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COVID-19: Thailand reports 9,172 new coronavirus cases, 21 deaths, 7,832 recoveries File photo: Thailand on Thursday (February 3) reported 9,172 new COVID-19 cases, 7,832 recoveries and 21 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248952-covid-19-thailand-reports-9172-new-coronavirus-cases-21-deaths-7832-recoveries/

File photo: Thailand on Thursday (February 3) reported 9,172 new COVID-19 cases, 7,832 recoveries and 21 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 8,950. Prisons: 222 ▶︎ Recoveries: 7,832 Thursday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,465,723 with 22,228 deaths. The news comes as a total of 23,660 travellers applied for a Thailand Pass to enter the country through the “Test and Go” quarantine exemption scheme yesterday (Tuesday), the first day the scheme resumed after registration was suspended on December 22, following the emergence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said today (Wednesday) that he expects more travellers to apply to visit Thailand under the program in the future. About 5,500 others also registered for the pass yesterday for other entry options such as the sandbox, and alternative quarantines. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-03 - 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

Huge collection of knives found at Rajamangala uni campus in professor's disused house Picture: Daily News Daily News reported on developments after police went to Rajamangala University of Technology (Eastern) campus in Pathumwan, downtown Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248951-huge-collection-of-knives-found-at-rajamangala-uni-campus-in-professors-disused-house/

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported on developments after police went to Rajamangala University of Technology (Eastern) campus in Pathumwan, downtown Bangkok. They were investigating a videoed "firing into the air" shooting incident. Evidence of 15 shots from 9 mm weapons and three from a .32 were found. Picture: Daily News Then the cops searched a disused house belonging to a professor. Here the students, presumably, had hidden 32 large knives and 9 pen-knives under a bed. Strife between students at tech colleges has been much in the news recently, notes ASEAN NOW. It has been a perennial problem for years in Thailand. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-03 - 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 Road Carnage: Gran on motorcycle dead but 5 year old grandson survives with cuts Picture: Thai Rath Khu Bang Luang police attended an accident in which a pick-up collided with a motorcycle with sidecar attachment on the Pathum Thani to Lat Lum Kaew Road in Pathum Thani north of Bangkok at 7.30 last night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248950-thailand-road-carnage-gran-on-motorcycle-dead-but-5-year-old-grandson-survives-with-cuts/

Picture: Thai Rath Khu Bang Luang police attended an accident in which a pick-up collided with a motorcycle with sidecar attachment on the Pathum Thani to Lat Lum Kaew Road in Pathum Thani north of Bangkok at 7.30 last night. It happened at a U-turn between a Vigo and a Yamaha. Bits of the bike were scattered everywhere and it was under the front wheels of the pick-up while 50 meters away was the lifeless body of Pranee Phothong, 54. A five year old boy with minor road rash injuries was being cared for by relatives as Thai Rath reporters arrived. Rakchart Ayamuang, 26, from Buriram was driving the pick-up taking workers back to their home. He said that another vehicle hit the bike propelling it into his path. He was unable to brake in time. The boy is now back home. Investigations continue. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-03 - 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

Tourist police and good Samaritan Thai to the rescue after thief steals 4,900 Euros from Greek's "unlocked" car in Phuket Picture: Sim Rath Thai media was reporting every angle after a Greek man lost 4,900 Euros that was stolen from his car parked at a condominium in Phuket late last week. Full story https://aseannow.com/topic/1248948-tourist-police-and-good-samaritan-thai-to-the-rescue-after-thief-steals-4900-euros-from-greeks-unlocked-car-in-phuket/

Picture: Sim Rath Thai media was reporting every angle after a Greek man lost 4,900 Euros that was stolen from his car parked at a condominium in Phuket late last week. Siam Rath reported that it happened at the Kata Ocean View Condominium Phase 3 and that the Nissan was unlocked. The money is worth about 183,000 baht at today's rate, notes ASEAN NOW. Thai media rounded it up to 200K. Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath showed a windshield appeal in Thai for the return of the money. It said: "To the person who took our money. I live here with my family and offspring. We're in hardship. If you took our money please bring it back. No questions asked - we'll give you 500 Euros". Two phone numbers were left. Tourist police spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Apichart Suribunya said that the matter had come to the attention of chief Pol Lt-Gen Sukhun Phromayon who ordered his sub-ordinates to liaise with Karon police and the victim named as Alexandros Alexiadis and help solve the crime. They were also working with the Greek embassy. Picture: Naew Na The Greek's family were due to fly back to Greece yesterday but he was staying on in Thailand in Phuket to monitor developments. Naew Na reported that the victim was 35 and said that Jaruwee Luangkhon who runs the Knights Border page went to see the victim with a 51,000 baht donation from a person who wished to remain anonymous. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-03 - 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

Expletives fly as octogenarian Brit crashes car into traffic kiosk - then gets out and urinates beside vehicle Sanook caption: "Hey! What you do?" Sanook reported that bemused police and shoppers busy buying Chinese New Year gifts at a bustling Chiang Mai intersection were perplexed at the antics of an 88 year old Brit. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248943-expletives-fly-as-octogenarian-brit-crashes-car-into-traffic-kiosk-then-gets-out-and-urinates-beside-vehicle/

Sanook caption: "Hey! What you do?" Sanook reported that bemused police and shoppers busy buying Chinese New Year gifts at a bustling Chiang Mai intersection were perplexed at the antics of an 88 year old Brit. Mr Charles crashed his Honda City into a police traffic kiosk on the Muang Samut Road heading towards the Muang Mai market in the northern Thai city. A picture showed the car on the sidewalk. Then he got out and proceeded to urinate up against his car. As expletives were hurled at the foreigner in both Thai and English he continued what he'd started. The Chiang Mai resident was then taken into custody and would be charged with offensive behavior in public and causing damage to the traffic box in the accident. He was also set to be breathalysed for alcohol. The incident happened on Monday at 11.40 am said the media who called the foreigner "granddad" in their headline. Both Muang Chiang Mai police and Tourist Police got involved. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-03 - 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

What happens to us when Thai insurance companies go bankrupt? I am sure many of you read last week, about the Thai insurance company called Southeast Asia Insurance that was unable to meet its commitments and filed to cease trading. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248940-what-happens-to-us-when-thai-insurance-companies-go-bankrupt/

I am sure many of you read last week, about the Thai insurance company called Southeast Asia Insurance that was unable to meet its commitments and filed to cease trading. Certainly, many of us were concerned in case other companies may go the same way. The latest information is that Thailand’s insurance business regulator has indicated that approval has not been granted for Southeast Asia Insurance to cease operations and that all existing insurance policies are still valid. The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) explained that Southeast Asia Insurance filed for the termination of its business with the OIC, but approval has yet to be granted. The office has established a working committee to scrutinize relevant details, with the aim of preserving the benefits of insurance policyholders and other stakeholders as well as ensuring the legality of the move. General Insurance Fund The OIC noted that the General Insurance Fund exists to protect those entitled to payment in accordance with insurance claims in cases where an insurance company’s license is revoked. The fund is also intended to foster stability and reliability for the insurance business. The office said the fund does not cover cases of an insurance company ceasing its operations but assured that public concern was unwarranted. It explained that Southeast Asia Insurance cannot shut down or cease operations until it receives approval to do so from the OIC, adding that all current insurance policies are still valid. Well, if the Thai General Insurance Fund will not cover insurance companies that go bankrupt before their licence is revoked, then where does that leave us? Major Operation If I have understood their last comment correctly, if I am presented with a large bill by my private hospital, how am I as an expat likely to know in advance if my selected insurance company is in financial difficulties? With the current wave of claims for Covid, governments around the world are likely to have to eventually cover the shortfalls. However, as insurance companies try to balance their books, increasingly genuine cases may be turned down just on a minor condition. I bet most insurance companies have much more staff dealing with claims, than those in the sales departments, who sell us these expensive packages in the first place. Is it financially viable? With preconditions and clauses stating the insured must pay the first amount of costs, I wonder sometimes is it worth it. Of course, most expats have insurance cover before they came to Thailand. Others feel that if they wish to travel, regulations state you need insurance to reenter Thailand. Therefore, many policies are bought for political reasons, rather than for insurance peace of mind. What do you feel about the current system in Thailand? -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-03 - 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

The Ambassador: H.E. David Daly highlights the EU’s global soft power, trade with Thailand Exclusive Interview with the new EU Ambassador H.E. David Daly on the European bloc’s ties with Thailand, a planned trade agreement, its positions in the region and in the world as a major global player. video: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248937-the-ambassador-he-david-daly-highlights-the-eu’s-global-soft-power-trade-with-thailand/

Exclusive Interview with the new EU Ambassador H.E. David Daly on the European bloc’s ties with Thailand, a planned trade agreement, its positions in the region and in the world as a major global player. Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/the-ambassador-h-e-david-daly-highlights-the-eus-global-soft-power-trade-with-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-03 - 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

‘We want them back’: at Lunar New Year, Thailand pines for Chinese tourists ● For the second year in a row, hotspots from Pattaya to Phuket and Bangkok have been starved of income as Beijing’s quarantine measures keep Chinese visitors away ●Some businesses have seen incomes drop 80 per cent. Pivoting to the local market offers some respite, but memories linger of the days ‘a lot of people here got rich’ Vijitra Duangdee Novelty bathtub seats at a restaurant built to host Chinese tour groups but now empty. Photo: Vijitra Duangdee At a cliffside restaurant on Thailand’s Koh Larn, where squat teak dining tables overlook an empty white-sand bay, manager Sutthiea Saengsaswi says the last time Chinese tourists were around for the Lunar New Year celebrations her takings went up to around US$6,000 a day. Now they are just US$300 a day. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248936-‘we-want-them-back’-at-lunar-new-year-thailand-pines-for-chinese-tourists/

Novelty bathtub seats at a restaurant built to host Chinese tour groups but now empty. Photo: Vijitra Duangdee ● For the second year in a row, hotspots from Pattaya to Phuket and Bangkok have been starved of income as Beijing’s quarantine measures keep Chinese visitors away ●Some businesses have seen incomes drop 80 per cent. Pivoting to the local market offers some respite, but memories linger of the days ‘a lot of people here got rich’ Vijitra Duangdee At a cliffside restaurant on Thailand’s Koh Larn, where squat teak dining tables overlook an empty white-sand bay, manager Sutthiea Saengsaswi says the last time Chinese tourists were around for the Lunar New Year celebrations her takings went up to around US$6,000 a day. Now they are just US$300 a day. But this year, for the second year running, there are no Chinese to be seen. Strict quarantine measures Beijing has implemented ahead of the Winter Olympics as part of its zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19 have kept them away. From Koh Larn restaurants to cabaret shows in Pattaya – a 45 minute ferry ride away – Phuket resorts and Bangkok night markets, entire mini-economies constructed to tap what once appeared to be a bottomless pit of Chinese money have collapsed or been forced to pivot to domestic visitors. Thai tourist authorities say two million Chinese tourists a year piled into Pattaya before the pandemic. Around 4,000 of them made the day trip to Koh Larn each day on package tours run with conveyor belt-like efficiency: a beach stop, a quick snorkel, souvenirs and a set meal at restaurants like Sutthiea’s workplace at the Sangwan Beach Villa. Full story: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3165497/lunar-new-year-thailand-pines-its-missing-chinese-tourists -- © Copyright South China Morning Post 2022-02-03 - 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

Government warns Thais not to abuse co-payment by swapping subsidy credit for cash By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand's government on Wednesday warned the public not to commit fraud over the latest stimulus co-payment scheme by exchanging the subsidy credit for cash. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248934-government-warns-thais-not-to-abuse-co-payment-by-swapping-subsidy-credit-for-cash/

By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand's government on Wednesday warned the public not to commit fraud over the latest stimulus co-payment scheme by exchanging the subsidy credit for cash. Following social media's posts offering cash in exchange for subsidy credit, Tipanan Sirichana, an official at the Secretariat of the Prime Minister, said such practices were unlawful. “Those are considered against the scheme's objectives,” said Tipanan, adding that legal actions might be taken further, if found guilty. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37158/government-warns-thais-not-to-abuse-co-payment-by-swapping-subsidy-credit-for-cash/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-02-03 - 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

Health guidelines for visiting Thailand’s national parks Recommendations for visitors and the general public to minimizse the risk of COVID-19 infection and transmission. TAT Newsroom Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide health guidelines for visitors planning to visit any of Thailand’s 155 national parks nationwide, as well as other forest parks up and down the country to protect yourself, any loved ones travelling with you, and the Thai public at large from the community spread of COVID-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248933-health-guidelines-for-visiting-thailand’s-national-parks/

Recommendations for visitors and the general public to minimizse the risk of COVID-19 infection and transmission. TAT Newsroom Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide health guidelines for visitors planning to visit any of Thailand’s 155 national parks nationwide, as well as other forest parks up and down the country to protect yourself, any loved ones travelling with you, and the Thai public at large from the community spread of COVID-19. The following are the guidelines and recommendations as announced by the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), an agency of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Before / Upon Arrival at the Parks Day trip visitors must undergo entry screening before entering the park. They also must assess their health and potential risks using the required applications; such as, Thai Save Thai. Overnight visitors staying at the park’s bungalow-style accommodation or camping must have either of the following: A certificate of vaccination that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine; A certificate of recovery that they have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 1-3 months; A medical certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 7 days, or A negative test result by a self-Antigen Test Kit (ATK) upon arrival at the park’s accommodation check-in location. While in the Parks All visitors must strictly follow the Universal Prevention for COVID-19 and DMHTT precautions: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, and T – Thai Chana or Mor Chana application. In addition, all visitors must adhere to the health guidelines and recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as announced by the respective provinces, in line with the area’s situation. Preventive Actions at the Parks The DNP also have guiding principles for the administrators of the national parks and forest parks. These include re-opening and closing policies, cleaning and disinfecting the facilities, ensuring social distancing, avoiding large crowd gatherings or reducing the number of attendees, and also applying preventive measures among park staff. See The latest opening and closing status of Thailand’s national parks For more information, please contact staff at the respective park across the country, or visit the website: http://portal.dnp.go.th/, or Facebook page: National Parks of Thailand. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/02/health-guidelines-for-visiting-thailands-national-parks/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-02-03 - 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 Thursday 3 Feb 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1248932-thailand-live-thursday-3-feb-2022/

No Traces of Oil Slick Found Near Ko Samet BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has declared Ko Samet safe from pollution caused by the oil spill that occurred last week off the coast of Rayong province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248897-no-traces-of-oil-slick-found-near-ko-samet/

Measures planned to protect wild tigers in Thailand’s western forests The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and various environmental organisations have agreed to tighten up measures to protect wild tigers in the western forests of the country after two tigers were shot dead by suspected poachers early last month and a cattle herder was attacked by a tiger in Thong Pha Phum district of Kanchanaburi province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248896-measures-planned-to-protect-wild-tigers-in-thailand’s-western-forests/

Over 23,000 apply for Thailand Pass under ‘Test and Go’ on first day of its resumption FILE / International visitors await instructions from health officials inside the arrival terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport / AFP A total of 23,660 travellers applied for a Thailand Pass to enter the country through the “Test and Go” quarantine exemption scheme yesterday (Tuesday), the first day the scheme resumed after registration was suspended on December 22, following the emergence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248885-over-23000-apply-for-thailand-pass-under-‘test-and-go’-on-first-day-of-its-resumption/

HOT Magazine, Issue 1, Volume 10 View File Hot Magazine: Read the online issue 1, Volume 10, January 2022 by clicking on the green button or read the online version here HOT Magazine is a Thailand based luxury lifestyle magazine connecting with Asia’s wealthy, brand-conscious, high net worth individuals, through their chosen lifestyle activities. Submitter webfact Submitted 02/02/22 Category Thaivisa Members Files