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Thailand reports 8,450 new COVID-19 cases, 28 deaths, 7,484 recoveries File photo Thailand on Friday (January 28) reported 8,450 new COVID-19 cases, 7,484 recoveries and 28 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248296-thailand-reports-8450-new-covid-19-cases-28-deaths-7484-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Friday (January 28) reported 8,450 new COVID-19 cases, 7,484 recoveries and 28 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 8,239. Prisons: 211 ▶︎ Recoveries: 7,484 Friday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,415,472 with 22,126 deaths. The news comes as Thailand’s National Communicable Disease Committee has agreed on the conditions which must be met for COVID-19 to be categorised as endemic disease in Thailand, said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thursday. To meet the criteria, new COVID-19 infections must not exceed 10,000 a day, the mortality rate must be less than 0.1% of the infection rate, the hospitalisation must less than 10% of the infection rate and more than 80% those at high risk of developing serious symptoms must have received at least two doses of vaccine and the general population must have developed sufficient immunity. *Thai PBS contributed to this report Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-28 - 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

Fraudsters preying on foreign tourists steal 18 million in swipe card caper Picture: Daily News Top cop Lt-Gen Jiraphop Phuridech sent in an investigation team from the Economic Crime Division after complaints from a commercial bank that customers had been swindled out of 18 million baht in a credit card swipe gang fraud. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248293-fraudsters-preying-on-foreign-tourists-steal-18-million-in-swipe-card-caper/

Picture: Daily News Top cop Lt-Gen Jiraphop Phuridech sent in an investigation team from the Economic Crime Division after complaints from a commercial bank that customers had been swindled out of 18 million baht in a credit card swipe gang fraud. Raids in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Sa Kaeo resulted in the arrest of four women - Nitaya, 40, Chanita, 57, Natthanon, 36 and Reuthai, 39 - and a man called Phaiboon, aged 46. They were using a deserted hotel in Sa Kaeo as a front and a base for stealing customer credit card data and passport numbers and swiping the details using an EDC - Electronic Data Capture machine. Investigators found that the Thippra Hotel on Tessaban 12 Road had been shut since February 2019. Picture: Daily News Tourists from many foreign countries as well as Thais were defrauded, reported Daily News yesterday. They reported that from May to June last year the EDC machines were used 149 times in transactions to fool the bank. Two of those machines, 20 bank books, seven phones and piles of other evidence was gathered by the ECD police. The inquiry is being expanded to find all those behind it. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-28 - 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

BJT's Suphachai dispels rumors of fees to grow marijuana at home Picture: Daily News Bhumjaithai party's Suphachai Jaisamut went on his personal Facebook page to attempt to quash rumors that people would have to pay hefty fees to grow marijuana at home. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248288-bjts-suphachai-dispels-rumors-of-fees-to-grow marijuana-at-home/

Picture: Daily News Bhumjaithai party's Suphachai Jaisamut went on his personal Facebook page to attempt to quash rumors that people would have to pay hefty fees to grow marijuana at home. But his comments can be seen in the light of political posturing, suggests ASEAN NOW. He said that reports by some people as law changes were being finalised that householders would have to pay 10,000 or even 100,000 baht are baseless. He reiterated that people will be able to grown marijuana and hemp freely without fees for their economic benefit. Only those growing commercially on, say, 10 rai of land for purposes of extraction and export will need to pay any fees. He claimed that Article 16 was clear and that growing the plant for putting in food, medicinal reasons and to alleviate symptoms of health conditions was all fine. It should be noted that no mention was made of smoking the plant or its recreational use as a drug, notes ASEAN NOW. Thai English language print media still carries a headline on a story "Pot Smokers told to Hang Fire" - this may be misleading people into believing they will be able to consume it as a drug shortly. ASEAN NOW cautions readers in this regard. Suphachai is also the deputy chair of a house committee looking into the rule changes. And as registrar of BJT he is speaking from a political standpoint after his party rose to power on legalizing marijuana that was a key manifesto strategy. Daily News' article that it is "free for all" may be true financially but the police may have a say if growers start using THC - the drug in the plant - which is still against the law in quantities that would make a user stoned (above 0.2%). Interestingly though, Suphachai ended his Facebook post with a hashtag #kheun ganja hai prachachon. # returning marijuana to the people. Exactly what that means still remains to be seen. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-28 - 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

Video: Carnage in downtown Bangkok - Merc Benz goes through red light - two cars overturn Picture: Naew Na A video posted to the FM91 page yesterday showed the moment when a white Honda was turning into offices at Chulalongkorn University off Phayathai Road in downtown Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248284-video-carnage-in-downtown-bangkok-merc-benz-goes-through-red-light-two-cars-overturn/

Picture: Naew Na A video posted to the FM91 page yesterday showed the moment when a white Honda was turning into offices at Chulalongkorn University off Phayathai Road in downtown Bangkok. The driver hesitates as a black Mercedes Benz comes down the road at speed and there is a collision. Both cars overturned. Picture: Naew Na Naew Na reported that the Benz went through a red light. It was broad daylight - 10.04 am. Picture: Naew Na The Benz was being driven by a man called Phuri and the Honda by a woman called Krajangsri. No other details such as potential injuries were given. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-28 - 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

Prayut to find Thai workers to fill Saudi labour shortage By Erich Parpart Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha instructed related agencies to find Thai workers willing to work in Saudi Arabia within two months to quickly enhance labour cooperation between the two kingdoms. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248282-prayut-to-find-thai-workers-to-fill-saudi-labour-shortage/

By Erich Parpart Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha instructed related agencies to find Thai workers willing to work in Saudi Arabia within two months to quickly enhance labour cooperation between the two kingdoms. “The prime minister emphasized that the recruitment must be done immediately and tangibly within two months to provide opportunities for skilled Thai people,” said Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the government spokesman told reporters on Thursday. “This success from the discussion with Saudi Arabia was historical and it was not because of luck but because of all the efforts of the Thai government put in over the past six years and the government is confident that there will continuously be cooperation in other areas,” he said. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37017/prayut-to-find-millions-of-thai-workers-to-fill-saudi-labour-shortage/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-01-28 - 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

Three people on motorbike sidecar seriously injured after colliding with a pickup truck in Banglamung, truck driver flees By Goong Nang(GN) PHOTO: Sophon Cable TV (STV) Banglamung – Three people have sustained injuries after their motorbike sidecar crashed into a pickup truck, whose driver later sped away, in Banglamung January 26th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248281-three-people-on-motorbike-sidecar-seriously-injured-after-colliding-with-a-pickup-truck-in-banglamung-truck-driver-flees/

PHOTO: Sophon Cable TV (STV) By Goong Nang(GN) Banglamung – Three people have sustained injuries after their motorbike sidecar crashed into a pickup truck, whose driver later sped away, in Banglamung January 26th. Emergency responders were notified of the accident near the entrance of the Soi Boon Sampan Temple in Nongprue. The first response teams arrived at the scene to find a heavily damaged motorbike sidecar lying on the road. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/27/three-people-on-motorbike-sidecar-seriously-injured-after-colliding-with-a-pickup-truck-in-banglamung-truck-driver-flees/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-28 - 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

Pattaya tourism businesses and hospitals preparing for Sandbox and Test & Go; developing plan for “Hotel Isolation” for mild Covid positive patients By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – Pattaya tourism businesses and hospitals are preparing for hopefully more international foreign tourists from the resuming Sandbox and Test & Go scheme on February 1st. However, they are also preparing for the eventuality that at least some will be positive for Covid-19. The current goal is to make this process as smooth as possible and not “force” tourists to expensive hospitals or undesirable quarantine centers if the patient is not seriously ill. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248280-pattaya-tourism-businesses-and-hospitals-preparing-for-sandbox-and-test-go-developing-plan-for-“hotel-isolation”-for-mild-covid-positive-patients/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – Pattaya tourism businesses and hospitals are preparing for hopefully more international foreign tourists from the resuming Sandbox and Test & Go scheme on February 1st. However, they are also preparing for the eventuality that at least some will be positive for Covid-19. The current goal is to make this process as smooth as possible and not “force” tourists to expensive hospitals or undesirable quarantine centers if the patient is not seriously ill. First, as a reference to the program: The CCSA agreed to reimplement the “Test&Go” scheme for vaccinated international arrivals under nearly quarantine-free conditions. Two RT-PCR tests are required on Day 1 and Day 5 of the arrival. Travelers must stay at SHA+ hotels while waiting for the PCR results. Now, the update: A meeting was held at the Pattaya City Hall and was led by the director of Chonburi Tourism and Sports Mrs. Ampai Sakdanukulchit Sliwinski and Pattaya area tourism business operators. Mrs. Ampai told TPN media, “We are seeking the best way to assist international tourists who arrive in Pattaya and Chonburi area if their Covid-19 test was positive with mild or asymptomatic symptoms. We understand one of the biggest “fears” of tourists is testing positive and potentially being forced into places (hospitals, quarantine centers, etc) that they don’t wish to go to, especially being fully vaccinated and having mild symptoms or less.” “There are 267 hotels in Chonburi with an SHA (Safety and Health Administration) certificate (Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration) and 177 hotels with SHA Extra Plus. Most SHA Extra Plus hotels are in the Pattaya area. The extra plus means the hotel has a partnership with a local hospital in terms of handling Covid-19 positive patients. Under the new rules, tourists MUST stay at an extra+ hotel for their Day One and Day Five testing.” Ampai explained. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/27/pattaya-tourism-businesses-and-hospitals-preparing-for-sandbox-and-test-developing-plan-for-hotel-isolation-for-mild-covid-positive-patients/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-28 - 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

Palang Pracharat party’s deputy leader Santi Promphat named new secretary-general Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, in his capacity as leader of the ruling Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP), has signed an order appointing Santi Promphat, a deputy leader, as the party’s new secretary-general, succeeding Thammanat Prompao, who was recently sacked, along with 20 other MPs, for making, what the party considered were, “unacceptable” demands. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248279-palang-pracharat-party’s-deputy-leader-santi-promphat-named-new-secretary-general/

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, in his capacity as leader of the ruling Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP), has signed an order appointing Santi Promphat, a deputy leader, as the party’s new secretary-general, succeeding Thammanat Prompao, who was recently sacked, along with 20 other MPs, for making, what the party considered were, “unacceptable” demands. Santi, who is also the deputy finance minister, will remain in his new position until there is a general election. He was with the Pheu Thai Party before the 2019 general elections and was reportedly close to Thammanat, a highly controversial politician who was convicted of a drug offence in Australia in the 1990’s but managed to rise to power in the second Prayut Chan-o-cha administration, before Thammanat’s fallout with Prayut and the rest of PPRP. Party-list MP Surasit Nitivutvorrarak has been appointed the party’s registrar, to fill the vacant post. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/palang-pracharat-partys-deputy-leader-santi-promphat-named-new-secretary-general/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-28 - 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

UPDATE: Criteria approved for declaration of COVID-19 as an endemic disease in Thailand Photo: The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Thailand’s National Communicable Disease Committee has agreed on the conditions which must be met for COVID-19 to be categorised as endemic disease in Thailand, said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thursday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248263-thailand-expects-endemic-covid-19/?do=findComment&comment=17148644

Criteria approved for declaration of COVID-19 as an endemic disease in Thailand Photo: The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Thailand’s National Communicable Disease Committee has agreed on the conditions which must be met for COVID-19 to be categorised as endemic disease in Thailand, said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thursday. To meet the criteria, new COVID-19 infections must not exceed 10,000 a day, the mortality rate must be less than 0.1% of the infection rate, the hospitalisation must less than 10% of the infection rate and more than 80% those at high risk of developing serious symptoms must have received at least two doses of vaccine and the general population must have developed sufficient immunity. If such conditions are met at an appropriate time, he said the Public Health Ministry will update the public. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/criteria-approved-for-declaration-of-covid-19-as-an-endemic-disease-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-28 - 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

More than 300 students at Ratchaburi boarding school catch COVID-19 More than 300 female students attending a boarding school, in the Pak Tho district of Thailand’s Ratchaburi province, have been found to be infected with COVID-19, but none are in serious condition, according to the Facebook page of the Dhammajarinee Witthaya School. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248278-more-than-300-students-at-ratchaburi-boarding-school-catch-covid-19/

More than 300 female students attending a boarding school, in the Pak Tho district of Thailand’s Ratchaburi province, have been found to be infected with COVID-19, but none are in serious condition, according to the Facebook page of the Dhammajarinee Witthaya School. The provincial health chief, Dr. Pajaree Areerop, attributed the cluster of infections to the fact that the school allowed several students to go back home during the long New Year holidays. Upon return to the school, rapid antigen tests were conducted between January 14th and 16th and they all tested negative. A second test, conducted seven days later, produced positive results in 120 students. The provincial health office was notified of the findings on Monday. All infected students were sent to Pak Tho Hospital for RT-PCR tests, which confirmed 74 positive results. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/more-than-300-students-at-ratchaburi-boarding-school-catch-covid-19/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-28 - 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

Ailing Thai insurance company confirms it is still operating A major insurance company struggling with massive losses over COVID-19 compensations clarified today (Thursday) that it is still operating as usual, amid widespread concern among its clients, but insisted that its recent decision to voluntarily cease trading and return its license is the best option under which all the insured will get their entitlements. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248277-ailing-thai-insurance-company-confirms-it-is-still-operating/

A major insurance company struggling with massive losses over COVID-19 compensations clarified today (Thursday) that it is still operating as usual, amid widespread concern among its clients, but insisted that its recent decision to voluntarily cease trading and return its license is the best option under which all the insured will get their entitlements. Southeast Life Insurance Company’s clarification letter was issued after Thailand’s Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) said that the company is not yet legally dissolved, as it needs to obtain a permission first and meet various conditions. The company said that its capital adequacy ratio is 170%, which is above the required limit, and it has sufficient liquidity to pay compensation and reimburse all the insured and their beneficiaries, its own staff and its business allies. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/ailing-thai-insurance-company-confirms-it-is-still-operating/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-28 - 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

Eighty percent agreed it is not worth traveling outside Thailand now It appears readers of ASEAN NOW universally agreed it was not worth the hassle to travel outside Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248276-eighty-percent-agreed-it-is-not-worth-traveling-outside-thailand-now/

It appears readers of ASEAN NOW universally agreed it was not worth the hassle to travel outside Thailand. Although there were a few hardy travellers planning trips, the vast majority agreed with the topic’s message. So far over 10,000 viewed the post and over two hundred replied. The figures from our Facebook were also massive. So, we have selected a few comments that sum up the general feeling regarding international travel. Viewers comments No, it is not worth travelling anywhere right now unless you really have to. For people like me at 88 years of age, insurance which is required to return to Thailand is impossible to get. My days of visiting my family around the world are over. It sounds dramatic but we are trapped here unless we are prepared to leave our wives and loved ones forever. I am certainly not. I have not left the LoS for 15 months and will not do so anytime soon. Sky-high airfares, tedious quarantines, and a huge hassle if you test positive and cannot travel are major deterrents. For me personally, no way! Too many ifs, too much uncertainty, too many unknowns, too much paperwork, and testing. I am staying put. If you like endless red tape. Have loads of excess cash to burn. Have plenty of free time on your hands in case of lockdowns. Are not interested in drinking in bars or restaurants. And your favorite pastime is sticking cotton buds up your nose then it is probably worth it... I have not sat on a plane since Nov 2019 and written this year off as well. It is hard having not yet seen one grandchild or watched the others grow up and maintain a bond but that is the nature of the beast. No trust in the Govt. here with the moving goalposts and confusion but not much better in Australia. If it were not for the fact that we are getting older and do not know how many more trips we might have left, we would not go but... In April we are having a bit of a family reunion with family members coming together for Easter from four different countries. We have not seen each other for over two years, and enough is enough, none of us is getting any younger, my older brother is seventy-five, how many more summers together do we have left? We plan to stay in Greece until August, by that time hopefully this covid restrictions in Thailand will be settled, while there we will look into changing our base to Greece. Much as I would like to go home for a month or so to visit family and friends, there is no way I will be going anywhere while this pandemic is still controlling government actions. The hoops to jump through, the costs for tests and finding flights, all the while hoping you will be able to get back in again, but never really sure you actually can combine to make it not viable. I have given up on the idea of traveling anywhere in, or especially out of, Thailand. Thailand changes the rules every 5 minutes so no it is not worth the risk. The world will still be there from 2023 onwards. I travel for fun, and this is not fun! I will not travel until all restrictions are removed. Worrying about what the flip-flop Thai government is going to do is far too stressful. The Thai government cannot be trusted to make a good decision. Caveat emptor ... "let the traveler beware". I am planning to visit my family in the UK in July. But I will not be booking anything until the last minute. Too much chance of another variant sending the world into mass hysteria again. Best to wait and see the situation a few days before the trip and then decide whether to go or not. I work here so the last thing I need is to get locked out due to some new strain while I am overseas. IMHO we are over the worst of it now and things will get easier from here on, but I am not prepared to put several thousands of pounds on it by booking now and then sweating on it for 6 months. I have just returned to Thailand following a 6-month stay in the USA. I left to ensure that I received my vaccinations (I am now fully vaccinated and have my booster). I had tried to get back earlier but had trouble finding medical insurance, as I am over seventy-five. I had intended to move back to the USA in October of this year, but due to the continuing unknown situation here in Thailand, I have decided to permanently move back to the USA within the next 60 days. Traveling inside and, especially, outside of Thailand will continue to be problematical, so there is no reason to stay here any longer. I love you, Thailand, but after 22 years it is time to go home! Conclusion Firstly, a big thank you to all of you who spent time responding. Apart from the hassles and travel costs, one major concern for many older expats was the ongoing concern of having suitable insurance to re-enter back into Thailand. Health insurance is already extremely expensive, especially if you are over 70 years old, and they still come with no cover for preconditions. Then if you need to upgrade the policy to meet any new government regulations, there is always the worry, that they may refuse due to your age. It is a concern for many, and the only people left smiling is likely to be your insurance broker! Seems the best bet for the moment is to enjoy the empty beaches and golf courses across Thailand before the international vacationers return. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-28 - 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 Friday 28 Jan 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1248275-thailand-live-friday-28-jan-2022/