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COVID-19 Omicron BA.2 will supersede BA.1 in next two weeks in Thailand A colorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (green) heavily infected with Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (purple), isolated from a patient sample, at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. (Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) The Thai Medical Sciences Department has predicted that, in less than two weeks, the BA.2 sub-variant of the Omicron variant will account for 100% of new COVID-19 infections in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256430-covid-19-omicron-ba2-will-supersede-ba1-in-next-two-weeks-in-thailand/

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Red-shirt followers gather in memory of those who died in 2010 crackdown Followers of Thailand’s United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), aka “the red-shirt movement”, representatives of opposition parties and core members of the country’s anti-establishment groups gathered yesterday (Sunday) at the October 14th Memorial, on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok, to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the violent crackdown on red-shirt protesters of April 10th, 2010. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256413-red-shirt-followers-gather-in-memory-of-those-who-died-in-2010-crackdown/

Followers of Thailand’s United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), aka “the red-shirt movement”, representatives of opposition parties and core members of the country’s anti-establishment groups gathered yesterday (Sunday) at the October 14th Memorial, on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok, to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the violent crackdown on red-shirt protesters of April 10th, 2010. At least 90 people died and more than 2,000 were wounded in clashes between security forces and UDD-led anti-government protesters, according to Human Rights Watch. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe A red banner displaying the message “12 Years, but still no justice for the heroes of April-May ‘53 (2010)” was hung at the site of the event. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/red-shirt-followers-gather-in-memory-of-those-who-died-in-2020-crackdown/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thais Start Traveling Home to Celebrate Songkran Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Officials have been reporting heavy traffic on several sections of Mittraphap Road going into the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, as more people leave Bangkok to return to their home provinces ahead of the Songkran festival. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256411-thais-start-traveling-home-to-celebrate-songkran/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Officials have been reporting heavy traffic on several sections of Mittraphap Road going into the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, as more people leave Bangkok to return to their home provinces ahead of the Songkran festival. Nakhon Ratchasima is one of several highway junctions in the Northeast that see the most traffic during national holidays. Highway District 2 officials in Nakhon Ratchasima said heavier traffic is expected this week, as more people living or working in Bangkok begin traveling home. Motorway 6 or M6 in the province will be open to motorists during two periods: before Songkran, from April 11 to 14, and after Songkran, from April 15 to 18, from 6 AM to midnight. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Motorists can use the highway from kilometer 65 on Road No.2 in Pak Chong to kilometer 5+500 on Road No.201 in Sikhiu district or kilometer 8+706 on Road No.2068 in Kham Thale So district. Officials at the Hat Yai Junction railway station in Songkhla province have meanwhile reported a lively atmosphere, with people waiting to board trains to their home provinces to celebrate Songkran. Media reports said southbound trains from Bangkok are fully booked from April 10 to 12, and northbound trains to the capital booked from April 15 to 17. Songkran is celebrated yearly from April 13 to 15. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Health Ministry Tasks Hospitals With Extending COVID Vaccine Expiry Dates Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Public Health Ministry has directed hospitals under its jurisdiction to change the expiry date of COVID-19 vaccines in their stock in accordance with the manufacturers’ new registration details. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256409-health-ministry-tasks-hospitals-with-extending-covid-vaccine-expiry-dates/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Public Health Ministry has directed hospitals under its jurisdiction to change the expiry date of COVID-19 vaccines in their stock in accordance with the manufacturers’ new registration details. According to Thongchai Lertwilairatanapong, deputy permanent secretary for Public Health, the instructions were issued to all provincial public health chiefs on April 7. Under the new amendment, Thongchai said the expiry date for Sinovac doses will be extended from six to twelve months, while expiry dates for AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines will be extended from six to nine months. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The memo explained that when the three vaccine manufacturers attempted to register with the Thai Food and Drug Administration, they registered their vaccines under the FDA’s Conditional Approval for Emergency Use of Medical Products directive on July 24, 2020, which limited the expiration timeframe of medical products to just six months. However, the manufacturers have re-registered their vaccines for non-emergency use, allowing them to extend the expiry dates of three vaccine types. Officials said the amendment also covers CoronaVac vaccines manufactured by Sinovac Life Science and purchased from the Government Pharmaceutical Organization, Vaxzevria produced by AstraZeneca Thailand, and Comirnaty from Pfizer Thailand. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Pareena calls for equal application of law after 80 MPs and senators investigated for public land encroachment By Erich Parpart Pareena Kraikupt, a former parliamentarian for the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), asked for equal treatment under the law after 80 MPs and senators were accused of building on or claiming property that was situated in national parks or public land. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256392-pareena-calls-for-equal-application-of-law-after-80-mps-and-senators-investigated-for-public-land-encroachment/

By Erich Parpart Pareena Kraikupt, a former parliamentarian for the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), asked for equal treatment under the law after 80 MPs and senators were accused of building on or claiming property that was situated in national parks or public land. Pareena was stripped of her duty last Thursday and banned from politics for life. The Supreme Court found her guilty of severe ethical misconduct after she was charged with land encroachment by the NACC. They found that her 711-rai poultry farm in Ratchaburi’s Chom Bung district was encroaching on national park land. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Her call for other politicians to be treated the same came after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said on Sunday that they are investigating around 80 MPs who were accused of similar charges. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/39336/pareena-calls-for-equal-application-of-law-after-80-mps-and-senators-investigated-for-public-land-encroachment/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Commerce Ministry to Hold Border Trade Fair During Amazean Jungle Trail 2022 Next Month Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce is planning to hold a major border trade fair during the upcoming “Amazean Jungle Trail 2022” event being held in Betong district of Yala province from May 6-8. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256391-commerce-ministry-to-hold-border-trade-fair-during-amazean-jungle-trail-2022-next-month/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce is planning to hold a major border trade fair during the upcoming “Amazean Jungle Trail 2022” event being held in Betong district of Yala province from May 6-8. The running event is expected to draw at least 1,000 athletes from around the globe to the districts, along with 3,000-5,000 visitors. The trade fair will feature more than 60 premium products from the southern border provinces for both onsite and online customers. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit also met with the private sector representatives during his recent visit to the district. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He said entrepreneurs have asked the administration to relax city planning measures to allow for the construction of more local cold storage facilities. The move will eliminate local reliance on facilities in other provinces for fruits such as durian, thereby greatly reducing costs. Yala is able to produce around 30,000 metric tons of durian annually, but existing cold storages in the province can only handle up to 10,000 tons. The local chapter of the chamber of commerce has also urged the government to consider extending the low-interest loan program for business operators for another 5 years. The program, due to expire this year, offers loans of up to 25 million baht with an annual interest rate of 1.5%. The program currently has a remaining budget of 3 billion baht. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

People Invited to Foster Wild Animals BANGKOK, April 11 (TNA) – The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation invites people to donate to its “Foster Parents” project to help the wild animals that were rescued and those which it keeps for breeding. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256390-people-invited-to-foster-wild-animals/

BANGKOK, April 11 (TNA) – The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation invites people to donate to its “Foster Parents” project to help the wild animals that were rescued and those which it keeps for breeding. Phadet Laithong, director of the department's Wildlife Conservation Office, said the department kept more than 26,000 wild animals that were stray, injured, rescued, handed by former owners or their closed zoos or kept for breeding. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He said that the number of wild animals rescued from traffickers was rising because of serious suppression and the department had to keep parts of them because they were too weak to be rehabilitated for their return to the wild. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-920985 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Loan shark arrested with 28 vehicles - he was charging 120% per annum Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that on Sunday the Region 9 police chief Pol Maj-Gen Krissada Kaewjandee led a raid on a property in Soi Pracharuamchai in Hat Yai, Songkhla. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256389-loan-shark-arrested-with-28-vehicles-he-was-charging-120-per-annum/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that on Sunday the Region 9 police chief Pol Maj-Gen Krissada Kaewjandee led a raid on a property in Soi Pracharuamchai in Hat Yai, Songkhla. The police had search and arrest warrants after complaints of loan sharking in the area. Arrested was Arun Khun-aksorn, 43, who admitted to charging interest of 10% a month or 120% annually. The Thai law sets a limit at 15%. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He did this by business associated with running a vehicle pawn business. 28 cars and pick-ups - most with unpaid installments from hire purchase agreements - were found at two houses and a depot. Many had their licence plates obscured with bin bags. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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

Prayuth gives the Thai people a Songkran present: Law Enforcement Picture: INN INN reported on the statements of Thai Prime Minister and defence minister Prayuth Chan-ocha via Government House deputy spokeswoman Traisuree yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256388-prayuth-gives-the-thai-people-a-songkran-present-law-enforcement/

Picture: INN INN reported on the statements of Thai Prime Minister and defence minister Prayuth Chan-ocha via Government House deputy spokeswoman Traisuree yesterday. Traisuree said that the PM is concerned about the safety and convenience of Thais travelling home and on holiday for the Songkran break. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Many have already left for the celebrations, she said, but the PM has been contacting the Transport and Interior Ministries as well as the RTP to make sure the people are helped. One of the principal ways this will be a better Songkran than normal is that Prayuth has told the authorities to enforce the law. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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 Prayuth said that means if you speed or DUI then you are in trouble.

Dozens arrested for Covid/drugs offences at Khon Kaen party - summons for owner Picture: INN The Khon Kaen provincial police chief Pol Maj-Gen Noppakao Somnas led a raid on a restaurant in the Ban Pet police jurisdiction. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256387-dozens-arrested-for-coviddrugs-offences-at-khon-kaen-party-summons-for-owner/

Picture: INN The Khon Kaen provincial police chief Pol Maj-Gen Noppakao Somnas led a raid on a restaurant in the Ban Pet police jurisdiction. Sixty two men and women had their urine tested for ketamine and ice - 48 were positive. Ice (crystal meth) was found discarded on the tables and in trash cans. There was a mass panic when the raiding party arrived with many heading for the toilets, reported INN. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe All were charged with breaking Covid rules and the 48 with taking drugs. The manager is helping police with their inquiries and the headline of the INN story suggested that the owner is now being presented with a summons. It happened at an establishment on the Maliwan Road. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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

Commerce Ministry to Propose Trade Agreement With EFTA Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce is planning to propose to the Cabinet negotiation details for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). It will also recommend adjustments to existing free trade deals with ASEAN member nations, China, India, South Korea and Australia-New Zealand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256385-commerce-ministry-to-propose-trade-agreement-with-efta/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce is planning to propose to the Cabinet negotiation details for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). It will also recommend adjustments to existing free trade deals with ASEAN member nations, China, India, South Korea and Australia-New Zealand. Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN), said the proposals were recently submitted to Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit. They will be vetted by an international economic policy committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai, before being presented to the Cabinet within this month. The EFTA consists of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The four states are competitive in several sectors vital to the global economy and score among the highest in the world in competitiveness, wealth creation per inhabitant, life expectancy and quality of life. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe According to the DTN, draft negotiations with the EFTA have already been discussed with related sides, including government units, the private sector, the agricultural sector, civil society and academics. If approved, the DTN will inform the EFTA and schedule dates for negotiations. The deal is expected to create new opportunities for Thai products and services to compete in EFTA markets while also attracting investors to Thailand. Total trade between Thailand and EFTA member states over the past five years was valued at US$10 billion. During this period, Thai exports and imports were valued at $4.5 billion and $5.5 billion, respectively. Popular export items include gems and jewelry, clocks and parts, automobiles and auto parts, machinery, and cosmetics. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Bedridden lottery seller 80, perishes in Pakthongchai fire - millions in damage Picture: Siam Rath An eighty year old female lottery ticket seller was confirmed as the victim of a fire that swept through shophouses in downtown Pakthongchai, Korat, yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256384-bedridden-lottery-seller-80-perishes-in-pakthongchai-fire-millions-in-damage/

Picture: Siam Rath An eighty year old female lottery ticket seller was confirmed as the victim of a fire that swept through shophouses in downtown Pakthongchai, Korat, yesterday. Fire services took 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control such was the flammability of much dry wood, reported Siam Rath. The bedridden woman lottery ticket seller did not manage to get out. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath Among the shops destroyed in the fire were a tailors, a florist, a salon and a general store. Police said the fire, that caused many millions of baht in damage and widespread fear in the crowded area, is under investigation. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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