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Phrapradaeng police were called after an incident at a hydraulics supplies shop on Suksawat Road on Saturday evening, reported Sanook. A Toyota Revo had suddenly reversed into the shop crushing Krissana, 43, and his Honda Wave under a rear wheel. The victim was rushed to Bang Pakok 3 Hospital but was dead on arrival. Jarulak, 43, the pick-up driver said he'd been out shopping and was reversing into his place next to the hydraulics shop. He pressed the wrong pedal mistaking the accelerator for the brake. Nawin, 30, an employee of the shop said that both he and the customer saw the pick-up coming at speed. He managed to jump to saftey but Krissana was not so lucky. The police detained Jarulak and charged him with negligent driving causing death. -- © 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

file photo Daily News reported that the Facebook page of the National Water Command issued warning number 18 about the danger of runoff and landslides in many areas of the upper south and south of Thailand from tomorrow until Sunday. The warning comes as the met office advised about monsoon troughs hitting further up Thailand. Areas that could be hit are Kaeng Krachan, Ban Lat, Tha Yang, Muang and Ban Laem in Phetchaburi. Bang Saphan and Bang Saphan Noi, Muang and Sam Roi Yot in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Tha Sae and Pa Thiw in Chumphon. Muang and Kapoe districts of Ranong. The NWC also warned to watch reservoir levels in these areas. Their website also contained warning #19 about rising levels of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi, notes ASEAN NOW. From Thursday through Sunday levels are expected to rise 30 - 50 cms. Thailand has experienced widespread flooding in recent days though many experts have said that Bangkok would not flood this year. -- © 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

Picture: Sanook A couple who filmed themselves having sex under a "Yang Khao" rubber tree have been arrested in Phayao in northern Thailand. The case caused much comment in Thailand as the trees on the old Chiang Mai to Lamphun Road - known as Rubber Tree Road - are sacred. Lanna locals said the public sex was disrespectful to the spirits and a bad omen that caused ten of the large trees to topple over in storms as well as other damage, as reported yesterday on ASEAN NOW. Region 5 chief of police Pol Lt-Gen Piya Tawichai ordered their arrest after a video was posted on OnlyFans sparking outrage. Sanook reported that yesterday a team led by Maj-Gen Worapong Khamleu went to a house in Phayao and arrested the couple who admitted the crime of outraging public morals. Their house was searched for evidence before they were taken to another property in Chiang Mai for a further search. A press conference is scheduled for today to give further details. -- © 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

The notice posted by Phuket officials last night (Oct 4). Image: PR Phuket By The Phuket News PHUKET: Phuket officials have announced that people wanting to enter Thailand under the Phuket Sandbox scheme may now do so under Visa on Arrival (VOA). The announcement was posted online last night (Oct 4), but with no extra details released. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has yet to announce the move through its formal channels. The notice posted online last night was titled, “Arrival Requirements for ’Phuket Sandbox’ visitors who wish to apply for a ‘Visa on Arrival’ (VOA)”. Planning to visit Phuket? Book your Sandbox hotel here Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/tourism-push-targets-visa-on-arrival-tourists-81613.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Images: Phuket City Police By The Phuket News PHUKET: Phuket City Police have arrested a bar owner on the outskirts of Phuket Town for breach of the provincial order regulating the opening of places at risk of spreading COVID-19 after he was caught selling alcohol after 10pm. The arrest was made under the direction of Phuket City Police Superintendent Col Theerawat Liamsuwan, said a report released by Phuket City Police. Phuket City Police Deputy Superintendent Lt Col Chakkrit Thaewattana and Lt Col Boonchai Charoenhattakit, along with patrol officers led by Capt Apichart Moosikasang raided the City Bar on the Rajabhat-Samkong Road, in Moo 6, Rassada, at 00:30 yesterday morning (Oct 4). Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/bar-owner-arrested-for-selling-alcohol-after-10pm-81610.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 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: Sanook A press conference announced the arrest in Bangkok Noi of the former owner of the Nataree massage parlor in Rachadaphisek, Prasert Sukkhee. Prasert, 63- known in the Thai press by his nickname of "Golak" - was named in a July 1st 2016 warrant for human trafficking and money laundering. Underage girls were allegedly offered for sex. The case has also resulted in 1 billion baht's worth of asset seizures by AMLO, the Anti Money Laundering Office. Pol Lt-Gen Jiraphop Phuridech of the central investigation unit said that the suspect denied the charges and intends to fight them in court as is his right. Sanook reported that there were five people wanted in the case and four remain at large. They include Golak's son Thiradech, 39, a manager of the massage parlor called Sommai, 49, and a woman called Somjai, 30. Reports that Golak had been aided in fleeing abroad during his time on the run were not believed to be true said Jiraphop yesterday. The case caused a sensation five years ago then went cold for years. At the time several other establishments were investigated and closed down as human trafficking allegations were investigated, notes ASEAN NOW. -- © 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

Soya based burger. (Photo by Tscherning) Not so long ago, the idea of a fast-food chain famous for its “finger-licking good” fried chicken adding plant-based meat to its menu would have raised more than a few eyebrows. But that’s exactly what happened last month and the concept has proved so popular that it looks likely to continue in the future. In August, KFC Thailand added such plant-based menu items as “chicken” pops and spicy rice to respond to the demands of the increasing number of vegetarians among us. Before that, burger chain Burger King and Sizzler restaurants also unveiled plant-based menus. Although KFC limited the meat-free items to just a few branches and the offer expired on September 29th, hundreds of clients have already asked the chain to bring back the veggie options permanently and at all branches. Interested customers are invited to sign the petition on change.org. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/lucrative-opportunities-for-thailand-in-the-alternative-protein-market/ -- © 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

File photo. Credit; Khon Kaen Link A delegation of public prosecutors visited the Thai masseuse allegedly raped by an American man as she started to recover in a Khon Kaen hospital yesterday. The Region 4 chief prosecutor Parindech Siriphanich called the case one that was in the public interest and promised decisive action. He and local prosecutor Maneewan Thammapra spoke to the victim - 45 year old Manasnan Klinsukhon - to inform her and relatives of their rights to compensation in the criminal and civil spheres. Thirty seven year old Robert G. was arrested in the Nana area of Bangkok at the weekend after the attack last Monday at the Dee Na shop on Rop Muang Road in Khon Kaen, north eastern Thailand. It is also alleged that the foreigner, whose bail was denied by the court, was also involved in a molestation incident with a minor at a honey stall. He has been charged with assault occasioning serious harm, rape and illegal detention. Parindech said that the victim was improving but still in ICU. She was able to respond to questions put to her by doctors, nurses and prosecutors in a 20 minute session. He said that once police have handed details to prosecutors they would compile the case that would be prosecuted with vigor. If found guilty the foreigner would face the full punishment that the law allows. -- © 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

Picture: Bangkok Business News Every man, woman and child who enters Thailand from January 1st will have to pay 500 baht for the privilege. The money will be a fund to bail out tourism businesses hit by the pandemic. Bangkok Business News called it a "charge to step onto the land" that is Thailand. Earlier 300 baht was agreed. Now with the pandemic having caused much worse devastation it has been increased after the Centre for the Economic Situation caused by Covid-19 (CES) gave the green light. Thailand's minister for tourism and sports said all the money gained will develop tourism and help businesses affected by Covid. He did the math in the BBN article saying that 1 million tourists would mean 500 million baht. The cabinet will meet to decide the finer details of who should benefit. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PHOTO: Kom Khao Tua Thai By Goong Nang(GN) Ban Bueng – A father and his 7-year-old son died while a mother and a daughter have sustained serious injuries after a two-truck collision in Ban Bueng over the past weekend. The Ban Bueng Police were notified of the accident over the past weekend on Number 344 Road Ban Bueng – Chonburi in the Nong Sam Sark sub-district. Emergency responders and police arrived at the scene to find the two vehicles had collided violently with each other head-on. Two people were found dead inside the smaller pickup truck which was the driver, Mr. Channarong Yindeesuk, 44, and his 7-year-old son. Two others in the smaller pickup truck suffered serious injuries who were Ms. Ratchadaphon Boonsri, 39, and Ms. Chutikan Yindeesuk, 16, who were the driver’s wife and daughter. They were rushed to a local hospital for urgent medical assistance. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/04/father-and-7-year-old-son-die-while-mother-and-daughter-seriously-injured-after-two-truck-collision-in-ban-bueng/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

The dismissed former police superintendent in Nakhon Sawan province, Pol Col Thitisan Utthanaphol, had been involved in the seizure of 410 luxurious cars smuggled through into Thailand from Singapore and Malaysia during his service, with 270 of them reported to have been stolen abroad, according to Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Suchart Thiraswasdi. Thitisan, aka “Joe Ferrari”, and his subordinates at Nakhon Sawan’s Muang district police station are accused of torturing a drug suspect in their custody to death, by covering his face with several layers of plastic bags. All are currently on remand pending the outcome of the investigation. Citing a report into Thitisan’s involvement in the seizure of the cars and suspected money laundering, Pol Gen Suchart said it was discovered that 101 of the smuggled cars were reported to have been stolen abroad, before they were seized in Thailand, and 169 were reported stolen after their seizure, leaving 140 cars, the provenance of which is still being investigated. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/sacked-cop-joe-ferrari-involved-in-seizure-of-410-smuggled-high-end-cars/ -- © 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

File photo: Thai government Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is the latest in Thailand to big up the prospects of tourism this coming "high season". Prayuth went on Facebook to say that it is not unreasonable to expect that a million foreign tourists will visit Phuket in the third quarter of this year (that has already started) and in the first three months of next year (the first quarter of 2022). He expects 5,000 tourists to arrive each and every day, echoing TAT assessments previously reported by ASEAN NOW. Many of these will be Russians and British, he noted. The PM intimated that the Phuket Sandbox had been his idea as he was mindful of the devastation to the important tourism sector caused by the pandemic. He outlined the numbers so far in Phuket (37,576 in three months of reopening) and called for a new approach to attracting tourists to the island and to Samui. He favors "workations" to help achieve this - getting foreigners in who are both holidaying and working at the same time. This will pump 60 billion baht into the Thai coffers, he claimed. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-04 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Bangkok Business News The deputy director of the Tourism Council of Thailand and deputy at the Thai-India Chamber of Commerce said that Thailand should make every effort to attract Indian tourists. They could fill the gap left by the Chinese, said Somsong Sajjaphimuk. Somsong said that travel restrictions meant that Chinese people were unlikely to come to Thailand before next February. In the meantime and thereafter Thailand should go after Indians particularly the young and well heeled variety. Somsong said that pre-pandemic Indian tourists were in third place for visiting Thailand. There were 1.96 million Indian visitors in 2019 that was 25.48% up on 2018. Indian tourism represented 4.91% of the total tourism market. Chinese tourism was 11 million people or 27.91% of the total and Malaysians were in second with 4.27 million people or 10.71% of the market. The potential for Indians is particularly important in the under 29 age group that has 600-700 million people. Many are in the country's fast developing IT sector and are millionaires, noted Somsong in comments reported by Bangkok Business News. The meeting and seminar market for Indians is also a good target to spur the tourism sector. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-04 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Daily News Police in Udon Thani in Thailand's north east have promised justice after a Thai man was killed by a Swiss pensioner at the foreigner's house. The Thai man scaled a wall and demanded money and a fight broke out after he pulled a gun. The pensioner hit him in the head then tied him up before the police were called. But the intruder had died. It was the early hours of Sunday when Pol Capt Sukin Rajankaew of the Nakha police went to a house one kilometer from the village in Moo 4 Ban Khamin in Kutsa sub-district. Picture: Daily News There the police and rescue services found 53 year old Sathian dead in a kitchen behind the house. He had cheek and eyebrow cuts and bruises and had his hands and feet bound. He was taken for an autopsy at Soon Udon Thani Hospital. Waiting to surrender himself at the scene was Rudolf J.R., 63, the Swiss houseowner. He admitted knocking out the victim but denied intending to kill him. He said that late Saturday night he had been having a coffee in his kitchen. His wife had been out drinking with friends and had come home and gone to bed. The intruder scaled a concrete wall and was armed with a gun which he pointed at him demanding "money, money", reported Daily News. Picture: Daily News A struggle ensued as the Swiss man said he grabbed the intruder's arm and the gun went off but it didn't hit anyone. Rudolf said he threw it in the pond next to the house. In the furious fight fists and feet were used to attack the intruder who was knocked unconscious. Worried that he would regain consciousness the foreigner tied him up, woke up his wife and got her to contact the phu yai ban to inform the police. However, when the phu yai ban arrived Sathian was already dead. Lak, 44, the Swiss man's wife, said that she and her husband had been married for ten years and lived off his retirement fund. He used to be an architect. They had no trouble with anyone and no enemies, she said. She admitted to being someone who liked to go out and party with friends. Two years ago she said she met Sathian, a general employee and farmer, who was a friend of a friend. She said that he tried to initiate a relationship with her but she declined his advances. She would meet him in the village and say hello, that was all. She never thought he would try to rob them and it would come to this. Rudolf was taken away to the police station along with a .38 revolver that was found in the pond. It contained 5 rounds in the chamber, one had been fired. Picture: Daily News Pol Maj-Gen Phisanu Unhaseri said there were two cases - the first involved trespass at night with a gun and attempted murder against the victim. The second is that the foreigner will face charges of inflicting bodily harm causing death. Whether it was self-defence will be taken into consideration, said the provincial police chief promising "justice for both sides". He said there would be a full investigation. More on this as we hear of developments in the case. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-04 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Tourism Authority of Thailand considers utility token creation David Abel Thailand is one of the world’s leading travel destinations. The number of international arrivals per year has grown continuously to reach millions and so has revenue from this sector. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), an agency of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, is turning to technology and take advantage of the growing popularity of digital currencies by creating its own utility token. The Thai economy has suffered the impact of the pandemic and the government seeks possible innovations to buffer the economic situation. In hopes of reviving the economy, which has been one of the slowest in East Asia and the Pacific, the Thai government recently announced they would waive the quarantine for vaccinated travellers in Bangkok and nine other provinces starting November 1. Kiattipong Ariapruchya, the World Bank’s senior economist for Thailand, was quoted by media outlets saying, “The Thai economy will likely take longer to recover due to the delay in the return of foreign tourists.” Full story: https://coingeek.com/tourism-authority-of-thailand-considers-utility-token-creation/ -- © Copyright COINGEEK 2021-10-04 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PHOTO: Manager Online By Nop Meechukhun Khon Kaen – A recently-arrested American man who allegedly raped a female massage therapist in Khon Kaen has refused to reenact the crime scene which was planned today, October 3rd, for what he said were personal safety reasons. 37-year old suspect Robert Andrew Gordon, who is reportedly originally from Colorado in the United States, was arrested yesterday at a condominium in Soi Na Na on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok after days of fleeing from his alleged crime against a 45-year-old masseuse and attempted sexual abuse against a young girl in a northeastern province. The suspect has now been taken and been detained at the Mueng Khon Kaen Police Station before the police will make a formal detention request with the provincial court tomorrow, October 4th. The suspect’s girlfriend and lawyer have reportedly arrived from Amnat Charoen and are participating in the process with the foreign suspect. It is unknown at this point if he will be eligible for bail. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/03/american-suspect-who-allegedly-raped-a-masseuse-refuses-to-reenact-the-crime-scene-in-khon-kaen-today-claims-he-felt-unsafe/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-04 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) will put two million quality rapid antigen test kits (ATKs) on sale to the public, for home use, at 40 baht per kit at its eight stores in Bangkok from October 18th. GPO Deputy Director Sirikul Matevelungsun said today (Sunday) that the ATKs, procured by the GPO, are of standard quality and are much cheaper than those available in private pharmacies. The ATKs will be available at the following GPO-owned stores: Ratchathewi branch opposite Ramathibodi hospital, phone 02-203-8847 or 02-203-8849 Yodse branch next to Hua Chiew hospital, phone 02-222-5931 or 02-225-6367 Charan Sanitwong branch, phone 02-412-9377 Theves branch next to the Bank of Thailand, phone 02-282-0729 Rangsit branch near Simummuang market, phone 02-536-3526 or 02-536-4086 Ministry of Public Health’s branch at the Medical Services Department, phone 02-951-0925 or 02-590-6034 Tropical Medicine branch next to the Siam Commercial Bank, phone 02-354-9061 Chalerm Phra Kiat government complex branch, phone 02-143-8768 Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/cheap-but-quality-atks-to-be-available-at-gpo-stores-in-bangkok-on-oct-18th/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-04 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

“Forget about herd immunity because it will not work with COVID-19.” So says Dr. Yong Poovorawan, chief of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine of Chulalongkorn University, in his Facebook post on Sunday. He said that, when the majority of people in a country have developed immunity, whether from vaccinations or after being infected with a disease, such as measles, the minority who have not been vaccinated or who have not been infected by the disease will be protected from the infection. Herd immunity does not, however, work with some specific diseases, such as tetanus, even though many people have been vaccinated against it and, if someone gets pierced by a rusty nail, they will be infected with tetanus, said Dr. Yong. 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/top-thai-virologist-claims-herd-immunity-does-not-work-with-covid-19/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-04 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Sanook A leading restaurateur who runs AREA 11 has slammed the CCSA decision to allow live music in restaurants but continue to ban alcohol. Only five musicians are allowed and they must all wear face masks all the time except the vocalist. They are allowed to not wear a mask when singing. "Jor Jaan", reported Sanook, said allowing music was not going to make any difference to him and many others. Alcohol was the key and that was still banned. Bands still had to be paid for and without the alcohol rules changing it was all pointless as it would not draw custom. "No alcohol means no one is buying ice, or mixers, or french fries - these all are ordered as accompaniments," he said. Only millionaire owners could afford it. "It's crazy to continue to ban alcohol," he said. He noted that most people continued to order from home where they could enjoy a beer or glass of wine with their meal. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-02 - 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 transport minister Saksayam Chidchob said he had signed off on ministry rules that will allow the use of apps to hail taxis. Companies who apply to run apps will be subject to a 30 day scrutiny process. He said that 10,000 taxis of up to seven person capacity would likely be available in Bangkok. Flagfall for the cheapest vehicle will be 40 baht. After the first two kilometers the rate will increase per kilometer by 6 baht up to 16 baht depending on the size, reported Daily News. A limit of 20 baht hailing charge has been set. Idling in traffic will mean 2 baht more per minute. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-02 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Employees wait for customers outside a massage parlour in Pattaya. Photo: AFP ● The week-long Chinese holiday is usually one of tourism-reliant Thailand’s peak travel periods, but for the second year in a row it’s been all but cancelled by Covid-19 ● With fully vaccinated travellers able to enter from November 1 without serving quarantine, thoughts are now turning to attracting Indians celebrating Diwali Vijitra Duangdee First the beer and coconut shop closed, then the traditional medicine store next door. With Chinese tourists staying away from Thailand during the golden week holiday due to pandemic curbs, businesses that rely heavily on mainland customers have abandoned the neat, new shophouses of Pattaya’s Sohotown development. The lack of visitors from China has also upended the dream of creating a modern, buzzing Chinatown community of shops, restaurants and spas around a temple and flea market on a busy main road in the kingdom’s popular eastern resort city. The seven-day holiday from October 1 to mark the founding of modern China is one of the country’s peak travel periods. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3150799/thailand-feels-pinch-golden-week-no-gold-chinese-stay-home -- © Copyright South China Morning Post 2021-10-02 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: Naew Na A smiling chief of Immigration in Thailand Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang presided over a press conference at Suan phlu HQ to announce the arrest of a Russian man in Koh Samui for dealing drugs. An informant in Bo Phut reported a man for selling drugs to foreigners on Samui island and Koh Phangan and to foreign youngsters living there, too. He was also holding drugs parties at his villa. A vinyl board suggested this was Eagle Nest. Biometrics capabilities of the IB soon confirmed that the man was a Mr Konstantin wanted on an Interpol Red Notice dor drug offences in Russia. On seeing the officers Mr Konstantin dashed for the inside of the luxury villa where he rented. Officers presented their credentials aware that he was likely trying to get rid of drugs on the premises. Picture: Naew Na A search revealed plenty of illicit substances in a safe and desk of a bedroom. Bankbooks were taken into evidence. The Russian admitted the drugs were his and he had got them through the post from a Russian called Mr Ramis. It had cost him 55,000 baht. He admitted to supplying two groups of foreigners on the islands and holding illegal parties. He was charged with possession with intent to sell Class 1 and 2 narcotics. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Picture: TNA The chairman of Thailand's Tourism Business association said that the delay in reopening much of the country from October 1st to November 1st was further bad news for the sector. It had damaged the confidence of potential tourists to the country, said Chamnan Srisawat in comments reported by TNA and hit travel agents hard. He wants to see the time of the delay for a rethink on names, rules and costs to restore some uniformity. Chamnan said that foreigners had been confused by all the names that meant nothing to them - Sandbox, Move On, Recharge even Charming have been bandied about. He wanted to see every area opening under the same banner, with the same rules and the same operating procedures whether it is Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin or Cha-Am. He said that the testing regime was the number one thing putting off foreigners coming to Thailand. He suggested one 2,000 baht RT-PCR test on arrival then 2x200 baht ATK tests later. This price should be fixed and the same everywhere, he said. Many foreigners have found themselves with testing bills around 15,000 baht on top of hotel charges, notes ASEAN NOW. Difficulty in getting the timing right over bookings for getting a Certificate of Entry (CoE) should also be addressed. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

File photo: REUTERS Pakakrong Thepparak an academic at the Mongkhol Sri Wichai technical institute announced the latest figures for confidence of operators in the tourism industry after work with the TAT and Tourism Council. Pakakrong said that the stats were so bad that confidence was at 7 out of 200, the worst since records began. This put Thailand into a "coma" category. The media that carried her comments said this meant the Thai tourism industry in Quarter 3 was like someone sick in ICU. So far this year just 280,447 foreign visitors had come to Thailand and had spent an estimated 16.8 billion. Only 51% of businesses are open right now in the tourism sector. 44% have closed temporarily and 5% for good. The great majority of businesses have less that 50% staff remaining after 77% of the tourism workforce or 3.05 million people just left the business and sought work elsewhere or became idle. 54% of tourism businesses have no income at all. Of these some are in the direst straits - Pubs and bars, mostly 100% loss of income, theme parks and water parks 94%, travel agents, 93%, Sopas and massage 86% and transport sector of tourism with losses of 68%. Pakakrong said there was some improvement in confidence forecast for the fourth quarter (Oct to Dec). Confidence for operators rose then to 29 out of 200, but still way below the under 50 "coma" threshold. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-10-01 - 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) Pattaya – An intoxicated driver crashed his car into several food cart vendors on Second road in front of View Talay 6 and Central festival yesterday morning. The Pattaya City Police were notified of the accident at 11 A.M. yesterday (September 30th) on Pattaya Second Road in front of View Talay 6 and Central Festival shopping mall. They and The Pattaya News reporters arrived at the scene to find the damaged white car, food carts, and several shaken but mostly uninjured food cart vendors. The intoxicated car driver, whose name was not given by police, had already been taken to the Pattaya City Police Station located only a short distance from the accident on Soi 9. According to Pattaya police, the driver was so intoxicated, despite it being 11:00 in the morning, Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/01/intoxicated-driver-crashes-his-car-into-food-cart-vendors-in-front-of-central-festival-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-10-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates