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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. Instead it has just created more confusion if the online reaction is anything to go by. Posters on ASEAN NOW seemed more confused than ever and criticized the lack of clarity as par for the course of a government that has chopped and changed at every turn throughout the pandemic but especially over the last six months. Many felt the proposed relaxation had not gone far enough and that nothing should have been announced before the decisions were set in stone. Many posters said this kind of "might" and "mull" philosophy was hopeless for foreign tourists who have to plan for a visit well in advance. Prayuth's Monday televised address was also just a precursor - a spoiler if you like - for the actual decision that will be made by the CCSA on Thursday. Will they tweak the proposals or reverse them? Tourists both foreign and domestic, expats, and operators in the industry are all desperate to know the score. Desperate for an ounce of clarity. As it stands Thai Rath reported what has been announced internationally. That tourists from ten countries including Singapore, Germany, the US and the UK will not need to quarantine but will need to have been double vaxxed and have tests before and after arriving. But what other documents they will need and what other countries are on the list remained unclear. China was also on Prayuth's lips - but there has been no announcement from the Asian giant that they are allowing their citizens to travel. So that is effectively a moot point. When it comes to alcohol the situation is still utterly unclear. About as cloudy as a Pernod and water. The Thai media interpreted the PM's announcement that alcohol would be allowed in restaurants from December 1st. But that pubs, bars and nightclubs would only be allowed to reopen. It wasn't stated that the blanket alcohol ban would be lifted for all establishments. Prayuth has stated that the tourism industry cannot stand another decimated high season. He has avowed that the risks of reopening outweigh the continuing calamity caused to the economy by the pandemic, especially its tourism sector. But his comments about the possibility of reversing these "decisions" remains if cases spike, as they are expected to even by the PM's own admission. Others like the Rural Doctors group have stated in the last 24 hours that Thailand's infection rate is not dropping as official stats state. Yet another example of "you pay your money and take your choice" when it comes to believing police and stats coming out of Thailand. Thursday's Center for Covid Situation Administration meeting may provide a little more clarity. 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

Thailand reports 9,445 new COVID-19 cases, 84 deaths File photo: REUTERS Thailand on Tuesday (October 12) reported 9,445 new COVID-19 cases, 11,452 recoveries and 84 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235107-thailand-reports-9445-new-covid-19-cases-84-deaths/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Thailand reports 9,445 new COVID-19 cases, 84 deaths File photo: REUTERS Thailand on Tuesday (October 12) reported 9,445 new COVID-19 cases, 11,452 recoveries and 84 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235107-thailand-reports-9445-new-covid-19-cases-84-deaths/

File photo: REUTERS Thailand on Tuesday (October 12) reported 9,445 new COVID-19 cases, 11,452 recoveries and 84 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ◼︎ 11,452 recoveries ◼︎ 9,244 new infections ◼︎ 201 prison / prison infections ▶︎ Total infections since April 1: 1,701,501 ▶︎ Total recoveries since since April 1: 1,576,929 Tuesday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 1,730,364 with 17,835 deaths. The news comes as Thailand will end coronavirus quarantine requirements for vaccinated visitors from 10 low-risk countries starting Nov. 1, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Monday, as the Southeast Asian nation tries to revive its pandemic-hit economy. Thailand last year suffered its deepest economic contraction in more than two decades, with the key tourism sector still struggling. Visitors from at least 10 countries including the United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, China and the United States will be exempted from quarantine on arrival, Prayuth said in a televised speech. *Reuters 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 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

UPDATE: PM: Thailand Will Start Lifting Quarantine From Nov 1 BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said during a televised speech on Monday evening that Thailand will lift quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated visitors from low risk countries from November 1 onwards. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235090-thailand-to-end-quarantine-for-some-vaccinated-visitors-from-nov-pm/?do=findComment&comment=16890433

PM: Thailand Will Start Lifting Quarantine From Nov 1 BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said during a televised speech on Monday evening that Thailand will lift quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated visitors from low risk countries from November 1 onwards. PM said he had instructed the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and the Ministry of Public Health to consider allowing from 1st November international visitors to enter Thailand without any requirement for quarantine if they are fully vaccinated and arrive by air from low-risk countries. Visitors will need to show that they are COVID-free at their time of travel with an RT-PCR test taken before they leave their home country, and do a test in Thailand. Initially, at least 10 low risk countries will be exempted to enter the kingdom without undergoing quarantine on arrival. These includes the United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, China, and the United States of America. More countries will later be added to the list by 1st December. In addition, by 1st December, Thailand will also consider allowing the consumption of alcoholic beverages in restaurants as well as the operation of entertainment venues. Last but not least, the country will have more than 170 million doses of vaccine by the end of the year. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 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: Thailand to open doors to vaccinated travelers from ‘safe countries’ starting November 1 By Cod Satrusayang Thailand will open its doors to vaccinated travelers from a list of ten “safe” countries starting November 1, the Thai prime minister said on Monday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235090-thailand-to-end-quarantine-for-some-vaccinated-visitors-from-nov-pm/?do=findComment&comment=16890427

Thailand to open doors to vaccinated travelers from ‘safe countries’ starting November 1 By Cod Satrusayang Thailand will open its doors to vaccinated travelers from a list of ten “safe” countries starting November 1, the Thai prime minister said on Monday. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said in a nationally televised address that it was time for the country to gradually reopen in accordance with his government’s plans. The United States, the United Kingdom, China, Singapore, and Australia were among the countries mentioned as being on the safe list with more to be announced later. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/33850/thailand-to-open-doors-to-vaccinated-travelers-from-safe-countries-starting-november-1/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 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: No quarantine required for 10 countries starting November 1 as Thailand delays reopening Thailand will no longer require quarantines for visitors from 10 low-risk countries starting November 1st, as the country is gradually reopening to overseas visitors, a delay from the initial complete reopening deadline of October 15th, announced Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a televised address tonight (Monday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235090-thailand-to-end-quarantine-for-some-vaccinated-visitors-from-nov-pm/?do=findComment&comment=16890413

No quarantine required for 10 countries starting November 1 as Thailand delays reopening Thailand will no longer require quarantines for visitors from 10 low-risk countries starting November 1st, as the country is gradually reopening to overseas visitors, a delay from the initial complete reopening deadline of October 15th, announced Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a televised address tonight (Monday). Among the list is the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Germany and Singapore. The full list of the 10 countries will be decided at a Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on Thursday. Apart from showing proof of being fully vaccinated, the arrivals must also show negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test results before their travel and undergo another test once arrived to Thailand. On June 16th, Gen. Prayut declared Thailand will completely reopen in 120 days. The date is soon approaching, and it is clear now that the deadline will not be met. 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/no-quarantine-required-for-10-countries-starting-november-1-as-thailand-delays-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

PHUKET XTRA - October 11 || Brought to you by @PVC Phuket Kla Party makes an elected Phuket Governor official party policy |:| Phuket Vegetarian Festival continues |:| Phuket COVID Update |:| MorChana tracking app expands |:| Random Covid testing for students Hosted by: JP Mestanza || #Phuket #PhuketNews #Thailand By Jean-Pierre Mestanza Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-xtra-video-should-phuketians-elect-their-own-governor-random-covid-testing-for-students-october-11-81675.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

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 12 Oct 2021 https://aseannow.com/topic/1235091-thailand-live-tuesday-12-oct-2021/

Phuket to scrap COVID tests for vaccinated local tourists Governor Narong at the meeting last week. Photo: PR Dept PHUKET: Starting this coming Saturday (Oct 16), fully vaccinated domestic arrivals coming onto the island will not be required to prove they have tested negative for COVID-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235043-phuket-to-scrap-covid-tests-for-vaccinated-local-tourists/

Thailand’s Multidimensional Poverty Index lowest in ASEAN AP Photo/ Gemunu Amarasinghe, File Thailand’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is 0.002, the lowest among all the ASEAN countries, according to a new report released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) today (Wednesday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235051-thailand’s-multidimensional-poverty-index-lowest-in-asean/

Further lifting of COVID-19 restrictions to be decided on Thursday Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) will decide on Thursday (October 14th) whether to ease the semi-lockdown restrictions further after the first set of easing has seen decreased infections and mortality rates, although infections are increasing in a limited number of areas. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235052-further-lifting-of-covid-19-restrictions-to-be-decided-on-thursday/

Thailand to end quarantine for some vaccinated visitors from Nov - PM By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat FILE PHOTO: Health workers stand at the COVID-19 swab test area at the airport as Phuket reopens to overseas tourists, allowing foreigners fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to visit the resort island without quarantine, in Phuket, Thailand July 1, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand will end coronavirus quarantine requirements for vaccinated visitors from 10 low-risk countries starting Nov. 1, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Monday, as the Southeast Asian nation tries to revive its pandemic-hit economy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1235090-thailand-to-end-quarantine-for-some-vaccinated-visitors-from-nov-pm/

FILE PHOTO: Health workers stand at the COVID-19 swab test area at the airport as Phuket reopens to overseas tourists, allowing foreigners fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to visit the resort island without quarantine, in Phuket, Thailand July 1, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand will end coronavirus quarantine requirements for vaccinated visitors from 10 low-risk countries starting Nov. 1, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Monday, as the Southeast Asian nation tries to revive its pandemic-hit economy. Thailand last year suffered its deepest economic contraction in more than two decades, with the key tourism sector still struggling. Visitors from at least 10 countries including the United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, China and the United States will be exempted from quarantine on arrival, Prayuth said in a televised speech. More countries will later be added to the list, he said. "I know this decision comes with some risk. It is almost certain that we will see a temporary rise in serious cases as we relax these restrictions," Prayuth said. "We will have to track the situation very carefully and see how to contain and live with that situation, because I do not think that the many millions who depend on the income generated by the travel, leisure and entertainment sector can possibly afford the devastating blow of a second lost new year holiday period," he said. But if there is an unexpected emergence of a highly dangerous new variant of the virus in the months ahead, Thailand will act accordingly, Prayuth said. Strict entry requirements and quarantine measures helped keep Thailand's coronavirus outbreaks under control until recent months, but the curbs saw arrival numbers plummet to a fraction of its nearly 40 million visitors in 2019. Thailand lost about $50 billion in tourism revenue last year, an 82% plunge. It started with a pilot reopening that began on July 1 on its most popular island, Phuket, which has been vaccinating most of its local population. A total of just 100,000 foreign visitors are expected this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Thailand also plans to allow resumption of alcohol sales at restaurants and to reopen entertainment venues by Dec. 1, Prayuth said, adding that the country will have more than 170 doses of vaccine by the end of the year. Thailand has so far vaccinated 32.5% of 72 million people in the country against COVID-19 and has eased many restrictions in Bangkok and other provinces, where infection numbers have declined lately. (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat ThepgumpanatWriting by Orathai SriringEditing by Kay Johnson) Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-10-12 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Tax Cut to Attract Foreign Experts to Work in Thailand By Suwit Rattiwan BANGKOK (NNT) - The Revenue Department is mulling the possibility of reducing personal income tax for foreign experts to 17% in an effort to bring in foreign talented professionals to work in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234998-tax-cut-to-attract-foreign-experts-to-work-in-thailand/

By Suwit Rattiwan BANGKOK (NNT) - The Revenue Department is mulling the possibility of reducing personal income tax for foreign experts to 17% in an effort to bring in foreign talented professionals to work in Thailand. Director-General of the Revenue Department, Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the highly skilled professional must be in the fields that Thailand fall short of and that they would be permitted to work anywhere in Thailand. He said the department is considering a valid period for this tax cut. Thailand’s personal income tax rate is progressive, varied by salary level. Those with annual income from 150,001 baht to 300,000 baht are subject to 5% tax, while those with annual income above 5 million baht are subject to the top tax rate of 35%. Nevertheless, Mr Ekniti indicated that only tax cuts measure alone might not efficient enough for foreign experts, adding that such factors as safety of the country and high quality of schools and medical care are somewhat they have to take into consideration. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-11 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

RTP warn Thais: DON'T copy the violent scenes in Netflix's viral hit Squid Game Picture: Naew Na The deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police has told the Thai people not to copy behavior shown in streaming platform Netflix's Korean drama Squid Game. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234992-rtp-warn-thais-dont-copy-the-violent-scenes-in-netflixs-viral-hit-squid-game/

Picture: Naew Na The deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police has told the Thai people not to copy behavior shown in streaming platform Netflix's Korean drama Squid Game. The hit series trending at the top of Netflix ratings in Thailand depicts hundreds of South Koreans desperate to solve their financial woes vying for billions of won (1.2 billion baht) by playing a series of Korean children's games. Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said the show depicts violence and mutilation and could lead to real-life copycat crime. He said he feared for youngsters who might watch the series without their parents' guidance in particular, reported Naew Na. Many kids have been glued to the violent series in lockdown, he noted. The series, that has been critically acclaimed, contains unsuitable scenes, he warned. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-11 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Video: Doing THIS on a motorcycle could lead to jail not just a fine, say RTP Picture: Sanook A police spokesman reacted to a video doing the rounds on social media that showed a man with a sidecar attachment doing a dangerous maneuver. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234990-video-doing-this-on-a-motorcycle-could-lead-to-jail-not-just-a-fine-say-rtp/

Picture: Sanook A police spokesman reacted to a video doing the rounds on social media that showed a man with a sidecar attachment doing a dangerous maneuver. Dash cam footage over 40 seconds showed the man lifting his sidecar off the road surface. He also was not wearing a helmet during the escapade on Nakhon-In Road in Nonthaburi north west of the Thai capital Bangkok, reported Sanook. Police are trying to locate him. Pol Maj-Gen Yingyot Thepjamnong said that this negligent and scary driving could lead to three months jail or fines of 2000 - 10,000 baht under Article 43. He asked all motorists to behave sensibly on the Thai roads - or else. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-11 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Flash flood warnings across the country with 16 provinces still affected by flooding By Erich Parpart More than 320,000 households have been affected by flooding in Thailand with 16 provinces still affected as of Monday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234989-flash-flood-warnings-across-the-country-with-16-provinces-still-affected-by-flooding/

By Erich Parpart More than 320,000 households have been affected by flooding in Thailand with 16 provinces still affected as of Monday. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said the flooding situation has spread to 33 provinces and 8,056 villages with 323,523 affected households. Nine people have died including six in Lopburi, two in Phetchabun and one in Chai Nat. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/33789/flash-flood-warnings-across-the-country-with-16-provinces-still-affected-by-flooding/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-10-11 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates