webfact

Thai gamers to pay 7-per-cent tax on Steam as the government looks to increase online revenue By Panithan Onthaworn Online gaming giant Valve Corporations said on Friday that its online gaming distribution channel Steam will begin collecting a 7-per-cent tax on Thai gamers starting from October 15 following the government’s guidance to ease the public debt burden. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234762-thai-gamers-to-pay-7-per-cent-tax-on-steam-as-the-government-looks-to-increase-online-revenue/

By Panithan Onthaworn Online gaming giant Valve Corporations said on Friday that its online gaming distribution channel Steam will begin collecting a 7-per-cent tax on Thai gamers starting from October 15 following the government’s guidance to ease the public debt burden. Valve stated on its website that Thailand will be added to a list of countries from which tax will be collected. Other South-East Asian countries on the list include Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The gamer group Sheapgamer said that other platforms that accept Thai currency, such as Origin, also announced plans to collect the tax. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/33729/thai-gamers-to-pay-7-per-cent-tax-on-steam-as-the-government-looks-to-increase-online-revenue/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-10-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand is open – a travel update from the tourism authority of Thailand By Kristin Mariano TD Editor Great news for UK travellers as Thailand is off the red list, which means fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK from green list countries no longer need to do a pre-departure test, but must still book and pay for a day two PCR test. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234761-thailand-is-open-–-a-travel-update-from-the-tourism-authority-of-thailand/

By Kristin Mariano TD Editor Great news for UK travellers as Thailand is off the red list, which means fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK from green list countries no longer need to do a pre-departure test, but must still book and pay for a day two PCR test. “After much speculation this week we are so happy to see Thailand come off the UK’s travel red list. It’s a very timely boost for Thailand’s travel industry. We’re heading into peak season with our best weather ahead, particularly along the Andaman coast and insights from our UK tour operators tells us there is huge interest in travel to Thailand and 1,000’s of postponed holidays set to be rebooked both for immediate winter sun getaways and departures in 2022. Today’s announcement gives travellers the much-needed confidence to (re)make travel plans” said Ms. Chiravadee Khunsub, director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), UK & Ireland. Sandbox success This is a key moment for Thailand as it has been open to international travellers, including the UK & Ireland, since 1st July under a ‘Sandbox’ initiative which has proven very successful. To date, 41,000 travellers have arrived in Phuket alone with just 135 positive Covid-19 cases detected proving to visitors and locals alike that it is safe to return to international travel. “One of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations (welcoming around 1 million Brits per year pre-Covid-19) this is really positive news for the Thai tourism industry and has given us much hope for a positive end to the year” added Khunsub. Full story: https://www.traveldailymedia.com/thailand-is-open-a-travel-update-from-the-tourism-authority-of-thailand/ -- © Copyright Travel Daily 2021-10-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand to revive its medical tourism sector amid COVID pandemic Businesses aim to profit from government's 'living with COVID' strategy APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writer The luxury-grade Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok has launched its first-ever COVID-19 recovery clinic. (Photo courtesy of the hospital) BANGKOK -- With the Thai government planning to reopen the country to foreign tourists as part of its strategy of learning to live with COVID, Thai businesses aim to offer COVID-related services as well as revive medical tourism. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234760-thailand-to-revive-its-medical-tourism-sector-amid-covid-pandemic/

The luxury-grade Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok has launched its first-ever COVID-19 recovery clinic. (Photo courtesy of the hospital) Businesses aim to profit from government's 'living with COVID' strategy APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writer BANGKOK -- With the Thai government planning to reopen the country to foreign tourists as part of its strategy of learning to live with COVID, Thai businesses aim to offer COVID-related services as well as revive medical tourism. The upscale Bumrungrad International Hospital has launched its first COVID-19 recovery clinic, offering all COVID solutions to affluent Thais and foreigners, as the government prepares to reopen the country roughly by November. "The COVID-19 recovery unit is a medical hub for people whose lives are affected by COVID," Artirat Charukitpipat, the hospital's chief executive officer, told reporters on last Wednesday. The Bumrungrad unit delivers care to infected patients and also treats people who have "long COVID" symptoms such as lung problems. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Health-Care/Thailand-to-revive-its-medical-tourism-sector-amid-COVID-pandemic -- © Copyright Nikkei Asian Review 2021-10-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

House speaker ready to accept motion for general debate By Thammarat Thadaphrom BANGKOK, 8 October 2021 (NNT) - The House speaker has indicated that opposition MPs’ plan to submit a motion for a general debate without voting is legitimate, although the debate would be limited to the Opposition presenting its views and giving suggestions to the government. Meanwhile, the head of the Democrat Party asserted he held no objections to the Opposition’s motion. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234759-house-speaker-ready-to-accept-motion-for-general-debate/

By Thammarat Thadaphrom BANGKOK, 8 October 2021 (NNT) - The House speaker has indicated that opposition MPs’ plan to submit a motion for a general debate without voting is legitimate, although the debate would be limited to the Opposition presenting its views and giving suggestions to the government. Meanwhile, the head of the Democrat Party asserted he held no objections to the Opposition’s motion. House Speaker Chuan Leekpai said he has not been informed whether the government would request an extraordinary session for Parliament to continue vetting the Communicable Disease Bill. He noted that just three weeks remain until Parliament convenes its ordinary session. Addressing the opposition’s planned motion for a general debate, Mr. Chuan said the debate may commence but without voting, the proceedings would be limited to the Opposition providing its views and making suggestions to the government. Jurin Laksanawisit, the head of the Democrat Party, said he has no objections to the Opposition’s a motion for a general debate without voting. He said this was expected of a parliamentary democracy. Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party MP Jirayu Huangsap asserted that once Parliament’s ordinary session starts on November 1, his party will convene a meeting to determine submitting a motion for a general debate without voting. Points to be decided include whether to call the debate on the entire Cabinet or limit it to individuals. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PM chairs APEC prep meeting By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK, 8 October 2021 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has urged all agencies involved in the organizing of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting next year to make careful preparations, with health protocols well taken into account. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234758-pm-chairs-apec-prep-meeting/

By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK, 8 October 2021 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has urged all agencies involved in the organizing of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting next year to make careful preparations, with health protocols well taken into account. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over a meeting of the organizing body in charge of preparation for APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and related meetings next year. Thailand will be hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in 2022, welcoming leaders from 21 APEC economies. In the meeting, the Prime Minister thanked all related units for their concrete efforts in realizing Thailand’s goal as a host, stressing that the event must represent Thailand’s vision and positivity, along with the sharing of knowledge and experiences between APEC economies that shall benefit the business sector, the society, and the public. On this occasion, Gen Prayut asked key organizing agencies to drive forward the agendas on the awareness of the Bio-Circular-Green economic model, climate change, human rights, women’s roles, and inclusivity. A handover ceremony will be held in November, where the chairmanship of cooperation will be handed over to Thailand from New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Subsidy campaigns resume for hotel bookings, domestic trips By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK, 8 October 2021 (NNT) - The government’s promotional campaigns for domestic travels officially resumed today, allowing eligible persons to book their hotel stays and tour packages at a subsidized rate. The government hopes these campaigns will help stimulate domestic travels towards the end of this year alongside the reopening of certain provinces, starting this November. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234757-subsidy-campaigns-resume-for-hotel-bookings-domestic-trips/

By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK, 8 October 2021 (NNT) - The government’s promotional campaigns for domestic travels officially resumed today, allowing eligible persons to book their hotel stays and tour packages at a subsidized rate. The government hopes these campaigns will help stimulate domestic travels towards the end of this year alongside the reopening of certain provinces, starting this November. Thai citizens can now book their hotel stays at a subsidized rate with the We Travel Together campaign from today to 31 January. Introduced in 2020, the We Travel Together campaign provides subsidies for bookings at participating hotels and accommodations, encouraging people to travel more within Thailand while paying less. For the current Phase 3 of the campaign, the government will provide a 40% subsidy for nightly accommodation rates, with a maximum subsidized amount capped at 3,000 baht per room per night. Each person is entitled to up to 15 rooms or 15 nights, with the eligible stay period starting from 15 October 2021 to 31 January 2022. All eligible bookings must be made by 23 October. People leveraging these benefits will also receive daily coupons at 600 baht for each night of stay, which can be used for food purchases and admission fees at tourism attractions. People booking their stay at one of the designated tourism provinces will also be eligible for a 40% airfare refund, with the refund amount capped at 3,000 baht. Each individual booking comes with the airfare benefits for 2 passengers per room, with a maximum cap of 30 passengers. People who participated in the previous phases of this campaign can check for their remaining benefits and booking slots on the government’s Pao Tang application. Those who have yet to participate before can register on the campaign’s website. The general public can also start booking their tour packages at a subsidized rate as part of the Tour Thai campaign from now until 31 January. Bookings can be made directly with tour operators. Tour bookings are limited to 1 package per person only. The government will be subsidizing 40% of the package price, or up to 5,000 baht. Payments must be made by customers 7 days in advance. The subsidy is only available for the first 1 million packages booked. The Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the two campaigns would help stimulate domestic tourism towards the end of this year and early 2022, in line with the resumption of flights to more domestic routes. The government is currently planning to open more provinces for tourism from 1 November, in an attempt to draw in more cash flow for the tourism industry. Provinces now planned for the November 1st reopening include Bangkok, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Petchaburi, Chonburi, and Chiang Mai. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Krabi takes delivery of more vaccine doses as it prepares for full reopening By Thammarat Thadaphrom KRABI (NNT) - More than 57.3 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have so far been administered in Thailand. Yesterday (7 Oct.), the Public Health Ministry delivered another 500,000 doses of vaccine to Krabi to support the province-wide reopening to foreign tourists. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234756-krabi-takes-delivery-of-more-vaccine-doses-as-it-prepares-for-full-reopening/

By Thammarat Thadaphrom KRABI (NNT) - More than 57.3 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have so far been administered in Thailand. Yesterday (7 Oct.), the Public Health Ministry delivered another 500,000 doses of vaccine to Krabi to support the province-wide reopening to foreign tourists. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul, Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan and Krabi Governor Phutthiphong Sirimat attended a meeting to follow up on the COVID-19 situation in Krabi province and the progress of vaccination, as well as to prepare the province for opening up to tourists. Krabi is among the first provinces marked for reopening by the government, which hoped to reduce the stagnation in the national economy by reopening various areas to international tourists. In Krabi, the reopening has already been piloted on PP Island, Ngai Island and Railay Beach – the three areas were made available to tourists who have entered Thailand via the Phuket Sandbox quarantine waiver scheme and have spent 7 days in Phuket. Minister Anutin said vaccination coverage of 100% has been achieved in the three pilot areas while province-wide coverage has reached 35.71%. Lanta Island, which is set to become the next locale that gets opened up to Sandbox tourists, already has vaccination coverage of 90.22% of the population. On this occasion, the health minister oversaw the delivery of 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The shots will be used to bring the vaccination rate of Krabi province to 100%. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Opposition: Five more years of Prayut premiership would mean more debt, conflict and stagnation By Erich Parpart Opposition figures spoke out Friday against Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha’s plea for another five years in power. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234755-opposition-five-more-years-of-prayut-premiership-would-mean-more-debt-conflict-and-stagnation/

By Erich Parpart Opposition figures spoke out Friday against Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha’s plea for another five years in power. “If the Prime Minister stays on for another five years the absence of social, economic and political development will persist and resources will continue to be wasted by the same lack of vision,” Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn told Thai Enquirer on Friday. During his visit to check on flooding in Nakhon Si Thammarat on Thursday, Prayut asked his supporters to give him five more years of patience to deliver. He promised that everything in the country will improve from all the new projects and new structures that his administration has been putting in place. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/33758/opposition-five-more-years-of-prayut-premiership-would-mean-more-debt-conflict-and-stagnation/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-10-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Udon Thani police searches home of Swiss national who killed armed intruder at his house after mother of slain man claims almost 300,000 baht was missing By Adam Judd PHOTO: Sanook Udon Thani, Thailand- The Udon Thani police raided and searched the home of a Swiss national today who admitted to killing what he called an armed intruder to his home on October 3rd. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234754-udon-thani-police-searches-home-of-swiss-national-who-killed-armed-intruder-at-his-house-after-mother-of-slain-man-claims-almost-300000-baht-was-missing/

PHOTO: Sanook By Adam Judd Udon Thani, Thailand- The Udon Thani police raided and searched the home of a Swiss national today who admitted to killing what he called an armed intruder to his home on October 3rd. The raid followed the mother of the slain man claiming there was more to the story than the Swiss national was stating and claimed that almost 300,000 baht her son had on him from a recent land sale had gone missing following the incident. First, get caught up with our prior articles about the incident and statements from both parties involved Today’s raid was led by Pol. Lt. Col. Noppadon Wisetsri, the Deputy Superintendent of the Nakha Police Station in Udon Thani. The raid was given the green light by the Udon Thani Provincial Court, which issued a search warrant with the order number of 142/2564. Police raided the home of 63-year-old Rudolf Joseph Rothy, a Swiss national, around 2:00 P.M. in Ban Khamin, part of the Kudsa sub-district in Mueang Udon Thani. Mr. Rudolf and his wife were not home during the raid and so police had the village headsman, identified as Mr. Buasen Sriyangkabutr, and a prominent local monk, Phra Lek Sareerup, 65, accompany them for the raid for transparency reasons. The reason for the raid, according to Udon Thani police, were claims by the mother of the victim, Khan Chantarakhantri, that her son had nearly 300,000 baht from a recent land sale go missing during the confrontation with Rudolf. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/08/udon-thani-police-searches-home-of-swiss-national-who-killed-armed-intruder-at-his-house-after-mother-of-slain-man-claims-almost-300000-baht-was-missing/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PHUKET XTRA - October 8 || Brought to you by @PVC Phuket Upcoming events for muted Phuket Vegetarian Festivals |:| Phuket teen vaccinations underway |:| 1 teen killed in crash, as 2 survive |:| Phuket Covid Update |:| Doctors oppose legalising e-cigarettes Hosted by: JP Mestanza || #Phuket #PhuketNews #Thailand By Jean-Pierre Mestanza Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-xtra-video-phuket-teen-vaccinations-underway-upcoming-vegetarian-festival-events-october-8-81647.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-09 - 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 Saturday 9 Oct 2021 https://aseannow.com/topic/1234752-thailand-live-saturday-9-oct-2021/

Thai Civil Court rejects plea to suspend public gathering restrictions The Thai Civil Court today (Friday) dismissed a plea for restrictions on public gatherings to be lifted, submitted by Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw) and two Ratsadon anti-establishment protesters. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234736-thai-civil-court-rejects-plea-to-suspend-public-gathering-restrictions/

AirAsia adds another flight from Hua Hin Air Asia plane. File Photo AirAsia has filed a request to open more direct flights between Hua Hin-Chiang Mai from this November to support the Hua Hin Recharge project. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234712-airasia-adds-another-flight-from-hua-hin/

Russian consul general gives his views on Phuket Sandbox PHUKET (NNT) - Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong has met with Russian Consul General to Phuket Vladimir V. Sosnov to exchange their views on Thailand’s reopening to foreign tourists under the Phuket Sandbox scheme, and to discuss charter flights from Russia to Phuket. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234704-russian-consul-general-gives-his-views-on-phuket-sandbox/

Thai health officials hint at reimposition of restrictions in Deep South Lockdown restrictions will be reintroduced in Thailand’s four southern border provinces of Songkhla, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, possibly in November or December, if the COVID-19 situation does not improve by then, according to Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kiattibhoom Vongrachit. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234658-thai-health-officials-hint-at-reimposition-of-restrictions-in-deep-south/

Lockdown restrictions will be reintroduced in Thailand’s four southern border provinces of Songkhla, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, possibly in November or December, if the COVID-19 situation does not improve by then, according to Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kiattibhoom Vongrachit. Dr. Kiattibhoom was assigned by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to visit the four provinces, to help local officials with controlling the pandemic, after new infections steadily increased following the easing of lockdown restrictions. He is, however, optimistic that local health officials will be able to curb the spread of the disease in two months, after an acceleration in mass vaccinations, and there will be no need to reintroduce the restrictions. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-health-officials-hint-at-reimposition-of-restrictions-in-deep-south/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates