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Fifth wave of COVID-19 already sweeping through Thailand – Medical Services chief Thailand is facing the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic sooner than anticipated, with the curve of infections on a steep rise and body temperature scanners installed in most offices and public venues not catching asymptomatic cases, said Dr. Somsak Akksilp, director-general of Medical Services today (Wednesday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245701-fifth-wave-of-covid-19-already-sweeping-through-thailand-–-medical-services-chief/

Thailand is facing the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic sooner than anticipated, with the curve of infections on a steep rise and body temperature scanners installed in most offices and public venues not catching asymptomatic cases, said Dr. Somsak Akksilp, director-general of Medical Services today (Wednesday). Dr. Somsak was quoting a forecast by Dr. Sunt Srianthumrong, a special lecturer at the Graduate School of Environmental Development Administration of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). He admitted that it is difficult to differentiate between an infection by the Omicron variant and flu, based on the symptoms, noting that, of about half of the Omicron cases are asymptomatic. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/fifth-wave-of-covid-19-already-sweeping-through-thailand-medical-services-chief/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

to continue: Thailand Live Thursday 6 Jan 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1245699-thailand-live-thursday-6-jan-2022/

Thailand encounters challenges in supplying Corona vaccines Dr. Chawetsan Namwat, Director of Division of Disease Situation Control in Emergency, revealed that the challenges of providing COVID-19 vaccines are to cope with the concerns caused by fake news and various kinds of belief and to manage the amount of the vaccines to match with the demand in each period, to which Thailand had negotiated with some countries as to transfer the vaccines between them when needed. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245683-thailand-encounters-challenges-in-supplying-corona-vaccines/

Bangkok Prepares 25,000 Beds to Handle New Covid-19 Outbreak BANGKOK (NNT) - Bangkok has prepared medical facilities and isolation centers to address new cases of Covid-19 patients, with more than 25,000 beds in, hospitals, field hospitals, and hospitels. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245655-bangkok-prepares-25000-beds-to-handle-new-covid-19-outbreak/

New Measures Might Be Implemented After CCSA Meeting On Friday BANGKOK (NNT) - The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) could impose new measures on Friday after an assessment is made for the Covid-19 situation after the New Year holidays. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245651-new-measures-might-be-implemented-after-ccsa-meeting-on-friday/

Government Reconsidering Nightclub Reopening Following New Outbreaks BANGKOK (NNT) - The government is reconsidering its plans to reopen certain entertainment venues such as nightclubs, following a surge of Covid-19 infections across the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245650-government-reconsidering-nightclub-reopening-following-new-outbreaks/

Download the ASEAN NOW 2022 Calendar here. All no alcohol days listed! A big thank you to everyone who submitted images to the photography forum over the past year. There were some amazing photos submitted during 2021. The calendar also includes all Thai and other significant holidays, including no alcohol days. You can download the ASEAN NOW 2022 Calendar here: https://aseannow.com/files/file/796-asean-now-calendar-2022/

UPDATE: Khao San Road Closes For Three Days After Ten Covid-19 Cases Found By: Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The famous Khao San Road will be closed for three days after ten tourists who visited the area during New Year were tested positive for Covid-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245609-world-famous-khaosan-road-closed-temporarily-after-covid-cases-found/?do=findComment&comment=17094278

Khao San Road Closes For Three Days After Ten Covid-19 Cases Found By: Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The famous Khao San Road will be closed for three days after ten tourists who visited the area during New Year were tested positive for Covid-19. The Khao San Road Entrepreneurs Association announced the closure on Tuesday, saying that the patients were found from a cluster case in a restaurant on Khao San road. The announcement said that all restaurant staff has been tested and the results for the employees were negative. Association president Sanga Ruangwatthanakul said businesses are told to conduct testing via the RT-PCT method and disinfect their venues before the reopening of the road on January 6. They have been asked to conduct more ATK tests on employees and only allow seating arrangements at a maximum of 50 percent of capacity in indoor areas and 75 percent for outdoor venues. He added that screening checkpoints will remain at the entrance and exit when the street reopens on Friday. People who have not been vaccinated or have only had the first jab must present a negative ATK test result before entering the area. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Nationwide air quality readings satisfactory, with little airborne dust By: Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - Nationwide air quality readings were satisfactory yesterday (4 Jan), with little accumulation of airborne particulate matter. In Bangkok, the temporary implementation of the Work from Home model at public offices has trimmed the number of cars on the roads and this has contributed to the improved air quality. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245630-nationwide-air-quality-readings-satisfactory-with-little-airborne-dust/

By: Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - Nationwide air quality readings were satisfactory yesterday (4 Jan), with little accumulation of airborne particulate matter. In Bangkok, the temporary implementation of the Work from Home model at public offices has trimmed the number of cars on the roads and this has contributed to the improved air quality. Nonetheless, the level of PM2.5 airborne dust in Greater Bangkok is expected to rise after mid-January. Levels of PM2.5 – airborne particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size – stood either in the ‘Excellent’ or ‘Satisfactory’ categories (blue and green color codes) in Bangkok this morning (4 Jan). ‘Moderate’ (yellow color code) readings were present in just two areas – Khlong Sam Wa and Nong Khaem. PM2.5 readings in the two areas were about 40-41 micrograms per cubic meter. Meanwhile, people who lived or worked near roads in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district said they have been noticing the shift into the dust season. Although dust levels have yet to peak, the locals said they are taking many precautions to prevent health effects on their bodies. Pollution Control Department Director-General Athapol Charoenshunsa said there is little air movement during this time and dust can easily accumulate. However, the 100% Work from Home order for public sector employees until January 14 has reduced the number of cars on roads and thus dampened the amount of vehicle exhaust, which is a source of PM2.5 dust. Although the levels of airborne dust are satisfactory this week, they are expected to deteriorate continually from the middle of the month until the end of February. Mr. Athapol attributed the cheerless prediction to a longer-than-usual lack of air motion and dust from burning in neighboring countries. The air quality in Bangkok is expected to improve only in March. According to the director-general, air quality readings in the North are expected to exceed various margins from February onward, when smoke haze is also expected. He said a letter has been sent to neighboring countries where hotspots have been increasing to ask for their cooperation in reducing said hotspots and other activities that would contribute to transboundary haze. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Grocer expects lottery lolly after python comes for the lollies! Channel 7 Thai caption: Python hiding under the ice creams - New Year good fortune. Sixty five year old grocer Napha called the snake catchers to her shop after she got a nasty early morning shock. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245627-grocer-expects-lottery-lolly-after-python-comes-for-the-lollies/

Channel 7 Thai caption: Python hiding under the ice creams - New Year good fortune. Sixty five year old grocer Napha called the snake catchers to her shop after she got a nasty early morning shock. She told TV Channel 7 that she was trying to put the ice cream cabinet out but found it stuck. So she bent down and got the shock of her life. There was a large python curled up underneath. A Saraburi rescue foundation was promptly called and found a large crowd of kids and locals had gathered. The python proved troublesome at first. After the icre-creams were moved it slithered back under the cabinet again. But a second go managed to bag the 2.8meter specimen that was then promptly returned to nature. Napha said that she was glad the snake came as she was sure it would bring her good fortune. She was going off to buy a lottery ticket using the house number. She said that the snake had brought her no harm and was probably a female curled up there to lay eggs in the cool. She added that she kept a lot of cats - she'd checked they were all still alive and thought they were. Perhaps the only surprising feature of this story, suggests ASEAN NOW, was that in their text at least the media did not tell us the number of the house! The visits of snakes are always accompanied by references to the lottery in the Thai media. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - 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

Good Samaritan catches car thief - he's pictured tied to a tree as police get to the scene! Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported on an extraordinary theft of a pick-up from a PTT gas station on the Petchkasem Highway in Phetchaburi, south/central Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245623-good-samaritan-catches-car-thief-hes-pictured-tied-to-a-tree-as-police-get-to-the-scene/

Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported on an extraordinary theft of a pick-up from a PTT gas station on the Petchkasem Highway in Phetchaburi, south/central Thailand. The driver of an Isuzu pick-up had left the keys in the ignition and the engine running while he put air in the tires. A motorcyclist spotted this, dumped his bike and jumped into the pick-up and drove away heading south. Unfortunately for him a member of the public who saw this gave chase and managed to stop the pick-up nearby and make a citizen's arrest. The miscreant in a helmet was pictured on the news site tied to a tree with rope. No explanation was given for this as a Muang Phetchaburi police patrol arrived on the scene. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - 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

DUI: More than double cases this New Year a result of more proactive measures Picture: INN The chief of Thailand's probation department reported that the number of DUI cases in the "seven deadly days" of New Year had more than doubled over 2020/21. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245619-dui-more-than-double-cases-this-new-year-a-result-of-more-proactive-measures/

Picture: INN The chief of Thailand's probation department reported that the number of DUI cases in the "seven deadly days" of New Year had more than doubled over 2020/21. This year there were 5,200 cases referred to the courts compared to 2,399 last year. Picture: INN Witthawan Sunthornkhajit put this increase down to more proactive measures by the authorities in checking for and prosecuting offenders, reported INN. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - 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 govt denies people can't get free Covid treatment in private hospitals and non-vaxxed must pay Picture: Sanook The Thai government spokesman was quick to deny rumors circulating on social media related to treatment for Covid-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245617-thai-govt-denies-people-cant-get-free-covid-treatment-in-private-hospitals-and-non-vaxxed-must-pay/

Picture: Sanook The Thai government spokesman was quick to deny rumors circulating on social media related to treatment for Covid-19. It had been claimed online that after a cabinet meeting it was decided that those who had not been vaccinated and caught Covid would have to pay for their treatment. Further it was suggested that those who were vaccinated had to use state hospitals under the "Gold Card" system and if they opted to go private they had to pay or use private insurance, reported Sanook. It was also claimed that people with mild symptoms were being encouraged to isolate at home. Thanakorn Wangbunkhongchana said that these were just proposals discussed at a cabinet meeting on December 28th and were being looked into by various agencies. Nothing had been changed yet and he assured the Thai people that they could get free treatment everywhere. No medical facilities are able to charge for Covid treatment whether they are treated onsite or are isolating at home. He reassured the population that all treatment is free. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - 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

Video: Truck on hill topples over spilling all its load in NW Thailand Picture: TNA TNA reported on an accident video posted by a civil servant in Tak, north west Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245615-video-truck-on-hill-topples-over-spilling-all-its-load-in-nw-thailand/

Picture: TNA TNA reported on an accident video posted by a civil servant in Tak, north west Thailand. It featured dash cam footage from Facebook user Puna PuPu in which a large truck descenting a hill between Mae Sot and Muang district of Tak (Route 12) toppled over. The owner of the footage said it was lucky they were not going fast and that there was no one behind her to slam into her rear. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - 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 cases on the rise in Phuket, 167 Omicron infections detected so far COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in Thailand’s Phuket province over the past week, with a total of 167 COVID-19 Omicron variant cases among Thais and foreign tourists being detected to date, according to provincial health chief Dr. Kusak Kukiattikul. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245614-covid-cases-on-the-rise-in-phuket-167-omicron-infections-detected-so-far/

COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in Thailand’s Phuket province over the past week, with a total of 167 COVID-19 Omicron variant cases among Thais and foreign tourists being detected to date, according to provincial health chief Dr. Kusak Kukiattikul. The number of infections on the resort island increased from 30 cases on December 29th to 64 each on January 1st and 3rd before jumping to 149 yesterday (Tuesday), according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Dr. Kusak said there are between 40 and 50 additional possible Omicron cases, whose samples have been sent for lab tests for confirmation. Over 400 possible cases have been sent for confirmation tests and 12 have returned positive for COVID-19, including 11 Omicron cases. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/covid-cases-on-the-rise-in-phuket-167-omicron-infections-detected-in-total-so-far/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

World famous Khaosan Road closed temporarily after Covid cases found By Cod Satrusayang Bangkok’s world famous tourist destination Khaosan Road will continue to be shut until Thursday due to covid cases found over the new year celebration. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245609-world-famous-khaosan-road-closed-temporarily-after-covid-cases-found/