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A man from Sierra Leone has been charged with smuggling 3.8 million baht's worth of cocaine into Thailand. It is believed that he swallowed the drugs weighing 1,280 grams, contained in 74 capsules, on the journey from Guinea-Bissau in west Africa. He arrived at Suvarnabhumi on February 12th and was given a luggage check but no irregularities were found. Customs and other agencies kept tabs on him, however, at his place of quarantine, a hotel in Chan Road, Bangkok. Picture: Thai PBS He was searched on leaving the hotel on Tuesday at 4.30 am and the drugs were found in a shoulder bag. He has been charged with smuggling a Class 2 narcotic. The customs department has handled 28 drugs cases since last year with a street price value of 880.6 million baht, reported Thai PBS. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-24 - 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

COVID-19: Thailand reports 23,557 new coronavirus cases; 38 deaths, 16,131 recoveries File photo Thailand on Thursday (February 24) reported 23,557 new COVID-19 cases, 16,131 recoveries and 38 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251355-covid-19-thailand-reports-23557-new-coronavirus-cases-38-deaths-16131-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

COVID-19: Thailand reports 23,557 new coronavirus cases; 38 deaths, 16,131 recoveries File photo Thailand on Thursday (February 24) reported 23,557 new COVID-19 cases, 16,131 recoveries and 38 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251355-covid-19-thailand-reports-23557-new-coronavirus-cases-38-deaths-16131-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Thursday (February 24) reported 23,557 new COVID-19 cases, 16,131 recoveries and 38 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 23,329. Prisons: 228 ▶︎ Recoveries: 16,131 Thursday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,794,350 with 22,768 deaths. The news comes as Thailand is set to relax rules for international arrivals from March 1st despite the continual surge in COVID-19 infections in the country. The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has decided to change the second COVID-19 RT-PCR test, currently required for overseas arrivals on their fifth day in the country, to a self-administered rapid antigen test and will reduce the amount of required insurance coverage from US$50,000 to US$20,000. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-24 - 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

Opinion: Constitutional Court’s latest controversy shows moral gaps that can happen ONLY in Thailand By Arun Saronchai The Constitutional Court justices are embroiled in a new dilemma that shows big moral gaps within the court that should worry any legal scholars in Thailand and the greater public about the court’s judgement. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251352-opinion-constitutional-court’s-latest-controversy-shows-moral-gaps-that-can-happen-only-in-thailand/

By Arun Saronchai The Constitutional Court justices are embroiled in a new dilemma that shows big moral gaps within the court that should worry any legal scholars in Thailand and the greater public about the court’s judgement. The problem stems from the age of the current President of the Constitutional Court, Worawit Kangsasitiam. Worawit is about to turn 70 years old this March. According to the 2007, Constitutional Court justices cannot be over 70 years and cannot serve for nine years. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37856/opinion-constitutional-courts-latest-controversy-shows-moral-gaps-that-can-happen-only-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-02-24 - 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

Opinion: Don’t go down the path of vaccine mandates, rather show anti-vaxxers for who they really are By Cod Satrusayang I don’t believe in vaccine mandates. I don’t believe forcing someone against their will to vaccinate is something a democratic government should do. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251345-opinion-don’t-go-down-the-path-of-vaccine-mandates-rather-show-anti-vaxxers-for-who-they-really-are/

By Cod Satrusayang I don’t believe in vaccine mandates. I don’t believe forcing someone against their will to vaccinate is something a democratic government should do. However, if you are unvaccinated by choice, then you can live with the consequences. The situation in 2022 is vastly different than the situation in 2021. Last year, you could not be faulted for being unvaxxed because the government failed to provide vaccines quickly and for all. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37851/opinion-dont-go-down-the-path-of-vaccine-mandates-rather-show-anti-vaxxers-for-who-they-really-are/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-02-24 - 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

Covid deaths among unvaccinated rises but Thailand still doing better than region By Erich Parpart More than 82 per cent of people who died from Covid-19 this year were people age 60 and above. The number of fatalities that were unvaccinated was 58.2 per cent. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251339-covid-deaths-among-unvaccinated-rises-but-thailand-still-doing-better-than-region/

By Erich Parpart More than 82 per cent of people who died from Covid-19 this year were people age 60 and above. The number of fatalities that were unvaccinated was 58.2 per cent. Only 2.4 per cent of people who have received three doses passed away. “The number of fatalities has the potential to continue to rise along with the rise in the daily number of cases which is in the tens of thousands now and many of the fatalities were unvaccinated,” said Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, the spokesperson of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). “Many of them are still in the 608 groups as well,” he said. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37827/covid-deaths-among-unvaccinated-rises-but-thailand-still-doing-better-than-region/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-02-24 - 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

UPDATE: COVID-19 Insurance Requirement Eased for Visitors BANGKOK, Feb 23 (TNA) – The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration reduced the minimum sum insured for COVID-19 insurance required from each visitor from US$50,000 to US$20,000. The reduction will take effect on March 1. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251268-thailand-to-relax-rules-for-international-arrivals-from-march-1-despite-covid-surge/?do=findComment&comment=17207312

COVID-19 Insurance Requirement Eased for Visitors BANGKOK, Feb 23 (TNA) – The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration reduced the minimum sum insured for COVID-19 insurance required from each visitor from US$50,000 to US$20,000. The reduction will take effect on March 1. After CCSA's meeting at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the reduction was aimed at relieving the financial burden of visitors and boosting tourism in the country. Besides, he said, CCSA changed the COVID-19 testing method required on visitors on day 5 after their arrival from RT-PCR to antigen testing. Visitors would receive antigen test kits free of charge and will report test results. The testing change would also take effect on March 1, Mr Anutin said. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-889382 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-02-24 - 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

UPDATE: Thai government lowers entry barriers despite growing number of Covid cases By Erich Parpart Thailand on Wednesday eased entry regulations despite a growing number of domestic Covid-19 cases. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251268-thailand-to-relax-rules-for-international-arrivals-from-march-1-despite-covid-surge/?do=findComment&comment=17207306

Thai government lowers entry barriers despite growing number of Covid cases By Erich Parpart Thailand on Wednesday eased entry regulations despite a growing number of domestic Covid-19 cases. Thailand will continue its program to require a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before departure for tourists who are traveling to Thailand. They will also have to book one night at a SHA+ accommodation to wait for the result of their RT-PCR test which will be administrated on arrival. However, starting on March 1, travelers will no longer have to book for another accommodation on the fifth day after arrival as they will only be required to take a self-administered antigen test (ATK) instead. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37817/thai-government-lowers-entry-barriers-despite-growing-number-of-covid-cases/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-02-24 - 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

Thai TV hardly covered the Olympics - what else will we miss? Money talks these days so unless you pay, you don’t get seems to be the norm. In the good old days, all the big events were available free on terrestrial TV including the Winter Olympics and the World Cup. Apart from catching a few disciplines like curling on my TV box, I might as well have not even known they were competing in Beijing. The Canadian hockey team at the very first Winter Olympics* Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251333-thai-tv-hardly-covered-the-olympics-what-else-will-we-miss/

Money talks these days so unless you pay, you don’t get seems to be the norm. In the good old days, all the big events were available free on terrestrial TV including the Winter Olympics and the World Cup. Apart from catching a few disciplines like curling on my TV box, I might as well have not even known they were competing in Beijing. The Canadian hockey team at the very first Winter Olympics* Surely sponsors who pay huge sums, would want the product seen by the widest audience possible. With the World Cup taking place this year from Monday, November 18th to December 21st let’s at least hope one of the Thai stations will be covering all the games live for us to enjoy for free. For once the time difference is not too bad, as games will start in Doha at 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm, and possibly a kick-off as late as 10 pm as well. Not bad for us wanting to watch most of the action LIVE in Asia. It was hard to catch the Ashes, rugby, or even Wimbledon last year, and now with Fox Sports only available through Disney Plus, it will be harder this year. Fox also showed The Masters from Augusta live so maybe we will not be able to enjoy that event too. OK, we now live in a world of pay for TV however as most services rely on the internet connection, looks like we are in for a season of buffering or no connection at all. Maybe some of you have managed to solve this issue and can share how to enjoy live sports in clear HD? *Footnote: It is ironic that we can only post very old images of the Winter Olympics, as Getty Images charge high fees, as they have the exclusive rights to all Olympic photos. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-24 - 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

Residual oil to be removed from fractured pipe in Gulf of Thailand Thursday Divers from the maintenance team of Star Petroleum Refining (SPRC) have managed to close three valves on the ruptured submarine oil pipeline after two days of effort, paving the way for the removal of about 12,000 litres of residual oil starting Thursday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251332-residual-oil-to-be-removed-from-fractured-pipe-in-gulf-of-thailand-thursday/

Divers from the maintenance team of Star Petroleum Refining (SPRC) have managed to close three valves on the ruptured submarine oil pipeline after two days of effort, paving the way for the removal of about 12,000 litres of residual oil starting Thursday. Rayong governor Charnna Iamsaeng said today that the repair work has proceeded smoothly over the past two days. Reports from the scene, near the company’s offshore mooring platform, confirm that three valves were closed at about 1pm this afternoon. Thailand’s Marine Department today ordered all the other vessels to stay at least 500 metres from the underwater work site. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/residual-oil-to-be-removed-from-fractured-pipe-in-gulf-of-thailand-thursday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-24 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Thursday 24 Feb 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1251330-thailand-live-thursday-24-feb-2022/

On-site classes in Thailand can resume under new guidelines, exams for COVID-19 cases allowed The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has issued a set of guidelines for on-site learning, to enable schools to resume classes as normal, while COVID-19 infections surge. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251306-on-site-classes-in-thailand-can-resume-under-new-guidelines-exams-for-covid-19-cases-allowed/

Cabinet Approves Tax Incentives for “High-Potential” Foreigners BANGKOK (NNT) - The Cabinet this week approved in principle tax incentives for foreigners working in targeted industries or economic zones. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251270-cabinet-approves-tax-incentives-for-“high-potential”-foreigners/

Thailand to relax rules for international arrivals from March 1 despite COVID surge International visitors follow a health official inside the arrival terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport / AFP Thailand is set to relax rules for international arrivals from March 1st despite the continual surge in COVID-19 infections in the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251268-thailand-to-relax-rules-for-international-arrivals-from-march-1-despite-covid-surge/

Chonburi hits new high with 1,369 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and one new death By Goong Nang(GN) Highlights: 1,369 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251254-chonburi-hits-new-high-with-1369-new-and-confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-and-one-new-death/

By Goong Nang(GN) Highlights: 1,369 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today 1,360 positive ATK tests were reported but all require a second confirmed PCR test before being counted as official cases. The ATK positive tests are just “possible” cases until confirmed by PCR. 712 people recovered and were released from medical care One new death The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,369 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with one new death, February 23rd, 2022. Today’s number is a new record in cases for Chonburi, although only three serious cases are currently recorded out of 8,627 people currently positive. This makes a total of 33,491 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 8,627 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 25 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections at the beginning of this year, January 2022. Additionally, 712 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 24,823 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began at the beginning of this year, January 2022. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/02/23/chonburi-hits-new-high-with-1369-new-and-confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-and-one-new-death/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-02-23 - 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

Paween Pongsirin: Exiled police investigator puts Thai authorities in trafficking spotlight Pol Maj-General Paween Pongsirin / Photo from www.isranews.org More than six years after he fled Thailand to live in exile in Australia, Pol Maj-General Paween Pongsirin is back under the media spotlight. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251244-paween-pongsirin-exiled-police-investigator-puts-thai-authorities-in-trafficking-spotlight/