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Is Thailand’s booster program losing race against fast-mutating COVID? By Thai PBS World’s General Desk Thanks to constant mutations, the COVID-19 virus is still several steps ahead of vaccine developers. While researchers have managed to develop vaccines that are effective against the original strain of the new coronavirus and major variants like Delta, global mass vaccination efforts have failed to halt the raging pandemic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269426-is-thailand’s-booster-program-losing-race-against-fast-mutating-covid/

By Thai PBS World’s General Desk Thanks to constant mutations, the COVID-19 virus is still several steps ahead of vaccine developers. While researchers have managed to develop vaccines that are effective against the original strain of the new coronavirus and major variants like Delta, global mass vaccination efforts have failed to halt the raging pandemic. This is because the virus continues to evolve, spawning new mutations that evade the defences of currently available vaccines. As a result, the global infection rate remains at nearly one million confirmed COVID-19 cases per day, with thousands of deaths. Since the pandemic began, COVID-19 has claimed some 6.45 million lives across the world. Hope for a new vaccine? Earlier this week, the United Kingdom became the first country to approve a next-generation booster, Moderna’s mRNA-1273.214, for general use. The UK expects to start distributing this new vaccine before the end of the year. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/is-thailands-booster-program-losing-race-against-fast-mutating-covid/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-20 - 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!

Calling removal firms: Please go to Government House, there’s someone who needs to be taken away Every time Rooster reviews the latest news as reported on ASEAN NOW’s Facebook arm there is an advertisement for a local removals firm. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269422-calling-removal-firms-please-go-to-government-house-there’s-someone-who-needs-to-be-taken-away/

OPINION | by Rooster Every time Rooster reviews the latest news as reported on ASEAN NOW’s Facebook arm there is an advertisement for a local removals firm. They advertise “Secure and Inexpensive Thailand Removals”. I wonder if they’d take a job at Government House - there’s an incumbent there who Rooster and at least half the Thai population desperately need removing. The firm also does “Global Relocation” - might I suggest that Prayut - Uncle Too to his ever dwindling band of friends - be taken to Sri Lanka. It’s lovely and sunny there with a nice beach or two for a long and happy retirement, well away from causing any more trouble. It can be looked on as a reciprocal arrangement after the Sri Lankan president was given sanctuary in Thailand. I’m sure the Sri Lankans wouldn’t mind. They could benefit from his spending some of his 128 million baht helping their economy! Prayut - our father who art still in khaki, hollow be thy name - is as past his sell-by date as last week’s som tam left out of the fridge. This week the belligerent bully who seized power in a coup in 2014 and is grimly trying to hold onto it, was at his withering worst having a go at the Thai press for being dishonest, as he saw it, regarding electric bills. Then mysteriously saying that the Thai hacks need to take a look at the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism about suffering. No, he wasn’t talking about the suffering of the Thai people under his watch. In fact it was impossible to say what he was burbling about. A senior monk in Nonthaburi didn’t have a clue either. The monk was suffering like the rest of us with an electric bill that had sky-rocketed not the “few satang” that Prayut claimed. Now I’m not saying that politicians are directly responsible for all price increases. But people like Prayut need to understand accountability. He still thinks he’s in the barracks and the underlings will jump to the tune of his voice. After eight long years you’d think he’d have appreciated that. He hasn’t, he’s worse than ever and needs to call it a day. A Super Poll - notorious for their biased surveys - could barely sugar coat it in their report on the six main candidates to be the next PM, Prayut included. They referred to his loyalty, hard work for the nation and, wait for it…opening the country to the Saudis! If that was the best they could come up with then heaven help us! On the reverse side he was described as petulant, hopeless at handling real issues and has just been around too long. Amen. Whether Thaksin’s daughter Ung Ing or health minister Anutin can do any better is a moot point. Certainly DMP Prawit won’t be able to, though the luxury watch industry and pie sellers might beg to differ. Maybe it’s time for Surachate “Big Joke” Hakpan - the charismatic poster boy of the RTP - to throw his hat into the ring. Like him or loathe him he does manage to get things done. BJ was all over the news again in the last seven days following his criticism of “dirty Pattaya” with observations of messy Phuket that needed upgrading. Then before tea he had time to sort out illegal fishing and human trafficking. Surachate understands the press and uses them cleverly - the very antithesis of a barking general. Also needing urgent removal is a Dutch tourist caught shooting fish in a marine park in Krabi. The forum and Facebook threw up plenty of smoke and mirrors about this character saying that the boat captain that took him on his parrotfish adventure was just as guilty. Most conveniently forgot that the tourist was a professional speargun fisherman who would have completely understood that he was doing was illegal. I’m not in favor of jail time - he won’t get any anyway, it'll be suspended - but he needs to be shown the door. How about taking him to a chilly place in the North Atlantic where there are still a few cod? The boat captain should lose his licence and his livelihood. As many people pointed out, parrotfish are not endangered. I expect you can buy them in Makro. But anyone should know that removing any animals from marine or land based parks in Thailand is a complete no-no. Remember Atila the Hun and the sea slugs a few years ago? I spoke to him at the time and he knew he’d be deported. Like the Dutch tourist, their antics were recorded on social media leaving gung-ho environment minister Varawut Silpa-archa with no wiggle room. Some posters thought the case would have a negative effect on tourism. Utter nonsense, the vast majority of tourists are respectful and sensible in Thailand and social media tells them oh so clearly the Do’s and Don’ts of a holiday in Thailand. In other news, justice minister Somsak Thepsuthin commented on the intriguing prospect that research currently being conducted by the NCB and Khon Kaen uni could see magic mushrooms become a cash crop one day. The idea that “het khee khwai (buffalo pooh mushrooms) could be decriminalized like weed is interesting. Many studies have shown that the main drug in them - psilocybin - is effective in treating serious depression, alcoholism and even nicotine addiction. Back in 1982 I was with a mate when we inquired what “No Name 50 Baht” was on the bottom of the Chaweng Bungalow menu. Both having never tried ‘shrooms before we steeled ourselves and each had an omelette one morning. When we get together now we still talk about our memories of that day on the beach. I tried them a few more times in Indonesia before a bad experience - there was an argument between people not connected to the taking of the drug - that made me reticent to ever do it again. Lest we forget that LSD was (and still is) considered a wonder drug until “Reefer Madness” style bad press put the kibosh on that. The problem with using mushrooms - like many illegal drugs - is getting the dosage right, presumably something that medicinal dosing of psilocybin addresses. The minister warned about their current illegality and danger to youth but potential for an economic marvel as they grow all over Thailand and have been used in small doses by country docs to treat insomnia. Not something I thought Thais ever suffered from…… Meanwhile the regulations surrounding kratom are set to be announced, said the chief of the NCB. This plant was removed from the Class 5 narcotics list before marijuana. The much anticipated rules about weed should follow before the end of September. Fallout from the Mountain B fire continued with doubts over who is actually the owner - the father of “Sia B”, the young man who said he was the owner, was bailed by the Pattaya court for a million baht. This is Sia Yot. The death toll from the fire rose to 19 as BMA officials continued to make sure Khao San road clubs have enough unlocked exits. The deputy governor also took time out to sniff some ganja jars….. This was followed by tourism minister Pipat going to the road we used to call a zoo in the 1980s, to drum up support for his 4 am closing drive. Lip service will be paid to the concerns of residents over noise because as Pipat admitted, it is all about getting more revenue. As someone who regularly used to tumble out of clubs in the middle of the night and the Thermae at 6 am, I do feel that people should have the freedom to go out when they please. Thailand needs to get back to the time when they were less officious and more free-wheeling. And please ditch the masks - while tourists will understand that their wearing is now not mandatory I do feel it gives the wrong impression. Several threads on ASEAN NOW had Rooster wondering about its direction. “Lucky old you in Thailand with a young wife” had plenty of comments. My first wife was 13 years my senior though my second was admittedly 15 years my junior. I consider myself lucky with both as they have given me the greatest gift of all - adorable children. “How does Thailand rank on the price of sex index?” had many commenting that it was not appropriate in a country where prostitution is officially illegal. The price of about 6,000 baht in Thailand clearly referred to escorts. A picture on Facebook of a green chicken bucket with Colonel Sanders in shades was accompanied by the letters THC. Really? I’d hate to see my employers sued by a multinational company as it might not turn out finger lickin’ good. In international news the man who played the UK Queen’s stunt double in the famous Olympics opening video when she appeared to jump out of a plane, was jailed. Gary Connery - no relation to another James Bond - was banged up for 18 months for pushing his girlfriend down the stairs. Elon Musk joked that he was buying Manchester United. He could certainly afford to with Forbes rating his fortune at $223 billion and Utd valued at a paltry $3.8 billion. Why anyone would want to is another matter. Meanwhile, Ronaldo continued to keep fans guessing about his future after the club lost both their opening fixtures. In Australia, scientists said they are just ten years away from being able to clone and return the extinct animal commonly known as the Tasmanian Tiger. The last Thylacine died in 1936. Critics said the “Jurassic Park” style idea was just a funding stunt. In Japan the tax authorities - worried by a drop in revenue - started a campaign to get the young to drink more booze and sake. “Kanpai!” went the BBC headline. Back in Thailand there was an interesting story about a woman who received some very poor service from a car dealership who scratched her car then trashed it in an accident. Intelligent and frequent poster “Worgeordie” made a very sensible comment that the woman should seek help from executives in Japan. No names were mentioned of course but I can put in a good word for Honda. Years ago I put my Prelude in for a service and as I was on my way to Samet rather foolishly left a case in the boot with many important documents. When I came back to get my car the case was gone along with the CD changer. The case was later found ditched at the back of the service center, with all documents, while the CD changer was stolen by a security man who was sacked. Honda went to my school with cash to pay me almost everything I asked for! I never even used the CD changer (I’m not a music lover) - it came with the second hand vehicle! Result! In Phuket the drunk cop who shot a noodle vendor and left him in a wheelchair was given 25 years. A good sentence. Driving on Rama 2 road - a total mess for many years due to expressway construction - continued to be a total gamble. Following deaths at a U-turn bridge and the dumping of tons of water on a woman’s Fiesta came news about yet another accident in which a metal strip went through a “Safety First” sign. Oh the irony! A grim accident in Nonthaburi claimed the life of a delivery guy who slammed into a bus. It was caused by an old person crossing the road under a pedestrian bridge. Last Sunday I came within a whisker of dispatching an aging monk who was crossing Phahonyothin within yards of a similar bridge. I’m glad I have the best part of a million kilometers on the roads under my belt or I could have made the news myself. The gamble that is life in Thailand came off for Mrs Rooster who had her third lottery win of the year. Three tix ending in 42 did the trick. Not just the 6,000 baht but “sabai jai” went through the roof because the tickets were bought while making merit at a temple for her mother who died a few months back. All the AN stories about mystical numbers appearing were, surprise surprise, wide of the mark. Sad stories of neglect and abuse this week from the north east featured horrendous assault by a 21 year old stepfather (I use the term loosely) who killed one kid and left another in grievous condition. A second story was about an octogenarian gran who claimed her 57 year old son starved her hoping to get his hands on her house and land. Karma intervened in the latter after the son died first. In lighter news an amusing video worth watching featured the chase and eventual capture of a deer that had escaped from a temple and held up the traffic. Then on Friday came an “Amazing Thailand” story about a former monk turned ladyboy celebrity who answered critics who wondered about how “Ms. Perry” had managed to pay 3.6 million baht in cash for a BMW. Hard work was how! Rooster couldn’t resist saying that the monk had worn a frock after his defrocking. Finally, the Bangkok governor Chadchart is having a crackdown on illegal parking in the capital and is trying to introduce an ITMS - the media called this an “Intelligence Traffic Management System”. An even worse English translation followed. The study into illegal parking areas was referred to as “Traffy Fondue”. Melted cheese or chocolate anyone? Rooster -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-08-20 - 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. 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Opinion – Minister Phiphat should do more homework before looking to open bars till 4 AM as Khao San is not a bar zone By Erich Parpart Allowing bars to remain open until 04:00 hrs. in tourist destinations is not that bad an idea, but the implementation of rules changes needs to be done in order to promote the designated bar/pub areas in the country and take into account where the tourists are spending the money. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269420-opinion-–-minister-phiphat-should-do-more-homework-before-looking-to-open-bars-till-4-am-as-khao-san-is-not-a-bar-zone/

By Erich Parpart Allowing bars to remain open until 04:00 hrs. in tourist destinations is not that bad an idea, but the implementation of rules changes needs to be done in order to promote the designated bar/pub areas in the country and take into account where the tourists are spending the money. The move by the government of 2014 coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha to possibly allow opening of Khao San area in Bangkok along with other night club/bars/pub areas in Thailand to remain open until 04:00 hrs. from the current closing time of 02:00 hrs. is not a bad move but the key to such moves should be that it is impactful in whatever the government wants to achieve. Opening bars/pubs/clubs up until 04:00 hrs. is not something new, many venues and some were a stone throw away from the Royal Thai Police Headquarters in Ratchaprasong junction (Mix the club that was underground floor of InterContinental Hotel) used to remain open until the wee hours during the pre-Covid-19 era. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/43073/opinion-minister-phiphat-should-do-more-homework-before-looking-to-open-bars-till-4-am-as-khao-san-is-not-a-bar-zone/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-08-20 - 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!

South African woman gets life sentence reduced in Thailand SABCNews file photo A woman from George in the Western Cape who was sentenced to life imprisonment on drug charges in Thailand, has had her sentence reduced to just over 33 years. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269415-south-african-woman-gets-life-sentence-reduced-in-thailand/

file photo SABCNews A woman from George in the Western Cape who was sentenced to life imprisonment on drug charges in Thailand, has had her sentence reduced to just over 33 years. The appeal court in Koh Samui heard the matter of 23-year-old Ashley Oosthuizen. She was convicted on the drug charges last year. Oosthuizen was teaching English in the country before working at a restaurant that her boyfriend, an alleged drug trafficker, owned. Oosthuizen was arrested in a police sting after signing for a package of drugs for her boyfriend, who has managed to evade police. Full story: https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-woman-gets-life-sentence-reduced-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright SABC 2022-08-20 - 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!

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to host International Family Planning conference in Pattaya By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: บริษัท โสภณ เคเบิ้ล ที.วี.และสื่อสาร พัทยา จำกัด Pattaya — Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation chose to host its International Conference on Family Planning or ICEP 2022 in Pattaya from November 14th to 17th, 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269412-bill-melinda-gates-foundation-to-host-international-family-planning-conference-in-pattaya/

PHOTO: บริษัท โสภณ เคเบิ้ล ที.วี.และสื่อสาร พัทยา จำกัด By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation chose to host its International Conference on Family Planning or ICEP 2022 in Pattaya from November 14th to 17th, 2022. Pattaya mayor Poramese Ngampiches on Friday, August 19th, revealed that he planned to welcome the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which will fly to Pattaya to host its International Conference on Family Planning (ICEP 2022) from November 14th to 17th at Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/19/bill-melinda-gates-foundation-to-host-international-family-planning-conference-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-20 - 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!

Allegedly intoxicated foreign driver collides with family of four on motorcycle in Pattaya By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — An allegedly intoxicated foreign driver of unknown nationality reportedly cut off a family of four members on a motorcycle and collided with them, causing all four including two children to suffer serious injuries. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269411-allegedly-intoxicated-foreign-driver-collides-with-family-of-four-on-motorcycle-in-pattaya/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — An allegedly intoxicated foreign driver of unknown nationality reportedly cut off a family of four members on a motorcycle and collided with them, causing all four including two children to suffer serious injuries. The horrific road accident happened around 10 p.m. yesterday, August 18th, on Phatthanakan Road in the Nongprue subdistrict of Banglamung, Chonburi. Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan emergency responders rushed to a deserted road to find a bronze Toyota Fortuner with a crumpled front and a demolished Honda Wave. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/19/allegedly-intoxicated-foreign-driver-collides-with-family-of-four-on-motorcycle-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-08-20 - 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 issues Chair’s Statement for the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting The meeting reached a consensus for two documents on APEC Policy Recommendations on Tourism of the Future: Regenerative Tourism, and APEC Guidelines for Tourism Stakeholders. TAT Newsroom H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, announced a Chair’s Statement for the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, which was held in Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269410-thailand-issues-chair’s-statement-for-the-11th-apec-tourism-ministerial-meeting/

The meeting reached a consensus for two documents on APEC Policy Recommendations on Tourism of the Future: Regenerative Tourism, and APEC Guidelines for Tourism Stakeholders. TAT Newsroom H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, announced a Chair’s Statement for the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, which was held in Bangkok. “It is certainly an honour for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to be the host of the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the related meetings, especially during the year of Thailand’s chairmanship of APEC 2022 organised under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance.” The 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting is the first time the APEC Tourism Ministers are able to meet since 2018 and this whole week is a demonstration of Thailand’s magical appeal that is able to attract foreign tourists and visitors from all over the world. For this week’s meetings, we have welcomed approximately 200 delegates, including ministers and representatives, which could be considered as a grand success. During the TMM11, the activities and initiatives under the APEC Tourism Strategic Plan 2020-2024 were reported to the Meeting, as well as discussions on APEC’s cooperation guidelines to accelerate tourism revitalisation in the post-COVID-19 era and the role of the tourism sector in promoting the well-being of the people in the region by focusing on and giving importance to accelerating the recovery of tourism. We also exchanged experiences in promoting the recovery in each economy and discussed how to maintain tourism’s status as a sector that contributes to the benefit and well-being of the people of the APEC region. Throughout the meeting, economies have negotiated the draft joint statement to the best of their ability and were able to reach consensus in every paragraph. Except for one paragraph. Thus, I will be issuing a Chair’s Statement. However, we were able to reach a consensus for following the documents of the APEC Policy Recommendations on Tourism of the Future: Regenerative Tourism and the APEC Guidelines for Tourism Stakeholders. These two documents are the deliverables and APEC’s tourism cooperation this year. These achievements are all important steps for APEC in its progress towards achieving Vision Putrajaya 2040 and for us to keep working forward. As the Chair of the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation to the APEC Tourism Ministers and representatives, the APEC Secretariat Executive Director, heads of the APEC TWG, delegates, and everyone who attended, including all the relevant departments and agencies of Thailand, the Host economy who have cooperated and executed their duties together successfully until the very end of these meetings. I really hope that results from this meeting will reflect our unwavering determination to continue our commitment to APEC’s working aspirations. To achieve success according to ” Vision Puttrajaya 2040″ for the future of APEC that is prosperous, open, dynamic, resilient, peaceful and most importantly, for the well-being of the people of APEC this generation and the next. Thailand’s deliverables from the presentation of this concept can be the starting point for creating tourism policies that build on the sustainable tourism concept to help revive the tourism sector that was severely affected by COVID19, and to maintain resources in Thailand’s tourist destinations to be sustainable. Thus, providing the opportunity for people in the local communities to participate in an inclusive distribution of income, initiating a system for villagers to have a career that can be self-reliant, and enjoy the benefits of the local community as a host in every tourist attraction. This can make the people in the community satisfied with the growth of tourism by the people in the community benefiting in the way they see fit. Whether it will be increased income or a better environment and restoration of the traditional lifestyle. This push for sustainable tourism will be shared among the APEC members, not only on regional connectivity issues, especially intra-travel and tourism, but also to promote sustainable and inclusive growth. With the aim to balance the economy, environment, and society under the theme of APEC Thailand’s this “Open. Connect. Balance”. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/08/thailand-issues-chairs-statement-for-the-11th-apec-tourism-ministerial-meeting/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-08-20 - 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, Vietnam discuss media cooperation by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Officials from Thailand and Vietnam took part in a Joint Technical Committee meeting on modernizing information exchange platforms, as part of an effort to drive cooperation and relations between the two countries. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269409-thailand-vietnam-discuss-media-cooperation/

by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Officials from Thailand and Vietnam took part in a Joint Technical Committee meeting on modernizing information exchange platforms, as part of an effort to drive cooperation and relations between the two countries. Executives from Thailand’s Public Relations Department (PRD) and Voice of Vietnam (VoV) met at the 10th Joint Technical Committee (JTC) meeting at Century Park Hotel, Bangkok. The meeting, led by PRD Deputy Director General Sudruetai Lertkasem, and VoV Vice President Ngo Minh Hien, was to streamline the development of a modern information sharing system, and broaden the existing channels to promote cooperation and relations between both countries in the post-pandemic era. Mr. Ngo Minh Hien said Thailand and Vietnam have enjoyed a decade of cooperation in news and information, allowing the Vietnamese public to know more about Thailand. This has made Thailand and Thai food popular among Vietnamese people. Apart from information exchange, both parties have also been exchanging visits on numerous occasions. These exchanges have allowed people of both countries to understand the social and cultural aspects of one another as well as current affairs. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220819235005224 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-20 - 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!

Queen Sirikit National Convention Center to reopen September 12 after 3-year renovation by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - After a 3-year renovation closure, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok will reopen in September. The convention center will also host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November this year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269408-queen-sirikit-national-convention-center-to-reopen-september-12-after-3-year-renovation/

by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - After a 3-year renovation closure, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok will reopen in September. The convention center will also host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November this year. According to N.C.C. Management & Development Co.,Ltd., the management company for QSNCC, the renovated convention center is expected to accommodate 13 million visitors per year. This would be more than twice the annual amount of visitors before the renovation. NCC managing director Sakchai Pattarapreechakul said the improved center has the capacity to handle all types of events and can cater to all user lifestyles. Mr. Sakchai said 160 events have already been scheduled. About 50 of these events will transpire this year. The first two of said events will be held from September 14 to 16. The largest event for this year and one that NCC takes pride in will be the APEC Summit and related meetings between November 13 and 18. The convention center will welcome leaders, ministers, and representatives from 21 APEC economies as well as members of the media. Some 30,000 people are expected to attend this event. Mr. Sakchai indicated preparations are being made for this event in all aspects, including for security and amenities. He added the APEC event at the convention center is expected to make money circulate in the economy due to a large number of participants. The improved QSNCC was renovated under a budget of 15 billion baht. Total space has been expanded to 300,000 square meters or almost 5 times the previous total space of 65,000 square meters. Event space has been increased to 78,500 square meters and retail space now amounts to 11,000 square meters. With the addition of an underground parking area, the total parking space is now enough to accommodate 3,000 cars. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220820002035235 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-20 - 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!

Emergency Decree still a necessity to combat COVID-19: PM by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Prime Minister has reiterated the need to tackle COVID-19 using the Emergency Decree, saying the government has no intentions of using it for other purposes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269407-emergency-decree-still-a-necessity-to-combat-covid-19-pm/

by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Prime Minister has reiterated the need to tackle COVID-19 using the Emergency Decree, saying the government has no intentions of using it for other purposes. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said this special law remains in place for the sole purpose of disease control, adding that the government is ready to lift the state of emergency once the situation improves. He asked everyone to keep up to date with their vaccination, particularly vulnerable people who are still reluctant to take a booster jab. Meanwhile, Minister of Interior Gen Anupong Paochinda said the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration and the Ministry of Public Health are considering guidelines for the transition from the state of emergency to normal livelihoods where normal laws and regulations suffice, while the Ministry of Interior has instructed all provinces to be ready for such transition. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220819234501221 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-20 - 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!

Space Technology Lab Project Initiated in Chiang Rai BANGKOK, (TNA) – The House committee on telecommunications and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) are pushing for a space technology laboratory in Wiang Pa Pao district of Chiang Rai province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269406-space-technology-lab-project-initiated-in-chiang-rai/

BANGKOK, (TNA) – The House committee on telecommunications and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) are pushing for a space technology laboratory in Wiang Pa Pao district of Chiang Rai province. The planned facility can be a learning center and support forest protection and the planning of resources. Col Settapong Malisuwan, vice chairman of the House committee on communications, telecommunications and digital economy and society, said that this week the committee considered the project to establish the Space Technology Laboratory at Wiang Pa Pao Technical College in Chiang Rai. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1001061 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-08-20 - 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!

Constitutional Court Hacker Gets One Year And Six Months In Jail by TNR Staff A hacker. Photo: Richard Patterson http://www.comparitech.co (CC BY 2.0) THE HACKER who broke into the Constitutional Court website and changed the name to kangaroo court was jailed for one year and six months and fined 87,227 baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269405-constitutional-court-hacker-gets-one-year-and-six-months-in-jail/

A hacker. Photo: Richard Patterson http://www.comparitech.co (CC BY 2.0) by TNR Staff THE HACKER who broke into the Constitutional Court website and changed the name to kangaroo court was jailed for one year and six months and fined 87,227 baht, Naewna newspaper said. The Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek said in its verdict that the defendant, Mr. Wachira Suphathien, 34, had pleaded guilty on the charges of illegally hacking the Constitutional Court’s website and changing the name to kangaroo court. In doing so the defendant had illegally accessed a protected computer system and data with the intention of damaging, destroying, modifying, altering or supplementing in part or the whole system so that it halts, slows down, is interrupted or disrupted. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/08/18/constitutional-court-hacker-gets-one-year-and-six-months-in-jail/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-08-20 - 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!

Rural Doctors Again Urge Prayut To Step Down After 8-Year Rule By Thai Newsroom Reporters Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Photo: INN News THE RURAL DOCTOR Society has today (August 19) repeated their calls for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step down now that his eight years in power is allegedly ending on upcoming Wednesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1269404-rural-doctors-again-urge-prayut-to-step-down-after-8-year-rule/