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Picture: Siam Rath A 27 year old Thai woman who was hired to mix drinks at a party in a Klong Toei, Bangkok, hotel went with her lawyer to the Klong Tan police after a five month investigation into an alleged rape went cold. The "entertainment" woman said that with two other women she didn't know she was paid 3,500 baht to attend the party with five men on August 13th from 10pm to 4 am next day. Around midnight she said that she was raped by two men called Arthit,36, and Suthon, 37, in the toilets. She reported it on the 17th to the police. Since then the case has gone nowhere. The police claimed that DNA checks on condoms found at the scene did not have the profile of the alleged attackers or the victim, reported Siam Rath. Rape tests at a hospital were also inconclusive. The victim said she was advised to drop the case against the two men. She said that she was not an entertainment woman by trade but worked in a pub. When the pub was closed due to the pandemic she sought alternative employment. The lawyer Bunmee Jomthong presented Line chat evidence and claimed that a friend of the alleged attackers had offered his client 20,000 baht to hush up the matter. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-22 - 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

Fully vaccinated travelers from Thailand and Taiwan exempt from Swedish entry and test requirements by Gregers Møller The Swedish government has decided to revert to the entry restrictions that applied prior to 28 December 2021 with an exemption for fully vaccinated travelers from, amongst other countries, Thailand and Taiwan, the Swedish Ministry of Affairs recently announced. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247656-fully-vaccinated-travelers-from-thailand-and-taiwan-exempt-from-swedish-entry-and-test-requirements/

by Gregers Møller The Swedish government has decided to revert to the entry restrictions that applied prior to 28 December 2021 with an exemption for fully vaccinated travelers from, amongst other countries, Thailand and Taiwan, the Swedish Ministry of Affairs recently announced. In the announcement on 18 January, the Ministry said: The Government has decided to revert to the entry restrictions that applied prior to 28 December 2021. This means that the specific requirement for a negative COVID-19 result from a test conducted within 48 hours of arrival no longer applies. This decision is based on a request from the Public Health Agency of Sweden. The list of countries with approved vaccine certificates has also been expanded. The amendments will enter into force on 21 January. Full story: https://scandasia.com/fully-vaccinated-travelers-from-thailand-and-taiwan-exempt-from-swedish-entry-and-test-requirements/ -- © Copyright ScandAsia 2022-01-22 - 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

Party leader: Thailand could be losing trillions of baht each year because of its gambling laws by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Thai Local Power Party leader and member of the House of Representatives, Chutchawan Kong-u-dom, came out this week, arguing passionately for the liberalisation of Thailand’s gambling laws. He is campaigning for a change to include casinos designed to enhance the foreign tourism trade and usher in a more open regime to include online gambling. Mr Chutchawan said he fears that the kingdom could be losing trillions of baht every year and consequently exporting jobs. In the last week, Mr Chutchawan Kong-u-dom has highlighted the economic imperative of liberalising Thailand’s gambling laws dominated by the 1935 Gambling Act to allow for casinos in selected tourist hubs. He is also calling for an opening up to online gambling saying the kingdom cannot afford to lose financial capital that is flowing out of the country which could amount to trillions of baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247655-party-leader-thailand-could-be-losing-trillions-of-baht-each-year-because-of-its-gambling-laws/

Thai Local Power Party leader and member of the House of Representatives, Chutchawan Kong-u-dom, came out this week, arguing passionately for the liberalisation of Thailand’s gambling laws. He is campaigning for a change to include casinos designed to enhance the foreign tourism trade and usher in a more open regime to include online gambling. Mr Chutchawan said he fears that the kingdom could be losing trillions of baht every year and consequently exporting jobs. by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor In the last week, Mr Chutchawan Kong-u-dom has highlighted the economic imperative of liberalising Thailand’s gambling laws dominated by the 1935 Gambling Act to allow for casinos in selected tourist hubs. He is also calling for an opening up to online gambling saying the kingdom cannot afford to lose financial capital that is flowing out of the country which could amount to trillions of baht. On Thursday, the Royal Thai Police in a raid in central Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area, on two apartments, arrested 10 Chinese nationals operating 6 gambling sites with a turnover of ฿100 million a month although police suggested that these were aimed primarily at the Chinese market. The leader of the small Thai Local Party has emerged as one of the most fervent advocates of movement to shake up the country’s legal provisions on gambling. A high powered committee of the House of Representatives is due to report by the end of March on proposals to legalise the development of high-end casinos in tourist hotspots in a move designed to boost the economy and support foreign tourism. However, Mr Chutchawan Kong-u-dom, a member of the House of Representatives, is also calling for broader legislation on gambling which would allow for the legalisation and regulation of online gambling which he claims could be costing the kingdom trillions of baht per annum in lost revenue. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/01/21/thailand-losing-trillions-over-gambling-ban/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-01-22 - 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 captain sexually assaulted sisters aged 16 and just 12 over a one year period Sanook caption: Policeman rapes children Sanook reported on what they said was yet another case of a Thai policeman raping children. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247654-police-captain-sexually-assaulted-sisters-aged-16-and-just-12-over-a-one-year-period/

Sanook caption: Policeman rapes children Sanook reported on what they said was yet another case of a Thai policeman raping children. In this case the children were sisters aged just 12 and 16. The cop concerned is a police captain who has been suspended and released on bail after being charged. The case came to the attention of Paveena Hongsakul who runs a foundation that bears her name helping women and children victims of crime. The grandmother of the two sisters went to Paveena who contacted social services in Trang and had the sisters taken into care. Paveena also contacted the head of the provincial police Maj-Gen Santhat Winson who has been investigating and interviewing the parties concerned. Sanook reported that the police captain had formed a legitimate relationship in the family with a 20 year old woman. But after a family member was jailed in 2020 in a Ya Ba case he told her that he took pity on a 12 year old daughter of the now convicted woman and suggested they look after her. Within three days the captain was raping her. He also raped her 16 year old sister. Sanook said that sometimes there was a threesome. When the girls could stand the abuse no longer they reported what was going on to their grandmother who went to Paveena. Investigations continue with Paveena taking the matter to the governor of Trang. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-22 - 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

Battle between Thammanat and coalition govt has no losers (except voters): analysts By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk Palang Pracharath Party’s move to expel secretary-general Thammanat Prompao and 20 other MPs under his control is more of a political soap opera than an actual split, analysts say. It’s a win-win game for all involved – while voters get nothing, they add. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247651-battle-between-thammanat-and-coalition-govt-has-no-losers-except-voters-analysts/

By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk Palang Pracharath Party’s move to expel secretary-general Thammanat Prompao and 20 other MPs under his control is more of a political soap opera than an actual split, analysts say. It’s a win-win game for all involved – while voters get nothing, they add. The ruling party on Wednesday (Jan 19) decided to oust Thammanat and his faction, allegedly causing division by demanding a party overhaul. It is believed that Thammanat and his faction wanted the party restructured in a bid to obtain ministerial seats. Now, Thammanat and his 20 cronies have only 30 days to find a new party so they can hang on to their MP status. Thammanat has been at loggerheads with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha since September last year when the then-party secretary-general reportedly plotted to unseat the premier in a censure debate. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/battle-between-thammanat-and-coalition-govt-has-no-losers-except-voters-analysts/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-22 - 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

Livestock authorities in Samut Sakhon seize more than 500 tons of pork without proper certification Daily News caption: 500 tons of pork seized Thailand's livestock authorities continued urgent investigations after reports that unscrupulous companies were hoarding pork in the hope of making vast profits due to a sky-rocketing price. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247649-livestock-authorities-in-samut-sakhon-seize-more-than-500-tons-of-pork-without-proper-certification/

Daily News caption: 500 tons of pork seized Thailand's livestock authorities continued urgent investigations after reports that unscrupulous companies were hoarding pork in the hope of making vast profits due to a sky-rocketing price. Former PM and fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra had claimed this was going on in Thailand in an online message. Two refrigeration storage facilities in Samut Sakhon, south west of the Thai capital Bangkok, were checked. At one there was 929 tons of meat being stored. Meat belonging to two companies amounting to 512 tons was seized by the Livestock Office working with Consumer Protection Division police. The documentation of the meat was not in order; specifically there were no documents pertaining to its onward movement. This could indicate that it was being stored illegally. One batch was registered for storage from September to November. One part of the stock was actually listed as chicken when it was in fact pork, reported Daily News yesterday. The companies were not named. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-22 - 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

Female trucker hits another truck on the motorway and bursts into flames Daily News caption: Truck trailer in flames after collision The carnage continued on Thailand's roads last night when two 18 wheel trucks collided on a section of the Motorway (Route 7) heading towards Pattaya. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247648-female-trucker-hits-another-truck-on-the-motorway and-bursts-into-flames/

Daily News caption: Truck trailer in flames after collision The carnage continued on Thailand's roads last night when two 18 wheel trucks collided on a section of the Motorway (Route 7) heading towards Pattaya. Highway Police 2 (Khao Khiaw) and rescue services found one truck ablaze and an injured woman. She was Suwannadee the driver of the blazing truck who was rushed to Laem Chabang Hospital with serious injuries after she was burned and thrown from her cab, reported Daily News. Picture: Daily News Along the road was a second truck with damage to the rear. Driver Saenthong, 48, said he had stopped to relieve himself and had just got back in his cab when the other truck-trailer slammed into him. Investigations continue. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-22 - 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

Phuket hotel calls 191 after Estonian tourist with Covid leaves with her husband to Koh Samui Picture: Daily Nes Daily News reported that the Ban Yindee Boutique Resort in Patong, Phuket called the Thai emergency number 191 to report that an Estonian woman with Covid-19 had left with her husband and two other tourists bound for Koh Samui. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247646-phuket-hotel-calls-191-after-estonian-tourist-with-covid-leaves-with-her-husband-to-koh-samui/

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that the Ban Yindee Boutique Resort in Patong, Phuket called the Thai emergency number 191 to report that an Estonian woman with Covid-19 had left with her husband and two other tourists bound for Koh Samui. They said they had no forwarding address for 50 year old Janika P. and her husband Jeder A. after they left Phuket in a van. Pol Col Supharik Phankosol said the couple were traced to the Chaweng Park Palace hotel in Bo Phut and then taken for correct treatment to the Aura Lamai. He said they complied willingly with the order. Daily News said that the husband and other tourists were tested and also taken into quarantine as per health authority orders. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-22 - 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 8,122 new coronavirus cases, 19 deaths, 7,582 recoveries File photo Thailand on Saturday (January 22) reported 8,122 new COVID-19 cases, 7,582 recoveries and 19 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247644-covid-19-thailand-reports-8122-new-coronavirus-cases-19-deaths-7582-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

COVID-19: Thailand reports 8,122 new coronavirus cases, 19 deaths, 7,582 recoveries File photo Thailand on Saturday (January 22) reported 8,122 new COVID-19 cases, 7,582 recoveries and 19 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247644-covid-19-thailand-reports-8122-new-coronavirus-cases-19-deaths-7582-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Saturday (January 22) reported 8,122 new COVID-19 cases, 7,582 recoveries and 19 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 7,935. Prisons: 177 ▶︎ Recoveries: 7,582 Saturday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,369,814 with 22,019 deaths. The news comes as subsequent jabs of COVID-19 vaccines may cause undesirable effects if they are administered too early, a viral expert has warned. Prof Dr Yong Poovorawan, head of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, wrote on Facebook that many people asked about proper doses of COVID-19 vaccination and some people even said they had already received five shots comprising the first two jabs of. the Sinovac vaccine, followed by a jab of AstraZeneca and then two shots of Moderna. Some people said they did not count their initial Sinovac jabs. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-22 - 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

Health minister Anutin checks ATK and vaccine outreach program at Nan airport - gets ATK test himself Picture: Naew Na Naew Na reported on the inspection visit of DPM and Thai health minister Anutin Charnvirakul to Nan airport in the far north of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247643-health-minister-anutin-checks-atk-and-vaccine-outreach-program-at-nan-airport-gets-atk-test-himself/

Picture: Naew Na Naew Na reported on the inspection visit of DPM and Thai health minister Anutin Charnvirakul to Nan airport in the far north of Thailand. The airport is offering a convenient vaccine service as well as ATK testing for tourists. Anutin had a test himself and after the uncomfortable procedure quipped that the tester was getting their own back on him. Three hundred people got their Pfizer boosters during his visit with the minister saying that it was more convenient for tourists to do this on their travels than in Bangkok. It was easy to do and less time consuming than in the Thai capital, he noted. Such facilities are being rolled out elsewhere - such as at Chiang Mai airport - in an effort to get as many people jabbed as possible in Thailand. Anutin urged everyone to get a booster when they are eligible - usually three months after their second dose. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-22 - 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

Soi Dog Foundation stems distemper outbreak at Phuket Stray Dog Shelter By Adam Judd Phuket, Thailand - Soi Dog Foundation has held an emergency vaccination drive at the Phuket Stray Dog Shelter in Thalang – also known as the government dog pound – to help stem an outbreak of canine distemper virus. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247641-soi-dog-foundation-stems-distemper-outbreak-at-phuket-stray-dog-shelter/

By Adam Judd Phuket, Thailand - Soi Dog Foundation has held an emergency vaccination drive at the Phuket Stray Dog Shelter in Thalang – also known as the government dog pound – to help stem an outbreak of canine distemper virus. Transmitted through direct contact and airborne exposure – namely sneezing, coughing, and sharing food and water bowls – distemper can spread quickly in a shelter environment, often with deadly consequences. There is no definitive cure for the viral disease, and dogs are instead given supportive care and treated for any secondary infections. A total of 248 at-risk dogs were vaccinated on-site against the disease, and those already infected were transferred to the Soi Dog shelter in Mai Khao for treatment. As part of Soi Dog’s longstanding commitment to the hundreds of dogs at the Phuket Stray Dog Shelter, a team of their vets, community outreach staff, and animal rescue officers visit on a weekly basis to ensure all dogs are neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, protected against ticks and fleas and treated for any other health issues. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/21/soi-dog-foundation-stems-distemper-outbreak-at-phuket-stray-dog-shelter/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-22 - 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

Welder killed after drunk driver crashes pickup truck into machinery shop in Chonburi, driver arrested By Goong Nang(GN) PHOTO: Wisarn Sangjaroen / Top News Chonburi – A 35-year-old man who was welding and in the middle of a work shift died after a drunk driver crashed his pickup truck into a shop in the Phan Thong district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247639-welder-killed-after-drunk-driver-crashes-pickup-truck-into-machinery-shop-in-chonburi-driver-arrested/

PHOTO: Wisarn Sangjaroen / Top News By Goong Nang(GN) Chonburi – A 35-year-old man who was welding and in the middle of a work shift died after a drunk driver crashed his pickup truck into a shop in the Phan Thong district. The Phan Thong Police were notified of the accident at a shop in Soi Baan Gao 3 in the Baan Gao sub-district in the early afternoon on Wednesday, January 19th, 2022. Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the body of Mr. Apirak Somrak, 35, from Buriram. He suffered from multiple wounds to his skull and arms and was believed to have been killed nearly immediately in the accident. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/21/welder-killed-after-drunk-driver-crashes-pickup-truck-into-machinery-shop-in-chonburi-driver-arrested/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-22 - 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

Animal Army issues rabies alert in Pattaya after one confirmed case in a stray dog By Adam Judd The following is an alert from the Animal Army Facebook here. Their statements are their own. https://www.facebook.com/AnimalArmyTH/ Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247638-animal-army-issues-rabies-alert-in-pattaya-after-one-confirmed-case-in-a-stray-dog/