a rise in infections. More than half the country has received both doses of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. It has inoculated nearly 75% of its 5.7 million people with at least one dose, the world's second-highest rate behind the United Arab Emirates, a Reuters tracker shows. As countries with advanced vaccination campaigns prepare to live with COVID-19 as an endemic disease, their focus is turning to preventing death and serious diseases through vaccination. Still, Singapore may not do away with all of its social distancing measures. For example, it may remove its mask mandate for outdoors, but require people to keep them on in an indoor enclosed environment, Wong said. As of July 25, Singapore had 1,537 active cases, with 12 cases of serious illness requiring oxygen, and two patients in critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU). None of the 14 cases is fully vaccinated. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-07-26

FILE PHOTO: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during the APEC CEO Summit, taking place ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders summit in the central Vietnamese city of Danang November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Hoang Dinh Nam/Pool MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday the country will fight for "what is rightfully ours" and not allow itself to be bullied by any superpower, commenting on his foreign policy during his final State of the Nation address. "Make no mistake: Gone are the days when the Philippines decides and acts in the shadows of the great powers," he said. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-07-26

BANGKOK (NNT) - Following the launch of the Phuket Sandbox tourism scheme on July 1st this year, many foreign tourists moved by the warm hospitality of the people of Phuket, are looking forward to visiting other provinces, such as Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Those who have now returned to their home countries say they plan to visit the kingdom with their families again. Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, as Spokesman for the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said today that almost a month after the Phuket Sandbox model’s launch, Thailand has welcomed almost 10,000 international visitors, with the top five countries being the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Israel, Germany and France. The average stay per guest was 11 nights. Total cost per trip is about 70,000 baht, which covers accommodation, swab tests, food and drinks, transportation, airfares and other expenses. The average spending is 5,500 baht per person, generating 534.31 million baht in revenue. According to the tourist satisfaction assessment, tourists are most satisfied with the shuttle service with the Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Plus certification at Phuket International Airport, followed by overall services offered at Phuket International Airport. The reopening has been quite successful and will help Thailand prepare for more arrivals by the end of the year. The next stage is to reopen the three tourist islands of Krabi province - Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai and Railay, and the three tourist islands of Phang Nga province - Khao Lak, Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai. They are scheduled to reopen on August 1st. The 7+7 plan will now be implemented. Tourists entering the kingdom will be required to spend seven days under the Phuket Sandbox model, down from the initial 14-day period, and to take a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test twice. They can then travel to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao in Surat Thani province, as well as Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai and Railay of Krabi and Khao Lak, Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai of Phang Nga, via sealed routes, or the island-hopping model, starting August 8th. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set this year’s revenue target at 850 billion baht, 300 billion of which will come from 3 million international visitors and the remaining 550 billion from the domestic market. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-07-26 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte holds a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and provided updates on the government's efforts to address the COVID-19 crisis in the country on January 13, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday rejected the call of a former lawmaker for President Duterte to apologize to Sen. Manny Pacquiao over his recent tirades against the senator. Duterte has been criticizing Pacquiao in public remarks, highlighting the soured relationship between the once close political allies. He called Pacquiao “punch-drunk” for alleging that some P10 billion in aid for sectors displaced by pandemic-related lockdowns is missing. Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/07/22/2114187/duterte-wont-apologize-pacquiao-palace -- © Copyright Philstar 2021-07-22

BANGKOK (NNT) - Phuket province has strengthened COVID-19 control measures as the number of new infections has reached about a dozen each day, while the Phuket “sandbox” tourism reopening program continues. Provincial governor Narong Woonsiew said a set of new COVID-19 control measures, aimed at stemming the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, were rolled out on 19 July and are due to take effect from today until 2 August. Violations of these COVID-19 control measures will lead to imprisonment of between one and two years and/or a fine of between 20,000 baht and 100,000 baht. He said the curbs include a temporary shutdown of pubs, bars, karaoke shops and other similar types of entertainment venue. Among other measures, the closing time of shopping malls and restaurants serving alcohol will be 9pm, while partying and drinking alcohol on the beaches, in public parks and other public spaces is totally banned. Meanwhile, Phuket authorities have announced that only people who have been vaccinated at least two weeks prior to arrival will be allowed to enter the province. The same rules apply to Phuket residents who want to return home. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-07-20 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Laxami Manochat, 31, who Looker picked up on the second night of his holiday (Image: ViralPress) A Brit accused of murdering a Thai woman has finally been extradited to Thailand after years of legal wrangles. Tourist Shane Kenneth Looker, 51, picked up the strip club dancer Laxami Manochat, 31, on the second night of his holiday in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 1, 2014. A murder investigation was launched after Laxami's dismembered body was found stuffed into a suitcase dumped in a river 95 miles away in Kanchanaburi province on November 9. Full Story: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/brit-accused-murdering-thai-woman-24513691 -- © Copyright Mirror 2021-07-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates