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Thailand eyes travel bubble with China and Malaysia Southeast Asian country chases bilateral deals after lackluster response to quarantine-waiver and sandbox schemes. Thailand's crucial tourism industry is still far behind pre-pandemic levels [File photo] By Suttinee Yuvejwattana | Bloomberg Thailand plans to hold travel bubble talks with China and Malaysia this month, days after resuming a quarantine-free visa program to boost tourist arrivals seen as key to sustaining a nascent economic recovery. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249504-thailand-eyes-travel-bubble-with-china-and-malaysia/

Thailand's crucial tourism industry is still far behind pre-pandemic levels [File photo] Southeast Asian country chases bilateral deals after lackluster response to quarantine-waiver and sandbox schemes. By Suttinee Yuvejwattana | Bloomberg Thailand plans to hold travel bubble talks with China and Malaysia this month, days after resuming a quarantine-free visa program to boost tourist arrivals seen as key to sustaining a nascent economic recovery. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha’s government will soon discuss with the Chinese Minister for Culture and Tourism details of a possible bilateral travel deal, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, a government spokesman, said in a statement Monday. Thai officials are also preparing to hold talks with neighboring Malaysia later this month for a similar agreement, he said. Thailand is chasing bilateral deals to spark a broader recovery in its pandemic-battered tourism industry after the waiver of quarantine for vaccinated visitors and the so-called tourism sandbox experiments in recent months failed to draw a large number of holidaymakers. The return of Chinese and Malaysian tourists, the largest groups of visitors to the Southeast Asian nation before the pandemic, is seen by the industry as key to a sustainable rebound. Full story: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/2/7/bb-thailand-eyes-travel-bubble-with-china-and-malaysia -- © Copyright AL JAZEERA 2022-02-08 - 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

Dane got Royal pardon from Thailand but waited over six months to be released in Denmark by Gregers Møller Danish Sonny Rasmussen has served four and a half years in a Thai prison and four years in a Danish prison and has just been released now although he got a Royal pardon from Thailand six months ago. Media TV2 writes that only when they stepped into the matter, something happened. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249503-dane-got-royal-pardon-from-thailand-but-waited-over-six-months-to-be-released-in-denmark/

by Gregers Møller Danish Sonny Rasmussen has served four and a half years in a Thai prison and four years in a Danish prison and has just been released now although he got a Royal pardon from Thailand six months ago. Media TV2 writes that only when they stepped into the matter, something happened. The story begins back in 2013 when then 63-year-old Sonny Rasmussen from Vesterbro in Copenhagen was caught with 70 grams of heroin in Thailand. After retiring as a sheet metal worker, he often went to Thailand where he, according to himself, got involved in some dirty business and was caught with illegal drugs. He was sentenced to 25 years, a month, and nine days in prison for the crime. He served four and a half years in the Thai Klong Prem prison before being transferred to a Danish prison. On 24 June 2017, he had his sentence changed to 16 years imprisonment in the Copenhagen City Court. Full story: https://scandasia.com/dane-got-royal-pardon-from-thailand-but-waited-over-six-months-to-be-released-in-denmark/ -- © Copyright ScandAsia 2022-02-08 - 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

Civil orgs urge govt to combat new wave of telecom scams By Erich Parpart Civil groups urged the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to deal with rampant scam calling and texting. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249502-civil-orgs-urge-govt-to-combat-new-wave-of-telecom-scams/

By Erich Parpart Civil groups urged the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to deal with rampant scam calling and texting. “We have seen an increase of complaints about this and we have sent a letter to address it to the NBTC since October, but little has been done so far,” Naruemon Makeborisuth, the deputy director of the Foundation for Consumers (FFC) told Thai Enquirer on Monday. She explained that the foundation received at least 5,000 complaints from consumers that have been affected by such scams in 2021. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37289/civil-orgs-urge-govt-to-combat-new-wave-of-telecom-scams/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-02-08 - 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

German national found dead in burning house in Kanchanaburi By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: Manager Online Kanchanaburi – A 50-year-old German national was found dead at a destroyed house on fire in the Mueang district of Kanchanaburi in the early hours of this morning, February 7th.v Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249501-german-national-found-dead-in-burning-house-in-kanchanaburi/

PHOTO: Manager Online By Nop Meechukhun Kanchanaburi – A 50-year-old German national was found dead at a destroyed house on fire in the Mueang district of Kanchanaburi in the early hours of this morning, February 7th. Kanchanaburi police and firefighters arrived at the scene around 3:30 AM. after being alerted of the fire incident at a Kanchanaburi villa in the Tha Makham subdistrict. A two-story house was seen burning by first responders upon arrival. More than 10 fire trucks were deployed and took about two hours to extinguish the large fire. A body of a German national, whose name was not given per our editorial policy pending contact of relatives and family, was found hanging in the kitchen of the lowest floor. Valves of three gas tanks located nearby his body were opened. Local media also reported that there was a spray-painted message on the wall written with curse words and sad expressions. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/02/07/german-national-found-dead-in-burning-house-in-kanchanaburi-this-morning/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-02-08 - 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 The charity Samaritans is available around the clock for people who want to talk. If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health services, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand at their 24-hour hotline 02-713-6791 (English), 02713-6793 (Thai) or Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). http://www.samaritansthai.com/news/samaritans-of-thailand-english-hotline/

Thai Prime Minister urges the public to understand living with Covid-19 Coronavirus safely under preventive measures By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha urged the public to understand a new way of living safely with the Covid-19 Coronavirus, a government spokesperson stated today, February 7th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249500-thai-prime-minister-urges-the-public-to-understand-living-with-covid-19-coronavirus-safely-under-preventive-measures/

By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha urged the public to understand a new way of living safely with the Covid-19 Coronavirus, a government spokesperson stated today, February 7th. Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said that the Prime Minister had been watchful on the Covid-19 domestic situation in Thailand and ordered all related departments to closely monitor the infection situation after the number of daily infections have reached over ten thousand for three consecutive days. The Public Health Ministry reminded the public that although the Omicron variant spread quickly, the symptoms were not more severe than the Delta variant as seen in the stable number of deaths and critical patients and that the vast majority of cases were mild or asymptomatic. 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/2022/02/07/thai-prime-minister-urges-the-public-to-understand-living-with-covid-19-coronavirus-safely-under-preventive-measures/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-02-08 - 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: Crime Suppression Division in Phuket to probe murder of foreigner Bangkok-based police, from the Crime Suppression Division, have been sent to Phuket to help local police in the investigation into the murder of a foreign man, who was shot by two gunmen, also believed to be foreigners, at a villa in Rawai sub-district on Friday night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249457-senior-royal-thai-police-officials-join-investigation-and-gives-updates-around-foreigner’s-murder-at-phuket-villa/?do=findComment&comment=17173670

Crime Suppression Division in Phuket to probe murder of foreigner Bangkok-based police, from the Crime Suppression Division, have been sent to Phuket to help local police in the investigation into the murder of a foreign man, who was shot by two gunmen, also believed to be foreigners, at a villa in Rawai sub-district on Friday night. National Police Chief, Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk and his deputy, Pol Gen Suchart Thirasawat, were in Phuket today (Monday) to discuss the case and the investigation with the local force. Royal Thai Police Deputy Spokesman Pol Col Krisana Pattanacharoen told the media that the police chief warned police in charge of the case to exercise extra caution, as the gunmen are armed and considered dangerous. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/crime-suppression-division-in-phuket-to-probe-murder-of-foreigner/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-08 - 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

Do you think golfers should take Saudi’s money and ignore the political issues? Here in Thailand many of us love our golf and are currently starved of going to see the top stars play here, except once a year when the LPGA tour arrives. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249499-do-you-think-golfers-should-take-saudi’s-money-and-ignore-the-political-issues/

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 8 Feb 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1249498-thailand-live-tuesday-8-feb-2022/

Bangkok to Designate Special Lanes for Motorcycles BANGKOK (NNT) - Prapas Lueangsirinapha, chief of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Traffic and Transport Department, said the administration is considering designating additional motorcycle lanes to tackle the high number of accidents in the capital. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249446-bangkok-to-designate-special-lanes-for-motorcycles/

Senior Royal Thai Police officials join investigation and gives updates around foreigner’s murder at Phuket villa Senior officials from the Royal Thai Police arrived at Phuket this morning, February 7th, to join the investigation around a foreign man who was shot more than 10 times to death at a pool villa on the island last Friday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249457-senior-royal-thai-police-officials-join-investigation-and-gives-updates-around-foreigner’s-murder-at-phuket-villa/

COVID Controllable despite over 10,000 New Cases Daily BANGKOK, Feb 7 (TNA) – COVID-19 remains controllable though causing over 10,000 new cases daily over the past three days because symptoms are not severe and the numbers of seriously ill cases and new fatalities are stable, according to the Public Health Ministry. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249443-covid-controllable-despite-over-10000-new-cases-daily/

please continue here: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249399-truckers-asked-to-understand-with-govt/ //CLOSED//

Unsafe PM2.5 Levels in 22 Areas of Greater Bangkok BANGKOK, Feb 7 (TNA) – Greater Bangkok suffered unsafe fine dust in 22 areas with the worst pollution detected in Klong Sam Wa district of the capital. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249400-unsafe-pm25-levels-in-22-areas-of-greater-bangkok/

BANGKOK, Feb 7 (TNA) – Greater Bangkok suffered unsafe fine dust in 22 areas with the worst pollution detected in Klong Sam Wa district of the capital. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration reported that the levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and less in diameter (PM2.5) ranged from 37 to 70 micrograms per cubic meter of air in Bangkok and adjacent provinces over the past 24 hours. The safe threshold was set at 50mcg. Unsafe levels of PM2.5 this morning happened in 22 areas including the highest level of 70mcg in Klong Sam Wa district, 67mcg in Thawi Wattana district and 62mcg in Bang Na district. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-877682 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-02-07 - 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

Truckers Asked to Understand with Govt BANGKOK, Feb 7 (TNA) – Truckers planned to protest against the high diesel price early this week while the government spokesman told them the government was already capping the price; otherwise, it would have reached 34 baht per liter. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249399-truckers-asked-to-understand-with-govt/

BANGKOK, Feb 7 (TNA) – Truckers planned to protest against the high diesel price early this week while the government spokesman told them the government was already capping the price; otherwise, it would have reached 34 baht per liter. As the Land Transport Federation of Thailand planned to organize rallies of heavy trucks on Feb 7 and 8 to call for the ouster of Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow for the high diesel price, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the government was aware of problems and was capping energy. prices. The spokesman asked truck operators to understand present situations and said that diesel prices in neighboring countries mostly either exceeded 30 baht per liter or were close to the level except in Malaysia that was a petroleum producing country and had an oversupply of oil. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-877693 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-02-07 - 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 pandemic signals end of the road for famous Korat hotel - and it's massage parlor on the roof Picture: Sanook Sanook reported that one of Nakhon Ratchasima's most well known hotels and massage parlors is the latest victim of the pandemic in the city, gateway to the NE of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249397-covid-pandemic-signals-end-of-the-road-for-famous-korat-hotel-and-its-massage-parlor-on-the-roof/

Picture: Sanook Sanook reported that one of Nakhon Ratchasima's most well known hotels and massage parlors is the latest victim of the pandemic in the city, gateway to the NE of Thailand. The 12 story, 70 room, three star Pegasus Hotel in Nai Muang sub-district is up for sale. Asking price: 186,296,000 baht. The area has been fenced off. It opened in 1995 and featured a massage parlor on the top floor. The media reported that it was just the latest hotel in the city to close its doors because of a lack of custom through "five waves" of the Covid-19 pandemic. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-07 - 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: First half-Thai crowned 53rd ‘Miss Thailand’ “Manita Duangkham Farmer” became the latest Miss Thailand last night (Sunday), also becoming an ambassador for the country’s tourism and culture. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249381-miss-thailand-pretty-in-pink-bikini-babes-beg-the-question-are-thai-women-really-the-most-beautiful-in-the-world/?do=findComment&comment=17172147