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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. The Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports took business operators on a field trip to Krabi province to observe venues and attractions certified under the Thailand Trusted Destination campaign. The campaign was introduced as an incentive for business owners to improve their services and boost confidence among tourists. Participating venues will be granted the dancing elephant logo, which represents cleanliness, safety, fairness, good management, and green practices. During the field trip, business operators visited Krabi International Airport, which has been certified for toilet cleanliness; Laemsak Community which was certified as a community-based tourism attraction with historical value; and Than Bok Khorani National Park, which has been certified for its success in environmental conservation and tourist safety. Visitors can search for certified venues and attractions on the website www.tts.dot.go.th, or on the Thailand Tourism Standard Facebook page. -- © Copyright NNT 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 reports 3,011 new COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths, 3,315 recoveries File photo Thailand on Saturday (January 1) reported 3,011 new COVID-19 cases, 3,315 recoveries and 10 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245168-thailand-reports-3011-new-covid-19-cases-10-deaths-3315-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Thailand reports 3,011 new COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths, 3,315 recoveries File photo Thailand on Saturday (January 1) reported 3,011 new COVID-19 cases, 3,315 recoveries and 10 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245168-thailand-reports-3011-new-covid-19-cases-10-deaths-3315-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Saturday (January 1) reported 3,011 new COVID-19 cases, 3,315 recoveries and 10 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 2,954. Prisons: 57 ▶︎ Recoveries: 3,315 ▶︎ Total infections since April 1: 2,197,583 ▶︎ Total recoveries since April 1: 2,144,383 Saturday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,226,446 with 21,708 deaths. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view The news comes as the National Security Council Secretary-General, who also heads the Center for Covid-19 Situation Center’s “Small Panel” that runs daily operations and advises all restrictions and Covid-19 response measures, said earlier today that there will be NO national lockdown no matter how the Covid -19 situation will be after New Year. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-01 - 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

Travel agency TUI receives more criticism after Norwegian family was isolated in Thailand by Gregers Møller A Norwegian family’s Christmas holiday in Thailand has turned into a covid-19 nightmare after their 9-year-old son tested positive upon arrival in the country and the family was placed in isolation at a local hospital. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245164-travel-agency-tui-receives-more-criticism-after-norwegian-family-was-isolated-in-thailand/

by Gregers Møller A Norwegian family’s Christmas holiday in Thailand has turned into a covid-19 nightmare after their 9-year-old son tested positive upon arrival in the country and the family was placed in isolation at a local hospital. Although it is fairly known that Thailand has strict measures in place in regards to positive cases, the family says that they had not been informed by the travel company TUI that they risked 10 days in isolation at a hospital if they became infected with covid-19. When the family of four from Vinterbro in Norway booked their tickets through the travel agency TUI to Phuket, Thailand they were prepared to spend 24 hours in quarantine upon arrival in a so-called SHA Plus hotel which is an approved quarantine hotel. They booked their entire stay in Thailand at the same hotel and conditions were that adults were fully vaccinated against covid-19, that everyone could present a negative CPR test taken no later than 72 hours before departure, and that everyone would take a new CPR test upon arrival in Thailand. “We thought that if we became infected with covid-19, we would be able to isolate ourselves in the hotel room. There was no mention of any hospital stay. We got the impression from TUI that it was safe to come. Had we known that we would have to go to the hospital if we became infected, we would not have left,” Silje Hoel Nikolic says to Østlandets Blad. Full story: https://scandasia.com/travel-agency-tui-receives-more-criticism-after-norwegian-family-was-isolated-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright ScandAsia 2022-01-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai Covid Center’s general in charge of day to day operations says no national Covid-19 lockdown after New Year By Goong Nang(GN) National – The National Security Council Secretary-General, who also heads the Center for Covid-19 Situation Center’s “Small Panel” that runs daily operations and advises all restrictions and Covid-19 response measures, said earlier today that there will be NO national lockdown no matter how the Covid -19 situation will be after New Year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245163-thai-covid-center’s-general-in-charge-of-day-to-day-operations-says-no-national-covid-19-lockdown-after-new-year/

By Goong Nang(GN) National – The National Security Council Secretary-General, who also heads the Center for Covid-19 Situation Center’s “Small Panel” that runs daily operations and advises all restrictions and Covid-19 response measures, said earlier today that there will be NO national lockdown no matter how the Covid -19 situation will be after New Year. The National Security Council Secretary-General Supot Malaniyom said today (December 31st). “We are preparing very hard to handle the Covid -19 pandemic after the New Year festival. Many people are going back to their hometowns and travelling.” “We are requesting businesses and government offices to work from home if they can and do ATK (Rapid antigen) test when they come back to work.” Supot continued. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/12/31/thai-covid-centers-general-in-charge-of-day-to-day-operations-says-no-national-covid-19-lockdown-after-new-year/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai economy sees improvement in November By Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai economy has seen improvements during the month of November, compared to the prior month, with growth seen in private sector investment and exports. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245162-thai-economy-sees-improvement-in-november/

By Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai economy has seen improvements during the month of November, compared to the prior month, with growth seen in private sector investment and exports. According to the Bank of Thailand, private consumption was able to expand by 0.9% due to improvements in the domestic COVID-19 situation, the rapid administering of the Covid vaccine, and the relaxation of restriction measures imposed to curb the spread of Covid. Economic activity, consumer confidence, and household income all experienced a recovery. Household spending was given a boost by stimulation measures such as the State Welfare Card, the Co-pay purchase subsidy program, and the We Travel Together tourism promotion campaign. Private sector investment rose by 1.3% due to investments in machinery and equipment and construction spending. Exports rose by 2.9% due to improved performance in almost every export category, which the BOT attributed to the recovery of trading partners’ economies and the ramping up of manufacturing to meet orders – especially in the automobile industry – that have early been left unfulfilled. The central bank noted that the number of foreign tourists rose after the government reopened the country to international tourists on November 1. However, the overall number of tourists remained unsubstantial as many countries still imposed curbs on international travel. Chayawadee Chai-Anant, senior director for the BOT’s Corporate Communications Department, expressed her belief that the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus will not have much impact on the target number for foreign visitors in 2022, as more foreign tourists are expected to arrive in the latter half of the year rather than in the first half. She revealed that the central bank’s forecast is currently for the Thai economy to expand by 3.4% in 2022. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Tiger cubs star at Khao Kheow Open Zoo By Tanakorn Sangiam CHONBURI (NNT) - Two 2-year-old tiger cubs have become the center of attention at Khao Kheow Open Zoo this holiday season. The zoo is arranging special activities and celebrations for the New Year festival, including a countdown event. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245161-tiger-cubs-star-at-khao-kheow-open-zoo/

By Tanakorn Sangiam CHONBURI (NNT) - Two 2-year-old tiger cubs have become the center of attention at Khao Kheow Open Zoo this holiday season. The zoo is arranging special activities and celebrations for the New Year festival, including a countdown event. Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province is inviting everyone to greet a family of Indochinese tigers, including two 2-year-old brother and sister nicknamed Aa-ngoon and Melon. They are the latest additions to the family. The zoo’s promotional campaign for this holiday season centers around its big cat family to welcome 2022, which is the year of the Tiger according to Chinese astrology. Visitors can also come to the zoo to meet other animals such as the famous 56-year-old Mali, Thailand’s oldest hippopotamus. Another highlight of the zoo is a parade of 40 Humboldt penguins. Visitors can watch these adorable flightless birds up close. Khao Kheow Open Zoo is also arranging a countdown camping activity at a campsite by the lake within Khao Kheow mountains, along with the special Khao Kheow Night Zoo hours to allow visitors to observe the lives of nocturnal animals. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Industrial Sector Says Gov’t Should Speed Up 3rd Dose to Prevent Omicron Outbreak By Sirakij Pornbanggird BANGKOK (NNT) - According to the Federation of Thai Industries vice-chairman, Mr. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, Thailand should accelerate the coverage of 3rd shot vaccination to keep the Omicron situation under control. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245160-industrial-sector-says-gov’t-should-speed-up-3rd-dose-to-prevent-omicron-outbreak/

By Sirakij Pornbanggird BANGKOK (NNT) - According to the Federation of Thai Industries vice-chairman, Mr. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, Thailand should accelerate the coverage of 3rd shot vaccination to keep the Omicron situation under control. Mr. Kriengkrai said the UK has about the same population as Thailand, but the UK has provided 3rd doses to about 20 million people so far. On the other hand, Thailand has given the 3rd dose to only 5 million people. He said the government should administer 45 million more booster doses within 3 months to prevent the Omicron outbreak from getting out of hand. Regardless of the Omicron situation, the World Bank forecast that Thailand’s GDP would grow by 3.9-4 percent in 2022. Meanwhile, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking expects the GDP to grow by 3-4.5 percent. This may be even worse as foreign countries may have to use lockdown measures again which means Thailand’s industry and other related sectors would again be impacted. Meanwhile, National Shippers’ Council Chairman Chaichan Charoensuk believes the government must transparently inform its citizens of the Omicron situation. He said letting people search for information by themselves may lead to confusion. He added Thailand’s manufacturing sector associated with exports is doing quite well. It grew by 16.4 percent in the first 11 months of 2021. However, it earned less profit year on year because oil prices have increased. The challenge for next year is to control the cost of production and product prices which are part of the possible inflation the country may face, Mr. Chaichan said. Meanwhile, Thai Chamber of Commerce chairman Sanan Angubolkul praised the government for achieving the goal of providing 100 million doses of the Covid vaccine, along with its plan to administer more booster doses to the public. Moreover, the government also launched successful economic stimulus schemes such as the Half-Half scheme, and the We Travel Together campaign. However, there were some unsuccessful schemes such as Ying Chai Ying Dai, and the soft loan scheme, said Mr. Sanan. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 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’s Maya Bay to open from New Year’s Day under strict conditions Famous Maya Bay will be open to members of the public from New Year’s Day, but visitors will have to apply in advance and the number is capped at 4,125 per day. Furthermore, the visits are for just one hour with no swimming at all. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245159-thailand’s-maya-bay-to-open-from-new-year’s-day-under-strict-conditions/

Famous Maya Bay will be open to members of the public from New Year’s Day, but visitors will have to apply in advance and the number is capped at 4,125 per day. Furthermore, the visits are for just one hour with no swimming at all. About 80 representatives of tour operators and guides from Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket and Phang-nga provinces were given a guided tour of the bay on Wednesday, to be informed of the rules and guidelines with which visitors will have to comply, or face fines. According to Pramote Kaewnam, chief of the Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi-Phi national park in Ao Nang sub-district in Muang district of Krabi province, the tour and guide representatives were satisfied with the improved environment and natural atmosphere of bay, after more than three years of closure for rehabilitation. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-maya-bay-to-open-from-new-years-day-under-strict-conditions/ -- © 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

Why ‘mercy’ for mega-corruption convicts could cost Thailand dearly Public anger is growing after five key convicts in high-profile corruption scandals were granted hefty cuts to their jail terms. Four were convicted for their role in the Yingluck government’s graft-riddled rice-pledging scheme. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245158-why-‘mercy’-for-mega-corruption-convicts-could-cost-thailand-dearly/

Public anger is growing after five key convicts in high-profile corruption scandals were granted hefty cuts to their jail terms. Four were convicted for their role in the Yingluck government’s graft-riddled rice-pledging scheme. Over the past year, their original court-set terms have been cut by more than half — and upwards of three-quarters in some cases. The move has angered both supporters and critics of the government, who in a rare consensus agree that the Justice Ministry and Corrections Department are being “too generous” with graft convicts, who include former Cabinet members, senior civil servants and businesspeople. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/why-mercy-for-mega-corruption-convicts-could-cost-thailand-dear/ -- © 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

OPINION: Thailand and NGOs both need transparency At the latest Thai cabinet meeting, on Dec 28th, the draft bill on so-called Not-for-Profit Organisations was withdrawn at the last minute. The bill will now be considered after the New Year holiday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245157-opinion-thailand-and-ngos-both-need-transparency/

At the latest Thai cabinet meeting, on Dec 28th, the draft bill on so-called Not-for-Profit Organisations was withdrawn at the last minute. The bill will now be considered after the New Year holiday. The Prayut government would like to reign in both local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) because they allegedly perpetuate fake news against and negative views of the government. Worse still, some of them, with funding from abroad, have reportedly tried to topple the current political system under the constitutional monarchy. There are more than 25,000 local and 87 foreign NGOs in Thailand, making it one of the biggest hubs in Asia. For decades, Thailand has welcomed the presence of foreign-funded civil society organizations (CSOs), thinking that this would raise the country’s image as an open society moving toward full democracy. Somehow, that deep rooted good will and projected image has not come to fruition. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/op-ed-thailand-and-ngos-both-need-transparency/ -- © 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

Thai House Speaker complains of too much game playing in parliament The Speaker of Thailand’s House of Representatives, Chuan Leekpai, has complained about opposition MPs playing games in parliament, causing House meetings to be abruptly suspended due to the lack of a quorum. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245156-thai-house-speaker-complains-of-too-much-game-playing-in-parliament/

The Speaker of Thailand’s House of Representatives, Chuan Leekpai, has complained about opposition MPs playing games in parliament, causing House meetings to be abruptly suspended due to the lack of a quorum. While admitting that the tactic has been used before by the opposition, to get back at the government, he said that he feels that it was used too frequently in the past month, to the extent that the image of parliament as a whole may be tainted. He observed that the problem usually occurred in the evening, as some MPs left the chamber in the middle of a House meeting or those who were present deliberately declined to declare their presence by refusing to insert their ID cards. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-house-speaker-complains-of-too-much-game-playing-in-parliament/ -- © 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

Art: Bringing light and new life to Korat Korat Biennale. (Photo by Prasert Thepsri) Offering a rare chance for art lovers to indulge in the works of artists from around the globe, the second edition of “Thailand Biennale, KORAT 2021”, which opened recently and runs through March 31, brings works by 53 artists from 25 countries to three districts of Nakhon Ratchasima province, namely Muang Nakhon Ratchasima, Pak Chong, and Phimai. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245155-art-bringing-light-and-new-life-to-korat/

Korat Biennale. (Photo by Prasert Thepsri) Offering a rare chance for art lovers to indulge in the works of artists from around the globe, the second edition of “Thailand Biennale, KORAT 2021”, which opened recently and runs through March 31, brings works by 53 artists from 25 countries to three districts of Nakhon Ratchasima province, namely Muang Nakhon Ratchasima, Pak Chong, and Phimai. Organized by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture (OCAC), and in the capable hands of its artistic director, Professor Yuko Hasegawa of Tokyo University of the Arts, the exhibition is co-curated by Tawatchai Somkong, Vipash Purichanont, and Seiha Kurosawa. For“Butterflies Frolicking on the Mud: Engendering Sensible Capital” (“Serng Sin Tin Ya Mo” in Thai), artists were invited to create site-specific works at the biennale venues to enhance the potential of the sites to become cultural capitals. There are both permanent and semi-permanent artworks at various venues such as Phimai Historical Park, Thao Suranari Monument, Boong Ta Lua Water Park, Wat Phayap, Art Gallery & Exhibition, Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, Rajamangala University of Technology, Phimai National Museum, Korat Fossil Museum, King Rama IX Commemorative Library, Public Health Accommodation House and Skate Park. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/art-bringing-light-and-new-life-to-korat/ -- © 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’s New Year road carnage claims 85 deaths and injures 786 in 2 days Forty-four people died and 426 others were injured in 422 road accidents across the country on the second day of the long New Year long holidays. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245154-thailand’s-new-year-road-carnage-claims-85-deaths-and-injures-786-in-2-days/