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Picture: INN A spokesman has revealed that thirteen Thai policemen have been sacked in January. Pol Maj-Gen Yingyot Thepjamnong said that the details were given at a meeting of the Police Commission chaired by PM Prayuth Chan-ocha. Ten officers were dismissed from the service and 3 were discharged. The Police sub-committee on Discipline, Appeal, Complaints and Human Ressources Management had reported the serious offences committed by the thirteen involved. Exactly what they had done wrong was not reported by INN. Instead they went on to say that PM Prayuth had expressed his concern about zebra crossings making sure that the police were doing their duty in enforcing the law in this regard. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-01 - 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

Chinese shrines minimize incenses to help curb air pollution By Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - Places of worship in Bangkok’s Yaowarat Chinatown today welcomed Thai-Chinese people paying their respects to the gods ahead of the Lunar New Year today. To curb air pollution, these shrines are minimizing the burning of incense sticks and papers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248686-chinese-shrines-minimize-incenses-to-help-curb-air-pollution/

By Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - Places of worship in Bangkok’s Yaowarat Chinatown today welcomed Thai-Chinese people paying their respects to the gods ahead of the Lunar New Year today. To curb air pollution, these shrines are minimizing the burning of incense sticks and papers. Kuan Yim Shrine of Thian Fa Foundation is asking all observers not to light up firecrackers and to minimize paper burning, with staff on-site to put off incense to reduce emission. Many people visiting this shrine today were cooperating well with the new regulation, with some opting to use smoke-free incense sticks. Many families engaged in simpler and more economical ceremonies to celebrate this year’s Lunar New Year, due to the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Phuket, many families and businesses were setting up worship tables outside their houses today, albeit in a smaller number than the previous years. Shops selling worship items said they had been affected by the pandemic for the past 2-3 years, as the number of customers and overall purchases were in decline. According to the traditions of the Thai-Chinese community, today marks the end of the year according to their lunar calendar. Thai people of Chinese descent usually pay their respect at places of worship today to welcome the arrival of the God of Fortune Cai Shen for the Lunar New Year today. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-02-01 - 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

Big Joke in Kamphaeng Phet checking up on abandonment of Myanmar migrants/corpses case Picture: Siam Rath Thailand's charismatic investigator Lt-Gen Surachate Hakpan was at the head of the table at Kamphaeng Phet provincial police HQ yesterday, reported Siam Rath. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248685-big-joke-in-kamphaeng-phet-checking-up-on-abandonment-of-myanmar-migrantscorpses-case/

Picture: Siam Rath Thailand's charismatic investigator Lt-Gen Surachate Hakpan was at the head of the table at Kamphaeng Phet provincial police HQ yesterday, reported Siam Rath. The man known as Big Joke - popping up everywhere these days after his rehabilitation into the upper echelons of the RTP after a fall from grace - was checking up on the latest developments in the case where 23 Myanmar illegals were abandoned at a housing estate in the north western Thai province. Following an accident four illegal migrants were injured and 3 died. Seven arrests have already been made among the gang involved. Surachate promised continued action to find the ringleaders in this case and others involving the transportation of illegal migrants to work in Thailand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-01 - 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

DDC expects Covid pandemic to end this year By Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health now expects the COVID-19 pandemic to end within this year as the disease transforms into an endemic, although health officials say the scenario would depend on disease control progress and timing. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248684-ddc-expects-covid-pandemic-to-end-this-year/

By Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health now expects the COVID-19 pandemic to end within this year as the disease transforms into an endemic, although health officials say the scenario would depend on disease control progress and timing. Department of Disease Control (DDC) Director-General Opas Karnkawinpong said the COVID-19 pandemic started on March 11, 2020 and has continued ever since. He said large outbreaks are expected to be over this year, and Covid will become an endemic or a so-called general communicable disease. Dr. Opas said the meeting of the DDC sub-committee on promoting disease immunity on January 28 endorsed a COVID-19 vaccination regimen using an mRNA vaccine as the 1st dose and a viral vector vaccine as the 2nd dose. The doses are to be administered 4 weeks apart, per the suggestion of the World Health Organization. People previously infected with Covid may now be vaccinated under the same timing criterion as the uninfected, meaning they may now get vaccinated as early as one month after infection. The sub-committee also resolved to provide the option for people who had the AstraZeneca vaccine for their 1st as well as 2nd shots to receive an AstraZeneca shot as the booster dose. The sub-committee is not yet recommending a booster dose for young people aged 12 to 17 who were fully inoculated with the Pfizer vaccine. However, those who were inoculated with the Sinopharm vaccine may receive a Pfizer shot as a booster dose once 4 weeks have passed since their second shot. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-02-01 - 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

Police examining CCTV after woman spreads thumbtacks around Udon Thani police station Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that a middle aged woman riding a lady's motorcycle spread golden thumbtacks all around the car park of Udon Thani police station, NE Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248681-police-examining-cctv-after-woman-spreads-thumbtacks-around-udon-thani-police-station/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that a middle aged woman riding a lady's motorcycle spread golden thumbtacks all around the car park of Udon Thani police station, NE Thailand. A good samaritan reported the matter to Pol Lt-Col Plaewthong Sariphan who armed himself with a broom and swept up 100 of the thumbtacks from under vehicles and by tires near the flagpole. Picture: Thai Rath No damage was done though if people, the press or police themselves had driven off there was the chance of punctures. The cops are studying CCTV to see who was responsible - though the media reported that the bike had no licence plate. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-01 - 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

Thai doctor warns of new "Covid 22 Virus" Picture: Thai Rath Thai doctor Chalermchai Bunyalephan went online to warn of a new virus that can invade human cells. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248679-thai-doctor-warns-of-new-covid-22-virus/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai doctor Chalermchai Bunyalephan went online to warn of a new virus that can invade human cells. It is being dubbed "Corona 22". Dr Chalermchai said it was three times worse than SARS and like MERS. He claimed that scientists at the University of Wuhan had discovered it in bats in South Africa. He called it a new virus of the NeoCov variety. Thai Rath - after doing their bit to scare the Thai public witless in their "three times worse" headline - said that the WHO were investigating to try and discover the true nature and power of the "new virus". Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-01 - 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

Constituency 9 voters: Don’t count on us to be “accountable” By Tulsathit Taptim It was a peculiar electoral outcome that “winners” may celebrate cautiously and some “losers” can find encouraging. Ballots cast in Bangkok’s Laksi and Chatuchak districts on Sunday show that races beyond the area can be the same in the future _ unpredictable yet heavily depending on old loyalty and turnouts. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248678-constituency-9-voters-don’t-count-on-us-to-be-“accountable”/

By Tulsathit Taptim It was a peculiar electoral outcome that “winners” may celebrate cautiously and some “losers” can find encouraging. Ballots cast in Bangkok’s Laksi and Chatuchak districts on Sunday show that races beyond the area can be the same in the future _ unpredictable yet heavily depending on old loyalty and turnouts. The only thing that is clear is that the biggest loser, the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, is spiraling downward. Sunday was its third successive defeat in a short span of time, and while Chumphon and Songkhla were not total humiliation, Bangkok’s Constituency 9 was. What analysts cannot say for sure is whether Sunday’s crushing loss was because of reported problems with Prayut Chan-o-cha or because of its continued linkage to him. In other words, it’s difficult to tell if Prayut was unpopular and that brought the party down, or if voters were snubbing the party because it did not treat him well. The pro-Prayut camp is trying to convince itself that it was the latter case, but opponents of the prime minister are insisting that Prayut’s “increasing unpopularity” was a big factor. Palang Pracharath pledged continued support for Prayut during its election campaign in a bid to retain its parliamentary seat, but anyone viewing such a vow as insincere or reflective of desperation can be forgiven. Whatever the cause or causes of the decline, the party won just over 7,000 votes on Sunday, compared with almost 35,000 votes in the 2019 general election when the party was considered to be unambiguously pro-Prayut. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/constituency-9-voters-dont-count-on-us-to-be-accountable/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-01 - 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

How do you get 28 Myanmar nationals in a pick-up? Quite easily in Thailand! Daily News caption: Packed in tighter than sardines in a can It sounds like a joke but it actually happened on the Ranong to Chumphon Road last night when an army patrol ordered a Chevrolet Colorado to stop. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248677-how-do-you-get-28-myanmar-nationals-in-a-pick-up-quite-easily-in-thailand/

Daily News caption: Packed in tighter than sardines in a can It sounds like a joke but it actually happened on the Ranong to Chumphon Road last night when an army patrol ordered a Chevrolet Colorado to stop. Driver Anurak, a Thai from Surat Thani, decided to try and burst through the checkpoint. Picture: Daily News A device put a stop to that bursting his tires. The army arrested him then looked in the "carryboy" section of the pick-up and to their amazement found 28 illegal workers from Myanmar. Picture: Daily News There were 16 men and 12 women jammed in "worse than sardines in a can", observed Daily News. All were charged with various offences and it was discovered that the Myanmar nationals had paid middlemen 25,000 to 30,000 for the privilege of coming to work in Thailand. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-01 - 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

Pork ball seller claims six Nonthaburi policemen slapped him, put him in headlock and broke his arm Picture: Daily News A pork ball trader in Nonthaburi went to meet volunteer lawyer Kiatikhun or "Lawyer Pong" at his offices in Bang Yai for help in a case against six Nonthaburi policemen, reported Daily News. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248674-pork-ball-seller-claims-six-nonthaburi-policemen-slapped-him-put-him-in-headlock-and-broke-his-arm/

Picture: Daily News A pork ball trader in Nonthaburi went to meet volunteer lawyer Kiatikhun or "Lawyer Pong" at his offices in Bang Yai for help in a case against six Nonthaburi policemen, reported Daily News. Saharach Yingtrakoon, 28, - who had a broken left arm - said that he was entirely innocent after an incident on January 25th. But he claimed police attacked him then filed a resisting arrest charge. He presented CCTV evidence to the lawyer who has taken up the case. Saharach said that last Tuesday he had gone to a market to buy pork balls to sell. He was riding back home with his relative, a 23 year old man with mental health issues. Picture: Daily News The police stopped him by the Bang Jak gas station on Phibul Songkhram Road and said they were conducting a search and wanted to urine-test the pair. They split the pair up. Saharach said that because of the learning difficulties faced by his relative he asked the officers to keep them together. The 23 year old was not even able to give his name. Saharach said that the only problem - apart from leaving his Thai ID at home - was that the bike had no plate. But the registration book was under the seat. He said that there was a scuffle and he was put in a head lock and arm lock and had his face slapped. At no time did he resist arrest. When the police realised they had broken his arm they stopped and a foundation rescue team was called to take him to hospital. But later at the police station he was charged with resisting arrest and next day the matter went to court. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-01 - 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 Picture: Daily News

UPDATE: Chanthaburi shooting spree killer taken on reenactment - fresh details emerge of "brazen killer " Sia Daeng Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on the aftermath of one of Thailand's most extraordinary killing sprees of recent years - the gun rampage through the Chanthaburi countryside in Pong Nam Rorn and Soi Dao districts of Prasit "Sia Daeng" Phuthongsuk. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248670-chanthaburi-shooting-spree-killer-taken-on-reenactment -fresh-details-emerge-of-brazen-killer-sia-daeng/

Chanthaburi shooting spree killer taken on reenactment - fresh details emerge of "brazen killer " Sia Daeng Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on the aftermath of one of Thailand's most extraordinary killing sprees of recent years - the gun rampage through the Chanthaburi countryside in Pong Nam Rorn and Soi Dao districts of Prasit "Sia Daeng" Phuthongsuk. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248670-chanthaburi-shooting-spree-killer-taken-on-reenactment -fresh-details-emerge-of-brazen-killer-sia-daeng/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on the aftermath of one of Thailand's most extraordinary killing sprees of recent years - the gun rampage through the Chanthaburi countryside in Pong Nam Rorn and Soi Dao districts of Prasit "Sia Daeng" Phuthongsuk. The 48 year old businessman was taken on a reenactment by former immigration chief Pol Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang, now RTP assistant commissioner general. Joined by fifty officers the force took Prasit - in flak jacket and helmet - to the Tamoon market where his horror rampage began with two shootings. It was decided not to take him to two other spots in the countryside of Chanthaburi, eastern/central Thailand, because they were private lands where relatives were waiting and it might not be safe for the suspect. TV crews and reporters jostled to hear the words of the unrepentant killer who has said that his four victims deserved to die. He said that he had lived with his former wife Wanphen, 49, in her house for about a year. He claimed to have sold a six wheel truck and 8 baht weight of gold to enter into a lamyai business with her. But their relationship turned sour after she had a go at his parents and they split up. He said they had gone to the police station where his wife agreed to return 200,000 baht to him but she did not do this. This infuriated him. Picture: Thai Rath So on Sunday he drove his Honda MSX to the market after hearing that she would be there and waited to ambush her. He saw her arrive in her Toyota Fortuner and crossed the road as she got out of the driver's seat. He went up to her and said: "Jam Goo Daii Mai" - Do you f*%&ing remember me? He shot her once in the body that felled her then finished her off with a shot to the head. He then calmly picked up her car keys. He got in the vehicle where her daughter Oraya or "Bow" was sitting in the passenger seat in the front. He shot her three times. Picture: Thai Rath Then, with Bow still in the car dead, he drove off to a lamyai (longan) orchard where he had a score to settle with Theerachart,44. Theerachart had taken out loans with his parents that he had not repaid. He claimed that Theerachart had even bought a new car rather than pay off his debts. He was shot twice. Then it was off to a property 25 kilometers away to see Bunruam, 48, who he shot multiple times. He said that Bunruam had sold him a gun for 17,000 baht that turned out to be a BB gun. Prasit wanted his money back but Bunruam refused. When he refused to even return 7,000 baht Prasit harbored a grudge that festered. Thai Rath described both the male victims as "friends" of the shooter who used a .38 gun in his rampage. After shooting Bunruam, Prasit drove 10 kilometers to a bar where he opened a bottle of spirits and started drinking. He called his 18 year old daughter to come and pick him up and help him flee but at that moment the police arrived and he was taken into custody on murder and weapons charges. Sompong said that he was asked by the RTP chief to ensure the case was being handled properly as it was a brazen case in the public interest. The suspect is set to appear in court today. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-01 - 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

While Thailand has set the ageing society as a National Agenda item recently, we need action – and a lot of it – rather than just words. With talks on the charter amendment and Prayut Chan-o-cha’s future dominating government and parliamentary affairs, one important issue has been grossly overlooked: that everyone, no matter what ideology he or she is advocating, is ageing in a society that is poorly prepared for it. The recent news about Thailand’s birthrate hitting rock bottom has been a wake–up call for discussion on social media. With the current birth rate of less than 600,000 per annum, the country will have to alter its strategy if it is to cope with the demographic change. Even Elon Musk is concerned, tweeting, “We should be much more worried about population collapse”. He is also urging people to have more babies. Unfortunately, Thailand is contributing to the world’s insufficient population. The country has been in the ageing society since 2005, meaning 10% of the population is already 60 or older. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/the-burden-of-age-why-thailand-must-prepare-now-for-a-growing-greying-society/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-01 - 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

Police confirm action against taxi driver over threats after overcharging case in Phuket Picture: Thai Rath Phuket's infamous "Taxi Mafia" are in the news again after a video hit social media that is being called the case of "Dr Sanil's Son". Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248659-police-confirm-action-against-taxi-driver-over-threats-after-overcharging-case-in-phuket/

Picture: Thai Rath Phuket's infamous "Taxi Mafia" are in the news again after a video hit social media that is being called the case of "Dr Sanil's Son". In the video a group of aggressive taxi drivers in Kamala are arguing with a Thai man of Indian descent about charging 600 baht to go from there to Patong. The fee should be 400 baht and even that can be bargained, said officials. Complaints were made to the Kamal police. Police have called in the van driver who made threats - named only as Jessada - who denied everything. Pol Maj-Gen Sermphan Sirikhong assured the public that the police would take action. The provincial chief of Phuket said that tourists could have confidence in the force. Provincial governor Narong Wunsew told Thai Rath that he had called on his deputy to call a meeting of the state and private sector. He acknowledged that the overcharging of tourists was a long running problem that did damage to the image of tourism in Phuket as the current case had done on social media. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-01 - 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

COVID-19: Thailand reports 7,422 new coronavirus cases, 12 deaths, 8,715 recoveries File photo Thailand on Tuesday (February 1) reported 7,422 new COVID-19 cases, 8,715 recoveries and 12 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248653-covid-19-thailand-reports-7422-new-coronavirus-cases-12-deaths-8715-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin