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Cannabis, hemp removed from narcotics list BANGKOK (NNT) - The government of Thailand has officially legalized cannabis and hemp through the removal of these plans from the national narcotics list. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248094-cannabis-hemp-removed-from-narcotics-list/

Hundreds of thousand litres of crude oil leaks in Gulf of Thailand, clean up operations underway Teams from the departments of Pollution Control, Marine and Marine and Coastal Resources have been sent to the Gulf of Thailand, off the coast of the eastern province of Rayong, to contain a massive amount of oil which spilled from an oil pipeline last night (Tuesday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248092-hundreds-of-thousand-litres-of-crude-oil-leaks-in-gulf-of-thailand-clean-up-operations-underway/

Virology expert says cross-vaccination in booster dose produces very high immunity against Covid BANGKOK (NNT) - With the two-dose regimen for vaccination against COVID-19 deemed as no longer offering an adequate level of protection against the disease, Thai health authorities are ramping up the administering of the booster or third dose. Meanwhile, Thailand’s top virologist has indicated that cross-vaccination produces very high immunity in inoculated individuals. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248093-virology-expert-says-cross-vaccination-in-booster-dose-produces-very-high-immunity-against-covid/

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Udon Thani’s zebra crossings get makeover following Bangkok’s fatal accident The north-eastern province of Udon Thani is improving their zebra crossings near schools and hospitals, to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers following a high-profile fatal accident in Bangkok that left a pedestrian crossing the road dead. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248077-udon-thani’s-zebra-crossings-get-makeover-following-bangkok’s-fatal-accident/

The north-eastern province of Udon Thani is improving their zebra crossings near schools and hospitals, to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers following a high-profile fatal accident in Bangkok that left a pedestrian crossing the road dead. Udon Thani’s Mayor Thanadorn Phuttharak revealed that the province is improving their pedestrian crossings to prevent accidents. He explained that they adopted ideas from Pattaya’s zebra crossings. Moreover, more CCTV cameras are being installed at pedestrian crossings to monitor those who break the traffic laws. The mayor also said that car accidents occur often in front of Udonpittayanukool School, so the pedestrian crossing has been redesigned to make it “oversized”, with clearer white lines and bigger blue blocks to make it much more visible for drivers. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/udon-thanis-zebra-crossings-get-makeover-following-bangkoks-fatal-accident/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-26 - 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

Chicken Included on Price Control List By Paphamon Arayasukawat BANGKOK (NNT) -The Cabinet approved a proposal to include chickens and chicken meat in the state price control list along with tougher measures for chicken farmers, slaughterhouses and chicken feed factories. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248074-chicken-included-on-price-control-list/

By Paphamon Arayasukawat BANGKOK (NNT) -The Cabinet approved a proposal to include chickens and chicken meat in the state price control list along with tougher measures for chicken farmers, slaughterhouses and chicken feed factories. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ratchada Dhnadirek said the inclusion of chickens and chicken meat on the state price control list is aimed at alleviating people’s hardships due to soaring food prices. The price control list primarily controls the price of essential items for daily use such as food, consumer products, agricultural products, construction materials, paper, petroleum and medicines. Foods on the list include garlic, rice paddy, milled rice, corn, eggs, cassava, wheat flour, powdered/fresh milk, sugar, vegetable/animal oil and pork. Listed services meanwhile include delivery for online businesses, agriculture-related services, medical services and other healthcare services, along with payment services at service points. In order to alleviate the rising cost of living, the Cabinet allocated 1.48 billion baht from the central budget as proposed by the Commerce Ministry to fund relief measures for consumers for 3 months. Ratchada said the Cabinet also approved measures for chicken farmers with more than 100,000 birds and chicken slaughterhouses with a capacity of over 4,000 chickens daily to report their quantity, stocks and sales every month. In addition, the Cabinet approved tighter measures at all 55 domestic feed factories, demanding that they report on sales costs, production volume and stocks. Factories must also ask for approval from the Department of Internal Trade before they raise their product prices. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-26 - 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

PM Asks Public To Report Dubious Content By Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - Fake news and rumors about the current situation of COVID-19 have the potential to cause confusion among the public, and the prime minister is now urging people to stop sharing fake news and to report them so that facts are discerned from fiction. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248071-pm-asks-public-to-report-dubious-content/

By Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - Fake news and rumors about the current situation of COVID-19 have the potential to cause confusion among the public, and the prime minister is now urging people to stop sharing fake news and to report them so that facts are discerned from fiction. Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha has relayed his concern on the matter through Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, who disclosed that the DES Ministry’s Anti-Fake News Center sifted through about 11 million potential fake news messages during January 14 and 20. 231 messages carrying 116 unique contents necessitated inspection. 21 of the content sets were related to Covid, and 30 of the 66 content sets inspected so far proved to be factual news. Mr. Thanakorn said the Anti-Fake News Center’s awareness promotion drive has resulted in more people being conscious of fake news on social media and more reporting of fake news to the center. As a result, the ratio of real news to fake news has increased. According to the spokesman, there remain groups that endeavor to sow confusion by propagating fake news daily. The fake news is aimed at sowing misunderstanding on various issues, while the number of COVID-19-related fake news reported to the monitoring center has clearly increased. Mr. Thanakorn asks that people thoroughly assess information acquired on social media before sharing them, and report dubious content to the Anti-Fake News Center in order for its factuality to be verified by the respective competent agency. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-26 - 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

Cannabis legalization for medical purposes: Health Minister By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health said the legalization of cannabis and hemp is to enable the use of these plants for health and medical purposes, rather than recreational consumption. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248068-cannabis-legalization-for-medical-purposes-health-minister/

By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health said the legalization of cannabis and hemp is to enable the use of these plants for health and medical purposes, rather than recreational consumption. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul has provided the latest update on the legalization of cannabis and hemp, saying all the necessary processes have been performed by the Ministry of Public Health, with further consideration needed from the Narcotics Control Board. He said the legalizing of these plants is focused on health and medical implementations rather than recreational use, while the import of cannabis plants remains illegal, except for cannabis seeds. The bill that regulates cannabis and hemp proposed by the Food and Drug Administration clearly prohibits recreational use of these plants, he noted. He also asked relevant officials to prevent the abuse of cannabis, possibly with a rollout of THC measuring devices. Any products that contain more than 0.2% of THC compound is considered illegal. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-26 - 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

CCSA Says Covid Vaccines Remain Key Factor in Reducing Disease Severity By Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - The number of new COVID-19 infections today (25 Jan) dropped slightly from yesterday’s number, but new infection clusters – such as one at a boxing gym in Bangkok – are still being detected. Meanwhile, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is asserting that vaccines remain a key factor in reducing the severity of Covid symptoms. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248067-ccsa-says-covid-vaccines-remain-key-factor-in-reducing-disease-severity/

By Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - The number of new COVID-19 infections today (25 Jan) dropped slightly from yesterday’s number, but new infection clusters – such as one at a boxing gym in Bangkok – are still being detected. Meanwhile, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is asserting that vaccines remain a key factor in reducing the severity of Covid symptoms. Disease prevention measures imposed immediately after the New Year’s period have been credited for changing the direction of the infections graph to a downward course, which reflects the unchanging numbers of new infections at present. The line representing the number of deaths from COVID-19 remains below that which represents outbreaks, as the death rate continues to decrease in line with what has been observed globally despite an increase in infection numbers worldwide. Citing this development, health authorities have reasserted that getting vaccinated and getting the booster dose is crucial in preventing deaths and severe symptoms. Thailand has administered 112,759,859 doses of Covid vaccines so far. In Bangkok, where the daily infection numbers have heightened recently, proactive operations teams have been dispatched from the Department of Disease Control and have discovered several infection clusters. One recently found cluster is situated in a boxing gym in Bangkok Noi district, where 11 new patients have been confirmed. The CCSA explained that actions that exposed people in this cluster to Covid risk include eating together, drinking from the same cup, the absence of a disease screening point, and a lack of alcohol gel spots. The CCSA has also announced that the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5-11 years will commence with the vaccination of children with 7 chronic diseases who are at heightened risk of developing severe symptoms from COVID-19. The subsequent batch of the Pfizer vaccine to arrive from abroad will be distributed to every province and administered to children at the elementary 6 school level. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul has inspected a Covid vaccination center inside MBK shopping center in Bangkok, which has been administering the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines as booster doses to employees inside the mall. The Ministry of Public Health has been accelerating its booster dose campaign in hopes of achieving greater coverage. Mr. Anutin said the optimal time gap between the 3rd and 4th doses of vaccine for individuals at heightened risk of contracting Covid is now being determined by the Department of Disease Control. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-26 - 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 Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

Dead elephant in Phetchaburi had been shot 126 times - park chief calls on public to stop shooting A meeting was held at the Kaeng Krachan police station yesterday chaired by Phetchaburi provincial police chief Pol Maj-Gen Uthai Kawindechathorn. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248065-dead-elephant-in-phetchaburi-had-been-shot-126-times-park-chief-calls-on-public-to-stop-shooting/

A meeting was held at the Kaeng Krachan police station yesterday chaired by Phetchaburi provincial police chief Pol Maj-Gen Uthai Kawindechathorn. This followed the death of a 60 year old elephant. "Duan" or "Khun Poo Pala-U", a 5000 - 6000 kilogram pachyderm, was found in grassland in Padeng sub-district on Saturday morning. Vets reported that the elephant succumbed to sepsis. But it was discovered that over time he had been shot 126 times, reported 77kaoded. Vets said that elephants who had been shot didn't die straight away but suffered a slow agonising death from infections. Kaeng Krachan park chief Itthiphol Thaikamol said that when elephants escape from the confines of the park the public should call them to deal with it and not take matters into their own hands. And they should never shoot the animals to chase them away. It is illegal and punishable under the law. He promised liaison between the authorities and farmers and the other public in the area to mitigate the effects of encroachment by the 180 wild elephants in the park. Meanwhile area chiefs have called for the projectiles in the dead elephant to be examined to see who might have been responsible for shooting him. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-26 - 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

Opinion: Better road safety in Thailand begins and ends with better education By Thai Enquirer When I first became a driving instructor in the UK in 1989, I read a statement in an advanced driving magazine. That statement is still relevant today – ‘’There is only one thing worse than a bad driver, and that is a bad driver that believes he is a good driver.’’ And why not? After all he or she has passed the driving test. The driving test is, or at least should be a certificate of competence awarded by a government agency authorising the driver to drive on the roads. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248059-opinion-better-road-safety-in-thailand-begins-and-ends-with-better-education/

By Thai Enquirer When I first became a driving instructor in the UK in 1989, I read a statement in an advanced driving magazine. That statement is still relevant today – ‘’There is only one thing worse than a bad driver, and that is a bad driver that believes he is a good driver.’’ And why not? After all he or she has passed the driving test. The driving test is, or at least should be a certificate of competence awarded by a government agency authorising the driver to drive on the roads. However, there is much more to road safety than driver training. Much is made of speed when reporting road traffic incidents but speed is only a contributing factor. The real issue is hazard perception. As hazard perception is neither trained or tested, the Thai driving test does not serve the purpose of intent and is therefore not fit for purpose. So, how do we measure success in road safety? To do this we have to look at the countries that lead the world in road safety. These are known as the SUN countries; Sweden, UK and The Netherlands. The success is based upon the 5 E’s; Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Evaluation and Emergency. Some countries do well in some or even most of these but the chemistry of combining and connecting all is beyond them. Thailand is weak in all Five. Education: This isn’t just learning to drive, theory and practical, it begins when the child first travels in a car and is put in a suitable child seat with a proper restraint. It is a near impossible task to ask a teenager to wear a seatbelt when he or she has sat in a car for 16 plus years watching parents driving without one. A few years ago, I gave a lift to a teacher. He sat in the back of my car. I asked him to put his seatbelt in. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/36933/opinion-better-road-safety-in-thailand-begins-and-ends-with-better-education/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-01-26 - 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

Chinese New Year celebrations in Bangkok must follow strict Covid-19 protocols Picture: INN The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration stressed at a meeting yesterday that Chinese New Year celebrations in the Thai capital must follow strict Covid Free Setting protocols. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248056-chinese-new-year-celebrations-in-bangkok-must-follow-strict-covid-19-protocols/

Picture: INN The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration stressed at a meeting yesterday that Chinese New Year celebrations in the Thai capital must follow strict Covid Free Setting protocols. The meeting was chaired by deputy governor Pol Lt-Gen Sophon Phisutthiwong, reported INN. Restaurants, markets, shrines and gatherings will all be subject to the protocols. Families have been told to take all possible measures to protect themselves during the festival. What Thais call "trut jeen" is celebrated this year from this Friday to next Thursday. The warning comes as Bangkok had more than 1,000 Covid cases for the sixth consecutive day and two more deaths. The meeting heard that 237,543 ATK tests had been carried out discovering 11,064 cases. No timeframe was reported for this. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-26 - 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

UPDATE: Thailand, Saudi Arabia agree to restore diplomatic ties (L) Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (R) Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Thailand and Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume normal diplomatic ties and are ready to begin a new era of bilateral relations, thanks to the joint efforts of Thai and Saudi officials in recent years, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a statement released in Riyadh after his meeting with Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud yesterday (Tuesday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248042-thai-pm-prayuth-in-historic-visit-to-saudi-arabia-after-diplomatic-relations-cut-for-three-decades/?do=findComment&comment=17144394

Thailand, Saudi Arabia agree to restore diplomatic ties (L) Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (R) Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Thailand and Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume normal diplomatic ties and are ready to begin a new era of bilateral relations, thanks to the joint efforts of Thai and Saudi officials in recent years, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a statement released in Riyadh after his meeting with Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud yesterday (Tuesday). Gen. Prayut’s official visit to Saudi Arabia is the highest-level meeting between the two countries in more than 30 years. Diplomatic ties were strain and downgraded following a jewellery theft in Saudi Arabia and the assassinations of Saudi diplomats in Thailand. About $20 million of jewels were stolen by a Thai janitor working in the palace of a Saudi prince in 1989. A year after the theft, three Saudi diplomats seeking the valuables’ return were shot dead in Bangkok. No one was convicted for the killings. Many of the jewels sent back to Riyadh were fake. The priceless 50-carat blue diamond was never recovered. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-saudi-arabia-agree-to-restore-diplomatic-ties/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-26 - 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

Foreigners in Thailand are stressed as conflicting reports state automatic Covid visa extension may be ending File photo for reference only Many expats are finding it hard to get the facts regarding the government’s exact stance on the 60 days Covid extensions. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1248051-foreigners-in-thailand-are-stressed-as-conflicting-reports-state-automatic-covid-visa-extension-may-be-ending/

File photo for reference only Many expats are finding it hard to get the facts regarding the government’s exact stance on the 60 days Covid extensions. According to the Thai Government’s own public relations department’s website, it announced last month that they would extend the current Declaration of an Emergency Situation by an additional two months, beginning December 1, 2021, and ending January 31, 2022. It stated that the government will also add a 60-day extension to the current COVID-19 visa extension scheme, allowing foreign nationals stranded in Thailand to remain in the country on many types of expired visas until January 25, 2022. They stated that the extension will not be applied automatically, and visa holders are recommended to contact the immigration authorities to ensure the extension will be used. More Rumours As you may have seen online and in the newspapers, Immigration offices have been swamped this week by worried expats and foreigners trying to find out what is going on. Now, various media in Thailand have added to this confusion this week, by reporting that while there has been no official announcement from Immigration departments, the exact deadline to apply for the 60-day “Covid” visa extension scheme could be pushed back to March 25. Covid Visa The Covid visa extension scheme was introduced at the start of the pandemic and was intended for foreigners who cannot leave Thailand due to canceled flights, border closures, and travel restrictions. The scheme has been extended numerous times over the past couple of years, with expats and tourists having to find out at the last minute, and in some cases even after the deadline or by a document leaked on social media. I think we all understand the reasons why travel was restricted for so long, and to be honest those staying here on a Covid extension visa knew that eventually one day the system would be stopped. However, for many, what they find extremely hard to take on board is the uncertainty as there is no one official place to find out what is going on. Vietnam’s immigration terms are even tougher Several foreigners stranded in Vietnam because of Covid-19 are also distressed at Vietnam's sudden decision to stop automatic visa extension, requiring them to leave within a week. According to VN Express, on Jan 8, Vietnam's Immigration Department said the automatic extension of visas for foreign nationals stranded in the country due to Covid-19 would end on Jan 15 because the country had resumed regular commercial international flights. But the latest rule has been problematic to many as it came at short notice, especially for people who are stuck here for distinct reasons without money to afford expensive tickets back home. Immigration Centres spreading Omicron Here in Thailand, many are likely to be in the queue this week waiting to see what date will be stamped in their passports. It is confusing, frustrating, and unsafe as to be honest having to queue en masse with the Omicron virus spreading like wildfire it is not a pleasant experience. To help others, if you are at an immigration centre this week, maybe you can share your own observations and what stamp you eventually had in your passport too? -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-26 - 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