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Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok Offers Free Antigen Tests By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is currently offering free COVID-19 tests at several locations across the capital, including at the Southern Bus Terminal in western Bangkok. The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) is also again selling affordable antigen test kits (ATKs) as demand increases amid the new Omicron wave. The BMA and the city-run Ratchaphiphat Hospital currently operate a COVID-19 testing center at the Southern Bus Terminal in Taling Chan district, where people at-risk can get their antigen tests free-of-charge. The test site operates daily starting at 10AM and offers drive-through services. Test results at the venue can be delivered within 30 minutes. To prevent crowding, testers are asked to leave the venue right after getting swabbed, with results delivered via LINE messaging application. People who test positive will be followed up and enrolled in the Home Isolation program, with essential supplies delivered to their homes along with remote symptom monitoring by medical professionals. In response to increasing demand and higher prices for home-use ATKs, the GPO has started selling affordable and quality kits at 35 baht per set, now available at eight GPO-owned drugstores. To ensure fair distribution, customers are allowed to purchase up to 20 kits per person, with a limited number available at each selling location. The GPO initially stocked up 3 million test kits for sale, but ordered an additional 3.5 million kits to support the supply. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-17 - 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

Health System Well-Prepared for Omicron Wave: Health Ministry By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has assured that Thailand’s health system remains capable of handling the Omicron coronavirus variant, noting that restrictions will be further relaxed as the situation improves. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246948-health-system-well-prepared-for-omicron-wave-health-ministry/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has assured that Thailand’s health system remains capable of handling the Omicron coronavirus variant, noting that restrictions will be further relaxed as the situation improves. Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said one cause for optimism concerning the new COVID-19 wave is that it appears to be less virulent than the previously circulating strains, such as the Delta variant. However, it also has a much higher level of transmissibility. According to the health minister, the number of new deaths from COVID-19 remains under 20 cases daily, with no spike in the number of critical patients. Anutin added that the Ministry of Public Health will be proposing the further relaxation of measures to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), with more restrictive measures to be swiftly implemented if the situation worsens. Dr Kiattiphum Wongrachit, Permanent Secretary of Public Health, said daily case numbers have started to stabilize since New Year’s Day, which health officials mark as the start of the Omicron wave. He said the number of critical patients, particularly those on ventilators, has hit an all-time low at 105 cases. The Ministry of Public Health maintains the COVID alert Level at 4 while asking the general public to avoid visiting high-risk places. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-17 - 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

Insurers Sue Regulator for Banning Cancellation of COVID Insurance Policies By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Two insurance companies are now suing the regulator agency for insurers over a ban against the cancellation of policies that offered lump-sum payments to policyholders who contract COVID-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246947-insurers-sue-regulator-for-banning-cancellation-of-covid-insurance-policies/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Two insurance companies are now suing the regulator agency for insurers over a ban against the cancellation of policies that offered lump-sum payments to policyholders who contract COVID-19. Suthipol Taweechaikarn, secretary-general of the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC), visited the Central Administrative Court in Bangkok’s Lak Si district for a scheduled hearing in the case where he and the OIC are being sued by the two insurance businesses. Suthipol has said he is willing to take the case all the way to the highest court, noting that the OIC acted lawfully and in the interest of members of the public who purchased the insurance policies. He explained that attempts by insurers to cancel their COVID policies during the disease crisis period, after promising coverage until the end date of each policy, were viewed by the OIC as a form of exploitation. He added that the attempts undermined public trust in insurance firms. The secretary-general said his office needed to stand its ground to prevent insurers from creating a precedent by citing changes in risk factors to cancel existing policies. He elaborated that insurance firms issued 24.4 million COVID insurance policies in 2020 and made enormous profits, prompting them to continue selling the policies into 2021. Later that year, the firms faced massive numbers of claims as more insured persons contracted COVID-19. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-17 - 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

Government Utilizes Traditional Medicine to Treat COVID-19 Patients By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health is integrating the practice of traditional Thai medicine to help treat COVID-19 patients, with herbs such as green chiretta now promoted as an effective symptom reliever. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246946-government-utilizes-traditional-medicine-to-treat-covid-19-patients/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health is integrating the practice of traditional Thai medicine to help treat COVID-19 patients, with herbs such as green chiretta now promoted as an effective symptom reliever. The Ministry of Public Health recently launched a campaign to introduce traditional Thai medicine into COVID-19 treatments, allocating some 246 million baht to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) to supply symptom-relieving herbal products. DTAM Director-General Yongyot Thammavudhi said green chiretta can be used as an effective symptom reliever for Omicron patients. With the help of traditional medicine clinics across the country and the rapid response teams serving the Greater Bangkok area, the department now aims to provide patients with green chiretta, Triphala and herbal inhaler products. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-17 - 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 30 Migrants Arrested in Kanchanaburi Province By Natthaphon Sangpolsit KANCHANABURI (NNT) - Authorities apprehended 33 migrants for illegal entry near the Thai-Myanmar border in Kanchanaburi province on Saturday (15 Jan). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246945-over-30-migrants-arrested-in-kanchanaburi-province/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit KANCHANABURI (NNT) - Authorities apprehended 33 migrants for illegal entry near the Thai-Myanmar border in Kanchanaburi province on Saturday (15 Jan). According to officials, a patrol from the Surasee Task Force discovered an initial group of 19 men and 12 women hiding in the bushes near Nong Pla Duk village in Sai Yok district at around 2:30 PM. A half-hour later, two women were found by another patrol in Song Karia village of Sangkhla Buri district. An initial investigation found that the group was from the Bago and Dawei townships of Myanmar’s Bago and Tanintharyi regions, respectively, and had paid 15,000-20,000 baht each to brokers in their country for jobs in Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok. The 33 were due to be deported back to Myanmar after being processed by local law enforcement in Sai Yok and Sangkhla Buri. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-17 - 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

One Billion Baht Compensation Allocated for Victims Who Suffer Side Effects From COVID Vaccination By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - One billion baht in financial compensation has been provided by the National Security Office (NHSO) to people who experienced negative effects after receiving Covid-19 vaccinations. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246944-one-billion-baht-compensation-allocated-for-victims-who-suffer-side-effects-from-covid-vaccination/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - One billion baht in financial compensation has been provided by the National Security Office (NHSO) to people who experienced negative effects after receiving Covid-19 vaccinations. According to the NHSO Secretary-general Jadet Thammathat-aree, the NHSO has already approved compensation for 9,551 people who have lodged complaints after developing side effects due to receiving Covid-19 vaccination from the government’s inoculation campaign. It is reported that 12,882 people had filed for compensation from NHSO. 1,869 complaints were rejected due to failures to meet the criteria while 1,462 cases are currently being reviewed by officials. The NHSO has provided compensation of up to 100,000 baht to 7,037 people who experienced mild side effects. 250 people have received payouts of 100,000-240,000 baht for severe conditions that could have been caused by vaccination such as losing functions of their limbs which affected their daily lives. Compensation of 400,000 baht were provided to 2,264 families of the deceased patients or people permanently disabled that could have been attributed to the side effects of the inoculation. The NHSO secretary-general said that those who had side effects from Covid jabs and wants to lodge a complaint can do so at the service location where they were vaccinated, provincial public health offices, and 13 NHSO offices across the country. A local subcommittee comprised of medical experts and public representatives will consider the complaint as soon as possible. He added that people whose complaints were rejected can file an appeal to the NHSO secretary-general within 30 days of the rejection. For more information, people are advised to call the NHSO’s hotline at 1330 or add @nhso via the Line application. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-17 - 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

Commerce Ministry to Set Up 3,050 Spots for Selling Affordable Consumer Goods By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - In response to the price appreciation of several consumer staples, such as pork, chicken and eggs, a plan is now underway to establish 3,050 locations at department stores, petrol stations, and community spaces for selling affordable products. The Cabinet will soon be asked to allow the disbursement of 1.4 billion baht from the central budget to fund this endeavor. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246943-commerce-ministry-to-set-up-3050-spots-for-selling-affordable-consumer-goods/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - In response to the price appreciation of several consumer staples, such as pork, chicken and eggs, a plan is now underway to establish 3,050 locations at department stores, petrol stations, and community spaces for selling affordable products. The Cabinet will soon be asked to allow the disbursement of 1.4 billion baht from the central budget to fund this endeavor. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit inspected product prices at Lotus Rattanathibet superstore to ensure compliance with a request from the Ministry of Commerce for retailers to keep prices fixed for the time being. Upon inspection, the minister discovered that the retailer had put products in all categories on discount. Jurin said his ministry is overseeing the prices of goods while adhering to a “balanced” principle that takes into consideration farmers, businesses and consumers. The Ministry of Commerce has so far banned pork exports to increase domestic volumes, and is currently compiling a nationwide headcount of pigs to facilitate the release of pork into the market. The ministry is also increasing the number of places where pork can be sold for no more than 150 baht per kilogram. The commerce minister added that chicken producers have been asked to keep prices unchanged, though some have not been cooperating. More discussions are scheduled to be held with the Department of Internal Trade on Monday (17 Jan). Jurin said 1.4 billion baht from the central budget will be requested at next week’s Cabinet meeting to fund the sale of cheap products at 3,050 sites in department stores, petrol stations, convenience stores, wet markets, mobile trucks and community selling spaces. The sale will run for 90 days. According to the minister, no upward price adjustment is currently allowed for general consumer goods. Commerce offices in each province have been dispatching personnel to inspect prices and deter hikes. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-17 - 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 police raid South Pattaya nightclub with help of locksmith allegedly secretly open and breaking Covid-19 rules, dozens of people detained By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand - Pattaya police continued what have become daily raids across the city and Banglamung designed to enforce strict new rules in place that Pattaya City officials say are meant to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246942-pattaya-police-raid-south-pattaya-nightclub-with-help-of-locksmith-allegedly-secretly-open-and-breaking-covid-19-rules-dozens-of-people-detained/

By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand - Pattaya police continued what have become daily raids across the city and Banglamung designed to enforce strict new rules in place that Pattaya City officials say are meant to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Currently, bars, nightlife, and entertainment venues have been legally closed since April of 2021 due to Covid-19. However, these venues have recently been given permission by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, in Bangkok to legally become converted restaurants temporarily. This change, however, requires them to be shut firmly by 9:00 PM, go through a certification process, and change their appearance and overall setting to meet strict new Covid rules. They are also supposed to check customers with rapid antigen Covid19 tests before entry. At just before midnight yesterday, January 15th, 2022, Pattaya Police led by Pol.Maj. Gen. Kongpol Techakamphu, received a tip from a concerned citizen that the Box 69 Club in South Pattaya near the Soi Bongkot area was secretly operating as a nightclub and breaking Covid-19 rules set by the CCSA and the Chonburi Communicable Disease Committee. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/16/pattaya-police-raid-south-pattaya-nightclub-with-help-of-locksmith-allegedly-secretly-open-and-breaking-covid-19-rules-dozens-of-people-detained/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-15 - 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

40-year-old woman injured after crashing her pickup truck into a power pole in Pattaya By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – A 40-year-old woman has sustained several injuries after she crashed her pickup truck into a power pole in Patttaya after midnight January 15th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246941-40-year-old-woman-injured-after-crashing-her-pickup-truck-into-a-power-pole-in-pattaya/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – A 40-year-old woman has sustained several injuries after she crashed her pickup truck into a power pole in Patttaya after midnight January 15th. The Pattaya City Police was notified of the accident near an intersection on Pattaya Third Road. They and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find a damaged pickup truck slammed into a power pole The driver, Ms. Janpen Unsamrong, 40, from Nakhon Ratchasima, had sustained several injuries inside the pickup truck. Ms. Janpen declined medical assistance but called her mother to the scene. A witness, identified only as Mr. Jak, 21, a food delivery driver, told TPN reporters, “I was driving behind the pickup truck. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/16/40-year-old-woman-injured-after-crashing-her-pickup-truck-into-a-power-pole-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-15 - 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

Swedish man reportedly attacked by two Thai men on Pattaya Beach for no reason By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya-A Swedish man reported to Pattaya police after he was allegedly attacked by two young Thai men in Pattaya January 14th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246940-swedish-man-reportedly-attacked-by-two-thai-men-on-pattaya-beach-for-no-reason/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya-A Swedish man reported to Pattaya police after he was allegedly attacked by two young Thai men in Pattaya January 14th. The 49-year-old Swedish man reported to the Pattaya City Police at around 11:00 P.M. Following the report, police officers and the Swedish man went to the scene of the alleged incident on Pattaya Beach not far from the police station on Soi 9. “ I was chilling and sitting alone, drinking beer and relaxing on Pattaya Beach. A young Thai man approached me and immediately slapped me in the face before a second Thai man arrived and began screaming at me in broken English to get off the beach, threatening me physically. I was upset but decided to flee and file a police report.” The Swedish man explained to Pattaya police. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/15/swedish-man-reportedly-attacked-by-two-thai-men-on-pattaya-beach-for-no-reason/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-15 - 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

Taxing cryptocurrency trading — an uncharted course According to tax officials, those who engage in coin mining also will be subject to taxation on the sale of coins. (Photo by Quantitatives.io) The digital assets industry is up in arms over the Revenue Department’s plan to levy tax on capital gains or benefits derived from cryptocurrencies and other digital asset transactions. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246939-taxing-cryptocurrency-trading-—-an-uncharted-course/

According to tax officials, those who engage in coin mining also will be subject to taxation on the sale of coins. (Photo by Quantitatives.io) The digital assets industry is up in arms over the Revenue Department’s plan to levy tax on capital gains or benefits derived from cryptocurrencies and other digital asset transactions. With the two parties being at loggerheads, consultations have begun between tax officials and concerned parties to resolve the conflict. The department has promised to conclude the matter only by the end of January even as a hot debate rages on whether the government should collect taxes on digital assets, or how such tax can be levied fairly. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/taxing-cryptocurrency-trading-an-uncharted-course/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-17 - 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

Public reminded not to lower their guard as Bangkok field hospitals get busy Field hospitals in Bangkok admitted 2,611 COVID-infected patients over the first 14 days of the New Year as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha repeated his appeal to the public to comply strictly with universal infection prevention measures, Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Saturday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246938-public-reminded-not-to-lower-their-guard-as-bangkok-field-hospitals-get-busy/

Field hospitals in Bangkok admitted 2,611 COVID-infected patients over the first 14 days of the New Year as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha repeated his appeal to the public to comply strictly with universal infection prevention measures, Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Saturday. Even though the Omicron variant may not cause severe symptoms in most cases, including in children and the elderly, he said the prime minister remains concerned over its rapid rate of transmission. To cope with the Omicron outbreaks, Thanakorn said the Defence Ministry, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Ministry of Higher Education Science, Research and Innovations have opened 118 field hospitals, which can accommodate a total of 24,646 COVID-19 patients. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/public-reminded-not-to-lower-their-guard-as-bangkok-field-hospitals-get-busy/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-17 - 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

Former Thai election commissioner urges litigation over alleged election watchdog incompetence Image Credit: Seri Ruam Thai’s Facebook Former election commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn has urged opposition Seri Ruam Thai party to sue Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) over alleged failure in the performance of its duty relating to vote-buying in the Lampang Constituency 4 by-election on June 20th, 2020. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246937-former-thai-election-commissioner-urges-litigation-over-alleged-election-watchdog-incompetence/

Image Credit: Seri Ruam Thai’s Facebook Former election commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn has urged opposition Seri Ruam Thai party to sue Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) over alleged failure in the performance of its duty relating to vote-buying in the Lampang Constituency 4 by-election on June 20th, 2020. Wattana Sitthiwang, of the Palang Pracharat party, won the by-election, according to the EC when it announced the poll result on July 21st, 2020. On November 23rd, 2021, however, the EC declared that the by-election had been riddled with vote buying and, therefore, it was invalid, but the ruling was not posted on the EC’s website until January 14th. Subject: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/former-thai-election-commissioner-urges-litigation-over-alleged-election-watchdog-incompetence/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-17 - 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