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Surat Thani Expected to Generate 276 Million Baht Over New Year Holiday By Paul Rujopakarn Surat Thani (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects the long New Year weekend to attract over 31,000 tourists to Surat Thani province, generating 276 million baht in tourism revenue. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245279-surat-thani-expected-to-generate-276-million-baht-over-new-year-holiday/

By Paul Rujopakarn Surat Thani (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects the long New Year weekend to attract over 31,000 tourists to Surat Thani province, generating 276 million baht in tourism revenue. Tourism to the province is nevertheless expected to be weak overall at just 24% hotel occupancy over the four-day holiday period. On Saturday, many domestic travelers from Bangkok and other provinces reportedly visited Ratchaprapa Dam in Ban Ta Khun district, as well as Khong Phanom and Khao Sok national parks in Phanom district. Over 30 Khao Sok resorts are meanwhile reporting full bookings. Thais currently make up the majority of tourists to Khao Sok, though the Khao Sok Tourism Operators Association said outlook is improving. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Political Parties Reveal Expectations for 2022 By Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - 2022 marks the third year in office for the current administration, with government coalition parties expressing their intention to continue their duties until the end of their term. Political parties have also indicated that they remain ready for an election. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245278-political-parties-reveal-expectations-for-2022/

By Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - 2022 marks the third year in office for the current administration, with government coalition parties expressing their intention to continue their duties until the end of their term. Political parties have also indicated that they remain ready for an election. Democrat Party Leader Jurin Laksanawisit said people will have more rights in elections following amendments to the Constitution and the election system this year. He added that these developments will reflect the accomplishments of the Democrat Party, which joined the government coalition out of consideration for national interests. Concerning the next general election, the Democrat leader said developments will be hard to predict but his party remains ever ready for elections. He also said the government coalition remains stable and will carry out its duties until the end of its term. Bhumjaithai Party MP Supachai Jaisamut meanwhile said he expected the political scene to intensify in 2022 as the administration enters its third year in office, during which political parties must begin preparing for a general election. He explained that the Bhumjaithai Party will only focus on localities where it has a chance of obtaining MP seats, noting that the party needs to expand its contesting area in the lower Northeast. He also underlined the advantages of having intra-party unity, positive work results in the House of Representatives, and hardworking Cabinet ministers from the party. Additionally, Supachai expressed confidence that his party will gain additional seats in the next general election. For its part, the Phalang Pracharat Party has highlighted the work performance of party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, who has been visiting sites around the country to address various matters affecting the public. The party also cited Gen Prawit’s role in pushing for Bangkok’s transformation into a world-class city, managing floods and drought, developing local economies, allocating land to farmers and the disadvantaged, stepping up efforts against illegal entries, and eradicating human trafficking networks. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Forty-six Migrants Arrested in Chiang Mai on New Year’s Day By Paul Rujopakarn CHIANG MAI (NNT) - Authorities apprehended 46 migrants for illegal entry near the Thai-Myanmar border in Chiang Mai province on Saturday (Jan 1). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245277-forty-six-migrants-arrested-in-chiang-mai-on-new-year’s-day/

By Paul Rujopakarn CHIANG MAI (NNT) - Authorities apprehended 46 migrants for illegal entry near the Thai-Myanmar border in Chiang Mai province on Saturday (Jan 1). According to Col Veerachai Phongkaew, commander of the 4th Cavalry Regiment, a Thai patrol from the 3rd Cavalry Company discovered the 19 men, 20 women and seven children near Ban Luang of Moo 5 village in tambon Mae Ngon. All 46 were Myanmar nationals who entered Chiang Mai’s Fang district earlier on New Year’s Day using a natural border crossing. An initial investigation found that the group was from the Panglong, Laikha and Mong Kung townships of Myanmar’s Shan state, and had paid 20,000-26,000 baht each to brokers in their country for jobs in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. The 46 were due to be deported back to Myanmar after being processed by police in Fang district. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

China’s Pingxiang Port to Allow Thai Fruit Exports Starting January 4 By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - China will temporarily allow business owners to export Thai fruits into the country for two weeks starting from January 4. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245276-china’s-pingxiang-port-to-allow-thai-fruit-exports-starting-january-4/

By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - China will temporarily allow business owners to export Thai fruits into the country for two weeks starting from January 4. According to the Thai Office of Agricultural Affairs at Guangzhou, Chinese authorities have reopened the Pingxiang land port in Guangxi autonomous region and will allow Thai fruit exports into the country from January 4-17, 2022. The reopening of the port is expected to help alleviate a situation where fresh Thai fruit exports - such as durians and longans - were being held at Dongxing border. This prompted exporters to request assistance from the Thai and Chinese governments. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said he held discussions with the Chinese consulate on ways to ease the situation. Thai fruit exports into China have been affected by prevention measures and protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Exporters will be accommodated by Chinese authorities to revise their phytosanitary certificates from their entry at Dongxing port to Pingxiang port from January 1-3. They will then be approved by the customs department, allowing for the export of Thai fruits into China via Pingxiang train station. Chinese authorities will immediately close the border if they find any COVID-19 contamination so exporters must maintain strict prevention measures and ensure the safety of their produce. According to reports, more than 2 million tons of Thai fruit were exported to China from January – October 2021, valued at 148 billion baht. Top produce included durians, longans and young coconuts. However, export figures saw declines due to customs delays in the latter months of 2021. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

New Year Travelers Prefer to Travel by Train By Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s rail services accommodated over 1.3 million passengers from December 29-30, with over 90,000 heading to the upper parts of the Kingdom. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245275-new-year-travelers-prefer-to-travel-by-train/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s rail services accommodated over 1.3 million passengers from December 29-30, with over 90,000 heading to the upper parts of the Kingdom. By Natthaphon Sangpolsit The five lines servicing the highest number of travelers were the Southern line with over 26,800 passengers, the Northeast line with more than 26,400 passengers, the Northern line with about 23,402 passengers, the Eastern line at around 11,000 passengers and the Mahachai-Mae Khlong line with over 6,000 passengers. In the same two-day period, 1.28 million people used rail services in the Greater Bangkok area, including more than 805,000 passengers riding the BTS Skytrain and 355,000 who rode the MRT Blue Line. The MRT Red and Purple Lines, together with the Airport Rail Link, also saw a combined passenger count of over 123,000. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Free COVID-19 tests at Bangkok’s Mor Chit bus and Hua Lamphong railway stations Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is providing free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to the public, until January 3rd, at Mor Chit bus terminal and Hua Lamphong railway station. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245274-free-covid-19-tests-at-bangkok’s-mor-chit-bus-and-hua-lamphong-railway-stations/

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is providing free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to the public, until January 3rd, at Mor Chit bus terminal and Hua Lamphong railway station. Disease Control Department Director-General Opart Karnkawinpong said that the free service is part of the universal prevention measure for those who travelled back home or to tourist destinations over the New Year break, to ensure they are not infected as they return to Bangkok to resume work on Tuesday. Those wanting to get tested can register in advance through QR Code ICN Tracking or can just walk in to either of the two facilities, where they will be required to produce their ID cards to register and will then be given a four-digit registration code. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/free-covid-19-tests-at-bangkoks-mor-chit-bus-and-hua-lamphong-railway-stations/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

73 people dead, 574 injured in Thailand’s national road carnage on New Year’s Day 73 people were killed and 574 others were injured in 574 road accidents across Thailand on New Year’s Day, as drunk driving was blamed for most of the carnage, according to the latest update from the Centre for the Prevention and Reduction of Road Accidents. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245273-73-people-dead-574-injured-in-thailand’s-national-road-carnage-on-new-year’s-day/

73 people were killed and 574 others were injured in 574 road accidents across Thailand on New Year’s Day, as drunk driving was blamed for most of the carnage, according to the latest update from the Centre for the Prevention and Reduction of Road Accidents. Since the start of the long New Year holidays on December 29th, 1,906 road accidents have been recorded, resulting in 226 deaths and 1,894 people injured. Speeding accounts for 35.15% of all the accidents, followed by drunk driving at 32.06% and poor visibility at 16.47%. Motorcycles account for 86.62% of the accidents, pickup trucks 5.8% and private sedans 3.71%. 19.51% of the accidents occurred between 9pm and midnight, 18.15% between 6pm and 9pm and 15.43% between 3am until 6am. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/73-people-dead-574-injured-in-thailands-national-road-carnage-on-new-years-day/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Chadchart still leads in latest NIDA poll for Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, transport minister in the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, remains the leading contender in the Bangkok gubernatorial election this year, according to the latest opinion poll conducted by Thailand’s National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245272-chadchart-still-leads-in-latest-nida-poll-for-bangkok-governor/

Chadchart Sittipunt, transport minister in the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, remains the leading contender in the Bangkok gubernatorial election this year, according to the latest opinion poll conducted by Thailand’s National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). NIDA conducted its 9th poll from December 23rd to 25th by telephone, surveying 1,317 people from various educational backgrounds and occupations. The poll shows 38.80% of the respondents said they favour Dr. Chadchart, 13.06% chose Dr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, former rector of King Mongkut Institute of Technology’s Lat Krabang campus and a candidate of the Democrat party. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/chadchart-still-leads-in-latest-nida-poll-for-bangkok-governor/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PM says Thailand will advance based on achievements of last year, despite slowdown in tourist arrivals Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he is confident that 2022 will be a year of the “sustainable extension” of his government’s achievements during the previous year, despite the crises and challenges confronted by the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245271-pm-says-thailand-will-advance-based-on-achievements-of-last-year-despite-slowdown-in-tourist-arrivals/

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he is confident that 2022 will be a year of the “sustainable extension” of his government’s achievements during the previous year, despite the crises and challenges confronted by the country. In his Facebook post today (Sunday), the prime minister elaborated on what he considers to be his government’s achievements, ranging from the procurement of sufficient COVID-19 vaccines, economic recovery, the rice price guarantee for farmers, the 50:50 co-payment stimulus scheme and access to funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He claimed that the government’s success in administering more than 100 million doses of vaccines has controlled the spread of COVID-19, to the extent that Thailand has reopened its borders and many businesses have been able to resume operations, albeit under strict safety measures. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pm-says-thailand-will-advance-based-on-achievements-of-last-year-despite-slowdown-in-tourist-arrivals/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-03 - 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 Monday 3 Jan 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1245270-thailand-live-monday-3-jan-2022/

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/

Chinese backpacker stranded and homeless in Thailand due to COVID-19 lockdowns in China A Chinese backpacking tourist, who travelled to Thailand alone to explore the country about two years ago, became stranded, homeless and broke when China suddenly closed its borders to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245182-chinese-backpacker-stranded-and-homeless-in-thailand-due-to-covid-19-lockdowns-in-china/

A Chinese backpacking tourist, who travelled to Thailand alone to explore the country about two years ago, became stranded, homeless and broke when China suddenly closed its borders to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. That was until 35-year old Jang Jia met a kind-hearted Thai, Somnuek Jenjirawat. His struggle for survival, in the middle of the concrete jungle of Bangkok, reads like the script of the 2004 American comedy-drama “The Terminal”, starring Tom Hanks, about an Eastern European man stuck at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport when he is denied entry to the US but cannot return to his native country because of a military coup. According to Jang, the air fare to fly home had increased sharply, from thousands of baht to tens of thousands, and only a few airlines resumed flights to China when lockdown restrictions were eased to allow Chinese nationals to return. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/chinese-backpacker-stranded-and-homeless-in-thailand-due-to-covid-19-lockdowns-in-china/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand celebrates the New Year amid Omicron fears New Year countdown celebration at Bangkok’s Iconsiam Fireworks burst across the skies of Thailand last night (Friday), as several provinces celebrated the arrival of the New Year, amid fears of the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245179-thailand-celebrates-the-new-year-amid-omicron-fears/

New Year countdown celebration at Bangkok’s Iconsiam Fireworks burst across the skies of Thailand last night (Friday), as several provinces celebrated the arrival of the New Year, amid fears of the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Although the Thai government had asked for cooperation by cancelling countdown events, many prime locations across Bangkok, which had been granted prior permission from authorities, continued with their events, albeit with more stringent COVID-19 measures. Bangkok’s “Iconsiam” shopping complex, one of the largest countdown events in the capital, saw a display of as many as30,000 fireworks along the Chao Phraya River, while a number of preventive measures were imposed, from sanitising the area to limiting the number of visitors. Visitors also had to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations and were tested with antigen tests before they entered the venue. Only those with event bracelets and tickets are allowed in. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-celebrates-the-new-year-amid-omicron-fears/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Tourism Ministry Launches ‘Thailand Trusted Destination’ Campaign By Natthaphon Sangpolsit Krabi (NNT) - The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has launched the “Thailand Trusted Destination” campaign to raise the nation’s tourism standards. Visitors can now look for venues and attractions bearing the campaign’s dancing elephant logo. The logo certifies attractions that meet the standards promoted by the ministry. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245176-tourism-ministry-launches-‘thailand-trusted-destination’-campaign/