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By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government is strictly monitoring pork supplies to prevent hoarding and illegal imports amid falling prices as a result of warehouses releasing more pork into the market. According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Srion has instructed officials to cooperate with various departments to continuously inspect warehouses and businesses. From January 20 to February 4, 2022, 24.48 million kg of pork were inspected throughout 1,303 cold storage facilities. Following the inspections, facilities tightened their storage and receiving procedures to ensure the uninterrupted distribution of supplies. The Department of Livestock Development (DLD) has pressed legal charges against eight companies and 17 accomplices for violating the Communicable Diseases Act B.E 2558 (2015) and Control of Animal Slaughter for the Distribution of Meat Act B.E 2559 (2016). Officials have seized 1.07 million kg of pork, including 1.04 million kg recently confiscated from a warehouse in Nakhon Pathom province. The deputy government spokesperson said reports from the DLD have shown wholesale pork prices dropping to about 100-104 baht per kg, retail prices at malls falling to 160-166 baht per kg, and retail prices for consumers currently hovering around 198-208 baht per kg. She also advised members of the public to call the DLD’s hotline at 063-225-6888 to report any suspicious livestock activities. -- © Copyright NNT 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

TCAS: Students still lost in maze of Thai university admission system Frustration with the Thai University Central Admission System (TCAS) is growing four years after its launch, with students complaining it has failed to offer better or fairer access to higher education. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249341-tcas-students-still-lost-in-maze-of-thai-university-admission-system/

Frustration with the Thai University Central Admission System (TCAS) is growing four years after its launch, with students complaining it has failed to offer better or fairer access to higher education. For some, their experience with TCAS has been so bad that they want the system banned. This month, TCAS was rocked by another setback when the personal data of 23,000 students was leaked. Though most students still use TCAS to further their education, experts say problems surrounding the system should not be ignored. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/tcas-students-still-lost-in-maze-of-thai-university-admission-system/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

Ex-deputy attorney general seeks NACC seat to “clear his name” Thailand’s former Deputy Attorney-General Nate Naksuk is asking society for a chance to prove that he can still be of value to the country by applying for a seat on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249340-ex-deputy-attorney-general-seeks-nacc-seat-to-“clear-his-name”/

Thailand’s former Deputy Attorney-General Nate Naksuk is asking society for a chance to prove that he can still be of value to the country by applying for a seat on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Nate is currently under investigation by a 7-member panel, set up by the Prosecution Commission, to consider serious disciplinary action against him for his controversial decision not to indict Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya over a fatal hit-and-run accident in which he and his Ferrari were involved. The panel was given 60 days, from last October, to complete its investigation, but the deadline can be extended to 180 days. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/ex-deputy-attorney-general-seeking-clear-his-name-after-applying-for-a-seat-on-nacc/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

Thai FDA approves Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines for 6 plus age group A panel of specialists at the Thai Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has approved the use of Chinese-made Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines in children aged 6 and above without adjusting the dosage, said TFDA Secretary-General Dr. Paisarn Dunkum yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249339-thai-fda-approves-sinovac-and-sinopharm-vaccines-for-6-plus-age-group/

A panel of specialists at the Thai Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has approved the use of Chinese-made Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines in children aged 6 and above without adjusting the dosage, said TFDA Secretary-General Dr. Paisarn Dunkum yesterday. The TFDA has also asked the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) and the Biogenetech Company, two importers of Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines from China, to send more information to back up their requests to expand the use of the two vaccines to children, aged 3 to 17. Meanwhile, Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said on Facebook live yesterday that access to alternative vaccines for young children would help contain the spread of COVID-19 among them, noting that infection in the 5-11 and 12-17 age groups has increased by 6% and 5.6% respectively this year, compared to the period from last April to December. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-fda-approves-sinovac-and-sinopharm-vaccines-for-6-plus-age-group/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

Oil firm insists only 39 tonnes of crude oil leaked into the sea off Rayong but accepts responsibility The Star Petroleum Refining Company has issued an announcement insisting that only 39 tonnes, or about 47,000 litres of crude oil leaked from its broken offshore pipeline, near the deep-sea single mooring platform about 25km from Rayong’s Map Ta Phut, on the night of January 25th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249338-oil-firm-insists-only-39-tonnes-of-crude-oil-leaked-into-the-sea-off-rayong-but-accepts-responsibility/

The Star Petroleum Refining Company has issued an announcement insisting that only 39 tonnes, or about 47,000 litres of crude oil leaked from its broken offshore pipeline, near the deep-sea single mooring platform about 25km from Rayong’s Map Ta Phut, on the night of January 25th. The company also offered an apology for the impact of the oil leak and offered an assurance that the company will take full responsibility for the damage to and rehabilitation of the environment, adding that a comprehensive investigation is being conducted, in coordination with relevant agencies and outside experts, to determine the cause of the accident. As soon as it was discovered that oil had leaked into the sea, the company took action to control the spread of the spilt oil, including the deployment of an emergency response team, to minimize impacts on communities, the shoreline and marine environment under the supervision of the Royal Thai Navy, said the statement. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/oil-firm-insists-only-39-tonnes-of-crude-oil-leaked-into-the-sea-off-rayong-but-accepts-responsibility/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

Air travellers can take more than 30 face masks on overseas flights Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport has explained that there is actually no limit on the number of face masks passengers may carry on board overseas flights. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249337-air-travellers-can-take-more-than-30-face-masks-on-overseas-flights/

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport has explained that there is actually no limit on the number of face masks passengers may carry on board overseas flights. In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Saturday, the airport explained that a previous advisory, stating that passengers cannot carry more than 30 face masks without a doctor’s certificate, which increases the limit to 50, was incorrect. It said that face masks are not included on the Thai Internal Trade Department’s list of controlled goods. The airport apologised for the confusion caused. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/air-travellers-can-take-more-than-30-face-masks-on-overseas-flights/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

China offers two decommissioned Song-class submarines to Royal Thai Navy China has offered two used Song-class submarines to the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), but they need to be reconditioned before they can become operable, according to the RTN. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249336-china-offers-two-decommissioned-song-class-submarines-to-royal-thai-navy/

China has offered two used Song-class submarines to the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), but they need to be reconditioned before they can become operable, according to the RTN. A Chinese state enterprise in charge of managing decommissioned Chinese submarines reportedly approached the Thai military attaché in Beijing, offering to deliver the submarines to Thailand, but they did not specify whether the submarines were to be provided free of charge or whether there will a token charge as a gesture of friendship. The matter had been raised by China with a working committee of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, but there has been no confirmation. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/china-offers-two-decommissioned-song-class-submarines-to-royal-thai-navy/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

Stores rejecting Thailand’s co-payment scheme fearing back taxes Several eateries and stores have put up signs, saying that they do not accept payment via the Government’s 50:50 co-payment stimulus scheme because they are afraid that revenue officials may demand back taxes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249335-stores-rejecting-thailand’s-co-payment-scheme-fearing-back-taxes/

Several eateries and stores have put up signs, saying that they do not accept payment via the Government’s 50:50 co-payment stimulus scheme because they are afraid that revenue officials may demand back taxes. Rangsiphan Poonphan, a shopkeeper at a market behind the Finance Ministry, told Thai PBS that she is worried that she may have to pay more tax, after she learned that several stores had started refusing payments under the co-payment program, although she admitted that the scheme has boosted her sales. Some stores in the Pracha Chuen and Phahonyothin areas claimed that the taxmen had demanded back taxes from them, amounting to tens of thousands baht. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/stores-rejecting-thailands-co-payment-scheme-fearing-back-taxes/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

Impact of Rayong oil spill on corals may take at least a year to emerge A worker cleans up crude oil on Mae Ram Phueng beach following a spill caused by a leak in an undersea pipeline owned by Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited (SPRC) in Rayong on January 29, 2022. Jack TAYLOR / AFP Marine scientists at Chulalongkorn University say that it may take a year or more for impacts from the recent oil spill in the sea off Rayong province to manifest on corals in the area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249334-impact-of-rayong-oil-spill-on-corals-may-take-at-least-a-year-to-emerge/

A worker cleans up crude oil on Mae Ram Phueng beach following a spill caused by a leak in an undersea pipeline owned by Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited (SPRC) in Rayong on January 29, 2022. Jack TAYLOR / AFP Marine scientists at Chulalongkorn University say that it may take a year or more for impacts from the recent oil spill in the sea off Rayong province to manifest on corals in the area. Divers from a research team at the Marine Resources Research Institute of the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University have collected samples of sea water, sediment and marine life from the affected area to study the presence of hydrocarbons and dispersants, which impact marine environment. The institute’s director, Professor Dr. Voranop Viyakarn, said that, from his previous experience, environmental impact assessments after a massive oil spill and clean-up operations were not thoroughly and comprehensively conducted, particularly regarding the impact on the corals. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/impact-of-rayong-oil-spill-on-corals-may-take-at-least-a-year-to-emerge/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

Campaign needed to educate Thai drivers about stopping at red traffic lights A campaign should be launched to educate drivers about the rights of pedestrians and not encroaching on zebra crossings or crossing red traffic lights, said Air Vice Marshal Ittaporn Kanacharoen, secretary-general of the Medical Council of Thailand, in his Facebook post. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249333-campaign-needed-to-educate-thai-drivers-about-stopping-at-red-traffic-lights/

A campaign should be launched to educate drivers about the rights of pedestrians and not encroaching on zebra crossings or crossing red traffic lights, said Air Vice Marshal Ittaporn Kanacharoen, secretary-general of the Medical Council of Thailand, in his Facebook post. He said that all the traffic lights at zebra crossings, which are now being installed across Bangkok, will be useless if drivers do not stop their vehicles. Workers are now installing the lights at the zebra crossing in front of the Bhumirajanagarindra Kidney Institute Hospital on Phaya Thai Road, where an eye specialist, Dr. Waraluck Supawatjariyakul, alias Doctor Kratai, was fatally struck by a large motorcycle being driven by a police officer. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/campaign-needed-to-educate-thai-drivers-about-stopping-at-red-traffic-lights/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

New hope for improving Thailand’s road safety video: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249332-video-new-hope-for-improving-thailand’s-road-safety/

There is a new road safety campaign and it is a powerful tool for tackling Thailand’s road safety crisis, which is video clips of traffic violations. It is expected that this new approach can help to raise traffic awareness among Thais quickly. Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/new-hope-for-improving-thailands-road-safety/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 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

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 7 Feb 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1249331-thailand-live-monday-7-feb-2022/

Tourists and Residents Safely Evacuated After Forest Fire Breaks Out in Phuket By Natthaphon Sangpolsit PHUKET (NNT) - A forest fire broke out in Laem Krating Cape in Phuket province on Saturday. Tourists and residents in the area were safely evacuated and no casualties were reported. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249330-tourists-and-residents-safely-evacuated-after-forest-fire-breaks-out-in-phuket/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit PHUKET (NNT) - A forest fire broke out in Laem Krating Cape in Phuket province on Saturday. Tourists and residents in the area were safely evacuated and no casualties were reported. According to Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, the forest fire was detected at 4 PM and spread rapidly after authorities were unable to immediately contain the blaze due to its remote position. Officials from Rawai Municipality and forest rangers were eventually able to suppress the fire, but are continuing to closely monitor the situation. The Royal Thai Navy also deployed water transports to assist those who could not be evacuated by land. Rawai Municipality Mayor Aroon Solos noted that while forest fires occur in the area on a yearly basis, this year’s fire began earlier than usual, prompting officials to investigate the situation. He added that the incident has likely devastated more than 50 rai in the area. -- © Copyright NNT 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

Canadian man shot to death at a pool villa in Phuket, was shot at least ten times By Goong Nang(GN) Phuket – A Canadian was shot to death with about 10 bullet wounds found on his body at a pool villa in Phuket last night (February 4th). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249252-canadian-man-shot-to-death-at-a-pool-villa-in-phuket-was-shot-at-least-ten-times/