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File photo: REUTERS Thailand on Thursday (October 7) reported 11,200 new COVID-19 cases, 10,087 recoveries and 113 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ◼︎ 10,087 recoveries ◼︎ 11,062 new infections ◼︎ 138 prison / prison infections ▶︎ Total infections since April 1: 1,649,434 ▶︎ Total recoveries since since April 1: 1,524,431 Thursday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 1,678,297 with 17,418 deaths. The news comes as The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) reported rising numbers of new COVID-19 infections in the South, triggering concern from the prime minister who has tasked the Ministry of Public Health to put a stop to the increase and contain the outbreak in 2 months. Government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the discovery of 1,922 new COVID-19 patients in a single day in the four southern border provinces of Pattani, Songkhla, Narathiwat and Yala has triggered worries about whether the number of infected persons in the area would continue to trend upward. He said Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha had expressed his concern over the development and had ordered Public Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Kiatiphum Wongrajit to visit the area to check on the situation. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-07 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

October 6th: Prachuap reports 121 new COVID-19 cases, 33 cases in Hua Hin By Hua Hin Today October 6th: Prachuap reports 121 new COVID-19 cases, 33 cases in Hua Hin Health officials on Wednesday (Oct-6th) reported 121 new COVID-19 cases, 33 were found in Hua Hin. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234420-october-6th-prachuap-reports-121-new-covid-19-cases-33-cases-in-hua-hin/

October 6th: Prachuap reports 121 new COVID-19 cases, 33 cases in Hua Hin By Hua Hin Today Health officials on Wednesday (Oct-6th) reported 121 new COVID-19 cases, 33 were found in Hua Hin. Elsewhere in the province, 53 cases were found in Pranburi, 7 case in Sam Roi Yot, 1 case in Kuiburi, No- case found in Thap Sakae, 24 cases in Bang Saphan, No- case found in Bang Saphan Noi, and 3 cases in Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan. No death was reported today. One more death was reported today, a 48-year-old, Thai national from Muang Prachup district who health officials said had an underlying health condition and who died despite receiving two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/local-news/october-6th-prachuap-reports-121-new-covid-19-cases-33-cases-hua-hin/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2021-10-07 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Mexico, Thailand and more could be removed from red travel list There are currently 54 countries on the red list By Neil Lancefield & Lottie Gibbons file photo for reference only The UK's red travel list is expected to be updated in a Government announcement on Thursday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234419-mexico-thailand-and-more-could-be-removed-from-red-travel-list/

file photo for reference only There are currently 54 countries on the red list By Neil Lancefield & Lottie Gibbons The UK's red travel list is expected to be updated in a Government announcement on Thursday. This would open up travel between the UK and dozens of long-haul destinations. There are currently 54 countries on the red list, such as Mexico, Cuba, all of mainland South America, and southern and eastern Africa. Anyone arriving in the UK from a location in the red tier must spend 11 nights in a quarantine hotel. Full story: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/mexico-thailand-more-could-removed-21782097 -- © Copyright LIVERPOOL ECHO 2021-10-07 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand’s Medical Association strongly opposes DES Minister’s idea to legalize e-cigarettes By Nop Meechukhun National – The Medical Association of Thailand today, October 6th, has submitted an opposition letter to the Thai Prime Minister regarding the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister’s statement yesterday of planning to legalize e-cigarettes in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234418-thailand’s-medical-association-strongly-opposes-des-minister’s-idea-to-legalize-e-cigarettes/

By Nop Meechukhun National – The Medical Association of Thailand today, October 6th, has submitted an opposition letter to the Thai Prime Minister regarding the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister’s statement yesterday of planning to legalize e-cigarettes in Thailand. Dr. Amorn Leelarasamee, as the President of the Medical Association of Thailand, along with representatives from the Medical Royal Colleges, the National Alliance for Tabacco Free Thailand, and Thai Health Professionals Alliance Against Tobacco, has delivered an open letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha to oppose DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn’s proposal of the legalization of electronic cigarettes. The response followed yesterday’s public statement by Chaiwut himself that he wanted to make e-cigarettes and vaping legal as he believed it could reduce the health risk among smokers. Dr. Amorn told the Associated Press that the e-cigarette was originally produced to replace the traditional cigarettes’ market. Several international pieces of research have also mutually proved that e-cigs are clearly damaging individual health. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/06/thailands-medical-association-strongly-opposes-des-ministers-idea-to-legalize-e-cigarettes/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-07 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Gov’t empowering small businesses affected by pandemic By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK, 6 October 2021 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has outlined the government’s plan to help strengthen small and medium enterprises as part of the country reform strategy, providing needed support to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234416-gov’t-empowering-small-businesses-affected-by-pandemic/

By Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK, 6 October 2021 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has outlined the government’s plan to help strengthen small and medium enterprises as part of the country reform strategy, providing needed support to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a meeting with the government’s small and medium enterprises promotion committee, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha emphasized the government’s plan to boost small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in line with the national reform goal. The plan involves new measures that cater to three groups of SMEs, based on their current performance. SMEs will be categorized into three performance tiers, with the top performers receiving tax breaks for their implementation of new technologies and innovations, including the commercialization of research projects. The government will be introducing measures to help save jobs among businesses that gain sufficient revenue but with moderate profits, while SMEs that have continually reported losses will be offered additional support campaigns. The Prime Minister asserted the government is speeding up its COVID-19 recovery efforts, especially for the tourism and service sectors. More measures are going to be relaxed. On this occasion, representatives from the private sector thanked the Prime Minister for his support for the pilot of ONE ID platform, and the facilitation for SMEs to participate in government procurement projects. For the 2022 fiscal year, the Office of SMEs Promotion will be arranging campaigns to improve the quality and standards of products and services from SMEs, and continue providing assistance to SMEs, reducing collateral requirements for contracts, and improving SMEs’ access. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-07 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Eligibility of recovered COVID patients in quarantine in local elections to be discussed EC Secretary-General Jaroongwit Poomma Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) will meet with members of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to seek a clear answer on whether people who have recovered from COVID-19 but are still in quarantine, or who have completed their isolation at hotels, can apply to stand in the Tambon Administration Organization (TAO) elections. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234415-eligibility-of-recovered-covid-patients-in-quarantine-in-local-elections-to-be-discussed/

EC Secretary-General Jaroongwit Poomma Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) will meet with members of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to seek a clear answer on whether people who have recovered from COVID-19 but are still in quarantine, or who have completed their isolation at hotels, can apply to stand in the Tambon Administration Organization (TAO) elections. EC Secretary-General Jaroongwit Poomma said that registration for candidacy will be open from October 11th to 15th, but the question over those in quarantine remains unanswered. As a precaution, the EC has instructed officials in sub-districts to arrange for a separate a corner at each sub-district office to receive applications from candidates whose temperatures exceed 37.5oC. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/eligibility-of-recovered-covid-patients-in-quarantine-in-local-elections-to-be-discussed/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-07 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PHUKET XTRA - October 6 || Brought to you by @PVC Phuket Phuket storm weather to continue |:| Phuket Vegetarian Festival gets underway |:| Thailand in talks to buy anti-Covid pills |:| Asia Tour to host 2 Phuket events |:| Covid Update Hosted by: JP Mestanza || #Phuket #PhuketNews #Thailand By Jean-Pierre Mestanza Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-xtra-video-low-key-phuket-vegetarian-festival-begins-thailand-in-talks-to-buy-anti-covid-pills-october-6-81623.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-07 - 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 Thursday 7 Oct 2021 https://aseannow.com/topic/1234412-thailand-live-thursday-7-oct-2021/

Temples underwater as floods hit historic Thai city A lying Buddha statue is seen during the flood at a Temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand, October 6, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun AYUTTHAYA, Thailand (Reuters) - Several temples in Thailand's historic city of Ayutthaya were underwater on Wednesday, as heavy monsoon rains flooded provinces across the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234365-temples-underwater-as-floods-hit-historic-thai-city/

Heavy rains expected until Monday BANGKOK, 6 October 2021 (NNT) - The middle and lower parts of Thailand can expect to see more downpours from today until early next week with potential flash flooding. The Meteorological Department is closely monitoring the development of a low-pressure cell prevailing over the South China Sea which may strengthen into a depression moving west towards Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234369-heavy-rains-expected-until-monday/

UK drops advice against non-urgent travel to 32 destinations FILE PHOTO: A worker sanitises a sign at the International arrivals area of Terminal 5 in London's Heathrow Airport, Britain, August 2, 2021. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls LONDON (Reuters) - Britain dropped its advice against all but essential travel for 32 countries and territories on Wednesday as it continued to simplify its coronavirus travel regime after progress in fighting COVID-19 across the world. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234413-uk-drops-advice-against-non-urgent-travel-to-32-destinations/

FILE PHOTO: A worker sanitises a sign at the International arrivals area of Terminal 5 in London's Heathrow Airport, Britain, August 2, 2021. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls LONDON (Reuters) - Britain dropped its advice against all but essential travel for 32 countries and territories on Wednesday as it continued to simplify its coronavirus travel regime after progress in fighting COVID-19 across the world. The change will allow people to travel more easily to destinations such as Algeria, Malaysia and Senegal as many travel insurance firms exclude cover for places where the government advises against travel, the foreign ministry said. Britain recently replaced its so-called traffic light system with a single red list and has reduced testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers. The government is still advising against all but essential travel for scores of countries and territories on its red list which include Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Thailand. "We're striking the right balance between keeping people safe which remains our priority and giving them the freedom to exercise personal responsibility, while supporting the travel sector," foreign minister Liz Truss said. (Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Giles Elgood) Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-10-07 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand targets $26 billion in local tourism revenue next year FILE PHOTO: Tourists take pictures at Phu Thap Buek mountain in Phetchabun province, Thailand, December 12, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun/File Photo BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand aims to generate at least 882 billion baht ($26 billion) in domestic tourism revenue next year, from government measures to revive the struggling sector after a major slump in foreign arrivals. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234396-thailand-targets-26-billion-in-local-tourism-revenue-next-year/

Thailand to import 200,000 courses of Molnupiravir anti-viral drug from USA The Ministry of Public Health is to seek approval from the Thai cabinet for the procurement of 200,000 courses of the Molnupiravir oral anti-viral medicine, using money from the Central Fund, said Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234348-thailand-to-import-200000-courses-of-molnupiravir-anti-viral-drug-from-usa/

The Ministry of Public Health is to seek approval from the Thai cabinet for the procurement of 200,000 courses of the Molnupiravir oral anti-viral medicine, using money from the Central Fund, said Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek. Jointly developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics of the United States, Molnupiravir has proven to be effective in significantly reducing the risk of hospitalisation or death from COVID-19 infection during Third Phase human trials. The companies are seeking approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for emergency use. Citing information from the Rural Doctor Society, Dr. Rachada said the orally-administered drug was developed from medicine used to treat flu, after studies showed that it is efficacious in inhibiting several types of coronavirus, including COVID-19, adding that the medicine is Third Phase human trials in the United States. 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/thailand-to-import-200000-courses-of-molnupiravir-anti-viral-drug-from-usa/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Life in Thailand getting back to normal – but only if you are vaccinated BTS train station in Bangkok on October 4, 2021. (Photo by Jack TAYLOR / AFP) If you haven’t had your COVID-19 jab yet, then your life in Thailand may be very different from those who have already been vaccinated. This is because of new “COVID-Free Setting” rules that bar unvaccinated people from accessing certain services. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234347-life-in-thailand-getting-back-to-normal-–-but-only-if-you-are-vaccinated/

BTS train station in Bangkok on October 4, 2021. (Photo by Jack TAYLOR / AFP) If you haven’t had your COVID-19 jab yet, then your life in Thailand may be very different from those who have already been vaccinated. This is because of new “COVID-Free Setting” rules that bar unvaccinated people from accessing certain services. From October 1, several businesses in strictly controlled zones reopened under tight COVID-Free Setting rules. Some gyms, for instance, have banned unvaccinated members from using their facilities. “I know that without a vaccine, my life cannot return to normal,” said Kawin, who lives and works in Bangkok. Though nearly half of the Thai population has received the first shot and nearly a third have been double-jabbed, he has still not received a single dose. Millions of Thais are also in the same situation. 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/life-in-thailand-getting-back-to-normal-but-only-if-you-are-vaccinated/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Death of trespasser: Swiss man's Thai wife was having affair with victim, say family Picture: Sanook Further lurid details have emerged in the case of Rudolf J.R. , 63, the Swiss pensioner who attacked and killed an intruder at his home who was armed with a gun. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234346-death-of-trespasser-swiss-mans-thai-wife-was-having-affair-with-victim-say-family/

Picture: Sanook Further lurid details have emerged in the case of Rudolf J.R. , 63, the Swiss pensioner who attacked and killed an intruder at his home who was armed with a gun. He fought with Sathian, 53, got the gun and knocked him unconscious then tied him up. But Sathian died in a kitchen behind the Swiss man's house. It was originally thought that the motive was robbery but this has now been dismissed as nonsense by relatives of the deceased. He had been having a sexual relationship with the Swiss man's wife for years and was in fact loaded with cash after she gave him money and he sold land. In earlier reports the wife had admitted to knowing Sathian and drinking with him but said they were just friends. Sanook went to Udon to get the latest and published two stories. In the first they reported that Lak Sariroop, 44, had gone to the local police to bail out Rudolf for 300,000 baht. He faces a charge of assault causing death. Conditions of bail are that he stays in the area and doesn't try to flee abroad. Lak told the media she had had the monks round to the house to hold a ceremony to assuage bad karma as a person had died there. She said she had apologized to Sathian's family but said that she was drunk and asleep when the incident happened. When she woke up she thought he was just unconscious. Reporters went to Phen where the cremation was being held and spoke to his mother Khan, 74, who said that all the locals and relatives knew that the "mia farang" (foreigner's wife) was carrying on with her son behind his back. It had been going on for 2 - 3 years. Three or four times he had brought her to her house to pay her respects and they had slept togther in a shack in the fields. She claimed he had already got 40,000 baht from her and didn't go to the house to rob the Swiss man but that she had phoned him up to get him to go over to see her. She wanted the news corrected denying that her departed son was a thief. An uncle of the victim called Thaworn, 65, said that Sathian had a wife and children and had split up with his wife because of the farang's wife. He described Sathian as a playboy. He bought the gun second hand a year ago and had just sold two rai of land for 500,000 baht and had no need of money. In the other article Sanook spoke to the ex wife of Sathian called Noothian who came from Chiang Rai to attend the cremation. She said she had been married to Sathian for 30 years and they had two children and had lived very happily. Until a few years ago when he struck up a relationship with the Swiss man's wife. She said that he had asked "Can I have you both? She said "no, you have to choose". He chose the "mia farang". She finally had enough in February of this year and moved away. She reiterated that there was no way this was an attempt to steal. She said that her ex had 290,000 baht in cash on his person after the sale of one rai of land to a relative. She claimed that money was now missing. Sanook then headed for the foreigner's house where he was walking outside. He waved the reporters away and scurried inside refusing to talk. On Monday suspecting that the latest revelations were in fact the case ASEAN NOW had attempted to contact the wife of the Swiss man online but had received no answer. What is believed to be her Facebook page has a happy picture of him and her in hammocks though posts are infrequent and there is no mention of him. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Nearly 50 illegal Myanmar workers rounded up in two busts in Prachuap Khiri Khan Picture: Naew Na Pol Col Sutthiponjg Putthipong, chief of immigration in Prachuap Khiri Khan in the upper south of Thailand gave details about the latest arrests of illegal migrants from Myanmar. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234342-nearly-50-illegal-myanmar-workers-rounded-up-in-two-busts-in-prachuap-khiri-khan/