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Amazing Thailand: Covid roving robots to patrol Chaeng Wattana Picture: Siam Rath Visitors to the cavernous Government Complex on Chang Wattana Road in Bangkok - where foreigners mainly go to immigration - could get some Covid warnings from a new roving robot. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234656-amazing-thailand-covid-roving-robots-to-patrol-chaeng-wattana/

Picture: Siam Rath Visitors to the cavernous Government Complex on Chang Wattana Road in Bangkok - where foreigners mainly go to immigration - could get some Covid warnings from a new roving robot. It's called Petro in English though the constructors are seeking a good Thai name for kids. It will rove around the area checking on people's temperatures and whether they are wearing masks. If they are over 37C or have forgotten to don their face covering a warning will be issued in Thai and English, reported Siam Rath. The media didn't give the wording, notes ASEAN NOW. Hopefully it might be better than "Hey You! You're too hot!" and certainly not "Come quietly, Or there will be trouble!", a line from the 1980s movie classic Robocop. After all it is just a warning! Petro is a collaboration of Dhanarak Asset Development Co Ltd, the Treasury Department and Finance Ministry and the people responsible for maintaining cleanliness and order at the complex. Tests are taking place this week and next week Petro will be fully on duty. One frequent visitor to the complex said: "I'd buy that for a dollar!". -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Flood warnings and alerts issued as Tropical Storm Lionrock reaches mainland South East Asia By Natcha Patanasophon Thai authorities are warning of possible flash floods and higher water levels as tropical storm Lionrock is due to hit Thailand this coming weekend, authorities said on Friday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234655-flood-warnings-and-alerts-issued-as-tropical-storm-lionrock-reaches-mainland-south-east-asia/

By Natcha Patanasophon Thai authorities are warning of possible flash floods and higher water levels as tropical storm Lionrock is due to hit Thailand this coming weekend, authorities said on Friday. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) said heavy rain could cause moderate to severe floodings in several areas of the country including the North East, the East, and the South starting on Friday. “Provinces on alert include Surat Thani, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun, Chum Phon, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Chanthaburi, Trat, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan,” Tanik Chokkuea, a TMD official, told Thai Enquirer. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/33728/flood-warnings-and-alerts-issued-as-tropical-storm-lionrock-reaches-mainland-south-east-asia/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Hacker who sold 600,000 customers' personal data arrested in Bangkok Picture: Daily News Thailand's Technical Crime Suppression Division or tech cops arrested a former employee of a well known company after a data breach. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234654-hacker-who-sold-600000-customers-personal-data-arrested-in-bangkok/

Picture: Daily News Thailand's Technical Crime Suppression Division or tech cops arrested a former employee of a well known company after a data breach. The hacker called Woraphol had blatantly sold data from 600,000 customers of his former employers who had spotted the breach and informed the police. A computer notebook, phones and bankbook were taken into evidence. He was arrested after a search warrant had been issued. He was nabbed in a property in the Kensington building floor 32 on Thepparak Road, Samut Prakan south east of Bangkok. He admitted selling the data for Bitcoin netting 300,000 baht that he used to fund online gambling, reported Daily News. The media did not name the company, standard practice in litigious Thailand, notes ASEAN NOW. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Anutin pushes vaccines for Krabi reopening By The Phuket News Deputy Prime Minister Anutin speaks to the press in Krabi yesterday (Oct 7). Photo: PR Krabi PHUKET: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday announced that 500,000 doses of Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines will be expedited to vaccinate local residents in Krabi to hasten the reopening of the province to tourism. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234653-anutin-pushes-vaccines-for-krabi-reopening/

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin speaks to the press in Krabi yesterday (Oct 7). Photo: PR Krabi By The Phuket News PHUKET: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday announced that 500,000 doses of Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines will be expedited to vaccinate local residents in Krabi to hasten the reopening of the province to tourism. Mr Anutin made the announcement at a press conference held during his visit to Krabi yesterday (Oct 7), accompanied by Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Joining the press conference was Phutthiphong Sirimat, who recently arrived to take up the position of Krabi Governor last Friday (Oct 1). 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/anutin-pushes-vaccines-for-krabi-reopening-81638.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai netizens fierily debate Pfizer vaccine for students as anti-vaxxers emerge The Thai hashtag #PfizerForStudents became the top-trending hashtag on Twitter in Thailand for two consecutive days, which resulted in a fiery debate on why some students, dubbed as the Thai version of the so-called “anti-vaxxers”, are refusing to be inoculated with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234651-thai-netizens-fierily-debate-pfizer-vaccine-for-students-as-anti-vaxxers-emerge/

The Thai hashtag #PfizerForStudents became the top-trending hashtag on Twitter in Thailand for two consecutive days, which resulted in a fiery debate on why some students, dubbed as the Thai version of the so-called “anti-vaxxers”, are refusing to be inoculated with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Among those joining the conversation was veteran DJ Yutthana Boonaom, better known as “Pa Ted”, who posted on his Facebook page that a group of students are against the use of Pfizer, as they’ve been told by their parents not to get inoculated with this vaccine following a widely circulated message sent via the LINE messaging app. “Pa Ted” also explained that the message in question falsely claims that the Pfizer vaccine is dangerous and that “Pfizer is genocide”, which he said is fake news. 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/thai-netizens-fierily-debate-pfizer-vaccine-for-students-as-anti-vaxxers-emerge/ -- © 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

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that a large contingent of regional, provincial and Lam Lukka police raided a gambling den in the Toy Market in Lam Lukka, Pathum Thani. The list of the top brass police officers involved accounted for half of their report! It was the second time the small air-con room was raided with the media saying that the gamblers were packed in tight and had not learned their lesson from the first time. They were playing a card game called Pok Paet Kao (8,9). Arrested were 44 punters - 20 men and 24 women. Equipment used and a small quantity of cash were seized. They were charged with breaking laws on gambling and Covid-19 emergency decrees. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Manager Long anticipated plans to build a 10 kilometer road bridge from the mainland to Koh Chang in Trat province in eastern Thailand are likely to move a step closer if a second public forum on the matter gives the green light as anticipated. Somkiat Samatthakarn, chairman of a working committee organising a second stage of public hearings, hopes that construction could start using 2023 budgets. Elsewhere in print media in Thailand it was suggested that building could start as early as next year. The plan is to construct a ten kilometer road bridge that would connect Laem Ngop on the Trat mainland to the Ban Dan Kao area on the popular holiday island. Picture: Manager Back in 2017 public forums indicated 90% approval for the scheme, reported Manager. Reasons for the need of the bridge were ease of travel, use in medical emergencies at night when the ferry does not run, to ease traffic congestion during peak tourist times and assertions that it would be a boon for the local economy. The second round of public forums will take place at the end of this month in Koh Chang and next month in Laem Ngop. Provided there is no substantial opposition then the way seems clear for the project to finally get off the ground, notes ASEAN NOW. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

file photo The much anticipated reopening of holiday resorts Hua Hin and Cha - Am could be delayed yet again, according to Udom Srimahachota of the Thai Hoteliers' Association who has responsibility in the area. SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) related to the reopening to foreign tourists are the stumbling block, reported Thai business media. These need to be finalised by the end of next week but Udom said that they are inappropriate for Hua Hin and Cha-Am, have the wrong conditions and are inconsistent with the requirements of foreign tourism. He plans to meet with Yuttasak Suphasorn the Tourism Authority of Thailand governor on October 12th in an attempt to iron out the finer details of the requirements ahead of representations to the CCSA. But the bottom line is that both resorts may have to delay plans for foreign tourism once again. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

file photo for reference only Channel 7 reported on the figures for purchase of real estate (mostly in the condo market) over the last three years. From 2018 to 2020 this comprised 34,653 units amounting to 1.4 million square meters worth 145 billion baht. In the first half of 2021 20 billion baht's worth was sold amounting to 200,000 to 300,000 square meters of floor space. Bangkok and surrounding areas did best. The rental market (houses and condos) was worth 5 billion baht with units rented. Top five for real estate ownership were the Chinese with 20,796 units, 2,007 Russian, 1,113 UK, 1,110 French and 825 Japanese. Moves are currently afoot to change rules regarding condo and land ownership to attract up to a million new foreign investors in the next five years. These measures have been widely reported on ASEAN NOW and can be found in the following links. https://aseannow.com/topic/1232332-easing-of-property-laws-for-foreigners-should-not-price-thais-out-of-the-market/ https://aseannow.com/topic/1224370-thailand-proposes-10-year-visas-and-land-ownership-for-foreigners-again/ -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Daily News Statements from the Ministry of Public Health yesterday reported by Daily News indicated that Thailand's vaccine rollout was continuing to gather pace. Dr Kiatphoom said that the country was on the way to having perhaps 5,000 daily infections by the New Year though he cautioned that four main measures were needed as the country reopened its activities or this could spike again to 30,000. He said that lockdown measures were now losing their effectiveness. He cited the UK with a roughly similar population as an example of having a large number of daily infections though the daily death toll there was a manageable 143. This was because of their advanced vaccination program. Thailand ranked 26th for Covid severity at the moment, he said, announcing 11,200 infections and 113 deaths. 57 million does of vaccine had been administered that was 33.7 million first doses, 22 million second and 1.6 million third. 59.3% of the elderly had been vaccinated with a first jab and 62% of those with seven underlying health conditions. There is a target of 4 million 12 - 17 year old high school students to get jabbed to allow schools to open - so far just 74,000 have been vaccinated or 1.7%. By the end of October it is expected that 61% of the Thai population will have got a first jab, 37% a second. With vaccinations picking up pace this would be 75% first and 55% second at the end of November and by the end of the year 85% of the population would have got a first dose and 70% a second. He noted that Bangkok and surrounding areas were seeing a good drop in infections and this was generally being seen in the provinces except in four far southern provinces where greater measures were needed. He described Thailand as being at a crossroads now with four main areas needed - the progress of the vaccine rollout, universal protection measures, testing and strict protocols in places like movie theaters and restaurants and other settings where many people would gather. The gist of the Daily News report was that Thailand was finally on track with its vaccine rollout and there were positive signs but experience in other countries should drive the country's next phase of responses. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Paul Andrews Former Deputy Prime Minister and owner of BluPort Hua Hin, Suwat Liptapanlop, has said he will invest 100 million baht into the shopping mall in order to help boost Hua Hin’s post pandemic recovery. At an event held at BluPort on Thursday (Oct 7), Mr Suwat formally launched the BluPort-Hua Hin Recharge project. The project will see a 100 million baht investment in BluPort Hua Hin which will result in the addition of more modern facilities, as well as improvements in the business structure and services at the mall. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/bluport-owners-ploughs-100-million-baht-into-mall-to-boost-tourism-recovery/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Manager Thailand's Economic Crime Division police under the command of Pol Maj-Gen Phuthidech Bunkrapheu enacted a search warrant on business premises in Soi Sakaengam 39/2 in Bang Khun Thian, south western Bangkok yesterday. Leading the raid was Pol Col Pattanapong Sripinphroh who said they were acting on a complaint about the sale of pirated, sub-standard goods online. Manager reported that the police arrested a Chinese man called Ma S.R. for having pirated goods in his possession with intent to sell and also having no work permit. He admitted the goods were his but blamed his wife for importing them. There were hundreds of pairs of shoes and shirts with Gucci and Fila labels (as reported in other media) and eight thousand more impersonating the Off-White brand. In total the haul was worth 16 million baht. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

FILE PHOTO: A woman walks into the head office of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada November 9, 2015. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi/File Photo/File Photo (Reuters) - North Korea, Thailand and Indonesia were declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Thursday, making them ineligible to be awarded the right to host regional, continental or world championships during the suspension. Representatives of the three countries will also be ineligible to sit as members of the boards on committees until their countries are reinstated or for a period of one year, whichever is longer. Athletes from the three countries will be allowed to compete in regional, continental and world championships but their national flags will not be flown other than at the Olympic Games. WADA said in a statement that the National Anti-Doping Agencies (NADOs) of North Korea and Indonesia were ruled non-compliant for not implementing effective testing programs. Thailand's non-compliance stems from a failure to fully implement the 2021 Anti-Doping Code. (Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Ken Ferris) -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

File photo: REUTERS Thailand on Friday ( October 8 ) reported 11,140 new COVID-19 cases, 9,933 recoveries and 116 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ◼︎ 9,933 recoveries ◼︎ 11,068 new infections ◼︎ 72 prison / prison infections ▶︎ Total infections since April 1: 1,660,574 ▶︎ Total recoveries since since April 1: 1,534,364 Friday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 1,689,437 with 17,534 deaths. After months of regulatory red-tape tying up vaccines in Thailand being accepted as “fully vaccinated” in the UK, the rules are finally changing as of Monday, October 11th. Previously, if one was vaccinated with AstraZeneca or other major brands in Thailand, they would not be considered “fully vaccinated” in the UK upon return, leading to confusion and anger on social media. However, as of today, October 8th, 2021, that guidance has changed and will become effective on Monday, October 11th, 2021. *The Pattaya News 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 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand/UK-According to the UK government, only seven countries will remain on the so-called “red list” that requires mandatory quarantine at a government quarantine center upon return and is a major deterrent to travel Thailand, a previous country on the list, has been REMOVED, despite rumors earlier in the day (which TPN media did NOT report on) that it wasn’t being removed. This means visitors from the UK can now travel to Thailand without a mandatory quarantine upon return, only having to take a Covid-19 test on the day after their arrival back into the country. Only seven countries will remain on the UK red list from a previous list of 54. The seven countries that will remain on the red list are Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Venezuela. This will be effective from Monday, October 11th, 2021, according to the UK government. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/07/thailand-removed-from-the-uk-red-list-list-reduced-to-only-seven-countries/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Adam Judd Thailand/UK - After months of regulatory red-tape tying up vaccines in Thailand being accepted as “fully vaccinated” in the UK, the rules are finally changing as of Monday, October 11th. Previously, if one was vaccinated with AstraZeneca or other major brands in Thailand, they would not be considered “fully vaccinated” in the UK upon return, leading to confusion and anger on social media. However, as of today, October 8th, 2021, that guidance has changed and will become effective on Monday, October 11th, 2021. The complete guidance can be read by clicking right here. We have paraphrased the guidance below. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countries-with-approved-covid-19-vaccination-programmes-and-proof-of-vaccination -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand recorded 38.7 million baht of tourism spending from the Samui Plus Model after its debut in July as one of the country’s pilot plans to revive its battered tourism-reliant economy, the government said Thursday. The Samui Plus Model was launched on July 15 to welcome vaccinated international tourists without quarantine following the blueprint Phuket Sandbox. Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and other Koh Samui’s minor islands are included in this scheme. “There are 1,018 arrivals to Samui Plus Model” since the model started, said Deputy Public Health Minister Satit Pitutacha, with the majority coming from Europe. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/33705/samui-plus-attracts-38-7-million-baht-in-two-months/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Thammarat Thadaphrom BANGKOK, 7 October 2021 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is working with the Royal Thai Navy to set up and operate 12 water propelling boats that will speed up the rate of water release from the Chao Phraya River into the Gulf of Thailand. Bangkok Governor Pol. Gen. Assawin Kwanmuang inspected the Royal Thai Navy’s setting up of water propelling boats at a floodgate in Lat Pho canal to the south of Bangkok. The boats were deployed in response to an increase in the water level in the Chao Phraya River, which came about after the Royal Irrigation Department raised the rate of water release at Chao Phraya Dam and Pa Sak Chonlasit Dam. The boats are also expected to help reduce the impact of high sea levels from 7 October to 10 October, when the flow rate of water from the Chao Phraya River into the Gulf of Thailand had been expected to lessen. Each of the 12 water propelling boats has varying water-moving capacities ranging from 30,000 to 150,000 cubic meters per day. The boats will help with expelling excess water from the Chao Phraya River into the Gulf by increasing the flow rate in Lat Pho canal. The canal, situated in Samut Prakan province and completed in 2005, was built to shorten the distance water in the Chao Phraya needs to travel to reach the Gulf. The water propelling boats will be switched on until the water in the Chao Praya River subsides, to keep communities along the riverbanks safe from flooding. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

A health worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer vaccine for the Covid-19 coronavirus for high school students at Prachaniwet Secondary School in Bangkok on October 4, 2021. Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health will seek approval, from the immune enhancement against diseases subcommittee, for the Disease Control Department to use a combined AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine regimen for Thai people. Disease Control Department Director-General Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong said today (Thursday) that the regimen is in the department’s vaccination plan, but not put on trial yet. Mix-and-match vaccination regimens are now widely used in Thailand, with Sinovac jabs followed by an AstraZeneca dose being administered to the general public, and Pfizer as the third jab for many frontline medics. 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/mix-and-match-of-astrazeneca-then-pfizer-vaccination-proposed/ -- © 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

A ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks has been introduced in Thailand’s eastern province of Chanthaburi, from today (Thursday) until the end of the month, to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections, which are being blamed on social gatherings. The liquor sale ban was issued by the provincial governor, Suthee Thongyam. It is applicable to shopping malls, department stores, convenience stores, community malls, groceries, and eateries. In the order, the governor said that COVID-19 infections in the province continue to increase with no sign of slowing, adding that most of the new infections occurred at social gatherings and at workplaces, homes, or public venues where people usually drink. 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/liquor-sales-banned-in-chanthaburi-following-resurgence-of-covid-19/ -- © 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