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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. His role as chief investigator of a high-profile human smuggling case in 2015 was highlighted when opposition MP Rangsiman Rome from the opposition Move Forward Party criticized the Thai government for its poor performance in the latest Trafficking in Persons Report issued by the US State Department last June. The report downgraded Thailand to Tier 2 Watch List, saying the government “does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so”. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/paween-pongsirin-exiled-police-investigator-puts-thai-authorities-in-trafficking-spotlight/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

Cabinet decides to retain emergency medical coverage for COVID-19 patients The Thai cabinet has decided to postpone indefinitely the Public Health Ministry’s plan to introduce a medical entitlement program for COVID-19 patients, instead of using the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP), reportedly to avoid public confusion. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251243-cabinet-decides-to-retain-emergency-medical-coverage-for-covid-19-patients/

The Thai cabinet has decided to postpone indefinitely the Public Health Ministry’s plan to introduce a medical entitlement program for COVID-19 patients, instead of using the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP), reportedly to avoid public confusion. The new medical entitlement program, which aimed to remove COVID-19 from the list of conditions covered by UCEP, was due to come into effect on March 1st. It was intended to encourage people infected by the virus, who have no or mild symptoms, to use their rights under the social security scheme, the gold card program or the welfare scheme for state officials to get medical treatment. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the media, after the cabinet meeting yesterday (Tuesday), that the cabinet had decided to retain the entitlement under UCEP for COVID-19 patients, so there will not be public confusion at a time when infections are surging. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/cabinet-decides-to-retain-emergency-medical-coverage-for-covid-19-patients/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

Empty streets and strict regulations deter tourists from visiting Thailand by PRIM CHUWIRUCH A night market at Soi Ram Butri in Bangkok before the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture: 123RF/SOMBATPKT In downtown Bangkok’s Patpong area, most evenings are quiet. Before the pandemic, it was one of the world’s most notorious red-light districts, attracting foreign tourists to its many bars, nightclubs and massage parlours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251240-empty-streets-and-strict-regulations-deter-tourists-from-visiting-thailand/

A night market at Soi Ram Butri in Bangkok before the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture: 123RF/SOMBATPKT by PRIM CHUWIRUCH In downtown Bangkok’s Patpong area, most evenings are quiet. Before the pandemic, it was one of the world’s most notorious red-light districts, attracting foreign tourists to its many bars, nightclubs and massage parlours. With the tourism industry decimated by two years of Covid-19, most of the street’s businesses are locked, with “Closed” signs in the windows. At the area’s night bazaar — for decades the place to buy Red Bull T-shirts, Thai boxing pants and fake Rolex watches — the vendors are gone. Thailand wants to get them back. Tourism accounted for one-fifth of the country’s GDP before the pandemic, with almost 40- million foreign tourists generating more than $60bn in 2019. In early February, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha’s government began allowing vaccinated travellers to enter quarantine-free. Like many countries that are now treating Covid-19 as endemic, Thailand is eager to jump-start its tourism industry. But visitors expecting bustling restaurants, bars and markets may be in for a shock, because many of the small businesses that played major roles in Thailand’s tourism ecosystem closed during the lockdowns and haven’t reopened. Full story: https://www.businesslive.co.za/bloomberg/businessweek/2022-02-23-empty-streets-and-strict-regulations-deter-tourists-from-visiting-thailand/ -- © Copyright Bloomberg 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

Lampang man on motorcycle collides with police officer's vehicle as he turns into the station 77kaoded Thai Caption: Collision with police vehicle 77kaoded reported that a 31 year old Lampang man riding a motorcycle hit a vehicle you don't want to hit. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251234-lampang-man-on-motorcycle-collides-with-police-officers-vehicle-as-he-turns-into-the-station/

77kaoded Thai Caption: Collision with police vehicle 77kaoded reported that a 31 year old Lampang man riding a motorcycle hit a vehicle you don't want to hit. A policeman's private car turning into the police station in Samrong in the Bangkok suburbs. Police captain Thammarong Prasitnork was behind the wheel of his Toyota Fortuner arriving for duty at the South Samrong station in Samut Prakarn. Picture: 77kaoded Thitipong Wongkhiaw on a Honda Wave went into the Fortuner's left side. Thitipong was seriously injured. Poh Teck Tung ferried the rider to Sikharin Hospital. Wirawat, 40, who arrived at the accident scene said that moments earlier he had seen the rider driving erratically and beeped his horn. Picture: 77kaoded The rider had pulled up his visor and asked why he had beeped but nothing transpired and he raced off at speed. The policeman involved said he had seen the rider at a distance and turned in. CCTV would inform who was in the right and who was in the wrong but all that could wait until the rider had recovered, he added. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Relief foundation pleads with government to open more Covid facilities By Erich Parpart A relief foundation is urging the government to open more community isolation (CI) facilities as beds for mild and moderate Covid cases are filling up in Bangkok as the Omicron outbreak sweeps. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251232-relief-foundation-pleads-with-government-to-open-more-covid-facilities/

By Erich Parpart A relief foundation is urging the government to open more community isolation (CI) facilities as beds for mild and moderate Covid cases are filling up in Bangkok as the Omicron outbreak sweeps. They also said that the current bed shortage situation at CI facilities is made worse as “hospitels”, hotels that converted thier beds into hospital beds, are closing down after the government had earlier this month announced the plan to scrap the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) scheme in March. However, the cabinet already decided to delay the ministry’s decision to scrap the emergency healthcare scheme until the outbreak situation improves. 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/37756/relief-foundation-pleads-with-government-to-open-more-covid-facilities/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 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

Anutin latest: We are completely in control of Covid - even if things turn into an emergency Naew Na Thai Caption: We can cope if things take a turn for the worse Anutin Charvirakul told the Thai press yesterday that he is in complete control - even if things get worse when it comes to Covid. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251230-anutin-latest-we-are-completely-in-control-of-covid-even-if-things-turn-into-an-emergency/

Naew Na Thai Caption: We can cope if things take a turn for the worse Anutin Charvirakul told the Thai press yesterday that he is in complete control - even if things get worse when it comes to Covid. Thailand's heath minister and DPM told Naew Na after a cabinet meeting that there were enough beds, enough meds and enough medical gear to cope. Even if the latest spike in Covid cases becomes an emergency. Asmptomatic cases were isolating at home and any RT-PCR testing problems were being sorted, said the minister. Everything would be done in line with helping the economy to recover. Asked about reports that people were unable to access hospital treatment at the weekend, Anutin dismissed this as a mere glitch. Very few people couldn't get treated, he claimed, adding that 30,000 people were in hospital with Covid. He promised to follow up on the complaints to make sure that everyone was getting the best from his health services. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Young driver in water delivery truck backs over students in Lopburi - one teen dead, one injured Picture: Thai Rath Phaniat police in Lopburi were called after a water delivery driver reversed over two students on a motorcycle on the Suranarai Road in Wang Plerng sub-district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251228-young-driver-in-water-delivery-truck-backs-over-students-in-lopburi-one-teen-dead-one-injured/

Picture: Thai Rath Phaniat police in Lopburi were called after a water delivery driver reversed over two students on a motorcycle on the Suranarai Road in Wang Plerng sub-district. Pillion passenger 18 year old Niphaporn from Sa Bote district was dead under the left rear wheel of the truck. Phanitda, also 18, the driver of the bike survived and was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. Picture: Thai Rath A damaged Honda motorcycle was found at the scene. Pakorn, 21, said he had mistakenly driven past a shop where he was making a delivery and had been reversing. He thought he had gone into a pothole and revved his engine after inadvertently hitting the motorcycle killing the student, reported Thai Rath. Police took him away for prosecution. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Jailbird admits to hospital knife attack on ex wife's new lover - he's arrested after 5 years Picture: INN Crime Suppression Division police caught up with a disgruntled husband and ex-convict who attacked his former wife at a hospital in the south of Thailand, reported INN. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251218-jailbird-admits-to-hospital-knife-attack-on-ex-wifes-new-lover-hes-arrested-after-5-years/

Picture: INN Crime Suppression Division police caught up with a disgruntled husband and ex-convict who attacked his former wife at a hospital in the south of Thailand, reported INN. Theerapong, 35, was named in an arrest warrant for attempted murder and having a knife in public issued in Nakhon Sri Thammarat in August 2017. He was picked up at a rented house in Takua Thung, Phang Nga also in the south. Theerapong had been in a relationship with his wife until 2011 when he was jailed leading to their separation. But when he was released he tried to continue the relationship. On 6th August 2017 he found out that she was in Thung Song hospital and went to visit her. He confronted her new husband at the hospital and a violent argument and fight ensued in which the victim was stabbed in the back. Theerapong reportedly admitted everything on his arrest yesterday. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Police deny malpractice in death of "paranoid" man in North East Thailand Picture: Siam Rath A top policeman in Roi-Et in north eastern Thailand has said that all police procedures were followed in the mysterious death of a man in the province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251216-police-deny-malpractice-in-death-of-paranoid-man-in-north-east-thailand/

Picture: Siam Rath A top policeman in Roi-Et in north eastern Thailand has said that all police procedures were followed in the mysterious death of a man in the province. The relatives of Kamol Thiampak, 34, found dead near some woods, were suspicious of police involvement. On Sunday evening he had gone into the Kaset Wisai police station to report that he had been chased by 50-60 people at an intersection by the town hall. Police found no such group. He said he had been to visit his sick dad at a hospital and was waiting to be picked up and taken home. Picture: Siam Rath Relatives called to say they were on their way but didn't show up. So the police decided to offer him assistance and take him home to Nam Orm in a pick-up. Because Kamol was complaining of a sore throat and headache and they were worried about Covid they put him in the back of the pick-up. When they arrived near his home they saw a large group of motorcyclists gathered and decided to investigate. At this point they saw that their passenger was no longer in the back and they assumed that when they stopped to investigate the bikers he had got out and strolled off home. He was found dead nearby later. Relatives said he called them while he was on his way home in the pick-up to say that people had shot at him. The relatives said that he was in a paranoid state, as evidenced by the CCTV at the police station. Spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Phaisan Leusomboon said that all police protocols were followed to the letter. In addition officers had gone out of their way to help the man. But a full autopsy has been ordered as investigations continue into the mystery death, reported Siam Rath yesterday. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Thai lady guide in narrow escape as lump of metal "from truck" whizzes past her head on route 36 Picture: Sanook A Thai lady had a brush with death in her car travelling along route 36 from Pattaya to Central Rayong; she posted on Facebook as reported by Sanook. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251215-thai-lady-guide-in-narrow-escape-as-lump-of-metal-from-truck-whizzes-past-her-head-on-route-36/

Picture: Sanook A Thai lady had a brush with death in her car travelling along route 36 from Pattaya to Central Rayong; she posted on Facebook as reported by Sanook. Siri, 40, a guide, was driving over the Nong Bon bridge when what she thought was a steel plate from a truck flew through her windshield, narrowly missed her head and smashed through the back window. Picture: Sanook She related how insurance would not cover the damage and the police couldn't do much because she didn't have any dash cam evidence. She said rescue services took an hour "because there wasn't any blood". She appealed for anyone on the road at 1.15 pm on Saturday who might have some dashcam footage. Sanook caught up with her and, not surprisingly, she mention her Luang Phu image and some holy inscriptions for playing their part in her survival. Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath also featured her story - with a picture of Siri pointing to the rear window of her Fiesta, lest there be any doubt. A sticker on the back window before it was removed said: "Sorry, I'm a learner driver". Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 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 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

Thailand reports 21,232 new COVID-19 cases, 39 deaths, 16,662 recoveries File photo Thailand on Wednesday (February 23) reported 21,232 new COVID-19 cases, 16,662 recoveries and 39 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251214-thailand-reports-21232-new-covid-19-cases-39-deaths-16662-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Thailand reports 21,232 new COVID-19 cases, 39 deaths, 16,662 recoveries File photo Thailand on Wednesday (February 23) reported 21,232 new COVID-19 cases, 16,662 recoveries and 39 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251214-thailand-reports-21232-new-covid-19-cases-39-deaths-16662-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Wednesday (February 23) reported 21,232 new COVID-19 cases, 16,662 recoveries and 39 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 21,064. Prisons: 168 ▶︎ Recoveries: 16,662 Wednesday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,770,793 with 22,730 deaths. The news comes as the Thai Chamber of Commerce asks the government to call off a repeated RT-PCR test for COVID-19 on visitors entering the country through the Test & Go scheme on day 5 after their arrival to provide visitors with convenience. Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said business operators and provincial chambers of commerce wanted the government to shorten the quarantine period and reduce the number of COVID-19 tests to welcome visitors. * TNA contributed to this report Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-23 - 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 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

TAT upbeat in Phuket: Sandbox has attracted 327,000 "foreigners" spending 55,000 baht/trip Picture: Thai Rath The Tourism Authority of Thailand representative in Phuket was pitting a positive spin on the "sandbox" on the holiday island, reported Thai Rath. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251211-tat-upbeat-in-phuket-sandbox-has-attracted-327000-foreigners-spending-55000-bahttrip/