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to continue: Thailand Live Thursday 30 Dec 2021 https://aseannow.com/topic/1244968-thailand-live-thursday-30-dec-2021/

Medical Sciences Department reports total of 739 Omicron cases in Thailand Confirmed Omicron cases in Thailand have increased to 739, including 488 cases among arrivals from abroad and 251 locally-acquired cases, according to Dr. Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Medical Services Department. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244924-medical-sciences-department-reports-total-of-739-omicron-cases-in-thailand/

Thai Health Ministry says cloth face masks effective if worn properly Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is insisting that cloth face masks can protect against the Omicron COVID-19 variant, if they are made of muslin and worn properly. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244956-thai-health-ministry-says-cloth-face-masks-effective-if-worn-properly/

Bangkok Extends Closure of Entertainment Venues Until January 15 BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will extend the temporary closure of entertainment venues until January 15 to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244958-bangkok-extends-closure-of-entertainment-venues-until-january-15/

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/

E-commerce, healthcare and beauty services most promising sectors in 2022 Health care, beauty services and E-commerce have been identified as three top-performing businesses for the coming year, as they were this year, in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a projection by the Centre of Economic and Business Forecasting of the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244904-e-commerce-healthcare-and-beauty-services-most-promising-sectors-in-2022/

Health care, beauty services and E-commerce have been identified as three top-performing businesses for the coming year, as they were this year, in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a projection by the Centre of Economic and Business Forecasting of the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). It said that, as many businesses have faltered over the past two years, these three sectors have been thriving, as Thai people adjust their lifestyle to the “new normal” and adapt to new technologies. The wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing and regular use of sanitisers have become the norm for the majority of the people, to the extent that this behaviour has spurred an increase in health care and beauty services and E-commerce. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/e-commerce-healthcare-and-beauty-services-most-promising-sectors-in-2022/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-12-29 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Omicron Variant Poses "Big Wave" Challenge to Industries By Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) warns that the new Omicron coronavirus variant could, in combination with other factors, pose a major "big wave" challenge for industrial operators. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244902-omicron-variant-poses-big-wave-challenge-to-industries/

By Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) warns that the new Omicron coronavirus variant could, in combination with other factors, pose a major "big wave" challenge for industrial operators. The highly transmissible strain has already prompted many European nations to reimpose strict measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, vice-chairman of the FTI, said that, in addition to the Omicron variant, digital disruption, climate change, an aging society and geopolitical tensions will continue to weigh on manufacturing sentiment going into 2022 and beyond. He described these factors as being like a "big wave" that can crash against Thailand’s industrial sector, noting that the aviation and hospitality industries have already been negatively impacted by the pandemic even as opportunities emerged in industries such as healthcare and electronics. Global efforts to slash carbon emissions are meanwhile prompting the European Union to consider imposing a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) to charge manufacturers who fail to adopt climate-friendly measures. Kriengkrai said industries targeted by the CBAM include steel, aluminium, electricity generation, fertiliser and cement, with supply chains expected to feel the impact in the near future. Thailand currently aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. On the aging society issue, the FTI vice-chairman said workforce reductions amid expanding elderly care services will lead to shifts in business operations, as people over the age of 60 are projected to make up 30% of the Thai population by 2041. As for digital disruption, Kriengkrai said factor operators will be faced with the need to modernize their manufacturing bases as 61% of domestic industries remain at the Industry 2.0 level focusing on productivity and production capacity. The government is meanwhile aiming to achieve Industry 4.0 goals that encourage manufacturers to employ digital technology and data analyses. On the issue of geopolitical tensions, the FTI vice-chairman specifically pointed to the ongoing US-China trade war that continues to impact the global economy going forward. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-12-29 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Video: Krabi snakecatchers find four meter python stuck in motorcycle spokes Picture: 77kaoded A video on the news site of 77kaoded showed the actions of a Miracle of Life team in the Neua Klong area of Krabi in southern Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244896-video-krabi-snakecatchers-find-four-meter-python-stuck-in-motorcycle-spokes/

Picture: 77kaoded A video on the news site of 77kaoded showed the actions of a Miracle of Life team in the Neua Klong area of Krabi in southern Thailand. The snakecatchers were called after a house owner found a long python had got stuck in the spokes of his motorcycle. The head of the serpent had got through but as it slithered and wriggled to try and extricate itself it just got more stuck. After a ten minute operation with a noose on the end of a pole the four meter long, 30 kilogram snake was bagged and taken away to "return to nature". It had taken seven men to hold it for the camera. The rescue team said that it appeared that the snake had been after a pet then got stuck as it fled the scene. The media said the numbers related to the event - including the plate of the motorcycle - would be used to inform possible lottery winnings. A snake's unexpected appearance in Thailand is seen as an omen, notes ASEAN NOW. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-29 - 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

Education Ministry prepares hybrid Children’s Day event By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Education has revealed its plan for the 2022 Children’s Day celebration, with a hybrid event to be held both in the real world and online space promoting a sense of unity. The in-person event will be organized under stringent public health measures, while children at home can join online games with a chance to win prizes delivered directly to their homes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244895-education-ministry-prepares-hybrid-children’s-day-event/

By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Education has revealed its plan for the 2022 Children’s Day celebration, with a hybrid event to be held both in the real world and online space promoting a sense of unity. The in-person event will be organized under stringent public health measures, while children at home can join online games with a chance to win prizes delivered directly to their homes. The Ministry of Education said the hybrid in-person and virtual event for 2022 Children’s Day on 8 January will feature an award ceremony for children and youth who have brought fame to the country. Minister of Education Trinuch Thienthong said 250 children will get a chance to meet the Prime Minister, and receive plaques honoring their achievements in a televised event starting from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on NBT. Similar awarding ceremonies will be organized in each province, with the provincial governor granting the awards to the winners. On the same day, the Ministry of Education will be holding an in-person Children’s Day celebration at the Teachers Council Auditorium in Bangkok, featuring 8 activity booths for children to participate in in-person, or virtually via Zoom conferences. Every person attending the physical event must present proof of full vaccination, plus a negative antigen COVID-19 test result of no more than 72 hours. Those who do not have a test result must go through additional screening upon entry. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-12-29 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Video: "Suay!" Trucker laments end of year disaster as Thailand's infamous hanging wires strike again Picture: 77kaoded Thailand's world famous hanging wires - cited ironically recently as a possible tourist selfie boon - have caused more trouble for a Ratchaburi farmer. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244893-video-suay-trucker-laments-end-of-year-disaster-as-thailands-infamous-hanging-wires-strike-again/

Picture: 77kaoded Thailand's world famous hanging wires - cited ironically recently as a possible tourist selfie boon - have caused more trouble for a Ratchaburi farmer. Bunlert, 57, from Bunlert Farm, was taking a consignment of 400 bales of compressed straw to Phetchaburi when another trucker coming in the opposite direction told him he was on fire. He quickly dumped his load to mitigate further damage to his truck as the blaze took hold and the fire spread to the adjacent undergrowth by the road. It took firefighters 3 hours to bring the inferno under control. Bunlert called it a New Year "suay" - a word when pronounced with a common tone that means a misfortune not beautiful! (rising tone). Picture: 77kaoded He said it had cost him 10,000 baht for the straw load and more because of the damage to his truck, reported 77kaoded. He said that he thought his truck had hit hanging wires and cables causing the fire. He called on the authorities to act and clear them up on his route noting that it had never happened to him before. A witness called Laksmi, 55, said she was buying some things and saw the truck was on fire. She yelled at the driver but he didn't hear her cries. Police were on the scene after the incident in Khu Bua sub-district. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-29 - 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 7pm.mp4

Tips for safe travel during long New Year holidays The Thai Department of Health Services is offering tips for safe travel during New Year holidays, especially for protection against COVID-19, including the easily transmissible Omicron variant. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244892-tips-for-safe-travel-during-long-new-year-holidays/

The Thai Department of Health Services is offering tips for safe travel during New Year holidays, especially for protection against COVID-19, including the easily transmissible Omicron variant. Head of the department, Dr. Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, said that travelling together in the same private or public transport vehicle increases the risk of COVID-19 infection because people are together in a confined space for a long period of time. There is also poor air circulation in vehicles and a likelihood that some of the passengers may not wear face masks all the time or may talk with each other during the journey. Under such circumstances, he suggested the following tips: Wear face masks all the time and avoid talking during the journey Avoiding eating together while travelling in the same vehicle Do not share glasses, bottles, knives, spoons or forks Maintain social distancing Wash hands regularly with sanitiser Avoid touching common surfaces at rest areas On a long journey, stop the vehicle every hour and open the car windows Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/tips-for-safe-travel-during-long-new-year-holidays/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-12-29 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Bangkok beats Pattaya as top New Year’s Eve destination, Khao Kho makes it into the Top 10 Bangkok has defeated last year’s champion Pattaya and returned to number one spot as the most favourite destination to celebrate the start of 2022, according to data from digital travel platform Agoda. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244890-bangkok-beats-pattaya-as-top-new-year’s-eve-destination-khao-kho-makes-it-into-the-top-10/

Bangkok has defeated last year’s champion Pattaya and returned to number one spot as the most favourite destination to celebrate the start of 2022, according to data from digital travel platform Agoda. However, Pattaya is still number two in the survey and it reflects an Asian-wide trend as world–class beach destinations dominate the top of the list. For example, Goa comes top for India, Bali for Indonesia, Cebu is the leading Philippines destination and Jeju Island comes in first un South Korea. Despite the fear of the Omicron variant, Thailand travel has gradually resumed and is expected to bloom during the holiday season fuelled by the government’s stimulus package “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) which is approaching its end. In addition, the Test-and-Go scheme that allowed most visitors to enter the country without quarantine but which is now on hold, drew quite a large number of returning expats as well as foreign tourists. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bangkok-beats-pattaya-as-top-new-years-eve-destination-khao-kho-makes-it-into-the-top-10/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-12-29 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Samrong chief promises "justice for both sides" after cop shoots drug suspect dead following gun grab Picture: 77kaoded Standard police language was used after a drug suspect was shot by police as he made good his escape following a drugs check. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244888-samrong-chief-promises-justice-for-both-sides-after-cop-shoots-drug-suspect-dead-following-gun-grab/

Picture: 77kaoded Standard police language was used after a drug suspect was shot by police as he made good his escape following a drugs check. South Samrong police chief Pol Col Jakrapong Nutchpadung promised "justice for both sides" - the cops and the victim's family. Jakrapong said that on Monday evening two of his officers were on motorcycle patrol. Sakhon, 47, from Nonthaburi was stopped and found to have 19 Ya Ba (methamphetamine mixed with caffeine) pills and a bag of crystal meth. As officers prepared to take him into custody he grabbed one of their guns and shot as he fled on a motorbike. Picture: 77kaoded The police returned fire in self-defence. Later Ruam Katanyu rescue were called and the suspect was found to have died from a gunshot wound to the chest at a house nearby. 77kaoded reported on the case adding that the Ruam Katanyu worker had reported what he thought was a ghostly incident. He had found the victim with his eyes open. He carried him in the van to the police station to get certification for the subsequent autopsy but found that the police computer system was all down. The note had to be written by hand. On leaving, the system mysteriously came back online leading the rescue worker to surmise that mysterious forces were afoot and that the spirit of the deceased had followed them to the police station. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-29 - 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

"Overloaded Trucks": Cabinet act after NACC indicate widespread corruption and lawbreaking File photo: Facebook The issue of overloaded trucks in Thailand has been as plain as the nose on the drivers faces for years. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244887-overloaded-trucks-cabinet-act-after-nacc-indicate-widespread-corruption-and-lawbreaking/

File photo: Facebook The issue of overloaded trucks in Thailand has been as plain as the nose on the drivers faces for years. So much so that many news media - ASEAN NOW included - enjoy publishing pictures of the latest ridiculous and dangerous infractions. It seems that the loads get heavier, higher and more precarious - despite the omni-presence of "weighing stations" on main roads and laws on the books. Those laws are being routinely flouted and enforcement of the rules - Article 84 in particular - ignored by the authorities who take backhanders. Consequently haulage companies are allowed to get away with heavy loads and the effect can be seen on main roads in particular - whole inside lanes carved up by trucks who then move to the outside lanes to ruin those and avoid the bumps and damage they created in the first place. Adding to the frustration of other road users who have to undertake dangerously. INN reported that the National Anti-Corruption Commission presented a damning report to the Thai cabinet. Picture: INN Deputy spokeswoman Traisuree said that the Transport Ministry has been ordered to act to crack down on companies sending out overladen trucks and conniving officials signing off on their misdemeanors. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-29 - 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

Omicron panic decimates Thai tourism "high season" - foreign tourists cancel, events scrapped, flights stopped, insurance woes File photo: Travel Daily Thai business media reported that the tourist "high season" was in tatters in Thailand because of the Omicron variant. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244886-omicron-panic-decimates-thai-tourism-high-season-foreign-tourists-cancel-events-scrapped-flights-stopped-insurance-woes/

File photo: Travel Daily Thai business media reported that the tourist "high season" was in tatters in Thailand because of the Omicron variant. Foreign tourists - with no appetite for going through a seven day quarantine since Test and Go was suspended - have been cancelling in droves. They are cancelling trips to Phuket. Flights into the holiday island are being scrapped with TUI Nordic stopping them on Christmas Day. In Chiang Mai tours are being cancelled and hotel bookings are going unfilled. Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang pulled the plug on New Year events by the BMA. The media put this down to Omicron and noted that this comes despite general acceptance that the variant means less hospitalization but is considered faster spreading. The impact on tourists potentially testing positive once in Thailand is enough to tell them "no thanks" and persuade them to stay in the US and Europe for now. Trying to buck the trend are tourism leaders in Rayong, Pattaya and Hua Hin with requests to be considered "sandbox" destinations. But these seem little more than forlorn hopes with the market for trips to Thailand thoroughly depressed. Whether January will see any renewed hope remains highly debatable with Omicron sweeping Europe and the US with record numbers and Thailand itself bracing for worse days to come. Central, The Mall Group and Icon Siam - three major retail groups - are pressing ahead with New Year plans with Covid protocols - but what visitors they have will mostly be domestic Thais not international visitors. Meanwhile it was also reported that insurance companies face payouts of 20 billion baht on Covid policies - the new variant is overstretching them and means that many are facing losses after miscalculating the cost of policies. All in all, "Happy New Year" as far as the Thai tourism industry goes looks a hollow saying this year. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-29 - 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