webfact

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/

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. ▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 7,161. Prisons: 261 ▶︎ Recoveries: 8,715 Tuesday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,447,964 with 22,185 deaths. The news comes as COVID-19 vaccination started for children aged 5-11 years at the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health and parents brought their children there for the inoculation. The vaccinated children are those who suffer seven kinds of illnesses and thus will be vulnerable to severe symptoms or even fatality if they are infected with COVID-19. Their illnesses are obesity, chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, cancer with weak immunity, genetic disorders and Down’s syndrome. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-01 - 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

Former golf champions ready for season-opening Thailand Mixed By Adam Judd Cha-Am, Thailand-Ex-champions led by hot-shot Sadom Kaewkanjana have confirmed their participation in the Bt3 million Thailand Mixed hosted by TrustGolf due from February 10-13 at the Springfield Royal Country Club in Cha-Am, Petchaburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248647-former-golf-champions-ready-for-season-opening-thailand-mixed/

US battling to swing Thailand away from China Chinese submarines and American stealth fighter jets are both on the menu for Thailand’s military-aligned government By RICHARD S EHRLICH A busy street in Bangkok's Chinatown. Thailand and China have relations and connections going back centuries. Photo: WikiCommons NONG KHAI, Thailand – You can see China’s inexorable southern thrust along the Mekong River where tall, fanciful, Chinese buildings sprout on the Laos side of this sleepy northern border, sparking hopes and fears about Beijing’s influence and intent in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248646-us-battling-to-swing-thailand-away-from-china/

A busy street in Bangkok's Chinatown. Thailand and China have relations and connections going back centuries. Photo: WikiCommons Chinese submarines and American stealth fighter jets are both on the menu for Thailand’s military-aligned government By RICHARD S EHRLICH NONG KHAI, Thailand – You can see China’s inexorable southern thrust along the Mekong River where tall, fanciful, Chinese buildings sprout on the Laos side of this sleepy northern border, sparking hopes and fears about Beijing’s influence and intent in Thailand. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief’s recent visit to Bangkok amid a flurry of lucrative US military and business deals may lure Thailand back toward the US and away from China in the future, but the rivalry is heating up. “Thailand has been leaning toward China, and away from the US, for two decades,” said Benjamin Zawacki, the Bangkok-based American author of Thailand: Shifting Ground Between the US and a Rising China. Full story: https://asiatimes.com/2022/01/us-battling-to-swing-thailand-away-from-china/ -- © Copyright ASIA TIMES 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

Policy change to Non Imm O-A (Long stay) ‘retirement visa’ allows foreigners to self insure By Jonathan Fairfield File photo A change in policy regarding the insurance requirements for the Non-Immigrant “O-A” (Long Stay) visa states that foreigners are now able to self insure. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248645-policy-change-to-non-imm-o-a-long-stay-‘retirement-visa’-allows-foreigners-to-self-insure/

File photo By Jonathan Fairfield A change in policy regarding the insurance requirements for the Non-Immigrant “O-A” (Long Stay) visa states that foreigners are now able to self insure. A Non-Immigrant “O-A” (Long Stay) visa is typically obtained from a Thai Embassy or Consulate overseas and should not be confused with the annual retirement extension (often erroneously referred to as a ‘retirement visa’), which is obtained an immigration office in Thailand. Applicants for a Non-Immigrant “O-A” (Long Stay) visa must be 50 years or over and be able to show funds totalling 800,000 baht. Previously, foreigners who applied for a Non Imm O-A (Long stay) visa were required to have insurance which provided inpatient cover up to 400,000 baht. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/policy-change-to-non-imm-o-a-long-stay-retirement-visa-allows-foreigners-to-self-insure/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 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

Japan ranked as nation with biggest investment in Thailand in 2021 By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand saw over 82.5 billion baht worth of foreign investment in 2021 from 570 investors, with Japan accounting for the majority, the Ministry of Commerce reported on Monday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248644-japan-ranked-as-nation-with-biggest-investment-in-thailand-in-2021/

By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand saw over 82.5 billion baht worth of foreign investment in 2021 from 570 investors, with Japan accounting for the majority, the Ministry of Commerce reported on Monday. Japanese investors represented 28.6 percent of overall investor counts, with 23.3 billion baht in investment, followed by the United States at 15.4 per cent and Singapore at 15.1 per cent. The investment from foreign investors created around 5,450 jobs for Thais, Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai said. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37094/japan-ranked-as-nation-with-biggest-investment-in-thailand-in-2021/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 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

Man falls from Chonburi overpass after motorbike accident, survives with serious injuries By Goong Nang(GN) Chonburi – A motorbike rider has sustained serious injuries after his motorbike crashed on an overpass, causing him to fall and hit the ground ten meters below in the Mueang Chonburi district over the past weekend. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248643-man-falls-from-chonburi-overpass-after-motorbike-accident-survives-with-serious-injuries/

By Goong Nang(GN) Chonburi – A motorbike rider has sustained serious injuries after his motorbike crashed on an overpass, causing him to fall and hit the ground ten meters below in the Mueang Chonburi district over the past weekend. Emergency responders were notified of the accident on an overpass in the Klong Tamru sub-district. They arrived at the scene to find the damaged motorbike on the overpass. Ten meters under the overpass on the ground they found the male motorbike driver aged around 30. He had sustained severe injuries and was rushed to a local hospital. He was not cognizant but expected to survive, according to first responders. The motorbike owner was identified as Mr. Witoon Yingpa from Buriram based on the license plate, according to Mueang Chonburi officers. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/31/man-falls-from-chonburi-overpass-after-motorbike-accident-survives-with-serious-injuries/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 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

Krabi celebrated by Booking.com travellers as ‘Thailand’s Most Welcoming City’ Trat, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Nakhon Ratchasima also score highly in Traveller Review Awards 2022. TAT Newsroom Railay Beach, Krabi Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to advise that Krabi in Southern Thailand – famed for its beautiful beaches and idyllic island getaways – has been named ‘Thailand’s Most Welcoming City’ in the Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248642-krabi-celebrated-by-bookingcom-travellers-as-‘thailand’s-most-welcoming-city’/

Railay Beach, Krabi Trat, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Nakhon Ratchasima also score highly in Traveller Review Awards 2022. TAT Newsroom Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to advise that Krabi in Southern Thailand – famed for its beautiful beaches and idyllic island getaways – has been named ‘Thailand’s Most Welcoming City’ in the Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2022. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of TAT, said “It’s always that bit more rewarding to receive such international accolades as Booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards because they are based on the direct experiences and opinions of travellers themselves. There is no better gauge for excellency than this.” Krabi earned the prestigious title based on 1.8 million travellers’ reviews of 12,969 hotels in Thailand. The province scored an impressive 8.6 out of 10 from travellers, who praised the province for its warm hospitality, clean environment, marvellous beaches, pristine natural beauty, and untarnished islands. Other Thai cities that scored highly in the ‘most welcoming’ rankings were Trat, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Nakhon Ratchasima. The Traveller Review Awards 2022 – the 10th edition of the annual awards – drew on over 232 million verified reviews from travellers who used the Booking.com platform to book accommodation, car rental, or taxi transportation. To win an award required (as of 1 December, 2021) an average review score of 8.0 or more (out of 10) and at least three traveller reviews. While Booking.com noted that apartments were the top accommodation choice globally for the fifth consecutive year, in Thailand it was hotels that appeared to be the most popular – with 3,541 hotels winning in the Traveller Review Awards 2022. Meanwhile, 4,213 other accommodation establishments (such as, houses and apartments) throughout Thailand also won. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/01/krabi-celebrated-by-booking-com-travellers-as-thailands-most-welcoming-city/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 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

About 3.5 million Thais who suffer from rare diseases have no access to treatment Over 400 million people around the world suffer from rare diseases. Approximately 3.5 million of them are Thai, while only some 20,000 have access to treatment. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248641-about-35-million-thais-who-suffer-from-rare-diseases-have-no-access-to-treatment/

Over 400 million people around the world suffer from rare diseases. Approximately 3.5 million of them are Thai, while only some 20,000 have access to treatment. It remains one of the most challenging problems in the public health sphere, due to limited knowledge of the diseases among physicians. The diagnosis usually takes too long, resulting in the patients’ inability to get treatment in time. Last week, Thailand hosted the first “Southeast Asia Rare Disease Summit,” to raise awareness, discuss and find solutions to issues related to rare health conditions in the region. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/about-3-5-million-thais-who-suffer-from-rare-diseases-have-no-access-to-treatment/ -- © 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

Will the Tourism Authority of Thailand ever invest in Formula One? Last week a contract for Singapore to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix for another seven years was signed, with the event set to return to the streets of Marina Bay from Sep 30 to Oct 2, 2022, after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248640-will-the-tourism-authority-of-thailand-ever-invest-in-formula-one/

Last week a contract for Singapore to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix for another seven years was signed, with the event set to return to the streets of Marina Bay from Sep 30 to Oct 2, 2022, after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Transport Minister and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations in Singapore said, "We have decided to continue hosting the F1 race for another seven years, after thoroughly evaluating the long-term benefits that a term extension could bring to Singapore. "The renewal will help sustain Singapore’s reputation as a global city with a vibrant lifestyle, attracting international visitors as travel rebounds, and generating business revenue and jobs for Singaporeans," he added. The massive TV coverage that Singapore receives is enormous and their government feels it is worth it for increasing the profile of the country and attracts big dollars not only during the race weekend but also throughout the year. Although Vietnam got as far as building a street track in Hanoi, due to Covid the launch in 2020 was cancelled and now the government and sponsors are not currently in touch with Liberty the F1 organisers. Thailand Grand Prix As an F1 fan, I would love to actually go to a race in the Land of the Smiles. Bangkok has to be favorite as a venue, as it not only has the infrastructure to support the F1 circus and the thousands of fans, but it would look great on TV too. Some could also argue that Pattaya with its planned high-speed trains and family friendly attractions could also put in a bid. I am sure the mechanics would love Walking Street. Certainly, the first Moto GP in Buriram was a massive success and the riders even voted it the best circuit that year. The Singapore Grand Prix night race was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 after it was scheduled as part of the Formula 1 race calendar. The Singapore Transport Minister added, “I think we all recognise that events, such as the Formula 1, generate significant economic benefits and global branding value for Singapore. They invigorate Singapore's events calendar; they build our international demand and support job creation of businesses." Therefore, instead of spending government funds on creating more expressways across Thailand, they should also embrace the economic and PR benefits and put their money into inviting Liberty, to seriously consider adding another exciting night race in 2024 or 2025. At least the Minister of Transport has enough experience in building fast expressways! Do you think the F1 will ever come to Thailand and if so where is the best place to build the circuit? -- © 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

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 1 Feb 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1248639-thailand-live-tuesday-1-feb-2022/

Krabi refuses permit to shoot “Meg 2” movie on its beaches in April and May The Joint Public-Private Sectors Committee of Thailand’ssouthern province of Krabi has rejected a request from a foreign film maker to use the sea and some beaches in the province as locations for the film Meg 2, between April 16thand May 9th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248624-krabi-refuses-permit-to-shoot-“meg-2”-movie-on-its-beaches-in-april-and-may/

Prominent Pattaya tourism business operators scheduled to perform ‘roadshow’ in Saudi Arabia The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is aiming for tourism business operators in Pattaya to perform a roadshow during upcoming ministers’ visits to Saudi Arabia to promote tourism and strengthen relations between the two countries, following the Prime Minister’s agenda. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248607-prominent-pattaya-tourism-business-operators-scheduled-to-perform-‘roadshow’-in-saudi-arabia-to-promote-tourism-following-thai-pm’s-plan/

Tourism Authority of Thailand and dozens of Chonburi entertainment and tourism business operators hold major meeting around legally reopening the nightlife sector Chonburi – TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn is planning to introduce entertainment venues in Chonburi, especially Pattaya, officially as the 11th type of business eligible for a SHA+ (Safety and Health Administration) qualification, aiming to boost the city as a ‘SHA+ City’ and a trial zone for the LEGAL reopening of the nightlife industry, which in Pattaya is considered critical to the local economy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248585-tourism-authority-of-thailand-and-dozens-of-chonburi-entertainment-and-tourism-business-operators-hold-major-meeting-around-legally-reopening-the-nightlife-sector/

Chonburi – TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn is planning to introduce entertainment venues in Chonburi, especially Pattaya, officially as the 11th type of business eligible for a SHA+ (Safety and Health Administration) qualification, aiming to boost the city as a ‘SHA+ City’ and a trial zone for the LEGAL reopening of the nightlife industry, which in Pattaya is considered critical to the local economy. This would, in essence, allow the legal opening of bars, nightclubs, pubs, karaoke, gogos, and similar venues that have technically been closed nationwide by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) since April 10th of 2021 for “Covid-19” measures. The venues have been allowed since mid-December of 2021 to open as “restaurants” temporarily with certain rules and certifications but this was always intended to be a temporary measure and entertainment business owners are now calling for legal opening. Critics of the current “restaurant” program claim it is confusing to customers and some on social media have claimed the entire thing is essentially a giant charade or “dog and pony show”. Some critics have also said the current “grey” status of nightlife and bars only encourages corruption and rule-breaking. The Governor chaired a meeting yesterday afternoon in Pattaya at a major hotel with dozens of local tourism associations, business owners, and clubs under a single umbrella group called ‘One Voice’ yesterday, January 30th, to seek solutions for potential legal reopening for entertainment business operators in the tourism industry in Pattaya and Chonburi. The meeting urged the government’s consideration of including entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, karaoke lounges, nightclubs, etc. in the SHA+ qualification as the venues were also considered a part of the tourism industry. In Pattaya, according to the One Voice group, the entertainment sector is considered a “magnet” attraction, meaning that it draws the majority of visitors to the city who then spend money at numerous other businesses and sectors not connected to the nightlife industry. Pattaya depends on tourism, much of it driven by nightlife, for an estimated 80-85 percent of its GDP according to Pattaya City leaders. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/31/tourism-authority-of-thailand-and-dozens-of-chonburi-entertainment-and-tourism-business-operators-hold-major-meeting-around-legally-reopening-the-nightlife-sector/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-31 - 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

15-year-old boy dies, 13-year-old boy seriously injured after pickup truck collides with motorbike in Chonburi By Goong Nang(GN) PHOTO: Wisarn Sangjaroen / Top News Chonburi – A 15-year-old boy has died while a 13-year-old boy has sustained severe injuries after a pickup truck collided with their motorbike in the Phan Thong district over the past weekend. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248579-15-year-old-boy-dies-13-year-old-boy-seriously-injured-after-pickup-truck-collides-with-motorbike-in-chonburi/

PHOTO: Wisarn Sangjaroen / Top News By Goong Nang(GN) Chonburi – A 15-year-old boy has died while a 13-year-old boy has sustained severe injuries after a pickup truck collided with their motorbike in the Phan Thong district over the past weekend. Emergency responders were notified of the accident on the Phan Thong – Ban Bueng Road in the Nong Hong sub-district. First responders arrived at the scene to find the 13-year-old boy and 15-year-old boy lying on the road. They had both sustained severe injuries. The 15-year-old-teenager was later pronounced dead at the scene by medical teams. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/31/15-year-old-boy-dies-13-year-old-boy-seriously-injured-after-pickup-truck-collides-with-motorbike-in-chonburi/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-31 - 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

Full premium refund option proposed by two ailing insurance companies The Southeast Life Insurance and Thai Insurance companies have offered to repay full insurance premium to those customers who have not claimed compensation for COVID-19 infections, before the two firms cease operations. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248577-full-premium-refund-option-proposed-by-two-ailing-insurance-companies/