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Pattaya officials aim to significantly reduce numbers of homeless in the city before ‘re-opening’ to wider tourism By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – Pattaya City officials and the director of the Chonburi Center for the Destitute conducted what they called a ‘round up’ of homeless people and beggars in the Pattaya area this week as officials are preparing for the proposed “re-opening” to foreign vaccinated tourists from low-risk countries starting from next month. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235671-pattaya-officials-aim-to-significantly-reduce-numbers-of-homeless-in-the-city-before-‘re-opening’-to-wider-tourism/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – Pattaya City officials and the director of the Chonburi Center for the Destitute conducted what they called a ‘round up’ of homeless people and beggars in the Pattaya area this week as officials are preparing for the proposed “re-opening” to foreign vaccinated tourists from low-risk countries starting from next month. Additionally, many events are scheduled for every weekend in November and December that will attract many domestic tourists, especially from Bangkok. TPN media notes that the proposed reopening is not yet finalized and completely official, but is likely to be in the next week or two. Pattaya City Deputy Mayor Mr. Banlue Kunlavanich and the director of the Chonburi Center for the Destitute Ms. Raewadee Janatpremjit inspected and interviewed homeless people and beggars in the Pattaya area several days this past week, especially those in typical tourist-heavy areas like Pattaya and Jomtien Beach. Mr. Banlue told The Pattaya News, “We offered free tests for Covid-19 to the homeless and some have agreed to take them. If they want to go to their hometown in other provinces we will help them get a ticket or if they don’t have a home to go back to they can stay at the Chonburi Center of the Destitute.” Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/16/pattaya-officials-aim-to-significantly-reduce-numbers-of-homeless-in-the-city-before-re-opening-to-wider-tourism/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Phuket Vegetarian Festival officially ends By The Phuket News Photo: PR Phuket PHUKET: This year’s Phuket Vegetarian Festival officially came to an end last night (Oct 15) as shrines across the island brought the curtain down on what has been a generally muted occasion. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235669-phuket-vegetarian-festival-officially-ends/

Photo: PR Phuket By The Phuket News PHUKET: This year’s Phuket Vegetarian Festival officially came to an end last night (Oct 15) as shrines across the island brought the curtain down on what has been a generally muted occasion. At around 4pm yesterday, over 30 shrines performed the Koteng pole ceremony where the lowering of the pole signifies the end of the festival. There was a significant gathering of people at the Jui Tui Shrine on Ranong Road in Mueang district to watch the official closing. Many took home bamboo branches and other items used in the nine-day festival as auspicious safekeeps. Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-vegetarian-festival-officially-ends-81713.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Gen Prawit calls for heightened anti-human trafficking efforts By Thammarat Thadaphrom BANGKOK (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has urged government agencies to heighten their efforts in suppressing human trafficking, while calling for maximum punishments against government officials involved in the crimes against humanity. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235665-gen-prawit-calls-for-heightened-anti-human-trafficking-efforts/

By Thammarat Thadaphrom BANGKOK (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has urged government agencies to heighten their efforts in suppressing human trafficking, while calling for maximum punishments against government officials involved in the crimes against humanity. Gen Prawit chaired a gathering of the Coordinating and Monitoring of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Performance Committee (CMP Committee), during which he urged related agencies to step up their efforts to suppress human trafficking and help those victimized. The deputy premier asked government agencies to focus more on human resource development and the improvement of operational tasks. He pointed to the lack of understanding among officials with regard to human trafficking, particularly in identifying trafficking victims. The committee approved a guideline to urgently provide intensive training for anti-trafficking officials, and a medium-term plan to establish a training facility. Gen Prawit stressed that efforts against human trafficking are part of the government’s urgent policy towards sustainability, saying the society can not tolerate forced detention, extortion, torture, or rape, especially among women and children. According to him, there is a need to encourage more public participation in order to increase the effectiveness of anti-trafficking operations. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai vision of balanced recovery from COVID-19 Article by Kavi Chongkittavorn BANGKOK (NNT) - To prepare the country for recovery from COVID-19, Thailand has outlined holistic approaches that would transform global trade and a development system that would leave nobody behind. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235662-thai-vision-of-balanced-recovery-from-covid-19/

Article by Kavi Chongkittavorn BANGKOK (NNT) - To prepare the country for recovery from COVID-19, Thailand has outlined holistic approaches that would transform global trade and a development system that would leave nobody behind. On 5 October 2021, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai delivered a pre-recorded statement at the General Debate of the Fifteenth Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XV). The Conference was co-hosted virtually by Barbados and UNCTAD from 3 to 7 October 2021 under the theme “From Inequality and Vulnerability to Prosperity for All.” Don underlined Thailand’s vision for balanced, sustainable and green recovery from COVID-19 with the Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG Model) and shared three inter-related approaches on how to transform global trade and a development system to delivers prosperity for all, at the General Debate of the UNCTAD XV. First of all, he said, the power of Big Data and technologies must be harnessed to raise awareness and mobilize all sectors of society to transition production and consumption patterns towards more sustainable practices. Secondly, he added, it must expand access to finance, bridging the skills gaps and eradicating regulatory barriers by fostering greater participation of SMEs, women and youth in BCG supply chains. Thirdly, he pointed out that both financial and technical support must be given to developing countries to enable them to localize low-carbon technologies. Furthermore, UNCTAD XV aims to endorse the Bridgetown Covenant which will provide a platform for action to address inequality, reduce vulnerability and ensure lasting prosperity for all. The Covenant will emphasize the impact of COVID-19 on trade and development, challenges from global megatrends, building a resilient economy and sustainable development, and enhancing UNCTAD’s role in technical cooperation. UNCTAD is an intergovernmental body under the United Nations umbrella with functions to promote international economies and development cooperation with a focus on developing countries’ perspectives. It also serves as a forum to exchange views on trade, investment, finance and technology as vehicles for development, with a view to supporting developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively. Currently, UNCTAD comprises 195 members. Former Thai Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Panichapakdi served as the Director-General of UNCTAD from 2005 to 2009, after he completed his position as the chief of the World Trade Organization. The BCG model has been adopted as one of the key national agendas that will help the country to speedily recover from the negative impacts of the pandemic. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

EEC partners with tech majors to train workers in 5G and digitalization By Thammarat Thadaphrom BANGKOK (NNT) - The Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EEC) has signed a cooperation agreement with four technology majors to initiate a digital skill drive among workers, with a target of training 40,000 workers within three years. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235658-eec-partners-with-tech-majors-to-train-workers-in-5g-and-digitalization/

By Thammarat Thadaphrom BANGKOK (NNT) - The Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EEC) has signed a cooperation agreement with four technology majors to initiate a digital skill drive among workers, with a target of training 40,000 workers within three years. The four companies include 5G Catalyst Technologies, Cisco Systems (Thailand), Mavenir Systems (Thailand), and Planet Communications Asia. EEC Secretary-General Kanit Sangsubhan said the four companies have had success in the United States in the field of digital technology. The firms will collaboratively develop workers’ digital and 5G-related skills in the EEC area, with an aim of improving the skills of 40,000 workers in three years. The collaboration is an extension of an earlier joint effort to implement 5G technology in the municipal area of Ban Chang subdistrict and turning the latter into a pilot site for a Smart City with a completely overhauled digital infrastructure. This pilot site is expected to possess 160 5G network towers by the end of the year, which will provide complete 5G coverage in Ban Chang. According to the Secretary-General, the collaboration will also help strengthen Thai-US investments. He noted that the United States invested 160 billion USD in Thailand over the past 10 years and as much as 20 billion USD in 2020. Both countries have policies to promote a bio, circular and green economy and the EEC will be propelling these BCG policies alongside investment in targeted industries under Phase 2 of the EEC investment blueprint. Some of the investment focal points will include innovations and technologies relating to electric vehicles, logistics, medicine, 5G, and digital transformation. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai woman selling child aged 16 for sex via Line application arrested in Bangkok Picture: Daily News Operatives from the Children and Women's Welfare Supervision Division and Choke Chai police announced the arrest of a 29 year old Thai woman called Wanthanee from Nakhon Sawan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235657-thai-woman-selling-child-aged-16-for-sex-via-line-application-arrested-in-bangkok/

Picture: Daily News Operatives from the Children and Women's Welfare Supervision Division and Choke Chai police announced the arrest of a 29 year old Thai woman called Wanthanee from Nakhon Sawan. She was arrested at women's accommodation in Soi Ramkhamhaeng 65 in the Hua Mark area of Bangkok, reported Daily News. She is charged with human trafficking after arranging for a child aged between 15 and 18 to have sex with a customer via the Line application. A 16 year old girl named only as "A" was detained at a hotel along with 0.81 grams of ketamine. She said she had received 11,000 baht from Wanthanee who would keep 1000 or 2000 baht more as an introduction fee. Police said due to the age of the victim this was a human trafficking case. Pol Lt_Gen Samran Nuanma of the metropolitan police said this was part of ongoing government efforts to tackle human trafficking of children for sex in Thailand that has seen US authorities place the country on Tier 2 of their watchlist. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-16 - 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

Chiang Mai - Hua Hin Air Asia flight resumes after nearly six months suspension Picture: Manager Manager reported excitement on the tarmac of Hua Hin airport after Air Asia resumed return flights between the holiday resort and Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235654-chiang-mai-hua-hin-air-asia-flight-resumes after-nearly-six-months-suspension/

Picture: Manager Manager reported excitement on the tarmac of Hua Hin airport after Air Asia resumed return flights between the holiday resort and Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand. The service had been suspended due to the pandemic almost six months and comes as both destinations prepare to reopen to tourism on November 1st. Both flights were as full as they were allowed to be under the protocols. Airline, airport and TAT officials were in the greeting party for the Airbus 320 flight FD 7900 that had departed the north at 8.45 am reaching Hua Hin at 10.05. Picture: Manager The service will run Fridays and Sundays. 75 were on the flight to Hua Hin and 125 made the return journey that represents 80-90% capacity. Airport authorities are allowing only 130 seats to be used out of the 180 on the aircraft. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-16 - 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

Chinese man on overstay had applied for a Thai ID card - ten others investigated in Saraburi file photo for reference only Thai media reported that a Chinese man called Ruifeng M. was arrested on a Saraburi warrant issued in April of this year after he applied for Thai ID presenting falsified documents. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235652-chinese-man-on-overstay-had-applied-for-a-thai-id-card-ten-others-investigated-in-saraburi/

file photo for reference only Thai media reported that a Chinese man called Ruifeng M. was arrested on a Saraburi warrant issued in April of this year after he applied for Thai ID presenting falsified documents. It was a joint operation by the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) and Region 1 of the Immigration Bureau. It came after a complaint from the Wang Muang district in Saraburi in central Thailand. The suspect had already appeared at Phrakhanong Court in bangkok charged with overstaying in Thailand 613 days and will be deported. Officials said it was one of about ten cases of foreign nationals applying for Thai ID without just cause in Saraburi. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-16 - 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

Intoxicated female sedan driver tries to escape after crashing into motorbike at Pattaya traffic light during curfew time By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – An intoxicated female sedan driver reportedly attempted to escape after crashing into a motorbike at a traffic light in Pattaya on Thursday night (October 14th) during a mandatory Covid-19 curfew time from 10:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M. Two people in total sustained injuries as a result of the collision. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235651-intoxicated-female-sedan-driver-tries-to-escape-after-crashing-into-motorbike-at-pattaya-traffic-light-during-curfew-time/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – An intoxicated female sedan driver reportedly attempted to escape after crashing into a motorbike at a traffic light in Pattaya on Thursday night (October 14th) during a mandatory Covid-19 curfew time from 10:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M. Two people in total sustained injuries as a result of the collision. The Pattaya City Police were notified of the accident around midnight at the entrance of Sukhumvit-Pattaya Road in Nongprue. Emergency responders and The Pattaya News team arrived at the scene to find a damaged black motorbike on the road. Nearby, Pattaya police found two young injured people lying on the road who were a 17-year-old driver (name withheld due to being a minor) and his passenger Ms. Tassika Wangsuk, 20. Both had sustained various injuries and were rushed to a local medical facility for assistance. Before going to the hospital, the victims described a woman driving a sedan hitting them and speeding away after stepping out of her vehicle briefly, seeing the injured victims, and deciding to flee. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/16/intoxicated-female-sedan-driver-tries-to-escape-after-crashing-into-motorbike-at-pattaya-traffic-light-during-curfew-time/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Phuket marks 153 new COVID cases, one more death By The Phuket News Image: PPHO PHUKET: The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 153 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Oct 15) bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 13,612. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235650-phuket-marks-153-new-covid-cases-one-more-death/

Image: PPHO By The Phuket News PHUKET: The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 153 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Oct 15) bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 13,612. The PPHO report, marked as accurate as of 8pm last night, but posted online at 10:15pm, reported two new infections among Sandbox tourist arrivals and one new infection among non-Sandbox arrivals from abroad. The report also marked one new death attributed to COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in Phuket attributed to COVID-19 since Apr 3 to 92. After 55 COVID deaths in September, officials have marked 17 deaths already this month. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-marks-153-new-covid-cases-one-more-death-81711.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Foreign pick-up driver involved in collision with motorcycle/ sidecar - Thai rider dead Picture: Man Muang Police and rescue services were called to the scene of a collision between a black Toyota Vigo pick-up driven by a foreigner and a motorcycle and sidecar ridden by a Thai man. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235648-foreign-pick-up-driver-involved-in-collision-with-motorcycle-sidecar-thai-rider-dead/

Picture: Man Muang Police and rescue services were called to the scene of a collision between a black Toyota Vigo pick-up driven by a foreigner and a motorcycle and sidecar ridden by a Thai man. Dead at the scene with a broken hip, collar bone and head injuries was 51 year old Decha. Fifty meters away and stopped was the pick-up that had been driven by a Mr Towers. That vehicle had a dented side, reported Ban Muang. The partner of the foreign driver, Natthikan, 53, said that she was also in the pick-up that was going about 80 kmph. The motorcycle came from the center of the road and veered into their path. Despite this she admitted she had not seen exactly what happened. The accident happened on the Huay Phai - Nam Phu Road in Muang district of Ratchaburi in central Thailand. Police intend to interview the couple again to determine what happened. The deceased has been released to relatives. Ban Muang did not report the nationality of the foreign driver. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-16 - 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

Brit and Thai partner help dangling painter to safety on 26th floor after "someone cut waist rope" Picture: Daily News Netizens were busy sharing footage from what Daily News called a very scary incident at a condominium in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi on the outskirts of Bangkok on Tuesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235647-brit-and-thai-partner-help-dangling-painter-to-safety-on-26th-floor-after-someone-cut-waist-rope/

Picture: Daily News Netizens were busy sharing footage from what Daily News called a very scary incident at a condominium in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi on the outskirts of Bangkok on Tuesday. Two painters were dangling by ropes doing work high up when one of them banged on the window of an apartment where a British man and his Thai partner were staying. The desperate painted said to Praiphaiwan, 49, that someone in the condo building had cut his restraining rope. It was lying in a heap 26 floors below. It happened around midday at Lumpini at the five way intersection. The man scrambled inside and was then able to go down and contact his foreman below to report the incident. It is a 32 story block. Praphaiwan said that the man was shaking though he had no fear of heights. People online praised the couple for their assistance. Picture: Daily News Daily News suggested it was a deliberate cutting of the rope and they showed a picture of the rescuers apparently being interviewed but made no mention of police involvement. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-16 - 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

Thailand reports 10,648 new COVID-19 cases, 82 deaths File photo: Reuters Thailand on Saturday (October 16) reported 10,648 new COVID-19 cases, 10,794 recoveries and 82 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235645-thailand-reports-10648-new-covid-19-cases-82-deaths/ //CLOSED// /Admin