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Image: PPHO By The Phuket News PHUKET: The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 156 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Oct 12) bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 13,309. The PPHO report, marked as accurate as of 8pm last night, but posted online at 12:11am today, reported one new infection among Sandbox tourist arrivals but no new infection among non-Sandbox arrivals from abroad. The report also marked two new deaths attributed to COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in Phuket attributed to COVID-19 since Apr 3 to 91. After 55 COVID deaths in September, the latest two deaths mark 16 deaths 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-156-new-covid-cases-two-more-deaths-81695.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-14 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Vaccinated foreign tourists free to visit anywhere in Hua Hin from Nov 1 File photo Fully vaccinated foreign tourists visiting Hua Hin and Cha Am will be able to visit both destinations without restriction from November 1. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235367-vaccinated-foreign-tourists-free-to-visit-anywhere-in-hua-hin-from-nov-1/

File photo Fully vaccinated foreign tourists visiting Hua Hin and Cha Am will be able to visit both destinations without restriction from November 1. It was previously announced that tourists visiting Hua Hin would only be allowed to travel around Hua Hin and Nong Khae districts. However, this requirement was problematic given that it would be difficult for the authorities to enforce and that many major attractions, such as several golf courses, national parks and other cultural attractions are located outside both Hua Hin and Nong Khae district. On Wednesday, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Yutthasak Suphasorn was at the Sheraton in Cha Am to meet with the deputy governors of both Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces and other local leaders regarding the opening of Hua Hin and Cha Am to foreign tourists come November 1st. Main items of interest at the meeting were comments from the TAT governor that tourists would be free to travel anywhere they chose in the areas and not just Hua Hin and Nong Khae districts. Yutthasak said there would be no restrictions and that both the private and government sectors were ready with all Covid-19 protocols in place and mitigation plans should things take a turn for the worse. Other requirements tourists need to meet to visit Hua Hin from Nov 1 were also discussed. All tourists must have an official certificate of vaccination, with the last vaccine dose being at least 14 days before arrival in Thailand. They must also take a RT-PCR test no more than 72 hours before taking their flight to Thailand. Tourists are required to book at a SHA+ hotel and have insurance which provides cover for COVID-19 up to $100,000. Once the tourist arrives at the hotel they must remain in their hotel room while they await the results of a COVID-19 test. This could take up to 12 hours. If the test result is negative they will then be given a release form by the SHA+ Manager confirming they are free to travel. Hotels can provide transportation from the airport but no stops are allowed before arrival at the hotel. A source who was present at the meeting told ASEAN NOW that it is expected that 20 countries' citizens could be allowed entry into Thailand under the latest no quarantine, double test, double vax plan. Whether that will apply to November 1st or January 1st or some other date remains to be seen but clarification will hopefully come at today's meeting of the CCSA central committee in Bangkok. It was also revealed that 70% of the populations of both Hua Hin and Cha Am will have been fully vaccinated by the end of this month. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view *Article updated to clarify 14 day vaccination period. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-14 - 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

Bangkok to start vaccinating early years secondary students imminently Picture: INN INN quoted a Bangkok Metropolitan Authority official as saying that vaccination of children in the early years of secondary education would commence soon. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235363-bangkok-to-start-vaccinating-early-years-secondary-students-imminently/

Picture: INN INN quoted a Bangkok Metropolitan Authority official as saying that vaccination of children in the early years of secondary education would commence soon. Khajit Chachawanich estimated the process would begin at the end of this week and continue next week. Precise dates were not available but he said that all who had registered for one would get it within this month. Second jabs of students in the later years of secondary would be started on October 25th. The vaccination of students in the 12-18 year range is being done to enable schools to open for the second semester in November. Bangkok Governor Gen Aswin Kwanmuang is keen for schools to be ready for November 1st in line with wider reopening plans said the media yesterday. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-14 - 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

Domestic travel: Thais are saddled with debt and nearly half have no plans to go anywhere in 4th Quarter Picture: Bangkok Business News A survey jointly carried out in August and September by Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the National Tourism Council indicated that many Thais are so saddled by debt and lowered salaries that they have no plans to go anywhere in the fourth quarter. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235362-domestic-travel-thais-are-saddled-with-debt-and-nearly-half-have-no-plans-to-go-anywhere-in-4th-quarter/

Picture: Bangkok Business News A survey jointly carried out in August and September by Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the National Tourism Council indicated that many Thais are so saddled by debt and lowered salaries that they have no plans to go anywhere in the fourth quarter. Despite plans to open the country to foreign tourists in the fourth quarter - October to December - most of the tourism sector is pinning recovery hopes on the domestic market. Now this looks like a relatively forlorn hope if the views of 1,540 people nationwide and 740 tourism businesses are to be believed. Bangkok Business News quoted the stats from the university's Pakakrong Thepparak who said that 83% of people were concerned about the infection rate in Thailand when it came to travel plans. 73% said that the pandemic had affected their spending power. 70% surveyed said they had less salary now. Only 3% had got a salary increase. Of the 70% with less salary the average reduction was a staggering 40%. 78% were saddled with debt and of these 30% had experienced a 40% rise in their debt. The bottom line was that only just over a third - 36% - were planning an inter provincial trip in the fourth quarter. 44% had no plans to travel at all. The rest were in wait and see mode. 54% of those contemplating a trip would not travel far or long, 41% would stay in their home province and only 32% would go further afield. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-14 - 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

Back to school at last? Ed minister says students, teachers and parents are "94% ready" to go back Picture: INN Thailand's minister of education Trinuch Thienthong said teachers, students and parents were 94% ready for On-Site learning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235358-back-to-school-at-last-ed-minister-says-students-teachers-and-parents-are-94-ready-to-go-back/

Picture: INN Thailand's minister of education Trinuch Thienthong said teachers, students and parents were 94% ready for On-Site learning. Trinuch - who took over at the helm earlier this year after the previous incumbent was ordered jailed - said she'd done a rapid appraisal of all the factors and obstacles about reopening schools. She promised as much safety and good education for all as possible, reported INN. This followed a second assessment of the risks and obstacles that concluded with the 94% figure. 88% of teachers wanted to get back to school after online learning, the appraisal indicated. And 90% of parents agreed. Students were clearly even more desperate to get out of the home and back in the class. Many surveyed thought that a mixture of online and on-site learning would be good to limit class numbers and risk of infection as well as limits on large gatherings in schools at least at first. Many wanted to see the vaccine rollout - students have been getting Pfizer jabs - continue as well as other standard Covid-19 protocols. She said she'd created a Sandbox Safety Zone in School committee that had examined all aspects of reopening with pilots successfully running in many areas. But amid the waffle Trinuch failed to mention a date, notes ASEAN NOW. The second semester for many starts November 1st. Many children in Thailand have been off school since April. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-14 - 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 enters digital age! No more photocopies of Thai ID and House registration necessary Picture: Sanook The acting head of the Department of Provincial Administration issued a "most urgent" order, reported Sanook. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235355-thailand-enters-digital-age-no-more-photocopies-of-thai-id-and-house-registration-necessary/

Picture: Sanook The acting head of the Department of Provincial Administration issued a "most urgent" order, reported Sanook. It referred to Thailand's provincial authorities entering the 4.0 digital age. Somyot Phumnoi's letter to all governors called for an end to using copies of Thai ID cards and House Registration (Thabian Ban) documents forthwith. This followed a cabinet meeting decision on October 2nd when the government stated they are concerned about costs borne by the public. People contacting government offices in Thailand have for years complained about the mountain of paperwork that needs to be photocopied and signed in a certain color of ink to satisfy the clerks, notes ASEAN NOW. It is hoped that this order will continue a process to drag Thailand into the 21st century in this regard. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-14 - 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

PM can't wait any longer: 27 countries could be granted no quarantine access to Thailand Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that nationals of up to 27 countries could be allowed to enter Thailand without having to quarantine. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235345-pm-cant-wait-any-longer-27-countries-could-be-granted-no-quarantine-access-to-thailand/

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that nationals of up to 27 countries could be allowed to enter Thailand without having to quarantine. ASEAN NOW has also been told that 20 countries could be on the list. PM Prayuth Chan-ocha said Monday that the CCSA was expected to confirm 10 countries including the US, UK, Germany, Singapore and China were on the list to be announced today. But now the Thai media is saying this could be wider than expected come November 1st. A second stage is January 1st. They reported that the PM no longer wants to wait for virus numbers in Thailand top come down or for enough people in the country to be vaccinated. Three stipulations for visitors will be having had two jabs of vaccine, RT-PCR tests before and after arrival and it only applies to air passengers (no road or sea passengers included). The list is made up by analysing data and information from the last two weeks of Covid-19 stats, International Health Regulations 2005 and the GCI Global Advisory Council or Global Covid-19 Index. Twenty seven countries satisfy these criteria: Andorra, Australia, Bahrain, Czech Republic, Dominica, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Moldova, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Uruguay, Barbados, China and Croatia. Germany qualifies as a medium risk country because of the number of vaccinations done there. The UK and the US are high risk but also qualify because of the number of vaccinations done in those nations. At a meeting held in Hua Hin yesterday about that resort's reopening ASEAN NOW was told that 20 countries would be on the non-quarantine list. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-14 - 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 11,276 new COVID-19 cases and 112 deaths File photo: REUTERS Thailand on Thursday (October 14) reported 11,276 new COVID-19 cases, 10,407 recoveries and 112 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235344-thailand-reports-11276-new-covid-19-cases-and-112-deaths/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Thailand reports 11,276 new COVID-19 cases and 112 deaths File photo: REUTERS Thailand on Thursday (October 14) reported 11,276 new COVID-19 cases, 10,407 recoveries and 112 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235344-thailand-reports-11276-new-covid-19-cases-and-112-deaths/

File photo: REUTERS Thailand on Thursday (October 14) reported 11,276 new COVID-19 cases, 10,407 recoveries and 112 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ◼︎ 10,407 recoveries ◼︎ 11,142 new infections ◼︎ 134 prison / prison infections ▶︎ Total infections since April 1: 1,722,841 ▶︎ Total recoveries since since April 1: 1,598,324 Thursday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 1,751,704 with 18,029 deaths. The news comes as The Department of Disease Control said there has yet to be any official report of adverse side-effects following COVID-19 vaccination in youth with the Pfizer vaccine, while urging younger people not to believe fake news circulating online. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has provided an update on the national inoculation campaign, particularly on the progress of vaccine rollout for younger people. Thai health authorities earlier this month launched the vaccination drive among adolescents aged 12-18 years old, with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine being the only available vaccine receiving emergency use authorization for this age group. *NNT contributed to this report Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-14 - 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

New Immigration Bureau boss signals new orders so police can easily track down foreign suspects in Thailand by James Morris and Son Nguyen Scenes from the arrest of 37-year old Robert A. in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok on Saturday the 2nd October after he, earlier that week, brutally raped a 45-year-old masseuse in Khon Kaen and attacked a 12-year-old girl on the side of the road. The newly installed immigration police chief wants to create a climate of fear against foreign criminals who are waiting for the opportunity to use Thailand as a base for their operations once inward tourism resumes into the country on a wider scale when the COVID-19 crisis ends. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235336-new-immigration-bureau-boss-signals-new-orders-so-police-can-easily-track-down-foreign-suspects-in-thailand/

Scenes from the arrest of 37-year old Robert A. in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok on Saturday the 2nd October after he, earlier that week, brutally raped a 45-year-old masseuse in Khon Kaen and attacked a 12-year-old girl on the side of the road. by James Morris and Son Nguyen The newly installed immigration police chief wants to create a climate of fear against foreign criminals who are waiting for the opportunity to use Thailand as a base for their operations once inward tourism resumes into the country on a wider scale when the COVID-19 crisis ends. He says better screening and database technology has already helped to make Thailand less of a paradise for these types who use the country for drug trafficking and a range of online scams that not only damage the country’s reputation but cause harm to Thai people. Thailand’s new Immigration Bureau boss wants a tighter ship when it comes to tracking foreign residents in the kingdom and tourists. It came after it took police five days last week to arrest an American man who is alleged to have raped a Thai woman in Khon Kaen with police eventually tracking the man down to a Bangkok address. Police Lieutenant General Pakpoomphiphat Sajjapan has also revealed that under new entry vetting procedures, Thailand’s Immigration Police can now halt any passenger boarding a plane for Thailand if the person is deemed a threat to the security and well being of the country. The new police boss wants to see an improvement in security databases and intelligence on foreigners living in Thailand going forward. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2021/10/10/police-boss-wants-tighter-rein-on-foreigners/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2021-10-14 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand in travel bubble talks with Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos By Suchat Sritama Thailand’s tourism ministry plans to establish travel bubbles this year Thailand is currently in talks with Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos to set up two-way travel bubbles in a bid to revive intra-regional travel. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235335-thailand-in-travel-bubble-talks-with-cambodia-malaysia-and-laos/

Thailand’s tourism ministry plans to establish travel bubbles this year By Suchat Sritama Thailand is currently in talks with Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos to set up two-way travel bubbles in a bid to revive intra-regional travel. Minister of tourism and sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that many international tourists are keen to visit places outside of the designated Sandbox areas, but are deterred by prevailing quarantine requirements. As such, the tourism ministry together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Health are seeking to establishment travel bubble arrangements with regional countries. Full story: https://www.ttgasia.com/2021/10/13/thailand-in-travel-bubble-talks-with-cambodia-malaysia-and-laos/ -- © Copyright TTG ASIA 2021-10-14 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

FOCUS: Thailand cautious over reopening to tourists from November By Chananthorn Kamjan and Petchanet Pratruangkrai, KYODO NEWS file photo BANGKOK - Thailand is gearing up to reopen the country from November even as its high COVID-19 rate poses a dilemma for the government, which seeks to control the pandemic while mitigating its impact on the tourism-reliant economy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235334-focus-thailand-cautious-over-reopening-to-tourists-from-novemberv/

file photo By Chananthorn Kamjan and Petchanet Pratruangkrai, KYODO NEWS BANGKOK - Thailand is gearing up to reopen the country from November even as its high COVID-19 rate poses a dilemma for the government, which seeks to control the pandemic while mitigating its impact on the tourism-reliant economy. Although Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced in mid-June that the country would fully open within four months, a daily infection caseload exceeding 10,000 has forced his government to settle for a partial reopening starting Nov. 1. Addressing the nation about the reopening plan on Oct. 11, Prayut said fully vaccinated visitors from certain low-risk countries will be allowed to enter Thailand without quarantine from next month. The list of eligible countries, including Britain, China, Germany, Singapore and the United States, will be gradually expanded from December. The foreign visitors will be welcomed in designated places of 10 provinces, including the bustling capital Bangkok and the northern tourist hub of Chiang Mai, known for its diverse cultural and natural attractions. Full story: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/10/3e537ce8bb47-focus-thailand-cautious-over-reopening-to-tourists-from-november.html -- © Copyright KYODO NEWS 2021-10-14 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Can Thailand beat Malaysia and Singapore in the race to lure wealthy foreigners? By Jitsiree Thongnoi Foreign buyers own 30 per cent of condominiums in Pattaya, according to a property expert. Photo: Xinhua ● To give its economy a shot in the arm, the Thai government is looking to attract 1 million ‘wealthy global citizens’ to settle down in the next five years ● It is considering an array of perks such as longer leases to draw them, but analysts are unsure how the scheme compares to those of its regional neighbours Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235333-can-thailand-beat-malaysia-and-singapore-in-the-race-to-lure-wealthy-foreigners/

Foreign buyers own 30 per cent of condominiums in Pattaya, according to a property expert. Photo: Xinhua By Jitsiree Thongnoi ● To give its economy a shot in the arm, the Thai government is looking to attract 1 million ‘wealthy global citizens’ to settle down in the next five years ● It is considering an array of perks such as longer leases to draw them, but analysts are unsure how the scheme compares to those of its regional neighbours Thailand wants wealthy foreigners to settle down in the Southeast Asian nation after the pandemic, and is looking to lure them with possible perks including longer-term leases and tax remittances – but analysts are unsure whether the scheme can rival similar packages from the likes of Malaysia and Singapore . The latest scheme, approved by the cabinet in September, is aimed at attracting 1 million “wealthy global citizens” within five years by issuing them special long-term resident visas, providing they meet a minimum investment or bond-purchase threshold. The government hopes this category of migrant – as well as pensioners and high-skilled expatriates, including those looking to work from abroad – will generate a cash flow of 1 trillion baht (US$29.5 billion) by 2026, putting it on the pathway to economic recovery after its GDP slumped more than 6 per cent year as tourism ground to a halt amid the pandemic. Full story: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3152019/can-thailand-beat-malaysia-and-singapore-race-lure-wealthy -- © Copyright South China Morning Post 2021-10-14 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates .