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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. A total of 45 were arrested in two cases after they slipped across the border via a natural route. In the first case 34 people - 25 women, nine men - were arrested in Ao Noi sub-district. They were aged 17 - 35, reported Naew Na. Twenty seven were bound for work in Samut Sakhon and the rest were headed for a pineapple processing factory in Sam Roi Yot. Picture: Naew Na Relatives working in Thailand had arranged to pay 18,000 baht per head to agents in Myanmar to facilitate this illegal activity. The migrants are being quarantined for 14 days ahead of their prosecution. In the second case 11 Myanmar workers - eight women and three men aged 19-25 - were stopped in the area of the Than Mee cave. They were being driven in a Toyota van by Thai national Pheerapong, 38, from Prachuap Khirikhan who said he was paid 500 baht a head to transport the illegal workers. They, too, had sneaked across Thailand's porous border into the province. -- © 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

MoPH officials visit southern provinces after spike in Covid-19 cases Picture: INN Dr Kiatphoom Wongjarit led a delegation of Ministry of Public Health officials to Yala and Pattani yesterday in the far south of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234341-moph-officials-visit-southern-provinces-after-spike-in-covid-19-cases/

Picture: INN Dr Kiatphoom Wongjarit led a delegation of Ministry of Public Health officials to Yala and Pattani yesterday in the far south of Thailand. This followed a spike in cases in those provinces and Naratiwas and Songkhla that were collectively seeing 1,900 to 2,000 new infections per day. This was bucking the trend in Thailand in general and was of concern to PM Prayuth Chan-ocha, said Kiatphoom. He blamed a rise in community activities for the spike and called on authorities there to impose appropriate measures and a clear action plan, reported INN. One member of the entourage said that they hoped to have the situation under control in the far south in the next one to two months. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Alert security staff at Central foil gold shop robber - he needed money for the rent Picture: Daily News Muang Chiang Rai police had little to do when they received a call about a robbery from the Yaowarat Krung Thep gold shop in Central Plaza, Chiang Rai in northern Thailand yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234340-alert-security-staff-at-central-foil-gold-shop-robber-he-needed-money-for-the-rent/v

Picture: Daily News Muang Chiang Rai police had little to do when they received a call about a robbery from the Yaowarat Krung Thep gold shop in Central Plaza, Chiang Rai in northern Thailand yesterday. The store's security staff had Jesadakorn, 28, from Phrae already in custody. He had run off with two ten baht weight gold chains that were recovered, reported Daily News. Together these would be worth more than half a million baht, notes ASEAN NOW. Security staff said they had been observing another gold shop when they noticed the man behaving suspiciously so they kept a close eye on him. When he stole the jewelry they were ready to pounce. The robber said he'd lost his job and faced eviction from his landlord after rental arrears built up for many months. Staff at the first shop he went to were reluctant to serve him so he tried at the second. As soon as they showed him the jewelry he grabbed it and ran off but was quickly tackled by security. He was charged with snatch theft and detained. -- © 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

B3,000 Handouts Mulled for Thai Employees BANGKOK, Oct 6 (TNA) – The cabinet resolved to hand out 3,000 baht to each worker per month for three months to help maintain employment at small and medium-sized enterprises. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234339-b3000-handouts-mulled-for-thai-employees/

BANGKOK, Oct 6 (TNA) – The cabinet resolved to hand out 3,000 baht to each worker per month for three months to help maintain employment at small and medium-sized enterprises. The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration proposed the assistance to the cabinet and it was designed for the business operators, each of whom hires no more than 200 workers. Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the Labour Ministry would propose details of the scheme for the cabinet to approve later. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-798036 -- © Copyright TNA 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: INN INN reported that an online Twitter Space conference call was made between desperate mahouts nationwide and Pheu Thai party representatives yesterday. Deputy spokesman Chanin Rungthanakiat and Surin MP Khunnakorn Preechachanachai heard their grievances via a page called "unemployed elephants". Elephant camps nationwide have suffered greatly from the government's closure orders on tourism during the pandemic. Only skeleton staff remained at some camps to take care of the pachyderms over most of the last two years. But they and their charges are on their last legs and need help from the government with benefit payments to each elephant in order to survive. The elephants and their masters have tried all sorts to raise funds including online appearances on platforms like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. But donations are drying up as members of the public have little money left for their cause. -- © 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

Picture: Daily News A mother and father went to seek the help of Paveena Hongsakul at the foundation that bears her name yesterday, reported Daily News. Wirachai and Nataya's 2 year old daughter Nong Pleng had been attacked at a cement factory camp by a mongrel dog. Wirachai said that his wife was out at work and he was at the Bang Khen, Bangkok, camp with his daughter. While he was taking a shower he heard her scream and she was being attacked in the head. He managed to chase the dog away. She needed emergency surgery to repair tear ducts in her left eye with silicone implants and will be unable to open her eye. He said that other workers at the camp had had their children bitten many times and were afraid to let them out. The son of the owner of the dog - who appears to have left it there for years while he works at another of the companies camps - arrived to give the little girl a paltry 500 baht. The owner refused to accept any responsibility saying the dog was not his problem after leaving it there for 5-6 years. Paveena has contacted the local police and other officials to get the dog removed and relocated to somewhere more appropriate. -- © 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

Need a driving licence in Thailand? Queue system now up and running for new applications Picture: Daily News The head of the Department of Land Transport Jirut Wisanjit has ordered that all DLT offices nationwide now handle applications for new driving licences. The order refers to people who have not had a licence before. Applicants can use the DLT Smart Queue app to book a date at their local office. Or go to https://gecc.dlt.go.th to book. New licence applications at busy offices have been held up since mid-April and can be made from now until the end of the year, reported Daily News. The chief ordered all offices to follow strict Covid-19 protocols. -- © 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

Picture: Daily News Thailand's provincial governors and local leaders have been told to obey the latest order on Covid-19 issued by the PM Prayuth Chan-ocha - #15 effective from last Friday. Interior ministry official Sutthipong Juncharoen called for strict implementation of measures in places like markets, hotels, places of entertainment and community areas, reported Daily News. He also said that it was vital that those responsible in border areas perform their duties according to the order. The order refers to what has been called "Universal Protection", the latest English language buzz-phrase. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

The Thai cabinet has approved the establishment of six special economic promotion zones in the Easter Economic Corridor (EEC) in eastern Thailand, with the aim of attracting investments of over 300 billion baht in future industries, such as modern automotive production, smart electronics, logistics, aviation, agriculture and biological technology. The cabinet realises the need to set up more economic promotion zones because the existing EEC, covering 2,534 hectares, will be fully utilised for the next five years only. The first five zones will cover over 1,100 hectares, but only about 816 hectares will accommodate the targeted industries, with estimated investments totalling over 280 billion baht over 10 years, starting this year. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-cabinet-approves-six-new-special-economic-zones-in-eec-for-future-industries/ -- © 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

With some 56 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered so far, Thailand has made considerable progress in protecting its population of 70 million. However, Thais should take note that a high vaccination rate does not guarantee herd immunity – as shown by the recent spike in infections overseas. Prominent virologist Prof Dr. Yong Poovorawan, who heads Chulalongkorn University’s Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology, recently dismissed hope that herd immunity will ever be achieved where COVID-19 is concerned. “That hope was high at the start of mass vaccinations. We believed that if most people got jabbed, herd immunity would materialize,” he said. “However, a review of what has happened overseas rules out that possibility.” Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/why-herd-immunity-could-be-an-impossible-goal-for-thailand/ -- © 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

Senior minister wants to see E-cigarettes legalized in Thailand Picture: Thai Rath E-cigarettes could become legal in Thailand if a senior cabinet minster gets his way. Digital Economy and Society minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn said Thais need to move with the times and modern technology. He said that 67 countries around the world had accepted electronic cigarettes. Some of them are big ones like the US and China. Even Malaysia allows them, reported Thai Rath. The minister said that the devices have far fewer harmful effects than regular cigarettes and can be a useful tool in getting people off them. He pointed out that campaigns in Thailand to get people to quit were having a limited effect - 10 million still lit up. E-cigarettes could help people who can't quit because they are less harmful. He plans to look at aspects of the law to see why Thailand forbids them. ASEAN NOW notes that the sale of E-cigarettes is quite open in Thailand even though they are illegal. However, from time to time there are crackdowns on vendors and jail terms await those who sell them Importers could be jailed for up to 5 years. Though it is unlikely individual users would be arrested many people have pointed to Thailand lagging behind the rest of the world on the matter. Countries like the UK have embraced the devices with vaping shops in many high streets now a common aspect of daily life. -- © 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

Image: PPHO By The Phuket News PHUKET: The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 175 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Oct 5) bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 12,009. The PPHO report, marked as accurate as of 8pm last night, and posted online at 9:34pm, reported four new infections among Sandbox tourist arrivals but no new infections among non-Sandbox arrivals from abroad. The report also marked no new deaths attributed to COVID-19, leaving the total number of deaths in Phuket attributed to COVID-19 since Apr 3 at 83. Of those, 63 deaths have occurred since Sept 4. Eight of those deaths have been since Saturday (Oct 2). -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-marks-175-new-covid-cases-no-new-deaths-81616.php

File photo: REUTERS Thailand on Wednesday (October 6) reported 9,866 new COVID-19 cases, 10,115 recoveries and 102 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ◼︎ 10,115 recoveries ◼︎ 9,821 new infections ◼︎ 45 prison / prison infections ▶︎ Total infections since April 1: 1,638,234 ▶︎ Total recoveries since since April 1: 1,514,344 Wednesday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 1,667,097 with 17,203 deaths. The news comes as the provincial health chief of Thailand’s southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat has ordered all state-run hospitals in the province to stop using the Chinese-made Lepu rapid antigen test kits (ATKs) due to a high percentage of inaccurate results. Dr. Charaspong Sukree, the provincial health chief, 1,000 people in Thung Yai were tested using Lepu ATK’s, which produced 187 positive results for COVID-19. When this “infected” group was subjected to RT-PCR tests, only 92 turned out to be infected. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Goong Nang(GN) Si Racha – A fire has destroyed a house in Si Racha earlier this week after the homeowner accidentally left a burning cigarette in the house, according to Chao Phraya firefighters. His relatives and neighbors, upon hearing about the incident, physically attacked the owner, blaming him for the damage. Firefighters from the Chao Phraya Surasak fire station were notified of the fire at 1:00 PM on Monday (October 4th) at a house in Surasak. They and The Pattaya News reporters arrived at the scene to find the fire was heavily ablaze at a small wooden residential home. The burning house was closely surrounded by about seven other houses. Luckily, no other homes were enveloped by the flames. It took about ten minutes for firefighters to control the fire. The house owner, Mr. Samart Janchiawchan, 38 had escaped injury. His home, however, was a total loss. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/06/fire-destroys-si-racha-home-after-homeowner-reportedly-leaves-burning-cigarette-inside-neighbors-attack-the-owner-in-anger/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

By Goong Nang(GN) Banglamung – An allegedly intoxicated Chinese driver and his 7-year-old son have escaped injuries after their SUV collided with a pickup truck in Banglamung during curfew time Monday night (October 4th). The Nongprue Police were notified of the accident around 11:00 P.M at Thungklom Tanman intersection in Nongprue. They and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find the damaged SUV and the pickup truck in the middle of the Thungklom Tanman intersection. None of those involved were injured during the accident. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/06/allegedly-intoxicated-chinese-driver-with-7-year-old-boy-escape-injuries-in-banglamung-car-crash-during-curfew/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

BANGKOK, 5 October 2021 (NNT) - The water situation in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi calls for the continued exercise of caution, especially from October 7 to 10 due to an increased amount of water flowing into the Chao Phraya River from the Ping, Yom and Nan rivers. Meanwhile, heavy rain is forecast for Thailand’s Southern Region. In the South, the monsoon wind has intensified and triggered heavy rains in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Krabi, Trang and Satun. The active low-pressure cell over the middle South China Sea, to the west of the Philippines, is forecast to develop into a depression and then a tropical storm as it moves near China’s Hainan Island. In Bangkok, governor Pol. Gen. Assawin Kwanmuang said the water level in the Chao Phraya River segment in Phra Nakhon district measured at 1.9 meters above mean sea level on Tuesday. This was still 1.1 meters below the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s riverbank barriers and therefore no effects are yet expected for areas in the capital. Various agencies have cautioned that more water that accumulated from heavy precipitation in the upper Chao Phraya basin and Pa Sak basin would flow into Ayutthaya on Tuesday and enter the Gulf of Thailand between October 7 and 10. This fact and the higher sea level expected at the time is likely to push the water level in the Chao Phraya level up by 30-50 centimeters. Members of 239 households in 11 communities situated outside of the capital city’s riverbank barriers are therefore urged to closely follow the water situation. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-06 - 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, 5 October 2021 (NNT) - The Cabinet has endorsed Thailand’s reception of the donated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from Iceland and the donated AstraZeneca vaccine from Germany. The 100,000 doses from Iceland and 346,100 doses from Germany are expected to be delivered within this month. Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana announced after the Cabinet meeting that Iceland has expressed its intention to support Thailand by donating 100,000 doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, the Federal Republic of Germany will be donating 346,100 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Thailand. The donations from Iceland and Germany are expected to be delivered by October 2021, when 400,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are also slated to arrive from Hungary to fulfill an order previously placed by the Thai government. Thanakorn said the incoming vaccine doses will augment the efficacy of vaccine distribution nationally. The government spokesman added that the donations reflect progress made in negotiations to secure more vaccine doses for Thailand, as well as the good relations the country has with European nations. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai civil court accepts lawsuit demanding revocation of Emergency Decree, compensation The Thai Civil Court accepted a lawsuit today (Tuesday), against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and five others, filed jointly by the anti-establishment Ratsadon group, the Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw), a non-profit legal organization, and a feminist group, demanding the lifting of restrictions on free expressions and 4.5 million baht in compensation. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1234261-thai-civil-court-accepts-lawsuit-demanding-revocation-of-emergency-decree-compensation/

Hashtags about the outage of Facebook and Instagram last night were top-trending on Twitter in Thailand shortly after the social media giant became inaccessible. Frustrated Thai netizens reportedly flocked to Twitter to report the outage of Facebook, Instagram and then the messenger app. According to one, the disruption started at 10.30pm Thai time. Others tweeted that the outage had nothing to do with connectivity. About an hour after going offline, Facebook issued an apology for the disruption and said that they were trying to fix the problem which, according to some experts, was attributable to its domain name system (DNS). Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/hashtags-about-facebook-instagram-outage-top-trending-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Hua Hin Airport By Hua Hin Today There have been several talks over the past few months about future developments for the airport of Hua Hin. The main topic is to position Hua Hin airport as an international airport, an initiative proposed by Hua Hin Airport and Phoenix Group, led by John Laroche and supported by the local authorities, the airport management, Tourism Authority of Thailand and the private sector. The other topic is the possible development of the airport as a lifestyle destination hub for the entire region, hoping to attract both local visitors and in the future international travelers, think of it as a small-scale multi-purpose center or venue accessible to all and not just an airport. The initiative led by B-Concept Media Entertainment Group, aims at providing fairs, events, outdoor music festivals, shows, exhibitions, product launches, upper-scale food and beverage plaza, weekend markets, meetings, conferences and more, an ideal venue using the entirety of the airport itself including the runway and its hangar. B-Concept Media Entertainment Group, is a Bangkok-based full-service agency, managing advertising, branding, digital marketing, entertainment, events, media and ticket sales. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/local-news/hua-hin-airportlifestyle-destination-hub-region/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2021-10-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Daily News RTP chief Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk's new Smart Safety Zone 4.0 has claimed its first arrest. The bespectacled chief announced the pilot for the smart cop program recently at a virtual event that was much ridiculed online. As part of the campaign there were 60 CCTV cameras installed in the Pak Chong area of Khao Yai on Route 3052 and these caught the antics of a group of Big Bikers who sealed off the road and did wheelies. The cops managed to track down Uthen, 45, at a motorcycle shop and he admitted to doing a wheelie and was charged with negligent and scary riding and putting other road users in danger. Picture: Daily News His Suzuki GSX-R1000A was also seized. The court fined him 3,000 baht and ordered him jailed for one month, suspended for two years. Picture: Daily News The bikers' activities outside the Toscana caused widespread criticism online, reported Daily News. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates