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File photo Thailand on Saturday (February 5) reported 10,490 new COVID-19 cases, 8,479 recoveries and 21 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 10,273. Prisons: 217 ▶︎ Recoveries: 8,479 Saturday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,486,122 with 22,271 deaths. The news comes as the number of COVID-infected foreign tourists is rising in Phuket in proportion to more arrivals and some visitors failed to undergo RT-PCR tests before their flights to the island province. Phuket deputy governor Pichet Panawong said that from Nov 1, 2021, to Feb 1, 2022, there were 4,369 COVID-19 cases among visitors who entered Phuket through Test & Go and Sandbox schemes. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-05 - 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

Killer of young woman found stuffed in plastic box arrested in NE - Thai man strangled her after refusing marriage offer Picture: Thai Rath Somdej and Huay Pheung police in Kalasin, NE Thailand, arrested a 19 year old man called Thanakorn Aranthong for the murder of an 18 year old woman in Suphanburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249207-killer-of-young-woman-found-stuffed-in-plastic-box-arrested-in-ne-thai-man-strangled-her-after-refusing-marriage-offer/

Picture: Thai Rath Somdej and Huay Pheung police in Kalasin, NE Thailand, arrested a 19 year old man called Thanakorn Aranthong for the murder of an 18 year old woman in Suphanburi. Thanakorn was hiding out at his wife's house after fleeing from a cement company. Earlier Sumitra, from Kanchanaburi, had been found stuffed in a black box wrapped in plastic bags left in undergrowth by a klong in the grounds of TD Concrete company in Sala Khao sub-district of Muang, Suphanbur, reported Thai Rath. It was discovered that the couple had rooms next door to each other at the company and a sexual relationship developed. The young lady wanted her boyfriend to take her as his wife and tell her father about the relationship but Thanakorn already had a wife and child in Kalasin. They argued and Thanakorn strangled her, stuffed her in the box then sought the help of a Myanmar colleague to carry the box away. Police said that Thanakorn will be taken back to Suphanburi for prosecution. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-05 - 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

Pattaya Police raid Bali Hai restaurant for allegedly selling shisha, which is illegal in Thailand By Adam Judd Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya-Pattaya Police raided a restaurant on Bali Hai Pier around 10:30 P.M. last night for allegedly selling shisha (also known as baraku or hookah pipes) which is highly illegal in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249205-pattaya-police-raid-bali-hai-restaurant-for-allegedly-selling-shisha-which-is-illegal-in-thailand/

By Adam Judd Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya-Pattaya Police raided a restaurant on Bali Hai Pier around 10:30 P.M. last night for allegedly selling shisha (also known as baraku or hookah pipes) which is highly illegal in Thailand. The restaurant in question, Khun Keng Kitchen, is directly next door to the currently shuttered Sky Mountain which was previously raided for a variety of offenses over the past several months six times, including shisha. It was unclear if the two venues were connected but Pattaya police said they were looking into this. Last night’s raids were personally led by Pattaya City Police Chief Kunlachart Kunlachai who stated that Pattaya police received a tip from a “concerned citizen” that the restaurant was selling shisha against Thai law. This concerned citizen claimed they were reporting the incident because they cared about people’s health and the potential spread of Covid-19. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/02/05/pattaya-police-raid-bali-hai-restaurant-for-allegedly-selling-shisha-which-is-illegal-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-02-05 - 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

Fire breaks out at parking building at CAT on Chaeng Wattana - synthetic football pitch destroyed Picture: Siam Rath Thung Song Hong police in the guise of Pol Capt Anuphap Praphasorn and fire services were called to the CAT Telecom company on Chaeng Wattana Road yesterday at 12.30 pm after fire broke out in an 8 story car parking facility. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249204-fire-breaks-out-at-parking-building-at-cat-on-chaeng-wattana-synthetic-football-pitch-destroyed/

Picture: Siam Rath Thung Song Hong police in the guise of Pol Capt Anuphap Praphasorn and fire services were called to the CAT Telecom company on Chaeng Wattana Road yesterday at 12.30 pm after fire broke out in an 8 story car parking facility. The fire was on the 6th and 7th floors and most of the damage was done to a synthetic football pitch. Picture: Siam Rath A witness said that they believed that an electrical box of some kind caught fire then spread to a gantry then the football pitch and some parquet flooring. The sprinkler system then kicked in. Police are investigating. There were no reports of injuries or estimated damage in the Siam Rath report. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-05 - 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

Blue Diamond Affair At An End: Saudi Arabia, Thailand Restore Diplomatic Relations After 30-Year Feud Cassia Sari The Blue Diamond Affair reached a diplomatic resolution last week when Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Thai prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to Saudi Arabia for the first time in more than 30 years. The restoration of full diplomatic relations is a historic event with many implications for Saudi and Thai citizens and represents a moment of calmness in the chaos of 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249202-blue-diamond-affair-at-an-end-saudi-arabia-thailand-restore-diplomatic-relations-after-30-year-feud/

Cassia Sari The Blue Diamond Affair reached a diplomatic resolution last week when Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Thai prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to Saudi Arabia for the first time in more than 30 years. The restoration of full diplomatic relations is a historic event with many implications for Saudi and Thai citizens and represents a moment of calmness in the chaos of 2022. Both countries agreed to appoint ambassadors soon and strengthen economic and trade relations upon opening their borders, according to a joint statement released by Saudi state media. “This historic step is the result of long-standing efforts at different levels to re-establish mutual confidence and friendly relations,” the statement said. Saudi Airlines announced that flights to Thailand will resume in May, and both states indicated a labour resource agreement will come to fruition in the near future. Saudi Arabia is seeking eight million skilled workers in the hotel, healthcare, and construction industries, and the Thai government suggested it has the human resources to contribute towards filling Saudi Arabia’s labour needs. This indicator of labour sharing comes as a shock given the history of the Blue Diamond Affair. Full story: https://theowp.org/blue-diamond-affair-at-an-end-saudi-arabia-thailand-restore-diplomatic-relations-after-30-year-feud/ -- © Copyright OWP 2022-02-05 - 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-made diesel locomotives handed over to Thailand Source: Xinhua Editor: huaxia File photo BANGKOK (Xinhua) -- The first batch of diesel locomotives manufactured by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) Qishuyan Co. Ltd was officially handed over to the Thai railway authorities on Friday, which would boost efforts of Thailand to improve its railway service. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249200-china-made-diesel-locomotives-handed-over-to-thailand/

File photo Source: Xinhua Editor: huaxia BANGKOK (Xinhua) -- The first batch of diesel locomotives manufactured by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) Qishuyan Co. Ltd was officially handed over to the Thai railway authorities on Friday, which would boost efforts of Thailand to improve its railway service. The delivery of the 20 diesel AC motor locomotives was the first batch of the 50 locomotives ordered by the State Railway of Thailand in its largest single locomotive order. Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Siracha railway station in Chon Buri Province, Governor of State Railway of Thailand Nirut Maneephan said that his agency is making great efforts to develop the country's railway infrastructure in a bid to achieve an even greater modernization of Thailand's railway system. Full story: https://english.news.cn/20220204/a41d7714ed374db89cee126d03fd2ba3/c.html -- © Copyright Xinhua 2022-02-05 - 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

Thailand earns multiple ‘best destination’ awards from China’s tourism industry Accolades include those from online travel agents (OTAs) and leading travel magazines reflecting Thailand’s continued popularity among Chinese travellers. TAT Newsroom Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that Thailand has won a number of awards from both China’s tourism industry sector and leading travel media, including ‘most popular’ and ‘recommended destination’ accolades. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249198-thailand-earns-multiple-‘best-destination’-awards-from-china’s-tourism-industry/

Accolades include those from online travel agents (OTAs) and leading travel magazines reflecting Thailand’s continued popularity among Chinese travellers. TAT Newsroom Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that Thailand has won a number of awards from both China’s tourism industry sector and leading travel media, including ‘most popular’ and ‘recommended destination’ accolades. Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, said “Based on opinion polls that included travel agents selling Thailand as a destination and prominent consumer magazines’ choice of content, these awards show that Thailand continues to be a popular holiday choice capturing the hearts of tourists from throughout China.” The awards presented to Thailand include “The Most Popular Destination” Award from Online Travel Agent (OTA) Thong Cheng, “The Recommended Destination of the Year” Award from City Travel Magazine, the “Most Anticipated Destination – Short Haul” Award from the Travel Weekly China Award, and “2021 The most popular overseas travel destination” from WITrip Magazine. At the same time, TAT offices in China also received multiple awards for its proactive marketing and excellent industry support throughout 2021, among them ‘best partner’ and ‘excellent partner’ honours. The awards presented to the TAT offices in China were: the “2021 The Best Partner” Award from OTA Fliggy, “2021 The Best Partner” Award from OTA Lvmama, “2021 Excellent Partner” Award from Tuniu, “Best Partner in 2021” Award from Juneyao Airlines, “The Best Diversified Tourist Destination” Award from Traveling Scope Magazine, and the “Annual Influence Overseas Tourism Bureau” Award from Ydncn.com. In China, TAT offices in Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, and Shanghai have been actively promoting Thailand through continuous cooperation with the tourism private sector in China. This has included joint promotion activities with OTAs, public relations on the progress of Thailand’s reopening to international tourism, and creating online, print content, and feature articles on Thailand and its myriad of attractions. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/02/thailand-earns-multiple-best-destination-awards-from-chinas-tourism-industry/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-02-05 - 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

BOI Now Supports 2 New Types Of Investment In Agricultural Sector By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Board of Investment (BOI) has agreed to revise measures to encourage investments in the agricultural sector, introducing new types of investments eligible for its assistance, including an agricultural produce digital trading center and an agricultural and food industrial estate. The efforts are anticipated to help Thailand obtain ASEAN’s "Bio Hub" title. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249197-boi-now-supports-2-new-types-of-investment-in-agricultural-sector/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Board of Investment (BOI) has agreed to revise measures to encourage investments in the agricultural sector, introducing new types of investments eligible for its assistance, including an agricultural produce digital trading center and an agricultural and food industrial estate. The efforts are anticipated to help Thailand obtain ASEAN’s "Bio Hub" title. Making the announcement was BOI Secretary-General Duangjai Asawachintachit, following a recent meeting chaired by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. She said that support for these two investments is part of the 20-year national goal to promote competitiveness and agricultural growth, notably in the herbal sector. Herbal goods are now facing stiff competition on a global scale. Duangjai went on to say that the new agricultural produce digital trading center, which is now eligible for BOI aid, aims to boost the local agricultural industry by utilizing technology to satisfy demand. Investors must have a platform for assisting all stakeholders as well as a mechanism for tracking and monitoring the manufacturing process. They must also exclusively participate in business-to-business transactions. Duangjai expounded on agricultural and food industrial estate investment, stating that investors must be involved in the agricultural, processed agricultural produce, and food industries. The BOI also supports related scientific and technological services, as well as human resource development in this type of investment. The industrial estate must be established on at least 200 rai of land and equipped with food and agriculture laboratories and training centers, as well as a solid infrastructure, in order to link together agriculturalists, businesses, and educational institutes. Those who make one of the two investments are eligible for a 5-year corporate income tax exemption. Furthermore, she stated that the BOI resolved to modify the investment incentive for herbal product investors, providing an 8-year corporate income tax exemption to those who use sophisticated technology to extract herbal essence for products such as soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, and cosmetics, to name a few. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-02-05 - 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 berry pickers and Finnish justice Pickers of the Bayaka pygmy traditional medicine, shows berries supposed to have medicinal properties, picked in the equatorial forest, in Bayanga, on March 13, 2020. – Since the beginning of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the authorities of the Dzanga-Sangha Park have been pushing pygmies into the forests. The displeases farmers take advantage of the pygmies to get free or very low paid labour for illegal diamond mines and agricultural fields. (Photo by FLORENT VERGNES / AFP) A long story about the plight of 26 Thai berry pickers in Finland published on BBC Thai was a sad one, but with a just ending, as the Finnish Supreme Court reached a verdict on January 2ุ6th and jailed, for one year and ten months, and fined a central Finland berry picking firm on 26 charges of human trafficking. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249196-thai-berry-pickers-and-finnish-justice/

Pickers of the Bayaka pygmy traditional medicine, shows berries supposed to have medicinal properties, picked in the equatorial forest, in Bayanga, on March 13, 2020. – Since the beginning of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the authorities of the Dzanga-Sangha Park have been pushing pygmies into the forests. The displeases farmers take advantage of the pygmies to get free or very low paid labour for illegal diamond mines and agricultural fields. (Photo by FLORENT VERGNES / AFP) A long story about the plight of 26 Thai berry pickers in Finland published on BBC Thai was a sad one, but with a just ending, as the Finnish Supreme Court reached a verdict on January 2ุ6th and jailed, for one year and ten months, and fined a central Finland berry picking firm on 26 charges of human trafficking. For ordinary Thais, the news was flabbergasting, as they normally consider Finland to be a paradise and one of the world’s most liveable countries, with everything at a high standard. Clean air, great education, nice forests and no human rights violation, let alone human trafficking. The victims were Thai berry pickers, who were forced to work 15 hours a day for little or no pay. Like many other pickers, their wages were used to repay debts back home. These are familiar stories for Thai labourers overseas. Full story: -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-05 - 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 Saturday 5 Feb 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1249194-thailand-live-saturday-5-feb-2022/

Thai government forms ‘Casino Committee’ to consider legalized gambling entertainment complex opening Thailand’s Royal Gazette yesterday, February 3rd, announced the establishment of a ‘Casino Committee’ to study and consider the potential opening of a legalized gambling entertainment complex to solve illegal gambling problems and boost the domestic economy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249179-thai-government-forms-‘casino-committee’-to-consider-legalized-gambling-entertainment-complex-opening/

New COVID Cases Rise among Foreign Tourists in Phuket PHUKET, Feb 4 (TNA) – The number of COVID-infected foreign tourists is rising in Phuket in proportion to more arrivals and some visitors failed to undergo RT-PCR tests before their flights to the island province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249176-new-covid-cases-rise-among-foreign-tourists-in-phuket/

Air travellers warned not to bring more than 30 face masks on board overseas flights Thais and foreigners travelling abroad have been advised not to take more than 30 face masks with them, because they are a controlled product in Thailand and violators can face up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht on conviction, according to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249151-air-travellers-warned-not-to-bring-more-than-30-face-masks-on-board-overseas-flights/

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please continue here: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249064-thai-airways-offers-cargo-service-on-passenger-seats-as-alternative-revenue-source/ //CLOSED//

WADA Lifts Its Ban on Thailand BANGKOK, Feb 3 (TNA) – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has removed Thailand from its non-compliance list and its ban on the country was lifted immediately. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1249127-wada-lifts-its-ban-on-thailand/

BANGKOK, Feb 3 (TNA) – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has removed Thailand from its non-compliance list and its ban on the country was lifted immediately. Kongsak Yodmanee, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, said WADA wrote on Feb 2 that the Doping Control Agency of Thailand (DCAT) complied completely with the World Anti-Doping Code 2021 and the executive committee of WADA finished its vote on Feb 2 to immediately remove DCAT from the non-compliance list. On Oct 7, 2021, the WADA executive committee had announced DCAT's failure to comply with the WADA's Code. At the latest development, the committee agreed that DCAT already improved its anti-doping system to abide by the WADA 2021 code. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-876264 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-02-04 - 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