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Thai Health Service Support Department to propose end of hospitels and hotel isolation in September By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: Thainakarin Hospital Bangkok – The Department of Health Service Support of the Ministry of Public Health is planning to propose the cancellation of hospitel and hotel isolation on September 1st. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268514-thai-health-service-support-department-to-propose-end-of-hospitels-and-hotel-isolation-in-september/

PHOTO: Thainakarin Hospital By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – The Department of Health Service Support of the Ministry of Public Health is planning to propose the cancellation of hospitel and hotel isolation on September 1st. Director-General Dr. Thares Krasanaiyarawiwong revealed on Wednesday, August 10th, that the Department will propose the cancellation to the Public Health Ministry after the resolving situation of the Covid-19 outbreak in Thailand. The proposal will be introduced to Minister Anutin Charnvirakul before being issued as a Public Health announcement in the following step. It is initially planned to be implemented in September, if approved. Dr. Thares stated that according to a survey in early August, there are currently 11 registered hospitels from 79 hospitels at the peak of the pandemic, providing a total of 3,220 beds. And about 31 Hotel Isolations (HI) are available, providing 1,500 beds. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/10/thai-health-service-support-department-to-propose-end-of-hospitels-and-hotel-isolation-in-september/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-11 - 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!

Mountain B nightclub owner gives detailed interview about fatal club fire, his remorse, experience, and more By Tanakorn Panyadee Sattahip, Thailand - The Mountain B nightclub owner and his wife held their first public press conference/interview yesterday, August 10th, saying they almost attempted to commit suicide after the incident, expressed remorse for the victims, but asserted that the fire exits were unlocked. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268513-mountain-b-nightclub-owner-gives-detailed-interview-about-fatal-club-fire-his-remorse-experience-and-more/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Sattahip, Thailand - The Mountain B nightclub owner and his wife held their first public press conference/interview yesterday, August 10th, saying they almost attempted to commit suicide after the incident, expressed remorse for the victims, but asserted that the fire exits were unlocked. Five days have passed since the horrid Mountain B nightclub fire that killed 16 people and injured several more on August 5th, and finally, the pub owner Pongsiri Panprasong, 27, or “Sia B” who was released on 300,000-baht bail was ready to talk. “I apologize to every victim’s family. I will try to visit all of them to deal with the funeral arrangements and compensation,” Sia B said briefly before letting his wife Anongnart Panprasong, 31, speak. “I was checking our stock outside the pub when I heard a blast around 1 AM. I saw customers rushing out of the front gate; some were covered in flame, so I used a wet towel to help them before I called a firefighter,” Anongnart stated. Three of her employees reportedly died in the pub, but she said she was unaware because she was engrossed in an interrogation at the Plutaluang Police Station. When asked about their source of funding, Anongnart replied, “We accumulated money from selling goods, pork meat, and noodles. We also run a restaurant in front of our pub and manage everything on our own without any consultant or silent investors. We are the sole owners.” Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/10/mountain-b-nightclub-owner-gives-detailed-interview-about-fatal-club-fire-his-remorse-experience-and-more/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-11 - 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!

Labor Ministry Reveals Wage Hike Could Begin in October by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Labor is pushing a proposal to raise the daily minimum wage by 5-8% in October, as opposed to early next year as originally planned. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268512-labor-ministry-reveals-wage-hike-could-begin-in-october/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Labor is pushing a proposal to raise the daily minimum wage by 5-8% in October, as opposed to early next year as originally planned. Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin said at Government House that minimum wages could be adjusted as early as October 1 due to surging living costs. He noted that provincial wage committees had already determined new minimum rates for their respective provinces, adding that a team of labor authorities would soon finalize the increments. According to the labor minister, the new increments, which will be established at 12 different rates, will vary between 1 and 2 baht for certain provinces and will be implemented based on the GDP status of each province. Suchart has tasked a team of experts to finalize new minimum wages by the end of this month in order to allow the proposal to be analyzed in greater detail before being submitted to the Cabinet for consideration in September. Due to the high cost of living and production in Phuket, the Eastern Economic Corridor region and Bangkok, Suchart indicated that the wage hike could initially begin in those areas. The daily minimum wage in Thailand varies between 313 and 336 baht in various provinces. A 5-8% increase would amount to between 16 and 27 baht per day. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220810133900461 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-11 - 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!

Academic Tells Prayut To Dissolve House To Evade Ruling On 8-Year Tenure By Thai Newsroom Reporters A NOTED ACADEMIC suggested today (August 10) Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolve the House of Representatives later this month to circumvent a court ruling which might otherwise pinpoint his eight-year rule to end in a couple of weeks from now. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268509-academic-tells-prayut-to-dissolve-house-to-evade-ruling-on-8-year-tenure/

By Thai Newsroom Reporters A NOTED ACADEMIC suggested today (August 10) Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolve the House of Representatives later this month to circumvent a court ruling which might otherwise pinpoint his eight-year rule to end in a couple of weeks from now. The National Institute of Development Administration’s political and development strategies project director Pichai Ratanadilok na Phuket said Prayut could possibly opt to dissolving the House between August 19 and August 22 to preempt the judgement of the Constitutional Court that his eight-year tenure, maximumly provided by law, will end on the approaching August 24, the date on which he named himself head of a military-installed government in 2014 following a coup which he orchestrated as army chief that year. If Prayut dissolved the House and called a general election in a 60-day time, he would not only remain as head of a caretaker government until a post-election government has been set up but have the craved opportunity to host APEC meetings, scheduled for November, the major international forum during which he has conspicuously yearned to rub shoulders with world leaders, according to the academic. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/08/10/academic-tells-prayut-to-dissolve-house-to-evade-ruling-on-8-year-tenure/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-11 - 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!

How the US rate hike impacts the baht and Thailand’s economy By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk The US is the world’s largest economy and the US dollar is widely used worldwide, as a result, the actions and decisions of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) have a profound impact on the baht and other currencies. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268508-how-the-us-rate-hike-impacts-the-baht-and-thailand’s-economy/

By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk The US is the world’s largest economy and the US dollar is widely used worldwide, as a result, the actions and decisions of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) have a profound impact on the baht and other currencies. Thailand has a relatively small, open economy that is heavily dependent on the export of goods and services. So, any changes in the world’s largest economy create ripples in Thailand as well. The Fed has aggressively increased its benchmark rate this year to fight rapidly rising inflation. It effected a 0.75 percentage point interest hike in July as inflation soared to a 40-year high in June, hitting 9.1 percent. With the latest data suggesting strong new jobs growth in July, markets are predicting another hike by 0.75 percentage point when the Fed meets in September, the third straight hike of that magnitude. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-the-us-rate-hike-impacts-the-baht-and-thailands-economy/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-11 - 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!

Electoral law amendment bill doomed as joint sitting of parliament lacks quorum The bill to amend the organic law on the election of MPs, which seeks to return to using 500 seats as the basis for the calculation of party-list seats in Parliament, instead of the current 100, appears doomed after a number of MPs and senators stayed away from the session, leaving the joint sitting without a quorum. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268507-electoral-law-amendment-bill-doomed-as-joint-sitting-of-parliament-lacks-quorum/

The bill to amend the organic law on the election of MPs, which seeks to return to using 500 seats as the basis for the calculation of party-list seats in Parliament, instead of the current 100, appears doomed after a number of MPs and senators stayed away from the session, leaving the joint sitting without a quorum. Former election commissioner and a member of the parliamentary panel scrutinising the bill, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, said in his Facebook post that the meeting collapsed because 22 legislators were absent. There was, however, no clear sign that the joint sitting would collapse, because several MPs managed to debate the bill. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/electoral-law-amendment-bill-doomed-as-joint-sitting-of-parliament-lacks-a-quorum/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-11 - 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!

Thailand agrees to allow former Sri Lankan president to take temporary shelter Gotabaya Rajapaksa. File photo: Wikipedia Sri Lanka’s ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is due to arrive in Bangkok tomorrow (Thursday) from Singapore, after the Thai government agreed to allow him temporary shelter in the country, with the intention of onward travel. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268506-thailand-agrees-to-allow-former-sri-lankan-president-to-take-temporary-shelter/

Gotabaya Rajapaksa. File photo: Wikipedia Sri Lanka’s ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is due to arrive in Bangkok tomorrow (Thursday) from Singapore, after the Thai government agreed to allow him temporary shelter in the country, with the intention of onward travel. Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said that the former president holds a diplomatic passport, which was approved by the Sri Lankan government, and can stay in Thailand for up to 90 days in accordance with the Thai regulations. He said that the former president can stay in a hotel, a rented apartment or house, while admitting one potential issue, that being the Sri Lankan people in Thailand. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-agrees-to-allow-former-sri-lankan-president-to-take-temporary-shelter/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-11 - 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!

Doesn’t the TAT want tourists here in Thailand? OPINION We reported this week that The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to propose extending the length of stay for tourist visas and visa on arrival (VOA) to a maximum of 45 days. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268505-doesn’t-the-tat-want-tourists-here-in-thailand/

OPINION We reported this week that The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to propose extending the length of stay for tourist visas and visa on arrival (VOA) to a maximum of 45 days. According to TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn, a proposal will be presented to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) at a meeting due to be held on August 19. The proposal will call for the period of stay for tourist visas to be extended from the current 30 days to a maximum of 45 days, while the period of stay for visa on arrival extended from 15 days to a maximum of 45 days. The extension would be effective from the date of approval and run through to December 31, 2022. Of course, the idea is that the longer they stay the more money they will spend. But surely if they really want to encourage tourism, why not increase tourist visas to longer periods and why limit it to December when the supposed high season still has 4 months to run. Tourist visas or visas on arrival .....it is still confusing at the moment, so hopefully they will make it all clear soon. Vietnam is proposing expanded visas Over in Vietnam, their tourism minister was reported on Monday to have proposed expanding visa exemption for tourists from the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India to boost sector recovery. He also suggested the government consider simplifying immigration procedures to attract foreign tourists as Vietnam reopened after over two years of border closure, he said in a report submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Tuesday. Tax Cuts too The minister is also proposed extending tax cuts to tourism businesses until the end of 2023 to help them recover after the pandemic crisis. Though Vietnam reopened tourism and lifted most Covid restrictions, Hung said travel firms and those working in the tourism industry are grappling with difficulties and have not really benefited directly from current policies. The country welcomed 954,000 foreign arrivals in the first seven months this year, up nine times year-on-year. Singapore According to online information, the period of stay permitted is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer upon arrival at the Singapore Changi Airport. It is normally between 14 to 30 days. There is strictly no extension of visa validity or change of visa type. However, you can submit a fresh application upon the expiry or upon utilisation of your current visa. But please note that each visa application is assessed on its own merits. SE Asia is competitive Bottom line is Thailand is competing with Vietnam, Singapore and Cambodia and other countries in the region, so they need to make it easy for tourists to come here. Make the entry simple for passport holders and they should be able to decide whether they want a 30, 60 or even a 90-tourist visa on arrival. Even with flexible return tickets there should not be an issue. The idea of tax cuts for the tourist industry could potentially be a life safer for many small Thai businesses, especially those attractions that still have daily running costs whether one tourist or 50 arrive to say go on an elephant trek or safari. Bottom line is the TAT and government should have offered these longer visas long ago, but better late than never. People need to plan holidays in advance so the sooner the Government confirms any new regulations the better, then travel agents around the world can start confirming their clients’ bookings. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-11 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Thursday 11 August 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1268504-thailand-live-thursday-11-august-2022/

16-year-old Thai boy named World Athletics fastest 100m under 18 sprinter Thailand’s sprint sensation, 16-year-old Puripol Boonson, has been named by the World Athletics as the Number One 100-metre sprinter in the Under-18 age group, with a record of 10.09 seconds, set at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships held in Colombia last Tuesday (August 2nd), according to the World Athletics website. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268473-16-year-old-thai-boy-named-world-athletics-fastest-100m-under-18-sprinter/

Royal Thai Navy considering accepting Chinese-made engines for its submarine purchases The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is considering accepting Chinese-made engines for the S26T Yuan-class submarine to replace the German-made MTU396 diesel engine, which had been rejected for export to China by the German company. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268481-royal-thai-navy-considering-accepting-chinese-made-engines-for-its-submarine-purchases/

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Bangkok governor Chadchart thanks firebrand Chuwit for his nightclub tips Picture: INN INN carried a report in which the new governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sillipunt thanked former politician, ex-convict and firebrand TV host Chuwit Kamolwisit for his tips on which nightclubs to investigate. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268460-bangkok-governor-chadchart-thanks-firebrand-chuwit-for-his-nightclub-tips/

Picture: INN INN carried a report in which the new governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sillipunt thanked former politician, ex-convict and firebrand TV host Chuwit Kamolwisit for his tips on which nightclubs to investigate. Chuwit had drawn the attention of the administration to various clubs in the Ekkamai and Rachada areas in comments widely reported in the Thai press. Chadchart, while acknowledging the help of Chuwit, said his advisor Gen Adis Ngamjitsuksri was really focusing on fire exits at the moment and would be leaving other mischief making to police investigations. Chadchart was in Khao San Road as calls were made to change the status of the area from a nightlife area into a "stationary zone". This would be tricky, he said as Bangkok was a tourism city and Khao San a recognised nightlife area with many businesses. He was checking that facilities opened as nightclubs had the required fire exits in the wake of the fire tragedy in Sattahip at Mountain B that claimed 15 lives and injured dozens of patrons. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-10 - 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

Video: Drugged deliveryman leads police on 100KM chase across five provinces after going through checkpoint Picture: 77kaoded Dramatic video footage published by 77kaoded showed the moment a Hino truck took off at a police checkpoint in the North Samrong area of Samut Prakan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268456-video-drugged-deliveryman-leads-police-on-100km-chase-across-five-provinces-after-going-through-checkpoint/

Picture: 77kaoded Dramatic video footage published by 77kaoded showed the moment a Hino truck took off at a police checkpoint in the North Samrong area of Samut Prakan. The driver - later identified as Natthaphol Onam aged 46 - smashed into another vehicle then led police on a near 100 kilometer chase that finally ended in Ayutthaya. By that time he'd gone through five provinces. The drama started in Soi Praisanee then continued along Sri Nakharin, Thepparak Road then the Rama 2 expressway. Picture: 77kaoded Pursued by police on a motorcycle the driver even went through a barrier at a toll booth amid flashing lights set up by Highway Police. Finally after suffering a puncture on route 3111 in Bang Sai, Natthaphol jumped out the left window of his cab and into a pond pursued by officers who took him into custody. There was still time for him to try and ditch his jeans that officers recovered. They contained a Ya Ba pill. By this time ten vehicles belonging to members of the public had been damaged. Picture: 77kaoded Taken back to North Samrong police station the suspect admitted taking Ya Ba on his delivery round and intended to take one more later. He'd slowed down for the checkpoint but when officers wanted to search inside he decided to flee. He has been charged with drug taking, drug possession and reckless driving and detained. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-10 - 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

Pattaya doing something about the hanging wires after social media shaming by foreign tourist Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that City Hall in Pattaya were doing something about the city's infamous hanging wires after a shaming on social media. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1268454-pattaya-doing-something-about-the-hanging-wires-after-social-media-shaming-by-foreign-tourist/