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Thailand Road Carnage: Myanmar woman crushed to death as cement carrying pick-up overturns on bridge Picture: Naew Na Naew Na reported on the latest tragic accident on the Thai roads, generally accepted as being some of the most dangerous in the world. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247381-thailand-road-carnage-myanmar-woman-crushed-to-death-as-cement-carrying-pick-up-overturns-on-bridge/

Picture: Naew Na Naew Na reported on the latest tragic accident on the Thai roads, generally accepted as being some of the most dangerous in the world. Muang Ratchaburi police in south central Thailand and rescue services were called to a bridge. A pick-up had overturned crushing a Myanmar woman called Ta, 43, underneath. People at the scene help to right the pick-up and extricate the woman but she soon died from her injuries. Two other people were hurt. Picture: Naew Na The driver of the pick-up Winthoon, also a 43 year old from Myanmar, said that he had been taking the cement to Photaram district when his mirror was sideswiped by a six wheel truck. He lost control and a tire blew out resulting in his vehicle ending up on its side and Ta being thrown out and crushed. The media did not report any other vehicles at the scene. Police are interviewing the driver again to get to the bottom of what actually happened. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-21 - 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

Are you experiencing “Pandemic Fatigue” here in Thailand? File photo for reference only Countries around the world, have been reporting an increase in “pandemic fatigue” – people are feeling demotivated about following recommended behaviours to protect themselves and others from the Omicron virus. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247380-are-you-experiencing-“pandemic-fatigue”-here-in-thailand/

File photo for reference only Countries around the world, have been reporting an increase in “pandemic fatigue” – people are feeling demotivated about following recommended behaviours to protect themselves and others from the Omicron virus. Finding effective ways to tackle this fatigue and reinvigorate public vigilance is a growing challenge for governments as the crisis continues. Pandemic fatigue evolves gradually over time and is affected by the cultural, social, structural, and legislative environment. Expat Fatigue Here in Thailand, when the pandemic began over two years ago, luckily most of the country reported incredibly low number of cases. As we now know this has changed and cases have risen dramatically. Many saying the government should have done more to stop the spread of Delta virus and now Omicron. However, as expats we have often had to rely on word of mouth, to get accurate information, as most Covid details are mainly posted in the local language. The penny (or in our case the Baht!) has at last dropped and the powers to be no realised that Covid cannot tell the difference between a local or an expat, as we can all carry the virus. Now as the number of cases has skyrocketed, governments across the region have understood the importance of keeping us expats well informed with English language information. Meanwhile being thousands of miles from home, can add to an expat’s anxiety although everyone stuck at home goes through some sort of Pandemic Fatigue. Online WHO meeting High-level public health experts from over thirty countries and many partner organizations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) European region, connected remotely to search together with the root causes of this phenomenon and share national experiences and plans. At the request of European Member States, WHO/Europe developed a framework of policy recommendations to guide governments in the planning and implementation of national and subnational strategies to bolster public support for COVID-19 prevention measures. Governments need key strategies Katrine Bach Habersaat, Team Lead (ad interim) of the Behavioural and Cultural Insights Unit at WHO/Europe, introduced the framework developed by WHO/Europe to address pandemic fatigue. It includes four key strategies: • Understand people: collect and use evidence for targeted, tailored, and effective policies, interventions, and communication. • Engage people as part of the solution. • Help people to reduce risk while doing the things that make them happy. • Acknowledge and address the hardship people experience, and the profound impact the pandemic has had on their lives. More work will need to be conducted, with opportunities for regular exchanges of views among WHO and Member States. Understanding pandemic fatigue Professor Cornelia Betsch, Heisenberg-Professor of Health Communication at Erfurt University, Germany, spoke of the psychology behind pandemic fatigue. He explained that fear is a motivator for protective behaviour, but it wears off as people adapt to the threat. Fatigue also occurs if we do the same things repeatedly for a long time, she added. WHO defines pandemic fatigue as a natural and expected reaction to sustained and unresolved adversity in people’s lives. It expresses itself as demotivation to engage in protective behaviours and to seek out information, as well as in feelings of complacency, alienation, and hopelessness. Pandemic fatigue evolves gradually over time and is affected by the cultural, social, structural, and legislative environment. Therefore, monitoring public opinion, through tools such as the one developed by WHO/Europe and now used by twenty-seven countries and areas in the region, is an important starting point for effective behavioural change. Sharing country experiences Many country representatives took the floor at the meeting to share examples of action taken in their countries to ensure public engagement in COVID-19-related measures. Common themes included making sure that these initiatives were understandable and logical, the importance of supporting livelihoods and jobs, targeting measures to specific groups. And considering other barriers beyond knowledge that prevent people from following recommendations (such as lack of access to safe water, hand sanitizer, masks, spacious living conditions, and so on). Several participants also highlighted how supporting mental health initiatives is essential as the pandemic continues. Next steps There was broad agreement among participants that further discussion on the topic of pandemic fatigue is needed through a regular forum. WHO/Europe also proposed creating a repository for country experiences. At the end of the meeting, the Norwegian concept of “dugnad” was invoked – support provided by individuals to help each other or a community – a form of group resilience to be nurtured in the months ahead. Using behavioural and cultural science to advance health Behavioural and cultural insights for health refers to knowledge derived from the social sciences and health humanities that helps us to better understand the drivers of and barriers to achieving the highest attainable standard of health. The European Programme of Work has a strong focus on harnessing behavioural and cultural insights, and a new unit was recently established at WHO/Europe to improve knowledge in this field. So, is there some light at the end of the tunnel? As cases rise, and Health Ministries scramble to bargain for new vaccines, all we can do is vent our frustration at the local governments, many who seem to be seen as mismanaging the Covid crisis and the country’s economy. Of course, many expats in Thailand are over 60 years old, and therefore the state of their own vulnerability and economy status adds to the stress. All we can do is sit tight and hope that vaccines will soon be available over the counter to everyone. Then the cases will start to drop, along with everyone’s Pandemic Fatigue. 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- - 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

Joe Ferrari: Admits using plastic bag on drug suspect but "didn't tighten it" - claims video was cut Picture: Sanook The man known as Ferrari Joe at the center of an already infamous case in Nakhon Sawan when a drug suspect died in custody after having his head wrapped in plastic has said he didn't intend to kill anyone. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247379-joe-ferrari-admits-using-plastic-bag-on-drug-suspect-but-didnt-tighten-it-claims-video-was-cut/

Picture: Sanook The man known as Ferrari Joe at the center of an already infamous case in Nakhon Sawan when a drug suspect died in custody after having his head wrapped in plastic has said he didn't intend to kill anyone. He admitted using a black plastic bag but not tightening it, reported Sanook yesterday. All he wanted to do, he claimed was frighten the suspect. He also claimed that a video - damning evidence in the eyes of many observers - was tampered with. Pol Col Thitisan Utthanaphon, former chief of the Muang Nakhon Sawan police station was testifying at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct cases in Bangkok yesterday. He is appearing along with six other suspects charged with murder while serving as a policeman. He stated that on August 4th 2021 the police posed as customers in a sting to arrest Jirapong Thanapat and his wife. Thitisan said he used a plastic bag to intimidate the suspect back at the police station but he didn't tie it up too tightly. Video footage of the incident outraged the Thai public, notes ASEAN NOW. Thitisan was soon arrested and incarcerated as an investigation into how he managed to get to own hundreds of millions of baht's worth of luxury cars began. He claimed these were legitimately obtained as rewards in drug busts. This led to his "Ferrari Joe" moniker in the English language press though he is more widely known in Thai as "Chief Joe". Jirapong - also known as Mawin died after the incident at the police station. Joe - who appeared in prison clothes - has further claimed that the video footage was adjusted to frame him. The next hearings in the case are expected next month and in March. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-21 - 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

Another arrest in fraud case involving gang who tricked Songkhla monk out of 140,000 baht Picture: Daily News Thailand's cyber police announced the arrest of a Thai woman named as Phisamai, 45, from Roi-Et, mixed up in a call center gang's fraud of a monk in Songkhla in southern Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247378-another-arrest-in-fraud-case-involving-gang-who-tricked-songkhla-monk-out-of-140000-baht/

Picture: Daily News Thailand's cyber police announced the arrest of a Thai woman named as Phisamai, 45, from Roi-Et, mixed up in a call center gang's fraud of a monk in Songkhla in southern Thailand. She opened an account that was used by the gang. She was arrested in Soi Charoen Krung 109 in Bangkok. Earlier a man called Suchart, 44, was arrested at Pahonyothin police station, reported Daily News. The monk named as Phra Kornwich Watchirayano from a Hat Yai temple was conned into believing that he was wanted by the authorities for money laundering because of a suspect package intercepted by authorities. People posed as officials at a transport company and someone with police connections to get 140,000 baht out of the monk. He transferred the money to the gang then through a network of accounts to hide its provenance it wound up in an account opened by Phisamai. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-21 - 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

Filipino car thieves hiding out in Thailand as teachers are arrested in Bangkok Picture: Daily News Thai immigration announced the arrest of a Filipino couple wanted in their home country for car theft. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247376-filipino-car-thieves-hiding-out-in-thailand-as-teachers-are-arrested-in-bangkok/

Picture: Daily News Thai immigration announced the arrest of a Filipino couple wanted in their home country for car theft. Louis and Auria (names transliterated from Thai and possibly incorrect) were both named in Interpol Red Notices after theft cases in 2017. An international crime task force headed by Pol Maj-Gen Atchayon Kraithong received information that they had been named in a warrant in the Philippines. They entered Thailand two times in November and December 2019 and had sought to extend their visas as teachers at a school in Bangkok. They were arrested at a condominium in Seri Thai Road, Beung Kum on the grounds that they were a danger to Thai society. They have had their visas revoked and will be deported back to the Philippines, reported Daily News at a Suan Phlu press briefing yesterday. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-21 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Thai traders anxious over ‘influx’ of Chinese produce as progress to extend belt and road railway slows ● With the Laos part of the Kunming to Singapore rail project up and running, Thai traders struggle to compete as Chinese imports arrive faster and fresher than ever ● Thailand’s section of the railway remains mired in delays, raising concerns that the country could lose its hub status to its neighbour Jitsiree Thongnoi A Lao trainee learns signals from her Chinese mentor ahead of the opening of the Boten-Vientiane high-speed rail. Photo: Xinhau A month after the opening of the Boten-Vientiane high-speed railway in Laos, businesses in Thailand are growing anxious over an influx of Chinese goods and agricultural produce. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247374-thai-traders-anxious-over-‘influx’-of-chinese-produce-as-progress-to-extend-belt-and-road-railway-slows/

A Lao trainee learns signals from her Chinese mentor ahead of the opening of the Boten-Vientiane high-speed rail. Photo: Xinhau ● With the Laos part of the Kunming to Singapore rail project up and running, Thai traders struggle to compete as Chinese imports arrive faster and fresher than ever ● Thailand’s section of the railway remains mired in delays, raising concerns that the country could lose its hub status to its neighbour Jitsiree Thongnoi A month after the opening of the Boten-Vientiane high-speed railway in Laos, businesses in Thailand are growing anxious over an influx of Chinese goods and agricultural produce. At Thailand’s largest fresh market Talaad Thai in a Bangkok suburb, seller Prayat Charoen has noticed an unusual abundance of Chinese vegetables ever since the opening of the railway, which runs from Laos’ border with China nearly all the way to its frontier with Thailand. While broccoli, cabbages and other winter produce from China have been staples at his shop for the past decade because of Thailand’s year-round tropical climate, in the past month a surge of imports has pushed down the prices of Thai vegetables. Full story: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3163836/thai-traders-anxious-over-influx-chinese-produce-progress -- © Copyright South China Morning Post 2022-01-20 - 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

Over 66 million people currently living in Thailand as of 2022, the Royal Gazette reports By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: PPTV HD National – The Royal Gazette, January 19th, reported the total Thai population at a total of 66,171,439 with the highest population in Bangkok with about 5.5 million people. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247373-over-66-million-people-currently-living-in-thailand-as-of-2022-the-royal-gazette-reports/

PHOTO: PPTV HD By Nop Meechukhun National – The Royal Gazette, January 19th, reported the total Thai population at a total of 66,171,439 with the highest population in Bangkok with about 5.5 million people. According to the announcement on the Ratchakitcha website, there are a total of 66,171,439 people throughout the country. Of that, 65,197,783 are Thai nationals while the remaining 973,656 are non-Thai nationals. The highest number of people in the country is recorded in Bangkok with 5,527,994 people. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/19/over-66-million-people-currently-living-in-thailand-as-of-2022-the-royal-gazette-reports/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-20 - 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

ATK test kits out of stock, groups call for an end to student testing By Natcha Patanasophon Antigen Test Kits (ATKs) are running out of stock, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) said on Wednesday, leading to concerns over the high price of second hand markets and hoarding issues. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247372-atk-test-kits-out-of-stock-groups-call-for-an-end-to-student-testing/

By Natcha Patanasophon Antigen Test Kits (ATKs) are running out of stock, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) said on Wednesday, leading to concerns over the high price of second hand markets and hoarding issues. The GPO announced earlier that 3.5 million ATKs will be sold to members of the public at a price of 35 baht per kit starting from January 14. It has since sold out. The shortage of ATK test kits at times when case numbers are rising due to Omicron has caused concern among members of the public over price increases and hoarding issues. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/36680/atk-test-kits-out-of-stock-groups-call-for-an-end-to-student-testing/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-01-20 - 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 pushing forward with several major Old Town Naklua projects to boost domestic tourism By Goong Nang(GN) PHOTO: Sophon Cable TV (STV) Pattaya – Pattaya City leaders continue to work on several major Old Town Naklua projects in order to develop local and domestic tourism, seafood markets, and cultural learning centers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247371-pattaya-pushing-forward-with-several-major-old-town-naklua-projects-to-boost-domestic-tourism/

PHOTO: Sophon Cable TV (STV) By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – Pattaya City leaders continue to work on several major Old Town Naklua projects in order to develop local and domestic tourism, seafood markets, and cultural learning centers. The Pattaya City Mayor Sontaya Kunplome told TPN media today, “The Old Town Naklua market is one of the main projects in the first phase of the ‘NEO Pattaya’ campaign as part of the EEC (Eastern Economic Corridor) larger projects. The project aims to develop local infrastructure to support Pattaya as the center of tourism for Eastern Thailand, specifically focused for this project on domestic tourism.” “The goal is to keep the identity of the local fishing community as a traditional style and highlight to visitors classic and traditional Thai culture. Environmental management is a main concern of the Old Town Naklua project.” The mayor continued. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/19/pattaya-pushing-forward-with-several-major-old-town-naklua-projects-to-boost-domestic-tourism/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-20 - 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

mRNA booster shot provides some level of protection against Omicron, research shows A shot of an mRNA vaccine as a booster affords some level of protection against Omicron infection in the short term. The duration of this protection and its effectiveness against severe disease are, however, uncertain, according to medical research conducted in Ontario, Canada recently and published on MedRxiv Preprint server. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247370-mrna-booster-shot-provides-some-level-of-protection-against-omicron-research-shows/

A shot of an mRNA vaccine as a booster affords some level of protection against Omicron infection in the short term. The duration of this protection and its effectiveness against severe disease are, however, uncertain, according to medical research conducted in Ontario, Canada recently and published on MedRxiv Preprint server. The researchers collected data from over 470,000 subjects, including patients infected with Omicron, Delta and non-infected people between November 22nd and December 19th, 2021. The objective of the study was to estimate vaccine effectiveness (VE) against infections caused by Omicron or Delta in Ontario. The results demonstrate that “the effectiveness of 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccines against infection (irrespective of symptoms or severity) is substantially lower for Omicron than Delta, and that VE against Omicron infection was only 37% ≥7 days following a third dose.” The scientists also observed negative VE against Omicron among those who had received 2 doses, compared to unvaccinated individuals. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/mrna-booster-shot-provides-some-level-of-protection-against-omicron-research-shows/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-20 - 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

Ruling Palang Pracharat party sacks Thammanat Prompao, 21 other dissident MPs The ruling Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP) sacked its controversial secretary-general, Thammanat Prompao, and 21 other MPs loyal to him on Wednesday, further threatening the stability of the party formed just a year before the 2019 general elections and the formation of the subsequent government coalition. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247369-ruling-palang-pracharat-party-sacks-thammanat-prompao-21-other-dissident-mps/

The ruling Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP) sacked its controversial secretary-general, Thammanat Prompao, and 21 other MPs loyal to him on Wednesday, further threatening the stability of the party formed just a year before the 2019 general elections and the formation of the subsequent government coalition. The shocking decision came after a tense meeting of the party’s executive committee, held at the Five Provinces Bordering Forest Preservation Foundation, following an ultimatum submitted by Thammanat and his group demanding a ministerial post, adding that they would resign en masse if the demand was not met. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, the party leader. It is widely believed that the group wanted the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment portfolio, a position currently held by Varawut Silpa-archa of the Chart Thai Pattana party. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/ruling-palang-pracharat-party-sacks-thammanat-prompao-21-other-dissident-mps/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-19 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Thursday 20 Jan 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1247368-thailand-live-thursday-20-jan-2022/

Thailand’s Meteorological Department warns of variable weather in upper Thailand from Thursday PHOTO: Post Today The Thai Meteorological Department today, January 19th, issued a weather warning of the variable weather in upper Thailand from January 20th to the 22nd. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247321-thailand’s-meteorological-department-warns-of-variable-weather-in-upper-thailand-from-thursday/

Academic says Tonga eruption does not affect Thailand BANGKOK (NNT) - The volcano eruption in Tonga sent shockwaves and a tsunami into many countries, especially Pacific nations, prompting evacuation orders and tsunami advisories to be issued in some coastal areas. Although the Tonga tsunami has ceased, many in Thailand are concerned about potential impacts from future earthquakes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247318-academic-says-tonga-eruption-does-not-affect-thailand/