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COVID-19: Thailand reports 21,382 new coronavirus cases, 83 deaths, 24,842 recoveries File photo Thailand on Tuesday (March 22) reported 21,382 new COVID-19 cases, 24,842 recoveries and 83 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254233-covid-19-thailand-reports-21382-new-coronavirus-cases-83-deaths-24842-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Tuesday (March 22) reported 21,382 new COVID-19 cases, 24,842 recoveries and 83 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Tuesday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 3,398,814 with 24,417 deaths. The news comes as the Department of Disease Control (DDC) has urged the senior citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of the Songkran festival, citing statistics indicating increased fatalities among the elderly. Health officials expressed concern over an increase in severe cases and fatalities among people in this group as a result of possible infections occurring during home visits by family members in April to celebrate the traditional new year festival. According to DDC data, only 4.2 million senior citizens had received their booster shots as of Saturday, compared to 10 million who had received their second jab. 2.1 million elderly people have yet to receive any COVID injections whatsoever.* *NNT contributed to this report Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-22 - 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

Anutin - "Returning happiness and income to the people" via marijuana - opens big fair this week Picture: INN A big marijuana trade fair and seminar in the north east of Thailand this week aims to bring happiness to the Thai people. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254232-anutin-returning-happiness-and-income-to-the-people-via-marijuana-opens-big-fair-this-week/

Picture: INN A big marijuana trade fair and seminar in the north east of Thailand this week aims to bring happiness to the Thai people. They could do with that after the country slipped down the world happiness rankings to languish in 61st. Health minister and DPM - and the biggest promoter of legal ganja and hemp products - Anutin Charnvirakul will be in Bung Kan on the Laos border to open the three day extravaganza tomorrow. Region 8 health rep Dr Phuradech Surakhote told INN the education, trade fair and technical seminar will be promoted under the umbrella of "Ganja tourism - bringing joy next to the Mekong". The happiness and joy is that Thais will be able to visit a great place for tourism and learn how to make tons of money growing weed, said the doctor. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe All in a place that is perfect to grow marijuana. But INN's report indicated that no one will be getting high. It's all about parts of the plant that don't have or have extremely low quantities of the chemical that makes recreational users high - THC. Keynote speakers from the medical, Food and Drug Administration and trade community will address the event that runs from March 23rd to 25th in Muang District. Visitors will be able to try the products, shop and attend workshops about all aspects of growing marijuana for medicinal purposes. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-22 - 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

Saudi – Thai relations ‘back to normal says Prayut By Erich Parpart Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha hailed, on Monday, the resumption of ties between Thailand and Saudi Arabia and said that relations between the two countries were “back to normal.” Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254219-saudi-–-thai-relations-‘back-to-normal-says-prayut/

By Erich Parpart Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha hailed, on Monday, the resumption of ties between Thailand and Saudi Arabia and said that relations between the two countries were “back to normal.” The prime minister added that Thailand was looking to increase cooperation between the two countries including the exchange of ambassadors and increasing Thai exports. “Thailand and Saudi Arabia have restored the relationship back to a normal level,” the prime minister said. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38767/saudi-thai-relations-back-to-normal-says-prayut/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-22 - 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

Would you still want to visit Thailand with these new entry rules? File photo We read last week that the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has agreed to cancel the requirement for pre-departure RT-PCR tests for international arrivals, effective from April 1st. (April fools day!!) Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254218-would-you-still-want-to-visit-thailand-with-these-new-entry-rules/

File photo We read last week that the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has agreed to cancel the requirement for pre-departure RT-PCR tests for international arrivals, effective from April 1st. (April fools day!!) The CCSA has decided to do away with the requirement for all travelers to Thailand, under the “Test and Go” program, to take an RT-PCR test in 72 hours before their departure, by land, air, or sea. However, they still must take the test upon arrival and self-administer an antigen test on the 5th day of their stay in the country. The move is part of the gradual easing of restrictions in an attempt to revive the country’s vital tourism sector, although the CCSA also decided to extend the enforcement of the emergency announcement for the 17th time, from April 1st until May 31st. Now, this may all sound fine and dandy, but a friend of mine who works on the oil rigs in South America and travels to Thailand regularly is not convinced it will encourage tourists. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He points out that they have got rid of pre-flight testing, although he could, through no fault of his own, catch a virus on the plane over and on arrival test positive. If that is the case, he then has a huge bill while he is forced to stay in an expensive Thai hospital, and so is it worth the risk of coming here for a holiday. Vietnam’s open for tourists Vietnam’s Ministry of Health on March 15 released COVID-19 entry procedures for foreign arrivals and foreign arrivals are required to: ● Take a COVID-19 negative test using the RT-PCR method 72 hours before entering Vietnam OR a rapid Antigen test (no self-test) 24 hours before entering Vietnam. This does not apply to children under 2 years of age. ● Make a health declaration before entry and download the PC-COVID app; and ● In case a COVID-19 test is not taken prior to departure, a test will be taken within 24 hours after arriving in Vietnam. If negative, travelers can travel anywhere within Vietnam; no quarantine required. Either way, there is a risk to tourists that their dream holiday could end up becoming a very costly quarantine. Could there be a simpler method? The bottom line is if Omicron is like a heavy case of influenza are the authorities being a bit heavy-handed? Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-22 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 22 March 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1254217-thailand-live-tuesday-22-march-2022/

Thai Government suggests to limit use of air con to save electric costs following rising costs, leads to dispute between politicians Government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana retorted opposition to Thai Srang Thai Party Leader Sudarat Keyuraphan on social media following her criticism against the government’s suggestion to reduce electricity costs by limiting air conditioning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254204-thai-government-suggests-to-limit-use-of-air-con-to-save-electric-costs-following-rising-costs-leads-to-dispute-between-politicians/

Bangkok ranked top in ‘Best Cities’ category in DestinAsian Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards 2022 PHOTO: DestinAsian Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha was delighted after Bangkok was ranked the first of the best cities in DestinAsian Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254171-bangkok-ranked-top-in-‘best-cities’-category-in-destinasian-magazine’s-reader’s-choice-awards-2022/

Thailand dives in World Happiness Report - now only 61st. Has the Land of Smiles become the Land of Scowls? File photo It has been confirmed that Thailand is getting less and less happy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254160-thailand-dives-in-world-happiness-report-now-only-61st-has-the-land-of-smiles-become-the-land-of-scowls/

Thailand dives in World Happiness Report - now only 61st. Has the Land of Smiles become the Land of Scowls? File photo It has been confirmed that Thailand is getting less and less happy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254160-thailand-dives-in-world-happiness-report-now-only-61st-has-the-land-of-smiles-become-the-land-of-scowls/

File photo It has been confirmed that Thailand is getting less and less happy. That's if the World Happiness Report is anything to go by. The report is now in its tenth year and Thailand continues to go in the wrong direction. Previously ranked the happiest country in south east Asia, Thailand is now behind Singapore and even the Philippines. The kindom was ranked 61st most happy out of 146 nations on the list. It got 5.8 out of ten. Six years ago Thailand was ranked 33rd. It had been 36th when the current government came to power in 2014. With the government famously promising to "Return Happiness to the People" under Prayuth Chan-ocha there was a brief honeymoon period in the first couple of years. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe But since then it has been doom and gloom. Now it appears that the Land of Smiles has become the Land of Scowls. The first three places were filled by perennial happiest country Finland (7.8) followed by Denmark (7.6) and Iceland (7.5) Only Israel in 9th and New Zealand in 10th bucked the European trend in the top 10. The UK came in at 17th just behind Canada in 15th and the US in 16th. Australia was 12th and Germany 14th with France scraping into 20th. Singapore made 27th and the Philippines was 60th on place ahead of Thailand. Bottom in the happiness stakes was Afghanistan. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-21 - 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

UPDATE: Pheu Thai Expects Return to National Administration UDON THANI, March 21 (TNA) - A daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is confident her Pheu Thai Party will return to national administration after the next general election. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254140-thaksins-daughter-could-become-thailands-next-prime-minister-as-shinawatras-set-for-comeback/?do=findComment&comment=17259222

Pheu Thai Expects Return to National Administration UDON THANI, March 21 (TNA) - A daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is confident her Pheu Thai Party will return to national administration after the next general election. Paethongtan Shinawatra, Pheu Thai's chief advisor on participation and innovation, on Sunday shared her view after an event to introduce herself as the “Head of the Pheu Thai Family” in the northeastern province to mobilize support from the Pheu Thai members who have been with the party since it was the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party. Announcing her confidence to win 14 million votes in the next general election, Ms Paethongtan said Pheu Thai would lead the next government and formulate policies for the public interest and economic solutions for people. She said that the party had proved since it had been the Thai Rak Thai Party that its policies had brought good life to people. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-906813 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-03-21 - 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

Siam Makro joins Thai government in capping good prices to help ease living costs By Panithan Onthaworn Siam Makro Plc (MAKRO), the wholesale unit of the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, is working with the Commerce Ministry to cap the prices of over 4,000 products as Thai households struggle with rising household costs. https://aseannow.com/topic/1254156-siam-makro-joins-thai-government-in-capping-good-prices-to-help-ease-living-costs/

By Panithan Onthaworn Siam Makro Plc (MAKRO), the wholesale unit of the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, is working with the Commerce Ministry to cap the prices of over 4,000 products as Thai households struggle with rising household costs. As the Thai economy reels from record-high inflation driven by spiking global energy and food prices, the general public and small businesses have become more vulnerable to higher costs. With collaboration from the Commerce Ministry, the wholesaler announced that it has capped prices of essential items such as fresh food at every Makro store nationwide to help alleviate living costs. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38761/siam-makro-joins-thai-government-in-capping-good-prices-to-help-ease-living-costs/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-21 - 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

Prominent local education director in Pattaya killed after driving his motorbike into a power pole in Jomtien By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – A well-known director in the Bang Saray education office passed away overnight after crashing his motorbike into a power pole in Jomtien. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254153-prominent-local-education-director-in-pattaya-killed-after-driving-his-motorbike-into-a-power-pole-in-jomtien/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – A well-known director in the Bang Saray education office passed away overnight after crashing his motorbike into a power pole in Jomtien. The Pattaya City Police was notified of the accident early yesterday morning on Jomtien Second Road in Nongprue. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the damaged motorbike near a power pole. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/21/prominent-local-education-director-in-pattaya-killed-after-driving-his-motorbike-into-a-power-pole-in-jomtien/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-21 - 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

Busy weekend for the snakecatchers in eastern Thailand - 9 serpents rounded up including two King Cobras making out! Thai Rath reported that Muang Chanthaburi snakecatchers had a busy 24 hours from Saturday night into Sunday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254152-busy-weekend-for-the-snakecatchers-in-eastern-thailand-9-serpents-rounded-up-including-two-king-cobras-making-out/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that Muang Chanthaburi snakecatchers had a busy 24 hours from Saturday night into Sunday. Across five districts they handled emergency calls to attend to invasions by nine snakes. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Highlight of the evening were two King Cobras making out in a coiled embrace in Song Phee Nong sub-district. The four meter long male and the three meter long female had their tryst interrupted and like the rest of the night's catch were taken in then returned to nature away from houses and communities. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-21 - 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

Teen shot dead - pillion passenger injured - as violence flares between gangs on Rama 2 road Picture: Manager Tha Kham police were called to the local road beside Rama 2 Road in Samae Dam after a shooting. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254151-teen-shot-dead-pillion-passenger-injured-as-violence-flares-between-gangs-on-rama-2-road/

Picture: Manager Tha Kham police were called to the local road beside Rama 2 Road in Samae Dam after a shooting. It happened just past Lotus Rama 2 near the PTT gas station. Seventeen year old Phuwanat was shot in the back and dead at the scene, reported Manager. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He had been riding a Honda Click and came off colliding with a lamppost. The pillion passenger Pathawee broke his leg and was taken to hospital. A witness reported that they were chased by a group of ten others on motorcycles who attacked them with guns and knives. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-21 - 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

Chonburi announces 1,128 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and three new deaths By Goong Nang(GN) 1,128 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254150-chonburi-announces-1128-new-and-confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-and-three-new-deaths/