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Listen to the news: U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold talks with prime minister Prayut in Bangkok on Sunday July 10th, following his trip to the G20 summit in Bali this week. Bangkok’s governor announced the local authority will pilot a scheme to encourage people to separate household waste for recycling, however he noted people were reluctant to separate waste because they assumed the city dumped it all in one place. Police arrested a 23 year old Thai male who had allegedly stolen 128 mobile phones and devices from a Banana tech store in Nakhon Nayok, the man stole the items while wearing only underwear, officers managed to trace the man to an apartment in Bang KaPi where they found several phones and other evidence. Thailand's Tourism Authority will apply for just over 1-billion-baht budget which it says will be used to help generate 1.5 trillion baht in tourism revenue, The TAT will use the funds to launch promotional campaigns and road shows here and overseas. Around 40 minor earth tremors were recorded in the Andaman sea this week prompting coastal authorities to call on volunteers to report to alarm towers along the Andaman coast to prepare for possible emergency, Scientists said chances of a tsunami were unlikely. Region: China, where millions of people are under lockdown, Beijing has eased some restrictions, and now requires Covid-19 vaccinations for most people to enter crowded venues such as libraries, cinemas and gyms, some restrictions have also been lifted for domestic travel. Singapore, Health officials have confirmed the first local case of monkeypox infection, in a 45 year old man from Malaysian national. His condition is said to be stable. Cloudy with Thundershowers showers … Chiang Mai: Cloudy with thunderstorms 28C Bangkok: cloudy with thundershowers 34C Pattaya and SE: Bright but cloudy with showers this afternoon 31C Phuket and the South: Cloudy with showers 30C Hua Hin: Bright becoming cloudy, perhaps thunder showers later afternoon, HOT at 33C Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 -- © Copyright SURF 102.5 FM 2022-07-07 - 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!

Viral Video: Aunty Red sees red at Buddhist ordination - gets a stick to ward off dancers Daily News Thai Caption: The fence nearly collapsed Daily News went to Ban Dung in Udon Thani after a TikTok video went viral. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265158-viral-video-aunty-red-sees-red-at-buddhist-ordination-gets-a-stick-to-ward-off-dancers/

Daily News Thai Caption: The fence nearly collapsed Daily News went to Ban Dung in Udon Thani after a TikTok video went viral. The video showed several young women attending a Buddhist ordination parade who were dancing and shaking a fence. A woman comes out and confronts the revellers at the religious ceremony with a stick. The revellers soon stop their antics and remove themselves to a distance. The woman at the center of the video became an instant TikTok celeb and told reporters that her neighbors were all talking about the incident; an old woman opposite thought it was hilarious. Buncheun or Pa Daeng (Aunty Red), 52, said her son was sleeping outside and had told the girls to stop. She picked up a stick and rapped it on the fence and the girls stopped. She was worried the fence would come down. She said she had no intention of attacking anyone and thought the people involved were from another area. It happened in Wang Thong sub-district in the north eastern Thai province of Udon Thani on Tuesday evening and was featured on TikTok on the name "peatbowon98". -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-07 - 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 AA.mp4

Two Chinese nationals arrested trying to flee across border - police say they shot businessman in the buttocks Picture: Thai Rath Chiang Mai police announced the arrest of a Chinese man and a Chinese woman who were attempting to flee to Laos across the Mekhong River after a shooting incident on Tuesday in the north of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265155-two-chinese-nationals-arrested-trying-to-flee-across-border-police-say-they-shot-businessman-in-the-buttocks/

Picture: Thai Rath Chiang Mai police announced the arrest of a Chinese man and a Chinese woman who were attempting to flee to Laos across the Mekhong River after a shooting incident on Tuesday in the north of Thailand. Wang Seow-Yae, 54, was shot in the left buttock then jumped into the Ping River and swam to the other side where locals assisted him. It happened on the Chiang Mai to Lamphun Road Soi 7 at the Jinda Niwet Housing estate at 12.30 pm Tuesday. Two people allegedly involved in the shooting of Wang fled in a Toyota pick-up to Chiang Rai where they were arrested in Chiang Khong trying to cross the border. They were named as Awee Wang and Lee Min, a 36 year old woman. Picture: Thai Rath They denied involvement in the shooting but have been charged with attempted murder, weapons offences and overstay. Thai Rath reported that the pair thought that Wang would complete a deal over the sale of ancient ceramics but when he pulled out of the deal he was shot at twice with a .38 gun. Police ruled out any mafia or extortion connections in the case. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-07 - 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

Immigration briefing: Foreign criminals hiding out in Thailand include Brit and Taiwanese man Picture: Thai Rath Immigration chief Pol Lt-Gen Phakphoom Satjaphan and his subordinates yesterday gave details of five cases involving the arrest of foreign nationals in Thailand, reported Thai Rath. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265153-immigration-briefing-foreign-criminals-hiding-out-in-thailand-include-brit-and-taiwanese-man/

Picture: Thai Rath Immigration chief Pol Lt-Gen Phakphoom Satjaphan and his subordinates yesterday gave details of five cases involving the arrest of foreign nationals in Thailand, reported Thai Rath. In the first they arrested a British man named only as Ritesh who was wanted by the UK's National Crime Agency in a drugs' case. He was hiding in a luxury pool villa in Phuket and came to the attention of the Thai authorities after they were told he had used someone else's details in the UK to get a new passport. In the second case immigration went to a house in Soi Aphasiri in the Bangkok suburb of Huay Khwang where they arrested a Taiwanese man called Jang. This followed a tip that someone matching the suspect's description was residing at the address. Jang was named in a 2019 Taipei warrant for Bitcoin fraud amounting to 234 million Thai baht. He was detained on overstay. Picture: Thai Rath The third case featured the arrest of 109 illegal immigrants from Myanmar, 19 Thai facilitators and the seizure of 13 vehicles and 28 phones in Hat Yai. This case is connected to the murder of Hamadol Binsan, 40, a provincial electricity employee in Hat Yai. The Myanmar people had paid between 50-60,000 baht to enter Thailand illegally then travel through the south to Malaysia. In total 33 people are involved in the ring in a business worth 14 million baht. The fourth case involved a man called Mohan, 58, from India who changed his personal details so he could get a new passport and circumvent a blacklist order. He missed his Thai wife. He was picked up in Klaeng, Rayong. The last case involved the arrest of two Iranian nationals who were arrested at Tha Mai market in Chanthaburi where they had been engaging in exchange fraud. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-07 - 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

IMAGE SOURCE,UK PARLIAMENT/JESSICA TAYLOR Boris Johnson is defying calls to resign, as he attempts to face down a growing mutiny among his cabinet. Home Secretary Priti Patel, a former close ally, has joined a group of rebel ministers who are urging the PM to stand down. But he has defied the growing calls for him to quit, saying it would not be "responsible" for him to go. Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-62065534 -- © Copyright BBC 2022-07-07

MI5 head Ken McCallum (left) and FBI director Christopher Wray (right) made an unprecedented joint appearance in London. IMAGE SOURCE,UK POOL VIA ITN By Gordon Corera Security correspondent, BBC News The heads of UK and US security services have made an unprecedented joint appearance to warn of the threat from China. FBI director Christopher Wray said China was the "biggest long-term threat to our economic and national security" and had interfered in politics, including recent elections. MI5 head Ken McCallum said his service had more than doubled its work against Chinese activity in the last three years and would be doubling it again. Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-62064506 -- © Copyright BBC 2022-07-07

World Sports News - Thursday 7 July by Chili Radio Listen to the news: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265149-world-sports-news-thursday-7-july-by-chili-radio/

Listen to the news: Tennis - Nick Kyrgios reached his first Grand Slam singles semi-final with a straight-set success over Chile's Cristian Garin at Wimbledon 6-4 6-3 7-6 to become the first Australian man since 2005 to reach the last four of the tournament. He will face Rafael Nadal tomorrow as the Spaniard fought through injury to come from behind to beat Taylor Fritz 3-6 7-5 3-6 7-5 7-6. In the ladies former champion Simona Halep's revival continued as she reached the Wimbledon semi-finals with another rapid win over American Amanda Anisimova. Romania's Halep, beat the 20th seed 6-2 6-4 in one hour and three minutes, she will play Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina, who beat Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6 6-2 6-3. Football - Beth Mead helped England get off to a winning start at Euro 2022 as they beat Austria 1-0 in front of nearly 69.000 spectators, a record crowd for a European Women's Championship game at Old Trafford and English Premier League side Leeds United have signed RB Leipzig midfielder Tyler Adams in a deal thought to be worth about £20m. The 23-year-old United States international, who has 30 caps, has signed a five-year deal at Elland Road. Download the Chili Radio app : https://chiliradio.app for Chili Pop and Chili Classics. -- © Copyright Chili RADIO 2022-07-07 Chili Radio: https://chiliradiothailand.com Listen Live: https://chiliradio.asia - 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!

Blinken Holding Talks With Prayut In Bangkok On July 10 TNR Staff US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Photo: The Hill THE US State Department announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Bali, Indonesia, and Bangkok, Thailand, during July 6-11, 2022, Matichon newspaper said July 6. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265145-blinken-holding-talks-with-prayut-in-bangkok-on-july-10/

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Photo: The Hill TNR Staff THE US State Department announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Bali, Indonesia, and Bangkok, Thailand, during July 6-11, 2022, Matichon newspaper said July 6. Blinken will first travel to Bali to attend the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, where he will reinforce US commitment to working with international partners to confront global challenges, including food and energy insecurity and the threat Russia’s continued war against Ukraine presents to the international order. In addition to attending G20-related engagements, Blinken will hold a bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. Among other bilateral engagements, Blinken will also meet with the People’s Republic of China State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/07/06/blinken-holding-talks-with-prayut-in-bangkok-on-july-10/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-07-07 - 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!

Phuket Calls Up Volunteers After Over 40 Quakes In The Andaman Sea Over 2 Days TNR Staff Map showing location of the quakes published by India.com WITH over 40 earthquakes of 4.0 – 4.9 magnitude having occurred in the Andaman Sea off Andaman and Nicobar Islands since Monday (July 4) Phuket Earthquake Monitoring and Surveillance Centre 6 July called all volunteers to report to alarm towers along the Andaman coast to prepare for possible emergency and educate people about tsunami, Workpointtoday.com said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265144-phuket-calls-up-volunteers-after-over-40-quakes-in-the-andaman-sea-over-2-days/

Map showing location of the quakes published by India.com TNR Staff WITH over 40 earthquakes of 4.0 – 4.9 magnitude having occurred in the Andaman Sea off Andaman and Nicobar Islands since Monday (July 4) Phuket Earthquake Monitoring and Surveillance Centre 6 July called all volunteers to report to alarm towers along the Andaman coast to prepare for possible emergency and educate people about tsunami, Workpointtoday.com said. However the United States Geological Survey said that a quake of 5.4 magnitude occurred in the sea 219 kilometres southeast of Port Blair, the capital city of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, at 00:26:57 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) or 7:26:57 a.m. this morning in Thailand. The Thai Meteorological Department said these quakes occurred because of a movement of faults with shear force. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/07/06/phuket-calls-up-volunteers-after-over-40-quakes-in-the-andaman-sea-over-2-days/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-07-07 - 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!

Health Ministry Buys COVID Antibodies from AstraZeneca BANGKOK (TNA) – Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul attended a contract-signing ceremony in which the Ministry of Public Health agreed to buy from AstraZeneca long acting antibodies (LAAB) to protect patients with impaired immunity from COVID-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265142-health-ministry-buys-covid-antibodies-from-astrazeneca/

BANGKOK (TNA) – Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul attended a contract-signing ceremony in which the Ministry of Public Health agreed to buy from AstraZeneca long acting antibodies (LAAB) to protect patients with impaired immunity from COVID-19. Mr Anutin said that earlier the Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health had procured the viral vector COVID-19 vaccine of AstraZeneca to develop immunity among local people. However, some groups of vaccine recipients either were unable to develop the immunity or lost their antibodies quickly and thus risked severe illness or fatality after infection, he said. The minister referred to people with chronic renal diseases and those who received immunosuppressive agents after their organ or bone marrow transplantation. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-973794 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-07-07 - 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 promoted as the region’s "herbal hub" By Editor Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed confidence that Thailand will generate revenue of at least 48 million baht from traditional and alternative medicines this year by making Thailand the region’s ‘Herbal Hub’ as the leader in traditional and alternative medicines. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265141-thailand-promoted-as-the-region’s-herbal-hub/

By Editor Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed confidence that Thailand will generate revenue of at least 48 million baht from traditional and alternative medicines this year by making Thailand the region’s ‘Herbal Hub’ as the leader in traditional and alternative medicines. The minister unveiled his goal while making a speech to kick off the Thailand Herbal Expo 2022 or the 19th National Herbal Exhibition and annual academic meetings on Thai traditional and alternative medicines at the Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi province. In the speech, Anutin noted that Thailand is recognised in the international community for its expertise in the use of herbs in traditional and alternative medicines. He said traditional medicine has been included in the country’s 20-year strategic plan and the ministry would keep developing the use of herbs and traditional medicine in line with the master plan. Anutin added that the government would also promote the use of herbs by Thais in their foods in line with the government’s policy of promoting Thai foods to be known worldwide. The minister said the government would also promote Thai traditional massage, which was been registered by Unesco as a world heritage culture in 2019, into a business that would draw foreign tourists and generate huge income for the country. Anutin said he believed spa businesses that highlight traditional massage and health tourism as well as teach foreigners Thai massage would generate over Bt300 million worth of income in the near future. The minster added that he regarded marijuana as a kind of herb that has medical use, so the Public Health Ministry supported its use for medical purpose and supported its use in beauty products and researches. Dr Kiattiphum Wongrachit, permanent secretary for Public Health, said the National Herbal Exhibition is a popular event and it draws more than 200,000 attendants each year. He said the exhibition helped Thai farmers sell millions of baht worth of their herbs to visitors at the fair, which continues from Wednesday to Sunday. The fair has an innovation zone that showcases technologies and products related to Thai herbs. There are also business matchings for Thai and foreign investors in the zone. Interesting booths in the Innovation zone include the Beauty & Cosmetic Wellness Ganja booth. There is also the Wisdom zone that showcases well-known traditional practitioners from the four regions of Thailand as well as demonstrations of alternative medicines and massages. Inside an academic zone, visitors can take 27 free short courses on Thai traditional medicines and there are also academic meetings. Kiattiphum said some 300 herbs are distributed free of charge each day. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/07/thailand-promoted-as-the-regions-herbal-hub/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-07-07 - 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!

Tourism ministry dual pricing proposal for hotel rates By Editor The Bangkok Post has reported that the tourism ministry plans to ask hotel operators to implement a dual-tariff structure under which foreign visitors may be charged rates similar to pre-pandemic days while locals may continue to enjoy discounted rates. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265139-tourism-ministry-dual-pricing-proposal-for-hotel-rates/

By Editor The Bangkok Post has reported that the tourism ministry plans to ask hotel operators to implement a dual-tariff structure under which foreign visitors may be charged rates similar to pre-pandemic days while locals may continue to enjoy discounted rates. Foreign tourists may soon find Thailand a more expensive destination than in the past two years with the country now planning to raise hotel rates to pre-pandemic levels to support a faster recovery of the industry. The report describes the tourism ministry plans to ask hotel operators to implement such a dual-tariff structure, quoting Traisuree Taisaranakul, A Deputy Government Spokesperson. “This is to maintain our standards of rates and services for foreign tourists, which affects the perception of country’s tourism brand,” Ms Traisuree said. “Rates that have been reduced during Covid-19 will be maintained for Thais to sustain the momentum of domestic tourism.” Hotels in tourism hotspots continue to offer huge discounts to draw back visitors after the pandemic pushed room occupancy rates to about 30%. While there was no immediate response to the proposal from hotel operators, the tourism ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand will soon hold talks with the Hotel Association of Thailand about the dual pricing plan, according to Ms Traisuree. While the country has scrapped all Covid-related travel restrictions, the tourism sector is still reeling from heavy losses accumulated during the pandemic. The government expects 9.3 million foreign arrivals this year, a fraction of the 40 million tourists who arrived in 2019. It was not immediately clear how the government’s new plan to attract more foreign tourists to Thailand – by raising prices and charging them more than Thais – would impact foreigners living in the kingdom. Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/07/tourism-ministry-dual-pricing-proposal-for-hotel-rates/ -- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-07-07 - 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’s ambitious bid to co-host 2034 FIFA World Cup gathers pace By Online Reporter The FIFA World Cup and official ball of FIFA World Cup 2018. File photo The prospect of Thailand co-hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup is gathering pace following a meeting between key officials. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265137-thailand’s-ambitious-bid-to-co-host-2034-fifa-world-cup-gathers-pace/

The FIFA World Cup and official ball of FIFA World Cup 2018. File photo The prospect of Thailand co-hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup is gathering pace following a meeting between key officials. On Monday, (July 4) Dr. Niwat Limsuknirand, Director-General of the Department of Physical Education met with Mr. Khiev Sameth, President of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), Mr. Winston Lee, Secretary-General of AFF, and Mr. Patit Suphapong, Secretary-General of the Thai Football Association held a meeting in Chiang Mai. In addition, experts from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, who will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, also joined the meeting via video conference. Mr. Patit confirmed the meeting took place in order for all parties to share information about the possibility of hosting the World Cup. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/sports/thailands-ambitious-bid-to-co-host-2034-fifa-world-cup-gathers-pace/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-07-07 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Thai Government needs to keep a close eye on rising Covid cases by Michael Bridge File photo: Exhausted hospital staff in Vietnam With foreign arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport having surged in the past few days, how does the Thai government balance attracting more tourists while Covid cases are rising again? Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1265136-thai-govt-needs-to-keep-a-close-eye-on-rising-covid-cases/

File photo: Exhausted hospital staff in Vietnam by Michael Bridge With foreign arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport having surged in the past few days, how does the Thai government balance attracting more tourists while Covid cases are rising again? According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisaranakul, the airport last Friday welcomed as many as 140 flights and 27,642 passengers. It recorded 134 flights with 27,147 passengers on board on Saturday and 150 flights with 28,910 passengers on Sunday. The figures represent an increase from the previous month, which saw an average of 130 daily landings carrying between 23,000 and 24,000 passengers. Many more full flights are expected in the coming weeks. At last, the beleaguered hospitality industry can see light at the end of the tunnel. Meanwhile, just when we all thought the pandemic was over and we could go around our business without wearing masks, Covid cases have risen again. The country registered 22 more Covid-19 fatalities and 2,428 new cases during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Wednesday morning. Thailand is not alone as many SE Asian countries also reported a surge in cases. Singapore reported 12,784 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Tuesday (Jul 5), comprising 12,248 local infections and 536 imported cases. According to local media, the last time Singapore reported more daily cases than this was on Mar 22 this year, when 13,166 infections were logged. Malaysia had 2,536 cases on July 3 while Vietnam has reported that five infections per 1,000 people were recorded in the last 7 days. Many are concerned that their health systems will not be able to cope if cases start to rise. Over 9,000 health workers have quit their jobs across Vietnam due to low pay and stress. Perhaps now governments should pour more funs into giving these vital health workers a fair wage. New proposals Now Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health proposes COVID-19 patients be quarantined for only five days, according to the Department of Disease Control. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the department, said the ministry would propose the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) reduce the quarantine from seven to five days. After the first five days, COVID-19 patients should be able to go out but would be monitoring their health on the five following days, Dr Opas said. Dr Opas said that new COVID-19 cases rose over the past week because there were parties and BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants were highly transmissible. Up to us After three years of having to deal with various Covid variants, most of us have either had a form of the virus ourselves or have known people who have had it here in Thailand. Of course, it is a concern that it seems the virus in many forms has returned, but many are now vaccinated and can get boosters if required, so surely it is up to the individual to make their own precautions. Let’s hope the government does not panic and start to ramp up regulations again. Certainly, the thousands of tourists arriving want to enjoy the land of the smiles too. And remember they have been used to coping with Covid back home too. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-07-07 - 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