webfact

Opinions vary on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s declaration last night (Monday) about Thailand’s gradual reopening plans with the next phase to start on November 1st, as many are skeptical of the country’s readiness and whether the plans will revive the dying tourism industry as hoped, as new COVID-19 infections and fatalities remain high, while vaccination rates remain low. With the Thai-language hashtags #Prayut and #ReopeningTheCountry top trending on Twitter, Thai netizens are debating fiercely on the plans. One user, @khunzakame, tweeted in English “To everyone who wants to come to Thailand, come here if you dare…” together with a graph showing an upward trend in COVID-19 cases since April 2021. Another netizen, with the handler @@PI3CHECK, heeded the same warning in their tweet, “Okay Listen… If you want to travel in Thailand this last year! You should beware Thai people spread you some Covid-19! Because we didn’t get any vaccines yet! Be careful!” Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/many-doubt-thailands-readiness-in-gradual-reopening/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Several Pattaya residents discover a surprise after reports of a “ghost” at abandoned shophouse By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – Several Pattaya residents discovered a surprise when they called police after hearing disturbing crying from an abandoned shophouse near their business and residence yesterday, October 11th, during the early hours of the morning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235139-several-pattaya-residents-discover-a-surprise-after-reports-of-a-“ghost”-at-abandoned-shophouse/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – Several Pattaya residents discovered a surprise when they called police after hearing disturbing crying from an abandoned shophouse near their business and residence yesterday, October 11th, during the early hours of the morning. Based on witness statements, those who first heard the crying believed that the abandoned apartment and home were haunted by a ghost. In Thailand, belief in spirits and ghosts is fairly widespread. Due to fear of the “ghost” they called the Pattaya police to assist and investigate the crying and howling noises. The Pattaya City Police were notified of the “ghost” at 2:00 A.M. at an unoccupied and abandoned shophouse in Nongrue. Pattaya Police and The Pattaya News reporters arrived at the scene at the abandoned shophouse to find not a ghost but a homeless man whose name and nationality was not been identified. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/11/several-pattaya-residents-discover-a-surprise-after-reports-of-a-ghost-at-abandoned-shophouse/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Flooding: 16 provinces remain at risk after latest storm that killed nine Picture: Sanook Sanook reported on the latest details from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in the wake of storm Tianmu. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235138-flooding-16-provinces-remain-at-risk-after-latest-storm-that-killed-nine/

Picture: Sanook Sanook reported on the latest details from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in the wake of storm Tianmu. From September 23rd to October 11th 33 provinces, 222 districts, 8,056 villages and 323,523 households were affected. There were nine deaths. The situation has eased in 17 provinces but 16 remain in trouble with help ongoing. Some districts in the following Thai provinces are still affected: Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Mahasarakham, Chaiyaphum, Korat, Ubon, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphanburi, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani. 95,000 households are still being assisted in those sixteen provinces. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Pfizer jabs for teen students in Hua Hin begins - 1,500 done on first day Picture: Manager Manager reported from Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan where health staff from Hua Hin Hospital began the rollout of vaccinations for high school students aged 16-18. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235135-pfizer-jabs-for-teen-students-in-hua-hin-begins-1500-done-on-first-day/

Picture: Manager Manager reported from Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan where health staff from Hua Hin Hospital began the rollout of vaccinations for high school students aged 16-18. The first day of an initial five day program in the seaside resort saw 1,500 vaccinations of Pfizer administered. The media said these were children and young adults who had received parental permission. Each school in the area had received an allocation. The mood was excited as many parents turned up to support their children. Picture: Manager Large schools in the area will be involved in the rollout of 15,600 doses in the first lot. 32,462 students out of 37,786 or 85.92% have registered for jabs in the first phase of the rollout. It is hoped that this will lead to the reopening of schools for the second semester starting next month. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Fake News! MoPH says mRNA vax is not radioactive! Thai caption: "Ministry of Public Health react to "fake news"" Sanook reported that Dr Suphakij Sirilak, director of the Department of Medical Sciences and other senior health officials appeared on Facebook Live to talk about new strains of Covid-19 in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235134-fake-news-moph-says-mrna-vax-is-not-radioactive/

Thai caption: "Ministry of Public Health react to "fake news"" Sanook reported that Dr Suphakij Sirilak, director of the Department of Medical Sciences and other senior health officials appeared on Facebook Live to talk about new strains of Covid-19 in Thailand. Suphakit said that testing for new strains was a continuing process but there were none. They are all Delta, Alpha and Beta at the moment; Delta accounted for 97.5%, Alpha 2.2% and Beta 0.3%. It was also stated during the broadcast that online rumors that mRNA vaccines were radioactive were untrue. Tests were done on every batch and if any irregularities were found the whole batch would be discarded. Presence of "nanoparticles" were within US and EU parameters, it was stated. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

UPDATE: Phuket order confirms COVID tests for domestic tourists scrapped By The Phuket News On of the notices issued last night explaining the new entry requirements to start this Saturday (Oct 16). Image: PR Phuket PHUKET: Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has issued a provincial order bringing into effect this coming Saturday (Oct 16) key easing of entry requirements for people entering Phuket that will see vaccinated visitors coming onto the island no longer having to prove they have tested negative for the COVID-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235043-phuket-to-scrap-covid-tests-for-vaccinated-local-tourists/?do=findComment&comment=16891120

Phuket order confirms COVID tests for domestic tourists scrapped By The Phuket News On of the notices issued last night explaining the new entry requirements to start this Saturday (Oct 16). Image: PR Phuket PHUKET: Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has issued a provincial order bringing into effect this coming Saturday (Oct 16) key easing of entry requirements for people entering Phuket that will see vaccinated visitors coming onto the island no longer having to prove they have tested negative for the COVID-19. However, the waiving of the COVID test requirement applies to adults only. Children aged 6-18 years old who are unable to be vaccinated or are still waiting to receive a vaccination injection must still have evidence presented confirming that they have tested negative for COVID by RT-PCR or antigen test (ATK) method within seven days before arriving to enter Phuket. The new easing of the COVID test requirement applies to visitors arriving at any port of entry to the island: by road via the Phuket Check Point at Tha Chatchai; by plane via Phuket airport; or by boat via any of the piers and ports on the island. 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-order-confirms-covid-tests-for-domestic-tourists-scrapped-81678.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Phuket marks 169 new COVID cases, no new deaths By The Phuket News Image: PPHO PHUKET: The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 169 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Oct 11) bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 12,988. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235125-phuket-marks-169-new-covid-cases-no-new-deaths/

Image: PPHO By The Phuket News PHUKET: The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 169 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Oct 11) bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 12,988. The PPHO report, marked as accurate as of 8pm last night, but posted online at 10:54pm, reported one new infection among Sandbox tourist arrivals but no new infections among non-Sandbox arrivals from abroad. The report also marked no new deaths attributed to COVID-19, leaving the total number of deaths in Phuket attributed to COVID-19 since Apr 3 at 87. Of those, 65 deaths have occurred since Sept 4. Twelve of those deaths have been 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-169-new-covid-cases-no-new-deaths-81677.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Police seize illegal sex toys in Bangkok Picture: Daily News Our picture from Daily News shows a press conference at the Royal Thai Police's trading standards office. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235122-police-seize-illegal-sex-toys-in-bangkok/

Picture: Daily News Our picture from Daily News shows a press conference at the Royal Thai Police's trading standards office. This followed raids at three places where sex toys and sex enhancing drugs were seized, reported Daily News. Pol Maj-Gen Anan Nanasombat appeared with deputies and a woman called Suppatra Bunserm who works to ensure health standards are met at the FDA. They all managed to look serious behing their masks. On display were X-Marvel Max products from a "Great Sex Toy" site worth half a million baht. Anan said he and the Food and Drug Administration were acting against the unlawful distribution of Sidegra and other products that could prove dangerous to Thai people's health. Three places in Bang Khae, Bangkok and Samut Prakan were raided. X-Marvel Max lubricant and Titan Gel were among the haul as well as soaps and cosmetics. A Thai man and his Vietnamese wife were arrested for illegally importing the products over the border into the north east and distributing them for sale online over the last two years. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Mules facing life in prison were paid just 5,000 baht - 35 kilo heroin load was biggest case in Chiang Mai in 3 years Picture: Daily News It has emerged that several drug mules transporting 35 kilos of heroin through the backroads of Chiang Mai were paid just 5,000 baht each for the job. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235121-mules-facing-life-in-prison-were-paid-just-5000-baht-35-kilo-heroin-load-was-biggest-case-in-chiang-mai-in-3-years/

Picture: Daily News It has emerged that several drug mules transporting 35 kilos of heroin through the backroads of Chiang Mai were paid just 5,000 baht each for the job. They would face a lifetime in prison - possibly even a death sentence - for what amounts to less than US $200. New Region 5 chief Pol Lt-Gen Piya Tawichai said that the case was the biggest in Chiang Mai in three years with the drugs seized woth 20 million baht, reported Daily News. Police had received information about a delivery from across the Thai border of a large lot from a factory. Instead of using the main roads that might have checkpoints the Toyota was driven along country lanes from Fang to Chiang Dao. But the cops were following and after a chase ensued they shot out the tires and moved in. Arrested were Arthit, 26, Eua, 36, and a 15 year old boy. Akhari managed to flee into the night. Arthit was hit in the leg by a bullet fragment and injured. Piya promised that the inquiry would be expanded - but once again it appears that just hapless, poor mules were arrested while the big guys remain at large to try again, notes ASEAN NOW. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Video: Thai netizens slam policeman AND helmet-less riders Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that a video of an incident at a T-junction was being widely commented upon online. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235120-video-thai-netizens-slam-policeman-and-helmet-less-riders/

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that a video of an incident at a T-junction was being widely commented upon online. The video showed a traffic cop in the middle of a main road as traffic pours out of a side road. Two people on a motorcycle could barely avoid colliding with the officer who waves for them to stop. They all tumble to the tarmac. Netizens blamed both the cop and the motorcyclists in the 47 second clip that was posted to "Kwai Lut Thaonon" - buffaloes let loose on the roads. The cop should have picked a better place to try and stop them and the motorcyclists should have been wearing helmets in the first place, said people online. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Ride-hailing services enter uncharted territory after new regulations take effect Taxi drivers waiting for customers at Bangkok Railway Station, more commonly known as Hua Lamphong, in Bangkok. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) Legalized ride-hailing taxi services, which start next month, will offer more choices, but both consumer satisfaction and drivers’ welfare are dependent on many variable factors in the post-COVID-19 scenario. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235117-ride-hailing-services-enter-uncharted-territory-after-new-regulations-take-effect/

Taxi drivers waiting for customers at Bangkok Railway Station, more commonly known as Hua Lamphong, in Bangkok. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) Legalized ride-hailing taxi services, which start next month, will offer more choices, but both consumer satisfaction and drivers’ welfare are dependent on many variable factors in the post-COVID-19 scenario. Technology disruption, consumer complaints about taxi services, and some confrontations between unregulated private taxi drivers and public taxi drivers have forced the Transport Ministry to come up with regulations. The new rules are in line with the Cabinet resolution adopted in May allowing the use of personal cars for ride-hailing taxi services via apps, with seating limited to seven. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/ride-hailing-services-enter-uncharted-territory-after-new-regulations-take-effect/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Street Racing: More than a million fines and arrests in crackdown - complaints plummet by 90% Picture: INN The Royal Thai Police have announced that their efforts to end the scourge of street racing on Thailand's roads are bearing fruit. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235115-street-racing-more-than-a-million-fines-and-arrests-in-crackdown-complaints-plummet-by-90/

Picture: INN The Royal Thai Police have announced that their efforts to end the scourge of street racing on Thailand's roads are bearing fruit. That after a MILLION fines and prosecutions of racers, organizers, cheering sections and parents and the seizure of more than 300,000 bikes. Sunday's announcement as reported by INN was made by the man who heads the "Anti-Road Racing Center" - deputy commander of the RTP General Damrongsak Kittipraphat. Precise time frames were not given but the crackdown has been ongoing for most of the last two years. The details are: 3,000 racers arrested and prosecuted 800 organizers and cheer sections busted 40,000 parents prosecuted in one way or another for not looking after their children 1,000 motorcycle shops dealt with 1,201,288 fines and other punishments issued 320,973 motorcycles seized Damrongsak said that complaints to the 1599 street racing hotline had gone down 90%. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Confusion reigns as Thai PM announces end of quarantine and alcohol restart "spoiler" Picture: Thai Rath It was supposed to be Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's chance to announce the end of quarantine and the opening of the country's nightlife and serving of alcohol. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235111-confusion-reigns-as-thai-pm-announces-end-of-quarantine-and-alcohol-restart-spoiler/