webfact

Thailand reports 7,681 new COVID-19 cases, 22 deaths, 3,350 recoveries File photo Thailand on Wednesday (January 12) reported 7,681 new COVID-19 cases, 3,350 recoveries and 22 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246405-thailand-reports-7681-new-covid-19-cases-22-deaths-3350-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Wednesday (January 12) reported 7,681 new COVID-19 cases, 3,350 recoveries and 22 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 7,669. Prisons: 12 ▶︎ Recoveries: 3,350 Wednesday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,292,290 with 21,872 deaths. The news comes as the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) will sell 3.5 million antigen test kits at their cost price of 35 baht per kit. GPO managing director Witoon Danwiboon said the organization signed a contract to buy the 3.5 million ATKs from a supplier and the products would be delivered by 1 million kits a week. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-12 - 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

Driver blames “faulty GPS” for driving into a lagoon in Chonburi By Goong Nang(GN) PHOTO: Wisarn Sangjaroen / Top News Chonburi – A driver escaped without injuries last night after driving his personal vehicle into a lagoon in the Phan Thong district, claiming he was following GPS navigation that was faulty and that the incident was not his fault. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246396-driver-blames-“faulty-gps”-for-driving-into-a-lagoon-in-chonburi/

PHOTO: Wisarn Sangjaroen / Top News By Goong Nang(GN) Chonburi – A driver escaped without injuries last night after driving his personal vehicle into a lagoon in the Phan Thong district, claiming he was following GPS navigation that was faulty and that the incident was not his fault. Rescue workers were notified of the accident at a lagoon in the Marp Pong sub-district just before midnight last night, January 10th, 2022. First response teams arrived at the scene of the accident to find the white sedan partially submerged inside the lagoon. It took more than one hour to pull up the sedan from the water which was about five meters deep by using a crane truck. The driver was uninjured, although soaking wet, and had managed to swim out of his vehicle to the shore nearby. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/11/driver-blames-faulty-gps-for-driving-into-a-lagoon-in-chonburi/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-12 - 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

41-year-old man dead in Sri Racha after falling off of the back of a truck carrying concrete blocks By Goong Nang(GN) Sri Racha – A 41-year-old man died after falling from the back of a truck carrying concrete blocks and being struck by another truck in Sri Racha this afternoon (January 11th). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246395-41-year-old-man-dead-in-sri-racha-after-falling-off-of-the-back-of-a-truck-carrying-concrete-blocks/

By Goong Nang(GN) Sri Racha – A 41-year-old man died after falling from the back of a truck carrying concrete blocks and being struck by another truck in Sri Racha this afternoon (January 11th). The Sri Racha Police was notified of the accident at 3:00 P.M. on the Nine Kilo Road in the Surasak sub-district. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find a truck that had been carrying concrete blocks on the road. Nearby, they found the body of Mr. Udom Saemarak, 41, from Buriram. He had suffered fatal injuries after being struck and run over by a second truck. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/11/41-year-old-man-dead-in-sri-racha-after-falling-off-of-the-back-of-a-truck-carrying-concrete-blocks/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-12 - 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

Norwegian expat falls to his death from condominium in Pattaya, the third similar incident in one week By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – A 64-year-old foreign man, believed to be an expat, has been pronounced dead last night (January 11th) after falling from a condominium in Jomtien. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246393-norwegian-expat-falls-to-his-death-from-condominium-in-pattaya-the-third-similar-incident-in-one-week/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – A 64-year-old foreign man, believed to be an expat, has been pronounced dead last night (January 11th) after falling from a condominium in Jomtien. Captian Sanan Kotanon from the Pattaya City Police was notified of the incident at 9:00 P.M. at a condominium in Soi 7 Jomtien. The name of the condominium was withheld pending a full investigation by Pattaya police. Police, emergency responders, and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find the body of the foreign man who was identified by police as a 64-year-old Norwegian. He had landed on an awning on the 2nd floor. His name was withheld by TPN media pending notification of his family and embassy expected to be later this morning. He was found shirtless and wearing only shorts. He had suffered severe skull injuries and three cut wounds were found on his left wrist, likely inflicted before the fall according to police. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/12/norwegian-expat-falls-to-his-death-from-condominium-in-pattaya-the-third-similar-incident-in-one-week/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-12 - 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 The charity Samaritans is available around the clock for people who want to talk. If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health services, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand at their 24-hour hotline 02-713-6791 (English), 02713-6793 (Thai) or Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). http://www.samaritansthai.com/news/samaritans-of-thailand-english-hotline/

UPDATE: Thailand’s egg prices to be set on Thursday, chicken prices held for 6 months The Internal Trade Department will meet with representatives of chicken farmer, chicken egg trader and exporter associations on Thursday, to decide whether egg prices should be allowed to increase, as is being demanded by chicken farmers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246343-commerce-ministry-will-take-action-against-egg-profiteering/?do=findComment&comment=17110645

Thailand’s egg prices to be set on Thursday, chicken prices held for 6 months The Internal Trade Department will meet with representatives of chicken farmer, chicken egg trader and exporter associations on Thursday, to decide whether egg prices should be allowed to increase, as is being demanded by chicken farmers. Internal Trade Department Director-General Wattanasak Sua-iam said the meeting today (Tuesday), called to discuss egg prices and ways to help ease the cost of living of consumers in the wake of rising pork prices, was not conclusive and all stakeholders agreed to return on Thursday to resolve the problem. Executive member of the Layer Farmer Association Chaiyaporn Seethan defended the need for the price of eggs to be increased, to between 3.60 and 3.80 baht/egg, citing increased costs of animal feed, medicines and management costs. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-egg-prices-to-be-set-on-thursday-chicken-prices-held-for-6-months/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-12 - 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 Wednesday 12 Jan 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1246392-thailand-live-wednesday-12-jan-2022/

PM Happy with Thailand Being Best Place to Retire in Asia BANGKOK, Jan 11 (TNA) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is happy with Thailand being considered as the best place to retire in Asia and the 11th best place for the purpose worldwide, according to the government spokesman. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246345-pm-happy-with-thailand-being-best-place-to-retire-in-asia/

PM asks Revenue Dept to clarify its cryptocurrency tax policy BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Prime Minister has ordered the Revenue Department to provide a clear explanation on the new tax scheme for cryptocurrencies and digital assets, following complaints from investors and public members. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246344-pm-asks-revenue-dept-to-clarify-its-cryptocurrency-tax-policy/

Health Ministry Orders GPO to Expedite Import of ATKs and Sell at Cost BANGKOK (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) to accelerate the procurement of antigen test kits (ATKs) amid rising coronavirus infections. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246339-health-ministry-orders-gpo-to-expedite-import-of-atks-and-sell-at-cost/

Opposition leader argues Thailand should court other visitor groups other than retirees By Natcha Patanasophon An opposition parliamentarian on Tuesday said that Thailand should focus on other potential visitors after the country was named as one of the best places to retire. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246318-opposition-leader-argues-thailand-should-court-other-visitor-groups-other-than-retirees/

Opposition leader argues Thailand should court other visitor groups other than retirees By Natcha Patanasophon An opposition parliamentarian on Tuesday said that Thailand should focus on other potential visitors after the country was named as one of the best places to retire. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246318-opposition-leader-argues-thailand-should-court-other-visitor-groups-other-than-retirees/

By Natcha Patanasophon An opposition parliamentarian on Tuesday said that Thailand should focus on other potential visitors after the country was named as one of the best places to retire. Thailand was ranked the 11th best place to retire by International Living in its Annual Global Retirement Index for 2022, making it Asia’s top place to retire. Pichai Naripthaphan, the Deputy Leader of Pheu Thai Party, told Thai Enquirer that temporary retirement visitors is a good step but not the main target visitors that the country should target. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/36406/opposition-argues-thailand-should-court-other-visitor-groups-other-than-retirees/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-01-11 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

TAT rolls out top-tier health and hygiene tourism venue certification By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has introduced the new SHA Extra Plus certification, with a new tier guaranteeing the highest practice for the health and safety of guests, with an enhanced protocol against the spread of COVID-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246316-tat-rolls-out-top-tier-health-and-hygiene-tourism-venue-certification/

By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has introduced the new SHA Extra Plus certification, with a new tier guaranteeing the highest practice for the health and safety of guests, with an enhanced protocol against the spread of COVID-19. The TAT introduced a new tier for its Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) program, with the new SHA Extra Plus certification given to venues implementing the highest health and hygiene measures. Extra requirements in terms of guest services will be applied for SHA Extra Plus accommodations, including COVID-19 testing and treatment arrangement with a partner hospital specifically for international guests arriving under the Test & Go or Sandbox schemes, as well as airport transfer services. The TAT’s SHA program was launched after the opening of the Phuket Sandbox program on 1 November. A higher tier SHA Plus certification was then rolled out with enhanced measures, including at least 70% vaccination coverage among staff members. Eligible businesses can now register to get their SHA Extra Plus assessment on www.thailandsha.com/shapluslogin. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-11 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Nine Naphat under fire after promoting CP’s plant-based meat products By Panithan Onthaworn Thai TV star Naphat “Nine” Siangsomboon has drawn criticism for promoting Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group’s plant-based meat products as an alternative to soaring pork prices. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246315-nine-naphat-under-fire-after-promoting-cp’s-plant-based-meat-products/

By Panithan Onthaworn Thai TV star Naphat “Nine” Siangsomboon has drawn criticism for promoting Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group’s plant-based meat products as an alternative to soaring pork prices. Nine, best known for his starring in Netflix’s rom-com Friend Zone movie, posted on social media this week encouraging people to consume plant-based meat products from the MEAT ZERO brand of the country’s leading food conglomerate CPF as pork prices rise. “Try plant-based protein instead,” Nine said. “It’s delicious, healthy, and worry-free” Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/36409/nine-naphat-under-fire-after-promoting-cps-plant-based-meat-products/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-01-11 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

MOPH intends to manage COVID-19's Transition into Endemic this year As Thailand battles its 5th wave of Covid outbreaks, health authorities have announced they intend to manage the transition of COVID-19 into an endemic by delaying its spread and switching to the use of ATKs as the frontline screening method. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246310-moph-intends-to-manage-covid-19s-transition-into-endemic-this-year/

As Thailand battles its 5th wave of Covid outbreaks, health authorities have announced they intend to manage the transition of COVID-19 into an endemic by delaying its spread and switching to the use of ATKs as the frontline screening method. Public Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Kiatiphum Wongrajit said Thailand has entered the 3rd year of its fight against COVID-19, which was initially predicted to be dealt with and contained in manners similar to bird flu and SARS. However, the disease developed into a pandemic with recurring outbreaks, with Thailand having experienced large numbers of outbreaks from May to August of 2021. Dr. Kiatiphum said that since then, vaccination has been rapidly undertaken and the country reopened to tourists as Thailand planned to co-exist with COVID-19 in order to allow its economy to progress. New infections have been dropping since, until the start of 2022 when the current wave resulting from a mutated coronavirus variant took hold. Dr. Kiatiphum said public health authorities will be managing this wave of infections in a way that enables Covid to transition into an endemic, as more people gain immunity. Department of Medical Sciences Director-General Supakit Sirilak said at present, Covid is not causing severe symptoms but transmissions are occurring more rapidly. This necessitates a shift of the disease screening method from the time-consuming and expensive RT-PCR test to the ATK (Antigen Test Kit) method, in order for resources to be better utilized. Dr. Supakit added that billions of baht have been spent by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) on RT-PCR tests. The director-general explained that from now on, individuals suspected of being infected will be tested via the ATK method and entered into home isolation (HI) or community isolation (CI) if they test positive and display mild or no symptoms of Covid. If symptoms increase, the RT-PCR test will be applied and the individuals will enter the treatment process. Those testing negative but with a history of exposure to the virus are to self-quarantine and take an ATK test every 3 days, or 2 days after the latest test if symptoms increase. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Source: https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld/posts/10158449790232050 -- © Copyright NBT WORLD2022-01-11 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Virologist Warns That Children Can Trigger COVID-19 Clusters By Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s top virologist has warned that children could become superspreaders of COVID-19, especially for the Omicron coronavirus variant, which is more transmissible than previous strains. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246303-virologist-warns-that-children-can-trigger-covid-19-clusters/

By Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s top virologist has warned that children could become superspreaders of COVID-19, especially for the Omicron coronavirus variant, which is more transmissible than previous strains. Dr Yong Poovorawan, head of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, expressed his concerns in an online post on Monday. He said that because infected children have mild or no symptoms, they can potentially become superspreaders by transmitting the virus to their parents. According to Dr Yong, there is a high chance of COVID clusters emerging from schools as a result of children’s interactions after taking online classes at home for an extended period. He said vaccines for children must be effective in order to keep young people from becoming infected and spreading the virus to others. He urged parents to boost their immunity by getting vaccinated if they have not been infected so their children can resume normal activities, especially at school. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-11 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates