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Daily News Thai Caption: Marijuana freedom Thailand's health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul has thrown the whole question about the precise legality of marijuana into utter confusion. The Bhumjaithai party leader was swept to power on the back of a manifesto promising that every household would be free to grow several plants. Now he has ranted on the issue to the Thai media and is adamant that the new laws mean that marijuana is NOT a narcotic. He said that no one should stand in the way of people wanting to grow it to earn a living. The "intent of the law was to make it free to grow" he insisted. The interpretation of the law was another matter. But his comments left observers more confused than enlightened. Still he was adamant that people were free to grow the plant for medicinal use providing it had less than 0.2% THC. This would still mean that regular plants that make the user high would be illegal - though Anutin chose not to be precise about that - a situation that could see growers and users wind up in jail. Instead he promised that Bhumjaithai party list MP and lawyer Suphachaijai Samutjai would defend anyone charged with growing the plant. The rant - reported in Daily News - came as Thai print media reported the arrest of a 32 year old Briton on Koh Samui for possession of marijuana. ASEAN NOW advises extreme caution on recreational use of marijuana in Thailand. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-13 - 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

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that Thailand was finally getting tough with the Omicron variant with orders issued by the prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. This comes more than a month after the emergence of the easily spread and fast spreading variant was identified in South Africa then swept through Europe and the US. Many have said Thailand was slow to react because of a lack of testing despite the fact that Omicron soon showed up in the kingdom. Now cases are surging in Thailand the Royal Thai Police has been instructed to ensure that Rule 9 of the emergency decree in particular is followed to the letter. This was contained in a Government Gazette announcement to be followed as of yesterday, January 9th. RTP spokesman Pol Col Krissana Patanacharoen said that chief Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk had instructed his deputies nationwide to make sure that everyone - especially businesses - were following established Covid-19 protocols. This will mean that the loophole that allowed bars and pubs to act as restaurants will be scrutinized and prosecutions for law breaking will follow. The serving of alcohol will be stopped in places and at times when it is illegal and vigilance in this matter will be a priority. Many establishments in Thailand have sought to open under SHA and SHA+ rules - these will be closely checked. 9 pm closing will be strictly enforced. Pubs, bars, massage places and the like will be closely checked to make sure there is no law breaking. ASEAN NOW notes that there was a certain amount of laissez-faire going on in Thailand especially in tourist areas like Pattaya, nightlife areas of Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. That attitude in the coming days is expected to end as law enforcement cracks down under established rules at least until the end of January. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-10 - 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

A Thai customer has been threatened with a costly lawsuit by a hotel in Khao Yai, in Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, after she complained about the hotel on a travel agency website and gave it a low rating following her stay there last year. Secretary-general of the Lawyers for the People Foundation, Sittra Biabangkerd, wrote on Facebook on Thursday that he had been contacted by the customer about the lawsuit. On December 19th last year, she rated the hotel as 6/10 and wrote about her poor experience there. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-hotel-threatens-customer-with-฿3m-lawsuit-over-bad-review/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-07 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

File photo for reference only Taxing cryptocurrency profits must be at the top of most Revenue Departments across the World with the staggering profits made over the past couple of years. Here in Thailand, the country’s Revenue Department is now discussing with digital asset exchanges on ways to collect withholding taxes on cryptocurrency profits. Department spokesperson Sommai Siriudomset said the move is intended to make trading more convenient. Cryptocurrency buyers currently have a duty to collect the 15% withholding tax from the profit gained by the sellers in every transaction. Of course, with huge debts mounting due to the collapse of the hospitality industry and the ongoing cost of managing the pandemic, the Revenue department is keen to explore ways of gathering the tax. Many people know that most tax agencies expect tax of some kind to be paid on cryptocurrencies -- and that tax agencies are actively looking for those who are evading taxes. There are, however, a few countries where cryptocurrencies are not taxed under some or all circumstances, notably for those who buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies -- where it is completely legal and state-sanctioned not to pay taxes on cryptocurrency investment gains. They include Germany, Portugal, Malta, and Switzerland in Europe and Singapore and Malaysia in Asia. Inorganic law Mrs. Sommai explained to the media that the Thai Revenue department is working to introduce an inorganic law to collect the 15% capital gains tax on the profits from cryptocurrency trading. They have the authority to collect taxes from cryptocurrency trading because profits from such activity can be considered assessable income under Section 40 of the Royal Decree amending Revenue Code No.19. She did however confirm that the department would calculate the tax from only profitable transactions, not losses. This means sellers must record all profitable transactions to determine which require withholding tax. The tax also covers Bitcoin mining transactions and the dividend or interest from cryptocurrency investment. Apparently, Bitcoin mining is considered the same as ore mining, Mrs. Sommai said. Therefore, any gains from Bitcoin mining are considered income from commercial, agricultural, and industrial operations, which are subject to the tax under Section 40 (8). However, Bitcoin miners may claim expenses incurred during the mining for a tax deduction. Dividends or interest gained from investment in cryptocurrencies are considered to be income under Section 40 (4) and are subject to tax. One trader, Sanjay Popli, who is the co-founder of Cryptomind, and owner of Merkle Capital, said that a large number of investors are still unsure about how the Revenue Department will calculate profits and losses from crypto trading. He added that it is extremely hard to actually track gains from cryptocurrencies as most crypto traders are speculators. Many usually keep the coins for very short periods, before selling to take profits. Many Thais and Expats across the country are sitting on huge gains from buying and selling bitcoins and will be watching what happens with interest. Until the Thai government makes clear its regulations on taxation, traders will just have to wait and be prepared to allow for some form of payments to the Revenue departments. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-07 - 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

The owner of a zoo in Thailand’s Khon Kaen province has posted disturbing pictures, on the zoo’s official Facebook page, of a Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) being abused, urging visitors not to harm them as such creatures are friendly and do not harm others. The owner of the Khon Kaen Exotic Pets & The Fountain Show zoo, located in Sila sub-district in Muang district of Khon Kaen, told a reporter that, on New Year’s Day, many visitors flocked to the zoo and were all given baskets of vegetables with which to feed the animals. One visitor, however, was surprised when a Capybara approached them. The visitor struck the creature with the basket until the creature bled. Staff members at the zoo quickly treated the animal’s wounds after the shocking incident. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/abused-capybara-in-khon-kaen-sparks-outcry-on-social-media/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-04 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Erich Parpart The government said on Tuesday that it would consider reimplementing work from home and online schooling if the spread of the Omicron variant is uncontained after the New Year break. “The ministry is proposing the work from home measure, and it will be considered on January 4,” said Sathit Pitutecha, the Deputy Minister of Public Health. The government is set to introduce new quarantine and restriction measures on the day. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/36138/government-to-reconsider-work-from-home-and-online-classes-mandate-after-new-year/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-12-28 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Channel 7 A British man was chased in the street by a knife wielding Thai man after he repeated asked for a beer and was refused and then was told to go home. The case reached Thai national TV news Channel 7 after a clip and information was posted by Mr Jack's wife Nalinnara, 28, on Facebook. In the Facebook post requesting information about the man in the video it was stated that the man approached a group of Thais and the foreigner drinking at a shop in Phraeksa Soi 10, Muang Samut Prakan, south east of the Thai capital Bangkok. The poster said her husband didn't have any money with him and turned down the man's request for a beer. But he wouldn't stop and asked "twenty plus" times for a beer creating annoyance. Eventually the Brit stood up and told the man to go home. To defuse the situation one of the Thais present fronted up the price of a beer. But the man came back 5 minutes later armed with a knife. The foreigner ran off leaving his motorcycle. The assailant chased him, couldn't find him then returned to the shop to ask where the foreigner lived. Apparently this was not the first time this man had done something like this. Reporters from Channel 7 went to the area and spoke to the owners of a grocer's opposite called Ms Neung who said it happened at about 10.30 pm on Saturday 18th December. She confirmed the Facebook details adding that there was a considerable commotion. She said that she knew the British man who was a frequent customer and that he was a polite and nice guy. When asked where he lived the other people present on the night in question said they didn't know. The Thai man had made trouble for someone else two months ago, she said. Nalinnara told the media that her husband had gone to the shop opposite to buy cigarettes then been invited over for a beer by some Thai friends. She said that Jack ran 200 meters to escape the man leaving his bike. He was now scared to leave the house. She provided the Muang Samut Prakan police with a clip and they are now investigating. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-12-21 - 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

In 2016 Mr Wright claimed to be the founder of Bitcoin A computer scientist who claims he invented Bitcoin has won a court case allowing him to keep a cache of the cryptocurrency worth billions of dollars. A jury rejected claims that Craig Wright's former business partner was due half of the assets. As a result Mr Wright will retain 1.1m Bitcoin, worth $54bn (£40bn). However he will pay $100m to his late partner's company for intellectual property infringement. Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59571277 -- © Copyright BBC 2021-12-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

The Thai Immigration Bureau has announced that foreigners who remain in Thailand due to the COVID-19 situation have until almost the end of January next year to extend their stay permission to remain in the country. It was expected that the so-called ‘COVID extensions’ would no longer be available with Thailand and other countries starting to reopen their borders to tourists. But according to a new order, dated 23 November 2021, foreigners can apply for a COVID extension until 25 January 2022. As this is a 60 day extension, it essentially grants stay in the country until 26 March 2022. The order will once again be welcomed by those people who remain in Thailand due to COVID-19 and need to or want to stay longer. Anyone whose temporary extension was due to expire are advised to visit their local immigration office for a further extension. It will cost 1,900 baht. Special thanks toThai Visa Centre for the information. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-11-24 - 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

File photo A Suan Dusit University poll has revealed that more family members and grandparents are bringing up Thai children than parents themselves. The poll - about the problems facing families with children up to 15 years old in the Covid-19 era - suggested that 49.14% of children were raised by grandparents and other family members and just 45.45% by mums and dads, reported Daily News. 77.64% said that raising children was harder in Covid times compared to pre-pandemic. Finding activities for children and keeping them healthy were chief concerns. 74.57% were worried about their children getting Covid and 62.9% expressed concern about their education. It was reckoned that costs related to bringing up children were on average 7,974 baht for each child a month. The total number polled between 15th and 18th November was 1,154. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-11-22 - 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

By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Education is asking government agencies and private firms to lend smartphones and tablets to students. These internet-connected devices are crucial to students’ remote learning. The Ministry of Education launched the “Next Normal with Smart Devices” campaign for government agencies and private companies to lend smart devices such as smartphones and tablets to students in need, in order to assist in their online learning during the pandemic. Deputy Minister of Education Kalaya Sophonpanich said access to technology and internet connection, along with the content and teachers’ capacity, is crucial for effective online learning, an area in which this new campaign could help improve upon. The Ministry of Education will also be setting up a fund to support students in need of online learning equipment and to further promote online learning channels and the creation of online content. The ministry is to set up a central database for online lessons and tests, starting with high school students in their senior years, before expanding to younger students, as well as students with special needs. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-11-20 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Daily News Thailand's controversial Minister of Health and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul was interviewed by Daily News on what the media called the latest drama: People who are not vaccinated being unable to access certain services and being denied employment in some jobs. Some have likened this to being treated like lepers. The minister, often criticized for inflammatory and off the cuff remarks, struck a more measured, reasoned tone, notes ASEAN NOW. He even mentioned his own experiences concerning a trip to a WHO meeting in Switzerland that he could not attend. He said that not being vaccinated was a person's basic human right. You can't force anyone to be vaccinated. But equally he felt that owners of businesses and those offering services to the public were within their rights to serve who they wished in order to protect themselves, their other staff and their other customers. This was particularly true in the tourism industry, he noted. Employers were also within their rights to insist that certain employees in certain companies could only work for them if they are vaccinated. Such cases were already being raised abroad, he noted, and Thailand would be no different. He stressed the importance of everyone who can getting vaccinated as it protects you and means far less potential health problems if you then catch Covid. He again stressed that vaccination does not mean you can't be infected but that people vaxxed are very unlikely to need intubation or die. He continued to advise practical measures like social distancing while copmpletely understanding people's reticence at being around the unvaccinated. Some in society - particularly anti-vaxxers have said that draconian rules mean that those choosing not to be vaccinated or who have exemptions face being treated like lepers in society. Anutin said that society was still coming to terms with the pandemic and its aftermath. He cited his own experiences about the now well-known affair in not going to Switzerland. He said that the reality was he could have gotten a visa after two doses of Sinovac. But he would have had to have stayed in his hotel once there and could not have attended the WHO meeting or even gone out to a restaurant. He recognised that he would need a booster shot to do his job there properly. So that's what he would have to do to satisfy their entry requirements. Not unreasonably, he compared this to other employees having to get vaccinated to do their jobs. "It's part of living together happily in society," he noted. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-11-19 - 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

File photo: REUTERS By Jonathan Fairfield PayPal will no longer be available to the vast majority of people in Thailand from February 2022. PayPal recently announced that anyone in Thailand who set up a personal account before March 2021, will no longer be able to receive payments or even have a balance on their account from February 2022. “PayPal is preparing to relaunch services in Thailand. If your account was opened prior to March 7, 2021, you will need to take some action to continue using your account in Thailand, the company says on its website. The move essentially means that as of February next year, PayPal will no longer be available to customers with personal accounts in Thailand. For people who rely on PayPal to receive payments from overseas, they will no longer be able to do so without a registered business account. Online teachers, freelance workers, digital nomads or even people in Thailand who use PayPal to receive money from friends and family overseas will have to find an alternative. In order to get a registered business account, people will need to be registered via the Thai government’s Know Your Business (KYB) scheme. Registration for a business account requires applicants to submit their 13 digit registration number, as well as the identification documents of all company shareholders with more than 25% stake in the company. In addition, anyone who is authorised to use said business account is also required to submit their identification documents. Furthermore, business accounts will then be charged 7% VAT on all transactions, while domestic transactions can only be made in Thai baht and must be linked to a Thai bank account. Business customers will also no longer be able to transfer money bank accounts in the United States. The move has come about after the Thai government overhauled regulation of the country’s fintech sector. This means that PayPal has been forced to adhere to a new regulatory framework in order to be able to operate in Thailand. However, speculation online says the move is to do with Thailand cracking down on money laundering. Last year PayPal announced it was no longer accepting new registrations for accounts from people in Thailand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-11-12 - 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

Need a driving licence in Thailand? Queue system now up and running for new applications Picture: Daily News The head of the Department of Land Transport Jirut Wisanjit has ordered that all DLT offices nationwide now handle applications for new driving licences. The order refers to people who have not had a licence before. Applicants can use the DLT Smart Queue app to book a date at their local office. Or go to https://gecc.dlt.go.th to book. New licence applications at busy offices have been held up since mid-April and can be made from now until the end of the year, reported Daily News. The chief ordered all offices to follow strict Covid-19 protocols. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Daily News Police in Udon Thani in Thailand's north east have promised justice after a Thai man was killed by a Swiss pensioner at the foreigner's house. The Thai man scaled a wall and demanded money and a fight broke out after he pulled a gun. The pensioner hit him in the head then tied him up before the police were called. But the intruder had died. It was the early hours of Sunday when Pol Capt Sukin Rajankaew of the Nakha police went to a house one kilometer from the village in Moo 4 Ban Khamin in Kutsa sub-district. Picture: Daily News There the police and rescue services found 53 year old Sathian dead in a kitchen behind the house. He had cheek and eyebrow cuts and bruises and had his hands and feet bound. He was taken for an autopsy at Soon Udon Thani Hospital. Waiting to surrender himself at the scene was Rudolf J.R., 63, the Swiss houseowner. He admitted knocking out the victim but denied intending to kill him. He said that late Saturday night he had been having a coffee in his kitchen. His wife had been out drinking with friends and had come home and gone to bed. The intruder scaled a concrete wall and was armed with a gun which he pointed at him demanding "money, money", reported Daily News. Picture: Daily News A struggle ensued as the Swiss man said he grabbed the intruder's arm and the gun went off but it didn't hit anyone. Rudolf said he threw it in the pond next to the house. In the furious fight fists and feet were used to attack the intruder who was knocked unconscious. Worried that he would regain consciousness the foreigner tied him up, woke up his wife and got her to contact the phu yai ban to inform the police. However, when the phu yai ban arrived Sathian was already dead. Lak, 44, the Swiss man's wife, said that she and her husband had been married for ten years and lived off his retirement fund. He used to be an architect. They had no trouble with anyone and no enemies, she said. She admitted to being someone who liked to go out and party with friends. Two years ago she said she met Sathian, a general employee and farmer, who was a friend of a friend. She said that he tried to initiate a relationship with her but she declined his advances. She would meet him in the village and say hello, that was all. She never thought he would try to rob them and it would come to this. Rudolf was taken away to the police station along with a .38 revolver that was found in the pond. It contained 5 rounds in the chamber, one had been fired. Picture: Daily News Pol Maj-Gen Phisanu Unhaseri said there were two cases - the first involved trespass at night with a gun and attempted murder against the victim. The second is that the foreigner will face charges of inflicting bodily harm causing death. Whether it was self-defence will be taken into consideration, said the provincial police chief promising "justice for both sides". He said there would be a full investigation. More on this as we hear of developments in the case. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-04 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

File photo: REUTERS Today (Oct 1) marks the first day of the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the 29 ‘dark red zone’ provinces in Thailand. The easing of restrictions sees a variety of businesses and services reopen including restaurants and indoor fitness centres. Restaurants are permitted to open until 9pm, with seating for dine-in customers limited to 50% for air-conditioned restaurants and at 75% for the open-air venues. Restaurants are also permitted to host live music performances, however, the sale of alcohol is still prohibited (except in Phuket). Cinemas or movie theatres are also allowed to reopen but viewers are required to adhere to a series of restrictions. These include requiring people to wear a face mask at all times, maintain distancing between seats and no food or drink while watching a movie. Cinemas can also only operate at 50% and must be closed by 9pm. Other restrictions which are eased from October 1 include: Opening hours for convenience stores, fresh markets, and flea markets for food and consumer goods have also been extended for one hour longer or until 21.00 Hrs. All 24-hour shops must close nightly from 21.00-04.00 Hrs. Public libraries and museums of all types, book houses, art galleries, historical sites, ancient monuments, learning centres, science centres for education, science parks, science and cultural centres, and art galleries can open under strict public health measures and limit the number of visitors at 75% of normal capacity. Cinemas can open until 21.00 Hrs. Seating shall be limited at 50% under the distancing approach. During showtime, visitors must wear a mask at all times, while consumption of food and drinks is not allowed. Opening hours for hair and beauty salons, as well as tattoo shops have also been extended to 21.00 Hrs. Tattoo shops’ customers must show proof that they are fully vaccinated or tested negative for COVID-19. Health massage shops and health spa shops are allowed to resume operations for all massage services, from previously foot massage only. The duration of service shall be limited to a two-hour session per customer. The opening hours have also been extended to 21.00 Hrs. However, body wrap, sauna, and herbal steam services are still not allowed. Public parks, sports fields, sports complexes, and outdoor swimming pools can extend the opening hours for one more hour until 21.00 Hrs. Meanwhile, air-conditioned fitness centres are allowed to resume operations up until 21.00 Hrs., except for the sauna and steam section. The use of venues or sports fields for competitions must be approved by the Bangkok or Provincial Communicable Disease Control Committee and must be conducted under strict public health measures and limit the number of visitors at 25% of normal capacity. All visitors must show proof that they are fully vaccinated or tested negative for COVID-19. Shopping malls, shopping centres, community malls, or similar establishments can also extend normal operations by one hour or until 21.00 Hrs., with limitations on the following venues and services: Schools and tutorial centres can reopen under the permission of the Bangkok or Provincial Communicable Disease Control Committee. Aesthetic clinics, medical clinics for beauty services, cosmetic clinics, manicure and pedicure shops, are allowed to accept customers with an advance appointment. Hair and beauty salons are allowed to accept customers with an advance appointment for a two-hour service per customer. Health massage shops, health spa shops, tattoo shops, cinemas and fitness centres are allowed to open as per the above-mentioned guidelines. Amusement parks, water parks, gaming centres, and banquet and meeting activities are to remain closed. Theatres and playhouses can open for music performances, cultural shows, folk dances, or similar performance up until 21.00 Hrs., and limit the number of audiences to 50% of the normal capacity. Educational institutions of all types, nurseries, and child development centres can reopen in accordance with the rules and regulations by the respective authorities. Despite the easing of some restrictions, a night time curfew remains in place between 22.00-04.00 and is expected to remain in place until at least Oct 15. Bars, pubs and nightclubs are also required to remain closed. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Naew Na The Immigration Bureau's spokesman Pol Col Phakkapong Sai-ubol told the press yesterday that his chief Pol Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang had ordered action after a video was given to the IB. It purported to show a foreign national putting his feet on bread that was about to be packaged for sale. Apart from being unhygienic this use of the feet was sickening to Thais, suggested Naew Na in their report. Picture: Naew Na The public wanted to know if this foreigner was legally in Thailand and did he even have a work permit. ASEAN NOW notes that Thais have an aversion to the foot though it frequently appears inserted in the mouths of officials. On this occasion the IB is still searching high and low in Bangkok to find the miscreant and the public were urged to call 1178 if they have information about the baker with the feet. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-09-22 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Bangkok Business News The measures to try and encourage a million wealthy foreign visitors to come to Thailand over the next five years are set to have a broader impact for consumers of imported alcohol. The customs department are reportedly going to slash import duty on wine and spirits and cigars maybe by as much as half. Wine drinkers in particular in Thailand have often complained about the cost of foreign imported beverages. What a 50% reduction in import duty would mean at the till remains to be seen. Bangkok Business News quoted the director-general of the Customs Department Patchara Anantasin as saying that the changes would be part of the mix to attract foreign investors. This was announced last Tuesday and includes long term visas, tax breaks and easing in property ownership rules. Details can be seen here. Thailand wants to get a million foreigners to invest a trillion baht in five years in a move to kickstart the post-pandemic economy. A bugbear would be the high cost of imported items like wine, spirits and cigars, hence the proposed changes. Various media outlets are reporting that the changes might only last for five years. But as with condo and land ownership rules this could always be extended. Changes to the excise tax on cigarettes are also in the offing though both this and slashing of alcohol duty has not pleased everyone. Roengrudee Patanavanich of Ramathibodi Hospital who is a researcher on tobacco control said that the proposals are bad news for groups wanting to stop smoking and the consumption of alcoholic beverages. They would prefer to see steady 4% increases in tax on cigarettes rather than flat rates charges. The changes to customs duty would also see revision of customs procedures and duty for personal items for arriving and departing passengers. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-09-20 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported on a TikTok clip that is going viral on Thai social media that they said epitomized the battle against Covid-19 being waged in Thailand. The clip on @oomnattarat showed a female nurse in PPE gear collapsing as she attended patients who were not yet admitted to the covid ward at a facility in Samut Sakhon. Colleagues rushed to her aid and took off the protective gear before she was taken to recover in a bed of her own. This is all accompanied by Thai music. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-08-03 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates download.mp4

Picture: Naew Na Thailand's immigration bureau in the shape of chief Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang decided to take action after a video at the soft opening of Taco Bell in Pattaya showed a man of color arguing with a white man over wearing a mask. It was felt that the IB should act in the case as the issue of wearing a mask is very serious at this stage of the pandemic with the potential for a 20,000 baht fine, reported Naew Na. It was further felt that an example should be made especially as the man, an American national, had allegedly threatened violence in the store with staffers prepared to call the police after refusing him service. Picture: Naew Na The IB with the Chonburi provincial police went to Taco Bell where the incident occurred earlier this month and then to a condo on Pratumnak Hill where the man was residing. They arrested him outside and he admitted that he was the person in the video. He was named as Cxarence, 33, from the US, according to a board at IB HQ. He was taken to Muang Pattaya police station and charged with unhiegenic activity potentially spreading a dangerous infection, essentially not wearing a mask in public. Naew Na did not say how much he was fined - a first offence is generally considered to be 6,000 baht with the fine rising to 20,000 for a third offence notes ASEAN NOW. The media further reported that the American accepted what he did was wrong and that he intended to be the "eyes and ears" of society in future in promoting the wearing of masks. The case was reported at the IB's press conference at Suan Phlu, Bangkok yesterday with a large vinyl board erected that referred to the US man's skin color saying that he had tried to pick a fight. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-07-24 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updatesv

By Pear Maneechote Seven people infected with Covid-19 who made headlines around the country for camping outside their flats in Din Daeng due to the lack of hospital beds has been given help, an official told Thai Enquirer on Tuesday. “They have now been transferred to the Hospitel at Baiyoke Tower II,” Wan Uthaisri, the Head of Environment and Sanitation of the Din Daeng District Office told Thai Enquirer. The District worked with the National Housing Authority of Thailand in relocating the patients and the tents have been removed. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/28850/covid-19-patients-who-had-to-live-in-tents-due-to-lack-of-hospital-beds-finally-finds-care/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-06-23 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Erich Parpart Doctors on Thursday slammed the government’s plan to reopen Thailand within the next 120 days. “To reopen while knowing that people inside the country have yet to comprehensively receive good vaccines is like climbing a mountain at night without a light,” Dr Thira Woratanarat, Chulalongkorn University’s professor of medicine, wrote on his social media page on Thursday. According to the Health Ministry’s Immunization Center, 4.95 million people have received their first dose as of June 15. Thailand’s population is 69 million. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/28676/doctors-sound-alarm-over-plan-to-reopen-borders-by-october/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-06-17 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that "Big Police" descended on the area of the pool at the five star resort in Koh Tao yesterday where two Thai/Indian billionaires died on Friday. And now it has emerged that the couple and their son decided to change hotels because one they had previously booked had a swimming pool that was too small. In addition the husband was found first and only some time later was the wife discovered under the water in a different location. Rakeswar, 59, and Anshoo Sachathamakul, 55, were found dead at the pool on Friday. They had earlier arrived with their 34 year old son Ratich for a holiday. Yesterday, Region 8 chief Lt-Gen Kitrat Phanpetch and his entourage carried out investigations and reenactments at the scene of what staff found. Daily News Daily News had pictures of a man apparently playing the part of Rakeswar in the pool while in another top cops and local police looked in the pool while media observed. Daily News said that originally the parents and their son had arrived at room P3 in another resort. But they decided to change after finding that the pool was too small unlike what had been advertised on the website and there was construction work going on. The son contacted the resort where the incident occurred by phone to change their plans and driver Pheerathorn Janthao went to pick them all up at 11 am. They were now given what the media called a "pool villa" to stay in. At this point the son and his mother enjoyed a bottle of beer each and some food before they went to their room at 12.17. Hotel staff then got a call from the son who wanted to rent a kayak. They took his phone and bag for safekeeping. The parents then asked for the direction to the pool. Later the son asked for his possessions to be returned to him. At 3.49 pm hotel staffer Airadar Jaimen heard the son calling in a panic four or five times from the pool area. She looked out but didn't see anyone. At 4.01 pm she heard cries for help and went there and then alerted others to retrieve the body of the father who was lying unconscious on the steps leading into the pool. He was unconscious. Two fellow staffers from Myanmar came to help and rescue calls were made to a foundation. Hospital staff over the phone gave basic instructions on how to perform CPR. Then the son enquired as to the location of his mother. She was then found under the water on another side of the pool. Both were taken to hospital but had died. -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-06-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Sanook Thai social media went ballistic after the owner of an online page recorded a video of a well endowed young lady selling watermelons on the Lampang to Jaehom Road in northern Thailand. Sanook reporters went to investigate and found the owner of the watermelon stall was a man called Thaweethayot and his girlfriend. He explained that the owner of the page had asked him if he could use his shop to promote his page. He didn't expect him to do this. Within a day of posts on Facebook and Line the shop had 200 cars backed up to ask where the young lady was and could they meet her. Pictures: Sanook Some bought melons while others, told she had gone, gave up and left. But Sanook reported it was busy all day and the melons - sold for 15 baht per kilo - sure were sweet and juicy. The owner got a visit from the local cops who fined him 500 baht for offending public decency. The shop is opposite a police air center and only 800 meters from a Buddhist learning facility. The owner of the page who filmed the clip said he would pay the fine for the melon man. -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-03-24 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Vehicles emitting black smoke to face fine up to Bt5,000, department warns By THE NATION In an attempt to reduce PM2.5 pollution, the Department of Land Transport will impose heavy fines on the owners of vehicles that emit black smoke exceeding the safety standard. Department director-general Jirut Wisanjit said on Sunday that the maximum would be Bt5,000 and suspension of vehicle use until it was fixed. Jirut said that his department had been implementing the Ministry of Transport’s policy to reduce dust particles less than 2.5 micrometres in the air in Bangkok. “Since the beginning of fiscal year 2019 until January 2021, the department has inspected 689,333 vehicles in Bangkok areas and has suspended 8,762 vehicles from usage until they have their emission system fixed,” he said. “As for vehicles that emit high volume of black smoke but do not exceed the safety limit, the department issues warnings to the owners and urges them to inspect their vehicle condition and make sure they were properly maintained. “The department has opened vehicle inspection centres that also accept motor-vehicle tax payment at Phutthamonthon, Romklao and Khlong Luang product distribution centres, in a bid to help reduce the number of large vehicles entering inner Bangkok to have their vehicle inspected and pay tax,” he added. “Motorists can help reduce air pollution caused by black smoke and PM2.5 dust particles by having their vehicles regularly serviced at department-certified vehicle inspection centres nationwide,” said Jirut. “Alternately, they can switch to using electric or NGV-powered vehicles which have low to zero emission. The department has promoted the latter approach by reducing the annual motor-vehicle tax on low-emission vehicles under the Vehicle Act BE 2522.” People who witness vehicles emitting black smoke, can contact hotline 1584, Line: @1584DLT or via DLT GPS mobile application. Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30401750 -- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2021-01-25 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates